First, what is Samsung Q80A review?
A mid-range LED TV is the Samsung Q80A QLED. In 2020, it will replace the well-liked Samsung Q80T QLED. As a result of its placement in the 2021 lineup below the Neo QLED models, it is no longer one of Samsung’s best-performing TVs. Additionally, it differs from earlier Samsung TVs because it makes use of an IPS-like panel with wide viewing angles but a low contrast ratio.
Although it has a local dimming feature to enhance performance in dark rooms, it doesn’t work well and is therefore not a good option. It has Tizen OS preinstalled as its built-in smart platform, which is user-friendly and has a ton of apps you can download. Additionally, it has many of the gaming features that Samsung is well-known for, such as a 120Hz panel, support for variable refresh rate (VRR), and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.
Please continue reading for more information.
Table of Contents
Design Of Samsung Q80A Review
The Q80T’s exterior is essentially unchanged from the previous generation. Simply put, the stand’s material has changed, and it is now finished differently and is dark gray rather than entirely black. Compared to the previous model Q70A, where the stand was plastic, the central type stand has a more upscale appearance.
As we previously stated, there is a different limited-edition model with the reference number Q83A that is available in some stores and features a different base and screen frame color.
Because it uses Full Array backlighting rather than Edge LED, the Q80A series does not have a design that is as thin as the lower QLED series Q70A and Q60A. As a result, more thickness is needed because the LED bulbs are placed at the back rather than just the bottom. It is 6.2 cm thick, but it is still a relatively thin TV. The surrounding bezels are very thin and are a part of the panel.
When you remove the back cover of the stand, you can insert the cables and then put it back to have everything together and organized. It has guides on the back to pass the cables through and prevent them from hanging.
This year’s included controller has a fresh look, is made of recyclable materials, and doesn’t require batteries. It now has an internal battery that can be recharged via a USB-C port, natural or artificial light, or even both. To accomplish this, the battery is charged using a solar cell panel that has been added to the back.
There are four HDMI ports built into it, the fourth of which is HDMI 2.1. In order to play games in 4K at 120 Hz on a PS5 or Xbox Series X console, you should connect it to this port. You can connect any other device to any of the other ports, such as a PS4 or a Nintendo Switch. The HDMI port with the ARC support is number 3, which can be used to connect a soundbar or a home theater system.
In addition to this, it naturally has two USB ports for playback or recording, an optical audio output for connecting audio equipment, antenna and satellite connections, and a LAN port.
Smart Of Samsung Q80A Review
There are numerous extras and applications available on this Samsung QLED Q80A in terms of Smart TV features. The operating system is Tizen 6.0, which is very user-friendly and intuitive.
Although many more apps can be installed from the Apps panel, the most popular ones, like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video, are automatically installed. So you can also download other services like HBO Max, DAZN, or Movistar+.
You can access Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and the Samsung TV Plus platform, which provides online channels and movie rentals, quickly and easily using the remote control. Additionally, there is a button to turn on the microphone so you can voice-search for content. Any one of the following three compatible assistants may be used: Alexa, Bixby, and Google Assistant.
An interesting feature that includes this Q80A series, is the You can view two contents in split-screen mode using the multiview function. You can select which window you want to be heard as well as the size and placement of each one.
Sound Of Samsung Q80A Review
The sound quality of the Samsung Q80A is one of the features that sets it apart from other models in this price range. A 2.2.2 channel audio system with 60W output power (2.2 and 40W at 50″) has been added.
Due to the integration of two woofers, it offers a rich bass sound that prevents the sound from being as flat as it is on most TVs. Furthermore, it offers a lot of power, allowing it to be clearly heard in spaces of a particular size. In order to make the sound more precisely fit the area where it will be listened to, there is also an option that adjusts the sound to the size of the room.
For a more immersive audio experience, it also includes the Object Tracking Sound function, which employs artificial intelligence to try to track the movement of objects. When a sound is produced, such as during an explosion or while a character is speaking, the device tries to emit the sound right there from where it came from. The truth is that accomplishing this is extremely challenging, and the effect itself is barely perceptible. However, compared to usual, the sound is directed more forward rather than downward.
Another feature is Q-Symphony, which enables you to listen to audio from both the TV and a Samsung soundbar that is compatible for a more expansive sound with more channels.
