Samsung QN80F vs SONY BRAVIA 3

Direct comparison

QN80F

BRAVIA 3 / K-(XX)S3

Info

Available screen sizes: 55”65”75”85”

Available screen sizes: 43”55”65”75”85”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Tizen

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Panel type: LCD IPS

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Google TV

Model year: 2025

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

7.4

6.0

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.9

    5.4

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.8

    5.3

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    6.7

    5.7

  • Gaming on console

    8.9

    6.4

  • TV as a computer monitor

    8.8

    6.0

  • Watching in bright light

    6.6

    4.9

  • Utility functions

    7.7

    6.6

  • Apps

    9.3

    9.6

  • Sound quality

    6.7

    6.5

Advantages

  • Impressive blacks and contrast - VA panel combined with MINI-LED backlighting.

  • Great brightness - up to 1000 nits in HDR

  • Fast and responsive panel - 144 Hz

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

  • Very good usability in daylight

  • Advanced Tizen operating system

  • Simple operation

  • PiP function

  • Google TV system – a vast library of apps and services

  • IPS panel with good viewing angles

  • Enhanced colours – (91% DCI-P3 colour gamut)

  • Supports Dolby Vision

  • Good upscaling – lower quality materials look surprisingly good

  • Excellent input lag and ALLM mode

  • Very good PC compatibility – supports 4:4:4 chroma, excellent font readability

  • Two remote controls included – modern minimalist and classic with a numeric keypad

  • Very good built-in media player – supports a wide range of files, even less common ones like HEIC

  • Thin bezels and modern design – a significant step forward compared to X75WL

  • Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

Disadvantages

No like
  • No support for DTS format – a limitation when connecting a home cinema

  • No recording function to USB

  • Relatively few dimming zones

  • Tragic black - IPS matrix without local dimming

  • Limited brightness (approx. 350 nits), the image in HDR mode is not very appealing

  • Issues with backlight uniformity

  • The Google TV system can stutter

  • Lack of recording function from built-in tuners to USB memory

Our verdict

The QN80F is the first "eighty" from Samsung to enter the series of televisions with Mini LED backlighting. And it does this very well. Although the number of dimming zones isn't particularly impressive, the quality of black levels is solid, and combined with high brightness, it allows for a very decent picture in HDR content. Additionally, there's a 144Hz panel that ensures excellent motion fluidity, and the set of gaming features – VRR, ALLM, Game Motion Plus – makes the QN80F a model practically designed for those gaming on consoles or PC. 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 criticise? Of course, as always – there are shortcomings in the system (like USB recording), there's no DTS support, and Mini LED isn't without its limitations. But the QN80F is a fantastic television for everyday use – versatile, refined, and... with great pricing potential. Because looking at the history of this series, we can expect that this "eighty" will mix things up significantly once it hits the first sensible promotions. At that point, it could be virtually unmatched in its price range – especially if Samsung resolves the minor teething issues.

Sony Bravia 3 is a television that brings several important improvements over its predecessor, while remaining true to its core. The biggest change is the design – slim bezels and sturdy metal legs give it a modern appearance that fits much better in a living room than the X75WL. Improved colours thanks to the PFS filter and really good upscaling should also be noted. It is particularly in lower quality content, especially in classic SDR, that the Bravia 3 shows its best side – colours look pleasing, the image is clear, and thanks to the IPS panel, viewing angles are at a very good level. It is perfectly suited for the role of a “classic” television receiver, where the convenience of watching from different spots in the room and decent quality of everyday content matter. A huge advantage remains the Google TV system. During our tests, there were times when the interface did not always work as smoothly as we would have liked, and some features could freeze. However, despite these imperfections, the presence of Google TV is a significant plus – access to thousands of applications and a full streaming library compensates for minor shortcomings. Unfortunately, what was weak in the X75WL remains weak here as well. The IPS panel has very low contrast and does not offer local dimming, making watching films in a dark room quickly lose its appeal – black resembles grey and effectively detracts from the enjoyment of the viewing experience. Additionally, the option to record content to USB, which was available in its predecessor, has been dropped. It is hard not to notice this and not add it to the list of downsides.

