Samsung Q80B (65Q80B)

Samsung gets nearly everything right with this well specified 4K QLED TV

Samsung-Q80B front view with Tizen smart TV interface
(Image: © Future)

TechRadar Verdict

The Samsung Q80B is ideal for bright room viewing, boasts an excellent smart TV streaming platform in Tizen and supports high frame rate gaming. Even its Object Tracking Sound system cuts muster. The only caveats are black level performance, which is hampered by mediocre local dimming, and lack of Dolby Vision. Not a telly for home cinephiles then, but everyone else should shortlist it…

Pros

  • +

    Wide colour and superb picture detail

  • +

    4k 120Hz HDMI support

  • +

    Tizen Smart TV

Cons

  • -

    No Dolby Vision

  • -

    Backlight blooming

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Samsung Q80B: One-minute review

The Samsung Q80B is a high value mid range 4k QLED screen that’s well suited for everyday TV viewing and console gaming. It’s positioned just below the brand’s Mini LED Neo QLED models, offering a more conventional full array backlight instead. This means it doesn’t offer the black level performance or the HDR precision of its more expensive stablemates. 

However, with four HFR (high frame rate) compatible HDMI inputs, useful Game Bar user interface and a polished smart home interface, only serious home cinephiles are likely to feel shortchanged.

Indeed, the prominence of Samsung’s Game Hub, a full page portal to streaming games services, given it’s clear that’s where its key appeal lies. QLED, after all, is impervious to screen burn, which translates nicely to anxiety free gaming sessions.

The set also has an above average Dolby Atmos compatible sound system.

Samsung Q80B review: Price & release date

  • Released August 2022
  • Price £1,199  / US$1499 / AUS$2999

The Samsung Q80B is on sale now in the UK, US and Australia.

The 65-inch model we’re testing here sells for £1,399. If that’s not the right size for you, there are plenty of alternatives. The 50-inch QE50Q80B sells for £799, and the 55-inch QE55Q80B £999. Above the 65-incher on our test bench is the 75-inch QE75Q80B, which costs £1,999 as well as the impressively huge 85-inch QE85Q80B, which sells for £2,499.

US buyers will find the same models priced at US$999, US$1199, US$1499, US$2199, and US$3299.

In Australia, there’s no 50-inch Q80B, but the rest of the range are readily available, priced at AUS$1799, AUS$2299, AUS$2999 and AUS$3999 respectively.

Samsung Q80B review: Features

  • Quantum Processor 4K
  • 4K 120Hz support
  • No Freeview Play

The Q80B doesn’t skimp on the feature front. The TV is built around a Quantum Dot LED panel with a full array backlight, which is able to deliver greater colour volume than a regular backlit LED panel.

It also boasts an advanced audio specification, with no fewer than six speakers, allied to the brand's Object Tracking Sound technology. This provides an enhanced sense of movement around the screen. 

The Q80B’s Quantum Processor 4K has the brawn to implement both AI optimised picture tuning and AI sound.

Samsung’s Tizen smart interface ensures there’s no shortage of streaming services on tap, and comes with a number of other attractions, such as a gaming portal and Smartthings oversight.  

Connectivity comprises four HDMIs, all of which support 4k 120Hz playback. There’s ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), Nvidia G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro support and eARC on HDMI 3, for hook-up to a soundbar or AV system.

There’s also a digital optical audio output, two USB ports, and Ethernet.

When it comes to TV tuners, there are both satellite and terrestrial options. There's also a common interface slot for those that require it.

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Samsung-Q80B-TV remote control in front of screen

(Image credit: Future)

Samsung Q80B review: Picture quality

  • Punchy HDR performance
  • No Dolby Vision support
  • Excellent Intelligent Mode

The screen, like so many other Quantum Dot sets offered by Samsung, is an obvious choice for bright room viewing. It’s blessed with vibrant colours and fine detail. 

A backlit screen will always struggle to deliver the same level of deep black as an OLED, but this set wins more battles than it loses. In rooms with ambient lighting, letterbox bars look darker than grey.

