Esports and online gaming has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. From what was seen as a niche hobby played within the confines of LAN cafes, dorm rooms and bedrooms, it is now a global powerhouse with thousands of players – and spectators – participating in large-scale organized events. This expansion has been fuelled in part by advancements in technologies like 5G, which has made esports and gaming more accessible to a wider audience.

Today, gamers can make a living by turning professional and taking part in competitions, or by streaming gameplay sessions online. Many youths worldwide are also showing a keen interest in gaming, and have fueled the popularity of esports by forming a growing viewer base, including major international tournaments.

As esports gains momentum globally, the recent Olympic Esports Week held in Singapore has further ignited interest in gaming in Southeast Asia.

This ground-breaking event spotlighted the exceptional dedication, skill, and competitive spirit of esports athletes. Across the region, competitive gaming communities then have the unique opportunity to shape discussions around the complexities of esports, fostering a broader appreciation among the general public and nurturing the growth of an inclusive and vibrant esports community.

Building communities around esports

In the young and dynamic Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) region, the gaming community is particularly thriving. Findings from Samsung’s SEAO Gaming Insight Study note that 7 in 10 online consumers in the region are gamers, and that more than half of gamers surveyed (56%) play games more than a few times a week.

Among gamers, they can be further categorized into Gaming Enthusiasts and Hardcore Gamers, who are deeply engaged in gaming-related activities such as watching gaming-related videos, discussing gaming within their communities, and staying updated on the latest gaming news. This reflects a vibrant community of gamers among the region’s consumers.

These findings closely align with the region’s large population of millennials and Gen Zs, who often demonstrate a passion for gaming. Samsung’s innovations in advancing the user experience whether on mobile or displays, are perfectly positioned to enable the gaming passions of youth in the region, be it for casual gamers who want to stay connected with their interests, or even budding esports players with ambitions to go professional.

“Youths in our region are passionate about gaming. We are excited to support our younger audiences in pushing the boundaries of gaming, and to provide cutting-edge Galaxy devices that keep up with all the action. Our partnerships with game developers, media partners, and other industry leaders, are likewise crucial to powering up gaming experiences.” – Carl Nordenberg, Regional Head of Mobile Experience Business, Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania

“For gamers, having the right equipment can make all the difference. Our wide range of gaming monitors, such as the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 and the Odyssey Ark, are catered for every need. Whether you are an avid hardcore player or a pro esports athlete, Samsung is committed to continue innovating for all gamers.” – Leslie Goh, Head of Regional Display Solutions, Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania.

According to ONE Esports’ proprietary research run in Sep-Oct 2022, Samsung is the top smartphone brand owned by gamers in the Philippines. Furthermore, 1 in 2 gamers are considering Samsung for their next smartphone purchase.

Samsung is committed to transforming the experience for every gamer, with a dedicated line-up of smartphones and monitors that offer premium, gaming-optimized features to ensure smooth visuals and precise gameplay. With gaming enthusiasts in mind, Samsung has also partnered with ONE Esports to provide Galaxy users in Southeast Asia with early access to gaming news and content on the ONE Esports mobile app.

To unite and champion the growth of gaming communities, Samsung’s Galaxy Gaming Academy is rolling out across SEAO and it has already been launched in Indonesia. Gamers of all backgrounds are invited to join as members and gain exclusive access to community-bonding activities, educational and training content, and even in-game rewards from local gaming partners.

As a long-time Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner, Samsung’s innovative technologies have transformed the way the sporting community, athletes, and fans around the world communicate and share the excitement with each other. Samsung is a premium partner of the inaugural Olympics Esports Week, which took place in Singapore from 22 to 25 June 2023.

Gaming enthusiasts can catch the key event highlights and follow the action on Olympics.com and Olympic social handles using versatile and powerful devices such as the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra and Galaxy A series; or choose from Samsung’s performance monitors such as the Odyssey Ark and Odyssey OLED for a truly immersive experience.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd recently released findings from its Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) Gaming Insight Study, which found that 7 in 10 online consumers in the region are gamers. Conducted in partnership with ONE Esports, over 6,800 consumers aged 18 to 49 across seven markets (Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) were surveyed in the last quarter of 2022¹, showing a widespread love for gaming whether at home or on-the-go.

