Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has revealed that his daily phone of choice is a Samsung foldable device—one that was personally gifted to him by Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong. The remark came during Gates’s appearance on South Korea’s hit talk show You Quiz on the Block, which aired on August 27, and quickly sparked interest both at home and abroad.
When asked about his smartphone preference on the program, Gates responded with a smile: “I’m using a Samsung Fold phone. Actually, Chairman Lee gave it to me, so I didn’t have to pay for it.” The lighthearted comment not only amused viewers but also reignited conversations about Gates’s long-standing connection with the Korean tech giant.
This isn’t the first time Gates has publicly shared his preference for Samsung’s foldables over Apple’s iPhone. In 2022, he mentioned on Reddit that he was carrying a Galaxy Z Fold 3, later upgrading to a Galaxy Z Fold 4 in 2023—both devices also reportedly gifts from Lee. His continued use of Samsung’s foldable devices is seen by observers as both an endorsement of the practicality of foldable technology and a reflection of the rapport he maintains with the Samsung heir.
Their relationship extends beyond gadgets. Earlier this month, during his first visit to South Korea in three years, Gates met with President Lee Jae-myung before sharing a private lunch with Chairman Lee at Samsung’s headquarters in Seoul. The two reportedly discussed potential cooperation on global social responsibility projects, continuing a tradition of meeting whenever Gates travels to Korea or Lee visits the United States.
For Samsung, Gates’s casual endorsement comes at a critical time. The company has been working to cement its Galaxy Z Fold series as a premium alternative to Apple and Chinese competitors. While Gates may not have intended to act as a brand ambassador, his visible preference for Samsung’s foldables has given the company a timely and influential boost in the global spotlight.
