The next big TV panel leap was just unveiled by Samsung – and it makes LED look outdated

ZDNET’s key takeaways

• Samsung debuts 115-inch Micro RGB TV for $29,999.
• Millions of RGB LEDs deliver precise color and brightness.
• Glare-free tech, Tizen OS, and coming soon to the US.

The long-awaited Micro RGB TV from Samsung has finally arrived, and it brings color, brightness, and size in a big way. First unveiled at CES 2025, the new Micro RGB TV features a micro-scale RGB LED backlight that emits color more precisely than traditional LED sets.

Each LED is less than 100µm in size, according to Samsung, allowing the system to portray an ultra-fine pattern of color throughout the screen.

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While competitors like Sony and Hisense have hinted at the development of RGB LED displays, Samsung is the first to launch the panel technology in a 115-inch form factor.

I saw the Samsung TV in person at CES and was impressed by the color output and discernible contrast. According to a Tuesday press release, the company credits the visual fidelity to its Micro RGB AI engine, “an advanced technology [that] analyzes each frame in real time and automatically optimizes color output for a more lifelike and immersive picture.”

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The processor also enables Micro RGB Color Booster, which detects scenes with dull color tones and enhances them for more vividness. How aggressive this tuning is — as I’m sure movie buffs and cinephiles would like to know — remains in question.

As far as color coverage is concerned, Samsung touts that with Micro RGB Precision Color, the TV can achieve 100% color coverage of BT.2020 (or Rec. 2020), a feat that most high-end models can’t even perfect.

However, the nature of any LED display lends itself to viewing angles that are less optimal than flagship OLED sets like the Samsung S95F, as I observed during my brief first look in January.

For what it’s worth, Samsung has integrated its Glare Free technology with the Micro RGB TV, making the screen’s content more visible in bright lighting conditions.

Lastly, the Micro RGB TV runs on Samsung’s Tizen OS, which bundles security tools like Samsung Knox, a seven-year software update policy, and access to the latest Bixby and Vision AI features. The TV is debuting in South Korea, but will soon be available for purchase in the US in 115-inch for $29,999, and potentially in smaller sizes.

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