We act on three packaging design principles – reduce, replace, and recycle; these principles have guided the eco-conscious changes to packaging for the Galaxy S series. From the quantity of packaging to the materials used, Samsung has worked to streamline product packaging and implement more sustainable processes.¹

From Galaxy S7 To Galaxy S21: Our Journey to More Eco-Conscious Packaging

Since the release of the Galaxy S7 in 2016, Samsung has developed more eco-conscious packaging with each generation of the Galaxy S series. Throughout this journey, we had worked diligently to remove elements that could stand in the way of people easily recycling their product packaging after purchase.

The packaging for the Galaxy S21 series contains just 4%² of the plastic used in the Galaxy S7 packaging, reducing waste generated per packaging unit by 49%. Similarly, the Galaxy S21 packaging contains only 58% of the paper used in that of the Galaxy S7, helping save some 44,802 trees a year.³ As a result of these continued sustainability efforts, we decreased the amount of carbon generated during the development of the Galaxy S21 series’ packaging by 50% compared to that of the Galaxy S7.⁴

Following extensive research into eco-conscious materials, the Galaxy S8’s packaging saw several evolutions compared to the previous Galaxy S series. We removed the magnet from inside the packaging along with the plastic in-box case for earphones, and the accessory tray – traditionally comprised of plastic – was made with paper-based material.

For the release of the Galaxy S9, we made an extra push towards reducing plastic waste. Samsung changed the device tray material from plastic to a pulp-mold material, integrating upcycled materials into our process.

For the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S20, Samsung expanded eco-conscious changes to packaging. We replaced plastic with paper to tie together accessories, the package structure was simplified, and all the packaging trays for in-box accessories were integrated into one pulp-mold tray to cut down on unnecessary materials. Furthermore, the protective film was removed from accessories such as the charger plug and the USB connector, and the coating for all accessories was changed from a glossy finish to a more eco-conscious matte finish that hides fingerprints and is harder to scratch.

The packaging for our latest flagship device, the Galaxy S21 series, is the most eco-conscious product packaging within the Galaxy S series. Every box for the device is made with corrugated cardboard, instead of rigid paper, to improve recyclability. Accessories such as the charger plug and in-box earphones were removed to further minimize the amount of packaging and promote reuse and recycling habits among Galaxy users.

Promoting Resource Efficiency Into the Future

Despite emerging challenges around the availability of sustainable materials and productivity of global supply chains as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Samsung still has a responsibility to help combat climate change and protect the environment in everything we do.

At the end of 2020, we achieved our goal of using 100% recycled or sustainably-sourced paper packaging⁵ and now require paper suppliers to submit certifications and conform to international standards, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. We recognize that our journey to shifting to a fully circular economy is not over.

Samsung continues to search for new and innovative eco-conscious materials for our product packaging, to discover new ways to minimize materials used and to optimize our product development processes. In advance of future product releases, Samsung will continue to make changes that provide people with more eco-conscious product and packaging experiences as we work together with our supply chain and our customers to create a more sustainable world.

¹ Some of the listed components or materials may differ by country or region.

² This includes the screen’s protective film. It may differ by country or region.

³ A 30-year-old tree can produce 59kg of paper.

⁴ As evaluated and certified by the UK-based Carbon Trust.

⁵ For Consumer electronics and IT & Mobile communications products

Samsung India today announced the launch of its hugely successful flagship, Galaxy S8, in the majestic Burgundy Red colour. Royal and a true statement of class, the Burgundy Red edition shares its attributes and essence with the flagship’s exemplary features.

The new hue – Burgundy Red – is a definite show stopper. It not only lets consumers make a style statement, but also takes elegance and gorgeousness to an entirely new pedestal.

“Galaxy S8 continues to be a bestseller, even a year after its launch. The limited edition of Galaxy S8 will set our consumers apart from everyone else. The Burgundy Red edition of Galaxy S8 will wow consumers and allow them to express their own personal style,” said Aditya Babbar, General Manager, Samsung India.

Galaxy S8 builds on Samsung’s heritage of creating stunning designs and meaningful innovations that transform people’s lives. The smartphone redefines the future of style and consumer experience with a stunning bezel-less, dual-edge Infinity Display that provides a truly cinematic viewing experience. The device also comes with Samsung Pay, the mobile payment service with defense-grade security, the best low-light camera and a virtual assistant, Bixby.

