As part of these sustainability efforts, Samsung has expanded the use of recycled materials in plastic parts for its products. By 2030, Samsung aims to incorporate 50% recycled materials into its plastic parts and by 2050, aims to use 100% recycled materials for all of its plastic parts.

Samsung’s SolarCell Remote exemplifies Samsung’s commitment to the environment, and as it celebrates its third anniversary, Samsung Newsroom is exploring how this eco-conscious product has progressed since its initial release in 2021, with perspectives from JongKeun Lee of H/W Platform Lab and HyunJoo Kim of Mecha Solution Lab.

▲ (From left) JongKeun Lee from H/W Platform Lab and HyunJoo Kim from Mecha Solution Lab

Eliminating the Need for Disposable Batteries

Samsung Electronics developed the SolarCell Remote to combat the environmental impact of discarding used batteries. It is the industry’s first rechargeable remote control, with a solar panel (solar cell) that can be charged by sunlight or indoor lighting. The remote can also be charged with a USB-C cable so consumers have many ways to charge their remote.

“The level of carbon emissions from the SolarCell Remote, from production to disposal, is roughly one-third of that of the manufacturing of disposable batteries[1],” said JongKeun Lee from H/W Platform Lab. “By eliminating the need for disposable batteries, not only are fewer resources consumed but carbon emissions are lowered by manufacturing fewer batteries over time.”

Another remarkable feature is its low power consumption. The SolarCell Remote was designed to run on about 10% of the power that typical remote controls use. “Samsung made significant progress by drastically eliminating unnecessary outputs and operations, contributing to great energy savings,” Lee added.

The SolarCell Remote Recycles More Than Six Tonnes of Waste

Twenty-four percent of the plastics used in the SolarCell Remote come from recycled materials. This means more than six tonnes of waste are recycled for the annual production of 10 million SolarCell Remotes. This equates to about an 18% decrease in carbon emissions compared to production using conventional materials.

This was no simple undertaking. It takes time and effort to develop and apply alternative materials made from recycled waste in a meaningful way.

“With growing concerns about ocean waste, we looked carefully into many solutions. We chose to use recycled plastics from discarded fishing nets for 20% of brackets of the 2023 SolarCell Remote,” said HyunJoo Kim from Mecha Solution Lab. “Going forward, we aim to foster the use of these resources and utilize recycled plastics more aggressively.”

“This year, we started using recycled plastics from discarded fishing nets. While they are costly and difficult to process, the end result is a higher quality of materials which contribute to our mission of everyday sustainability,” Kim added. “The process is quite extensive, from sorting out the waste to cleaning, removing toxic substances and improving material properties.”

In recognition of this product’s environmentally friendly design, Time Magazine selected the SolarCell Remote as one of Time Magazine’s “The Best Inventions of 2022”.

All of Samsung’s 2023 Lifestyle TVs are equipped with the 2023 SolarCell Remote. Samsung’s goal is to integrate more eco-conscious products and processes into a wider range of models across regions and empower consumers to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

In addition, Samsung decreased the size of the SolarCell Remote by 25% in its latest iteration. This means that the remote control uses less plastic while enhancing the product’s usability.

“As the SolarCell Remote became smaller, manufacturing uses less plastic and it became an ideal size for consumers’ hands, making it a better product all around,” Lee explained.

Pursuing an Eco-Conscious Strategy With a Streamlined Approach

So, what are Samsung’s next steps to enhance sustainability of the SolarCell Remote?

“We are continuing to move in the direction of light, thin and small to keep the use of plastic low,” Kim said.

“We are dedicated to creating a user-friendly remote control that consumes fewer resources and less energy,” Lee said. “Samsung’s ultimate goal is to empower users to control products with minimal effort while reducing the use of materials and energy. This could mean one day we get rid of the remote control entirely. The SolarCell Remote is a bold step in the direction of everyday sustainability and we can’t wait to show everyone what’s next.”

The ambitious journey of the SolarCell Remote to contribute to a more eco-conscious lifestyle is just beginning.

[1] Considering most TVs are used for seven years and an AA battery for their remote controls are replaced once in a year, the number of discarded batteries for a TV will be 14 every seven years. This means charging and using SolarCell Remote for seven years reduces carbon emissions by one third compared to using AA batteries.

