Kuala Lumpur, 5 September 2017 – Samsung Electronics today used its presence at IFA 2017 in Berlin to showcase its latest consumer products and innovative technology that are helping make the impossible tomorrow’s ‘new normal’. During its press conference, held at Tempodrom in Berlin, Samsung highlighted its focus on the craftsmanship and connectivity of its products, along with partnerships that are enabling its technology to rapidly set new standards.

“Samsung’s innovation is inspired by consumers and designed to make an immediate difference,” said David Lowes, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Electronics Europe. “This innovation is based on craftsmanship, clever connectivity and championing the impossible. As technology increasingly plays a role in every part of our lives, we’re creating products and services that adapt to consumers and set the tone for what becomes their ‘new normal’.”

New Lifestyle Standards in Visual Display

Samsung continued to revolutionize the visual display industry at IFA 2017, with the release of a new 43-inch version of The Frame that was first unveiled earlier this year. Previously available in 55- and 65-inch sizes, the design-led TV experience is the ideal fit for the living room or other sized rooms in the home.

Samsung has partnered with leading galleries and museums such as the LUMAS, Saatchi Art, and Sedition to further enhance The Frame as an art-centric device within the home. Samsung also announced a new partnership with the Prado museum, as well as plans to acquire approximately 1,000 prominent art pieces that can be enjoyed in The Frame’s Art Store in near future. Users will be able to choose from an expanded selection of art, making the most of their TV even when it isn’t in operation.

In addition to the Art Store, the Samsung Collection of specially curated art pieces and the My Collection feature, which allows consumers to project their own personal images onto the screen, gives consumers even more options to visually customize their space, wherever they choose to place The Frame within the home.

Along with The Frame, Samsung presented plans to expand the QLED TV line-up to Europe, as it continues to grow its leadership within the premium TV market. The Q8F model, a flat version of the curved Q8C model, will be launched in Europe in 55 and 65-inch sizes. This model will be a part of the largest TV line up in Europe, which consists of 14 full QLED TVs, in curved and flat models, ranging from 49-inch to an ultra-large 88-inch.To further amplify its premium line of QLED TVs, Samsung has also entered into a partnership with Panasonic and 20^th Century Fox to proliferate HDR 10+ technology. In the months to come, Samsung will continue to expand partnerships to include Hollywood studios, content providers, and game developers.

Samsung also introduced the world’s largest QLED gaming monitor – the CHG90, which measures 49-inches, with a 178-degree ultra-wide viewing angle. The CHG90 offers a full and immersive view of gaming action, expanding the visual capabilities of a gaming monitor without sacrificing speed.

The Craftsmanship for Meaningful Innovation in Appliances

Samsung’s new home appliances introduced at IFA 2017 are designed with a single aim in mind: to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives with brilliant innovations they come to rely on.

For example, the need to design around real-life problems was displayed with the launch of Samsung’s new washing machine with QuickDrive technology. Samsung’s QuickDrive technology cuts washing time by half and energy use by 20 percent*, offering consumers the time-saving solution, without compromising washing performance. Its unique Q-Drum^TM consists of a large main drum and a plate in the back that rotates independently. Unlike conventional washers that move clothes repeatedly up and down over the course of the cycle, the QuickDrive moves clothes from top to bottom in the drum but with an added dimension. The plate in the back of the drum introduces a back and forth movement, making a dynamic action powered by double forces that quickly and gently remove dirt to deliver an intense and complete wash cycle.

Samsung introduced the innovative concept called AddWash^TM at IFA in 2015, which allows users to add clothes to a washing machine during an active cycle. QuickDrive takes innovation one step further by offering a new level of convenience and performance. This is the type of technology that Samsung says will eventually become the “new normal” – technology we soon will be unable to live without.

In line with the key theme of Craftsmanship, Samsung also revealed the POWERstick PRO^TM cordless vacuum cleaner. Providing the ultimate cleaning solution, the POWERstick PRO^TM guarantees powerful cleaning performance, easy maintenance and a long-lasting battery. It features an industry-leading 150 watts of suction power and 40-minutes of battery time—twice as long as traditional batteries—with a battery lifespan of five years. It also boasts Flex Handle that folds up to 50 degrees, letting users clean hard-to-reach spaces, such as the below furniture, with less effort.

Samsung will also expand the voice capability of its Family Hub refrigerator to countries in Europe on a phased basis this year, starting with British English, German, French, and Italian. Family Hub will also be integrated with Samsung Connect, letting users control a wide variety of IoT-ready smart appliances regardless of their operating system.

Cleverly Connected for Life on the Move

The new normal for wearable technology isn’t just an activity tracker that counts your steps – it’s about enhanced connectivity to deliver an entire wellness manager and make our lives healthier. At IFA 2017, Samsung unveiled three new wearable devices.

The versatile smartwatch, the Gear Sport, takes on board the functionality that users want from a fitness gadget today. It is packed with features for people who see no boundary between their life and their wellness. It includes built-in GPS, run-pacing features and nutrition tracking.

With a focus on connectivity, the ever-growing connected ecosystem also brings about the need for more control. The Gear Sport can control the Samsung IoT-enabled devices, act as a remote control for a PowerPoint presentation or Samsung Gear VR, and pay for goods via Samsung Pay (NFC Only).

Samsung also launched the Gear Fit2 Pro – an advanced GPS fitness band. It features a beautifully curved 1.5” Super AMOLED display and is able to track various activities – whether on land or in the pool. For the new swimming capabilities, Samsung partnered with swimming expert Speedo to create Speedo On, the first Speedo wearable app that accurately tracks pool exercises. Everything from measuring the number of strokes or lap times, to tracking which stroke the user is doing is all possible on the 5ATM certified** Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro with the Speedo app.

Daily activity can be supplemented with updated Under Armour and Spotify partnerships. Both devices provide access to Under Armour’s fitness apps including Under Armour Record, MyFitnessPal®, MapMyRun® and Endomondo for activity, nutrition, sleep and fitness tracking functions – these apps provide users with a holistic picture of their health and fitness. The Gear IconX (2018) cord-free earbuds complete the line-up of wearable devices launched by Samsung at IFA 2017.

Leading the Standardization of IoT Technologies; Convergence with HARMAN

Samsung has been leading the standardization of global IoT technologies as a diamond member of the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF). Samsung is the first in the industry to receive the OCF certification for its smart TVs, Family Hub refrigerators and air conditioners, and intends to expand the certification to all of its home appliances throughout the year.

The OCF certification will allow for open compatibility between the different products of member companies. In addition to Samsung, more than 390 companies have joined the OCF, with 20 billion IoT products to be synchronized with the OCF standard in three years.

Samsung’s ongoing partnership with HARMAN is also fortifying its big picture for the new normal. Following six months of partnership, Samsung is now the global leader in connected car technology, with more than 50 million cars on the road worldwide powered by HARMAN and Samsung technology.

The partnership is focused on creating audio and visual experiences that just a short while ago, would have been considered impossible. For example, Samsung’s new HDR LED screen for cinemas, measuring more than 10 meters or 34 feet across, delivers unrivalled picture quality and is brought to life by the audio technology of HARMAN Professional Solutions, together with Samsung AudioLab. The powerful combination of Samsung and HARMAN aims to reinvent both mobility and entertainment, taking the new and making it normal.

*Tested on WW8800M compared with Samsung WW8500K. Saves 50% time on Cotton (40℃, half load) and eCotton cycle with washing performance within ±2%. Saves 20% energy on Cotton (40℃, half load) and Super Speed cycle (40℃, 5kg load), based on Intertek data.

**Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro have ISO 22810:2010 certification for 5 ATM rating of 50 meters (165 feet) under specific conditions. This means that both devices are safe to wear while walking in the rain or showering, and may be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean. However, the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth.

The new Gear devices assist with a range of activities – from robust fitness tracking to nutrition and sleep monitoring, as well as motivational coaching as a lifestyle companion. By introducing new smart capabilities and easy-to-use features, and by partnering with leading names in tech and fitness, Samsung is helping consumers go beyond fitness and accomplish big things.

“At Samsung, we celebrate the everyday athlete – whether you’re going for a light jog, or training for your next triathlon. We have a long history of embracing choice and innovation, and our wearables are designed to help consumers of varying fitness levels meet their goals and aspirations. We want to help remove the stigma that fit can only mean one thing and that fitness trackers are complex and for only the most intense of workouts,” said DJ Koh, President of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “Our new Samsung Gear wearables help consumers ‘go beyond fitness’ and enjoy an active, balanced and fulfilled life in a smart and seamless way.”

