Samsung QN900A Neo QLED 8K TV review

Two-minute review

Although it's since been usurped by a newer model, Samsung's Mini LED-sporting QN900A Neo QLED 8K TV offers stunning picture quality, exceptional color and brightness, terrific sound and outstanding blacks – all in a package that's unmatched in terms of design.

What makes it so good is that Samsung's 'Quantum' Mini LEDs are 1/40th the thickness of a regular light-emitting diode, meaning thousands of smaller LEDs can be packed together in a much tighter fashion, allowing for far more accurate dimming zones and black levels that are practically indistinguishable from an OLED to this reviewer's eyes. 

Of course, that doesn't mean Samsung's Neo QLED is to able to produce lights and colors at the individual pixel-level like an OLED TV can, only that it does a comparable job when it comes to contrast.

Outside of its new lighting technology, the QN900A excels in terms of picture quality, with an astonishing 8K resolution display that does a brilliant job of upscaling 1080p and 4K content thanks to the AI-based 'Neo Quantum Processor 8K'.

Gamers love the QN900A thanks to a number of next-gen ready features, including support for 4K/120fps or 8K/60fps gameplay via HDMI 2.1, Game Motion Plus and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

It's likely going to lose its spot on our list of the best TVs to the newer Samsung QN900B 8K QLED TV that boasts new Shape Adaptive Light technology and built-in up-firing speakers that allow for immersive Dolby Atmos audio without the need for a soundbar, but it's still a top-performing QLED TV that's worth the cash. 

Samsung QN900A Neo QLED 8K TV: price and availability

With the arrival of its QN900A range, Samsung has essentially stepped into a new television category, giving its already high-end 8K displays a rather significant Mini LED upgrade. Because of this, Samsung's Neo QLED 8K lineup doesn't come cheap.

At launch, the QN900A range started at $4,999 for a 65-inch model (£5,999 / AU$7,579), while larger models see it go up to $6,999 (£7,999 / AU$10,499) for the 75-inch, and $8,999 (£11,999 / AU$13,999) for the 85-inch, which is the one we've reviewed. 

Of course, Samsung has now announced its successor, the QN900B, and we imagine the QN900A's price will drop in order to make way for the new model. In other words, you could save a bundle by picking up the QN900A instead.

Should you be able to find it on sale, the Samsung QN900A can be a powerful purchase - a high-performing 8K TV that should last you for a long time. It's one of the best 8K TVs out there, and will remain that way for the foreseeable future.

Samsung QN900A Neo QLED 8K TV: design

• Gorgeous bezel-free design
• Minimal stand with attachable One Collect box
• Anti-glare coating not super effective

Samsung QN900A Neo QLED 8K TV: design

• Gorgeous bezel-free design
• Minimal stand with attachable One Collect box
• Anti-glare coating not super effective

When viewed for the first time, it's hard not to gush over the QN900A's stark minimalism, which aims to make everything but the content you're watching melt away from view.

The first thing you'll notice (or maybe not notice) is the TV's nearly non-existent bezel, which has been reduced to less than a millimeter (0.9.mm) – an achievement made possible by a new and exclusive matrixing technology that's said to shrink the space between where the pixels at the edge of the display end and where the bezel begins.

The next thing you'll probably wonder is where the QN900A's speakers are, as they're not visible from front-on. In fact, the TV's speaker grilles can be found along its left and right edges, housing an 80W 6.2.2 channel system (that's ten speakers in total).

Continuing the trend of aesthetically pleasing design elements is the QN900A's stand, which is slim, flat and centered, meaning you won't need an especially wide surface to place the TV on. 

Like all of Samsung's premium televisions for the last few years, the QN900A aims to reduce cable clutter by having a separate