Samsung has moved to launch an extensive range of TV’s for 2020 including new rotating TV’s, 8K, Lifestyle and Ultra High Definition models, the big difference is that they will only be available at The Good Guys, JB Hi Fi and Harvey Norman who has lost exclusivity to the Samsung Frame TV.
The decision to launch the new models in the middle of a Coronavirus epidemic comes as major retailers move to only hold 30 days stock with several retailers still selling through old models.
LG Australia who is still insisting that their staff still come to work at their Eastern Creek Offices has gone remarkably quiet about their 2020 TV plans after initially telling ChannelNews that they intended to launch their new range in ‘early April 2020’.
The latest Samsung range includes a top end 8K range, a 4K Ultra High Definition Range and a bottom end range that they have rebranded to include what they now call their Crystal TV technology.
At the top end their new 8K flagship feature new a premium design where the display is 99% picture, a new Quantum Processor, which is capable of delivering pixel-by-pixel image enhancement, enabling the panel to adapt to the viewer’s preferred content or external environment to deliver a superior picture experience. Also, on board are new AI capabilities and are designed immersive sound experience after the Company admitted that the sound on prior Samsung TV’s had attracted ‘complaints’ due to poor quality.
In terms of TV manufacturing, voice control now appears to be moving towards a state of maturity.
The new Samsung TV’s support multiple assistants, including both their own Bixby and third-party platforms, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
As with previous Samsung design trends the onus is still on delivering greater functionality and ease of use as points of commercial difference. This time Samsung has taken a giant leap by taking a leadership position with a new lifestyle range that includes the Serif TV, and a rotating TV called the Sero that allows users to rotate the screen vertical so that they can read content from a smartphone.
There is also the Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec-designed Serif TV which now has new Smart Hub functionality as the rest of the QLED TV range and will be available in 43-inch and 55-inch models. Samsung also announced an addition to their Lifestyle TV portfolio, The Sero.
The Sero, which means “vertical” in Korean, has the ability to pivot between horizontal and vertical orientations
What’s not known at this stage is whether the increased capability to integrate with other household systems and adjust the overall viewing environment – for example, by creating a specific ‘mood’ through different backdrops when the set is off and the use of lighting control is actually going to sell more TV’s in Australia as consumers move to preserve capital.
What’s not clear is how much stock of the TV’s will be available in the channel with the Sero set to be launched later this year.
Samsung has also chosen to snub those clients who forked out thousands for their new 8K TV’s last year by not delivering processor upgrades for the 2019 models to include the new capabilities that will be available in the 2020 Q950 T and Q800 T models.
Both JB Hi Fi and The Good Guys are set to benefit from an expansion of the Samsung Frame range into selected stores.
The Frame, which has the ability to turn its screen into a piece of artwork when not in use and has three customisable bezels options; brown, beige and white, for integration to blend into the aesthetics of the home.
This product was “A big success at Harvey Norman’ according to Samsung Australia executives.
One of the big standouts and key selling points this year is the new Samsung Object Tracking Sound technology which is an in-panel technology that tracks the on-screen action from scene to scene.
This technology emits sound from speakers in the top, bottom and sides of the rear of the TV, and is projected to reflect off nearby surfaces to deliver an immersive experience that puts owners of one of their new panels right in the middle of the action.
Q-Symphony technology also enables seamless cooperation between this innovative new TV sound technology and Samsung’s Q Series soundbars which despite Australian market being over 70% Google does not have Google Assistant voice technology built in.
The new Q-Symphony technology synchronises sound between these TVs and Samsung Q Series Soundbars for an expanded immersive surround sound experience.
For retailers the biggest selling products will still be the Companies 4K UHD models that range in price from $7,549 for an 85″ model to $1,729 for a 55″ model.
