Samsung Electronics reveals a patent related to AR glasses in October 2023. The diagram shows how the app’s location changes according to the user’s gaze. /Courtesy of KIPRIS

Samsung Electronics unveiled a range of new technologies including smartphones, augmented reality (AR) glasses, and smart rings ahead of the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event next month. Utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) technology, they demonstrated the ability to remove objects from photos taken with smartphones or adjust the location of applications on the AR glasses' screen according to the user's gaze. They also revealed a technology patent for smart rings that can be adjusted to fit the user's finger size.

According to the patent search system KIPRIS on the 24th, Samsung Electronics disclosed a patent last month regarding technology that utilizes AI technology in smartphones to remove subjects from photographs. By selecting pedestrians captured in the shot, the AI removes all but the background. Samsung Electronics explained in the specifications that this technology can expand the background of images to appear as if it was originally captured.

Last month, Samsung Electronics unveiled a patent regarding technology that allows users to select and operate applications while wearing AR glasses. The sensors applied inside the AR glasses detect the user's gaze and display the position of the apps hovering in the air on the AR glasses' screen. The technology also includes a compass displayed on the screen to help users maintain their sense of direction in the virtual environment.

In October, Samsung Electronics also revealed a patent for smart rings that can be adjusted to fit the user's finger. This technology allows for adjusting the size of the ring by modifying the elastic material inside. Currently, the Galaxy Ring is offered in sizes 1 to 10 based on the user's finger thickness, but this technology is expected to allow for more flexible size adjustments compared to previous models.

Samsung Electronics unveils AI object removal technology last month. /Courtesy of KIPRIS

Samsung Electronics is expected to unveil new products in the form of glasses and rings in addition to the Galaxy S25 series at the Unpacked event on the 22nd next month. The Galaxy S25 will be released in three models: standard, plus, and ultra, all powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile chipsets (AP) for seamless AI functionality. The Galaxy S25 will incorporate an advanced voice assistant, Bixby, developed through AI.

Samsung Electronics is also likely to showcase the extended reality (XR) glasses 'Project Infinite,' developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, at the Unpacked event. This device is expected to be equipped with an AI chatbot based on Google's Gemini and Qualcomm's chipsets. There are also possibilities that the Galaxy Ring 2 will be introduced, featuring increased battery life and reduced thickness compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Ring 1.

Samsung Electronics is in dire need of a turnaround through new form factors. In the third quarter of this year, the operating profit of Samsung Electronics' Mobile Experience (MX) division was 2.82 trillion won, down 14.5% year-on-year. This decline in operating profit is attributed to poor performance of the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip 6 series.

Park Kang-ho, a researcher at the Research Institute, noted, "Even if new form factors and technologies do not significantly boost sales, they can help strengthen the product portfolio," adding that "there is also the possibility of stimulating replacement demand, serving as a catalyst for overcoming the current recession."