How small is a nanometer? If you can fathom just how small a nanometer is, then you might come close to being able to visualise how Samsung engineers have managed to pioneer a revolution in displays through cadmium-free quantum dot technology.

Quantum dots are semiconductor particles that have transformed how we experience color and light on our TV screens, and over the years, Samsung has paved the way for commercialisation to bring quantum dot technology to the forefront of its TV range. This includes the brand’s QLED and OLED range, which delivers the highest level of colour accuracy and brightness.

If you own a Samsung QLED or OLED TV, you might already have experienced a better, brighter visual experience. Powered by quantum dot technology, Samsung’s premium range of TVs are great for gamers, sports fans, and entertainment aficionados who love an immersive viewing experience of their favourite content.

The journey toward the democratisation of quantum dot TVs has come with a remarkable challenge: not only to offer high-quality experience to consumers, but also to ensure user safety. In this conversation with Yohan Zondak, Head of Visual Display, Samsung Southeast Asia and Oceania, we take a closer look at the scientific breakthroughs, the challenges, as well as the future of this groundbreaking technology that has redefined what is possible for home entertainment.

Q:         Tell us more about Samsung’s journey to cadmium-free quantum dot technology.

A:         Quantum dot technology made waves in the beginning, thanks to the technology enabling superior colour reproduction and contrast. However, the technology at the time required the use of cadmium composites. This was a grave issue as cadmium is one of ten substances that are strictly regulated under the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive, which intends to limit the amount of hazardous chemicals in electronics. Simply put, cadmium is a toxic material that is harmful to both human health and the environment.

We then asked ourselves this question: How might we achieve the exceptional colour performance that quantum dots can bring, but without using cadmium altogether?

This took some effort, but in 2014, we successfully patented the world’s first cadmium-free quantum dot material using indium phosphide as a viable alternative in quantum dot displays that could deliver comparable performance as compared to cadmium composites.

This breakthrough did take a significant amount of effort to realise, as indium phosphide composites is chemically less stable than cadmium composites. This required the innovation of specialised polymer materials for the quantum dot film, as well as new stabilisation techniques to ensure that these cadmium-free quantum dots could withstand sufficient temperatures and light exposure without degradation.

Most significant was the overall environmental impact of this discovery. By removing cadmium from the picture for our QLED TVs, we managed to eliminate the potential use of a toxic substance from millions of homes, while still delivering the vivid colours and brightness consumers expect.

Q:         What should consumers look for in genuine quantum dot technology?

A:         In Samsung’s QLED TVs, quantum dots function as the core material that converts or emits light. This makes the quantum dots a necessary part of how the display works. However, as Samsung’s QLED technology has gained recognition for its superior picture quality, we’ve also observed the term “QLED” adopted as a marketing label across the industry and hope to help consumers gain a better understanding of what a genuine QLED TV should deliver.

There are three things that consumers should look out for in authentic quantum dot displays.

First is the total amount of quantum dot content—Samsung’s QLED TVs contain a large amount of actual quantum dot material, well above the minimum threshold to bring about meaningful colour enhancement qualities in red and green.

Second is the presence of specialised quantum dot optical components, which separate the colour-determining part from the LED backlight. This is what allows us to achieve both colour accuracy and brightness levels of up to 2,000 nits in our displays. The quality of this quantum dot film also plays a key role in enabling rich colour expressions as well as impacting both the performance and lifespan of the quantum dot TV.

Third, is the absence of cadmium. Samsung has invested significantly in developing safer quantum dot TVs without compromising visual performance. To date, we have secured around 150 patents for our cadmium-free quantum dot technology.

Q:         What is Samsung’s approach to consumer trust and authenticity in its QLED offerings?

A:         Maintaining consumer trust begins with transparency. We have clearly defined what makes a genuine quantum dot display. In this case, a quantum dot display is one that uses quantum dots for photoconversion or photoemission as its core display technology. We want our customers to understand what they are buying.

To ensure authenticity, we look to rigorous third-party validation. For example, our cadmium-free quantum dot technology is certified by SGS, a global leader in testing and certification. We also adhere to Common Criteria certification that assesses the security integrity of IT products; our Knox security platform is integrated into our 2024 TV lineup, has received this certification for ten consecutive years.

In addition, when the Nature Nanotechnology scientific journal surveyed world-renowned experts about what they would consider a proper product based on nanotechnology back in 2019, the consensus pointed to quantum dot-enhanced displays. In summary, the same QLED TVs that Samsung have made.

We believe consumers deserve both exceptional performance and peace of mind. That is why we have invested in developing not just better displays, but safer ones too. By eliminating harmful substances like cadmium, as well as integrating advanced security through Samsung Knox, we demonstrate that premium performance does not have to come with compromises.

