QN70F / QN74F / QN77F
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Panel type: LCD VA Refresh rate: 144Hz Brand: SAMSUNG Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Tizen Model year: 2025
QN70F is the lowest model in this year's series of 4K Neo QLED TVs with Mini LED backlighting from Samsung. But does the term “Mini LED” in this case actually reflect reality? In this review, we take a closer look at the QN77F model – a derivative variant of the base QN70F. How does its picture quality stack up? Are we dealing with a full-fledged Mini LED, or is it more of a continuation of the QN70D, dressed up in new marketing slogans? We find out in the latest test.
7.1
Overall rating
Samsung QN70F is a pretty decent mid-range TV. Its strongest point is definitely the smoothness of the image – thanks to the 144 Hz panel, low input lag, and a host of extras for gamers, we have here the recipe for nearly an ideal gaming screen. It will work just as well for sports fans – the image is fast, clear, and it doesn't tear. When it comes to image quality – it's really not bad. The VA panel delivers good blacks, brightness is above average, and colours look great after calibration. Samsung markets the QN70F as Neo QLED, which means Mini LED, and in a way, you can look at it that way – but only partially. The backlighting is edge-lit, so it’s far from full-fledged Mini LEDs with local dimming. It's a shame because marketing has its way, and the user might feel a bit misled. There are also some minor drawbacks – no USB recording, no DTS support. But still, the QN70F leaves a really good impression. It might not be a “true” Mini LED, but for its price, it's a solid piece of television – especially for gamers and those who enjoy fast, dynamic content.
Great black levels and contrast
Above average panel brightness
High refresh rate of 144Hz
Many features for gamers: ALLM, VRR, Game Bar, etc.
Low input lag
4 HDMI 2.1 ports
Feature-rich and smooth Tizen operating system
Super slim design
No USB recording feature
No DTS format
Issues with the HGIG feature (for gamers)
Symbolic local dimming (Is this really MINI-LED?)
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.5
Classic TV, YouTube
6.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.7
Gaming on console
8.5
TV as a computer monitor
8.2
Watching in bright light
6.3
Utility functions
7.5
Apps
8.7
Sound quality
6.4
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HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: Good
Stand type: Central
Kolor ramki: Graphite
The Samsung QN70F is a television that, at first glance, appears to be a very sleek device. Its greatest strength in terms of design is its slimness. When viewed from the side, it's hard to believe we're talking about a classic backlit television – at its thinnest point, the casing is only about 2 centimetres. The whole thing resembles a modern display panel rather than a typical screen with speakers and electronics inside. It may not be constructed from top-tier materials, as it's mainly made of plastic, but it has to be said – it’s done well. The material looks pleasing, nothing creaks, and the details are well-polished. In the tested model, the QN77F features a dark graphite central stand, which actually consists of two components hidden under one cover. It looks minimalistic and holds the structure well. The clever hiding of cables is also worth noting – despite such a slim profile, the manufacturer has managed to conceal the 'cables' inside the casing, ensuring that the wires do not disturb the clean line of the back panel. If aesthetics are a priority, one can confidently say: Samsung does it really well.
