Samsung Electronics Unveils First Mini LED TV 'Neo QLED'

Samsung Electronics First Look 2021 Event Held Online
Introducing the All-New 'Neo QLED' Featuring 'Quantum Mini LED' at 1/40th the Size for the First Time

Samsung Electronics Neo QLED TV

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] On the 6th (local time in the U.S.), Samsung Electronics held the 'Samsung First Look 2021' event online and unveiled the new Neo QLED TV, which applies mini light-emitting diode (LED) technology, for the first time.

Samsung First Look is an event that Samsung Electronics has been holding for nine years every January to showcase new TV-related technologies and products and share the future direction of displays.

At this event, Samsung Electronics presented the vision of 'Screens for All,' emphasizing human-centered technology, and introduced the completely renewed 2021 models of 'Neo QLED,' 'Micro LED,' and lifestyle TV new products.

President Han Jong-hee Presents Human-Centered ‘Screens for All’ Vision

Han Jong-hee, President of Samsung Electronics' Visual Display Business, expressed a vision at Samsung First Look to contribute not only to providing the best screen experience as an industry leader but also to creating a sustainable future.

President Han stated that going beyond the existing concept of ‘Screens Everywhere,’ which aims to provide optimal display solutions in any space, Samsung will pioneer the era of ‘Screens for All,’ reflecting more diverse users' lifestyles and protecting our shared future and environment.

Han Jong-hee, President of Samsung Electronics' Visual Display Business, is explaining Samsung Electronics' new TV products and strategy at the 'Samsung First Look 2021' event held online on the 6th.

President Han announced eco-friendly policies to reduce carbon emissions not only in the TV production process but also to enable resource circulation throughout the product lifecycle.

Samsung plans to actively reduce greenhouse gases by expanding the upcycled eco-packaging, previously applied only to lifestyle products, to all TVs, introducing solar cell remote controls that charge using solar or indoor lighting to drastically reduce battery use, and increasing the use of recycled materials.

President Han also expressed a strong commitment to ‘accessibility.’

Samsung Electronics plans to provide a freer viewing experience for users with hearing and visual impairments by newly applying features such as ‘Caption Move,’ which allows moving closed captions to any desired location on 2021 Neo QLED and QLED TVs; ‘Sign Language Zoom,’ which automatically recognizes and enlarges sign language screens in news broadcasts using AI; and ‘Multi-Output Audio,’ which outputs sound simultaneously to speakers and headphones so that both general viewers and those with hearing impairments can watch TV together.

Completely Renewed ‘Neo QLED’ TV Unveiled for the First Time

At this event, Samsung Electronics unveiled the 2021 model ‘Neo QLED’ TV, evolved from the existing QLED, for the first time. Neo QLED delivers differentiated picture quality through three innovations.

First, by applying ‘Quantum Mini LED,’ which is 1/40th the size of the LEDs used in traditional backlights, more LED elements are arranged. Additionally, a ‘Micro Layer’ is applied to the LED elements to reduce their size while enabling more precise light control.

Second, the ‘Quantum Matrix Technology’ finely adjusts the brightness of the Quantum Mini LEDs used as backlight up to 12-bit (4096 levels).

Moreover, through local brightness booster power control, power is efficiently distributed to the backlight according to screen brightness, and the increased number of local dimming zones are precisely controlled to deliver industry-leading contrast ratio and black detail.

Lastly, the ‘Neo Quantum Processor’ applies a newly developed AI upscaling technology composed of 16 neural networks to deliver the highest level of 8K and 4K resolution regardless of the input video quality. Through deep learning, it analyzes and enhances the depth and black detail of the input screen, dramatically improving picture quality.

Samsung Electronics emphasized that Neo QLED achieves innovation not only in differentiated display performance but also through innovative design, AI-based sound, enhanced smart and gaming features.

A company official stated, "Neo QLED applies the ‘Infinity One Design’ for a slim and elegant appearance that harmonizes with any space. The top-tier 8K model features an Infinity Screen with an almost invisible frame to enhance immersion."

Samsung Electronics Neo QLED TV

On the sound side, it is equipped with ‘SpaceFit,’ which uses AI to analyze the TV installation space and provide optimized sound; ‘Object Tracking Sound Pro,’ which moves sound along with objects in the video; and ‘Q-Symphony,’ which utilizes both the TV and soundbar speakers to deliver immersive sound.

Samsung Electronics also introduced features that provide diverse consumer experiences, considering the growing interest in ‘In-Home Activity’ such as ‘home training,’ ‘home entertaining,’ and ‘home office’ as consumers spend more time at home.

Using Samsung Health’s ‘Smart Trainer’ feature, users can connect a camera to the TV to watch themselves exercising and check posture accuracy, number of movements, and calories burned.

Gaming features have also been significantly enhanced, including ‘Ultra Wide Game View,’ which allows users to adjust the screen ratio; ‘Game Bar,’ which helps easily configure game settings; and ‘FreeSync Premium Pro,’ which reduces afterimages and blurring for clearer motion expression.

Additionally, the ‘PC on TV’ feature enables easy connection between work PCs and TVs, allowing smooth work processing at home as if in the office, facilitating an efficient home office environment.

The new Samsung Neo QLED products will be released in 8K and 4K versions and are planned to be introduced sequentially to global markets starting in the first quarter.

'Micro LED' 110-inch Followed by 99-inch Models to Debut Globally in March-April

Samsung Electronics showcased the 110-inch Micro LED TV, first unveiled last month in Korea, to the global market through Samsung First Look.

Following the 110-inch model, the 99-inch product will be sequentially launched globally starting in Korea in March-April, and smaller 70-80 inch models are planned to be introduced within the year.

Micro LED TV is a next-generation screen that integrates the best existing display technology and was awarded the Best Innovation Award at CES 2021.

Micro LED uses ultra-small LEDs at the micrometer (㎛) scale, making it the only product where each element emits its own light and color, unlike conventional TV displays, allowing viewers to experience natural picture quality as if seeing real objects.

In particular, as it uses inorganic materials, it boasts excellent durability without concerns about degradation or burn-in.

Additionally, it offers ▲‘Micro AI Processor’ that upgrades images optimized for Micro LED ▲‘Monolith’ design that eliminates the boundary between the screen and the wall ▲and 5.1 channel immersive sound, providing the best home entertainment solution available.

New Lifestyle TV Products Including ‘The Frame’ and ‘The Premiere’ Introduced

Samsung Electronics emphasized that it is building a lifestyle TV lineup reflecting consumer trends, including ‘The Frame,’ ‘The Serif,’ ‘The Sero,’ ‘The Premiere,’ and ‘The Terrace,’ and is creating new markets.

In particular, ‘The Frame,’ which transforms the home into an art gallery, and ‘The Premiere,’ which offers the best home cinema experience, won Innovation Awards at CES 2021, proving the excellence of Samsung Electronics’ lifestyle TVs.

This year, ‘The Frame’ will reduce its thickness by half compared to previous models to better harmonize with various interior spaces, expand bezel types to two, and increase bezel color options to five, broadening consumer choices.

It will also increase the number of famous artworks to over 1,400 and recommend various works to consumers through AI-based curation features.

‘The Sero’ plans to enhance smart features this year to make it more convenient to enjoy vertical content from mobile platforms such as YouTube and TikTok, which have abundant vertical content.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.