Crowds gather to see the teams battle it out on the Galaxy S25 Ultra

The inaugural Samsung x MLBB – Galaxy Gaming Campus Tournament (Galaxy Gaming Academy X Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Campus Series 2025) has successfully concluded, marking a pivotal moment for collegiate esports in Southeast Asia.

The tournament brought together the brightest student gamers from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, in the first-ever inter-country MLBB Campus Series, designed to nurture emerging talent and build a vibrant community of competitive gamers.

The grand finals, held from 20 June to 22 June at the “esport shopping mall” Taman Anggrek Mall in West Jakarta, Indonesia, saw team NU Bulldogs from the Philippines emerge victorious after intense competition among the top eight elite teams. The tournament saw the participation of over 1,000 MLBB teams from campuses across four countries.

“Samsung is deeply committed to empowering the next generation of esports talent across Southeast Asia,” said Carl Nordenberg, Vice President, Mobile eXperience Business, Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania. “The Galaxy Gaming Academy x MLBB Campus Series reflects our dedication to providing students with the technology, platform, and opportunities they need to excel in competitive gaming. We are proud to support these young athletes as they pursue their esports dreams – and we are excited for a fun and engaging competition among Southeast Asian universities!”

Ray Ng, Head of Ecosystem, MOONTON Games, emphasised the significance of the partnership: “The collaboration between MOONTON Games and Samsung for the first-ever inter-country MLBB Campus Series Tournament significantly aligns with our commitment to building a strong foundation for aspiring gamers to pursue their esports careers through the tournament. We thank Samsung for this partnership and the Galaxy Gaming Academy that successfully showcased its commitment in the gaming and esports ecosystem while encouraging esports development and student participation across the region.”

Winning team NU Bulldogs from the Philippines bested eight elite teams from Southeast Asia.

NU Bulldogs from the Philippines claimed the championship title and the top prize of US$18,000. NU Bulldogs demonstrated exceptional skill, strategy, and teamwork throughout the tournament, proving themselves as the premier campus MLBB team in Southeast Asia.

FAITH NOVUS Bravehearts from the Philippines, settling for second place, took home US$8,000, while third place VL Team from Indonesia won US$5,000.

“Taking home the championship title is beyond what we had imagined when we first registered. Playing against the best campus teams from Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore has made us all better players and showed us the incredible depth of talent in our region. This tournament proves that student gamers deserve serious recognition and support, and we cannot wait to see how this grows in the future. We hope more students will join us in competitive gaming!”, said Patrick Balanquit, coach for the NU Bulldogs.

GGA x MCS 2025 Tournament Highlights

The GGA x MCS 2025 featured a comprehensive three-stage tournament structure. Beginning with registration from 15 March to 6 April, the competition progressed through domestic online qualifiers (7 April – 11 May) across all four countries. The top two campus teams from each country then advanced to compete in the cross-national grand finals in Jakarta.

Banana Brawlers	Team Secret

Representing Singapore at the grand finals, Banana Brawlers and Team Secret, beat over 28 campus teams in the online qualifiers. Both teams participated in 1 game each in the 3-day competition, bringing home US$1,500 per team for finishing in the finals.

The competition highlighted the incredible depth of young esports talent across Southeast Asia, with teams displaying advanced tactical understanding, mechanical skill, and coordinated gameplay typically seen at professional levels.

The tournament was powered by Samsung’s flagship mobile gaming device – the Galaxy S25 Ultra, giving all competitors access to optimal gaming performance, display quality and responsiveness crucial for the professional-level Mobile Legends: Bang Bang competition. With Samsung’s most powerful processor yet, Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy^[1],[2], the Galaxy S25 Ultra provides improved real-time ray tracing and Vulkan optimisation, coupled with efficient Vapor Chamber for effective cooling for ultra-smooth gameplay^[3].

The Galaxy S25 Ultra takes the centre stage as the tournament phone for the MLBB Campus Series. The cutting-edge device provides optimal and professional-level gaming experience for the participants.

A key highlight of the tournament was the active presence of representatives from professional esports teams, including Dewa United, Onic, EVOS, and Team Liquid, reinforcing the event’s primary objective of providing a structured platform for aspiring student gamers to compete at high levels while gaining invaluable competitive experience. Events like GGA x MCS 2025 are intended to help lower traditional barriers to entry for aspiring esports athletes, creating direct pathways from campus competition to professional careers.