Picture Quality Of Samsung Q80A Review
The only series of this 2021 that makes use of a Full Array system is the Q80A/Q83A series. The Edge LED TVs in the Q70A series and QN85A series are located above and below it, respectively. The Q70A series uses a strip of LEDs only at the bottom and is an Edge LED TV. The Q70A series is an Edge LED TV.
As in the Mini LED models, the LED bulbs are situated at the back of the screen along it in this instance, but they are much fewer in number to give the screen a larger size.
You can control the lighting by zones rather than globally thanks to the Samsung Q80A’s Local Dimming feature. There are 48 separate dimming zones, each of which can have its own light level adjusted by the algorithm that manages the backlight without affecting the other zones.
HDR Support Of Samsung Q80A Review
Another area where Samsung hasn’t changed much in recent years is HDR support. Thus, we have the most fundamental HDR10, which is needed for 4K UHD playback, HLG, which is primarily used for broadcasting, and the more recent HDR10+, which is the most advanced HDR protocol and the main competitor of Dolby Vision. It uses dynamic metadata to deliver the best image quality on a frame-by-frame basis.
It stinks that Dolby Vision isn’t supported, and Samsung is still the only manufacturer who does not offer products with Dolby Vision. They continue to stand firmly behind their own HDR10+ alternative, but it is currently unclear how long this will continue.
Color Coverage Of Samsung Q80A Review
Samsung’s exclusive Quantum Dot layer is used by the Q80A, a QLED, to display more vibrant and lifelike colors. Although Samsung claims to have completely covered the DCI-P3 color space, you should never take these claims seriously because they are primarily made for marketing purposes. Let’s see how near that the Q80A can achieve.
Our measurements show that the TV covers about 90% of the DCI-P3 color space, which is exceptional for this mid-range category. 67% of the wider REC.2020 color space was covered, which is still respectable but not as good as some other releases. The Q80A actually performed slightly worse than the Q70A, but the difference was too small to be taken seriously. However, the TV also performed worse than the Q80T from the previous year, and in this case, the REC.2020 color space difference was a little bit larger. As a result, the results we received were a little underwhelming.
Motion Performance Of Samsung Q80A Review
The next section of our test includes our motion performance tests. The 100/120Hz panel and 960Hz backlight dimming frequency of the Q80A are very similar to those of the QN85A and Q70A, recent releases from Samsung, so it appears that the Q80A is not all that different from those models. As a result of the high frequency, flickering is completely undetectable, but this also depends on the picture mode you’ll be using because in some of them, the frequency drops to 100/120 Hz.
We also have motion interpolation, which has been renamed Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ for 2021. Although the Q80A could eliminate judder, motion blur had some obvious issues. Additionally, we did observe a number of artifacts during rapid camera movements, and the device exhibited some obvious stuttering during low frame rate content that could only be fixed by turning on motion interpolation.
Similar to all other Samsung models, motion interpolation can be enabled by going to the Picture Clarity settings in the menu and adjusting the two sliders for blur or judder. Remember that the “Soap Opera Effect” will appear at very high values in the sliders, so it’s best to keep these values at 1 or 2, at most, if you want to improve motion but don’t like the SOE effect.
As usual, Black Frame Insertion (BFI) is also offered and can be enabled in the menu by selecting LED Clear Motion. BFI is a method for smooothing motion that involves inserting a black frame in between two separate frames. The end result is excellent, but there are a few negative side effects. The brightness first suffers due to the black frames, and due to the lower frequency used, which can be either 100/120Hz or even 50/60Hz, some flickering may become apparent.
The Q80A supports FreeSync Premium Pro, which can significantly enhance your gaming experience if you have a device that also supports AMD’s solution, as do many Samsung TVs this year. In terms of overall performance, the Q80A was very competitive with some of Samsung’s other 2021 releases, such as the Q70A. Although there were some minor differences, we wouldn’t say that the Q80A was significantly better in any way. Although it has some advantages, stuttering with low framerate content and obvious artifacts from motion interpolation take away some points.
