Maciej Koper
If anyone at this year's CES 2026 in Las Vegas was expecting only cosmetic changes, Samsung's booth quickly set them straight. While the competition, led by LG, showcased solid but predictable innovations, the engineers from Korea opted for a strategy best described by the slogan: "we're swimming against the tide." This year's lineup is not just a race for specs and resolutions, but above all, a bold and at times downright controversial attempt to redefine the aesthetics of the living room.
You'll find more details in the video material:
S95H: The Flagship with The Frame Surround
Without a doubt, the new flagship from the OLED family, the S95H model, generates the most excitement. Samsung has made a move here that few expected – it has combined top-notch QD-OLED technology with aesthetics known from the lifestyle series The Frame. The result is a television enclosed in a thick, metal frame that is an integral, non-removable part of the structure. Although the device looks exceptionally elegant on the wall, almost like a framed piece of art, it may be a hard pill to swallow for fans of rimless screens. However, it seems that the manufacturer is confident, making “Art Mode” the standard, which also suggests a lot of assurance regarding the durability of OLED panels and their resistance to burn-in when displaying static images.
The controversies don’t end with the appearance. In the S95H model, the included One Connect module has been removed from the box. All ports have returned to the back of the device, which for many loyal fans of the brand may be a considerable disappointment. However, Samsung has left a “loophole” for enthusiasts of pure installation – from now on, the wireless One Connect module can be purchased as an accessory. Interestingly, this solution makes the S95H the first OLED television in the world that can be equipped with as many as eight HDMI 2.1 ports.
In terms of pure picture quality, Samsung is certainly keeping up the pace. The S95H uses fifth-generation QD-OLED panels, which in tests reach an astonishing 2700 nits of peak brightness. This is a noticeable jump of several percentage points compared to last year's model, the S95F, which we tested for you. It’s worth noting, however, that the 83-inch model and the new 48-inch variant still use Tandem OLED panels supplied by LG Display, which the manufacturer tries to discreetly omit in their marketing materials.
S90H: Matte OLED screen not just in the top series
Interesting things are happening in the S90H series as well. Samsung, analysing sales results, has decided to standardise its OLED offerings with regard to screen coatings. From this year, the S90H model, like its more expensive sibling, will feature a matte panel free of reflections. This is a bold move that ends the debate about the superiority of glossy over matte finishes. Samsung is prioritising the user's peace of mind and comfort of viewing in sunny lounges, even at the expense of orthodox understandings of the richness of black. Let us know what you think about matte screens!
R95 and R85 Micro RGB: The Evolution of Mini-LED Displays
The true technological showcase at CES 2026 is the Micro RGB technology (also known as RGB MINI-LED). This is an evolution of the LED backlighting we know, where independent, three-colour RGB diodes replace the usual white diodes. The result is nearly perfect reproduction of the BT.2020 colour space (Samsung claims 100%!), which translates to colour saturation we've never seen before in consumer TVs!
The star of the booth is a 130-inch giant from the R95 series, which, with its size and designer frame, evokes solutions from the ultra-premium segment, previously reserved for the wealthiest. However, it is the R85 series (available in sizes from 55 to 100 inches) that has the potential to change the market. Samsung claims that these models will be significantly more affordable, becoming a genuine, more “premium” alternative to the Neo QLED series. If these promises are fulfilled, we might witness the birth of a new category of devices that can realistically be purchased in stores!
HDR10+ Advanced: The Answer to Dolby Vision 2
One of the highlights of the event was the exclusive demonstration of the new HDR10+ Advanced technology. Samsung has consistently ignored the Dolby Vision standard for years, and this year's trade show confirmed that nothing has changed in this regard. HDR10+ Advanced is a direct response to Dolby Vision 2, aiming to extract even more from televisions.
During the workshop, a demo of a film with muted colours and minimal lighting effects was presented. Thanks to the advanced metadata, the Advanced standard allowed the television to intelligently boost the brightness of the lights in real time. While this may sound like a departure from the "author's intent" for purists, the final effect is incredibly convincing – the image looks better mastered, with a greater but natural intensity of lighting effects. However, it is important to remember that for this to work, the metadata must be embedded in the film at the production stage; the television does not "draw" them itself. The question then is different... Are film studios ready for these two formats?
Q-Symphony: Expanding the ecosystem to other brands
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning the changes in the audio sphere that may prove crucial for those seeking better sound. The Q-Symphony feature, which allows for the collaborative operation of the television speakers and soundbar, is finally moving beyond the closed loop of products with the Samsung logo. The manufacturer announced support for this technology in selected devices from brands JBL and Harman Kardon. This is a logical, albeit long-awaited step, considering that Samsung has owned these legendary brands for years. From now on, building a high-quality sound system will become significantly simpler!
Samsung for 2026 is a company confident in itself, that instead of following trends, tries to create them independently. This is no surprise at all, as they have been number 1 in the sales of TVs and soundbars for over the past 20 years. Are thicker bezels and wireless modules as an option the future of TVs? We will find out in spring when the first models hit our editorial desk!
