Verdict
The QN900A is an excellent TV, a fantastic audition of what 8K can convey to the TV expertise even with out a lot 8K content material out there. With a variety of gaming options, an fascinating tackle smarts and a few terrific upscaling, the QE65QN900A is among the finest TV experiences available in 2021.
Pros
Irrepressible image high quality Well-conceived sensible featuresSpeedy gaming response Superb upscaling of decrease high quality sources Premium development
Cons
Expensive Speakers vulnerable to bass distortion No Dolby Vision
Availability
UKRRP: £4999
USARRP: $4999
EuropeRRP: €5999
CanadaRRP: CA$7499
AustraliaRRP: AU$12049
Key Features
Quantum Matrix Technology ProNew Mini LED backlight
Samsung Neo Quantum Processor 8KUpscales content material to close 8K high quality
HDR10+ AdaptiveOptimises display brightness for vivid and darkish rooms with supported content material
Introduction
Every yr is the yr 8K is supposed to invade residing rooms worldwide. For a wide range of causes 2020 noticed that prophecy pushed again, however 2021 appears to be like like it can see 8K on the entrance foot.
And heading the road is Samsung. The South Korean electronics agency has aggressively pushed the format, driving costs all the way down to extra agreeable if not at all times inexpensive ranges.
As 8K nonetheless suffers from an absence of content material, the emphasis has turned to bringing decrease high quality sources as much as par with Samsung’s newest upscaling system. And with Mini LED assisted brightness, the QE65QN900A TV is likely to be the right approach to audition 8K’s capabilities.
Design
Excellent construct qualitySlim depth to display
It’s a repeated chorus the place Samsung is worried, however its TVs all look very acquainted. However, the extent of development for the QN900A is as dependable as ever.
The introduction of the Mini LED backlight lends the QN900A a slim body. The 65-inch mannequin I examined has a display depth of 15.2mm sans stand, thinner than both Samsung’s QN94A 4K TV and LG’s G1 OLED. Mini LED scales down the scale of the LED within the backlight, lowering the depth and enabling extra to be allotted. This has profound results not simply on the design however the set’s brightness and distinction.
Perforated acoustic holes within the high and sides disperse audio, whereas the Infinity Screen presents edge-to-edge viewing with no distracting bezel. The rear of the TV is uniformly flat, and together with the removable One Connect module, the QN900A is ideal for wall-mounting.
The One Connect field comprises all of the connections and feeds the TV with energy, audio and video. It’s been redesigned to fit into the stand, lowering the TV’s footprint. It’s a really sensible thought and I wanted Samsung had introduced it to extra fashions.
Interface
Full home for digital assistantsTV Plus as various Freeview PlayBattery-less distant
Samsung’s onto model 6.0 TV of its Eden-based Tizen OS. It’s the identical reliably purposeful effort that’s simple to navigate however could lack persona for some.
Freeview Play shouldn’t be current, however all of the UK catch-up and on-demand apps are. Most of the key apps are right here, too, with the likes of Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Apple TV, BT Sport, Tidal, Spotify and NOW. Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix help Atmos.
The various to Freeview Play is Samsung’s TV Plus service. Like Freeview it doesn’t require a subscription, with an EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) that lists VEVO, CNN, Bloomberg TV+ and a channel referred to as Comedy (sure, actually), in addition to the Baywatch channel that’s an infinite loop of all 9 collection.
Multi View splits the display into 4 home windows. With Sport and Fitness presets, customers can forged from a smartphone and watch what’s on TV on the identical time. You can connect a USB digital camera or sync your digital camera’s cellphone to the TV too, although not all apps help Multi View. For digital assistants there’s Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung’s personal Bixby to select from.
The QN900A ships with two remotes: a typical one and a wise model that’s the higher of the 2. Turn it over and there’s a photo voltaic panel that makes use of ambient gentle to cost it – a intelligent little innovation that requires no batteries.
