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Netflix began adding HDR10+ streaming in March 2025. The change matters most to viewers whose televisions support HDR10+ but not Dolby Vision, including many Samsung models. It can give compatible Netflix titles dynamic metadata instead of falling back to ordinary HDR10.
It is not, however, proof that HDR10+ is universally better than Dolby Vision—or a reason for most Dolby Vision TV owners to upgrade. The result depends on the television, source master, streaming device, HDMI chain, Netflix plan, and the specific title.
What Netflix actually added
Netflix’s technology announcement describes HDR10+ delivery using the AV1 video codec. These are two different technologies:
- AV1 is a video-compression codec used to deliver the picture efficiently.
- HDR10+ is an HDR format that adds dynamic metadata to guide display tone mapping.
HDR10+ metadata can adjust how brightness and contrast are mapped from scene to scene, or potentially frame to frame, rather than applying one static instruction to an entire program. Netflix said it planned to expand HDR10+ across its HDR catalog, but that announcement does not prove that every HDR title had received an HDR10+ stream by August 2026. Treat complete-catalog coverage as a rollout goal unless Netflix publishes a current completion figure. Netflix’s technology announcement provides the launch context.
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Three separate conditions must be met before a viewer sees HDR10+:
- The title must have an HDR10+ stream available.
- The Netflix app and playback device must be able to request and decode it.
- The television and every relevant part of the HDMI chain must support and pass it.
A title being mastered in HDR10+, a television carrying an HDR10+ logo, and Netflix delivering HDR10+ to that particular device are therefore not the same thing.
HDR10 vs. HDR10+ vs. Dolby Vision
| Feature | HDR10 | HDR10+ | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metadata | Static | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Purpose | Provides a widely compatible HDR baseline | Helps the display optimize tone mapping as scenes change | Helps the display optimize tone mapping as scenes change |
| Licensing | Open baseline | Open and royalty-free standard | Proprietary Dolby ecosystem |
| Fallback | Broad HDR compatibility | HDR10+ content can fall back to its HDR10 base presentation on compatible HDR10 displays | Depends on the device, Dolby Vision profile, app, and display |
| Netflix relevance | Common fallback when advanced formats are unavailable | Important for compatible HDR10+-only displays | An established Netflix HDR format on compatible devices |
| Best consumer reason | Maximum compatibility | Dynamic metadata without relying on Dolby Vision | A mature dynamic-HDR ecosystem on supported hardware |
According to HDR10+ Technologies, HDR10+ content retains an HDR10 base presentation. An HDR10 television can therefore play the content while ignoring the dynamic metadata. That is compatibility, not the same HDR10+ benefit.
Dolby Vision performs the same fundamental job as HDR10+: it uses dynamic metadata to help a compatible display handle changing brightness and contrast. Dolby Vision has its own certification and licensing ecosystem, while HDR10+ is designed as an open, royalty-free standard. Neither logo guarantees a better picture in every setup.
Is HDR10+ better than Dolby Vision?
Not automatically. HDR10+ narrows the feature gap by bringing dynamic metadata to more displays, but the final image depends on much more than the HDR format.
Important variables include:
- The television’s peak brightness and ability to sustain it.
- OLED black levels or LCD local-dimming performance.
- The accuracy of the TV’s tone mapping.
- The grade and metadata authoring of the particular master.
- The streaming device and its Netflix certification.
- Viewing distance, room brightness, and the viewer’s sensitivity to differences.
A well-implemented HDR10+ presentation can look excellent, while a poorly tuned television can make HDR10+ look too dark, too bright, or otherwise unconvincing. The same qualification applies to Dolby Vision. A Dolby Vision label does not override the limitations of the panel or guarantee that its master is better than the HDR10+ version.
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- Supports Multiple HDR Formats: 4K Bluray DVD player enables high dynamic range playback of three 4K/HDR formats—HDR10 plus, HDR10, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)—for cinema-like picture quality during movie night
For many viewers, the practical difference between good HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and ordinary HDR10 may be subtle. The bigger issue is whether the preferred format is available at all.
