SAMSUNG Q80T
Brings high-spec 4K QLED features at a lower price than flagship sets
ights, colours, action! The cheapest 2020 QLED TV to offer a full-array backlight, the Q80T offers all the familiar attributes of Samsung’s QLED models. It’s natively bright and wondrously colour rich. It also produces a convincing black level performance, thanks to its full array backlight with local dimming.
Samsung won’t confirm how many zones there are on this set, but we strongly suspect there’s around 50, comparable to last year’s Q70R. This isn’t enough to completely control backlight blooming, and we noticed some splodges of light from bright objects on black backgrounds. Last year’s Q80R model performed more strongly in this area, and it’s a shame that the backlight dimming performance isn’t a bit stronger.
But if the Q80T has one talent that sets its apart from the competition, it’s the ability to believably upscale low-res sources. Indeed, it probably offers the best upscaling of any 4K screen we’ve seen to date. Whether you watch low-res streams, or spin your favourite Blu-rays (or even DVDs), it effortlessly reduces jagged edges, smooths gradations, and makes things just look silky.
Gamers can maximise image performance, but keep lag down by using Game Motion Plus. Even with this cocktail switched on, image lag is an entirely respectable 19.7ms
LIt effortlessly reduces jagged edges and makes things just look silky
(1080/60). Switched off, for maximum gaming, image lag plummets to just 8.7ms, blisteringly fast for a telly.
There’s still no compatibility with Dolby Vision (Samsung refuses to play ball), but we do get support for rival format HDR10+, as favoured by Amazon Prime. Samsung has gathered together all the mainstream catch-up channels, plus Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, Disney+, Stan, Kayo and YouTube, amongst others.
Overall, the Q80T is a formidable 4K model that warrants a premium price tag overall. It’s an intrinsically bright HDR performer that’s absolutely perfect for daylight viewing, or in rooms with generally high levels of ambient light. Our issue with giving it an even stronger recommendation is the wider context in which it’s been released. Its screen tech is actually slightly behind last year’s (now) cheaper Samsung Q80R model. And while it’s an excellent set, it still doesn’t quite rival the CX’s gaming prowess.
From $3,959, lg.com/au
WE’RE IMPRESSED Gorgeous picture quality, thrilling gaming features and affordability (by OLED standards) make this an eminently appealing 4K set. WE’D IMPROVE It struggles with bass. Also, the lack of HDR10+ support and potential for image retention aren’t ideal.
The LG CX’s combination of exquisite
01 GO BIG AND STAY HOME
As we move from HD to 4K, screen size becomes a key consideration. To see incremental differences in resolution, you’ll probably need to buy a bigger screen than you had previously, or move your seating closer. Long story short: think big, then buy bigger.
02 THE NOT-SODISTANT FUTURE
Counter intuitive it may well be, but ultra-large screens are pictures, cinematic nuance and all-round solid features at a comparatively low price make it LG’s most irresistible OLED TV yet – and, indeed, the most tempting in its bracket. However, its problems handling the bass parts of big movie soundtracks may force you to add a soundbar. perfect for smaller rooms, if you want to really see every drop of detail. Everything you think you know about viewing distances is changing…
03 STRIKING THE LIGHT BALANCE
Then there’s viewing environment. If you tend to watch in high ambient lighting, or during daytime, an LED or QLED screen will typically tend to serve you better. If you prefer to view with low or no lighting, an OLED will deliver