Gaming is a passion we champion at Samsung and the success of the inaugural Galaxy Gaming Academy x MLBB Campus Series 2025 establishes a new standard for collegiate esports in Southeast Asia. With our cutting-edge technology, Samsung is empowering the next generation of gamers to level up their ambitions. The tournament has also demonstrated that with proper structure, technology support, and community engagement, campus-level esports can achieve professional-quality standards while maintaining the vibrant, passionate spirit of collegiate competition.

The comprehensive engagement journey—from pre-event awareness building through post-tournament talent scouting—has created a blueprint for sustainable esports ecosystem development that other regions can emulate.

For more details on Galaxy Gaming Academy, please visit Samsung’s Game Portal.

^[1] Snapdragon branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

^[2] Compared to Galaxy S24 Ultra.

^[3] AP performance improvements shown compared to Galaxy S24 Ultra. Actual performance will depend on user environment, conditions and pre-installed software and applications.

As passions go, there is nothing quite esports. Not only is it revolutionizing the world of competitive gaming, but it is also capturing the hearts and minds of millions worldwide.

With cutting-edge technology and innovation, Samsung is aiming to elevate every gamer’s experience. Samsung is a proud premium partner of the inaugural Olympics Esports Week, which gathered top gamers far and wide to compete on the international stage in Singapore from 22 to 25 June.

For everyone aspiring to be esports athletes, embark on the thrilling adventure of competitive gaming with Samsung’s gaming monitors that offer the ultimate immersive experience with best-in-class refresh rates and stunning visuals.

Multifunctional Experiences Await You

Make your everyday an epic adventure with Samsung’s ground-breaking Odyssey Ark, the world’s first 55-inch, 1000R curved gaming screen which engulfs your peripheral vision for next-level immersion.

Whether you are captain of a spaceship or a pilot on a fighter jet, be transported straight into your favorite virtual world with the Odyssey Ark’s vertical Cockpit Mode^[1] as you soak in impeccably detailed soundscapes generated by Sound Dome technology, powered by Dolby Atmos.

Unleash your inner gamer in fast-paced gaming titles that prioritize fast reflexes through the Odyssey Ark’s 165hz refresh rate, 1ms response time (GtG)^[2] and Freesync Premium Pro.

Curved for Ultimate Immersion

Whether you are a gamer or just an everyday user looking for the best possible visual experience, the Odyssey OLED G9 is the monitor for you.

As the latest addition to the Odyssey line-up, the Odyssey OLED G9 1800R’s curved display provides a wider field of view and ultimate immersion into any gaming world. Get ready to be blown away by its remarkable visuals and smooth, responsive gameplay on a 32:9 aspect ratio, whether multiplayer gaming or for your favorite open-world virtual adventures.

AMD FreeSync Premium Pro further enhances the Odyssey OLED G9’s super smooth gameplay experience. With DisplayHDR True Black 400, the monitor delivers incredible details and vivid colors regardless of the game being played or the content the user is watching.

Be spoiled for choice outside of gaming with the Odyssey OLED G9’s built-in Smart Hub, that gives you access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, a space-saving alternative to stream your favorite video content from the cloud instead of downloading them or committing to an additional set-top box^[3].

Industry-Standard for the Serious Gaming Enthusiasts

As a gamer, your monitor makes all the difference in how you get in on all the action, make strategic decisions, and interact with other players.

The world’s first dual ultra-HD gaming monitor, the Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor, is your best bet to conquer every intense gaming session. Equipped with Quantum Matrix Technology, sit back and relax while its Quantum Mini LEDs create controlled brightness and perfect contrast in your choice game environment, enabling superior imaging from shadows to bright scenes.

Spark your senses with its 1000R curved 57-inch screen that unveils virtual worlds with unparalleled details in 7,680×2,160 resolution and a 32:9 aspect ratio in one screen for the first time. Then, follow the fastest action with its rapid 240Hz refresh rate and grey-to-grey 1ms response time, and seize victories in the most fast-paced games.

Eye fatigue is a thing of the past when it comes to the Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor’s Samsung Matte Display that reduces light reflections and minimizes distractions, so you can game for hours.

Unlock a new era of gaming with Samsung’s exceptional range of monitors, from the Odyssey Ark or the Odyssey OLED G9 line-up today. Whatever your in-game needs, these cutting-edge displays are guaranteed to transport you right into virtual worlds and ignite your passion for gaming like never before.

The Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor will be available in Singapore later this year. For more information, visit Samsung Singapore to view our current monitor lineup.

^{[1] Screen should be manually rotated for cockpit mode.}

^{[2] Gray to Gray. A unit of measurement of pixel speed. Used to measure the response time of gaming monitors.}

^{[3] Internet connection required.}

Seeking a mobile gaming experience like never before? Power your gaming marathon with Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S23 series, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23, designed to deliver next-level experiences.

