[Interview] How Samsung S95H OLED TV Achieved Pantone® Validated ArtfulColor Certification

The S95H OLED TV has been awarded the Pantone Validated ArtfulColor certification, a recognition given to televisions capable of accurately reproducing real-world Pantone colors and skin tones under controlled, standardized lighting conditions similar to those in museum exhibits. This prestigious certification is awarded by Pantone, the globally recognized authority on color standards.

▲ 2026 OLED TV S95H has earned Pantone Validated ArtfulColor certification for faithful color reproduction. S95H displays The Pink Cloud by Henri Edmond Cross.

The certification is a particularly significant milestone for Samsung OLED, as the S95H is engineered to deliver deep contrast, precise color expression and an unparalleled, distraction-free viewing experience. The TV's VDE-verified Real Black and Real Color¹ and Glare Free technology help preserve textures and tonal variation, making art feel more immersive on screen.

To learn more about what this means for the art-viewing experience, Samsung Newsroom spoke with Ed Hattenberger, OEM Senior Color Scientist and Matt Knoll, OEM Technical Director, at X-Rite Pantone. They share how Pantone Validated ArtfulColor is evaluated, why color fidelity matters for viewing art and how display performance can shape the way artwork is experienced at home.

Q. Could you tell us a bit about your role at Pantone and the work you do?

Hattenberger: As an OEM Senior Color Scientist at X-Rite Pantone, I've spent more than 15 years specializing in Pantone color development standards and in bringing real-world colors into the digital realm. I also led the innovation of various digital color products at Pantone, including the Pantone Validated program.

Knoll: I'm an OEM Technical Director for X-Rite Pantone. I have more than 20 years of experience in hardware and firmware development at X-Rite, with much of my work focused on reflective color measurement and display calibration products.

▲ Pantone evaluates display performance under controlled lighting conditions as part of the Pantone Validated ArtfulColor process.

What Art Can Reveal About a Display

Q. What does Pantone Validated ArtfulColor evaluate and what does the validation mean for a display?

Hattenberger: Pantone Validated ArtfulColor evaluates the ability of displays to faithfully render on-screen colors to match an extensive range of physical Pantone Colors and Skin Tones under controlled lighting conditions. For displays, Pantone Validation means that a product's color reproduction has been measured against Pantone's reference color data and meets defined performance thresholds for color fidelity and consistency.

Knoll: Displays that earn ArtfulColor status reproduce the test colors with a high degree of visual accuracy, resulting in a close perceptual match between the on-screen image and the physical color sample.

▲ Pantone ArtfulColor certification tests and confirms that the display can reliably reproduce real-world Pantone colors under controlled lighting conditions, similar to actual exhibition environments.

Q. What differences can viewers actually see when viewing a Pantone Validated ArtfulColor TV versus one that is not?

Hattenberger: A Pantone Validated ArtfulColor TV delivers more precise, trustworthy visuals, especially for artwork and photography. Viewers can expect cleaner neutrals, more lifelike skin tones and color saturation that better reflect the artist's intent. These displays also preserve shadow detail, so every brushstroke and color appear more natural and consistent.

Q. Why does color fidelity matter more when a TV is used to display art and photography?

Knoll: In creative work, color is never incidental. Color, balance and slight variation all shape how a piece is experienced. That is why color fidelity matters so much. Even slight shifts can alter the mood, depth and overall intent of the original work.

▲ Pantone's validation process measures how faithfully a display reproduces color under standardized viewing conditions.

The Science Behind Color Fidelity

Q. How does the ArtfulColor validation process work from start to finish?

Hattenberger: The process evaluates a display's ability to match Pantone Colors under controlled lighting conditions. This involves measuring a set of Pantone colors and skin tones in a light booth, then assessing how faithfully the display reproduces them on screen under those same conditions.