Features
Class-leading latencyFour HDMI 2.1 inputs
The Samsung QN900A is updated with a lot of the newest gaming tech in Auto Low Latency Mode, Variable Refresh Rate, High Frame Rate (120Hz), in addition to AMD’s FreeSync Premium Pro for lowered visible tearing and stuttering. Samsung TVs are additionally appropriate with Nvidia G-Sync however not licensed.
While LG has hoovered up gaming options left and proper, Samsung nonetheless has the sting with latency. At 4K I measured latency at 10.1ms and at 120Hz you may anticipate that to be even decrease.
Other gaming features embrace Game Bar, which supplies players fast entry to settings on the backside of the display. Game Motion Plus improves picture high quality at a success to latency, whereas HGiG HDR brings a extra constant HDR efficiency throughout video games. The Super ExtremelyWide Game View mode that stretches PC video games to a 21:9 or 32:9 facet ratio is included, too.
Connections on the exterior One Connect field weigh in at 4 HDMI 2.1, with HDMI 3 the eARC port for sending high-quality tracks reminiscent of Dolby Atmos to exterior sound methods. Ethernet, optical, a CI+ 1.4 connection, satellite tv for pc, and aerial inputs, plus three USB 2.0 ports make up the remainder. Wirelessly there’s Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi, the latter allows DLNA, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast.
Picture high quality
Brilliantly vivid and vibrant picturesExcellent black depth with little bloomingBacklight nonetheless flummoxed by vivid objects on black screensImpressive upscaling, particularly with 4K sources
HDR10, HLG and HDR10+ are on the menu, with Samsung’s 8K TVs that includes HDR10+ in its adaptive type, too, which finesses the TV’s brightness in vivid and darkish rooms.
HDR10+ is offered in Prime Video’s catalogue however it’s nowhere close to as widespread as Dolby Vision, which Samsung continues to lock out. Samsung would argue its TVs are vivid sufficient to not want Dolby’s tone mapping and that HDR10+ is extra thoughtful of a panel’s traits, however it might be good to have Dolby onboard.
The QN900A presents a set of image modes in Dynamic, Standard, Natural, Movie and Filmmaker. With some processing options turned off, Dynamic supplied the very best brightness (2600 nits) however solely briefly and colors have been too garish in look. Standard is sweet for on a regular basis viewing, whereas Natural works for sports activities. Movie and Filmmaker are nearly equivalent, the latter limiting the influence of the QE65QN900A’s processing to protect the artistic intent of a movie or TV collection.
The addition of Mini LED to the 4K QLED vary labored wonders, and with this 8K mannequin, the brightness together with the Quantum Dot panel is much more good to behold. The colors in The Pursuit of Love (iPlayer, HLG) are diversified and pure in look, the Christmas dinner scene within the first episode appears to be like completely dynamite.
The brightness of the candle and Christmas tree lights is exact and intense, which makes them stand out fairly superbly within the dimly lit room, with little or no blooming evident head-on. Switch the lights off or transfer to the facet and there’s blooming nevertheless it’s not too distracting. Whites are depicted with a searing depth, the shirt of Uncle Matthew’s shirt contrasting fabulously with the deep black of his dinner jacket. It’s a scrumptious wanting picture.
The 8K fashions boast the Neo Quantum Processor 8K that makes use of 16 neural community fashions to upscale pictures. As Samsung explains it, the 16 networks are 16 cooks in a kitchen, every with their very own speciality versus one or two cooks engaged on a spread of recipes. Focusing on one factor brings specificity.
The impact is brightness, sharpness and distinction are fed with extra info, and watching commonplace definition content material could not initially ‘wow’, till you realise the TV is guessing about 30 million pixels. With that in thoughts, the outcomes are mightily spectacular.
Flog It! on BBC One is predictably tender – significantly in faces – however extra element and texture is wrung out of clothes than anticipated, the extent of element seen in surfaces is excellent. Also excelling is the vary of colors, with complexions conveyed naturally. You can see the variation in Bradley Walsh’s patterned jacket on The Chase, revealing the fabulous stage of nice element the QE65QN900A can summon.
