When I started my career at Samsung 25 years ago, I was a young engineer with a passion for technology and all it could do. Over the years, the capacity of mobile innovation has exceeded even my ambitious expectations. It has brought us conveniences and capabilities that make our lives better, but it has also given us the opportunity to be better. The ability to connect without proximity empowers us to break down barriers and work together to make progress. And with humanity facing some of its most complex challenges yet, we need to collaborate and innovate solutions more than ever before. That’s why I believe mobile technology has a vital role to play in helping us protect our planet.

Samsung has always challenged what’s possible with technology. And now, we are taking our next step towards putting sustainability at the center of our innovations. From eco-conscious materials to global partnerships, we are exploring every opportunity to help power the world with mobile technology that serves as a tool for positive change.

Innovation With Impact

We’ve been on a journey for years at Samsung, marrying sustainability and innovation by using recycled materials in our smartphones, wearables and accessories. In addition to our ongoing effort to use more eco-conscious materials including recycled PCM (post-consumer materials), the new Galaxy smartphones and tablets that were unveiled at our latest Unpacked used select components containing 20% recycled ocean-bound plastic from discarded fishing nets.

We focused our innovation efforts on a pervasive and especially hazardous type of plastic waste that is harming marine life and our natural ecosystems — discarded fishing nets. Every year, 640,000 tons of fishing nets are abandoned in and around our oceans. With help from like-minded partners, we found a way to repurpose them into a new, high-performance material that can be incorporated into critical components of the Galaxy S22 series. From now on, more and more Galaxy devices will play a small part in reducing plastic waste in our oceans.

I know we still have a long way to go. And at Mobile World Congress 2022, we will share our next wave of innovations that incorporate recycled ocean-bound plastics.

Using Technology as a Force for Good

At Samsung, we believe in making mobile technology that has positive environmental impact and putting the power of our Galaxy ecosystem into the hands of passionate change makers.

I’ve seen this firsthand with our growing Generation17 initiative, which Samsung leads in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. Generation17 empowers young activists to take on pressing issues like climate change, education and more, so the world can make headway towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, by 2030. And with the recent addition of six new Young Leaders, the program now spans countries in Africa, Asia & The Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America and the Middle East and supports work across all 17 Global Goals.

That’s how mobile innovation fuels transformation. It amplifies simple actions and individual voices and brings them together to amount to big, global change.

We Need Collective Action

I am in awe of the impactful ways people are helping to change the world with Galaxy, and I promise our work does not end here. Samsung will continue developing innovative technology that bridges barriers, connects communities and addresses the climate crisis.

Samsung is ready to do more. We will take real action, hold ourselves accountable and share our journey — from our successes to our challenges and lessons learned. We will act with our industry peers, with developers, with the Galaxy community, with everyone, to strengthen technology as a force for good.

When I look around me, I’m astounded by how much innovation exists in our world today. Yet I am most excited about the evolution of the smartphone. This single device gave way to new digital industries — to remote work, schooling, entertainment and fitness — and the ability to capture, explore and communicate with anyone, anywhere with the touch of a finger.

The smartphone is a portal to infinite progress. And at Samsung, we have never taken that for granted.

It’s not enough for mobile innovation to just evolve with the world. We have to be a step ahead, so our technology can help transform the way we experience everything around us and make our lives easier. That’s why we constantly push ourselves to break the rules of what a smartphone can do.

Breaking the Rules To Start the Next Chapter in Smartphone History

In 2011, the Galaxy Note merged the convenience and portability of smartphones with the expansive screen and notepad-like functionality of tablets. Some balked at the 5.3-inch display — considered enormous then — but Note created a legacy where a large display is now the standard. The S Pen also surprised everyone. It empowered people to bridge creativity with productivity – whenever inspiration struck, they could quickly write down their ideas and thoughts in Samsung Notes.

In 2019, we dared to redefine smartphones once again. We launched our Galaxy Z Fold series and brought an entirely new form factor to the mobile industry. Our cutting-edge foldable design changed how people used their phones. With Flex mode, video calls are hands-free and easier. And multitasking with multiple windows is also a breeze, as your phone becomes tablet-sized in the blink of an eye. And once again, the industry took notice, with many mobile companies now following in our footsteps to make foldables the next big thing.

Innovating by Listening to Consumers and Taking Note

In a sea of smartphone sameness and iterative updates, our ambition remains firm: to detect the signals that transformation is stirring — by listening to your feedback — and continue to deliver mobile experiences that empower us all to evolve.

We know many of you were surprised when Samsung didn’t release a new Galaxy Note last year. You loved the unparalleled creativity and efficiency of the Galaxy Note series, which enabled you to switch from gaming nirvana to high-octane productivity in the blink of an eye. You raved about the lifelike S Pen, which many say rivals putting ink to paper. And we haven’t forgotten about these experiences you love.

