Samsung QLED Q8F 85" 84.5" Review

The Samsung Q8F 85-inch QLED TV is a refurbished giant that offers a huge 4K screen, a 120Hz panel, and great gaming features at a relatively low price. Its picture quality isn't class-leading, but it's a compelling value if size is your main goal. Just be aware you're buying older technology.

Looking for a massive 85-inch 4K TV that won't break the bank? The Samsung Q8F is a refurbished QLED giant that's been around the block, but still packs a serious punch for its price. It's a 4K QLED panel with full-array local dimming, HDR10+ support, and a native 120Hz refresh rate, which puts it squarely in the 'serious home theater and gaming' category. Based on our data, this TV excels at being a smart, connected hub for your living room, and it's surprisingly capable for gaming, too.

The numbers tell a clear story. This TV scores in the 93rd percentile for gaming, thanks to that 120Hz panel, FreeSync Premium, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). That means smooth, tear-free gameplay if you're hooking up a PS5 or Xbox Series X. Its smart features land in the 94th percentile, so the Tizen OS with One UI is snappy and integrates well with Google Assistant, Alexa, and Samsung's own Bixby. Where it shows its age a bit is in pure picture quality, which sits in the 43rd percentile. That means while the QLED colors are vibrant and the HDR is decent, newer Mini-LED and OLED TVs will offer better contrast and black levels.

Here's the kicker: prices for this refurbished model range from about $1,385 to $1,698 depending on the vendor. For an 85-inch QLED with these gaming chops, that's a lot of screen for the money. The main trade-off is you're buying older technology. For a similar price, you could get a smaller but newer Hisense U6 Mini-LED or a Roku Pro Series TV with potentially better picture quality, but you'd lose the sheer size. If the giant screen is non-negotiable and your budget is firm, this Q8F is a compelling option.

Let's name names. Compared to the newer Samsung QN90F Neo QLED, the Q8F loses in brightness and local dimming zones, which hurts HDR impact. Against an LG OLED like the G5, the Q8F can't match those perfect blacks and infinite contrast, but it can get much brighter and has no risk of burn-in. The Sony BRAVIA 5 is a Mini-LED beast with superior processing, but it's also in a completely different price league, especially at 98 inches. For the money, the Q8F's closest rival might be a large Hisense U6 series Mini-LED, which offers newer panel tech but potentially less polished smart features and gaming support.

Skip this TV if you're a videophile chasing the best possible picture quality. The contrast and black levels won't satisfy someone coming from an OLED or a modern high-end Mini-LED TV. Also, avoid it if you're wary of refurbished electronics or need the absolute latest smart features. For those folks, look at the Hisense U6/U8 series or save up for a Samsung QN90 series model instead.

Should you buy this? It's a solid 'maybe' with clear conditions. If your top priorities are getting the biggest possible screen for under $1,700 and you want strong gaming features, this refurbished Samsung Q8F is a unique deal. But if your priority is the absolute best picture quality for movies, you'll be happier spending a bit more for a newer Mini-LED or OLED model, even if it's smaller. Think of it as a budget home theater centerpiece that's better for gaming and streaming than for critical movie watching.