Samsung TV marking – direct decoding of different TV series

Deciphering the labeling of any product is a storehouse of useful information about it. There are no generally accepted coding standards. And in this review, we will share how to decipher the marking of TV models from the world’s leading manufacturer – Samsung.

Samsung TV marking: what is it and what is it for

Samsung TV model number is a kind of alphanumeric cipher, which consists of 10 – 15 characters. This code contains the following product data:

• device type;
• Screen size;
• year of issue;
• TV series and model;
• specifications;
• information about the design of the device;
• sales region, etc.

You can find the markings on the back of the device or on the packaging. Another way is to dig into the TV settings.
Samsung TV marking on the back of the TV [/ caption]

Direct transcript of Samsung TV marking

For 5 years, from 2002 to 2007, the Samsung company labeled its product according to the type: they distinguished picture tubes, TFT flat screen TVs, plasma. Since 2008, a unified TV marking system has been used for these products, which is still in effect today. But it is worth noting that the numbers of the classic models are somewhat different from the marking of Samsung with QLED screens.

Marking classic models

The decoding of the Samsung TV marking without QLED is as follows:

1. The first character – the letter “U” (for models up to 2012 “H” or “L”) – indicates the type of device. Here, the letter of the marking indicates that this product is a television. The letter “G” is the designation for TVs for Germany.
2. The second letter designates the region for the sale of this product. Here the manufacturer can indicate both the whole continent and a separate country:

• “E” – Europe;
• “N” – Korea, USA and Canada;
• “A” – Oceania, Asia, Australia, Africa and Eastern countries;
• “S” – Iran;
• “Q” – Germany, etc.

3. The next two digits represent the screen size. Indicated in inches.
4. The fifth character is the year of release or the year the TV went on sale:

• “A” – 2021;
• “T” – 2020;
• “R” – 2019;
• “N” – 2018;
• “M” – 2017;
• “K” – 2016;
• “J” – 2015;
• “N” – 2014;
• “F” – 2013;
• “E” – 2012;
• “D” – 2011;
• “C” – 2010;
• “B” – 2009;
• “A” – 2008.

Note! 2008 TV models are also designated with the letter “A”. In order not to confuse them, you should pay attention to the form of the marking. It is slightly different.

5. The next parameter is the resolution of the matrix:

• “S” – Super Ultra HD;
• “U” – Ultra HD;
• Lack of designation – Full HD.

6. The following marking symbol denotes the TV series. Each series is a generalization of different Samsung models with the same parameters (for example, the same screen resolution).
7. Further, the model number indicates the presence of various connectors, TV properties, etc.
8. The next coding parameter, consisting of 2 digits, is data on the design of the technique. Indicates the color of the TV case, the shape of the stand.
9. The letter that follows the design parameters is the tuner type:

• “T” – two tuners 2xDVB-T2 / C / S2;
• “U” – DVB-T2 / C / S2 tuner;
• “K” – DVB-T2 / C tuner;
• “W” – DVB-T / C tuner and others.

Since 2013, this characteristic has been designated by two letters, for example, AW (W) – DVB-T / C.

10. The last letter-symbols of the number designate the area for sale:

• XUA – Ukraine;
• XRU – RF, etc.

An example of decoding the Samsung TV model number

Using an illustrative example, we decipher the TV model number SAMSUNG UE43TU7100UXUA: “U” – TV, E – region for sale (Europe), “43” – monitor diagonal (43 inches), “T” – TV release year (2020), “U” – matrix resolution (UHD), “7” – series (7th series, respectively), further design data, “U” – type of DVB-T2 / C / S2 tuner, “XUA” – country for sale – Ukraine.
Another example of Samsung UE series decoding [/ caption]

Samsung QLED TV marking

Note! Together with the technical innovations of Samsung, the principle of TV marking is also being corrected.

