The South Korean Fair Trade Commission (FTC) plans to fine Samsung Electronics ₩20 billion, approximately $15.1 million. The regulator claims the company misled consumers regarding the gaming capabilities of Galaxy S21 and S22 smartphones, as well as Galaxy Tab S8 tablets.
The core of the dispute involves the Game Optimizing Service (GOS). While Samsung stated the system manages device temperature, the regulator found it forcibly limited CPU and GPU performance regardless of thermal conditions. This led to reduced graphics quality and performance issues in games.
During 2021 and 2022, Samsung marketed these devices highlighting features like a 5nm processor and a 120Hz display for an optimal gaming experience. The FTC argues that failing to disclose the GOS restrictions prevented customers from making informed purchasing decisions.
Samsung released updates in March 2022 that allow users to disable these performance limits. The company maintains that GOS was intended to ensure stability during long gaming sessions and intends to contest the regulator's decision through legal channels.
