Samsung Home Appliances Surpass 10 Million Devices Connected to 'SmartThings'

Nearly Doubling Every Year Since 2019... Targeting 20 Million Connected Devices Next Year
Secrets Behind the Popularity of 'SmartThings Home Life' Solution

A Samsung Electronics model is introducing the 'SmartThings Home Life' experience zone at the Samsung Digital Plaza Gangnam Main Store located in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul.
[Photo by Samsung Electronics]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Yeju] Samsung Electronics announced on the 28th that the number of home appliances connected worldwide through the integrated connected platform 'SmartThings' has surpassed 10 million units (as of the 12th).

Launched in 2018, the SmartThings app connects various Samsung appliances ranging from large home appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines to air purifiers, ovens, and dishwashers, allowing users to check the status of devices and perform customized control.

Since the significant expansion of its features in 2019, the number of connected appliances has nearly doubled every year, and it is expected to exceed 12 million units by the end of this year and 20 million units next year.

The rapid annual increase in the number of SmartThings-connected appliances is analyzed to be due to the notification feature that alerts users on their smartphones about appliance operation completion or malfunction information, remote control of appliances, and the introduction of the 'SmartThings Home Life' solution that integrates and manages various home appliances as one.

Additionally, as the MZ generation emerges as the main user base, functions that align with trends seeking various added values beyond the core functions of appliances?such as pet care services using robot vacuum cleaners and cooking services like home meal replacement (HMR) preparation through barcode recognition?are receiving favorable reviews.

Among the services provided by SmartThings, the most frequently used by consumers are 'Home Care,' which offers software upgrades and assists with product diagnosis and management.

In particular, the Home Care service is heavily used during the summer months when air conditioner usage surges. In fact, the average monthly number of users from June to August this year was about 1.5 times higher than the average monthly number of users from January to May.

The Home Care service has undergone six software updates in the past year, continuously expanding supported features and applicable products.

With growing interest in eco-friendliness and sustainable management, the 'SmartThings Energy Service,' which helps monitor and manage the energy consumption of connected devices, saw its average monthly users from July to August increase about twofold compared to the average monthly users from January to June.

SmartThings' greatest strength is its openness; it can connect not only Samsung Electronics products but also various devices such as light bulbs and sensors, currently linking over 300 partner devices. Furthermore, with the application of the HCA (Home Connectivity Alliance) standard in the first half of next year, it will be possible to interconnect appliances from 13 brands including Samsung, greatly enhancing its usability.

Yoo Miyoung, Vice President of Samsung Electronics' Home Appliance Business Division, said, "We will continuously introduce new services based on SmartThings through consumer lifestyle analysis," adding, "SmartThings will play a leading role in providing consumers with a more expanded appliance usage experience that they desire."