There are several ways to perform a Samsung TV model number lookup and find it. By decoding the model number, you can know whether your TV is original is not and other information like its product ID, release code, TV region, screen size, manufacturing year, manufacturing country, tuner type, etc. It’s obvious that just like the serial number of your Samsung Galaxy device and TV, the model number of your Samsung Smart TV can reveal more info than you might think.
Samsung TV Development History
Samsung’s first monochrome TV was launched in 1970 for the Korean market. However, its TVs did not make any mark in the global market until it launched its first flat TV in 1998. From 2008 to 2016, Samsung mainly produced LCD, DLP, Plasma, and LED TVs. Samsung unveiled the Bordeaux TV with an LCD display in 2006. After 2 years, the company came up with the world’s first edge-lit TV followed by a range of LED TVs in 2009. Then in 2011, the manufacturer introduced the first Smart TV that could connect to wired and wireless networks and let users interact with it.
Samsung pioneered TV development with the first curved-screen TV with an OLED display in 2013 and Quantum Dot TV in 2016. The first Samsung QLED TV was launched in 2018. Below is an infographic detailing the history of Samsung TV development during the last 50 years.
Samsung TV infographic (1970-2018)
Samsung TV Model Number Lookup
The format of the Samsung TV model numbers has changed significantly over the past 12 years, especially after the introduction of Smart TVs. Before you can analyze or decode the model number to get information about your Samsung TV, let’s see where you can find it. Suppose you want to update the software of your Samsung TV via a USB, you’ll need the correct model number to download it from Samsung’s download page.
You can find the model number of your TV on the purchase receipt and on the white slip stuck on the carton box your TV came packed in. However, there are two more places where you can perform your Samsung TV model number lookup.
- Check the information slip on the back panel of your TV. You will find the model code printed on it.
- The easiest way to check the model number of your Samsung TV is the About TV info. Navigate to Settings > Support > About This TV using your TV remote and you will find it under the head that says Product information.
Get Samsung TV Information from Model Number
Depending on how old or new your Samsung TV is, its model number could range from 11 to 14 characters that consist of both alphabet and numbers. That’s to say if you own a DLP, Plasma, LED (HD, Full HD, UHD, SUHD), or QLED (4K or 8K) TV, the structure of the model number could differ. I have already written a detailed guide to help decode Samsung TV serial number to find out its country of origin and manufacturing date.
Samsung TV 2008-2016 (11 Digit Model Numbers)
Between 2008 and 2016, Samsung mainly produced LCD, DLP (Digital Light Processing), Plasma, and LED TVs. The model number of Samsung TVs during the era generally consisted of 11 characters. As you can see below, these 11 characters of the model number can be further classified as 9 groups to find out key information about a Samsung TV.
Suppose the model number of your old Samsung TV (DLP, Plasma, or LED) is UN55KU6300F. What does it tell you about your TV?
- U: The 1st character of the model number of a Samsung TV released between 2008 and 2016 is the product ID for different TV types.
- H= DLP screen
- P= Plasma screen
- U= LED screen
- L= LCD
- K= OLED
- N: The 2nd character represents the country or region for which the Samsung TV was manufactured.
- A= Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Middle East countries.
- E= Europe
- N= Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the USA, and other Latin American countries.
- 55: The 3rd and 4th numeric values of the model number tell about the screen size of your TV. If it’s 55, it means the TV has a 55-inch display.
- K: The 5th character of the model number is the code for the manufacturing year of your TV. Depending on the year of release, it could be one of the following.
- A= 2008
- B= 2009
- C= 2010
- D= 2011
- E= 2012
- G= 2013
- H= 2014
- J= 2015
- K= 2016
- U: The 6th character describes what type of screen (resolution) your TV has.
- H= Full HD
- U= UHD
- S= SUHD
- 6: The 7th character in the model number stands for the Series Number of a Samsung TV. It’s something that’s not important for us as users.
- 3: The 8th character represents the numbering for the model code of a TV series from Samsung
- 00: Samsung uses ‘00‘ for TVs with a flat panel.
