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Samsung Electronics today announced it is showcasing its The Frame display lineup at Art Basel in Basel 2024, in its role as the show’s first official visual display partner. This year’s event is being held from June 13 to 161 at Messe Basel exhibition center in Basel, Switzerland.
 
Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel, today stages the world’s premier art shows for modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong and Paris. For its 2024 edition in Basel, Art Basel will bring together 285 leading international galleries from 40 countries to present artworks of the highest quality across all media — from painting and sculpture to photography and digital works — by artists ranging from early 20th century modern pioneers to emerging contemporary practitioners. Art Basel will once again reaffirm its unparalleled position as a platform for discovery and encounters that drive the art world.
 

 
At Art Basel in Basel 2024, Samsung is hosting Samsung The Frame Lounge, an exclusive booth for its lifestyle TV The Frame, under the concept “A New Way of Exploring Art.” Models of The Frame are installed both inside and outside a dedicated lounge, as well as throughout the show, to present visitors with a variety of vivid screen experiences.
 
“By participating as the first official visual display partner of Art Basel in Basel, The Frame has further established itself as the lifestyle TV we all think of when it comes to digitally displaying art,” said Cheolgi Kim, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We plan to provide more digital art experiences with The Frame, contributing to the expansion of the art ecosystem and pushing the boundaries of technological integration within the art world.”
 

 
Samsung’s exclusive booth features The Frame Wall, with 14 models of The Frame displaying works of art that showcase their exceptional QLED 4K picture quality. Inside the booth, a Highlight Zone displays the wide range of remarkable artwork available on Samsung Art Store, while an interactive space called “Find The Frame Zone” allows visitors to enjoy discovering The Frame hidden among real artworks, hung side by side.
 
The Frame Lounge is also offering two live discussion sessions (titled “The Frame & Chat”) across two days, hosted by Daria Brit Greene, curator of Samsung Art Store, Samsung’s digital art subscription platform. The first interview is with Angelle Siyang-Le, Director of Art Basel Hong Kong (June 11) and the second is with Irene Kim, Global Head of VIP Relations, member of the Art Basel Management Board (June 12). Attendees can hear the insights of these two Art Basel leaders on the trend of art and key highlights of the show, as well as learn more about the meaning and goals behind the collaboration with The Frame.
 
In addition, to celebrate The Frame’s selection as Art Basel in Basel’s first official visual display partner, Samsung is hosting a session featuring prominent influencers, including Fritz Proctor and Geneva Vanderzeil, which gives them the opportunity to view the exhibition and experience The Frame for themselves.
 

 
The Frame was designed with art at the forefront. When it’s not in use, the TV can be used as home décor by displaying artworks or pictures on a premium, QLED 4K screen. And thanks to its Matte Display, users can admire the art clearly, even in bright rooms, making it look even more like a real work of art. Through Samsung Art Store, subscribers have access to over 2,500 artworks from renowned artists, museums and industry tastemakers around the world.
 
 
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.
 
About Art Basel
Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report. Art Basel’s Global Media Partner is The Financial Times. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.
 
 
1 Event is open to the public from June 13 to 16, after VIP opening from June 10 to 12.
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Samsung Electronics today announced its latest QLED, MICRO LED, OLED and Lifestyle display lineups ahead of CES® 2024. The announcement also served to kick off the AI screen era through the introduction of a next-generation AI processor poised to redefine the perception of smart display capabilities. In addition to bringing improved picture and sound quality, the new lineups provide consumers with AI-powered features secured by Samsung Knox, focusing on inspiring and empowering individual lifestyles.
 
“Now that we are living through the hyperconnected era, it’s no longer just about delivering quality visual experiences. Displays should enhance our lives both on and off the screen,” said SW Yong, President and Head of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung’s AI screens, powered by on-device AI technology, are designed to be the centerpiece of users’ homes, connecting all compatible devices to offer users a more flexible and diverse lifestyle.”
 
