The Samsung QN95C series is the company’s flagship line of Neo QLED 4K TVs for 2023, offering the widest range of features along with the latest picture quality refinements – the elite tech you'll find in the very best Samsung TVs.
Neo QLED models differ from the company’s regular QLED TVs in that, along with a Quantum Dot layer for enhanced color and brightness, they incorporate a mini-LED backlight that allows for a more refined level of local dimming. Samsung is now several generations into Neo QLED, and this latest version is the best I’ve seen by a long shot.
That’s not to say that last year’s Samsung QN95B, a model that received a five-star rating in our review, along with a well-deserved place on our list of the best 4K TVs, was anything less than a stellar performer. But Samsung is on a mission to push the boundaries of what mini-LED-backlit LCD displays can deliver, even competing with the company’s OLED models like the Samsung S95C, and the QN95C clearly ups the ante.
I was invited by Samsung to do a hands-on test of a 65-inch QN95C ($3,299 / around £2,750 / AU$4,900) at the company’s New Jersey facility. While the room I tested it in was far from ideal – a glass door leading out into a well-lit hallway prevented me from viewing in a fully darkened environment – it was sufficient to get a very good sense of what this TV is capable of, including running my own measurements.
Samsung's Game Bar onscreen menu lets you quickly access gaming-related settings. (Image credit: Future)
But first the details of the QN95C. Samsung’s flagship Neo QLED 4K TV isn’t yet available, but it will be sold in 65-, 75-, and 85-inch screen sizes. Unlike last year’s QN95B, the new model omits Samsung’s external One Connect box, and instead provides four built-in HDMI 2.1 ports that support up to 144Hz refresh rates, along with VRR and FreeSync Premium Pro.
The QN95C’s Neural Quantum Processor uses 14-bit processing and AI to upscale images to 4K resolution. A new Auto HDR Remastering feature is onboard to dynamically add HDR10+ high dynamic range to standard dynamic range images. (Like other Samsung TVs, the QN95C lacks support for Dolby Vision HDR.) The QN95C also features a new dimming tech that brings “improved brightness and grayscale control to accurately render both luminance and extreme details across the whole screen,” according to Samsung. Similar to the company’s QN900C flagship 8K Neo QLED model – you can read our early hands-on Samsung QN900C review too – the QN95C features an Anti-Glare screen plus Ultra Viewing Angle technology to improve off-axis viewing.
I didn’t get a chance to do a serious audio evaluation of the QN95C, but new upfiring speakers are provided that reproduce overhead effects in Dolby Atmos soundtracks, and these provided a real sense of spaciousness when I watched movie clips. The QN95C also features Object Tracking Sound+ to enhance the spatial accuracy of sound effects and Q-Symphony 3.0, which lets you combine the set’s built-in speakers with an external Samsung soundbar's speakers in one big soundscape.
Even without an external One Connect box handling HDMI inputs, the QN95C's design is appealingly slim. (Image credit: Future)
Even with connections on Samsung’s flagship 4K Neo QLED now built into the TV rather than residing on an external One Connect box, the QN95C has an appealingly slim form factor. That’s because a new slim power board is used that, according to Samsung, optimizes efficiency while also allowing for the TV’s depth to be shrunk down to under 20mm thickness. Along with its four HDMI 2.1 ports (one with HDMI eARC), the QN95C provides an optical digital audio output and an RF input for connecting an indoor TV antenna to receive next-gen ATSC 3.0 digital TV broadcasts. It also comes with Samsung’s Solar Cell remote control, which collects ambient light to extend battery life.
During my hands-on test, I didn’t find Samsung’s Smart Hub interface to be radically different from the version found in 2022 TVs. You need a Samsung account to download apps and can edit some onscreen menu items for convenience. I did get a chance to check out the Game Bar menu, which provides quick onscreen access to gaming performance-related features. This feature is separate from Samsung’s Game Hub, which centralizes cloud gaming selections from Xbox, Nvidia GeForce NOW, Amazon Luna, Utomik, and more for console-free playback. AirPlay 2 is also supported on the QN95C for casting audio and video from Apple devices.
The QN95C's four HDMI 2.1 inputs are located on a side mounted panel, along with an optical digital audio output and RF jack for an antenna. (Image credit: Future)
Beautifully bright
The QN95C’s Ultra Viewing Angle tech resulted in images remaining bright and with punchy contrast even at far off-center viewing positions, while the Anti-Glare screen was effective in reducing the effects of overhead lights (or, in this case, light beaming in from the adjacent hallway). When viewing full-screen white test patterns, Samsung’s flagship Neo QLED displayed excellent uniformity, and while I was unable to measure contrast due to the room’s sub-optimal lightning conditions, both black depth and uniformity appeared to be excellent.
Peak brightness measured on a 10% white window pattern in Filmmaker mode was 2,321 nits, an impressive result. Also impressive was the set’s input lag in Game mode, which measured 9.8ms, a result that easily ranks the QN95C among the best gaming TVs.
Switching back to Filmmaker mode, the QN95C’s measured coverage of UHD-P3 color space was 94% and its BT,2020 color space coverage 69.5%. This result was mostly in line with what was measured on the QN900C 8K TV, though below the performance level I measured during my hands-on Samsung’s S95C OLED TV review time – it looks like QD-OLED is the tech to beat for color.
The QN95C does a very good job maintaining brightness and contrast at off-center viewing positions, though color saturation drops off slightly. (Image credit: Future)
Blooming be gone
Turning to the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark disc’s video montage section, the set’s powerful light output let it reveal a wide range of highlight details in 4K HDR footage mastered at a 4,000 nits brightness level. But it was clips that are meant to test a TV’s local dimming capabilities that really cued me in to the QN95C’s performance. Many TVs, even mini-LED-backlit ones, will show “blooming” effects in sequences such as the brightly lit ferris wheel against a black background, which means that light from the bright areas is leaking into the dark ones, turning blacks to gray. The QN95C, in contrast, handled this material extremely well, and the same was true with reference movie scenes I watched.
