When Samsung unveiled our first foldable smartphones, we began a new chapter of innovation. Since then, foldable form factors have been redefining what you can expect out of a smartphone — inspiring us to capture, connect, and communicate in entirely new ways. Today, the foldables market is growing rapidly, and Samsung is leading the charge.

As we continue to refine the foldable user experience, we’re always listening and adapting to meet the needs of today’s smartphone users. Now more than ever, people want phones with the flexibility to switch seamlessly between working, playing, sharing, and everything in between. We want phones that can adapt to fit our lives in any moment. Phones that enable powerful multitasking and immersive entertainment. Phones that inspire us to do more.

But from person to person, not everything we’re looking for in a smartphone is the exact same. That’s why we created two different foldable form factors.

Our foldable Galaxy Z series devices open up a new world of possibilities. Whether you’re unfolding the main display on our Galaxy Z Fold2 for a tablet-like experience to game, watch or multitask, or positioning the display on our Galaxy Z Flip at the perfect angle for a hands-free video chat, these are experiences you simply can’t have on any other smartphone.

Galaxy Z Flip 5G Mystic Bronze

And the experiences keep getting better. Many of the most popular apps have been tailored to take full advantage of these foldable formats, and the list continues to grow. With Flex mode — which enables you to use the device display at a folded angle¹ almost like a laptop — you can unlock new ways to watch your favorite YouTube channels, video chat through Google Duo, stream a show while you chat with friends.

With more screen, more flexibility, and more multitasking capabilities, you can do more with foldables, and our foldable owners are seeing the difference. Galaxy Z Fold2 users love their phone’s tablet-sized screen — they told us it’s the number one reason they bought the device.² They use their Galaxy Z Fold2 to join video calls hands-free, read e-books and game on its 7.6-inch screen, and work more productively with emails and documents.³

Galaxy Z Flip users said they love their phone’s sleek, fashionable design and having a full-sized smartphone that folds to fit in the palm of their hand. The iconic design and compact form factor are the top reasons why they chose Galaxy Z Flip — and they enjoy using its unique Flex mode to capture photos and videos in new ways.

The flexibility these devices offer is revolutionary — and our users are noticing the foldables difference.

As Samsung continues to push the envelope and bring users more of what they want, it’s no surprise the response to foldable devices is so strong. Galaxy Z Fold2 has 96% user satisfaction, and nearly 9 in 10 say they would purchase a foldable phone again.⁴

What’s more, according to a survey conducted just last month, half of all U.S. consumers are interested in buying a foldable phone as their next device.⁵

The global outlook is just as impressive. This year alone, the foldables market is expected to triple over last year⁶ — a year in which Samsung accounted for three out of every four foldable smartphones shipped worldwide.⁷

While many are beginning to see all the possibilities of foldables, this isn’t the first time Samsung has introduced a new form factor that changed the game.

When Samsung first pioneered large screen smartphones over a decade ago, we saw how they enabled people to do more with their devices, from gaming to streaming to working. Today, large screens have become the industry standard: In the past decade, average screen size on a smartphone has roughly doubled.⁸

At Samsung, innovation is about more than introducing a new piece of technology. It’s about delivering breakthrough mobile experiences. That means continuing to explore, evolve, and expand our portfolio of foldables — a commitment that TM Roh, Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications Business, reaffirmed last year.

And recently, as part of our drive to make foldables more accessible, we’ve introduced new, creative ways for people to enjoy the foldable experience.

We’ve reduced the price of our latest foldable devices, offered referral programs, and given foldable owners access to Z Premier, a refined customer support service complete with exclusive benefits.⁹ We also gave Galaxy Z device owners a full 100 days to see if foldable technology is right for them as part of a Buy and Try program.¹⁰ Users who experienced the Galaxy Z Flip or Galaxy Z Fold2 during that extended trial period kept their devices at even higher rates¹¹ — because once people get their hands on a foldable phone, they see its value in their daily lives.

Foldables have come a long way in a few short years, but we’re only at the beginning of what this game-changing technology can do. From transformative viewing experiences to boundless flexibility, the only limit is our imagination. Stay tuned — we’re just getting started.

¹ Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold2 can stand on its own from 75 to 115 degrees; a broader range of angles may be accessible for users depending on environment and use case.