 
Double the AI Performance for Enhanced Neo QLED 8K Picture Quality

 
Samsung’s newest Neo QLED 8K and 4K TVs offer the full package, including lifelike picture quality, premium audio technology and a rich array of apps and services. At its core, the 2024 Neo QLED 8K is Samsung’s latest and most innovative TV processor yet: NQ8 AI Gen3, which has a neural processing unit (NPU) that is twice as fast as that of its predecessor. The amount of neural networks has also increased eightfold from 64 to 512, allowing everything on screen to be displayed in crisp detail. Thanks to this advanced processor, the 2024 lineup is equipped with unprecedented performance upgrades.
 
The Neo QLED lineup also brings a suite of picture quality and design enhancing features, including:
 
8K AI Upscaling Pro1: Leverages NQ8 AI Gen3 for enhanced 8K upscaling, sharpening low resolution content so that it is displayed in ultra-high resolution. AI Motion Enhancer Pro: Solves common issues in sporting contents — such as ball distortion — by streaming high-resolution sports matches through this feature2 powered by NQ8 AI Gen3. The feature automatically detects the sport type and uses deep learning to apply the proper ball detection model. Real Depth Enhancer Pro: Adds details to fast-moving scenes using AI to precisely control mini LEDs. By detecting the part of a scene that the human eye would naturally focus on and bringing it to the foreground, images appear more lifelike and three dimensional. Infinity Air Design: Complements Neo QLED 8K’s impeccable picture quality with a screen only 12.9mm in depth,3 allowing for an immersive viewing experience that focuses on high resolution and outstanding sound quality. It is also offers a unique mirror effect in which the TV appears to hover in its surroundings.  
The performance of the Neo QLED 8K is rounded out by immaculate audio quality, on par with the stunning 8K picture quality on screen.
 
2024 Q-Symphony: Allows users to connect multiple wireless speakers and a soundbar to a TV or projector for perfect audio synchronization across shows, movies, and playlists. It’s a technology that perfectly synchronizes TV with wireless speakers and a soundbar. Active Voice Amplifier Pro: A proprietary AI dialogue booster that utilizes exclusive deep-learning technology to significantly enhance dialogue and voices on screen. It separates voices from mixed audio, enhancing voice input so users can easily follow the conversation on screen at any volume.  
 
2024 Tizen OS Streamlines the Home TV Experience
The 2024 Tizen OS brings content front and center on the Neo QLED 8K lineup. It offers a personalized content and service experience based on different accounts set up on smart TVs. Now, different members of each household with a Samsung Smart TV can set up a profile for personalized recommendations and a more customized overall experience.
 
Samsung TV Plus: The updated user interface (UI) includes a new home screen with an overview of available content, with added categories for faster content discovery. The service will also connect with Samsung accounts to easily access users’ favorite channels and content while offering tailored content suggestions based on viewing history. ‘Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub’ Controller: Samsung has partnered with gaming accessory provider Performance Designed Products (PDP) to develop the first “Designed for Samsung Gaming Hub” controller, set to be launched at CES 2024. PDP’s new wireless controller includes a built-in, rechargeable battery that provides up to 40 hours of playtime per charge, a 30-foot low-latency Bluetooth wireless connection, a Samsung Gaming Hub home button capable of launching Gaming Hub, an easy-to-use TV volume control button and more.  
 
Connected, Inclusive Experiences With the Samsung Ecosystem
With Samsung TVs at the center of the home, users can reap the benefits of the latest innovations and enjoy seamless connectivity between devices in their day-to-day life. In 2024, Samsung will vastly improve its connected experience with Samsung Daily+,4 a hub for in-home activity. It provides a wide range of services and features — from personal training and telehealth to video calls and remote PC solutions — in one single interface. New features include the following:
 
