Samsung’s sole laptop-based announcement ahead of the all-digital CES 2021 is the Galaxy Chromebook 2. Despite the name, don’t think of it as a successor to the original Galaxy Chromebook released last year. While that one started at $1,000, this new machine starts at $549.99. It’s expected to release in Q1 of this year.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 Specs
CPU
Intel Celeron 5205U
Intel Core i3-10110U
Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics
Intel UHD Graphics
RAM
4GB
8GB
Display
13.3-inch, QLED, 1920 x 1080
13.3-inch, QLED, 1920 x 1080
Storage
64GB eMMC
128GB eMMC
Ports
2x USB Type-C, microSD
2x USB Type-C, microSD
Battery
45.5Wh
45.5Wh
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax 2×2
Wi-Fi 6, 802.11ax 2×2
Size
12 x 8 x 0.6 inches
12 x 8 x 0.6 inches
Price
$549.99
$699.99
At its base price, you hry a 10th Gen Intel Celeron 5205U CPU, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. A bump to $699.99 nets you an Intel Core i3-10110U, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Neither are using the latest Intel 11th Gen “Tiger Lake” processors.
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(Image credit: Samsung)
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(Image credit: Samsung)
The original Galaxy Chromebook also has 10th Gen Core chips. There are other similarities, including the 2-in-1 form factor and a red color that stands out. The new one has aluminum on the front and back covers.
This isn’t Samsung’s first QLED laptop – we’ve seen it in the Galaxy Book Flex, Galaxy Book Ion and Flex Alpha. But QLED, which uses quantum dot technology for improved brightness and color, is still something we see largely on TVs, so it’s cool to see it on a Chromebook. The original Galaxy Chromebook, with a 4K AMOLED display, Intel Core i5-10210U, 1TB SSD, stylus and fingerprint readers isn’t going anywhere. These new configurations are simply more introductory options, despite holding the moniker of a sequel. That model was seen as taking over Google’s own Pixelbook as the premium go-to for Chrome OS laptops. With a huge need for laptops as students continue to learn at home, we’ll see if this cheaper option fills a need.
“Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2” is a somewhat misleading title. Yes, this $549.99 laptop is technically the second device to bear the name “Samsung Galaxy Chromebook.” But it’s not a sequel in the sense that it’s an upgrade: Samsung didn’t add a ton of new features or bump up many of the specs.
The Galaxy Chromebook 2, coming in the first quarter of 2021, is actually a step down from its predecessor when it comes to most of the hardware. Some of the features that made the Galaxy Chromebook stand out have been removed — there’s no AMOLED screen or included stylus. It retains the original’s unique color, but on paper the Chromebook 2 is a world away. It’s not fancy or flashy; it’s not pushing the boundaries of the category. It’s a regular-ass Chromebook.
And I’m totally fine with that.
From the outside, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 doesn’t look too different from the Galaxy Chromebook. That’s largely because of the color. The Galaxy Chromebook 2 comes in a bold “fiesta red” that looks either bright red or bright orange depending on the lighting. Either way, it’ll turn heads. (There’s also a “mercury gray” option, if you’re boring.)
Pick the Chromebook 2 up, though, and you’ll feel the first corner that Samsung has cut. The Chromebook 2 is noticeably thicker and heavier than its predecessor: 2.71 pounds and .55 inches thick, to the Galaxy Chromebook’s 2.29 pounds and 0.38 inches thick.
Of course, that’s still plenty portable as Chromebooks go — Acer’s Chromebook Spin 713 is thicker and heavier. The one thing I’ll note is that while I had no trouble using the Galaxy Chromebook as a tablet, holding the Chromebook 2 in one hand for long periods of time is more of a chore. I wouldn’t have wanted to use it for a long presentation. (Your mileage will vary, of course — I’m not particularly swole.)
The second big change: the screen. The Galaxy Chromebook’s display was its highlight feature. It was the first 4K AMOLED panel ever to appear on a Chromebook, and it was one of the most drop-dead gorgeous screens I’ve ever seen on a laptop.
That’s gone here. The Chromebook 2 has an FHD (that is, 1920 x 1080) QLED screen. QLED panels, despite the name similarity, are not OLED panels — they’re LED-backlit LCD screens that use Samsung’s quantum-dot technology. You won’t see the same natural contrast and impeccable blacks that you would on an OLED.
That doesn’t mean the screen is bad, though. The Chromebook 2 is the first Chromebook to feature a QLED display, and QLEDs are still very good. Samsung says this one can produce over a billion colors. I watched a few videos on the device, and they all looked just fine. On top of that, the audio sounded great, easily filling up the large testing area far below its maximum level. All in all, a good multimedia experience.
There were a few other nifty features of the Galaxy Chromebook’s chassis that are absent here. There’s no built-in stylus (though you can purchase one separately), no keyboard deck camera, and no fingerprint sensor. I understand why Samsung removed these things — they’re all cool to have, but I can’t imagine I’d miss them too much.
Regarding what’s inside, you have two options. The $549.99 base model includes an Intel Celeron 5205U, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. The $699.99 configuration has an Intel Core i3-10110U, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. Both models get two USB-C ports, a microSD slot, and a headphone / microphone combo jack, as well as a 720p webcam.
The Chromebook 2’s Core i3 processor is another downgrade from its predecessor (which had a Core i5-10210U), but I’m hesitant to call that a big compromise. I reviewed an Asus Chromebook Flip C436 with that same Core i3 last year and the chip absolutely got the job done — I didn’t notice much of a performance difference between that system and the Core i5-powered Galaxy Chromebook.
(The Celeron, on the other hand, is fairly entry-level. I generally don’t recommend it for tasks beyond general browsing or light office work — the $699 model will likely be the best choice for most people.)
But there’s one question I’m waiting on that might make or break my recommendation for this device, and that’s battery life. The Galaxy Chromebook had a number of great features, but it could only last around four hours and 20 minutes to a charge. I don’t think anyone should buy a $999 Chromebook that can’t even last five hours, no matter how nice it looks. Heck, I don’t think anyone should buy a $700 Chromebook that can’t even last five hours. There are just way better options.
