TV - Organizer

I tested Samsung’s unique ‘two-way’ Dolby Atmos soundbar, and it sounds great in both setups

6:00 pm | June 15, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: TV | Comments: Off

Samsung HW-QS700F: Two-minute review

The Samsung HW-QS-700F is one of the company's latest soundbars. It combines the performance of Samsung’s Q series models with a stylish lifestyle-friendly design usually found in Samsung’s S series soundbars. Does this mean this crossover soundbar is twice as nice, though, or has becoming a jack of all trades made it a master of none?

At first glance, you might be forgiven for not understanding why the Samsung QS700F might be considered a designer ‘lifestyle’ example of the best soundbars. With its long, angular, hard-finished main soundbar and compact, roughly cubic subwoofer, it looks mighty similar to the components of Samsung’s latest performance-led Q series models.

That’s not to say it’s ugly; it’s slender enough to fit beneath most TV screens, long and deep enough to promise some potent sound, and robustly finished enough to feel like a premium product. And the new subwoofer design Samsung has adopted across most of its soundbar range this year might even be called cute thanks to its relatively small footprint, rounded edges, crisp black finish and jauntily large circular drivers.

In the end, though, despite unfortunately not joining most of Samsung’s performance-oriented Q series models in carrying a proper built-in LED display, it shares more immediate DNA with the Q series than the usually sleeker, smaller S Series.

The S part of the QS700F deal heaves into view with its so-called Convertible Fit feature. This “dynamic dual set-up” system means that, unlike the vast majority of other soundbars, the QS700F can be configured to truly work in either a wall hanging or stand placement.

Of course, many other soundbars out there can either be attached to a wall or placed on a bit of furniture. Practically none of those other soundbars, though, do what the QS700F does and actually adjust their speaker configuration to optimise their performance for their separate wall-hanging or stand placement options.

What happens with the QS700F, essentially, is that the front and up-firing height speakers in play when the soundbar is sat on a TV stand can reverse their functionality if you tip the soundbar up into a vertical position and turn it upside down to place it flat on a wall. There’s even a gyro system built into the QS700F’s main bar component that can automatically tell if the soundbar is being used flat or vertically, adjusting the sound channel configuration accordingly.

Pictures are worth a thousand words when it comes to explaining this extremely rare feature, so I suggest you take a moment to peruse the below images if you’re still struggling to figure out how it does what it does – and why the result is so different to simply sticking a regular soundbar on a wall bracket.

Image 1 of 2

Samsung HW-QS700F on tabletop — A gyro system built into the QS700F reverses the front and the up-firing height speakers when the soundbar is tipped up into a vertical position to place it flat on a wall for a wall-mount installation (see next slide). (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 2

The QS700F isn’t the first soundbar that’s been expressly designed to look good and work well when mounted on a wall. Most wall-based soundbar designs, however, can’t also be used in a stand set-up. And soundbars that can do what the QS700F does and completely reconfigure their driver array to support both horizontal and vertical setups are very rare indeed. The main current model I can think of is the Devialet Dione, with its ‘rotating ball’ centre channel speaker, but that will currently set you back £1,800 / around $2,440 – two and a half times what the QS700F costs.

Delivering genuine wall or stand placement flexibility isn’t the QS700F’s only attraction, though. Its 3.1.2 channel count is also more numerous than might have been expected with such an affordable and customisable soundbar – especially given that the .2 bit indicates the presence of two up-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos height effects that are available in either of the soundbar’s two orientation options, and the .1 bass channel bit is delivered by an external subwoofer.

This subwoofer manages to combine likeable, compact aesthetics, too, with two startlingly large drivers on two of its opposing sides. One of these is an active 8-inch driver, while the other is a smaller, passive unit, with the dual-sided approach intended to make it possible to underpin music and, especially, film soundtracks with smoother and less directional bass than Samsung’s previous sub designs did.

The Dolby Atmos playback support (for music as well as movies) mentioned earlier is joined by support for DTS:X soundtracks too, while music lovers can enjoy their favourite tunes streamed in via direct Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Airplay and Tidal Connect support. Supported music file formats are expansive, too, including MP3, AAC, OGG, FLAC, WAV, ALAC and AIFF.

Stereo music can be played in its basic two-channel format by the QS700F, as you would expect, but its sound presets also include a couple of options that can upmix two-channel music to take advantage of all of the system’s available channels. The Surround mode is the most straightforward of these two options, while an Adaptive option brings AI into play, with a particular focus on optimising volume and enhancing detailing and clarity.

A Game preset, meanwhile, emphasises the multi-channel directionality of the surround sound (often Dolby Atmos) audio tracks modern games typically use, to both make the game world feel more immediate and intense, and to give you a better idea of exactly where approaching or attacking enemies are relative to your own position.

Samsung HW-QS700F remote control — The QS700F's compact remote control (Image credit: Future)

While the QS700F doesn’t carry nearly as many channels as you get with Samsung’s flagship soundbars for 2025, there’s still enough going on to potentially present you with a bit of a setup headache. Happily, though, Samsung has equipped the QS700F with a so-called SpaceFit Sound Pro system that automatically and constantly works to optimise the tone and impact of the bass to keep it in line with the rest of the soundstage, as well as keeping dialogue and effects in balance.

If you decide you want to make the QS700F a full surround system, you can either add a pair of Samsung’s SWA-9500S speakers for £249 / $299, or a pair of Samsung’s Music Frame speakers for a £800 / $600. As well as being much cheaper, I’d suggest the SWA-9500Ses would be the much better option for adding to the QS700F because they include extra up-firing speakers as well as the main forward-facing drivers, enhancing Dolby Atmos’s hemisphere of sound effect.

The QS700F is decently connected considering how affordable it is for such an innovative design, with an HDMI pass-through being joined by an optical digital audio input and the now expected Bluetooth and Wi-Fi streaming options. The Wi-Fi functionality even extends to support for Samsung’s Wireless Dolby Atmos streaming, where the soundbar can receive Dolby Atmos soundtracks from compatible Samsung TVs without the need for any cables.

The QS700F supports Samsung’s Q Symphony system, too, where the speakers in the TV can work alongside those in the soundbar to create a more detailed and well-staged soundscape, rather than the soundbar just taking over all sound duties by itself.

The one disappointment with the QS700F’s connections is that the HDMI pass-through doesn’t join the HDMI ports on Samsung’s Q990F flagship soundbar in supporting 4K 120Hz gaming feeds. So if you have a console or PC capable of outputting graphics to that format, you’ll have to connect your gaming device directly to your TV and use eARC functionality to send game sound from the TV to the soundbar. That approach can sometimes, though thankfully not that often these days, cause a loss of synchronisation between the pictures on your TV and the sound coming from the soundbar.

Samsung HW-QS700F closeup of control buttons — The QS700F's top surface control buttons (Image credit: Future)

The QS700F’s performance turns out to be startlingly uncompromised by its innovative multi-placement design. There are some mild differences in how it sounds in its two usage configurations, but overall, it sounds excellent whichever way round you use it, and better, in fact, than most ‘standard’ soundbars at the same sort of price point.

Looking first at performance features that remain consistent regardless of whether you’re using the QS700F in its vertical or horizontal stance, the most immediate thing you notice is how powerful it is. Despite its fairly compact two-piece design, it’s capable of both getting seriously loud and projecting its sound far beyond the boundaries of its physical form. The result is a sound that’s capable of filling at least the front half of even quite a substantial room with a really potent soundstage.

There’s much more to the QS700F’s power and projection than just brute force and loudness, though. Its speakers are also sensitive enough to deliver impressive amounts of detail, be it a mild background ambient sound or a more specific, placed effect. Yet it does so with an excellent sense of balance, where no sound stands out artificially brightly from the mix.

Spot effects are accurately placed in the three-dimensional sound space the QS700F creates in either of its vertical or horizontal placement configurations, too, and sound transitions as noisy objects move around the three-dimensional space are tracked with strong and involving accuracy, clarity and consistency, even if there are multiple moving objects to track at the same time.

Impact sounds are delivered with a degree of venom and projection that’s rare indeed at the QS700F’s price point, while the subwoofer performs well beyond its size, underpinning action scenes with seriously deep and distortion-free rumbles. These also, crucially, feel like natural extensions of the dynamic range delivered by the main bar, with no sense of bagginess or dislocation in the way the subwoofer’s sound ‘attaches to’ it.

Treble effects, finally, also emerge without sounding distorted or overly shrill, especially as the subwoofer’s contributions at the other end of the spectrum provide such a potent counterpoint.

While the QS700F is at its absolute best as an ultra-flexible movie soundbar, it’s also a strong music performer. In either of its vertical or horizontal configurations, music enjoys good staging, with effective but not over-stated stereo separation, nicely positioned vocals that sit at the centre of and slightly above the rest of the mix, and some tight and typically well-timed and consistent bass from the subwoofer.

They might not be to everybody’s taste, but the surround sound upmixing options the QS700F provides for stereo sources work unusually well, too. There’s a level of intelligence and naturalism about the way elements in a stereo mix are separated out and redirected around the system’s 3.1.2 channels that you don’t get with arguably any other soundbar brand bar except, perhaps, Sony. Add a pair of the optional rear speakers and the upmixing becomes even more effective, sounding at times more like a professional surround mix than something that’s being essentially made up on the fly by Samsung’s processing.

Samsung HW-QS700F rear ports — The QS700F's rear ports include HDMI pass-through for connecting an external source like a Blu-ray player (Image credit: Future)

Looking at the differences in the way the QS700F sounds in its vertical and horizontal configurations coincides for the most part with the weaker aspects of the soundbar’s performance.

Due I think to its rather unusual configuration, where it sits tucked up into the upper edge of the soundbar when it’s placed on a desktop so that it can also work when the soundbar has been turned upside down and placed vertically on a wall, the centre channel speaker isn’t a total success. It can sound a touch muffled at times when using the soundbar in its TV stand set up, and in the wall-hanging configuration, while dialogue sounds clearer, it can also sound like it’s coming from slightly below the onscreen action. (Simply overriding the auto-calibration system and turning the centre channel volume output up a couple of notches helps the stand set up centre channel issue, mind you.)

With the QS700F used vertically, for wall hanging, height and ambient effects in a Dolby Atmos mix aren’t spread quite as far and wide or with quite as much authority and polish as they are when the soundbar is in its desktop position. Finally, stereo music sounds slightly more open, rich and detailed with the QS700F in its vertical stance. In stand mode, stereo music sounds a bit hemmed in, not quite escaping from the soundbar’s bodywork as cleanly and effectively as movie soundtracks do.

In the end, I’d suggest sticking with Standard mode for stereo music playback if the soundbar’s hanging on a wall, but at least giving an extended trial to the Surround mode for two-channel music if the soundbar’s sat on a surface.

I need to wrap all this up, though, by circling back to the point I made earlier that while there are one or two mostly minor performance differences in how the QS700F sounds in its two different set ups, Samsung’s new soundbar’s unique convertible fit design doesn’t stop it from still sounding much better, especially with movies, in either of its configurations than the vast majority of normal soundbars do.

Samsung HW-QS700F review: Specs

Dimensions (W x H x D)	Main bar: 1160 x 51 x 120mm/45.67 x 2 x 4.725 in, Subwoofer: 249 x 252 x 249mm/9.8 x 9.92 x 9.8 in
Speaker channels	3.1.2
Connections:	HDMI input, HDMI output (eARC), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, Airplay, digital optical input, wireless Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X	Yes/Yes
Sub included	Yes
Rear speakers included	No
Features	4K 120Hz passthrough, voice assistant support, room calibration

Samsung HW-QS700F review: Price & release date

Samsung HW-QS700F subwoofer on table — The QS700F comes with a compact, dual-driver subwoofer (Image credit: Future)

First available: April 2025
Price: £749 / $699.99 / AU$999

The QS700F was released globally in April 2025. While the brand launched a slim-design Q700D soundbar in 2024, the QS700F’s unusual convertible fit design means that it stands as a new product category for Samsung rather than just being an evolution of a previous soundbar model.

The HW-QS700F costs £749 in the UK, $699.99 in the US and $999 in Australia. These prices make the QS700F great value for such a flexible but still high-performance model.

Should I buy the Samsung HW-QS700F?

Samsung HW-QS700F soundbar
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	3.1.2 channels of sound, Dolby Atmos and DTS support, Bluetooth, and a rare true multi-placement design	4.5 / 5
Performance	Outstanding power, detail and staging that mostly holds up no matter which way round you use it	4 / 5
Design	The way the speakers change their role to suit different setups is genius, and both the main bar and wireless sub are surprisingly compact for such a powerful system	4 .5/ 5
Value	Considering the combination of performance and features it provides, the QS700F looks like a pretty good deal	4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a soundbar that can truly switch between wall and surface use

The QS700F joins the rare breed of soundbar design that can swap speaker duties around depending on whether the soundbar is hung on a wall or sat on a tabletop.

You want much more powerful sound than your TV could ever manage

Worries that the QS700F’s extremely unusual focus on delivering a low-profile design, whether it’s wall- or stand-mounted, would compromise Samsung’s usually powerful soundbar performance proved spectacularly unfounded. No TV sound system can sound anywhere near this good.

Don't buy it if...

You want an out-of-the-box full surround sound experience

While the QS700F creates a large soundstage, it doesn’t include any rear speakers and so can’t extend its sound behind you.

You’re sure you will only ever want to sit your soundbar on a piece of furniture

If you don’t envisage ever wall-hanging your soundbar, then I guess you could get a ‘normal’ soundbar instead. Though the QS700F sounds good enough in its simple desktop mode to stand tall against most of its ‘standard’ mid-range rivals.

Samsung HS-QS700F soundbar: Also consider

	Samsung HW-QS700F	Sonos Arc Ultra	Samsung HW-Q800D
Price:	£749/$699/AU$999	£999/$999/AU$1,799	£699/$699/AU$799
Dimensions (w x h x d):	Main bar: 1160 x 51 x 120mm/45.67 x 2 x 4.725 inches, Subwoofer: 249 x 252 x 249mm/9.8 x 9.92 x 9.8 inches	1178 x 75 x 110.6mm/46.38 x 2.95 x 4.35 inches	Main bar - 1110.7 x 60.4 x 120mm/43.73 x 2.38 x 4.73 inches; Subwoofer - 403 x 210 x 403mm/15.87 x 8.27 x 15.87
Speaker Channels:	3.1.2	9.1.4	5.1.2
Connections:	HDMI input, HDMI output (eARC), Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi, Airplay, digital optical input, wireless Dolby Atmos	HDMI input (eARC), Bluetooth, Ethernet port, Wi-Fi, Airplay, Sonos Multiroom	HDMI input, HDMI output (with eARC), Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, digital optical audio, Airplay, Wireless Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X:	Yes/Yes	Yes/No	Yes/Yes
Sub / rear speakers included:	Yes/No	No/No	Yes/No

Sonos Arc Ultra

The Sonos Arc Ultra is one of our current favourite one-box soundbars. The scale and detail of the sound it’s able to produce from its surprisingly compact form is incredible, and while it doesn’t ship with a subwoofer, its integrated low frequency system still delivers startling amounts of rumble and bass. You can add optional rear and subwoofer speakers too. The Sonos Arc Ultra doesn’t support true multi-position placement like the QS700F, though, and it also costs £250 more.

Read our full Sonos Arc Ultra review

Samsung HW-Q800D

The Samsung HW-Q800D was rated by us in our recent best soundbars of 2025 selection as the best soundbar for most people. A position it earns by virtue of being an excellent all-rounder that combines outstanding sound quality, a compact two-piece design, good connectivity and a great value price considering what it offers. It’s a 2024 model, though, so if you want one, you’d best be quick about it – and again, it doesn’t truly support multi-position placement like the QS700F does.

Read our full Samsung HW-Q800D review

How I tested the Samsung HW-QS700F

Samsung HW-QS700F on tabletop with sub — (Image credit: Future)

Tested across 9 days
Used in both a regular living room environment and a dedicated test room, in both its wall-mount and stand mount orientations
Tested with a mixture of music and video sources

Testing the Samsung QS700F was more complicated than usual, thanks to its Convertible Fit technology, requiring it to be used for half the time in a regular surface-mounted stance, and half the time in a vertical wall-mounted stance. I tested it extensively in both of its configurations with a range of CDs, high-quality audio streams and 4K Blu-ray movie soundtracks.

The 4K Blu-ray soundtracks I used included both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X mixes, since the QS700F supports both, while stereo music was tested both in native two-channel mode and using the soundbar’s multi-channel upmix feature.

First reviewed: June 2025

Samsung QN90F: Two-minute review

The Samsung QN90F is the company’s flagship mini-LED TV series for 2025. It’s available in 43-inch to 98-inch screen sizes, and is a showcase for the full range of new features Samsung is bringing to market in its 2025 TV lineup.

A key feature found in the Samsung QN90F and other 2025 flagships, such as the Samsung QN990F 8K TV and Samsung S95F OLED TV, is a ‘2.0’ version of Glare-Free technology. Previously limited to the S95F, one of the best TVs of 2024, this effectively eliminates screen reflections, and does so while retaining the deep black levels needed to maintain picture contrast when watching movies in a bright room – something the S95F stopped short of delivering.

The QN90F also has a new NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor, which allows for a range of AI-driven picture enhancements to improve picture upscaling of lower-resolution sources and motion handling for sports. It even adds HDR to standard dynamic range programs being upscaled to 4K, giving them a high dynamic range-like look.

Picture quality on the QN90F is stunning. The TV’s powerful, refined local dimming delivers images with strong contrast and deep, detailed shadows. This is the kind of performance we expect to see from the best mini-LED TVs, and the QN90F has set the bar high for 2025.

The QN90F’s 4.2.2-channel built-in speakers provide clear and dynamic sound over a wide volume range. Dialogue clarity is good at the default settings, but there are also processing modes, such as Active Voice Amplifier Pro, to further improve clarity. The TV’s Object Tracking Sound Pro+ feature ensures that both dialogue and sound effects accurately follow the onscreen action.