The Burgundy Red edition of Galaxy S8 will be offered to consumers at INR 49,990 with an additional Paytm cashback of INR 10, 000 at all leading retail stores.

With the launch of Burgundy Red colour, Galaxy S8 will be available in a rich colour palette, including Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Orchid Gray and Burgundy Red. The Burgundy Red edition of Samsung Galaxy S8 will be available for sale from April 13 onwards.

Their cameras’ Dual Aperture lens allows for crisp and clear photos regardless of lighting conditions, and also powers the devices’ Super Slow-mo video function, which makes everyday moments truly epic. Other enhancements and additions include new, customizable AR Emoji, immersive stereo speakers to complement the refined Infinity Display, and streamlined biometric authentication.

Check out the infographic below to learn more about how Samsung enhanced its latest Galaxy devices.

Samsung Electronics announced today the launch of SeeColors app for QLED TV, which is compatible with all Samsung QLED TVs. The SeeColors app* for QLED TV helps people with Color Vision Deficiency (CVD) identify their personal visual deficiencies through the app. Based on the individual’s results, QLED TVs, featuring 100% color volume, adjust the color settings on the display, allowing viewers with CVD to enjoy a viewing experience with more optimized colors.

“Samsung is committed to making people’s everyday lives smarter and more convenient through technology and innovation,” said Hyeongnam Kim, Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “The launch of SeeColors for QLED TV embodies this mission by providing users with a way to address one of the world’s biggest optical challenges through the latest technologies and visual displays.”

Nearly 300 million people globally have CVD, with approximately 8% of men and up to 1% of women affected**, based on a representative survey conducted in Europe and North America. However, the majority of people with CVD are unaware of their condition and the impact it has on their quality of life.

Through the SeeColors app on the TV, users can identify the type and level of their CVD then directly recalibrate their QLED TV screen based on their personal results. To offer an easy method for people to identify CVD, Samsung Electronics partnered with Professor Klara Wenzel who heads up the Department of Mechatronics, Optics and Mechanical Engineering Informatics at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, to adopt the Colorlite Test, or C-Test, for TV and mobile devices. C-Test, developed by Professor Wenzel, is a digital test that uses the concept of color filters and mathematical modeling to identify CVD. Adopting the C-Test through the SeeColors app has resulted in a simple solution which gives people with CVD the opportunity to see the world through their QLED TVs in more optimized color.

The SeeColors app is available for download from the Smart TV App store. Users can also download the app to conduct the test through Google Play and the Galaxy App Store for Samsung Galaxy smartphones S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, S7, S7 edge and S8 devices. Once users connect their Galaxy smartphone to their QLED TV, the TV will automatically adjust the color setting based on the user’s results.

The SeeColors app is created in partnership with Colorlite®, a Hungarian company that applies certified technology based on 20 years of scientific research to lenses to help people address CVD. The SeeColors app marks the first time Colorlite® is being used on TVs and smartphone devices.

Samsung Electronics has committed to providing a wide range of accessibility features via its innovative products, and its efforts have been recognized with CES Innovation Awards in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

*This app is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease or medical problem. Any information found, acquired or accessed through this app is made available for your convenience and should not be treated as medical advice.

**Calculation based on Fletcher, R. & Voke, J. (1985) Defective colour vision: fundamentals, diagnosis and management. Adam Hilger, Bristol.

*** *Updated on March 5th, 2019: Updated the effects of the SeeColors app

As it has made continual strides as a global company, Samsung has ranked as one of the top 10 brands on the Interbrand rankings from 2012 to 2017, demonstrating continual growth in brand value.

This year’s achievement is particularly meaningful given some of the challenges that Samsung has faced, and overcome, in the past year. For example, Interbrand, in its evaluation, cited among various factors, Samsung’s exemplary, fast recovery from last year’s Galaxy Note7 crisis, the company’s successful launches of flagship products, and its continued stellar financial performance.

