Samsung Q7F QN85Q7FAAFXZA 84.5"

This Samsung came to play in the smart department, ranking better than 96% of all TVs we've tested. The 85-inch QLED display is vibrant and quick to set up, earning rave reviews from thousands of owners. Just know that with a 60Hz panel and no Dolby Vision, avid gamers and cinephiles won't be thrilled.

The Samsung Q7F is a smart TV that's so smart it lands in the 96th percentile of our database, which means it's better than almost anything else you'll find for streaming, voice control, and home automation. Pair that with an 85-inch QLED panel that pumps out Pantone-validated color and infinite contrast, and you've got a living room centerpiece that looks the part. Over 8,300 owners agree, giving it a 4.5-star average and praising how quick it is to set up, with a smart hub they liken to having a built-in Firestick.

But the numbers also tell a more nuanced story. Picture quality and HDR sit at the 70th percentile, just above average, and the 60Hz refresh rate means gaming lands at the 51st percentile—basically middle of the pack. Audio, from a 20-watt 2.0-channel setup, scores 56th percentile, so the soundbar crowd will want to budget accordingly. The price swings wildly from $1,000 to nearly $39,000 across vendors, which is frankly bonkers. If you can snag it closer to the lower end, the sheer size and smart prowess make it a tempting pick.

The headline act here is size: 85 diagonal inches of Quantum Dot goodness. While it's an edge-lit panel rather than full-array, Samsung's processing and the 10-bit panel deliver 100% color volume, so reds, greens, and blues stay punchy even in bright rooms. Motion Xcelerator helps keep action smooth, though native 60Hz means you won't get the buttery 120Hz motion some gamers crave. Input lag isn't specified, but with ALLM and HDMI 2.1 support, it's competent for casual play, just don't expect top-tier competitive specs.

Smart features are where this set truly flexes. The Q4 AI processor drives One UI Tizen with almost zero lag, and our smart score of 96th percentile puts it at the front of the pack. You get Bixby, Alexa, and SmartThings built in, so barking commands or syncing your robot vacuum is seamless. Connectivity is solid with three HDMI ports, eARC, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.2, though you miss out on an ATSC 3.0 tuner and there's no dedicated audio output beyond HDMI—something a few owners grumble about.

Pricing for this Q7F spans a laughably wide gulf from $1,000 to $38,950 depending on where you shop. At the sub-$1,500 range, this is a screaming deal for a premium 85-inch smart TV with elite smart capabilities. Closer to the four-figure stratosphere, you're getting fleeced. Shop around: Best Buy tends to list it at competitive rates, and Newegg sometimes surprises. Given that the total weighted score sits at 85.9 and the budget sub-score is a strong 88.5, this set shines brightest when you treat it as a value giant.

Stacked against the LG C5 OLED, the Samsung gives up the deep, pixel-level blacks and Dolby Vision that make OLED a cinephile's dream. The C5 is smaller at 55 inches but will outclass the Q7F in picture quality and HDR grading every time. The Sony BRAVIA 5 (also 55 inches) brings superior motion handling and a more accurate out-of-box picture, though it can't match the Samsung's smart platform polish. The TCL QM8K steps up to 75 inches and often packs Mini-LED and 120Hz for a similar price, making it a better gaming pick. If you must have an 85-inch screen and smart home integration tops your list, the Samsung holds its ground, but the competition is fierce elsewhere.

Competitive gamers and home theater purists should pass. The 60Hz ceiling and 51st percentile gaming score mean you won't get the fluid motion of 120Hz sets, and the edge-lit backlight can't match the deep blacks or Dolby Vision support found on even mid-range OLEDs and Mini-LEDs. If audio is a priority, the 56th percentile built-in speakers will leave you wanting a soundbar immediately, and the lack of a dedicated audio output can frustrate legacy setups.

If smart features and a gargantuan screen are your non-negotiables, the Q7F delivers in spades, with a user approval rating that backs up the hype. You'll love the easy everyday streaming and that wall-dominating presence. But the 60Hz panel, middle-of-the-road picture score, and missing Dolby Vision mean demanding viewers and serious gamers should look elsewhere. For families or smart home enthusiasts who can lock in a price under $1,500, it's a feel-good purchase that'll make movie night an event.