When I did a hands-on test of Samsung’s QN90B in 2022, I noticed a high degree of judder in a scene from No Time to Die where a camera pans across James Bond walking on a craggy hillside. This was when viewing in Filmmaker mode, which disables any motion smoothing processing. Watching that same clip in Filmmaker mode on the QN95C, the camera motion was considerably smoother this time out.
A dark scene from Dune where the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother tests Paul also showed a fair amount of background noise on the QN90B, but was completely absent on the new QN95C. Samsung clearly has done work on its motion and picture processing, and the results can be seen in this next generation of Neo QLED TVs.
Test clips like this one showed the QN95C's local dimming to have an almost OLED-like ability to handle tough high-contrast images. (Image credit: Future)
Having had the opportunity to get a next-gen Neo QLED demonstration and tech explainer from Samsung at CES 2023, none of these improvements came as a surprise to me. But it was gratifying to confirm them in a hands-on test of the QN95C, which is the closest I’ve seen an LED-backlit TV come to delivering OLED-like picture quality. The best OLED TVs, including Samsung’s own OLEDs, for that matter, should be worried!
The Nintendo Switch OLED might not seem like a drastic upgrade in comparison to the standard Nintendo Switch console, or at least not on paper, but it boasts some incredible improvements that build upon the solid foundations set by its predecessor. The 7-inch display alone offers vivid colors and perfect blacks, which is a drastic upgrade over the standard LCD panel.
Outside of the display, the Nintendo Switch OLED hosts enhanced speakers to make gameplay without headphones far more enjoyable, sounding definitively less tinny than its 2017 counterpart. This alone makes the best Nintendo Switch games sound crisper than ever.
In addition, the console has twice the amount of storage as the original Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite, with a total of 64GB. That is still a far cry from the PS5 and Xbox Series X, which offer far faster storage at significantly higher capacities. However, Switch games tend to be significantly smaller, and the console has a Micro SD slot, so you can always expand if needed at an affordable rate.
So far, so good, then... but Nintendo has shamelessly overlooked one of the three core pillars of the Switch experience – TV mode – and the new console is a hard sell as a result. Despite redesigning the console’s dock, adding smoother edges, more breathing room, and even a LAN port for those who like to play online, the OLED is surprisingly bare in this crucial sector.
Another great disappointment for Switch players playing on their televisions is that you’re still capped to a 1080p output; there’ll be no 4K upscaling. So whenever you dock the Nintendo Switch OLED, all of its major selling points miraculously disappear. This boggles my mind considering that this is a console that’s supposed to cater equally to three types of play.
The lack of 4K output subsequently leads to a question that Nintendo cannot avoid when it comes to the Switch OLED: why are the internal specifications the same as the original Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite? If you're hoping for a Nintendo Switch Pro, you won't find that here. Production problems have dashed dreams of this.
Everything about this feels entirely at odds with the console's more premium feel. Countless titles and developers could have benefitted from a refresh of the Switch's aging components, so it's a shame Nintendo didn't respond to the clamor from both developers and consumers with the console approaching its sixth anniversary.
So who is the Nintendo Switch OLED model for, and is it worth splashing the cash to upgrade if you already own the original Switch or handheld-only Switch Lite? Well, if you’re new to the Switch line, the answer is a definite ‘yes’ – this is the best version of Nintendo's ingenious console to date and one that corrects many of the faults of the original model.
If you play the Switch in handheld or tabletop mode, then nothing stops you from upgrading to the OLED. The OLED has much to offer thanks to the gorgeous 7-inch OLED screen, amazing speakers, and redesigned kickstand. However, if you currently have a Switch and use it primarily in TV mode, we can confidently say that the Switch OLED would be a luxury and unnecessary upgrade.
You can watch our Nintendo Switch OLED video review below:
Nintendo Switch OLED price and release date
What is it? The fourth iteration of Nintendo's hybrid console
When did it come out? October 8, 2021
What does it cost? $349.99 / £309.99 / AU$539.95
The Nintendo Switch OLED launched on October 8, 2021, and it's the fourth iteration of Nintendo's home console. It costs $349.99 / £309.99 / AU$539.95, so it’s slightly more expensive than the original Nintendo Switch, which retails for $299.99 / £259.99 / AU$469.95, and it’s obviously a more considerable investment than the Nintendo Switch Lite, which costs $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329.95.
The Nintendo Switch OLED model's higher price tag seems reasonable, however. The upgraded console comes with a larger, 7-inch OLED display, enhanced speakers, double the internal storage and a wider kickstand, and you also get a slightly improved dock that includes a LAN port for more stable online play.
Thankfully, Nintendo has confirmed there won't be a price hike just yet for the Nintendo Switch OLED, unlike the hikes for Oculus Quest 2 and PS5 that were blamed on global inflation. So, if you haven't picked up an OLED model yet, there's no need to rush.
Nintendo Switch OLED design
(Image credit: Future)
Three modes: TV, handheld, and tabletop
Same detachable Joy-Con controllers
It comes with various accessories
If it weren't for the larger screen and new pristine white Joy-Con controllers, you'd be hard-pressed to notice any design differences between the Switch OLED and the original Switch. However, look a little closer, and several changes can be found.
