Samsung and LG Begin 'Next-Generation TV' Mini LED TV Battle

Samsung and LG Unveil Mini LED TVs Ahead of IT Exhibition CES2021

Samsung Electronics Neo QLED TV

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have previewed their flagship TV products for this year, mini LED TVs, ahead of the world's largest IT exhibition CES2021, signaling competition. The industry expects mini LED TVs to become the fiercest battleground in the TV market this year.

On the 6th (local time in the U.S.), Samsung Electronics held the 'Samsung First Look 2021' event online and unveiled the world's first mini LED TV, the 'Neo QLED,' to the global market for the first time. Samsung First Look is an annual event held every January before the opening of CES, the world's largest electronics exhibition, where Samsung showcases new TV technologies and products and shares the future direction of displays.

Samsung emphasized that the Neo QLED achieves differentiated picture quality from existing products through three major changes. The first is the application of 'Quantum Mini LED.' It implements LEDs that are 1/40th the size of conventional backlight LEDs, allowing more LEDs to be arranged. Additionally, a 'Micro Layer' is applied to the LED elements to reduce their size while enabling more precise light control.

The second is 'Quantum Matrix Technology.' It finely adjusts the brightness of the Quantum Mini LEDs used as backlight up to 12-bit (4096 levels). The last is the 'Neo Quantum Processor.' It newly applies AI upscaling technology composed of 16 neural networks to deliver the highest level of 8K and 4K resolution regardless of the input video quality.

A company official stated, "The Neo QLED applies the 'Infinity One Design,' featuring a slim and elegant appearance that harmonizes with any space," adding, "The top-tier 8K model features an Infinity Screen with an almost invisible frame, enhancing immersion." The new Samsung Neo QLED products will be released in 8K and 4K versions and are planned to be introduced sequentially to the global market starting in the first quarter.

LG QNED TV [Image source=Yonhap News]

LG Electronics also unveils QNED Mini LED TV for the first time

LG Electronics also held an online technology briefing on the 29th of last month and unveiled the 'LG QNED-Mini LED TV.' The name QNED is a trademark combining Quantum dot and Nanocell technologies, representing a mini LED TV that applies a new color expression technology.

The new product applies more than 10,000 mini LEDs as backlight, which are less than one-tenth the size of light sources used in conventional LCD TVs. It also significantly improves performance by applying advanced technology compared to LG Nanocell TVs, which are existing wide color gamut (WCG) LCD TVs. LG explained that it applies an original new technology called 'Quantum Nanocell Color Technology,' which simultaneously utilizes Nanocell and Quantum dot-based technologies.

The light from the backlight passes through Nanocell and Quantum dot materials to express purer colors closer to reality. LG emphasized that by using all the representative high color reproduction technologies currently used in the industry, it has elevated the color expression capability of LCD TVs to the highest level.

This year, the global premium TV market is expected to be led by the mini LED TVs from both companies. Both Samsung and LG plan to launch mini LED TVs in the market as early as the first quarter and compete in sales.

Accordingly, the related market is expected to grow rapidly. Market research firm TrendForce forecasts that with TV manufacturers actively launching mini LED TVs this year, the total market size will reach about 4.4 million units.

An industry insider said, "Mini LED TVs will become the mainstream in the TV market this year," adding, "Samsung and LG will lead the global mini LED TV market."

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