So who is the Bravia 3 for? Primarily for those looking to enter the world of Sony televisions at a potentially low price and who also appreciate the Google TV system. However, it is not the most attractive option in its class – competitors in this budget can offer models with Mini-LED backlighting, whose images perform several times better in terms of contrast and HDR. Therefore, the Bravia 3 is worth keeping in mind, but mainly when a solid discount is available. At regular price, it will be very difficult to stand out against its more cost-effective rivals.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
4 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
Base adjustment
Flat design
Yes
No
Accessories
Stand
Two remote controls, Stand

Contrast and black detail

6.8/10

2.2/10

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

Local dimming function: No

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 SONY BRAVIA 3 Contrast and black detail

Result

1,150:1

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Contrast and black detail

Result

1,150:1

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Contrast and black detail

Result

1,050:1

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Contrast and black detail

Result

1,050:1

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Contrast and black detail

Result

900:1

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 (rather than at the edges), which gives it a solid advantage right 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 particularly impressive, but as it turned out, sufficient to achieve quite decent results.

In tests based on scenes from films such as Oblivion and The Meg, the QN80F performed well – blacks were deep, and the overall image consistency was visually appealing. 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 becomes evident – bright elements could bleed into one another, and some details in the dark areas lost visibility. In one scene featuring a helicopter (The Meg), we even noticed slight brightness flickering, as if the television was trying its best to maintain detail visibility at the expense of black depth.

However, these issues are not exclusive to this model – halo effects or drops in contrast during very complex scenes are challenges faced by most Mini LED televisions, even the more expensive ones. In its class, the QN80F performs positively and offers significantly better contrast than the QN70F model with edge backlighting. For most users, this will be a level more than sufficient – although not perfect.

The Bravia 3 in most variants, including the 65-inch model we tested, uses an IPS panel and unfortunately, this is not the best news for those who value depth of image and true velvety blacks. This technology has its advantages, as it offers decent viewing angles, but these come at the cost of very low contrast, which is particularly noticeable during evening viewings when we expect the screen to go dark where it should. However, this is not the end of the list of problems. Our unit also exhibited noticeable unevenness in blacks, which exacerbates the effect of their shallowness. For example, in a scene with a helicopter, the blooming in the corners of the screen and pronounced vignetting are clearly visible.

It's hard not to think that even a simple local dimming system could have salvaged the situation and added a touch of drama to the image, which is lacking here. Unfortunately, Sony has decided against such a solution, and as a result, we have a repeat of last year's issues. The Bravia 3 is therefore not a television that will charm you with cinema-like black depth. At night, instead of intense blacks, we are likely to see a grey pretending to be darkness, which may disappoint more demanding viewers.

HDR effect quality

5.8/10

4.6/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 93.1%, Bt.2020: 72.3%
DCI P3: 91.3%, Bt.2020: 69.0%

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 SONY BRAVIA 3 Brightness measurement

Result

316 nit

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Brightness measurement

Result

327 nit

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Brightness measurement

Result

369 nit

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Brightness measurement

Result

236 nit

Review SONY BRAVIA 3 Brightness measurement

Result

379 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).

Dynamic: HDR10+

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

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:

SONY BRAVIA 3

Samsung QN80F

QN80F is quite a bright screen – in synthetic tests, it achieved nearly 1000 nits, which allows for justified expectations regarding HDR content. And indeed, in many scenes, the television can truly shine. Sequences with a lot of light – like shots from the film Life of Pi or wide, bright surfaces in The Meg – look impressive. Brightness remains around 700 nits, which provides a solid effect, sufficient to feel the true "HDR magic." Unfortunately, not every scene looks that good. In materials with small, bright details on a dark background, such as in Sicario 2, the television has issues – it can significantly dim certain elements, sometimes to the point where they disappear from the image. This is the result of a limited number of dimming zones, which forces the device to make compromises: either maintain inky blacks or sacrifice some detail. QN80F usually chooses the former. As a consolation, there is quite decent coverage of a wide colour gamut – DCI-P3 at 93%. This is not the highest score on the market, but it is more than adequate for most content on streaming platforms.