² Samsung’s internal Z Fold2 consumer study

³ Samsung’s internal Z Fold2 consumer study

⁴ Samsung’s internal Z Fold2 consumer study

⁵ https://business.yougov.com/content/35362-foldable-phones-gauging-interest-america

⁶ 2.7M in 2020 to 8.7M in 2021; CAGR 113% from 2019 – 2025; Strategy Analytics global display Technologies, Oct 20

⁷ CounterPoint Research via https://www.sammobile.com/news/samsung-retains-foldable-smartphone-crown-with-record-2020-shipments/

⁸ ~3” to over 6”- https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/gv7t2f/average_mobile_phone_screen_size_over_the_years_oc/; https://www.technobuffalo.com/these-graphs-show-just-how-quickly-smartphones-are-getting-bigger

⁹ Support service availability may vary by country or region.

¹⁰ Program availability may vary by country or region.

¹¹ Buy & Try program results as of 3/26, the program started 2/23

“Just over three weeks ago, Samsung committed to a global replacement program for the Galaxy Note7. Last week, that program began for the majority of markets and the progress is encouraging” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Our focus now is to make sure that all affected devices are replaced as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Since initiating the global replacement program, initial Galaxy Note7 customer response has been strong.

• Around 90 percent of Galaxy Note7 users have been choosing a new Galaxy Note7 since products became widely available.
• More than 60 percent of all recalled Galaxy Note7 phones sold in the U.S. and Korea have been exchanged through the program.
• In Singapore, more than 80 percent of customers have participated in the exchange program, which started on September 17.

“We are humbled by our customers’ loyalty to the Galaxy Note7 device,” said Koh. “This is why we want them to take advantage of their local replacement program so that they can continue to feel confident and excited every time they reach for their Galaxy Note7 device.”

Although there have been only a small number of reported incidents, Samsung is taking great care to provide customers with necessary support. Samsung has been collaborating with national regulatory bodies in this effort.

Customers who have affected Galaxy Note7 devices should power down and return their devices. They can replace their current device with a new device based on local availability. We encourage Galaxy Note7 customers to contact their place of purchase or call the designated local call center as soon as possible.

Samsung equips every smartphone we make with an industry-leading camera for a very simple reason. For most users, their smartphone is the most important camera they own, and we’re committed to making sure you never miss a moment due to low light, slow focus, or sluggish camera reaction time.

How does Samsung’s commitment to smartphone camera excellence measure up? Just ask the experts. This week, the Galaxy S7 edge’s photo and video capabilities drew a stellar review from DxOMark, the trusted industry standard for camera and lens image quality measurements and ratings– making the Galaxy S7 edge the best smartphone camera they’ve ever tested.

In its analysis, DxOMark named the Galaxy S7 edge as the new smartphone camera champion. The Galaxy S7 edge achieved the highest Mobile Score for outstanding image quality.

From blink-of-an-eye autofocus delivering fewer blurry photos, to superior low-light photography, to significant advancements in video capture, the Galaxy S7 edge gives users a chance to capture every memory reliably and true to life. Central to this performance is the groundbreaking dual-pixel technology in the Galaxy S7 edge camera—previously found only in expensive DSLR cameras. The Galaxy S7 edge dual-pixel sensor, wider F1.7 apeture, and bigger pixels work together to make sharp and beautiful photography possible in the low-light environments where most people take most of their photographs—rendering the Galaxy S7 edge’s speedy camera all the more versatile and its photographs all the more stunning.

Today, millions of people rely on their smartphones as their go-to camera, and making these cameras faster, easier to use and better than ever is a Samsung priority. As the DxOMark analysis affirms, if you take the Galaxy S7 edge for a test drive, the results will speak for themselves.

Samsung Electronics announced awards for Galaxy S6 edge and Gear S2 from GSMA at the annual Global Mobile Awards at 2016 Mobile World Congress. The leader in mobile innovation, Samsung continues to push the boundaries of hardware, software and services, creating devices that help consumers get more out of life. The company is redefining what is possible, beyond the limits of today’s technology, by introducing a constellation of seamless mobile experiences.

In testament to Samsung’s consistent pursuit of excellence in design and function, Gear S2 was named “Best Connected Consumer Electronic Device” in the Best Mobile Handsets & Devices category. This award recognized Gear S2 for its versatile circular design and intuitive functionality for a more convenient and enjoyable experience.

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge was also awarded “Best Smartphone 2015”, in acknowledgement of its functional design and usability for seamless everyday use.

“We are honored to be recognized for our industry-leading technology,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications at Samsung Electronics. “At Samsung we remain committed to providing mobile devices that are inspired by consumers and always underpinned by a focus on progress and innovation.”

Peter Lik has spent over 30 years pushing the boundaries of fine art. A self-taught pioneer in the field of landscape photography, he has become synonymous with pristine images of cascading waterfalls, ethereal mountain peaks and peaceful desert canyons. Peter sat down with Samsung Newsroom to discuss the latest trends in digital photography and the emergence of the smartphone as a key tool and growing influence for photographers everywhere.

