Samsung launches next-gen Onyx cinema LED screen at CineEurope 2025

Samsung has officially launched its latest Onyx cinema LED screen for the European market at CineEurope 2025 in Barcelona. The move marks a significant push for LED display technology in commercial cinemas, leveraging dynamic HDR and partnerships with creative leaders including Pixar Animation Studios.

The Onyx ICD promises enhanced scalability, peak visual fidelity, and long-term operational value to theatre operators and studios alike.

Samsung’s Onyx series is hailed as the world’s first Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI) certified cinema LED display. The new model builds on this platform by offering HDR playback at up to 120Hz in full 4K resolution. Exhibitors can now present ultra-smooth, highly dynamic images with exceptional clarity.

With peak brightness levels of 300 nits (87.6fL) and precise colour calibration, the Onyx screen offers true black levels and wide colour gamut performance tailored for cinematic exhibition.

A key advantage for cinema operators is the modular nature of the Onyx platform. The new model is available in standard screen sizes of 5, 10, 14, and 20 metres, with custom scaling options available to suit unique venue requirements.

Samsung is also backing the Onyx ICD with the industry's first 10-year warranty for cinema LED screens. This long-term support is designed to lower the total cost of ownership, minimise maintenance disruption, and offer peace of mind to operators investing in next-generation AV infrastructure.

Samsung’s continued collaboration with Pixar Animation Studios is central to its HDR ambitions. The studio has confirmed that its new animated feature Elio, has been mastered in 4K HDR to take full advantage of Onyx technology.

The partnership ensures that future Pixar releases will also be mastered in DCI HDR, making them fully compatible with Onyx-equipped theatres. In a further step, Pixar plans to install the Onyx ICD at its Emeryville campus to evaluate HDR workflows, run quality checks, and host internal demonstrations.

"Samsung’s Onyx screens allow our Pixar artists to present their stories exactly as they envisioned them - vivid, dynamic, and true to life,” said Jessie Schroeder, VP of Post Production at Pixar. “By mastering our films in HDR with Onyx, we unlock a new level of cinematic storytelling.”

CineEurope 2025 showcase

Attendees at CineEurope 2025 are invited to experience the new Onyx screen at Samsung’s dedicated booth, where the company will showcase its latest innovations in LED cinema display. The annual Barcelona-based event gathers key players across Europe’s theatrical industry and serves as a platform for new AV technology launches.

As cinema operators look to futureproof their theatres and offer standout experiences, Samsung’s Onyx ICD presents a compelling proposition, combining technical excellence with creative flexibility and rock-solid operational reliability.

It's unclear when this technology will make it to the UK. When asked by Inside CI, a Samsung spokesperson declared: "As of yet there’s no plans for a UK installation."