Workout Tracker: This free service5 puts real-time exercise data — such as workout duration and heart rates from wearable devices — on top of users’ content on Samsung screens to keep them both entertained and informed while working out at home. TechnoGym: enhances your home workout with high-quality fitness and wellness videos from the world-class instructors at TechnoGym. Discover these curated contents for maximum performance, only on Samsung TV. F45: Users can work out and join intensive in-studio training at one of F45’s 3,000+ studios worldwide. FlexIt: Live one-on-one sessions with top fitness and wellness professionals Tail: provides real-time video consultation with a vet in the comfort of users’ homes. From basic care tips to advanced advice, Dr.Tail has a range of questions covered. Users can connect with veterinary experts in real time whenever they need. Multi Control: Allows more efficient work from home by giving users control of all their screens — including TVs, smartphones, and monitors — with a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse. Users can experience a different way to work by copying and pasting, reading documents and more across devices.  
Samsung’s latest 2024 TVs and screens also come with greater compatibility across various devices within the ecosystem, allowing a more integrated connection between TVs and smartphones or wearable devices for a greater level of customization, accessibility and convenience.
 
Mobile Smart Connect: All of the new featured apps and services are easily controlled with the SmartThings Mobile Plugin, which transforms the smartphone into a multi-functional remote that offers users greater control over their screens. With a straightforward pop-up interface and a customizable UI, the app provides convenience and enhanced accessibility. 360 Audio: The audio feature, previously offered on Galaxy devices, has also expanded to Samsung TVs and screens. Now, Samsung Galaxy Buds seamlessly connect to TVs to deliver spatial audio for movies, shows and even gaming titles, so users can be truly immersed in visual content and gameplay. Vibrary: Enjoy your favorite artist’s high-quality images via the big screen of your TV. With Ambient Mode, you can be welcomed every day by your favorite artist. You can also enjoy photos and music from TV and mobile devices through Casting, providing a seamless viewing experience.  
The latest TV and screen lineup also boasts enhanced accessibility offerings, allowing more consumers to enjoy their favorite content on Samsung Neo QLED than ever before.
 
Audio Subtitle: The world’s first on-device TV feature that uses AI and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology to provide a voice guide for embedded subtitles in real-time. Remote for Barrier Free: An app designed for users with visual, auditory or physical disabilities by enabling more thoughtful TV control via smartphones. The highly customizable app incorporates UI enhancements such as intuitive button placement, distinct colors and tactile feedback, while also integrating Samsung’s latest accessibility features such as voice guides for easy access right from the smartphone. Relumino Together Mode: Relumino is a feature that enables people with low vision to enjoy their favorite TV shows, movies and games without the need for wearable hardware. With AI technology dynamically outlining the edges of on-screen elements and rebalance colors, the feature enables users with low vision to more clearly see people and objects. Relumino Together Mode provides standard screens and Relumino Mode screens side-by-side, so people with low vision and their families can enjoy TV together.  
 
MICRO LED: Pushing the Boundaries of Display Technology
With the new transparent MICRO LED, Samsung is showing the world that there are infinite possibilities for screens. The screen, which looks like a piece of transparent glass, boasts an extremely small MICRO LED chip and precision manufacturing process that eliminates seams and light refraction. This allows the transparent MICRO LED to create a clear, unobstructed picture for various use cases in both homes and B2B environments.
 
Touting a modular design that allows users to personalize the shape, size and ratio of screens to fit any space, MICRO LED is a truly innovative screen technology. Samsung’s years of research and development — stemming from its semiconductor expertise — have led to an extremely effective process, allowing LED chip operation circuits to be directly deposited on the glass and thereby mitigating the loss of brightness that users may experience with conventional displays.
 
 
Offering Wider OLED Lineups To Meet Consumer Preferences

 
Samsung’s 2024 OLED TVs build on the legacy of last year’s models, with the S95D offering an ultra-large 77-inch canvas for high-detail, a high-frame rate and intensely vibrant video. The display is 20% brighter than previous models, with deep and rich blacks and AI-enhanced color accuracy so pure that it’s Pantone Validated. Samsung has also introduced the S90D and S85D in various sizes, from 42” to 83’’.6
 
New ‘OLED Glare Free’ technology7 — specifically designed for 2024 OLED screens — preserves color accuracy and reduces reflections while maintaining image sharpness to ensure an immersive viewing experience, even in daylight. The OLED-optimized, low-reflection coating overcomes the trade-off between gloss and reflection thanks to a new, specialized hard-coating layer and surface coating pattern.
 
