Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D vs TCL C6K

Direct compare

Neo QLED / QN85D / QNX1D

Info

C6K / C69K / Q6C

Info

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”98”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Tizen

Model year: 2024

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

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Overall rating

7.4

7.1

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.7

    6.7

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.8

    6.6

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    6.7

    6.3

  • Gaming on console

    8.9

    8.4

  • TV as a computer monitor

    7.6

    8.6

  • Watching in bright light

    7.3

    6.4

  • Utility functions

    7.4

    7.0

  • Apps

    8.7

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    7.0

    6.5

Advantages

  • Nice contrast - Miniled backlighting

  • Very good for gamers - 120Hz, 4xHDMI 2.1, low input lag

  • Tizen operating system with SmartThings and AirPlay support – wide integration and flexibility

  • Very high brightness 825 cd/m² – good performance in bright rooms

  • Pleasant sound with noticeable bass

  • Very good contrast and black levels: VA panel and MINI-LED backlighting

  • Good motion smoothness: High refresh rate of 144Hz

  • Decent panel brightness

  • Many features for gamers: VRR, ALLM, HDMI 2.1, HGiG

  • Additional mode for PC gamers: 240Hz

  • GoogleTV system with a wide selection of apps

  • Support for multiple HDR formats including Dolby Vision

  • Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS

  • Very attractive price

Disadvantages

No like
  • No recording feature

  • Limited support for multimedia formats, no DTS audio format

  • Management of the backlighting could be better

  • Language errors in the system

Our verdict

Samsung QN85D is the entry-level model in the Neo QLED series for 2024, but it certainly doesn’t come across as a "budget" option. It’s a television that combines modern technology with convenient smart features. During tests, the Tizen system operated smoothly, and integration with the SmartThings ecosystem made it easy to connect other devices in the home. If we use Apple devices, AirPlay works flawlessly, which is convenient, especially for viewing photos or videos from our phone. As for its performance during daily use, it simply works very well. The television handles viewing even in bright rooms – its brightness is sufficient that there’s no need to cover the windows. Additionally, the stable central stand not only looks good but also adds confidence that the device is standing securely and will definitely fit on smaller furniture. There is a lack of recording function, but the solar remote control, which operates decoders (e.g. Canal+) and the PiP function are practical additions that anyone who enjoys spending time watching regular television will appreciate. As for the picture – because that’s the most important thing in a TV – the QN85D makes a great impression. The VA panel provides very good blacks – especially if we watch the television head-on. Thanks to miniLED backlighting, the television better controls the light, resulting in much more detail visible in dark scenes. When it comes to motion fluidity, the television performs excellently thanks to the 120 Hz refresh rate – both games and matches are enjoyable to watch. If we’re gaming, low input lag combined with an excellent motion smoother and game bar will be a significant advantage – gameplay will be a pleasure. Samsung QN85D is a versatile television that will perform well for both everyday television watching and more demanding sessions or gaming on a console. Although it lacks some features, such as recording, its picture quality, motion fluidity, and smart capabilities definitely make up for these shortcomings. If we’re looking for a modern yet affordable Mini LED model, QN85D will be a very good choice.

TCL C6K is a TV for those who want to combine gaming and watching movies with good contrast, all without breaking the bank. With its VA panel illuminated by Mini-LED, blacks are deep and contrast is high, making evening viewings look truly impressive. Additionally, it boasts decent brightness, which paired with Dolby Vision gives films a cinematic quality. Importantly, the smoothness of the image – the 144Hz refresh rate works wonders for sports and dynamic games, and gamers receive a full package of bonuses: VRR, ALLM, HDMI 2.1, HGiG, and even a 240Hz mode in PC. For daily use, the TV is powered by Google TV, which offers a multitude of apps and the Gemini AI voice assistant, making navigation convenient and flexible. It's also worth mentioning the sound – support for Dolby Atmos and DTS gives the impression that the device is ready not just for gaming. As is often the case, there are a few things that could be improved. The backlighting in challenging scenes can lose details or wash out blacks, and the Polish translations in the menu can be so clumsy that you really have to think about what’s being said. Despite this, the overall package holds up very well, and considering the price, the TCL C6K could be one of the more interesting choices for anyone looking for a versatile TV for movies, sports, and gaming. Especially when a good promotion comes along – and when TCL traditionally fine-tunes the details in updates.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
Other inputs
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality
Good
Good
Stand type
Central
Legs
Stand type
stand-type-Graphite
stand-type-Graphite
Stand
stand-Fixed
stand-Fixed
FlatDesign
Yes
Yes
Accessories
accessories-Stand
accessories-Stand