The new 7-inch OLED display is the most prominent new design feature, and it's surprisingly impactful, despite only being 0.8 inches larger than the original Switch's 6.2-inch screen. As a result, the Switch OLED is slightly bigger than its predecessor: it's 0.1 inches longer, at 9.5 x 0.55 x 4 inches (W x D x H), but it still feels immediately familiar in the hands.
The Switch OLED has a bit more heft about it, though. It weighs 422 grams with the Joy-Con attached, about 22 grams more than the Nintendo Switch. Thankfully, we didn’t find that the added weight caused any fatigue when playing, but it's worth bearing in mind if you already feel like the Switch is a touch on the heavy side.
You'll find the same Nintendo Switch accessories we're used to seeing in the box: two Joy-Con controllers, a pair of Joy-Con straps, and a Joy-Con Grip.
You also get the redesigned Nintendo Switch dock, which includes the new LAN port, which is slightly longer but not quite as deep as the original dock. There's a bit more wiggle room inside, too, which should allow for more efficient airflow and lessens the chance that you'll gradually scratch the Switch's screen by repeatedly putting it in and taking it out of the dock. The dock is also a touch lighter, not that you’ll be moving it very often, and it contains one fewer 2.0 USB port.
(Image credit: Future)
It's also worth noting that the Nintendo Switch OLED will work in the old dock, and the original Nintendo Switch will work in the new one. Both may require a system update, but it's pleasing to know that your old dock won't be rendered entirely useless.
Other Switch OLED design changes include a repositioned microSD slot, which sits behind the wider kickstand and is easier to find, a slightly more recessed power button that’s now oval-shaped, and a wider volume rocker. It also features smaller slits for the fans to exhaust hot air, which help to give the Switch OLED a more modern appearance. You also get a headphone jack, as on the other Switch models.
(Image credit: Future)
Aesthetically speaking, the Nintendo Switch OLED hides the older Switch's product information and warnings. While it's a small addition, the back of the Switch now looks much cleaner as a result, with the info tucked discreetly away behind the new stand.
While we mostly welcome the Nintendo Switch OLED's more minor design touches, we severely dislike one change: the new Game Card slot. The little indentation on the original Switch's Game Card slot is gone, making it almost impossible to open if you don't have any fingernails. We found ourselves scratching at the Game Card's new slot countless times in an attempt to pry it open, and frankly, we can't understand why this change was made when it’s objectively worse.
Nintendo Switch OLED: handheld mode
(Image credit: Nintendo)
The new 7-inch OLED display is a revelation
Still not the most ergonomic design
Joy-Con durability concerns remain
Vivid or Standard mode?
(Image credit: Nintendo)
The Nintendo Switch OLED lets you choose between two screen settings: Vivid and Standard. Vivid is the default setting and provides extremely punchy and vibrant colors, which many will find pleasing. Standard, meanwhile, is more akin to the original Switch's color setting and provides a more natural and accurate picture. By heading to System Settings > System > Console Screen Vividness, you can see which suits you best.
Nintendo's Switch OLED model shines in handheld mode thanks to the vibrant new display. The 7-inch panel makes it easier to track the action in fast-paced games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and the high-contrast display breathes new life into Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Metroid Dread is an excellent showcase, too, as its dimly lit levels and alien-like color palette benefit from the OLED’s incredible contrast ratio.
Compared side-by-side with the new display, the original Switch’s LCD panel, almost looks washed out. Everything looks punchy and enticing on the OLED model – blacks, in particular, are inky and inviting on the OLED, whereas on the original, they look muted and gray.
The Switch OLED's display is still only 720p; however, games and text still looked sharp and legible when using the console in a comfortable position. We didn't encounter any motion blur issues, and the display was suitably bright, even in daylight conditions.
We still don't think the Nintendo Switch OLED is the most ergonomic gaming device we've ever used. The flat and wide console shape can lead to hand cramps during longer play sessions, and Joy-Con controllers use the same design as the original console, which is five years old, meaning durability concerns remain. The Joy-Con still tends to move up and down ever so slightly when attached to the console, too, which we’ve always found concerning since they’re supposed to lock in place.
Nintendo Switch OLED: TV mode
(Image credit: Future)
No 4K support, still the same 1080p output
No HDR support either
Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch OLED offers zero improvements over its predecessor in TV mode. Yes, the new dock includes a LAN port for more stable online gaming compared to playing over Wi-Fi, but you still get the same 720p UI and a max output resolution of 1080p. Even then, you could plug a LAN adapter into your Switch dock.
With 4K TVs now commonplace in most households, it seems like a massive oversight not to include any 4K support with the Switch OLED. Even the Xbox One S, a console released in 2016, can output at 4K.
(Image credit: Future)
The Nintendo Switch OLED also doesn't include support for high dynamic range or HDR as it's commonly known. Again, we've seen last-gen consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One offer this functionality for years, so it would have been great to see Nintendo implement some modern-day display technologies to boost TV TV mode.
Nintendo Switch OLED: tabletop mode
(Image credit: Future)
Adjustable stand is a vast improvement over the original
OLED display offers better viewing angles
Enhanced speakers make a difference
Another plus point of the Nintendo Switch OLED is its performance in tabletop mode. Thanks to its wider, redesigned kickstand, it's far easier (and safer) to use the Switch in tabletop mode, perfect for impromptu multiplayer sessions. The hinge is far more robust and makes a satisfying thud when closed – we don’t have any concerns about it loosening over time and failing to snap into place like the old one.
As on the original Switch, Joy-Con controllers can be detached from the side of the unit, allowing you to prop the console on a table or other surface to play with a friend (or stranger) at a moment's notice.