Bravia 3 does not hide the fact that it belongs to the group of televisions that are rather modest in terms of brightness. Our measurements showed around 370 nits, which is a value teetering on the edge of where one can still speak of any HDR effect. For some, this is an acceptable level, while for others it is rather typical for SDR content, where spectacular highlights or vivid contrasts are not expected. The impression is that this is not a television for those focused on the highest image quality in demanding cinematic content. However, this does not mean that we cannot find any advantages here. Compared to its predecessor, the X75WL, Bravia 3 has gained an additional PFS filter, which works similarly to solutions known from QLED technology. Thanks to this, the DCI-P3 colour palette has been significantly widened and reaches over 91 percent, which in practice results in more saturated colours and a more pleasing image texture. As a result, even everyday content looks somewhat livelier, and films and series can surprise with vibrant visuals, despite limitations in brightness itself.

Factory color reproduction

6/10

5.8/10

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 test televisions always in the best available factory mode – in the case of the Samsung QN80F, this is the Filmmaker mode, and indeed, it is this mode that offers settings closest to the creators' intentions. However, this does not mean that everything looks perfect. In SDR content, the biggest problem turned out to be an unbalanced white balance – slight deficiencies in green and a noticeable excess of red led to discernible colour errors, one could even say a pinkish tint on the screen. This was well demonstrated in the colour checker test, where the colours 'escaped' beyond their target fields – to the extent that even a sensitive viewer's eye could catch this without the aid of a meter.

In HDR content, the white balance was much better, but another issue arose – brightness management. The EOTF curve resulted in an overly bright image for most of the time, which could affect the perception of contrast and caused the screen to subtly 'flicker' during dynamic light changes. We have already written more about this in the paragraphs on black levels and HDR. Fortunately, Samsung leaves the user with plenty of options. The QN80F offers a rich set of calibration options, including a 20-point white balance – therefore, we decided to check what this television is really capable of after proper calibration.

Sony Bravia 3 was primarily tested in film mode, which immediately proved to be the best choice among the factory settings. It is not a perfect picture, but compared to the eco mode that the television offers right out of the box, the difference is clear and positive. In film mode, one can notice a certain problem: the image appears too warm, which results from a lack of blue colour in the white balance. Despite this, in SDR content, the final effect can still be considered quite decent and satisfactory for everyday viewing. Much more serious errors occur in HDR materials. The Color Checker analysis showed considerable deviations, and poor brightness management, combined with limited colour gamut coverage, further exposes the shortcomings of the image in this mode. All of this makes HDR on the Bravia 3 appear unconvincing and can spoil the impression left by the quite decent SDR content setting. Fortunately, this is not an insurmountable situation. Various errors can be somewhat mitigated, and some can even be fully corrected through professional calibration. Therefore, we decided to check how the television would perform after such adjustments.

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 of the image parameters to a really good level. The white balance in both SDR and HDR is nearly perfect – the picture is natural, neutral and devoid of the previously noticeable redness. The colours have gained depth, and the overall visual reception has become more pleasant and cohesive. It was also possible to partially master the brightness management, which in the factory version could be problematic. The EOTF chart shows that the television performs significantly 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, light details – however, this is the effect of the device's design and the limited number of dimming zones. In short: not everything can be overcome, but what could be has been improved. After calibration, the QN80F makes a really good impression; it simply looks more mature and professional.

