QLED is greater than only a bloody-minded different to OLED; it’s a really viable expertise
Execs
- Vibrant, high-contrast pictures
- Good off-axis efficiency
- Fairly full-bodied sound
- Tremendous OS
Cons
- No Dolby Imaginative and prescient
- Comparatively deep chassis
- Some gentle motion-handling traumas
Key Specs
- Overview Value: £1999
- 1500-nit peak brightness
- Extremely Viewing Angle
- 4 x HDMI
- HLG and HDR10+
What’s the Samsung QE55Q80R?
As evidenced by the Q80R, Samsung has had one thing of a change of coronary heart. The corporate isn’t about to bin its QLED quantum-dot expertise in favour of the OLED different that the majority of its rivals are using – it’s too dedicated, and too bloody-minded, for that. No, Samsung has determined its QLED expertise must be democratised slightly.
This time final yr, QLED was all concerning the flagship fashions. The most important and priciest screens had each conceivable bell and whistle connected, however transferring down the mannequin ranges noticed QLED specs grow to be meagre fairly rapidly.
It’s all change for 2019. This Q80R might not have the all-encompassing spec-sheet of the Q90R reviewed right here just a few months in the past, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a well-equipped TV. And it’s cheaper than its huge brother, too.
So can Samsung convey a few of its QLED smarts to a extra inexpensive price-point with out taking the shine off its range-topping fashions? Let’s discover out.
Associated: Samsung TV 2019 – each new Samsung 4K QLED TV defined
Samsung QE55Q80R – Design
QLED begins at one thing of an obstacle right here. Since they’re constructed round LCD expertise, QLED TVs don’t have the crowd-pleasing showroom enchantment of the ultra-thin OLED options; this QE55Q80R measures 62mm deep, which by 2019 requirements makes it a little bit of a biffer.
As well as, it weighs in at a not-inconsiderable 18kg, which suggests you must assume lengthy and arduous about attaching it to a plasterboard wall.
Ignore its retro depth and weight, nonetheless, and the QE55Q80R is kind of a chic TV. The minimal metallic bezel is properly curved on the corners, and (if you happen to’re not wall-mounting it) the stand is central.
This will not sound like an enormous deal, however the inexplicable vogue for nice huge TVs with a foot at both finish – which necessitate a floor nearly as broad because the display screen itself to face the TV on – wants undermining at each alternative. The stand additionally places a helpful quantity of distance between itself and the underside of the display screen, so there’s room for a soundbar.
Definitely, there’s nothing about the way in which the Q80R is designed or completed that signifies it comes from a distance down the Samsung QLED pecking order. The range-topping Q90R is not any higher trying, is simply fractionally slimmer and is a wee bit heavier.
Associated: Greatest TVs
Samsung QE55Q80R − Options
The most important indicator of the Q80R’s place within the QLED lineup considerations Samsung’s sensible One Join field – or, on this occasion, the dearth thereof. Dearer Samsung QLEDs have all their connectivity, together with mains energy, faraway from the display screen itself and housed in a separate field, which leaves only one very skinny cable operating from the display screen. The Q80R goes with out, which suggests all connections should be made to the again of the TV itself.
There are many connectivity choices, too. Apart from mains energy (clearly), the Q80R consists of 4 HDMI sockets, a brace of USBs, Ethernet (Wi-Fi is integrated too, naturally), a terrestrial TV aerial socket and a few satellite tv for pc TV aerial connections.
The Q80R can be freely giving some HDR-maximising brightness to its costlier sibling. Whereas a peak brightness ranking of 1500 nits is one thing a number of rival producers would fairly probably kill for, it compares unfavourably with the Q90R’s 2000-nit most. And though there stays a full array of native dimming, there are fewer dimming zones right here than seen on the pricier display screen.
The Q80R retains tempo with its costlier sibling by together with HDR compatibility for HLG, HDR10 and HDR10+, whereas foregoing Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist. Given their relative value tags, it’s an omission that’s simpler to deal with on this display screen.
And the Q80R additionally incorporates the Q90R’s brilliantly efficient Extremely Broad Viewing Angle system. Principally, it is a sequence of extra panel layers that scale back gentle leakage and assist lighting uniformity. It’s a really worthwhile characteristic.
Associated: What’s HDR10+?
Samsung QE55Q80R – Interface
Need management choices? You bought ‘em – there’s certain to be a management methodology right here to swimsuit you.
You might use one of many two distant controls. The primary is a reasonably humdrum handset, recognisable from your complete Samsung TV vary. It has too many buttons, and lots of of them are too small, nevertheless it’s at the least complete.
Or there’s the smaller, slimmer, altogether curvier wand with simply the important management choices on it – it’s an identical to the handset bundled with the Q90R, besides right here it goes with out the premium faux-metal end it enjoys when it comes with the costlier display screen.