So when Samsung sends the Galaxy Chromebook 2 out for review, all eyes will be on the battery life. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Chromebook 2 outlasts its predecessor, given its lower-resolution screen and the lower-powered processor. On the other hand, the Chromebook 2 also has a slightly smaller battery — and the Chromebook Flip C436 (with the same processor and screen resolution) only lasted a bit longer than the Galaxy Chromebook, giving me around five hours in testing. So, we’ll have to see.
Samsung made a bold, bright bet with the Galaxy Chromebook. It put out a Chrome OS device unlike anything the market had ever seen, full of bells and whistles that made me go “wow.”
The Galaxy Chromebook 2 isn’t that. It’s not out to target a brand-new segment of users or to push the boundaries of what a Chromebook can be. And I’m glad to see that, because what I really want at the $549 and $699 price point is a Chromebook that’s nicely built, nails the basics, and doesn’t have any major flaws. It doesn’t need extra fancy stuff; it just needs to deliver in the areas that matter most.
I’m excited that Samsung is trying to do that. As for whether it’s succeeded, that remains to be seen. But I have my fingers crossed.
Samsung today announced its 2021 lineup of televisions at the virtual CES 2021. These include models featuring Samsung’s Neo QLED as well as micoLED.
Samsung introduced what it calls Neo QLED to its flagship 8K (QN900A) and 4K (QN90A) models. Neo QLED is a combination of a new backlighting technology and new image processing.
Neo QLED uses Mini LED backlighting technology, which comprises of much smaller individual LED elements behind the display that can focus light on a much smaller area. This allows for much smaller zones in a full array local dimming system and much more localized brightness, resulting in higher contrast. Samsung doesn’t specify how many zones its new televisions have, just that it’s better than their traditional QLED.
Neo QLED also has a new image processor called Neo Quantum Processor, which uses 16 neural network models trained in AI upscaling and deep learning to upscale the incoming signal to the panel’s native resolution.
The 2021 Neo QLED TVs will also offer other features, such as slimmer bezels, a new Slim One Connect Box for cable management, new audio system with object tracking and spatial optimization. Other new features include Samsung Health with a personal trainer feature, 21:9 and 32:9 game modes, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Google Duo, and Office 365 integration.
Samsung also announced two new models featuring microLED technology. These will be available in two sizes — 110″ and 99″ — and will be available as traditional televisions with Samsung’s Smart TV platform. They will feature 4K resolution, 4×4 split screen view, and 5.1 audio.
microLED is a self-emitting display technology, similar to OLED. Unlike OLED, however, microLED isn’t organic and the pixels don’t degrade over time. It can also achieve much higher light output levels. However, this technology has been too expensive for consumer use at this point, which is why it was only sold to businesses in the form of individual panel elements that would have to be assembled to form the required display size.
However, the models being launched by Samsung in 2021 will be the first time microLED will be offered as standard televisions directly to the consumers. The pricing will likely still be stratospheric (expect a five digit USD figure for the cheapest model) but if you have the budget for it, it’s now available.
Samsung also announced updated models within its Lifestyle range of televisions. The 2021 Frame is now about half as thin as the previous version. The attachable bezel comes in five colors and two styles. You can also get a subscription from the TV’s Art Store that includes over 1400+ art pieces to display on the TV.
Samsung also announced its intentions of ‘Going Green’. This includes reducing the company’s carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency, introducing sustainable packaging and including a new solar-powered remote control that can be charged from indoor or outdoor lighting or through USB. The solar remote is also made from recycled plastic.
Samsung is kicking off 2021 with The First Look – the event will be the beginning of a “new vision for screens”. In other words, this will be about TVs and will serve as a preview of what’s to come at CES next week.
This event will likely feature microLED TVs. Last month ETNews reported that Samsung is preparing a large investment in facilities to mass produce microLED panels. At last year’s First Look Samsung unveiled a lineup of microLED, QLED 8K and Lifestyle TVs ahead of their detailed presentation at CES.
Displays aside, the company will also “introduce its latest creations, technologies, and a new vision for a sustainable and inclusive future”. The event starts at 16:00 UTC, the YouTube stream is embedded below so you can watch along.
If you are not familiar with microLED, the technology is similar to OLED in that every pixel emits its own light, there’s no backlight. However, it improves on traditional weaknesses of OLED, including low brightness (Samsung’s microLED displays can hit 5,000 nits), and doesn’t suffer from burn in.
Next up on Samsung’s calendar is the CES presentation scheduled for January 11, which will complement today’s event. After that the company will switch from large electronics to pocketable ones – the Galaxy S21 Unpacked event is coming up on January 16.
Samsung recently published details of the new televisions that they would like to present in a few days at CES 2021. Among other things, there are models based on mini and micro LED as well as screen diagonals of up to 110 inches.
This is how the QLED- Next-generation televisions will no longer use conventional LEDs, but rather up to 40 times smaller mini-LEDs. Samsung then calls the whole thing Neo QLED, the benefit should primarily lie in a higher contrast, i.e. richer black and brighter white. This is achieved by using mini-LEDs for Samsung to dim the screen in up to 4. 096 levels. Samsung would like to present five such Neo QLED series in a few days: The two 8K top models QN 900 A and QN 800 A and the 4K -Variants QN 95 A, QN 90 A, and QN 85 A.
In addition to the new TV models with mini-LED displays, Samsung is now for the first time bringing televisions with micro-LED Technology for the broad market. The individual pixels are replaced by RGB LEDs. This enables an even higher contrast representation and, in theory, almost perfect black values. Samsung promises complete coverage of the Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color spaces and an operating time of up to 100. 000 hours. The press release specifically mentions a 99 to and 110 – inch-inch model, but one also speaks of other smaller models, without giving exact numbers. The resolution in this series is 4K. In addition, the screen-to-body ratio should be an impressive 99, 99%.
