Samsung's mobile experience division (MX) appears to be in trouble for mimicking Apple's design language with the new Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Watch Ultra.
In addition to facing criticism from fans, Samsung MX is said to have angered Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee. According to a recent report from South Korean media outlet AjuNews, Lee ordered Samsung MX to reassess its plans and took strict action against several executives, including the division's president, TM Roh.
Samsung is back to copying Apple.
Lee “stepped in after the controversy over Apple’s design and quality issues involving the Galaxy Buds3 and Galaxy Watch7 series launched last month. The internal atmosphere is very bad,” said the insider.
The whole controversy reportedly stems from Samsung's design choices for the new Galaxy Buds3, Galaxy Buds3 Pro, and Galaxy Watch Ultra, which bear an uncanny resemblance to the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and Apple Watch Ultra.
With the new earbuds, Samsung has ditched its iconic bean-shaped design and gone for a stemmed design similar to the AirPods. The charging case is also nearly identical, and Samsung has even implemented the same pinch and swipe gestures as the AirPods.
Galaxy Buds3 (left) and AirPods headphones (right).
On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch Ultra's boxy and sturdy design with orange accents makes it look a lot like the Apple Watch Ultra. The orange quick-press button on the side and the strap options are also similar to Apple's premium smartwatch.
In addition to copycat designs, Samsung has also faced quality control issues with the Galaxy Buds3 Pro. The company was forced to halt sales after early buyers reported various issues with the earbuds, including fragile ear tips that were prone to tearing. This appears to be another reason for concern for the company’s president.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra (left) looks quite similar to the Apple Watch Ultra.
These developments may force Samsung MX to re-evaluate its recent choices and do better with upcoming products, but we’ll probably have to wait a while to see how things play out, as the next big Galaxy launch is still months away.
The clamshell Galaxy Z Flip6 also features a new ProVisual Engine for the camera, which relies on AI to detect objects, analyze lighting conditions, and isolate facial features to enhance image quality. AI capabilities are also used to optimize images even at 10x zoom to improve the overall quality of captured subjects.
While Samsung has yet to reveal details about its upcoming AI smartphone, the emphasis on AI integration in its recent devices shows that the company is strongly focused on leveraging AI to enhance user experience.
The question remains whether these new AI smartphones from Samsung will bring groundbreaking features or mark a significant change in the design and functions of Samsung smartphones .