Overall image clarity is high, thanks largely to Samsung’s AI-powered Quantum Processor 4k.

When in Intelligent Mode, the processor works in tandem with the Light Sensor to dynamically manage picture settings according to ambient light. It works well, and if you’re the type of viewer who forgets, or simply can’t be bothered, to footle around in the Picture Settings menu, then it’s a great viewing option.

Disable Intelligent mode and you’ll have access to all the usual image presets, including Filmmaker Mode.

When it comes to HDR, there’s no dodging the fact that the set doesn’t support Dolby Vision. 

What you do get is adaptive HDR10+, a less widely adopted dynamic metadata standard, as well as regular HDR10 and HLG.

The lack of Dolby Vision is mitigated somewhat by the set’s HDR performance. We  measured peak brightness at 980 nits using a 10 per cent measurement patch.  

However there is obvious blooming when whites are placed against a black background. 

Image interpolation is slick, with few obvious artefacts, which is good news when it comes to sports, although you’ll want to switch Picture Clarity settings from Auto to Custom, to avoid the soap opera effect.

  • Picture quality score: 4/5

Samsung Q80B review: Sound quality

  • Object Tracking Sound
  • Dolby Atmos support
  • Six speaker array

In many ways, the biggest surprise about the Q80B is just how effective and entertaining its sound system is. Samsung has managed, through a combination of Object Sound Tracking technology and native multichannel support, to produce a TV that’s able to create a soundstage far bigger than its footprint or hardware might suggest. 

The TV actually employs six directional speakers, including two placed high on the rear for height channel work. Together they throw sound wide and high, yet manage to keep the soundstage coherent.

Even when Dolby Atmos isn’t available, the screen can still make sense of the incoming signal, and steer accordingly.

While you won’t long to add a soundbar from the get go, the TV is compatible with Samsung’s Q-Symphony models, which utilise both TV and soundbar speakers concurrently. 

Incidentally, the 50-inch Q80B doesn’t have physical height speakers like the rest of the range, instead relying on virtualisation.

The TV also has Active Voice amplification with Adaptive Sound Plus; this allows volume to be optimised, depending on your local viewing environment, and what you’re watching.

  • Sound quality score: 5/5

Samsung-Q80B- rear panel inputs

(Image credit: Future)

Samsung Q80B review: Design

  • Hefty but neat looking 
  • Central pedestal stand 
  • 54.7 mm deep

 If you want a wafer thin LED screen, the Q80B isn’t for you. The set has a full array backlight, rather than edge lighting, and consequently comes with more bulk than might be deemed fashionable. That said, the bezel, finished in dark grey, is slim, so viewed from the front all you’ll see is mostly screen.

The Q0B features a central, squared, pedestal stand, rather than edge-placed feet, which makes it less demanding of AV furniture. This metal stand looks substantial and has an attractive textured finish.

  • Design score: 3.5/5

Samsung-Q80B- TV Tizen smart TV interface

(Image credit: Future)

Samsung Q80B review: Smart TV & menus

  • Smart TV (Tizen)
  • Extensive app support 
  • Smartthings dashboard

The Q80B is based around Samsung’s highly polished Tizen smart platform. The interface recently moved to a full screen Home page design, and now comes with scads of curated content to scroll through.

Streaming service support is extensive. There’s Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Britbox, Now, and Apple TV+, to name just a few. UK buyers expecting to find Freeview Play as the default terrestrial TV service will find only vanilla Freeview, but thankfully all the main channel catch-up apps are on board, including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4 and My5.

The TV  comes with two remote controls. One a standard pointer, and the other a slim, solar powered Bluetooth alternative. Both have quick access buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney plus and Samsung TV plus (Samsung’s own linear TV channel selection, delivered via broadband). 

If you’re into voice control, the Q80B works with Bixby, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

  • Smart TV & menus score: 5/5

Samsung Q80B review: Gaming

  • 4K 120Hz support
  • Variable refresh rate support
  • Dedicated Game Hub

The Samsung's four HDMIs all support 4K 120Hz playback. There’s also ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), Nvidia G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro support for gaming.

