LG Electronics is preparing to make a comeback in the smartphone market after exiting the space in 2021. The company has teamed up with Samsung to develop a new AI-powered smartphone, which is expected to be named Galaxy ixi-O.
Samsung and LG, both South Korean tech giants, are no strangers to success in the global consumer electronics market. While Samsung continues to lead in the TV sector, and LG follows closely behind, they are now facing increasing competition from Chinese companies. This strategic partnership to launch an AI-powered smartphone is expected to help them tap into the growing demand for AI-driven technology in consumer devices.
ixi-O offers advanced features such as real-time voice phishing detection and the ability to answer calls, summarize conversations, and transcribe them into text. This personal assistant aims to provide a more comprehensive and intelligent user experience, with its capabilities extending beyond basic functionalities to enhance security and convenience for users.
In partnership with Samsung, the two tech giants are collaborating to integrate their AI technologies, creating what they call a “real AI phone.” The upcoming device, tentatively named the Galaxy ixi-O, will combine LG Uplus’s ixi-O assistant with Samsung’s Galaxy AI to deliver enhanced functionality. Samsung’s AI will complement ixi-O’s features, allowing the phone to provide a seamless AI-driven experience.
The Galaxy ixi-O is anticipated to be released in Q1 2025, with initial availability for LG Uplus customers in South Korea. While this partnership targets the South Korean market first, there are plans for the device to expand to other mobile carriers in the region in the future.
The launch will coincide with Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series unveiling on January 22, 2025.
With the collaboration, LG plans to regain its footing in the smartphone industry after exiting in 2021 due to poor sales and customer feedback. By leveraging AI technology, LG aims to offer more than just a phone with an AI assistant, creating a truly smart device that caters to evolving consumer needs. Samsung’s involvement will help boost the phone’s capabilities, ensuring it competes strongly in an increasingly AI-centric mobile market.
At this stage, it is unclear whether the Galaxy ixi-O will be available outside of South Korea. While the phone is expected to launch in Q1 2025, initial availability will be limited to LG Uplus users in South Korea. Speculation suggests that the AI smartphone may remain a regional product for now, with no clear plans for expansion to international markets, including the US. LG will likely focus on refining its AI technology before considering broader distribution.
As Samsung and LG face growing competition from Chinese brands like TCL and Hisense, which have gained significant market share in the premium TV sector, both companies are looking to differentiate themselves with advanced features like AI. Samsung, in particular, is emphasizing innovations in security and AI integration to stay ahead of the competition. The launch of the Galaxy ixi-O could be a key part of this strategy.
