Samsung Electronics booked its previously flagged profit boost for Q3 as it continues to cash in on demand for memory products for AI, though cost pressures still hamper its mobile devices unit.

Its Mobile eXperience and Networks business, which includes its smartphones and mobile network products, posted an operating loss of KRW600 billion ($448.5 million) compared with a profit of KRW3.6 trillion in Q3 2025.

Revenue for the division was KRW37.7 trillion, up 11%.

It noted although its latest flagships and foldable range drove revenue, cost pressures hit the bottom line, a trend it also cited in Q2.

Samsung plans to focus efforts in the current period on sales of premium handsets and new related products, while aiming to “mitigate profitability risks through efficiency improvements across all business processes”.

In 2027 it intends to focus its device business on flagships and providing “differentiated experiences by customer segment”. It also plans to push “hardware and form-factor innovation”.

To “minimize declines in profit” it plans to undertake “agile market responses and operational efficiency initiatives”.

Samsung’s Networks business recorded a decline in earnings on lower sales in North America and high-margin software.

It is targeting revenue growth across North America, Japan and its home market of South Korea in the current quarter.

Memory boom
Across the whole company, Samsung booked net profit of KRW75.1 trillion, up from KRW12.2 trillion. Revenue was KRW195.3 trillion, an increase of 127%.

It noted the figures are a quarterly high, driven by demand for memory products.

Samsung was bullish on its prospects, expecting “industry-wide competition for AI leadership to drive continued AI infrastructure investment” in the current quarter.

In 2027, it anticipates “AI infrastructure capital expenditure to reach an historic level”.

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Apple unveiled a long-awaited touchscreen MacBook Pro after years of resisting the feature, topping off a fresh wave of product announcements under CEO John Ternus.

The redesigned MacBook Pro in 14- and 16-inch sizes was presented yesterday (28 October), with a tandem OLED display it calls PROLED XDR and touch input which is being brought to macOS for the first time.

Apple stated the touch sensor is built into the panel rather than layered on top, which cuts latency.

It is targeting the feature at designers, musicians, and developers testing iPhone and iPad apps. It noted the touch function works alongside the keyboard and trackpad rather than replacing them. Hardware chief Johny Srouji called it a monumental step for the Mac.

Reuters noted Apple executives had long resisted the idea. Steve Jobs said in 2010 laptop touchscreens were “ergonomically terrible”, and Tim Cook, then CEO, said in 2012 that such devices would be as pleasing to users as converging a toaster and a refrigerator.

“I’m glad to see Apple adopt the best-in-class display technologies with its industry leading silicon and design,” Anshel Sag, an analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, told Mobile World Live. “OLED and touch has long been the mark of a premium laptop for Windows and now I’m glad to see Apple embracing both technologies together.”

Both the 14-inch and 16-inch models of the MacBook Pro offer configurations featuring the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, with up to 24 hours of battery life.

Orders opened yesterday, with shipping from 6 November. Prices start at $2,899 for the 14-inch M5 Pro and run to $4,799 for the 16-inch M5 Max.

The launch is the latest in a run of hardware announcements under Ternus, who took over as CEO from Tim Cook in September. His first big reveal was the foldable iPhone Duo foldable smartphone, priced at almost $2,000.

On 13 October, Apple expanded its smart home portfolio of devices, led by the $299 HomeView display built to show off Siri AI. Apple also announced a new Apple TV 4K, HomePod mini 2 and accessories made with LG and Schneider Electric.

Ternus is reportedly pushing to speed up product development and is weighing a move away from Apple’s usual launch cycles.

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