Samsung Fires Back with 'Bespoke AI Combo'... Washing and Drying Machine War

Following LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics is set to launch an all-in-one washer-dryer, known as the 'dream home appliance,' sparking an intense market competition.

Samsung Electronics announced that it will start selling the 'Bespoke AI Combo,' which can handle both washing and drying in one unit, from the 24th. The Bespoke AI Combo is the largest-capacity all-in-one washer-dryer in Korea, combining a 25kg capacity drum washing machine and a 15kg capacity inverter heat pump dryer in a single unit.

LG Electronics began selling the 'LG Signature Washer-Dryer' two days earlier than Samsung, starting from the previous day. The washing and drying capacities are 25kg and 13kg, respectively. The product also features a 4kg capacity mini wash at the bottom, allowing for separate washing of delicate clothes, functional wear, underwear, and children's clothes.

LG Electronics' 'LG Signature Washer Dryer,' which started sales on the 22nd.
[Photo by LG Electronics]

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Both companies showcased their all-in-one washer-dryers at 'IFA 2023,' Europe's largest home appliance exhibition held last year in Berlin, Germany, and their domestic release timings have similarly overlapped.

Unlike previous product lines where washers and dryers were separate, both companies’ products allow washing and drying in one unit without transferring laundry, earning high marks for innovation.

The washer-dryer itself is not a new concept. Previously, there were products capable of drying through the washing machine, but they used a 'heater method' that resulted in significantly inferior drying performance, considerable fabric damage, and high electricity consumption.

However, the new products adopt a 'heat pump method' to overcome these drawbacks. This technology circulates refrigerant to generate heat and uses a low-temperature dehumidification method that absorbs only the moisture contained in the laundry, enabling effective drying while protecting fabrics. They also apply inverter technology that adjusts motor speed to operate only as much as needed depending on the situation, improving energy efficiency.

Lifestyle image of Samsung Electronics' 'Bespoke AI Combo'. [Photo by Samsung Electronics]

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The launch prices are 3,999,000 KRW for the Bespoke AI Combo and 6,900,000 KRW for the LG Signature Washer-Dryer. LG Electronics plans to release a more affordable general model, the 'Tromm Objet Collection Wash Combo,' which is not part of the Signature line, in April. Product delivery will begin on March 4 for the Bespoke AI Combo and on March 18 for the LG Signature Washer-Dryer.

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