Chinese consumer electronics maker TCL has sued South Korea’s Samsung Electronics in a Los Angeles federal court, alleging that the company falsely advertised certain televisions as featuring “Mini LED” technology.
The lawsuit centres on Samsung’s M Model televisions, which TCL claims were marketed as Mini LED TVs despite allegedly lacking the technology and associated picture-quality enhancements.
TCL alleged that Samsung took a conventional LED television from an existing product line and marketed it to consumers as a premium Mini LED model at a lower price.
According to TCL, the alleged misrepresentation could mislead consumers seeking the improved picture quality associated with Mini LED televisions, while also affecting TCL’s sales, reputation and technology.
Samsung has rejected the allegations. In a statement on Tuesday, the company said it intends to “vigorously defend” itself against the lawsuit and stands behind the “quality and accuracy of our product descriptions.”
TCL said Mini LED technology offers improved picture quality, including greater dynamic range and higher contrast ratios.
The company claimed that it surpassed Samsung in US Mini LED television sales between 2023 and 2025, arguing that Samsung had not developed Mini LED televisions at competitive price points during the period.
According to the lawsuit, Samsung launched its M Model televisions in March at prices below TCL’s least expensive Mini LED models and promoted them as using Mini LED technology.
TCL, however, alleges that the M Model televisions do not contain the technological advancements associated with Mini LED displays and were instead derived from Samsung’s standard LED television range.
TCL attorney R.C. Harlan alleged that Samsung’s product descriptions misled consumers who were specifically looking for the higher picture quality associated with Mini LED televisions.
The lawsuit further claims that the alleged advertising practices gave Samsung an unfair advantage in the television market and harmed TCL’s sales, goodwill and technology.
Samsung has maintained that its product descriptions are accurate and said it would contest TCL’s claims in court.
TCL is seeking a court order preventing Samsung from using the “Mini LED” designation in relation to the disputed televisions, along with an unspecified amount in monetary damages.
The allegations in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and Samsung has not been found liable for false advertising.
TCL Sues Samsung Over ‘Mini LED’ TV Claims, Alleges False Advertising
