Samsung's 2013 TV line-up - with prices
Samsung has been more secretive than in past years but today we bring you a full overview of Samsung’s 2013 TV line-up. Samsung will release new LED and plasma TVs, as well as its first Ultra HD TVs and OLED TV. 2013 is all about Smart TV and new smarter features, but Samsung also promises improvements to picture quality.
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Samsung’s 2013 TV line-up
As always, Samsung will release a range of new TVs in 2013, packed with the latest features and packaged in a neatly slim design. That seems to be the mantra and over the years Samsung has captured a huge part of the TV market so it seems to resonate with consumers. Some of the most impressive TVs in Samsung’s 2013 TV line-up are the Ultra HD TVs.
Samsung’s first Ultra HD TVs will be released in 2013
Samsung will release its first Ultra HD TV range with three models, measuring 85, 95 and 110 inches. The TVs have been created in a unique design with an “Easel” stand that also holds a full 2.2 speaker system with two subwoofers. But the TVs will also be crazy expensive with the 85” model starting at 40,000 USD. So let us move on to the more reasonable TVs.
The top-of-the-line LED model is called F8000, and in Europe a design variant called F8500 will also be available. The LED ranges then goes down into the 7, 6, 5 and 4 series. All models have very slim designs and the bezels have been reduced to almost nothing. The F8000 utilizes a new Arc stand that is very discreet.
Europe will be treated with a special F8500 design variant of the F8000 LED model
The overall theme of 2013 is, as in 2012, Smart TV. The high-end models will be faster due to a quad-core processor but all models will offer improvements. Samsung is introducing a completely revamped Smart TV platform that has been simplifying; now consisting of 5 overall sections: 1) On TV 2) Movies & TV Shows 3) Photos, Videos & Music 4) Social 5) Apps.
Samsung’s F8000 with the new 2013 Smart TV platform
Samsung will expand the mobile integration, too. The same apps that have been available for some time can act as a remote control but also incorporate Samsung’s feature to push media content such as video, pictures and music from a smartphone/tablet to the TV screen wirelessly. You can also stream TV channels from the TV to a smartphone or tablet (if they are connected to the same home network). These features are called AllShare and Smart View. A new S Recommendation feature also recommends shows based on what you have seen. The motion control and voice control systems have been improved, according to Samsung. For more details see this article.
Samsung’s Smart Evolution Kit can upgrade the processor in your 2012 Samsung Smart TV
2012 owners may feel left out of all the fun but Samsung plans to make the new platform and the faster processors, as well as some of the new features, available through a so-called Smart Evolution Kit that is basically a small add-on box that can be connected to the back of the TV. The Evolution Kit will only offer upgrades to the Smart TV features and have no effect on picture quality. It will appear in shops in April or May and cost 300 USD / 300 Euro.
When it comes to picture quality, Samsung has made some improvement to both LED and plasma models. The F8000 now incorporates a system called Cinema Black that aims to eliminate clouding and screen uniformity issues by installing light zones behind the black bars seen during movies. For the F8500 plasma Samsung has managed to improve both light output and black reproduction to offer a better viewing experience in especially brightly lit rooms, they claim. Here are our first hands-on impressions with the new picture systems.
Samsung’s is still committed to plasma TVs, and the F8500 is said to be the best yet
The F8500 plasma will be the only high-end plasma TV in 2013. Besides this model, Samsung will release mid-range and low-end plasma TVs. The F8500 obviously come with all the same Smart TV features as the high-end LED models. Samsung has high hopes for its most advanced plasma TV to date but can it match Panasonic’s new ZT60? We’ll have to wait and see.
We almost forget to mention 3D – but we are not alone. Samsung has been surprisingly mum on 3D during its 2013 announcements. 3D was the new hot thing a few years ago but TV manufacturers have moved on. 3D is still implemented in most of Samsung’s 2013 TVs – possibly more than ever – but they just refrain from talking about it. Samsung still bets on the active 3D technology that requires active shutter glasses. 4 are included with the high-end models (at least in the US).
Samsung’s Smart Touch remote will come bundled with most of the mid-to-high-end 2013 TVs
Samsung is also bundling the new Smart Touch Remote with most TVs in 2013. It is a simpler and more elegant remote control solution that has a large touch pad in the center to control the Smart TV platform. The remote has a built-in microphone for voice command control.
