Samsung Faces Pressure to Adopt Dolby Vision in Upcoming TVs

Samsung, a leading name in the television market, is currently facing calls to include support for **Dolby Vision**, a popular high dynamic range (HDR) format. Despite the brand’s reputation for producing high-quality televisions, it remains the only major manufacturer that does not support this sought-after feature. Since the inception of Dolby Vision, Samsung has opted for **HDR10+**, a royalty-free alternative, leaving many home theater enthusiasts and cinephiles disappointed.
The recent announcement of **Dolby Vision 2**, an updated version of the format, has intensified the demand for Samsung to embrace this technology. Dolby Vision enhances the viewing experience by utilizing metadata embedded within content, which allows televisions to adjust picture quality on a scene-by-scene basis. This ensures that visuals closely match the creator’s original intent.
Samsung has chosen not to pay the licensing fees associated with Dolby Vision, instead equipping its HDR-capable TVs with HDR10+. This means that while Samsung TVs can display content mastered in HDR10+, they cannot fully utilize Dolby Vision. Consequently, viewers streaming Dolby Vision content on platforms like Netflix may not experience the intended quality.
The significance of Dolby Vision support varies among consumers. For many, the absence of this feature may seem inconsequential. However, for audio-visual (A/V) enthusiasts, this is a critical consideration. The lack of Dolby Vision support creates a significant gap for those seeking the highest quality in home entertainment.
As the quality of Dolby Vision content heavily relies on a TV’s performance, the relevance of this feature increases with higher-end models. With the impending release of Dolby Vision 2, which is designed for advanced television technology, Samsung’s failure to adopt the format could become a major setback.
Despite the ongoing discussion, there are currently no indications that Samsung will integrate Dolby Vision or its updated version into its current or upcoming television models. While the recent expansion of HDR10+ content on platforms like Netflix has benefited Samsung users, the introduction of Dolby Vision 2 presents a strategic opportunity for the brand to enhance its offerings.
One noteworthy model, the **Samsung S95F OLED**, has garnered praise as one of the best televisions available today. It boasts superior picture quality and a plethora of gaming features, making it a strong contender in the premium market. However, like all Samsung TVs, the S95F does not support Dolby Vision. While this omission may not deter some consumers, it is a critical factor for many potential buyers.
Should Samsung decide to incorporate Dolby Vision 2 support in future iterations of its televisions, especially for high-end models, it could significantly influence consumer buying decisions. A comprehensive adoption of Dolby Vision across its lineup might also impact the future trajectory of the Dolby Vision format itself.
As the competition in the television industry intensifies, the call for Samsung to align with industry standards like Dolby Vision becomes increasingly relevant. The coming months may reveal the company’s next steps in addressing this demand.