SAMSUNG QN80F vs LG QNED80A6A (VA)

Direct comparison

QN80F

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”

Available screen sizes: 50”55”75”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Tizen

Model year: 2025

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Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: WebOS

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

7.4

6.2

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.9

    6.3

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.8

    6.5

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    6.7

    5.5

  • Gaming on console

    8.9

    7.0

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.8

    5.8

  • Watching in bright light

    6.6

    4.4

  • Utility functions

    7.7

    6.8

  • Apps

    9.3

    9.1

  • Sound quality

    6.7

    6.0

Advantages

  • Great black levels and contrast - VA panel combined with MINI-LED backlighting.

  • Excellent brightness - up to 1000 nits in HDR

  • Fast and responsive panel - 144 Hz

  • Robust support for gamers - 4xHDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, GameBar, Game Motion Plus

  • Very good usability in daylight

  • Advanced Tizen operating system

  • Easy to use

  • PiP function

  • High native contrast (over 6000:1) providing deep blacks in movies

  • Excellent colour saturation (DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage above 90%) thanks to PFS technology (QNED).

  • Good detail reproduction in HDR

  • Outstanding WebOS 25 system – fast, intuitive, and guaranteed updates

  • Magic Remote included – cursor control

  • Effective upscaling and smoothing function for tonal transitions

  • Decent features for gamers (VRR, ALLM, HGiG), despite the 60Hz panel

  • Low input lag

  • Smooth tonal transitions – no visible "steps" in colour gradients

  • Good readability of fonts when connected to PC (sharp text).

Disadvantages

No like
  • No DTS format support – a limitation when connecting a home theatre system

  • No USB recording function

  • Relatively few dimming zones

  • Narrow viewing angles – the image loses quality when viewed from the side

  • Aggressive local dimming – in difficult scenes, it causes visible blooming.

  • 60Hz panel

  • No support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+

  • Average brightness

  • Flat sound lacking bass – a soundbar is recommended

Our verdict

QN80F is the first in the history of Samsung's "eighty range" to feature Mini LED backlighting. And it does it really well. Although the number of dimming zones isn't staggering, the black levels are solid, and in combination with high brightness, it allows for a very decent picture in HDR content. Additionally, there's a 144 Hz panel that provides excellent motion fluidity, and the gaming features – VRR, ALLM, Game Motion Plus – make the QN80F an option truly designed for those gaming on consoles or PCs. The television operates quickly and responsively, and the Tizen system runs like lightning – whether you’re searching for apps or switching sources. Is there anything to nitpick? Of course, as always – there are shortcomings in the system (like USB recording), DTS support is absent, and Mini LED comes with its own limitations. But the QN80F is a fantastic everyday television – versatile, refined, and... with great price potential. Looking at the history of this series, we can expect that this "eighty" will still shake things up once it hits the first reasonable promotions. And then it could be virtually unbeatable at its price – especially if Samsung fixes the minor teething issues.

Looking at the QNED80A in the VA version as a whole, we are dealing with a television that has a very specific character. It's a piece of equipment that movie lovers seeking savings will appreciate, as long as... they accept certain shortcomings. We get really solid blacks and contrast here, but we pay for it with narrow viewing angles. There's no denying it: this is a TV for those who have their favourite spot in the middle of the couch. Of course, you can feel some budget cuts here – the 60Hz panel or edge dimming, which sometimes struggles with difficult scenes, are elements that remind you that this isn't the highest tier of televisions. However, LG cleverly makes up for these hardware shortcomings with excellent software. It's quite surprising how well this TV handles pulling out details in HDR or upscaling lower quality cable materials – the processor does a great job here, making the picture look more expensive than it is in reality. If we add to that the great WebOS system and gaming features that, despite the lack of 120Hz, manage to deliver, we get a very successful screen for home cinema. It requires some understanding, but in return, it rewards you with a really vibrant image at an affordable price.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
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
Bezel color
Graphite
Graphite
Stand
Fixed
Fixed
Flat design
Yes
Yes
Accessories
Stand
Stand

