Samsung QN900D 8K Neo QLED TV Review
Table of contents
Even though there's not a lot of 8K content available right now, owning an 8K TV can still have its advantages. Given the scarcity of native 8K content, the capability of upscaling lower-resolution material to 8K is a huge bonus. Samsung is prioritizing this technology in its current offerings, particularly with the QN900D Neo 8K QLED TV in the 2024 lineup.
Specifications
The Samsung QN900D stands as the brand's flagship QLED TV model for this year and is available in three sizes: 65-inches at $4,999, 75-inches at $6,299, and 85-inches at $7,999. This 8K television boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and is compatible with various high dynamic range (HDR) formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG). While it does not incorporate Dolby Vision, it does offer Dolby Atmos audio support.
The TV is equipped with a 90W 6.2.4-channel speaker system. Its audio capabilities can also be enhanced by connecting a compatible Samsung soundbar, using the brand's Q-Symphony feature, without the need to replace the built-in speakers.
Introduced this year, the NQ8 AI Gen 3 processor powers several AI-enhanced features to improve viewing quality. These include the 8K AI Upscaling Pro, which enhances the clarity and detail of your content, and the Real Depth Enhancer Pro, designed to manage the Mini LED backlight. The AI Motion Enhancer Pro feature refines the appearance of moving objects and text. Another new feature this year is AI Customization Mode, which adjusts picture settings according to the TV's environment, the type of content being watched, and your personal preferences.
Design
The QN900D adopts design elements consistent with Samsung's flagship 4K TVs for 2024, featuring a bezel-less screen that's edged only by a slim metallic border, ensuring viewers see nothing but the picture itself. I'm currently reviewing the 75-inch model, and despite its larger size, the panel maintains a slim profile at just 15mm thick.
It is supported by a flat, square base with a leg that slightly elevates the screen. For those who prefer wall mounting, the TV is compatible with a standard 400×300 VESA bracket as well as Samsung’s Slim Fit wall mount solution.
This TV also incorporates the appreciated One Connect box, reducing the clutter of cables in your home entertainment setup. This year, the box has undergone a redesign, making it more convenient to hide your cables and keep your connected devices out of view. It features a sleek, flat black plastic design and is equipped with a variety of ports to accommodate all the connections you would need. This includes four HDMI ports, with one offering eARC support, three USB ports, an Ethernet port, an optical audio output, an antenna/cable connector, and a 3.5mm EX-Link port.
The remote control for the Samsung QN900D has maintained its design from the previous year featuring a circular navigation pad at its center. Below this pad are the volume and channel rockers, with dedicated buttons for Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, and Samsung TV Plus located further down. It is equipped with a rechargeable battery, which can be conveniently charged by turning the remote over to expose its built-in solar panel to light. There's a USB-C port to charge if needed.
Smart TV Platform
Samsung introduced an overhauled version of the Tizen OS, promising a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. With SmartThings integration, managing your smart home devices becomes more seamless. The OS also offers on-demand workouts with a complimentary service that displays real-time exercise data directly on your TV. The television includes various streaming applications for movies and music, such as Netflix, Amazon Video, Disney+, and Apple TV+. These apps are very responsive and offer 4K, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos without any issues.
For added convenience, it supports Apple AirPlay and Miracast, which lets users stream content from Apple devices or connect a PC wirelessly for a bigger display. The QN900D also comes equipped with Amazon Alexa, offering the capability to control the TV using voice commands hands-free.
Performance
The main appeal of purchasing an 8K TV like the QN900D lies in fully utilizing its high-resolution panel, which heavily depends on its 8K AI Upscaling Pro engine. During my time with this TV, I tested a variety of movies, from the detailed "Oppenheimer" on Ultra HD Blu-ray to the grainy visuals of "Predator" on Ultra HD, and even a standard Blu-ray version of "Insomnia." The level of detail rendered by this panel is genuinely impressive.
The clarity such as the pores and wrinkles on faces in "Oppenheimer," to the distinct textures of the Predator's suit, showcases how the extra pixels can make a difference. Even when viewing standard Blu-ray content, the image remained clear and sharp, without any hint of softness or fuzziness.
I did notice that some lower resolution content, such as a NASCAR broadcast, didn't look as great, but let's face it, such content rarely looks good on any TV. As for native 8K content, all I was able to play was demo footage from YouTube which looked spectacular. I do hope at some point we end up getting more 8K content.
The QN900D leverages quantum dot technology to produce colors that appear natural and vibrant across both HDR and SDR content. The TV achieves approximately 94.87% coverage of the P3 wide color gamut, which translates to excellent color reproduction. This was particularly noticeable while watching "Star Trek Beyond," where the vividness of the characters' uniforms stood out. Black levels on this TV are pretty impressive. There's an improvement from last year in blooming, almost to the point of nonexistent, as evident in my torture tests.
Regarding the technical specifications of the panel, it is equipped with 1,920 local dimming zones arranged in a 60 x 32 grid. When it comes to brightness, this panel gets particularly bright, especially with HDR content, reaching up to 2,218 nits on a 10% white field in movie mode.
Gaming
The gaming performance of the QN900D is impressive, thanks to its 120Hz native refresh rate, which can be enhanced to 240Hz for a 4K resolution. It also supports variable refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for a smoother gaming experience. Another addition this year is the AI Auto Game Mode which is an AI-driven feature that automatically detects the genre of the game being played and adjusts the TV's picture and audio settings accordingly. This intelligent system identifies the game's title displayed on the screen and matches it to its database to select the optimal mode.
For example, when playing sports titles like “Madden 24” or “NBA 2k24”, the TV automatically switches to "Sports" mode, while for first-person shooters like “Call of Duty”, it selects "FPS" mode. The QN900D demonstrates exceptional responsiveness in game mode, with a latency of just 2.7 milliseconds, making it a great choice for gamers.
Sound Quality
The QN900D features a 6.2.4-channel speaker configuration that delivers a powerful yet detailed sound. Coupled with the Object Tracking Sound Pro system, it effectively creates a soundstage that gives the impression of sound effects originating from their exact on-screen positions.
The Active Voice Amplifier Pro is a noteworthy addition this year, enhancing the clarity of dialogue. This was particularly evident while watching "Masters of the Air'' on Apple TV+, where dialogue occasionally became muffled beneath the roar of airplane engines. Activating the Active Voice Amplifier Pro significantly improved dialogue clarity without compromising the integrity of background sounds.
Conclusion
While 8K native content is still scarce, the QN900D's superior upscaling capabilities significantly bridge this gap, enhancing details from lower-resolution content to a degree that surpasses standard 4K TVs. Although it comes with a premium price tag, the investment is justified by its performance and features. This TV not only sets a high standard for premium home entertainment setups but also showcases what's currently possible when a company pushes the boundaries.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Excellent upscaling | Still barely any 8K native content |
Superb picture quality | Premium pricing |
Great black levels | Minor glare in bright rooms |
The game dashboard is helpful |
FAQ
Is QLED better than OLED?
Both QLED and OLED have their advantages and disadvantages. QLED TVs generally have better brightness, while OLED TVs have better contrast and black levels. It ultimately depends on personal preference and intended usage.
Where can I find 8K content to stream?
As of the time of this review, the primary sources for streaming native 8K content are YouTube and a handful of videos on Vimeo.
What is an 8K TV?
8K TV refers to a television that has a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels, which is four times higher than 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels) and sixteen times higher than Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels).