Contrast and black detail

7.6/10

7.3/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 120 (12 x 10)

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 180 (10 x 18)

Contrast:

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D Contrast and black detail

Result

107,750:1

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D Contrast and black detail

Result

27,100:1

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D Contrast and black detail

Result

62,500:1

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D Contrast and black detail

Result

8,750:1

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D Contrast and black detail

Result

4,950:1

Review TCL C6K Contrast and black detail

Result

114,000:1

Review TCL C6K Contrast and black detail

Result

17,300:1

Review TCL C6K Contrast and black detail

Result

16,200:1

Review TCL C6K Contrast and black detail

Result

9,900:1

Review TCL C6K Contrast and black detail

Result

4,850:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Samsung QN85D for 2024 is the first model from the NeoQLED series to use a VA panel, offering significantly better blacks than IPS/ADS technologies. The 55-inch version has 160 dimming zones, which may not be an impressive number compared to competing models from China. In larger sizes, the number of zones is greater, which naturally translates to better contrast. The contrast results are good, but certain limitations are evident.

With smaller elements on the screen, the limited number of zones causes issues – the TV either tries to maintain a high brightness level, resulting in a halo effect around objects, or it dims too much, as observed in the test scene from the Pioneer disc. Additionally, in the same scene where the TV showcased its highest capabilities (Oblivion) in contrast, it also has significant problems with light separation. You can see how the TV struggles to maintain the best black at the cost of detail in the whites. You can't have it all. Both of these effects impact the perception of contrast, making the performance weaker in more challenging conditions. However, compared to TVs without local dimming technology, the results are very positive and can be surprising.

The TCL C6K is based on a VA panel, specifically an HVA produced by TCL CSOT, which already delivers a solid native contrast of 6000–7000:1 without the use of local dimming. However, the true strength of this model lies in its Mini-LED backlighting with the ability to dim individual zones. In the tested 55-inch version, we counted around 180 zones, and as the diagonal size increases, this number naturally grows. For a television in this price segment, the contrast is truly impressive. In simpler film scenes, such as segments from 'Oblivion', it looks fantastic, and shots completely filled with black make a great impression. Of course, due to the characteristics of Mini-LED technology, it's not always possible to avoid issues – in more challenging frames with many bright details, halo effects can appear, or some elements may be dimmed too strongly (regardless of local dimming settings). Nevertheless, the contrast can be regarded as a strong point of the C6K.

HDR effect quality

5.6/10

4.9/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 94.6%, Bt.2020: 77.5%
DCI P3: 92.6%, Bt.2020: 71.3%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D Brightness measurement

Result

999 nit

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D Brightness measurement

Result

335 nit

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D Brightness measurement

Result

562 nit

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D Brightness measurement

Result

182 nit

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D Brightness measurement

Result

855 nit

Review TCL C6K Brightness measurement

Result

612 nit

Review TCL C6K Brightness measurement

Result

202 nit

Review TCL C6K Brightness measurement

Result

424 nit

Review TCL C6K Brightness measurement

Result

144 nit

Review TCL C6K Brightness measurement

Result

587 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Static HDR10

Dynamic: HDR10+

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

HDR luminance chart:

TCL C6K

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

Samsung QN85D leaves us with mixed feelings regarding HDR quality. It can shine in synthetic luminance tests, reaching even 1000 nits – which makes scenes like those from 'The Meg' or the start of 'Life of Pi', where the screen is all bright, look truly impressive. However, in practice, the device has its limitations – especially when smaller bright elements appear on the screen. In such moments, brightness noticeably drops, and the HDR effect loses its punch. At brightness levels around 200-300 nits, the magic of HDR simply fades away, not delivering spectacular effects. However, it’s not that the television completely disappoints – coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut at 95% is quite decent, although it doesn’t stand out against the best competitors. Colours are well-rendered, but it's clear that HDR could make a bigger impression if brightness could be better controlled.

TCL C6K is a moderately bright television that can showcase its full capabilities in the best movie conditions – the maximum brightness is around 600 nits. In scenes with large, intense light sources, the HDR effect can be truly satisfying, providing a sense of cinematic sparkle. However, it's important to remember that with local dimming management, there are situations where some elements become dimmed, and sometimes even barely visible. It is clear that there is a lack of proper optimization of the algorithms, although looking at the technical parameters in this price range, the build quality performs very well.

Factory color reproduction

6.3/10

5/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

Samsung QN85D TV has been tested in the best available mode – Filmmaker. While one might expect its name suggests a mode perfectly suited for films, unfortunately, it has several significant issues.

When it comes to white balance for HD content, there is a noticeable dominance of red and blue, which makes the entire image take on pinkish hues – this is also confirmed by Colour Checker tests. This effect disturbs the naturalness of skin tones and many other elements, which is particularly evident in more demanding scenes. Initially, the white balance for 4K HDR content seems correct, but at the end of the graph, there is a significant spike in blue hues, affecting the final image quality and making the colours appear unnatural.

The gamma brightness characteristic is also not ideal – although it generally stays close to the reference value, there is a slight drop below 2.4, which can impact the perceived depth of shadows. The EOTF curve responsible for 4K content does not perform any better. There is a clear boost compared to the reference curve, leading to excessive brightness in some areas, thus losing the cinematic quality that the Filmmaker mode should provide. While it might initially seem that the effect is cinematic, unfortunately, the number of errors in colour and brightness reproduction is too significant to call it flawless.

This year's TCL televisions have introduced the Filmmaker mode, and it must be said that it is definitely the best choice right out of the box. This is the mode we recommend for everyday viewing of movies and series. Unfortunately, as is often the case, the best does not mean perfect. In the case of SDR content, the image was too warm, as the red was quite prominent in the white balance. On the other hand, with HDR content, we had the opposite impression – the image became cooler than it should have been, due to an excess of blue. There is also the brightness characteristic, which at times led to overexposure. In practice, these issues combined resulted in quite noticeable errors in colour tests, which are hard to accept in a mode advertised as “by the creators”.

Color reproduction after calibration

7.9/10

7.5/10

After professional calibration of the Filmmaker mode on the Samsung QN85D television, a significant improvement is noticeable, especially for HD/SDR content. The white balance has been completely free of major errors, and the brightness characteristics for this type of content have been significantly adjusted, allowing for a more natural and realistic image. Television, YouTube films, and other HD materials now look much better, with appropriately balanced colours and without the exaggerated hues that previously marred the experience.

However, the biggest issues arise with 4K HDR content. Despite the calibration, it's hard to speak of significant improvement in white balance here – the differences are cosmetic rather than essential. Brightness, governed by the EOTF curve, seems to be set according to the reference level in synthetic tests at first glance, but has its limitations during actual viewing in films. When analysing the EOTF curve in real film scenes, it becomes clear that the television struggles to maintain consistency in brightness. The effect is that mixed scenes still have their darkest elements boosted, leading to exaggerated contrasts, and completely dark scenes remain too dark, which negatively affects the visibility of details.