But where the old kickstand limited you to one viewing angle, the Switch OLED's adjustable stand can be positioned in multiple ways. It makes for a far more enjoyable viewing experience, and the excellent viewing angles of the OLED display mean you don't need to huddle together when facing off in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
(Image credit: Future)
The Nintendo Switch OLED's enhanced speakers also really come to life in tabletop mode. Our favorite games sounded punchy and clear, without distortion at higher volumes, which is essential when you can't reach for a pair of headphones.
(Image credit: Future)
Nintendo Switch OLED performance
(Image credit: Future)
Exactly the same tech specs as the original Switch
Even though the original Nintendo Switch was approaching its fifth anniversary when this released, the Nintendo Switch OLED model offers no performance boost whatsoever. The enhanced display aside, the best Switch games look and play the same as before, with the new console having the same Nvidia Custom Tegra X1 processor and 4GB of RAM as its predecessor.
This will disappoint those who were hoping for a more powerful Switch model, which has often been dubbed a "Nintendo Switch Pro". Most Switch games still play perfectly well, of course, but there's no doubt that the console's hardware is beginning to show its age. That's especially true that the PS5 and Xbox Series X are on the market.
Games will at least look prettier thanks to the console's new high-contrast display, and for some, that might be enough – but we were hoping for more here. Thankfully, battery life is on par with the Nintendo Switch (2019) version, so expect between 4.5 hours and nine hours, depending on the game you're playing.
Nintendo Switch OLED game library
(Image credit: Future)
Exceptional library of titles to choose from
More big releases are on the way
Of course, the main reason to pick up a Nintendo Switch OLED is to play games, not just to ogle the new hardware. And it's here where the Switch excels. The Switch's library of games is jam-packed with some timeless classics, like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
And it's not just Nintendo's first-party lineup that makes the Switch an appealing prospect; the console is also home to fantastic indie games such as Hades, Celeste, and Spelunky 2, many of which feel far more enjoyable to play untethered from the TV.
It means there's a game to suit every player's tastes, and many more blockbusters will come, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Metroid Prime 4. You'll have plenty of titles to play on the Nintendo Switch OLED.
Should you buy the Nintendo Switch OLED?
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
FAQs
What is an OLED display?
OLED stands for ‘Organic Light Emitting Diode’. OLED panels bring you better image quality (blacker blacks and brighter whites), reduced power consumption, and faster response times. OLED panels emit their own light when an electric current is passed through, whereas cells in an LCD-LED display require an external light source, like a giant backlight, for brightness. It means individual pixels can be turned on and off, preventing the display from exhibiting backlight bleed, bloom, or haloing that can occur in other display technologies.
Is the Nintendo Switch OLED prone to burn-in?
One of the most common concerns regarding OLED displays is that they can be susceptible to burn-in. Burn-in is a term used to describe permanent image retention on OLED displays that can occur from looping logos or static HUDs. When such elements are displayed for hours, it can permanently scar the panel's pixels, leaving residual 'ghost' patterns that can't be turned off.
Thankfully, OLED panel manufacturers have made great strides in negating burn-in. LG uses 'screen shift' technology, which subtly moves static images onscreen to ensure individual pixels aren't outputting the same information for sustained periods.
But could the Nintendo Switch OLED be susceptible to burn-in? Nintendo told TechRadar: "We’ve designed the OLED screen to aim for longevity as much as possible, but OLED displays can experience image retention if subjected to static visuals over a long time.
"However, users can take preventative measures to preserve the screen by utilizing some of the Nintendo Switch console’s included features, such as using auto-brightness to prevent the screen from getting too bright and enabling the auto-sleep function to put the console into “auto sleep” and turn off the screen after short periods of time."
Nintendo Switch OLED: Recent updates
Nintendo’s continued building upon the Switch OLED since it launched last October, thanks to continued system updates.
Apple placed orders for OLED panels for future iPad Pro and MacBook Pro devices, Korean sources revealed. As per insiders 11" and 12.9" tablets are expected to arrive in 2024, while laptops with the new panels are scheduled for 2026.
The source also claims that foldable panels are being considered, but there isn’t any definite plans on those.
Apple currently uses LCD for its iPad Pro 11 and iPad Pro 12.9 tablets. The new panels are currently in development and limited scale manufacturing, and it will take some time before they are available for final assembly.
The situation with...
OLED PC gaming panels are now arriving thick and fast, the latest example of which is the new BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ, a 48-inch monster of a monitor. It's also fully 4K and good for 120Hz refresh. In a word, wow.
In fact, this thing is so big it pushes the very notion of what a PC monitor can be right to the limit. In a conventional desktop setting and at a viewing distance of a couple feet, it's surely too big at 48 inches, even if it does have a monitor-style stand with a degree of tilt adjustment. That said, there's no height adjustment, which limits your options in terms of placement and ergonomics.
Ultimately, it's unclear what the optimal usage model is for this class of monitor. It's hard to see someone sitting right in front of it like a conventional PC monitor - so it's hard to recommend it as one of the best gaming monitors. The question is why you'd go for it over one of the best OLED TVs with similar specs. Hold that thought.
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(Image credit: Future | Photo by Jeremy Laird)
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(Image credit: Future | Photo by Jeremy Laird)
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(Image credit: Future | Photo by Jeremy Laird)
The BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ also looks just like the rest of the Mobiuz gaming monitor range with its geometric design, plus silver and orange accents. The slim bezels on three sides of the panel, meanwhile, plus a relatively large chin are likewise standard BenQ Mobiuz design language. The overall vibe is game-y without being over the top or adolescent.
As for the broader technical details, the 48-inch OLED panel is sourced from LG and sports a full 4K pixel grid and thus a native resolution of 3,840 by 2,160. It's huge. BenQ claims a pretty modest peak brightness of 450 nits, though it doesn't specify the maximum window size at which that figure is attained. Full screen brightness is 135 nits, which is modest even by OLED standards.
