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What does 2019 look like for Samsung TVs? The world’s biggest manufacturer of televisions is, as always, firing on all cylinders. You can expect to see modular televisions, new 8K upscaling techniques, expanded use of the Bixby smart assistant and, strangely enough, an exclusive iTunes app for Samsung TVs. With the annual IFA 2019 expo coming up in September, too, there looks set to be even more big thinking from Samsung on the way.
Samsung is expecting the 8K market to grow pretty quickly over the next few years (up to 2 million units per year by 2020, and double that in 2021) but in the meantime, the main focus is on the 4K TVs on offer.
Samsung’s new range of dazzlingly bright QLED TVs is now available to buy in the US – or pre-order in the UK, before going on general sale March 27th. If QLED is still a bit too rich for your blood, or the idea of a 2,000-nit TV sounds like a bit overkill, don’t worry – there are still plenty of mid-class screens that offer solid picture performance at an affordable price.
With so many models to take in, we thought it’d be beneficial for to see the entire line-up, from the high-end QLED to the entry-level TVs, all on one page.
One word of warning first: It’s worth noting that a lot of the specs listed below could potentially change as we get closer to the retail release of these screens, but for the most part the specs you see here should be the components that make it in the final product.
Samsung 2019 TV technology
So what has Samsung got planned for the year ahead?
For 2019, Samsung is pushing forward with its MicroLED panels, which feature millions of microscopic blue, red, and green LEDS for an incredible level of color and light control. On the large end, there’s the new 219-inch model of Samsung’s The Wall, and on the less-large-but-still-large end, the 75-inch The Window – made possible by smaller, more compact clusters of LEDS – with both looking ahead to a flexible future where you can customize your TV shape for any size or aspect ratio you please.
Of course, the star of the show for Samsung in 2019 is still the QLED, or ‘quantum dot’ TV screen – a variation on traditional LED-LCD panels that feature a peak brightness between 1,500 and 2,000 nits. For a reference point, that’s about twice as bright as the competition from 2017 and four to five times as bright as the HD/SDR TV you’re used to watching.
Each QLED this year will feature a new ‘Ultra Viewing Angle’ technology, reworking the backlight to ensure improved contrast and colour accuracy even at tighter angles – a necessity given the ever-growing screen sizes. We’ve seen it in action, and the screens’ ability to look as sharp and colorful from the side is pretty astounding – even if you’ll likely be watching head-on most of the time.
The QLEDs will be getting HDR10+ too, while all but the entry level QLED models will be making use of Direct Full Array tech, to prevent light blooming and allow for greater control over contrast levels.
The virtual assistant Bixby will be one of the few common features across Samsung’s MicroLED, QLED, and Ultra HD smart TV lineups – alongside various Samsung smart appliances, phones, and speakers.
An ‘improved AI algorithm’ will make your Samsung TV better at recommending and displaying relevant TV content and apps, with expanded use of Bixby’s voice controls through your Samsung remote’s 1.5m range microphone – as well as compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings connected smart home devices. Not to mention some smart Remote Access features for connecting to other devices through your TV.
On the software side, Samsung sets will be getting AirPlay 2 support for streaming iTunes content from Apple devices. 2019 will also be the first time Apple has offered a dedicated iTunes app for movies and TV shows for a non-Apple manufacturer – for now exclusively on Samsung TVs. Samsung’s higher-end sets are also able to judge the location of your remote during setup, to optimize sound output for your room size and usual seating location.
We’re likely to see wider expansion of Samsung’s Ambient Mode. When the TV is turned off, Ambient Mode helps the TV mimic the color and pattern of the wall on which the TV is displayed, so that it blends seamlessly into home décor. It can also play music and display information about the news, weather, and traffic as well. While at first limited to QLED TVs, we’re hoping to see the mode trickle down into more affordable devices too.
Many high-end Samsung sets also feature the OneConnect box, which outsources all of your HDMI, power inputs and the like into a piece of hardware separate from the TV, preventing a mess of cables hanging down from your new display.