Contrast and black detail

6.8/10

6.3/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 88 (8 x 11)

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 6 (1 x 6)

Contrast:

Review SAMSUNG QN80F Contrast and black detail

Result

34,100:1

Review SAMSUNG QN80F Contrast and black detail

Result

8,200:1

Review SAMSUNG QN80F Contrast and black detail

Result

32,500:1

Review SAMSUNG QN80F Contrast and black detail

Result

4,550:1

Review SAMSUNG QN80F Contrast and black detail

Result

3,800:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

24,550:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

7,900:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

22,150:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

6,700:1

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Contrast and black detail

Result

5,550:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Check the visibility of bright lights on a dark background. Mini-LEDs often struggle with this. The photo does not compare black levels – that’s what the video below is for.

The video accurately shows differences in contrast and black levels between TVs, as well as potential issues: halo around bright objects or Mini-LED zone operation visible as brightness jumps.

QN80F is a representative of the Neo QLED series, meaning it is a television with Mini LED backlighting. Unlike its cheaper cousin, the QN70F model, the diodes here are placed directly behind the panel (instead of at the edges), which gives a solid advantage from the start when it comes to contrast control. In the 65-inch variant we tested, we counted 88 dimming zones – a result that may not be very impressive, but as it turned out, sufficient to achieve quite decent results.

In tests based on scenes from films such as Oblivion or The Meg, the QN80F performed well – blacks were deep, and the overall image consistency was eye-catching. However, in more demanding moments (e.g., scenes with a large number of bright details on a dark background), a halo effect appeared. This is where the limitation of the number of zones comes into play – bright elements could bleed around, and some details in dark areas became less visible. In one scene with a helicopter (The Meg), we even noticed slight brightness flickering, as if the television was trying its best to maintain visibility of the details at the expense of black depth.

However, these are not issues exclusive to this model – the halo effect or contrast drops in very complex scenes are something that most Mini LED televisions struggle with, even the more expensive ones. In its class, the QN80F still performs positively and offers noticeably better contrast than the QN70F model with edge lighting. For most users, this will be a level more than sufficient – although not perfect.

The model we tested, with a diagonal of 55 inches, is equipped with a VA-type panel. Here’s the great news: this is a huge advantage over the IPS version if you care about deep blacks and a vivid image. Our measurements showed that in typical movie scenes, the native contrast is really solid, exceeding values around 6000:1. In practice, this means that black is black, not grey, which works very well for occasional evening viewing and is not irritating. However, there are moments when our measuring devices indicated contrast levels over 20 000:1. Where does such a leap come from? The LG QNED80A is equipped with a Local Dimming system. However, this is an edge-lit system. This means that the TV can dim vertical strips of backlighting where the image is supposed to be dark. In theory, this sounds great and indeed allows for "better numbers" in tables than in a classic LCD screen. Unfortunately, practice can be brutal. The use of edge dimming is a double-edged sword that can disrupt the viewing experience in challenging scenes. An ideal example is the scene with the helicopter in the film Sicario 2. When there is a lot of black on the screen and small, bright points, the dimming system starts to operate very aggressively and... not very precisely. You can clearly see how entire vertical strips of the screen brighten and dim, trying to keep up with the object. Instead of deep blacks, we then see blooming, which simply looks bad and strongly distracts from the plot. Although the dimming system improves measurable contrast, in everyday use – especially with the lights off – its aggressive operation can be annoying. Often, a better option may be to... turn off this feature or set it to minimum, to enjoy stable, natural blacks from the VA panel itself.

HDR effect quality

5.8/10

4.6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR10, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 93.1%, Bt.2020: 72.3%
DCI P3: 93.4%, Bt.2020: 73.1%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review SAMSUNG QN80F Brightness measurement

Result

799 nit

Review SAMSUNG QN80F Brightness measurement

Result

533 nit

Review SAMSUNG QN80F Brightness measurement

Result

717 nit

Review SAMSUNG QN80F Brightness measurement

Result

245 nit

Review SAMSUNG QN80F Brightness measurement

Result

656 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

354 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

335 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

354 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

301 nit

Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) Brightness measurement

Result

271 nit

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

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

The photos show two HDR10 movies. 'Pan' is one of the brightest productions ever made, while 'Billy Lynn' (soldier) has brightness typical of streaming (Netflix, Prime, HBO MAX). Notice the intensity of effects and detail in whites.

