To mark World Sleep Day 2026, a global study of Samsung Health users[2] is shedding new light on the true extent of the condition and the disruptive impact it has on your sleep. Aligned with this year’s World Sleep Day theme, “Sleep Well, Live Better,” Samsung is turning the invisible signs of sleep apnea into actionable insights through its Galaxy Watch series, helping those affected improve their sleep habits and overall health.

Image: Infographic including all key data on impact of sleep apnea

How Does Sleep Apnea Impact Your Sleep?

The report[2] found that 23% of study participants are at risk of sleep apnea.

“The microarousals and awakenings that follow breathing pauses fragment your sleep,” explains behavioural sleep scientist Dr. Vanessa Hill. “Those occurrences can prevent the brain from staying in the REM and deep sleep stages necessary for cognitive and physical restoration.”

The report[2] shows these constant disruptions take a direct toll on sleep duration and quality, leading to:

• Reduced REM Sleep: Participants with moderate to severe sleep apnea indicators detected by their Galaxy Watch got around four minutes less rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the phase where our brains process emotions, consolidate memories and cement learning. Without enough of it, people can experience mood instability and memory problems, impacting performance at work and overall well-being.
• Less Deep Sleep: Sleep apnea also robs sufferers of deep sleep, approximately eight minutes less per night, on average. This is the body’s critical physical restoration phase, where growth hormone is released, muscles are repaired, and your immune system is activated. Losing out on deep sleep is why you may feel physically exhausted, have slower recovery times, and get sick more often.
• Frequent Nightly Awakenings: Study participants with signs of sleep apnea also woke up regularly during the night and stayed awake around four minutes longer. These interruptions derail the sleep cycle, locking you into lighter, less restorative stages and making next-day exhaustion inevitable, no matter how long you slept.
• Shorter Sleep Duration: Overall, people with a higher likelihood of sleep apnea averaged around 12 minutes less sleep. While this loss may seem minor, it can have a significant impact on overall sleep quality as your sleep cycle gets fragmented throughout the night.

Why It Matters: “Even a small loss in sleep duration is compounded by a larger loss of sleep quality,” said Dr. Hill. “This can be the difference between simply being ‘in bed’ and getting restorative rest, which could be why people feel so tired the next day.”

Dr. Hill also advocates a multidimensional approach to sleep health. “Sleep apnea affects many dimensions of sleep — duration, quality, sleep efficiency and even daytime fatigue,” she stated. “They together help determine our health and functioning.”

With sleep apnea shown to impact all aspects of sleep and lead to other health complications, detection is an essential first step in the fight against the condition.

How Does Galaxy Watch Help Detect Signs of Moderate to Severe Sleep Apnea?   

For years, sleep apnea has been difficult to detect due to the need for inconvenient hospital tests. However, Samsung offers at-home detection with a first-of-its-kind Sleep Apnea[3] feature on your Galaxy Watch.

• How It Works: Users simply track their sleep with a compatible Galaxy Watch[4] for more than four hours over two nights within a ten-day period. Available through the Samsung Health Monitor app, the Sleep Apnea feature may help users to proactively spot signs of the condition.
• The Technology: Leveraging the Galaxy Watch’s BioActive Sensor, the feature provides general insights into blood oxygen patterns during sleep. These insights may help users stay aware of changes in their breathing patterns overtime. Based on this data, the feature can help provide estimations on the user’s Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), which can help indicate the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
• From Awareness to Action: By helping to detect signs of sleep apnea early, the feature may provide the data needed for an informed consultation with a medical professional. Your Galaxy Watch can also help you build habits for better holistic sleep health. Features include the Sleep Coaching[5] program for detailed analysis and tips on how to improve sleep quality and Bedtime Guidance,[6] which recommends your optimal bedtime to help you consistently get enough sleep.

“For years, the inconvenience of an in-lab clinical sleep study has been a barrier to diagnosing sleep apnea,” added Dr. Hill. “Wearable technology such as Galaxy Watch is a breakthrough because it democratises that first step. It allows people to gather meaningful data from their own beds, providing a starting point for a conversation with a healthcare professional.”

Take Control of Your Night

A good night’s sleep is the first step toward a healthier, more energised life, and Samsung is here to help guide you. Samsung’s ecosystem offers end-to-end care, from helping to detect signs of sleep apnea on your Galaxy Watch to providing suggestions to receive professional adviceto connecting you with professional advice through our health network.

Looking ahead, Samsung is constantly innovating and improving the Sleep Apnea feature to make it even more powerful with sharper insights. Prioritise your rest today to unlock a healthier tomorrow.

[1]“Obstructive Sleep Apnea National Indicator Report,” American Academy of Sleep Medicine (2023)

[2]Samsung Health users from the U.S., South Korea, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Chile, South Africa, and the Philippines participated in the study from January–June 2025.