Q. How did you first get into photography?

Peter Lik: When I was 8 years old, my amazing parents bought me the gift of my very first camera – a Kodak Brownie. It was such a special present, considering how humbly we lived in those days. My first image was of a spider web, glistening with morning dew in the family garden. In a single instant, my connection to Mother Nature was solidified. It was a moment that was burned into my brain, my heart, and my soul. I kept that feeling with me until I was old enough to work for my own gear and go after the most beautiful images on the planet. I still hold onto that feeling to this day, and I have never looked back.

Q. What types of cameras have you typically used over the years?

Peter Lik: I have never stuck to one single brand. For me, it’s all about using the best tool for the job. Over the years, I have shot with Linhof, Phase One, Hasselblad, Polaroid, Canon, Nikon, Leica, Fuji, Pentax and of course my Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+!

Q. How has the emergence of digital cameras changed your approach to photography?

Peter Lik: Well, I love that they give me instant feedback! When I captured all 50 of the United States for my 1989 book, Spirit of America, everything was shot on film. Each roll would need to sit tight in its canister until I could return to Australia for developing. At that time in camera technology, you had only your gut to tell you: “You got the shot!” Sometimes it felt like a roll of the dice, not knowing what I was going to get – truly the ultimate game of chance. These days, with their high-quality sensors, powerful shooting modes and multitude of camera settings, smartphones have taken over from point-and-shoot cameras as the de facto go-to pocket camera for most photographers.

Q. Roughly how often do you use your smartphone to take photographs?

Peter Lik: My smartphone is always with me, 24 hours a day, right in my pocket. The incredible convenience makes it impossible not to love. I have captured some amazing moments over the years that I would have completely missed out on, had I taken time to break out all my professional gear. It’s a real time-saver and a great way to record the world around me.

Q. Are there any specific types of pictures or settings you think are better served by a smartphone?

Peter Lik: Having the ability to shoot High Dynamic Range (HDR) from a smartphone camera is amazing! Usually, I need to shoot upwards of 15 frames or more with my pro gear in order to capture panoramic scenes in their entirety. With my smartphone, it is all in a single click. When I am out on the road capturing photos for my gallery walls, I will often use my smartphone to assist in determining the best angles and framing, especially when dealing with difficult terrain that might not be so agreeable to a tripod.

Q. From the perspective of a professional photographer, how advanced do you feel smartphone cameras have become over the past few years.

Peter Lik: It feels like it has been an overnight evolution – jumping from 2MP to 16+MP quality at lightning speed, and it just keeps moving forward! With every upgrade, the smartphone industry has completely captivated the professional world with its ability to produce powerful processing technology. Innovation is accelerating many areas of smartphone camera technology that traditionally fell short of the mark. Capturing great shots in low light environments, for example, has advanced by leaps and bounds. I would not be surprised if, in the near future, you find a shot in my galleries captured on a smartphone!

Q. What features do you think smartphone cameras currently excel at?

Peter Lik: They are completely user friendly. Anybody can just pick one up and start shooting right away. Smartphone cameras are also packed full of useful user settings that can really help amateur photographers capture shots that can be quite complicated with more advanced cameras and lenses. Macro shots or panoramic shots? Want to take a great wide-angle shot or a selfie? There’s usually a dedicated setting for that. Don’t be fooled, though. If it were that easy to get professional shots, I would probably be doing something else for a living. It is mind-blowing that at any given time over 1.8 billion photos are being uploaded and shared. Everyone is so connected and there are seemingly no boundaries. Smartphones are changing how the world sees itself. So powerful!

Q. Where do smartphone cameras still fall short, compared with dedicated point-and-shoot models?

Peter Lik: They are catching up, for sure. But, point-and-shoot cameras are built to be one thing only: a camera. This still gives them an edge (for now). Professional cameras have larger sensors, digital and optical zoom features, and the lenses are larger and typically better than the ones found on today’s smartphones. Low light photography is still a huge challenge for most smartphones. They struggle to take good photos in low light conditions because their cameras feature smaller sensors, packing a high number of pixels into a tiny area. DSLR cameras – with their massive sensors – are still the best choice if you really want high-quality photos day and night. Smartphones are getting better, however, and through a combination of hardware and software engineering are no longer restricted by lighting conditions.

