Caught in the act: Samsung’s lousy smart TV cheating

Samsung changes the picture on at least two televisions when the Smart TV detects a measurement. The brightness is artificially increased in order to achieve better results. Samsung has now confirmed the cheating and promises a software update.

Samsung manipulates measurement results on smart TVs

With the Samsung televisions S95B with QD-OLEDs and QN95B with mini-LEDs, the group is probably not quite so precise with the truth. Samsung has now been caught in the process of measuring brightness and color tests deliberately manipulated. Only when such a test is carried out do the two televisions offer exceptionally high performance. In normal operation, on the other hand, customers have to be content with significantly less.

Apparently, the smart TVs recognize whether users are currently conducting a test. The Samsung QN95B jumps Brightness from 1,300 cd/m² to a whopping 2,300 cd/m²to get a better test result. The built-in mini LEDs can only maintain such brightness for a short period of time without damaging the panel.

A benchmark manipulation of the Samsung S95B was noticed as early as April. HDR values ​​are given here during a test run significantly more positive than in normal operation. Deviations are smaller when a benchmark is running (source: FlatpanelsHD).

You should pay attention to this when buying a TV:

TV manipulation: Samsung responds to allegations

When asked, Samsung Korea responded to the allegations and confirmed the procedure. However, the group does not want to accept an admission of guilt or even an apology. Instead, a Software update for the QN95B provided in promising. The S95B model is said to have already received the updated software.

This isn’t Samsung’s first performance manipulation. In March it became known that many apps on Galaxy S22 smartphones will be available via the “Game Performance Management Mode” were deliberately slowed down in the meantime.