More than a Device – the Integral Role TVs play in a Household

From little children captivated by their favourite cartoons, to couples unwinding with a romantic film, friends sharing their excitement over major sporting events and families gathering for blockbuster action movie nights together, the television has never been just a screen. More than just another electronic device, TVs have earned an important spot in households, bringing people together, shaping shared experiences, and creating lasting memories. Beyond entertainment, TVs have provided something more meaningful – quality time with the ones who matter.

After all, they are not simply buying a device, but investing in a centrepiece of their homes – one that will stand the test of time, creating more special moments in the years to come.

Samsung’s 20-year run as the World’s top TV brand¹ reflects a legacy carefully built on maintaining our commitment to provide high quality visual experiences for the long-term. This expertise in the display sector also extends beyond TV screens. Reinforcing our leadership in another household’s touchpoint, we have recently retained our position as the for the seventh consecutive year ².

Across the region, AI is now changing the TV’s role from passive display to active companion and consumers are navigating an ecosystem crowded with AI-powered devices, platforms, and services. However, due to a lack of intentional and effective integration into existing infrastructure, it can still be challenging for promising AI solutions to deliver the trustworthy and tangible value they claim to offer.

What Two Decades of Leadership Really Means

In market after market, and year after year, consumers have chosen Samsung not simply because of feature innovation, but because our solutions perform as promised. That consistency is supported by service networks, software updates, and retailer partnerships. Samsung’s reputation for reliability and innovation is also driven by word-of-mouth between family and friends – which our research ³ has identified as the top information touchpoint for consumers considering Samsung.

The market is now more competitive than at any point in Samsung’s 20-year run as the World’s top TV brand⁴. But we welcome the competition; it is what has kept us sharp. We know that the brands that will define the next 20 years will be those which can balance the pursuit of innovative technology with consistent delivery of experiences that consumers can trust in.

AI, Designed for the Long Game

At the core of Samsung’s 2026 line-up is Vision AI — a platform that works in the background, analysing content, user preferences, and the viewing environment in real time to automatically optimise picture and sound. This is not a feature you switch on, but is intelligence built into the device architecture itself, from the Micro RGB’s AI Engine Pro which renders precise colour reproduction frame by frame, to system-level integration that ensures hardware and software work as one. Harnessing this depth of integration allows us to deliver experiences that continually adapt to be meaningful for every user.

Building on this foundation is Vision AI Companion, the conversational layer that transforms the TV from a display that responds to commands into one that delivers a more natural and conversational experience. Where Vision AI handles what you see and hear, Vision AI Companion responds to what you ask and say. It understands contextual, casual prompts the way a friend might: “Can you recommend a movie for me to watch tonight?” or “What’s the recipe for that dish on screen?”. Far from being a search engine mapped onto a remote control, it functions through natural conversations.

Together, they represent a trust signal that AI is not reserved for only premium buyers. Vision AI and Vision AI Companion are not limited to flagship models but available across nearly Samsung’s entire 2026 4K and above TV line-up, from the Micro RGB 130-inch down to Crystal UHD TVs, not as a luxury add-on, but a standard part of the Samsung TV experience.

This long-game approach extends to how we protect and sustain that experience over time. As consumers embrace AI more deeply, the user experience must be grounded in the principle that access to personal information is limited to the specific task at hand.

Operating within a robust, hardware-level security framework like Samsung Knox ensures that personal data remains protected on-device and is shared only when required. And because a television is considered a long-term investment for most households, our TVs are built on the One UI Tizen ⁵ platform that comes with up to seven years⁶ of OS software upgrades — maintaining security and delivering new features over time, so that consumers can be confident that today’s purchase remains fully supported well into the future.

Establishing Dependable Experiences in the AI Era

The region’s openness to advanced technology, multi-generational households, passion for sports and gaming, and diverse content ecosystem mean that serving SEAO consumers well requires a carefully curated product portfolio with offerings that meet their needs

It has required listening closely and responding precisely. Features like AI Soccer Mode⁷ — built for the biggest international sporting moments of the year — and the Samsung Art Store’s ever-expanding collection from global and regional curators were not accidental innovations. They were thoughtfully and intentionally designed based on two decades of understanding how people really live with their televisions. And of course, naturally made available in SEAO for our regional consumers.