Q. Are there any challenges that you have shooting with a DSLR that have been solved by smartphone cameras?

Peter Lik: Autofocus can be a massive advantage. It gives you the ability to automatically and accurately focus on a subject, especially subjects in motion like animals or kids. When I’m shooting something moving, like a waterfall or a tree blowing in the wind, a camera with a fast autofocus can make all the difference. It certainly improves on fixed-focus cameras, allowing for better zoom shots and closer macro shots. It can be perfect when something unexpected happens and you want to capture a shot quickly before the moment is gone. Smartphones are also incredibly easy to use, and extremely portable. As I mentioned earlier, mine is with me 24 hours a day. It is the camera I use most to capture my everyday moments. To put it in perspective, my camera bag weighs over 30 pounds and my tripod is another eight pounds. Try carrying that all day every day!

Q. What additional camera features would you like to see introduced into smartphones?

Peter Lik: A high quality zoom function, for starters – one that doesn’t lose image integrity as you pull in for a close shot. Features like brighter lenses and superfast autofocus speeds for phase detection are important, too. Also, for me, bigger is better. I’d like to see bigger sensors for low light capture, along with a larger drive capacity. Plus, the ability to shoot in RAW format would definitely be a feature aimed at professional photographers, offering ultimate control during the post-production phase.

Q. What are the current obstacles you feel smartphone cameras need to overcome to be able to compete with more advanced cameras?

Peter Lik: Right now, it’s all about size and lens quality. These are important for super bright and clear photos, great pictures in low light settings and better autofocus speed for faster image capture. When you are asking one device to do so many things, there is usually a compromise somewhere in there. However, looking at how far things have come in the last nine years, I only feel excitement about where the technology is headed.

*The views expressed in this editorial are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of Samsung Electronics.

Reflection on the smartphone market in the past couple of years suggests that innovation in this segment has plateaued. The smartphone has consolidated into a standard rectangular touch screen with a powerful processor, a highly capable camera and as big a battery as is possible within the constraints of a sleek design.

But innovation hasn’t come to an end — it’s just harder than ever to make a significant advancement. Improvements are largely incremental, and manufacturers face a challenge to make their devices stand out in the current smartphone “sea of sameness”. Samsung’s use of a dual-curved display, for example, helped the company to set its flagship Galaxy S6 edge apart from Android-powered rivals, and Apple’s addition of 3D Touch to its latest iPhone gave a new dimension to its now-familiar design.

The reality is that such changes are a far cry from the major disruptions seen in the past fifteen years, with the transition of the market from candy bars to flip phones, to sliders and more unusual designs like circular handsets.

However, we shouldn’t lose sight of the progress despite a perceived slowdown in innovation. Billions of consumers now carry a device in their pocket that’s more powerful than the PC they owned just a few years ago, and these handsets are able to connect with others via 2G, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi network technologies.

It’s true that consumers might not be as excited about smartphones as they used to be. But CCS Insight’s latest forecasts anticipate that a staggering 1.6 billion smartphones will be sold in 2016 — a figure that’s expected to rise to nearly 2 billion by 2019. The smartphone has become part of the fabric of society, and is now the most prolific consumer electronics device on the planet.

It’s not so long ago that mobile phones were about little more than making and receiving phone calls. But they’ve become our constant companions — our cameras, our music players, our portable TVs and our gateway to the Internet and a host of apps. The innovation doesn’t stop, and now you can even clip your phone into a headset and be transported into a world of virtual reality. Smartphones have made that possible, and CCS Insight expects that millions of consumers will be using their handsets in this way by the end of 2016.

The competitive landscape inevitably changes as markets mature. CCS Insight believes that success lies with the companies that have the scale and resources to compete in a world where margins are squeezed even as volumes rise. Apple’s current momentum seems unstoppable, but Samsung remains the largest manufacturer of smartphones by volume. This scale is its most important asset as it faces challenges from ascendant Chinese manufacturers like Huawei, which have built on their home-market advantage to expand on a global basis.

The connected device industry is also diversifying into new areas, with wearables presenting a growing opportunity. CCS Insight forecasts that sales of wearable devices will triple from 2016 to 2019, with sales of almost 250 million units and a market value of more than $25 billion.

We expect 2016 to be a tipping point for wearables, as they evolve from niche devices with functional designs to more fashionable products with broader appeal. I’m confident that 2016 will finally see the arrival of stylish options that ordinary consumers will want to wear.

These devices are also beginning to offer more compelling features, particularly in the area of health. We anticipate that 2016 will mark a shift from what CCS Insight terms “recreational health” to more meaningful functions that can closely monitor a user’s condition and make a difference to their life.

The advent of the Internet of things — a term loosely encompassing a wide variety of connected devices — demonstrates that innovation isn’t confined to devices that we carry or wear, either. This segment will become more defined in the coming years as companies focus on specific market opportunities like the Internet of sport, medicine or transportation, and our homes will become more connected.

