Paweł Koper
Another year goes by, and the NeoQLED TVs have firmly settled into Samsung's offer – this is currently the most important line of LCD TVs from this brand. In 2025, the manufacturer decided not only to refresh the series but also to clearly change its position within the entire portfolio. Models with the "F" suffix have replaced those from previous years, and the differences don't end with the naming. We check out what’s new with the 2025 NeoQLEDs, how the individual models differ, and which one is worth buying.
What exactly is NeoQLED?
Alright – since you've found your way here, it may not be obvious what NeoQLEDs actually are. The name sounds impressive, but what's it all about? Alright, let us explain.
NeoQLED is simply Samsung's marketing name for QLED LCD televisions that use modern Mini LED diodes and local dimming instead of standard LED backlighting.
Sounds simple? Because it is. In practice, we're still dealing with a classic LCD screen with a layer of Quantum Dots, which thanks to the denser Mini LED backlighting can offer significantly higher contrast and brightness than standard televisions without this technology.
And what about QLED? It's nothing more than a layer of Quantum Dots – tiny particles that enhance colours. In practice, these particles ensure that, for example, red is truly red, not pink.
In short: NeoQLED = QLED + Mini LED + advanced local dimming control.
NeoQLED 8K in 2025 – a future that's already here?
Alright, enough of this marketing chat. Let's get to the specifics.
Samsung in 2025 really went wide when it comes to Mini LEDs. The portfolio has expanded from more affordable models to absolutely top-tier televisions that are designed to shine both on the store shelf and in a luxury lounge. At the very top are two 8K models – QN900F and QN990F. And while their names suggest they are quite similar, in practice we have completely different approaches.
QN990F – just like the film "Back to the Future"
QN990F is a flagship in every sense. A television that looks like it just stepped out of a future laboratory. It has a wireless One Connect module, which means all the cable mess is off to the side – there's practically nothing around the screen. Plus, it features an 8K panel with a refresh rate of 120 Hz or 4K at 240 Hz, an enormous number of backlight zones, and an absolute lack of bezels around the image. The whole thing sits on a glass base, which enhances the effect of the "floating" screen. It truly looks like something out of "Back to the Future" – and that's exactly the effect Samsung wants to achieve.
QN900F – like The Frame 8K
On the other hand, the QN900F is its more subdued sibling. We are still talking about a high-end 8K television, but there are no bells and whistles when it comes to appearance. We have a classic, fairly "thick" bezel – something that resembles the styling of the Samsung The Frame television. The wireless One Connect is also gone. It’s still a very good model, but more suited for those who value sturdiness and tried-and-true solutions rather than necessarily wanting to create a "wow" effect for guests right upon turning on the television.
Which one to choose? There will be time for tests later, but it can be assumed now that if the budget allows, the QN990F is the more “premium” television – both in terms of appearance and the technologies used.
Matte panel in 8K televisions!
Lastly, it’s worth mentioning an interesting common element. Both models have received a matte "Glare Free" panel – a solution that has so far been mainly reserved for The Frame model and some OLEDs, such as the S95 series. Now the matte coating is also available in the flagship NeoQLED 8K models, significantly improving their ability to handle light reflections in bright rooms. In everyday use, this could be a more important change than all the numbers and megahertz combined.
NeoQLED 4K 2025 – which one to choose?
Alright, the ridiculous futuristic tops are behind us. It’s time to get down to earth and address what really interests most people looking for a new TV. We’re of course talking about the classic NeoQLED 4K TVs – the more affordable ones that have a chance of landing in our living rooms. This year, Samsung has prepared as many as four different models, which at first glance may seem similar, but in practice can differ quite a lot. Let’s start with the best one.
QN90F – matte flagship 4K
QN90F is the direct successor to the well-known and loved QN90D. On paper, it looks very similar – similar number of dimming zones, similar technologies, the same direction of development. But Samsung is pulling out its "ace up the sleeve" this year – matte coating on the screen.
Does it make sense? After conversations with several people and experiences from previous tests – it seems that it does. The matte screen is a compromise between "vibrancy of colours" and lack of reflections, which performs really well in everyday use. For many users, the absence of reflections is simply more important than a bit of lost screen brightness during the day.
QN90F is set to be the flagship NeoQLED 4K – slightly cheaper than the 8K beasts, but still powerful. It’s suitable for gaming (144 Hz panel, low latency, VRR) as well as for watching movies – thanks to refined image processing algorithms and a fast processor.
QN85F and QN80F – the differences are there, but subtle
Next, we have QN85F and QN80F – two TVs that look almost identical, have a very similar design, and both use zone dimming technology. What sets them apart is probably the number of backlight zones, as was the case in the 2024 models (QN85D vs Q80D).
Aside from that, the differences will be rather subtle – slightly boosted brightness, a somewhat better speaker set, or other details in the specifications. Here, it must be said honestly – it’s worth waiting for our first tests. However, if both models are available at a similar price, the logical choice seems to be the more expensive QN85F – as it will likely offer simply more.
QN70F – the cheapest NeoQLED and a little puzzle
At the very bottom of the range is the QN70F (or QN77F) – and this is an interesting release. For the first time in history, the Q70 series is entering the NeoQLED family. The television is supposed to be brighter than typical LCD models from the previous year, and it has a new processor and AI features. Sounds good? Theoretically, yes.
The problem is that, as one of the NeoQLEDs, it uses edge lighting rather than full local dimming. This means that in terms of black levels and contrast, it may be significantly weaker than higher models – but we will hold off on the assessment until the first tests. For now, the QN70F looks like an option for gamers and budget-conscious users who want to enter the world of Mini LED but don't necessarily need cinematic blacks.
What connects all NeoQLEDs 2025?
There's one thing that really ties all these models together – and no, we're not talking about any super technical specs or another magical feature like "AI HDR Ultra Turbo Max". It's about the very approach to using the television.
In 2025, Samsung focused on something it calls Vision AI – meaning a whole concept of a television that is no longer just a screen for watching Netflix, but actually a control centre for the home and multimedia. We won’t overly praise features like image enhancement for lighting conditions – although yes, that works too. What’s much more interesting are the things that really add value to everyday use: an intelligent assistant that is actually intelligent, gesture control via a Samsung watch, quick access to many services, better integration with apps, and even easy pairing of headphones and speakers. And while all of this sounds like marketing slogans, it's this entire “ecosystem” that makes the television start to function like the centre of our digital life – rather than just a big screen on the wall.