Samsung Electronics today unveiled its 2023 TV lineup of Neo QLED 8K, Samsung OLED, sound devices and monitors at its Unbox & Discover virtual livestream, showcasing the latest innovations in smart connectivity, sustainability initiatives, premium viewing, and gaming experiences. This year’s lineup focuses on enhancing the user experience by making complex technologies more intuitive and seamlessly integrated into people’s lives, while delivering impeccable picture and sound quality consumers expect from Samsung screens.

Vice Chairman Jong-Hee (JH) Han underscores Samsung’s commitment to calm tech and sustainability initiatives at Unbox & Discover 2023

“At Samsung, we understand that technology should empower and enhance people’s lives, not complicate them,” said Jong-Hee (JH) Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of DX (Device eXperience) Division at Samsung Electronics. “By choosing Samsung, consumers can expect to experience an unparalleled level of wow factors, all while participating in eco-conscious practices for a sustainable future.”

1 – Solutions for Your Tailormade Life: Five Foundations of SmartThings

In his opening remarks, JH Han underscored the company’s commitment to calm tech and innovation, providing consumers with the latest technologies that make life better. In particular, he introduced five core foundations of SmartThings, which aims to provide increased convenience when setting up their smart homes.

• Instant Connection: SmartThings enables users to easily connect their devices in just one step, allowing them to enjoy the synergy created by Samsung devices more easily.
• Automated Connection: SmartThings automatically connects devices, like TVs or smartphones, with other Samsung devices such as the air conditioner, dryer, refrigerator, and washer, eliminating the need for manual setup.
• Hub Everywhere: The IoT hub is built into various Samsung products, including Samsung Smart TVs, making IoT setup a breeze.
• Expansive Compatibility: SmartThings goes beyond just the Samsung ecosystem, enabling devices from any brand to work seamlessly together thanks to the Home Connectivity Alliance and the international IoT communication standard, MATTER.
• Security: With CC EAL 6+ certification, the new Samsung Knox Vault hardware chip encrypts all information from connected devices, ensuring the highest level of security and offering peace of mind for users.

Understanding consumers have diverse technology ecosystems in their homes, Samsung helped form the Home Connectivity Alliance so all users’ favorite devices can work together regardless of brand. And in the name of true connectivity, Samsung is also paving the way for smarter homes with support for MATTER, an international IoT communication standard with more than 220 global companies involved.

Thanks to this collaborative mindset and these five foundations, users can build a network of connected devices that makes their home smarter and their lives easier.

2 – Putting People and Planet at the Center: Everyday Sustainability and Relumino

Samsung is committed to delivering innovative calm tech and eco-conscious practices that make life easier and better for its users. At every stage of the product lifecycle, from product sourcing to production, distribution, use and recycling, Samsung puts sustainability first, utilizing various technologies to create sustainable products that contribute to building a healthier planet for future generations.

• Samsung is leading the way with three innovative approaches to sustainability: Turning CO2 into recycled materials, using fewer materials, and upcycling products and packaging. Samsung’s 2023 TVs, monitors, and remote controls use recycled resin made of at least 50% recycled materials.[1] In addition, Samsung has made significant efforts to ensure it is offering sustainable packaging from the box to all the wrapping inside.
• Samsung has also developed AI Energy Mode that helps users monitor energy consumption and usage patterns, putting them in control of themselves. AI Energy Mode feature even analyzes the content playing on the screen to reduce power consumption without distracting from the content.
• Samsung’s third generations SolarCell Remote uses fewer materials and is more compact. It is also free of licensing, allowing any manufacturer to join Samsung on the journey in making the world a more eco-conscious place.

Samsung also underscored its commitment to creating a better, more inclusive viewing experience for all with its latest Relumino mode. Relumino mode is designed to help people with visual impairments watch content more easily and has been awarded with the 2023 CES Innovation Award.[2]

By choosing Samsung, users can enjoy cutting-edge technology while taking part in sustainable and inclusive practices that align with core values of ESG.