Since 8K content material continues to be sparse, give the QN900A 4K and it’s a terrific spectacle. The opening IMAX shot scene of Wonder Woman 1984 is attractive: the sun-dappled sands of Themyscira, the azure blue of the ocean and greens of a forest stun when it comes to their tone and hue. The pink, yellow, and blue of the Wonder Woman costume are vibrant, marking Diana other than the mere mortals round her. Wonder Woman 1984’s setting is stuffed with vivid colors, and the QN900A laps it up with enthusiasm.
Staggering describes the extent of element the QN900A conjures. The elevated decision and pixels produce sharpness and readability past 4K TVs. Detail extracted from faces, costumes and manufacturing design is phenomenal, with close-ups revealing each facial element. As an advert for 8K’s advantages I’m fully bought.
The precision of the Quantum Matrix Pro backlight additionally impresses, the 1344 dimming zones assist the QN900A attain OLED ranges of black depth and distinction. Bright objects subsequent to black borders are vivid with no blooming or bleed. Dimming is never noticeable; the one seen change got here when watching daytime TV.
Having tried each disc I might consider to outwit Samsung’s dimming algorithm, it seems opening credit score titles with massive fonts trigger a lot of blooming (the opening titles of Predator) and many small vivid objects on a black display can confuse, like when Joe heads to The Great Beyond in Disney’s Soul. Blooming additionally happens when standing bars or playback controls are introduced up on display and at wider angles.
With YouTube the one place to simply discover 8K content material, watching the Ultimate Wild Animals Collection and the bounce in decision affords an distinctive element ranges. Whether it’s the fur of a deer, the wrinkly conceal of an elephant or the scales of a lizard, you are feeling as in the event that they’re proper there in entrance of you.
Motion dealing with is the weakest facet of the QN900A’s efficiency. With Auto on within the Picture Clarity settings, the opening of WW1984 has a very shiny and processed look, smearing evident because the digital camera tracks a younger Diana by means of the bushes, in addition to panning photographs that function distracting stutter. The ‘Custom’ possibility is healthier; much less forceful and extra pure. Or you can simply forgo movement processing altogether and switch it off.
Sound high quality
Crisp supply of dialogueSpacious soundstageBass causes distortion with TV speakersFlat and never probably the most dynamic
It’s a well-known chorus and I’ll get it out of the way in which early. The QE65QN900A might do with a soundbar.
The TV’s inner audio system are nice for daytime viewing or streaming that doesn’t require whizz-bang sonics, nevertheless it’s a bit tepid dynamically at decrease ranges and elevating the amount introduces bass distortion. Even watching the information at greater quantity ranges may end up in some buzzing, and within the kinetic motion scenes of WW1984 the impact can distract.
With 80 watts fed to the OTS Pro six speaker system (two upfiring, two within the sides, two within the backside with woofers across the again), the Samsung QN900A creates a soundstage that’s wider and taller than its body. It’s not Dolby Atmos however produces related outcomes.
Playing World War II movie Fury and background sound results within the distance – airplanes on bombing runs – will be heard above the TV when Brad Pitt’s Wardaddy talks to Jason Issacs’s beleaguered captain. Most TVs would place the results within the ‘again’ of the scene to create depth however Samsung’s method feels extra pure.
The Adaptive Sound+ mode is alleged to tune the TV’s audio efficiency in accordance with its environment, however I didn’t hear a lot distinction. The Amplify mode provides extra scale, element and pleasure, however the soundstage continues to be flat. Dialogue is crisply delivered, however the QN900A lacks the heft of an exterior sound system. The scene that reintroduces Diana in 1984 with a Pontiac muscle automobile heaving down the road lacks, effectively, muscle; described with all of the thrust of an electrical automobile.
Partner the QN900A with Samsung’s Q-Series soundbars and activate the Q-Symphony mode and it’s a a lot better expertise. With bass dealt with by the subwoofer, the TV locations results with unerring accuracy on display. It is flatter than having the soundbar care for every part, and tonally the TV’s audio system are crisper, however the impact is sort of a cinema the place sounds pour off the display. Samsung is onto one thing with Q-Symphony.
