Samsung takes Micro LED a step further at CES 2019 – but you still cannot buy it

Micro LED

At CES 2018 Samsung showed the world its massive 146” Micro LED display – the Wall. At that time, it said the technology would be available for sale later that year. It also showed off its 8K QLED TVs.

Well, Micro LED Wall is back at CES 2019 with a 75” and a massive 219” 4K resolution panel offering stunning picture quality and design flexibility – and it is still not for sale except for specific commercial uses.

Micro LED is Samsung’s great hope for an OLED killing technology.

Jonghee Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics, said

“Samsung leads the way in next-generation display innovation. Our Micro LED technology is at the forefront of the next screen revolution with intelligent, customisable displays that excel in every performance category. Samsung Micro LED has no boundaries, only endless possibilities.”

Micro LED comprises self-emissive (no backlight) Micro LEDs made from inorganic red, green and blue (RGB) tiny LED chips that emit their own light to produce brilliant colours on the screen. Samsung claims it delivers unmatched picture quality that surpasses any display technology currently available on the market.

Micro LED uses thin, edge-less panels that can fit seamlessly together to make almost any sized display. The Micro Led panel magnetically attaches to a back panel that contains the TV smarts and can be attached to a wall.

Micro LED
Backing panel on the right

It can handle 16:9, 21:9, 32:9 and 1:1 screen ratios. We have not seen tech specs yet, but we understand that Micro Led can go to 4,000 nits and possibly far higher (OLED is around 1000-1500 nits) and may use less power.

Samsung did say this time that it may be two to three years before this technology becomes available and it won’t be cheap.

8K QLED

Samsung unveiled a 98” QLED 8K – it’s largest yet – adding to its 2019 lineup featuring 65”, 75”, 82”, and 85” models. Embedded with the Quantum Processor 8K chip, the 2019 8K line delivers the best in QLED picture quality, design, smart features in more sizes than ever in stunning 8K resolution.

Whether a viewer is watching content through a streaming service, set-top box, HDMI, USB or even mobile screen mirroring Samsung’s proprietary AI-based technology recognises and upscales any content, regardless of the native resolution, to near pristine 8K quality.

In 2019, Samsung Smart TVs offer more ways to search for content and more compatibility with connected devices than ever before. With an improved AI algorithm that leverages a user’s subscription services, favorite content, and TV viewing habits, the Universal Guide makes it easier for users to find the perfect show for them to watch. Users also have more options than ever to quickly and easily find and control their favorite content with just their voice by using new Bixby and the AI Remote as well as even more ways to control their Samsung TVs through Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Samsung announced it will offer iTunes Movies and TV Shows and Apple AirPlay 2 support on 2019 Samsung Smart TV models beginning this spring. Support on 2018 Samsung Smart TVs will be made available via a firmware update. In an industry first, a new iTunes Movies and TV Shows app will debut only on Samsung Smart TVs in more than 100 countries. AirPlay 2 support will be available on Samsung Smart TVs in 190 countries worldwide. 

Micro LED

GadgetGuy’s take: Micro LED Looks good, and expensive

OLED has lead the pack for several years now as the best TV panel for true blacks and colours. It is self-emissive technology just as Micro LED is.

It is too early to comment or call Micro LED the OLED killer as there are some very influential companies like LG behind that technology and I can’t see them dropping the ball. Competition is good for us all.