During a media pre-show event called First Look, Samsung showcased what’s coming for 2023 in TVs, gaming, and more, including its first-ever Bespoke showcase and new features for the popular Freestyle portable projector. The highlights also include new Neo QLED, Micro OLED, and OLED TVs along with The Premiere 8K
New Neo QLEDs
Samsung’s latest suite of Neo QLED 8K and 4K televisions are powered by Samsung’s advanced Neural Quantum Processor, which supports the Quantum Mini LED-lit TV with 14-bit processing and AI upscaling. This enables features like Shape Adaptive Light Control and Real Depth Enhancer Pro for a three-dimensional, lifelike picture.
Samsung’s 2023 Neo QLEDs also feature a high-resolution panel and Samsung’s proprietary algorithm that power Samsung’s new Auto HDR Remastering. It uses AI deep learning technology to analyze and apply real-time High Dynamic Range (HDR) effects on Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) content on a scene-by-scene basis, making SDR content brighter and livelier for absolute immersion.
In addition, SmartThings users no longer need to purchase a separate SmartThings dongle to connect and control Zigbee and Thread devices. In 2023, the SmartThings Zigbee & Matter Thread One-Chip Module will be directly built into Samsung products. SmartThings automatically syncs devices for easier control of Samsung devices as well as third-party appliances and IoT devices.
New features include Chat Together where users can enter a live chat group to share thoughts and react in real-time with others who are also watching the same content; ConnecTime for taking video calls from connected devices; and 3D Map View for controlling and monitoring connected devices and providing a bird’s eye view of the home and all SmartThings devices at-a-glance.
Samsung Micro LED and OLED
The 2023 MICRO LED lineup offers new models ranging from 50 to 140-inches, thanks to its modular and customizable design. It comes without bezels to ensure a seamless look.
The 2023 OLED lineup is now available in 55, 65, and the new ultra-large 77-inch models. They feature Quantum Dot technology that has been developed for Samsung’s Neo QLEDs as well as Neural Quantum Processors.
The expanded lineup comes with a 144Hz refresh rate and all of Samsung’s smart features, including Samsung Gaming Hub. For the first time on an OLED TV, Samsung OLEDs come with AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro certification.
Finally, to expand viewing options, Samsung offers Samsung TV Plus on all its Smart TV lineup. The free ad-supported TV (FAST) and video-on-demand service deliver over 1,800 channels globally, including over 50 owned & operated channels, reaching 24 countries and 465 million devices globally across the company’s TV and mobile devices. It is free and doesn’t require any downloads, subscriptions or additional devices.
Samsung Gaming Hub
The Samsung Gaming Hub offers unlimited access to thousands of games from partners like Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, Amazon Luna, and Utomik with no downloads, storage limits, or consoles required.
Samsung Gaming Hub, which was launched last year, delivers multitasking, expanded partnerships, and 4K streaming. Players can watch multiple types of content at the same time.
In 2023, there are upgrades for GameBar 3.0 with MiniMap Sharing and Virtual Aim Point. MiniMap Sharing enables players to see the minimap of their game at-a-glance on any display, while Virtual Aim Point, designed for first-person shooters (FPS), allows players to view more noticeable crosshairs in any game so they can make the perfect shot.
The Samsung Gaming Hub is also available on Samsung smart monitors and gaming screens, including the Odyssey series. With Odyssey Ark, gamers can rotate their screens vertically or horizontally based on their desired orientation and enjoy immersive games with a 55-inch 1000R curved screen and powerful sound.
The Premiere 8K
A new version of Samsung’s laser projector, The Premiere 8K is an ultra-short throw projector featuring 8K resolution and supporting a maximum screen size of 150-inches.
Accompanying audio
Samsung’s flagship TV and soundbar for 2023 feature Sound Remastering which uses AI to remaster each sound object to ensure voices are clear. Accompanying the TVs will be the new flagship HW-Q990C soundbar with 11.1.4 channel sound and support for Dolby Atmos along with the ultra-slim (40 mm tall by 38 mm deep) HW-S800B with 3.1.2 channels and Dolby Atmos support.
Q-Symphony in 2023 will provide evolved sound whereby the soundbar taps into the TV’s Neural Processing Unit to analyze audio signals and process each sound for more detail.
The Freestyle with Smart EDGE Blending
A new feature in the Freestyle portable projector is called Smart EDGE Blending, which allows you to use two of them at once to watch content in a 21:9 configuration with no manual lining up or adjusting. The 2023 Freestyle will also support Samsung Gaming Hub for more entertainment on the go.
Samsung also showed some fun new cases for the Freestyle projector, made by Korean designers and featuring popular characters like Pokemon and The Simpsons. These are just concepts for now, however.
Samsung Art Store
Samsung is improving the Art Store with new previews at-a-glance and extended content offerings that mimic the experience of visiting a gallery of museum.
There’s also a new metal bezel option for a modern look on The Frame TV. Samsung’s latest TV lineup can be mounted with the optional Auto Rotating Wall Mount & Stand, which brings the automatic rotation and vertical media viewing experience of The Sero to other TVs, including The Frame and Neo QLEDs.
Environmental focus
Samsung is also focusing more on environmental friendliness in its design, including using recycled materials for 20% of the bracket parts for the SolarCell Remote. In addition, the main parts of the power board use recycled aluminum cans and copper, replacing approximately 12% of the original materials used.
Samsung designed a lightweight injection mold that requires fewer materials, with a structure that can be repurposed, bringing down the overall energy consumption and raw materials needed for production.
Through SmartThings, Samsung’s 2023 TVs support AI Energy Saving Mode, helping you save more energy in new ways. SmartThings Energy Service on TVs helps reduce carbon footprint of connected devices with simple changes, such as automatic switches to energy saving mode on specific devices when not in use. And with 3D Map View, it will be easier to get a holistic overview of connected devices and put energy saving ideas into practice.
In 2023, Samsung Eco-Packaging will come with minimal print, so less ink is consumed in its production, and Samsung will use paper tape to reduce the use of plastic in its packaging. Additionally, package sizes will be reduced to lower overall carbon emissions.