Consider the changes over the years

Explanation of the model number 2017-2018 release

Samsung brought ultramodern TVs with quantum dot technology into a separate series. Therefore, their encoding is somewhat different. For 2017 and 2018 devices, model numbers are composed of the following symbols and parameters:

1. The first character is the letter “Q” – the designation for a QLED TV.
2. The second letter, as in the labeling of classic TVs, is the region for which this product was created. However, Korea is now designated with the letter “Q”.
3. Next is the TV diagonal.
4. After that, the letter “Q” (the designation for a QLED TV) is again registered and the Samsung series number is indicated.
5. The following symbol characterizes the shape of the panel – it is the letter “F” or “C”, the screen is flat or curved, respectively.
6. This is followed by the letter “N”, “M” or “Q” – the year of TV release. At the same time, the 2017 models now have an additional division into classes: “M” – ordinary class, “Q” – high.
7. The next symbol is the letter designation of the backlight type:

• “A” – lateral;
• “B” – backlight of the screen.

8. Following is the type of TV tuner, and the region for sale.

Note! In the coding of these models, an additional letter is sometimes also found: “S” – designation of a thin case, “H” – a middle case.

Deciphering Samsung TV models from 2019

In 2019, Samsung introduced the release of new TVs – with 8K screens. And the technological advancements of new TVs again entailed new changes in labeling. So, unlike the coding of 2017-2018 models, data on the shape of the TV screen is no longer indicated. That is, the series (for example, Q60, Q95, Q800, etc.) is now followed by the year of product release (“A”, “T” or “R”, respectively). Another innovation is the designation of the TV generation:

• “A” is the first;
• “B” is the second generation.

The numbering of the modification is also indicated:

• “0” – resolution 4K;
• “00” – corresponds to 8K.

The last characters remain unchanged.
Example of marking Let’s analyze the marking of a QLED TV SAMSUNG QE55Q60TAUXRU: “Q” – designation of a QLED TV, “E” – development for the European region, “55” – screen diagonal, “Q60” – series, “T” – year of release (2020) , “A” – side illumination of the monitor, “U” – type of TV tuner (DVB-T2 / C / S2), “XRU” – country for implementation (Russia).

Note! Among Samsung, you can also find models that do not fully or partially fall under the brand labeling rules. This applies to some hospitality models or concept versions.

Samsung TV series, the difference in their labeling

The IV series of Samsung are the initial simplest and most budgetary models. The screen diagonal varies from 19 to 32 inches. Matrix resolution – 1366 x 768 HD Ready. The processor is dual-core. The functionality is standard. Has Smart TV option + pre-installed applications. It is possible to connect a third-party gadget, and view media content via USB.
V series TV – all the options of the previous series + improved picture quality. The monitor resolution is now 1920 x 1080 Full HD. Diagonal – 22-50 inches. All TVs in this series now have the option of wireless connection to the network.
VI seriesSamsung now uses an improved technology of color rendering – Wide Color Enhancer 2. Also, compared to the previous series, the number and variety of connectors for connecting various devices has increased. Curved screen variants also appear in this series. Samsung VII series TVs have
now introduced advanced technology of color rendering – Wide Color Enhancer Plus, as well as 3D function and improved sound quality. A camera appears here, which can be used for Skype communication, or control the TV with gestures. Quad-core processor. The diagonal of the screen is 40 – 60 inches.
VIII seriesSamsung is about improving all the options of its predecessors. The matrix frequency is increased by 200 Hz. Screen – up to 82 inches. The design of the TV has also been improved. The stand is now arch-shaped, making the TV look more elegant.
Series IX is a new generation of TVs. The design has also been improved: the new stand is made of transparent materials and has a “hover in air” effect. Additional speakers are now also built into it.
Modern markings [/ caption] All the above series are marked according to Samsung classic coding standards. https://youtu.be/HYAf5VBD3eY Samsung QLED TV series comparison chart is shown below:

Samsung QLED TVs are labeled in accordance with the relevant standards described above.