In particular, Samsung’s mobile business reconfirmed its market leadership through the successful launch of the Galaxy S8. Samsung’s memory division also performed strongly, with its record profits contributing to the rise in brand value. Samsung’s digital appliances business introduced innovative and award-winning new products, developed from deep consumer insights, like the Family Hub refrigerator and AddWash washing machine. Samsung’s visual display division also broke new ground in the TV market with the new QLED TV as well as The Frame, a new lifestyle TV for the home.

“Our efforts to make meaningful progress to improve people’s lives contributed to the rise in brand value,” said YH Lee, CMO of Samsung Electronics. “Our ranking this year is a positive sign that demonstrates our efforts to regain trust have resonated with global consumers.”

This year’s Interbrand’s Best Global Brands will be announced at the World Trade Center in New York City on September 27.

Samsung’s Growth in Brand Value

A smartphone’s audio capabilities can not only affect the quality of a phone call, but can also make or break one’s mobile entertainment experience. Which is exactly why Samsung has incorporated new and improved audio features, functions and controls into the Galaxy S8 and S8+. Find out more about them below.

UHQ Audio Playback

Recognizing the importance of audio technology, Samsung equipped the Galaxy S8 with Ultra High Quality (UHQ) Audio Playback capabilities with UHQ 32-bit and DSD support*.

This, along with support for digital recordings up to 32 bit/384kHz, ensures that the smartphone can reproduce the full range of sound from recordings that have been mastered from better than CD quality music sources. In other words, the Galaxy S8 does not downsample (or compress) audio files, so the user can experience music and sound much closer to the original recording. Recording quality, too, has also been improved thanks to the High Acoustic Overload Point (AOP) Mic that minimizes distortion in noisy environments.

Dual Audio

The all-new Dual Bluetooth Audio feature provides users with the facility to simultaneously stream audio to two sets of headphones or speakers, while also allowing them to control the volume of the outputs separately.

Settings > Connections > Bluetooth

Separate App Sound

The new Separate app sound function permits users to simultaneously broadcast sounds from two individual apps using their Galaxy S8 smartphone and a separate device. This means that, for instance, a user may listen to GPS navigation via their Galaxy S8’s speaker while streaming music to their car’s Bluetooth audio system at the same time. The volume of the audio, meanwhile, can also be controlled independently.

Settings > Sounds and vibration > Separate app sound

Adapt Sound 6.0

The Galaxy S8’s Adapt Sound 6.0 function has been improved with new Preset and Advanced modes to allow for enhanced audio personalization. Clinical research and statistical analysis of people’s hearing patterns were used to develop three preset sound profiles optimized for people by age: under 30 years, between 30 and 60 years, and over 60 years.

Users can select a preset profile according to their age, or opt to use the Advanced mode to test their hearing and find the best sound for them. The Galaxy S8 will then automatically adjust the audio output for calls, music and video based on their specific needs so they can enjoy a truly tailor-made audio experience.

Settings > Sounds and vibration > Sound quality and effects

SoundAlive 4.1

The latest Galaxy flagship is also backed by SoundAlive 4.1, a tool that gives the user the ultimate control over sound quality and effects.** The tool features an easy-to-use, 9-band Equalizer with six pre-set options to tweak the phone’s audio; a UHQ Upscaler to enhance sound resolution; and Surround, Tube Amp Pro and Concert hall effects.

Settings > Sounds and vibration > Sound quality and effects

Extra Volume

There’s nothing worse than having to make or take a call in a noisy environment, such as a crowded café or heavily-trafficked street. But the Galaxy S8’s Extra volume feature makes it possible to increase the call volume without sacrificing sound quality by simply tapping an icon, right from the call screen.

Interview Mode

To better capture an interview using the Galaxy S8’s Voice Recorder app, users can activate Interview mode. In this mode, sounds near the top and bottom of the phone are amplified, while those closer to the sides are suppressed to ensure the voices of both the interviewer and interviewee are crisp and clear.

UHQ Upscaler

To enhance the sound resolution of music and videos even further, users can activate the UHQ upscaler via the Entertainment Mode settings menu.

Settings >Device Maintenance >Performance Mode>Entertainment

Superior, In-Box Earphones

For the Galaxy S8, Samsung worked with HARMAN to create AKG-tuned earphones that deliver pure, superior sound. Included as an in-box accessory, the new high-performance earphones have dual drivers — 11 and 8 millimeters — to offer uncompromised audio for unbeatable sound quality. In addition, the earphones have a comfortable hybrid canal fit for improved noise cancellation and are made from anti-tangle, metal-fabric material.

