Samsung 2021 TV leak reveals new QLED Neo — What to know so far

Samsung 2021 TV leak reveals new QLED Neo — What to know so far

As Samsung prepares to reveal details of its latest and greatest TVs next week as part of CES 2021, an early blunder may have let the cat out of the bag.

A leaked list of model numbers and screen sizes temporarily appeared on the support page of the Czech Samsung website (reported by FlatpanelsHD).

The list of 11 new model numbers includes the QN900A and QN800A, both of which appear to be 8K TVs and are likely successors to the 2020 Q900TS and Q800T 8K QLED TVs. with sizes ranging from 65" to 85", these large screen models are the first of a series of 8K TVs Samsung consistent with our expectations for the 8K screen sizes that may be announced.

However, it is interesting to note that the "QN" part of the model number likely refers to Samsung's rumored "QLED Neo" brand, which was trademarked in November; details on what QLED Neo will mean technically compared to past QLED TVs are scarce, but it is likely that Samsung will working on adding a mini-LED backlight to its QLED TVs, we do know that This new backlight could be one of several potential enhancements to Samsung's QLED displays.

The same QN naming scheme is used for the QN95A, QN90A, and QN85A, which appear to be a trio of premium 4K sets. With screen sizes ranging from 50" to 85", these sets are speculated to replace the current Samsung QLED Q90T, Samsung's top-of-the-line 4K model; the addition of the QN95 and QN85 suggests that Samsung is adding premium 4K models to its lineup, but but it is also possible that these are variations for specific markets or retailer-specific models. Either way, the QN naming suggests that these will feature the same mini LED backlighting and QLED Neo display technology as the new 8K models.

It appears that many standard QLED models will also be available, as listed as Q80A, Q70A, and Q60A. We believe these correspond to the 2021 versions of the Q80T, Q70T, and Q60T QLED sets we reviewed in 2020.

The absence of the model name QN suggests that these models will omit some of the enhancements offered in the rumored QLED Neo set. This is in line with Samsung's 2020 strategy, where some QLED TVs were equipped with edge lighting instead of the more impressive full-array, local dimming technology used in its high-end QLED products.

Finally, there is the LS703A, which appears to be a 2021 update of The Frame, part of what Samsung calls its Lifestyle line of TVs; the AU9000 and AU8000 series were leaked when they were registered with the Korea Communications Commission, registered as UHD TVs. These may be the last standard LCD models offered by Samsung, as production will focus on new technologies such as microLEDs and quantum dot OLEDs.

Samsung will announce its full lineup of 2021 TVs this week as part of its First Look event and at the Samsung press conference during CES on January 11. In addition, the CES 2021 TV Preview will provide an early look at the latest TVs.

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