Latest offers
Should you purchase it?
For its distinctive image high quality This 8K produces dazzlingly vivid and vibrant pictures. It is an excellent effort
It’s costly At £5k you’ll want deep pockets for the QN900A. If 8K goes to push ahead, that worth wants come down
Final Thoughts
Right now, there’s little 8K content material for the QN900A to reap the benefits of, however 4K content material has by no means seemed nearly as good because it does on this TV. This TV’s image high quality is, at instances, jaw droppingly good.
The sound high quality might be nearly as good, and an space the place some additional spend on a soundbar would enhance issues. The sensible options are effectively conceived and differ from the same old, whereas the general function set is about as thorough as you will get except for the shortage of Dolby Vision, an omission that continues to confound.
If you’re undecided concerning the 8K revolution, the QN900A presents probably the most convincing case for its presence. It is excellent and considered one of Samsung’s finest TVs.
How we check
We check each televisions we assessment completely over an prolonged time period. We use business commonplace checks to check options correctly. We’ll at all times inform you what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to assessment a product.
Find out extra about how we check in our ethics coverage.
Tested with broadcast content material (HD/SD), video streams and demo discs
Tested with actual world use
FAQs
Does Samsung Tizen have a Peloton app? There’s no app for Peloton. Samsung has different health choices, which embrace its Health app. What A.I. options do the QN900A have? In its Intelligent Settings mode, there’s Adaptive Picture, Adaptive Sound+, Active Voice Amplifier and Adaptive Volume. Does the Samsung QE65QN900A help Dolby Vision? No it doesn’t. It helps HDR10+ as an alternative.
Trusted Reviews check information
‹
Input lag (ms)
Peak brightness (nits) 5%
Peak brightness (nits) 10%
Samsung QE65QN900A
10.1 ms
2000 nits
1700 nits
›
Full specs
‹
UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Screen Size
Size (Dimensions)
Size (Dimensions with out stand)
Weight
ASIN
Operating System
Release Date
Model Number
Resolution
HDR
Types of HDR
Refresh Rate TVs
Ports
HDMI (2.1)
Audio (Power output)
Connectivity
Colours
Display Technology
Samsung QE65QN900A
£4999
$4999
€5999
CA$7499
AU$12049
Samsung
64.5 inches
1433.1 x 892 x 300.5 MM
819.9 x 1433.1 x 15.2 MM
30.1 KG
B0943ZPTD3
Tizen 6.0
2021
QE65QN900ATXXU
7680 x 4320
Yes
HDR10, HDR10+ HDR10+ Adaptive, HLG
40 – 120 Hz
4x HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, optical, a CI+ 1.4, satellite tv for pc, aerial, 3x USB 2.0
eARC, ALLM, HFR, VRR
80 W
Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, DLNA, Chromecast, AirPlay 2
Frost Silver, Stainless metal
VA, Mini LED
›
Jargon buster
QLED
QLED stands for Quantum-dot Light Emitting Diode. It’s a show know-how that makes use of small particles (referred to as Quantum Dots) made up of barely completely different sizes that produce completely different wavelengths (colors) when gentle is shone by means of them. This filter helps to emit a brighter and wider gamut of colors than a standard LED TV is able to.
8K TV
8K refers back to the decision of a TV’s show, which equates to the variety of horizontal and vertical pixels it might probably show. With 8K, there’s a complete decision of 7680 pixels horizontally and 4320 pixels vertically – 4 instances that of 4K (3840 x 2160) and 16 instances that of Full HD (1920 x 1080). That’s a bounce from the 8.3 million of pixels in 4K to round 33 million pixels.
Upscaling
Upscaling refers back to the course of whereby a TV receives a picture decrease than its native decision and fills within the lacking info to create a picture. Upscaling successfully guesses which pixels go the place to make up the brand new picture. The higher the upscaler, the higher the ensuing picture and with the appearance of synthetic intelligence, it has helped to make for extra subtle guesses.
