What’s the deal?
Amazon is at the moment discounting as much as $2,200 on the Mannequin QN90C Neo QLED. The 55-inch mannequin I examined may be had for simply $1,498 ($500 off).
ZDNET Key Takeaways
- Whereas it’s now not Samsung’s newest QLED mannequin, the QN90C It is nonetheless a formidable TV in 2024, with implausible image high quality, a low latency mode for gaming, and extra.
- The set up course of and basic instability are sore factors, however a TV on this value vary remains to be value being attentive to.
- Samsung’s Gaming Hub options are discreet, the very best a part of the TV, ideally suited for customers who need full management over the TV’s coloration, refresh price, and extra.
Since its introduction in 2021, Samsung’s Neo QLED TV collection has ranked excessive at school, setting the benchmark for show high quality and options. And whereas 2023 QN90C The TV is now not the corporate’s greatest mannequin, it is nonetheless the most effective total offers should you do not want all the most recent AI options. Samsung 2024 line.
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The set is accessible in sizes from 43 to 85 inches, however I examined the 55 inch for the needs of this evaluation.
Proper out of the field, that is merely a lovely TV. It has a really slim design and an excellent slim bezel that basically highlights the picture. Whereas unpacking it, the stand additionally caught my eye. As a substitute of two legs like virtually all different TVs, the QN90C stands on a single leg within the center, just like a pc monitor.
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Though I’ve to confess that assembling that stand was a bit fiddly, a lot in order that after studying the guide and beginning to put it collectively, I needed to seek advice from the directions once more as a result of I could not perceive it. I’d take into account it a small downside, though since it is a one-and-done factor, I really feel just like the smooth, premium look was in the end value it. The stand wobbled barely, particularly when my youngsters ran round the lounge, however I used to be by no means anxious concerning the TV falling over.
If inputs are a priority, the QN90C has 4 HDMI ports (one eARC), all of which help HDMI 2.1.
This is a more in-depth take a look at the ports on the again.
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As an working system, the gadget makes use of Samsung’s Tizen software program. This was my first expertise with Tizen, and whereas it wasn’t as simple to make use of as Roku or Google TV, I used to be in a position to navigate to the place I wished to go with out a lot bother.
On the show facet, this can be a Quantum Mini-LED, which Samsung first launched in 2021. Because the title suggests, the LEDs Right here they’re much smaller than traditional, permitting for higher backlight management. Nevertheless, Samsung claims to go a step additional, with microlayers contained in the LEDs, which eradicate noise.
It helps HDR10 and HDR10+, and on-line reviews put the brightness at virtually 2000 nits, that means it is vivid sufficient for many dwelling and workplace environments.
In my front room there’s a good quantity of pure gentle shining the place my TV is, and I’ll positively say that this TV’s display thrives in that atmosphere, largely attributable to its anti-reflective movie. There are occasions with my on a regular basis TV when I’ve to shut the blinds due to the glare, however the QN90C was vivid sufficient, making that pointless. I turned on a private favourite, Netflix Unusual issues, to check the display and actually, it was what I loved most visually about that program.
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The QN90C additionally makes use of native dimming management, which takes unused electrical vitality from darkish areas of the display and diverts it to brighter areas. I used to be impressed with how this labored right here, as darkish scenes have been darkish as anticipated, however black ranges nonetheless had distinction the place issues have been clearly seen. Vibrant colours popped superbly and quick motion scenes confirmed no indicators of blurring.
As for upscaling content material, Samsung has its Neural Quantum processor on board, which makes use of AI so as to add depth and sharpness to content material whatever the unique decision, basically making the whole lot 4K. I attempted this with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and I beloved how issues seemed. I’ve had TVs the place upscaling produced outcomes that seemed too unnatural, however the QN90C does it very effectively.
Relating to sound, this set is ample as is. It helps Dolby Atmos, however even and not using a Sound bar, I may clearly hear the dialogue over the hubbub of my two youngsters and my canine. I hold subtitles on my TV every single day for this very cause, even when utilizing a sound bar, and it was good to have the ability to flip them off for some time.
As one other Samsung TVs, helps what they name object monitoring, which sends sounds to the corresponding a part of the display. For instance, if you’re watching a film with a racing scene, you’ll audibly discover the sound of the engine roaring from left to proper together with the automotive.
Additionally: Samsung now has its personal line of online game controllers. Right here is the primary mannequin.
Nevertheless, once I began researching the gaming options, I found the place this TV was. Actually glow. It has very low enter lag (lower than 10ms), a 120Hz show, help for variable refresh price, and Samsung’s above-average Recreation Bar characteristic.
Urgent and holding the pause/play button whereas a online game console is on brings up the menu overlay and from there you’ll be able to delve into settings like Recreation Image Mode (there are six to select from, plus two customized choices), Recreation Movement Plus ( which reduces movement blur and improves picture high quality) and an on-screen sight (with three coloration choices).
From that bar, there is a deeper Recreation Mode settings possibility, permitting you to regulate the black equalizer, select “fundamental” or “superior” for HDR, and even select the extent of judder discount and blur discount.
Most informal avid gamers would not dive this deep into these builds, however for critical avid gamers, this can be a implausible factor. It is the deepest stage of customization I’ve ever seen in a recreation menu. Actually, I’d simply name it one of many greatest gaming tvs I’ve discovered myself.
ZDNET Shopping for Ideas
He Samsung QN90C TV It has some minor annoyances (I hesitate to price the wobble and set up course of shortcomings), however its total picture high quality and gaming options greater than made up for them. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a premium-level TV that can work effectively in any atmosphere with any sort of content material, hold this one excessive in your checklist.