Whether you’re a casual player or gaming enthusiast, Samsung aims to support everyone’s gaming passion to the fullest with its best-in-class smartphones. Samsung is also a proud premium partner of the first-ever Olympics Esports Week (OEW) in Singapore, where the Galaxy S23 series was used by some of the best players around the world to battle it out on stage.

Striving to improve your in-game performance?

If you feel that the ultimate mobile gaming experience has been eluding you, search no further.

The Galaxy S23 series answers the call with its Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy. Specially optimized just for Galaxy by Qualcomm, it’s the most powerful and efficient chipset ever in a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, and a perfect solution to heavy-duty mobile games that require every task to be snappier, more responsive, and more power-efficient than before^[1].

With groundbreaking AI, gear up sustained gameplay with the world’s fastest mobile graphics and immersive gaming graphics on the new Snapdragon^[2]. No more worrying about your smartphone not keeping up with your gaming marathon.

React quickly and smoothly in the heat of battle with the Galaxy S23 series’ highly responsive 240Hz Touch Sampling Rate in Game Mode.

Looking for more immersive mobile gaming?

With Samsung, your chance to experience immersive gameplay is no longer limited to desktops or TVs.

Looking for a palm-sized innovation that does justice to the intricate graphics of your favorite virtual world? The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s expansive 6.8-inch QHD+ display^[3] with reduced curvature on its edge creates a larger and flatter surface area^[4], for an unrivalled visual experience.

For select mobile games, you can also look forward to more life-like renderings of virtual scenes, thanks to real-time ray tracing available on the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s GPU that displays lighting, light reflection, and shadows in the game to more closely mirror the experience on a PC.

Gaming for long hours?

We’ve all had the experience of a notification prompting you to charge your smartphone – and inevitably disrupting your game flow.

Game throughout the day with the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+ smartphones, which are equipped with more powerful 3,900mAh and 4,700mAh batteries^[5] respectively, an increase by 200mAh each from the previous generation^[6].

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is as slim as ever, despite maintaining its 5,000mAh^[7] battery with 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0, so you can stay plugged into games for longer.

No matter which model you choose, embark on your gaming or streaming marathon with greater peace of mind knowing that your Galaxy S23 series smartphone sustains better longevity and performance with its larger Galaxy vapor chamber^[8] that ensures the device runs at optimal temperatures.

Annoyed with dark screens?

Keep up your gameplay as you move between different lighting conditions with the Galaxy S23 Ultra display. It comes equipped with an upgraded Vision Booster that automatically adjusts the brightness of the display based on the user’s lighting environment. Even when under bright sunlight, catch all the in-game action clearly with an optimally bright screen.

Worry about dropping your phone in an intense game?

From intense mobile gaming arena battles, to conquering the top charts in puzzles, your next mobile game can get unbelievably intense.

Made for the long-term, the durable Galaxy S23 series is equipped with Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2 on its screen and back cover, developed in collaboration with Corning®, a global-leading innovator in glass products.

As you traverse your favorite fantasy worlds in-game, the Galaxy S23 series goes the extra mile in-reality with its IP68 water resistance and dust protection – to withstand up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes and protected from dust, dirt, and sand^[9].

The Galaxy S23 series revolutionizes how smartphones can bring out the best in mobile games. From pursuing gaming as an everyday passion to staying updated with the latest iterations of your favorite games, gear up with the Galaxy S23 series to experience a truly immersive world on the go.

Catch the Galaxy S23 series in action during the Olympic Esports Week Finals held in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee from 23 June to 25 June 2023 at Suntec City, Singapore!

^{[1] Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy is optimized for Samsung.}

^{[2] World’s fastest Snapdragon claim true as of February 1, 2023.}

^{[3] Measured diagonally, actual viewable area is less due to rounded corners and camera hole.}

^{[4] Compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra}

^{[5] Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 3,785mAh for Galaxy S23 and 4,563mAh for Galaxy S23+. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.}

^{[6] The Galaxy S23’s battery increased by 200mAh compared to the Galaxy S22’s battery. The Galaxy S23+’s battery increased by 200mAh compared to the Galaxy S22+’s battery.}

^{[7] Typical value tested under third-party laboratory condition. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4,855mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.}

^{[8] Compared to Galaxy S22 Ultra.}

^{[9] Conducted under lab test conditions. Rinse residue/dry after wet. Not advised for beach or pool use. Water and dust resistance of your device is not permanent and may diminish over time.}

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd today 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 2022^[1], 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. The study found that more than half of gamers surveyed (56%) 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.

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).}