Samsung promised to bring out a new full-array local dimming (FALD) TV in 2016, and here it is. KS9800 (in the US) and KS9500 (in Europe) is Samsung’s most advanced TV to date.
The successor to JS9500
Samsung confused everyone by naming its top-of-the-line TV KS9500 in Europe. To be clear KS9500 in the US is a very different TV with edge LED. Instead, Samsung has chosen to name the US version of the 2016 FALD TV KS9800.
The TV is the successor to last year’s JS9500 and just like last year’s TV, KS9800/KS9500 is the only TV in the line-up to feature full-array local dimming (FALD). The Korean company is not saying how many local dimming zones it employs but it should nevertheless significantly improve the HDR picture experience over the cheaper edge LED models from Samsung. The TV supports the open HDR10 format but not Dolby Vision. It has also been “UHD Premium” certified.
Samsung says that the TV can reproduce 96% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and that it can reach over 1000 nits peak brightness. It obviously has 4K resolution, too. As you can see from the pictures the TV is curved so despite scaling back on the curved form factor this year Samsung still refuses to offer a flat flagship TV.
The TV comes equipped with a revamped Tizen platform, apps, and a twin tuner (in Europe). It supports HEVC and VP9 Profile 2 decoding, making it capable of streaming 4K HDR from streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Video and YouTube. You can obviously also connect a UHD Blu-ray player via HDMI 2.0a.
KS9800 is available now in the US in 65- and 78-inch sizes. KS9500 is available now in Europe – same sizes. An 88-inch model will be added later.
Prices:
USA: 65” Samsung KS9800
USA: 78” Samsung KS9800
Europe: 65” Samsung KS9500
Europe: 78” Samsung KS9500
