[NEWS IN FOCUS] Samsung, LG roll up their sleeves for a washer-dryer war

Samsung and LG have both introduced advanced washer-dryer combos targeting households without the space for standalone dryers. Both devices offer AI features and heat pump drying technology.

Samsung Electronics' Bespoke AI Combo [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

Samsung's new washer-dryer, the Bespoke AI Combo, targets the 70 percent of Korean households that still don't have a dryer in their homes.

Its condensed size and various AI features will appeal to the households of singles, newlyweds and older adults, according to Lee Moo-hyung, executive vice president at Samsung Electronics in charge of customer experience team of digital digital appliances, during a briefing on Monday.

Its 3.9 million won price has been set to match the cost of buying a stand-alone washer and a dryer — despite the fact that the new product comes with more advanced technology three years in the making.

Samsung Electronics Executive Vice President Lee Moo-hyung speaks to press about the Bespoke AI Combo in Seoul on Monday. [SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS]

“Our goal was to make a washer-dryer combo that doesn't compromise function in any way just because it was a combined version,” said Lee.

“Only 30 percent of Korean households had dryers in their homes last year because of space issues. We are aiming for that other 70 percent with this product. I expect the market to grow by 20 to 30 percent.”

Stakes are high with the Bespoke AI Combo. Samsung is set to launch the product in the United States this month, followed by rollouts in Southeast Asia and Europe within the second quarter as well.

The three-year development period largely derives from its ambition to realize a drying function on par with that of a stand-alone machine.

“This combo type has been around for more than 10 years, but since it was a heating type back then, the damage to clothing and insufficient drying have lead people to go back to separate products,” Lee said.

Samsung Electronics utilizes heat pump style to dry the clothes, in which refrigerant absorbs the water from clothes in a not-so-hot environment, aiming both to prevent damage and save energy.

The device comes with a 7-inch screen powered by Samsung's Tizen operating system, which can be connected to Samsung products including smartphones. A user can answer calls through the screen, Samsung says, as well as watch videos. The appliance also activates upon hearing the phrase “Hi Bixby.”

The initial market response toward Bespoke AI Combo is strong.

The product has sold more than 3,000 units since launching sales on February 23.

LG Electronics' Signature Washer & Dryer combo [LG ELECTRONICS]

Samsung Electronics is engaged in a fierce battle with LG Electronics to take an early lead in the fledgling washer-dryer segment.

Just a day before Samsung's launch, LG Electronics announced its top-of-the-line Signature Washer & Dryer combo with a 6.9 million won price tag.

Powered by AI chip DQ-C, the combo controls both washing and drying modes by detecting the texture and weight of clothes. It also utilizes heat pump drying technology.

A 4-kilogram (8.8-pound) mini washer on the bottom of the appliance handles delicate clothes. Samsung's product uses that space for a storage drawer.

“The Signature Washer & Dryer combo is a top-of-the-line product that differentiates in every aspect including material, design and so on,” said an LG Electronics spokesman.

LG Electronics plans to roll out a midrange version of that product in April. Exact pricing hasn't yet been confirmed, but market observers expect it to be in the 4 million won range.

Samsung has also hinted that it intends to expand its lineup to different price ranges.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]