Samsung has announced its latest Neo QLED 4K models and an all-new Mini LED TV lineup, restructuring its 2026 television portfolio in a way that expands access to advanced display technology. The move reflects a broader industry shift toward democratising features that once lived exclusively in premium products.
The headline news: the 43-inch M70H comes in at just $349.99 and the 85-inch at $1,799.99. The M80H mini LED TV is available in four sizes, starting at 55 inches for $599. These price points position the entry-level M70H squarely in direct competition with conventional LED televisions, yet it retains the picture quality advantages that Mini LED technology delivers.
What exactly is Samsung offering? Unlike the brand's higher-end Neo QLED lineup, the M80H and M70H are equipped with a more modest array of Mini-LED backlighting and do not come with quantum dot-enhanced color. The TVs deliver bright, accurate colors paired with cinematic contrast thanks to precise control of compact, high-efficiency Mini LEDs. The trade-off is deliberate: quantum dots add cost, so Samsung removed them to reach these lower prices. Mini LED TVs have been dropping rapidly in price over the past couple of years while also improving in quality. The M70H and M80H are among the cheapest we've seen so far, with most 50-inch Mini LEDs currently on sale costing $400 or more.
There are meaningful differences between the two models beyond price. The higher-end M80H supports 4K content at up to 144Hz across all of its ports, while the entry-level M70H is limited to 4K/60Hz support. In addition to its higher refresh rate, the M80H also supports AMD FreeSync Premium, so it's better suited for gaming than the step-down M70H. The M80H also includes the same NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor found in the QN80H for improved processing and performance.
Both models feature artificial intelligence tools that Samsung is emphasising across its entire 2026 range. Vision AI Companion aims to deliver more personalized viewing experiences, from optimizing picture quality in real time to enhancing lower-resolution content. Features like AI upscaling and HDR enhancement are designed to make even older content look sharper and more vibrant, which is becoming a key selling point as streaming quality varies widely.
A critical observation: Both of these TVs come with just three HDMI inputs instead of the industry-standard set of four. For buyers with multiple devices, this is a genuine constraint. The entry-level M70H and step-up M80H are competitively priced TVs that are seemingly replacing the brand's mid-range QLED series, which previously didn't feature Mini-LED backlighting. Samsung is essentially shifting its portfolio downward, bringing features from higher tiers to reach price-sensitive consumers.
On the premium side, Samsung just announced a trio of Mini-LED TVs (the M80H, the M70H and the 100-inch M90H) to sit alongside its newest pair of Neo QLED TVs (the QN80H and QN70H). The QN70H and QN80H are promising "brilliant brightness" and 100 percent DCI-P3 color volume, thanks to the quantum dot tech and "more precise backlighting." These higher-tier models serve a different market segment altogether, with the QN80H commanding premium pricing for its enhanced capabilities.
Samsung is also shaking things up by dropping some older models like the QN90 series, as it shifts focus toward newer display technologies and lineup restructuring. This represents a strategic decision to consolidate around fewer, more clearly differentiated product tiers. The QN90 was popular with enthusiasts; its absence leaves a gap that may matter to some shoppers.
For Australian consumers, the availability remains unclear. The announcement covers the US market; pricing, availability, and exact specifications for Australian retailers have not yet been confirmed. Nevertheless, the global trend is evident: Mini LED technology is no longer a premium-only feature, and manufacturers are competing intensely to push that technology down into price segments where conventional LED still dominates.