2 Minute Review
The Samsung Q900TS QLED 8K just may be the premium 8K TV you need. It does not carry the OneConnect box cabling option that features the flagship Q950TS, nor is it quite as cheap as the Q800T (or Q700T). Nevertheless, this middle-child 8K television strolls the line in between them, providing flagship efficiency for a decent amount less than its top-end sibling.
Youre getting a zero-bezel infinity screen here, which looks spectacular whether the TV is on or off. 4 HDMI ports produce abundant connection choices for video games consoles, AV receivers, and soundbars, too– even if theres just one HDMI 2.1 port for next-gen hardware that requires a higher passthrough standard.
The audio is as impressive as we d expected, with Samsungs brand-new OTS+ sound system propelling results, dialogue, and pumping soundtracks in several instructions. You might miss the full force of a front-firing soundbar, but the expansive soundstage and multichannel detail on screen here is something to witness.
While Samsung is one of 8K TVs most vocal backers, they arent yet the necessity that Samsung probably desires them to be. With close-to-zero 8K content to see, how could they be?
However sets such as the Q900TS still make a strong argument for the advanced resolution, beautifully upscaling both 4K and HD sources to a crisp 8K finish. The included detail should be specifically obvious at bigger sizes, if youre sat at an adequate distance; it might not be as impactful at smaller sized units youre sat rather near, but well go into more information about this listed below.
As weve reported in several other new Samsung television evaluations, the business is releasing rather aggressive backlight dimming to avoid halos or blooming around bright areas of the screen. This works as meant, but does imply that HDR items can lose a little of their flare, their full potential kept in check.
For a high-end 8K TELEVISION, the Q900TS is a terrific buy if you dont desire to splash out on the Q950TS, however are searching for mainly the exact same specifications. Nevertheless, for an 8K TV smaller sized than 65 inches, or less expensive than $4,999/ ₤ 4,499, youll wish to look elsewhere.
Rate and schedule
Prices for the Samsung Q900TS start at $4,999/ ₤ 4,499 for a 65-inch system, going up to $5,999/ ₤ 5,999 for a 75-inch model. The biggest 85-inch size is just offered in the US at a rate of $7,999, suggesting those in the UK or Australia will not get an appearance in.
By comparison, the flagship Q950TS is only available at 85 inches in the US, costing a mammoth $10,999. If you desire a 65-inch or 75-inch 8K TV in North America, the Q900TS is your set of option.
( Image credit: Samsung) Buy it if …
You desire exceptional built-in audioThe Q900TSs built-in speakers are discreet but powerful, with an extremely wide soundstage and featuring a big amount of audio detail. You dont get Atmos assistance– a minimum of, without a suitable soundbar– but you likely will not need it.
You want to get on the 8K trainThis is an 8K TELEVISION. Want a crisp 8K resolution, even when upscaled from HD and 4K sources? The Q900TS has it in spades.
You desire smooth designThis QLED TV features a 99% screen design with a near-imperceptible bezel, a streamlined form factor, and a slight three-degree tilt to aid with seeing angles.
If …
You want desire Samsung OneConnect boxThe Q900TS doesnt does not with Samsungs OneConnect box cabling solutionOption youll want the Q950TS for that, dont purchase it.
Youre huge on Dolby AtmosThe Q900TS doesnt support Dolby Atmos straight, and youll need to link an external noise system to get the advantages of Atmos.
You want Freeview PlayIf youre in the UK and want access to Freeview Plays catchup services, the Q900TS cant assist you. Attempt a set from Sony or Philips rather.
Brilliant OTS+ sound system.
4.2.2 channel audio.
No Dolby Atmos, however you can passthrough to a suitable soundbar.
Theres plenty to advise the Q900TSs audio, due to the implementation of Samsungs OTS+ (Object Tracking Sound) technology.
OTS+ is a 4.2.2 channel audio system, with different motorists positioned around the Q900TSs screen for a multidirectional noise. Theres no Dolby Atmos support for these speakers, per se, but you can passthrough the format to an Atmos-compatible speaker, ought to you want.
The best way to describe the audio is “roomy”. OTS+ tosses noise in all instructions, for an extremely broad soundstage that never feels hemmed in– which suggests the sound feels as unrestricted as the extensive zero-bezel screen.