[3]Sleep Apnea feature requires Galaxy Watch8 to be paired with a compatible Samsung Galaxy smartphone with Android OS 12 or later and latest version of Samsung Health Monitor app. Sleep Apnea feature is currently available in some selected countries only. Sleep Apnea feature requires at least 2 days of sleep data within a span of 10 days (the two days do not necessarily have to be consecutive, but must be recorded within those 10 days). The Sleep Apnea Feature is intended to detect signs of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in the form of significant breathing disruptions in adult users 22 years and older, by tracking sleep twice over a ten-day monitoring period. It is intended for on-demand use. This feature is not intended for users who have previously been diagnosed with sleep apnea. This feature is not intended for use in the screening, diagnosis, treatment or management of sleep apnea and users should not use this feature to replace traditional methods of diagnosis and treatment by a qualified clinician. If a pattern of breathing disturbances is identified by this feature, or you experience any other symptoms of sleep apnea or any other breathing disturbance, consult a doctor. The absence of a notification does not exclude the presence sleep apnea. ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE. IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, WORSEN OR CHANGE UNEXPECTEDLY, TALK TO A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.

[4]Availability may vary by market, carrier, model, or a paired smartphone. Available on Galaxy Watch4 series and later models. The watch requires the Wear OS 5.0 version or later and must be paired with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone with Android 12.0 or later.

[5]Available on Samsung Health app v.6.24 or above and must be paired with Samsung Galaxy smartphones with Android OS 12 and above. Samsung account login required. Requires sleep data of at least 7 days (including 1 workday and 1 day off). Sleep Coaching feature does not act as a medical/therapeutic device. It is solely intended for fitness and wellness purposes only and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions; or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease. Samsung recommends that you consult with your doctor or physician before participating in any exercise program,

[6]Bedtime Guidance is available on Android phone (Android 12 and above) and requires Samsung Health app (v6.30.2 or later). Bedtime Guidance based on 3 days of sleep analysis of user’s circadian rhythm and sleep pressure. Bedtime Guidance Feature does not act as a medical/therapeutic device. It is solely intended for fitness and wellness purposes only and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions; or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease. Samsung recommends that you consult with your doctor or physician before participating in any exercise program.

On 3 December 2018, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. As we mark the International Day of Education 2026, the global conversation turns to a powerful new theme: “The power of youth in co-creating education.” It recognises youth as agents of change in shaping inclusive, equitable and quality education, and helping build more peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

This vision acknowledges a fundamental truth that our youth, who constitute more than half the global population, can no longer be viewed as passive beneficiaries of education systems. They must be their architects. As digital natives, they understand the rhythm of the future better than any generation before them, and their voices are essential in shaping how learning evolves.

Just as how institutions like UNESCO are championing agency for our youth, we must play our role in bridging the opportunity divide and meaningfully enable youth to become active participants in their education. This is especially critical amid rapid technological transformation, which calls for rethinking not only what we teach, but how teaching and learning take place.

Bridging the Opportunity Divide

Across Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO), the digital divide is often framed as an infrastructure challenge marked by a lack of internet bandwidth or access to devices such as laptops, tablets, or computers. At Samsung, we see it differently. We see it as an opportunity divide.

Bandwidth is not just about internet speed; it is about how quickly a student can access knowledge. A device is not just a gadget; it is a canvas for creation. When a student in a rural community lacks these tools, they are not simply missing a tablet; they are missing a seat at the table of the future economy.

The demand to bridge this divide is real. In 2025, 59% of schools in our region had plans to upgrade and invest in modern technology to digitalise their learning environments[1], confirming that such investment is no longer a convenience, but a baseline requirement to ensure all students and educators have fair access to quality learning environments.

Yet technology alone is just the starting point. When educators are equipped to guide and inspire, students can co-create the future and innovation will thrive. That is why our approach begins with the educator.

Through Samsung Learning Hub, we provide the tools, training, and resources to elevate teaching, inspire learning, and help make technology work for every classroom. Our bootcamps and mentoring programs support both educators and school leaders in helping them to build the capabilities needed to keep pace with evolving curricula and help guide their schools on a digital transformation journey. By strengthening digital competency at every level, we help to ensure that technology in the classroom serves pedagogy, not the other way around.

The Samsung Digital Lighthouse School initiative is a showcase of what is possible, and that digital transformation is not only achievable but also sustainable

Building on this foundation of empowered teaching, we are also extending impact into the learning environment through initiatives like the Samsung Digital Lighthouse Schools program. Recognising that every school begins at a different stage of its digital journey, this program meets schools where they are and supports them with the tools, capability building, and frameworks needed to progress sustainably.

In Indonesia, SMP Islam Al Azhar 25 Tangerang Selatan and Thursina International Islamic Boarding School have recently joined the Samsung Digital Lighthouse School community. In these schools, teachers are building confidence in using digital tools to enable more engaged and collaborative learning, while technology helps reduce administrative workloads so educators can focus more fully on teaching and mentoring students.

Reimagining Learning for A Better Tomorrow

Once access is established and educators are empowered, we can turn to the ultimate goal: Agency.

Beyond infrastructure, our role is to equip the next generation with real-world problem-solving skills. By using technology as a catalyst for critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, we help to enable youth to pursue their ambitions and shape the futures they envision.

