Hisense and TCL widen lead over Samsung in miniLED

The three manufacturers, which formed a close alliance in 2017, are now moving in different directions, with competing bets on miniLED, RGB LED and OLED.

In 2017, the three formed the QLED Alliance as a front against OLED, but Samsung is now abandoning QLED while significantly increasing its focus on OLED TVs and launching a push into LCD TVs with RGB LED, which Samsung markets as 'micro RGB'.

Hisense has set its sights on LCD TVs with RGB LED backlighting while TCL is betting on 'super' quantum dots for miniLED, which it sees as a superior technology to RGB LED.


Hisense and TCL lead in miniLED
Initially, the three manufacturers followed each other closely from QLED to miniLED in LCD TVs, with Samsung – the world's largest TV maker – leading the market for a period, according to market data from Omdia.

In 2022, Samsung accounted for 76% of all miniLED LCD TV shipments, followed by TCL with 12% and Hisense with just 2%.

During 2024, both Chinese TV makers overtook Samsung, and in 2025 they extended their lead over the world's leading TV brand. During this period, Samsung sold miniLED LCD TVs under the 'Neo QLED' name.

The difference is reflected not only in sales but also in technology, with Hisense and TCL typically offering significantly more dimming zones in their miniLED models than Samsung. The number of dimming zones is a key factor in improving picture quality.


A comeback for Samsung?
Samsung is not done with miniLED, however. In 2026, the company replaced 'QLED' with ranges of cheaper miniLED LCD TVs sold as 'Mini LED'.

- "Meanwhile, Samsung has released a new TV lineup named “Mini LED”, which reduces cost by eliminating QD sheets and using white Mini LED packages instead. Samsung plans to replace its mainstream QLED lineup with this new Mini LED series," wrote Jimmy Kim, Principal Analyst at Omdia.

TCL considers this misleading marketing, which is why TCL has sued Samsung in the US. TCL argues that miniLED without quantum dots and local dimming does not qualify.

The move could potentially propel Samsung back into the race, but it is clear that the three manufacturers that once worked closely together are increasingly becoming fierce rivals as the Chinese players have grown at breakneck speed and are now challenging Samsung's throne.

- Source: Omdia