TheChek News Flow

20-Nov-2018 13:51:28

By Laurence Frost

PARIS, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Nissan's 7201.T investigation into alleged misconduct by Chairman Carlos Ghosn is expanding to include Renault-Nissan finances, sources told Reuters - a sign that Nissan may seek to loosen its French parent's hold on their global carmaking alliance.

Nissan told Renault's RENA.PA board on Monday it had evidence of potential wrongdoing at Renault-Nissan BV, the Dutch venture overseeing alliance operations under Renault's ultimate control, three people with knowledge of the matter said.

The private communication from Nissan Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa came as the Japanese carmaker, 43.4 percent-owned by Renault, announced that an investigation had uncovered misconduct involving Ghosn including under-reporting of his compensation and personal use of company assets. (Full Story)

Renault and Nissan both declined to comment.

The tech giant’s response to sales slump is flagship phones packed with bigger screens and extra cameras

SEOUL— Samsung Electronics Co. is planning a major technological upgrade for its 10th anniversary flagship phones next year, including next-generation 5G network speeds, bigger screens and more cameras, according to people familiar with the matter.

As with rival Apple Inc.’s AAPL -3.96% 10th anniversary iPhone offerings last year, Samsung’s 10-year reboot of its premium smartphone lineup is seeking to dazzle consumers with more ambition than in years past, these people said, part of a bid by the South Korean technology giant to reverse a recent sales slump.

Samsung, the world’s largest smartphone maker by volume, is preparing three versions of its next flagship Galaxy S10 smartphone, with displays that range in size from 5.8 inches to 6.4 inches, the people said, versus two variants in previous years. Those three phones are set to debut in February next year, they added.

In addition, the South Korean technology giant is developing a fourth variant of the Galaxy S10 that will be 5G-enabled and is internally code-named “Beyond X,” some of these people said.

SEOUL— Samsung Electronics Co. is planning a major technological upgrade for its 10th anniversary flagship phones next year, including next-generation 5G network speeds, bigger screens and more cameras, according to people familiar with the matter.

As with rival Apple Inc.’s AAPL -3.96% 10th anniversary iPhone offerings last year, Samsung’s 10-year reboot of its premium smartphone lineup is seeking to dazzle consumers with more ambition than in years past, these people said, part of a bid by the South Korean technology giant to reverse a recent sales slump.

Samsung, the world’s largest smartphone maker by volume, is preparing three versions of its next flagship Galaxy S10 smartphone, with displays that range in size from 5.8 inches to 6.4 inches, the people said, versus two variants in previous years. Those three phones are set to debut in February next year, they added.

In addition, the South Korean technology giant is developing a fourth variant of the Galaxy S10 that will be 5G-enabled and is internally code-named “Beyond X,” some of these people said.

“There are no signs of recovery for the smartphone industry currently,” said Tom Kang, a Seoul-based analyst at Counterpoint Research.

To stage its comeback, Samsung saved up several new features to set its 10th anniversary Galaxy S smartphone apart.

Samsung is planning a mid-February event where it will unveil at least the feature-heavy 5G Galaxy S phone, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The handset’s release date would be pegged to whenever wireless carriers could launch 5G service, according to people familiar with the matter, which is expected by next spring.

Samsung has held discussions with Verizon Communications Inc., AT&T Inc. and T-Mobile US Inc., as well as large South Korean carriers, though no final decisions have been made, according to these people. Samsung is in discussions with Verizon about a potential exclusive distribution arrangement, though the terms and length of that arrangement aren’t yet final, some of these people said.

With 5G, Samsung is expected to enjoy a sizable lead over Apple’s iPhone, which analysts forecast won’t be capable of supporting 5G until 2020.

The three Galaxy S10 handsets scheduled for an earlier release than the 5G phone bear the internal code names “Beyond 0,” “Beyond 1” and “Beyond 2,” according to people familiar with the matter.

They would each have between three and five cameras in total, based on current plans, according to one of these people.

A feature considered for some phones is “reverse wireless charging,” in which a Samsung handset could be used to recharge other devices by placing them together, according to people familiar with the matter.

The timing, design and phone features for all the devices could change since decisions are still being finalized, according to people familiar with the matter.

Separately, Samsung is also set to release early next year its first ever foldable-screen device, which opens like a book and boasts a 7.3-inch display. Internally, Samsung executives are debating the foldable phone’s name, with “Samsung Flex” and the “Galaxy Flex” emerging as two candidates, though the decision is far from final, according to a person familiar with the matter.

But even with the new launches, Samsung will face challenges in a smartphone industry dealing with consumers holding on to their devices longer and economic uncertainty brought on by global trade turmoil, analysts said.

“Everyone is being affected by some similar market forces,” said Melissa Chau, associate research director at International Data Corp., a market researcher. “Overall volumes will decline for everyone.”