Samsung PLS (Plane to Line Switching) technology – Samsung SA850
Samsung have been very tight-lipped about their upcoming PLS (Plane to Line Switching) technology that they are launching to try to compete with LG Display’s IPS (In Plane Switching) technologies. Nonetheless they have quietly released a little information about the upcoming SA850 – but don’t confuse this with the SA750 or SA950 series 3D monitors which are due to be released shortly. The SA850 is aimed at ‘professionals’ who are ‘sensitive to image quality’ and will be the first series to showcase the PLS panel technology. Samsung highlights features such as 178/178 degree viewing angles (as quoted for IPS monitors), 5ms grey to grey response time and full sRGB coverage. They are also keen to promote ’50% power consumption compared to conventional devices’ . Given the size and resolution of the screen (it’s a 27″ 2560 x 1440 screen like the Dell U2711), the power consumption claims and the sRGB (standard) colour gamut we assume this device uses a WLED backlight. Samsung also claims that the monitor supports 10-bit colour processing although we are unsure how much of this is achieved natively and how much relies on dithering technologies. You can see the original slides about the SA850.
Other noteworthy features of the SA850 include integrated USB 3.0 ports, DisplayPort and what appears to be a mixture of brushed metal and plastic housing. There is also some information on the Samsung US business website which suggests a similar 24″ 16:10 1920 x 1200 PLS monitor may be available shortly. Samsung have confirmed to us that Spring is the intended release date for the SA850 (as well as the SA750 and SA950 series) but could not give any specifics on pricing. More information when we have it.
It has been confirmed by a Samsung PR representitive that the SA850 likely uses a light haze screen surface. This should reduce the ‘grainy’ effect that many IPS monitors with aggressive anti-glare coatings produce and should provide a nice ‘compromise’ similar to that of the EW2420. Further confirmed details including intended release date and information about the 24″ SA850 (S24A850DW) can be found.
Samsung SA850 PLS