Samsung Designer Series
The Wall (available in 143, 219 inches): Almost too big to be true? The Wall may not fit on most living room walls, but it’s a testament to Samsung’s desire to impress – featuring millions of microscopic LED for a huge level of color contrast and brightness control over each pixel. Made of a modular series of panels, the size is technically variable, though Samsung is still selling it in general size configurations as a starting point.
The first 143-inch model released in late 2018, though we now know a whopping 219-inch version is coming this year. Whichever you’re looking at, you can be sure to expect an absolutely insane price tag. Check out our first look at The Wall by Samsung here.
The Window (available in 75-inches only): A smaller, but still objectively huge variation on The Wall television above. It’s still modular, meaning you’ll be able to vary the size somewhat at installation – and we’re expecting it to hit some time in 2019.
The Frame (available in 43-, 49-, 55- and 65-inches)
US model numbers (and price): UN43LS003AFXZA ($1,299), UN55LS003AFXZA ($1,999), UN65LS003AFXZA ($2,799)
UK model numbers: UE43LS003AUXXU, UE55LS003AUXXU, UE65LS003AUXXU
Samsung’s classiest TV gets an upgrade with a QLED panel – which feels necessary, given that the picture quality was the only thing letting this gorgeously made hunk of metal down. Blending form and function, this style-focused television may be the most attractive television Samsung has put out. Check out what we thought in our hands on The Frame (2019) review.
Serif TV (available in 43, 49, 55 inches)
US model numbers (and price): QN55LS01RAFXZA ($1,599)
Samsung’s stylish Serif TV also gets a QLED panel upgrade and Ambient Mode this year, hoping to marry looks and picture quality. Mounted on four pointy legs, the set looks straight out of a fashion catalogue – and you can see what we thought of it in our hands on Samsung Serif TV (2019) review.
Samsung QLED 2019 Models
Samsung Q900R / Q950R QLED TV (available in 65, 75, 82, and 85-inches)
US model numbers (and price): QN65Q900RBFXZA ($4,999), QN75Q900RBFXZA($6,999), QN82Q900RBFXZA ($9,999), QN85Q900RAFXZA ($14,999)
UK model numbers: QE65Q950RBTXXU, QE75Q950RBTXXU, QE82Q950RBTXXU
Unbelievably, Samsung’s monstrously large 8K TV is still considered a QLED TV. It’s the top of the list for numerous reasons – size and resolution being the most obvious two – but also its ability to use artificial intelligence upscale SD content to 8K HDR. While it’s an absolute beauty to behold, the 65, 75, and 85-inch (or 82-inch in the UK) sizes will put you back a pretty penny, starting at £4,999 / $4,999 (around AU$7,082) for the smallest model. Check our review link below for more pricing info.
Samsung Q90 QLED TV (available in 55-, 65-, 75-, and 82-inches)
US model numbers (and price): QN65Q90RAFXZA ($3,499), QN75Q90RAFXZA ($4,999), QN82Q90RAFXZA ($6,499)
UK model numbers: QE55Q90RATXXU, QE65Q90RATXXU, QE75Q90RATXXU
Samsung’s 2019 flagship 4K QLED is the Samsung Q90 QLED TV. Like last year you can expect Ambient Mode and better black levels thanks to its Direct Full Array panel alongside the screen’s insanely iridescent peak brightness. But new this year is the addition of ‘Ultra Viewing Angle’ technology, which restructures the TV’s panels so the backlight passes through the panel with lights evenly onto the screen.
In the UK you get the choice of a smaller 55-inch model, while the US swaps this out with a larger 82-inch.
