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Samsung Challenges India’s Antitrust Probe, Citing Illegal Seizures

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Samsung Electronics has accused India’s Competition Commission (CCI) of unlawfully detaining its employees and seizing confidential data during a raid linked to an antitrust investigation involving Amazon and Flipkart, according to a legal filing. The case stems from a CCI probe that found Samsung and other smartphone companies colluded with the e-commerce giants to launch products exclusively online, breaching antitrust laws.

In an October 11 filing submitted to the High Court in Chandigarh, Samsung requested the quashing of CCI’s findings against it. The company argued that material seized during a 2022 raid at an Amazon vendor was obtained illegally. Samsung stated that three of its employees were detained during the raid, their phones confiscated, and confidential data copied without proper authority.

“The entire search exercise…is patently illegal, and any material collected thereunder should not be relied upon and should be promptly returned,” Samsung wrote in its 32-page petition. The filing also called for the CCI to be prohibited from using or relying on the unlawfully obtained data.

While Samsung secured an injunction from the High Court, temporarily halting the proceedings, the court has yet to decide on returning the seized data or barring the CCI from using it. The watchdog has faced similar injunctions from 22 other companies across India, prompting the CCI to seek a Supreme Court intervention to consolidate the challenges. The regulator claims the firms are attempting to derail its investigation.

The CCI probe centers on allegations that Amazon and Flipkart violated competition laws by favoring specific sellers on their platforms, disadvantaging competitors and brick-and-mortar retailers. Samsung, despite cooperating with the investigation as a third party, has been accused of enabling exclusivity in business practices by launching phones exclusively on Amazon and Flipkart. The watchdog labeled such practices as antithetical to free and fair competition.

Samsung, one of India’s leading smartphone makers with a 14% market share, denies any wrongdoing. The inclusion of smartphone manufacturers in the probe is expected to escalate legal and compliance risks for companies like Samsung.

The case underscores the growing tension between global tech firms and Indian regulators. Online sales have grown significantly in India, with 50% of phones sold online in 2022, compared to just 14.5% in 2013, according to Datum Intelligence. This shift has increased scrutiny on e-commerce platforms and their partnerships with tech firms.

 

Samsung Spain’s Website Reveals One UI 7 Leaks: Enhanced Sketch-to-Image and More Features

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One UI 7, Samsung’s latest Android 15-based operating system, was officially unveiled at the Samsung Developer Conference (SDC) 2024 last month. With its release planned for early next year, the update has generated significant buzz among tech enthusiasts. While leaks and rumors have offered glimpses into what’s in store, official marketing material recently discovered on Samsung Spain’s website provides a more comprehensive look at the upcoming features, including enhanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

One of the key highlights of One UI 7 is its focus on visual and usability improvements. According to the leaked material, users can expect refreshed, intuitive icons and a smart notification center designed to streamline interaction. The lock screen will also receive an upgrade, offering dynamic insights into ongoing activities directly from the display. These enhancements aim to deliver a sleeker, more personalized user experience.

AI-powered features are at the heart of One UI 7’s advancements. The update will enhance the Sketch-to-Image tool, a feature that allows users to transform rough sketches into creative digital art. New options such as 3D Cartoon, Sketch, and Watercolour themes will provide users with more artistic flexibility. These improvements underscore Samsung’s commitment to integrating AI into everyday tasks for both practical and creative applications.

Additionally, One UI 7 introduces the Portrait Studio, a feature leveraging AI to apply artistic effects to portraits and create personalized profile pictures. This tool offers similar customization options, including themes like 3D Cartoon, Watercolour, and Sketch. Together with other enhancements, these updates position One UI 7 as a significant step forward in merging AI innovation with user-centric design.

Samsung Leads Global Foldable Market Despite Decline in Q3 2024 Shipments: Counterpoint

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Global shipments of foldable smartphones saw a slight decline of 1 percent year-on-year (YoY) in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024, according to Counterpoint Research. This marks the first dip in the market after six consecutive quarters of robust growth. Despite the downturn, Samsung retained its position as the global leader in the foldable smartphone segment. Other notable players, including Honor, Huawei, Motorola, and Xiaomi, trailed behind, with Xiaomi achieving the highest YoY growth thanks to its strategic foldable launches beyond the Chinese market.

A Shift in Market Trends

The report highlights a shift in consumer interest and challenges faced by key players in the foldable smartphone segment. Samsung, although still dominating with a commanding 56 percent market share, experienced weaker-than-expected performance from its flagship models, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6. This underperformance is believed to have contributed significantly to the overall market decline, indicating a possible saturation of premium foldable offerings or increased competition from other brands.

Xiaomi’s Rising Momentum

Among the competition, Xiaomi stood out with the most notable growth in shipments compared to the same period last year. The company’s decision to expand its foldable lineup beyond its home market in China appears to have paid off, boosting its international presence and challenging Samsung’s supremacy. Other brands, such as Honor and Huawei, also maintained steady performances, while Motorola continued to capture attention with its Razr lineup, targeting niche audiences.

Future Outlook

Despite the Q3 slowdown, the foldable smartphone market remains a key segment for innovation and growth in the mobile industry. As competition intensifies and brands introduce more affordable and feature-rich foldable devices, the market may see renewed interest in the coming quarters. For Samsung, the decline highlights the importance of maintaining innovation and competitiveness in a segment it once pioneered. Meanwhile, Xiaomi’s international success signals a growing diversification of leadership in the foldable space