Samsung Onyx is the world’s first cinema LED display, introduced by Samsung Electronics in 2017. The first theater equipped with Samsung Onyx opened that same year at Lotte Cinema World Tower in Seoul, Korea, followed by five additional Lotte Cinema locations^[1] around the country.

Now, in October 2025, the latest evolution of Samsung Onyx^[2] — the company’s first major update to the technology in eight years — makes its Korean debut at Lotte Cinema Sillim’s Gwang-eum LED theater, the cinema brand’s seventh LED venue.

So why is Lotte Cinema expanding its lineup of cinema LED theaters and moving away from traditional projectors? Samsung Newsroom visited the new Kwang-eum LED theater to experience the difference firsthand and hear what moviegoers and theater representatives had to say.

Lotte Cinema Sillim’s Kwang-eum LED theater, where Samsung’s latest Onyx technology made its Korean debut

A Rich Interplay Between Contrast and Colour

 
The difference was clear the moment the screen lit up. As fine beams of light gradually filled the pitch-black display, Samsung Onyx delivered breathtaking contrast and deep blacks, while the interplay of light and colour revealed an exceptional range of hues that almost felt tangible.

The Samsung Onyx display delivers 4K resolution with 100% DCI-P3 colour coverage, reproducing every hue and texture just as film creators intended — without distortion.

Unlike conventional projector systems, Samsung Onyx generates its own light through LEDs, producing perfectly defined blacks and whites along with an exceptionally rich colour palette. Its outstanding contrast ratio and deep blacks ensure uniform brightness across the entire screen without light bleed, allowing even the darkest scenes to maintain their texture and depth.

The Samsung Onyx screen delivers brilliant HDR visuals with peak brightness levels of 300 nits (87.6fL), true black levels and precise colour accuracy.

“Even during the brightest and darkest scenes, my eyes didn’t feel strained,” shared moviegoer Jeonghyeon Yoon after watching a popular animated film at the theater. “The frames flowed so smoothly that it made watching the movie even more enjoyable.”

The vivid colour and contrast of the Samsung Onyx screen appeal not only to audiences but also to animation filmmakers. “On the Onyx, these little details were perfectly visible —details which give a lot to the atmosphere, to the peaceful tone of the scene,” said Matīss Kaža, producer of the dialogue-free animated film “Flow” — which won a Golden Globe® Award for Best Motion Picture — Animated, an Academy Award® for Best Animated Feature. “Cinema is all about detailing in the visual storytelling, and this comes through on Onyx very well.”

In addition, Pixar Animation Studios has collaborated with Samsung to master its animated film such as “Elemental,” “Inside Out 2,” and “Elio” making it available in 4K theatrical HDR format compatible with Samsung Onyx.

(From left) Jinha Jeong and Yongseop Yoon of Lotte Cultureworks note that Samsung’s ongoing technological innovation and reliable product quality have enabled the delivery of a consistently premium cinema experience.

“Samsung Onyx enables sophisticated colour expression and reproduces true blacks, earning highly positive feedback from audiences,” said Jinha Jeong, Senior Manager at the Operations Innovation Team at Lotte Cultureworks. “Many animation fans now say that certain movies must be watched in Onyx LED theaters. With such strong audience satisfaction, LED theaters have now established themselves as one of Lotte Cinema’s signature screening formats.”

Mega-Sized Screens That Transform the Atmosphere

The evolution of Samsung Onyx goes beyond picture quality. The 2025 model (ICD) is reshaping not just the visuals but the very environment of the movie-going experience.

A new screen nearly 11 meters wide has been installed at Lotte Cinema Sillim’s Kwang-eum LED theater — the largest size possible within the theater’s dimensions. This was made possible by Samsung Onyx’s flexible scaling options, which allows for custom sizing beyond the standard widths of 5 meters (1.25mm pixel pitch), 10 meters (2.5mm), and 14 meters^[3] (3.3mm)^[4]. In Lotte Cinema Sillim’s case, additional cabinets were added to the sides and bottom of the standard 10-meter model, enlarging the display by more than 30 percent.

“Due to the structural limitations of the Sillim branch, we were previously able to install only a 10.24-by-5.4-meter LED screen,” Jeong explained. “However, with Onyx’s scalability, we expanded it to 11.52 by 6.3 meters^[5], creating a captivating sense of immersion that fills the viewer’s entire field of vision.”

Yongseop Yoon and Jinha Jeong explain that thanks to Onyx’s scalability, they were able to install the largest possible screen for the Kwang-eum LED theater’s space.

In Samsung Onyx-equipped theaters, every seat offers a crystal-clear view without edge distortion or resolution loss, ensuring the optimal viewing experience from any angle. Unlike traditional projector-based theaters, Samsung Onyx delivers uniform brightness and colour accuracy across the entire screen for every single viewer.