Samsung has been keeping a low profile in terms of prices. However, it can be assumed that the new premium models will be anything but affordable. The official presentation at the CES will bring clarity in a few days.
At the upcoming CES 2021, LG will show its latest 48 – an inch smart TV that will work both for players and for fans of series. All thanks to the possibility of adjusting the curvature of the OLED screen in relation to the intended use. The fact that the paper-thin display will be able to work in several modes is not all that a novelty from the South Korean manufacturer’s stable will offer. It turns out that the equipment will also receive the support of CSO technology, thanks to which the TV will be able to emit sound without the need for traditional speakers. Sony uses a similar solution. What else do we know about the title TV just before the official presentation?
During the upcoming CES 2021 company LG will present a curved smart TV with 48 – inch OLED screen. The display can be bent to adjust the form to the displayed content.
We test the Xiaomi Mi Box 4K, NVIDIA Shield and Apple TV 4K
LG Display boasts that during the Consumer Electronics Show 2021 will show 48 – inch OLED screen, for which we will be able to decide on the form of the fold. Gamers will appreciate the ability to curve the TV, while movie and TV series enthusiasts will enjoy the projection on the flat screen. The manufacturer ensures that the painting will be of the same quality regardless of its form. It is worth mentioning that we will get a refresh rate of 120 Hz, VRR support and a response time of 0.1 ms.
Samsung Q7FN – we are testing the new QLED TV 4K HDR with Ambient Mode
Another interesting feature of this TV set will be CSO (Crystal Sound OLED). It is a solution that allows you to emit sound without using traditional speakers. The producer claims that this will allow a better reception of the scenes with the actors’ statements presented on the screen. The whole thing will be realized thanks to the imperceptible vibrations of the display. It sounds a bit futuristic, but it works similarly with OLED TVs from Sony. We will know the rest of the details only after the announcement at CES 2021.
The new brand name Neo QLED includes the expected televisions with mini LEDs in the locally dimmable backlight. First, the technology in the 8K TVs comes from the QN 900 A series and the 4K -TVs from the QN 90 A series are used. Experience has shown that it will gradually migrate to the cheaper model series.
Thanks to the tiny LEDs, the backlight of the TV displays can be very finely adjusted to the picture content in many zones – like many dimmable ones Zones, Samsung traditionally does not reveal; We have to submit that in future tests.
Quantum Matrix Samsung calls the whole Quantum Matrix technology: The Quantum Mini-LEDs used are therefore only 1 / 40 set as high as the previous light emitting diodes. You no longer wear a lens cap, but are covered with a thin diffusing film. This allows them to be joined closer together. Light-focusing layers over the LED matrix are supposed to prevent blooming, i.e. the outshining of light areas into actually dark parts of the image. So far, this has been an obvious weakness of LCD TVs compared to OLEDs. The resolution is 12 bit, so 4096 Generate brightness gradations.
Like the previous 8k TV, the high-end displays are housed in a housing that is flat from the front and back and has an extremely narrow bezel. New is the Attachable One Connect Box, a visibly slimmer box with all connections for the display.
The Neo Quantum processor is supposed to convert lower resolutions and moderate streaming quality to the respective display resolution optimize. Samsung has also announced improvements in terms of sound; For example, Space Fit Sound should automatically optimize the sound to the position of the audience.
Samsung First-Look-Event CES 2021 (8 pictures) The Neo QLED TVs from the QN series 900 A and QN 90 A are in the elegant Infinity housing with extremely narrow frames. (Image: Samsung)
The TV for the home office Samsung knows about the influence that Corona has on people’s lives – especially since TV -Sales have not decreased due to the pandemic. This is why smart TV should support users at home in the future: The smart trainer should keep viewers fit in front of the TV. Via a connected webcam, an avatar can give tips on how to move correctly during exercises. The workout app then shows the results of the physical training.
Samsung also wants to make it easier to watch videos together. Google Duo is now also supported by the Tizen operating system on TVs. So far, the video app for group streaming with a webcam on TVs only works on smart TVs with the Android operating system and some streaming sticks. Samsung also promises improved voice guidance and gesture control of the TV with the connected webcam.
Micro-LED TVs Tens of millions of tiny light-emitting diodes are in the classy micro-LED TVs. Samsung has not yet announced price and sizes.
(Image: Samsung)
“Any Shape, Any Size “This is how Samsung advertises its micro-LED TVs. The TVs consist of several modules – which was the case with the 2018 first introduced LED TV “The Wall “was the case. According to Samsung, the current displays contain up to 24 millions of tiny Light-emitting diodes that were developed together with Samsung’s semiconductor division. Of course, Samsung couldn’t resist the swipe at OLEDs, the inorganic RGB LEDs show no burn-in and their luminosity and thus the colors remain consistently high for a long time – Samsung promises 100. 000 hours. Samsung has not yet said how many modules an LED TV for the living room consists of. As usual, the price should be quite high.
The speakers were integrated into the LED panels, Samsung calls this Arena Sound. The sound therefore comes from the screen itself, which is intended to increase immersion. Sony and soon also LG are pursuing something similar with their OLED TVs with integrated actuators. The frame around the LED wall is extremely narrow. You can connect up to four sources at the same time and bring them to the screen.
Everything eco Samsung chose “going green” as a hook for its first-look event, presented remote controls with solar cells instead of batteries and announced more compact cardboard packaging. These should be used by buyers for upcycling, for example to build furniture out of the solid cardboard.
In view of the steadily increasing screen diagonals, one must at least question the eco-effect of TVs – the larger the screen, the higher the power consumption of the TV. HDR functions also require ever higher luminance levels and thus more energy. At least built-in ambient light sensors help to keep the power consumption in check.
This is looking like a big year for Samsung TVs. Having somewhat trodden water in 2020, the company appears to be striding forward in 2021, with highlights that include consumer MicroLED models, ‘Neo QLEDs’ with astonishingly small Mini LEDs, and a new version of the One Connect box that can be attached to the TV’s pedestal stand.