That said, it's very speedy thanks to 0.1ms response, which is way faster than any LCD-based gaming monitor, plus 120Hz refresh. Yes, there are monitors with much higher maximum refresh rates. But 120Hz is arguably plenty for a 4K monitor. Even the latest and greatest graphics cards will struggle to hit 200 fps or more in modern games, after all.
Add in support for both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, and you have a recipe for very smooth gameplay. On paper, the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ looks good in terms of color fidelity and accuracy, too, thanks to 98% coverage of the DCI-P3 digital cinema gamut. Oh, and you also get BenQ's Trevolo audio solution including a 2.1 speaker system with a 10W subwoofer.
(Image credit: Future | Photo by Jeremy Laird)
As for connectivity, that's where the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ really separates itself from an otherwise similar OLED TV. First, you get the obligatory pair of HDMI ports. Importantly, they're HDMI 2.1 spec and so support 120Hz refresh. That makes this a good candidate for sharing between a gaming PC and one of the latest 120Hz-capable consoles from Sony or Microsoft.
To that you can add the much more PC-centric DisplayPort 1.4 interface, which again supports the full 120Hz. What you absolutely won't see on an OLED TV, however, is the EX480UZ's USB-C connection complete with 90W of power delivery. So, you can drive this huge monitor with a laptop while keeping the laptop itself charged. Nice. Oh, and you also get an IR remote for accessing the OSD menu, which is handy on this large a monitor.
Anyway, if that's all the critical speeds and feeds covered off, how well does this monster monitor actually perform? The short answer is that it depends. At its best, it's pretty impressive. At its worst? You'll wonder where all the money went.
(Image credit: Future | Photo by Jeremy Laird)
The key issue is brightness. OLED panels generally don't do full-screen brightness terribly well. For a TV, that's usually not a major issue as it's relatively rare for a TV to display something uniformly bright across the whole screen or at least a large majority of the screen.
But on the PC, that's quite normal. You might have a light-colored wallpaper or a couple of browser windows open showing mostly white webpages. In those scenarios, the brightness of the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ drops right back. What's most distracting is how much the brightness varies. Let's say you have Windows running in dark mode with a browser open showing a mostly dark interface, like Netflix for instance.
In that scenario, the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ looks great. But switch to a browser tab with a mostly white background and the brightness drops dramatically and the screen looks very dull overall.
That's the screen's ABL or automatic brightness limiter doing its thing. In mitigation, that's all much less of an issue playing games or watching movies. But even then it can catch you out. Some of the brighter outdoor scenes in a game like Cyberpunk running HDR can have the ABL kicking in pretty obviously. At this price point, that's hard to accept.
(Image credit: Future | Photo by Jeremy Laird)
The upside, of course, involves pretty much perfect black levels and excellent contrast. The pixel response is seriously zippy, too. Add in the 120Hz refresh and the overall responsiveness is truly excellent, provided you have a seriously powerful GPU.
But fundamentally, this OLED panel lacks outright punch, something that's only more obvious in day-to-day PC usage as opposed to playing games and watching movies. Even by OLED standards, the brightness is disappointing. Monitors using Samsung's QD-OLED panel tech, including the Alienware AW3423DW are markedly better when it comes to full screen brightness.
When you factor in this screen's hefty price tag, it's very hard to justify the brightness limitations and clunky feel in day to day use - let alone recommend it as one of the best monitors right now. The excellent connectivity is nice, but if it's OLED tech for a desktop PC you're after, a 34-inch option from the best ultrawide monitors that use Samsung's QD-OLED tech is currently by far the better choice. And if you want a really big 4K screen for gaming, an OLED TV is likewise superior value.
BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Price & availability
How much does it cost? $2,049 / £1,599 (about $AU2,950)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US and the UK
The new BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ is currently clocking in at $2,049 / £1,599 (about $AU2,950). We suspect the US price in particular will drop a bit fairly quickly. But even with several hundred dollars shaved off, it will still be a very expensive display.
For starters, it looks like poor value next to 48-inch OLED 4K TVs which can be had for less. So, you're paying a very large premium for the added connectivity. It also makes it hard to accept the limitations that come with the LG-sourced OLED panel BenQ is using here. It's likewise worth noting that various 34-inch ultrawide monitors based on Samsung's QD-OLED tech, like the Alienware AW3423DW, make for much better, if admittedly smaller, PC monitors and can be had for a lot less money.
Value 2 / 5
BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Specs
(Image credit: Future | Photo by Jeremy Laird)
Should you buy the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ?
Buy it if...
You want that OLED experience with PC connectivity The BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ uses LG's familiar OLED tech in a 48-inch 4K and adds full PC features including DisplayPort and USB-C connectivity.
You appreciate really fast response At just 0.1ms response, this huge panel is way faster than evern the very best LCD monitors, including the latest mini-LED monitors.
Don't buy it if...
You want a really punchy panel The full screen brightness is super disappointing, something that's only more obvious when attached to a PC as opposed to being a pure TV
You want value for money At this price point, you can choose from some of the very best PC monitors, including OLED displays based on Samsung's more suitable QD-OLED tech.
BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ: Also consider
How I tested the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ
I tested the monitor for one week
I tested it for web, gaming, movies, the works
I used it on both PC and Mac, over HDMI and DisplayPort
I put the BenQ Mobiuz EX480UZ through its paces with a proper PC workout. I used it to browse the web, do a little work, stream video and most importantly game.
I ran both regular HDR content and HDR content and played games that both majored in visual thrills and also titles that are all about frame rate and response. I used test videos to assess the panel's brightness over a range of window sizes, compared the response to competing displays and snuffed out its latency levels.
