Samsung QN85C review

With a formidable roster of options and an upgraded Mini LED backlight, this entry-level Neo QLED mannequin for 2023 is a tempting sensible TV for field set bingers and players alike. It affords an OLED-like black stage efficiency, potent HDR and deep, vibrant color. 

The set additionally comes has a 2.2.2 Dolby Atmos sound system, plus a quartet of 4K 120Hz succesful HDMI inputs. 

Sensible performance is supplied by Tizen, Samsung’s more and more adept linked platform. That’s lots of containers ticked.

Design & Options

• Slim bezel, central pedestal 
• Tizen OS with Sport Hub 
• Two distant controls 

Regardless of the calls for of its Mini LED backlight, the QN85C’s Neo Slim design nonetheless seems to be premium, at simply 28mm deep. A central pedestal ensures the TV works with most AV furnishings choices. 

To the rear are 4 HDMIs, all of that are 4K 120Hz succesful. HDMI 3 is eARC prepared, so there shall be no downside accommodating each an Xbox and PlayStation 5, in addition to a Blu-ray participant or set-top field. That is as future-proof as TVs get proper now. 

Different connections embrace an optical digital output, Ethernet, two USB ports and a CI card slot, whereas Bluetooth and Wi-Fi present wi-fi protection. There’s a alternative of terrestrial or twin satellite tv for pc tuner feeds. 

Steve Could / Foundry

The QN85C ships with two distant controls, a slim way of life mannequin and a regular zapper. Each sport devoted buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, Samsung TV Plus and Disney+.   

In relation to audio, the QN85C incorporates a six channel iteration of Samsung’s OTS (Object Monitoring Sound) audio system. Cleverly, it manages to cover all these drivers from view. 

Total usability is okay. Whereas Samsung continues to snub Freeview Play, all the principle UK TV catch-up gamers can be found through the Tizen sensible platform. There’s additionally no scarcity of streaming TV providers in addition to Samsung TV Plus, the model’s personal FAST (Free Advert-Supported TV) channel choices. 

A single rail helps these numerous apps, so scrolling alongside to seek out your service of alternative is a doddle; under this are bars from On Now and Lately Considered content material. 

Steve Could / Foundry

Menus sit to the left. It’s from right here you’ll be able to activate Ambient, Sport and Media playback modes, or dive even deeper into the Settings menu. 

Maybe probably the most attention-grabbing addition to the Tizen smorgasbord is a devoted Sport Hub. That is house to cloud gaming providers, like Xbox, Utomik and Twitch, and any linked consoles. 

There’s additionally a Gaming overlay which teams all related console settings, reminiscent of enter lag, VRR and HDR data. The TV is AMD Freesync Premium Professional and Nvidia G-Sync suitable. Extra on gaming efficiency later. 

Image High quality

• Punchy HDR efficiency 
• Glorious color vibrancy 
• Highly effective picture interpolation 

If you happen to like your telly photos vivid and color wealthy, you’ve come to the proper place. The QN85C boasts a excessive common image stage, impactful peak HDR brightness and prolonged color depth.  

If you happen to thought solely OLED may ship unbroken stable black, then suppose once more. In a totally darkish room, the letterbox bars of TV and widescreen films on this Neo QLED are inky black. There’s none of that insipid greyness that may afflict LED backlighting applied sciences.  

I measured peak HDR brightness at simply over 1000 nits with a ten% measurement window. Greater than adequate to ship vivid specular highlights, reminiscent of lamps, road lights, reflections and the like, and daring sufficient to maybe forgive the set’s lack of Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist.  

I did word some cloudiness on the subject of low luminance shadow element, however then that’s maybe to be anticipated with a restricted variety of backlight clusters.  

The set is suitable with HDR10+, the lively metadata system favoured by Amazon Prime Video. 

Samsung

The panel is partnered with an AI-enhanced processor, Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor 4K, which leverages the facility of 20 neural networks to optimise photographs on a scene-by-scene foundation. The fruits of this silicon labour may be discovered within the Clever Mode.

Choose this selection and the TV takes care of brightness, distinction and tremendous element, making judgements based mostly on content material. If you wish to get extra arms on, there’s a collection of picture presets: Customary, Eco, Film, Filmmaker mode, and Dynamic.   

I discovered Customary the simplest to reside with, because it makes good use of obtainable display screen brightness reserve and color constancy, with out resorting to oversaturation.  

Movement dealing with is usually good, courtesy of Movement Xcelerator Turbo+. It’s tempting to go away the Image Readability setting Off for films, though I discovered judder does grow to be intrusive. It’s higher to stay with Auto, or experiment with Customized to seek out the very best compromise. 

Samsung

The display screen is a powerful gaming show. 4K 120Hz video games play significantly easily, though it didn’t enhance my Overwatch abilities. Bear in mind that there are two Sport choices: Sport Movement Plus retains some processing for additional picture nuance, however the primary Sport mode is probably the most responsive. 

I measured enter lag at a wonderful 9.4ms (1080p/60fps), in that mode, whereas with Sport Movement Plus engaged, which reinstates some picture enhancement, this falls to 25ms.

Sound High quality  

• Object Monitoring System 
• AI Audio mode 
• 60W sound system 

You possibly can’t inform from the set’s svelte chassis, however this set has a reasonably refined OTS (Object Monitoring Sound) sound system built-in, full with a pair of peak drivers prime left and proper. 

The soundstage is extensive and excessive, with a surprisingly potent mid-range, courtesy of twin woofers. Motion pictures sound involving, no soundbar required. There’s no scarcity of quantity, because of 60W of amplification on board. 

I’m actually not bought on the QN85C’s AI audio mode although. It’s very speech focussed, and the Amplify mode is sort of harsh. I got here to the conclusion that AI isn’t audio’s good friend simply but. 

Value & Availability  

The Samsung QN85C is available in 4 display screen sizes, all obtainable now. Select from 55-, 65-, 75- and 85in fashions (QE55QN85C, QE65QN85C, QE75QN85C and QE85QN85C).

These units promote for £1,899, £2,599, £3,599, and £4,699 respectively and you should purchase them from Samsung in addition to retailers reminiscent of Amazon, Currys and Hughes.  

The identical fashions can be found within the US, priced $1,499, $1,999, $2,699, and $3,799 – obtainable from Samsung US, Amazon US and BestBuy. 

On my take a look at bench is the 65in model and you’ll take a look at loads of nice alternate options in our greatest TV chart.

Verdict 

The QN85C is a high-performance 4K sensible TV, with an enviable characteristic specification.

The set’s Neural Quantum Processor 4K is multi-talented and does a tremendous job with photographs. Black stage efficiency is especially spectacular, guaranteeing photographs have actual depth.  

Peak HDR brightness can be spectacular, though the dearth of Dolby Imaginative and prescient stays a disappointment for movie followers. 

The set excels on the subject of gaming. The supply of 4 4K 120Hz inputs is nice information for severe players, low latency is spectacular whereas the availability of a Sport Hub provides additional polish. 

This 4K Mini LED mannequin for 2023 is a superb all-rounder. 

Specs

• Mannequin examined 65in
• Display sizes: 55-, 65-, 75-, 85in 
• Neo QLED show know-how  
• Decision: 3840 x 2160  
• HDMI: x4  
• HDR assist: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG,   
• Tizen sensible platform  
• Freeview terrestrial tuner 
• 2.2.2 sound system with Dolby Atmos 
• Dimensions: 1446(w) x 828(h) x 25(d)mm    
• Weight: 23.7kg