Who benefits most from Netflix HDR10+?
Owners of HDR10+-only TVs
This is the clearest benefit. If a television supports HDR10+ but not Dolby Vision, Netflix’s rollout can provide dynamic metadata for supported titles instead of forcing the display to use only static HDR10 instructions. Many Samsung televisions are especially relevant, although support varies by exact model, generation, firmware, app, and region.
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Owners of Dolby Vision televisions
If Netflix already delivers Dolby Vision correctly, there is usually no reason to replace the television simply because Netflix added HDR10+. Continue using the format your display and playback chain support well.
Owners of TVs supporting both formats
These viewers have the most flexibility. Let Netflix and the playback device select the compatible stream, then judge the actual image rather than assuming that HDR10+ or Dolby Vision must always win.
Owners of older HDR10-only TVs
No immediate upgrade is required. Supported HDR10+ titles can fall back to their HDR10 base presentation, although the television will not receive the dynamic-metadata benefit.
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Owners of dim or entry-level HDR TVs
A format upgrade may be less noticeable than buying a television with stronger brightness, better local dimming, more accurate tone mapping, or better black levels. HDR metadata cannot create panel performance the display does not have.
Which Netflix titles support HDR10+?
Netflix’s help documentation identifies Our Planet, Lost in Space, and The Sea Beast as test titles that may display Dolby Vision, HDR, or HDR10+ labels depending on the playback device. Check the title page on the exact TV or streamer you intend to use: Netflix’s HDR help page.
The displayed label is device-specific. A title may show Dolby Vision on one device, HDR10+ on another, and a generic HDR label on a third. A single label also does not necessarily reveal every format available in the source master.
There is no basis for claiming that every Netflix HDR title currently streams in HDR10+. Catalog availability can vary by title, platform, device, region, and rollout status.
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How to check whether Netflix is delivering HDR10+
- Open Netflix on the target TV or streaming device.
- Select Our Planet, Lost in Space, or The Sea Beast.
- Open the title details page before playing it.
- Look for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR, or 4K HDR.
- Start playback and open the television’s information panel, if available, to verify the incoming HDR signal.
Netflix says the title page reports the format it expects to play on the current device. A title that displays 4K or Dolby Vision elsewhere may show a lower or different label on incompatible hardware.
Turn on HDR in the Netflix app
On supported devices, Netflix documents this path:
- Open Netflix and choose a profile.
- Press the remote’s Back button from the Netflix home screen.
- Open Get Help.
- Choose Video.
- Select HDR On.
Menu labels and placement can vary by device and app version. Some devices may have HDR disabled by default.
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Compatibility: the TV is only one part of the system
Built-in smart-TV app
The built-in Netflix app is usually the simplest path because it removes an external HDMI device from the chain. It still requires the exact TV model, current firmware, supported app version, title availability, and regional support.
External streaming device
The streamer must support Netflix HDR playback and the relevant HDR format. The TV must support it too. If the signal passes through an AV receiver or soundbar, those devices and their HDMI ports must also pass the required resolution and HDR metadata.
Do not infer Netflix HDR10+ support from a streaming device’s general HDR10+ certification. A device can support HDR10+ in one service while failing to expose it in Netflix because app support, codec support, or platform certification differs.
Game consoles
Netflix documents HDR playback on selected Xbox consoles, including Xbox One S, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. That documentation confirms HDR support generally; it should not be treated as proof that every listed console outputs Netflix HDR10+ specifically. See Netflix’s Xbox requirements.
Phones and tablets
Netflix lists HDR-capable Android models individually, and some support Dolby Vision or HDR10. Current operating-system software may be required. Mobile support should not be generalized to the same manufacturer’s televisions. See Netflix’s Android requirements.