The calibration allowed us to extract significantly more from the Bravia 3 than we could have expected at the beginning. Firstly, it managed to compensate for the deficiency of blue, which had previously caused a noticeable warming of the image. After a slight adjustment to the white balance, most of the errors in the Color Checker measurements for SDR content virtually disappeared. The white tones became more natural, and the brightness management in gamma stabilised to an almost ideal level, not exceeding the threshold of human perception. Thus, it can be confidently stated that in SDR content, after a few adjustments to the settings, the Bravia 3 performs remarkably well. Significantly worse, although still definitely better than before calibration, are HDR contents. The white balance was brought into order, however, the limitations of the IPS panel are insurmountable. The lack of local dimming means that even the smallest elements can be overexposed, which immediately stands out. Colour-wise, the effect is also improved, though far from perfect – many errors still exceed the threshold of four or even five delta E units, meaning they remain visible to the human eye. It was already clear earlier that the Bravia 3 is not a television designed to impress with HDR quality. Nevertheless, it is gratifying that in SDR content, after calibration, the image can look truly excellent, and in this category, the television pleasantly surprised us.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

9/10

8/10

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 respect, the QN80F truly impresses. The transitions between colours are smooth, nothing is torn, and there are no annoying stripes in the sky or strange blotches in the shadows. Film scenes in darker tones performed particularly well – and this is where most televisions tend to struggle. If one is very determined, they may notice slight banding in the brightest sections, but that is really stretching for an issue. In everyday viewing, no one should have a problem with this. To put it plainly: the tonal transitions are so good that one can forget about them – and simply enjoy the film.

In terms of the fluidity of tonal transitions, the Bravia 3 performs really well. In brighter scenes, we did not notice any significant errors – the screen handles the blending of colours almost flawlessly and does not create artificial contours that can spoil the viewing experience. Similarly, in darker segments, there are no major issues with colour gradation, although another problem arises here. Strong brightening and uneven backlighting of the panel in dark scenes make it difficult to assess the gradation itself clearly, as the effect is spoiled by the unevenness of the image. However, when we focus solely on the blending of colours, the result should be considered very good.

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, while watching lower quality materials – for example from YouTube – we notice strange colour transitions or unwanted artefacts, it's worth checking the settings and turning on the noise reduction feature. In our opinion, the best setting is at “medium” – it effectively smooths out problematic colour transitions while not blurring the entire image too much. However, one must know this: this option tends to remove film grain. If someone cares about preserving this effect (e.g. in older films), it’s better to simply turn it off – regardless of the level, the grain always disappears.

When it comes to resolution scaling (or so-called upscaling), Samsung – as usual – performs very well in this area. The QN80F may not compete with top models costing tens of thousands, but for its price class, it really does impress. Materials of very low quality (e.g. from SD television or older video files) are noticeably improved and look surprisingly decent. The only noticeable drawback is the typical Samsung issue with overscan – that is, slight cropping of the image edges in very low resolutions, e.g. 576p.

Bravia 3 brings something more to the Sony TV family than just a shared name. It stands out primarily for its ability to enhance the quality of weaker materials thanks to the processor used. Of course, we won’t find the advanced XR chip known from more expensive models here, but even so, it must be admitted that the image in lower resolutions looked surprisingly good. The scaling worked effectively, and most parts of the screen were free from the typical excessive edge tearing found in budget constructions.

Attention should also be paid to the function that improves the smoothness of tonal transitions. In the high setting, it works really well, effectively masking gradation imperfections without significant detail loss. It does happen, however, that the algorithm overly smooths elements that should remain sharp – for example, faces – but overall, the effect is beneficial. The best results were achieved precisely at the highest setting, and this option could be recommended to those watching lower quality content.

Blur and motion smoothness

7.5/10

5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
144Hz
60Hz
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
No
No
Brightness drop with BFI
69%
22%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

QN80F is truly a "fast" television. The applied panel 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 film, playing games, or browsing dynamic content online. The image doesn’t stutter, isn’t excessively smeared, and overall looks simply smooth and pleasing to the eye. Of course, the manufacturer hasn’t forgotten about cinema fans – in the settings, we’ll find an option to adjust motion smoothness, allowing us to tailor the effect to our personal preferences. We can maintain a more "framey" appearance (for those who enjoy the classic cinematic vibe) or ramp up the smoothness to a higher level for a theatrical smoothing effect. