Samsung Q60D 43" Class Series 2024 Review
The Samsung Q60D has a fantastic smart TV system, but its picture quality is a major letdown for a QLED. We only recommend it as a secondary screen on a deep discount.
The 30-Second Version
Buy this TV for its brains, not its looks. The smart platform is fantastic, but the picture quality is a letdown for a QLED. Only consider it as a secondary screen on a deep discount.
Overview
The Samsung Q60D is a smart TV that's smarter than it is a great TV. The one thing you need to know is this: you're buying it for the excellent Tizen smart platform and connectivity, not for a knockout picture. It's a solid, small-screen option for a bedroom or office where you just need a decent 4K screen to stream on, but it gets absolutely smoked by other TVs in its price range when it comes to actual picture quality. Our data shows its picture quality is in the 2nd percentile, which is frankly brutal for a QLED set.
Performance
The performance story is all about the smart features. This thing is a connectivity champ, landing in the 96th percentile. The Tizen OS is fast, intuitive, and packed with apps, and having three HDMI 2.1 ports on a budget TV is a nice touch. The surprise, and not a good one, is how mediocre the picture is for a QLED. The edge-lit backlight and basic processor just can't deliver the contrast or HDR pop you'd expect. Gaming at 60Hz is fine for casual play, but it's not a high-performance screen.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The Tizen smart platform is excellent and super responsive. 95th
- Connectivity is top-tier with three HDMI 2.1 ports and built-in smart home hubs. 91th
- The compact 43-inch size and sleek design are perfect for smaller spaces. 88th
- The price can be decent if you catch a sale around $400.
Cons
- Picture quality is shockingly weak for a QLED, with poor contrast and dim HDR. 2th
- It's edge-lit, so expect mediocre black levels and potential clouding.
- The 60Hz panel feels dated when competitors offer 120Hz at similar prices.
- The 10W speakers are just okay; you'll want a soundbar.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 43" |
| Resolution | 3840 (4K UHD) |
| Panel Type | QLED |
| Backlight | Edge-Lit |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Year | 2024 |
Picture Quality
| Color Gamut | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Processor | Quantum Processor |
HDR
| HDR Formats | HDR |
| Dolby Vision | No |
| HDR10+ | No |
| HLG | No |
Gaming
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| ALLM | Yes |
Smart TV
| Platform | Google TV |
| Voice Assistant | Google Assistant, Alexa, Bixby |
| Works With | Alexa, Google |
Audio
| Wattage | 10 |
| Dolby Atmos | No |
| eARC | Yes |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 3 |
| HDMI Version | 2.1 |
| USB Ports | 2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Optical Audio | Yes |
| VESA Mount | 200x200 |
Power & Size
| Weight | 8.4 kg / 18.5 lbs |
Value & Pricing
Is it worth it? Only on a steep discount. At its full $536 price, it's a hard no. You can find it for around $400, and at that point, it's a maybe for a secondary TV where smart features matter more than picture. But know that for that same $400-$500, you have much better picture-focused options from Hisense and TCL.
vs Competition
This is where the Q60D struggles. The Hisense U6 Series Mini-LED offers far better contrast and brightness for often less money, though its smart TV software isn't as polished. The TCL S4 or Q6 Series are also strong contenders with better picture performance for the price. If you're loyal to Samsung's ecosystem and just want a small, connected screen, the Q60D makes sense. If you care at all about picture quality, those competitors are the clear winners.
| Spec | Samsung Q60D 43" Class Series | Sony Bravia Sony BRAVIA 5 65" 4K HDR Smart Mini-LED TV | LG OLED evo - C5 series LG - 55" Class C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K UHD Smart | Hisense U65QF Mini-LED Hisense - 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED QLED UHD 4K | TCL QD Mini LED - QM6K TCL - 85" Class QM6K Series 4K UHD HDR QD Mini LED | Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro Roku - 65" Class Pro Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Smart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 43 | 65 | 55 | 75 | 85 | 65 |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 4K (2160p) | 3840x2160 |
| Panel Type | QLED | MiniLED | OLED | MiniLED | MiniLED | MiniLED |
| Refresh Rate | 60 | 120 | 120 | 144 | 144 | 120 |
| Hdr | HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Google TV | Google TV | webOS | Fire TV | Google TV | Roku TV |
| Dolby Vision | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Dolby Atmos | false | false | true | true | true | true |
| Hdmi Version | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Hdr | Audio | Smart | Gaming | Display | Connectivity | Social Proof | Picture Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Q60D 43" Class Series | 50.8 | 58.7 | 91 | 60.2 | 58.8 | 94.8 | 88.3 | 2 |
| Sony Bravia 5 65" Compare | 97.6 | 67.6 | 91.6 | 94.9 | 62.4 | 99 | 94.3 | 97.1 |
| LG OLED evo - C5 series 55" Class C5 Series Compare | 92.9 | 90.4 | 95.3 | 99.9 | 84.6 | 99.8 | 99.5 | 43 |
| Hisense U65QF Mini-LED 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED Compare | 98.8 | 90.4 | 93.8 | 96.5 | 69.1 | 97.2 | 97.6 | 97.1 |
| TCL QD Mini LED - QM6K 85" Class QM6K Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 98.6 | 98.4 | 37.3 | 96 | 94.3 | 86.1 |
| Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro 65" Class Pro Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 92.5 | 97.4 | 62.4 | 99 | 98.8 | 86.1 |
Common Questions
Q: Can I use this TV without signing into any accounts or connecting to the internet?
Yep, it works just fine as a regular TV with an antenna. You can skip all the smart setup if you want.
Q: Is the backlight edge-lit or direct-lit?
It's edge-lit. That's a big part of why the contrast and black levels aren't great. For better picture, look for a TV with full-array local dimming or Mini-LED.
Q: Is this good for next-gen gaming?
It's okay, not great. It has HDMI 2.1 for ALLM, but the 60Hz refresh rate caps you at 60fps. For high-frame-rate gaming, you need a 120Hz panel.
Who Should Skip This
If you're a movie buff or want a TV with great picture quality for your main room, this isn't it. The picture is its weakest link. Go get a Hisense U6 Mini-LED or a TCL Q6 instead. You'll get a much better image for your money.
Verdict
We can't recommend the Q60D as your main living room TV. Its picture performance is its fatal flaw. However, as a bedroom, office, or kitchen TV where you prioritize a slick, fast smart interface and don't need cinematic quality, it's a perfectly functional choice—but only if you buy it on sale. Shop around; that $136 price spread means your decision should hinge on who has the best deal today.