The secret to success will be making the user experience as seamless as possible, and big players like Amazon, Apple, Google and Samsung have the opportunity to lead the way in this next wave of development. Furthermore, the smartphone will continue to play an important role, often being the device used to control many of these new experiences.

I strongly believe that the perception that industry innovation has plateaued is far from the end of the story. Further disruptive moves will emerge as our lives become even more connected, and innovation will come from a variety of avenues including machine learning and artificial intelligence. I continue to have unwavering enthusiasm for connected technology, and look forward to being among the first to try these new experiences as they’re developed.

*The views expressed in this editorial are the author’s own, and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of Samsung Electronics.

Samsung Electronics announced its latest Galaxy A smartphones that offer premium design, easy mobile payment technology and enhanced camera features. The Galaxy A (2016) incorporates Samsung’s latest in innovative design and technology, giving consumers the ability to express their individuality with powerful performance in three screen size options: 5.5-inch for the A7, 5.2-inch for the A5 and 4.7-inch for the A3.

“At Samsung, we are committed to continued innovation, inspired by the feedback and needs of our wide range of consumers,” said JK Shin, CEO and Head of Samsung’s IT & Mobile Business. “With the introduction of the Galaxy A (2016), we took the consumer feedback on our original Galaxy A models and made thoughtful and impactful improvements offering consumers a seamless convergence of style and performance for their everyday lifestyles.”

The Galaxy A (2016) continues the latest Samsung Galaxy design heritage, combining metal and glass to create a beautifully harmonious premium design. The new Galaxy A provides a superior viewing experience with a narrower bezel.

Now the Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A7 (2016) support Samsung Pay, Samsung’s simple, safe and virtually anywhere mobile payment service. Protected by fingerprint verification, Samsung Pay works with both Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) and Near Filed Communication (NFC) technologies.

The Galaxy A (2016) also comes equipped with an enhanced camera system for both brighter and clearer photos and videos. This advanced system includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) to prevent image blurring, as well as a front and rear F1.9 lens to allow users to take optimum photos in dark conditions. What’s more, with Samsung’s Quick Launch feature, double clicking the home button launches the camera in less than a second. Consumers can also take their best selfie yet with features including Wide Selfie, Palm Selfie and Beautifying Effects.

The Galaxy A (2016) will be available in China in mid-December 2015 and will be expanded to global markets.

Full details and product images are available at www.samsungmobilepress.com.

* Features and functions will vary by market.

* Network may differ by markets and mobile operators.

* Samsung Pay launches may vary by market-readiness.

* All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation.

For quite some time, Samsung has been consistently distinguished as an industry leader in device displays. Earlier this year, the company dazzled consumers with the beautiful AMOLED displays of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, and according to a review from DisplayMate Technologies, the company has done so once again with the just-launched Galaxy Note5.

“Based on our extensive lab tests and measurements… the Galaxy Note5 is the best performing smartphone display that we have ever tested,” wrote DisplayMate, which is famous for its thorough and scientific evaluations of video screens. “It takes over from the Galaxy Note4, which was the previous record holder for mobile display performance.”

The 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen of the Galaxy Note5 scored record-setting results in color accuracy, peak brightness, contrast rating, resolution, smallest brightness variation with viewing angle and many other categories. In fact, the Galaxy Note5 boasted “the best absolute color accuracy of any mobile display that we have ever tested,” and “a measured Absolute Color Accuracy of 1.4 JNCD, which is visually indistinguishable from perfect, and is very likely considerably better than your living room TV.”

Thanks to that amazing performance, an incredible 518 pixels per inch, and a “significantly” improved Adaptive Display setting, the DisplayMate review noted that the display was better than ever for readability and visibility in high ambient light, meaning people can enjoy their phones in real-world conditions, even in the bright light of day. Adaptive Display adjusts the screen’s white point, color gamut and color saturation depending on the ambient lighting around the user, creating more vibrant colors and making the screen more readable.

With a peak brightness of 861 nits, the Super AMOLED screen is stunningly bright—the best DisplayMate says it has ever tested on a mobile device—but the Galaxy Note5 also has the ability to be incredibly dark. Its “Super Dimming Mode” allows users to turn the maximum screen brightness all the way down to just 2 nits using the Brightness Slider, making it ideal for working without eye strain in very dark environments. Even when dimmed all the way down, the display still offers full 24-bit color with excellent picture quality.

And to top it all off, the Galaxy Note5 does all that while using less power than the Galaxy Note4—DisplayMate measured a 21 percent improvement in efficiency—so users can get even longer life from each charge.

