Every year we are inundated with TV sets with the latest in technology. Few brands seem to have a wide variety of models and Samsung is one of the top brands here – they have models that go from the art-inspired design to the outright futurist style.
The Neo QLED TV fits in a category of its own: it brings new Quantum Mini LEDs to the market, a new form of light source that is smaller than standard LED modules which can then create precise backlight and focus the light instead of making it spread.
The TV also has a 12-bit contrast so it can give you a much sharper picture.
At the end, you get a LED that can show darker pictures with brightness not seen in previous LED-based TV sets.
The TV also uses a newly developed Neo Quantum Processor to upscale pictures using data collected from 16 different data points, including source, resolution and quality to create an upscaled picture.
This work really well and as watched some old The X Files episodes from Disney+ - the picture quality was astounding and made a huge difference to the overall experience when compared to other TVs. I actually ended up watching two entire seasons of the show, just because of the TV.
In terms of sound quality, it is good for a TV of this size but it can always be made better if you add a soundbar or a dedicated sound system. Having said that, its eight drivers (all located in the back) do a good job and it object tracking technology will move the sound around to follow the subject on the screen. It also uses a technology called SpaceFit Sound that analyses the room and calibrate the TV sound to optimal settings – quite similar to systems like the one you find on the Amazon Echo Studio smart speakers.
The TV itself is a minimalist’s dream. There is nothing on the front to distract you. It is super thin and it uses the One Connect box – which is pretty much where all the electronics live and where you connect all your other input devices (if you ever needed anything else) and a coax antenna. From this box, you only have one cable that goes to the TV. This means you can have it hiding away in a cabinet with all other electronics and have only one cable that’s easier to conceal or manage.
The TV comes with a base that is pretty solid – and heavy. You will need two people to get the TV out of the box and lay it flat on a table so that you can attach the base using the supplied screws (if not using a wall mount). Again, you will need two people to safely put it upright and move it into position. Do not try to do it by yourself.
This Samsung TV runs the same Tizen OS that we have previously seen in their smart projector and smart monitor. It has an app store with access to local apps (and some international ones), including the always important Netflix, Prime Video, TVNZ, Freeview, Spark Sport and others.
It also has support for Office 365 applications and remote desktop connections if you ever wanted to work remotely from a very large screen. You just have to plug a USB keyboard and mouse combo to access your computer or cloud service from the lounge or home theatre room.
I had the Samsung Neo QLED TV connected over our 5 GHz WiFi network and it didn’t skip a bit while streaming some movies (John Wick!) in all its 4K HDR goodness.
The remote control is the same as the one we have also seen in the smart monitor and smart projector, with the added benefit of a solar cell, so it can always be charging, even with just room light. The smart platform is very responsive and apps start fast and without delay between transitions.
Overall, the Samsung Neo QLED TV is a very enjoyable set with outstanding smart features.