3 – More Choice with Premium Screens: Neo QLED 8K and Samsung OLED

At Unbox & Discover 2023, Samsung unveiled products and features designed to delivering innovative 8K experiences. The QN900C sits at the top of Samsung’s premium Neo QLED 8K lineup and is a standout model in the premium TV category. With groundbreaking technologies like Auto HDR Remastering and 8K AI upscaling, the QN900C is impressing industry experts and reviewers alike. Outlets such as TechRadar even commented: “There were many moments while viewing when I silently uttered ‘wow,’ and that’s certainly not something I find myself doing with every TV I test.”

From true-to-life picture quality to immersive audio, Samsung has once again set the bar high with its Neo QLED 8K. The company also added a 98-inch model to its Neo QLED 8K lineup, providing immaculate color reproduction and lifelike level of details in a scale that offers true cinematic experience. It offers upgraded sound with Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony 3.0 to further envelope viewers in every single scene.

Additionally, Samsung spoke to its efforts in expanding the 8K ecosystem by working closely with various partners, including the 8K Association. Together, Samsung is introducing more ways to enjoy native 8K content than ever before.

Samsung also highlighted its 2023 Samsung OLED lineup, which offers immaculate color accuracy through Neural Quantum Processor 4K’s perceptional color mapping – making Samsung OLED the “World’s First Pantone-Validated HDR OLED.”[3]

In fact, Samsung OLED boasts true blacks and stunningly natural pictures with perfect contrast and color expression. The S95C features Samsung’s signature Infinity One design, and the LaserSlim design of the S90C model add a touch of sophisticated metal finish.

4 – Putting Gaming at the Forefront with Gaming TVs and Monitors

Premium screens, from Neo QLED 8K to OLED and beyond, not only bring video and photo content to life in ultra-high resolution but can also bring screen experiences like gaming to a whole new level. Gaming on a 98-inch Neo QLED 8K provides an incomparable level of immersive gameplay, from the large screen to high-performance graphic cards that support 8K resolution at fast pace.

For 2023, Samsung unveiled the Odyssey Neo G9, the world’s first dual UHD resolution monitor, and the Odyssey Ark, a 55-inch curved screen with a powerful sound system and multitasking capabilities. The new 2023 Odyssey models will be available in 2H in 57-inch Odyssey Neo G9 and the 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9, providing unrivaled picture quality and user experience.

Incorporating valuable feedback from thousands of gamers, Samsung also upgraded its all-in-one gaming platform, the Gaming Hub. The platform now includes partnerships with Amazon Luna, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Utomik and Xbox, allowing gamers to play their favorite titles at high performance speed directly from the cloud without a console or PC.[4]

In addition to its advanced features for viewing experiences, the 2023 lineup also offers gamer-centric features such as Game Bar, which places gamer controls front and center, along with Mini Map Zoom and Virtual Aim Point, which can make all the difference between winning and losing in competitive gameplay.[5]

If you weren’t able to catch the event live, you can watch the replay of the Unbox & Discover event in its entirety at Samsung Youtube. Stay tuned to find out more on our launch updates at Samsung Malaysia Newsroom. We have exciting news to WOW you on 18 April 2023!

To learn more about this year’s TV and monitor lineup, please visit https://www.samsung.com/my/offer/unbox-discover-2023.

[1] Resin contains a minimum of 50% recycled content. (Environmental Claim Validation Procedure, UL 2809 5th Edition)

[2] Relumino Mode is applied for TV models QN80C, QN90C, QN800C, QN900C and works on sources provided through DTV and HDMI only.

[3] Pantone is a global authority in color, providing a standardized system relied on by over 10 million designers and producers worldwide.

[4] Samsung Gaming Hub availability may vary by region.

[5] Game Bar supports PC & console gaming only.

* Updated on March 29 2023 : 10% Recycled PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate), which is sourced from discarded PET bottles has been used in case front part of Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Creating a sustainable future is driven by conscious everyday choices and actions, such as bringing your own bag when grocery shopping, printing double-sided documents and taking public transport.

Samsung has always challenged existing notions of what’s possible with technology, including rethinking how the devices we use can be more sustainable.

Ahead of World Earth Day on April 22, discover how Samsung advances everyday sustainability by empowering consumers to lead a greener digital lifestyle. The company’s commitment to putting sustainability at the heart of everything it does has sparked innovative approaches in product design, manufacturing and packaging, and new sustainable experiences that consumers can expect when choosing Samsung products to suit today’s lifestyles.

