Samsung unveils Neo QLED with Quantum Mini LED tech

Samsung Electronics on Thursday unveiled its 2021 TV lineup, including the Neo QLED featuring its Quantum Mini LED technology during a virtual presentation ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show next week.

The Neo QLED, a step up from the current QLED models, uses a new light source called Quantum Mini LED that is much tinier than current LED.

The Quantum Mini LED is designed to be one-fortieth the height of a conventional LED. The number of LEDs used in a liquid crystal display TV is a lot more, although Samsung didn’t reveal how many LEDs it has packed.

Instead, Samsung highlights that it has applied what it calls Quantum Matrix technology that enables ultra-fine and precise control of the densely packed LEDs, preventing blooming and allowing viewers to enjoy content as it meant to be seen.

The matrix technology increases the luminance scale to 12-bit with 4,096 steps, which helps make dark areas darker and bright areas brighter, resulting in a more precise and immersive HDR experience, Samsung explained.

The company also introduced its Neo Quantum processor with enhanced upscaling capabilities.

By using up to 16 different neural network models, the Neo Quantum processor can optimize picture quality to 4K and 8K picture output regardless of the input quality.

Neo QLED will be globally released in 4K and 8K models starting in the first quarter. 

With the new TV lineups, Samsung announced its new vision for the TV business, “Screens for all.”

“From our current concept of Screens Everywhere, we will go one step forward with the new vision with an aim to meet changing consumer needs and protect our future and environment,” said Han Jong-hee, president of visual display at Samsung.

“Our commitment to an inclusive and sustainable future goes hand-in-hand with our relentless pursuit for innovation to meet consumers’ ever-changing needs -- from reducing the carbon footprint of our products, to providing a suite of accessibility features, to offering an unparalleled viewing experience that fits each user’s lifestyle,” he said. 

Over the next few years, Samsung will embark on a journey of “Going Green” in aligning TV business operations through long-term sustainability programs, including reducing its carbon footprint, using sustainable packaging design, and making solar cell remote control.

In 2021, Samsung TVs will come with a solar-powered remote control that can be recharged by indoor light, outdoor light or USB — a first-of-its-kind innovation for the brand.

This will help prevent waste from about 99 million AAA batteries over seven years, the said.

For greater accessibility, Samsung will add new features like Caption Moving, Sign Language Zoom and Multi-Output Audio, giving those with hearing and vision impairments the ability to optimize their viewing experience with Samsung TVs.

By Song Su-hyun (song@heraldcorp.com)