Samsung Neo QLED QN900D 65"

The Samsung QN65QN900D delivers 78th percentile picture quality with a real 8K panel and strong Mini-LED contrast, but the audio score is dead last at the 0th percentile. At $4,998, you're paying flagship money for a TV that needs a soundbar on day one. The HDR performance also falls behind at the 36th percentile, which is a tough pill to swallow for a set marketed on HDR quality.

The NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor is the workhorse here, driving 8K upscaling through 512 AI neural networks. Samsung says it delivers 4x the resolution of 4K, and while we can't verify that claim independently, the picture quality percentile of 78 suggests the processing does real work. The Quantum Matrix Pro Mini-LED backlight with 1.5x more zones than standard Quantum Matrix helps with contrast and dark scene detail. Motion Xcelerator 240Hz is a nice spec on paper, but the fine print matters: 240Hz only works at 4K resolution with a compatible PC. For console gaming, you're looking at 120Hz over HDMI 2.1, which is solid but not groundbreaking.

The gaming score of 53.7 out of 100 puts this TV in the 72nd percentile for gaming. That's above average, but it's not the standout you'd expect from a $5,000 flagship. The 120Hz native panel and HDMI 2.1 support cover the basics for PS5 and Xbox Series X, but the gaming experience doesn't leap ahead of much cheaper options. The display and smart features both sit at the 45th percentile, which is about average. For a TV that costs this much, average smart features feel like a missed opportunity.

Against the LG C5 Series OLED55C5PUA, the Samsung wins on brightness and Mini-LED contrast in bright rooms, but the LG's OLED panel likely delivers better HDR performance and perfect blacks. The Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L is a 77-inch QD-OLED that probably outclasses the Samsung on HDR and audio, though at a higher price. The Hisense U8 Series 100U8QG and TCL QM8K Series 75QM8K are the value plays here. Both offer Mini-LED tech at larger sizes for less money, and while they don't hit 8K resolution, their 4K picture quality and HDR performance may actually beat the Samsung in real-world viewing. The Samsung's 8K panel is the differentiator, but it's a differentiator that costs thousands extra for content that barely exists yet.

At $4,998, the QN65QN900D is asking a lot. The picture quality is genuinely strong at the 78th percentile, but you're paying flagship money for a TV with dead-last audio and below-average HDR. The value proposition gets murky when you consider that the gaming score of 53.7 out of 100 doesn't separate itself from TVs costing half as much. The 8K resolution is the main justification for the price, but 8K content is still scarce, and the upscaling, while good, can't create detail that isn't there. If you're buying this for the 8K panel and the slim design, you'll feel good about it. If you're buying it for the complete package, the weak audio and HDR scores will sting.

The Samsung QN65QN900D is a 65-inch 8K Mini-LED TV that sits in the 78th percentile for picture quality in our database. That's a strong showing, but it comes with a $4,998 price tag and some surprising weak spots. The headline feature is the NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor paired with Quantum Matrix Pro Mini-LEDs, which Samsung claims has 1.5x more lighting zones than their standard Quantum Matrix tech. On paper, this is a flagship TV built to show off.

But here's the thing. The audio score lands at the 0th percentile, which is dead last among every TV we've tracked. That's a rough look for a TV that markets "Object Tracking Sound Pro" and Dolby Atmos as key selling points. The HDR performance also falls behind at the 36th percentile, which is disappointing for a set that pushes "Neo Quantum HDR 8K Pro" as its best picture feature. You're paying a premium for the 8K resolution and slim Infinity Air Design, but the supporting specs don't all keep up.

Skip this TV if you care about built-in audio. The 0th percentile audio score means you'll need to spend extra on a soundbar or speaker system, and at $4,998, that's a bitter add-on. Also skip it if HDR performance is a priority. The 36th percentile HDR score is disappointing for a TV that markets "Neo Quantum HDR 8K Pro" as a flagship feature. If you're a console gamer expecting the 240Hz refresh rate to matter, look elsewhere. That feature only works with a compatible PC at 4K, and the gaming score of 53.7 out of 100 doesn't justify the price. For most buyers, a high-end 4K OLED or Mini-LED from LG, Sony, or TCL will deliver better overall performance for less money.

The QN65QN900D is a beautiful 8K TV with genuinely strong picture processing, but it's a hard recommendation at $4,998. The 78th percentile picture quality is real, and the Mini-LED backlight with 1.5x more zones does help with contrast. But the 0th percentile audio score is unforgivable at this price. You'd need to budget for a soundbar immediately, which pushes the total cost even higher. The HDR performance at the 36th percentile also undercuts the "Neo Quantum HDR 8K Pro" marketing. If you want the absolute best 8K Mini-LED picture and don't care about built-in audio, this is a contender. For everyone else, there are better-rounded options for less money.