Some might miss the force of a devoted front-firing soundbar, given that here the sound is designed to fill the space rather than blast you out of your seat. Naturally, there is the alternative to connect a soundbar or other AV devices, although it might be a waste of the Q900TSs audio requirements to do so.
Voices are strikingly recreated on the Q900TSs speakers; even in a documentary, the motorists reveal the full variety of frequencies and peculiar timbre of an individuals voice. The several channels, too, indicate that dialogue is never lost under a growing soundtrack, and its possible to construct out a huge amount of unique information simultaneously..
When watching The Old Guard on Netflix, Charlize Therons chains manage to clink delicately and clatter with force all at the exact same time, giving even the tiniest of moments a big variety of aural detail. In the standup unique Bo Burnham: Make Happy, the disorderly overlap of Burnhams monologue, audience laughter, and a pumping techno soundtrack is carefully handled, guaranteeing nothing is lost for the listener.
In general, the sound here is clear and controlled, even at high volumes. Some might find that the OTS+ sound system isnt as dynamic as some AV hardware; the Panasonic HZ2000s integrated speakers go louder, and an absence of front-firing speakers indicates the Q900TS can lack instant impact. But theres no rejecting the general quality and verticality of the sound.
Should I buy the Samsung Q900TS 8K QLED TV?
The Samsung Q900TS QLED 8K just might be the premium 8K Television you require. Keep in mind that youll certainly require two individuals to lift even the TVs tiniest 65-inch size. Film is likely to be the best option for a lot of TV and film content, although Standard or Natural may show a much better bet for truth Television and documentaries. Filmmaker mode is 2020s most recent addition, and its designed to evade the normal picture-processing techniques to display Television or movie material “as intended”. You desire to get on the 8K trainThis is an 8K TELEVISION.
Crisp 8K image and impressive upscaling.
Aggressive backlight dimming.
HDR10+ assistance, however no Dolby Vision.
Sleek Tizen user interface.
No Dolby Vision.
No Freeview Play.
( Image credit: TechRadar) Design.
Samsungs Tizen OS is achieved on the Q900TS. Much like LGs webOS wise TV platform, it uses a horizontal line of tile icons to showcase readily available streaming apps, with more nitty-gritty picture settings, cable inputs, and the free Samsung television Plus service on the left-hand side.
Theres excellent app support here, with the similarity Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Rakuten Television, Apple Television Plus, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5, YouTube and more. Likewise making a look is Samsung Health, which arrived on Samsung TVs in 2020, packing in a lot of physical fitness and wellness content to take pleasure in.
Disney Plus is supported, but does not appear on the home screen by default. If you do wish to watch it, then head to the Samsung app store to download and pin it to your home screen.
Sadly, theres no Freeview Play in sight, despite a lot of other TV brand names supporting the broadcaster catch-up service in the UK.
( Image credit: TechRadar) Smart TV.
The Samsung Q900TS offers up a true flagship 8K image, no matter the quality of the source. While native 4K– upscaled to 8K, naturally– looks best, even HD and SD material is managed magnificently, with all the additional pixels needed to make them approximate to an 8K image.
When watching the Emmy-winning TV series Schitts Creek, which is filmed in HD, we were blown away by the information of the image on screen. The furrows of a forehead, the bustle of an eyebrow, the stitching of a lampshade all entered focus in vibrant information..
Samsung saves its AI upscaling for its most high-end TV sets, and it clearly makes a huge distinction. Traditional upscaling uses some honing around rough objects, however AI upscaling uses an immense bank of high-res and low-res images to make a forecast of how images with a bigger pixel count must look.
There are occasional photo flaws for low-resolution content. Naturally, Samsungs photo processing focuses generally on foreground things, such as faces. Hectic scenes can show some grain over the backgrounds, particularly around background things in movement. Even slow electronic camera pans can result in some moderate screen judder, however it tends to leave as rapidly as it gets here.
These concerns are pretty small– you d need to be actively searching for them– but, if Samsung wants 8K TV adoption to continue increasing, they do highlight areas in which the business will require to make improvements over the coming years.
We stepped up to a 4K source with Netflixs The Social Dilemma documentary, and can guarantee you that it looks smooth when upscaled to an 8K screen– to the point where its practically startling. A sudden zoom in to someones face, for circumstances, and the taking place detail displayed in someones freckles, or the lines of their irises, reveals simply how proficient Samsungs upscaling algorithms have become.
