Today's best deals on the Samsung Q80T QLED TV (65-inch) Samsung's Q80T QLED TV is a great place to start if you want one of the cheapest full-backlit QLED TVs in the Samsung TV lineup. Strategically positioned just below the Q90T, with which it shares a number of advanced features, and above the edge-lit Q70T, the Q80T sits comfortably in the mid-range, but its performance is far from average. And for its price tag of €1.349 / £1.279 / around AU$1.809, you certainly expect it. We tested the QE65Q80T (65-inch) size (49-inch, 55-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch models are also available) and found it to have brilliant HDR, superb definition, and a wide color gamut. Make no mistake: Samsung's Q80T QLED TV looks as good as you'd expect, plus it packs some amazing extras. It should be noted that the Q80T has a successor in 2021 in the form of the Q80A, whose 55-inch model is available to buy for €1,299 (around £939 / AU$1,749).
- Samsung Q80T QLED TV (HDR black) at Amazon for € 1,297.99
Integrated
It's inevitable that the Q80T, which features Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) backlighting, won't be the slimmest flat panel display on the shelves, but for most buyers the extra bulk will be worth it. Samsung designers managed to tone down that extra depth by framing the panel with a ridiculously minimal bezel, creating the illusion that images are magically suspended in midair. Connectivity is also excellent, with four HDMI offering advanced and variable specifications. There's 4K 120fps support on HDMI 4 and eARC on input 3. The device can handle 4K 60Hz (expected from PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X games), 2K 120Hz, plus VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). ) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). FreeSync support is also included for AMD PC gamers.
(Image credit: Steve May) To top it off, two USB ports, a digital optical audio output, Ethernet to support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a common interface slot, for all territories that require it. You certainly won't need everything on offer, but it's nice to have them in reserve. The screen comes with two remote controls, one that most of us will be dotted with the usual buttons, the other with a simplified pointer. TL design; DR: The Q80T may not win any beauty awards, but it does have a bezel just big enough to hold your images. HDMI's futuristic design is also above the norm.
Smart TV (Tizen)
Samsung made some revisions to its Tizen smart TV platform this year to improve usability. The launch bar is slightly smaller, allowing more apps to appear on the screen without scrolling. Seen on the larger Q80T models, this makes perfect sense. Discovery of connected devices has also been improved, making it easier to jump between inputs. Also new this season is Mobile Multi View with Casting, which allows you to view two screens simultaneously (the main TV image and your smartphone). While there's no Freeview Play tuner (on the UK edition of the TV), all the major catch-up TV channels are supported, as well as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Rakuten TV, Apple TV and YouTube (for name a few). Samsung's Ambient Mode is also making a welcome return, allowing the QLED screen to act as a gallery for JPEGs or artwork, or as a ticker or clock. Smart TV TL; DR: Packed with compulsive streaming apps and powered by ambient mode, this slightly smarter QLED ticks all the right boxes. Multi-view mode for cast newcomers will likely have limited appeal, but for YouTube tutorial addicts and Twitch gamers, it's undeniably useful.
(Image credit: Steve May)
Typically, it's the 4K HDR performance that steals all the headlines in a TV review. But that is not the case here. Thanks to the set's UHD Quantum image processor, which is borrowed from Samsung's 8K flagships, and some new AI intelligence, the Q80T's performance with HD SDR content is a real hurdle. The TV can interpolate subtle elements of detail in HD and lower resolution content, creating a compelling UHD-style picture. The processor determines what is a native detail, and then, compared to a database of textures, creates more. This talent is not only a blessing in these shrinking times, but also breathes new life (indeed, interpolates the detail) into any non-UHD disc collection. SDR picture modes include Standard, Dynamic, Natural, and Movie. Standard and Natural work with most types of content, with the latter having the advantage in brighter viewing rooms, where its tendency to squash black level detail to improve contrast is less apparent. Dynamic mode renders images quite oversaturated, while film does the exact opposite.
