Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced that its 2025 OLED TV (S95F model) has been officially certified as a Real Black display by the Verband der Elektrotechnik (VDE), a leading electrical engineering certification institute in Germany.^[1] By meeting the required standards to be genuinely considered Real Black, Samsung has proven that its OLED technology delivers a true black viewing experience. The certification validates the OLED display’s crisp, reflection-free images with near-perfect blacks measured in dark environments, as well as ^[2] The result is crystal-clear visuals with rich, deep blacks in their truest form.

“Earning VDE’s Real Black certification is proof of our commitment to taking OLED technology to new heights,” said Hoon Seol, Vice President and Head of CE Division at Samsung Electronics Germany. “We look forward to bringing more customers the opportunity to experience world-class picture quality with the deepest blacks and colour clarity.”

“VDE’s ‘Real Black’ certification is awarded only to displays that excel in our most demanding evaluations,” said Ansgar Hinz, the Chairman and CEO of VDE. “Samsung’s OLED stood out for its ability to maintain rich, accurate blacks across a wide range of lighting environments — from home theaters to brightly lit living rooms. This achievement reflects both technological excellence and a commitment to delivering consistent picture quality in real-world conditions.”

Meeting the Highest Standard for Real Black Validation

The flagship OLED TV series comes equipped with Samsung’s advanced Glare-Free 2.0. VDE’s certification affirms the exceptional performance of this proprietary technology, which preserves the depth and details of the OLED display’s black levels by minimising reflections.

To earn this certification, Samsung’s OLED S95F series was evaluated on how “truly black” the display appears under various viewing conditions, with performance assessed through three rigorous tests:

• Ambient light impact in bright rooms: The display was evaluated for the level of distraction caused by light reflections for viewers while watching TV.^[3]
• Black levels in dark settings: In a dark room test, the display’s black level performance was measured to ensure it met the standard of 0.005 nits or less.^[4]
• Surface gloss level: Screen surface reflections were measured to determine the amount of glare of Samsung’s Glare-Free Technology.^[5]

Exceptional Colour for Gaming and Entertainment

The Real Black-certified OLED series delivers exceptional colour clarity and contrast that brings every detail to life, whether in fast-paced games or cinematic scenes. The advanced OLED Glare-Free technology enhances this experience by preserving rich colours and deep blacks in any lighting conditions so that viewers can enjoy stunning, true-to-life visuals no matter the content.

Samsung has led the global TV market for 19 consecutive years,^[6] a position built on its leadership in premium displays and leading-edge innovations in viewing experiences. In addition to the VDE Real Black certification, Samsung’s 2025 OLED TV line-up is the first in the industry to be certified with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and has recently been validated as NVIDIA G-SYNC compatible, ensuring seamless performance and smooth gameplay.

To learn more about Samsung OLED TVs, visit http://www.samsung.com/za

^[1] All sizes of the 4K OLED TV S95F series (55’’, 65’’, 77’’ and 83’’) have received certification.

^[2] Results to vary based on room conditions.

^[3] Greyscale discrimination AVG ΔE2000 ≤ 5 in a bright room with 500 Lx.

^[4] Black level ≤ 0.005 nits in a dark room (based on ITU-R BT.2100-3 under VDE’s dark room conditions).

^[5] Samsung OLED: ≤ 15 Gloss Unit(GU)(ex. Mirror: 100 GU)

^[6] “https://omdia.tech.informa.com/om128449/tv-sets-emerging-technologies-market-tracker-history–4q24-database”>Omdia, Feb-2025 (Results are not an endorsement of Samsung).

According to a recent report from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA), there are an estimated 214 million gamers in the U.S. alone, with 75 percent of households having at least one person who plays. As a result, gaming has become a fun group activity during the pandemic, particularly for those looking to connect with others. In fact, more than six out of 10 players report that they regularly play with others either online or in person.

Gaming’s rise isn’t limited to the U.S., either. Facebook’s “Games Marketing Insights for 2021”¹ noted that last year, numbers of first-time gamers reached new highs in countries around the world with 8.6 million in the U.K., 6.5 million in Germany, and 9.4 million in South Korea. Those numbers further underscore gaming’s rise into a top leisure and entertainment activity.

Samsung TV owners are not an exception to this trend as they have also become avid gamers during the pandemic. According to Samsung’s internal research data,² the number of users in the U.S. who connected gaming devices to their QLED TV nearly doubled from 19.4 percent in March of 2020 to 35.3 percent in March of 2021. In Korea, that number nearly tripled from 11.4 percent to 27 percent during the same period.

