When it comes to pushing the boundaries of visual quality, Samsung is not one to sit back and watch others take the lead. The company is actively developing HDR10+ Advanced, a new iteration of their popular high dynamic range format, aimed squarely at challenging Dolby Vision 2. And this isn’t just speculation—Samsung’s move comes hot on the heels of Dolby’s September announcement of Dolby Vision 2, which promises to elevate picture quality even further. But here’s where it gets controversial: Samsung has already responded with its own ambitious upgrade, signaling a fierce competition in the premium display technology space.
Samsung has long been a key contributor to the HDR10 and HDR10+ standards, and now they’re taking things a step further. The upcoming HDR10+ Advanced is set to bring a host of enhancements, with reports from Forbes highlighting six major upgrades in development. These improvements include a broader brightness range that can produce more vivid and lifelike images, as well as new features tailored to different content genres—like specialized tone mapping options to enhance cinematic or gaming visuals. The standard will also introduce smarter motion-smoothing techniques, which can make fast action scenes appear smoother without sacrificing clarity, and a dedicated mode for cloud gaming, catering to the increasing demand for streaming interactive content.
In addition, HDR10+ Advanced aims to support more zones for local tone mapping, allowing for finer control over how different parts of the screen are illuminated and colored. Expect even more precise and vibrant color performance, designed to make images pop like never before. If history is any guide, Samsung plans to roll out these upgrades on their 2026 TV lineup, with a likely reveal happening at CES 2026—an event where they typically showcase their latest innovations.
But the innovation doesn’t stop at visuals. Samsung is also teaming up with Google on a new audio project called Eclipsa Audio, envisioned as a competitor to Dolby Atmos. Details about this project remain sparse since a brief announcement at CES 2025, leaving many to wonder what exactly Samsung has in store for immersive sound.
This ongoing arms race in display and audio technology raises an interesting question: How much further will these advancements push the boundaries of home entertainment quality? Are these upgrades just incremental improvements, or are we approaching a new era of viewing and listening experiences that could redefine how we consume media? And perhaps most provocatively—do these competing standards benefit consumers, or do they just add complexity and confusion?
What’s your take—are you excited about HDR10+ Advanced and Eclipsa Audio, or do you think the market is becoming too fragmented? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.