This is especially vital in our region, where young changemakers are driven to develop creative solutions to challenges within their communities. We see this in our flagship corporate social responsibility program, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, a competition that invites students to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills to social issues. By challenging them to design the solutions they wish to see in the world, the program fosters a powerful mindset of co-creation. In 2025, nearly 17,000 youth participated across the region, marking a 40% increase compared to the previous year.

Hailing from New South Wales in Australia, Jack Lowe built Eilik, an AI-powered results comparison platform to help educators identify potential academic dishonesty in the age of generative AI

In Australia, we witnessed this ingenuity in action. Jack Lowe was awarded the “Runner-Up 14-18” prize for his concept, Eilik—an AI-powered results comparison platform designed to help educators identify potential academic dishonesty in the age of generative AI. His innovation reflects how youth are seizing the opportunity to reshape learning from their own perspectives. Jack’s goal is to support fair learning environments and ensure students receive the guidance they need to build strong foundations in science, mathematics, and English. This thoughtful response to one of education’s emerging challenges exemplifies what co-creation in education truly means.

As our region’s AI-driven digital economy continues to grow, building industry-ready capabilities is more important than ever. Through Samsung Innovation Campus, spanning four SEAO markets, we equipped more than 24,000 participants in 2025 with critical skills in coding, programming, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence. In doing so, we are not just teaching students how to use today’s technology but also preparing them to build the technology of tomorrow.

A Shared Responsibility

The International Day of Education 2026 reminds us that education is not something we simply hand down to the next generation, it is a shared, ongoing effort—one we build alongside them, so they can continue transforming education for those who follow.

At Samsung, our commitment remains firm. We invest in the infrastructure that enables digital classrooms, empower educators who guide our youth, and most importantly, provide platforms that allow young people across our region to exercise their agency to invent, to solve, and to co-create a better world.

By closing the gap in access today, we open the door to their innovation tomorrow.

[1] IDC InfoBrief, sponsored by Samsung, Modernisation of Learning through Digital Tech Investments, #AP242475IB, November 2024­­­

Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd. today held the final session in its CES 2026 Tech Forum series, “The Human Side of Tech: Designing a Future Worth Living,” at Samsung’s The First Look space at The Wynn Las Vegas. The panel, moderated by Debbie Millman, host of “Design Matters,” featured Samsung Chief Design Officer Mauro Porcini and industry-leading designers Karim Rashid and Fabio Novembre.

With minimalism having defined the visual language of the tech industry for the past two decades, this panel of designers convened by Samsung asked: What comes next? Together, the panelists explored how warmer, more expressive and emotionally resonant technology can shape meaningful experiences in today’s AI era, while also charting a path forward for the industry.

Design as an Act of Love

The session covered a shared view on the purpose of design as fundamentally people-first. “In recent years, design in tech has been somewhat uniform,” said moderator Debbie Millman. “Compared to other industries, the uniformity in the world of tech is an anomaly. So what if we were to extend technology beyond specifications and functionality?”

Samsung is currently addressing this question by focusing on how technology fits into people’s lives, experiences and needs. The panelists discussed the growing importance of this mindset in the current landscape in which traditional barriers to entry such as access to tools, scale and technical capability continue to diminish.

The Human Side of Tech

The discussion highlighted technology’s role in making intention, care and humanity visible in everyday life. Panelists noted that technology should help people recognise the thoughtfulness embedded in the products they invite into their homes and routines.

In this context, Samsung Chief Design Officer Mauro Porcini shared Samsung’s design purpose: to enhance everyday lives through meaningful technology. He outlined the company’s commitment to help people through advanced technologies that support wellbeing, creativity and self-expression.

Panelist Karim Rashid added to this sentiment, saying, “When we think about physical things in our world, we think not only about diversity of choice but also the fact that we can develop strong connections to objects,” he said. “Through design, you can end up with a very powerful, emotional connection with inanimate objects, or even products.”

Designing for Human Values

The panel went on to explore how AI can unlock new possibilities for expression when shaped by human values. Panelists discussed a shared view that AI reaches its true potential when guided by Emotional Intelligence and Human Imagination, not as a replacement for human creativity but as a force that expands it.

CDO Porcini articulated this with “AI × (EI + HI),” his approach to balancing Emotional Intelligence and Human Imagination to bring meaning to innovation. While describing this philosophy, CDO Porcini said, “When we design and develop, AI is amplified by Emotional Intelligence and Human Imagination. “Then, when people use products, AI amplifies Emotional Intelligence and Human Imagination.”

Through these insights, the session reinforced the belief that technology is shaping people’s lives in increasingly new and meaningful ways.

Expressive Design Drives More Meaningful Experiences

The discussion reinforced the importance of expressive design in bringing human-centered purpose to life, creating experiences that reflect emotion, support self-expression, invite connection and stimulate imagination.

“Happiness is the aim of design,” said Fabio Novembre. “Our pursuit of happiness is through design. I strongly believe in design, and that it must move back to the centre of the stage.”

Panelists noted that this reflects a shift from merely designing objects to designing experiences where emotion, meaning and identity are increasingly integral to how people relate to technology. This approach inspires a new kind of expression, resulting in designs that range from subtle and minimal to bold and imaginative — all meant to shape a better future.

