How to Tell the Model Year of Your Samsung TV

When you want to find a way to do something on your Samsung TV, it’s essential to know the model and generation of your TV. However, if you’re not very tech-savvy, this can be easier said than done. That’s why we’re going to show you how to do just that.

As you’ll see, the model number can reveal much more than the production year (or years) of your TV. For example, you’ll also find out the screen size in inches and perhaps the region for which your Samsung TV was made.

How to Find the Model Number of Your Samsung TV?

It depends on the model of the TV. Since you’re not sure of the model itself, here are three ways to check for it.

1. Look on the right side of your Samsung TV – Many models have the serial number and the model code written on them. This is the most common location for these numbers.
2. Look at the back of your Samsung TV – If the number isn’t on the right side, it could be at the back of your TV, especially if you have an older model. Samsung used to attach the serial numbers at the back of its devices, but since then the manufacturer must have realized that it’s more practical to stick it somewhere more visible.
3. Contact customer support – Whether accidentally or purposefully, Samsung omitted the inclusion of the serial number and the model code on some of its latest smart TVs. If you can’t find it, turn on your TV, open the Menu, select Support, select Contact Samsung, and follow the instructions.

Understanding Model Numbers Before 2017

Hopefully, you’ve found out your model number. You might have been surprised to learn that it’s more than 10 characters long. Don’t worry, as they make perfect sense as each of them contains an essential piece of information.

There’s a slight difference in the numbering models of before and after 2017. Even if you’re certain that your TV is year 2017 or later, you’ll want to read the rest of this section before moving on to the next. (The first 10 characters of the model number still carry the same info.)

Every Samsung TV model number starts with the letter U, which indicates the type of device, i.e. U for televisions. The second letter indicates the region for which your TV is made: E for Europe, N for the Americas, and A for Australia and Africa. The number after that is your screen size in inches.

Finally, the next letter is what interests you the most – the year when your Samsung TV was manufactured. Here are the possibilities:

1. A – 2008 model
2. B – 2009
3. C – 2010
4. D – 2011
5. E – 2012
6. F – 2013
7. H – 2014
8. J – 2015
9. K – 2016

After this, there’s a letter that indicates the resolution screen matrix, and then there’s a number that indicates the series. The second number indicates whether your model is the first, second, and so on in a particular series. The last part of the code refers to the type of the digital tuner built-in.

Understanding Model Numbers After 2017

In 2017 on out, Samsung has been installing full sets of tuners in its TVs according to the standards used in the country for which the TVs are made. That’s why the model numbers also became even longer, where the last two letters indicate the country.

ZA, for example, indicates that the TV was assembled for the US market, ZC for Canada, XU for the UK, and XY for Australia. This is great because your TV now comes with the right tuner for your country.

Everything else is pretty similar to the model numbers before 2017 (see above). All except the production year code, of course. Building on the A to K from above (2008-2016), you have:

1. M – 2017 model
2. N – 2018
3. R – 2019
4. T – 2020

What About QLED Samsung TVs?

In 2019, Samsung changed how it assigns serial numbers to QLED TVs. All QLED serial numbers now start with the prefix Q, before the letter that indicates the region. After that, there’s the screen size in inches, followed by another Q for Quantum Dot TV. This is followed by the series number, which at the moment is limited to either 90 for UHD or 900 for 8K.

The year of production follows, in which case there are only two – R for 2019 models and T for 2020 models. Another difference is that the serial numbers of QLED TVs also contain a generation indicator right after the year:

1. A – first-generation
2. B – second-generation
3. S – super TV with additional features
4. G – TV made for Germany

Decoding Can Be Fun!

We hope that you managed to find out the model and year of your Samsung TV and perhaps more importantly, had fun while you were at it.

Did it surprise that all of these details are apparent from the model number of your TV? Feel free to share your thoughts about anything in the comments section below!