Brightness / Contrast Of Samsung Q80A Review
As HDR content demands higher brightness output than ever before, brightness is currently one of the most crucial features of any HDR TV. We used the Movie mode, Warm 2 color tone, and maximum brightness for our review. 835 nits was the result of our SDR brightness test over a 10% white window, which is very good for viewing SDR content. Highlights were bright and vivid even though the TV fell short of the 1,000 nits brightness limit on our HDR brightness test over a 10% white window, at 937 nits.
The TV has the ability to go above 1,000 nits, but doing so will require some image quality to be sacrificed, and honestly, brightness was already adequate and there is no need for that.
The Q80A has an ADS panel, which is essentially a panel very similar to IPS ones in terms of contrast, and as a result the contrast ratio suffers greatly. Local dimming doesn’t seem to make much of a difference in how grey the blacks appear. This is an issue, especially in a dark space where the greyish black is much more noticeable. This issue won’t be as noticeable if you use the TV in a well-lit space.
Overall, it appears that the Q80A outperforms the Q80T in terms of brightness, but the contrast ratio is worse because the two use different types of panels. There isn’t really a clear winner between these two; it all depends on what you like. See more about Samsung Galaxy A01 Review
Customer Reviews Of Samsung Q80A
Amazing, Crips And Vibrant
The user setup process for this Samsung TV has to be the best I’ve ever experienced. The interactive setup offers the user two options: manually setting up the device or using a mobile device. I selected the mobile device process, and the setup was finished in just a few clicks. It was time to test out this 4k display after I finished the setup. The colors are vivid and rich, and the blacks are accurate and not washed out on the 4k display, which is incredibly beautiful. When objects move on the screen, it appears that the audio dynamically adjusts and reroutes its sounds. A fun novelty feature is the Ambient mode. When your TV is in standby mode, you can enable the screen to show a decor picture art display or any private photos you may want to use as a background. Due to the fact that we have a family portrait on display and the TV functions more like the centerpiece of the portrait than a standard TV on the wall, my wife particularly enjoys this feature. All things considered, we are very happy with Samsung’s newest QLED series TV.
Smart And Bright Like No Other
This television has amazing picture quality. With Quantum HDR 12X, Samsung promises a 100% color volume like in a movie theater and delivers. On this screen, as opposed to other high-end TVs I’ve used before, movies feel more authentic and alive, and sport broadcasts are much more enjoyable. This TV is so bright that I can see every detail in the picture even on sunny days. I have a problem with TVs that don’t get bright enough because my living room is so light during the day. One of this model’s best features is sound; the TV automatically adjusts the volume based on the surroundings and the location of the TV. The 3D audio on the TV follows moving objects on the screen and enhances the viewing experience. The smart functionality of this TV is one of its most useful features; I set it up using my phone! it was so easy and quick, I won’t ever use the TV’s remote again because I can control it with my phone and Google Assistant:) If it fits into your budget, I highly recommend this TV because it is well worth the cost.
Inky Blacks, Amazing Color, Hdmi 2.1, And More!
A truly gorgeous television, from its design and construction to its gorgeous display to its compatibility with other Samsung products. Samsung has truly prevailed. Punctual, professional, and socially appropriate delivery. The screen was packed securely inside the box, which was very sturdy, along with all of its accessories. I was able to attach the sturdy middle-mount base by myself and place the set on a soft surface with ease. It only required four screws, and I put it together quickly. It would probably be better to have a helper for that step, especially if you’re going to be wall-mounting the set, even though I was able to lift it by myself to put it on the shelf. The power cord can be routed through a few thoughtfully designed channels and grooves molded into the back of the set so that it is completely flush with the surface. The wire can be routed through a plastic shroud that is part of the base of the stand to make it completely invisible. The controller has an incredibly functional design that is deceptively straightforward. The most well-liked streaming services, including Samsung TV Plus, have discrete buttons. Additionally, it has a built-in battery that is recharged by ambient light. Yes, there is no need to change batteries anymore. You can access any of the *three* digital voice assistants on this TV—Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung’s own Bixby—with just one touch of the microphone button. Oh, you can also carry out all of these actions on your Samsung phone if you don’t want to use the controller that comes with the device. I was able to link my streaming accounts in a matter of minutes using the linking codes displayed on the TV after the initial system updates were completed very quickly over wifi. Following that, I spent the following couple of hours enjoying gorgeous 4k video streams. On this set, the wifi reception appears to be excellent. When watching YouTube videos, it would hold streams of 130+ mbit/sec without any buffering or stuttering video even though it was two rooms away from the router (there are four walls between). The blacks on this display are very inky, and the brightness is simultaneously impressive. Tonight I plan to play some games on my Xbox One X, so maybe I’ll update my review then. Did I mention that there are FOUR HDMI ports, including one for HDMI 2.1? I adore this thing, and it is future-proof. You should definitely purchase one.