Static HDR10

The photos present the visibility of white details in various HDR formats. They do not show brightness differences between TVs (these can be compared in the previous gallery).

HDR luminance chart:

LG QNED80A6A (VA)

SAMSUNG QN80F

QN80F is quite a bright screen – in synthetic tests, it reached nearly 1000 nits, which allows for reasonable expectations of HDR content. And indeed, in many scenes, the TV can truly shine. Sequences with a lot of light – like shots from the movie Life of Pi or wide, bright surfaces in The Meg – look impressive. Brightness stays around 700 nits, which provides a solid effect, enough to feel the true "HDR magic." Unfortunately, not every scene looks this good. In content with small, bright details on a dark background, like in Sicario 2, the TV can struggle – it can significantly dim individual elements, sometimes to the point where they disappear from the image. This is a result of the limited number of dimming zones, forcing the device into compromises: either stick to inky blacks or sacrifice some detail. QN80F usually chooses the former. As a consolation, it offers quite decent coverage of a wide color palette – DCI-P3 at 93%. It's not the highest score on the market, but it's more than enough for most content on streaming platforms.

Let's talk now about how this TV shines. If you’re expecting dazzling light effects, we need to cool your enthusiasm. The LG QNED80A is a moderately bright television. Our measurements in most film scenes indicated values around 350-400 nits. That’s not enough to speak of a full, cinematic HDR experience and the feeling of that famous “high dynamic range” that flagship products offer. However, brightness is not everything. Although the QNED80A is not a “light monster,” it makes up for it in another key category: colours. This is where PFS technology comes into play, which LG marketers hide under the name QNED/NanoCell. With this trick, the TV offers a significantly wider colour palette than classic LCD constructions. In our tests, the coverage of the cinematic DCI-P3 palette reached a solid 93-94%. What does that mean for you? That even at lower brightness, when watching films in HDR, the colours will be vibrant, deep, and properly saturated. The image is not washed out but juicy, which is a significant advantage in this price range.

Factory color reproduction

6/10

4.4/10

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

This gallery shows how colors change after professional TV calibration. If you notice the difference, we recommend ordering this service at SkalibrujTV.com.

Factory Mode

After calibration

We always test TVs in the best available factory mode – for the Samsung QN80F, this is the Filmmaker mode, and indeed, it provides the settings closest to the creators' intentions. However, this doesn’t mean everything looks perfect. In SDR content, the biggest issue was an unbalanced white balance – slight deficiencies in green and a noticeable excess of red led to noticeable colour errors, and one could say the screen had a pinkish hue. This was clearly visible in the colour checker test, where colours “escaped” outside their target fields – to such an extent that a sensitive viewer's eye could catch it even without the help of a meter.

In HDR content, the white balance was much better, but another issue arose – brightness management. The EOTF curve caused an overly bright image most of the time, which affected the perception of contrast and made the screen slightly “flicker” during dynamic changes in light. We’ve already discussed this in the paragraphs about black levels and HDR. Fortunately, Samsung offers users plenty of options. The QN80F features a rich set of calibration options, including a 20-point white balance – which is why we decided to check what this TV is really capable of after a proper calibration.

It might seem that since the QNED80A is one model, it should offer the same picture regardless of the version. However, practice shows something completely different. Analyzing the variant with the VA panel in the best factory setting – that is, in Filmmaker Mode – we noticed a specific characteristic. This TV "out of the box" delivers a picture with a clear dominance of red and a deficiency of blue. Overall, it is very warm, almost hot. Many users might describe it as an "overly cinematic" picture, leaning towards sepia. Additionally, there is the issue of gamma curve – the TV has a tendency to slightly and artificially brighten scenes (gamma is too low), which causes the picture to lose some of its plasticity. The good news is that these are not panel errors, but merely software issues. As always in our tests, we performed professional calibration, which completely eliminated these drawbacks, restoring natural white balance and correct saturation.

Color reproduction after calibration

8.3/10

7.5/10

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

The photos show how movies look on the TV. Pay attention to black detail visibility, colors, and shadow tint.

After conducting a thorough calibration, it was possible to bring most image parameters to a really good level. The white balance in both SDR and HDR presents itself almost perfectly – the image is natural, neutral, and free from the previously noticeable redness. Colours have gained depth, and the overall visual experience has become more pleasant and cohesive. It was also possible to partially manage brightness, which in the factory version could cause issues. The EOTF chart shows that the television performs much better with brightness after calibration – there is no longer excessive dimming of certain elements. In films, it can still be noticed that the QN80F has a tendency to slightly brighten the smallest bright details – this is already a consequence of the device's construction and the limited number of dimming zones. In short: not everything can be overcome, but what was possible has been improved. After calibration, the QN80F makes a really good impression, looking simply more mature and professional.

Was it worth spending time on calibration? Definitely yes. We managed to tame the initial, overly warm white balance and, most importantly, correct the gamma curve. The television stopped artificially brightening scenes, resulting in a deeper image. The biggest gains are visible in SDR content, such as when watching regular television, YouTube, or playing games without HDR. Here, the QNED80A shows its class – colour reproduction errors (DeltaE) fell below a value of 2. In technical terms, this means the errors are essentially invisible to the human eye. The image in everyday use has simply become very attractive, natural, and correct. The difficulties start with HDR content. Although we managed to improve the white balance, the EOTF curve (responsible for brightness at various levels) shows that the television still "interprets" the image in its own way. This results from the nature of the edge-lit backlighting with local dimming and the fact that LG gives the calibrator very little control over this parameter. In short: the television struggles to hide its hardware shortcomings, sometimes ignoring our commands. Nevertheless, the final image is significantly more accurate and pleasant to view than the factory settings, even if it still lacks a bit compared to studio perfection.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

9/10

9.2/10

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

These are selected scenes that show smooth tonal transitions from one color to another. If you see distinct banding, it’s the TV panel’s fault.

In this regard, the QN80F really delivers. Transitions between colours are smooth, nothing tears, and there are no annoying bands in the sky or strange spots in the shadows. Movie scenes in darker tones performed particularly well – and that's where most televisions start to struggle. If you really focus, you might notice slight banding in the brightest areas, but that's really stretching it. In everyday viewing, no one should have a problem with this. To put it simply: the tonal transitions are so good that you can forget about them – and just enjoy the movie.

We've also got excellent news for those sensitive to digital artifacts. Regardless of which version of the panel you get, the LG QNED80A excels at gradation, or the smooth blending of colours. In this price range, it's common to see ugly, separated bands instead of a smooth transition (e.g., from bright sky blue to navy). Here, this problem hardly exists. In our tests, both in very bright parts of the image (like sunsets) and in challenging, dark shades of grey, the picture remained uniform and natural. We didn't notice the annoying effect of "banding" or distinct lines connecting colours.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7/10

7/10

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

Smooth transition function

The match photo shows how the TV smooths weak tonal transitions in low-quality video.

Image scaling SD (576i)

The model photo shows how it handles upscaling of SD material.

If you notice strange colour transitions or unwanted artefacts while watching lower quality materials – for example from YouTube – it's worth checking the settings and enabling the noise reduction feature. In our opinion, the best setting is at the 'medium' level – it effectively smooths out problematic colour transitions without overly blurring the entire image. However, it's important to know one thing: this option tends to remove film grain. If someone values preserving that effect (e.g., in older films), it's better to simply turn it off – regardless of the level, the grain always disappears.

Regarding resolution scaling (also known as upscaling), Samsung – as usual – performs very well in this area. The QN80F doesn't quite match the top models costing tens of thousands, but for its price class, it performs impressively. Materials of very poor quality (e.g., from SD television or older video files) are noticeably improved and look surprisingly decent. The only noticeable downside is the typical Samsung issue with overscan – which is a slight cropping of the image edges at very low resolutions, such as 576p.

