Both Samsung and TCL are releasing mini LED backlight TVs this year with a refresh rate of 144 Hz. Last year’s models went up to 120Hz. The higher refresh rate has advantages when used in combination with PCs. Consoles support up to 120Hz.
Samsung uses the 144Hz panels in some of its Neo QLED TVs from 2022. This concerns all 4k models in the QN95B series and the 43″ and 50″ versions in the QN9XB series. Other versions will have a 120Hz panel, just like last year. The model numbers of 2022 will have a B in the name, last year that was an A. The serial numbers are also the same.
The 2022 models will get four HDMI 2.1 ports and support 14-bit HDR mapping. With the 2021 versions, this is done with 12-bit precision. The new models can adjust the light level of the LEDs to 16,384 levels, compared to 4096 levels on the predecessors.
When Samsung will release its new Neo QLED TVs and what they will cost has not yet been announced. Last year’s cheapest model, a 55″ version, costs 999 euros at the time of writing. The 8k versions are the most expensive; the QN900A in 85″ version costs 9,999 euros.
Update, Wednesday: not all 2022 models get a 144Hz panel. The article has been adapted accordingly.
| Series | 2022 models | 2021 models | Formats |
| Neo QLED 8K | QN900B QN800B |
QN900A QN800A |
65″, 75″, 85″ 65″, 75″, 85″ |
| Neo QLED 4K | QN95B (144Hz) QN9XB (144Hz at 43″ and 50″) QN85B |
QN95A QN9XA QN85A |
43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″, 98″ 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ |
TCL also comes with 144Hz TVs
In an announcement, TCL also announces that it will also release 144Hz TVs this year. However, details on this have not yet been disclosed. Just like the Samsung models, these are LCD TVs with a mini LED backlight. TCL speaks of ‘more than a thousand’ dimmable zones. Later in the first quarter, TCL will announce more about its 144Hz TVs.
Miniled vs microled vs oled
Mini LED TVs, as manufacturers often call them, are LCD TVs with a backlight of thousands of tiny LEDs. Such TVs have thousands of dimmable zones, which allows for high contrast. The contrast is not as high as with OLED, QD-OLED and microLED. These techniques use an individual light source for each pixel. TVs with a mini LED backlight, however, achieve a much higher brightness than OLED variants. MicroLED TVs achieve both high brightness and infinite contrast, but are not yet aimed at consumers due to the extremely high prices.