Excellent Combination Of Technology And Intuitive
With the ideal fusion of technology and an easy-to-use user interface, this is yet another superb TV from Samsung that will meet your display needs for the foreseeable future. The 4k display and Quantum Processor are incredible. Even though it is not being broadcast in 4K, all of a sudden everything you see is. The 4K video I captured on my phone is amazingly clear and much better. Any angle of view yields the same appearance without any color shift or deterioration in quality. Particularly when it moves with the object on screen, sound on television is very impressive. It was so impressive to watch Fast and Furious on television. This television offers very impressive sound effects on its own, so a sound bar or surround sound system is not necessary. The picture quality is amazing in any lighting condition in the room, whether it be day or night lights, and color and contrast are such a treat for the eyes. The TV’s incredibly thin bezel and light weight impressed me. The TV’s simple integration with my smart home devices and intuitive user interface have really impressed me. It was so enjoyable and simple to set up this TV. After only about 15 minutes of customization and setup, I was actually taking in the view and the colors. When I turned on the TV for the first time, it immediately asked me to enter my wifi credentials. After I did that, integrating my smart devices was a breeze. The ability to use the TV as a picture frame at home is provided by ambient mode. Along with the clock and local weather, ambient mode has a ton more features and themes. The SmartThings integration with Samsung products and the multi-view with connectivity from Samsung phone are really impressive. It’s incredibly simple and easy to connect your laptop (PC or Mac) wirelessly to your television. The solar charging remote control’s universal remote functionality works with a ton of devices out of the box, and its integration with Philips DVD players or Bose systems is the simplest I’ve ever seen for a universal remote. Can’t stop relating details to friends and family about such a remarkable TV. I’ve read a few reviews about the small, black triangle that appears on TV screens, which is actually a screen protector film. Most likely, they overlooked removing the film. On the screen of the screen protection film is a red triangle.
Good Mid-range Qled Tv…
A mid-range QLED TV is the Samsung Q80A. Above it are Samsung’s NEO TVs, which are this year’s flagships, and the Q90a. The TV is chic, loaded with features, extremely bright, and the colors look stunning. Only the local dimming (backlight bleed, bloom, and poor contrast) and the black levels were discernible as problems. After doing some research, I learned that Samsung chose a different kind of panel this year as the sole cause of this. All the issues will go away in bright environments, so I would advise using this TV there. It is an excellent game for gamers, especially if you have a new console, because it supports HDMI 2.1 and FreeSync variable refresh rate (VRR). The excellent viewing angles further confirm that this TV belongs in the living room rather than the bedroom. I adore the stand because it accommodates smaller TV furniture and has integrated cable management. As I’ve already mentioned, the upscaling is excellent, and the colors are stunning. Even cable 1080p content appeared extremely detailed and sharp, similar to native 4k. The sound quality is above average, but like most TVs, I would consider buying a soundbar. Samsung excels at smart features, especially if you own a Samsung smart phone. The home page and app store ads are the only downsized elements. This year’s updated OS is simple to use and runs very smoothly. All streaming services you can imagine as well as some you never even considered are available in the app store. I adore how Google Home, Samsung Smartthings, and voice commands are all integrated. You can use your TV to control Samsung devices or view cameras that are configured in Google Home. It’s simple and effective to stream content from your Samsung phone, and you can run a TV channel and your phone simultaneously. The remote is fantastic, especially now that it is slimmer because there are no more batteries to worry about. It has a built-in battery and solar panels to charge it, so this is done. If you previously owned/own another Samsung TV, there is no learning curve because the layout is the same as previous remotes. Those looking for a fantastic living room or family room TV should definitely consider this TV, in my opinion. Because HDMI 2.1 and VRR support current-generation consoles well, the sound quality is above average. Given that the NEO QLED TVs are now Samsung’s top range, I still believe it ought to have been less expensive. I was given a discount on this item in return for my frank review.
