Choi Won-jun, Vice President of Samsung Electronics, "Welcome China's and Apple's Entry into Foldables"

"Galaxy S23 Focuses on Fundamentals"
Enhanced Gaming Experience and Battery Performance

[Barcelona=Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] "Chinese companies welcome Apple's entry into the foldable smartphone market."

Choi Won-jun, Vice President and Head of Development at Samsung Electronics MX Division, said this during the Galaxy S23 media briefing held on February 27 (local time) at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain, where Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023 took place. As Samsung Electronics leads the foldable smartphone market, he expressed confidence in delivering devices that satisfy customers through its own innovation rather than focusing on competitors.

On February 27 (local time), Choi Won-jun, Vice President and Head of Development at Samsung Electronics MX Division, is conducting the Galaxy S23 media briefing at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain, where 'MWC 2023' is being held.
[Photo by Samsung Electronics]

Vice President Choi is the person who developed the world's first 5G smartphone and led the commercialization of foldable smartphones. His work extends beyond the Galaxy S series and foldable smartphones to tablets, wearables, and laptops.

Samsung Electronics launched the Galaxy S23 series on February 17. The feature of the S23 series, as chosen by Vice President Choi, is "fundamental." He said, "When we first planned the Galaxy S23 series, the theme was 'Back to fundamental.' Although we offer many diverse features, we aimed to create a product that is faithful to the basics by enhancing completeness." The development goals for the S23 series included ▲ maximizing basic system performance through the best hardware and software innovations ▲ providing the best gaming experience ▲ and ensuring sufficient battery life.

The S23 series is equipped with the best hardware components and software developed by fully utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. To install components with top performance such as the application processor (AP), display, and battery, Samsung strengthened cooperation with partners and conducted rigorous real-use testing. The 200-megapixel camera sensor and Dynamic AMOLED 2X display are also key elements satisfying users.

Especially since the Gaming Optimizing Service (GOS) controversy was intense with the S22 series, this time the focus was on the gaming experience. The significantly enhanced heat control system compared to the previous model attracted attention even before launch. All three models of the S23 series are equipped with vapor chambers. The Plus model features a vapor chamber 2.7 times larger than its predecessor, greatly reducing heat during high-performance gaming.

Although the device size is the same as the previous model, battery performance has also been improved. The basic and Plus models increased battery capacity by 200mAh through optimized internal design. The Ultra model, despite having a larger camera module, maintains the same battery capacity. Vice President Choi said, "Performance and power consumption in smartphones have a kind of trade-off relationship. We increased battery capacity, considered how to use the given capacity efficiently, and strengthened power consumption optimization algorithms."

The S23 series received positive responses by adopting Qualcomm’s Galaxy-exclusive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform as the smartphone’s brain, the AP. Since Samsung also has its own AP, Exynos, this might be somewhat disappointing for Samsung Electronics. Vice President Choi said, "We newly established an AP solution team internally. The AP is one of the most important parts of a smartphone. However, it is not just the AP alone that leads to these results; hardware and software overall also have an impact."

At this MWC, Chinese smartphone companies emerged rapidly. As if to check Samsung Electronics, they set up exhibition booths right next to Samsung’s and brought products similar to the Galaxy Flip and Fold. Apple, Samsung’s biggest competitor, is also tinkering with foldable smartphones. However, Vice President Choi welcomes their moves rather than trying to check them. He said, "I welcome the fact that Chinese companies are releasing foldable smartphones. The same goes for Apple’s entry. Foldables offer a unique experience, and as the market grows, more people can experience it, which is positive." He added, "Rather than focusing on competitors, we continue to listen to consumer feedback and research how to improve. We will prepare well not only for the Fold and Flip 5 coming out in the second half of the year but also for next year and the year after, so that foldables become the mainstream and Samsung Electronics establishes itself as a key player."