Samsung Electronics has recently unveiled its 2024 lineup of televisions, including the advanced QD-OLED & OLED TVs (S95D, S90D, S85D) in sizes ranging from 42 to 83 inches. This announcement has sparked significant interest in the TV market, especially with the notable absence of Dolby Vision support in these models.
Key Highlights:
- Samsung’s 2024 TV lineup includes QD-OLED & OLED models: S95D, S90D, S85D.
- The flagship S95D model boasts up to 3000 nits peak brightness, a 20% increase over last year’s model.
- New ‘OLED Glare Free’ technology enhances viewing experience in various lighting conditions.
- Despite advancements, Samsung continues to avoid Dolby Vision, favoring HDR10 and HDR10+ formats.
Samsung’s latest TVs come with a plethora of new features and technologies, designed to enhance the viewing experience and integrate seamlessly into modern lifestyles. Among the standout features is the ‘OLED Glare Free’ technology, which aims to reduce reflections and maintain image sharpness, especially in brightly lit environments.
Samsung’s Brightness Leap with QD-OLED Technology
One of the most significant advancements in Samsung’s 2024 TV lineup is the enhanced brightness levels. The flagship S95D model, equipped with QD-OLED panels, is reported to deliver up to 3000 nits of peak brightness, a remarkable 20% increase compared to the previous S95C model. This makes the S95D one of the brightest OLED TVs available, setting a new standard for image clarity and vibrancy.
This increased brightness is not just a numerical improvement but translates into a more immersive viewing experience, with enhanced contrast and color depth. The S95D’s screen captivates audiences with advanced picture-quality engines that preserve perfect whites, deeper blacks, and accurate colors. High refresh rates of up to 144Hz further ensure seamless motion and crystal-clear action, making these TVs ideal for sports fans and gamers.
The Absence of Dolby Vision in Samsung’s TV Strategy
Despite these advancements, Samsung’s strategy has notably avoided incorporating Dolby Vision in its televisions. Dolby Vision is a leader in HDR (High Dynamic Range) technology, known for its ability to deliver superior contrast and color depth. However, Samsung has consistently chosen to support HDR10 and HDR10+, but not Dolby Vision.
This decision is primarily attributed to the licensing fees associated with Dolby Vision. Samsung, being a major player in the television market, would incur significant costs in adopting Dolby Vision across its product range. Instead, Samsung introduced HDR10+ in 2017 as a competitive alternative to Dolby Vision. HDR10+ uses dynamic metadata similar to Dolby Vision but supports a 10-bit color palette, compared to Dolby Vision’s 12-bit. While Dolby Vision can display approximately 68 billion colors, HDR10+ maxes out at 1.07 billion colors.
This disparity in color depth can impact the viewing experience, with Dolby Vision TVs offering more gradual color transitions and less color banding. However, Samsung believes that HDR10+ provides a comparable experience for consumers without the additional licensing costs of Dolby Vision.
Implications and Future Outlook
The exclusion of Dolby Vision in Samsung’s 2024 TV lineup raises questions about the long-term implications of this strategy. While Samsung can offer high-definition HDR10+ viewing experiences at a lower manufacturing cost, the lack of Dolby Vision support might become a competitive disadvantage, especially as other manufacturers continue to adopt this technology.
Furthermore, as the industry progresses towards higher standards of image quality and color accuracy, Samsung might need to reconsider its stance on Dolby Vision. The company’s decision to focus on HDR10+ and avoid the licensing fees of Dolby Vision reflects a strategic choice to balance cost and performance. However, consumer preferences and industry trends will ultimately determine the success of this approach.
In summary, Samsung’s 2024 TV lineup showcases significant advancements in QD-OLED technology, with a focus on enhanced brightness and innovative features like the ‘OLED Glare Free’ technology.
However, the absence of Dolby Vision remains a notable aspect of Samsung’s strategy, reflecting a balance between technological advancement and cost-effectiveness. As the TV market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Samsung’s approach to HDR formats and overall display technology aligns with consumer preferences and industry trends.