I've been testing PC monitors since the early days of flat panels for many of the leading trch titles. I've seen all the major new OLED monitors, including Alienware and Philips' new 34-inch models, plus Corsair's 45-inch Flex, not to mention countless mini-LED models, so I can directly compare this new BenQ to its most important and relevant competitors.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained - regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.
Update: April 2024. Despite its age, the iPhone 13 remains a great choice for anyone in need of a reliable, no-frills iPhone. It's still available from Apple directly for just $599 / £599 / AU$1,099 (some $200 / £180 / AU$200 less than its original launch price), and Amazon often has the iPhone 13 at even cheaper prices. Thanks to its still-capable chipset and strong battery life, the iPhone 13 currently ranks as the best value phone on our best phone list, and the best value phone on our best iPhone list. It's compatible with iOS 17, and will be compatible with iOS 18, too, since Apple typically supports iPhones with software updates for five years after launch. The rest of this review remains as previously published.
Two-minute review
The iPhone 13 is no longer Apple's newest smartphone, though it may well be a more tempting buy than its successor. The iPhone 14 (and 15) series is out, and the main device in the series is pretty similar to the 13 with the same cameras, display, chipset and design. You can check out our iPhone 14 review to find our full notes on the device.
That's a shame, because in our initial iPhone 13 review, we noted that it didn't bring a huge number of features over the iPhone 12, though it did have a few tweaks here and there.
On paper, you’d be hard pressed to find a reason why Apple didn’t call the iPhone 13 the iPhone 12S. The design is largely the same, the specs don’t look hugely different, and there aren’t many headline-grabbing new features.
If you do want a bigger upgrade then you might not have long to wait, as we're expecting to see the iPhone 14 on September 7, along with the iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max, so bear that in mind before buying this.
That said, everything on the iPhone 13 is a touch better than before – and some elements are significantly better.
The highlight of the iPhone 13 is its battery life. Previously, iPhones haven’t been synonymous with strong battery life, but during every day of our testing we’ve been hard-pressed to run the iPhone 13 out of juice.
Apple has finally cracked it when it comes to battery life, and it's now far better than it has been on previous iPhone iterations.
The iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic chipset, meanwhile, is incredibly powerful, and paired with 4GB of RAM it’s capable of running multiple apps and tasks quickly and efficiently.
An updated duo camera for the iPhone 13 improves clarity in images, while the introduction of the company’s Sensor Shift optical image stabilization (OIS) technology, previously only available on Apple’s Pro Max handsets, is a big deal for those who want to shoot quickly without losing their subject in a blur.
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Even the screen on the iPhone 13 is a touch better than what we’ve seen on previous ‘standard’ iPhones, and that’s a big deal if you’re upgrading from an iPhone XS or older. The OLED technology here enables a brighter picture than ever, and the picture quality is simply fantastic.
One disappointment, however, is that Apple hasn’t included a 120Hz refresh rate on the iPhone 13, so you’re not getting as smooth an experience as on the iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max.
iPhone 13 prices start at $799 / £779 / AU$1,349 – although that gets you 128GB of storage, rather than the 64GB of the base-model iPhone 12. Since the original publication of this review, mind, those prices have plummeted.
While at first glance the iPhone 13 may not seem like a great leap forward for Apple, the improved battery life, performance, screen and camera all add up to be a worthwhile upgrade for anyone who’s coming from an older iPhone, or looking to make the switch from Android.
The iPhone 13 series was announced on September 14 at the company's annual launch event, with pre-orders opening on September 17. The iPhone 13 release date was September 24, and unlike with 2020's iPhone 12 series it was possible to buy all the new handsets on the same day.
iPhone 13 specs
Weight: 174g Dimensions: 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm Display size: 6.1-inch Resolution: 2532 x 1170 Refresh rate: 60Hz Pixel density: 460ppi Chipset: A15 Bionic RAM: 4GB Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB Rear cameras: 12MP + 12MP Front camera: 12MP Battery: 3,240mAh
The iPhone 13 starts at $799 / £779 / AU$1,349, which is the same price as the iPhone 12 in the US and Australia, and a touch cheaper in the UK. The iPhone 12 cost $799 / £799 / AU$1,349 at launch.
You’ll get 128GB of storage for that price – Apple has dropped its 64GB models this year, and not before time. If you need more storage, the 256GB iPhone 13 costs $899 / £879 / AU$1,519, while the 512GB model costs $1,099 / £1,079 / AU$1,869.
If those prices are a bit of a stretch, the iPhone 13 mini has similar specs but is a not-insignificant amount cheaper, starting at $699 / £679 / AU$1,199, while going in the other direction you’ve got the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max if you’re looking for higher specs and, in the case of the latter phone, a larger screen.
In all cases, it's worth seeing what Apple promo codes are currently available for ways to save on your purchase.
If you own an iPhone 12, you’re unlikely to see a big difference between that handset and the iPhone 13. If, however, you own an older iPhone, or an Android device, you’re certainly going to see some differences.
The iPhone 13features a flat-edge design, which debuted with the iPhone 12 range. That means the design is a touch more angular than the rounded finish of previous iterations, but the phone is still comfortable to use one-handed.
The front and rear of the handset are glass, but only the front panel has Apple’s patented Ceramic Shield technology, introduced on last year’s iPhone 12 . Apple says this offers four times the drop resistance of the glass on older iPhones, but we still wouldn’t recommend putting this claim to the test.
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We’ve yet to drop this handset, but it’s comforting to know that the Ceramic Shield tech is there as a safety net – although we’d be more comforted if it was on the rear of the phone too.