We have said farewell to 2025 and as we look ahead and welcome a new year, I am immensely proud of what our teams across Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) have achieved together so far. To Samsung, the SEAO region is more than a collection of markets; it is a strategic hub of innovation, defined by dynamic growth, cultural diversity, and rapid digital adoption. While commercial targets continued to be important last year, we were also focused on anchoring Samsung as a genuine, long-term partner in SEAO’s development.

To strengthen the fundamentals that we established in 2025, I would like to share three core strategic pillars that will continue to anchor our growth path in 2026: delivering breakthrough innovations, empowering the next generation, and driving transformation for our customers; all underpinned by our commitment to become a truly AI-driven company.

Delivering Breakthrough Innovation Through an AI-Driven Future

At Samsung, we believe AI has fundamentally changed how we operate, innovate, and serve our customers. We have embraced a bold vision to be an AI-driven company and are already weaving AI meaningfully into our R&D product development, operations and user experience.

We first introduced Galaxy AI[1] to the world back in 2024 and we reinforced our AI leadership in 2025 as we delivered an even broader vision of living with AI. In addition to democratisation, we are driving a new era of multi-modal intelligence. This means ensuring that our hardware and software evolve together, creating devices that do not just process commands, but function as intuitive companions.

At CES 2026, we announced our efforts to create a more unified and personal experience across mobile, visual display, home appliances, and services with our “Companion to AI Living” Vision.

What excited audiences at CES 2026 was how Samsung’s displays, such as the 130-inch Micro RGB, are merging hardware excellence and visual intelligence to create a true entertainment companion for your homes. For instance, Samsung’s Vision AI Companion (VAC) uses AI technology to recommend what to watch and even what music to listen to.

Lastly, we introduced our long-term vision for intelligent care driven by Samsung’s integrated device ecosystem. I am truly excited about how we can redefine care from a reactive need to proactive opportunity. We will strive to promote healthier lives by delivering helpful features across AI, phones, appliances, wearables and other connected devices.

Empowering the Next Generation

What also continues to excite me is that the next generation in SEAO will not just be users of technology; they will be creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs who shape how these applications of AI serve their communities.

I believe that technology should serve as a bridge that enables everyone, regardless of background, to connect, create, and thrive. To fully unlock this potential, we have directed our corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts towards cultivating and investing in our youth, nurturing the next generation of talent.

Our flagship Solve for Tomorrow (SFT) program empowers young people to drive meaningful change through technology and innovation. In 2025, participation grew by 40% from 2024, with a total of more than 16,900 youth across the region developing solutions to address challenges in their communities. This growth highlights young people’s readiness to apply technology in practical and meaningful ways when given the tools and opportunities.

Last year, the Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) actively bridged the regional skills gap by providing advanced information and communications technology (ICT), coding, and AI education across multiple SEAO markets. This approach mirrors our internal capability-building methodology: just as we train our employees through a structured GenAI curriculum, SIC provides youth with a similar roadmap for progression, enabling them to build foundational AI capabilities and progress to working with more complex applications.

These initiatives are more than CSR programs, but strategic investments we are making to contribute and build up the talent pipeline for our region’s AI-driven digital economy.

2026 is set to be a year where we build on this strong momentum with our CSR programs, as we aim to do even more with governments, corporations, schools, NGOs and community partners.

Driving Ecosystem Transformation

Finally, the foundation of a hyper-connected world fueled by AI agents must be trust. At Samsung, security and privacy are at the heart of our strategy. This principle is increasingly critical as we enter an era of Agentic AI, where intelligent systems do not just respond to commands but anticipate needs on users’ behalf. The power of our “One Samsung” ecosystem ensures that intelligence extends seamlessly from mobile to the entire connected home via SmartThings[2], protected by Samsung Knox.

We also uphold this standard of trust at the enterprise level. Last year, Samsung Business Experience Studios (BES) were launched in markets including Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore. These spaces are designed to help organisations envision how they can adopt innovative Samsung solutions to meet their specific industry challenges. With additional studios set to roll out across Southeast Asia and Oceania, we look forward to more opportunities for collaboration as we partner with enterprises to implement smart and secure solutions for their businesses.

Shaping Our Future Together

My first year leading SEAO has been characterised by our efforts to innovate, empower youth, and transform ecosystems across industries, all anchored in our evolution as an AI leader.

While we are encouraged by what we have achieved so far, our work here is far from over. I invite all our partners, consumers, and regional leaders to continue this journey with us in 2026 and beyond. As we pursue our ambition to establish Samsung as the undisputed leader in AI, we will strive to ensure that AI serves everyone throughout everyday life.

Together, let us shape a future where technology does not just connect devices, but connects people, communities, and possibilities across our vibrant region.

[1] Galaxy AI features are currently free of charge, with any specific plans for premium AI services to be decided in close coordination with our partners. There are currently no plans to charge for Galaxy AI features, however different terms may apply to other AI features provided by third parties.

