Samsung QN900D review: an 8K picture powerhouse

The Samsung QN900D is the 2024 flagship NeoQLED TV from the brand, which combines an 8K panel with state-of-the-art Mini LED backlight and class-leading artificial intelligence (AI) enhanced image processing (that employs an impressive 512 neural networks) to theoretically deliver the best picture and sound imaginable.

No, it's not a 4K TV as is conventional for most buyers, but as one of the makers of the best 8K TVs with 'ultra Ultra-HD' resolution, Samsung's 900 series isn't one to be ignored. The latest 'D' model upgrades its QN900C predecessor with enhanced AI smarts and more brightness to boot. It continues to support many picture modes, such as Filmmaker Mode to ensure it adheres to industry standards.

On the sound front, the QN900D offers Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound Pro system that employs multiple speakers and woofers to ensure an immersive sonic experience that makes the most of the Dolby Atmos object-based audio format, without the need to necessarily add the best soundbar to beef up proceedings (although, if you do, the HW-Q990D is a monstrously good one).

With its minimalist design, plus Samsung’s proprietary One Connect box to take the HDMI and majority other ports away from the panel itself, this is one good-looking 8K TV. So just how good is it? We've put the QN900D through its paces in this review...

SAMSUNG QN900D: PRICE & RELEASE DATE

The Samsung QN900D comes in 65-, 75-, 85- and all-new 98-inch sizes. On review is the aptly titled QE75QN900D model (the 75-incher), which will set you back £6,699 in the UK (that's £100 less than the equivalent QN900C's launch price). Other pricing regions we're awaiting on the official word or specific on-sale date.

SAMSUNG QN900D review: What's New?

The Samsung QN900D is the zenith of the brand’s TV line-up for 2024, and not only includes every feature imaginable but also the most sophisticated AI-enhanced picture and sound processor it’s produced to date. Since the QN900D is an 8K TV, all this processing horsepower is helpful to get the utmost from the 33-million-pixel panel. This new NQ8 AI Gen 3 processor sports an incredible 512 neural networks.

This processing powerhouse includes an 8K AI Upscaling Pro engine to bring out all the details in content, regardless of resolution, and flawlessly upscales everything to deliver finely rendered images free of compression artefacts. The result is picture that always looks incredible, even on this 75-inch review screen.

The processor doesn’t just handle the upscaling of lower resolutions, but also adds other benefits such as the enhanced Real Depth Enhancer Pro feature that maximises control of the Mini LED backlight to give standard dynamic range (SDR) and high dynamic range (HDR) pictures greater dimensionality, even in fast-moving scenes.

There’s also the new AI Customisation Mode feature that optimises the picture settings based on the surroundings, content and your personal preferences. And an AI Energy Mode that intelligently analyses your surroundings, behaviour and content to reduce the energy usage.

The 8K (7680 x 4320) LCD VA panel is illuminated by a Mini LED backlight composed of 1,920 (60 x 32) local dimming zones. Of course it’s not just what you’ve got, but what you do within that counts, and Samsung’s dimming algorithm employs this large number of zones effectively.

In addition, the TV’s contrast mapping brings more detail to dark and bright scenes, while the Quantum Matrix Technology Pro feature controls the backlight, redirecting power from darker parts of the picture to brighter ones, not only improving the dynamic range but energy efficiency.

The QN900D supports most versions of HDR, with HDR10, hybrid log-gamma (HLG) and HDR10+ (Adaptive and Gaming), but sadly still no Dolby Vision. However, given the inherent capabilities of this TV it’s unlikely the latter format’s dynamic metadata would actually add much real benefit.

This flagship TV boasts impressive sonic credentials, with Dolby Atmos decoding, and Object Tracking Sound Pro that uses a 6.2.4-channel layout and 90W of amplification. There’s also Space Fit Sound for room correction, and Q Symphony for integration with Samsung soundbars.

Other sound features include Active Voice Amplifier Pro, which uses AI-enhanced processing to bring out every word, no matter how complex the mix. The Adaptive Sound Pro also uses AI-enhanced processing and remastering to ensure sound is rendered as the creators intended.

The Tizen-powered smart platform remains well designed and comprehensive, with a full screen home page that now adds three tabs at the top called For You, Live and Apps. These are intended to make it easier to customise the interface and access recommended content and curated apps

The QN900D is a great choice for gamers, too, and supports numerous cutting-edge features, including 8K/120Hz, Freesync Premium Pro and Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro 240Hz for PC gamers, while next-gen console owners can also enjoy features like 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM.

The handy Game Bar pops up to provide relevant information and dedicated settings, as well as key game-related menus that users can adjust to personalise their gaming experience. The new AI Auto Game Mode allows the TV to select the correct setting for a specific type of game genre.

SAMSUNG QN900D review: Performance

The Samsung QN900D certainly delivers the goods in terms of picture quality, with that processing power making the most of all those pixels in the 8K panel. The result is a series of images that are clean, precise and incredibly detailed, with no signs of banding or other artefacts.

