Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs present a step-up choice by utilizing a mini-LED backlight that may present considerably greater brightness than the corporate’s common QLED fashions. We’ve reviewed two 2023 Samsung Neo QLEDs this 12 months, the QN95C and QN90C, with the latter incomes a spot our greatest TVs checklist. Subsequent up is the QN85C, which is the entry-level providing within the firm’s 2023 Neo QLED household.
A full QN85C evaluation is forthcoming, however I wished to offer a preview of what can typically be anticipated of the TV based mostly on my preliminary exams and measurements. There’s nonetheless loads of work to be finished to make a full evaluation of its efficiency. Most of the QN85C’s options may be discovered all through the Samsung Neo QLED lineup, nonetheless, comparable to Samsung Gaming Hub for cloud-based gaming, and Q-Symphony 3.0, which helps you to mix the set’s built-in 2.2.2-channel audio system with a suitable Samsung soundbar for enhanced audio immersion.
Listed here are the QN85C’s key options:
- Neural Quantum Processor with 4K upscaling
- Huge Viewing Angle
- 4 x HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 120Hz help
- ATSC 1.0 tuner
- 2.2.2-channel audio system
- Object Monitoring Sound
- Q-Symphony 3.0
- Samsung Gaming Hub
- NeoSlim Design with hexagonal plate stand
- SolarCell distant management
With 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs, the QN85C is a strong choice for console-based gaming, and Samsung Gaming Hub expands your out there gaming choices. Samsung’s entry-level Neo QLED TV differs from its higher-ups in that it has a Huge Viewing Angle characteristic versus Extremely viewing Angle discovered on the opposite fashions, and its built-in digital TV tuner doesn’t help ATSC 3.0 “NextGenTV” broadcasts. In any other case, it has the identical NeoSlim design and hexagonal plate stand because the QN90C and comes with a solar-charged distant management.
Pricing for the QN85C, which is bought in display sizes starting from 43-inches as much as an infinite 98-inches, has dropped because it was first launched again in Could 2023. The 65-inch mannequin I examined presently sells for $1700 / £1399 / AU$3499. To present that worth some context, a QN90C with the identical display measurement sells for $2,000 whereas Samsung’s common Q80C QLED mannequin sells for $1200.
As talked about above, I’ve simply began testing the QN85C, however listed below are some performance-related observations that I can share off the bat.
Low enter lag
Samsung Neo QLED fashions usually land on our checklist of the greatest gaming TVs, and the QN85C seems primed to occupy the slot the place its QN85B predecessor presently sits. With its Sport mode lively, enter lag on the QN85C measured an especially low 9.8ms. When mixed with the TV’s quartet of HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 120Hz help, VRR and FreeSync Premium, in addition to Samsung Gaming Hub with Xbox, Nvidia GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, Utomik, Antstream Arcade, and Blacknut cloud gaming choices, that issue makes the QN85C a best choice for gaming proper out of the gate.
Infinite distinction
Samsung’s mini-LED TVs typically have wonderful distinction owing to their highly effective backlight native dimming characteristic. Like others earlier than it, the QN85C can obtain “infinite distinction” by fully switching off its backlight on full black photographs. However that’s not all it could actually do. Darkish scenes within the present Prime Boy that I streamed in 4K HDR on Netflix confirmed a variety of shadow element, and there was a punchy high quality to the image that gave it a way of 3D depth. Based mostly on my preliminary viewing, the QN85C will get a thumbs-up for image efficiency, although its image was notably much less brilliant than the QN90C mannequin that I beforehand reviewed.
Are there issues that the QN85C does much less nicely than the step-up fashions within the 2023 Neo QLED line? I discussed decrease brightness than the QN90C, although the QN90C is so super-bright that it supplies sufficient gentle output for viewing in brilliant rooms throughout daytime hours. it is an over-achiever in that respect. And off-center image uniformity isn’t nearly as good as with the QN90C, which has Samsung’s Extremely viewing Angle characteristic. The QN85C’s built-in digital TV tuner additionally lacks the ATSC 3.0 help that the QN90C’s supplies.
Does all this add as much as an endorsement of the QN85C, or a advice that you simply spend a number of hundred {dollars} extra to get the QN90C? I’ll have much more to say about that after I wrap up my full QN85C evaluation, which is able to embody an in-depth dialogue of its worth proposition amongst different issues. Look out for that evaluation to submit within the very close to future.