- F: The 11th and the last character tells about the tuner type used in your Samsung TV. You must have heard about TV tuner cards. Like all modern TVs, your Samsung TV has an inbuilt TV tuner. Depending on the geo-location where the TV is meant to be used, manufacturers use specific TV tuners. For instance, if you are from the USA or Canada, your TV may have an ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) standard or QAM (Quadrature amplitude modulation) tuner. In the same way, European TVs have a DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) tuner.
- F= ATSC / QAM (USA, Canada)
- G= ISDB-T (Latin America)
- K= DVB-S2, DVB-S2X (Asia)
- T= DVB-S2, DVB-S2X (Europe)
- U= DVB, DVB-C (Europe)
- W= Australia
Samsung TV LED Series Model Number (14 Digit)
After 2017, Samsung mainly released LED and OLED TVs with HD, Full HD, UHD (Ultra High Definition), SUHD (Super Ultra High Definition), 4K, and 8K resolutions. These TVs are sold more than QLED and LifeStyle series TVs because they are less costlier. The 11-character model number was replaced by a set of 14 values.
Now, the model number not just reveals the country for which the TV was made but also the country where it was assembled. So, if your TV doesn’t have a Quantum Dot display, you can decode its model number as explained below.
Now, take a look at these 3 model numbers.
- UA50CUE60AKLXL
- UA65NU8000KXXL
- UN65NU6900FXZA
They belong to the variants of the same TV, which is a Samsung Smart 65″ 4K UHD TV (2018). As you can see, there are remarkable differences between them. UA65NU8000KXXL is meant for India while UN65NU6900FXZA is the same TV but sold in the USA.
- U: If your Samsung TV’s model number starts with ‘U‘, it’s an LED TV.
- N: The 2nd character represents the region or continent where a Samsung TV is meant to be sold. ‘N‘ means that the TV is intended for America and Korea.
- A= Asia, Africa, Australia
- E= Europe
- N= USA, Canada, Korea, Latin America
- 65: The 3rd and 4th numeric values tell about the screen size of the TV in inches. In this case, it’s a 65″ TV.
- N: The 5th character is the code for the year your Samsung TV was manufactured.
- M= 2017
- N= 2018
- R= 2019
- T= 2020
- A= 2021
- B= 2022
- C= 2023
- U: The 6th character of the Samsung TV model number tells about the screen type. U stands for UHD.
- M= HD (2017)
- N= HD (2018 and later)
- U= UHD (Ultra High Definition)
- S= SUHD (Super Ultra High Definition)
- 6: The 7th character is the series number on TV.
- 9: The 8th character again is of no use as it represents the series model. It could be any random number.
- 00: The 9th and 10th numeric values are the series code used by Samsung for its U Series LED TV models.
- F: The 11th character of a Samsung LED TV model tells about the type of TV tuner used in it.
- A, K= DVB-S2, DVB-S2X (Asia)
- F= ATSC / QAM (USA, Canada)
- G= ISDB-T (Latin America)
- T= DVB-S2, DVB-S2X (Europe)
- U= DVB, DVB-C (Europe)
- W= DVB-S2X (Australia)
- X: The 12th character of the model number is the code for panel design type such as flat or curved.
- L= Curved screen
- X= Flat screen
- ZA: The last 2 characters stand for the manufacturing country of a Samsung TV. For instance, ZA means that the TV was manufactured in the USA. Below are other country codes:
- RU= Russia
- UA= Ukraine
- XL= India
- XM= Malaysia
- XU= UK
- XY= Australia
- ZA= USA
- ZC= Canada
- ZG= Germany
- ZT= Europe
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Samsung TV QLED and Neo QLED Series Model Number (2017+)
Samsung introduced its first QLED TV with Quantum Dot technology at CES 2017. QLED TVs came with a new structure of model numbers with 13 characters. In some cases, the model number could extend up to 14 characters, especially the 8K models with Q950, Q800, Q900, Q700, etc. I got a made-in-India 2019 model 55″ Samsung Smart TV (4K) with model number QA55Q60RAKXXL.
Now compare the model numbers given below.