The Galaxy S6 edge+ also earned high praise, for a screen that was nearly identical to the Galaxy Note5, with the addition of dual curved edges. Samsung has continued to enhance the technology behind the flexible edges, which was described as “essentially the same” quality as the main display. The review noted the usefulness and “fun” of the curved display, offering a range of applications through the new “App edge” like weather, notifications and news feeds that can be enjoyed with a simple swipe of the finger. And because the edges can be used independently of the main display, users can turn off the main display and just use the edges to save on power and “significantly extend” their battery life.

“The most important point is that curved and flexible displays are definitely the wave of the future,” raved DisplayMate.

The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 were both unveiled at the Unpacked event last week and will be available around the world soon.

Samsung Electronics announced the global launch of the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5. Both devices represent Samsung’s commitment to the big screen smartphone market, which Samsung boldly pioneered in 2011 with the original Galaxy Note.

The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 blend form and function with industry leading features, including: the best screen technology, the most advanced camera for high quality photos and videos, the latest fast wireless and wired charging, and an incredibly powerful processor. With increased 4GB RAM, both smartphones offer the most powerful capacity and processing power on the market, enabling users to enjoy more seamless multi-tasking, keep up with messages, post updates to social networks faster, and enjoy graphic-heavy games without suffering lag time.

With its curved 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED screen, the Galaxy S6 edge+ makes the edge experience even bigger to provide a more immersive multimedia experience. The newly-designed Galaxy Note5 provides an unmatched set of productivity tools such as SideSync, along with a much refined 5^th generation S Pen capabilities to better serve the major multitasker.

Samsung Pay, Samsung’s simple, safe and virtually anywhere mobile payment service, will launch in Korea on August 20 and in the U.S. on September 28. Protected by Samsung KNOX, fingerprint verification and digital tokenization, Samsung Pay works with both MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) and NFC (Near Field Communication) technologies, bringing consumers closer than ever to a world without wallets.

“At Samsung, we believed in the promise that large screen smartphones could actively address some major consumers pain points by providing users with a better viewing experience and more productivity on-the-go,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “With the launch of the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5, we’re reemphasizing our ongoing commitment to bold, fearless innovation that meets the needs of our consumers.”

Galaxy S6 edge+ Best for Multimedia Experience

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ succeeded the unique and distinctive design of Galaxy S6 edge, and becomes even more elegant, understated, and finely crafted. It features the new ‘Apps edge’ for easy access to favorite apps, and enhanced ‘People edge’ for easy communications with preferred contacts. ‘Apps edge’ allows users to access their favorite apps by just swiping the edge display. ‘People edge’ helps users to connect their close contacts easily. From the edge screen, users can quickly find their pre-set contacts and send message or give a call directly.

Galaxy Note5 Perfect for Multi-taskers

The Galaxy Note5 is a stunning upgrade to Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Note line – more powerful and more personal than ever. Inspired by the design legacy of the Galaxy S6, it ergonomically fits in one hand with a narrower bezel and curved back. The flat screen is great to write on and the curved shape makes it easier to use the phone with one hand.

Engineered to help people get more done faster, the Galaxy Note5 includes all new S Pen that feels more solid and balanced in the user’s hand, offering improved writing capabilities and a variety of practical tools. A unique clicking mechanism offers a joyful experience of popping the S Pen out with just one quick click. Users can now quickly jot down ideas or information when the screen is off without even unlocking the phone. ‘Air Command’ feature gets more intuitive and practical as well; now the icon hovers for instant access to all of S Pen tools from any screen at any time. Users can also annotate on PDF files and capture lengthy web articles or long images at once via ‘Scroll capture.’

Powerful Core Galaxy Features

Both the Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 feature unprecedented multimedia capabilities with deeper screen contrast and details through Samsung’s industry-leading 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display.

As social networking becomes more ubiquitous, consumers expect to share the moments of their lives through photos and video and Samsung is enabling that desire with improved video capabilities.

These include Steady Video, which provides Video Digital Image Stabilization on both the front and rear cameras for sharp, crisp video on-the-go, and Video Collage Mode, which allows users to record and edit short videos easily in various frames and effects. The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 also feature 4K(UHD) video filming and Live Broadcast, which lets users instantly live streams Full HD video straight from the phone to any individual, group of contacts, or even the public through YouTube Live. Anyone who receives the YouTube link from a Galaxy S6 edge+ or Note5 user is able to enjoy live stream video from his or her smartphone, tablet, PC or Smart TV with YouTube connectivity.

Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 users will also benefit from Samsung’s advanced camera system, including Quick Launch (double click the home button to launch the camera in less than one second*), Auto Real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Smart Optical Image Stabilization(OIS) and brand-new filters.

The Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 feature Samsung’s fast wired and wireless charging technology and the embedded wireless charging technology is compatible with virtually any wireless pad available today. With wired charging, both devices can be fully charged in approximately 90 minutes, and through Samsung’s latest wireless charger, they can be fully charged in approximately 120 minutes.

Samsung’s newest devices are further upgraded to support SideSync, which offers both wireless and wired PC-smartphone integration for seamless connections across devices. Thanks to auto-detection and an ultra quick setup, users can instantly connect their Samsung device to their PC or tablet for easy access to files and data across all platforms and operating systems.

In addition, Samsung’s Galaxy S6 edge+ and Note5 features enhanced security features with KNOX Active Protection (built into devices / out of the box) and My KNOX (app with simple/fast setup) to further protect sensitive personal and work data.

The availability and launch timing of both products vary by markets and mobile carriers. Both devices are available globally starting from August, 2015. Both have 32GB or 64GB storage options available in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum and Silver Titanium.

For more product information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com or

www.samsung.com/galaxy.

To check the official product introduction videos, please visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q-p-zkydLQ for Galaxy S6 edge+, http://youtu.be/CppgLnNM1PE for Galaxy Note5.

*Average speed based on internal testing conducted by Samsung. Results may vary by device or situation.

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note5 Product Specification

Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+

Galaxy Note 5

*All functionality, features, specifications and other product information provided in this document including, but not limited to, the benefits, design, pricing, components, performance, availability, and capabilities of the product are subject to change without notice or obligation..

Advanced wireless charging

Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge set new industry standard in universal wireless charging with fully embedded WPC and PMA certified wireless charging technology. This means both models are compatible with most wireless charging pads currently available on the market. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge support both WPC (Wireless Power Consortium) and PMA (Power Matters Alliance) international wireless charging standards, allowing users to enjoy wireless charging more widely and conveniently than ever before.

Samsung began exploring wireless charging technology in the mid-2000s, and released its first smartphone with wireless charging capabilities in 2011 with the Droid Charge. The Galaxy S4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 4 were all subsequently equipped with the same capability, enabling users who purchased a separate wireless charging back cover and a wireless charging pad to take advantage of the technology.

With the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, users will not have to worry about having to use separate accessories in order to charge their devices wirelessly. It simply works with any wireless pad in the market that meets WPC or PMA standards. This addition was possible because of Samsung’s efforts to minimize the thickness of wireless charging hardware components and improve efficiency.

Samsung’s engineers didn’t want to compromise beauty to power or the other, so they wanted to maintain the sleek and beauty of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge while having them perform at max level. This required that the coil, the key component for wireless charging, be made the smallest as possible.

To do so, Samsung abandoned all existing methods, combining two separate coils and adding two overlapping layers of magnetic shielding to prevent the magnetic field from leaking. As a result, the engineers were able to produce a component that was only 0.27mm thick, just 1/3 the thickness of the same part used in the Galaxy S5. Samsung also minimized size and cost by developing single components that could achieve the same output that had required multiple components in previous models. Samsung’s improved technology will have a real impact on the everyday lives of users no longer needing to carry bulky power cords everywhere they go.

Fast charging technology

In addition, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge now charge faster than ever – 1.5 times faster than the Galaxy S5. In fact, 10 minutes of charging, when plugged in with its charger, will provide users with enough power for 4 hours of usage*. This built-in supercharging technology helps users secure their power, especially when they need it most.

These improvements are the result of the advancement in Samsung’s Fast Charging technology, which debuted with the Galaxy Note4. Furthermore, the power consumption of the displays, AP, memory chips and other components of Galaxy 6 and Galaxy 6 edge have been optimized to enable up to 20 hours of use on a single charge. The smartphone automatically reduces power consumption based on each person’s use patterns.

Managing power usage

Samsung has also introduced a Smart Manager application that provides users with an overview of the applications with high battery consumption with just a single touch on the screen, allowing them to easily and conveniently manage their battery usage. With all of Samsung’s groundbreaking innovations in charging technology, the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge are truly remarkable devices that showcase Samsung’s dedication to bettering the devices that are available to consumers.

* Based on internal tests – actual results may vary.

Over the last several years, smartphone cameras have been transformed from a novelty feature to a sophisticated photographic device. Small in size but large in capability, the smartphone camera now has the ability to turn any user into a budding artist, photographer or cinematographer and allow them to explore their creativity with an array of ever advancing functions and features. The more innovative we are with advancing the smartphone camera, the more we witness a growing platform of unbounded ingenuity and imagination.