As with other high-end Samsung TVs, the QN90F has a full suite of gaming features, including support for 4K 165Hz across its four HDMI 2.1 ports, FreeSync Premium Pro, and Samsung’s Gaming Hub, which offers cloud-based, console-free gaming. The TV’s ultra-low input lag makes gaming performance as responsive as one can expect from the best gaming TVs.

The QN90F’s Tizen smart TV platform is among the most advanced in the industry, and Samsung has given it a range of tweaks for 2025 to improve navigation and expand content offerings. The company’s own Samsung TV Plus free ad-supported TV portal provides a wide range of channels. There’s also the Samsung Art Store, a subscription-based service previously limited to Samsung's The Frame TVs that lets you view a wide range of art offerings when the TV is in standby mode.

At $2,499.99 / £2,499 / AU$3,499 for the 65-inch model I tested, the Samsung QN90F isn’t cheap, and it faces stiff competition from the flagship mini-LED TVs from Hisense and TCL. However, the QN90F more than holds its own when it comes to picture quality, features, and design, making it a premium choice for discerning viewers.

Samsung QN90F review: Price and release date

Samsung QN90F showing image of light saber battle from Star Wars — The Samsung QN90F's Glare-Free tech eliminates screen reflections when viewing in bright rooms (Image credit: Future)

Release date: March 2025
43-inch: $1,299.99 / £1,199
50-inch: $1,499.99 / £1,299
55-inch: $1,799.99 / £1,699
65-inch: $2,499.99 / £2,499 / AU$3,499
75-inch: $2,999.99 / £3,499 / AU$4,499
85-inch: $4,499.99 / £4,999 / AU$5,999
98-inch: $14,999.99 / £8,999

The Samsung QN90F is the company’s flagship 4K mini-LED TV series for 2025. Launch prices are lower compared to 2024’s Samsung QN90D series, with the 65-inch QN90F I reviewed priced at $2,499.99 / £2,499 compared to $2,699.99 / £2,699 for the 65-inch QN90D.

Pricing for new Samsung TVs typically takes a substantial drop by mid-year – the same 65-inch QN90D was priced at $1,899 / £1,999 / AU$3,995 when we reviewed it in September 2024, for example – so buyers can expect discounts going forward.

Such discounts will let the QN90F compete more effectively with affordable brands such as Hisense, which at the time of writing had reduced the price of its new 65-inch flagship Hisense U8QG mini-LED TV to $1,399 in the US.

Samsung QN90F review: Specs

Screen type:	QLED with mini-LED
Refresh rate:	Up to 165Hz
HDR support:	HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:	Dolby Atmos
Smart TV:	Tizen
HDMI ports:	4 x HDMI 2.1
Built-in tuner:	ATSC 3.0 (USA)

Samsung QN90F review: Benchmark results

Samsung QN90F review: Features

Samsung QN90F back panel ports — The QN90F has four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 165Hz support (Image credit: Future)

Glare-Free screen
NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor with 4K AI Upscaling Pro
4K 165Hz gaming support

The Samsung QN90F’s headline feature is its Glare-Free screen. This anti-reflection tech was previously limited to the Samsung S95D OLED but has migrated to all of the company’s flagship TVs in 2025. It very effectively reduces screen glare from ambient room lighting and can even minimize reflections from direct lighting sources such as lamps.

Samsung’s new NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor is used in the QN90F series and enables features such as 4K AI Upscaling Pro, Auto HDR Remastering Pro (upscales standard dynamic range programs to high dynamic range), and AI Motion Enhancer Pro (reduces motion blur in sports and other fast-action content).

Other picture enhancements include Wide Viewing Angle, which improves screen uniformity when viewing from off-center seats, and Real Depth Enhancer Pro, which analyzes scenes to emphasize the difference between foreground objects and backgrounds for a more 3D effect.

The QN90F has a similar audio feature set as its predecessor, including a 4.2.2-channel speaker array powered by 60W, Object Tracking Sound Pro+ for accurate dialogue and sound effects placement, and Active Voice Amplifier Pro to enhance dialogue in complex movie sound mixes. The Q-Symphony feature requires a compatible Samsung soundbar to unlock and combines the TV’s speakers with the soundbar’s output for an expanded soundfield.

Samsung’s Tizen smart TV platform supports both Samsung’s own Bixby and Amazon Alexa voice assistants, and the TV features built-in far-field mics for hands-free voice control. Samsung has added a wide range of custom apps to Tizen for 2025 – everything from the Samsung Art Store (a feature previously only available on its The Frame TVs) to Dr. Tail, an online pet care consultation platform.

The QN90F series supports FreeSync Premium Pro for gaming, with up to a 165Hz refresh rate across its four HDMI ports. There’s also Samsung Gaming Hub for cloud-based gaming, with a wide array of selections from apps like Xbox, Nvidia GeForce Now, Boosteroid and Luna.

Features Score: 5/5

Samsung QN90F review: Picture quality

Samsung QN90F showing aerial image of tulip farm — The QN90F's picture looks consistently great when viewing in bright and dark lighting conditions (Image credit: Future)

High brightness and refined local dimming
Good off-axis picture uniformity
Effective Glare-Free screen tech

My measurements of the Samsung QN90F were made with its Movie picture mode active. While the Filmmaker Mode provided a slightly more accurate picture, the extra brightness from Movie mode made it a better all-round option for both dark and bright room viewing, and I found myself subjectively preferring it.

Peak brightness measured on a white 10% window pattern with HDR was 2,086 nits in Movie mode, and 1,987 nits in Standard mode. Fullscreen brightness measured on a white 100% window pattern with HDR was 667 in Movie mode and around the same level in Standard.

Those are excellent brightness results, and roughly similar to what we measured on last year’s Samsung QN90D.

UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color gamut coverage results in Movie Mode were 93.6 and 76.5, respectively, marking a slight improvement over the Samsung QN90D. Color accuracy, meanwhile, averaged out to a 6.3 Delta-E value (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen), which is a higher level than the 3 threshold we normally look for, though Filmmaker Mode showed better results.

After calibrating the QN90F’s grayscale, its picture looked fantastic. Colors were rich and detailed, and the TV’s high brightness and contrast gave the picture a strong visual punch in both dim and bright room lighting conditions.

Image 1 of 4

Samsung QN90F showing image of Kandinsky artwork — The Samsung Art Store has a wide range of famous artworks on offer, along with images from Disney, Star Wars, and National Geographic (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 4

Samsung QN90F showing image of artwork — (Image credit: Future)

Image 3 of 4

Samsung QN90F showing image of sea turtle swimming — (Image credit: Future)

Image 4 of 4

Samsung QN90F showing image of landscape collage — (Image credit: Future)

Watching the movie Mountainhead (streamed on Max in 4K HDR), the bright orange outerwear worn by the tech bros wandering the grounds outside the mountain retreat popped nicely against the snowy background. The white sky and snow-filled trees displayed an impressive level of highlight detail, and the picture had good uniformity even when watching from off-center seats.

The QN90F’s strong contrast also gave excellent depth to darker shots in movies like Oppenheimer. Shadows looked deep, and I saw almost no evidence of backlight blooming effects. While the QN90F’s rich color display carried over to Oppenheimer, the movie's black-and-white scenes also revealed excellent uniformity across the picture’s full range of black, white, and gray tones.

Motion handling on the QN90F was also very good, with only a minimal level of judder and blur visible in a reference scene from No Time to Die where James Bond walks across a craggy hillside cemetery. To evaluate this scene, I selected the TV’s Filmmaker Mode, which disables all motion processing, but setting the judder and blur adjustments to 3 in the Custom menu fully eliminated motion artifacts without adding any unnatural “soap opera” effect.

As mentioned above, I preferred the QN90F’s Movie picture preset for its extra brightness kick, a factor that helped bring out shadow detail and highlights when viewing in both dim and bright rooms. With my room's overhead lights turned on, the TV’s Glare-Free screen was completely free of reflections. And even when I turned on a lamp in front of the screen to see how it could handle strong light sources, the light was effectively diffused.

The QN90F’s Glare-Free screen performs as advertised. And, unlike the version used in last year’s Samsung S95D OLED TV, it manages to maintain solid black levels, even when viewing in a bright room.

Picture quality score: 5/5

Samsung QN90F review: Sound quality

Samsung QN90F shown from the side to illustrate its slim design — The QN90F (side view shown above) has impressively clean, full sound for such a slim TV, but a soundbar is recommended to take movie viewing to the next level (Image credit: Future)

4.2.2-channel, 60W speaker array
Clean, well-defined sound
Object Tracking Sound Pro+ and Active Voice Amplifier Pro features

The QN90F has a 4.2.2-channel, 60W speaker array, along with Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound Pro+ feature to optimize dialogue and sound effects placement. Active Voice Amplifier Pro uses AI to analyze, separate, and amplify dialogue in sound mixes. There are two preset sound modes, Standard and Amplify, with the latter also giving dialogue levels a general boost.

I found the QN90F’s sound to be clean and well-defined, even when played at fairly loud levels. Bass, while lacking the weight and extension you’d get from using one of the best soundbars with a separate subwoofer, was also suitably punchy.

Sound effects, while well-delineated, were mostly contained to the screen area, with little in the way of a surround effect. Dolby Atmos height effects were also modest, though certain scenes, such as one from No Time to Die with a close-up shot of clanging church bells, proved more effective here than others.

The QN90F supports Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature, which combines the TV’s speaker output with a Samsung soundbar for enhanced and expanded sound. As good as the QN90F’s built-in sound is, this slim TV would definitely benefit from being paired with a Samsung soundbar or one from another brand.

Sound quality score: 4/5

Samsung QN90F review: Design

Samsung QN90F pedestal stand on TV stand — The QN90F's sturdy aluminum pedestal stand (Image credit: Future)

Ultra-slim, bezel-free design
Sturdy pedestal stand with cable management
Solar-powered remote control

The Samsung QN90F has a remarkably slim design for a mini-LED TV. The panel depth is a mere 1.1 inches, and the TV’s ‘bezel-free’ display means there’s a disappearingly slim black border surrounding the screen.

Samsung’s ‘Sharp Neck Hexagon’ aluminum pedestal stand provides firm support, and a cable management system on the back makes for tidy installation. The side-mounted input section features four HDMI 2.1 ports plus an antenna connection for the TV’s ATSC 3.0 tuner (US-only).

The QN90F’s battery-free SolarCell remote control draws power from ambient room lighting, but can also be charged via its USB-C port. I’m of two minds about this compact, minimalist remote. On the one hand, its small size and uncluttered layout fit with the design philosophy of the QN90F. On the other, it lacks a dedicated input button – something I complained about in my LG G5 OLED TV review – and it mostly facilitates onscreen menu navigation to perform functions, along with voice-controlled searching.

Design score: 5/5

Samsung QN90F review: Smart TV and menus

Image 1 of 2

Samsung QN90F smart TV interface — Samsung's Tizen smart TV interface neatly divides browsing options into multiple categories (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 2

Samsung QN90F smart TV interface showing pet care app — (Image credit: Future)

Samsung Tizen Smart TV platform
Samsung Art Store
Some settings buried deep in menus

As with all Samsung TVs, the QN90F series uses the company’s Tizen Smart TV platform. This presents a mostly uncluttered ‘For You’ homescreen, with program recommendations, a customizable row of app selections, and tabs to access additional Live TV and App screens.

A vertical row of icons on the homescreen’s left side provides access to the Search, Art, Daily+, and Gaming hubs. The Art Hub now features the full Samsung Art Store, which costs $4.99/month or $49.90/year in the US, and offers selections from partners such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museo del Prado, the Tate, and, new for 2025, Star Wars and Disney. Think of this as a streaming service for artwork, which looks fantastic on the TV’s Glare-Free screen.

Daily+ is Samsung's lifestyle hub, and you’ll find a wide range of fitness and productivity apps here, along with telehealth services for you (HealthTap) and your pets (Dr. Tail).

The Live tab on the homescreen features programming from Samsung’s own Samsung TV Plus and other free ad-supported TV channels. There are an almost ridiculous number of free channels here to explore, and you can also view a program grid that integrates live channels received via the TV’s ATSC 3.0 tuner in the US.

With most picture settings buried deep in the TV’s menu structure, it can be difficult to access even basic picture adjustments like brightness. Some of the drudgery is lessened by the QN90F’s quick menu, which presents a compact screen overlay with a customizable range of settings and setup options, including sound and picture preset modes and, yes, brightness.

Another advantage of the quick menu is that by selecting the All Settings icon, along with a full list of menu options for picture, sound, advanced features, and more, you’ll see a list of your five last used settings for easy access. There's also a search option here, with voice control support, if you don’t want to scroll deep through menus.

Smart TV & menus score: 5/5

Samsung QN90F review: Gaming

Image 1 of 2

Samsung QN90F gaming hub screen — Samsung's Gaming Hub (1) and onscreen game menu overlay (2) (Image credit: Future)

Image 2 of 2

Samsung QN90F game menu — (Image credit: Future)

Four HDMI 2.1 ports
4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, and HDR10+ gaming support
9.5ms input lag

Higher-end Samsung TVs regularly rank among the best gaming TVs, and that’s still very much the case with the QN90F. With four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 165Hz support, FreeSync Premium Pro, HGiG, and Samsung’s Gaming Hub, which features apps such as Xbox, Nvidia GeForce Now, Boosteroid, and Luna, there’s little here that’s been overlooked, with the exception of Dolby Vision Gaming (HDR10+ gaming is supported, however).

The QN90F’s ultra-low 9.5 input lag results in highly responsive gaming performance. Gaming is also enhanced by the TV’s game bar menu, which lets you quickly make gaming-related picture and sound adjustments and access the Super Ultra Wide Game View and MiniMap Zoom features.

Gaming score: 5/5

Samsung QN90F review: Value

Samsung QN90F SolarCell remote held in hand — The QN90F's compact SolarCell remote control has a limited button count and is mainly designed for navigating onscreen menus (Image credit: Future)

Great performance and features help justify the price
Impressive competing TVs available for less
A complete package for TV perfectionists

Making a value call on the Samsung QN90F can be tough. It’s an excellent all-around TV with great picture and sound quality, a complete set of gaming features, and an attractive, living room-friendly design.

The QN90F faces stiff competition from other TV brands, such as Hisense and TCL, which also make great mini-LED TVs and ultimately sell them at a much lower price. As mentioned above, the 65-inch Hisense U8QG that earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review now costs $1,399 in the US. We haven’t yet reviewed the new TCL QM8K, but if its pricing history follows the same trajectory as last year’s TCL QM851G, that model will eventually cost around the same as the Hisense U8QG.

Nevertheless, the QN90F scores value points over its competition with better overall picture and sound quality, a superior smart interface, a more advanced feature set, and a sleeker design. It really is the complete package and an excellent option for watching movies and sports, gaming, or even scheduling a telehealth appointment for your pet.

Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the Samsung QN90F?

Samsung QN90F showing bulletin board format screen — (Image credit: Future)

Samsung QN90F
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Feature-packed, with AI picture and sound enhancements and a wide array of gaming features	5/5
Picture quality	High brightness and refined local dimming plus a Glare-Free screen make this a great TV for viewing in a range of lighting conditions	5/5
Sound quality	A built-in 4.2.2-channel speaker array provides clear, and reasonably full sound, but it's light on bass and immersion	4/5
Design	A wonderfully sleek design with sturdy pedestal stand, but the SolarCell remote provides few options for direct control outside the menu system	5/5
Smart TV and menus	Samsung's relatively uncluttered Tizen smart interface is easy to navigate and there's a wide range of apps plus the Samsung Art Store	4/5
Gaming	An impressive suite of gaming features plus cloud-based gaming and fast, responsive performance	5/5
Value	Pricey compared to the mini-LED competition, but great performance, features, and design for the money	4/5

Buy it if...

You want a TV for viewing in bright rooms: The QN90F has a powerfully bright picture, and its Glare-Free screen tech eliminates screen reflections when viewing in bright rooms.

You want a great TV for movies: The QN90F’s powerful local dimming delivers pictures with deep blacks and refined shadows. And its Glare-Free screen ensures that blacks remain solid over a range of room lighting conditions.

You want a great TV for gaming: The QN90F has a full suite of gaming features: four HDMI ports with 4K 165 Hz support, FreeSync Premium Pro, HGiG, and Samsung’s Gaming Hub. Its ultra-low 9.5ms input lag also ensures fast and responsive gaming.

Don't buy it if…

You want Dolby Vision HDR: Like all Samsung TVs, the QN90F doesn’t support Dolby Vision high dynamic range. However, it does support the HDR10+ format, which can now be found on shows from Amazon and Netflix.

You want to save money: The QN90F faces strong competition from mini-LED TV makers like Hisense and TCL. If you can tolerate a small step-down in performance and features, you’ll save a fair amount of money by buying a TV from one of these brands.

Samsung QN90F: Also consider...

	Samsung QN90F	Hisense U8QG	Samsung QN90D	TCL QM851G
Price (65-inch)	$2,499.99 / £2,499 / AU$3,499	$2,199 / £TBC / AU$2,999	$2,699 / £2,699 / AU$4,299	$2,999 / £2,999
Screen type	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED
Refresh rate	165Hz	165Hz	144Hz	144Hz
HDR support	HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Smart TV	Tizen	Google TV / VIDAA	Tizen	Google TV
HDMI ports	4 x HDMI 2.1	3x HDMI 2.1	4 x HDMI 2.1	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

Hisense U8QG

The U8QQ is Hisense’s top mini-LED for 2025, and it offers very impressive picture quality for the price. There are areas where it comes up short against the QN90F, such as its sound quality and off-axis picture performance, but it’s still a very solid, high-value bet.

Here’s our Hisense U8QG review

Samsung QN90D

Samsung’s top 2024 mini-LED is still available, and it delivers nearly as good picture quality as the QN90F. You won’t get the QN90F’s Glare-Free screen or 4K 165Hz gaming support, but you will save money as the QN90D is now discounted.

Here’s our Samsung QN90D review

TCL QM851G

TCL’s top mini-LED from 2024 is another high-brightness TV that also performs very well with movies. It’s only available in the US, where it's now seeing steep discounts.

