Samsung Announced its Latest Smartphone Series and Google CEO Told Employees To Expect More Layoffs in This Week’s Tech Roundup

This week, the tech industry saw Samsung reveal its latest range of smartphones, dubbed the Galaxy S24. Elsewhere, Google CEO Sundar Pichai told employees to expect more layoffs to come in 2024.

Apple made headlines as well this week for two key things, overtaking Samsung as the biggest smartphone manufacturer and, on the product front, opening its $3.5K USD Vision Pro up for pre-order.

Below, Hypebeast has rounded up the top tech stories of the week so you can stay up to date on trends in the industry.

Samsung Announces its Latest Galaxy S24 Series of Smartphones

Samsung

Samsung officially lifted the curtain on its imminent generation of smartphones, the Galaxy S24 series, which consists of Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 – all of which are powered by the latest chipset from Qualcomm, the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy.

Models are reimagined with flatter screens and slimmer bezels, maximizing display space, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra arriving as Samsung’s first-ever Titanium model.

The series also introduces Galaxy AI, which offers the following features: Live Translate, Circle to Search, Generative Edit and Instant Slo-Mo. The Galaxy S24 is expected to launch on January 31, with preorders open now.

Apple Overtakes Samsung As Biggest Smartphone Maker

Giuseppe Cacace/Afp/Getty Images

After holding the top spot for 12 years as the world’s best smartphone manufacturer, Samsung has receded to Apple.

Per data from the International Data Corporation, Apple sold 234.6 million units in 2023, with Samsung close behind at 226.6 million units sold. To put this into perspective: Apple accounted for over a fifth of the global smartphone market at 20.1%, and Samsung trailed right behind at 19.4%.

The IDC’s report cited a greater “increasing trend of premium devices” – pointing to the September 2023 iPhone 15 release – as well as Apple’s unique trade-in opportunities as two factors that contributed to the sales boost.

“The overall shift in ranking at the top of the market further highlights the intensity of competition within the smartphone market,” said Ryan Reith, group vice president of the IDC’s Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai Tells Employees To Expect More Layoffs in 2024

Jerod Harris/Vox Media/Getty Images

After 2023’s slew of layoffs, Google CEO Sundar Pichai has warned employees to plan for more in the coming year.

Per The Verge, Pichai told employees that more “role eliminations” are forthcoming in an internal memo. Since January 10, Google has already laid off an additional 1,000 employees across divisions.

“We have ambitious goals and will be investing in our big priorities this year,” Pichai reportedly wrote. “The reality is that to create the capacity for this investment, we have to make tough choices.”

The tech powerhouse also might be planning a larger structural reconfiguration, The Verge adds, planning to reorganize various teams specializing in “hardware, ad sales, search, shopping, maps, policy, core engineering and YouTube.”

Apple’s $3.5k USD Vision Pro Is Now Open for Pre-Orders

Apple

Apple’s $3,499 USD Vision Pro is open for pre-order at last.

When the Apple Vision Pro first made its debut at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2023, Apple dubbed the headset “the first operating system designed from the ground up for spatial computing.”

Each order comes with the Vision Pro itself, a headband and battery pack, as well as a charger, a cover for the Light Seal, and a protective case.

Users take their measurements to ensure proper headband fit and the securing Light Seal.

Preorder your Apple Vision Pro now. Orders are expected to begin shipping on February 2.