Samsung bets on AI-powered connected homes in India

Samsung is investing heavily in AI-powered connected homes in India. At the heart of its strategy is the SmartThings platform, enabling users to connect, monitor and control a variety of compatible appliances and devices through a single application. This platform integrates various devices, from refrigerators and washing machines to air conditioners and Galaxy wearables, allowing them to function together seamlessly.

In India, Samsung's SmartThings monthly active user base has increased by 30% over the past year, reaching 6.9 million. The country has 33.15 million registered SmartThings users, positioning it as the third-largest market for the brand globally. Samsung's data reveals that consumers are not merely downloading the app and forgetting about it; they are actively using it to manage and control appliances around their homes.

Every second appliance Samsung sells in India today is an AI-enabled Bespoke product, indicating a growing consumer interest in connected and AI-enhanced products. Samsung's latest 2026 Bespoke AI lineup, unveiled at an experiential event in Gurugram, underscores this trend. The new lineup, priced across multiple segments, includes the Bespoke AI WindFree Pro AC, the Infinite 1-Way Cassette AC, the Family Hub refrigerator, and a Bespoke AI Laundry Combo, all featuring AI capabilities.

The AI Family Hub refrigerator comes with AI Vision and AI Food Manager, enabling it to recognize food items, suggest recipes, and track use-by dates. The AI-enabled WindFree ACs include an AI Energy Mode, while the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo can detect fabric types and adjust wash and drying cycles accordingly. These features showcase how AI is making appliances more efficient and user-friendly.

AI is transforming the conversation around appliance adoption in India. While workplaces have been the primary focus, home applications are proving to be equally significant, albeit less glamorous. AI-enabled features in refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines are being used to manage energy consumption, with AI Energy being one of the most popular use cases in India. Elderly care is another emerging application area.

Samsung's data shows a significant surge in the number of newly connected appliances in 2025 compared to 2022, with connected devices' share in South Asia rising from 2% in 2022 to 13% in 2026. Across Southwest Asia, up to two million Samsung appliances now offer connected experiences, with Samsung's SmartThings AI Energy Mode contributing over 3,213 MWh of energy savings in the region last year.

Samsung is also working to create a more holistic connected home ecosystem, with its new AI Home screen acting as a central hub for controlling appliances. Samsung's Wearable Good Sleep feature allows compatible ACs to adjust cooling based on users' sleep patterns, while the Family Care service can alert owners of unusual inactivity, and the Pet Care service helps track pet activity and send reminders.