Like the January CES (Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas, USA), the autumn IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin, Germany) is one of the most popular venues for companies to showcase their innovative achievements. 2025 was no exception. From September 5th to 9th, manufacturers tried to impress curious experts and often succeeded.
The full innovation list is too long for an article, but some deservedly received the spotlight. This list includes:
– Dreame Cyber X robot vacuum cleaner with caterpillar;
– XGIMI HORIZON 20 Seties projector with unprecedented 1ms input lag and 240Hz refresh rates;
– 115″ Samsung and 85″ Hisense with their own versions of ultra-innovative RGB Micro/Mini LED technology.
Robot vacuums
For over a decade, robot vacuum cleaners have been one of the most innovative segments of consumer electronics. Over the years, they have evolved from an expensive, fun pet ride-on toy to a high-tech complex. A modern robot, paired with a multifunctional station, provides fully automated cleaning, including vacuuming and mopping.
However, companies do not rest on their laurels, continuing to improve them, and this year was no exception. In addition to traditional improvements (advanced AI, roller-style mops, and retractable brushes, improved navigation, and obstacle avoidance with 3D vision and ToF sensors), companies unveiled several revolutionary breakthroughs. This list includes 5-axis OmniGrip robotic arm in Roborock Saros Z70 and WaterRecycle system in 3i S10 Ultra.
As the name suggests, when small objects are detected on the floor, the mechanical manipulator collects and moves them.
The WaterRecycle system independently supplies the station with clean water and purifies dirty water without connecting to a water supply or sewer system. It condenses moisture from the air and purifies dirty water for reuse.
In addition, the new Dreame Ultra X50 demonstrated its ability to overcome obstacles of unprecedented height up to 6 cm. This chassis lift technology uses two small ‘legs’ that extend from under the body and lift the robot.
Presented at IFA 2025, the Dreame Cyber X represents another innovative breakthrough. The developers equipped this model with a tracked chassis, radically eliminating the problem of obstacle overcoming.
According to the company, it will be able to overcome steps up to 25 cm high, providing fully automated cleaning even in multi-story buildings.
XGIMI Horizon 20 Series projector
The new Horizon 20 Series includes the 20 Basic (up to 3200 ISO Lumens), 20 Pro (4,100 ISO Lumens), and 20 Max (5,700 ISO Lumens).
These projectors support 4K resolution, feature a 20,000:1 Viewing Contrast Ratio with AI algorithms, utilize ALPD 4.0-based triple-laser light engines, and an X-Master Red Ring lens. Most importantly for gamers, the 20 Max offers an unprecedentedly low input lag (~1ms) and variable refresh rate up to 240Hz.
In fact, it becomes the best gaming projector on the market.
The projector also supports Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, and HDR10+, and features Lens Shift and Optical Zoom.
Phenomenal brightness and contrast make the 20 Max one of the best Home Theater projectors. Light output of up to 5,700 ISO Lumens easily provides rich, vibrant colors on a large screen without a blackout curtain, even in diffused daylight. Superb 20,000:1 Viewing Contrast delivers superb detail even in dark areas and crisp, vibrant images.
After adjusting the launch price, pre-orders for the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max are now available on the US website for $ 2,399.
For comparison, current prices for bright (over 3,000 lumens) 4K mid-focal projectors:
– Valerion VisionMaster Max (3,500 ISO Lumens) – $ 5,000;
–BenQ W4100i (3,200 ANSI Lumens) – $ 3,000;
– Anker Nebula X1 (3,500 ANSI Lumens) – $ 2,700.
Given the specs, the model’s price could be positioned as dumping. But the impeccable reputation of a reputable Chinese brand rules this out.
TVs
Traditionally, the high-tech TVs are in the spotlight and continue to evolve rapidly. CES 2021 was the starting point of miniLED backlit paved the way for LCD TVs with stunning near-OLED contrast. Today, proprietary versions of this technology are used in the Samsung Neo, LG QNED, TCL OD-Zero (Optical Depth Zero), and Hisense ULED series.
At CES 2022, Sony unveiled the A95K with an innovative hybrid QD-OLED panel from Samsung Display. This year, Samsung has already introduced the 3th gen of this technology, implemented in new Samsung S95F/S90F/S85F models. Of course, the Japanese giant is also wasting no time. It introduced superb Sony Bravia 8 II with this technology.
The innovative RGB miniLED technology in the Hisense 116UX became a sensation at CES 2025.
Unfortunately, marketers are once again creating a minor classification problem that periodically elicits skeptical smirks from physicists.
In 2017, Samsung’s ‘quantum’ TVs were introduced to consumers. Indeed, the elegant ‘quantum dot’ technology has dramatically improved the picture quality of LCD TVs by improving the quality of white for the RGB filter backlight. Essentially, developers use a film coated with microparticles whose size corresponds to the wavelengths of red and green. By partially absorbing blue from the backlight, they re-emit red and green. Behind the film, they combine with the partially transmitted blue, generating high-quality white for RGB filter.
Of course, any object, including microparticle, can formally be classified as quantum. But it has no relation to the quantum theory of Einstein, Planck, and Bohr.
‘Laser TV’ is also a slightly marketing ploy. In principle, any ultra-short-throw (UST) laser projector with a built-in TV receiver can formally be positioned as a TV with a screen outside the case. But most companies prefer the traditional name to prevent confusion for consumers.
