Samsung Neo QLED 8K QN900D 85"

The QN900D is a beast of a TV with best-in-class audio and a gorgeous 8K panel, but the picture quality doesn't match the price tag. Buy it for the sound and size, not the pixels.

The audio is the real surprise here. 90 watts across 6.2.2 channels with Dolby Atmos support means you might not even need a soundbar, which is rare for a flat panel. Gaming is also solid, with 120Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, and HDMI 2.1 across all four ports. But the picture quality percentile sits at 36th, which is underwhelming for a flagship. The Mini-LED backlight gets bright and colors pop, but it's not OLED, so you'll see some smearing in fast motion. The 8K resolution is future-proofing more than a daily benefit right now.

The Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L is the obvious rival. It's smaller at 77 inches and not 8K, but its OLED panel will crush the QN900D in contrast and motion handling. The Hisense U8 Series 100U8QG is another interesting option, bigger at 100 inches and likely cheaper, though you give up the Samsung's audio chops. The LG G5 OLED is the dark horse, with better picture quality and a sleeker design. If you're buying for pure image quality, skip the QN900D and go OLED. If you want the full package with sound and size, Samsung still holds its own.

At $7,998 USD, this is a luxury purchase, not a smart one. You can get a 77-inch Sony A95L OLED for less and get better picture quality. But if you want the biggest, brightest, loudest Samsung in the room, this is it. Just don't pretend it's a value play.

Samsung's QN900D is the kind of TV you buy when you want to win the living room. It's an 85-inch 8K Mini-LED monster with a 6.2.2-channel, 90W speaker system that ranks in the 100th percentile for audio in our database. That's not a typo. This thing sounds as good as it looks, and it looks absurdly good. The NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor does the heavy lifting, upscaling everything to 8K so even your old Blu-rays get a second life. The one thing to know? You're paying a serious premium for that 8K badge, and the picture quality percentile is a middling 36th. So it's a statement piece, not a value pick.

If you're looking for the best picture quality per dollar, this isn't it. Go get an LG G5 OLED or a Sony A95L instead. You'll get better contrast, better motion, and save some cash. The QN900D is for people who want the biggest, loudest Samsung on the block and don't care about the price.

The QN900D is a fantastic TV for a specific buyer: someone who wants an 85-inch 8K screen with built-in audio that actually delivers, and doesn't mind paying a premium for it. It's not the best picture quality in its class, but it's the best all-in-one package. If you're a gamer or movie buff who wants the absolute best image, get an OLED. If you want a statement piece that sounds as big as it looks, this is your TV.