(Image credit: Steve May) If you don't want to wander through menus and can't seem to persuade other family members to play with Picture presets, there's an updated version of the brand's Smart Mode, with glitter and shine. It is adaptable, which will make the most of the content inputs. Motion handling is also above average, making it a good display for sports fans (where you can find it). Auto Motion Plus settings can be adjusted manually, with adjustable blur and shake reduction. If you don't want things to look overly processed, keep Blur Reduction low and Stutter Reduction around 4. You can also leave the system on Auto. Of course, if you really want to leave the Q4T's 80K Quantum processor out of the chain, feed it native UHD. It has a set of technologies capable of maximizing colours, details and specular reflections. HD/SDR Performance TL; DR: Whether you want to get the most out of an existing DVD or Blu-ray collection, or clean up limited bit-rate streams, this set does it majestically. First-in-class HD SDR upscaling.
(Image credit: Samsung)
While it's tempting to compare the Q80T to the 80 Q2019R, this model is actually an update to last year's Q70R. (Confused? That's probably the idea.) The Q80T shares the same number of backlight zones as the Q70R (approximately 50). That puts it a bit behind the FALD flagships, but it's still good enough to offer more HDR precision compared to edge-lit displays, while still maintaining decent screen uniformity. For the most part, you won't notice screen fade except on dark stages with light reflections. Most often the gift consists of black bars with films. When something bright moves in space just above or below the image area, you'll see some light pollution, but the effect is relatively fleeting. The overall HDR performance of the set is also solid. We measured peak brightness just below 900 cd/m (aka nits), using a 10% HDR window. This range covers most commercially produced HDR content and features light reflections that add brightness and depth to images. Samsung's reluctance to adopt what is a universal standard for dynamic metadata seems more political than practical. However, annoyingly, there is no support for Dolby Vision. Samsung maintains that it doesn't need it, although its reluctance to adopt what is a universal standard for dynamic metadata seems more political than practical. On the plus side, there is a provision for HDR10+, used by Amazon Prime instead of Dolby Vision, as well as HDR10 static and the HLG broadcast standard. 4K/HDR TL performance; DR: While this set offers fewer areas of gradation than last year's Q80R model, blooming is minimal while maintaining contrast and HDR performance remains high. The latest version of Samsung's 4K Quantum processor delivers super definition and rich colours, making it a great all-rounder.
Sound and games
While the Q80T looks pretty conservative, it actually has a pretty radical sound system. Instead of relying solely on downward-firing stereo drivers, Samsung's designers added a second pair to the top left and right of the screen. This allows the cabinet to produce both a tall and wide soundstage. We're not talking Dolby Atmos immersion - though if you want to stream that over HDMI to a standby soundbar or home theater you can - but we're talking an impressive wall of noise. The implementation fits with the brand's OTS (Object Tracking Sound) audio system, which adds a level of directivity to movement on the screen. Dialogue is locked to the center of the frame, while stereo decks enjoy a greater sense of spatial movement. Total audio output is rated at 60W, more than enough for an average movie night. The audio quality itself is average at best, but the end result is still quite satisfying.
(Image credit: Steve May) Emphasizing the Q80T's credentials as a gaming display, there are some truly impressive low latency numbers, though one consequence of going for the lowest possible frame shift is deteriorating video quality. the picture. When you turn off all processing on one panel, you're sacrificing a lot of good things. That's why Samsung offers a dedicated Game Motion Plus, which includes blur and jerk reduction, as well as optional LED Clear Motion. Even with this rendering suite turned on, frame shift is admirably low at 19,7 milliseconds (1080/60). For truly competitive gamers, this can be turned off, reducing frame lag to just 8,7ms. Such a small delay is really remarkable for a consumer TV. Of course, if you spend most of your time playing Animal Crossing, our advice is to stick with the standard image preset and enjoy the image dividends it brings.
Other panels to reflect
A high launch price makes the Q80T vulnerable to stiff competition. Obviously, there's Sony's 95-inch XH65 LED. While this model doesn't have the same cutting-edge processing as the Q80T, it arguably offers more style, improved Dolby Vision and IMAX support, as well as ambient optimization, which optimizes picture and sound quality for any viewing environment. . Alternatively, you can register a package and opt for...