Samsung QN900F Samsung QN85QN900FFXZA 85 Inch Neo Quantum HDR 8K Review

This 85-inch 8K TV has the sharpest screen and some of the best built-in audio you can buy, landing in the 100th and 99th percentiles. But its overall picture quality is surprisingly average, scoring in the 43rd percentile. You're paying a huge premium for resolution, not the best picture.

The Samsung QN900F is a statement piece, and not just because of its 85-inch screen. It's a TV that sits in the 100th percentile for display and the 99th for audio in our database. That means you're getting the absolute top-tier specs for resolution and sound, with 8K clarity and a 4.2.2 channel Dolby Atmos system. But the numbers get more interesting from there. Its gaming score is a solid 86th percentile, and it's rated best for sports (79.6/100) and gaming (78.8/100), making it a powerhouse for fast-moving content. The catch? Its overall picture quality score lands in the 43rd percentile, which is a surprising twist for a TV this expensive.

Let's talk about that 100th percentile display. An 85-inch 8K QLED panel is as good as it gets for raw pixel count, and the 120Hz refresh rate with VRR and Auto Latency Mode makes it a legit gaming monitor. The audio is nearly as impressive, sitting in the 99th percentile with its 4.2.2 channel setup and eARC support for lossless audio passthrough. Gaming performance is strong at the 86th percentile, so you can expect buttery-smooth gameplay. But here's the rub: the HDR performance is only in the 59th percentile, and the overall picture quality score is a middling 43rd. For a nearly $4,000 TV, that means while the resolution is unbeatable, the contrast and HDR pop might not be as jaw-dropping as you'd hope compared to some high-end 4K sets.

At $3,925, the value proposition is tricky. You are paying a massive premium for that 8K resolution and top-shelf audio. The price-per-performance ratio is steep when you consider its picture quality score is in the bottom half of our rankings. You're essentially investing in future-proof resolution and fantastic sound today, but accepting that the HDR and contrast might not wow you like a high-end 4K OLED would. It's a niche value for the resolution-obsessed.

Stacked up against competitors, the trade-offs are clear. The Sony BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED will likely destroy it in HDR brightness and contrast for less money, but it's 'only' 4K. The LG OLED evo G5 will offer perfect blacks and arguably better picture quality in a smaller 77-inch size, but again, at 4K. Even Samsung's own QN800D 75" 8K TV is a direct, slightly smaller and possibly cheaper alternative. The QN900F's ace is its combination of maxed-out resolution and audio. If you want the biggest, sharpest screen money can buy and don't want a separate soundbar, this is your play. If your priority is the best possible picture quality for movies, a high-end 4K set is a smarter buy.

Skip this TV if you're a cinephile chasing the absolute best picture quality. With an overall picture quality score in the 43rd percentile and HDR in the 59th, this isn't the TV for perfect blacks or breathtaking contrast. You should also skip it if you're on any kind of budget. For around the same price or less, you can get a larger or higher-performing 4K TV that will deliver a more impactful viewing experience today. This is for the resolution-maximizer with deep pockets.

We can only recommend the Samsung QN900F if your top priority is owning the sharpest screen available, and you want incredible built-in sound to match. The 100th percentile display and 99th percentile audio are real. But for everyone else, the data is clear: its middling picture quality score is a major red flag at this price. You're paying for pixels over performance. For a better overall viewing experience, a top-tier 4K Mini-LED or OLED will give you more bang for your buck.