Here’s our TCL QM851G review

How I tested the Samsung QN90F

Hisense U9N TV being measured for brightness by reviewer — Measuring a 10% HDR white window pattern during testing (Image credit: Future)

I spent about 15 viewing hours in total, measuring and evaluating
Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
A full calibration was made before proceeding with subjective tests

When I test TVs, I first spend a few days or even weeks using them for casual viewing to assess the out-of-box picture presets and get familiar with the smart TV menu and picture adjustments.

I next select the most accurate preset (usually Filmmaker Mode, Movie or Cinema) and measure grayscale and color accuracy using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software. The resulting measurements provide Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen) for each category, and allow for an assessment of the TV’s overall accuracy.

Along with those tests, I make measurements of peak light output (recorded in nits) for both standard high-definition and 4K high dynamic range using 10% and 100% white window patterns. Coverage of DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color space is also measured, with the results providing a sense of how faithfully the TV can render the extended color range in ultra high-definition sources – you can read more about this process in our guide to how we test TVs at TechRadar.

For the Samsung QN90F, I used the Calman ISF workflow, along with the TV’s advanced picture menu settings, to calibrate the image for best accuracy. I also watched a range of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to assess the TV’s performance, along with 4K HDR shows streamed from Max, Netflix, and other services.

First reviewed: June 2025
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

I reviewed Marshall’s Dolby Atmos soundbar, and it had me hooked with room-swallowing bass and phenomenal music reproduction

5:00 pm | June 3, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Soundbars Televisions | Tags: Dolby Atmos, DTS, TV | Comments: Off

Marshall Heston 120: two-minute review

The Marshall Heston 120 Dolby Atmos soundbar is a product that aims to make a mark in a world of hulking black boxes. This amp-inspired, meter-long bar is powered by 11 active drivers and looks to offer room-swallowing bass output, a colorful spatial impression, and top-tier music replication. Still, it comes with a price-tag that’s far from small. So, is it worth taking the plunge on the Marshall Heston 120?

Well, if you’re looking for a one-box soundbar (ie, no subwoofer or rear speakers) that’s capable of phenomenal Dolby Atmos and DTS:X performance, the answer is almost certainly yes. You get really impressive expansiveness from the Marshall Heston 120, with side-firing drivers providing mind-boggling width and up-firing tweeters presenting lifelike verticality. Would a multi-box alternative whip up an even more fleshed-out cinematic experience? Possibly. But for a standalone soundbar, it’s hard to beat the Heston 120.

Whether you’re watching movies with Dolby Atmos or not, the Marshall Heston 120 delivers truly exceptional performance. You’ll hear crystal-clear speech from the center channel whether you’re in Movie or Voice mode and, most of all, get to experience shockingly shaking bass from the Heston’s dual rear-facing subwoofers. Seriously, the bass rumble alone puts the Marshall Heston 120 right up there with the best soundbars around.

But something that truly sets the Heston 120 apart from a vast sea of competitors is its class-leading performance for music – whether you’re listening to an Atmos or stereo mix. With spotless channel separation, delicious depth, a broad soundstage, and wonderful control right across all frequencies, the Marshall Heston 120 is a musical maestro as well as a movie marvel.

Of course, given its price and one-box status, the Heston 120’s obvious rival is the Sonos Arc Ultra, which is easily one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars that money can buy. The Marshall may not have a voice assistant or quite as much power as the Arc Ultra – but it does have HDMI passthrough (4K at 120Hz, too) and DTS support – a couple of factors that we really missed from the Arc Ultra.

And though the Arc Ultra is a rounded, clean-looking character, I have to say that the Heston 120 is a real work of art. Everything from its gold details, its amp-like aesthetic and its classy knurled metal dials truly screams premium. You should know that you might catch a few reflections on those tactile knobs when watching TV in low-lit spaces, depending on your angle – but still, they make for a unique, attractive addition.

Person pressing sound mode button on the Marshall Heston 120 — (Image credit: Future)

The Heston 120 is a standalone soundbar in the truest sense. There are no additional speakers – at least not yet, though the Heston Sub 200 is coming later this year. And you won’t even find a remote here – everything is controlled via the flashy new Marshall app, which lets you flick through four sound modes, calibrate the bar to your room’s shape and size, adjust volume, EQ… you name it. I love the pure simplicity of this – I don't want another remote laying around, personally.

You won’t find a display on the soundbar – everything you need to see is in that app – which may be more of a frustration for some. If you want to know whether the Heston 120 is playing Atmos, you'll need to check the app.

I’ll drill into the finer details below, but if you just want the lowdown, then the Marshall Heston 120 is frankly an exemplary soundbar that fuses Marshall’s musical heritage with top-drawer cinematic sound for the modern era. It’s built to last – Marshall will even sell parts if something goes wrong – it sounds amazing, and… well, just look at it!

Yes it’s expensive and you may well be able to find a strong multi-box option at a similar cost. But if you want to take your movie-watching or music-listening experiences to the next level, all via one expertly crafted hub, the Marshall Heston 120 is my choice.

Marshall Heston 120 on wooden table with Marshall app open on phone — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: price & release date

Priced at $999 / £899 / AU$1,799
Launched on 3 June 2025
Will also be available via select retailers from September 16, 2025

The Marshall Heston 120 released on 3rd June 2025 and is the very first soundbar Marshall has ever brought to market. It is, admittedly pretty pricey, coming in at $999 / £899 / AU$1,799. But even if it’s expensive, there are pricier all-in-one rivals. The Sonos Arc Ultra is £100 more for UK customers (the same in the US), while the Devialet Dione and Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 carry list prices of $2,399 / £1,990 / AU$3,999 and $1,399 / £1,399 / AU$1,795 respectively.

Of course, you can get multi-box soundbar systems for a similar price or less – even the wonderful Samsung HW-Q990D can be found for only a touch more than the Heston across many territories. But this is a true all-in-one option that doesn’t rely on separate speakers for a full-sounding cinematic experience, so they're different propositions in some ways.

Ports on the reverse side of the Marshall Heston 120 — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: Specs

Dimensions	43.3 x 5.7 x 3.0 inches / 1100 x 145 x 76mm
Speaker channels	5.1.2
Connections	HDMI eARC, HDMI IN (passthrough), RCA Stereo, RCA Mono (sub out), USB-C, Ethernet, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X	Yes/Yes
Sub included	No
Rear speakers included	No

Marshall Heston 120 review: features

5.1.2 speaker configuration with 11 active drivers
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
Feature-filled Marshall companion app replaces a remote

Although the Marshall Heston 120 makes use of a 5.1.2 channel setup, there are, in fact, 11 active drivers powering the soundbar. They all combine to deliver a maximum power output of 150W.

The top of the soundbar houses two midwoofers for lateral sound as well as two up-firing tweeters, with two side drivers also included to reflect sounds off walls for a wider spatial impression. In addition, there are three front-facing drivers for clear dialogue reproduction and dual rear-facing subwoofers that do the heavy-lifting in the low end. You’ll find four passive radiators installed on the reverse side of the soundbar too, which support the Heston’s whopping bass output.

Of course, there are no external speakers that come alongside the main bar itself – this is a true all-in-one offering from Marshall. There will be a separate sub released later in 2025, though, dubbed the Heston Sub 200.

Even still, the Heston 120 can create a wonderfully expansive sound thanks to its support for Dolby Atmos, as well as DTS:X – notably, that latter format is missing on the soundbar’s main rival, the Sonos Arc Ultra. I’ll drill more into the quality of Atmos effects in the ‘Performance’ section, but they’re impressive to say the least.

And whether you’re watching movies with DTS:X or tuning into your favorite Atmos mixes, there are so many ways to harness the power of your Heston 120. There’s an HDMI eARC for easily connecting the soundbar up to your TV, HDMI in for passthrough (and yes, it’s 4K at up to 144Hz), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as RCA – a nod to Marshall’s musical roots.

There’s even Auracast – a type of Bluetooth technology that enables you to tune into an audio broadcast transmitted from a phone, TV or similar device without any pairing.

Marshall has also integrated a whole host of music services into the Heston 120, ensuring seamless connectivity without long-winded pairing processes. At the moment, these include: Google Cast; Spotify Connect; Internet Radio; Tidal Connect; and Apple AirPlay 2. These can also be bound to preset buttons for easy access. And it’s worth noting that the soundbar supports hi-res files such as ALAC and FLAC, so you can get the best out of those music apps.

You can view all of the integrated services via Marshall’s revamped app, which has a whole bunch of features to sink your teeth into. A few nuggets include a five-band equalizer, AV sync to adjusts audio delay to sync up with video, and Room correction, which plays a range of sounds to optimize your soundbar for the space that you’re using it in.

There’s no remote included with the Heston 120, with the app acting as a full on replacement. It enables you to adjust volume, switch between the different sound modes, cycle through sources and view whether Atmos or DTS:X are in-use or not. Much of this can be done through the soundbar’s physical controls too, but we’ll get onto those later.

Features score: 5/5

Person holding out phone with Marshall app in front of the Marshall Heston 120 — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: performance

Earth-shaking bass output
Great Atmos with impressive width and verticality
Impeccable for music, especially stereo

So the Heston 120 gets the title of Marshall’s first ever soundbar, as the legendary audio brand takes its first step into the world of home cinema entertainment. No pressure then. From marketing alone, it’s clear that Marshall is confident in the Heston 120’s “rumbling” bass, “immersive” Dolby Atmos sound and “natural vocal clarity” – but can it live up to the hype?

Well, before I answer that, let’s go through the Heston 120’s key focal areas and see how it measures up. When I spoke to the audio engineers that worked on the Marshall Heston 120, I was told there were three focal points: Dolby Atmos for movies; Dolby Atmos music; and stereo music.

Let’s go big and start things off with Atmos for movies. I have to say, the Heston 120 performs incredibly well here. I started my testing by watching a 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Nosferatu – you know, the one where Pennywise plays the eponymous role. And even from the Universal Studios fanfare, I knew I was in for a treat, with booming bass filling our TV testing facility.

During a scene where Count Orlok confronts Ellen, the vampire’s haunting voice came through with incredible depth and haunting levels of detail, with each breathy detail and deep inhale coming through cleanly. Quaking sub-bass also rippled through part of the scene, perfectly capturing the picture’s tense, fear-inducing nature. Whether it was that giant sub-bass, frantic dialogue or piercing high-pitched screeches, the Heston was more than up to the task. I watched this film when it was first released and, honestly, the Heston had enough talent to make me feel as if I was back in the cinema.

But when I think about Atmos, I think, first and foremost about expansive, directional sound that really makes me feel part of the action. And I really want to give the Heston 120 some kudos there, because it performed very admirably indeed in that department.

When watching The Boy and the Heron, the soundbar effortlessly tracked elements such as the width of the heron’s flight path or the verticality of an arrow being fired into the sky. Similarly, when tuning into The Batman, the movement of bats flying towards me had me inching back in my seat – and the Heston gave me a genuine sense that they flew over my shoulder too.

Still, if you’re searching for the most complete surround sound on the market, you’re not going to get it from the Marshall Heston 120 – at least not right now. There are no rear speakers included to give you ultimate wraparound sound and, at the point of launch, there’s no separate sub to take low frequency output to yet another level – both things that would be ideal for those with larger living rooms especially. An option like the JBL Bar 1300X, for example, has a main soundbar with a sub and two rears, meaning you get an even more fleshed-out spatial impression.

Still, I’m here to judge the Heston 120 for what it is – not what it could be, and it really did impress me when it comes to Dolby Atmos effects, dialogue clarity and low-end punch. So, it only seems right to next tackle the area of Dolby Atmos music.

This format, I concede won’t be everyone’s favorite way to listen to tunes, but the Heston, as you’d expect, gets the best out of Atmos mixes. When blasting I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby by Barry White, I was astonished by the width of audio emitting from the Heston 120. Guitars sounded as if they were playing from the sides of the room, rather than from the bar itself, with funky drums dancing and keys dancing across the room.

That was paired with a controlled, balanced vocal performance playing from the center and a total lack of harshness or distortion, ensuring a really enjoyable and three-dimensional listening experience.

Despite all of that, I have to tell you that the absolute highlight of my time spent with the Marshall Heston 120, was listening to stereo music. That really isn’t to take away from the incredible Atmos effects – it’s just all too common for soundbars to miss the mark on musicality, but the Heston is truly class-leading.

When listening to Strange Meadow Lark by Dave Brubeck, the channel separation was phenomenal, drums subtly enter the left side, keys work their magic subtly on the right with punchy bass holding it down throughout the track without smothering the mix.

Again, with Affirmation by George Benson, every instrument was given plenty of breathing space. Each element – whether emotive strings, rhythmic percussion or smooth bass – was positioned beautifully. I genuinely sat for hours listening to albums in this format, I really couldn’t get enough.

I preferred stereo music on the Heston 120 over what the amazing Samsung HW-Q800D could offer – a soundbar that I’ve been happily using for almost half a year, so… it may be time for an upgrade.

Sound quality score: 5/5

Person twisting knob on the Marshall Heston 120 — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: design

Show-stopping amp-like aesthetic
Tactile dial controls with haptic feedback
Though these can catch reflections from TV

So, the Heston 120 has already wowed me with its fantastic feature-set and awesome audio, but there’s one aspect that’s even more appealing. And that is, of course, its gorgeous design, infused with Marshall’s amp-making heritage and finished off with eye-catching gold details.

When I spoke to Marshall at its Stockholm HQ, I was told that the Heston 120 was meant to stand alone in a sea of homogenous black bars. And yep, it definitely does that. Even the golden plate on top of the soundbar oozes class, with three knurled metal knobs positioned alongside well-sized preset and sound mode buttons.

LED lights around the knobs also indicate volume and EQ levels as well as source, which is a nice touch. There’s no display, which some may miss, but as I mentioned earlier, the app houses all the info you’ll need.

Let’s go back to those metal dials, though, because they really are a unique design choice for a soundbar. Firstly, I should emphasize that they’re a joy to use. They’re smooth and pleasing to turn, with haptic feedback included for a more interactive user experience.

But alas… they do bring a problem to the table. When watching movies in a low-lit or dark room, I found that they were illuminated by the TV and caught some reflections. This is nothing too invasive, of course, you’re not going to be blinded by Marshall’s knobs… but it can be a touch distracting.

It’s also worth noting that I had the Heston 120 positioned right under the TV, and the reflectivity will change depending on the gap between the dials at the screen, how far the soundbar is from the TV, and where you're sitting – and if you've wall-mounted them, that will also change things.

Speaking of a wall mount: you’re going to have to purchase that separately. You can grab one on Marshall’s website for $49 / £44 / AU$79 – a fair chunk less than the Sonos Arc Ultra’s mount, notably. I should also mention that the Marshall website is home to a bunch of replacement parts and an authorized repair service, just in case your Heston ever gets damaged.

Before we move on, it has to be said – the Heston is a chunky fella. It’s more than a meter long and weighs in at over 7kg. It will be well-suited under a TV sized 55-inches and up – just make sure your setup has plenty of room, or it may be a tight squeeze.

Design score: 4.5/5

Marshall Heston 120 on top of packaging — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: setup & usability

Super easy to install
Everything you need is in the Marshall app
Huge variety of connectivity options

When it comes to getting setup and ready to go, most modern soundbars are fairly straightforward, and the Marshall Heston 120 is no different. I simply plugged in my power cable and hooked the included HDMI cord from our testing TV into the eARC slot and I was done. Yep, really, that’s all you need to do.

Of course, if you want to truly optimize the Heston 120 for your living space, then it’s well-worth heading over to the Marshall app. One of the first things I did was make use of the Room Correction feature to make sure I was making the most of this stunning soundbar’s sonic talents.

And as we discussed earlier, the app has everything a user will need, from volume controls, source switching, sound mode selection and EQ adjustment. The lack of a remote, if anything, is most welcome for me. I really like the simplicity of an all-in-one digital hub.

One of the big wins the Heston gets over its rival, the Sonos Arc Ultra, is that it has an HDMI passthrough port. That’s incredibly useful if you’ve already used up all of your TV’s HDMI slots and it was one of the main reasons we didn’t rate the Arc Ultra higher than four stars in our review.

And just generally, there really are so many ways to connect the Heston 120. You get all those integrated music services like Spotify and Tidal Connect, plenty of ports, including HDMI, RCA and USB-C, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. The only thing that some may miss at the moment is some sort of voice-assistant support. That’s something you will get on the Arc Ultra, but honestly, it’s not a feature I typically make use of on a soundbar.

Setup & usability score: 5/5

Knobs on top of the Marshall Heston 120 — (Image credit: Future)

Marshall Heston 120 review: value

Comes at quite the cost
But is class-leading in musicality and offers awesome Atmos
You can get strong multi-box options at a similar price

Even though I’ve raved about the Heston 120 so far, it has to be said that it is a pricey piece of kit. At $999 / £899 / AU$1,799, it’s well and truly in the premium tier. It costs the same as its all-in-one rival, the Sonos Arc Ultra – that is if you’re in the US and Australia. The Heston is £100 cheaper for those of us in the UK, though.

Having said that, the Heston 120 is still priced competitively when you consider a rival like the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 9 comes in at $400 / £500 more. At the same time, though, you could get a highly competent surround sound system for a similar cost. The excellent Samsung HW-Q990D can regularly be found now for just over $1,200 / £1,000 and that comes with dual rear speakers and a separate sub – talk about value!

Again, though, as a single box, the Heston 120 really is up there with the best of the best. I’ve not heard better musicality from any soundbar before and as an all-in-one solution, the levels of bass and expansiveness are seriously impressive. That’s not to mention the fact that this model packs in essentially every feature and connectivity type that you’d hope to see. So yes – it’s pricey – but for good reason.

Value score: 4/5

Side profile of Marshall Heston 120

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Marshall Heston 120?