Rethink Packaging

Packaging for electronic products serve the dual purpose of both protecting the device as well as delivering brand experience. However, packaging is often discarded or stored away when the device is unboxed.

One way to minimise contributing single-use packaging materials to the landfill is simply to reduce the need for them where possible.

An initiative under Galaxy for the Planet, the sustainability platform for Samsung’s Mobile eXperience (MX) Business powered by its scale, innovation and spirit of open collaboration to take tangible climate actions across its business, the new Galaxy A series[1] comes without the charger plug and with reduced packaging that uses sustainably sourced paper.

Samsung has also reduced the total weight of the packaging for the latest flagship Galaxy S22 series by 19% since the Galaxy S21 series, and 56% since the Galaxy S20 series[2]. In addition, Samsung switched to materials made from 100% recycled paper that’s certified by FSC, as well as protective films that use recycled plastic.

Another way to minimise discarded packaging materials is by giving them a new lease of life. Product packaging such as cardboard boxes may be used as storage, or even transformed into fun and functional home furniture.

First introduced in 2020, Samsung’s award-winning Eco-packaging program lets consumers upcycle the thick, corrugated cardboard boxes that used to hold their TVs into furniture such as small tables and shelves. Building instructions can be accessed by scanning QR codes on the outside of the boxes.

At CES 2022, Samsung announced that it plans to use 30 times more recycled plastics than it did in 2021, including expanding the use of recycled materials to include the boxes’ interior packaging of Styrofoam, box holders and plastic bags. Samsung is also expanding the Eco-packaging programme to encompass a larger lineup of products, including home appliances such as vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, air purifiers and more.

Rethink Recycled Materials

In addition to the sustainable packaging, Samsung also looked inwards for ways to incorporate recycled materials in its devices. The Galaxy A series smartphones[3] use recycled post-consumer materials (PCM) for the side buttons and SIM card trays, while recycled discarded fishing nets made up 20% of the inner cover of the S Pen and the key bracket of the Galaxy S22 series.

Furthermore, every new Galaxy S22 smartphone case is now designed with UL-certified, eco-conscious materials such as recycled post-consumer plastics or bio-based substances.

Having devised the formula for polyamide resins that match Samsung’s high-quality standards for smartphone technology, Samsung is committed to evolving and expanding its use of ocean-bound plastics across all its products. By the end of 2022, Samsung’s use of recycled ocean-bound material could prevent more than 50 tons of discarded fishing nets[4] from entering the world’s oceans.

Samsung also announced at CES that it will also increase the amount of recycled plastic used in its home appliances to include both interior components and exterior elements. One such innovation resulting from Samsung’s sustainability efforts is a new type of polypropylene recycled plastic for Samsung’s washing machine tubs. From discarded items such as used lunch boxes and facial mask straps, Samsung created a new type of recycled resin that is more resistant to external shocks, which extends the lifespan of the material used in these parts.

Rethink Energy Usage  

Sustainability also extends to the ways that users experience Samsung products, which can empower people to reduce their carbon footprint.

Over in the laundry room, Samsung’s flagship AI Ecobubble washing machine uses advanced QuickDrive technology to let you wash clothes more effectively with less energy, time and effort[5]. AI Wash uses the four built-in sensors to determine the optimal amount of water and detergent for your load, letting you save on utility bills and help the environment at the same time.

The first-of-its-kind SolarCell Remote, which is included in new Samsung TVs and home appliances, aims to eliminate more than 200 million batteries from landfills[6] with a built-in solar panel that can be recharged through indoor or outdoor lighting. Notable enhancements made since its inception include getting electricity from radio frequencies emitted by nearby devices like Wi-Fi routers[7].

Samsung has its sights on even greater heights: By 2025, Samsung plans to make all its TVs and phone chargers operate on near zero standby power. This means the products will consume almost no energy when not being used.

[1] Select Galaxy A devices launched in 2022 and more to come.

[2] The smartphone’s packaging was produced in an eco-conscious manner, utilizing 100% recycled paper. All packaging components, including accessories and manuals were made compact to reduce the packaging’s overall volume.

[3] Select Galaxy A devices launched in 2022 and more to come.