Q:         How is Samsung’s QLED technology evolving to meet new demands in home entertainment?

A:         The ongoing evolution of quantum dot technology for entertainment is due to its core strengths of precise colour reproduction, high brightness, and remarkable energy efficiency. These factors are increasingly important as the content that we consume becomes more sophisticated.

One of the development pathways that we are looking at involves electroluminescent quantum dots, where the quantum dots themselves convert electrical energy directly into light, which has the potential to bring display technology to the nano-level.

Today, we are already integrating AI capabilities with our display technology to enhance the viewing experience. Samsung Vision AI enables your Samsung TV to deliver exceptional enhancements in picture and sound quality, for example. On-device AI picture and sound technologies analyse content and environmental factors in real-time, dynamically adjusting visuals and audio for an optimised experience.

At the end of the day, our goal is to make viewers feel like they are immersed in the content, rather than consuming it through a medium. With each evolution of our quantum dot technology and other displays, we get closer to this vision becoming reality.

This approach has been instrumental in enabling us to lead the global TV market for 19 consecutive years since 2006, with our QLED TVs commanding half of the market share in their category. 

SeeColors Mode receives ‘Color Vision Accessibility’ certification from TÜV Rheinland

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced the addition of SeeColors mode on its 2023 TV and monitor lineup.[1] The newly added accessibility feature provides various color settings based on degrees and types of color vision deficiency (CVD),[2] offering an improved viewing experience.

SeeColors mode provides nine picture presets so users can select the option that is most suitable for them. The feature adjusts red, green and blue levels to ensure viewers can easily distinguish colors on the screen depending on their degree or type of CVD.

Originally released as an application in 2017, SeeColors helps those with CVD enjoy their screen as it was meant to be seen. Now, integrated in the TV and monitor accessibility menus, this feature is more readily available to users. For consumers who have already purchased a 2023 model, a software update will be available to add SeeColors to the accessibility menu.

Samsung has earned ‘Color Vision Accessibility’ certification from TÜV Rheinland,[3] in acknowledgement of SeeColors mode’s ability to help those with CVD better enjoy content on Samsung screens. This recognition builds on Samsung’s commitment to accessibility, under the vision of ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All.

“We are thrilled to introduce additional accessibility features, including SeeColors and Relumino mode, in our 2023 TV and monitor lineup to assist individuals with color blindness and low vision,” said Seokwoo Jason Yong, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Under the vision of ‘Screens Everywhere, Screens for All,’ we will continue to innovate and bring inclusive technologies closer to our consumers.”

For more information on Samsung’s accessibility features, please visit www.samsung.com.

[1] SeeColors mode is available on Samsung’s 2023 TV and monitor lineup, including the Neo QLED, QLED, OLED, Smart Monitor and the G95SC gaming monitor.

[2] This feature is not intended for use in the diagnosis of disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or medical problem. Any information found, acquired, or accessed through this feature is made available for your convenience and should not be treated as medical advice.

[3] TÜV Rheinland, headquartered in Cologne, Germany, is a globally renowned testing organization that offers quality and safety certifications across various industries. The ‘Color Vision Accessibility’ certification was awarded on June 7, 2023.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today launched two new series of The Wall – Samsung’s cutting-edge Micro LED displays – in the Southeast Asia and Oceania (SEAO) region at the inaugural Samsung Display Tech Summit 2022.

Held in Bangkok, Thailand, the Summit hosted some 230 enterprise customers, tech enthusiasts and pro audio-visual partners from across the region over two days to share the latest insights and first-hand experiences on Samsung’s next-generation commercial displays and solutions.

“We are in the midst of a hyper-scale shift towards hybrid interactions, where everyone is expected to be seamlessly connected – be it at office desks, meeting rooms, classrooms, cafes or in the home office,” said Alex Hong, Head of Asia Sales & Marketing Group, Display Solutions, Samsung Electronics. “Organizations today have an opportunity to reimagine the future of productivity and collaboration that combines physical, digital and virtual worlds. I am excited about the role of display technologies in helping organizations to reconnect with its stakeholders in an ever-developing hybrid world.”

Creating Immersive Customer Experiences with The Wall

Perched at the pinnacle of display technology, Micro LED technology offers immersive viewing experiences in a high-resolution and large screen format, creating premium customer engagements for brands.

In 2018, Samsung, a pioneer in Micro LED displays, launched The Wall, which was then the world’s first consumer modular Micro LED 146-inch display. Since its launch, The Wall has been deployed to provide customer premium experiences globally, including in this region. In Bangkok, The Wall enables The Forestias by MQDC¹ , Thailand’s biggest property development project, to present a one-of-a-kind 360-degree cinematic experience to inspire its customers.