The S95D’s screen will captivate audiences with advanced, proprietary picture-quality engines that preserve perfect whites, deeper blacks and accurate colors. In addition to being Samsung’s brightest OLED screen yet, it also features high refresh rates of up to 144Hz, so sports fans and gamers can enjoy seamless motion and crystal-clear action on their screens.
 
 
New Lifestyle Products Deliver Bespoke Solutions To Enrich Every Lifestyle
In addition to its award-winning lifestyle lineup that includes The Frame, The Serif and The Terrace, Samsung is reaffirming its commitment to “Screens Everywhere, Screens for All” with the various new products in its latest lifestyle lineup. These new additions provide another level of customization and personalization, as seen below:
 
The Frame: Already the best-selling lifestyle screen product, The Frame comes with new enhancements to boost the art experience. Now with over 2,500 artworks from world-renowned museums and galleries in the Art Store, users can enjoy an Art Store experience that is even better than before. The Frame’s new art streaming feature gives users a taste of the Art Store’s diverse collection by providing them with free hand-selected artworks monthly. Moreover, the 2024 Frame helps reduce energy costs by up to 10% with the variable refresh rate adjustment available in Art Mode.8 The Premiere 8K Projector: The Premiere 8K is the world’s first projector offering wireless connectivity. Removing the need for cables, this solution allows consumers to keep their living spaces neat and tidy. The ultra-short throw projector comes packed with smart features — such as picture-off premium home audio, cloud gaming, always-on voice with far-field mic and four multi-view screen splits — to extend usability and provide almost increased use cases. The projector incorporates Samsung’s patented “Sound-on-Screen” technology, integrating the top speaker module and software algorithms for an immersive sound experience. The Freestyle 2nd Gen: The second iteration of the portable projector features Smart Edge Blending, which supports seamless merging of projections from two The Freestyle devices to create a large screen for pictures and videos. It allows two devices to project an image as big as 160-inches with a 21:9 screen ratio, with no manual adjustment needed.  
 
New Soundbars for Immersive Audio Experience
To top off a home entertainment set up, the 2024 soundbar lineup offers newly updated models for even more immersive audio experiences, which are particularly bolstered by advanced AI algorithms.
 
Music Frame: This customizable speaker is compatible with SmartThings and provides surround sound when paired with Samsung TVs and soundbars. Music Frame can either operate as a standalone wireless speaker or pair with a Samsung TV and soundbar via Q-Symphony to augment bass and surround sound. Seamlessly blending into its environment by camouflaging itself inside modern picture frames, Music Frame provides high-quality sound without being an eyesore. HW-Q990D: This soundbar features a 11.1.4-channel configuration, immersive Dolby Atmos sound and supports pass through of content in 4K 120Hz. It analyzes audio and uses AI to optimize sound for the perfect experience across a wide range of content. HW-S800D: This ultra-thin, 1.6-inch-deep soundbar is designed to fit seamlessly into any space and provides rich and immersive sound. At only a third of the depth of conventional soundbars, the S800D has 10 drivers, including dedicated overhead speakers and a center channel for crystal-clear vocals. The combination of a deep bass subwoofer and a passive radiator also enhances the listening experience with deep, distortion-free bass in a compact form factor.   
Samsung’s 2024 TV lineup promises a seamless fusion of cutting-edge technology and user-centric design, setting the stage for personalized, immersive experiences that redefine the way people live and engage with their devices.
 