*DSD64 and DSD128 playback may be limited depending on the file format.

**Some features are only available when the device is connected to a pair of earphones.

Samsung India today announced the launch of its hugely successful flagship devices, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, in an elegant Orchid Gray colour. Sophisticated and truly a style statement, the Orchid Gray edition shares its attributes with the flagship’s exemplary features.

The new hue – Orchid Gray – is a definite showstopper. It not only lets consumers make a style statement, but also drives desirability and allure to the next level.

“To further fuel the unprecedented response to Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, Samsung is pleased to introduce the all-new Orchid Gray colour. Through this stunning colour, our consumers would make a style statement that would set them above and apart from everyone else,” said Mr. Asim Warsi, Senior Vice President, Mobile Business, Samsung India.

Featuring a sleek, bezel-less design that flows over the phone’s sides, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ incorporate cutting edge mobile technologies that enhance the user experience. Included among these features are immersive Infinity Display, unified UX and Dual Pixel camera.

Moreover, the captivating Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ come integrated with Samsung Pay, Samsung’s revolutionary mobile payment service launched in India recently.

The Orchid Gray edition of Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ will be offered to consumers at INR 57,900 and INR 64,900. They will be available for pre-order from July 5 to July 11, 2017 on Flipkart and Samsung Shop. They would be available at select stores from July 12 onwards.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ buyers will get dual benefit offer of a free Convertible Wireless Charger worth INR 4,499 and INR 3,000 cashback on HDFC credit card.

With the launch of Orchid Gray colour, Galaxy S8 will be available in a rich colour palette, including Midnight Black, Maple Gold and Orchid Gray, while Galaxy S8+ will be available in Midnight Black, Maple Gold, Coral Blue and Orchid Gray.

Check out, in the video below, the diverse ways Samsung envisions ultra-secure iris recognition technology may be used to advance the IoT era, simplifying everything from healthcare and travel to everyday transactions.

Bigger Screen, Better Grip

Available in 5.8-inch and 6.2-inch screen models, the Galaxy S8’s Quad HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity Display takes up more than 80 percent of the phone’s front screen and is 18 percent larger than the screen of the Galaxy S7, enabling a more immersive viewing experience.

The phone’s front screen curves at the edges, has visibly reduced bezels and has no physical buttons. Without these obstructions, the Infinity Display seamlessly blends into the device’s body for a truly stunning display void of visual distractions.

Despite the display’s longer length, its width remains practically unchanged from that of the previous model. Its compact size, coupled with the phone’s symmetrically curved design, creates an ergonomic grip that enables comfortable one-handed operation.

Seamless Interactions

To provide the best viewing experience and create a more natural interaction between the user and the display, the Galaxy S8 unifies all buttons by integrating them into the display itself. The arrangement of the home, recent and back keys is the same as that of previous Galaxy models, and the buttons can be triggered by simply touching the screen.

Using a combination of hardware and software, the home key was installed under the display and was engineered to function and respond to pressure just like a physical button would. Recent and back buttons can be used in the same way they always have, but are now soft keys that can be customized in different colors.

Despite the fact that the Galaxy S8’s upper bezel contains the front camera, as well as the iris scanner and various sensors, it has been reduced in size, enhancing the aesthetic of the device. In addition, the Infinity Display is protected with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 which is impervious against scratches and external impacts.

Robust Entertainment

With the implementation of the Infinity Display, the Galaxy S8 also boasts an expanded ratio of 18.5:9 for a cinematic viewing experience.

Galaxy S7 edge on the left and Galaxy S8+ on the right.

These days, video providers such as Netflix are updating their apps to a 21:9 ratio to better showcase their content on wider displays. When watched in landscape mode, 21:9 movies fill the Galaxy S8’s 18.5:9 display, while the black bars above and below the picture are minimized, increasing the viewing area by 36 percent, compared to the Galaxy S7. This feature, along with the phone’s High Dynamic Range (HDR) Premium capabilities, enables users to see content exactly as the creator intended.

To get the most out of the Infinity Display, users can also select from manual conversion options including Stretch, which stretches video horizontally or vertically to fill the screen completely, or Crop to Fit, where the original video ratio is maintained but the image is enlarged and cropped so it fills the screen. Users can change modes easily with a convenient on-screen toggle.