The benefits of Samsungs Wide Viewing Angle innovation, presented on its premium QLED embeds in 2019, is clear too. At 45 degrees off-axis, the abundant color and contrast holds up brilliantly, meaning that you wont need to be viewing the television straight-on for a terrific image.
The Q900TS can output lots of light, with a peak 3,000-nit brightness for high-impact images– even in well-lit or daytime surroundings. This means that even SDR (standard vibrant variety) material looks outstanding in its color entertainment.
( Image credit: TechRadar) Audio efficiency.
Theres plenty to appreciate about the Q900TSs style. It shares the very same 99% screen aesthetic as the Q950TS, with a streamlined and minimalist style thats a treat to take a look at, even when the screen is turned off.
Its not the thinnest QLED around, mainly due to the complete variety backlight that sits behind the screen. Samsung contains this in a tight rectangle-shaped shape, avoiding any undesirable bulges on the back of the set..
The upper edge and sides are a silver/gray color, with a dotted speaker grille from which sound leaves out of its 4.2.2 channel audio system. More detail on this can be discovered in our Audio Performance area– however, are enough to state, Samsung has handled to integrate in a super-impressive OTS+ stereo without the need for it to being in your eyeline.
The Television stand comes in 2 parts and is put together with eight small screws. Keep in mind that youll definitely need 2 individuals to raise even the TVs tiniest 65-inch size.
In the back, there are 4 HDMI inputs, just one of which is HDMI 2.1 (which makes it possible for 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video passthrough). Its a pity that there arent more of the latter, specifically for those thinking about to purchase both the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 at some time. However, there are still reasonably few usage cases for the port, especially given that there are no 8K Blu-rays throughout sight. There is eARC support for directing lossless audio to an external soundbar.
There are also two USB ports– rather than the three packed into the Q950TS– in addition to RF, Ethernet, and optical inputs.
2 remotes are provided as basic with a QLED TV. A plastic unit with a full mathematical keypad and rubberized buttons, and a metal option with more limited inputs. The latter is by far the sleekest, with a cool clasping mechanism for placing batteries; its a genuine happiness to use.
Theres no Samsung OneConnect box cabling option, however– which is the primary distinction between this and the Q950TS.
( Image credit: TechRadar) We tried the Q900TSs 4K HDR ability with the remake of Utopia on Amazon Prime Video. The set was able to display punchy colors, whether they were red tees, green dye, or blue ribbons (its a really colorful show). The Q900TS has an especially intense screen, and that makes it superb for showing brilliant colors. Some shadow detail is lost in darker scenes, and at times youll discover some mild squashing of blacks in dark match trousers or perhaps beards– however its a minor concern.
However, the Samsung Q900TS– along with the Q950TS and Q800T– deploys some a little aggressive backlight dimming, most likely to limit blooming or halos around brilliant objects. This can minimize the effect of specific HDR items, but overall it remains a sensational experience. (Once or two times we experienced the brightness of the whole screen all of a sudden drop, too, however this was a rare event.).
There are, as normal, a host of picture settings to select from– alongside a new option you might not have actually utilized before.
The basic image modes are Standard (default), Dynamic (ramped up contrast), Natural (halfway in between the previous two), and Movie (lowered saturation). Film is most likely to be the finest choice for most TV and movie material, although Natural or standard may prove a better bet for truth television and documentaries. Its worth flicking through them to get a sense of what you want your picture to appear like– as much as we dislike Dynamics synthetic and extreme colors, there are definitely individuals out there who like it.
Filmmaker mode is 2020s latest addition, and its designed to evade the usual picture-processing strategies to show television or motion picture content “as meant”. Visually, we discovered it sat quite close to the Movie preset, however fared worse with moving objects– most likely from the elimination of movement smoothing technologies. We would not suggest it.
Theres an Intelligent mode, too, which proactively changes in between photo (and audio) settings depending on whats being shown on screen– and it ought to operate completely well for those of you who do not want to fiddle constantly with picture presets.
You get HDR10 as well as the vibrant HDR10+ format, which adjusts the televisions picture settings on a shot-by-shot basis– however not Dolby Vision, as holds true on all QLED TVs. If youre a streaming service enthusiast, youll likely desire HDR10+ for Amazon Prime Video shows, but Dolby Vision to get the very best out of Netflix movies.
( Image credit: TechRadar) Picture quality.
Beautiful 99% screen style.
One HDMI 2.1 port.
Metal remote.