 
1 QN900D only. 8K AI Upscaling for other models.
2 Viewing experience may vary according to types of content and format. Upscaling may not apply to PC connection and Game Mode.
3 12.9mm in depth only applies to 65’’ QN900D.
4 Samsung Daily+ will be applied to DU7000↑ and rolled out worldwide.
5 Workout Tracker is compatible with Galaxy Watch 4 and up, YouTube and TV program content. It will be compatible with various third-party devices later in 2024.
6 Size and model availability of OLEDs may vary by country.
7 UL’s verification validates the ‘OLED Glare Free’ claim by assessing the products against Unified Glare Rating (UGR) testing standard set by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) and testing standard set by the International Organization for Standardization.
8 This feature applies to the 55’’ display and above.
 
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Other than the US, all other international Galaxy S23 buyers are in for a price hike across the board. That is the consensus, with leaks indicating that all three Galaxy S23 models will be more expensive than their Galaxy S22 counterparts outside the States. The Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and Ultra will be a lot more exciting than their predecessors, which might help make the price hike more bearable. But then there’s the economy to factor in, which might prevent some people from buying the newest handsets.
With preorders coming up on February 1st, you have two options to save money on the Galaxy S23. One of them is the easiest one to take advantage of. Samsung is already offering up to $100 off if you reserve the Galaxy S23 now, and there will be other discounts and bundle deals to tack on at launch. The other option is waiting a few months for prices to drop.
Why Galaxy S23 preorders are so exciting
Samsung had to endure a humiliating defeat with the Galaxy S22 series, but it was the South Korean company’s own fault. It can fix that with the Galaxy S23, and that’s precisely what Samsung wants to do.
The Galaxy S23 phones will be better in every way than their predecessors. We’re looking at the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powering the three phones in all markets. It’s also a custom System-on-Chip (SoC), running at higher clock speeds than the regular Gen 2 chips.
Add to that new speed boosts for the RAM and flash memory, and the Galaxy S23 handsets should deliver significant speed gains. Furthermore, the Plus and Ultra get big storage boosts, starting at 256GB. And the Galaxy S23 Ultra will feature a massive camera upgrade, with a brand new 200-megapixel primary camera.
Leaked Galaxy S23 Plus marketing image. Image source: WinFuture That’s why buyers who want a Galaxy S23 phone as fast as possible should ensure they go through the preorder reservation process to get $50-$100 in Samsung credit on top of the preorder perks.
Rumors say Galaxy S23 preorder deals will double the storage for free, which is excellent news for buyers who want more flash memory. Remember that Samsung flagships do not support microSD cards.
Samsung and carriers might throw additional incentives during preorders, including trade-in offers that can significantly reduce the Galaxy S23 preorder price.
But not everyone will be eligible. And there will be buyers who want to avoid dealing with trade-ins or carrier-locked phones.
When to buy the Galaxy S23 to get a better price
In case you’re not comfortable paying the full retail price for the Galaxy S23 during preorders, there’s one other way to get a great deal. You can skip preorders and wait a few months for the price to drop.
You’ll lose out on the preorder deals, including the reservation credit. But you might be looking at up to 20% savings on the Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and Ultra. So says Idealo, via the Italian-language blog Tutto Android.
According to the research firm, you’ll have to wait about five months for the Galaxy S23 prices to drop by 20%. While that’s just an estimate, we’ll remind you that Android flagships do not retain their value like iPhones. They almost always lose significant value after launch.
Galaxy S23 Ultra marketing materials leaked ahead of launch. Image source: WinFuture Specifically, the researchers expect the base Galaxy S23 model to drop by 10% in eight weeks. After five months, you’re looking at a 20% price drop for the handset. The Galaxy S23 Plus might see a 24% drop within four months after launch. Finally, the Galaxy S23 Ultra could see the price drop by 20% in four months.
Again, this is all just an estimate for the moment, but it’s based on data from the previous flagships, including the Galaxy S22 and S21.
If you can’t buy the Galaxy S23 at launch and want the best possible price, your best bet is to wait a few months to score a sweeter deal. Whatever you do, don’t get a cheaper Galaxy S22 instead while you wait.
Don't Miss: Galaxy S23 Ultra hands-on video leaks ahead of launch eventThe post Galaxy S23 price hikes are coming, but there are ways to save money appeared first on BGR.
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Samsung Electronics announced exciting new ways for gamers to experience game streaming with the addition of new partners and the introduction of game streaming to select 2021 Samsung TV models1 and 4K games, further delivering on its promise of bringing the future of gaming to consumers across the globe.
 
