Samsung continues to solidify its status as a leader in display innovation, driven by years of research and the successful commercialization of cadmium-free quantum dot materials. This breakthrough has redefined what modern TVs can achieve, offering exceptional color precision and picture quality that surpasses traditional LED technologies. The impact of this next-generation material extends far beyond televisions, drawing interest from industries such as medical imaging and solar energy for its superior performance and safety.
With the introduction of its QLED TV lineup, Samsung has transformed the global TV landscape by fully integrating advanced quantum dot technology into its displays. By utilizing ultra-fine quantum dots, QLED TVs deliver a wider color gamut, significantly higher brightness, and a more refined overall picture quality. These improvements elevate the visual experience well beyond the capabilities of standard LED TVs, ensuring accurate color reproduction and clarity even in brightly lit environments.
Samsung Newsroom recently explored these innovations by disassembling a Samsung QLED TV with researchers Kevin Cha and Jang Nae-won from the Visual Display Business. Their insights unveiled how numerous internal components work together to produce the vivid colors, dynamic contrast, immersive sound, and seamless connectivity capabilities that Samsung QLED TVs are known for.
The operating module serves as the core of the television, beginning with the rear cover that provides structural support, protects internal hardware, and ensures efficient heat management. Within this structure lies the main PCB, functioning as the brain of the device by controlling power distribution, remote-signal reception, SmartThings features, and overall system operation. A built-in TV tuner continues to uphold the fundamental definition of a television by receiving broadcast signals, even as more viewers shift toward streaming platforms and external devices. Central to the QLED experience is the Q4 AI Processor, which intelligently optimizes picture and audio quality according to ambient conditions, while the integrated speaker system delivers rich, spacious sound to complement the stunning visuals.
Behind the screen, the panel comprises multiple layers engineered to work with extreme precision. The liquid crystal display layer and color filter regulate and separate light to create images at the pixel level, supported by a dedicated PCB that ensures accurate pixel control. An optical sheet concentrates light from the backlight to achieve consistent brightness throughout the display. The standout component, the quantum dot layer, uses real quantum dot materials to convert light with remarkable accuracy, enabling deeper saturation and more lifelike colors. This layer is also certified as free of cadmium, making Samsung’s quantum dot technology both high-performing and environmentally safer. Light is then evenly dispersed across the screen by a diffuser plate, while a high-efficiency blue LED backlight works in tandem with the QD layer to deliver purer colors and superior luminance compared to conventional white LED backlights.
To be classified as a true quantum dot TV, three essential criteria must be met: the presence of a quantum dot layer, a sufficiently high concentration of quantum dots, and the use of a blue light backlight system. Samsung QLED TVs are the only models that meet all three standards globally, earning the prestigious “Real Quantum Dot Display” certification from TÜV Rheinland of Germany. This recognition reinforces Samsung’s leadership in delivering quantum dot technology in its purest and most advanced form.
The performance gap between Samsung QLED TVs and traditional LCD TVs becomes strikingly clear when analyzing color output. QLED displays show distinct, concentrated peaks in red, green, and blue wavelengths, resulting in highly accurate color expression and richer visual depth. Standard LCD TVs, lacking the QD layer, produce weaker and less defined color peaks, making accurate color reproduction more challenging and often requiring additional corrective layers that ultimately reduce brightness and efficiency.
The teardown reveals that Samsung QLED TVs are built with meticulously engineered components that harmonize to create outstanding image quality. The quantum dot layer plays a vital role in elevating color performance, while the system as a whole works cohesively to enhance brightness, contrast, and clarity. These technologies come together to offer an immersive viewing experience that sets Samsung apart in the premium TV market.
During IFA 2025, Samsung highlighted these advancements with a dedicated “Real QLED Zone,” reinforcing its message of “Buy Real, Not Fake” to educate consumers on the value of genuine quantum dot technology. Samsung QLED TVs stand as a testament to continuous innovation, showing how cutting-edge display engineering can redefine visual entertainment at home. With each generation, Samsung reaffirms its commitment to delivering unparalleled picture quality and a truly elevated viewing experience.