If these choices appear a bit Twentieth-century, there’s all the time Samsung’s SmartThings management app for iOS and Android. It’s clear, steady, wide-ranging and logical – which units it other than fairly just a few rival manufacturers’ options.
For ultra-modernity – if not absolute comfort – there’s all the time the choice of issuing spoken instructions. The Q80R may be understood (more often than not) by each Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Regardless of the way you select to work together along with your TV, you’ll be working one in every of TV-land’s least compromised person interfaces. It’s easy to alter enter, choose streaming providers, fine-tune the settings (Fortunately, Samsung retains choices temporary) or alter the amount, and the graphics are clear and legible.
Samsung QE55Q80R – Efficiency
Onerous-wiring a 4K Blu-ray participant to the Q80R ought to give the Samsung each likelihood to look its greatest – and, positive sufficient, with a disc of Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk spinning, the Q80R’s mixture of lifelike colors, vivid contrasts and warranted movement impressed and charmed in equal measure.
Pores and skin-tones and -textures are convincing, and the Samsung manages to steadiness brilliant whites towards darkish backgrounds with out both sacrificing element or introducing any noticeable haloing. Element ranges are excessive, noise ranges are low and movement is, by and huge, dealt with with nice confidence.
It’s attainable to detect the TV working arduous when the results are piling up and the on-screen motion is hectic and unpredictable, however such moments are uncommon. In nearly each occasion, the Q80R managed to manage on-screen motion easily.
Associated: Greatest 4K Blu-ray gamers
The Extremely Broad Viewing Angle expertise is efficient, too. Black tones retain most of their depth and element, even if you happen to’re watching from fairly an off-axis place. Colors can’t preserve their dead-ahead vibrancy, however there’s markedly much less of the washed-out impact Samsung’s QLEDs suffered from pre-UVA.
Streaming 4K content material is an equally satisfying expertise. The sumptuous A Sequence of Unlucky Occasions on Netflix confirms the Q80R as a high-detail, high-contrast performer, and demonstrates the identical authority the place even probably the most testing movement is anxious.
The commonly murky color palette doesn’t pose too many issues, the Samsung proving in a position to differentiate between shades of gray fairly fortunately. Observe, although, that the odd moments of vivid color (which principally centre round Lucy Punch’s wardrobe) don’t have fairly the “pop” of a disc-derived equal. However that’s of negligible consequence; the Samsung’s streaming efficiency will make your streaming service subscription seem like cash very nicely spent.
It’s secure to say the Q80R is way happier with native 3840 x 2160 content material than when it has to upscale to suit its panel – however, even then, 1920 x 1080 content material is eminently watchable. The BBC’s Match of the Day is a stern take a look at, what with all that multi-tempo motion and swathes of unbroken color, however the Samsung does a manful job.
There’s the inevitable drop-off in vibrancy, element and distinction, plus slightly smattering of image noise within the extremes, however the pictures are by no means lower than watchable and evaluate favourably with these of some nominal rivals.
The Q80R shares the image processing firepower of its Q90R sibling, and that reveals itself not solely within the compelling watchability of its pictures but in addition in its extraordinarily speedy 20ms response timer. Players know that’s a formidable determine and, allied to its comparatively excessive distinction ranges, makes the Q80R nicely value contemplating as a video games monitor.
Regardless of the supply materials, the Q80R does fairly robust work with sound; for as soon as that comparatively hefty chassis works to the Samsung’s benefit. It’s a bolder, burlier and extra assertive pay attention than its waif-like OLED rivals (besides Philips’ B&W-fettled OLED+ 903) – however that huge hole between stand and TV is there for a purpose. Don’t spend nigh-on £2k on a stunning new Samsung Q80R with out budgeting for a half-decent soundbar, too.
Associated: Greatest soundbars
Why purchase the Samsung QE55Q80R?
With its admirable loyalty to QLED expertise, Samsung is combating a battle towards the massed forces of OLED in splendid isolation. The entire Q80R’s worthwhile rivals are OLED TVs – and it’s a measure of the way in which the mid- to high-end TV market is perceived that this website’s overview of the Samsung QE65Q90R praised it as “probably the most OLED-like LCD TV ever made”.
This TV’s £2k is a not-inconsiderable sum to pay for a 55in 4K mannequin, and there’s little question the options are compelling. The aforementioned Philips OLED+903 is accessible for very related cash, has no want for an extra audio system, options Philips’ exceptional Ambilight expertise, and is able to delivering humbling picture high quality.
LG, too, to whom each OLED producer owes each a debt of gratitude and of cash, has just lately served up its OLED55C9 for £2499. It isn’t able to pictures as brilliant because the Samsung, and its lack of HDR10+ assist is a bit wilful, nevertheless it’s a vastly succesful TV however.
In truth, it’s a measure of simply how spectacular the QE55Q80R is that it should depend as a obligatory audition alongside the Philips and the LG whenever you’re sizing up your subsequent TV.
Verdict
QLED is greater than only a bloody-minded different to OLED; it’s a really viable expertise.
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