Core Insights - Samsung is making urgent adjustments to its S26 flagship lineup due to poor market performance of the Galaxy S25 Edge, which has led to the cancellation of the S26 Edge model and the reintroduction of the Galaxy S26+ to fill the mid-range gap [1][4] Group 1: Product Adjustments - The S26+ will feature only minor modifications and will retain the 6.66-inch screen size from the previous generation [1][4] - The S25 Edge, which was marketed with a 5.8mm ultra-thin body, faced criticism for its short battery life, resulting in sales of less than 1 million units, only one-fifth of the standard version [1] Group 2: Production and Strategy - Samsung's initial plan was to incorporate a high-quality screen from the S26 Edge into the S26+, but due to compressed development cycles and insufficient component production time, the old specifications were retained [4] - The S26 Ultra has already begun mass production with a planned output of 3.6 million units, while the combined production for the S26+ and standard version is slightly over 500,000 units, indicating a clear strategic focus on high-end flagship models [4]

Core Viewpoint - Samsung Electronics has officially terminated the development of the next-generation "Galaxy S26 Edge" due to weak global consumer demand for ultra-thin flagship smartphones, following Apple's significant production cuts for the iPhone Air [1] Group 1: Samsung's Decision - Samsung planned to replace the "S26+" model with the Galaxy S26 Edge, continuing the product line from the Galaxy S25 Edge launched in 2025 [1] - The Galaxy S25 Edge experienced disappointing sales, becoming a public commercial failure, partly due to its 3900mAh battery's poor performance in high-demand scenarios [1] - Despite initial plans for the S26 Edge to feature a larger battery and improved thermal management, ongoing weak market feedback led Samsung to reassess the long-term viability of this product category [1] Group 2: Market Context - Apple's significant reduction in iPhone Air production targets and potential postponement of a new model in 2026 have influenced Samsung's decision [1] - The iPhone Air, which emphasizes a lightweight design, has not gained mainstream consumer appeal since its launch, indicating a consumer preference for practicality over thinness [1]

Group 1: Apple and Legal Issues - Elon Musk accuses Apple of violating antitrust laws by not including X and Grok in the App Store essential category, claiming it prevents AI companies from ranking first [1][3] - Musk's previous criticism of Apple's in-app purchase commission as a "de facto global internet tax" highlights ongoing tensions between him and the company [3] Group 2: Apple Cinemas Trademark Dispute - Apple Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Apple Cinemas for trademark infringement, alleging that the cinema chain is intentionally using the "Apple" name to confuse consumers [5][6] - Apple Cinemas, an independent chain with 14 locations across several states, plans to defend its brand against the lawsuit [6] Group 3: Apple Patent Developments - A new patent application from Apple reveals progress towards a six-sided glass shell for devices, aiming to realize Jony Ive's vision of a "single-piece glass" design [7] - The design includes a touchscreen display that seamlessly integrates with the glass shell, enhancing the visual and tactile experience [7] Group 4: Smartphone Market Insights - Canalys reports a slight decline in global smartphone shipments to 288.9 million units in Q2 2025, with Samsung leading at 57.5 million units shipped [8][11] - In Mainland China, Huawei ranks first in smartphone shipments with an 18% market share, while Apple holds a 15% share [12] Group 5: Children's Smartwatch Market - The Chinese children's smartwatch market saw sales of 8.12 million units in the first half of the year, reflecting an 11.4% year-on-year growth [13][15] - The leading brand, 小天才, holds a 35.3% market share, benefiting from a strong ecosystem combining education and social features [15][16] Group 6: Semiconductor Export Agreements - Reports indicate that NVIDIA and AMD have reached an unprecedented agreement with the U.S. government, agreeing to pay 15% of their sales revenue from China to obtain chip export licenses [19][20] - This arrangement marks a significant shift in export control practices, as companies have not previously agreed to share revenue in exchange for licenses [20]