Why did TCL sue Samsung over Mini LED televisions?

TCL alleged that Samsung falsely marketed its M Model televisions as Mini LED sets even though they did not include the technology’s key advancements. TCL said the marketing misled consumers seeking better picture quality and damaged TCL’s sales and goodwill.

When did Samsung launch the M Model televisions and what did TCL say about their pricing?

TCL said Samsung launched the M Model televisions in March. TCL also said the sets were priced below TCL’s cheapest Mini LED televisions.

What did TCL ask the court to do in the Samsung Mini LED lawsuit?

TCL asked for an order blocking Samsung’s Mini LED claims and for monetary damages. The company did not specify the amount of damages it wants.

TCL sues Samsung for false advertising over 'Mini LED' televisions

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Summary

TCL sued Samsung in Los Angeles federal court, accusing Samsung of falsely advertising some M Model televisions as using Mini LED technology. TCL said the alleged mislabeling misled consumers and hurt its sales and goodwill. Samsung said it will vigorously defend itself and stands behind its product descriptions. TCL asked the court to block Samsung from using Mini LED claims and to award damages.

Key Facts

The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles federal court on Monday.
TCL said Samsung launched its M Model televisions in March at prices below TCL’s cheapest Mini LED televisions.
TCL said it overtook Samsung in U.S. Mini LED television sales between 2023 and 2025 because Samsung failed to develop Mini LED televisions at a competitive price.
TCL alleged that the M Model televisions contain none of the technological advancements associated with Mini LED technology and were recycled from Samsung’s standard LED televisions.
TCL asked the court for an order blocking Samsung’s Mini LED claims and for an unspecified amount of monetary damages.

By Reuters

Published Sep 2, 2026 2:35 am KST

The logo of Samsung Electronic is seen at its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, in this file photo taken on Apr. 4, 2016. Reuters-Yonhap

Chinese consumer electronics company TCL sued South Korea's Samsung in Los Angeles federal court, accusing its rival of falsely advertising some televisions as using "Mini LED" technology.

The lawsuit, filed on Monday, alleges Samsung falsely marketed its M Model televisions as featuring the technology, which is designed to improve picture quality.

Samsung "took a cheap, non-Mini LED model from a recycled product line and peddled it to the public as a 'supreme' Mini LED model at an attractive price point," TCL said.

Samsung said in a statement on Tuesday that it intends to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit and stands "fully behind the quality and accuracy of our product descriptions."

"Samsung's false advertising misled consumers who wanted the higher picture quality associated with Mini LED televisions into buying Samsung's falsely labeled product, unfairly damaging TCL's sales, goodwill, and valuable technology in the process," TCL attorney R.C. Harlan said in a statement.

TCL's lawsuit said that the Mini LED technology in its televisions delivers "substantially better picture with greater dynamic range and higher contrast ratios." The company said it overtook Samsung in U.S. Mini LED television sales between 2023 and 2025 because Samsung failed to develop Mini LED televisions at a competitive price.

TCL said Samsung launched its M Model televisions in March at prices below TCL's cheapest Mini LED televisions and advertised them as featuring Mini LED technology. But the lawsuit alleges that M Model televisions "contain none of the technological advancements associated with Mini LED technology" and are recycled from Samsung's standard LED televisions.

"This age-old tale of corporate greed proved successful, as Samsung's sham products stole back TCL's hard-won market share," TCL said.

TCL asked the court for an order blocking Samsung's "Mini LED" technology and an unspecified amount of monetary damages.

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