In this category, the QNED80A turns out to be a true "dark horse". It's a fantastic, affordable television for those who often watch lower quality content – for example, from traditional cable TV. The processor used here handles upscaling incredibly well, enhancing low resolutions to native 4K. The image after processing is natural, smooth, and most importantly – it is not overly jagged or artificially sharpened. In the menu, we also find a dedicated option for smoothing tonal transitions in low-quality content. This feature works really effectively, eliminating the annoying "banding" of colours during heavy video compression. However, we must remain vigilant. Remember, we are not dealing with the top-tier processor known from flagship OLED models. In more challenging scenes, the system might struggle and introduce minor artefacts or distortions. Nevertheless, it's definitely worth giving this feature a chance, because in the majority of cases, the quality improvement is visible to the naked eye.

Blur and motion smoothness

7.5/10

4.8/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
60Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
No
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
No
BFI function 120Hz
No
No
Brightness drop with BFI
69%
-%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

QN80F is truly a “fast” TV. The panel used offers a refresh rate of up to 144 Hz, which in practice means that the screen keeps up with the action – whether we’re watching a movie, playing games, or browsing dynamic content online. The image doesn’t stutter, isn’t overly blurred, and everything simply looks smooth and pleasing to the eye. Of course, the manufacturer hasn’t forgotten about cinema fans – in the settings, we find an option to adjust motion smoothness, allowing us to tailor the effect to our own preferences. You can leave a more “frame-y” look (for those who enjoy the classic film vibe) or crank up the smoothness to a higher level to achieve a theatrical smoothing effect. Importantly, the choice is ours. Watching movies and playing on the QN80F is just plain fun.

We move on to a topic that may be crucial for many. Unfortunately, here we must point out the biggest "Achilles' heel" of the QNED80A model. This television is equipped with a panel that has a native refresh rate of 60Hz. There’s no denying it – at this price, we were hoping for more as we know that Chinese manufacturers can offer 120Hz screens for similar money. Due to this parameter, dynamic scenes in sports or fast-paced games are not the strongest point of this screen. Fortunately, LG has equipped the television with a proven smoothing system called TruMotion. It works quite well with film material (24 frames). We suggest playing around with the De-Judder slider – from our experience, setting it in the range of 2-4 provides the best compromise: motion becomes smoother, yet still looks natural, without the artificial "television theatre" effect.

Console compatibility and gaming features

9.6/10

6/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 144Hz
    48 - 60Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    No
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    No
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

Samsung QN80F is a television that delivers on almost every front when it comes to gaming. It features a 144 Hz panel, four fully-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports, support for gamers with variable refresh rate (VRR), automatic game mode (ALLM), and even one of the best-designed gamebars on the market. The icing on the cake is the motion smoother which – uniquely in the world – works in games without significantly increasing input lag. Sounds like an almost perfect gaming TV? And indeed, it is almost that.

[UPDATE] We have updated our Samsung TV tests from the 2025 model year due to the release of firmware version 1131, which restored the crucial gaming feature HGiG.

As usual, Samsung doesn’t support Dolby Vision in games, but that’s no longer surprising. However, what is much more surprising is that... the HGIG feature has disappeared – meaning the system that allows the console (e.g., PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X) to accurately match HDR tone mapping to the capabilities of the television. In the latest firmware update for the 2025 models, this option simply vanished. It looks more like a bug than a deliberate move, but it must be honestly noted that at the time of writing the review, the HGIG feature is simply absent.

And it’s precisely because of this one absence that the QN80F goes from being an almost perfect gaming television to a “nearly” perfect device. What a shame – because everything else indicated that Samsung could once again set the bar very high in this generation.

