Samsung QE55Q700TA 55" QLED 8K HDR Smart LED TV

Product Information

Of course, while the Q80T sounds good for a TV, particularly one at this level, it can only do so much, and a picture performance as good as this should really be partnered with a capable soundbar at least. You’ll get benefits across the board, but dynamics will be particularly improved. Verdict

For the full next-gen gaming experience, however, we’d recommend opting for a cheaper model like the Samsung Q95T, which has VRR, ALLM as well as 4K 120Hz capabilities for a lower price. Samsung Q700T: Price and competitionAs ever, it is worth experimenting with the settings yourself to find the balance you prefer, particularly the Local Dimming and Picture Clarity options. By setting the former to High we increase the punch of bright highlights in otherwise dark scenes but lose a little bit of shadow detail, and while Custom is the right amount of motion processing for us, some may still prefer to switch it off entirely. The Q80T also combines a neutral colour temperature with the ability to produce real vibrancy, and that’s strikingly effective with this film and its broadly cool palette. The abundant greys are just as miserable and washed out as they should be, but the flashes of colour – Sapper Morton’s shiny red gloves, the holographic billboards of central LA, the flashing lights of K’s flying car – all punch through the murky gloom beautifully. There are some downsides though, a big one being that you can only achieve an FHD image (1080p) rather than 4K. On a smaller 32-inch display like this that might not be the most noticeable issue, but it is one to be aware of. Samsung QN800A Neo 8K QLED TV (65, 75, 85-inch): The QN800A has incredibly thin bezels, though Samsung's matrixing technology that reduces the gap between where the pixels end and bezel begins is exclusive to the company's top-of-the-line Samsung Neo QN900A TV QLED 8K TV. Still, the QN800A does have ultra-wide viewing angle support that you don’t get on the QN700A, and that’s relatively crucial if you’re thinking about going any larger than 65-inches.

What gamers will appreciate is that all the new Neo QLED TVs shown so far support 4K/120 gameplay with VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync) as well as ALLM. Samsung says the TVs average 9.8ms input lag and HGiG if you connect your PC. Two final neat features for gamers are the 32:9 aspect ratio mode which, on a 65-inch TV, is about 59-inches across and wider than the largest ultra widescreen gaming monitor, plus a new Game Bar that displays real-time FPS and input lag. Although the resulting image will never quite have the same contrast OLED TVs have (with their self-emissive pixels), Neo QLED TVs will hit 100% color volume for DCI-P3, and have a higher peak brightness overall – so expect them to be super bright and colorful. The QE55Q80T looks much like every other QLED of the last couple of years, all dark silver metal, straight edges and pointy corners. Unlike the higher-end Q95T model, which has a single-piece pedestal, the Q80T’s stand is a slightly less suave two-piece design. That said, it still has a compact footprint and the sort of low profile that makes for easy placement of a soundbar.

8K for the average home

Nothing’s unbeatable, of course, and we’re looking forward to putting the Q80T up against the Sony KD-55XH9505 and LG OLED55CX in particular, but we’d be surprised if it wasn’t in the running for an Award when the time comes. The HDMIs, of which there are four, aren’t officially 2.1-certified, but they do support the key 2.1 features, including eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), HFR (High Frame Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). On the subject of VRR, the FreeSync format used by the Xbox One X and One S is supported out of the box, while G-Sync is apparently coming soon. The effort Samsung has put in here has paid off. The Q80T sounds solid and the degree to which the sound isn’t restricted to the TV is impressive. There’s no surround effect as such (nor would you expect one), but the bullets fired at K’s car in Blade Runner 2049 emerge into the room satisfyingly. It’s a significantly more open and solid sound than expected at this price, particularly from a TV with more or less invisible speakers, and that makes for an engaging delivery. If you need advice on your faulty product please feel free to ask, we will be more than happy to advise you.