Twenty years ago, Samsung made a promise to consumers around the world: to deliver television experiences worthy of their trust, their living rooms, and their passions. That promise has not changed. What has grown is our capacity to honour it, through deeper technology, stronger partnerships, and a more nuanced understanding of what consumers across diverse markets truly need. Vision AI is the most powerful expression of that commitment to date.

As we celebrate twenty years as the world’s leading TV brand, we do so with a clear sense of what that tenure means and what it demands. It reflects a track record of delivering on what we set out to do, and the confidence to continue maintaining that trust by ensuring that every innovation we bring to market makes life in homes across the globe, including SEAO, richer, smarter, and more connected to the things that matter most. That is the standard that we will hold ourselves to for the next twenty years and beyond.

[1] Source: Omdia, February 2026. Global television market share by manufacturer, based on annual sales by volume and revenue. According to Omdia data, Samsung has been the world’s leading TV brand for 20 consecutive years. For general information only; not an endorsement, certification or recommendation by Omdia
[2] Global No. 1 Gaming Monitor in 2019 to 2025 Source data: IDC Quarterly PC Monitor Tracker 2025 Q4 (Based on Value Amount)
[3] Samsung’s annual IFC SEAO TV Awareness Study 2025 was conducted with 2000 participants, aged 25 to 64 years old in November 2025, 8 countries including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.)
[4] Source: Omdia, February 2026. Global television market share by manufacturer, based on annual sales by volume and revenue. According to Omdia data, Samsung has been the world’s leading TV brand for 20 consecutive years. For general information only; not an endorsement, certification or recommendation by Omdia
[5] One UI Tizen: Content and services may vary by region and are subject to change without notice. Agreement to Smart Hub Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy is required before use. Some content and services require registration and subscription. Requires Samsung account. Tizen OS upgrades will be provided for up to 7 years, starting from release year. Please note that this upgrade does not cover the TV’s hardware performance, features or durability. Upgraded features may vary depending on the specifications and model. Requires internet connection. Data charges may apply.
[6] Tizen OS upgrades are available for products released from 2023 and will be supported for up to 7 years starting from the product release year. Please note that the upgrade does not cover hardware-related performance, features or durability. Features provided through upgrades may vary depending on model, region, product launch year and other factors.
[7] AI Soccer Mode Pro: AI technology designed to detect and optimise soccer content only. Availability and performance will vary according to several factors including source content and application in use.

Innovation is often measured by what we can see – larger screens, thinner frames, or more vibrant displays. However, the most profound shifts occur when the technology itself begins to disappear.

We are stepping into an era where technology should feel like an extension of intent rather than a tool we must learn and manage. In short, we are moving away from digital complexity towards everyday convenience.

For over a decade, the smartphone experience has been defined by touch-based navigation. People all over the world have become accustomed to tapping on screens and managing fragmented applications to complete simple tasks. For this era to close, mobile experiences must become more proactive and adaptive, understanding context and providing assistance the moment it is needed.

With the all-new Galaxy S26 Series, the next chapter begins here. The path forward is not about adding more apps, but instead about creating an invisible architecture that enables easier daily living.

SEAO is Primed for an AI Revolution

Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) represents one of the most dynamic, mobile-first digital economies in the world. Google’s recent e-Conomy SEA 2025 report^[1] highlights a powerful base of 200 million new users that have come online over the last decade across Southeast Asia. With three in five people now shopping online, and over 60% of all payments being made digitally, the region’s digital fluency has driven a surge in interest towards artificial intelligence (AI), at three times the global average.

This momentum is equally profound across Oceania, where AI has moved rapidly from a concept to a core business driver. In New Zealand, a significant 91% of businesses report efficiency improvements from AI, with half also citing positive financial impact^[2]. Australian businesses are mirroring this shift as well; with 40% of SMEs currently adopting AI^[3] and agreeing that AI offers a competitive edge and compelling use cases that can transform their operations.

The launch of the Galaxy S24 Series two years ago marked the transition from smartphone to a new era of AI phones. Today, for the millions across the diverse SEAO region — from hyper-connected urban hubs to rapidly developing tech frontiers — the phone has become more than a tool, and instead the primary platform for navigating life.