Catalyzing the Next Evolution of Galaxy

For years, Samsung has converted the skeptics who thought our ideas were impossible. Whether it’s a screen that’s too big, a stylus no one knew they needed or a pro-grade camera that could truly bring mobile photography out of the dark.

With every fresh evolution of Samsung Galaxy devices, we have introduced features that redefine the entire mobile category. And we’re about to rewrite the rules of industry once again.

At Unpacked in February 2022, we’ll introduce you to the most noteworthy S series device we’ve ever created. The next generation of Galaxy S is here, bringing together the greatest experiences of our Samsung Galaxy into one ultimate device.

With it, you will own the night — taking the best and brightest photos and videos you’ve ever captured with a phone. You will also dominate the day with power, speed and tools that can’t be found elsewhere. You will enjoy cutting edge-innovations made possible thanks to the smartest Galaxy experience yet. All while feeling good about being part of the most sustainable Galaxy ecosystem. And, yes, you will help Samsung rewrite the future of smartphones once again.

Get ready for the ultimate Ultra experience.

By JH Han, Vice Chairman, CEO and Head of DX (Device eXperience) Division, Samsung Electronics

With CES 2022 just two short weeks away, and as I embark on a new role here at Samsung, I am greatly honored to be hosting our pre-show keynote, held under the theme ‘Together for Tomorrow.’ Since the last time we connected at CES in person, we’ve all undergone a period of significant change. We’ve had to re-examine our relationship with the world around us and re-prioritize the things we care about most. We have found greater value in “togetherness,” being closer with our family and friends.

In this new era, we’ve found that innovation can no longer be a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Customized devices and personalized spaces are more important now than ever. So are the connections and experiences our technologies enable. Our experience at home has become so much more important, and technologies are no longer just helpful tools but true lifelines to our family, friends, and hobbies.

This reality has strengthened our commitment to creating new and meaningful experiences for our customers. It has led us to explore better ways to bring our devices more closely together, for improved connectivity and customization. At Samsung, we believe your devices should reflect your lifestyle, your passions and your personal tastes, from the smartphones in your hand to your appliances and screens. And by working together seamlessly, they should make your life easier, so you can do more of the things you love.

This is why earlier this month we announced a major change in our organization, one aimed at strengthening synergies between our different products and services. Under this new structure, all of our consumer electronics, from TVs and home appliances to mobile devices, will come under one larger roof, coherent with our vision to create meaningful experiences through innovation.

And of course, Samsung’s vision for the future is not just about connecting devices. Re-connecting with the planet and leaving a positive impact, is an integral part of our plan. As the world leader in consumer electronics, Samsung has a responsibility to protect our environment and build a better future. Our innovation leadership needs to be matched with our leadership in “sustainable innovation” as well.

We are very excited to embark on this new journey and look forward to sharing more in the months to come.

As a starter, we plan to share a glimpse of the direction we are taking at the upcoming CES 2022. Here is a quick preview of what we will be announcing then:

Creating Customized Experiences

Samsung’s culture of innovation is rooted in pushing limits and breaking barriers. Now, Samsung is innovating for a new age, where technologies are flexible and adaptable to you. At CES, you will see our latest innovations and experiences – including products that give you the freedom to watch TV from anywhere and turn any space into a landscape or a piece of art. The gaming experience will become even simpler, more immersive and hassle-free. And because everyone has their own unique personal taste and lifestyle, we want to empower you to customize your devices based on what matters to you most. A new, customizable future of personal technologies is here, and I am excited to show you how it comes to life across our home appliances, mobile devices, and screens everywhere.

Powering Seamless Connectivity

We envision a world where technology is customized to every consumer’s lifestyle and needs, and one way to achieve this is through seamless connectivity. At CES, we will share more about our collaboration with industry experts and partners to create a truly enhanced connected experience. Because at Samsung, we believe a secure and open ecosystem is what provides the best experience for our customers, offering you the freedom to design experiences that best suit your unique lifestyle. In addition, we will also introduce a new solution that helps you better integrate all your smart home devices.

Reimagining a Better Planet

This is an important moment for our planet. Protecting it is everyone’s job. At Samsung, we are infusing sustainability into everything we do, from the chips that power our products to the consumer experience on the devices themselves. At CES, we will share more about how we are making meaningful updates in our innovation process that enable you, our consumers, to make these changes, too in your everyday lives. Plus, we’ll share new ways we are working with partners for unique sustainability solutions.

It’s time to evolve our products and experiences to better fit the needs of a new generation of users. As we champion an ecosystem of inclusive and connected technology, I look forward to sharing how we have been inspired by the people, values and lifestyles that create our global community, and how we can continue to support them through people-first programs and innovation.

I hope you will join me on January 4th at 6:30PM PST for Samsung’s CES 2022 keynote in Las Vegas or livestreamed via Samsung Newsroom and Samsung.com.