AI-rewritten: This is a summary of an article from Ars Technica, rewritten by AI (Qwen, running locally) to make it easier to read. The facts come from the original article – read it for the full story.

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TCL has filed a lawsuit accusing Samsung of fraud by labeling its budget M-series TVs as "Mini LED" sets. TCL argues these models lack true Mini LED technology, specifically full array local dimming (FALD), which uses thousands of small LEDs to control brightness in different zones for better contrast. Instead, TCL claims Samsung’s TVs use software-based dimming that adjusts brightness uniformly across the panel rather than using individually addressable hardware zones.

Experts interviewed agree that FALD is a mandatory feature for genuine Mini LED displays. Industry analysts note that while software can improve image quality slightly, it cannot match the performance of hardware-based solutions, particularly in dark scenes where blooming artifacts occur. Furthermore, TCL alleges Samsung’s TVs use standard-sized LEDs (0.5 mm) rather than the smaller LEDs typically found in Mini LED sets, which are generally between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm.

Despite these technical differences, no industry-wide standards currently define what qualifies as a Mini LED TV. This lack of regulation allows manufacturers to use marketing terms creatively, potentially confusing shoppers about the actual capabilities of their purchases. While TCL’s claims raise questions about Samsung’s M-series performance regarding contrast and HDR brightness, the absence of clear definitions leaves room for ongoing debate in the display industry.