Samsung's 2019 4K QLED TVs compared: Q90R, Q80R, Q70R, Q60R
If you're looking for a new television and want one of the finest pictures on the market then Samsung's 2019 QLED range is sure to be one of the year's top TV choices.
The black levels don't go quite as dark as OLED competitors but the searing whites make for massive impact (read our feature on what QLED is all about).
The 2019 range of QLED models all offer Bixby, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice control, so you're not tied to any one system. Bixby is native on the TV, whereas Alexa and Google Assistant require you to have a compatible Amazon or Google device.
Apple's iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps are coming to the TVs, too, although this has not yet rolled out. AirPlay 2 is also available for casting from an Apple device.
All the new 2019 models offer Ultra Viewing Angle technology, ensuring that contrast and colour will remain consistent at steep viewing angles.
This - and additional detail on black in dark scenes - are the main improvements over the 2018 line-up, which included the excellent Q9FN (oh, and if you're wondering about letter designations: the 'N' is for 2018, the 'R' for 2019, while 'F' simply means 'flat' (as there was also a curved Q9 in the past).
You can find out even more about the improvements to picture quality for 2019 sets in our story here: Samsung details the improved picture tech behind its 2019 QLED TVs
Without further ado, here's the Samsung 4K and 8K QLED TV line-up for 2019 and how each model differs from the next:
Samsung Q900 (US) / Q950R (UK)
- Screen sizes: 65in, 75in, 82in
- QLED, 8K resolution, Quantum HDR 4000
- Prices: 65in - $5,000/£4,999, 75in - $7,000/£6,999, 82in - $10,000/£9,999 - 85in (Q900, US only) - $15,000
The big daddy of the range is the 8K model (as depicted in three sizes in the lead image, above). That equates to a massive 7,680 × 4,320 pixels. Despite basically no content being available in such retina-beating resolutions, Samsung has an intelligent upscaling system that will make content from 4K look even more hyper-real.
Last year's Q900 (also linked to above) was mighty impressive (and the brightest TV we've seen to date - that HDR 4000 designation means 4000nits peak brightness, which is a bit like looking into the sun), with the Q950R taking that formula and adding the Ultra Viewing Angle tech into the mix.
These TVs have a connection box so massive that you'll probably need a cupboard to store it in.
Samsung Q90R
- Screen sizes: 55in, 65in, 75in
- QLED, 4K resolution, Quantum HDR 2000
- Direct back-light, 16x array
- One Connect Box (separate to TV)
- Prices: 55in (UK only) - £2,799, 65in - $3,500/£3,799, 75in - $5,000/£4,999, 82in (US only) - $6,500
The successor to the Q9FN, the Q90R is the crème de la crème of the 2019 QLED range. As you can see from the image above it's got a centralised stand, which will be handy for those without massive furniture who want a bigger screen in their homes (this one maxes out at 75in).
The top spec of the Q90R is its direct back-light technology, which comes in its most sophisticated form with the most zones on offer. This 'zoning' ensures greater light control for the best offset of black to white, with pinpoint precision thanks to that back-lighting. It's also the brightest 4K TV in the range, with a peak brightness of 2000nits.
Sure, the majority of the other models feature similar technology (bar the Q60R) - but with fewer zones and therefore less picture precision and less peak brightness when it comes to the levels.
The Q90R also features a One Connect box, which is a separate box where all the HDMI ports and power plugs in. It's a neat solution to help keep things tidy and will be useful for wall-mount customers.
Samsung Q85R
- Screen sizes: 55in, 65in, 75in
- QLED, 4K resolution, Quantum HDR 1500
- Direct back-light, 8x array
- One Connect Box (separate to TV)
- Prices: 55in - £2,299, 65in - £2,999, 75in - £4,499
A Europe-only model so not available in the US, the Q85R is more similar to last year's Q9FN in terms of stand design and overall proposition. This set isn't quite as bright as the Q90R, while its back-light zoning is halved by comparison too.
However, it offers the One Connect box option - something that lacks from the Q80R, below, which will be offered in other territories - so if you're not ultra picky about the best of the best precision then this option (which we assume will be slightly cheaper) is an ideal fit. It still comes in sizes up to 75in too.
Samsung Q80R
- Screen sizes: 55in, 65in
- QLED, 4K resolution, Quantum HDR 1500
- Direct back-light, 6x array
- Prices: 55in (not US) - £1,999, 65in - $2,800/£2,499
Similar to the Q85R above, but with more conventional ports to the rear of the set, rather than in a separate One Connect Box. The direct back-light is a 6x array (not 8x like the Q85R or 16x like the Q90R) so it's not precisely a re-ported Q85R, nor does it extend to sizes quite as huge - with 65in being its maximum size.
Samsung Q70R
- Screen sizes: 49in, 55in, 65in, 75in, 82in
- QLED, 4K resolution, Quantum HDR 1000
- Direct back-light, 4x array
- Prices: 49in - $1,250, 55in - $1,500, 65in - $2,200, 75in - $3,300, 82in - $5,000
The sweet spot for the middle ground, the Q70R comes in a wide range of sizes that'll suit all manner of living rooms, so we suspect this will be the more consumer friendly model in terms of affordability. We're expecting this to launch in the UK as well, but there's no pre-order information as yet.
It offers half the peak brightness of the Q90R flagship, and a quarter of the zones from its direct back-light, meaning less black-to-white precision and peak brightness potential. Still, the HDR 1000 designation of 1000nits means it's darn bright - more than what any OLED panel will offer right now, if that's a point of interest.
Samsung Q60R
- Screen sizes: 43in, 49in, 55in, 65in, 75in, 82in
- QLED, 4K resolution, Quantum HDR
- Edge illumination (no backlight array)
- Prices: 43in - $800, 49in - $1,000, 55in - $1,200, 65in - $1,800, 75in - $3,000, 82in - $3,800
The 'baby' of the QLED range - although not in terms of size, as you can buy a Q60R up to 82in in size. We're expecting this to launch in the UK as well, but there's no pre-order information as yet.
The technology here isn't as advanced as its brothers and sisters, though, with an edge-illuminated display likely meaning some light bleed will result in darker images, while the HDR (high dynamic range) pictures aren't punchy bright as any of the other models featured above.
Still, if you want a moderate or massive TV set in the living room for daytime viewing rather than ultimate critique of cinematography then this set should offer a fair balance of price to features.
This article was first published 14 March 2019
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