Samsung Offers Seven Years of OS Updates for AI Smart TVs

Samsung’s Commitment to Tizen OS Updates for Smart TVs

In a groundbreaking move aimed at reinforcing its market dominance, Samsung has announced that it will provide seven years’ worth of updates for the Tizen operating system powering its AI-enabled smart TVs. This decision was revealed last week at Samsung Electronics’ Suwon Campus and represents a significant shift in the company's approach to software support.

Details of the New Update Policy

The new policy will first be implemented on TV models released in March 2024, along with select products introduced in 2023. This marks a notable expansion from Samsung's current practices, which primarily address bugs within the system without offering substantial upgrades to the Tizen OS itself.

Staying Ahead of the Competition

Samsung, currently positioned as the largest seller of smart TVs globally, has seen its leadership challenged by rising competitors such as Chinese manufacturers Hisense and TCL. The analytics firm Omdia reports that Samsung held a market share of nearly 29% during the first half of this year, a decrease of over 2% from the previous year, while Hisense and TCL captured 12.1% and 10% of the market, respectively.

Quotes from Company Executives

In a statement, Yong Seok-Yoon, the president of Samsung Electronic's Visual Display Business Division, emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative. "With the seven-year free upgrade of Tizen applied to AI TVs, we will widen the gap in market share with Chinese companies," he asserted.

Historical Context and Comparisons

This move mirrors a similar commitment made by Samsung earlier this year with the Galaxy S24 smartphone series, where the company pledged to provide seven years of operating system upgrades and security updates. In the same vein, LG, Samsung’s notable rival, announced a five-year upgrade plan for its webOS, although it explicitly included which models would qualify for these updates.

The Importance of Long-Term Software Support

This announcement underscores the growing trend in the electronics industry toward providing extended software support. Consumers are increasingly seeking products with guarantees of longevity and security updates, particularly as devices become more integrated with AI and connected technologies.

Conclusion

As Samsung embarks on this ambitious plan, consumers can expect greater stability and functionality from their smart TVs, fostering customer loyalty in a competitive market. For more information on Samsung’s latest products and updates, stay tuned for future announcements.

Keywords: Samsung, Tizen OS updates, smart TVs, AI technology, Hisense, TCL, electronics industry, software support, smart TV market.