The Onyx screen’s ability to reproduce the colours and textures exactly as creators intended allows viewers to enjoy vivid, distortion-free images without loss of resolution — no matter where they sit in the theater.

“Dynamic scenes such as explosions and battles appeared incredibly sharp, and the vibrant colours made the viewing experience even more immersive,” shared Eunjeong Lim, another moviegoer, after watching a film at the Kwang-eum LED theater.

“Even the outlines of the subtitles were crystal clear, and compared to other screens, the colours felt noticeably richer and more vivid,” added fellow viewer Byeongrok Kang.

Both on-screen text and subtitles appear exceptionally sharp and clear on Onyx screens.

In addition, Samsung Onyx delivers peak brightness levels of up to 300 nits^[6] — about six times brighter than those of conventional projector systems — offering crisp, lifelike visuals even in well-lit environments. This enables theaters to use the space not only for movie screenings but also for a wide range of events such as live concert broadcasts, sports match screenings, and dining cinema experiences.

“When watching concert footage, the LED screen vividly captures even the darkest corners of the stage,” Jeong explained. “In the Kwang-eum LED theater, where the Onyx screen is paired with powerful sound, audiences can immerse themselves to an astonishing degree.”

“We’re expanding differentiated services like Onyx LED theaters to deliver a more vivid and immersive viewing environment that can only be experienced in cinemas,” Yongseop Yoon, Head of the Projection System Network Operation Center (NOC) at Lotte Cultureworks, added. “Beyond technological advancement, our goal with the Samsung Onyx screen is to convey the emotional essence of film in its purest form.”

“Personally, I highly recommend watching a visually stunning sci-fi movie at the Kwang-eum LED theater in Sillim,” he added.

Entering the Next Generation of the Cinema Experience

Samsung Onyx is more than just an LED screen — it’s a space where viewers can experience the future of cinema right before their eyes. Those who have experienced the cutting-edge technology often comment that they can’t wait to experience it again.

“The speed and intensity of the action scenes felt very real, and the vivid colours made me feel as if I were part of the movie,” Lim shared. “With this level of picture and sound quality, I definitely want to watch my next film at an Onyx theater.”

“For films by directors like Makoto Shinkai, where colour and visual style are essential, watching them here would feel completely different,” added Jeonghyeon Yoon.

In an era when the boundaries between streaming and theatrical releases are becoming increasingly blurred, Samsung Onyx reminds viewers of the irreplaceable emotion that only theaters can provide. The growing popularity of special sing-along screenings and theatrical releases of animation series proves that the in-theater experience remains truly unique.

Audiences today seek theaters that offer ultimate immersion and an experience that rekindles the magic of cinema. That’s why the phrase “a movie that has to be watched in a theater” still holds true. Amid this shift, Samsung Onyx is redefining the value of theaters through technological innovation and by opening new possibilities for cinematic experiences. The future of cinema that Samsung Onyx envisions is already unfolding — right before our eyes.

With its exceptional image quality and superior space efficiency, Samsung Onyx is shaping the future of cinema.

^{[1] Charlotte Private at Lotte World Tower, Konkuk University Entrance, Suwon, Cheonan Buldang, and Busan Centum City in addition to the inaugural World Tower screen}

^{[2] Availability may vary by country or model. Please check with your retailer for exact local availability.}

^{[3] 5, 10, 14 meters correspond to 16, 33 and 46 feet, respectively.}

^{[4] Availability may vary by country or model. Please check with your retailer for exact local availability.}

^{[5] Roughly 38 by 20 feet}

^{[6] 300 nits peak brightness is supported when using DCI-HDR supported IMB.}

Raising the bar for cinema innovation, Samsung unveiled the latest model of Onyx (ICD)¹ in March. The next generation of cinematic experiences will be defined by immersive visuals, improved comfort, and a reliable viewing experience.

In this article, Samsung Newsroom takes a closer look at the company’s vision for the future of cinema in terms of Visuals, Space and Consistency.

Visuals – An Out-of-This-World Screen Experience

Immersion is at the heart of the cinematic experience — a setting designed to transport audiences into the world of the film. Only in an environment free from the everyday distractions such as constant calls, notifications and household chores can viewers fully engage with the story unfolding on the screen.

A true cinematic experience faithfully delivers the filmmaker’s vision, presenting every detail, colour and shadow exactly as intended. Onyx brings that vision to reality.