Since we've already established that the QNED80A is a 60Hz TV, we must say it straight: we won't be gaming here at 120 frames per second at any resolution. Does this disqualify the device in the eyes of gamers? Not necessarily, especially for those "casual" players. LG decided to sweeten this technical limitation by packing in quite a few useful features. We have support for VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) in the range of 48-60Hz and an automatic game mode ALLM, which instantly reduces input lag upon detecting a console. We manage all of this via a very convenient, purple Game Optimizer menu (Player Panel), which has become LG's hallmark. The manufacturer deserves big points for consistency regarding HDR. Although the TV does not support Dolby Vision in games on Xbox consoles, LG adds a well-implemented HGiG standard. Thanks to this, even on a screen with moderate brightness, playing in HDR is clear, and the details in shadows and highlights are accurately rendered, rather than being "clipped".

Input lag

9.8/10

9.8/10

SDR

1080p60
19 ms
15 ms
1080p120
9 ms
2160p60
19 ms
15 ms
2160p120
9 ms

HDR

2160p60
17 ms
14 ms
2160p120
9 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
2160p120 DV

The QN80F doesn't disappoint when it comes to response time. The input lag for 120 Hz content drops below 10 ms, which can be considered an almost perfect result – it's hard to expect more in this class of televisions. Gaming is smooth, responsive, and without delays that could annoy even the most sensitive players. For 60 Hz material, the lag is higher, around 19 ms, but this is a completely natural phenomenon and still falls within comfortable limits.

At the end of the gaming section, let's take a look at how quickly the TV responds to our commands. The input lag measured by us in the QNED80A model is approximately 15 ms (at 60Hz signal). These may not be values that will revolutionise the market or amaze professional e-sports players fighting for every millisecond. However, for the typical console gamer, this result is more than sufficient. During gameplay testing, we did not experience any annoying "float" of the reticle or delay between pressing the button on the controller and the reaction on the screen. The entertainment is smooth and comfortable, and that is the most important thing in home gaming.

Compatibility with PC

8.8/10

5.8/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
9ms
15ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
BGR
Max refresh rate
144Hz
60Hz
G-Sync
Yes
No

The photo shows the legibility of small fonts. Ideally, lines should be the same thickness on both light and dark text, with minimal pixel gaps.

Playing on the QN80F with a computer connected is pure delight. The television works seamlessly with NVIDIA graphics cards (thanks to G-Sync support) and AMD (thanks to FreeSync Premium), and the 144 Hz refresh rate only enhances comfort during fast-paced gaming. Everything works right away, without unnecessary fiddling with settings – just as it should.

When it comes to work, it's very good as well. The readability of fonts is high, and texts look sharp and clear. With very thin horizontal lines, you might notice slight imperfections or shadows, but honestly – you have to take a good look. Unless, like us, you sometimes like to examine the screen with a magnifying glass… then you might spot something 😉.

Is the QNED80A suitable for connecting a computer? For the version with a VA panel, the answer is: absolutely. If you plan to use this TV as a massive monitor for work, you won’t be disappointed. The readability of the fonts is very high – text is sharp, clear, and doesn’t strain the eyes, which isn’t always a given with large screens. Added to that is the low input lag we mentioned earlier. This makes mouse work precise, and you won’t feel that characteristic “floating” of the cursor. Of course, due to the 60Hz refresh rate, it’s not the ideal gear for e-sports players on PC, but for text work, browsing the web, or occasional strategy gaming, it will perform brilliantly.

Viewing angles

3.1/10

3.2/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
81%
76%

QN80F, like most TVs with a VA panel, isn't impressive in terms of viewing angles. Just tilt a bit to the side, and you'll notice a significant drop in brightness and lost colour saturation. The image loses its "depth" and "vividness", and darker scenes may appear slightly washed out. However, this is a typical characteristic of VA panels, which offer significantly better native contrast compared to IPS panels in return. In short: you win some, you lose some. If you're sitting directly in front of the screen – there won't be any issues. But when watching together in a larger group, it's worth keeping this in mind.

Deciding on the VA panel version, you need to be aware of a certain compromise. You get great blacks and contrast, but you pay for it with narrow viewing angles. This is a typical feature of this technology, and the QNED80A is no exception. If you sit perfectly straight in front of the screen, the picture will be brilliant. However, simply moving to the side of the sofa or stepping away to the kitchenette will reveal image degradation. Colours begin to lose their saturation, becoming washed out, and the deep black that we praised starts to grey. Therefore, this variant of the television is best suited for those who have their favourite spot in the middle of the sofa and rarely watch TV in a large group spread out across the living room.

