Samsung ups the ante again on SUHD TV

Samsung enjoys a 51 per cent market share in the region for UHD TVs.

Samsung Gulf Electronics on Tuesday launched its latest line-up of SUHD TVs for the region in Dubai and said the new models are immediately available across the Gulf countries.

The 78-inch, 65-inch and 55-inch models of the KS9500 are priced at Dh34,999, Dh14,999 and Dh9,999 respectively. Samsung's 2016 range of SUHD TVs offer unparalleled picture quality, Quantum dot display, the world's first bezel-less curved design and a smart user interface to deliver a state-of-the-art hub for home entertainment content.

"We listen to our consumers and make products based on their requirements. That's why Samsung has been the number one TV manufacturer worldwide for the past 10 consecutive years," Haris Munif, head of product marketing at Samsung Gulf Electronics, told Khaleej Times at the launch event.

Samsung enjoys a 51 per cent market share in the UAE for UHD TVs and 33 per cent in TV categories, according to the latest GfK data for January to May 2016 period.

Last month, Samsung launched a pre-order campaign for the latest UHD TVs and Munif said the response was overwhelming.

"The pre-order target we set was achieved in less than two weeks. We did not disappoint our customers and continued the campaign for a whole month. We were able to achieve three times the quantity we allocated for pre-order," he explained. "Since the response was very encouraging, we hope the latest line-up of TVs will also record a big success," he added.

Regardless of the lighting environment, the SUHD TVs deliver an optimum viewing experience, with the 1,000 nit high dynamic range offering an extraordinary level of contrast between light and dark images.

The range is headlined by the world's first bezel-less Curved TV, the KS9500 SUHD TV. With no bezel that functions as the border, the viewer's attention is focused on content on the screen. In keeping with this design ethos, Samsung has sought to eliminate all unnecessary elements, even removing screws from the rear of the TV.

Built on the Tizen operating system, the SUHD TVs make it easier for consumers to access content and services, from broadcast TV and movies to games and programme information, all in one place.

Smart Control remote
The new Samsung Smart TV eliminates the need to juggle multiple remote controls. The Samsung Smart TV will automatically recognise the type of game console, OTT box or home theatre system that is connected to the TV. This allows users to control such devices with the Smart Control remote - with no set-up required.

Content partnerships
Samsung is bringing premium VOD Player in the Mena region, with its array of entertainment content to its Smart TV customers through a partnership with MBC Shahid Plus.

This collaboration offers viewers a choice of on-demand exclusive Arabic series, shows and the latest Arabic movies through a three month free-trial subscription of Shahid SVOD.

Samsung also has a partnership with Starz Play Arabia, the on-demand video streaming service available across the Gulf, to bring the latest 4K content to its customers.

In addition to a range of blockbuster Hollywood movies and the latest English and Arabic TV series, the partnership will deliver 4K content in Arabic directly on Samsung Smart TVs for the first time in the region. The range comes bundled with up to six months' free subscription to Starz Play.

- abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com