Samsung Neo QLED QN65QN82FAFXZC 65"

The Samsung QN65QN82F has a fantastic display with Mini-LED brightness and a smooth 144Hz refresh rate. The display quality is one of the best in its class, but audio and connectivity are weak. At $999, it's worth buying if you already have a soundbar and don't need many ports.

The display is the star here. It lands in the 87th percentile for display quality and 80th for picture quality, which means it's a standout for brightness and color. Mini-LED backlighting gives you deep blacks without the OLED price tag, and the 144Hz panel makes fast motion look smooth. Gaming performance is solid at the 69th percentile, so it's above average but not class-leading. The weak spots are audio at the 16th percentile and connectivity at the 7th, which is one of the worst we've seen. Plan on external speakers and don't expect a ton of ports.

Against the Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L, the Samsung loses on picture quality and audio but wins on price by a mile. The LG C5 OLED55C5PUA will give you better blacks and viewing angles, but you're giving up brightness and screen size at this price. The TCL QM7K and Hisense U8 are the real threats here. Both offer similar Mini-LED tech with better smart platforms and connectivity for around the same money. The Samsung has the brand name and slightly better display scores, but the gap is smaller than you'd think.

At $999, this TV is a mixed bag on value. The display quality is genuinely impressive for the price, and you're getting Mini-LED tech that would have cost twice as much a few years ago. But the budget score of 39.6 out of 100 tells the story. You're paying for the panel, not the whole package. If you already have a soundbar and a streaming device, this is a solid deal. If you're starting from scratch, factor in another $200 to $300 for accessories.

The QN65QN82F is Samsung's mid-tier Neo QLED for 2025, and it nails the basics. You get a 65-inch Mini-LED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, Vision AI processing, and that signature Samsung brightness. At $999, it's priced to move, and the display quality is genuinely one of the best in this size class.

But there are some real compromises here. The audio is weak, connectivity is rough, and the smart platform feels a step behind the competition. If you're plugging in a soundbar and a streaming stick, you'll be fine. If you want an all-in-one experience, keep reading.

Skip this if you want a complete package out of the box. The audio is weak, the smart platform is dated, and connectivity is severely limited. If you need multiple HDMI ports, built-in streaming apps that feel modern, or decent speakers without extra purchases, look at the TCL QM7K or Hisense U8 instead. You'll get similar picture quality with far fewer compromises.

This TV is for someone who wants a big, bright, fast panel and doesn't care about built-in extras. If you're hooking up a soundbar, a game console, and maybe a streaming stick, the QN65QN82F delivers where it counts. The display is genuinely one of the best in this size class, and 144Hz makes it a solid pick for gamers who don't need every bell and whistle. Just don't expect the smart features or audio to impress anyone.