It has been known for quite a while that Samsung is working on the QD-OLED, a new type of TV panel that would combine aspects of the QLED panels that Samsung is known for and the OLED panels that the company has long eschewed. Samsung made a major investment in a facility that made the panels and reportedly began mass production of the panels late last year.

Many assumed that Samsung would be showing the new panels at International CES in Las Vegas this week. Somewhat surprisingly, the first QD-OLED panel TV to surface at CES came from Sony rather than Samsung Electronics.

According to The Verge, Sony revealed the Bravia XR A95K TV, a flagship TV that will include a QD-OLED panel made by Samsung. While it is known that Samsung Display will sell its panels to other manufacturers, the rest of Sony’s OLED lineup this year will feature panels from LG Display, which until now has been the main supplier of large OLED panels.

Even though Sony announced its new product first, it was soon confirmed that Samsung would in fact have a QD-OLED TV at the show, with What Hi-Fi noting that the Consumer Technology Association gave Samsung’s 65” QD-Display TV a “Best of Innovation” award.

“The world’s first true RGB self-emitting Quantum Dot OLED display—revolutionizing TV by combining the contrast levels of RGB OLED with the color and brightness of quantum dots for ultimate visuals,” the text of the award said. “With impeccable visuals, sound, and speed, the QD-Display TV represents the next frontier in home entertainment.”

While the QD-OLED TV was not mentioned in Samsung’s pre-show announcement of its TVs or the company’s opening keynote, Flat Panels HD did receive a demo of the new technology at the show.

The TV, the site said, “hit over 1000 nits on a 10% window,” which beats the figure of 700 to 1000 nits from LG Display’s panels. It is also more colorful, according to the report.

“Initially, Samsung Display will mass-produce 55- and 65-inch 4K QD-OLED panels for TVs (Sony A95K, Samsung) as well as a 34-inch panel for monitors (Alienware, Samsung). This is the plan for year one and Samsung Display will decide on the path for next year and beyond later based on partner and market reactions,” the report said of Samsung’s plans for the new panels.

CNET and other tech outlets have said that these new panels may change the balance of power when it comes to panel manufacturers.

 Stephen Silver, a technology writer for The National Interest, is a journalist, essayist and film critic, who is also a contributor to The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly Voice, Philadelphia Weekly, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Living Life Fearless, Backstage magazine, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @StephenSilver.

Image: Reuters.