[2] Requires Samsung Account, internet connection and SmartThings enabled devices. Please visit www.samsung.com/au/apps/smartthings/ for a list of current compatible devices.

Under the theme “Your Companion to AI Living,” Samsung outlined its vision for bringing joy, convenience and care to people’s daily lives — unveiling new products and technologies designed to support that goal. The company also emphasised its commitment to democratising AI by integrating the technology across its product lineup and services.

Watch how Samsung is embedding AI into everyday life.

To stay up to date with the latest product news and special offers on Samsung’s 2026 product line-up, Australians can register their interest via https://www.samsung.com/au/handraiserces/

TM Roh, CEO and Head of Samsung’s Device eXperience (DX) Division, opened The First Look by describing the company’s AI and how, due to its vast, AI-enabled, connected ecosystem, Samsung can provide users with an elevated experience in their daily life. This approach gives users a chance to access more than just the basics from their technology and instead, provides opportunities to find more meaningful moments everywhere.

“Samsung is building a more unified, more personal experience across mobile, visual display, home appliances and services,” said CEO TM Roh. “With our global connected ecosystem, and by embedding AI across categories, Samsung is leading the way to offer more meaningful everyday AI experiences.”

Entertainment Companion: Extending the Experience Beyond Simple Viewing

SW Yong, President and Head of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics, and Sukhmani Mohta, Chief Marketing and Partnerships Officer, VD Business at Samsung Electronics America took the stage to describe how Samsung’s displays are combining hardware excellence and visual intelligence to provide a true entertainment companion. Drawing from twenty years of leading the TV industry, Samsung has built a full AI TV lineup that provides an entirely new way for users to interact with their TV.

The centre of the display lineup is the 130-inch Micro RGB, which represents a monumental leap in scale and picture quality. The 130-inch Micro RGB marks a new era of colour, featuring the widest and most detailed spectrum ever seen in Samsung TVs while its Timeless Frame design helps to minimise distractions and allows the picture to take centre stage with understated elegance. A micro-sized RGB light source drives the incredible picture quality, with each micro-sized red, green, and blue diode shining independently to produce colour in its purest, most natural form. Micro RGB AI Engine Pro[1] enables precise control of RGB colors and creates overwhelmingly vivid picture quality in virtually every scene.

Elevating this next-level viewing experience, Vision AI Companion (VAC)[2] uses AI technology to work alongside users as an entertainment companion to enhance viewing.

Samsung also offers intuitive modes to personalise the viewing experience. For soccer fans, AI Soccer Mode Pro delivers a more exciting gameday experience through AI-driven picture and sound tuning to near stadium-level quality. AI Sound Controller Pro[3] lets you raise or lower the volume of the crowd, commentary, or background music, providing a personalised listening experience for TV shows and movies. Users can simply make verbal requests, and any TV equipped with VAC – which includes Micro RGB, OLED, Neo QLED, and UHD TV[4] – contextually carries out those requests.

The Movingstyle is designed to move easily throughout the home and kitchen appliances, for a multi-device experience achieved through complete ecosystem integration.

Samsung has led the global soundbar market for 11 consecutive years[5]. This year, it is introducing two new WiFi speakers, the Music Studio 5 and 7, to further expand its integrated ecosystem. These models support a wider range of sound system combinations, enhance audiovisual quality, and improve the aesthetics of any space. Each model shares a timeless, dot design concept by renowned designer Erwan Bouroullec, inspired by a universal symbol in music and art, and grounded in Samsung’s signature design language.

Samsung also unveiled a host of new products that blend beautifully with users’ homes and aesthetics.  The new, ultra-thin Samsung OLED S95H features a refined bezel that gives it art gallery elegance, and Samsung’s new portable projector, The Freestyle+, supported by VAC, allows users to view content on walls and ceilings, as well as uneven surfaces like corners and curtains.

The 2026 TV lineup[6] supports HDR10+ ADVANCED, delivering enhanced brightness, genre-based optimisation, intelligent motion smoothing, advanced local tone mapping, and improved gaming experience.

Samsung also unveiled its most advanced Odyssey gaming monitor lineup yet, introducing five new models that push the boundaries of resolution, refresh rate, and immersive visual performance. Led by Samsung’s first 6K 3D Odyssey G9, the 2026 lineup debuts Samsung’s first display technologies for gamers and creators, including the next-generation Odyssey G6 and three new Odyssey G8 models.

At the centre of all these display innovations is the most powerful Tizen OS[7] yet. Users can now enjoy seven years of Tizen OS upgrades, ensuring that TVs continue to evolve long after they have entered the home.

Home Companion: Connected Smart Appliances That Guide You Through Your Day

Cheolgi Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Digital Appliances (DA) Division at Samsung Electronics, and Elizabeth Anderson, Head of Integrated Marketing, DA at Samsung Electronics America (SEA) outlined Samsung’s vision to evolve from providing home appliances to true home companions that work to eliminate the stress of daily chores.  The AI-enabled Family Hub refrigerator is the centerpiece of the home and now, with an upgrade to AI Vision built with Google Gemini, it refines living for an AI future. With this update, AI Vision unlocks existing limitations in recognising food items, seamlessly tracking what is placed into and taken out of the refrigerator, making meal planning and food management simpler than ever. The Family Hub has won 10 CES Innovation Awards, while Samsung’s AI-enabled fridges have received the award for the past three years.

