Samsung’s plan to make curved TVs the new premium format does not appear to bear fruit. The South Korean giant is adding a flat Q8F range to its high-end portfolio in Europe, meaning that all of the Q models are now available in flat versions.
Fewer curved, more flat TVs
Q8F will be part of Samsung’s “QLED” range of LCD TVs and a flat counterpart to the previously launched curved Q8C range.
With Q8F, Samsung now offers flat models in all of its high-end TV ranges (Q7, Q8 and Q9) and has significantly rolled back its push for the curved form factor that it introduced a few years ago. Ever since launching the first curved TVs, Samsung has insisted that consumers have embraced them while almost all other manufacturers have abandoned the gimmick to focus solely on flat TVs.
- “I am proud to bring the flat version of the Q8 in response to the frequent requests of European consumers seeking premium, flat and mid-size TVs, which would operate perfectly in well-lit living rooms through the entire day,” said Sang-ho Cho, VP of Visual Display at Samsung.
55 and 65-inch sizes
Q8F will be available in 55 and 65-inch sizes in Europe. It is based on an LCD panel with edge LED lighting and quantum dots to expand to color space. The TVs offer 4K resolution and support for HDR.
Q8F also comes with Samsung’s latest version of the Tizen operating system, an option for a “no-gap” wall-mount, and an external connection box that connects to the TV via a 1.8mm transparent optical cable.
Additionally, diverse stand options are available, including the ‘Studio Stand’ and ‘Tower Stand’, the company said.
Samsung has priced its “QLED” range of edge-lit LCD TVs to compete with OLED TVs from competing brands such as LG, Panasonic, and Sony. The company tried to commercialize OLED TVs some years ago but had to ultimately abandon the project due to low production yields. Samsung is now betting on quantum dot-enhanced LCDs until it can realize true QD-LED TVs without the LCD filter.
Samsung Q8F will be available in Europe only. Recommended retail prices are 2599 and 3599 Euro, respectively.
