News
Top Stories: One UI 7, Galaxy S25 chipset, Samsung prevails Apple, Fold SE and more
Samsung keeps on making progress with One UI 7 development while preparing for a Galaxy S25 to launch, Exynos might revive with a new processing node and there is more, here you can check all of the top stories from the past week.
One UI 7
A report from ETNews suggests that Samsung is developing a new AI feature to ease interactions throughout the software. These features are related to the Settings menu, camera, and keyboard.
The new addition will anticipate users’ requirements based on device usage to show them above others and the most useful ones first.
The new One UI version is also expected to redesign key system app icons including Gallery, Phone, Camera, Voice Recorder, Contacts, and Notes. A report revealed this new look for these apps will improve visibility compared to One UI 6.
Meanwhile, a Japanese carrier AU by KDDI has shared a list of eligible One UI 7 devices, a major revelation for this unreleased software. You can check the complete list here. On the other hand, Samsung has yet to announce an official list of devices.
Multi-Sound
Samsung’s online community member announced new improvements for SoundAssistant’s Multi-Sound, which will resolve compatibility issues with Android Auto.
Galaxy S25 Chipset
Samsung President TM Roh will attend the Qualcomm 2024 Summit to discuss the new Snapdragon chipset. He may talk about the chipset’s performance for the Galaxy S25 lineup and AI capabilities.
The S25 series will equip a Snapdragon processor. However, a new rumor suggests the Korean company doesn’t want to rule out the possibility of featuring Exynos chipset.
The rumored Exynos 2500 could complete the 3nm foundry process in time for the S25 series. Not only that, this mobile chip was also spotted on the Geekbench database with a 10-core architecture. That includes two prime CPU cores.
Samsung has been giving Exynos a cold shoulder for a few years. We’ll have to see if the Korean tech company is ready to bring it back into action.
We don’t about Exynos but S25 devices could introduce some interesting color shades featuring Black, Green, Blue, and Titanium.
Samsung’s Close Win
Market researchers IDC and Canalys have shared the third quarter of 2024 smartphone shipment data. It confirms Samsung as the top leader in shipment and Apple as a close second.
The smartphone giant has topped the smartphone sellers list but its market share is still under threat by Apple and Chinese competitors on a quarterly basis.
Fold 6 SE
Samsung will unveil a new foldable smartphone – Galaxy Z Fold 6 Special Edition (SE) on October 21, 2024. Invitation for this event is out but the device might be limited to Korean customers.
Samsung released the Galaxy Ring and Galaxy Tab S10 series in Brazil and Latin America. The company announced the general availability of these new products in America.
The Galaxy Tab S10 series is also up for purchase in Gray, with a suggested price of R$ 11,499 for the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and R$ 8,999 for the Galaxy Tab S10+.
Samsung’s smart ring will be available in Brazil starting yesterday, October 18, in physical stores and the Samsung Online Store, with a suggested price of R$ 3,499 in Black, Silver, and Gold colors.
When purchasing the product in Samsung’s physical stores, consumers can measure the most suitable size using the product measuring kit, with assistance from Samsung sales consultants.
For purchases in the Samsung Online Store, a pop-up window will open to offer the measuring kit for R$ 99, which will automatically become a credit toward the purchase of the device later.
Galaxy AI
Samsung developed Galaxy AI to enhance people’s lives. Using AI features, users can focus on essential tasks like calls, image editing, messaging, and health monitoring.
All Galaxy AI features are available to consumers in Latin America, including local languages like Spanish and Portuguese. Galaxy AI can analyze health data such as sleep patterns and vital signs.
Galaxy AI features translate text and audio conversations, quickly configure extended screens, and effortlessly execute complex creative ideas through intuitive functions.
Chinese smartphone makers are doing a commendable job in India. Vivo has taken a leak in the Indian smartphone market in Q3, 2024, surpassing Xiaomi and Samsung to become the largest vendor for the first time reports Canalys.
In Q3 2024, Vivo sold 9.1 million phones, securing a 19% share in the Indian smartphone market. The company recorded an annual growth of 26%, which helped it surpass Samsung and Xiaomi to become the market leader.
Xiaomi shipped 7.8 million units of smartphones during the same period. The company had a market share of 17%, which grew by 3% YoY.
Samsung slipped to third spot, with shipments recorded at 7.5 million units and 16% market share. The company’s sales declined 4% compared to the last year.
Oppo grew 43% year-on-year, with shipments reaching 6.3 million units in Q3 for a 13% market share. Shipments by all other brands were 11.1 million for the remaining 23% market share.
The Indian smartphone market grew 9% in Q3 2024, shipping 47.1 million units. Chinese vendor Vivo claimed the pole position for the first time amid an aggressive push across channels, capturing a 19% market share.
It seems Samsung has already started preparing to heat the smartphone market battle next year. The recent render leak of Galaxy A36 5G suggests that the company is also focussing on mid-range models to maintain dominance.
Recently, Canalys reported that Samsung and Apple had neck-and-neck in the 3Q24 global market. Both companies secured an 18% market share in Q3 2024. Xiaomi ranked third with a 14% market share in the same period.
Samsung halted chip equipment delivery from ASML for the Texas USA factory Reuters reports. The company is struggling from a broader slowdown in its contract chip manufacturing, leading it to reconsider equipment deliveries.
The semiconductor production business is dominated by Taiwan’s TSMC. Samsung has postponed Texas chip equipment delivery from ASML due to a lack of major customers for the project. Delay in US CHIPS subsidy is also hurting Samsung’s project.
Samsung Foundry’s 3nm process seemingly failed to achieve a production-level yield rate. Other process nodes are also affected, with the Foundry division entering in crisis as no major production client is left for business expansion.
The report states that Samsung’s move to halt shipment covers advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines. This is a crucial machinery in a semiconductor factory that is essential for producing cutting-edge chips.
Samsung has been facing multi-front challenges in its Texas plant. While subsidies are delayed, the construction rate continues to rise. The company has also faced a legal hurdle, with an employee injured during construction work.
The Korean tech giant planned to commence mass production this year. However, the new deadline to complete construction and kickstart production is pushed to 2026. The lack of major clients will further delay the mass production at Texas Fab.