Fifteen years have passed since we introduced the cellphone with an integrated camera. In the year 2000, Samsung set an industry standard by integrating the first ever, a 0.3-megapixel camera, into our SCH-V200 model. By 2002, the  mobile phone camera had rapidly evolved from a quirky gimmick to a useful device that was both practical and convenient.

Providing the Freedom of One Device

Since our first camera phone, we have focused on improving the functionality and the quality of our smartphone cameras to provide consumers with the freedom of being able to carry just one mobile device. Aggressively investing in R&D, we accepted the challenge of integrating a more powerful camera into the slim body of a smartphone because we believe that a smartphone should do a lot more than just take great pictures. The image sensors in a smartphone needed to be much smaller than the sensors in even the most compact digital cameras and we worked diligently on improving image quality under these size constraints.

You can see the progress we have made:

In 2014, we achieved the successful integration of a 16-megapixel camera with our Galaxy S5, which allowed it to capture the finest detail and color of any other smartphone camera on the market at the time. This brought us one step further to finally eliminating the gap between digital cameras and our smartphone cameras for good.

Capturing an Image as our Eyes See It

First and foremost, we at Samsung design and engineer our smartphone cameras to produce stunning pictures. We want to make the resulting images as close as possible to what you actually see with your eyes. Our relentless efforts to innovate as well as our ability to push the limits of physics allow us to develop and build compact smartphone cameras with no compromise in the overall functionality you would expect from a world-class smartphone.

Professional cameras equip image sensors and circuitry that are significantly larger than those of smartphone cameras, about fifty times larger in some cases. We have addressed these obstacles by exerting every effort into developing features such as real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR), Phase difference Auto Focus (PAF) and others that help the camera produce images closer to what our eyes actually see. In addition, our other R&D assets such as camera software, app development and component optimization let us overcome the physical limits of the hardware to bring the most innovative camera technology possible to consumers.

Offering Users What They Need

At the heart of all Samsung product development are the needs and desires of our consumers, and their expectations motivate us, the developers, to continue pushing the limits of what can be made possible.

The image sensors on most smartphone cameras are physically smaller than those on digital cameras, which means that even if the number of pixels is the same, each cell, or pixel, on the sensor is also smaller. These pixels can actually be as small as 1.12 microns diagonally, which makes it harder to reduce the noise among pixels. Low noise plays a key role in the real-time HDR and the Phase AF that require a quick and accurate reaction.

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is an example of such a breakthrough – an unparalleled smartphone that sports what is currently rated by many as the best rear camera in the market. It is also the only smartphone that incorporates high performance live HDR capabilities in both video and still shots. With the HDR reverse lighting techniques, Galaxy S5 users can achieve a photo-realistic effect with their images in almost any lighting environment. Other outstanding Galaxy S5 camera features include an autofocus function that can capture moving objects in an astonishing 0.3 seconds as well as the ability to make background lighter or darker. Users can also manually isolate and alter different focal points for complete control over the final look of their pictures.

We make sure that our smartphone cameras are fast, intuitive and easy to use, giving users a smooth seamless experience. Our users do not need to worry about the appropriate camera settings for different lighting environments or where to find different functions or how to edit and share the photo they just took.

Building the Next Big Thing

The front-facing camera of the smartphone is now considered as an essential feature. When the Galaxy S was first introduced, a front-facing camera was also included, catering to the consumer need for two-way video chat. A few Galaxy smartphone models later, the front-facing camera had transformed into something much more.

In recent years, as social media trends popularized the “selfie,” the demand for a high-quality front-facing camera became paramount. The front camera in the Galaxy S5 is capable of capturing FHD videos, and allows the users to enjoy ultra clear video calls. Advancing these features even further is the 3.7MP front camera and F1.9 lens on the Galaxy Note 4 that supports a 90º wide-angle mode that lets users capture the perfect selfie or group selfie – the “wefie.”

Taking this even further, the Galaxy A7, A5 and A3 all feature a monster 5MP front-facing camera for even better-looking selfies. While earlier front-facing cameras were regarded as an “extra”, superfluous to the “main” camera on the rear, this is clearly no longer the case anymore.

We meticulously evaluate every single facet of our smartphone cameras by taking over 10,000 photos in every imaginable lighting environment for analysis. The same passion and dedication has been put into building the cameras for the release of our 2015 flagship model. It will be intelligent and do all the thinking for users, allowing them to take amazing pictures under any conditions, without having to worry about anything more than just pressing the shutter button.

It will demonstrate just how far Samsung has advanced smartphone cameras, and once again will open the creative side of our users for new ideas and new possibilities.

At Samsung, camera innovation continues.

This article has been corrected and updated on February 12, 2015.