 
Antstream and Blacknut Joining Samsung’s Game Streaming Offer
Antstream Arcade is the world’s largest cloud gaming service that provides players access to over 1,500 iconic games and weekly new multiplayer challenges and tournaments. Select Samsung TV owners will soon be able to battle their friends and the global community at the best games from the 80s, 90s and 00s, from Pac-Man to Mortal Kombat and Metal Slug.
 
“Antstream Arcade believes that combining gaming’s past with gaming’s future will push the industry forward to the next era of video games,” said Steve Cottam, CEO of Antstream Arcade. “What fulfills that promise better than retro arcade games played on Samsung’s most advanced Smart TVs? Game streaming provides gamers with more opportunities to play games they love or classics they missed out on.”
 
With a growing catalog of 500+ premium PC and console games, Blacknut’s Cloud Gaming subscription based service offers the largest unlimited access to gaming content for TV screens. Blacknut allows a “click and play” experience, allowing up to five players to play simultaneously on any compatible smartphone, PC or Smart TV. Blacknut’s library focuses on core and casual family members, delivering a wealth of titles spanning classic AAA games, indie favorites, story-driven adventures, strategy and also the largest collection of racing and sports games. Blacknut’s members can enjoy acclaimed hits, such as Metro Exodus, Overcooked as well as a vast collection of Disney games.
 
“Blacknut is now bringing the largest Cloud Gaming catalog included in one subscription to Samsung, the number one game streaming destination,” said Nabil Laredj, VP, Business Development & Licensing at Blacknut. “We designed Blacknut as a family gaming platform including five player profiles that can play simultaneously. Bringing our service to Samsung devices allows more gamers to experience the future of gaming.”
 
Launching in 2023, both Antstream and Blacknut game streaming will become available to owners of select 2021, 2022 & 2023 Samsung TVs.
 
 
Bringing Cloud Games to Millions of 2021 Samsung Smart TV Owners
Rolling out through the end of the year, Samsung is giving more players access to game streaming through select 2021 Samsung Smart TVs. Samsung will make available individual apps from game streaming partners Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW and Utomik, with Blacknut and Antstream Arcade coming in 2023. By expanding the game streaming experience to select 2021 Samsung Smart TVs, existing Samsung customers will now have instant access to the same games available through the Samsung Gaming Hub on 2022 Smart TVs and Monitors.
 
“When Samsung Gaming Hub rolled out earlier this year on 2022 TV models, the number one question we received was ‘when is game streaming coming to my 2021 TV.’ Today we are happy to share with our eager fans that they will be able to play the games they love before the end of this year,” said Mike Lucero, Head of Product for Gaming at North America Service Business Team, Samsung Electronics. “With any leading Bluetooth-enabled gaming controller and internet connection, millions of players will be able to access an expansive library of games ranging from the best AAAs to the hottest indies and retro games directly through partner apps on select 2021 Smart TVs, making Samsung devices a preferred destination for game streaming.”
 
Once available, the individual gaming apps can be downloaded from the Samsung App Store via the Media Hub directly on the TV.
 
 
4K Games Available on Samsung Smart TVs via NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW
Rolling out in a few weeks, the offer will enable GeForce NOW players to stream PC games at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second natively in 2022 and select 2021 Samsung Smart TVs without waiting for downloads, installs, patches or updates. GeForce NOW premium membership is required for an enhanced experience including 4K resolution, faster frame rates, RTX ON, priority access to NVIDIA gaming servers and extended eight-hour session lengths.2
 
For more details on the Samsung Gaming Hub, please visit https://www.samsung.com/gaminghub.
To learn more about the latest Samsung Gaming TV’s visit samsung.com/us/gamingtvs.
 