Samsung’s 65-inch segment has been the most popular TV size for gaming, and premium models supporting high-end gaming experience, including 120Hz panel refresh rate, were more likely to be connected to the latest gaming consoles. This means that more gamers on consoles such as Microsoft Xbox and Sony PlayStation (PS) are using premium TVs with enhanced gaming features to enjoy optimised gaming experience.

Against the backdrop of gaming’s incredible rise in popularity, Samsung optimised its 2021 TV line-up with gamers in mind. The company’s newest TVs come packed with top-of-the-line features that were designed to foster next-level gaming experiences.

For example, each of Samsung’s 2021 Neo QLED TVs includes support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro³– a technology that enables true HDR console and PC gaming. FreeSync Premium Pro adds to the HDR support, making bright scenes brighter and dark scenes darker to offer optimised contrast. HDR technology is often considered as one of the most important features among gamers. Taking things one step further, Neo QLED’s Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ technology supports ultra-smooth motion in 4K 120Hz, offering users the smoothest way to win.

Samsung’s 2021 Neo QLED TVs are also the first to receive Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker’s (VDE) Gaming TV Performance certification. Four 2021 Neo QLED models (the QN900, QN800, QN90 and QN85) received the certification for their excellent HDR performance, which includes a peak brightness of more than 1,000 nits, allowing for intricate details in both dark and bright scenes, as well as their low input lag with respond time of around 5ms in 4K @120Hz, offering one of the lowest input lags in the industry. Features like these are perfect for both first-time TV buyers and avid gamers alike, allowing users to catch each and every detail of gameplay.

The 2021 Neo QLED line-up’s one-of-a-kind gaming experience is bolstered by the addition of immersion-enhancing features like Super Ultrawide Gameview, along with the all-new Game Bar gaming interface. Super Ultrawide Gameview allows users to experience ultra-wide aspect ratios (both 21:9 and 32:9) that were previously offered only on gaming monitors. This provides gamers with a wider field of view and ensures that they never miss out on any of the action. The Game Bar in Game Mode, allowing players to easily adjust the screen’s aspect ratio, check input lag, connect wireless headsets, and more.

For more information about Samsung’s 2021 TVs and their gaming features, please visit www.samsung.com.

¹ Games Marketing Insights for 2021, Facebook Gaming (January 2021)

² Reflects internal data and findings from users who have opted in to Samsung’s Smart TV Terms and Conditions.

³ Some items excluded.

Four models from the 2021 Neo QLED lineup (QN900, QN800, QN90, QN85) received the certification, a distinction given for ‘Low Input Lag’ and ‘HDR with brightness of higher than 1,000 nits.’ Each of the TVs went through a rigorous testing process, ultimately earning the certification for less than 10ms of input lag during every scene of gameplay. Input lag refers to the period of time from when an electrical signal is sent from the game pad to when it is displayed on the screen. A TV with lower input lag will provide gamers with a more immersive gaming experience.

In addition, Samsung’s Neo QLED also received the certification for HDR with brightness over 1,000 nits. FreeSync Premium Pro also adds to the HDR support, making bright scenes brighter and dark scenes darker to offer optimised contrast. HDR technology is often considered as one of the most important features among gamers. Apart from low input lag and HDR support with brightness of higher than 1,000 nits, Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs also reflect a number of new and exciting gaming features.

Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs deliver more accurate details, deeper blacks and incredible colour expression due to their 100% colour volume and 12-bit backlight control. Wide Game View and Game Bar, both industry firsts, deliver a broader viewing experience with 21:9 and 32:9, and the ability to quickly check a variety of gaming information.

In addition, Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs deliver fast game motion at 120Hz with Motion Xcelerator Turbo+, even during gameplay with fixed UI. Sound has also been enhanced through AI-based surround-sound and object tracking sound (OTS+), delivering the ultimate immersive gaming experience.

Nivash Ramsern, Head: Visual Displays at Samsung South Africa said, “An increasing number of gamers look for large screen displays with high-end picture quality when shopping for a TV, and Samsung continues to lead the TV-focused gaming experience.”

For more information on Samsung’s 2021 Neo QLED TV, please visit www.samsung.com

With just a small, centered cutout for the front camera, the Galaxy Note10 ’s edge-to-edge design offers a truly immersive viewing experience. Galaxy Note10 with HDR10+ certification and its Dynamic Tone Mapping delivers rich, vivid contrast and color for unmatched video quality. Nowhere do these features come together better than on the Galaxy Note10+, described by DisplayMate as the most innovative and high-performance smartphone display they have ever lab tested. Whether you are watching the latest TV shows or playing your favorite game, images and graphics come alive on the Galaxy Note10’s best-in-class display. Check out the infographic below to learn more.