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Tons of connectivity options, Atmos and DTS:X, great companion app.	5/5
Performance	Booming bass output, excellent Atmos effects, best-in-class musicality.	5/5
Design	Stunning looks, handy repairability options, dials can catch reflections.	4.5/5
Setup & usability	Easy setup, app is perfect control hub, tons of connectivity options.	5/5
Value	It’s pricey, but comes with a load of handy features and stellar sound.	4/5

Buy it if…

You want cinematic sound in a standalone soundbar
Marshall has packed 11 active drivers into the Heston 120, which work in harmony to output incredibly clear, delightfully deep and pleasingly expansive audio. If your living space wouldn’t really suit additional speakers or you simply want an all-in-one solution, it doesn’t get much better than this.

You want a true statement piece
Sound-wise, the Marshall Heston 120 is excellent, but its looks are what really sets it apart. With an amp-inspired aesthetic, premium gold details and wraparound speaker grille, it’s hard to find any other soundbar that comes close on beauty points.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the best surround-sound experience available
Yes, the Heston 120 conjures an impressive spatial impression given its a one-box offering. But the lack of rear channels or a separate sub mean that some will be left wanting more for the true surround sound experience. If you have a larger room or simply want the additional rumble and multi-dimensional effects, it might be worth considering an option like the Samsung Q990D below. Or if you’ve got the cash, potentially even a Sonos sound system, with the Arc Ultra at the center.

You’re on a budget
The Marshall Heston 120 is probably not the ideal option if you’re on a tighter budget. But don’t worry, there really are a lot of great budget-friendly options out there. I should know – I’ve personally test a large number of models in our guide to the best cheap soundbars. But if you want a personal recommendation, I really do rate the Sony HT-S2000, which has talents way beyond anything I’d expect from a standalone bar with its price-tag.

Marshall Heston 120 review: also consider

	Marshall Heston 120	Sonos Arc Ultra	Samsung HW-Q990D
Price	$999 / £899 / AU$1,799	$999 / £999 / AU$1,799	$1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995
Dimensions	43.3 x 5.7 x 3 inches / 1100 x 145 x 76mm	2.95 x 46.38 x 4.35 inches / 75 x 1178 x 110.6mm	Soundbar: 51.3 x 23.4 x 10.9 inches / 1309 x 595 x 277mm; Subwoofer: 8.6 x 16.2 x 16.1 inches / 220 x 413 x 410mm; Rear speakers: 5 x 7.9 x 5.5 inches / 129.5 x 201.3 x 140.4mm
Speaker channels	5.1.2	9.1.4	11.1.4
Connections	1x HDMI eARC, 1x HDMI in, RCA Stereo, RCA Mono (sub out), USB-C, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3	1x HDMI with eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	1x HDMI eARC, 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X	Yes/Yes	Yes/No	Yes/Yes
Sub included	No	No	Yes
Rear speakers included	No	No	Yes

Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra is an outstanding one-box soundbar that is tough to beat when it comes down to pure performance. Thanks to its zealous bass, crystal-clear dialogue and convincing Dolby Atmos effects, we couldn’t get enough of the Arc Ultra during our time testing it. There’s no DTS:X support and the lack of HDMI passthrough is a shame, but if you’re not into the Heston’s amp-inspired design, this might be a better option for you. Read our full Sonos Arc Ultra review.

Samsung HW-Q990D
Thanks to a wave of price-cuts, you’ll now be able to regularly find 2024’s incredible Samsung Q990D for a similar cost to the Marshall Heston 120. And that’s pretty impressive, given it provides you with a main soundbar, subwoofer and rear speakers for mind-blowing surround sound. With full-sounding spatial audio, phenomenal sonic detail and plenty of connectivity options, you simply can’t do better for the cost. Read our full Samsung HW-990D review.

How I tested the Marshall Heston 120

Tested across a week-long period
Used in our TV testing space at Future Labs
Both Dolby Atmos and stereo sound tested

When testing the Marshall Heston 120, I had it hooked up to the fantastic Panasonic MZ1500 TV via HDMI eARC. I also used Tidal Connect over Wi-Fi and Spotify over Bluetooth when tuning into my favorite tracks.

During testing, the soundbar was placed in front of the TV in our TV testing space at Future Labs. I tried viewing and listening to a vast array of content during an intensive testing period. This included a number of movies and TV shows and songs on our TechRadar testing playlist. For reference, I used the Panasonic DP-UB820 to view Dolby Atmos-enabled 4K UHD Blu-rays.

On top of that, I made extensive use of each listening mode: Movie; Music; Voice; and Night. I also dug into additional options on the Marshall app, ensuring each feature functioned as advertised.

I've tested tons of soundbars here at TechRadar – everything from ultra-cheap options like the Hisense HS214 through to pricier models like the Samsung HW-Q800D. I've also got plenty of experience testing other gear, including the best Bluetooth speakers and best headphones, which helped me to assess the caliber of the Heston 120's musicality.

First reviewed: June 2025
Read more about how we test

I spent a week testing the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, and it’s a solid budget option for 4K streaming

10:07 pm | June 2, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Streaming Devices Televisions | Tags: TV | Comments: Off

Roku Streaming Stick Plus: Two-minute review

Roku TV interface shown on TV screen — The Roku TV interface is easy to navigate, but we experienced some lag when making selections during our testing (Image credit: Future)

The Roku Streaming Stick Plus has a lot to commend it. It’s very affordable, compact enough to take on the road, and power-efficient enough to run off a USB port on the back of a TV. Its only flaw, and it’s kind of a big one, is that there’s a little lag when navigating menus, possibly due to its older Wi-Fi standard. However, there are no performance issues once you get a show or movie streaming.

The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is ideal for someone on a budget or who wants a streamer that can tuck behind a mounted TV. If performance is a top priority, though, the more expensive Roku Ultra (2024), which I think is among the best streaming devices available right now, is worth the upgrade.

When first unboxing the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, it’s almost surprising how small it is. Measuring just 3.7 x 0.80 x 0.45 inches, it’s dwarfed by the Roku Voice Remote it comes with.

Since it’s so small, it has just an HDMI male port on one end for plugging directly into a TV and a USB-C female port situated on the other end for power. There’s also a very small reset button on the same end as the USB-C port.

Interestingly, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus doesn’t come with a power supply. Instead, it only comes with a cable with a USB-A port on the other end. The idea is that this streaming stick is so efficient that it draws all the power it needs from the powered USB port on the back of a TV – a pretty cool concept as you don’t see any of the device when looking at the TV.

The Roku’s Voice Remote is not the company’s best remote – that belongs to the Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd edition) that comes with the Roku Ultra (2024) streaming box and the Roku Pro Series TVs – but it ticks all the usual boxes. It feels nice the way Roku remotes do with their rounded back, and there are separate Play / Pause buttons instead of the wheel of inputs a lot of remotes have these days. There are App buttons for various streaming services and, most importantly, there’s the voice command button, which lets you talk into the remote.

Roku Streaming Stick Plus on table with accessories — The Roku Streaming Stick Plus comes with a USB cable and a remote with a voice control option (Image credit: Future)

Now, performance is where the Roku Streaming Stick Plus can suffer a little bit. Before I discuss that, I do want to say that once I got something started and was streaming in 4K, there were no issues such as stuttering or other artifacts.

When first getting past setup, I started browsing the apps, and there was a small lag moving from tile to tile or from menu entry to entry. Though that was the worst, I still noticed a very short delay. This could be because the Roku Streaming Stick Plus uses the somewhat dated Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) standard. Also, its processor could be underpowered.

As far as the Roku interface goes, it’s the same standard layout the company uses for all its streaming products. It’s a tile-first view, where you browse various apps instead of recommended content from those apps as you would with a Google or Alexa streaming device. (There is a small selection of suggestions at the top of the interface, however.)

The Roku ecosystem has plenty of free content, offering 500 different channels along with the Roku Channel. There’s even a general Sports tab in the menu.

If you want to use the Roku Streaming Stick Plus for streaming movies, be aware that it doesn’t support every feature. It can stream in 4K with HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG high dynamic range, but it does not support Dolby Vision. On the smart home front, it supports Roku Smart Home, Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home. Also worth mentioning is that it will pass through Dolby encoded audio and DTS digital surround.

Roku Streaming Stick Plus connected to TV HDMI and USB ports — The Roku Streaming Stick Plus can be fully powered by a TV's USB-A port (Image credit: Future)

Roku Streaming Stick Plus: Price and release date

$39.99 / £39.99 (about AU$70)
Released April 2025

The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is affordably priced for a 4K streaming stick, selling for just $39.99 / £39.99 (about AU$70). Compare that to the Roku Ultra (2024), which goes for $99.99 (about £80 / AU$150).

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) is similar in a lot of ways, but uses the Alexa ecosystem and supports Dolby Vision. It’s also bigger despite having the same form factor. (When reviewing The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, I remember having to use the included dongle as the Fire TV Stick was too bulky to fit directly into my TV’s HDMI port.) Amazon’s streaming stick is priced much higher at $59.99 / £69.99 / AU$119, but it’s regularly discounted to around for the same price as the Roku Streaming Stick Plus.

If you want to go as cheap as possible, Roku also has the Roku Streaming Stick that only goes up to 1080p (HD) resolution, skipping out on 4K and HDR support. It’s a bit cheaper at $29.99 / £29.99, so if you have an older TV, it might be worth it to save the ten bucks.

Roku Streaming Stick Plus remote control held in hand — The Streaming Stick Plus's Voice Remote isn't as sophisticated as the one included with the Roku Ultra, but it gets the job done (Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Roku Streaming Stick Plus?

Roku Streaming Stick Plus
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	4K and HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Atmos support but no Dolby Vision	4 / 5
Performance	Lags just a bit when browsing, which makes it feel a little underpowered.	4 / 5
Design	Not only is it really small, but it can draw power from your TV, eliminating the need for a power cable.	4.5 / 5
Value	This streaming device might be Roku’s best value proposition, with its low price and 4K / HDR support.	4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want 4K on a budget
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is one of the cheapest ways to get streaming in 4K. Go any cheaper and you’ll be stuck with 1080p (HD) options.

You want to hide your streaming player
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus hides discreetly behind your TV, even drawing power from it, so you won’t even notice that it’s there.

You want to be in the Roku ecosystem
If you’ve used Roku devices before, you know the company’s ecosystem. This is a very affordable way to stay current with the Roku interface.

Don't buy it if...

You want the most robust streaming device
The Roku Streaming Stick Plus is efficient, but it’s not the most powerful, using an older Wi-Fi standard. If you want the fastest Roku streamer, go with a Roku Ultra.

You don’t have a TV that supports 4K
If your TV is a little older and doesn’t support 4K, save a little money and get the entry-level model from Roku or one of its competitors.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2023) review: Also consider

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023)
If you have a whole host of Alexa smart home products and want to stick with first-party options, the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) is almost as discreet as the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. It’s fast enough with Wi-Fi6E support, not to mention Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Dolby Atmos support. It is very Prime-centric, however, showing ads for Prime content every time it’s on idle.

Read our full Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2023) review

Roku Ultra (2024)

The Roku Ultra (2024) is a bit more expensive and larger, so it can’t easily be tucked away behind the TV. But the Ultra is Roku’s best and most robust streaming device, and it supports just about every feature, including Dolby Vision, and comes with the company’s best remote.

Read more about the Roku Ultra (2024)

Roku Streaming Stick Plus on table — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the Roku Streaming Stick Plus

Used regularly for a week
Tested with all sorts of apps
Tested the remote

I used the Roku Streaming Stick Plus regularly for a weekend, just enough to see everything it can do. I used it with free Roku content and popular third-party apps like Max. I also spent time testing the remote and its various functions.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

Hisense C2 Ultra review: Two-minute review

The Hisense C2 Ultra is an impressive 4K projector that delivers sensational visuals, boasts impressive sound output and features a user-friendly operating system that provides access to the best streaming services. While it requires mains power, it’s small and light enough to be considered portable, which means not only can it be considered one of the best 4K projectors, but one of the best portable projectors too.

Key to the C2 Ultra’s success in projecting excellent images is its triple-laser projection system, which combines red, blue and green light sources. This system can not only go incredibly bright – Hisense says it’s rated for a peak brightness of 3000 ANSI lumens – but also covers a wide color spectrum, 110% of the BT.2020 color space, to be precise. Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG HDR formats are all supported, and it's IMAX Enhanced.

The results are outstanding, with content appearing vibrant and punchy, and contrast levels are good too, giving images great depth. It’s not only in bright, colorful scenes where the C2 Ultra excels though, as it also serves up deep blacks and is more than capable where shadow detail is concerned. If you were ever of the notion that a projector still isn’t a genuinely viable alternative to a TV, particularly outside of home movie nights, then the Hisense C2 Ultra bucks that trend in a big way.

What took me most by surprise upon my first use of the C2 Ultra was the audio performance from the built-in 2.1 channel speaker system tuned by JBL. I had the unit set up in my spare bedroom on a stand, just to the right of the bed and my viewing position. When I was watching movies, the sound appeared to be coming from the opposite wall and not blasting straight in my ears as I had expected, resulting in a much more immersive experience. The speaker system can go loud while still retaining a good amount of detail. Dialog comes through clearly, while the subwoofer can go low, which helps a lot during high-octane scenes such as explosions or rumbling car engines.

A close-up of JBL and IMAX branding on the Hisense C2 Ultra projector. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

I think it’s a good-looking unit too and one that’s impeccably built. The main projector housing can not only be moved around a full 360º to suit your specific viewing position, but it can also move upwards to a maximum of 135º to project images onto higher surfaces.

The C2 Ultra’s Vidaa OS is by far the most accomplished projector operating system I’ve personally come across. Not only is it intuitive to use right out of the box, but it also provides access to virtually all of the main streaming apps you’re likely to want. Android-based projector systems can often fall foul of not offering such wide support and often require workarounds to get some of the more popular apps. Hisense’s OS also offers a number of picture adjustment settings to help you achieve the best overall image.

Finally, it’s a great option for gamers. Not only is it ‘Designed for Xbox’ certified, but it features a 240Hz gaming mode to help with particularly fast-paced gaming action.

Its list price may initially make you think it’s expensive, but considering its capabilities rival most TVs and the fact it can project an image up to 300 inches in size, then it suddenly presents itself as a certified bargain.

Hisense C2 Ultra review: Price & availability

Release date: October 2024 (March 2025 in Australia)
Price: $2,999 / £2,499 / AU$4,499
Can already be found with discounts

The Hisense C2 Ultra was announced in October 2024 and went on sale in the US and UK at the same time, but didn’t arrive in Australia until March 2025. At launch, it was listed at $2,999.99 in the US, £2,499 in the UK and AU$4,499 in Australia.

However, it’s already received discounts worldwide, so you can now feasibly expect to pay around $2,499 / £2,299 / AU$3,999. I’ve also spotted select retailers offering the option of a free projector screen with the purchase of a shiny new C2 Ultra, should you wish to go down the ‘full’ home cinema route.

The C2 Ultra is more expensive than two of our favorite portable 4K projectors, the BenQ GP520 and Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K. However, the Hisense machine is objectively brighter than either of its competitors, offers greater gaming and HDR support and is more forgiving in where it’s positioned thanks to its gimbal design.

Value score: 4.5/5

Hisense C2 Ultra review: Design & features

Semi-portable design
Excellent Vidaa OS software
Good selection of connections

The Hisense C2 Ultra is the replacement model to the C1, but you would only really know that based on the model number. Design-wise, the two projectors are worlds apart. Where the Hisense C1 was a boxy affair, the C2 Ultra is much sleeker with rounded corners and a circular base that plays home to the speaker system’s subwoofer.

The main projection unit is mounted onto a gimbal stand that allows you to move and tilt it in virtually any direction you wish. Hisense says it can tilt up to a 135º angle, but technically it can swing to a full 180º and still project an image. I can only assume the company doesn’t expect owners to want to look directly above them to view content, with the 135º angle being more comfortable.

The Hisense C2 Ultra angled at 180º and viewed from the side. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

It is a portable projector, although the term portable should be used loosely. Not only does the C2 Ultra rely solely on mains power to work (the cord integrates a power brick too), it is still quite a sizable unit. At least, it’s sizable when compared to truly portable lifestyle projectors such as the Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro and Samsung The Freestyle, which both adopt a much smaller, cylindrical design that allows them to be slipped into a bag.

The main projector housing measures 9.7 x 7.1 x 9.7 inches (24.7 x 18.3 x 24.7 cm), but with the stand included, the total height increases to 11.3 inches (28.6cm). And coming in at a relatively lightweight 6.3kg, I can’t see many people having too much issue moving it around.

The whole unit is finished in a gun-metal gray color that shines pleasantly in the light. It features a number of ventilation panels on the front, sides and underside, while a large grille dominates the rear of the unit to help ensure everything remains cool when the projector is in use. The ventilation system certainly works as I noticed barely a murmur from the fans during use.

Sitting above the rear ventilation grille is a series of connections, including two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which supports an Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and eARC for connecting to an external soundbar or home theater system. The other can be used to connect, say, a media streaming device. You’ll also find 2x USB-A 3.0 inputs, a 3.5mm audio out and a digital optical audio out, along with an Ethernet port for a more stable, wired internet connection. However, thanks to Wi-Fi 6E support, I never had any major issues streaming wirelessly.

A close-up image of the connections of the Hisense C2 Ultra. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

On the front is where the true magic happens. The projector lens is protected by a thin layer of what I presume to be glass, helping to prevent the lens itself getting covered in dust and debris. You will still, however, likely want to give this protective layer the occasional wipe to keep it clean – there’s no motorized cover as you’ll find on the likes of the Xgimi Aura 2.

There are also a few sensors to aid with autofocusing and to facilitate an eye-protection feature that will automatically switch the light off when it detects someone in front of it to prevent it shining into their eyes. It’s incredibly sensitive, which you may or may not think is a good thing. I ultimately left it turned off during my testing and made a conscious effort to not look into the light whenever I walked past it.

The Vidaa OS home screen of the Hisense C2 Ultra projected onto a wall. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

One of the standout features of the lens is its optical zoom capability, which promises to retain image quality if you zoom in or out – making the image smaller or larger – without needing to move the main unit. If you have the projector set up at a far distance opposite your projection surface, for example, which would naturally cause the image to be large, you can zoom in to decrease the size while not affecting the quality.