“Micro LED represents the future of display innovation. Samsung is leading the way in Micro LED adoption in Southeast Asia and Oceania with our flagship The Wall series. Expanding The Wall lineup with the launch of the All-in-One model, we are offering even more immersive experiences and innovation in installation, which significantly simplifies the process akin to installing consumer TVs,” said Leslie Goh, Head of Regional Display Solutions, Southeast Asia & Oceania, Samsung Electronics.

Launched in the SEAO region at the Summit, The Wall All-in-One, also called the IAB Series, brings the ease of Micro LED installation to the next level. The IAB Series requires only two hours for two people to install as it comes with a pre-adjusted seam and pre-assembled frame kit, which includes an embedded media play S-box. The Wall All-in-One has a display thinness of just 49mm and is available in three models: 4K 146-inch, 2K 146-inch and 2K 110-inch.

Also unveiled at the Summit is The Wall IWB Series, which is available in 0.63 and 0.94 pixel pitches. At 0.63 pixel pitch, this model is the slimmest ever pixel pitch in The Wall lineup, delivering Samsung’s most detailed picture and dynamic range expansion with the screen’s 120Hz frame rate, HDR10/10+ and LED HDR. The Wall IWB Series also provides a variety of screen sizes, accommodating 4K movies for 110-inch and up to incredible 8K quality for 220-inch.

All models in The Wall lineup feature Black Seal technology, enabling purer black levels with enhanced depth and details; Ultra Chroma technology, where narrower wavelengths produce RGB colors two times purer² and more accurate than conventional LEDs; 20bit processing to present extraordinary contrast ratio and smooth, natural tonal gradients; and Micro AI Processor to enhance image contrast while removing noise instantly.

The Wall also features Multi View, which enables simultaneous playback of content from up to 4 sources on one screen without the need for a video splitter.

Visualizing Productivity and Collaboration in the Hybrid World

In addition to launching the new 2022 models of The Wall, Samsung also showcased its latest display solutions at the Summit that are relevant to new modes of work, study and play in the hybrid era. These include:

• New World of Learning and Meeting: Classrooms and meeting spaces in the hybrid world require display solutions that are seamlessly connected, easy to use, immersive while allowing multiple users to collaborate at the same time. The new 2022 Samsung Flip Pro, available in 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch and 85-inch models, is perfect for students and professionals to enable high-quality collaboration with real-world writing and drawing experiences with pen and brush modes, integrated video call apps, multiple connectivity and wireless screen sharing.

• New World of Content Creation: The new Samsung ViewFinity S8, a high-resolution monitor for content creators, is available in consumer popular sizes of 27-inch and 32-inch for creating impactful content such as graphic design or detailed financial charts in the office or at home. Its pro-grade UHD resolution carries a wide color gamut up to 98% of DCI-PS and VESA DisplayHDR³ for optimal range, accuracy and nuance. Notably, the ViewFinity S8 received ‘PANTONE Validated’⁴ recognition for ability to accurate reproduction of more than 2,000 colors and newly added 110 skin tone shades from PANTONE⁵ .

• New World of Gaming Experiences: Odyssey Ark is the world’s first 55-inch 1000R curved gaming monitor. This next-generational 4K gaming display features a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time and a Cockpit mode to create a whole new immersive and personal gaming theatre for competitive and casual gamers alike. This ultimate gaming monitor also comes with the Ark Dial, which is a solar-powered controller built to give the player quick access to screen functions such as Flex Move Screen, Multi View and Quick Settings.

Sustainability by Design

At the Summit, Samsung reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by designing and building display solutions that can reduce carbon footprint, as well as contribute to resource circulation.

Its new 2022 display solutions have all received ENERGY STAR and EPEAT energy efficiency certifications. Certified by Carbon Trust, Samsung has incorporated eco-packaging in its products, with recycled materials used in all display solutions since 2021. Samsung has also developed and applied a new material made from recycled ocean-bound plastics to manufacture the ViewFinity S8. This has helped to reduce marine waste as well as carbon footprint.

Editor’s Notes:

• For more information on Samsung’s display solutions: https://displaysolutions.samsung.com
• Photos of the Samsung Display Tech Summit 2022 are available for media publication upon request

^[1] Samsung Lights Up Bangkok Landmark with The Wall’s 200 Million Pixels – Samsung Global Newsroom

^[2] Figure is based on internal testing standards against Samsung’s conventional LED Signage.

^[3] The 32-inch version supports VESA Display HDR 600, while the 27-inch model supports VESA Display HDR 400.

^[4] PANTONE Validated and PANTONE SkinTone Validated.

^[5] PANTONE is the global authority on color and creator of the PANTONE Matching System (PMS) and PANTONE SkinTone colors.