Samsung unveils 2018 QLED TVs; check out the slew of high-tech features

By Jean-Jacques DeLisle, contributing writer

Samsung has recently unveiled its new lineup of smart TVs for 2018, and they come with some surprising new features. The new TVs will be able to blend into their surroundings when not in use, display traffic and weather alerts, and the high end of its new series of TVs are equipped with quantum-dot light-emitting-diode (QLED) displays, which our editor-in-chief, Rich Quinnell, described in more detail in his report from CES .

The new Samsung QLED TV will include Bixby, Samsung’s new smart technology, which allows the TV to be controlled with voice commands. They also boast effortless login and universal guide features that will drastically lower setup time and allow users to stream across different platforms all from the same menu.

The new Samsung TV can blend seamlessly into the wall behind it, ostensibly disappearing. Image source: Samsung.

According to Jonghee Han, president of visual display business at Samsung Electronics, the 2018 lineup of televisions is the most innovative and sophisticated yet, designed for today’s consumer who is mindful of the aesthetics of their space. “We are excited for consumers to experience our new TV lineup and features that offer more freedom to decide where and how the TV can be best enjoyed within the home,” said Han.

QLED TVs are also equipped with direct full array (DFA) technology, a feature that uses backlights built into the TV to darken or lighten areas of pixels, resulting in deeper blacks and brighter colors. They’re also outfitted with ultra-4K UHD technology for a pristine and detailed picture.

One of the most innovative features of this new lineup in the televised world is the TV’s new ambient mode that can be activated when it’s not in use. In ambient mode, the new Samsung TV can blend seamlessly into the wall behind it, ostensibly disappearing. In this mode, a clock can be displayed, as well as weather or traffic updates if so desired. The illusion is further reinforced by Samsung’s new One Invisible Connect. The new type of connection uses a thin, nearly invisible, transparent wire to carry all AV signals to and from the TV. New advancements in Samsung’s One Invisible Connect have even managed to allow the same wire to power the TV completely, thus making installation simple and cluttered cord piles a thing of the past.

These new advancements will allow technology to integrate even more seamlessly into our lives. Unused TVs and devices will be able to blend into our surroundings, providing us with useful information without interrupting our daily routines or disturbing the aesthetics of the spaces around us.

Though the exact prices and release dates are still unknown, the prices are expected to range from around $899 for the 55-in. UHD, $3,799 for the 65-in. QLED, and a staggering $20,000 for the 88-in. QLED TV.