Samsung 2018 LCD LED TV line-up, with QLED top models

At the beginning of March, Samsung unveiled its new televisions for 2018. The South Korean manufacturer comes with Samsung 2018 LCD LED TV a large number of new models, including the top models in the QLED series. These TVs include an Invisible One Cable Connection, Bixby integration, SmartThings support and Ambient Mode. In this article we put all new TVs that Samsung brings to the Netherlands and Belgium in 2018, including model numbers, prices and specifications.

What’s new in 2018?

During an event in New York, Samsung presented all the new features and functions of the top models, the QLED models, in early March. In the video below these new features, including SmartThings and Ambient Mode, pass by in a nutshell.

Bixby, Ambient mode and SmartThings

The top models for 2018 are still the QLED TVs from Samsung. The ‘Q’ in QLED stands for the quantum dots used in the LED backlight system to realize a wide color range (100% of DCI/P3) and a high brightness. Samsung focuses on three important pillars with the QLED TVs this year; design, image quality and smart functions.

In the field of design we see various innovations in the 2018 line-up. For example, the lists and feet of almost all models have been completely renewed. The Q9F-series gets a somewhat classic looking list and a tight foot, making the TV more a part of the interior. Also the cables are thought because the new ‘One Invisible Connection’ cable this year is this year really the only cable that comes from the TV (or goes there). This semi-transparent cable is slightly thicker than last year but now contains both the power supply and the image and audio signals. The One Invisible Connection cable still runs to the One Connect Box, to which the peripherals can be connected.

New for the 2018 TVs is the Ambient Mode, a mode that makes the TV a part of the interior, even if it is not in use. A black surface against the wall is not a wish of anyone, according to Samsung. The Ambient mode now gives these people the possibility to give an inconspicuous but beautiful interpretation to the screen. So if you do not watch TV, you can show a picture or an abstract visual, you can view the time, play music or even let the news or the weather pass by. Ambient Mode determines how the room looks and adjusts the screen in standby. The TV also notices when someone enters the room. The screen then activates and you see relevant content for you, from file information to news and weather. And when you leave the room, the TV switches off automatically.

In addition, in 2018 it’s all about smart TV, and not just the smart TV platform that we already know. Samsung integrates its own SmartThings smart home platform in its televisions. This means that all devices supported by SmartThings can be operated via the TV. A simple interface gives you the possibility to switch smart devices on or off, activate scenes or operate devices.

The SmartThings app can not only be used on company televisions. It is from this year also the most important app for smartphones, with which you can set up and operate other equipment of the company. So you can use the SmartThings app to fully set up your television within a few minutes. Once out of the box you can use the app to connect to your WiFi network, to have your own preferred services such as Netflix installed and to have the connected devices recognized. The app can be used on both Android and iOS and also makes it possible that you can quickly display images from the gallery of your smartphone on the TV, share  videos between different screens and view program guides.

Voice control is an important theme for 2018. All TV manufacturers are committed to this, including Samsung. However, the Korean manufacturer uses its own voice assistant, called Bixby. This voice assistant makes it possible to quickly find or activate something via voice commands. Bixby can answer questions, find content, show images, report weather, change channels, search for music, start apps and much more. The new remote control has a microphone with which Bixby can be addressed directly and easily.

Of course, there have also been various improvements in the field of image quality, especially when we look at the contrast and the color reproduction. For example, Samsung indicates that all QLED models this year are 100 percent of the DCI / P3 color range can display a higher brightness and come with Ultra Black. Put simply, Ultra Black is an anti-reflection layer that blocks ‘leaking’ light from the TV itself and with which reflections from the room in which the TV stands are reduced by 20 percent. This has to ensure even deeper black levels. The viewing angle has also been further broadened, without sacrificing image quality. The new Q Engine processor enables 16-bit color mapping and three-dimensional color control, while the tone-mapping curves adapt to each scene. The top models in the Q9F series have a full array backlight where the LEDs are directly behind the panel. The big advantage of this is that even more specific LEDs can be switched off and therefore dark parts of the screen are really black. All lower series must do with edge lit LED lighting.

HDR support is also present on many models this year, in the form of HDR10 and the new  HDR10+  where dynamic metadata is incorporated. Currently you can view HDR10 + material via streaming services like Amazon. The big advantage of HDR10+ is that the optimal brightness can be determined per scene instead of one level for the entire film. The best contrast is realized by then using a contrast-improving algorithm per scene and looking at the ambient light.

Samsung 2018 TV line-up

Below is an overview of all TVs that Samsung brings to the Netherlands and Belgium in 2018, including prices and specifications.

Samsung Q9F QLED TV

The absolute top model for 2018 is the Q9F, the only model that uses full array LED lighting behind the screen. This TV comes with all the features discussed above.

• QLED
• Lcd led with quantum dots
• Full Array LED
• 4K Ultra HD
• Flat design
• 3700 PQI
• Q Color (100% DCI / P3)
• Q HDR 2000 (2000 nits)
• Q Contrast
• Q Viewing Angle
• Ultra Black Elite filter
• Ambient mode
• One Invisible Cable
• One Connect Box
• 360 degrees design
• 60 Watt audio system
• Premium One Remote Control
• Samsung Smart TV
• Models:
  • 55-inch: QE55Q9FN (3,199 euros)
  • 65-inch: QE65Q9FN (4,299 euros)
  • 75-inch: QE75Q9FN (6,499 euros)