TECHWEEK
By early spring 2021, details of Samsung’s latest OLED 4K TV series were revealed. It’s time to take a look at the flagship 2021 8K Neo QLED mini LED TVs, which feature a gorgeous infinity screen design and enhanced picture quality.
The new series of TVs Samsung QN900A consists of three diagonals 65, 75 and 85 inches. All of these models are now available for pre-order. The price tag starts at $ 5,000 and ends at $ 9,000. All three sizes have a similar set of advanced features and corresponding levels of picture and sound quality. Let’s take a look at the Samsung QE65QN900A review as a representative of the new series.
Samsung QN900A review
For starters, it’s worth noting that the Neo QLED series has a similar line of Samsung QN90A TVs . Therefore, it is worth deciding what is the difference between QN90A and QN900A, because these series are built on mini-LED technology. Moreover, in the designation of these series there is the letter N and, therefore, they have Neo QLED technology.
What is the difference between QN90A and QN900A
At first glance, the obvious difference between the QN90A series and the top-end QN900A is the higher 8K resolution (7680 × 4320 pixels). Although at the moment, native 8K content is still in short supply. These models have already provided a step forward in both features and performance. All this is reflected in the price of the premium model.
Some of the main differences between the 8K QN900A and 4K QN90A series are Samsung Pro Quantum Array Technology. This technology is exclusive to the QN900A series and provides the best level of control over individual mini-LED pixels in a full matrix TV backlight system. This technology can reduce color and flicker brightness, extending the life of the display.
The second point is the presence of “One Connect Box” in the QN900A series. These are the only 2021 Samsung TVs in some markets. In other regions, the QN800A and QN95A series can be found with a similar One Connect Box. The connection box houses a tuner (receiver), four HDMI 2.1 inputs, supporting advanced gaming features, including automatic low latency mode and variable refresh rate.
FreeSync Pro with bandwidth up to 4K @ 120Hz and high refresh rate. One HDMI input with Audio Return Channel (ARC) support and enhanced e-ARC. Yes, there is also a small “Slim One Connect” box that attaches to the back of the TV stand. Slim connector allows you to lay the connecting cable nicely.
Design
The QN900A has a new ‘Infinity’ display design. This has reduced the gap between the edges of the visible pixels and the thin bezel less than 1mm thick. This bezel is located on all sides of the screen. The edge is almost invisible from a great distance.
One gets the impression that in front of you is only a TV screen, which is why the designers gave the name “Infinity”. This design is thinner than the simpler 8K QN800A and 4K QN90A series. In profile, the 65QN900A has a small step to which the One Connect unit can be attached.
Overall, the QN900A series features an elegant design with a sandy black stand. The stand is a center stand that screws onto the center back of the 65QN900A TV. The back of the case is made of a nice looking matte black textured plastic.
It is made with a small convex arc starting from the edge of the bezel and extending to the middle of the screen. Samsung provides special channels along the back of the TV and at the bottom of the stand to help you position your connections nicely.
But back to the comparison. Samsung’s QN900A series has the best HDR processing system available today – Quantum HDR 64x. For the 65QN900A considered in the review, we used Quantum HDR 48X. In the younger series, processing is done with Quantum HDR 32x. This directly indicates that the brightness of the HDR image will be excellent.
Sound
The QN900A series features enhanced sound design . It is an 80-watt 6.2.2CH surround sound system with the new “Samsung Object Tracking Pro” sound engine. When played back, sounds appear to follow actors and objects on the screen in relation to the room and audience.
In addition, the models are equipped with the “Samsung Q-Symphony” system, which allows you to combine built-in speakers with external soundbars from Samsung. In this way, we get an extended surround sound effect.
Scaling
For those who still have doubts about the price and 8K content, Samsung’s new “Multi-Intelligence AI” scaling system can be cited. It provides accelerated processing of 4K and lower-resolution raw materials to fill with “extra” pixels.
The 65QN900A’s ability to transform 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray test material and standard Full HD Blu-ray into rich colors and close-ups is simply stunning.
What is Neo QLED Mini LED
The first is a peak brightness of 2000+ nits (in a 10% window). Unlike previous Samsung QLED TVs, the 2021 Neo QLED series is based on the new Mini LED backlight technology . What this means is the tiny LEDs that illuminate the LCD from the back. But the height of the emitting element is 40 times less than the height of a conventional LED.
These smaller mini-LEDs allow more individual lights on the back to illuminate pixels with more control over local dimming zones. And thus more accurate results are achieved. Of course, this technology does not allow for pixel-level control as is the case with OLED or MicroLED technology .
So in any case there will be some problems with light output and slightly weaker contrast levels. However, the large number of dimming zones (roughly 1900 in the 65QN900A) means more precise control over dark elements of the image by completely turning off areas of emitted light.
Blacks on the 65QN900A display virtually no distortion of dark shadow details. This is an important benefit for gamers. The manufacturer claims that the Neo QLED has increased the brightness scale to 12 bits with 4096 levels. This makes dark areas even darker and lighter areas brighter.
Samsung’s new quantum matrix technology enables ultra-precise control of densely packed LEDs. This helps to reduce burnout, but does not completely eliminate it. By the way, the reduced blinking is also noticeable on the corresponding equipment.
