Samsung SDI is joining forces with Kia to fuel the next big thing in EV (electric vehicles): a compact electric crossover codenamed “QV.” Samsung SDI is revamping its Hungary factory to produce these game-changing batteries.

If you’re a Samsung loyalist, this is another reason to cheer for a brand that’s pushing the boundaries. At the same time, if you’re eyeing a Kia EV, the QV is shaping up to be a stylish, compact crossover.

The SDI Business of Samsung is tearing down old production lines and bringing in new equipment to build advanced prismatic batteries. With high-nickel cathodes and anodes made with silicon-carbon-nanocomposite material, they’re designed to give Kia’s QV serious range and zip.

This deal is part of a bigger partnership with Hyundai Motor Group, Kia’s parent company, to supply batteries for about 500,000 vehicles in Europe from 2026 to 2032.

Beyond Kia EV, Samsung SDI is eyeing opportunities with BMW for next-gen cylindrical batteries, with plans to expand its Hungary factory if demand spikes.

Recently, Samsung SDI raised KRW 1.723 trillion through a rights issue, with about half allocated to a joint venture with General Motors (GM) for electric vehicle batteries.

10 days ago, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S25 Edge, which is now on sale in South Korea. Following the reveal, the company has opened pre-orders in Korea, while the US release is scheduled for May 30.

Samsung says the S25 Edge saw over half of its purchases on Samsung.com from customers in their 20s and 30s during the pre-sale period. Titanium Silver is the most preferred color, followed by Titanium Icyblue and Titanium Jet Black.

The Galaxy S25 Edge is the slimmest Galaxy S series model ever. It combines sleek design with just 5.8mm thickness, powerful performance through Snapdragon 8 Elite, and robust durability with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2.

Samsung is offering the S25 Edge in 3 colors: Titanium Silver, Titanium JetBlack, and Titanium Icyblue. It comes in 256GB and 512GB storage, priced at 1.496 million KRW ($1099) and 1.639 million KRW ($1219), respectively.

Early buyers get a 6-month Google One AI Premium subscription, a 3-month Willa subscription, a 3-month unlimited subscription of digital magazines via Moazine, and a 30% discount coupon for accessories on the Samsung.com app.

The Galaxy S25 Edge features a 5.8mm thickness and 163g weight. Its front side boasts features the new Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, which provides resistance to scratches, and cracks. The device also incorporates a Titanium frame and IP68 water and dust resistance.

Samsung’s S25 Edge is slim enough but it doesn’t compromise on camera and performance. It packs Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip and Samsung’s mDNIe technology that enhances display visibility and power efficiency.

The device lacks a Telephoto but features a great 200MP main camera. In addition, it has a 12-megapixel sensor for ultrawide photos and a 12MP shooter for selfies. It also integrates ProVisual Engine, which enhances detail, sharpness, and skin tones.

Samsung-owned Harman introduced new high-performance JBL headphones and portable Bluetooth speakers in South Korea. With the new launches, the company is expanding its footprint in the audio products market.

The unique features of Samsung Harman audio products give them an edge over rivals in the market. A standout feature is the ability to play high-quality wireless audio even on existing wired devices that do not support Bluetooth.

JBL Tour One M3 headphones

They come with a game-changer called JBL Smart Tx, a wireless audio transmitter, letting you enjoy HQ Bluetooth audio on devices that don’t even support Bluetooth. These headphones connect via Bluetooth, USB-C, or even legacy systems

Auracast:

It lets multiple headphones, JBL or other brands, connect to a single device. Harman says this feature will soon be a staple at places like international conferences. It’s practical, inclusive, and opens up so many possibilities for shared listening experiences.

JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6 Speakers

These speakers come with JBL Pro Sound with an AI sound boost feature. You may become a fan of how portable these speakers are, with replaceable handles and up to 16 hours of battery life, thanks to the playtime boost function.

JBL PartyBox Encore 2

Samsung Harman’s new JBL PartyBox Encore 2 party speaker steps it up with Bluetooth 5.4, LE Audio, and a fast-charging feature. It comes with wireless microphones, perfect for karaoke nights or impromptu speeches.

Samsung kicked off the pre-launch of the Galaxy S25 Edge on May 21, and the excitement was electric. Fans lined up outside Samsung Gangnam in Seoul, eager to get their hands on the sleekest phone in the Galaxy S series yet.

By 10 am, when the Gangnam store opened its doors, a long queue of pre-order customers was ready to claim their devices. This Galaxy S25 Edge launch proves again that Samsung knows how to create a phone that gets people talking and waiting in line.

The first lucky buyer, Jeon Jun-ha, stepped up to the pickup zone, scanned his QR code, and walked away with the very first Galaxy S25 Edge. Cheers and applause filled the store as staff handed him a bouquet and gifts.

“I got this for my younger sibling,” Jun-ha said, beaming. “I waited two hours before the store opened, and being the first to get it—plus all these gifts—feels amazing.”

The Galaxy S25 Edge’s slim profile and powerful performance make it stand out, and the hands-on demo zone at Samsung Gangnam was packed with fans.

Another pre-order customer, Song Hye-seung, bought one for her father, a loyal Galaxy user. “It feels so light,” she said. “I think it’ll be easy on his wrist, which is a big deal.”

New Galaxy AI Subscription Club

For just KRW 5,900 (approximately $4.25) a month, subscribers get perks like up to 50% residual value when trading in their device, Samsung Care Plus for damage protection, and discounts on accessories.

Until May 31, Samsung is sweetening the deal with three months of cashback for those who join the club through Samsung.com and stay for three months, apart from a free storage upgrade.

Samsung also debuted the “Galaxy Ring Two-Tone Titanium Black” alongside the S25 Edge, and buyers who snag both get a 20% discount on the ring plus 100,000 membership points.

For years, Samsung and LG have dominated the worldwide TV market, but recent data shows TCL is closing in fast on Samsung and leaving LG in the dust. This shift indicates that TCL, not LG, is emerging as the real rival to Samsung.

According to a recent report from market research firm Sigmaintell via TheElec, TCL’s TV shipments in the first half of 2025 are projected to hit 13.7 million units, a strong jump from 12.7 million units last year.

That’s an 8% growth rate, the highest among the top four TV makers. Samsung, still leading the pack, is expected to ship 17.2 million units, up 3.3% from 16.6 million.

Meanwhile, LG Electronics is lagging behind with 10.3 million units, a mere 1.3% increase from 10.2 million. Hisense, another Chinese brand, follows closely behind TCL with 13.6 million units.

TCL is gaining ground fast

Last year, the shipment gap between Samsung and TCL was 3.9 million units. This year, it’s expected to shrink to 3.5 million. That’s a clear sign TCL is catching up, at the same time, the gap between TCL and LG is growing.

Sigmaintell points to US retailers stockpiling inventory and China’s trade-in policy, which offers subsidies for energy-efficient TVs. Per the reports, this is one of the factors behind TCL’s surge in the worldwide TV market.

TCL’s aggressive growth and ability to close the gap with Samsung show it’s not just another player in the TV segment, but it’s a serious rival, which is coming for the crown. LG, while still a major TV vendor worldwide, is falling behind in this race.

Samsung, despite holding the top spot, is feeling the pressure and facing challenges in reaching its 38M shipments target. Sigmaintell predicts weaker shipments in the second half of 2025 due to artificial demand from early stockpiling.