Through a gamified “What’s for Today?”[8], select refrigerators provide recipe recommendations based on what is in the refrigerator or also random recommendations, reducing the stress caused by choosing what to cook. When selected, recipes show up through SmartThings Food, where users receive a step-by-step guide to help them get started instantly. The selected recipe can also be sent to connected cooking appliances to begin the process seamlessly. Video to Recipe[9] adds even more simplicity, providing users with recommended cooking videos and converting those videos into easy-to-follow steps, allowing users to follow along while they cook without pausing the video or backtracking.

Samsung also unveiled FoodNote[10], a new weekly report that recaps users’ food intake patterns, from most-used ingredients and recipe recommendations, and which items it’s time to restock.  Additionally, Now Brief[11] includes more widgets on the Family Hub screen and with Voice ID[12], can distinguish between family members to display content relevant to each individual. Ultimately, these features work together to provide helpful insights and information throughout the week.

In the laundry room, the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo removes the need to transfer loads of laundry, solving a major pain point for households. This year’s model comes with enhanced features like a faster super speed cycle and enhanced drying performance. Moreover, Samsung’s new Bespoke AI AirDresser is here to solve another common problem with your clothes. It features Auto Wrinkle Care, which blasts strong air and steam jets to smooth out shirts. All users have to do is hang their shirt and wait, reducing the burden in busy mornings.

Around the house, the Bespoke AI Jet Bot Steam Ultra, powered by a Qualcomm Dragonwing processor, features an Active Stereo 3D Sensor to recognise liquids like coffee, juice, or even transparent liquids like water. While its camera helps with navigation, it also allows the robot vacuum to serve as a monitoring device for when users are away from home. Plus, with a smarter Bixby[13], users can speak conversationally to their robot vacuum to carry out tasks with ease. For the deep level of connectivity and integration that forms the backbone of a holistic, AI-powered experience, Samsung’s Bespoke AI appliances have received a CES Innovation Award.

Care Companion: Shifting From Reactive to Proactive Care

Finally, Praveen Raja, Vice President and Head of Digital Health at Samsung Research America (SRA), introduced Samsung’s long-term vision for intelligent care enabled by Samsung’s integrated device ecosystem, redefining care as a reactive need to a proactive opportunity.

For example, Samsung aims to provide a personalised wellness experience by deepening integration within its ecosystem, offering effective exercise, sleep coaching and suggesting appropriate recipes based on ingredients available in connected refrigerators.

Samsung Knox and Knox Matrix serve as the foundation of this hyper-personalised ecosystem, safeguarding user data at every turn. As AI is constantly evolving, so are Knox and Knox Matrix. To maintain security despite constant changes, Samsung’s security systems are consistently identifying AI risks by advancing to protect data in AI training processes and approving models through red team analysis.

The Samsung Exhibition Zone at CES is available to the public Jan. 4-7. For more information, visit the Samsung Newsroom.

[1] *Viewing experience may vary according to types of content and format. Upscaling may not apply to PC connection and Game Mode.

[2] Feature available in certain regions and models. Availability and supported features may vary by region and watching conditions. Voice commands recognise English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, and Korean, but not all accents, dialects, and expressions are recognised. Requires a specific Bluetooth remote (TM2660H/TM2661H) (sold separately on some models). In-box remote for some models (M70H/U800H) does not support voice recognition. Requires either a Mobile Quick Remote or separately purchased Bluetooth remote. Feature accessible with the AI button or the Home button (via long press) on remote controls without an AI button.

[3] * Performance may vary depending on installation environment and surroundings.

[4] Vision AI Companion is available on all 2026 models from UHD up and select 2025 models.

[5] Source – Omdia, Feb 2025. Based on overall TV market share by manufacturer on an annual unit & revenue basis

[6] HDR10+ ADVANCED will be available on the following models: QN990H, R95H, S95H, S90H, R850H, S85H, LS03HW, LS03H, and QN80H.

[7] Internet connection and Samsung Account required. Data and subscription charges may apply. Apps and UI may be subject to change without notice. Agreement of the Smart Hub Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy is required before use. Tizen OS upgrades will be provided for 7 years, starting from release year 2025.

[8] A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

[9] A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

[10] A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.

[11] A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung, Google, or Microsoft account may be required. You must use the same log-in account on each of the devices. Availability of certain apps may vary by country, region, service provider, network environment, or device, and may change without notice.

[12] Each user must register for a Samsung Account on screen appliances in advance. Up to six accounts can be registered on a single device. To use Voice ID, users must have agreed to the Bixby terms and conditions. Voice ID registration is available on select appliances, TVs and mobiles, and only one voice can be registered per account.