Across the region, playing to de-stress and relax was cited as the top reason for gaming (74%), with an average of 7 hours a week spent on gaming. Most gamers (92%) preferred to engage in gameplay from the comfort of their home, and over half of gamers (58%) were found to spend an average of USD $30 monthly on gaming-related purchases such as exclusive online content, esports tournament tickets, streamer subscription, skins, and merchandise collectibles.

The study identified four distinct gamer personalities among gaming fans in this region – Hardcore Gamers, Gaming Enthusiasts, Casual Gamers & Spectators, as well as Casual Gamers, based on their total time spent playing games and watching gaming or esports content. In the Philippines, over 1,167 respondents joined the study where more than half of gamers surveyed (67%) indulge in this pastime at least a few times a week, consisting of Hardcore Gamers and Gaming Enthusiasts (See chart below).

Gaming Enthusiasts and Hardcore Gamers are highly vested in their hobby, where their top gaming-related activities include watching gaming videos, discussing gaming with others, reading gaming updates and news, spending money on gaming-related items and lastly, following gaming personalities on social media (see chart below).

Carl Nordenberg, Regional Head of Mobile Experience Business, Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania, said, “Gaming today is much more than a hobby – it is a pastime that brings people together. The Southeast Asia and Oceania region holds a huge community of gamers, and this study sheds new light on their distinct gaming needs and habits, both as players and as e-sports fans. With this understanding, we can continue empowering our Samsung users to enjoy their gaming passion to the fullest. Whether on our powerful Galaxy devices, QLED TVs or gaming monitors, Samsung provides the best gaming experience, for casual and hardcore gamers alike.”

Jane Guo, Vice President, Analytics & Insights, ONE Esports, said, “We are thrilled to have partnered with Samsung on this study, powered by our in-house first-party consumer insights. The study uncovers a huge market of gaming enthusiasts and hardcore esports fans in the SEAO region, who look for high performance and a superior gaming and viewing experience when choosing devices and accessories such as smartphones, laptops, headphones and monitors. Samsung’s range of innovative gaming devices allows them to connect with these consumers compellingly.”

Designed for your every gaming need

The new Galaxy Z Fold4’s 7.6-inch Main Screen with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate provides immersive gaming experience anywhere you are.

The new Galaxy Z Fold4’s 7.6-inch Main Screen with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate provides immersive gaming experience anywhere you are.

Mobile gamers who wish to game on-the-go without sacrificing gameplay and graphics quality can try versatile and powerful devices such as the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra and Galaxy A series.

PC and console gamers can choose from Samsung’s best performance monitors, the Odyssey Ark and Odyssey OLED, while those who want a truly immersive gaming experience on the big screen can look to the Samsung Neo QLED QN90 series.

On the other hand, those who enjoy watching gaming content can consider devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, Smart Monitor M8 and The Sero.

¹ The Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania Gaming Insights Survey 2022 was conducted from September to November 2022 by ONE Esports. It surveyed 6,840 respondents on Facebook and Instagram, aged 18 to 49, from the following 7 markets: Australia (1,000 respondents), Indonesia (1,033 respondents), Malaysia (1,024 respondents), Philippines (1,167 respondents), Singapore (604 respondents), Thailand (872 respondents) and Vietnam (1,140 respondents). 

This holiday season, pamper your loved ones (and yourself) with Samsung’s latest and greatest tech toys to help you get a head start on achieving your life goals and dreams in 2023.

From customizable digital appliances and immersive digital displays to the latest mobile devices from Samsung, there is something for everyone to achieve more in the year ahead.

For jetsetters

Eyeing that perfect getaway or know a jetsetter already planning their next few holidays? Check out the perfect travel companions that add ease and color for every sojourn!

With its upgraded camera equipped with a 65% brighter sensor, Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip4 will help capture every holiday moment from high-quality selfies to easy-to-take videos on its Cover Screen. For the fashionable traveler, the Galaxy Z Flip4 can complement every travel outfit in Bora Purple, Graphite, Pink Gold and Blue or help you truly live life your way with the expanded Galaxy Z Flip4 Bespoke Edition’s 75 combinations of glass colors and frame options.

Samsung’s Galaxy Buds2 Pro is yet another perfect gift to sink into the rhythm of your ideal getaways. Watching movies on-the-go does not get any better than when using the Buds2 Pro’s Intelligent 360 Audio with enhanced head tracking which syncs audio with every body movement. Equipped with Active Noise Cancellation that eliminates even soft sounds like wind, these affordable earphones are bound to elevate one’s music-listening experience even through the drone of your long-haul flight’s airplane engines.