Samsung has so far delivered the information on its 2021 TVs in the form of hours of video presentations, rather than a complete and concise list of models and the features of each. That means there are still gaps in what we currently know but, by piecing together the various snippets of information, we think we’ve got a fairly good handle on what’s coming from Samsung TVs in the next few months.
Samsung announces 2021 ‘Neo QLED’ TVs with Mini LED backlight tech
Certainly, the new technologies and features have been fairly well outlined, and you’ll find info on those if you scroll down just a smidge. Below that, we’ve attempted to divine the model lineup. There’s a lot of info there, but there’s more that needs adding and clarifying, which we will do over time as Samsung releases the details.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, a quick overview of 2021 model designations: 2021 appears to be year ‘A’ for Samsung, whereas 2020 was year ‘T’ (as in ‘Q70T’) and 2019 was ‘R’ (as in Q70R). You can therefore expect QLED model numbers to end in an ‘A’ (Q70A, for example), and LCD models to have one before their series designation (e.g. ‘AU8000’).
Finally, you’ll also see an ‘N’ in some QLED model numbers – ‘QN85A’, for example. We believe this denotes the Neo QLED (i.e. Mini LED) models from those that utilise standard LED backlights.
Samsung MicroLED TV
(Image credit: Samsung)
While Samsung has been talking about MicroLED for quite some time now, 2021 will finally see the launch of consumer models.
For the unfamiliar, MicroLED is a next-gen TV technology that essentially takes the best qualities of OLED and removes more or less all of its shortcomings. Like OLED, each pixel is self-emissive, so one can be completely black while those next to it can be bright white or a vibrant colour, creating incredible contrast.
MicroLEDs can actually go much brighter than OLEDs, though, theoretically resulting in even more spectacular contrast. Samsung is quoting a peak brightness rating of 2000 nits in regard to this new MicroLED TV, which makes it around twice as bright as even the best OLEDs. What’s more, unlike OLED TVs, which use organic materials (‘OLED’ stands for ‘Organic Light Emitting Diode’), MicroLEDs are inorganic, so don’t degrade and can’t suffer from image retention or burn-in.
The new consumer MicroLED TV, for which we don’t yet have an official model number, measures an absolutely huge 110 inches on the diagonal and comes pre-assembled as a complete flatscreen TV; unlike the commercial MicroLEDs, which come as smaller modules that can be assembled in various configurations.
Interestingly, given its huge size and next-gen credentials, this new consumer MicroLED TV boasts ‘only’ a 4K resolution. That’s because the size of the individual MicroLEDs (each of which represents a single pixel, remember) means there are physical limitations to pixel density (how many pixels can be crammed into each inch of screen). In other words, MicroLEDs will have to get even smaller before MicroLED TVs become available at smaller sizes with higher resolutions.
Of course, what you really want to know is how much Samsung’s new consumer MicroLED costs. Unfortunately, there’s no official word on that yet (we have asked), but Business Korea claims that it’s expected to be priced over 100-million won, which translates to roughly £70,000 ($90,000, AU$125,000).
Neo QLEDs with Mini LED backlighting
(Image credit: Samsung)
While MicroLED remains the preserve of the super-rich for now, Samsung is bringing Mini LED tech to its premium QLEDs, which it refers to as ‘Neo QLEDs’.
Samsung explains that the majority of a typical LED’s size is made up of its protective packaging and light-guiding lens, both of which it’s done away with for its so-called ‘New LEDs’. Not only that, it’s also miniaturised the LEDs themselves, to quite astonishing effect.
As part of a video presentation, Samsung demonstrated to us the degree of difference by putting a petri dish containing 100 traditional backlight LEDs next to another containing its New LEDs. The traditional LEDs are big and clear, filling their dish, while the New LEDs genuinely look like nothing more than sparkly grains of sand. Samsung says the New LEDs are a fortieth the size of traditional LEDs, but even that doesn’t convey how incredibly tiny they appear.
Instead of a lens, Samsung’s New LED backlights use a new ‘micro layer’ that guides the light through the quantum dots (which provide the set’s colours). The result is apparently no light leakage or blooming, and because the New LEDs are so much smaller, significantly more of them can be packed in – one slide we saw referred to “ten-times greater density”. Given that Samsung’s top 2020 model, the Q950TS, is said to have around 500 dimming zones (Samsung doesn’t publish specific numbers), we’re potentially talking about around 5000 zones for these Neo QLEDs.
Of course, Samsung isn’t the first TV brand to utilise Mini LEDs, but the company claims that its are the smallest and most precise out there – mind you, that was before LG announced its own Mini LED TVs.
New Quantum Processor
Of no surprise at all is that Samsung is introducing a new processor for its 2021 TVs. This new quantum processor brings with it, among other things, more precise dimming and a local power distribution feature that sends power to the brightest areas of the picture and away from the darker parts. It also works in conjunction with a sensor integrated into the TV’s frame to adjust brightness and contrast in response to ambient lighting conditions.
In Samsung’s 2021 8K TVs (we’re not yet sure if this also applies to the 4K models), the quantum processor also utilises something that Samsung calls ‘Multi-Intelligence Deep Learning’ to improve upscaling. The company explains that in 2020 its deep learning produced a single neural network, but in 2021 the system can produce up to 16 neural networks that enhance resolution and overall video quality. Essentially, it seems that each of the neural networks specialises in a different area of picture quality, then a Neural Analyser selects the most appropriate for the specific content being played.
Extension of Object-Tracking Sound (OTS)
(Image credit: Samsung)
Samsung introduced Object-Tracking Sound with last year’s QLEDs, but this year it’s being expanded, both in terms of the models it covers and the number of speakers involved.
There are now four versions of OTS, with the new OTS Lite at the bottom and OTS Pro at the top. Each version differs in terms of the number of speakers involved.