Samsung’s first OLED-TV will be available in 2013, they say. But let’s wait and see what happens
And the OLED, you might ask? Well, it was on display at CES 2013 again, after first appearing at the CES 2012 show, and Samsung is very committed to OLED technology, as evidenced in its Galaxy smartphones. But OLED is hard to manufacture, especially in large sizes and without PenTile pixels that are unusable in a TV. Samsung has renamed the OLED-TV F9500 and has added a dual-view feature that lets you watch two different TV shows by using 3D glasses. Two separate audio streams will also be streamed to the 3D glasses that have built-in speakers. Still no launch or pricing details.
Below you can find an overview of the different Samsung TV ranges coming out in 2013. Pretty much all of the new TVs will start to ship from now until May.
Samsung S9 (UHD 4K)
Samsung’s first Ultra HD TV will be dubbed S9 and offers a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels – four times the pixel count as a Full HD TV. It has built-in speakers and subwoofers and all the latest features – but you probably can’t afford it.
Samsung’s S9 Ultra HD TV
USA: Samsung S9 is available in 85 inches. Prices start at 40.000 USD.
Europe: Samsung S9 is available in 85 inches. Prices start at 40.000 Euro.
Samsung OLED-TV
Samsung’s OLED-TV was re-announced in 2013 and has finally come out, although in a curved version with a Timeless design frame.
Samsung’s curved OLED TV
US prices
Europe: Samsung’s curved OLED-TV is available in 55 inches.
Samsung F9000 (UHD 4K)
Samsung’s first “mainstream” Ultra HD TV is the F9000 series. It has a 4K LCD panel with edge LED backlighting, and all the Smart TV features.
Samsung’s F9000 with 4K resolution
US prices
EU prices
Samsung F8500 (LED) – only Europe
F8500 (not to be confused with the plasma variant) is a LED model and a design variant of the F8000 model. It has a more exclusive aluminum design with a base made from one solid piece.
Samsung’s F8500 with 4K resolution
USA: Will not be available in USA.
EU prices
Samsung F8000 (LED)
F8000 is the direct replacement to last year’s ES8000 and comes with a slim design and all of Samsung’s Smart TV features and most advanced picture systems.
Samsung F8000
US prices
EU prices
Samsung F7500 / F7000 (LED)
Samsung F7500 (in USA) and F7000 (in Europe) is the step down from F8000. It offers most of the same features, except the Micro Dimming Ultimate and Precision Black. It also uses a 960 CMR system instead of the 1200 CMR.
Samsung F7500 / F7000
US prices
EU prices
Samsung F7100 (LED) - only USA
F7100 is a US-only model and comes with a slim design but scales down to a dual-core processor for the Smart TV platform.
Samsung F7100
US prices
Europe: Will not be available in Europe.
Samsung F6800 (LED)
The F6800 is will differ slightly in USA and Europe but the overall features such as Smart TV and 3D are the same. It is described as a “design model”.
Samsung F6800
US prices
EU prices
Samsung F6400 (LED)
The F6400 is a mid-range TV with Smart TV, 3D and Micro Dimming. It does not use the slim-bezel design.
Samsung F6400
US prices
EU prices
Samsung F5500 (LED)
The F5500 does not offer the new Smart TV platform but still offers a dual-core processor. It has no 3D either.
Samsung F5500
US prices
EU prices
Samsung F5000 (LED)
F5000 is a low-end model with the most essential TV features but without most fun.
Samsung F5000
US prices
EU prices
Samsung F4000 (LED)
F4000 is another low-end model that will come in smaller TV sizes. It is also a 720p TV.US prices
EU prices
Samsung F8500 (plasma)
Samsung’s 2013 high-end plasma TV is called F8500 and Samsung promises significant picture quality improvements. The TV naturally also offers Samsung’s new Smart TV features and 3D.
Samsung F8500
US prices
EU prices
Samsung F5500 (plasma)
F5500 is a big step down from F8500 and is instead a mid-range plasma TV.
Samsung F5500
US prices
EU prices
Samsung F5300 / F5000 (plasma)
F5300 (in USA) and F5000 (in Europe) is a low-end model without 3D and without Smart TV. It comes in up to 64 inches.
Samsung F5000
US prices
Europe: Not available in Europe.
Samsung F4500 (plasma)
F4500 is a low-end model without Smart TV and without 3D. It uses a 720p panel.
Samsung F4500
US prices
EU prices
Overview
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