[13] Bixby is Samsung’s brand of Internet of Things (IoT) voice assistant. Bixby service availability may vary depending on the country. Bixby recognises selected languages and certain accents/dialects, including Korean, English (US/GB/IN), Spanish (MX/ES), German, French, Italian, and Portuguese (BR). The user interface may change and differ by device. The availability of Bixby features and content providers may vary depending on the country/carrier/language/device model/OS version. A Samsung account log-in and data network connection (Wi-Fi or data network) are required.

At CES, Samsung will operate a dedicated C-Lab exhibition area to support the startups’ expansion into the global market. It will be located in Eureka Park at the Venetian Expo, the designated startup zone of CES, where participating startups will showcase innovative technologies.

“Samsung supports C-Lab startups through CES as a platform to validate innovative technologies and build momentum for global growth,” said Byoung Chul Lee, Vice President and Head of the Creativity & Innovation Center at Samsung Electronics. “This year, expanded participation from regional startups highlights the continued evolution of the C-Lab ecosystem.”

C-Lab Outside: 15 Startups That Include AI, Robotics and Digital Health

This year, C-Lab will feature 15 startups, including: eight startups directly incubated by Samsung Electronics through the C-Lab Outside program; four from the Samsung Financial Networks-operated Samsung Financial C-Lab Outside; two from Samsung Electronics’ internal venture program, C-Lab Inside; and one that was jointly incubated by Samsung Electronics and the Daegu Creative Economy Innovation Center.

Record Participation of Regional Startups

Since 2023, Samsung has expanded C-Lab Outside to the Korean cities of Daegu and Gwangju, as well as the Gyeongbuk province. The program identifies and supports promising startups to strengthen regional startup ecosystems, then provides workspace, stage-based consulting and opportunities to collaborate with Samsung and its affiliates. This allows startups to grow without relocating to the much larger city of Seoul and helps fosters a sustainable local innovation cycle.

To date, 40 regional startups have been incubated through this initiative, contributing to the revitalisation of regional ecosystems and laying the groundwork for future global unicorns.

At CES 2026, seven startups from Daegu, Gwangju, and Gyeongbuk will participate, marking the largest-ever presence of regional C-Lab startups at CES.

Regional Startup Achievements Continue to Grow

The technological competitiveness of these regional C-Lab startups continues to gain recognition.

Repla, a plastic recycling startup from C-Lab Outside Gyeongbuk, received a CES 2026 Innovation Award for its Puri-Checker, a device that analyses plastic composition ratios.

“For a regional startup, collaborating with a global company like Samsung has been a valuable opportunity,” said Dong-eun Seo, CEO of Repla. “Plastic recycling is a global challenge, and CES provides an important platform to explore international market opportunities.”

The seven participating regional C-Lab startups are as follows:

• Stress Solution (Gyeongbuk): An AI-based personalised mental care sound creation solution
• Deepscent (Gwangju): An AI-powered digital scent solution tailored to every space
• Elevenliter (Daegu): AI-Powered diagnostics for progressive diseases in pets
• AunionAI (Gwangju): A web-based AI solution for automated multilingual dubbing and subtitles with expressive voices and sound effects
• Repla (Gyeongbuk): Enzyme-purified recycled plastic, free of impurities
• Univa (Daegu): An on-device multimodal large language model solution
• 10kM.ai (Daegu Creative Economy Innovation Center): An enterprise AI video production solution that can generate, edit and monetise videos

C-Lab Inside Showcases AI-Driven Internal Ventures

Every year since 2016, Samsung has used CES to showcase projects from C-Lab Inside, gauging global market response and validating business potential.

This year, two AI-driven projects evaluated highly for their innovation, global scalability and completeness will be exhibited:

• ChronoMix: An AI solution for object-centric video composition
• EZ Reco: A generative AI platform that makes electronics recommendations based on expert knowledge

Expansion of C-Lab to Affiliates, Including Financial Startups

Reflecting the expansion of Samsung’s open innovation model across its affiliates, four startups from Samsung Financial C-Lab Outside will participate in CES for the first time. This participation enables startups across various industries to seek new global collaboration opportunities by leveraging Samsung’s incubation experience. The Samsung Financial C-Lab Outside startups are as follows:

• Selectstar (Samsung Life Insurance): Copyright-cleared datasets and an all-in-one AI evaluation platform
• Datumo (Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance): Cyber risk modeling to quantify and reduce the financial impact of cyber attacks
• WINNING.I (Samsung Card): Next-gen identity verification (eKYC) powered by simultaneous fingerprint and face biometrics
• Pillsang (Samsung Securities): Real-time phishing (scam/fraud) detection solution using on-device AI

C-Lab Startups Win 17 CES 2026 Innovation Awards

C-Lab startups have received a total of 17 CES 2026 Innovation Awards, including two Best of Innovation Awards, as announced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).

Both Best of Innovation Award recipients – MangoSlab and StudioLab – originated from C-Lab Inside and later spun off as independent startups, reaffirming the technological excellence and growth potential of Samsung’s internal ventures.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced that its smart home platform, SmartThings[1], now supports Matter 1.5,the global smart home standard, enabling it to support Matter-compatible cameras.

From January 2026, Samsung will roll out SmartThings updates to expand its existing list of Matter devices, including lights, door locks, switches, and various sensors, by adding cameras. With this update, the SmartThings smart home platform continues to expand its support for hundreds of Matter devices.