OTS Lite consists of two physical speakers at the bottom and two ‘virtual speakers’ that provide height. It’s available on the most premium LCD models. The standard version of OTS adds physical speakers to the top of the set, OTS+ adds side-firing speakers, and OTS Pro adds extra tweeters, taking the complete speaker array up to a total of 6.2.2 channels.
Every version of OTS is designed to fill a room as much as possible and provide three-dimensional tracking of effects, very much along the lines of virtualised Dolby Atmos. Some models (we’re not yet sure which) also feature something called ‘SpaceFit’, which appears to be an enhanced version of the company’s existing Adaptive Sound tech that adapts audio performance to the TV’s surroundings.
All models also appear to feature Active Voice Amplifier, which is designed to actively detect external noise and boost the volume of the voice track so that dialogue is more audible, and Q Symphony, which allows the TV’s speakers to work in conjunction with a connected Samsung soundbar – and there’ll be a whole new range of those in 2021, too.
Design and One Connect
This image shows the new One Connect attached to the rear of the pedestal stand (Image credit: Samsung)
Like many of us humans, Samsung’s TVs appear to be on a slimness drive in 2021. The top 8K models were already just 15mm thick, so it’s little surprise that they’re not getting any slimmer, but all of the 4K models mentioned have a thickness of 2.5cm. That represents a 1cm reduction in thickness for the top QN90A (compared with the Q90T), and a slimming-down of over 3cm for lower models such as the Q70A and Q60A QLEDs and the AU9000 LCD.
If your pockets are deep enough for the flagship QN900A 8K model, you’ll also get Samsung’s Infinity Screen, which is an essentially bezel-less, edge-to-edge display, as seen with 2020’s Q950TS.
We were worried about the future of Samsung’s One Connect system, which sees all connections (and even power) routed through an external processing box that can be placed out of sight, but Samsung is in fact launching a new version of One Connect for 2021. The big news is that the new One Connect box is significantly smaller and slimmer than the one it replaces, to the extent that it can be attached to the rear of the stand if required.
Those who are wall-mounting (or who simply want to move cable-clutter as far away from the display as possible) can still place the new unit on a separate shelf or in a cupboard, and its new shape and size should make it far easier to find a home for.
The 2021 One Connect will be available on the QN95A 4K set and, we believe, all 8K models.
Gaming features
(Image credit: Samsung)
Samsung’s long been at the forefront of gaming TV tech, and that looks set to continue in 2021. 4K@120Hz is supported on all models from the Q70A and up, VRR support includes Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and HGiG are both supported, and input lag is said to be down to just 9.8ms.
Interestingly, Samsung is also promising support for 4K@120Hz on its AU8000 and AU9000 LCD models, even though they feature 60Hz panels. The company’s calling this technology ‘Motion Xcelerator Turbo’, but it’s not yet clear how it works beyond Samsung saying that it allows the models to refresh twice as fast. These models are getting AMD FreeSync certification, though – that’s apparently a first for a 60Hz TV.
What also isn’t clear is how many Ultra High Speed HDMI (aka HDMI 2.1) sockets the 2021 models have. Samsung’s 2020 sets had just one, whereas LG’s OLEDs boast four. It only currently makes a difference for 4K@120Hz signals but we’d like to see Samsung close the gap here so that those lucky enough to have both the PS5 and Xbox Series X (and/or a high-end gaming PC) can take full advantage.
On top of all of that, Samsung is introducing something it’s calling ‘Super Ultrawide Gameview’, which allows you to force the TV into ultra-wide aspect ratios, essentially simulating the experience of using an ultra-wide gaming monitor. This obviously involves big black bars filling in the screen’s unused display area, so we’re not sure how appealing it will really be, but time will tell.
Smart features
(Image credit: Samsung)
The Tizen smart platform itself seems to have changed very little, but that’s no bad thing – it was already the best in the business in terms of its app offering and usability.
That said, Samsung has seen its way to offer some pandemic-friendly features such as Google Duo for video calls and a Smart Trainer app, which appears to be an extension of the existing Samsung Health platform. Taking full advantage of either involves buying an optional video camera, which can track you around the room in the vein of Facebook Portal.
Samsung is also extending its Multi-View feature, which allows you to display multiple sources at once in a split-screen format. It’s going to be available on all models from AU9000 upwards, with 4K models supporting two windows and 8K models support four.
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Samsung 2021 TV range breakdown
So that’s the overview of the technology behind Samsung’s 2021 TV range, but what about specific models? The company hasn’t supplied a full breakdown, but we’ve listed every model specifically mentioned in the video briefings we’ve had and attempted to establish which features each one gets.
On top of that, the Czech Samsung website briefly leaked a number of product details (thanks, FlatpanelsHD).
In short, while there are still some gaps in what we know, and some details should be taken with a pinch of salt at this stage, we’ve got a good idea of the range breakdown. You’ll find all the information we have below, and we’ll update this section with more details (including pricing and availability) as they become available.
Samsung QN900A 8K Neo QLED TV
Samsung’s very top QLED model for 2021 (at least as far as we know) is the QN900A (though according to leaks, it could yet be the QNA900). This is, of course, an 8K model, and it features the new LED backlight.
Design-wise, it boasts the edge-to-edge Infinity Screen and a super-low profile 4mm pedestal stand, to which the new One Connect box can be attached. It’s just 15mm thick, and the three-degree lean of the outgoing Q950TS has gone – this model stands straight up.
Samsung QN900A specs:
Display type: Neo QLED
Resolution: 8K
Sizes: 65-inch, 75-inch, 85-inch
One Connect: Yes
Sound: OTS Pro
4K@120Hz: Yes
Ultra-Wide Viewing Angle: Yes
Anti-Reflective Panel: Yes
Samsung QN800A 8K Neo QLED TV
This step-down 8K model, the QN800A (or perhaps QNA800), appears to be the same as the QN900A above but without the Infinity Screen and with a sonic downgrade from OTS Pro to OTS+. It’s still just 15mm thick.