RGB LED technology
Samsung Micro RGB, Hisense RGB-MiniLed, and Sony General RGB LED Backlight names are consistent with the operation principle of RGB Mini/Micro LED backlight.
For example, Samsung uses RGB modules with independently controlled red, green, and blue microscopic LEDs up to 100 microns to directly emit pure colors.
Each module effectively functions as a pixel. Essentially, they complement (or replace—it’s unclear yet, companies are discreetly silent, and expert opinion is divided) traditional RGB color filters, providing higher color accuracy, richer colors, and less blurriness.
RGB Mini/Micro LED vs Micro LED
RGB Mini/Micro LED is an advanced backlight for LCD TVs, additionally using individually controllable miniature RGB diodes to generate the image.
Micro LED panel is a self-emissive display based on microscopic LEDs. It offers fabulous quality at a fantastic price and are primarily used in outdoor advertising.
This panel uses microscopic RGB LEDs, which are resistant to burn-in and provide higher brightness due to the higher voltage. Each pixel consists of red, green, and blue micro LEDs, the combination of whose intensities allows for the formation of any hue. The ideal blacks due to the absence of backlight provides an ‘infinite’ contrast. The modular design with magnetic fasteners eliminates screen size limitations.
At InfoComm 2025 AWALL unveiled new CoB MicroLED Display.
RGB Mini/Micro LED vs traditional LCD TV
RGB modules with red, green, and blue microscopic LEDs directly emit pure colors, enhancing image quality.
Traditional LCD TV:
– LEDs illuminate the panel with white;
– a liquid crystal layer regulates the amount of transmitted light by voltage-controlled polarization;
– a filter with red, green, and blue subpixels in front of the pixels passes the desired colors through the corresponding subpixel, creating the final image.
Samsung Micro RGB vs Hisense UX RGB-MiniLED
– price ~ $ 30,000 vs $ 25,000;
– peak brightness – N/A vs up to 8,000 nits (measured SDR/HDR brightness is 6,010/5,440 nits in Filmmaker mode);
– color gamut – 100% of BT.2020 vs 99.4% of DCI-P3 (digital cinema format) or 92.6% of BT.2020 (wider ultra-high definition format);
– refresh rate – 120Hz with support for up to 144Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) in games vs native 165Hz panel;
– 5,000 vs 3,584 local dimming zones.
Samsung claims ~ 15,000 local dimming zones, but this value refers to the control of each LED within the RGB modules. However, using the traditional method of counting white rectangles, the number would be 15,000 : 3 = 5,000.
The Hisense uses more than 20,000 independently controlled red, green, and blue Mini-LEDs mini-LEDs that combine into 3,584 local dimming zones. Furthermore, they can be further divided via software;
– Micro RGB AI Engine system vs Hi-View AI Engine X.
Samsung system includes a core NQ 4 Gen3 processor with 128 AI neural networks and coprocessor for controlling LEDs in RGB modules.
X and Pro versions of Hisense Hi-View AI Engine uses a complex of algorithms and neural networks combined to optimize image and sound in real time;
– Glare Free technology vs Anti-Reflection Pro.
– 70W 4.2.2ch system (Dolby Atmos support) vs 110W 6.2.2ch CineStage X Surround from Devialet Opera de Paris (Dolby Atmos support);
– platform – One UI Tizen with Samsung Knox protection vs Google TV;
– Input Lag – N/A vs 6.1ms for 1080p@120Hz and 14.6ms for 4K@60Hz;
– gaming – Motion Xcelerator 144Hz, AMD FreeSync, AI Auto Game Mode vs Game Booster 288 (Variable Refresh Rate of 48Hz to 165Hz), AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and Low Latency MEMC.
Conclusion
Once again, industry leaders have confirmed their innovative ambitions. The Dreame Cyber X robot vacuum, capable of climbing stairs and equipped with a tracked chassis, will impress even the most unflappable Scandinavian. Owners of multi-story apartments will soon be able to forget about cleaning, entrusting it entirely to a smart assistant.
The superb XGIMI Horizon 20 Max, with unprecedented brightness of 5,700 ISO Lumens and input lag of ~1ms eliminates the need for dimming room with a blackout curtain even on a sunny day, and opens up new horizons for gamers.
The new RGB Mini/Micro LED backlight elevates the picture quality of LCD TVs to the level of OLED, QD-OLED, and possibly Micro LED panels.
To be fair, Samsung currently only offers a 115-inch version, the price of which significantly exceeds the mass segment. However, Hisense has already unveiled a 100-inch model for $ 20,000 and announced an 85-inch model for next year. The South Korean giant may also expand its lineup.
A comparison results of the 115″ Samsung Micro RGB and Hisense UX RGB-MiniLED do not give a clear answer. The pros of the Chinese giant include:
– lower price ($ 25,000 vs $ 30,000);
– better sound (110W 6.2.2ch vs 70W 4.2.2ch);
– lower input lag;
– refresh rate – 165Hz vs 120Hz with support for up to 144Hz VRR in games;
– Google TV;
– peak brightness up to 8,000 nits.
Samsung’s bonuses:
– impeccable Samsung service;
– 5,000 vs 3,584 local dimming zones;
– wider color gamut – 100% vs. 92.6% of BT.2020.
Probably, the choice will depend on discounts and your personal attitude towards brands.
The video showcases the futuristic Dreame Cyber X robot vacuum.