RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. — Samsung revealed the pricing and ship dates of its first curved and flat LCD-LED SUHD TVs, an expanded selection of curved LCD-LED UHD TVs, new flat LED UHD TVs and an expanded assortment of curved soundbars.
The company also added the first omnidirectional speaker, an egg-shaped model, to its line of Wi-Fi multiroom-audio speakers.
The 22 TVs, four curved soundbars, and wireless speaker were shown at International CES. Select products have begun shipping, and others are due this month and later in the spring.
The SUHD TVs include five curved-screen models in three series with screen sizes of 48 to 78 inches at prices from $3,499 to $9,999. One flat-screen SUHD series consists of two models at $2,999 and $3,999 with 55- and 65-inch screen sizes.
In LED UHD TVs, the company revealed pricing and ship dates of nine curved-screen models in two series and six flat-screen models in one series. The curved-screen models range in price from $949 to $5,999, and the flat-screen models range in price from $1,399 to $4,999.
The curved SUHD TV series consist of the:
• JS9100 series available in May in a $9,999 78- inch model;
• JS9500 series available this month with one 65- inch model at $6,499; and
• JS9000 series available now in 48 inches at $3,499, 55 inches at $3,999, and 65 inches at $4,999.
In flat SUHD TVs, the selection consists of the JS8500 series available now in a 55-inch model at $2,999 and a 65-inch model at $3999.
In curved UHD TVs, two series consist of:
• the five-SKU JU7500 series, available in April in 40 inches at $1,399, 50 inches at $1499, 55 inches at $1,799, 60 inches at $2,499, 65 inches at $2,999, and 75 inches at $4,999 and
• the four-SKU JU6700 series, available in the spring in 40 inches at $949, 48 inches at $1,149, 55 inches at $1,499, and 65 inches at $2,699.
SUHD technology uses a proprietary form of quantum-dot technology to expand the color gamut to close to Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) standards. It’s positioned as offering a more cost-effective alternative to OLED TVs, which Samsung is putting on hold for now.
Samsung’s SUHD technology uses proprietary cadmium-free nano-crystal technology, which is combined with other display enhancements to not only produce a wider color range but also to deliver what the company said are “the deepest blacks seen on an LED screen” and deliver “unmatched brightness.”
The SUHD TVs also feature local dimming technologies to minimize black loss, improve contrast, and deliver what Samsung said is “the deepest blacks currently available without loss of detail.”
All are the first Samsung smart TVs incorporating the company’s proprietary Tizen OS, which is also used in select smart watches. Tizen features an octacore processor, what the company called an intuitive user interface, and a Quick Connect feature said to enable an easy wireless connection to select Samsung mobile devices to deliver a second-screen experience. With one button press, the company said, users can share content from their Samsung smartphone or tablet with the TV while they browse the web on the mobile device or talk on their smartphone. The feature will be upgraded later this year to work with other devices.
In other Samsung news, April 10 will be the first day that Samsung’s new flagship Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphones will be available in the U.S., joining the April 10 debut of the HTC One M9 flagship.
AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless will carry both models, which feature aluminum backs and sides, Samsung said. Both models will also be carried by Amazon.com, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, Walmart and Samsung Experience Shops at Best Buy. Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless and MetroPCS will carry only the S6.
Preorders began March 27, and consumers are able to get their first look at the phones in participating AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless and U.S. Cellular stores, as well as in Best Buy’s Samsung Experience Shops. Both phones will be available in 32GB, 64GB and 128GB memory options.
The Galaxy S6 Edge is the world’s first phone with a curved display running along the edges of both sides of the main display to display quick-access app icons and information, such as information tickers so users can discreetly view news updates and messaging notifications. A current Galaxy model, the Galaxy Note Edge phablet, features a curved display that wraps around one edge.
The phones deliver multiple performance enhancements over the S5, including processor, display, cameras, RAM and storage. They also jump to Android 5.0 Lollipop OS.