Display type: Neo QLED
Resolution: 8K
Sizes: 65-inch, 75-inch, 85-inch
One Connect: Yes
Sound: OTS+
4K@120Hz: Yes
Ultra-Wide Viewing Angle: Yes
Anti-Reflective Panel: Yes
Samsung QN700A 8K Neo QLED TV
The QN700A (or QNA700) appears to be Samsung’s entry-level 8K model for 2021. We don’t know much about this one, but it seems it might be missing the Ultra Viewing Angle tech of the models above and isn’t as slim.
Display type: Neo QLED
Resolution: 8K
Sizes: TBC
One Connect: Yes
Sound: TBC
4K@120Hz: Yes
Ultra-Wide Viewing Angle: TBC
Anti-Reflective Panel: Yes
Samsung QN95A 4K Neo QLED TV
Samsung’s top 4K model wasn’t included in any of the video briefings but was mentioned in correspondence with Samsung when discussing One Connect. It’s also included in the Czech Samsung leak, where the model number appears as QNA95. While we can’t say for sure, our assumption is that this will be identical to the QN90A below, but with the addition of One Connect.
One interesting point to note is that the Czech Samsung leak suggests both this and the QN90A will be available in a 50-inch size. No previous version of the Q90/Q95 has been available below 55 inches. Perhaps this is an effort by Samsung to offer a rival to the new 48-inch OLEDs.
The replacement for the Q90T, the QN90A (or QNA90) boasts Samsung’s new mini LED-based backlight, a depth measurement of just 25mm (that makes it 10mm thinner than its predecessor), and a 4mm thick metal pedestal stand with integrated cable management. We believe it will be identical to the QN95A, only without the One Connect box.
The step-down 4K model, the QN85A (or QNA85) for 2021 does without the Ultra Viewing Angle tech of the models above, but it does retain the Anti-Reflective Panel. It’s also just 25mm thick and has a stand with a 4mm bottom plate, although here it connects to the main chassis via a stalk or neck.
If previous models are anything to go by, the QN85A will probably have fewer dimming zones and lower peak brightness than the QN90A, but Samsung is yet to confirm this.
This Q80A model has only been mentioned in passing (and was included in the Czech Samsung leak, as QA80) so we don’t know a huge amount about it, but what you will notice is that it doesn’t have an ‘N’ in its model number. This is because it’s likely not a ‘Neo’ model – i.e. it will use the same type of LEDs in its backlight as last year’s models, rather than the new Mini LEDs.
The Q70A (or QA70) appears towards the bottom of Samsung’s 2021 QLED range, but it still boasts a 25mm-thick design and native support for 4K@120Hz. Samsung’s video presentation included images of it and the Q60A mounted on a variety of different stands, including a central pedestal/neck, a plate with two legs, and feet that can be placed at different widths and even raised to accommodate a soundbar, but it’s not clear which stand comes in the box with which model.
Display type: QLED
Resolution: 4K
Sizes: 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, 85-inch
One Connect: No
Sound: TBC
4K@120Hz: Yes
Ultra-Wide Viewing Angle: No
Anti-Reflective Panel: No
Samsung Q60A 4K QLED TV
Samsung’s entry-level QLED model, the Q60A or QA60, will, according to the Czech leak, be available in more sizes than any other, and is the only one that comes in a 43-inch version. We don’t know a huge amount else about it, other than it’s also just 25mm thick and that it lacks native 4K@120Hz support (although it may still support such signals using the company’s new Motion Xcelerator Turbo tech).
4K@120Hz: No (Motion Xcelerator Turbo support TBC)
Ultra-Wide Viewing Angle: No
Anti-Reflective Panel: No
Samsung AU9000 4K LCD TV
Samsung’s top LCD model, the AU9000 (or perhaps UA9000) obviously lacks the quantum dots of its QLED siblings, but it seems to be pretty well-specced otherwise.
For starters, it boasts what Samsung is calling an ‘AirSlim’ design, which results in a depth measurement if just 25mm. The company’s achieved this by developing a new backlight structure with almost no gap between the LEDs and LCDs, and by utilising physically smaller video and power components.
As mentioned above, the new Motion Xcelerator Turbo tech adds support for 4K@120Hz despite the set’s native refresh rate being 60Hz. It also gets OTS Lite, which apparently adds two virtual speakers that add height to the sound produced by the two physical speakers along the bottom.
4K@120Hz: Native 60Hz with Motion Xcelerator Turbo support
Ultra-Wide Viewing Angle: No
Anti-Reflective Panel: No
Samsung AU8000 4K LCD TV
It’s not at all clear at this stage how the AU8000 (or UA8000) differs from the AU9000 above. We know that it features the same AirSlim design, and it appears to feature Motion Xcelerator Turbo and OTS Lite. It may come down to the processor, number of dimming zones or even just the finish. We’ll update when we get more information from Samsung.
Display type: LCD
Resolution: 4K
Sizes: TBC
One Connect: No
Sound: OTS Lite
4K@120Hz: Native 60Hz with Motion Xcelerator Turbo support
Ultra-Wide Viewing Angle: No
Anti-Reflective Panel: No
Samsung AU7000 4K LCD TV
This model number appeared fleetingly in one of Samsung’s video presentations, but we know nothing about it other than it exists (and could yet be the UA7000!). Again, we’ll update when we have more.
Samsung has just taken the covers off its 2021 TV range, and there’s some extremely impressive-seeming technology right at the heart of it. While the company is pushing MicroLED as the TV tech of the future (potentially followed by self-emissive quantum dots), it’s utilising miniaturised LEDs in the backlights of this year’s QLEDs.
Samsung explains that the majority of a typical LED’s size is made up of its protective packaging and light-guiding lens, both of which it’s done away with for its so-called ‘New LEDs’. Not only that, it’s also miniaturised the LEDs themselves, to quite astonishing effect.