For the most part, I imagine the majority of owners will simply rely on the autofocus and auto-keystone adjustment settings (and potentially the manual adjustment settings) to get the best picture. I was projecting onto a white wall but, whenever I ran the auto keystone adjustment, the results were less than satisfactory. The image was totally skewed, meaning I had to go into the manual four-point adjustment settings to fix things up. I would like to believe that the same issue wouldn’t occur if you’re projecting onto a dedicated screen, but I didn’t have one to test this out.

Hisense’s Vidaa OS is used on the C2 Ultra, which I found to be exceptional. It was also a pleasant surprise, considering the company’s own, rather excellent PX3-Pro uses the Google TV OS instead. The home page is clearly laid out, albeit chock full of ads, and all the major streaming apps are supported, along with a plethora of others for those who wish to seek out less-mainstream content.

The built-in subwoofer of the Hisense C2 Ultra. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The Hisense C2 Ultra has impressive high dynamic range support, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG and IMAX Enhanced. It also supports 3D images and audio, but you’ll need optional 3D eyewear to take advantage.

Full control of the C2 Ultra is done via the remote control. The previous C1 did have onboard buttons, but they’ve seemingly been dropped this time around. The remote is a good one, boasting a satisfying weight and premium feel. Buttons are clearly laid out, although I would have preferred the settings button to feature the more widely used cog icon, as opposed to what could be mistaken for a shopping list. It supports voice control and features quick keys for Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+.

The remote control for the Hisense C2 Ultra being held in a hand. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Design & features score: 5/5

Hisense C2 Ultra review: Picture & sound quality

Excellent color and brightness
Comprehensive HDR support and 240Hz mode for gamers
Superb sound output

The Hisense C2 Ultra produces fantastic images from its tri-color laser projection system that will not only give you a true home cinema experience, but which can comfortably rival many of the best TVs to make it your sole media viewing device.

Despite it claiming a peak brightness of 3,000 lumens, it naturally performs at its absolute best when the room is as dark as possible, but I found that even with some ambient light coming into my test room, I was still able to watch unaffected.

I even turned the overhead lights on to see how it fared, and while color and contrast took an obvious knock, the image was still bright enough for me to be able to watch. I wouldn’t expect many people to use the C2 Ultra in such bright conditions, but it’s good to know it is truly capable of holding its own against pesky light.

A scene from The Angry Birds Movie 2 projected onto a wall. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The C2 Ultra’s vast array of HDR support options makes recently released movies such as Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and even older, remastered movies such as Blade look fantastic in Dolby Vision, as well as TV shows such as Fallout in HDR10+. It will even support IMAX Enhanced content from Disney+, but I wasn’t able to test this since I don’t have a subscription – the price increases became too much to justify!

I was especially impressed with animated movies – the triple-laser system in combination with the C2 Ultra’s wide color support meant they were presented with outstanding color. I should note that the images included with this review don’t quite do the picture quality justice – you have to see it in reality to be impressed. The images are plagued by a peculiar pink hue that’s definitely not present in the image projected onto the wall.

The C2 Ultra supports screen sizes from 65 to 300 inches and I managed approximately an 80-inch image for my testing. The larger the image gets, the higher the likelihood of a drop in picture quality. This is where the optical zoom can come into play, allowing you to make easy adjustments rather than having to physically move the whole unit closer to the screen or rely on digital zoom, which can often not yield good results.

Image 1 of 5

A scene from Kong Skull Island projected onto a wall. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Image 2 of 5

Image 3 of 5

A scene from Final Destination projected onto a wall — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Image 4 of 5

Image 5 of 5

A scene from Spider-Man Across the Spiderverse projected onto a wall. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Gamers also have reasons to get excited about the C2 Ultra as it features a dedicated game mode to help lower input lag, and it can enable a 2K/240Hz mode for super-smooth gameplay. It’s also ‘Designed for Xbox’ – the world’s first mini projector to lay claim to the title, says Hisense – meaning it will automatically apply optimum settings regardless of game genre when it detects a signal from an Xbox console.

I don’t own an Xbox, so I couldn't test this, but I was able to enjoy smooth gameplay from my PS5, with the fast movements of Spider-Man 2 being handled with expert authority.

Audio performance is another highlight in the C2 Ultra’s repertoire. Its 2.1 channel JBL system kicks out a surprising amount of bass, vocal clarity and immersion, aided by the fact it supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X 3D sound formats. If the content you’re watching is encoded with Dolby Atmos, then you won’t get a true reproduction, owing to the lack of physical channels, but the performance is better than what I’ve heard from many TVs. Just note, while I was certainly impressed with the overall performance considering the projector’s size, it’s not the widest soundstage, nor is there a genuine sense of height – compared to other projectors I’ve tested, however, it comes out on top.

Of course, owners wanting a more authentic home cinema experience will want to add a fully-fledged theater system or one of the best soundbars, but casual users should find little to fault.

Spider-Man 2 PS5 game being projected onto a wall — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Picture & sound quality score: 4.5/5

Hisense C2 Ultra review: Value

Versatile with placement
Pricey, but packed with features

The Hisense C2 Ultra isn’t the most affordable projector at $2,999 / £2,499 / AU$4,499, but given the fact I’ve already seen it come down in price since launch, I think it makes for a compelling investment. It’s more affordable than Hisense’s own PX3-Pro, although that projector has the benefit of being an ultra-short throw model, potentially making it easier to place in your room.

However, given the C2 Ultra’s default, relatively short 0.9:1 throw ratio, you can get a decently large image from a short distance. Plus, the fact it has an optical zoom and a wealth of picture adjustment settings should make it easy for anyone to set up in their room.

Then factor in its comprehensive HDR support, truly stunning images, impressive audio delivery and an intuitive interface, and there’s no doubt that it’s not only a remarkable projector, but a worthy rival to TVs.

Value score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Hisense C2 Ultra?

Attribute	Notes	Rating
Design & features:	A good-looking package that’s brimming with useful features, connections and a great OS.	5/5
Picture & sound quality:	Bright, colorful images make it usable in virtually any lighting condition, and the built-in sound system is better than most TV speakers.	4.5/5
Value:	Not quite impulse-buy price, but ticks all the boxes where picture quality, features and versatility are concerned.	4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want a moveable projector

OK, so truly portable is a bit of a stretch, but the C2 Ultra can be picked up and moved around wherever you want thanks to its compact build and wealth of automatic picture adjustment settings. It still needs mains power to work though.

You want an affordable alternative to a big-screen TV

TVs with screen sizes 80 inches and above can cost a significant chunk of change. The C2 Ultra can produce much bigger image sizes for about the same or even less money. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You watch movies and TV shows in brightly lit rooms

The Hisense C2 Ultra does fare well against overhead lights, but the fact remains, as with virtually all projectors, that it performs to its best ability in dimly lit rooms. View Deal

You want a truly portable projector

Going against my earlier point, if you want a projector you can take away on holiday or outside, you’ll want to look for one that’s smaller and/or can run on battery power.View Deal

Also consider

	Hisense C2 Ultra	BenQ GP520	LG CineBeam Q
Price:	$2,999 / £2,499 / AU$4,499	$1,499 / £1299 / AU$ 2,199	$1,299 / £1,299 / AU$2,499
Screen sizes supported:	65-300 inches	50-180 inches	50-120 inches
Brightness (specified)	3,000 ANSI lumens	2,600 lumens	500 ANSI lumens
HDR support:	Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG	HDR10+, HLG	HDR10, HLG
Display technology:	RGB laser DLP	LED DLP	RGB laser DLP
Resolution:	4K (3,840 x 2,160)	4K (3,840 x 2,160)	4K (3,840 x 2,160)
Connections	2x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 2x USB-A, 1x S/PDIF, Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.3	2x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 1x USB-C (DP Out, DP In, 2x USB-A 1x 3.5mm	HDMI, USB-C (display, power)

BenQ GP520

It’s a similar size to the C2 Ultra, offers similar connectivity and supports 4K content, but its HDR support isn’t as vast and it can’t go as bright. But it is cheaper.

Read our full BenQ GP520 reviewView Deal

LG CineBeam Q

If you’re on a tighter budget but still want a portable 4K projector, the LG CineBeam Q is a fine choice. It does still require mains power like the C2 Ultra, but its smaller size makes trips out of the house a more viable option.

Read our full LG CineBeam Q reviewView Deal

How I tested the Hisense C2 Ultra

The Hisense C2 Ultra projector viewed from the front. — (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Tested at home in a variety of real-world viewing conditions
Watched a variety of content including streaming and 4K Blu-ray

I tested the Hisense C2 Ultra at home in a variety of real-world conditions, which saw it being faced with in-room lighting, natural light coming into the room and with no light at all. It was tested against a bare white wall for the duration of the review period, with an 80-inch image being achieved. I also tested the optical zoom function to see if and how it affected image quality.

I watched a range of 4K HDR and HD content from built-in streaming services, as well as using the 4K Blu-ray player in the PS5.

First reviewed May 2025

I tested Samsung’s mid-range QD-OLED TV, and it delivers near-flagship-level performance at a much lower price

2:30 pm | June 1, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: AI, HLG, RGB, TV | Comments: Off

Samsung S90F 65-inch: Two-minute review

The Samsung 65S90F TV I tested features the brand’s quantum dot approach to OLED technology. It doesn’t push the brightness of this relatively new take on the best OLED TV tech as hard as the flagship Samsung S95F OLED TV does, but that doesn’t stop it from delivering a big improvement over last year’s Samsung S90D – a level of improvement that makes it arguably the most all-round attractive TV in Samsung’s 2025 TV range once you’ve taken value into account.

Movie fans will be in awe at the Samsung 65S90F’s phenomenal contrast and light control, which finds stunningly deep black levels (provided you’re not shining some sort of spotlight at the screen…) balanced with highlights that hit levels of intensity we once thought OLED would never achieve.

Samsung’s approach to OLED technology also helps the 65S90F deliver incredibly vivid colors, while its latest NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor ensures that there’s much more subtlety and nuance in the way these fantastically rich tones are used to create more natural, three-dimensional pictures than its already illustrious predecessor managed.

Gamers are in for a treat with the 65S90F too, as it delivers such console and PC-friendly features as support for 4K at up to 144Hz, variable refresh rates across all four of its HDMI 2.1 ports, and one of the fastest response times I've ever seen from a TV.

Its Tizen smart system is packed with content and increasingly easy to use, too, and notwithstanding the occasional bass fumble, the 65S90F even manages to sound good despite its ultra-slim design.

Add to all this the fact that the 65-inch S90F costs hundreds less than its flagship S95F sibling, and it starts to become seriously hard to resist. But let me point out that this review and the performance figures only apply to the 65-inch version – at other sizes, instead of a QD-OLED panel, you may get a W-OLED panel, with different performance.

Samsung S90F series: Prices and release date

Samsung S90F showing image of cluttered table — The mid-range Samsung S90F brings the picture benefits of QD-OLED to a lower price point (Image credit: Future)

Release date: April 2025
42-inch: $1,299 / £N/A / AU$1,799
48-inch: $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,499
55-inch: $1,799 / £1,899 / AU$3,299
65-inch: $2,499 / £2,699 / AU$4,299
77-inch: $3,499 / £3,799 / AU$5,999
83-inch: $5,399 / £5,999/ AU$7,999

The 65-inch S90F was released worldwide during April 2025. It sits in the second tier of Samsung’s 2025 OLED TV range, below the significantly brighter and more expensive S95F flagship series.

Its $2,499 / £2,699 / AU$4,299 pricing places it right at the heart of today’s upper mid-range TV marketplace, and pitches it squarely against such key rivals as the LG C5 and Samsung’s premium mini-LED TV for 2025, the Samsung QN90F.

The sizes above are the official prices for the other options in the S90F model range, but again, we're only focusing on the 65-inch here.

Samsung S90F 65-inch review: Specs

Screen type:	QD-OLED
Refresh rate:	144Hz
HDR support:	HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:	Dolby Atmos, Eclipsa Audio
Smart TV:	Tizen 9.0
HDMI ports:	4 x HDMI 2.1
Built-in tuner:	ATSC 1.0 (US)

Samsung 65S90F review: Benchmark results

Samsung S90F 65-inch review: Features

Samsung S90F rear panel view — The S90F has four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support for gaming (Image credit: Future)

4K quantum dot OLED TV
HDR10, HLG and HDR10+ HDR support
Gaming support up to 4K 144Hz with VRR

For many AV fans, the 65S90F’s key appeal will be getting Samsung’s QD-OLED technology for substantially less money than the brand’s S95F flagship OLED costs.

The attraction of QD-OLED technology is that it delivers red, green and blue colors without the additional white element used by traditional OLED screens, yet still manages to at least match those ‘WRGB’ OLEDs when it comes to high dynamic range-friendly brightness for video and gaming content.

The tech has already delivered some truly spectacular picture quality results since Samsung first launched the technology back in 2022, including multiple TV of the Year award-winners.

Samsung claims to have improved the performance of the 65S90F over its S90D predecessor with increased brightness and more granular control of its QD-OLED panel, as well as an upgraded NQ4 AI Gen 3 processor.

This is stated to run NPU and GPUs that are twice as fast as the ones used in Samsung’s step-down S85F OLEDs, as well as a 17% faster CPU, while introducing new AI-driven picture and sound elements on the back of a 6.4 times increase in the number of neural networks the TV carries.

The 65S90F’s sound also benefits from Samsung’s OTS technology, which, despite the TV only having a 2.1-channel speaker configuration, uses clever audio processing to try and make sounds appear to be coming from the correct part of the screen. Or even the precise area beyond the screen’s edges if that’s what an audio mix dictates.

If you partner the 65S90F with a Samsung soundbar, you get the additional advantage of Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature, where the speakers in the TV join forces with those in the soundbar (rather than being replaced by them) to deliver a larger center channel sound with more accurate detail placement.

The 65S90F’s connections are outstanding for a mid-range TV, dominated as they are by a set of four HDMI ports that are all built to cope with the latest gaming features of 4K 120Hz feeds (actually 4K 144Hz is supported via Samsung’s Motion Xcelerator technology), variable refresh rates (including both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync, with the latter coming in a software update), and auto game mode switching.

All of that is backed up by both a dedicated gaming hub within the TV’s Tizen operating system and a specific game monitoring and adjustment menu, but more on this later.

As ever with Samsung TVs, the 65S90F’s HDR support includes the ‘core’ HDR10 and HLG formats, as well as the premium HDR10+ system that adds extra scene-by-scene image data to help compatible displays deliver more accurate and punchy results.

This HDR10+ support extends to the Adaptive version that can adjust its output to compensate for ambient light conditions, and HDR10+ gaming.

Samsung continues, though, not to support the Dolby Vision HDR format on its TVs.

One other thing the 65S90F does not have is one of the potent anti-glare screen filters sported by Samsung’s S95F flagship OLED TVs and some of its 2025 premium LCD TVs.

That doesn’t mean the 65S90F’s screen is so reflective that it often or severely gets between you and the TV’s outstanding picture quality in a regular living room set up, though. And while I personally have a lot of time for Samsung’s anti-glare TV filters, some people actually prefer a slightly glossy screen, and for those people, the 65S90F is therefore a potentially great QD-OLED alternative to the S95F.

Features Score: 5/5

Samsung S90F 65-inch review: Picture quality

Samsung S90F showing image of fireplace — The S90F's above-average brightness makes it good for bright room viewing, though it lacks the anti-reflective screen coating found in the flagship S95F (Image credit: Future)

Exceptional contrast
Rich, pure RGB colors
No viewing angle limitations

Despite not being the flagship 65-inch model from Samsung’s 2025 OLED range, the 65S90F still delivers a gorgeously potent demonstration of what the latest QD-OLED panels are capable of.

Its light control and contrast are particularly phenomenal. The ability of each pixel in any OLED screen to deliver its own brightness and color entirely independently of its neighbors always gives OLED TVs an instant and important area of advantage with home theater fans, of course – but for the vast majority of the time the 65S90F manages to combine the sort of phenomenally inky, deep black tones expected of OLED TVs with brighter HDR image highlights than its S90D predecessor managed.

And that’s while also revealing substantially more consistently visible shadow detail in the darkest image corners – it's better in both bright and dark scenes.

Its brightness sees the 65S90F managing to reach as high as 1,500 nits on a 10% white HDR test window – a huge increase of almost 50% over the brightness in the same test circumstances achieved by 2024’s 65S90D.

This can be delivered on the 65S90F, too, without causing any of the backlight haloing and clouding problems rival LCD TV technology would typically present when dealing with the sort of contrast the 65S90F loves to show.

Just occasionally, the 65S90F can still sometimes crush the subtle detail out of the picture in some of its presets – but if this becomes problematic to you, then nudging the TV’s Shadow Detail adjustment up to level three or four pretty much fixes the issue without causing any unwanted side effects.

I was also struck by how clean the 65S90F’s dark picture areas and scenes look. There’s really zero sign of the sort of graininess or grey blocking noise that less able OLED screens can show in dark areas, revealing a fantastically granular level of control over the QD-OLED panel even in challenging near-black image areas.

Having so much extra brightness in its arsenal hugely increases the intensity the 65S90F can pump into HDR playback, resulting in HDR images that look more natural and realistic as well as more dynamic.

It feeds also into a significantly richer color performance than the S90D served up, getting much more value out of the QD-OLED pixel design. This is particularly and spectacularly obvious in the hard-to-resist Standard picture preset, but crucially, the more accurate Movie and Filmmaker Mode presets also look richer and warmer than they did on the 65S90D without losing that sense of ‘as the director intended’ authenticity home cinema fans are so often looking for.

On that accuracy point, the 65S90F’s measured color and white balance results with SDR content in Filmmaker Mode average out at marginally above the Delta E average error level of three – anything below this is where the human eye is considered incapable of perceiving a visible difference between what the TV is showing and the established video standards.

But since the results average only misses that Delta E error margin goal of three by a puny 0.48, I’m pretty confident that only the most trained eye will have any chance of spotting anything off-key about the Filmmaker Mode’s glorious efforts.