[4] Based on internal research

[5]  Tested on WW7000T compared with Samsung WW6500K. Saves 50% time on Cotton (40℃, half load) cycle with washing performance within ±5%. Based on Intertek data.

[6] Estimate is based on expected sales volume and average usage period of related products.

[7] For radio frequency harvesting, a physical proximity of SolarCell Remote to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi router is required.

Building a Sustainable Future

At its core, Samsung’s vision for the future is built on what the company calls “everyday sustainability.” It is a concept that inspires Samsung to put sustainability at the heart of everything it does. The company has been realizing its vision by adopting new, low-impact product manufacturing practices, footprint-reducing packaging and a more sustainable customer experience, and by responsibly disposing of products at the end of their lifecycles.

Samsung’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions throughout the production cycle have also earned recognition from the Carbon Trust, the world’s leading authority on carbon footprint. Last year, the company’s Carbon Trust-certified memory chips helped reduce carbon emissions by nearly 700,000 tons.

Samsung’s efforts in this area extend well beyond semiconductors and include expanding the use of recycled materials. To introduce everyday sustainability to more products, Samsung’s Visual Display Business plans to use 30 times more recycled plastics than it did in 2021. The company also revealed plans to expand its use of recycled materials to include all mobile products and home appliances over the next three years.

In 2021, all of Samsung’s TV boxes included recycled materials. For this year, the company revealed that it will be expanding the use of recycled materials to include the boxes’ interior packaging as well. Now, recycled materials will be incorporated into Styrofoam, box holders and plastic bags. The company also announced the global expansion of its award-winning Eco-Packaging program. The expansion of the program, which transforms cardboard boxes into cat houses, side tables and other useful furniture items, will include packaging for home appliances such as vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens, air purifiers and more.

Samsung is also building sustainability into the ways that customers experience its products. Such experiences will be integral to empowering people to reduce their carbon footprint and make positive changes together for a better tomorrow. As an example, the company introduced notable enhancements to its first-of-its-kind SolarCell Remote, which eliminates battery waste with a built-in solar panel that can be charged during both day and night.

The enhanced SolarCell Remote gets electricity from radio frequencies in devices like Wi-Fi routers.¹ “What’s more, it will be included in more Samsung products – like new Samsung TVs and home appliances – with the goal of eliminating more than 200 million batteries from landfills.² When you line them up, it is the distance from right here, Las Vegas, to Korea,” said Han.

In addition, by 2025, Samsung plans to make all of its TVs and phone chargers operate on near-zero standby power, so that the products will consume almost no energy when not being used.

E-waste is another big challenge for the electronics industry, which is why Samsung has collected more than five million tons of e-waste since 2009. For mobile products, last year, Samsung launched Galaxy for the Planet, a sustainability platform that was created to bring about tangible climate action and minimize devices’ environmental footprints throughout their lifecycles.

“These are important steps,” said Han, “but we cannot achieve our goals alone. We believe open innovation and collaboration are keys to fighting climate change and protecting our environment.” With this in mind, Samsung announced that its eco-conscious technologies like the SolarCell Remote will be made open source, so that others can utilize them for their new devices too.

Samsung’s decision to make such technologies openly available reflects a commitment to innovation – and to everyday sustainability – that transcends industries. The collaboration with Patagonia that Samsung announced at the keynote demonstrates the type of innovation that can result when companies – even those from entirely different industries – come together to address environmental issues. The innovative solution that the companies are designing will help fight plastic pollution by enabling Samsung washing machines to minimize microplastics from entering waterways through laundry cycles.

“This is a serious problem, and not one we can solve on our own,” said Vincent Stanley, Director of Philosophy at Patagonia. Commending the hard work and dedication of Samsung engineers, Stanley described the working relationship as “a perfect example of the kind of collaboration we all need to help turn the tide of climate change and restore nature to health.”

“We are thrilled about this collaboration, but our work won’t stop there,” added Han. “We will continue to explore new partnerships and collaborations, aiming to address the challenges facing our planet.”

Empowering Users With Customized Experiences 

In addition to describing steps it is taking to advance everyday sustainability, Samsung outlined various ways it is advancing technology to cater to consumers’ diverse needs. Understanding that each person is unique and wants to customize their devices to suit their lifestyle, Samsung strives to find ways to help people redefine their relationships with everyday technologies. This people-first approach to innovation is a key pillar of the company’s “Together for tomorrow” vision.

