The Korean manufacturer Samsung unveiled during CES 2025 a prototype of an 8K LCD television incorporating “RGB Micro LED” backlighting, a world first which could redefine image quality standards, but whose name can be confusing.
During its First Look event organized in a lounge at the Caesar Palace hotel in Las Vegas on behalf of CES 2025, Samsung presented all of its upcoming new products for the year. Between the new OLED TV models, the new version The Frame Pro and the ultra short throw The Premiere 5 video projector, among others, representing a new kind of television. Indeed, this 98-inch model exhibited for the occasion, as a prototype, has the particularity of being equipped with a unique backlighting system using RGB micro-LEDs (red, green, blue) placed behind the panel LCD.
Please note, this is not the same technology used by Hisense and integrated into the TV 116UX, because it uses Mini-RGB LEDs. But, more generally and unlike conventional LED TVs which only use blue backlighting, this technology makes it possible to produce the three primary colors separately via microscopic LEDs (photo below taken under a microscope).
More intense colors
Samsung engineers say this system achieves increased brightness and more vibrant colors, while reducing power consumption by 20%. The switch from Mini-LEDs to Micro-LEDs for the backlighting system also allows the number of LEDs to be tripled. This increased density results in more precise brightness control and a greater number of local dimming zones, improving contrast and color accuracy. However, this does not prevent the television, at least on the one exhibited by Samsung, from offering viewing angles perhaps wider than TVs with a Mini-LED backlighting system, but less than OLED televisions, remaining unbeatable in this area.
In addition, it was impossible for us to see if the blooming effect is as reduced as the brand claims, given that the images displayed did not allow us to judge its content.
A name that can be confusing
“RGB Micro-LED” technology can be confusing. Indeed, until now in terms of Micro-LED, we only had to deal with a new technology not relying at all on the backlighting system, but on diodes capable, as for OLED panels, to emit their own light. However, on the Samsung stand, a table explaining this new backlighting system bore the mention RGB Micro-LED and in addition, the prototype was placed only a few meters from the “pure” Micro LED TVs that Samsung has been pushing for several months now. , but which still remain unaffordable for the general public (1000 dollars per inch).
In the future, it will therefore be necessary to distinguish between “Micro-LED TVs” and “TVs with a Micro-LED backlighting system”… If this new television does not benefit from all the advantages of a “pure” Micro-LED panel “, the use of this technology for backlighting nevertheless promises significant improvements in terms of blacks, contrast, brightness and color rendering compared to current Mini-LED systems. This innovation could thus mark the start of a new era for high-end televisions, while waiting for Micro-LED technology to become more affordable.
Samsung TV prototype RGB backlighting Micro LED profile // Source: Sylvain Pichot / Frandroid
Samsung TV prototype RGB backlighting Micro LED on the back // Source: Sylvain Pichot / Frandroid
A very high-end TV, without a doubt
Although this prototype does not yet have a commercial name or a definitive model number, Samsung is considering the possibility of marketing it during 2025 as the spearhead of its 8K range. It will be positioned above the QN900F and QN990F models also presented at CES.
The TV would be offered in several sizes, with a flagship 98-inch 8K version. Variations in 75 and 85 inches are also planned. Although the price has not been communicated, this model should be located in the premium segment of the market.
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