In fact, thanks to the refinements the 65S90F can apply to its more vibrant colors, the Filmmaker Mode looks as gorgeous in its own calmer, more nuanced way as the much more vibrant Standard mode does, with both presets bringing out the extremes of the QD-OLED panel’s capabilities. Extremes that now include a level of subtlety to go with the potency that just wasn’t there before.

Samsung S90F showing colorful abstract image — The S90F's brightness reserves give highlights and colors in images added punch (Image credit: Future)

The 65S90F’s extremes of light and color precision also play their part in creating a beautifully crisp and clean picture with both native 4K sources and, thanks to the efforts of Samsung’s latest AI picture engine, upscaled HD images.

The only thing that damages the 65S90F’s sense of clarity and detail is the out-of-the-box motion settings Samsung applies to some of its picture presets, which can cause quite aggressive glitches in the picture during camera pans or around/over fast-moving objects.

Happily, though, it’s possible to tweak these issues away pretty straightforwardly by choosing a Custom setting for the Picture Clarity settings, and then turning off noise reduction and reducing the judder and blur reduction processing components to around level three or four.

Unlike most LCD and even some rival OLED screens, the 65S90F’s pictures don’t lose contrast or suffer from shifting color tones when viewed from even a really wide angle, making it a great option for big families or awkward room layouts.

I could find only two real issues with the 65S90F’s pictures. First, despite being much brighter than its predecessor, its brightness falls a fair way short of the sort of numbers we’re seeing now from the high-end OLEDs out there from the likes of LG, Samsung, and Philips. And second, if the 65S90F is being watched in very high levels of ambient light, its typically stunning black levels can start to look a bit gray.

The brighter OLEDs out there are typically much more expensive than the 65S90F, though, unless you pick up a 2024 model if you can find one. And the circumstances that cause grayness to creep into black areas are rarer and the degree of grayness milder than it was with the 65S90D, so much so that most home setups will seldom notice it.

Picture quality score: 5/5

Samsung S90F 65-inch review: Sound quality

Samsung S90F rear panel support legs — The S90F's stand uses a pair of feet that slot screw-free into the TV’s bodywork (Image credit: Future)

2.1-channel, 40W speaker array
OTS Lite system accurately positions sound effects
Dolby Atmos and AI sound modes

The 65S90F’s sound isn’t quite as talented as its pictures, but it still is much better and louder than you might expect from such an ultra-thin TV.

For starters, it gets good traction from its Object Tracking Sound (OTS) system. As its name suggests, this enhancement ensures that soundtrack elements are coming not just from the screen generally, but from the correct part of the screen. The system also manages to stage ambient sounds and music so that they appear, correctly, to be hanging out somewhere beyond the on-screen action.

The 65S90F’s OTS Lite system isn’t quite as uncannily precise with its sound effect positioning as Samsung’s higher-end TVs are – not least because it only carries a 2.1-channel speaker system versus the 4.2.2-channel speaker setups typically provided by those more premium models. But it’s still effective enough to make soundtracks feel detailed, busy and immersive.

The staging includes a good sense of forward impact with hard sounds like gunfire, punches and explosions too, despite the TV lacking any forward-facing speakers, while shrill treble effects avoid sounding distractingly harsh or thin.

The 65S90F isn’t the loudest TV we’ve heard – at least at the sort of volume levels you’ll need to stick to if you don’t want the speakers to start feeling a bit strained. Its speakers have enough headroom, though, to be capable of shifting up at least a few gears as action or horror scenes escalate towards a crescendo – even if they don’t quite have that ‘fifth gear’ required to carry the movie world’s loudest moments all the way home.

The 65S90F even manages to find a bit of bass from somewhere, despite its skinny form. This can succumb to buzzing interference, however, and sound a bit strained with the most extreme bass drops, but such moments don’t crop up all that often.

Sound quality score: 4/5

Samsung S90F 65-inch review: Design

Samsung S90F pedestal stand — The S90F's pedestal stand (Image credit: Future)

‘LaserSlim’ design at its extremities
Screw-free stand design
Ultra-thin bezel

At first glance, the 65S90F looks like one of the most futuristic TVs you’ll see. This is because at its outer edges, the screen is incredibly thin – barely deeper than a couple of credit cards stacked on top of each other. The width of the frame around the screen is also unusually narrow, adding to the feeling that you’re watching pictures being conjured up out of thin air.

The 65S90F is not actually as skinny as it initially appears, though. There’s a much deeper mid-section on its rear hosting the TV’s speakers, connections and electronics. This results in a slightly awkward two-tier appearance if you’re looking at the back of the TV, with the screen seeming like it’s just been stuck onto the chunky section rather than the two areas coming together to forge a truly unified design.

Who in their right mind, though, wants to look at the back of a TV rather than its front? And from the front – and, actually, even from quite wide viewing angles – the 65S90F is a futuristic cutie.

While the 65S90F can be hung on a wall if you wish, most users will probably opt to place it on its included stand. This features a unique design that finds a pair of feet slotting screw-free into the TV’s bodywork, and a metallic plate then slotting onto the feet to create what looks like a centrally mounted pedestal support. The resulting central pedestal enables the TV to sit on pretty much as narrow a piece of furniture as you want.

Design score: 4.5/5

Samsung S90F 65-inch review: Smart TV and menus

Samsung S90F's Tizen 9.0 smart TV homescreen is rich with content — The S90F's Tizen 9.0 smart interface (Image credit: Future)

Tizen 9.0 smart TV system
Multiple voice control systems
AI-bolstered content recommendation

The Tizen OS carried by all Samsung TVs is now in its ninth generation, and after a few stumbles along the way, all that experience has paid off handsomely.

For starters, Tizen is now extremely rich with content, including – so far as I can tell – all of the main streaming apps used around the world, as well as many more obscure ones besides.

The only obvious absentee in the UK is the Freeview Play app that brings together all of the streaming services of the UK’s main terrestrial broadcasters. But crucially, each of those catch-up apps is still available on an individual basis.

The Tizen interface can feel a little overwhelming when you’re first presented with it, and it can also run a touch sluggishly for a moment or two after the 65S90F is switched on. Once it’s settled down, though, and you’ve spent just a few moments exploring what it can do, it’s now a friendly and – in the way it learns your viewing habits and recommends content accordingly – highly intelligent TV OS.

Tizen 9.0 has also now resolved most of the navigational quirks that used to affect it when it first switched to a full-screen interface, and it’s customizable enough to easily be adapted to your personal preferences. Also, it can adapt to the personal preferences and viewing habits of different members of your household thanks to its support for multiple user profiles.

Accessing the 65S90F’s setup menus from within the Tizen OS is a bit long-winded, but pressing the settings menu on either of the two remote controls the TV ships with offers a shortcut to all the most-used adjustments.

A notable addition to Samsung’s 2025 menu system is a new AI shortcut option that both makes Samsung’s AI-based picture and sound enhancements easier to access, and makes users more aware that such AI features exist.

Purists likely won’t care for the AI enhancements, of course, and things can get a bit complicated when it turns out that some of the other picture settings you can choose can have an impact on how aspects of the AI enhancements work. But I’d recommend that most people at least experiment with them, even if only with broadcast or sub-4K content too if you prefer how it sharpens things up.

One of the remote controls I just mentioned is a fairly chunky, button-crowded ‘standard’ one, while the other is a much sleeker, less button-heavy smart handset that I suspect will become the one most people use.

Smart TV & menus score: 4.5/5

Samsung S90F 65-inch review: Gaming

Samsung S90F remote control on table — Samsung includes its Solar Cell rechargeable remote control with the S90F (Image credit: Future)

4K 144Hz support on all four HDMI ports
Variable refresh rates support, including FreeSync and G-Sync
Game hub and Game Bar screens

The 65S90F is an outstanding gaming display. For starters, all of its HDMI ports can take in full bandwidth gaming feeds, meaning you could simultaneously attach four 4K 120Hz-capable consoles and PCs if you wanted to.

All four HDMIs also support variable refresh rates, including in the AMD Freesync Premium Pro format and Nvidia G-Sync (though this is being added via an update), as well as auto low latency mode switching so that the TV automatically switches into its fastest response mode when the TV detects a game is incoming.

When in its Game mode, the 65S90F only takes 9.2ms to render incoming 60Hz feeds – a truly outstanding result for a TV that pretty much halves, too, if the game you’re playing supports 120Hz.

The 65S90F also lets you call up a dedicated Game Bar menu screen rather than the usual TV menus when it knows a game is being played, and from this Game Bar you can both get key information about the incoming gaming feed and access a few gaming aids, including a mini map zoom, the option to raise the brightness of dark picture areas without impacting bright areas, and a crosshair superimposed over the center of the screen.

The Tizen OS homescreen, meanwhile, includes a dedicated Game Hub page, where all of your gaming sources, from connected consoles to game streaming services, are gathered together.

The 65S90F’s gaming performance, finally, is fantastic. Its rich color and contrast are perfectly placed to deliver gaming graphics with exceptional exuberance and dynamism, especially with titles that make particularly aggressive use of high dynamic range. The speedy input lag time ensures that gaming always feels ultra fluid and responsive, too.

The only negative thing to say about the 65S90F’s gaming performance is that unless you’re taking advantage of its HDR Gaming Interest Group (HGiG) support, where the console takes control of the HDR that’s fed out to the TV, the default game settings can cause some distracting brightness fluctuations as you run around any map that has a mix of light and dark areas.

If this is troubling you with whatever game you’re playing, though, you just need to turn off the TV’s dynamic tone mapping setting.

Gaming score: 5/5

Samsung S90F 65-inch review: Value

Cheaper QD-OLED option than flagship Samsung S95F
Enhanced picture quality over S90D predecessor
Lacks S95F's anti-reflection filter

While the 65S90F is not by any stretch of the imagination cheap, it does sit slightly at the right end of the same price ball park as its key rivals.

Also, more importantly, it’s around £700 / $800 cheaper than its 65-inch S95F sibling, while delivering a more potent sense of QD-OLED technology’s strengths than its S90D predecessor.

The S95F series does look set to deliver a major brightness upgrade over the S90F, to be fair, as well as carrying a really strong anti-reflection filter that the S90F does not have.

But that price difference adds up to a lot of 4K Blu-rays and/or other home theater gear.

Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Samsung S90F 65-inch?

Samsung S90F 65-inch
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Aside from not supporting the Dolby Vision HDR format, the 65S90F overall delivers a mammoth set of smart, gaming, audio and video features for its money.	5/5
Picture quality	The 65S90F’s pictures radically improve on those of its already excellent predecessor, delivering a mid-range OLED masterclass.	5/5
Sound quality	While more robust bass handling would have been nice, the 65S90F is loud enough, detailed enough and clever enough with the accuracy of its staging.	4/5
Design	While its two-tier design feels a little awkward during setup, the narrow, well-built bezel, and stunning thinness at its outer edges make it an opulent, elegant addition to your living room.	4.5/5
Smart TV and menus	It takes a little getting used to, but once you do, the rewards offered by the intelligence and scope of its content recommendation and voice recognition systems are immense.	4.5/5
Gaming	As well as looking gorgeous thanks to the screen’s rich colors and sensational contrast, games on the 65S90F feel fantastically responsive and crisp.	4.5/5
Value	The 65S90F delivers a massive chunk of QD-OLED goodness for way less than Samsung’s flagship S95F range.	4/5

Buy it if...

You want spectacular QD-OLED pictures without breaking the bank: With its stunning colors and spectacular contrast, the 65S90F still delivers truly premium picture quality despite its mid-range price.

You love gaming as much as movies: The 65S90F’s outstanding response time, excellent gaming features and spectacularly rich, dynamic pictures make it a stellar gaming screen – so long as you turn Dynamic Tone Mapping off, anyway.

You want a sophisticated smart TV system: The latest Tizen platform is exceptionally good at learning what different members of your household like to watch and recommending relevant content accordingly. Its voice control system is particularly good, too.

Don't buy it if…

You want Dolby Vision support: Samsung has never supported the Dolby Vision HDR format yet, and that doesn’t change with the 65S90F.

Your TV will sit in direct sunlight: The 65S90F doesn’t get one of the extreme anti-reflection screens the step-up S95Fs get, and QD-OLED technology can lose black level in strong direct light.

You’re not prepared to tweak a setting or two: Unhelpful default motion processing and slight black crush with some presets means you should be prepared to tinker with some of the 65S90F’s settings to get the best out of it.

Samsung S90F 65-inch review: Also consider...

	Samsung 65S90F	LG OLED65C5	Panasonic 65Z85A	Philips 65OLED909
Price	£2,699 / $2,499	£2,699 / $2,699	£1,999 / $1,799	£2,499 / $N/A
Screen type	QD-OLED	OLED	OLED	OLED (w/ MLA)
Refresh rate	144Hz	144Hz	144Hz	144Hz
HDR support	HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision	HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision	HDR10, HLG HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Smart TV	Tizen 9.0	webOS 25	Fire TV	Google TV
HDMI ports	4x HDMI 2.1	4x HDMI 2.1	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

LG OLED65C5
LG has long dominated the OLED TV scene, and the brand’s new 2025 mid-range C5 series still represents the 65S90F’s closest competition. Its pictures are capable of outstanding accuracy and support Dolby Vision, but there’s no HDR10+ support, and it also has lower peak brightness.

Here's our full LG OLED65C5 review

Panasonic 65Z85A
This Panasonic mid-range isn’t as bright or vibrant as the 65S90F, and only supports advanced gaming features over two HDMI ports. Its pictures are extremely refined and natural, though, and it supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ and is substantially cheaper.

Here's our full Panasonic 65Z85A review

Philips 65OLED909
Remarkably, this Philips OLED TV provides both brightness boosting micro lens array technology and a bold Ambilight design for just £2,499 at the time of writing. While its pictures can be truly spectacular, though, you have to learn your way around the TV’s complicated menus to get the best from it.

Here's our full Philips 65OLED909 review

How I tested the Samsung 65S90F

Tested over 13 days
Tested with 4K Blu-rays, multiple streaming platforms and resolutions, Freeview HD broadcasts, and HD Blu-rays
Reviewed in both dark and light dedicated test room conditions, on its stand in both corner and flat wall positions

The nature of the 65S95F’s QD-OLED technology required me to spend as much time testing it in daylight conditions as I did testing it in darkened rooms, to make sure I wasn’t disturbed by the potential for bright light to impact the screen’s contrast. So it became my full-time living room TV for much of the nearly two weeks I spent with it.

That said, I also tested it under the same specific dark test room conditions TechRadar tests all of our TVs in, with a wide range of disc, game and streaming test content. Disc content included the 4K and HD Blu-rays of It: Chapter One, Blade Runner 2049 and Pan, while for gaming tests, I deployed both a PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X running such titles as Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6, Forza Horizon 5 and South Of Midnight.

Finally, as ever I put the 65S90F through a barrage of objective tests using Portrait Displays’ Calman Ultimate analysis software, G1 signal generator, and newly released C6 HDR5000 light meter.

You can read an in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar for more information.

First reviewed: May 2025
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

I reviewed Hisense’s top mini-LED TV, and it sets a new standard for bright-room viewing, but with a few key flaws

3:00 pm | May 25, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: Dolby Vision, Europe, HDMI, TV | Comments: Off

Hisense U8QG: Two-minute review

The Hisense U8QG follows in the footsteps of last year's Hisense U8N series mini-LED TVs, which combined exceptionally high brightness with a level of local dimming refinement that well exceeded what we’d seen in previous TVs from the company.

With the new Hisense U8QG series (65-inch model tested here), Hisense has created an even brighter U8 series offering, and also one with better local dimming performance yet again.

It’s not a huge leap in picture quality over the excellent Hisense U8N, a model that found itself on many of TechRadar's best TV lists, but our benchmark tests (see below) all indicate better measured performance, from brightness and color gamut coverage to input lag for gaming.

As with many other new TVs coming out in 2025, Hisense tags several features with the ‘AI’ buzzword, specifically AI modes for picture and sound. You can easily take these or leave them (I chose to leave them), though the AI picture mode can help improve the look of lower-resolution programs on streaming and broadcast TV sources.

The U8QG sports a buffed-up design to contain its built-in 4.1.2-channel speaker array, an upgrade over its 2.1.2-channel predecessor that provides powerful, immersive sound with most programs. Sadly, the built-in subwoofer is prone to distortion on movies with low bass effects, making things a tough listen for bass-craving action movie fans.

Hisense uses Google TV as a smart system in the US, and its own VIDAA one in Europe. Google TV is a reliable, easy to navigate smart interface, and it provides features such as an ambient mode that lets you display photos from your own Google photo library onscreen when the TV is in standby.

One area where the U8QG represents a clear upgrade over its predecessor is gaming. Features here include 4K 165Hz support, along with FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming. Disappointingly, the TV has only three HDMI 2.1 inputs, although there’s also USB-C input with DisplayPort support.

Prices for the U8QG series were high out of the gate, but have since dropped to a much more reasonable level in the US. For example, the 65-inch model I tested is currently selling for $1,399, and is an excellent value at that price.

Hisense U8QG review: Price and release date

Hisense U8QG showing image of pine tree branch — The Hisense U8QG is notably brighter than 2024's also very bright U8N series (Image credit: Future)

Release date: March 2025
55-inch: $999 / £TBC
65-inch: $2,199 / £TBC / AU$2,999
75-inch: $2,499 / £TBC / AU$3,999
85-inch: $3,499 / £TBC / AU$4,999
100-inch: $4,999

Hisense’s U8QG series TVs are its top mainstream mini-LED models in the US, slotting in only under the Hisense U9N series. The full U8QG lineup is currently available in the US, and the 65-, 75-, and 85-inch models are available in Australia.

UK availability and pricing have not yet been announced, but we'll update this review when we have them.

Although the U8QG series was launched in the US in late March, big discounts are already starting to appear as of this review in May 2025, with the 65-inch model selling for $1,399, the 75-inch model for $1,899 and the 85-inch model for $2,499.

