Samsung has unveiled HDR10+ Advanced, an upgraded version of its HDR10+ format designed for its premium 2026 television lineup. Coming shortly after Dolby’s introduction of Dolby Vision 2, the launch marks the next stage of competition in high dynamic range (HDR) technology for televisions and streaming platforms.
HDR10+ Advanced: Key Upgrades
The latest version introduces several improvements aimed at enhancing brightness, color accuracy, and tone mapping. The standout feature, HDR10+ Bright, uses extended metadata and AI-driven image processing to deliver higher brightness, richer color volume, and more precise contrast. It is optimized for displays capable of achieving peak brightness levels between 4,000 and 5,000 nits and supports the full BT.2020 color spectrum, which will be available on Samsung’s upcoming Mini-LED and Micro RGB televisions.
Another addition, HDR10+ Genre, employs AI-based content recognition and creator-provided metadata to automatically fine-tune tone mapping based on the type of content being viewed. Whether it’s sports, films, or animation, the system adapts visual settings to ensure each genre is displayed at its best.
The update also adds Intelligent Motion Smoothing, allowing creators to define the degree of frame interpolation for individual scenes. Televisions will then adjust playback dynamically based on lighting conditions and viewer preferences.
Improved Tone Mapping and Color Control
HDR10+ Advanced refines local tone mapping through more precise zone-based adjustments, enhancing shadow and highlight detail while reducing blooming. It also introduces Advanced Color Control, which refines color metadata to produce smoother and more natural color transitions.
For gamers, the format brings HDR10+ Intelligent Gaming, a feature that uses real-time tone mapping to adjust screen brightness according to ambient lighting. It is compatible with both console and cloud-based HDR gaming environments.
HDR10+ Advanced: Launch Timeline
Although Samsung has not yet showcased its new 115-inch Micro RGB television in person, the company presented a simulated comparison highlighting visible improvements in contrast and color richness. A full technical demonstration is planned for CES 2026.
The first televisions supporting HDR10+ Advanced are expected to reach consumers around mid-2026. Amazon Prime Video has already confirmed compatibility, while other major platforms such as Netflix and Disney+ are expected to add support once the new metadata structure is incorporated into their HDR systems.
Samsung’s 2025 television lineup launched in May, suggesting that the first HDR10+ Advanced models may arrive around the same period next year. The success of the rollout will depend on how quickly content creators and streaming services adopt the updated metadata framework necessary to unlock the format’s full potential.
