ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Asia300

Samsung denies 'planned obsolescence' allegation

Investigation of Italian claim to overshadow new smartphone debut

Samsung Electronics President Koh Dong-jin introduced the company's Galaxy Note 8 smartphone in September 2017. The South Korean tech conglomerate is set to unveil its new Galaxy S9 smartphone in Barcelona in February. Photo by Samsung Electronics

SEOUL -- Samsung Electronics on Friday denied an allegation that the tech conglomerate intentionally slowed down its smartphones and other devices through software updates, raised by the Italian antitrust authority.

The South Korean tech conglomerate made clear that it was not involved in such actions and vowed to cooperate with the authority fully. The Italian Authority for Market and Competition said on Thursday that Samsung, along with Apple, had not told clients that such updates might have a negative impact on the performance of their phones.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Discover the all new Nikkei Asia app

  • Take your reading anywhere with offline reading functions
  • Never miss a story with breaking news alerts
  • Customize your reading experience

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more