Samsung and LG Engage in First Rivalry of the Year Over New Air Conditioner Models

Commonality of Samsung Wind-Free and LG Whisen is 'Cleanliness Management'
"We are No.1 in Market Share"…Confidence of the Leader

Samsung Electronics' 2020 Wind-Free Air Conditioner.

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have recently launched their 2020 model air conditioner new products, marking the first showdown of the year. In particular, both companies emphasized features for easier and cleaner air conditioner management while engaging in a pride battle over the number one market share.

Samsung Electronics recently unveiled the 2020 model Wind-Free Air Conditioner at the ‘Samsung Electronics Seoul R&D Campus’ located in Umyeon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul. The company introduced three ‘Easy Care’ functions for convenient hygiene management of the product.

The Easy Care functions automatically clean and dry the remaining moisture every time the air conditioner stops operating, and if internal contamination is suspected, it freezes the heat exchanger before cleaning it. Also, without any special tools, users can easily remove the entire front panel by just turning the handle, allowing thorough cleaning of the internal fan blades.

The voice recognition feature ‘Bixby,’ previously only available on stand-type models, is now usable on wall-mounted models as well. Users can conveniently control not only the product in the room but also the stand-type product in the living room through voice commands.

LG Electronics also launched 29 new LG Whisen ThinQ air conditioner models, enhancing AI, cooling performance, energy efficiency, and cleanliness functions on a daily basis.

LG Electronics' 2020 model LG Whisen ThinQ air conditioner.

The new products feature enhanced cleanliness functions that allow key components such as filters, blowers, and heat exchangers to manage themselves. They support ultra-fine filter automatic cleaning, blower sterilization, and heat exchanger automatic drying.

When used for 8 hours a day, the Filter Clean Bot automatically cleans the air conditioner's ultra-fine filter once a week. Users only need to empty the dust container once every six months.

Additionally, the UV Nano function applies UV LED sterilization to the blower that generates airflow inside the air conditioner. UV Nano irradiates ultraviolet light where bacteria can breed, sterilizing harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Meanwhile, both companies emphasized their number one market share at their new product launch events and claimed they would maintain their leading positions this year as well.

Jae-hwan Lee, Executive Director of Samsung Electronics’ Home Appliance Business Division, said at the new product launch, “It is true that Samsung Electronics is leading the (air conditioner) market,” adding, “We expect to maintain a leading position in the market with sales volume similar to last year.”

In response, Gam-gyu Lee, Vice President and Head of LG Electronics’ Air Solution Business Division, stated at his company’s new product launch the next day, “Samsung Wind-Free Air Conditioners are sold at Samsung Digital Plaza, and LG Whisen Air Conditioners are sold at LG Best Shop, but it seems Best Shop sells more,” adding, “We understand that LG Electronics sells more at Hi-Mart and Electronic Land as well.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.