Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs are packed with futuristic sound

This story is part of CES, where our editors will bring you the latest news and the most popular articles from the all-virtual CES 2021.

Samsung, the largest TV company in the world, follows a blockbuster year of sales with new 2021 models offering even better image quality and more extras aimed at giving people extra time at home. It’s incredibly massive expensive MicroLED TVs steal the headlines CES but his series of QLED TVs consists of the enterprise’s bread and butter.

This year the best Samsung QLED models, including TVs with both 4K and 8K resolution, is called Neo QLED. The name is not necessarily a reference to Matrix 4, but contains a lot of technology that sounds futuristic, all aimed at the OLED TVs used by competitors such as LG and Sony, which continue to beat QLED in me image quality tests.

The core of Neo QLED TVs lies a new Mini-LED based, full-scale local eclipse taillight array that increases brightness and provides more accurate light control. Samsung has made its LEDs 40 times smaller than conventional LED units, which could pack more into the TV and even added a (wait for it …) ‘quantum matrix’ to direct the LED light more accurately. The result, according to the company, is improved HDR highlights with minimal bloom (stray lighting that blooms from bright to dark areas) as well as better shadow detail.

Samsung also improved the AI ​​upgrade this year to use multiple neural networks (as opposed to just one in previous years) to adjust the image quality on both 4K and 8K models.

Neo QLED technology will appear from Samsung in all 2021 8K QLED models (the QN800A, QN850A and QN900A series), as well as two 4K QLED series (the QN85A and QN90A). As usual, prices were not announced, but if the Q85T is in the same price as the 2020 Q80T, currently selling for $ 1500 in the 65-inch size, it will be cheaper than OLED and aimed directly at mid-priced TV buyers.

Beyond the picture, Samsung’s new QLED TVs offer some new features for 2021.

Rechargeable remote control with solar cell: In a nod to sustainability, Samsung’s new remote uses rechargeable batteries instead of disposable batteries, which Samsung says could save 20 million AAA batteries each year. In addition to a USB-C port, the clicker can also be charged via a solar power at the back, which even works with inline.

Read more: Samsung TVs Solar Powered Solar for 2021 Neo QLED Models

Game status display and ultra-aspect ratio: Samsung’s new TVs still support the next generation of gaming features from PS5 and Xbox X Series, including 4K / 120 fps input and VRR, but new for this year, you can long press the play / pause button of the remote control to bring up a special status screen called Game Bar which clearly indicates which of the features are currently active. You can also play the game in 21: 9 or even 32: 9 aspect ratios, with black bars filling the rest of the TVs 16: 9 screen.

Samsung Health with Camera-Based Smart Trainer: Samsung’s health program debuts in 2020 on his TVs and this year it is expanding to offer guided personal training. Connect an optional webcam (Samsung has a list of recommended cameras, all by Logitech), and the app will track your workouts and coach you with personalized personal trainers. Jillian Michaels is the first of six to provide workout content. The smart trainer feature is available on 2021 Q70A TVs and higher.

Read more: Samsung TVs help you with smart camera based on AI based on camera

Google Duo Video Chat: Using an optional webcam, the Duo app on Samsung TVs allows up to 12 other people to participate in the chat. And if you have not plugged in a camera, you can screen it reflects Duo on your phone to the TV and uses his camera. It is not Google’s Popular Meet software, but at least it’s webchat on the big screen.

Google Assistant, Alexa and Bixby built-in voice: Last year, Samsung TVs also offered all three voice assistants available via the remote, which included both push-to-talk and hands-free access. By 2021, the company’s remote controls are just push-and-talk hands-free microphones, which respond to wake-up words like ‘Alexa’ and ‘Hey, Google’, built into the TVs Q70A and higher. As always, you can disable the photos completely.

Microsoft Cloud Services, Dex Wireless: Connect an optional keyboard and mouse to create or edit Microsoft 365 documents, and even work on two on the big screen at the same time. Samsung is also expanding the capabilities of its Dex feature, available on Samsung Galaxy phones and tablets, to connect wirelessly.

Samsung’s 2021 TVs launch later this year. Exact model names, ranges and prices have not been announced, and we will have to wait for the reviews as usual to see how good Neo QLED is actually good with the good old OLED.