- QA75Q95TAWXXY (13 characters)
- QA65Q60BAKLXL
- QA85Q950TSWXXY (14 characters)
- QA55QN95BAKLXL
- QA75QN800BKXXL
- QA98QN90AAKXXL
The first one is a 75” QLED TV with 4K resolution. By QA we can conclude that it’s the model number of a QLED TV meant to be used in Asia, Africa, or Australia. However, the last 2 values (XY) that constitute the country code, tell that the TV was manufactured in Australia. The ‘T‘ mentioned right after the model code (Q95) tells that the TV in question is a 2020 model. Since the TV has a 3-character model code, it means it’s a 4K TV.
Similarly, the second model number tells that it belongs to an 85″ TV. The 4-character model code(Q950) explains that it’s an 8K TV with a QLED screen.
Anyway, let me explain things in more detail for the sake of clarity for that you can easily get your QLED Samsung TV information easily.
- Q: If your Samsung TV’s model number starts with ‘U‘, it’s a QLED TV. However, if you purchased your TV in Germany, the model number will begin with GQ (Germany QLED).
- A: The 2nd character represents the region or continent where a Samsung TV is meant to be sold.
- A= Asia, Africa, Australia
- E= Europe
- N= USA, Canada, Korea, Latin America
- 75: The 3rd and 4th numeric values tell about the screen size in inches.
- Q95 or Q950: The next 3-4 characters represent the QLED TV series, such as Q60, Q70, Q80, Q90, Q900, Q95, Q950, etc. If the QLED TV series code consists of 3 characters, it’s a 4K TV, and if it contains 4 characters, it’s an 8K TV.
- The 8th character is the year code when your Samsung TV was manufactured.
- F= 2017
- N= 2018
- R= 2019
- T= 2020
- A= 2021
- B= 2022
- C= 2023
- A: The 9th character represents the release code of a specific TV model or series.
- A= 1st Generation
- B= 2nd Generation
- C= 3rd Generation
- W: The 10th character of a Samsung QED TV model number describes the TV tuner type used in the TV.
- A, K= DVB-S2, DVB-S2X (Asia)
- F= ATSC / QAM (USA, Canada)
- G= ISDB-T (Latin America)
- T= DVB-S2, DVB-S2X (Europe)
- U= DVB, DVB-C (Europe)
- W= DVB-S2X (Australia)
- X: The 12th character of the model number is the code for the panel design type.
- X= Flat screen
- ZA: The last 2 characters stand for the manufacturing country of a Samsung TV. For instance, ZA means that the TV was manufactured in the USA. Below are other country codes:
- RU= Russia
- UA= Ukraine
- XL= India
- XM= Malaysia
- XU= UK
- XY= Australia
- ZA= USA
- ZC= Canada
- ZG= Germany
- ZT= Italy and other European countries
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Samsung LifeStyle TV Series Model Number (2018+)
Samsung launched a new range of LED and QLED TVs called the LifeStyle series. There are 4 types
- The Frame: Use it to watch TV or beautify your space with art. Looks like a picture frame.
- The Serif: Designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, The Serif range of Samsung TVs is meant for those who want to use their TV to complement their lifestyle with interior décor.
- The Sero: Swivel design TV range with an amazing sound system
- The Terrace: Weather-resistant TVs made for outdoor entertainment
The model number of Samsung’s LifeStyle series consists of 14 characters that can be divided into 9 groups.
The LifeStyle TV series from Samsung has a little different structure of model numbers from the ones we checked above. This series has TVs from the LED as well as the QLED line and that’s why their model numbers begin with both ‘U‘ for LED and ‘Q‘ for QLED.
Below are two examples of model numbers of The Frame TV from Samsung. The first one is meant for India and the other one for the UK (Europe).
- QA75LS03TAKXXL (India/Asia)
- QE75LS03TAUXXU (UK/Europe)
- QN85QN900CFXZA (US)
Let’s see how we can decode them to find out the Samsung TV information.
- QE: As I already mentioned above, ‘Q‘ stands for QLED and ‘U’ for LED TV. The 2nd character describes the country or region for which the TV is intended.
- GQ= QLED TV Germany
- KQ= QLED TV Korea
- QA= QLED TV Asia/Africa/Australia
- QE= QLED TV Europe
- QF= QLED TV Europe
- QN= QLED TV USA/Canada
- UA= LED TV Asia/Africa/Australia
- UE= LED TV Europe
- GU= QLED TV Germany
- UN= LED TV USA/Canada
- 75: The 3rd and 4th numeric values describe the screen size of the TV.