Samsung's Tizen interface is also home to an all new Game Hub, which features cloud gaming services from Xbox and Utomik, as well as Twitch. 

  • Gaming score: 4.5/5

Samsung-Q80B-TV with colorful abstract image onscreen

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung Q80B review: Value

  • Future proof HDMI inputs 
  • Mid-range price point 
  • No soundbar required

In some ways the 65-inch Q80B occupies an awkward space when it comes to value. It’s significantly more expensive than regular LED screens of the same size, and doesn’t quite cut it at the premium end either.

But as we point out in our Samsung Q80B review, it ticks plenty of boxes. 

Picture quality, particularly if you’re a bright room viewer, is impressive, and audio is immersive enough to stave off any additional soundbar purchase, at least until funds allow.

It’s also a competitive buy if you’re a console gamer. Having all four HDMI inputs 120fps ready is a tangible bonus.

  • Value score: 4/5

Should you buy the Samsung QE65Q80B?

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Samsung Q80B
AttributesNotesRating
FeaturesNo Dolby Vision HDR support, but great gaming features, and Object Tracking Sound.4.5/5
Picture qualityBright with vibrant color, but some backlight blooming.4/5
Sound qualityCreates a soundstage far bigger than its footprint might suggest5/5
DesignSome bulk, but with a slim bezel, and substantial metal stand.3.5/5
Smart TV and menusTizen smart platform is highly polished and has extensive app support.5/5
GamingExtensive gaming features, along with dedicated gaming hub.4.5/5
ValueTicks plenty of boxes for the price.4.5/5

Buy it if…

You don’t intend to watch everything in a light controlled room
The Samsung Q80B is designed to shine when viewed in regular living spaces with sometimes high levels of ambient light. Its AI driven Intelligent picture mode will monitor changing conditions, and optimise accordingly…

You value gaming as much as TV catch-up
With all four HDMI inputs able to handle 4k 120Hz sources, plus VRR and ALLM, the Q80B is a great choice for next gen gamers…

You don’t plan on buying a soundbar any time soon
The 65-inch Q80B‘s six-pack of speakers have the brawn to deliver a rock solid soundstage with impressive directional steering. There’s plenty of sonic movement to match on-screen action…

Don't buy it if…

You’re a dyed in the wool movie fan
The lack of Dolby Vision support will guarantee home cinema FOMO and in a fully dark room you’ll expose the limitations of the backlight.  

Style is a prerequisite
The Q80B certainly isn’t ugly, but that full array backlight means the set isn’t likely to impress your interior designer.

Also consider

LG C2

LG C2
One aspect of the Q80B that doesn’t fully convince is its black level performance, which together with absent Dolby Vision support, means it’s unlikely to satisfy home cinema fans. An alternative to consider is LG’s OLED65C2. This slightly more expensive OLED model offers far more cinematic images, but also has a strong smart TV platform and excellent gaming support. 

Image

Philips 8807
One high-spec LED alternative to the Q80B is the Philips 8807. It scores a significant advantage over the Samsung when it comes to design, thanks to the provision of Philips Ambilight lounge lighting system. It also has a strong smart platform, in the form of the Android OS, and good 4k picture quality, although it doesn’t quite match the Q80B when it comes to gaming chops.

Samsung AU7100

Samsung AU7100
If the price tag of the Q80B is just a little too steep, but you still want a Samsung flatscreen with full Tizen smart platform goodness, consider the brand’s Crystal LED AU7100. We reckon this budget 4K TV boasts one of the best price-to-performance ratios you’ll find right now. 

Steve May
Home entertainment AV specialist

Steve has been writing about AV and home cinema since the dawn of time, or more accurately, since the glory days of VHS and Betamax. He has strong opinions on the latest TV technology, Hi-Fi and Blu-ray/media players, and likes nothing better than to crank up his ludicrously powerful home theatre system to binge-watch TV shows.