“Samsung aims to ensure that products and services built on different brands and protocols deliver a unified experience through SmartThings,” said Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President and Head of SmartThings Team at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to expand our support for industry standards, including Matter, and further strengthen collaboration to drive new customer experiences.”

Enhanced Security and Safety with Matter 1.5 Camera Support

Matter 1.5, announced by the Connectivity Standard Alliance (CSA) in November, adds camera support as well as enhanced features for closure operations, including compatible blinds, awnings, and garage doors -along with improved energy management.

The industry is particularly focused on the inclusion of a camera standard, as cameras are an essential part of any smart home ecosystem. Matter 1.5 supports a wide range of camera use cases including indoor and outdoor security cameras, video doorbells, and more. It may also support features such as live video streaming, two-way communication, motion detection, event history, and pan-tilt-zoom controls on select devices.

Expanded User Choice and Enhanced Developer Convenience

With SmartThings supporting the Matter standard, camera manufacturers can now launch Matter-based cameras that seamlessly integrate with SmartThings without the need to customise a separate API (Application Programming Interface).

Samsung has collaborated with leading global IoT device makers, including Aqara, Eve, and Ulticam, to develop Matter cameras. These products are expected to roll out in select global markets starting in March 2026[2].

SmartThings has already partnered with Aqara, Arlo, Hue, Ring, and others to provide a wide array of smart home camera experiences across various protocols and connection methods. With this update, users will have even more options, as Matter cameras can now be integrated easily into the SmartThings ecosystem.

Integrating cameras with SmartThings helps users build a safer and more convenient smart home tailored to their lifestyle. This integration enables essential functions such as monitoring the home environment while away, checking on the well-being of pets, and configuring customised routines by connecting with smart doorbells.

Strengthening Industry Leadership With the Broadest Support for Matter Devices

Samsung SmartThings continues to expand its global partnerships under an open-platform strategy. Through the WWST (Works With SmartThings) certification program, SmartThings now supports more than 4,700 models from over 390 partner brands. By rapidly adopting the Matter standard, Samsung has also helped bring 58 Matter device types into users’ everyday lives.

For more information on Samsung SmartThings, visit www.samsung.com/au/smartthings/

[1] Requires Samsung Account, internet connection and SmartThings enabled devices. Please visit www.samsung.com/au/apps/smartthings/ for a list of current compatible devices.

[2] Availability in Australia is yet to be confirmed.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced that it will host a series of four moderated Tech Forum panel discussions at CES 2026, to highlight industry trends and unveil its distinct AI vision and strategy.

Samsung’s Tech Forums will be held Jan. 5–6 at Samsung’s dedicated exhibition space in the Latour Ballroom at the Wynn Las Vegas. The company will host a total of four moderated panels covering AI, Home Appliances, Services and Design. Samsung executives along with partners, academics, media and industry analysts will participate in each session by topic:

• When Everything Clicks: How Open Ecosystems Deliver Impactful AI (Jan. 5, 9:00 AM) — Yoonho Choi, Digital Appliances Business, Samsung Electronics (Chair, Home Connectivity Alliance)

Description: Collaborating smart home innovators hold an open discussion on the necessity of cross-industry partnership and what it takes for meaningful smart home technology to be woven into daily living.

• In Tech We Trust? Rethinking Security & Privacy in the AI Age (Jan. 5, 2:00 PM) — Shin Baik, Group Head, AI Platform Center, Samsung Electronics

Description: Experts in security and AI examine the science of trust and how transparency and secure systems can spark a meaningful change for AI adoption.

• FAST Forward: How Streaming’s Next Wave is Redefining Television (Jan. 5, 4:00 PM) —
  Salek Brodsky, Executive Vice President, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics

Description: Leaders in TV and entertainment explore the next wave of streaming, including free ad-supported streaming television (FAST), hybrid models and creator-led channels to shape a more interactive future.

• The Human Side of Tech: Designing a Future Worth Loving (Jan. 6, 1:00 PM) — Mauro Porcini, President and Chief Design Officer, DX Division, Samsung Electronics

Description: Design leaders urge the tech industry to look beyond minimalist, spec-driven approaches toward more expressive, human-centered design shaped by new materials, AI and creativity.

In covering the latest trends in technology and daily living, the Technology Forum discussions will serve as a complement to the company’s latest product innovations, which will be showcased at the Samsung Exhibition Zone at the Wynn from Jan. 5–7.

TM Roh, CEO and Head of Device eXperience (DX) Division, will be the keynote speaker for The First Look. SW Yong, President and Head of the Visual Display (VD) Business, and Cheolgi Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Digital Appliances (DA) Business, will also appear on stage to share their respective business directions for the upcoming year.

The event will be streamed live on Samsung Newsroom, Samsung Electronics’ official YouTube channel and as well as Samsung TV Plus, the company’s FAST(free, ad-supported TV streaming) service. Additional Samsung events and exhibitions will take place at the company’s exclusive exhibition at the Wynn Las Vegas through to January 7.