- LS: It stands for ‘LifeStyle‘ and is used by Samsung in the model numbers of all TVs of The Frame, The Serif, The Sero, and The Terrace.
- 03: The 7th and 8th characters tell exactly which LifeStyle TV type it belongs to.
- 01= The Serif
- 03= The Frame 2017
- 03R= The frame 2019
- 03T = The Frame 2020
- 05= The Sero
- T7= The Terrace
- T: The 9th character reveals the manufacturing year of your Samsung TV.
- N= 2018
- R= 2019
- T= 2020
- A= 2021
- B= 2022
- C= 2023
- A: The 10th character of the model number of your TV describes the generation of a TV series.
- A= 1st Generation
- B= 2nd Generation
- C= 3rd Generation
- U: The TV tuner used in a digital TV differs from region to region. The 11th character of a Samsung TV model number tells you exactly what type of tunes it uses.
- A, K= DVB-S2, DVB-S2X (Asia)
- F= ATSC / QAM (USA, Canada)
- G= ISDB-T (Latin America)
- T= DVB-S2, DVB-S2X (Europe)
- U= DVB-C (Europe), DVB-T2, DVB-S2
- W= DVB-S2X (Australia)
- X: The 12th character is the design code that tells about the panel type used in the TV.
- X= Flat screen
- XU: The last 2 characters stand for the manufacturing country of a Samsung TV. For instance, ZA means that the TV was manufactured in the USA. Below are other country codes:
- RU= Russia
- UA= Ukraine
- XL= India
- XM= Malaysia
- XU= UK
- XY= Australia
- ZA= USA
- ZC= Canada
- ZG= Germany
Finding Samsung TV Series from Model Number
I hope you were able to decode your TV’s model number and got the Samsung TV information using my guide. The model number also contains the model series of your TV. The greater the value of the TV series, the more refined and sophisticated it will be. So, how do you find the Samsung TV series from the model number?
As I described above, all Samsung TV model numbers have the screen size (the 3rd & 4th characters, i.e. 55, 60, 65, 75, 80, etc.) mentioned in them. Usually, the 4-5 characters that come right after the screen size contain the Samsung TV Series such as Q60R, Q70T, Q950, Q800, Q900, Q700, LS03, KS9000, etc.
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None of the mentioned serial numbers comes close to defining the one I have. Unhelpful
Can you please mention your Samsung TV’s model number here?
What does the release code actually mean? What’s the difference between 1st 2nd ecc generations?
I want to buy a samsung tv but on two different stores the same tv has two different model codes:
QE55Q80TATXZT
QE55Q80TCTXZT
the first one has an A (1st generation) the second one has a C (3rd generation), but how can i now what are the differences?
Hi, i have i big doubt about a TV. On two different stores there are two different model codes:
QE55Q80TATXZT
QE55Q80TCTXZT
one different letter, “C” instead of “A”, and that’s the release code, but what this actually means? How can i know wat are the differences?
It is actually the modification code. Many times, manufacturers release an updated version of an existing TV model with software and hardware level changes. In this case, ‘A’ shows an older generation TV than ‘C’. To find out the differences between the old and new versions of the same TV, you should check out the list of features mentioned on Samsung’s website or TV brochure.
Thanks for your answer! The fact is that there isn’t the “C” model on the Samsung website, I only found it on a local store site, so i can’t tell what differences are. Samsung support told me that there’s no differences but the generation of the hardware, but i would be sure
Awesome information! I’ve been looking for a 65″ Frame from Samsung (QN65).
I’ve found some listed as LS03AA which I decode to mean it’s 1st generation. But I also see LS03AD, which has no decoder. I chatted with a samsung guy and he said there was no difference. Is that accurate?
I also found a place selling two versions: one version that was just LS03AAF and another move conventionally labeled as LS03AAFXZA. The former cost hundreds less & the guy explained it had a different non OEM screen and lacked the separate connector box. Both were said to be factory sealed & new in box. Does Samsung really make those other kind???