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What is HDR TV?

HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, what does this actually mean? Let's delve into the details behind these terms and explore the transformative benefits of HDR technology.

What does HDR mean on a TV?

HDR10 is the original and most common variation of HDR that you might come across. If manufacturers want to associate this term with a TV, it means that the TV must reach a certain standard based on colour subsampling, bit depth and other factors… To put it simply, the TV has to produce a certain standard of picture quality and this is measured against a variety of criteria.

What is HDR10?

HDR10 is a common variation of HDR that you can find on Full HD, 4K and even 8K TVs. HDR10 involves static metadata which is designed to improve picture quality using encoded information. This clever HDR technology adjusts the light levels to produce images that have greater levels of contrast and a wider colour gamut compared to standard TVs, making images look more realistic and true-to-life.

What is HDR10+?

Samsung pioneered HDR10+ technology, setting a new standard for HDR. HDR10+ is used across Samsung TV ranges and serves up a glorious viewing experience. HDR10+ uses dynamic metadata (rather than static metadata with HDR10) to further improve the brightness levels and colour depths you see on your TV. This results in TV content that looks incredible whatever you're watching, day and night.

The latest Neo QLED TVs take HDR10+ even further with Samsung’s next generation Quantum HDR. This cutting-edge technology boasts an exquisite level of detail. Capturing the subtlest of details in both bright and dark areas to produce true HDR10+ picture quality exactly as the director intended. You can find the exceptional Quantum HDR64X on Samsung’s flagship QN900B Neo QLED 8K Smart TV.

Does HDR make a difference?

Yes! HDR introduces a wider range of colours and brightness levels compared to Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) by telling the TV exactly which colours to display at the correct level of brightness. SDR by contrast only has a limited range of brightness and colours so images tend to be duller and less sharp. 

Here’s why we would always recommend a HDR10+ TV:

• Images appear more life-like with exceptional levels of contrast
• Brightness levels adapt to what you’re watching
• Higher levels of peak brightness 
• Wide colour gamut resulting in deeper, richer colours
• Clearer details in dark areas
• The latest TV content is optimised for HDR

Do all 4K TVs have HDR?

Yes, all Samsung 4K TVs benefit from HDR technology. However, 4K TVs from different TV brands might not necessarily have HDR included since they are in fact two different display technologies - you can therefore have one without the other.

HDR optimises the contrast - giving the picture greater vibrancy, brightness and depth, whilst 4K is responsible for how detailed the image you see on the screen is. Together they create breath-taking images that look true-to-life. For the best TV picture quality you should opt for a TV with both 4K (or indeed 8K) and HDR10+.

Check out exceptional HDR10+ TVs across the Samsung range in our comparison table below.

  • Category

  • Picture Quality

  • Screen Size

  • Resolution

  • Quantum Matrix Technology

  • Processor

  • HDR

  • Colour Volume

  • Sound

  • Dolby Atmos

  • OTS

  • Q- Symphony

  • Space Fit Sound

  • Design

  • Design

  • Smart TV

  • Smart TV

  • Multi View

  • Video Call Apps

  • Gaming motion

QN900B QN900B
QN900B
  • Neo QLED
  • 65/75/85
  • 8K (7680 x 4320)
  • Pro
  • Neural Quantum Processor 8K
  • Quantum HDR 64X to Quantum HDR 4000
  • 100%
  • Super Surround Sound powered by Dolby Atmos
  • OTS Pro
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Infinity One Design & Infinity Screen
  • Yes
  • Up to 4-screens
  • Yes
  • Motion Xcelerator Turbo+
QN95B QN95B
QN95B
  • Neo QLED
  • 55/65/75/85
  • 4K (3840 x 2160)
  • Yes
  • Neural Quantum Processor 4K
  • Quantum HDR 12X to Quantum HDR 1500
  • 100%
  • Super Surround Sound powered by Dolby Atmos
  • OTS Pro
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • Infinity One Design
  • Yes
  • Up to 2-screens
  • Yes
  • Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro
S95B S95B
S95B
  • OLED
  • 55
  • 4K (3,840 x 2,160)
  • Yes
  • Neural Quantum Processor 4K
  • Quantum OLED HDR powered by HDR10+
  • 100%
  • Super Surround Sound powered by Dolby Atmos
  • OTS
  • Yes
  • Yes
  • LaserSlim Design
  • Yes
  • Up to 2-screens
  • Yes
  • Motion Xcelerator Turbo Plus
BU8510 BU8510
BU8510
  • Crystal UHD
  • 43/55
  • 4K (3,840 x 2160)
  • N/A
  • Crystal Processor 4K
  • HDR powered by HDR10+
  • 100%
  • Dolby Digital Plus
  • OTS Lite
  • Yes
  • N/A
  • AirSlim
  • Yes
  • N/A
  • Yes
  • Motion Xcelerator