Thanks to the white balance adjustment, we were able to significantly reduce the C6K's tendency to distort colours, which resulted in a very good end result. After calibration, we won't observe the effect of excessive warming of scenes in SDR or overly cooling the image in HDR. However, it is worth taking a closer look at the brightness characteristics. In SDR content, it's hard to have major objections – the picture looks really good, especially in older movies, TV shows, or material from YouTube. It performs significantly worse with HDR content. An analysis of the EOTF curve suggests that everything is fine, but in practice (EOTF in movies), the limitations of the construction become apparent. The television tends to excessively brighten the smallest fragments of the frame, and in other situations, it can overly dim the entire scene. The effect of calibration is therefore noticeable, and regarding colourimetry, the C6K has really gained a lot, but certain limitations resulting from local dimming and actually from its management by the C6K simply cannot be overlooked.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7.6/10

9.5/10

When it comes to tonal transition fluidity on the Samsung QN85D television, it’s generally very good. The tonal transitions are smooth, and there are no significant artifacts. However, more demanding users may notice some issues in certain scenes. For example, when blending darker colours, like in the scene with the red sea, subtle shortcomings can be observed. Similarly, in the case of lighter colours – the scene from the film 'The Martian' shows slight gradation issues, leading to subtle but noticeable transitions between shades. Despite these minor shortcomings, most users should be satisfied. The results are of a high standard and in most cases provide smooth, natural transitions between colours.

The transitions between colours in the C6K are very smooth, and it’s hard to nitpick any banding. The image looks natural, and any minor imperfections can only be noticed on bright test patterns – and only with really careful viewing. In everyday use, the effect is simply fantastic, and it’s safe to say that in this category, the C6K performs outstandingly.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7/10

5/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
OK
Smooth transition function
OK
No

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

When checking the fluidity of tonal transitions in low-resolution materials on the Samsung QN85D television, it’s worth noting the noise reduction feature, which significantly improves problematic tonal transitions. On the other hand, this feature also has its downsides – it removes film grain, which is an important element of many productions, giving them authenticity, and it can also soften the image. This may appeal to those who prefer a smoother picture; however, for lovers of the authentic look of films, using this feature should be considered carefully.

Regarding image scaling, the television performs very well. The model's figure is presented correctly, without noticeable distortions, and the branches in the background do not have excessive artificial sharpness, which is often a problem when scaling lower resolution materials. The high capabilities of the image processor are evident here, which can effectively process lower quality materials, ensuring good final quality.

TCL C6K performs quite well in terms of upscaling. Lower quality materials appear acceptable, and the absence of overscan issues means the image is displayed in full, without cropping. However, one cannot expect miracles – very low quality content won't come to life here, as the image processor has its limitations. On thin lines or details, there is characteristic tearing visible, which indicates a lack of advanced image enhancement algorithms. It is also a shame that the C6K lacks the function of smoothing tonal transitions – in older films or video materials, colour banding can be noticeable and may be distracting during longer viewing sessions.

Blur and motion smoothness

7.5/10

7.3/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
120Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
BFI function 120Hz
Nie
Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Brightness drop with BFI
75%
20%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

Samsung QN85D TV is equipped with a 120 Hz refresh rate panel, which should satisfy both gamers and sports enthusiasts by offering a smooth and dynamic image. There are options to enhance fluidity, such as the blur and judder reduction feature, which allows precise motion fluidity adjustments on a 10-point scale. The blur reduction increases the sharpness of fast-moving objects, making action scenes more readable, while judder reduction smooths out motion, eliminating the “judder” effect. Ghosting is generally well controlled, though minor imperfections can be visible in more demanding scenes, especially when an object moves against a dark background. Additionally, the TV offers a BFI (Black Frame Insertion) feature at a 60 Hz refresh rate, which can significantly improve motion fluidity experience, although at the cost of image flicker, which might be bothersome for some users.

