Could Samsung Galaxy Note 10's 'IR Blaster' simply be a notification LED?

Reading time icon 2 min. read


Readers help support MSpoweruser. We may get a commission if you buy through our links. Tooltip Icon

Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help MSPoweruser sustain the editorial team Read more

We reported recently on a leaked render of the Samsung Galaxy Note Plus which showed the top of the device for the first time, and which revealed an unknown light or sensor, which was believed to be a long-rumoured infrared emitter which could be used as an IR Blaster to control devices such as TVs and air conditioners.

A recent trademark filing noticed by LetsGoDigital however suggests that may have been somewhat optimistic.

The trademark for Samsung LED Illuminated specifically notes LED for mobile phones, suggesting we are not talking about your run of the mill LED lights, and of course Samsung uses AMOLED screens for their phones, not another LED-based technology.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 lacks a LED notification light due to the near bezel-less screen, and to bring a notification LED back the light would certainly have to move to another position, which may be the spot on the top edge of the screen.

Of course the trademark could be referring to something completely different, or more optimistically, the notification LED could double as an IR Blaster, which would offer us the best of both worlds.

Either way, we should find out soon enough, when Samsung announced the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 at their Unpacked event on the 7th August.

More about the topics: samsung galaxy note 10