Hisense U8QG review: Specs

Screen type:	OLED
Refresh rate:	Up to 165Hz
HDR support:	Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:	Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X
Smart TV:	Google TV
HDMI ports:	3 x HDMI 2.1
Built-in tuner:	ATSC 3.0 (USA)

Hisense U8QG review: Benchmark results

Hisense U8QG review: Features

Hisense U8QG rear panel ports — The U8QG has three HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 165Hz support plus a side-mounted USB-C input with DisplayPort support (Image credit: Future)

Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range
Anti-Reflection Pro panel
4K 165Hz gaming support

The Hisense U8QG series is feature-packed and also provides several upgrades over its U8N series predecessor. The TV’s mini-LED backlight provides up to 5,000 local dimming zones (on the 100-inch model, fewer on smaller sizes). It uses the company’s Hi-View Al Engine Pro processor, which offers AI picture and sound optimization, and its HDR support includes Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR 10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, and HLG.

Peak brightness for the series is specified at 5,000 nits, and an Anti-Reflection Pro screen helps to reduce screen glare when viewing in bright rooms.

Audio is one of the U8QG series’ biggest upgrades, with all models featuring a 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker array (powered by 72 watts on the 65-inch model I tested).

Like previous Hisense TVs, the U8QG series uses the Google TV smart TV platform in the US and Hisense’s own VIDAA platform in the UK, Europe and Australia. Google TV can be controlled hands-free using the TV’s built-in far-field mics or via the mic on the included fully backlit remote control.

Gaming gets an upgrade on the Q8QG series with support for 4K 165Hz input across the TV’s three HDMI 2.1 ports, and there’s also FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming, ALLM, and Hisense’s Game Bar menu for making quick on-screen adjustments.

Features Score: 5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Picture quality

Hisense U8QG showing image of city — The U8QG's picture looks great in both light and dark room viewing conditions (Image credit: Future)

High brightness and refined local dimming
Rich-looking color
Contrast suffers with off-center viewing

The first thing to discuss about the Hisense U8QG’s picture quality is that it has brightness to spare – and then some. Measured in the default Filmmaker Mode preset, peak brightness on a 10% HDR white window pattern was 3,337 nits, and in Standard mode it was 2,888 nits. That’s a sizable peak brightness bump over last year’s also very bright Hisense U8N.

However, fullscreen brightness in the same modes was below what last year's U8N delivered. In Filmmaker Mode, the new model hits 733 nits, while last year's hit 805 nits. In Standard mode, the difference is slightly more pronounced again, with 744 nits for U8QG and 873 for the U8N.

Also, the U8QG’s SDR peak and fullscreen brightness both measured strangely low in Filmmaker Mode, meaning the Standard (or Theater Day or Night) picture preset will be the better option for viewing standard- and high-definition programs.

The U8QG’s UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color gamut coverage in Filmmaker Mode were both excellent for a mini-LED, measuring 97.8% and 82.8%, respectively. Once again, this represents an improvement on last year’s U8N.

Color point accuracy averaged out to an impressive 1.8 average Delta-E value (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen), which is well into the zone where the human eye can't distinguish it from being perfect (we look for anything lower than 3).

However, the average grayscale Delta-E was a less impressive 4.3, which showed up onscreen as a slightly too warm, reddish color bias.

Aside from calibrating the U8QG’s grayscale, there were certain adjustments I made to the settings in its picture menu that boosted picture performance.

Dynamic Tone Mapping gave images a slightly punchier look, and Dark Detail helped to flesh out shadows in darker movies and TV shows. There is also an AI Contrast setting in the Picture Brightness submenu that I found had a beneficial effect when set to Low or Medium, but that was only for standard and high-definition programs upscaled to 4K by the TV. With 4K HDR content, AI Contrast at all settings gave pictures a too-crisp look.

Hisense U8QG showing image of northern lights — The U8QG provides better UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color gamut coverage than last year's Hisense U8N (Image credit: Future)

The local dimming on Hisense TVs gets incrementally better with every year, and the U8QG provides the best example yet. Dark, shadowy scenes in TV shows like The Last of Us, season 2, episode 6 (watched in 4K with Dolby Vision on Max) had powerful depth, and in challenging shots like one of moonlight shimmering on water, there was no sign at all of backlight blooming effects.

For virtually all of my viewing, I left Local Dimming set to High, and the TV’s picture was given its maximum level of contrast punch.

Colors also looked notably rich on the U8QG, confirming the great results I got from measurements. This gave sports such as the NBA basketball playoffs a serious eye candy quality, with the bold colors of the players’ uniforms popping vividly on the screen.

Given the U8QG’s high brightness levels, sports and other TV programs looked very good when watched in bright rooms, and the TV’s effective anti-reflection screen helped reduce screen glare from overhead lights, making even dark shows like The Last of Us viewable in such lighting conditions.

One area where the U8QG’s picture came up short was off-axis uniformity: When viewing from an off-center seat, colors and contrast faded noticeably. This won’t be an issue when viewing from seats spread out across a typical sofa, but a straggler at your NBA finals viewing party sitting in a far-off-center chair won’t experience the same picture quality as those directly in front of the TV.

The U8QG’s motion handling was just average. Even with Motion Enhancement set to Film mode in the TV’s Clarity sub-menu, reference movie clips such as a scene from the James Bond film No Time to Die, where Bond walks across a craggy hillside cemetery, had a blurry and slightly wobbly look.

Selecting the Custom mode in the same menu and adjusting the Judder and Blur sliders to the 3-4 range helps considerably to tone this down, and with only a slight “soap opera effect” visual penalty.

Picture quality score: 4.5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Sound quality

Hisense U8QG rear panel subwoofer drivers — A dual driver subwoofer set in the TV's back panel tends to audibly distort when watching movies with heavy low-frequency effects (Image credit: Future)

4.1.2-channel, 72W speaker array
Room Acoustic Tuning feature
Bass in soundtracks can create subwoofer rattle

The Hisense U8QG’s sound gets a substantial hardware upgrade over last year’s Hisense U8N. Specifically, it has a 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X compatible built-in speaker array (powered by 72W), compared to the U8N’s 2.1.2-channel speaker array.

It also has numerous sound presets, an Intelligent Sound option that automatically optimizes the sound based on the specific program type you’re watching, and a Room Acoustic Tuning feature that uses the mic built into the TV’s remote control to measure and adjust the sound based on your room environment.

While the U8QG’s sound is powerful and provides a good level of immersion – at one point I actually checked to see if my system’s surround speakers were accidentally left turned on – low-frequency effects in movie soundtracks frequently caused the TV’s built-in subwoofer to audibly, and unpleasantly, rattle.

I didn’t experience the same issue with more standard fare, like most TV shows, news, or sports. Also, the noise could be lessened by turning down the Bass Boost level in the Sound Advanced Settings menu, or by turning off the subwoofer altogether in the same menu.

But the U8QG’s rattling built-in sub was nonetheless a disappointment, and I’d recommend instead pairing this TV with one of the best soundbars despite the strong effort put into its sound elsewhere.

Sound quality score: 3.5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Design

Hisense U8QG pedestal stand on TV stand — The U8QG's sturdy aluminum pedestal stand (Image credit: Future)

Sturdy pedestal stand with cable management
Only three HDMI ports
Full-sized, backlit remote control

The U8QG has a chunky look when viewed from the side due to the frame’s two-inch depth – a necessity to contain the TV’s side-firing left/right and upfiring Atmos speakers. Viewed head-on, it has a much lighter look, with its 0.25-inch thin bezel allowing maximum screen area for the picture.

An aluminum pedestal stand with an angled cut gives the TV sturdy support, and its back-facing section provides ample cable management options for a neat installation.

About the only thing I found off-putting about the U8QG’s design was that HDMI ports were limited to three instead of the usual four, though these were all HDMI version 2.1 with 4K 165Hz support. There’s also a USB-C input with DisplayPort support for a PC connection.

Hisense’s remote control is the same full-sized, fully backlit version provided with 2024’s U8N. It’s easy to handle and navigate menus with, has a built-in mic for the Google Voice assistant, and also provides quick buttons to access apps including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and Tubi.

Design score: 4/5

Hisense U8QG review: Smart TV and menus

Hisense U8QG Google TV homescreen — The U8QG's Google TV homescreen is uncluttered and easy to navigate (Image credit: Future)

Google TV (US) and VIDAA (UK, Europe and Australia)
No broadcast TV data in Live program grid
Some settings buried too deep in menus

The U8QG uses the Google TV smart interface in the US and Hisense’s own VIDAA smart TV system elsewhere. Since I’m located in the US, my comments will pertain to Google TV.

Google TV has a relatively uncluttered interface that’s dominated by program recommendations that are fine-tuned when you sign in with a Google account (a necessity to download streaming apps to the TV).

While not ad-free – the rotating carousel at the top of the screen regularly pushes YouTube Premium subscriptions, movie rentals/purchases on the Google TV store, and Google’s own Freeplay free ad-supported TV portal – sponsored recommendations on the main ‘For You’ homescreen are equally mixed with suggestions from apps that you actually subscribe to.

The U8QG has a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner for viewing ‘NextGen TV’ digital broadcasts in the US, and while this works perfectly fine in showing enhanced program data for the channel you’ve tuned, the Tuner section of Google TV’s Live TV program grid guide failed to show any info for live broadcast TV channels, and also wouldn’t let me select channels directly from the guide. (The Live guide shortcut button on the U8QG’s remote control was also non-functional.)

This seems like something that could likely be fixed with a software update, because the Google TV Freeplay channel section in the same Live guide worked completely fine.

A menu button on the remote control calls up a quick menu at the bottom of the screen that gives you convenient access to things like picture and sound modes, and even more advanced options like local dimming and Intelligent (AI) settings. A gear button on the remote, and also on the TV’s homescreen, unlocks more in-depth settings, including advanced picture calibration options.

Smart TV & menus score: 4/5

Hisense U8QG review: Gaming

Hisense U8QG showing game image with game menu onscreen — The U8QG's Game Menu in action (Image credit: Future)

Three HDMI 2.1 ports
4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming support
Low 9.9ms input lag

The U8QG supports an impressive range of gaming features on its trio of HDMI 2.1 inputs, including 4K 165Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM, Dolby Vision gaming, and HDR10+ gaming. It also has a Game Bar menu that lets you make a wide range of gaming-related adjustments onscreen while your game plays on in the background.

Latency in Game mode measured with a Bodnar 4K input lag meter was an impressive 9.9ms. That’s the lowest input latency TechRadar has yet measured on a Hisense TV, and it puts the U8QG in the company of the best gaming TVs from Samsung and LG.

Gaming score: 5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Value

Hisense U8QG remote control held in hand — The U8QG comes with a large, fully backlit remote control (Image credit: Future)

Performs well compared to pricier competition
The still-available Hisense U8N (2024) is also great
Excellent overall value

At $2,199 for the 65-inch model I tested, the Hisense U8QG wasn’t cheap at launch, though its price has since dropped to $1,399 in the US.

At that reduced price, the U8QG is an excellent value, and it’s bound to give new premium mini-LED competitors like the Samsung QN90F (currently selling for $2,099 in a 65-inch screen size) reason to be nervous.

A main factor affecting the U8QG’s value is that the 2024 Hisense U8N is still available and selling at well under $1,000 for a 65-inch screen. The U8N is a great TV, and one that also offers high brightness, refined local dimming, and a strong set of gaming features.

Having tested both models, the U8QG has better overall picture quality, and it also offers more advanced gaming features. It’s the one I’d choose between the two, but viewers on a budget will be equally happy with the U8N, as long as it sticks around.

Value score: 5/5

Should I buy the Hisense U8QG?

Hisense U8QG showing image of trees with orange background — (Image credit: Future)

Hisense U8QG
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Feature-packed, with broad HDR support and a wide array of gaming features	5/5
Picture quality	High brightness and refined local dimming and an anti-reflective screen make this a great TV for both sports and movies, though picture quality suffers when viewed from off-center seats	4.5/5
Sound quality	A built-in 4.1.2-channel speaker array provides clear, powerful, and immersive sound, but the built-in subwoofer is prone to rattling on deep bass effects	3.5/5
Design	A sturdy design with a solid pedestal stand and ample cable management options. The large, fully backlit remote control is a nice addition, though three total HDMI ports may not be enough for some viewers	4.5/5
Smart TV and menus	Google TV is an effective and easy to navigate smart TV platform, but there are problems with the Live TV program guide and some advanced settings can be difficult to access	4/5
Gaming	A wide range of cutting-edge gaming features plus very low input lag make this a fantastic gaming TV	5/5
Value	Steep discounts off the initial launch prices make the U8QG series an excellent value, though its value is somewhat affected by the availability of 2024’s also great U8N series	5/5

Buy it if...

You want a TV that can handle bright rooms Few TVs can match the U8QG when it comes to brightness, and that, combined with its effective anti-reflective screen, makes it an excellent choice for daytime or bright room viewing.

You also want a TV that looks great when you dim the lights
The U8QG’s refined local dimming delivers deep blacks along with detailed shadows, and its powerful brightness reserves mean highlights in 4K movies and TV shows with HDR are given maximum punch.

You want a great TV for gaming
The U8QG’s three HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium, and both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming. An impressively low 9.9ms input lag also ranks this Hisense among the best gaming TVs.

Don't buy it if…

You don’t want to add a soundbar
The TV’s 4.1.2-channel speaker array delivers powerful, clear, and immersive sound with most content, but its built-in subwoofer is prone to distortion when conveying low-frequency effects in movies.

You watch plenty of broadcast TV
The ATSC 3.0 tuner (US only) is a nice perk, but the Google TV grid guide fails to list any info for tuned channels, and it’s also impossible to navigate.

You like to watch with large groups
The U8QG’s main picture quality weakness is off-axis picture uniformity – images lose both contrast and color saturation when viewed from far off-center seats.

Hisense U8QG: Also consider...

	Hisense U8QG	Hisense U8N	Samsung QN90D	TCL QM851G
Price (65-inch)	$3.399 / £3,399 / AU$5,299	$3,299	$2,699 / £2,699 / AU$4,299	$2,999 / £2,999
Screen type	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED
Refresh rate	165Hz	144Hz	144Hz	144Hz
HDR support	DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Smart TV	Google TV / VIDAA	Google TV / VIDAA	Tizen	Google TV
HDMI ports	3 x HDMI 2.1	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)	4 x HDMI 2.1	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

Hisense U8N
The U8N is a 2024 model that offers nearly as high brightness, along with great overall picture quality. It doesn’t have the same high-level gaming features as the U8QG, but while still available, it’s an excellent deal.

Here’s our Hisense U8N review

Samsung QN90D
Samsung’s top mini-LED – a 2024 model – is another picture quality and gaming powerhouse, and it also has a built-in 4.2.2-channel speaker array. Pricing for the 65-inch model we tested currently matches that of the 65-inch U8QG.

Here’s our Samsung QN90D review

TCL QM851G

TCL’s top mini-LED from 2024 is another brightness monster that also performs exceptionally well with movies. It’s only available in the US, where it is now seeing steep discounts.

Here’s our TCL QM851G review

How I tested the Hisense U8QG

I spent about 15 viewing hours in total measuring and evaluating
Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
A full calibration was made before proceeding with subjective tests

When I test TVs, I first spend a few days or even weeks using it for casual viewing to assess the out-of-box picture presets and get familiar with its smart TV menu and picture adjustments.

For the Hisense U8QG, I used the Calman ISF workflow, along with the TV’s advanced picture menu settings, to calibrate the image for best accuracy. I also watched a range of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to assess the TV’s performance, along with 4K HDR shows streamed from Max, Netflix, and other services.

First reviewed: May 2025
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

I reviewed Hisense’s top mini-LED TV, and it sets a new standard for bright-room viewing, but with a few key flaws

3:00 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: Dolby Vision, Europe, HDMI, TV | Comments: Off

Hisense U8QG: Two-minute review

With the new Hisense U8QG series (65-inch model tested here), Hisense has created an even brighter U8 series offering, and also one with better local dimming performance yet again.

Hisense U8QG review: Price and release date

Release date: March 2025
55-inch: $999 / £TBC
65-inch: $2,199 / £TBC / AU$2,999
75-inch: $2,499 / £TBC / AU$3,999
85-inch: $3,499 / £TBC / AU$4,999
100-inch: $4,999

UK availability and pricing have not yet been announced, but we'll update this review when we have them.

Hisense U8QG review: Specs

Screen type:	OLED
Refresh rate:	Up to 165Hz
HDR support:	Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:	Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X
Smart TV:	Google TV
HDMI ports:	3 x HDMI 2.1
Built-in tuner:	ATSC 3.0 (USA)

Hisense U8QG review: Benchmark results

Hisense U8QG review: Features

Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range
Anti-Reflection Pro panel
4K 165Hz gaming support

Peak brightness for the series is specified at 5,000 nits, and an Anti-Reflection Pro screen helps to reduce screen glare when viewing in bright rooms.

Audio is one of the U8QG series’ biggest upgrades, with all models featuring a 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker array (powered by 72 watts on the 65-inch model I tested).

Features Score: 5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Picture quality

High brightness and refined local dimming
Rich-looking color
Contrast suffers with off-center viewing

However, the average grayscale Delta-E was a less impressive 4.3, which showed up onscreen as a slightly too warm, reddish color bias.

Aside from calibrating the U8QG’s grayscale, there were certain adjustments I made to the settings in its picture menu that boosted picture performance.

For virtually all of my viewing, I left Local Dimming set to High, and the TV’s picture was given its maximum level of contrast punch.

Picture quality score: 4.5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Sound quality

4.1.2-channel, 72W speaker array
Room Acoustic Tuning feature
Bass in soundtracks can create subwoofer rattle

Sound quality score: 3.5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Design

Sturdy pedestal stand with cable management
Only three HDMI ports
Full-sized, backlit remote control

An aluminum pedestal stand with an angled cut gives the TV sturdy support, and its back-facing section provides ample cable management options for a neat installation.

Design score: 4/5

Hisense U8QG review: Smart TV and menus

Google TV (US) and VIDAA (UK, Europe and Australia)
No broadcast TV data in Live program grid
Some settings buried too deep in menus

The U8QG uses the Google TV smart interface in the US and Hisense’s own VIDAA smart TV system elsewhere. Since I’m located in the US, my comments will pertain to Google TV.