As part of this updated line-up, Samsung created new capabilities for Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro:

• Industry-Leading Water Resistance and Swim Tracking: An ideal companion for any swim – from laps to playing in the pool – these devices are 5 ATM[1] certified for water resistance. Now with Speedo’s latest swimming training app, Speedo On[2], the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro also allow you to easily track key swim metrics including lap count, lap time, stroke type and more.
• Top-of-the-line Heart Rate Monitoring: With improved accuracy, the devices offer advanced real-time heart rate monitoring. They help you continuously monitor your heart activity – whether it’s enjoying a stress-free nap or an invigorating cycling class.
• Premium Partnerships: Daily activity can be supplemented with updated Under Armour² and Spotify² Both devices provide access to Under Armour’s fitness apps including Under Amour Record, MyFitnessPal®, MapMyRun® and Endomondo[3] for activity, nutrition, sleep and fitness tracking functions – these apps provide users with a holistic picture of their health and fitness. Spotify’s Offline mode lets you listen to your favorite music online, offline or even without your smartphone so you can enjoy your favorite tunes regardless of location.
• Auto Activity Detection: Automatic activity detection built into the devices are in tune with your body and can recognize the following categories of activities: Walking, Running, Cycling and performing Dynamic Activities that could include dancing to basketball.
• Personalized Motivation: You can customize your own wellness plan with tailored goals and alerts.

Gear Sport: A new versatile smartwatch to support an active and balanced lifestyle 

Gear Sport is stylish, yet practical with a minimalistic, circular bezel, Super AMOLED 1.2-inch display and improved user interface that makes it easy to view information, even when on-the-go. With Gear Sport, users can work to achieve health and wellness goals, and receive nutrition management alerts and activity recommendations even when they are offline.

Designed with military-level durability, it can handle a wide-range of environments. With its sleek, ergonomic form that can be worn in a variety of colorful and easily changeable standard 20mm straps, it is perfect for any occasion so you can effortlessly transition from the gym to a night out with friends. Gear Sport will be available in Blue and Black and also includes Gear foundational functions:

• Control of Samsung IoT-enabled devices through Samsung Connect
• Act as a remote control, whether for a PowerPoint presentation or Samsung Gear VR headset
• Pay for goods with a flick of the wrist via Samsung Pay (NFC Only)[4]

Gear Fit2 Pro: An advanced GPS fitness band

In addition to the new swim and heart rate monitoring capabilities, the new Gear Fit2 Pro features advanced built-in GPS tracking to capture your run or ride with accurate activity tracking. Gear Fit2 Pro’s Super AMOLED curved 1.5-inch display and a high-resolution color touchscreen make real-time updates and notifications easier to read. The all-new secure, ergonomic band is light weight and comfortable to use for all activities. Available in Black and Red, its versatile design also makes it a stylish accessory.

Gear IconX: Comfortable fit, cord-free earbuds

IconX cord-free earbuds let you effortlessly listen to your favorite music – making your daily commute more enjoyable and helping you get more from your workout. Music can be enjoyed on and offline by transferring songs from a Samsung smartphone[5] or PC, or accessing your favorite tunes through Bluetooth connectivity. The earbuds are also your newest connection to Bixby.[6] With a simple tap and hold of the earbud you can use your voice to control your music or your phone – without even having it in your hand.

The updated design comes in Black and is even more ergonomic and lightweight so they are effectively secure, comfortable and stylish to use. For the fitness enthusiast, the Gear IconX automatically tracks your running routines, and also features the standalone Running Coach function which can be activated by simply tapping the earbud to provide in-ear audio[7] exercise status updates – in real-time and without your phone. With a fast-charging and improved battery life of up to five hours of music streaming or seven hours of standalone music playback, and up to 4GB of internal storage, you can enjoy a seamless and fully standalone music listening experience.

The Gear Fit2 Pro will be available in Malaysia end of September onwards, while both the Gear Sport and Gear IconX will reach local shores in November. Get a first look at Samsung’s new Gear wearables in the official trailer available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onVzSjdVh3A.

For more product information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com or news.samsung.com/galaxy.

[1]Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro have ISO 22810:2010 certification for 5 ATM rating of 50 meters (165 feet) under specific conditions. This means that both devices are safe to wear while walking in the rain or showering, and may be used for shallow-water activities like swimming in a pool or ocean. However, the Gear Sport and Gear Fit2 Pro should not be used for scuba diving, waterskiing, or other activities involving high-velocity water or submersion below shallow depth.

[2]Availability of apps may vary by country and region.

[3]Under Armour’s MapMyRun, Endomondo and Under Armour Record for Gear devices are not supported in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Under Armour’s MyFitness Pal for Gear devices is not supported in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

[4]NFC support only. Service availability may vary by country.

[5]The Gear IconX is compatible with devices running Android 4.4 and above.

[6]Limited to Samsung devices with Bixby voice capabilities including Galaxy Note8, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+

[7]The Gear IconX voice guide supports nine languages including U.S. English, Chinese Mandarin, Spanish, German, French, Korean, Italian, Russian and Japanese.