Neo Quantum 8K processor
Samsung uses the new Neo Quantum 8K processor with enhanced scalability to control all of the new image processing elements. The chip employs 16 different neural network models, each trained in AI scaling and deep learning technologies.
The Neo Quantum processor can optimize picture quality up to 4K with a variety of source material qualities. After processing, native Full HD and 4K UHD image sources offer clear, smooth images and colors with very little added or noticeable banding artifacts.
Lower resolution content such as DVD looks like it is available on a standard HD screen without adding upscaling noise or blocking artifacts.
Quantum Dots
Of course, like any QLED TV, the Samsung 65QN90A is still equipped with a quantum dot film layer. This layer is “flooded” with nanoscale spheres of special elements that glow brightly when excited by photons from LED backlighting.
The result is wider and brighter color tones than conventional LCD TVs. Color gamut coverage is almost the same as last year’s models, with a wide 96.5% color gamut coverage in the DCI-P3 standard. Samsung continues to use 10-bit LCD panels with a native refresh rate of 120Hz.
Connections
As we mentioned earlier, the Samsung QN900A series is equipped with a One Connect box. There are four full bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs, one of which supports ARC / eARC. All HDMI ports are compatible with HDCP 2.3 copy protection and support many of the latest advanced gaming features, including up to 4K @ 120fps and 8K @ 60p. This is a clear plus for gamers.
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), AMD FreeSync Pro, and Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM). HDMI e-ARC offers high bandwidth for audio. Other inputs are three USB 2.0, an Ethernet port, an optical audio output, and an RF antenna input. QN900A series models support Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.2, DLNA, Tap View, AirPlay 2 and Connect Share.
Smart TV
Samsung continues to upgrade its popular Tizen Smart TV operating system a little bit every year . More options for streaming entertainment content and additional features are being added in 2021. So, for example, with the help of an additional camera, you can make video calls or hold conferences on a large screen.
Some of the new and popular features returning this year include Multi View, which provides a picture-in-picture function. Here you can simultaneously watch two sources on one screen, for example, call YouTube and immediately follow the broadcast TV program.
Alternatively, one screen can be used to view a mirror image of the smartphone screen. Users will be able to view two images of the same size at the same time, or adjust different screen sizes for individual viewing.
By the way, in some 2021 series, including the QN90A, it became possible to connect an additional Logitech USB camera and get the functionality of a webcam. This can be useful for a variety of options, including self-monitoring your workout while watching a video tutorial. After the update, the system will also allow you to make video calls using the Google Duo app.
Most Samsung 2021 TVs still offer Smart Things for use with smartphones and tablets (iOS and Android) so that users can integrate smart home device control.
To make it easier to use the TV at home, the company has developed the Samsung DeX system.
It allows a computer and a TV on the same Wi-Fi network to display on the TV screen what is a Windows desktop or using documents from a smartphone. You can connect your mouse and keyboard to your TV wirelessly.
Game Mode
As for the game mode and input lag, for a Full HD 1080 @ 60p signal, this figure is at the level of 9.4 ms for the Samsung 65QN900A. In 2021, Samsung has significantly expanded the functionality of video games with a new Game Bar Mode, which is an on-screen display that allows users to double-check their respective settings.
Here you can adjust the input lag, make changes to the number of frames per second, HDR, refresh rate, wireless headset settings and other parameters.
Users can set the aspect ratio for special 21: 9 and 32: 9 widescreen frames. When the device is connected to a PC with a higher performance video card or an advanced game console, the user can bring up the game bar by pressing and holding the play button on the remote control.
ADAPTIVE HDR10 + Profile
Support for HDR standards in Samsung’s QN900A TVs is quite natural. The specs say HLG, HDR10 and HDR10 +. Added a new ADAPTIVE HDR10 + system that uses dynamic HDR10 + metadata combined with real-time ambient lighting information.
This ensures that the brightness levels are automatically optimized for each scene. And it helps to maintain “creativity” under various lighting conditions. However, there is nowhere mention of Dolby Vision support.
Remote controller
Samsung continues to use its One Remote to control the user interface and Smart TV functions. But in 2021, the familiar push-button candy bar is offering some major changes. For example, a built-in battery that can be charged from the solar panel or by connecting a USB-C charging cable.
The remote has three shortcut buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, and Samsung TV Plus apps. Samsung TV Plus is Samsung’s own free content portal with advertising support (or timed subscription content).
Conclusion
For sure, Samsung’s new flagship 8K QN900A Neo QLED TV series will raise the bar for LCD technology, delivering deeper blacks while retaining shadow detail. Not to mention the peak brightness of over 2000 nits (10% white window), which brings perfectly scaled images up to 8K to life.
Depth and brightness with 100% color gamut will deliver superior image fidelity. The virtually invisible dark bezel of the Infinity Screen creates a cinema-like projection screen for a truly immersive TV experience.
With 8K content now in short supply, Samsung’s Multi-Intelligence AI scaling system does an excellent job with low-resolution sources. Additional pixels without visible artifacts fill the matrix space perfectly up to 8K. Undoubtedly, this TV series improves picture and sound quality better than the QN90A 4K series.