Is HDR good for gaming?

Due to HDR’s ability to create high contrast between light and dark areas on screen, HDR technology is perfect for gaming. Particularly for gamers who enjoy playing warzone, exploration or high intensity games on a console or PC.

Looking for the best TV for gaming? Check out the Samsung Neo QLED 4K HDR Smart TV for immersive, game-changing action on the big screen:

Discover Samsung’s range of Gaming TVs or learn more about how to pick the best gaming TV for you.

How to choose HDR TV?

If you want to experience your favourite films and shows with life-like accuracy and colour depth, then a Samsung TV with HDR10+ capability is a great place to start. Since 2020 the Frame, Serif and Terrace Outdoor TV have had HDR10+ support but all new Samsung TVs now benefit from HDR10+ as standard.

Of course there’s more to consider than just HDR. There’s also the design and size of TV to best suit your home. High quality sound will also ensure you’re getting the best home cinema experience available, consider features such as 3D Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+) or adding a Samsung Soundbar to take TV audio to the next level.

You can find out more about choosing your next TV, by visiting the Samsung TV Buying Guide.

What is the best HDR TV?

Now we know how HDR works and everything it does to deliver startling picture quality, this ground-breaking technology can be considered alongside other features so that you can find the best TV that is HDR capable. Whether you’re interested in the innovative features found across the Samsung Lifestyle TV Ranges or maybe you’d prefer an awesome 8K giant in the Neo QLED range, finding the best HDR TV is no problem with Samsung.

Looking for one of our best? Check out the Q80B QLED 4K Quantum HDR Smart TV with a crisp picture and dynamic sound. It delivers one of the best viewing experiences available with HDR10+ today. There’s no more struggling to make out what’s happening on the big screen thanks to remarkable HDR brightness that brings rich blacks, bright lights and deep contrasts. And with Adaptive HDR10+, every frame is optimised to perfection, so you can enjoy exceptional detail in everything you watch.

Learn more about 8K TV and 8K resolution with our helpful article here.

HDR TV FAQs

  • Do all Samsung TVs have HDR?

    All 2016 and newer Samsung 4K TVs have HDR10+ capabilities. Since 2020 the Frame, Serif and Terrace Outdoor TV have also had HDR10+ support. You can find a full list of Samsung HDR10+ certified TVs here.

  • HDR stands for High Dynamic Range and is a technology on your Samsung TV which improves the brightness, richness and clarity of the colours you see on the screen. It’s responsible for the true-to-life colours and stunning imagery you see on the TV.

  • HDR (High Dynamic Range) and LED (Light Emitting Diode) are two different types of display technology, both of which can be found on one TV. LED simply refers to how the backlight of your TV display is made. Virtually every flat screen TV today uses LEDs as its source of backlighting. However, there are differences in the number and quality of LEDs used across different TV brands. Samsung TVs use Quantum dots to achieve an even greater level of brightness and colour clarity but fundamentally they are a type of LED.  HDR technology increases the contrast and brightness even further, so you experience only the brightest whites and darkest blacks. LED TVs particularly benefit from HDR because it improves the overall contrast ratio of the TV, making the darkest part of the image perfectly black which in turn enhances the brightness of the images you see on the screen making them come alive with a much wider colour gamut.

Explore our HDR TVs

See all HDR TVs

Read and Discover more

Samsung TV ranges explained
What is QLED TV?
What is a Smart TV?
What is the best TV for picture quality?
What's the best TV for gaming?
8K vs 4K, What's The Difference?
What is Samsung Smart Remote?
What TV sizes should I get and how to measure a TV?

Shema for Videos and FAQ

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