Select size:
6.2/10
Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 20 (1 x 20)
Result
9,200:1
Result
7,000:1
Result
5,350:1
Result
5,700:1
Result
5,300:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
QN70F is equipped with a VA panel, which offers a high native contrast – a good starting point for black, especially for evening viewing. But theoretically, this is just the beginning of its capabilities. The television is branded as Neo QLED, which means it features Mini LED technology and a local dimming system. And indeed – the QN70F has such a function. The problem is that we’re not talking about classic local dimming with LEDs placed directly behind the panel. Instead, edge lighting with an overall dimming mechanism, known as global dimming, has been used. The effect of this is that instead of selective brightness control in individual zones, the entire screen is slightly dimmed when a dark scene appears. In practical terms, this means the contrast is average compared to Mini LED models that offer true local dimming. The black isn't bad – that’s thanks to the VA panel itself – but one can't speak of the precise light control that advanced systems with multiple zones provide. And here arises the question: is the QN70F series of televisions really a Mini LED television, or just a marketing variation on the Q70 series? Looking at the technical aspects – it’s hard to consider this model a full-fledged representative of this technology. But in everyday use, the black looks decent and for many people it can be fully satisfying.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
5.6/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 93.7%, Bt.2020: 75.7%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
619 nit
Result
449 nit
Result
500 nit
Result
422 nit
Result
483 nit
QN70F is a television that can positively surprise when it comes to brightness. In ideal testing conditions, it reaches even 800 nits, which – for this price range – is a really solid value. Of course, that’s a result from test patterns, so we decided to check how it performs in practice, on real films. Here, the television somewhat tempers its capabilities. In most of the tested scenes – e.g. in "The Meg" – the actual HDR brightness remained around 500 nits. That’s still a decent result, allowing you to enjoy HDR effects, although it’s far from perfection. On the other hand, we have a QLED screen with a quantum dot layer, which means very good colour reproduction capabilities. Colours are vivid and saturated. QN70F covers about 94% of the DCI-P3 colour space, and in the wider BT.2020 palette, it exceeds 75%, so in this respect, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
We also tested the QN70F with difficult content – that is, films in the highest HDR quality available on streaming platforms. Initially, we were sceptical, but we have to admit that the television surprised us positively. Tonally, it performs quite well – colours transition smoothly, and the overall image balance is correct. Only the brightest elements, such as light reflections or explosions, have less detail than in higher-end models. It’s not at the level of televisions with 1000 nits brightness, but for its class of equipment – it looks really decent. In a scene from the film, the reproduction of details in darker areas was very good, and everything maintained tonal consistency. The HDR effect may not be overwhelmingly impressive, but it doesn’t disappoint either – it’s simply a solid level considering the capabilities of the QN70F. The television offers dynamic tone mapping, and – as is often the case with Samsung TVs – the 'static' mode performed better. The image was more balanced and natural. With active mapping, there were instances where the brightness was boosted too much, causing some scenes to look unnatural. Therefore, in our tests, we recommend sticking with the 'static' setting.
HDR luminance chart:
Luminancja HDR
Luminance of RGB colors
Samsung QN70F supports several popular HDR formats, but the most commonly used remain standard HDR10 and its extension – dynamic HDR10+. And while this latter is still not as widespread as Dolby Vision, it has become more frequently encountered in recent months, even on streaming platforms where the competitive format previously dominated. Does it matter? Absolutely – and you can see it immediately when comparing the same content. Material using dynamic metadata in HDR10+ looks significantly better on the QN70F. The image has more detail, colours are better matched to the screen's brightness, and the HDR effect appears more refined. In one of the test scenes – the difference was striking. The HDR10+ version looked as if we were watching the same film on a completely different TV. That's why information about HDR10+ support from more services – including recently Netflix – is so important. The QN70F may not support Dolby Vision, but when we come across content designed for the "Samsung" format, it can showcase itself very well.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: HDR10+
7/10
We tested the QN70F in the best default picture mode, which is Filmmaker Mode. And it must be admitted that in this particular test unit, the factory settings performed quite well. The picture was calm, natural, and despite slight deviations – pleasant to watch. The biggest error was a slight dominance of red in the white balance, which caused a slight pinkish tint over the entire scene. However, it wasn't a glaring flaw – rather subtle and only noticeable when directly compared to a properly calibrated screen. A slightly bigger issue arose in the brightness characteristics. The TV tends to lower the brightness of parts of the image that should be displayed brighter. As a result, some details can appear slightly dimmed – they don't completely disappear, but they don't stand out as clearly as they should. Nonetheless, as for a TV in this range and in these settings – we consider the result a good starting point for further calibration.
8.5/10
After calibration, the QN70F shows that it can offer a really high level of colour reproduction. It has managed to nearly perfectly balance the white point, and the values in the Color Checker test dropped below level 3 – that is, below the threshold at which the average eye can notice differences. The image looks natural, and the colours are faithfully reproduced, without excessive saturation or the coolness known from factory settings. It must be acknowledged that Samsung provides very extensive calibration options – not only for enthusiasts but also for professionals. The QN70F takes advantage of this potential and, after appropriate settings, can come close to significantly more expensive models in terms of colour accuracy. The only thing that could still be picked on is the brightness characteristic. There is still a tendency to brighten the smallest sections of the image – particularly those that should remain darker. However, this is a design feature of this model, not a calibration error. Despite this, the final result definitely deserves recognition.