TCL C6K uses a 144 Hz panel, which is a significant advantage in this price range. It's an important step forward in comparison to the previous model C655 PRO, which only offered 60 Hz in 4K. The difference is especially noticeable when watching sports or playing games – the ball, players, or fast action in the game are displayed more clearly and without losing detail. An interesting fact is the panel's ability to operate at 240 Hz, which the manufacturer doesn't mention in official materials. We will return to this topic when discussing the PC gaming mode.

TCL has also added a feature for movie watchers: "Motion Clarity," which allows users to adjust the image according to their preferences with two simple sliders. You can either keep the visible film frame or opt for a very smooth, almost theatrical effect. This way, everyone can find settings that match their taste.

Console compatibility and gaming features

9.5/10

9.8/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 120Hz
    48 - 240Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    No
    Yes
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

The Samsung QN85D television is an excellent choice for gamers, offering a wide range of features that enhance the gaming experience and make it even more exciting. With a 120 Hz refresh rate panel, the image is incredibly smooth, which is crucial during dynamic scenes in action games. The television also boasts low input lag, allowing for nearly instant reactions to player commands, which translates into better control over characters and events on the screen.

In addition, the QN85D Samsung supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) technologies, which optimise image smoothness and reduce delays by automatically adjusting the television to the needs of gamers. Moreover, the Xbox app allows for cloud gaming without the need for a console, which is a big plus for those who want to enjoy their favourite titles without additional hardware – a feature that sets Samsung televisions apart.

The Auto Motion Plus Game feature is another aspect worth highlighting. This motion smoothing technology creates the illusion of more frames per second – as a result, games at 30 fps appear smoother, resembling gameplay at 45 fps, while games at 60 Hz come closer to 90 Hz. Most importantly, this feature does not introduce significant lag, ensuring that gaming comfort is not compromised. This allows gamers to enjoy a smoother image without compromising responsiveness.

The TCL C6K is a television that can confidently be called equipment designed for gamers. We have 4K at 144 Hz, VRR support, an automatic gaming mode (ALLM), and Dolby Vision Gaming. On top of that, there's a practical Game Bar, which is a panel with the most important settings handy – useful when we want to quickly change something during gameplay (e.g. screen ratio: Yes, you can!). Notably, it has a wide range of VRR, reaching up to 240 Hz. However, this option is mainly for PC gamers who drop below the native 4K resolution. In that case, the television can spread its wings and show additional smoothness, especially in fast e-sport titles. For consoles, we stick with the classic limit of 120 Hz, but the possibilities are still quite broad. The only slight drawback is some minor motion blur that can occasionally be seen in dynamic scenes. Other than that, the C6K offers everything gamers expect from a television.

Input lag

9.9/10

9.7/10

SDR

1080p60
14 ms
18 ms
1080p120
10 ms
10 ms
2160p60
14 ms
18 ms
2160p120
10 ms
10 ms

HDR

2160p60
14 ms
18 ms
2160p120
10 ms
10 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
18 ms
2160p120 DV
9 ms

Samsung QN85D impresses when it comes to input lag value. The television achieves outstanding results – below 15 ms for 60 Hz content and around 10 ms for 120 Hz content. This allows gamers to enjoy instantaneous responses to their actions, especially in dynamic games where every millisecond counts. Such low input lag makes gameplay more responsive and natural, enhancing the overall experience while playing.

In terms of input lag, the TCL C6K performs excellently. With 120 Hz content, the delay is around 10 ms, and at times even less. This is at a level where the response is practically instantaneous, and it’s hard to find any complaints. For 60 Hz materials, the result is around 18 ms – still a very good result, more than adequate for comfortable gaming.