The platforms and screens that Samsung unveiled at the event reflect the ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All’ era that Han alluded to at CES 2020. The Freestyle is a lightweight and portable screen that gives you a cinema-quality experience no matter where you are. Featuring AI-enabled sound, built-in streaming apps and a host of useful Smart TV accessibility features, The Freestyle can be set up virtually anywhere and projects up to 100 inches.

The Samsung Gaming Hub, meanwhile, offers an all-in-one platform for discovering and playing cloud and console games, and is set to launch on the company’s 2022 Smart TVs and monitors. Lastly, The Odyssey Ark is a 55-inch, flexible and curved gaming screen that takes immersion to the next level with a multi-view experience that allows users to play games, video chat with friends and watch gaming videos at the same time.

To introduce more tailored product experiences to consumers’ homes, Samsung announced the rollout of even more customization options for its Bespoke lineup of home appliances. This includes new Bespoke options for Samsung’s Family Hub and French 3-Door and 4-Door refrigerators, alongside dishwashers, ranges and over-the-range microwaves. Samsung is also introducing new products like the Bespoke Jet vacuum and Bespoke Washer and Dryer, expanding the lineup to every room in the home to offer consumers more ways to customize their space to suit their style and needs.

Samsung is constantly exploring ways to harness customization to help users get more out of their devices. The #YouMake Project represents the culmination of those efforts empowering consumers to choose and customize products based on what matters most to them, so they can enjoy a more personalized experience across their devices. Announced at the keynote, the initiative expands Samsung’s Bespoke vision beyond home appliances and brings it to life in the company’s smartphones and large-screen devices.

Ushering in an Era of Seamless Connectivity

Building a better future together for tomorrow requires more than building customization and sustainability into the core of Samsung’s products – it also requires seamless connectivity. During the keynote, Samsung demonstrated its commitment to ushering in an era of truly seamless connected experiences by highlighting its collaborations with partners as well as its next-gen products.

Unveiled for the first time at CES, the all-new Samsung Home Hub takes connected home experiences to the next level with a SmartThings service that integrates with AI-connected appliances to simplify home management. Samsung Home Hub combines six SmartThings services into one convenient device that gives users complete control over their smart home and makes it easier to manage household chores.

To enable different types of smart devices to work better with each other, Samsung announced plans to make SmartThings Hub a built-in feature of its 2022 TVs, Smart Monitors and Family Hub refrigerators. Doing so will help make connected living experiences more accessible and seamless for everyone.

Pointing to the need to offer consumers the best smart home experience regardless of brand, Samsung also announced its role as a founding member of the Home Connectivity Alliance (HCA), which brings together various smart home appliance manufacturers. The organization aims to foster greater interoperability between devices across brands to give consumers more choice, and to enhance the security and safety of products and services.

“As a global coalition of smart home appliance manufacturers, HCA members share a belief that connected ecosystems and digital technology will allow us to further develop product experiences that are elegant, hyper-personalized and truly smart for our consumers,” said Katherine Shin, Vice President of Customer Experience at Trane Technologies. “The HCA invites any global manufacturers with a similar vision for efficiency, interoperability and innovation to come and build with us.”

Samsung’s keynote underlined a deep commitment to corporate social responsibility that continues to characterize its approach to innovation. That commitment is not only realized in the company’s technologies, but also in its dedication towards programs that empower the next generation to bring about the changes they want to see in the world. By nurturing young people’s development and building skills for the workplaces of tomorrow, programs like Solve for Tomorrow and Samsung Innovation Campus are turning dreams into action.

“Today, I’m honored to share that Samsung’s programs to empower the next generation have now reached more than 21 million people since 2012,” said Han. “This is the better tomorrow we all seek: enabling people to reach beyond their dreams, a planet protected so others can experience its wonders, [and] innovation as the spark for change.”

For more information, including images and videos of the products Samsung is announcing at CES 2022, please visit news.samsung.com/global/ces-2022.

¹ For radio frequency harvesting, a physical proximity of SolarCell Remote to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi router is required.

² Estimate is based on expected sales volume and average usage period of related products.