Samsung QLED Samsung - 98” Class Q7F Series QLED 4K UHD Review

This 98-inch Samsung is a gaming beast (93rd percentile) and a smart TV genius (96th percentile), making it a fantastic all-around hub for a modern living room. Just know its pure picture quality score is surprisingly average at the 43rd percentile. It's the giant for people who play games and stream everything, not just for cinephiles.

The Samsung Q7F 98-inch QLED is a massive screen that scores in the 90th percentile or higher for smart features, gaming, and display quality. That means it's not just big, it's a top-tier performer in the categories that matter most for a modern TV. It's built for a living room that doubles as a home theater and a gaming den, with a 120Hz panel, FreeSync Premium, and Samsung's Gaming Hub ready to go right out of the box.

Our data shows it's a smart TV powerhouse, landing in the 96th percentile. That's thanks to the Tizen OS with One UI, which supports all the major voice assistants and gives you access to cloud gaming without a console. The trade-off? Its picture quality score sits at a surprisingly low 43rd percentile. For a QLED at this size, that suggests the panel might not have the local dimming or peak brightness to compete with the absolute best in pure image quality.

Gaming is where this TV really flexes. With a 93rd percentile ranking, it's in the top 7% of all TVs we track for gamers. The 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium support are the key specs here, virtually eliminating screen tearing in fast-paced games. Pair that with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and you've got a setup that's responsive enough for competitive play on a screen the size of a small wall.

The Q4 AI Gen1 processor handles the 4K upscaling and powers the Samsung Vision AI features, which aim to optimize picture and sound dynamically. While the audio lands in a respectable 71st percentile with its 20W system and Object Tracking Sound Lite, the real story is the HDR performance. It hits the 90th percentile, supporting HDR10+ and Quantum HDR for vibrant, detailed highlights in supported content. Just don't expect the infinite contrast of an OLED.

With no official MSRP listed, it's tricky to pin down the value. However, we see similar 98-inch class TVs from competitors like Sony and Hisense in the $2000 to $2500 range. If the Q7F lands at the lower end of that spread, it becomes a compelling option for its gaming and smart features. If it's at the high end, you're paying a premium for the Samsung brand and ecosystem. Shop around—a $500 difference is real money.

Stacked against the Sony BRAVIA 5 98" Mini-LED, the Samsung likely wins on gaming features and smart OS fluidity, but the Sony will almost certainly beat it in pure picture quality and brightness. The Hisense U6 Series MiniLED offers a similar mini-LED tech at a lower price point in smaller sizes, but doesn't match the Samsung's 98-inch scale or gaming percentile. If your priority is perfect blacks, the LG OLED evo AI G5 is the king, but you're giving up size (maxing out at 77 inches) and some peak brightness for that infinite contrast. The Q7F's play is being the giant all-rounder that's exceptionally good for gamers.

Skip this TV if you're a home cinema purist who prizes perfect black levels and benchmark picture quality above all else. Its 43rd percentile ranking for picture quality is a major weakness compared to high-end Mini-LEDs or OLEDs. Also, if your space can't handle a 118-pound, 98-inch monolith, or if you need more than three HDMI ports, this isn't the right fit. Look at smaller, brighter, or more contrast-focused models instead.

The Samsung Q7F 98-inch is a fascinating hybrid. It's an elite gaming TV and a smart home command center wrapped in a truly massive screen. If your living room needs a centerpiece for movie nights and your PS5 or Xbox, and you value seamless smart controls, this is a top-tier choice. But if your number one priority is the absolute best picture quality for film purists, its 43rd percentile ranking in that category is a red flag. Look at the Sony or LG alternatives in that case.