Gaming experiences are also enhanced by the Infinity Display. Any game that supports 18.5:9 full screen mode will be automatically optimized to fill up the entire screen, providing enhanced visual effects and more exciting gameplay. The aspect ratio can also be adjusted manually in the Game Tools settings.

Do More, Scroll Less

 
In addition to enabling enhanced entertainment experiences, the Infinity Display makes it easier to see and do more from a single screen.

Galaxy S7 on the left and Galaxy S8 on the right.

While apps are usually navigated through a list-like interface that requires continuous scrolling, the Galaxy S8’s expanded display space enables users to view more images and feeds on social media or read more text in an email at once.

The Infinity Display is optimized for multi-window usability. With more screen real estate to work with, using multiple apps at the same time is easier, particularly when inputting text. Users can type a text message on the phone’s full keyboard while watching a movie, for example, without the film being blocked by the keyboard.

The Galaxy S8’s new Snap Window also enhances multitasking. This feature lets users pin a specific area from a recent app (such as the video screen of a media player or the shares section of a stock app) to the top of the screen, and continue using the area below it to work and view content seamlessly.

Gentle Notifications, meanwhile, use Edge Lighting and a small toast pop-up message instead of large pop-up notifications to alert users of incoming calls or messages so they can stay focused on their movie or game.

With its sleek aesthetic, immersive viewing experience and productivity-enhancing capabilities, the Galaxy S8 Infinity Display is a new form factor for an entirely new mobile experience.

Harmonizing Art and Technology

The Galaxy S8 builds on Samsung’s heritage of creating stunning designs with a large Infinity Display – an end-to-end, bezel-less screen that spills over the phone’s sides. Available in 5.8-inch and 6.2-inch models, the seemingly endless Infinity Display defies the borders of conventional framework.

Inspired by nature, the Galaxy S8’s gentle surface screen forms a continuous silhouette with no protrusions or sharp angles, while the phone’s subtle curvature smoothly flows from the front to back with symmetrical balance. The harmonious aesthetic of the display reflects the overall design of the device, complementing its comfortable grip and usability while creating a more organic connection between the device and the user.

Visually obtrusive elements have been minimized to create more tangible screen space, thus enabling enhanced usability and a more immersive viewing experience. A home key embedded underneath the screen functions and responds to pressure just like a physical button would, while the recent and back buttons are now soft keys that can be customized in different colors.

Available in five colors including Midnight Black, the all-new Orchid Gray, Coral Blue, Arctic Silver, and Maple Gold, the Galaxy S8 is enhanced by a rich color palette that envelops the device, intensifying the depth and unity of the design. The phone’s metal frames balance nicely with the natural luster and depth of its glass body, creating a seamless color transition that brings together art and technology to complete the phone’s concept of oneness.

One Continuous User Experience

Designed around the Infinity Display, the UX of the Galaxy S8 was developed with a focus on rhythm to enhance the flow of user interactions and better fit the way people use their phones today. Like the design of the display itself, the UX is seamless, unifying both visual and audio components to establish one continuous experience.

The default wallpaper of the customizable Always-On Display complements the color of the phone, while its aesthetic transitions smoothly to the lock and home screens. Meanwhile, a new vertical swiping interface facilitates navigation between the home screen and app tray – a swipe up or down gives users quick and seamless access to their apps. Or, should they choose to do so, they also have the option of adding an apps screen button to the home screen.

The new UX also adds convenience by making it possible to simultaneously move multiple apps into a folder. Additionally, users can tap and hold an app icon to open a quick options menu that lets them perform tasks such as uninstalling apps or moving them to Secure Folder without having to open the app.

Even the app icons and typography of the Galaxy S8 incorporate the phone’s new design language through a play of continuous curves and lines to create depth.

The Galaxy S8’s ringtones have also been updated to better harmonize with the design of the device, while a new version of Samsung’s brand sound, “Over the Horizon,” has also been released. Arranged and recorded by Grammy Award-winner Jacob Collier, the 2017 version of “Over the Horizon” combines elements of contemporary jazz, pop and dance genres to create a tune that is at once youthful and innovative.