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).

Samsung Electronics has announced that its Neo QLED and Lifestyle TVs have been awarded EyeCare Circadian certification by Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE), a leading electrical engineering certification institute in Germany. This achievement highlights Samsung’s commitment to developing technology that supports natural circadian rhythms, promoting well-being and visual comfort.

“This certification underscores our dedication to creating products that elevate the user experience by prioritising eye comfort and reducing visual strain, all while delivering exceptional picture quality,” said Taeyong Son, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to drive innovations that anticipate and adapt to users’ evolving needs, offering both immersive entertainment and sustainable long-term comfort.”

The certification covers major models across the Neo QLED and Lifestyle line-ups, including The Frame and The Serif. Six critical criteria are evaluated when determining when a product is fit for certification: Safety for Eyes, Gentle to the eyes, Flicker Level, Uniformity, Color Fidelity and Circadian Stimulus (CS) index — a framework designed to assess visual comfort and circadian rhythm alignment.

Central to Samsung’s achievement is EyeComfort Mode, which automatically adjusts luminance and colour temperature based on time of day and ambient lighting conditions. By simulating natural light patterns, the mode reduces strain during daytime viewing and fosters a restful nighttime environment, aligning with the body’s natural rhythms.

This certification adds to a series of recognitions for Samsung TVs, highlighting their user-centric products and features. The Neo QLED series previously earned VDE’s Circadian Rhythm Display certification, while Samsung’s Lifestyle TVs received Glare-Free verification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for reducing visual strain. Additionally, for their exceptional color accuracy, Samsung TVs are Pantone Validated.

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