Daytime performance

6.6/10

4.4/10

Panel finish
Satin
Satin
Reflection suppression
Good
Decent
Black levels during daytime
Very Good
Good

Panel brightness

LG QNED80A6A (VA): 280 cd/m2

SAMSUNG QN80F: 543 cd/m2

QN80F is really a bright television. The average brightness in SDR material is around 550 nits, regardless of the scene, which practically means that you can comfortably watch content even in a well-lit room – and there’s no need to close the blinds every time we turn on a film. The new satin coating on the panel also deserves praise, as it handles glare much better compared to last year's QN80D. Reflections are less bothersome, and the screen maintains readability in various lighting conditions. It’s hard to nitpick here – the QN80F performs simply brilliantly during the day.

How does the QNED80A perform when we don’t have the curtains drawn? Let’s be clear: it’s not the brightest TV on the market, so if your living room resembles a glasshouse at noon, this screen may struggle against the intense sunlight. For extremely challenging lighting conditions, we would suggest looking for something with higher brightness (e.g. Mini LED). However, the TV excels in another way – the type of coating used on the panel. The manufacturer has opted for a satin finish (semi-matte). This is a great decision. Unlike glossy coatings that act like mirrors, this coating effectively dampens and diffuses light reflections. As a result, in typical, moderate lighting conditions, a lamp beside it or a window to the side won’t be distracting, and the viewing experience will remain enjoyable.

Panel details

Backlight Type
Mini-LED QLED
Mini-LED PFS LED
Software version during testing
T-PTMFDEUC-0090-1110.8, E2500007, BT-S
33.21.62
Image processor

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review SAMSUNG QN80F TV Panel details
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV Panel details

SAMSUNG QN80F

LG QNED80A6A (VA)

TV features

7.7/10

6.8/10

  • HDMI inputs
    0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
    3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1
  • 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)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • Bluetooth headphones support
    Yes
    Yes
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio
    Yes
    Yes

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
Review SAMSUNG QN80F TV features
Review SAMSUNG QN80F TV features
Review SAMSUNG QN80F TV features
Review SAMSUNG QN80F TV features
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV features
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV features
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV features
Review LG QNED80A6A (VA) TV features

SmartTV QN80F: Tizen

When it comes to smart features, the QN80F has nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary – Tizen is one of the richest operating systems in terms of functionality. We have voice search, AirPlay support, Miracast and all the major streaming platforms at our fingertips. But Samsung's real advantage reveals itself in the smart home – SmartThings. Not only can you sync light bulbs and vacuum robots, but you can also integrate devices from other manufacturers, thanks to support for the Matter standard. And suddenly it turns out that the QN80F can serve as a home command centre. There is just one "but" – Tizen is a closed system, so we might not find a few lesser-known apps. However, in practice, it still has everything that 99% of users need.

Classic TV features:

When it comes to classic features, it’s just as good – well, almost. The QN80F supports Picture-in-Picture, a rare but still useful PiP feature. We'll easily find EPG, the good old teletext (yes, it works!) and the ability to connect external devices via Bluetooth – whether it's headphones or a soundbar. Unfortunately, it lacks the option to record to USB from the built-in tuners. This is a small annoyance, especially since competitors in a similar price range are increasingly offering this feature. It may not be a must-have function, but since everything else works so well, it’s a shame it's missing that finishing touch.

Smart TV System and WebOS

A major plus for LG TVs – even those in the lower or mid-price range – is that the manufacturer does not treat them "shabbily" regarding software. The QNED80A runs on the latest version of the WebOS system, which performed excellently during our tests. The interface operated smoothly, responded quickly to commands, and most importantly – was very intuitive. Much of the credit goes to the famous Magic Remote control, which acts like a computer mouse – we control the cursor on the screen with wrist movements. However, there’s a surprise in store for you. In the 2025 model, the controller underwent quite a drastic transformation. It has been minimised and slimmed down. Modern users are likely to appreciate this change, as the remote fits nicely in the hand and looks more "premium". However, traditionalists may feel disappointed – miniaturisation has come at a cost, including the removal of the classic numerical keypad, which may make quickly selecting channels more difficult.

