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Samsung Tops Global Smartphone Shipments, But Apple Leads in Sales Amid U.S. Tariff Fallout

Samsung Tops Global Smartphone Shipments, But Apple Leads in Sales Amid U.S. Tariff Fallout

SEOUL, April 17, (Korea Bizwire) — Samsung Electronics retained its position as the global leader in smartphone shipments in the first quarter of 2025, according to multiple market research firms. However, a separate analysis based on sales volumes placed Apple in the top spot, raising questions about diverging metrics and the impact of U.S. trade [...]

Smartphones Are Closing the Gap With DSLRs—But Not Quite There Yet

Smartphones Are Closing the Gap With DSLRs—But Not Quite There Yet

SEOUL, March 31 (Korea Bizwire) — As smartphone makers from Samsung and Apple to Xiaomi roll out their latest flagship models, one feature takes center stage: increasingly sophisticated cameras that edge closer to rivaling professional-grade DSLRs. Xiaomi’s recently released Xiaomi 15 Ultra has sparked particular buzz in tech circles this month, following its debut at [...]

Samsung’s Smartphone Market Share Declines Amid Rising Competition

Samsung’s Smartphone Market Share Declines Amid Rising Competition

SEOUL, March 13 (Korea Bizwire) — Samsung Electronics saw its smartphone market share shrink in key domestic and international markets during the fourth quarter of 2024, according to a new report from market research firm Counterpoint Research. In India, Samsung’s market share fell to 11%, dropping from third to fifth place compared to the same [...]

Citrus Farmers Embrace Phone-Based Smart Irrigation Systems

Citrus Farmers Embrace Phone-Based Smart Irrigation Systems

JEJU, Feb. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — Tangerine greenhouse farmers on South Korea’s Jeju Island are increasingly turning to smartphone-controlled irrigation systems, marking a significant shift toward smart farming in the country’s prominent citrus-growing region.  A consortium including the Namwon Agricultural Cooperative in Jeju, the Jeju ICT Cooperative, and smart farm developer Mamkkot Garden has been selected [...]

iPhone Subsidies Hit Record High as Samsung Galaxy 25 Launch Looms

iPhone Subsidies Hit Record High as Samsung Galaxy 25 Launch Looms

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — A notable shift in South Korea’s mobile phone market has seen carriers KT and LG Uplus significantly increase subsidies for the iPhone 16 series, influenced by the upcoming release of Samsung’s Galaxy S25 and the abolition of the Mobile Device Distribution Act. Some premium plan subscribers can now obtain even [...]

Samsung Launches New Trade-in Program for Used Galaxy Smartphones

Samsung Launches New Trade-in Program for Used Galaxy Smartphones

SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — Samsung Electronics is set to launch “Galaxy Easy Trade-in” (unofficial translation), a new buyback program for used smartphones, on its Samsung.com platform starting January 14.  According to Samsung, customers looking to sell their used Galaxy smartphones can visit the Galaxy Easy Trade-in page on Samsung.com beginning January 14 to receive [...]

Samsung to Hold Unpack Event for New Galaxy Smartphone in U.S. This Month

Samsung to Hold Unpack Event for New Galaxy Smartphone in U.S. This Month

SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — Samsung Electronics Co. will hold this year’s Galaxy Unpacked event in the United States this month, company officials said Tuesday, where the company is expected to unveil its new Galaxy S series smartphones with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) features. The upcoming event will be held in San Jose, California, [...]

Survey Shows Short-form Video Dominates Smartphone Viewing in South Korea

Survey Shows Short-form Video Dominates Smartphone Viewing in South Korea

SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — A new government survey has revealed that short-form content has emerged as the most popular type of mobile viewing among South Korean consumers, as smartphone usage continues to rise while traditional TV viewing declines.  The Korea Communications Commission and the Korea Association for ICT Promotion released their “2024 Broadcasting Media [...]

Protests in South Korea Highlight Revival of Older Smartphones with DMB Functionality

Protests in South Korea Highlight Revival of Older Smartphones with DMB Functionality

SEOUL, Dec. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – Amid disruptions to mobile networks during large-scale protests calling for the impeachment of the president, older smartphones equipped with terrestrial DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) technology have become unexpectedly essential. The technology, which allows users to watch live broadcasts without relying on mobile networks, is gaining renewed attention for its [...]

South Korean Government Backs Bill to Ban Smartphone Use in Schools

South Korean Government Backs Bill to Ban Smartphone Use in Schools

SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – In a significant move to address digital addiction concerns among youth, South Korea’s ruling party has proposed legislation to restrict smartphone use in schools, garnering support from the government and education officials.  The initiative gained momentum after the National Human Rights Commission of Korea recently ruled that the collective confiscation [...]