Wednesday, November 4, 2026Updated every morning at 5:30 AM ET
NanotechProgress

Quantum dot TVs

Quantum dots are semiconductor crystals a few nanometers across. Shine light on one and it glows a pure color, and the color depends on the crystal's size. TVs use them to make brighter, richer colors.

Samsung Newsroom, 4 Apr 2025
Display material · how far it has got5/5Everyday life

How far from your life: It is probably already in your life.

Company-reported

From lab to your life

Why it’s on step 5

  1. 1Lab discovery
  2. 2Working prototype
  3. 3Real-world testing
  4. 4Approved or on sale
  5. 5Everyday life

The rule

Widely used: in products or treatments that reach millions of people, or sold in ordinary shops.

  • Samsung had sold about 44 million QLED TVs since launching the line in 2017, including 8.31 million in 2023. Asia Economy, 19 Feb 2024

The short version

What you need to know

How small

A few thousandths of the thickness of a human hair.

Samsung Newsroom, 4 Apr 2025
Is it really nano?

Truly nano

The color comes from the crystals' size, which only works at the nanoscale.

Samsung Newsroom, 4 Apr 2025
Where you’ll find it

In QLED and other quantum dot TVs and monitors.

Asia Economy, 19 Feb 2024
Who’s behind it

Samsung and other TV makers

On the record

Every step, dated

Newest first. Company-reported means the only source so far is the company itself.

  1. Widely usedCompany-reported

    Samsung had sold about 44 million QLED TVs since launching the line in 2017, including 8.31 million in 2023.

    Asia Economy, 19 Feb 2024
  2. On the record

    The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots.

    Samsung Newsroom, 4 Apr 2025
  3. On saleCompany-reported

    Samsung introduced the SUHD TV, which it calls the world's first cadmium-free quantum dot TV.

    Samsung Newsroom, 4 Apr 2025

Who makes it

The companies