Compatibility with PC

7.6/10

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Average
Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
10ms
11ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
BGR
Max refresh rate
120Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

Samsung QN85D could be a good option as a computer monitor. Thanks to support for chroma 4:4:4 (available only in "Game" mode), text on the screen is clear and easy to read, which is crucial for those working with word documents or spreadsheets. A major advantage of this model is its exceptionally low input lag in "PC" mode – just 9 ms, which is really impressive and provides high fluidity and responsiveness, making it suitable for both work and gaming. However, there are some drawbacks. When displaying fonts on a dark background, an issue arises – when zooming in on an image, it can be seen that the horizontal lines are darker than the vertical ones. This is due to the fact that the sub-pixels in those areas do not light up fully, which may be a result of oversight on the manufacturer's part in optimising the algorithm responsible for displaying thin lines. As a result, the quality of text on a dark background is not ideal. Despite this, the television still remains a very good choice as a PC monitor, especially considering the low input lag and support for chroma 4:4:4.

After connecting the TCL C6K to the computer, it performs excellently. At native resolution, we have 4K at 144 Hz, and if we lower the resolution, we can even achieve 240 Hz. Additionally, the TV works well with Nvidia and AMD cards – it supports both G-Sync and FreeSync. It’s also hard to fault for office work. Fonts are sharp and readable thanks to 4:4:4 chroma support, and any minor imperfections are so negligible that they're simply not noticeable in regular use.

Viewing angles

2.9/10

3/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
84%
79%

The Samsung QN85D television, due to its VA panel, has quite poor viewing angles. When viewed from the side, colours lose their intensity, and the image becomes noticeably less contrasted. This is a typical drawback of VA panels, which offer significantly worse picture quality when viewed from wider angles. However, directly in front of the television, the situation looks much better – the VA panel then provides deep blacks and better contrast, which is a big plus if the television is mainly watched while sitting directly in front of the screen.

In the TCL C6K, the viewing angles are typical for VA panels. Sitting directly in front, the picture looks very good, but any movement to the side results in a noticeable drop in colour saturation and brightness. The difference is particularly evident in colourful scenes – the hues become washed out, and the contrast loses its depth. Compared to IPS panels, this is clearly a weaker result, although the better black levels and higher native contrast remain a compensating factor – "you win some, you lose some".

TV efficiency during daytime

7.3/10

6.4/10

Matrix coating
Satin
Satin
Reflection suppression
Average
Decent
Black levels during daytime
Good
Good

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

TCL C6K: 532 cd/m2

Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D: 825 cd/m2

Samsung QN85D TV performs very well in bright daylight conditions. Although the satin panel moderately suppresses reflections, the brightness level of 825 cd/m² is truly impressive. Even in direct sunlight, the television handles itself very well, providing a clear and sharp image, and the largest external light sources do not pose a significant problem. This makes this model a good option for rooms with a lot of natural light.

TCL C6K performs quite well in bright lighting conditions. The panel offers decent brightness – achieving around 550 nits in SDR content, which allows for comfortable viewing in a moderately lit lounge, even on days with strong light coming through the windows. This means that daytime viewing does not require complete darkening of the room. It's also worth noting that the screen coating does quite a good job of reducing reflections, so the TV doesn't turn into a "mirror" even with bright lighting. However, this is not on the level of top models with more advanced anti-reflective coatings – in very challenging conditions, such as large windows, reflections will be noticeable.

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type
Mini-LED QLED
PFS LED
Software version during testing
1120
V8-T653T01-LF1V531.002396
Image processor
MT5896 2,5GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Samsung Neo QLED QN85D / QNX1D

TCL C6K

TV features

7.4/10

7/10

  • HDMI inputs
    0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
    2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
  • Outputs
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
    Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
  • Network Interfaces
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
    Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    No
    No
  • Recording programming
    No
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    Yes
    No
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    RF
    RF
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker
    Yes
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Wyszukiwanie głosowe
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes

Samsung QN85D offers a wide range of smart features, thanks to the Tizen platform. Users have access to applications and features such as SmartThings, allowing management not only of Samsung devices but also equipment from other brands, creating a complete smart home ecosystem. The TV also supports AirPlay, enabling convenient content streaming from Apple devices directly to the screen, enhancing flexibility and comfort in everyday use.

