Samsung's 99-inch microLED is delayed and the 88- and 77-inch models will likely slip into 2022. QD-OLED TVs could, on the other hand, launch as early as the first half of 2022, according to Korean media.

Samsung microLED delays
Samsung has launched the world's first LED TV, a 110-inch microLED TV, but the smaller 99-inch model that was slated to launch in the first half of 2021 has been delayed.

Samsung attributed the delay to "high demand for its 110-inch MicroLED TV" but Korean newspaper The Elec's sources say that the delay is caused by production challenges and high costs.

- "However, people familiar with the matter said the delay was caused by the cost problem in launching smaller versions of MicroLED TVs," The Elec reported.

 Also read: First look: Samsung's 110" microLED TV

Samsung will likely also delay its smaller microLED TVs that were first announced at CES 2019, again at CES 2020, and again at CES 2021 in the form of 88- and 77-inch models.

- "Samsung will likely delay the commercial launch of smaller screened MicroLED TVs," the report said. "The company ordered the equipment it needs for MicroLED one to two months later than expected in the first half of the year. These equipment will be used in the production of MicroLED TVs launching in 2022."


 LG C9 OLED (left), Samsung QD prototype (center), Samsung Q950TS (right). Source: The Elec

QD-OLED TVs next year?
On the other hand industry sources assert that Samsung Electronics has decided to launch its first QD-OLED TVs in the first half of 2022.

QD-OLED panels will be supplied by Samsung Display, the display panel division, to Samsung Electronics, the consumer brand. The new OLED panel type has been described as blue OLEDs that use quantum dots to convert light into red and green.

- "Samsung is strengthening its premium strategy. Next year, it plans to unveil new QLED and QD-OLED TVs in the quantum dot category as well as MicroLED TVs in various sizes," a source told Korea Economic Daily. 

- "[...] the South Korean tech giant is developing 55-inch and 65-inch quantum dot organic light emitting diode (QD-OLED) TVs for market launch in the first half of 2022," the report said. "QD-OLED TVs will be placed between its top-premium segment of MicroLED TVs and its flagship QLED lines."

The Korea Economic Daily's sources said that Samsung could unveil 55-and 65-inch QD-OLED TVs at CES in January 2022, with larger 70-inch models to follow later.

Samsung is also rumored to be in discussions with LG Display to secure millions of OLED TV panels.

- Source: The Elec, Korea Economic Daily