As part of a video presentation (the coronavirus pandemic has prevented us visiting Samsung’s HQ in person), Samsung demonstrated the degree of difference by putting a petri dish containing 100 traditional backlight LEDs next to another containing its New LEDs. The traditional LEDs are big and clear, filling their dish, while the New LEDs genuinely look like nothing more than sparkly grains of sand. Samsung says the New LEDs are a fortieth the size of traditional LEDs, but even that doesn’t convey how incredibly tiny they appear.
Instead of a lens, Samsung’s New LED backlights use a new ‘micro layer’ that guides the light through the quantum dots (which provide the set’s colours). The result is apparently no light leakage or blooming, and because the New LEDs are so much smaller, significantly more of them can be packed in. One slide we saw referred to “ten-times greater density”: given that Samsung’s top 2020 model, the Q950TS, is said to have around 500 dimming zones (Samsung generally doesn’t offer specific numbers), we’re potentially talking about around 5000 zones for these Neo QLEDs.
Of course, Samsung isn’t the first TV brand to utilise Mini LEDs, but the company claims that its are the smallest and most precise out there – mind you, that was before LG announced its own Mini LED TVs.
(Image credit: Samsung)
The Samsung Neo QLED TVs are powered by a new ‘Quantum Processor’ that apparently brings with it, among other things, more precise dimming and a local power distribution feature that sends power to the brightest areas of the picture and away from the darker parts. It also works in conjunction with a sensor integrated into the TV’s frame to adjust brightness and contrast in response to ambient lighting conditions.
The most premium models (QN90A and above) feature Samsung’s Ultra Viewing Angle tech, which has impressed us in the past, and models QN85A and above also boast Anti-Reflective panels.
Every model specifically referenced so far is also impressively thin: the 8K QN900A and QN800A models retain the 15mm depth measurement of the outgoing Q950TS/Q900TS, while every 4K model appears to be 25mm deep – even the Q70 and Q60, the outgoing versions of which are 57mm thick.
There’s a new version of the One Connect system, too, which sees all of the TV’s connections (and even power) routed through a discrete processing box. For 2021, that box has been massively slimmed down to the extent that it can even be attached to the rear of the pedestal stand. All models QN95A and above get One Connect.
(Image credit: Samsung)
In terms of sound, Samsung is continuing with its OTS (Object-Tracking Sound) technology. For 2021, there will be four versions of OTS, ranging from OTS Lite, which has just two physical speakers at the bottom and two ‘virtual speakers’ for height, to OTS Pro, which boasts speakers along the top, bottom and both sides. All 2021 QLEDs (and even a couple of LCD models) get some form of OTS.
On the gaming front, meanwhile, Samsung is quoting an input lag of just 9.8ms, plus ongoing support for 4K@120Hz (on Q70 and above), ALLM, VRR (G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro) and HGiG. Interestingly, you’ll also be able to switch the screen into ultra-wide screen ratios such as 21:9 or 32:9, simulating the experience of using a gaming monitor, although the heavy black bars top and bottom seem rather off-putting.
While that’s already rather a lot of info to digest, there’s actually still a lot we don’t know about Samsung’s 2021 TV range.
It’s little surprise that pricing and availability are being kept under wraps for now, but Samsung has also resisted supplying a complete range breakdown at this stage, leaving us to piece together snippets from the hours of video presentations and attempt to figure out the various model numbers and which features apply to each. You’ll find the fruits of those labours in our work-in-progress Samsung 2021 TV line-up feature.
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Neo Qled TVs Samsung has New generation of QLED TVs have been unveiled, using miniled technology. The Neo qled lineup consists of two top 8k models: the QN 900 A with very thin bezels, and the QN 800 A. Then there are another three 4k series with the new technology: the QN 95 A, QN 90 A and QN 85A. No suggested retail prices have been announced.
These units use quantum mini LEDs, which 40 times smaller than a regular LED. By placing more LEDs together it should be possible to control them accurately, which should increase the contrast and blooming do decrease. In addition, this should further help to make dark areas even darker, and light areas brighter. However, Samsung does not state how many LEDs and dimming zones there will be in such a device.
(Image credit: Samsung / The Pathless, Annapurna Interactive)
Samsung has announced a new technology to optimise HDR10+ picture performance based on the lighting conditions of a room. HDR10+ Adaptive is similar to Dolby Vision IQ – which adjusts Dolby Vision HDR material and is supported by LG and Panasonic OLED TVs – but works exclusively for HDR10+ content and, for now anyway, on new Samsung QLED TVs.
As HDR (high dynamic range) technology is all about delivering brighter, more colourful pictures, HDR (including HDR10+) content naturally works optimally in darker environments. The promise of HDR10+ Adaptive is to enhance HDR10+ performance (such as that found on Amazon Prime Video) according to “any room lighting condition” so that it can be just as effective in well-lit watching environments as well. The feature will debut in Samsung’s “upcoming QLED TV products”, which we expect will be announced this week to tie in with CES 2021.
HDR10+ Adaptive will work to improve the QLED TVs’ HDR10+ performance on a scene-by-scene basis, using the TV’s light sensor in conjunction with HDR10+ metadata and picture processing. The technology can be used alongside Filmmaker Mode, an optional setting on Samsung QLED TVs that essentially overrides processing (such as motion smoothing and detail enhancement), ensuring that the correct aspect ratio, colour and frame rate, as determined by the creator(s), is preserved and presented to the viewer.
So should you be excited about Samsung HDR10+ Adaptive? If you’re considering a new 2021 Samsung QLED TV and have a fairly light living room, perhaps so. After all, our initial experience of the similar-on-paper Dolby Vision IQ mode in some of last year’s LG OLED TVs has been fairly positive.
“It’s not as transformative a feature as Dolby would have you believe but, while we were initially underwhelmed when testing the LG GX, we can now see the benefits of Dolby Vision IQ in terms of some extra detail in dark scenes when there’s a fair bit of light in the room,” we said in our LG OLED48CX 48-inch OLED TV review. “Dolby Vision IQ has won us round somewhat,” we noted when testing the 55-inch version of that same OLED TV, too.