This seems like something that could likely be fixed with a software update, because the Google TV Freeplay channel section in the same Live guide worked completely fine.

Smart TV & menus score: 4/5

Hisense U8QG review: Gaming

Three HDMI 2.1 ports
4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming support
Low 9.9ms input lag

Gaming score: 5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Value

Performs well compared to pricier competition
The still-available Hisense U8N (2024) is also great
Excellent overall value

At $2,199 for the 65-inch model I tested, the Hisense U8QG wasn’t cheap at launch, though its price has since dropped to $1,399 in the US.

Value score: 5/5

Should I buy the Hisense U8QG?

Hisense U8QG
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Feature-packed, with broad HDR support and a wide array of gaming features	5/5
Picture quality	High brightness and refined local dimming and an anti-reflective screen make this a great TV for both sports and movies, though picture quality suffers when viewed from off-center seats	4.5/5
Sound quality	A built-in 4.1.2-channel speaker array provides clear, powerful, and immersive sound, but the built-in subwoofer is prone to rattling on deep bass effects	3.5/5
Design	A sturdy design with a solid pedestal stand and ample cable management options. The large, fully backlit remote control is a nice addition, though three total HDMI ports may not be enough for some viewers	4.5/5
Smart TV and menus	Google TV is an effective and easy to navigate smart TV platform, but there are problems with the Live TV program guide and some advanced settings can be difficult to access	4/5
Gaming	A wide range of cutting-edge gaming features plus very low input lag make this a fantastic gaming TV	5/5
Value	Steep discounts off the initial launch prices make the U8QG series an excellent value, though its value is somewhat affected by the availability of 2024’s also great U8N series	5/5

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if…

You watch plenty of broadcast TV
The ATSC 3.0 tuner (US only) is a nice perk, but the Google TV grid guide fails to list any info for tuned channels, and it’s also impossible to navigate.

Hisense U8QG: Also consider...

	Hisense U8QG	Hisense U8N	Samsung QN90D	TCL QM851G
Price (65-inch)	$3.399 / £3,399 / AU$5,299	$3,299	$2,699 / £2,699 / AU$4,299	$2,999 / £2,999
Screen type	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED	QLED w/ mini-LED
Refresh rate	165Hz	144Hz	144Hz	144Hz
HDR support	DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG
Smart TV	Google TV / VIDAA	Google TV / VIDAA	Tizen	Google TV
HDMI ports	3 x HDMI 2.1	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)	4 x HDMI 2.1	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

Here’s our Hisense U8N review

Here’s our Samsung QN90D review

TCL QM851G

TCL’s top mini-LED from 2024 is another brightness monster that also performs exceptionally well with movies. It’s only available in the US, where it is now seeing steep discounts.

Here’s our TCL QM851G review

How I tested the Hisense U8QG

I spent about 15 viewing hours in total measuring and evaluating
Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
A full calibration was made before proceeding with subjective tests

When I test TVs, I first spend a few days or even weeks using it for casual viewing to assess the out-of-box picture presets and get familiar with its smart TV menu and picture adjustments.

First reviewed: May 2025
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

I spent weeks reviewing the feature-filled TCL QM7K, and it’s a great TV that fixes a big problem with mini-LED

2:00 pm | May 10, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Televisions | Tags: HDMI, TV | Comments: Off

TCL QM7K: Two-minute review

The TCL QM7K is an impressive TV. Even though it’s a bit more expensive than the TCL QM6K I recently reviewed, it fixes the main issues I had with that model. Specifically, the audio quality is much improved. It also offers quite a bit more brightness, which particularly benefits high dynamic range content, and there are more local dimming zones in its mini-LED backlight.

The question of whether the TCL QM7K is the best TV for you will depend on if you’re comfortable paying the extra cash for the improvements it brings. TCL’s Halo Control tech does a great job of keeping backlight blooming effects – an issue even with the best mini-LED TVs – at bay, and the TV’s fast, 144Hz refresh rate (with the potential to effectively double that rate) is a great feature, though both are also available on the cheaper QM6K. In fact, everything outside of the better audio and brightness is basically the same on the QM6K.

The improvements the QM7K brings are ultimately worth the $500 price difference (that amount will vary a bit between screen sizes). But for me, the cheaper QM6K’s lower screen brightness wasn’t a dealbreaker, and adding one of the best soundbars will bring an audio quality improvement to just about any TV.

Still, the TCL QM7K is a high-quality TV with a great-looking picture that’s easy to use. It’s also packed with features, whether you want to watch a movie or boot up your PlayStation 5.

TCL QM7K review: Price and release date

TCL QM7K showing image of lizard on screen — The TCL QM7K's impressive color gamut coverage means colors look rich and vivid (Image credit: Future)

Release date: March 2025
55-inch: $1,299.99
65-inch: $1,499.99
75-inch: $1,999.99
85-inch: $2,499.99
98-inch: $4,999.99
115-inch: $19,999.99

The TCL QM7K is a step up from the brand’s newly released QM6K series TVs. Some of the sizes, specifically the 98-inch and 115-inch, are not yet available. TCL QM7K series TVs are only sold in the US.

The QM7K’s step up in price over the QM6K series reflects features such as the higher number of local dimming zones (a maximum of 2800 versus 500), improved brightness, and Bang & Olufsen-tuned built-in speakers.

TCL QM7K review: Specs

TCL QM7K review: Benchmark results

TCL QM7K review: Features

TCL QM7K rear panel ports — The QM7K's connections include two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support (Image credit: Future)

Dolby Vision IQ effectively adjusts the picture for bright rooms
Picture presets include IMAX Enhanced and Filmmaker Mode
Hands-free voice control

While I’ll go into a little more detail regarding Halo Control in the next section, it’s worth mentioning that TCL’s proprietary technology for precise dimming is featured on the QM7K series, and it’s probably the most important one for this TV. I’ll go into the QM7K’s impressive HDR performance there as well.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg here. Dolby Vision IQ is one of my favorite features for this TV (also available on the cheaper QM6K). My viewing room gets a lot of ambient light from windows, and watching TV during the day can sometimes be an exercise in frustration. But the Dolby Vision IQ feature minimizes the effects of ambient light by adjusting the TV’s brightness accordingly, so you can see the picture regardless of whether the sun is shining or not.

There’s also Dolby Vision (the non-IQ version of the feature), which functions similarly with Dolby Vision content, automatically adjusting contrast to give the best results based on the image being shown, whether it’s sports or a brooding Batman movie.

If you don’t want the TV to intelligently (the word you’ll see in the menu for these features) adjust the screen, there are plenty of picture modes available. There are the basic ones like Movie and Sports, but there’s also an Imax Enhanced mode and a Filmmaker Mode meant to provide the most accurate picture when watching movies.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that there’s also hands-free voice control using far-field mics if you don’t feel like reaching for the remote.

Features Score: 4.5/5

TCL QM7K review: Picture quality

TCL QM7K showing image of red flower on black background — The QM7K's Halo Control technology is great at eliminating blooming effects in high-contrast pictures (Image credit: Future)

Impressive HDR brightness
Halo Tech minimizes blooming
Some minor vignetting

The TCL QM7K boasts some solid benchmarks. To start with, its brightness is one of the biggest upgrades over its little brother, the TCL QM6K. In Filmmaker Mode, peak HDR brightness on a 10% white window pattern was measured at 1,733 nits, and 100% fullscreen brightness at 536 nits.

Those same brightness measurements made in the TV’s Standard picture mode were even higher at 2,350 and 640 nits, respectively.

Color gamut coverage is good as well, but not quite the smae upgrade as the brightness. We benchmarked it at 96.9% for UHDA-P3 and 79.2% for BT.2020, both better than the QM6K and Hisense U7N. It’s also worth mentioning that the QM7K’s color accuracy averaged out to a very respectable 1.4.

The Halo Control Technology that the TCL QM7K shares with the QM6K is a huge help in minimizing bloom, an artifact of mini-LED and LED-backlit TVs, where you see a halo effect in dark parts of the screen positioned next to bright sections. The QM7K series has up to 2,800 dimming zones compared to 500 on the QM6K series, and regardless of what I watched, high-contrast images had crisp definition.

Cinematic fare like Hero, The Batman (2022), or really any movie with great cinematography came to life on the QM7K, its brightness, comprehensive HDR support, color gamut coverage, not to mention precise dimming control contributing to detailed yet vibrant images.

The only real issue I encountered was that I experienced some very slight vignetting in the corners of the screen, though it was more minimal than what I saw when I reviewed the TCL QM6K. And despite the QM7K’s high brightness, I still experienced screen glare when watching during the daytime with sunlight coming through the windows.

Picture quality score: 4.5/5

TCL QM7K review: Sound quality

TCL QM7K remote control held in hand — The TCL QM7K's stripped-down remote control annoyingly lacks a play/pause button (Image credit: Future)

Audio by Bang & Olufsen
Limited bass
Soundstage is good if a bit narrow

Having just reviewed the TCL QM6K, the QM7K’s sound quality is another big upgrade. The 40W system is described by TCL as “Audio by Bang & Olufsen,” and since Bang & Olufsen makes solid-sounding products, that usually bodes well.

The QM7K supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, and is also IMAX Enhanced. There are several sound modes, including Bang & Olufsen’s proprietary Beosonic EQ profile that allows for some fine-tuning. When this is selected, a dial appears on the screen with a particular sound profile at the top, bottom, and sides: bright, energetic, warm, and relaxed (clockwise from the top). You can also navigate a cursor anywhere within the dial to create some combination of these sound profiles.

When I reviewed the QM6K, I found there to be a strange dip in the frequency response that gave the sound a slightly artificial quality. Luckily, the QM7K doesn’t have that. The mids are nice and full so that vocals have the kind of richness one would expect when listening to music or watching a movie, and the high-end has both clarity and detail. The bass is fairly limited, but that’s to be expected with any system that doesn’t have larger speakers, such as a TV.

In The Batman (2022), a scene where Selina Kyle is breaking into a safe near the beginning of the movie illustrates a lot of what’s going on with the QM7K’s sound. The sounds of her drill and the turning of the safe’s dial were heard clearly and sounded crisp. And the sound of her hand-to-hand combat with Batman had plenty of impact, as did the dialogue. The TV’s full mid-range also benefited music listening.

The QM7K’s soundstage is good, with elements in soundtracks that are supposed to be on the left or right (or moving from one side to the other) spatially well-defined but still fairly narrow, as it is physically limited by the placement of the speakers.

In the end, the QM7K’s audio quality is very good – it’s just not the full movie experience you would get if it were paired with a good soundbar.

Sound quality score: 4/5

TCL QM7K review: Design

TCL QM7K pedestal stand showing cable management — The QM6K's support feet (Image credit: Future)

Pedestal stand can be adjusted for height
Ports include two HDMI 2.1 with 144Hz support
No dedicated play/pause button on remote

The TCL QM7K looks like most contemporary TVs, so you’re probably not going to make a buying decision based on how it looks. The bezel around the screen is fairly thin, making this a svelte-looking TV from the front, and a slight angle allows the dual ports housing the speakers some clearance if you were to wall mount it.

A pedestal stand keeps the TV stable, and it can also be connected at a range of heights so you can raise it a little higher if you want to keep the bottom of the screen from being blocked by a soundbar.

The back of the stand also has a cover that easily slides up and off, revealing some rudimentary cable management, which allows for a cleaner look, especially with the included cable clips. There’s not a ton of space here, however, so if you have a ton of devices plugged into the TV, you might not be able to route all the cables through the back of the stand.

Speaking of plugging devices in, all the ports except for the power are located on the right side of the TV and are angled so that any cables sit flush against it. This is a simple touch that helps keep things looking tidy, especially if you plan on a wall-mount installation. Also worth noting is that the different HDMI ports have their maximum resolution and refresh rate listed next to them – important for gamers!

The remote for the TCL QM7K has all the usual controls, from the directional wheel and center button used to select things to the ones that take you directly to apps like Netflix and Prime Video. There’s also a dedicated button for the TV’s voice assistant. Sadly, there’s no dedicated play/pause button, which means you have to press the directional wheel to bring up the interface and then press the center button again to actually pause playback.

Design score: 4.5/5

TCL QM7K review: Smart TV and menus

TCL QM7K Google TV home screen with hand holding remote in front — The QM7K's Google TV smart interface (Image credit: Future)

Home page displays a good range of content
Google account login required to fully unlock features
Hands-free voice control

The TCL QM7K uses Google TV as its smart TV interface. This has a large, cycling tile that takes up much of the screen with featured content, followed by various rows of tiles with suggested content from various services, a list of apps, and more. It’s a nice layout, only hampered by the fact that not all content seems to be indexed on the home page. (I would love to see suggestions from my Criterion Channel or Mubi app pop up next to YouTube and Max ones.)

As with most smart TV interfaces, there’s plenty of live and free ad-supported content available without needing an additional subscription. This isn’t up to the quality level of what you get from something like Netflix, but it’s not all Sharknado knock-offs. I came across Nip/Tuck, Mr. Bean, and The Illusionist after just a quick scroll. Of course, there’s plenty of Ed Wood-level content available as well.

To get the most out of the interface, you need to first log in to your Google account to set it up. If you’re worried about privacy, this is a requirement that might seem as invasive as it is necessary. It didn’t help that a portion of the featured tiles were ads as opposed to just highlighted content that I already have access to, including an ad with a QR code for ordering pizza on the front page.

As far as the menu diving for TV functionality goes, it’s straightforward and baked into the Google operating system, so you can get to the settings either via the remote or navigating through the home page. It’s also very easy to get deep into fine-tuning the screen, sound, and more to your liking without getting lost.

Smart TV & menus score: 4/5

TCL QM7K review: Gaming

TCL QM7K Game Master menu shown on screen — The TCL QM7K's Game Master onscreen menu (Image credit: Future)

4K 144Hz support plus VRR game accelerator
Smooth and clear action
Dedicated Game Master settings menu

Pricier TVs like this one need to appeal to gamers, and TCL has succeeded on that front. Two of the HDMI inputs support 4K 144Hz, so you get smooth gameplay even when the game is going at a breakneck speed, as I did when running away from or through crowds of zombies in Dead Island 2. It can boost up to a 288Hz variable refresh rate (240Hz on the 55-inch model) at 1080p resolution.

If needed, there's a game-centric settings interface called the “Game Master” menu that you can easily pull up to display a refresh rate in the corner, add an aiming crosshair, turn on the VRR, and boost HDR content where applicable.

All in all, using the TCL QM7K is a treat for gaming. The picture quality is sharp and vibrant, especially when you can turn on HDR, and the action is as smooth as one could hope. Input lag is 13.1ms, which is higher than what you get with TVs from Samsung and LG, but it still feels immediate and responsive when gaming.

Gaming score: 4.5/5

TCL QM7K review: Value

TCL QM7K on floor showing accessories — The QM7K's included accessories (Image credit: Future)

Not cheap, but still a good value proposition
Cheaper than other “mid-range” TVs
Better brightness than other TVs in its price range

The TCL QM7K TV is not the same fantastic value proposition as the TCL QM6K, but it’s still a very good value.

A good point of comparison would be the Hisense U7N, a competent TV that punches above its weight. The QM7K is better than the Hisense U7N all around, with better brightness and significantly better audio quality. However, the QM7K is also more expensive.

Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the TCL QM7K?

TCL QM7K showing image of oranges on screen — (Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want a picture with great contrast
Thanks to Halo Control tech, there’s very little blooming. Plus, the TV’s high brightness makes full use of HDR.

You want good sound
Audio is one of the main upgrades that this TV gets over its little brother and other mid-range TVs. It’s not quite the same as a good soundbar, but it's good enough that you may not need to get one.

You’re a gamer
There are plenty of gaming-centric features on hand, including 4K 144Hz support on two HDMI 2.1 ports, along with 288Hz at 1080p.

Don't buy it if…

You have a limited budget
You can spend quite a bit more on a TV, but the TCL QM7K is still not a cheap model. If you’re on a tight budget, you should also look at the less expensive step-down QM6K series.

You don’t want a Google TV
If you don’t like connecting your Google account to a TV for privacy reasons, look elsewhere, because that step is needed to make the most of the Google TV smart interface.

Also consider...

TCL QM6K
The TCL QM6K is a wonderful TV, but it’s not as bright as the QM7K, and it also has worse audio. It’s about $500 cheaper on average, however, making it is a good option for those with less cash to spend.

Read our full TCL QM6K review

Hisense U7N
The Hisense U7N does have some issues with backlight blooming and also suffers from poor audio quality. But it has good color gamut coverage and brightness for the price, not to mention similar features such as Dolby Vision IQ and Google TV.

Read our full Hisense U7N review

TCL QM851G
The TCL QM851G is a 2024 model that was still available for a substantial discount at the time this review posted. This model has even higher brightness than the QM7K, plus a similar set of smart TV and gaming features.

Read our full TCL QM851G review

Samsung QN900D showing test pattern — (Image credit: Future)

How I tested the TCL QM7K

I used the TCL QM7K TV for two weeks
Tested with TV, movies, music, and games
Benchmark measurements conducted by Future US testing lab

I used the TCL QM7K TV regularly for several weeks, testing it with movies, shows, sports events, and games. I tested the various features, such as Dolby Vision IQ, to see if they work as advertised. I also spent time listening to the TV’s audio and watching reference clips to evaluate the picture quality.

After spending some time with this TV, it’s clear that it’s aimed at those looking for a premium experience but at a lower price than a comparable Samsung or LG TV.

I’ve tested plenty of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and have been able to apply my expertise toward giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

You can read an in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar at that link.

First reviewed: May 2025
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

HMD and Lava to launch phones with broadcast TV support

10:08 am | April 30, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: HMD, TV | Comments: Off

HMD and Lava will both introduce smartphones that will receive broadcast TV without the need for internet or Wi-Fi. The devices will be showcased during the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, which will take place between May 1 and 4 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India. The technology is called Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) and allows the phone to receive a signal and stream multimedia content without needing a cellular or wireless connection. We know the Lava phone will come equipped with an ultra-high-frequency (UHF) antenna that receives terrestrial...

« Previous Page — Next Page »