Samsung talks up TV updates at CES 2026 while I’m still waiting for Tizen 9

Some of the latest TV features Samsung unveiled at CES 2026 sound genuinely appealing. One of my favorites is the new AI Soccer/Football Mode Pro, which feels like a timely addition to the lineup ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

That said, as a 2023 QN90C Neo QLED TV owner, hearing about Samsung’s ambitious TV firmware update policy for the nth time felt more like pouring salt in the wound.

It’s great to see home entertainment tech advancing faster than ever, but at the same time, I can't help but wonder: where is my update, Samsung?

The company was supposed to roll out Tizen 9 to 2023 and 2024 TV models last year. Instead, only the latter received the new firmware. I’m still waiting for Tizen 9 to arrive on my 2023 TV, and I’m far from alone. Other SamMobile members with premium S90C OLED TVs are stuck in the same situation.

What's the big deal with Tizen 9? Well, the update introduces additional One UI-inspired design changes to TV menus, along with quick toggle-like icons, as seen in the photo below.

Another feature I’ve been eager to try is Pointer Mode, which lets you use a Galaxy Watch as a floating mouse to control the TV.

Unfortunately, while my Galaxy Watch 5 should be capable of running Pointer Mode, my 2023 TV isn’t. At least not yet. And that says a lot. For now, Samsung’s consumer electronics division simply doesn’t seem able to match the firmware pace of its mobile arm.

I don't plan to replace my 2023 Neo QLED TV anytime soon. So I hope that Samsung can make good on its TV firmware update promise and catch up soon.

The 2024 lineup did receive Tizen 9 late last year, but some users reported issues with the YouTube app, particularly on IPv6 connections, but thankfully, there is a workaround.