Samsung 85-inch UHD TV launched in SA

Samsung SA announced the launch of its 85-inch ultra high definition (UHD) television in South Africa today (20 June 2013) at a price of R385,000.

This launch was handled somewhat differently to other Samsung product launches in South Africa, according to the head of marketing at Samsung South Africa, Michelle Potgieter.

Instead of embarking on an extensive marketing campaign, Potgieter said they identified a number of premium customers and invited them to personal demonstrations of the television at L’ancienne Residence in Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

Potgieter said she wasn’t at liberty to say how many they had sold, but hinted that despite the recession the expensive TV sold well.

Customers that have ordered TVs should start receiving them within the next two weeks, with Potgieter explaining that they expect to receive their stock in the next 10 days.

Samsung announced in May that the TV would be making its way to South Africa by the end of June, saying that the R385k price point is a special introductory offer that will only be available until 24 July 2013.

According to Samsung, the offer includes the following benefits:

• A five year exclusive warranty;
• free delivery; and
• four years worth of hardware and software upgrades with the Samsung Smart Evolution Kit.

All sales of the TV will also include a pre-installation inspection at the customer’s home. Samsung explained that its service team goes through a checklist with you to ensure that the installation and delivery process runs smoothly.

Samsung first unveiled the UN85S9 at CES 2013 in January 2013, with representatives confirming that it has a resolution of 3,840 × 2,160, and marketing it as the world’s largest UHD television.

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