Samsung Q85 / Q80 QLED TV (available in 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches)
US model numbers (and price): QN55Q80RAFXZA ($1,999), QN65Q80RAFXZA ($2,799), QN75Q80RAFXZA ($3,799)
UK model numbers: QE55Q85RATXXU, QE65Q85RATXXU, QE75Q85RATXXU , QE55Q80RATXXU, QE65Q80RATXXU
Moving down the line a bit is Samsung’s Q80 QLED TV. Like the Q90, you’ll see a Direct Full Array panel with a feature set that includes Ambient Mode and the Bixby. The Q80 uses far fewer backlight dimming zones than its Q9FN sibling but still looks great and has a more affordable price point. In the UK, the alternative Q85 QLED model bundles in the external OneConnect box and tidy transparent cable too, as well as coming in a larger 75-inch size.
Samsung Q70 QLED TV (available in 49-, 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches)
US model numbers (and price): QN49Q70RAFXZA ($1,249), QN55Q70RAFXZA ($1,499), QN65Q70RAFXZA ($2,199), QN75Q70RAFXZA ($3,299), QN82Q70RAFXZA ($4,499)
UK model numbers: No model numbers announced yet
The Samsung Q7FN was the golden ticket to 2018’s QLED line-up. Offering one of the best price-to-performance ratios in the entire line-up, it was the Q7F that roped droves of AV enthusiasts into buying a QLED TV. That said, it could be our TV of the year in 2019 as Samsung has listened to our feedback and swapped the edge-lit display for full array LED-LCD that will definitely improve contrast.
Samsung Q60 QLED TV (available in 43-, 49-, 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches)
US model numbers (and price): QN43Q60RAFXZA ($799), QN49Q60RAFXZA ($999), QN55Q60RAFXZA ($1,199), QN65Q60RAFXZA ($1,799), QN75Q60RAFXZA ($2,999), QN82Q60RAFXZA ($3,799)
UK model numbers: No model numbers announced yet
Last up in the QLED line-up is the entry-level Samsung Q60 QLED TV. The Q6-Series began its life as a special edition that Samsung added around the holidays in 2016, and now it appears the TV has claimed a permanent spot in the line-up. The Q60 is a bit less bright overall than the rest of its Quantum Dot-equipped brethren and still uses the oldedge-lit design but if you’re looking for some of the same spectacular colors at a spectacular price, the Q60 will be the best place to get it.
Samsung 2019 Premium UHD Models
Samsung RU8000 (available in 49-, 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches)
US model numbers: UN49RU8000FXZA ($799), UN55RU8000FXZA ($999), UN65RU8000FXZA ($1,399), UN75RU8000FXZA ($2,199), UN82RU8000FXZA ($3,199)
UK model numbers: None announced yet
The first highest series in Samsung’s 4K UHD lineup is the RU8000, a sequel to last year’s NU8000. We expect that the RU8000 will use an edge-lit LED LCD panel and a quad-core processor, but that’s yet to be confirmed. Expect both HDR10 and HDR10+ support in addition to Bixby and Samsung’s Smart TV platform.
Samsung RU7300 (available in 55- and 65-inches)
US model numbers: UN55RU7300FXZA ($699), UN65RU7300FXZA ($999)
UK model numbers: None announced yet
Underneath the RU8000 is the curved Samsung RU7300. It’s not available in as many sizes as its older sibling, but it should fulfill the niche of a curved screen for folks who want to upgrade to a 4K HDR TV. You’ll likely find the same edge-lit LED LCD panel and processor as the RU8000, but that’s still to be determined.
Samsung RU7100 (available in 43-, 49-, 55-, 58-, 65- and 75-inches)
US model numbers: UN43RU7100FXZA ($429), UN50RU7100FXZA ($499), UN55RU7100FXZA ($599), UN58RU7100FXZA ($649), UN65RU7100FXZA ($899), UN75RU7100FXZA ($1,599)
UK model numbers: None announced yet
The last entry in the 2018 RU Series is Samsung’s RU7100. We don’t have a ton of information on Samsung’s lowest-end screen in 2019, but we do know that you’ll have your choice of screen sizes – the RU7100 will come in a 43-, 49-, 55-, 58-, 65- and 75-inch variation.
