Samsung Electronics Co. said Monday it will launch a QLED television in vertical display next month to target tech-savvy youngsters with innovative viewing experiences. The South Korean tech giant said the 43-inch premium television was designed to appeal to those who are familiar with vertical viewing experiences on their smartphones and other mobile devices.

The TV can rotate to the traditional horizontal display and connect to mobile devices using near-field communication (NFC) technology, the firm said. “We will change ways of viewing with new form factors and user experiences to cater to various needs of consumers,” Han Jong-hee, head of visual display business at Samsung Electronics, said in a launching event. The QLED TV will hit the domestic market in late May with a price tag of 1.89 million won (US$1,630), the firm said.

Samsung said the new product will provide viewing experiences that switch seamlessly between mobile devices and TV, allowing users to enjoy smartphone videos, photos and music on bigger screens with a more powerful audio system. “We decided to introduce this product in the Korean market first, considering the high ratio of smartphone users and consumers’ willingness to try innovative tech products,” Han said. “We will follow up the early market reaction to launch it in other markets.” QLED TVs are light emitting diode TVs that use quantum dots to enhance performance in key picture quality areas.

Samsung also showcased a wide range of its QLED lineup ranging from 43 inches to 65 inches, which displays art collections and patterns to turn a living room into a digital art gallery when the TVs are off. Its new TVs will be displayed in a pop-up store in Garosugil, an upscale shopping district in southern Seoul, until June 2, the company said.

(Yonhap)