On the subject of durability, the iPhone 13 series is IP68 dust and water resistant, which means it can survive in up to six meters of water for a period of 30 minutes. Don’t expect this handset to be fully waterproof, but it’ll survive the odd dunk.
On the left edge of the phone are the silence switch, the volume buttons and the SIM tray. The right edge hosts just the power button, so it’s easy to find with your thumb or finger when you’re trying to wake the handset.
On the bottom edge are the speakers, and the Lightning port connector for charging and data transfer.
We found the iPhone 13 was easy to use one-handed – it measures 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm – although if you want a truly one-handed device, or you have smaller hands, the iPhone 13 mini may be a better choice.
The iPhone 13 weighs a touch more than the iPhone 12, at 174g compared to 164g, but it’s not something you’ll notice in everyday use, and it’s roughly the norm for a phone of this type.
The rear of the iPhone 13 is plain, but looks sophisticated, with the Apple logo taking center stage and the camera module at the top-left. A minor change this year is that the company has opted to arrange the main lenses in the camera array diagonally, rather than vertically as on previous iPhones.
Every color choice for the iPhone 13 (Image credit: Apple)
There are five color options for the iPhone 13: Blue, Midnight, Starlight (a cream color), Product Red and Pink – the shade you see pictured throughout this review.
These shades are rather muted, and if you’re not a fan of any of them you may want to hang on and see if Apple introduces more colors at a later date – the company introduced a purple iPhone 12 around six months after that phone first launched.
If you own an iPhone 12, you should note that the cases for that handset won’t fit this model.
iPhone 13 display
6.1-inch screen with 2532 x 1170 resolution
OLED panel looks good in sun
Only 60Hz, not 120Hz like Pro
The display on the iPhone 13 is 6.1 inches, with a resolution of 2532 x 1170. It’s a Super Retina XDR OLED display made by Apple, and it makes for a clear and bright image – the brightness has been improved on the iPhone 13, and it can hold its own against other smartphones in direct sunlight.
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That resolution equates to 460 pixels per inch, which isn’t the best we’ve seen on the market but is perfectly suitable for everyday use – we didn’t find we ever needed a higher resolution, even when watching video or playing games.
There are thin bezels around the handset’s screen, and some of the display is also taken up with the notch at the top. Yes, there’s still a notch on the iPhone 13, but it’s 20% smaller than the notch on the iPhone 12, giving you a touch more screen real estate.
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It’s not a big change, but it’s noticeable when you compare the handset to the iPhone 12. It’s something you’ll quickly grow used to though.
An important note here is that the iPhone 13 display doesn’t get the new 120Hz refresh rate that Apple debuted on the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max – the displays on those phones refresh twice as fast as a standard 60Hz screen for a smoother experience when scrolling web pages or playing games.
If you’ve experienced this technology before – it’s now common now on a lot of Android phones – you’ll notice the difference here, although it’s a feature that’s nice to have, rather than indispensable.
iPhone 13 camera
12MP main and 12MP ultrawide cameras
The front-facing camera is 12MP too
Digital zoom up to 5x
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Going on the headline specs, the iPhone 13 camera setup doesn’t look that different to the array on last year’s model, but you’re getting some worthwhile upgrades here, with tweaks to the cameras themselves as well as a variety of software updates.
You’ve got two cameras on the rear: a 12MP wide camera with an aperture of f/1.6, and a 12MP ultrawide camera with a f/2.4 aperture and a 120-degree field of view. There’s no telephoto shooter here – you’re reliant on digital zoom, so this phone isn’t going to be the best for grabbing long-distance shots.
When not shooting at a distance, this is a fantastic and versatile experience. The main camera uses 1.7µm pixels (up from 1.4µm on the iPhone 12) that give a noticeable difference to the picture quality here.
You’re also getting Apple’s Sensor Shift OIS technology, which debuted in last year’s iPhone 12 Pro Max, and which offers the best image stabilization we’ve seen on an iPhone, enabling you to get sharp shots even when you’re not able to keep the phone perfectly still.
There’s less noise in images taken in most scenarios than in comparable shots from the iPhone 12, and there were few situations where the camera didn’t perform to the level we’d expect – it’s a great point-and-shoot experience.
The ultra-wide camera’s 120-degree field of view is useful when you want to get more of your subject or scene in, but we mostly found ourselves sticking with the main camera.
There’s digital zoom up to 5x, but the results aren’t very impressive, and you’ll find that many other smartphones are more capable in this area, although it’s by no means an essential feature.
Another new feature here is Photographic Styles, which you can access through the camera app. These enable you to apply custom looks to your images, such as Rich Contrast, Vibrant, Warm and Cool.
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This Photographic Style is called Rich Contrast (Image credit: TechRadar)
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This Photographic Style is called Vibrant (Image credit: TechRadar)
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This Photographic Style is called Warm (Image credit: TechRadar)
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This Photographic Style is called Cool (Image credit: TechRadar)
These are useful if you have a particular style of shooting, and the idea is that unlike a simple filter they will allow the phone to apply adjustments to different elements of an image. We didn’t find this made a huge difference to our shooting, but it’s another tool in your photography arsenal.
On the front of the phone is a 12MP f/2.2 wide camera that we found worked well for selfies and video calls. The front cameras on iPhones have been impressive for some time now, and while there are no big improvements here you’ll be happy with the results you get.
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The portrait mode on the iPhone 13 (Image credit: TechRadar)
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Stage Light effect on the iPhone 13 (Image credit: TechRadar)
You can shoot video on the iPhone 13 at 4K at 24, 30 and 60 frames per second, as well as Full HD at 30, 60, 120 and 240fps.
