Samsung Neo QLED QN65QN70FAFXZA 65"

The Samsung QN70FA is a 65-inch Mini-LED TV with standout display and connectivity scores, but HDR and smart features lag behind. At $798 with a mount and surge protector, it's a good value for sports and casual gaming. Skip it if HDR punch is a priority.

The display and connectivity are the real highlights here, both sitting near the top of our database. The Mini-LED backlight helps details pop, and the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor does a decent job upscaling older content to 4K. Motion at 144Hz is smooth, and gaming gets a respectable 120Hz with HDMI 2.1. But HDR performance is a weak spot, landing in the bottom third. Neo Quantum HDR sounds fancy, but the numbers suggest it doesn't deliver the punch you'd expect from a Mini-LED set. Audio is middle of the pack, fine for casual viewing but nothing that'll replace a soundbar.

Against the LG OLED evo C5 and Sony BRAVIA 8, the Samsung can't compete on HDR or smart features, those OLEDs are in a different league. But they also cost significantly more. The TCL QM8K and Hisense U8 series are closer rivals, both Mini-LED sets with stronger HDR scores. The Samsung holds its own on connectivity and display, but the TCL and Hisense pull ahead where HDR matters. The Roku Pro Series is the budget alternative, with a better smart platform but weaker picture quality.

At $798 with a wall mount and surge protector thrown in, this is a tempting package. You're getting a 65-inch Mini-LED TV with solid picture quality and top-tier connectivity for under $800. That's hard to argue with. But the weak HDR and mediocre smart platform mean you're trading some future-proofing for the price. If you mostly watch sports or stream in SDR, it's a great buy. If you want HDR that actually wows, you might feel shortchanged.

The Samsung QN70FA is a 65-inch QD-Mini-LED TV that bundles a fixed wall mount and a surge protector for $798. That's a solid deal for a Mini-LED panel with 144Hz motion and the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor. You get Neo Quantum HDR, four HDMI ports, and Dolby Atmos support out of the box.

But the scores tell a mixed story. Connectivity and display are standouts, picture quality is strong, but HDR and smart features land below average. This is a TV that nails the basics and skimps on the extras.

Skip this if you care about HDR. The bottom-third HDR score means movies and shows mastered in Dolby Vision or HDR10+ won't look as dramatic as they would on a TCL QM8K or Hisense U8 at a similar price. Also skip it if you want a snappy smart TV experience, the Tizen platform here scores below average and might frustrate heavy streamers.

This is a solid pick for sports fans and casual gamers who want a big, bright Mini-LED screen without spending OLED money. The bundle sweetens the deal if you need a wall mount anyway. Just don't expect flagship HDR performance or a snappy smart interface.