Model QN85D also stands out in terms of unique features. The TV features Daily+, offering a variety of daily content such as fitness exercises or workspace. Additionally, the attractive appearance of the TV, while not as slim as last year's models, still presents well. The central stand provides solid support and adds character to the device, giving the TV a more elegant look.

In terms of user features, the TV is equipped with a remote that controls set-top boxes, such as Canal+, allowing easy control of most home equipment with a single device. The TV also has a PiP (Picture-in-Picture) function, enabling simultaneous viewing of two image sources. Unfortunately, one of the drawbacks that can be noticed is the lack of a recording function, which may be a significant downside for some users.

Multimedia Features: Google TV

The standout feature of the TCL C6K is undoubtedly the Google TV system. It gives the television its character and gives it an edge over many competitors. We have a full suite of services – from support for popular streaming apps, through screen mirroring support, to AirPlay, so iPhone users will feel right at home. Additionally, there's Google Assistant (now in the Gemini AI version), which not only answers questions but also efficiently carries out simple commands like changing channels or searching for content on VOD services. The system itself operates quite responsively, although it’s hard not to mention a certain drawback – the clumsy translations in the Polish menu can elicit a smile but sometimes require a moment of thought to decipher what’s really meant.

Classic Features

When it comes to classic television features, the TCL C6K is rather average. We won’t find USB recording or PiP mode, which may be disappointing for some. However, the manufacturer hasn’t forgotten the basics – teletext television and a clear EPG are available, which still hold significance for some users. In everyday use, support for external audio devices via Bluetooth comes in handy – a straightforward way to connect a speaker or headphones, which could be a practical solution for seniors. Beyond that, it’s hard to spot elements that would distinguish the C6K from its competitors – it’s simply a solid, but standard package of basic features.

Playing files from USB

9.1/10

8.9/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
No
PNG
No
Yes
GIF
No
Yes
WebP
No
Yes
TIFF
No
No
BMP
Yes
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
Yes
24 Mpix
Yes
Yes
28 Mpix
Yes
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

The built-in player in the Samsung QN85D should satisfy most users. It handles popular video and audio formats without much trouble, offering solid support for the most commonly used codecs. However, more demanding users may notice some shortcomings – it is not possible to play photos in the HEIC format, popular in Apple devices, as well as a few other, less common photo formats.

The built-in media player in the TCL C6K performs really well – practically all popular file formats work without major issues. There are minor exceptions, particularly with less common codecs or unusual video file configurations, but in everyday use, this rarely becomes noticeable. The biggest plus, however, is that the television runs on Google TV, which offers complete freedom in choosing additional software. If someone encounters a file that the standard player can't handle, all they need to do is install an alternative – like VLC – and the problem disappears.

Apps

8.7/10

9.6/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
No
Kodi
OK
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
OK
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
OK
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
HBO_MAX
OK
Kodi
No
Apple_music
OK
Eleven_sports
No
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
No
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
OK
Steam Link

Sound

7/10

6.5/10

  • Subjective sound quality:
    7/10
    6.5/10
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1:
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1:
    No
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC):
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD:
    No
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA:
    No
    Yes
  • DTS-HD Master Audio:
    No
    Yes

The sound on the Samsung QN85D television is pleasant, with a subtle sense of bass and clarity across the entire volume range. This is thanks to the built-in 2.2 40W speakers. Unfortunately, the lack of support for the DTS audio format may be problematic for users wanting to enjoy a full sound experience. In such cases, it will be necessary to use an external player to get support for this format.

In terms of audio, the TCL C6K performs quite well. The manufacturer has been boasting about its collaboration with the Onkyo brand for several years, and it indeed reflects on the sound quality. The sound is pleasant, with clear mid-tones and fairly crisp highs, and overall, it gives the impression of being well-balanced. Of course, it won't replace a proper soundbar, especially regarding bass depth, but for built-in speakers in a TV from this price segment – it’s really quite good.