At its First Look 2021 event, Samsung has announced its new range of TVs for this year featuring various new technologies such as MiniLED. Most buyers will be looking at the new Neo QLED options but Samsung also updated its specialist sets like The Frame.
Let’s start with the models that will likely appeal to the mass market. After all, Samsung’s 2020 QLED range like the Q80T and Q70T were hugely popular last year. Like rivals such as LG and TCL, the firm is moving to MiniLED technology, although here it’s branded as Neo QLED.
The MiniLED technology improves on Samsung’s already impressive LCD QLED panels. It means improved contrast and better picture quality than full-array local dimming systems thanks to LEDs that are 40 times smaller.
More LEDs in a smaller space results in more precise backlighting which will reduce blooming, although Samsung isn’t giving out figures on the number of dimming zones at the moment. LG says it offers up to 2,500 so Samsung’s could be similar.
Two 8K Neo QLED models – the QN900A and QN800A – will use the MiniLED tech then the QN95A, QN90A, and QN85A are all 4K options. These will come with Samsung’s new solar-powered Eco Remote.
As you might expect, the 2021 models all come with HDMI 2.1, which supports 120Hz for next-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. There’s also a new ‘game bar’ feature to give gamers quick access to things like refresh rate and aspect ratio.
The Frame 2021
While The Sero and The Serif are eye-catching, Samsung has updated The Frame for 2021 from its ‘lifestyle’ range.
It’s even more, er, frame-like with more bezel choices with five colour options and two different customisable styles – Modern and Beveled. It’ll display 1,400+ pieces of art when not in use via the Art Store and also features AI curation.
The Frame itself is thinner than the previous model 24.9mm thick, which is the same as a traditional frame. In terms of panel tech, you get a QLED 4K HDR picture and the 43in model can be rotated into portrait orientation.
MicroLED
As the name suggests, MicroLED technology is even smaller than MiniLED. It’s the technology used in Samsung’s The Wall but has now been unveiled in a 110in TV that offers a traditional form factor rather than modular panels.
The firm promises stunning picture quality with accurate brightness and lifelike colours. The ‘self-illuminating’ MicroLED tech produces “light and color from its own pixel structures” and “expresses 100 percent of the DCI and Adobe RGB color gamut, and accurately delivers wide color gamut images taken with high-end DSLR cameras.”
Samsung hasn’t said whether the MicroLED TV even has HDMI 2.1 but it somehow has an embedded Majestic Sound System for 5.1 sound without any external speakers despite a screen-to-body ratio of 99.9%.
There’s no price for this monster set yet, but it’s going to be eye-watering for sure. It is a sign that this next-gen TV technology is gradually making its way towards normal everyday TVs, though.