HDR10+ content is still dribbling rather than gushing onto the video streaming market (its biggest presence is on Amazon), but Samsung says it is “extending its technology partnership to include even more HDR10+ catalogues and new titles for distribution on OTT services around the world”.
Samsung has announced that two new technologies will make way for its next televisions with QLED panels, and as we can read in GSMArena, Samsung will integrate HDR 10 + Adaptive and Filmmaker Mode in their next televisions to improve the experience that we can obtain from the company’s devices.
One of the main challenges for movie enthusiasts is to replicate the experience at home, where control over lighting or other parameters is not as strict as it is in a cinema, where the lighting is basically zero.
Therefore, HDR 10 + Adaptive will work hand in hand with Filmma mode ker to, through light sensors on the television, adapt the television image based on the parameters of the room in which the television is located, at the same time adjusting the image parameters themselves accordingly so that the experience is what the content director wanted it to be.
Samsung and Amazon have worked together to ensure that all HDR content on Prime Video is delivered as HDR 10 +, including 4K movies, so that whatever HDR content we want to see on our Samsung TV, we will see it as it was intended.
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Jordi Bercial
Avid enthusiast of technology and electronics . I messed around with computer components almost since I learned to ride. I started working at Geeknetic after winning a contest on their forum for writing hardware articles. Drift, mechanics and photography lover. Don’t be shy and leave a comment on my articles if you have any questions.
As more and more movies premiere on streaming services instead of movie theaters (most of which are closed right now), a debate has started – can a TV really recreate the theater experience? Samsung has partnered with studios, filmmakers and other manufacturers to solve this problem.
Upcoming Samsung QLED TVs will feature HDR10+ Adaptive and Filmmaker Mode, which will work hand in hand to show movies just as the director intended. HDR content is best viewed in a darkened room (just like a theater), but most viewers can’t or don’t want to turn off the lights and draw the curtains when watching a movie or TV show.
So, HDR10+ Adaptive uses the TV’s lightning sensor to optimize every scene for best viewing, regardless of the lighting conditions (which are unique to everyone’s room and change during the day). Filmmaker mode further adjusts the image settings so that the picture on screen matches the filmmaker’s intent.
Samsung and Amazon worked together to ensure all HDR content on Prime Video will be delivered as HDR10+, including 4K titles. With Filmmaker Mode enabled, Prime Video subscribers watching on a Samsung QLED TV will be able to “enjoy movies and TV shows the way the filmmakers intended”.
More HDR10+ content is incoming from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and other distributors as Samsung works to expand the HDR10+ catalog on services around the world.
Samsung wants to integrate a sensor into the upcoming TV series of its “QLED” series that will enable these models to record video images in the dynamic HDR format HDR 10 + to adapt to the respective ambient light. The function is to be marketed under the name “HDR 10 + Adaptive”, the manufacturer will be presenting the first appropriately equipped televisions at the in January – this time only virtual – taking place CES 2021.
Samsung emphasizes in one Notification that HDR 10 + Adaptive with that of the UHD Alliance to IFA 2019 launched “Filmmaker Mode”. This picture mode is about bringing all video content on the screen as unadulterated as possible.
The basic idea is not new: At the CES 2020 in January, Dolby already presented a corresponding function for its HDR 10 + – competing format Dolby Vision under the name “Dolby Vision IQ”. The support of the Filmmaker Mode of its HDR + Adaptive is not a unique selling point either: at the request of c’t, the UHD Alliance declared in January that Filmmaker Mode also works with Dolby Vision (IQ).
Already at the CES 2020 Panasonic presented a television that supports various HDR formats (including HDR 10 +) with the Filmmaker Mode and an ambient light sensor combined.
(Image: Nico Jurran)
Also on it, HDR 10 Samsung was not the first company to combine + with Filmmaker Mode and an image sensor: Panasonic presented a corresponding system under the name “Filmmaker Mode with Intelligent Sensing” for its TV flagship HZ 2000 also already at the CES 2020. This function can also be used with the HDR formats HDR 10 and HLG, the television is still equipped with the Dolby Vision IQ mentioned at the beginning fitted.
Samsung’s press release also states that Hollywood studio Universal Pictures intends to deliver more HDR 10 + titles in the future. In fact, the selection of Ultra HD Blu-rays with the dynamic HDR format with around 30 titles on the German market is very manageable. Of the streaming services, only Amazon Prime Video supports the format. (nij)
HDR10+ Adaptive is a new feature coming to the high dynamic range standard that’ll optimize TV picture quality based on a room’s ambient brightness, Samsung announced today. HDR content is typically designed to look its best in dark rooms with as little ambient light as possible, but the new feature promises to use your TV’s light sensor to react to bright environments and adjust its picture quality accordingly. Samsung says the feature will launch globally with its “upcoming QLED TV products.”
HDR10+ isn’t the first HDR standard to have introduced such a feature. At last year’s CES, Dolby announced Dolby Vision IQ, a new feature for its own HDR standard that similarly promises to optimize HDR content for the room it’s being watched in. The feature went on to appear in select TVs from LG and Panasonic over the course of the year and was generally well-received in reviews.
Samsung notes that HDR10+ Adaptive will work with Filmmaker Mode, a display setting launched last year which turns off post-processing effects like motion smoothing to show content as accurately as possible.
Compared to Dolby Vision, the HDR10+ standard isn’t quite as widely supported by TV manufacturers and streaming services. However, it has the support of Samsung, the world’s biggest TV manufacturer, and Amazon through its Amazon Prime Video streaming service. It’s no coincidence that these were the two companies that announced the standard over three years ago. Dolby Vision, meanwhile, is supported in TVs from manufacturers like LG and Sony, and content supporting the standard can be found on streaming services like Netflix and Disney Plus.
Samsung says its upcoming QLED TVs will support HDR10+ Adaptive, but it’s unclear if its existing TVs will be updated with the new feature.
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