If you’ve been in the market for a premium television recently, you’ve undoubtedly come across Samsung’s “Neo QLED” branding. It’s the tech giant’s flagship display technology, found on standout models like the critically acclaimed Samsung QN90F (the 75-inch model is currently a stellar deal at $1,797.99 on Amazon). But what exactly makes a TV "Neo"? The difference, as Samsung explains, comes down to lighting: where traditional QLED TVs use standard LEDs, Neo QLEDs utilize advanced Mini-LEDs for superior brightness and contrast.
Now, it appears Samsung is preparing to refine its messaging and potentially expand its Neo family in a significant way. A series of recently uncovered trademark filings suggest that the "Neo QLED" name we've become familiar with may be evolving for the 2026 product cycle.
The Main Event: A Shift from "Neo QLED" to "Neo Mini LED"?
The most telling clue comes from a filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). As first spotted by the keen-eyed researchers at FlatpanelsHD, Samsung filed for the trademark "Neo Mini LED" on October 1st, 2025. The application is currently in its early stages, officially listed as “awaiting assignment to an examining attorney.”
This move is particularly strategic. While tech enthusiasts understand that "Neo QLED" implies Mini-LED backlighting, the average consumer may not. By potentially branding its 2026 sets as "Neo Mini LED," Samsung would place the cutting-edge technology front and center, creating a clearer and more direct value proposition against competitors. You can read the full breakdown of the discovery on FlatpanelsHD's original report.
Expanding the Neo Universe: "Neo UHD" and the Enigmatic "Neo Micro RGB"
But the rebranding doesn't stop there. The USPTO filings reveal another intriguing name: "Neo UHD." A separate filing for this mark is due for publication on December 2nd, 2025, and you can view its current status directly on the USPTO website. This likely points to a new naming convention for Samsung's more affordable, non-QLED Ultra HD televisions, potentially giving them a marketing boost under the prestigious "Neo" umbrella.
Perhaps the most mysterious of all the new filings is "Neo Micro RGB." Discovered in the Malta IPRegister, this trademark for televisions is currently "under examination." The term "Micro RGB" is highly speculative but suggests an even more advanced panel technology, possibly related to quantum dots or a new pixel structure. While details are scarce, the name alone is enough to spark excitement among home theater aficionados. The application can be tracked via the Malta IPRegister portal.
Industry analysts suggest that these are most likely not entirely new product categories, but rather strategic renames of existing lines. This is a common practice to refresh a brand and create clearer segmentation for consumers navigating different model tiers.
What to Expect at CES 2026
Samsung has a long-standing tradition of unveiling its flagship televisions at the CES trade show in Las Vegas. In 2025, the company took the stage to reveal its top-of-the-line Neo QLED 8K models, including the stunning QN990F. The big question now is whether January 2026 will be the debutante ball for the "Neo Mini LED," "Neo UHD," and "Neo Micro RGB" families.
While trademarks don't guarantee a product's launch, they are a very strong indicator of a company's future marketing direction. Samsung appears to be laying the groundwork for a simplified, yet more technology-focused branding strategy. By moving the specific panel technology—Mini LED, UHD, or the mysterious Micro RGB—into the product name itself, Samsung could make it easier for shoppers to understand exactly what they are buying, while simultaneously elevating its entire TV portfolio under the "Neo" banner.
One thing is for certain: the television landscape is never static, and Samsung's latest filings ensure that all eyes will be on their CES 2026 press conference.