For gaming contenders and home entertainment enthusiasts

If you know a loved one who is leveling up his or her gaming skills, the Odyssey Ark monitor is the perfect gift. As the world’s first 55-inch 1000R curved gaming screen, the Odyssey Ark provides you a completely new form factor to enjoy in-game graphics down to the finest pixel.

The huge rotatable display also enables the fastest reaction times with its 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time (GtG). It comes with the Ark Dial, an exclusive controller which helps gamers navigate to the Game Bar and review in-game statistics without getting distracted.

Nothing beats watching the latest blockbuster movie in the comfort of your home. The Samsung Neo QLED 8K is the ultimate gift for movie and TV buffs alike with its crystal clear 8K quality with immense depth and sharpness provided by the upscaling technology of the Neural Quantum Processor 8K.

For new homeowners  

Have a special someone who’s about to own a home for the first time? Functional and efficient gifts can help them or even yourself, ring in the new year with confidence.

Give the gift of clean clothes with minimal laundry care, with Samsung’s Bespoke AirDresser. Equipped with JetSteam to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria and viruses and Deodorizing filter to effectively remove common odors, the Bespoke AirDresser is a handy addition to any homemaker’s arsenal.

For aspiring high performers

2023 might be your year to conquer every resolution – from productivity to health goals – and Samsung’s smartphones, displays and wearable devices have got you covered.

The new Galaxy Z Fold4 is a multi-tasking powerhouse that’s perfect for high performers. Get PC-like functionality with its Taskbar and simple swipe gestures to instantly switch full-screen apps to pop-up windows or split your screen in half. Unfold your way to better writing, note-taking, and drawing experiences with the S Pen, which can be carried with the upgraded Standing Cover as a compact addition to your Galaxy Z Fold4.

Do you know of a loved one who needs a better monitor at home for more seamless work and play? The Smart Monitor M8 enables you to watch, play and live in style with its new Workmode that allows you to remotely access another PC and even connect to Samsung mobile devices with Samsung DeX for seamless working. Master hybrid working with its SlimFit camera’s tilt functionality that helps you look your best in every meeting.

Prioritizing your health while being busy is no easy task, but it can be achieved with the latest Galaxy Watch5 Series. Samsung’s new smart watch features comprehensive health metrics, including sleep monitoring and body composition measurement, alongside a cutting-edge BioActive sensor technology to monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen and even your stress levels in-depth.

For party planners

Finally, who does not love a good home party? These gift ideas are perfect for livewires and party planners!

Build your own home theatre powered by Samsung’s portable yet powerful Freestyle, which can be placed anywhere with its 180˚ Dynamic Angle, while projecting screens from 30 inches up to an incredible 100 inches. Host your friends and family to an immersive audio experience from wherever they’re sitting, thanks to the Freestyle’s omni-directional sound, powered by its 360-degree speaker.

You can’t host a party without food and drinks. From cooling down beverages to storing food and desserts, the Bespoke Refrigerator combines form and function to elevate every hosting experience. Tailor your fridge to host gatherings with the seamless integration of multiple refrigeration modules.  From a 1-Door Fridge, Bottom Mount Freezer or even a 4-Door Flex, choose and combine the best configuration of modules to make your day-to-day refrigerator ready for any occasion. Finally, you can customize the Bespoke Refrigerator with different colors and finishes to add life to any kitchen and party.

The best gift-planning this holiday season #SamsungBestChristmas

Inspired to get a gift for your family or friends this holiday season? Check out the Samsung eStore where you can enjoy an extended period of amazing premium freebies and discounts on all Samsung favourites.

Enjoy exclusive deals available during Samsung’s 11.11 Sale from November 9 to November 13. Highlights in Samsung Philippines include premium freebies and discounts up to 15% off on select Galaxy Smartphones, premium freebies and discounts up to 10% off on select Galaxy Tablets, up to 30% off on select home appliances, TVs, and Soundbars.

Make this Christmas the best one yet by selecting meaningful presents on our Samsung eStore. For more details on Samsung’s 11.11 sale, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/offer/online/2022/11-11-sale/.