Windows PCs
Windows HDR playback has its own requirements involving the operating system, browser or app, display, GPU, HDCP connection, and playback settings. It should be treated as a separate compatibility problem rather than assumed to match smart-TV support. See Netflix’s Windows HDR documentation.
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Account, network, and HDMI requirements
- Use a Netflix plan that supports the desired quality. Netflix Premium is associated with 4K HDR and Dolby Vision playback; check the live Netflix signup and plan page for current regional details.
- Set playback quality to High or Auto.
- Use a stable connection. Netflix recommends at least 15 Mbps for 4K Ultra HD on its device guidance.
- Keep the Netflix app and device firmware current.
- For 4K/HDR through HDMI, use ports supporting HDCP 2.2 or later.
- Use a certified Premium High Speed or Ultra High Speed HDMI cable where required.
- Make sure the streamer, receiver, soundbar, TV, HDMI port, and cable all support the intended signal.
If one part of the chain cannot handle the format, Netflix can fall back to the highest quality available for that component. A new subscription will not fix a non-compliant display or HDMI path.
Common problems and fixes
The title shows HDR10+, but the TV reports ordinary HDR
Possible causes include outdated firmware or app software, an unsupported TV model, an external device that does not pass HDR10+, a receiver or soundbar that strips metadata, an inadequate HDMI cable or port, or a title stream that is not yet available on that platform.
- Test the same title in the TV’s built-in Netflix app.
- Update the TV firmware and Netflix app.
- Temporarily bypass the receiver or soundbar.
- Try a certified Premium High Speed or Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
- Use the manufacturer-designated 4K/HDR HDMI port.
- Confirm Netflix HDR is enabled.
- Set playback quality to Auto or High.
- Check the television’s information panel during playback.
Dolby Vision appears elsewhere, but the Samsung TV shows HDR10 or HDR10+
This is expected when the television does not support Dolby Vision. Netflix sends the format compatible with the current device. On supported hardware, HDR10+ can provide a dynamic-metadata alternative rather than ordinary HDR10.
HDR10+ works in the TV app but not through a streamer
The external streamer may lack Netflix-specific support, AV1 decoding, current firmware, or the required HDMI output capability. Compare both paths before replacing the television.
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HDR looks washed out or too dark
The problem may be an incorrect picture mode, aggressive tone mapping, insufficient display brightness, power-saving settings, ambient-light processing, or an HDMI handshake issue. Judge the actual picture, not only the format label.
Should you buy a new TV or streamer?
- Already happy with Dolby Vision: Keep the current setup unless you have an unrelated reason to upgrade.
- Own an HDR10+-capable Samsung or other TV: Verify the exact model, firmware, app, and title support before buying anything.
- Own an older HDR10-only TV: You can continue watching Netflix HDR; HDR10+ will not require an immediate upgrade.
- Buying a TV: Prioritize panel brightness, contrast, black levels, local dimming or OLED performance, tone mapping, and software support. If those are comparable, dual-format HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support provides the most flexibility.
- Considering a streamer: Verify Netflix-specific 4K HDR, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, AV1, HDCP, and HDMI support for the exact TV and receiver combination.
- Considering a cable: Replace it when testing shows that the existing cable or HDMI handshake is limiting playback—not because an expensive cable is expected to improve an already-passing signal.
Bottom line
Netflix’s HDR10+ rollout is primarily a compatibility and access improvement. It gives supported HDR10+-only televisions—particularly some Samsung models—a way to receive dynamic HDR metadata for compatible titles without relying on Dolby Vision.
HDR10+ does not make Dolby Vision obsolete, and neither format is guaranteed to look better in every room or on every display. If your Dolby Vision setup already works, keep it. If you are buying new, choose the stronger panel first and favor support for both formats when the price and picture quality are otherwise similar. If playback is falling back to ordinary HDR, test the app, firmware, streamer, receiver, HDMI port, and cable before spending money on new hardware.
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