8/10
In terms of the smoothness of tonal transitions, the QN70F performs really well. Gradients are smooth, and colours blend into each other without distinct thresholds or banding. Even in more challenging movie scenes – particularly those that are very dark – any potential imperfections are minimal, and you really have to pay attention to notice them. In everyday viewing, most users should not encounter any issues with colour blending. The picture looks clean and cohesive, without artificial smoothing or distortions. This is another aspect in which the QN70F impresses positively.
6.9/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
Samsung QN70F offers a distortion reduction feature that improves the smoothness of tonal transitions. In "Standard" mode, it works quite well – smoothing out problematic transitions without significantly interfering with the structure of the image. Film grain is partially removed, but details like texture and skin structure remain visible. "High" mode operates much more aggressively. The smoothing is stronger, but at the cost of a noticeable loss of detail. Therefore, in practice, we recommend sticking with the "Standard" setting or turning off this feature altogether. The improvement in gradation may be less spectacular, but the image retains more naturalness.
When it comes to upscaling low-quality content, the QN70F performs very well. Tests with lower resolution images went really well. Despite some slight aliasing of contours, everything looks clean and clear, even if the original content was very poor quality. It's just a pity that the television has an overscan issue that cannot be completely turned off. As a result, images with very low resolution may be slightly cropped, which is mainly noticeable on subtitles or the interface.
7.5/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz: No
Brightness drop with BFI: 63%
The QN70F is a television with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which in itself places it among the best when it comes to image smoothness. Whether we're watching fast-paced sports broadcasts or gaming on a console – the picture looks fantastic. There's no sense of stuttering, clipping, or the typical "judder" seen in lower-end models during fast motion. Samsung also allows you to adjust the smoothness to your own preferences. In the picture clarity settings, we find options such as motion blur reduction and judder reduction – each of which can be adjusted independently. This is especially useful when we are watching content with a lower frame rate and want to give it a smoother, more cinematic feel – or conversely, maintain the natural filmic "feel" of 24 frames.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Image flickers in this mode
Smużenie (4K 144Hz):
Motion blur on the QN70F remains at a very acceptable level. During tests with the UFO animation, slight trails were visible, particularly against darker backgrounds, but this did not negatively affect the overall experience – the picture remains clear and sharp even in fast sequences. The television is equipped with the "Clear Motion LED" feature, which is a classic BFI system. Its operation does significantly improve motion sharpness – motion blur practically disappears. Unfortunately, as in most models with this technique, a side effect is visible flicker of the image, which can be tiring for the eyes. For this reason, we do not recommend using this option on a daily basis.
8.2/10
Samsung QN70F is a really solid choice for gamers. It features four HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gbps, which means full support for gaming in 4K at 144 Hz refresh rate. Plus, it has all the basic features we expect today: automatic game mode (ALLM), variable refresh rate (VRR), and a very well-designed, intuitive Game Bar that displays information about the mode, resolution, and frame rate.
The Game Motion Plus feature is also worth noting, as it allows for the addition of artificial frames to games running at 60 fps or less. It works surprisingly well and improves gameplay smoothness in many titles—especially in those where consoles struggle to maintain a stable frame rate—without significant latency.
Unfortunately, there are some drawbacks. The lack of support for Dolby Vision mode is not surprising—it’s a standard for Samsung. However, the absence of the HGiG feature is far more disappointing. Worse still, it was removed in a software update, which might catch users who previously relied on it off guard. Without HGiG, one cannot manually set the maximum HDR brightness from the console, resulting in some games looking slightly overexposed—especially if the TV misinterprets the tonal range. Why Samsung, a brand that has set the standards for gaming features for years, decided to take such a step is hard to say. At the time of writing this review, the tested TV was running on software version 1110—and frankly, if you care about full support for gamers, it’s better to hold off on updates for now.
10/10
The QN70F doesn't disappoint in terms of response time either. For 120 Hz content, the input lag hovers around 8 ms, which can be considered a very good result – especially in the context of online competition or dynamic action games. The screen responds to controller movements almost instantly, with no noticeable delay. This makes for smooth and comfortable gameplay, even in more demanding titles. In this category, Samsung continues to maintain a high standard, and it's hard to find anything that could raise concerns.
SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
---|---|---|
1080p60: 14 ms | 2160p60: 13 ms | |
1080p120: 8 ms | 2160p120: 7 ms | |
2160p60: 14 ms | ||
2160p120: 7 ms |
8.2/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Poor
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 9ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 144Hz
G-Sync: Yes
Let's start with the best part when it comes to connecting the QN70F to a computer – that is, gaming. With a refresh rate of 144 Hz, support for G-Sync compatible VRR, and very low input lag, it’s the recipe for almost the perfect screen for PC gamers. In this role, the QN70F really doesn't disappoint – games look smooth, responsiveness is at a very high level, and everything runs steadily.
However, the situation is a bit worse when it comes to working with text. At 4K resolution and a refresh rate of 144 Hz, there is a noticeable slight blurriness in the edges of fonts – text may appear slightly smeared, with a minor “layering” of outlines. This is not a problem that disqualifies the QN70F's usability as a monitor, but those planning to do office work or text editing on this screen should bear this in mind.
3.1/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 74%
For a VA panel, the viewing angles on the QN70F are typical – meaning rather average. The image quickly loses contrast and saturation when we start looking at the screen from a greater angle. Compared to IPS panels, it performs significantly worse. On the other hand – thanks to this panel, we gain better black levels and higher contrast when viewing straight on, which for many users will be more important than wide visibility from the sides.
6.3/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Good
Black levels during daytime: Very Good
The QN70F handles a bright lounge without any issues. The screen has a satin finish that effectively reduces reflections, so you don't have to immediately draw the blinds to see anything. Even when there's quite a bit of light in the room – for example, with a window on the side – the image still looks sharp and vibrant. The brightness is also at a solid level. In SDR mode, the television averages around 500 nits, which is more than adequate for daytime viewing. It may not be the level of top-end models, but in practice – for everyday watching of TV, sports, or YouTube – it performs very well.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
Samsung Neo QLED QN70F / QN74F / QN77F: 492 cd/m2
7.5/10
System: Tizen
System performance: Good
QN70F does not forget about the classic features that still matter to many users. Onboard, we find, among other things, a picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, thanks to the presence of two tuners, teletext, and a "Sound Only" mode – perfect if we want to use the television like a radio. We can easily pair headphones or a soundbar via Bluetooth, and the remote – despite lacking a numeric keypad – works reliably, allowing control of other devices and additionally does not require us to aim at the screen. It should be noted, however, that like all new Samsung models – we will not find the USB recording feature here. This is a systemic limitation, to which the brand apparently consistently adheres.
The Tizen system, developed by Samsung for years, is one of the most refined Smart TV interfaces. It is fast, clear, and feature-rich. The QN70F supports voice search (also in Polish), wireless image streaming from a phone (both via AirPlay and Miracast), as well as integration with watches and other devices in the Samsung ecosystem. All of this is tied together by the SmartThings app, which allows you to control devices, automate tasks, and connect devices in one network. (Not just Samsung brand). However, it is not perfect. Tizen is a closed system, so the choice of apps can be somewhat limited – especially compared to Google TV. All the major streaming services are available, but if you are using less popular services, it's worth checking in advance whether they are available in the Samsung store.
8.7/10
8.4/10
Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
---|---|
Samsung QN70F handles multimedia playback well – it easily runs photos, music, and videos in the most commonly used formats. During testing, it opened JPG files, MP4s, and TXT subtitles without any trouble, so for most people, this will simply be sufficient. However, there were a few files – despite having the correct extensions – that refused to play. It may be an issue with a particular version of the system, and the problem might disappear after future updates.
6.4/10
6.4/10
Subjective sound quality
Supported codecs
(TV speakers)
Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Dolby True HD 7.1
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
DTS-HD Master Audio
Supported codecs
(external HDMI eARC audio)
Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Dolby True HD 7.1
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
DTS-HD Master Audio
The Samsung QN70F is quite average in terms of sound, which shouldn't come as a surprise considering the exceptionally slim design of the television. The built-in speakers will adequately handle daily watching of news or simpler content, but it's hard to talk about any depth or spaciousness of sound here. It's simply a compromise that must be accepted when choosing an elegant and thin design over a bulkier casing with a better audio system.
Software version during testing: 1110
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity:
Backlight Type: QLED
Founder and originator of the "ChooseTV" portal
Journalist, reviewer, and columnist for the "ChooseTV" portal
4/3/2025