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Since being launched in 2021, Samsung’s Neo QLED collection of televisions has ranked excessive in its class, setting the benchmark for show high quality and options. And with this 12 months’s providing, the QN90C, it might simply be on the prime.
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The set is accessible in 43 to 85 inches, however I examined the 55″ for the needs of this assessment. Retail value on that model is $1,999, although you should buy one at a $500 low cost throughout Labor Day weekend.
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Samsung QN90C TV
The corporate’s newest 4K TV options mini LEDs, a Neural Quantum Processor for 4K upscaling, and a improbable Anti-Glare panel.
Proper out of the field, that is only a handsome TV. It has a really slim design and a super-thin bezel that actually makes the image stand out. As I used to be unboxing it, the stand additionally caught my eye. As an alternative of two legs like nearly all different TVs, the QN90C is supported by a single leg within the center, much like a pc monitor.
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Although I’ve to confess, organising that stand was a bit of cumbersome, a lot in order that after I learn the guide and began placing it collectively, I needed to refer again to the directions as a result of I could not determine it out. I would contemplate {that a} small inconvenience, although as it is a “one and executed” sort of factor, I really feel just like the modern, premium look was ultimately price it. The stand did have a slight wobble, particularly when my youngsters ran via the lounge, however I used to be by no means frightened in regards to the set toppling over.
If inputs are a priority, the QN90C carries 4 HDMI ports (one eARC), all of them supporting HDMI 2.1.
This is a more in-depth have a look at the ports on the again.
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For an working system, the set makes use of Samsung’s personal Tizen software program. This was my first expertise with Tizen, and whereas it wasn’t as user-friendly as Roku or Google TV, I used to be capable of navigate the place I needed to go with out a lot hassle.
On the show aspect, it is a Quantum Mini-LED, which Samsung first launched in 2021. Because the title implies, the LEDs are a lot smaller right here than typical, main to higher backlight management. Samsung claims to take {that a} step additional although, with microlayers contained in the LEDs, eliminating noise.
There’s assist for HDR10 and HDR10+, and on-line experiences put the brightness at almost 2,000 nits — that means it is shiny sufficient for many house and workplace environments.
My lounge has a good quantity of pure mild shining the place my TV sits, and I am going to undoubtedly say this set’s show thrives in that surroundings — largely resulting from its anti-reflection movie. There are occasions with my on a regular basis tv that I’ve to shut my blinds due to glare, however the QN90C was shiny sufficient which made that pointless. I fired up a private favourite, Netflix’s Stranger Issues, to check the show, and it was actually probably the most I’ve loved that present visually.
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The QN90C additionally makes use of native dimming management, which takes unused electrical energy from darkish areas of the display and diverts it to brighter areas. I used to be impressed with how that labored right here, as darkish scenes had been darkish as meant, however black ranges nonetheless had a distinction the place issues had been clearly seen. Shiny colours popped fantastically, and scenes with quick motion confirmed no indicators of blur.
So far as upscaling content material Samsung has its Neural Quantum Processor on board, which makes use of AI so as to add depth and sharpness to content material whatever the authentic decision — primarily making every part 4K. I examined this out with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and completely cherished how issues seemed. I’ve had televisions the place the upscaling produced outcomes far too unnatural trying, however the QN90C does this very effectively.
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In the case of sound, this set is a lot ample as-is. It does assist Dolby Atmos, however even and not using a sound bar, I might clearly hear dialogue over the bustle of my two youngsters and canine. I hold closed captions on my on a regular basis TV for this very motive, even when utilizing a sound bar, and it was good to have the ability to flip that off for some time.
Like different Samsung televisions, it helps what they name object monitoring, which sends sounds to the related a part of the display. For instance, should you’re watching a film with a racing scene, you may audibly discover the engine sound roar left to proper together with the automotive.
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After I began digging into the gaming options although, I discovered the place this tv actually shined. It has a really low enter lag (beneath 10ms), a 120Hz show, assist for variable refresh fee, and Samsung’s above-average Recreation Bar function.
Holding the pause/play button whereas a online game console is on brings up the menu overlay, and from there you may dig into the settings like Recreation Image Mode (there are six to select from, plus two customized choices), Recreation Movement Plus (which reduces movement blur and improves image high quality), and an on-screen crosshair (with three shade choices).
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From that bar, there is a deeper sport mode settings choice, which helps you to tune the black equalizer, select “fundamental” or “superior” for HDR, and even select the extent of judder discount and blur discount.
Most informal players would not dive this deep into these settings, however for critical players, it is a improbable factor to have. It is the deepest stage of customization I’ve seen from a gaming menu. Actually, I would name this simply one of many greatest gaming TVs I’ve come throughout.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Samsung QN90C TV has just a few minor annoyances — I am hesitant to name the wobbliness and set up course of shortcomings — however its image high quality in each occasion and gaming options greater than made up for these. When you’re searching for a premium-level TV that does effectively in any surroundings with any form of content material, hold this one excessive in your record.