Classic Functions and Multimedia

When it comes to so-called classic functions, the QNED80A does not attempt to be a revolutionary device. It is simply solid equipment that does what it was designed to do. There are no hidden "gizmos" here, but we also didn’t feel like anything was missing. The traditional Teletext works flawlessly, and the wireless connectivity modules (like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi) are stable and quickly pair with external devices, such as headphones or a soundbar. In this regard, the TV doesn’t throw any obstacles in our way – it functions as we expect, not standing out in any particular way from the competition, but also not giving us any reasons to complain.

Apps

9.3/10

9.1/10

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
OK
Eleven_sports
OK
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
OK
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
No
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
No
Kodi
OK
Apple_music
No
Eleven_sports
OK
Xbox Game Pass
OK
GeForce Now!
OK
Amazon Luna
OK
Boosteroid
No
Steam Link

Playing files from USB

9/10

8.2/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
No
PNG
No
Yes
GIF
No
No
WebP
No
No
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
No
24 Mpix
Yes
No
28 Mpix
Yes
No
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

The built-in media player in the QN80F handles most popular video formats – from classic MP4 to more demanding containers. It may not be as versatile as VLC, but for home use, it’s more than sufficient. The situation is worse with photos – here, unfortunately, it’s quite limited. Support mainly includes the JPG format, but hey, at least that’s the most important one 👌. During our tests, there was also a minor issue with subtitles. The QN80F only handled the simple text format .txt – unfortunately, other, more advanced formats (like .srt or .sub) were not recognized.

How does the QNED80A perform as a home multimedia centre? After connecting an external drive or USB stick, the television effortlessly recognises and plays the vast majority of popular video and audio formats. One can confidently say that in everyday use, you will rarely encounter a file that refuses to play. However, we must point out a certain catch resulting from the software architecture. WebOS is a closed system. What does this mean for you? It means that if the built-in player cannot handle some exotic format, we do not have a "lifebuoy." We cannot just go to the store and download an external application like VLC that "plays everything," as is the case with Android or Google TV. The specific shortcomings we managed to identify mainly concern graphic files. The television does not support the HEIC format, which is a standard in Apple devices (iPhone/iPad). Photos with very high resolution (in the range of 20-28 Mpix) also proved problematic – when trying to open them, the system often faltered. It is worth keeping this in mind if you plan to view holiday photos directly from the drive.

Sound

6.7/10

6/10

  • Maximum volume
    87dB
    81dB
  • 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
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio
    No
    No

For a TV of this class, the QN80F sounds surprisingly good. It supports the Dolby Atmos format, which is worth noting as this is still not obvious in many models in this range. Unlike the thinner QN70F, here you can even feel a slight bass – all thanks to the thicker casing, which simply provides more space for the sound to "breathe". It's perfectly adequate for everyday viewing and series, and with the right settings, you could even consider listening to music without the need to connect external equipment. But – as is the case with Samsung, there is unfortunately a lack of support for the DTS:X format, so if we are using audio devices that support this format, we will first need to connect them to the amplifier and only then to the TV.

When it comes to audio, the LG QNED80A doesn't try to enchant us. It simply performs like... a typical flat-screen TV. The built-in speaker system with a total power of 20W isn't the strongest aspect of this set. If you're expecting a cinematic punch or depth known from pricier models equipped with subwoofers, you'll feel a bit shortchanged. There's simply a lack of bass here, and the sound is quite flat. However, we must give this model credit in one aspect: clarity of transmission. When scenes based on conversations appear on the screen, the QNED80A handles it quite well. Dialogues are clear, separated, and – importantly – undistorted. There’s no crackling effect at higher volumes. It's sufficient for everyday TV, but for films, we definitely recommend purchasing at least a basic soundbar.

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements

87dBC (Max)

75dBC

81dBC (Max)

75dBC