Pixar’s Inside Out 2 shown on Samsung Onyx, demonstrating the display’s peak brightness and vibrant colour accuracy

Onyx, the world’s first cinema LED display certified2 by Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI), delivers superior picture quality in 4K HDR resolution with vivid colours, deep blacks and infinite contrast. The clarity, precision and rich detail in each frame help give life to the narrative. Gone are the days of poor edge resolution and inconsistent brightness.

Samsung Onyx enhances Pixar’s Lightyear (top) and Soul (bottom) with outstanding contrast, making dark scenes more vivid and immersive

The Onyx screen can lend its brightness and clarity to applications other than movie screenings – live sports, concerts, gaming events and corporate presentations, for example. The ability to host alternative content empowers theaters to diversify their offerings and create new revenue streams without compromising the premium viewing experience.

A live concert seen on Onyx, demonstrating the display’s colour accuracy and sharp details

Space – More Room for Comfort and Flexibility

Comfort and spatial design are also key factors that set premium cinemas apart. Much like the distinction between economy and business class on an airplane, the seating experience can make or break a theater’s appeal. As theaters evolve into premium auditoriums, spacious, comfortable seating becomes essential.

Onyx helps enable this transformation. Unlike traditional projectors which require separate projection rooms and large setups, Onyx’s cinema LED technology maximises the available space in a theater. This allows cinemas to optimise their auditorium spaces and provides more flexibility to install specialised seating like larger recliners or dining tables.

Furthermore, new Onyx (ICD)¹ offers flexible scaling options, allowing screens to be customised to fit the dimension of each auditorium, ensuring the best use of space without sacrificing picture quality and comfort.

Pixar’s Elio screened on Samsung Onyx featuring luxury seating for a premium cinema experience

With Onyx, every seat in the theater offers a reliable high-quality visual experience – no edge distortion or resolution loss – ensuring that the entire audience is fully immersed in the story. The combination of optimised space, enhanced comfort, and stunning visuals elevates the overall cinema experience.

Samsung Onyx empowers theaters to deliver a premium cinema experience and luxury dining for customers

Consistency – Reliable Viewing Quality with Smarter Management Tools

We go to the theater to be transported—to lose ourselves in the world of a story. But experiences in traditional projection-based theaters can deteriorate with picture quality that varies depending on the age and condition of the equipment.

Samsung’s Cinema LED screen, on the other hand, features an ‘Auto Calibration Solution’ that automatically adjusts colour consistency across each module, ensuring optimal picture quality—not just at installation, but every step of the way through ongoing maintenance.

Onyx also offers the industry’s first and longest 10-years warranty for cinema LED3, raising the bar for long-term reliability in cinema technology.

Samsung Onyx, an out-of-this-world cinema LED display

Since debuting the world’s first Cinema LED screen in 2017, Onyx has built strong partnerships with major global film studios, earning trust and recognition across the industry. As the leader in Cinema LED technology, Samsung is committed to pushing boundaries—so the magic of the movies is always seen exactly as it was meant to be.

With Samsung Onyx, the future of premium cinema is brighter, clearer, and more immersive than ever before.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced the latest Onyx (ICD model) cinema LED screen at CinemaCon 2025, marking a new era for cinema display technology. Building on its legacy as a cinema LED pioneer, which began in 2017, Samsung is setting new standards with unmatched picture quality, industry-leading reliability and expanded screen scalability to meet the evolving needs of theaters worldwide.

“The cinema industry is shifting its focus towards delivering a more immersive and visually captivating experience,” said Hoon Chung, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “With Onyx, Samsung delivers not only the highest-quality visuals but also the flexibility that allows theaters to redefine the movie-going experience and cater to evolving audience expectations.”

Brighter, Bolder and More Immersive: The Future of Cinema is Here

As the world’s first DCI-certified^[1] cinema LED display, Samsung Onyx delivers an unparalleled cinematic experience with true black levels, infinite contrast ratio and exceptional colour accuracy. The screen is capable of supporting frame rates up to 4K 120Hz,^[2] delivering ultra-smooth motion and razor-sharp details.

Every auditorium has unique dimensions, and screen size requirements vary from theater to theater. To accommodate this, Onyx offers four standard sizes^[3] and additional flexible scaling options, allowing theaters to maximise their available space and present films in the largest possible format without compromising image quality:

• 5 meters (16ft) – Ideal for boutique and smaller-format theaters (Pixel pitch: 1.25mm)
• 10 meters (33ft) – The industry standard for premium cinemas (Pixel pitch: 2.5mm)
• 14 meters (46ft) – A versatile format that delivers an impressive, large-scale cinematic experience (Pixel pitch: 3.3mm)
• 20 meters (66ft) – A large-format solution for premium auditoriums (Pixel pitch: 5.0mm)

Samsung Onyx cinema LED screens natively support both scope (2.39:1) and flat (1.85:1) aspect ratios, ensuring films are displayed in their intended formats without the need for additional adjustments. When scaling beyond standard sizes, Onyx maintains both aspect ratios while maximising the screen size, allowing content to expand proportionally without distortion.

Unlike traditional projectors, which can appear dim in larger theaters and struggle with washed-out colours in bright scenes, Onyx’s enhanced brightness ensures richer details in shadows, more intense highlights and superior colour accuracy across the entire spectrum. Powered by Samsung’s HDR technology, Onyx reaches peak brightness levels of 300 nits (87.6fL) — six times brighter than conventional cinema standards — allowing even the brightest details to remain clear and visible.^[4] As a result, high-brightness scenes retain their full impact, rather than appearing washed out or overexposed.

With its industry-leading brightness and precision, Onyx enables clear and vivid playback even in brightly lit environments, making it ideal for alternative content such as live sports, concerts, gaming events, and corporate presentations. This allows theaters to deliver a premium viewing experience beyond traditional movie screenings.

Built for Reliability and Seamless Integration

Onyx is built for long-term performance, offering the industry’s first and longest 10-years warranty for cinema LED,^[5] setting a new benchmark for reliability in cinema display technology. This extended coverage helps reduce total cost of ownership and ensures a future-proof investment for theater owners.

To maintain optimal picture quality, Samsung provides an auto calibration solution that enables theaters to easily calibrate their screens during installation and routine maintenance.

Designed for seamless integration, Onyx is compatible with both Dolby and GDC media servers, making it easier for theaters to transition from traditional projection systems. Because of this, theater networks can enjoy seamless content playback and efficient management.

Onyx is fully compatible with leading cinema audio solutions, including Dolby Atmos, Meyer Sound, QSC and custom-designed sound systems, providing theaters with the flexibility to customise their sound experience to meet their specific needs. For theaters using HARMAN’s JBL surround sound technology, Onyx also offers seamless integration to ensure optimised audio performance.

A Proven Legacy with Global Recognition

Samsung Onyx is one of the most widely adopted cinema LED screens in theaters worldwide — setting a new industry standard for premium cinema display technology. As it expands its presence, Onyx continues to showcase its unmatched reliability, versatility and ability to elevate the cinematic experience.

One of the most recent installations is at Pathé Palace in Paris, where Onyx was selected to enhance the premium viewing experience in one of the world’s most visually stunning cinemas.

“At Pathé, we are committed to delivering the highest-quality cinematic experience for our customers,” said Laure de Boissard, Managing Director, Pathé Cinéma France. “Samsung Onyx allows us to achieve stunning visuals with exceptional brightness and contrast, ensuring that every film is presented exactly as intended.”

Samsung Onyx is redefining how movies are experienced through its collaboration with the film industry as well. One such example was Samsung partnering with Pixar Animation Studios to master films like “Elemental,” “Inside Out 2,” and this summer’s “Elio” in HDR for Onyx, which led to the films being shown with exceptional brightness, contrast and colour accuracy. Through close collaboration with filmmakers, Onyx continues to push the boundaries of display technology, ensuring that creative visions are brought to life with unmatched precision and clarity.

“At Pixar, we believe cinema can be a grand, shared experience — a place where stories feel larger than life and memories are made with friends. That’s why we’re driven to bring something truly new to the big screen with our pioneering HDR-1 theatrical releases,” said Dominic Glynn, Senior Scientist, Pixar Animation Studios.
“In rising to meet this ambition, the ONYX screen technology delivers astonishing brightness, clarity, and colour — an image so clear and uniform it elevates every moment of the story. Even the casual moviegoer will feel the difference. It’s about creating that unforgettable ‘Wow!’ — the kind of experience that reminds us why cinema is, and always should be, special.”

CinemaCon attendees can experience the next-generation Onyx firsthand at Samsung’s booth at Caesars Palace, where the company will showcase its latest advancements in cinema display technology. Running March 31-April 3 in Las Vegas, CinemaCon is the largest annual gathering for the motion picture theater industry, bringing together theater owners, filmmakers, studio executives, and industry professionals from all over the world.

For more details, visit samsung.com.

^[1] Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) is a consortium of major studios formed to establish specifications for an open architecture for digital cinema systems.

^[2] Based on the screen’s internal data bandwidth. Actual frame rates may vary depending on the connected IMB.

^[3] All measurements in meters and feet refer to screen width, while all measurements in inches denote diagonal; The 10-meter Onyx screen is now available for order, with other models arriving in a phased rollout.

^[4] Peak brightness supported when using DCI-HDR supported IMB.

^[5] Based on internal research and publicly available information. Onyx includes a standard three-year warranty, with options to extend coverage up to 10 years.