Reports are circulating from various outlets that Samsung Display has resumed development of its quantum dot nanorod display tech (or QNED, referring to the Quantum Nanorod Emitting Diodes used in the tech) right as competition over new technologies has been heating up in the display space.
What is QNED?
QNED, which stands for quantum dot nanorod emitting diode, combines inorganic blue LEDs with quantum dots to produce red and green light. The technology has been described as similar to QD-OLED due to the use of color filters; however, the biggest difference between the two is composition and manufacturing process of the pixels.
Samsung Display creates its QNED pixels using an inkjet printing method, spraying nanorod LEDs that have been dispersed in a solution onto the pixel area of the display substrate. The pixels are then self-aligned using an electric signal.
Not to Be Confused with the Other QNED
Of note: Samsung Display’s QNED tech is not to be confused with LG Electronics’ QNED TVs, which are conventional LCD TVs that use miniaturised LEDs (basically Mini-LED).
The term QNED in LG’s case, is used purely for branding purposes, similar to how the “QLED” phrase the original term for QDEL TVs – was hijacked. Unlike LG’s TVs, Samsung Display’s QNED panels do away with LCDs completely.
Why Samsung Shelved QNED in the First Place
The QNED project was shelved in 2022, with Samsung citing more progress being made in QD-OLED and microLED in addition to alignment challenges in QNED to achieve uniform color and light.
According to Samsung, QNED technology, properly realized, should deliver superior contrast ratios, higher brightness and faster response times compared to the most advanced display technologies today, including OLED and microLED.
Why the Sudden Return
Reports from the Korean language publication ETNews suggest that Samsung Display resumed the development of QNED in late 2025, shortly after achieving a breakthrough related to QD nanorod arrangement and placement.
“The team that previously worked on QNED has regrouped,” ETNews said in its report (which has since been translated), citing an anonymous industry insider. “Internally, there is a recognition that nanorod LED technology should be pursued as a long-term strategy, which prompted the restart of QNED.”
Samsung’s Other TV Tech Plays
The reports come as Samsung remains actively engaged in MicroRGB development, which has seen a surge in new products from late last year, not just from Samsung, but from competitors TCL, Hisense and LG, as well, with Sony’s expected sometime this year.
The company is also actively developing QD-OLED technology, which is currently its flagship display technology for TVs.
Pressure from Competitors
Speculation has already entered the conversation that the decision to revitalize the QNED program has come because of increased competition from Chinese manufacturers in the LCD and Mini-LED markets. Separate reports also point to these manufacturers potentially being not too far behind OLED, another major market for Samsung, as well.
Movements from the Chinese market have not been subtle, as manufacturers like Hisense and TCL have shifted marketing and sale strategies to target channels and regions like the U.S. where companies like Samsung have largely dominated.
Takeaways for Integrators
Assuming Samsung is restarting its QNED program, that’s another piece of display tech integrators and video enthusiasts must look forward to, though where it might sit in the hierarchy of TV technologies currently available is not yet known.
The bigger intrigue lies in the timing of the announcement, with Samsung potentially pursuing the technology as yet another means of differentiation to maintain market leadership, especially now as other rivals have largely handed their display businesses off to Chinese competitors.