This NeoQLED TV delivers deep blacks and almost no blooming, even with very bright HDR content. This is in part thanks to those nearly 2,000 independent zones, but also Samsung’s class-leading local dimming algorithm, allowing bright highlights to appear next to pitch blackness.

This contrast prowess is enhanced by the exceptional tone mapping, bringing out all the fine details in shadows just above black, while still retaining plenty of depth. The processing also handles mixed content admirably, ensuring the bright and dark parts of an image are perfectly rendered.

The Filmmaker Mode provides accurate pictures, retaining the content creator’s intent. The peak brightness with HDR content reaches an impressive 2,300 nits (on a 10% window; it's 586 nits on a full field pattern), while the gamut covers 95% of the DCI-P3 colour space.

The tone mapping is absolutely spot-on in all our tests, taking advantage of the massive brightness and cutting-edge processing to produce impactful HDR images with specular highlights free of clipping, saturated colours, deep blacks and detailed shadows that aren’t crushed

In more general terms, the overall screen uniformity is excellent, with no signs of banding, dirty screen effect or colour tinting anywhere on our review sample. The optimal viewing angles are also very wide, with minimal blooming even on contrasty HDR content at extreme angles.

The screen filter is effective at absorbing direct light, as well as rejecting ambient light from the room, thus producing equally impressive contrast during the day. However, as with previous years, a strong light source at the side can result in some distracting reflections on the screen. That's something Samsung's top-end 4K OLED TV, the S95D, avoids with an anti-reflective coating.

The QN900D's motion handling is another area that benefits from the improved AI processing, with the new AI Motion Enhancer Pro capable of sharpening and smoothing out moving objects and text. The result is fluid movement that’s free of any judder or unwanted artefacts, especially with sport.

Finally, the input lag in Game Mode is a super-fast 9ms, producing gameplay that’s incredibly smooth and very responsive. The images are bright and detailed, while the motion handling is equally impressive, with no signs of tearing or other artefacts, even at the highest frame rates.

SAMSUNG QN900D REVIEW: DESIGN & USABILITY

The Samsung QN900D uses the same Infinity One design with its contemporary finish and sleek styling that’s surprisingly slim from top to bottom. The Infinity Screen is bezel-less, the build quality excellent, and the stand has a mirrored support so the screen looks like it’s floating in mid-air.

The QN900D looks very impressive when wall mounted thanks to Samsung’s Slim Fit bracket, while the single cable connecting the TV to the One Connect box means you can install it somewhere out of sight, although it can also be attached to the back of the stand if you prefer.

The four HDMI 2.1 ports support up to 8K/120Hz or 4K/240Hz. There are also two USB 2.0 ports, twin tuners, CI (common interface) slot, an optical digital output, and an Ethernet port. In terms of wireless connectivity there's Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2.

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The QN900D ships with two controllers (see in gallery embedded above): a standard black zapper and the Solar Cell remote. The latter offers a stripped-down choice of buttons that cover all the main functionality and control, plus there are direct access keys for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Samsung’s TV Plus.

In terms of other control options, the SmartThings app (also pictured in above gallery) makes setup simple, as well as providing an alternative means of operating the TV. If you prefer voice control, there’s also Bixby built-in, along with the ability to work with Amazon Alexa, or Siri thanks to support for Apple’s AirPlay 2.

The Samsung QN900D delivers surprisingly good sound quality for a TV with its impressive 6.2.4-channel speaker layout and 90W of powerful amplification. The resulting soundstage is even bigger than the 75-inch screen, but the added width this provides ensures some excellent stereo imaging.

Thanks to speakers along the bottom, sides and top, the Object Tracking Sound Pro system is able to add extra layers to the sonic delivery, moving audio around and above the TV to match events on screen, while a dedicated centre channel ensures focused and intelligible dialogue.

The woofers built into the rear of the panel also generate a deep bass foundation, giving movie soundtracks increased impact. The audio doesn’t just benefit from the AI-enhanced processing but also Dolby Atmos decoding that adds height, width and depth from supporting soundtracks.

Samsung QN900D review: Verdict

The Samsung QN900D is an amazing technological achievement that takes deep learning neural networks and applies them to picture and sound processing to deliver remarkable performance. The 8K resolution and advance imaging produces pictures with remarkable detail and precision, while the Mini LED backlight helps create accurate and well-rendered contrast, including for high dynamic range (HDR) pictures. 

It sports a stylish design and is extremely well-made, while the One Connect box keeps installation easy. The gaming features are state-of-the-art, the Tizen smart system offers a comprehensive choice of streaming apps, and thanks to Object Tracking Sound Pro the audio performance is also exceptional – all of which makes the QN900D a near-perfect package if you're looking for an 8K TV.

Also consider

But there is the question mark over whether you really need an 8K TV. Content isn't typically produced at this resolution yet, but it's a way to future-proof for the future is one argument. If you'd rather save some cash then the Samsung S95D is an amazing 4K OLED alternative also worthy of contemplation (and it won't cost you so much).