The big video recording upgrade is the introduction of Cinematic Mode that allows you to film with a bokeh effect where the background of your shot is blurred. The effect also follows faces that are in the frame, so it'll switch between subjects.
We've found this to work well, but it takes some getting used to and you may need to play around with it a few times to be able to get the absolute perfect shot. This is a fun tool though, and it's something you may enjoy if you like playing around with video modes.
Camera samples
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Wide camera (Image credit: TechRadar)
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5x zoom (Image credit: TechRadar)
iPhone 13 specs and performance
A15 Bionic chipset is very powerful
The phone is great for gaming
4GB RAM, storage goes up to 512GB
Apple’s iPhone 13 series all feature the company’s A15 Bionic chipset, it’s 2021 attempt at making the most powerful smartphone chipset on the planet. Apple says it has a 50% faster CPU and 30% faster GPU than the competition.
Whatever the accuracy of those claims, Apple’s 2021 handset is undeniably powerful, and while everyday performance won’t be noticeably different to what you’d get from the iPhone 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, this will be a huge step up for those using an iPhone 8 or below.
During our testing we found that the iPhone 13 could launch apps in an instant, and was easily capable of swapping between apps with a limited wait for each to load.
Gaming on the handset was also a breeze, with titles loading as quickly as we’ve seen on other products like the iPad Pro (one of Apple’s most powerful devices in 2021). Games looked fantastic on the OLED display, with those GPU performance upgrades particularly noticeable.
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Geekbench 5 scores match our testing with the phone having an average multi-core score of 4688. The iPhone 12 scored 3859 in the same test, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 scored 3367 and the OnePlus 9 Pro scored 3630.
Apple has made another big step up here, but it’s most noticeable in benchmarking results. The everyday experience is largely the same, but it’ll be a marked step up from much older iPhone models.
The A15 Bionic chipset is teamed with 4GB of RAM, and that’s enough to keep it running at full tilt. That’s less RAM than you’d see on most equivalent Android phones, but Apple doesn’t seem to need a lot of RAM to make the most of its A15 Bionic.
Your storage options are 128GB, 256GB or 512GB, and if you’re planning to load your phone up with media over a couple of years we’d recommend opting for the 256GB or 512GB variant; even with iCloud support, 128GB may prove easy to fill up.
Apple has, at least, dropped the ridiculously meagre 64GB storage option that’s been its base offering for the last few years.
The iPhone 13 series is 5G-ready, and it’s nice to know that you’re future-proofed for the next-gen tech, even if you don’t yet need it or it’s not available where you are – it’s becoming increasingly widespread, and the iPhone 13 will be compatible with any 5G carrier.
iPhone 13 software
Comes on iOS 15
Will see several years of updates
Focus Mode is useful for productivity
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The iPhone 13 comes running iOS 15 out of the box, so you can enjoy all the latest software features from the company.
The upgrades for 2021 are smaller than the major overhaul we saw with iOS 14, but the new additions are interesting, and include a Focus mode that’s easy to enable through the dropdown menu.
Tapping the Focus label gives you easy access to the Do Not Disturb mode, as well as settings that you can enable for when you’re at work or you’re ready to go to sleep. Want to block your Twitter notifications when you’re at your desk? This will allow you to do that.
Other new features are more minor, but overall it’s a nice refinement of what we’ve seen before.
A major benefit of a new iPhone is that Apple is likely to support it with software updates for many years to come; even the iPhone 6S is compatible with iOS 15, so if Apple continues to offer that depth of software support you can expect the iPhone 13 to continue receiving updates until around 2027.
iPhone 13 battery life
Reliable day of use
Charged to 51% in 30 minutes
No in-box charger
Apple’s handsets have never been known for strong battery life, and while the iPhone 13 doesn’t offer the best stamina we’ve ever seen in a smartphone, it’s a clear improvement on previous iPhones.
We’ve yet to find out if Apple has increased the size of the cells inside the iPhone 13, but the increase in battery life here suggests so. Rumors ahead of the iPhone 13 launch suggested that Apple would be increasing the size of the batteries in every model.
According to Apple’s estimates, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max are set to offer the better battery life in the series. We’ve found the battery life to be significantly improved compared to the iPhone 12 and what has gone before it.
During our testing time, the iPhone 13 made it through every day with enough charge in the tank to keep going for at least another couple of hours.
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On one day, we pushed the phone to its absolute limits by ensuring the screen was on for the entire day streaming video from YouTube and other services from 10:30am until 11pm. We were unable to kill the phone, and it remained with 20% battery life. That was with the screen on full brightness for eight hours and 48 minutes.
As we’ve said, this isn’t the best battery life you’ll find in a smartphone – many Android alternatives will be able to last longer – but this is a big step up for Apple, and it’ll make the iPhone a more compelling option for many potential buyers.
The iPhone 13 is compatible with 20 watt chargers, which we found offered good fast-charging but not the best we've seen. From zero, the phone charged to 26% in 15 minutes and 51% in 30 minutes.
Wireless charging makes a return here, and if you’ve got a compatible charger you’ll be able to hit 15W charging. That’s far from the fastest wireless charging on the market, but it’s still useful to have if you don’t like having to plug your phone in, or you’re low on battery and find yourself with a Qi charger to hand.
As with the iPhone 12 series, you won’t get a charger in the box with the iPhone 13. The aim here is to cut down on e-waste, and Apple’s logic is that you’re likely to have a Lightning charger from a previous iPhone purchase.
If you don’t, you can buy a charger from Apple for $19 / £19 / AU$29, while there are also third-party options that can cost less. You may also want to upgrade your charger to make the most of that 20W charging, which many older iPhone chargers aren’t capable of.
Should you buy the iPhone 13?
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Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
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