As our region accelerates its adoption of AI, true advancement is achieved when everyday use is powered by seamless anticipation of needs. For instance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra features Samsung’s most intuitive and user-friendly AI experience to date. Features like Now Nudge^[4] provide proactive and relevant context-aware suggestions, while Now Brief^[5] surfaces timely reminders for important events. The reliable delivery of these experiences requires a foundation of customised hardware, such as the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5, which is designed for high-speed on-device performance on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Sitting quietly beneath the interface, this hardware orchestrates how intelligence understands context to enable intuitive workflows.

The Power of Open Intelligence

To harness these advancements without forcing people to learn entirely new interfaces, technology demands a deeply integrated approach. We understand that customers prefer having a choice in the tools they use, so Galaxy S26 Ultra also comes with a choice of agents^[6] to help users complete tasks more easily with a single button press or voice prompt. As we see it, the future lies in an open ecosystem of AI-powered features that users can embrace with confidence—knowing their personal data is secure while enjoying the benefits of a multi-agent experience that is backed by Samsung’s commitment to collaborative protection.

Crucially, this AI transformation cannot be reserved for a select few. We are committed to the democratisation of mobile AI, targeting an expansion to over 800 million users globally in 2026. True progress is only achieved when advanced capabilities reach the masses, ensuring broad availability to all.

Trust as the Foundation

With increased power comes a heightened need for trust. As both consumers and organisations scale their AI usage, a multi-agent approach must be built on the principle that access to personal information is strictly limited to the specific task at hand. AI experiences on Galaxy are protected at every level, with personalisation, transparency, and user choice guiding every step.

Security is not merely a feature, but a foundational element of our AI infrastructure that users can customise through granular privacy settings, opt-in security features, and intuitive dashboards designed to enable true control and transparency. For instance, the Privacy Display^[7] on the Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces a new form of personal protection. Integrated directly into the display hardware, it controls how the screen’s pixels disperse light, limiting visibility from side, top, and bottom angles when activated so users can preserve privacy when needed.

Meanwhile, Samsung Knox ensures that personal data remains protected on the device and is shared only when required. On the Galaxy S26 Series, the Personal Data Engine (PDE) enables context-aware AI experiences by processing data locally. To keep this process safe, Knox Enhanced Encrypted Protection (KEEP) encrypts the data of each app. Furthermore, Knox Vault adds a physical layer of protection by isolating sensitive data inside its own secure hardware. This system-wide approach combines hardware and software to keep personal information protected.

By equipping our flagship devices with up to seven generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades^[8], along with seven years of security updates, we provide consumers with the confidence that their hardware investments will remain secure over time.

The Blueprint for an Intelligent Future

The diverse and rapidly growing digital economies of the SEAO region have created an ideal environment for AI adoption and growth. The launch of our latest flagship line-up is more than an iterative hardware update; it is the deployment of mobile infrastructure required to meet this moment.

By balancing specialised hardware with a collaborative software philosophy, we are laying the foundation for a future where digital experiences become easier and more intuitive, fundamentally making life better for every user in the region.

_{^[1] Google, Temasek and Bain, e-Conomy SEA 2025}

_{^[2] AI in Action: Key Findings from New Zealand’s Third AI Productivity Report – AI Forum}

_{^[3] Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources – National Artificial Intelligence Centre (NAIC): AI adoption in Australian businesses 2024 Q4.}

_{^[4] Now Nudge feature requires a Samsung Account login. Available functions and features may vary by country, region and language. Text message prompts currently available with Samsung Messages and certain third-party messaging apps including Google Messages and Google Chat. Based on availability at the time of product launch. May change without notice. Share photos in Now Nudge works by analysing available image content. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.}

_{^[5] Now Brief feature requires Samsung Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language, device model, apps. Some features may require a network connection. The description of photos provided by moments may not align with the user’s intent. Notifications must be switched on to be used as the recalled data. Recalled data available from supported app notifications, Messages, Gmail and Samsung Wallet and data collected from Gmail is only applicable if the user consents to Personal Data Intelligence’s Gmail read permission. Recalled data for reservation details only available from reservation confirmation messages.} 

_{^[6] Availability may vary by region/country and language.}

_{^[7] Privacy Display feature controls the screen’s viewing range to limit peripheral vision. Some changes in image quality may occur outside the viewing range. When activated, some information may still be visible to others depending on the viewing environment, such as angle or brightness. Caution is advised when exposing sensitive information}

_{^[8] Availability and timing of Android OS upgrades and security updates may vary by device model and market}