About The Samsung Q80a Series
This year, a moderate range of larger screen sizes are offered in Samsung’s Q80A series:
- 55-inch (Samsung QN55Q80A), MSRP $1,299.99
- 65-inch (Samsung QN65Q80A), MSRP $1,699.99
- 75-inch (Samsung QN75Q80A), MSRP $2,599.99
- 85-inch (Samsung QN85Q80A), MSRP $3,699.99
These TVs are not particularly pricey, as was already mentioned: $1,300 for a 55-inch TV is nothing to be ashamed of, but you are paying for the abundance of features here as well. The key details for the Q80A series are listed below:
- Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160)
- Display type: QLED (quantum dot + direct full array backlight)
- Dimming technology: Supreme UHD Dimming
- HDR support: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
- eARC support: Yes
- Native refresh rate: 120Hz
- Smart platform: Tizen Smart TV
- Color: DCI-P3 color space/10-bit chroma resolution
- Processor: Quantum Processor 4K
- HDMI 2.1-compatible: Yes
- Other features: Object Tracking Sound (OTS), Adaptive Picture, Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound, Active Voice Amplifier (AVA), Motion Xcelerator Turbo+, Super UltraWide GameView, Game Bar, FreeSync Premium Pro, PC on TV, Multi View, Tap View, Bixby/Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant, Samsung TV Plus, Samsung Health
For this TV, Samsung didn’t cut corners on features: you’re getting picture upgrades like quantum dot color and 120Hz refresh rates, an Nearly as many extras and features as the top-tier Q90A are included, along with an HDMI 2.1-compatible input. Every TV in the Q80A series has the same quantum dot color and full-array LED backlight, so we anticipate that picture quality will be very similar across sizes given that features and design elements are the same regardless of the size you purchase.
Should You Buy It?
Maybe—if you have a very specific need for these features
When placed within Samsung’s broad 2021 TV lineup, the Q80A presents an intriguing quandary. It provides the next-generation gaming specs and a staggering number of features that the ‘entry-level’ Q60A lacks while dropping the mini-LED backlight from the’step-up’ QN85A, placing it in the middle of Samsung’s 2021 TV lineup. If only it didn’t use an IPS panel, it would be a great way to get next-generation features and QLED picture quality without paying extra for mini-LEDs.
The Q80A can only be highly recommended if you plan to primarily watch sports, news, nature documentaries, or play nimble, next-generation video games due to its limited cinematic viewing options. In that regard, it excels, and its IPS viewing angles make it a good option for families and groups. More perceptive viewers might find the poor contrast and occasionally muddy color separation distracting.
The fact that Samsung’s flagship QN90A costs hundreds more than the Q80A really emphasizes the value of the latter’s impressive feature set. But what you’re giving up with this TV is the flagship’s stunning Neo QLED picture quality, and it just seems strange to buy a TV for its features first and its picture quality second.
If this is roughly within your price range and you’d prefer to prioritize picture quality over all else, take into account that you could purchase Vizio’s excellent P-Series Quantum X, which boasts excellent brightness and black levels, and still have some money left over for a good soundbar. The TCL 2020 6-Series, which offers better picture quality than the Q80A for a lot less money, is a great option to consider if all you’re after is reliable 4K/HDR picture quality and you don’t mind giving up some of the posh Samsung styling. If you’re still unsure, look at our list of the top TVs right now, which is frequently updated.
The End
Review of the Samsung Q80A was the primary subject of the article.
For most purposes, the Samsung Q80A is a great TV. Due to its wide viewing angles and roomy seating areas, it’s great for watching TV shows and sporting events. In a well-lit room, it also becomes bright enough to reduce glare. Given that it supports variable refresh rate (VRR) and has HDMI 2.1 bandwidth for high-frame-rate gaming, it is suitable for SDR or HDR gaming. Due to its poor local dimming and low contrast ratio, it does not perform well in dimly lit spaces. Additionally, the local dimming results in blooming around bright objects, and the quality is only adequate for watching movies.
Please leave a comment if you have any queries.
We appreciate you reading.