 
1 Eligible 2021 models include: QN800, QN850, QN900, WS1A, QN700, LS03A, AU7000, AU8000, AU9000, Q50, Q60 & Q95-Q70.
2 GeForce NOW premium membership subscription requirement may vary by countries.
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A report from South Korea illustrates the unseen tech war between Samsung and China. Samsung has strict practices to prevent employees from stealing sensitive information that could be sold to Chinese companies. China is targeting Samsung engineers with better job offers. The report notes that the South Korean government is also involved in protecting what it sees as “national core technologies” from reaching China, including the OLED displays that Samsung makes for Galaxy phones and iPhones. It’s a known secret in the mobile industry that Samsung can’t prevent Galaxy leaks. All of its phones leak months ahead of release, with little mystery left for the actual Unpacked press conferences where the next-gen Galaxy S, Note, or Fold is unveiled. The Galaxy S21 went through the same process in the months preceding the mid-January announcement. Perhaps it’s just a case of Samsung not really caring enough to really prevent those leaks.
The leaks might ruin the surprise, but the hype can help with sales even if the mystery is lost. While Samsung might seem complicit to some extent with those leaks, it turns out the company is fighting what appears to be a fierce war against the kind of leaks that matter far more, leaks that could hurt its bottom line.
Unbeknownst to most people, Samsung is under attack from China, where local companies target Samsung employees with lucrative job offers. Also, corporate espionage campaigns attempt to steal trade secrets from key sectors where Samsung has immense expertise. This includes Samsung’s OLED tech that’s used in Galaxy phones and iPhones alike, as well as Samsung’s semiconductor business.

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Nikkey Asia explains in a detailed report that the South Korean government is very much aware of the corporate espionage, helping local companies guard their tech secrets. The report focuses on Samsung, but Chinese companies are also targeting other South Korean companies, like LG.
In the five years ending in 2019, 123 cases of tech leaks from South Korea were recorded, according to data from the nation’s top intelligence agency, the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Most of those leaks (83) went to China, many involving technologies where South Korean companies have a lead on competitors, including semiconductors, displays, and shipbuilding.
Three men were caught last August attempting to leak Samsung OLED secrets to China. They are currently facing at least three years in prison as a result, according to the report.
Samsung has strict security practices in place to prevent employees from stealing sensitive data. The camera and audio-recording functions of smartphones belonging to employees are disabled in labs and factories. The printing paper at one laboratory includes metal foil so metal detectors placed at the doors will prevent employees from leaving with sensitive information. Samsung also forbade employees from taking documents with technical data out of the office during the novel coronavirus pandemic, even though many people were working from home.
But Samsung can’t force employees to stay at their jobs. Samsung has a workforce of over 287,000 workers worldwide, and headhunters from China are targeting these individuals with better job offers. Nikkei explains:
The S and L stand for Samsung and LG. The employees who do accept job offers in China attempt to hide that they’re working in China. Some adopt aliases to keep authorities and former employers from tracing them. And they might use particular routes to return home, like flying from Hong Kong or Shanghai, busy destinations that allow them to blend in.
The report notes that Chinese display maker BOE, which has been vying for Apple’s iPhone business for years, has hired around 120 South Koreans, including more than 50 former Samsung engineers who led the development of OLED screens for the iPhone. A BOE plant in Chengdu has production lines set up just like Samsung Display’s main plant in South Korea. BOE supplies OLED screens for the iPhone repair market, but it’s not a certified iPhone screen provider. The South Korean government has designated OLED technologies as “national core technologies,” with NIS having a section dedicated to making sure those secrets stay in Korea.
The report also notes that China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC), which is on a US government blacklist, has also hired many South Koreans, with at least 62 people appearing in SMIC-related patents. Headhunting of Samsung employees with expertise in chip production tech has increased just as the US-China tech tensions started heating up.
The full Nikkei story is available at this link.

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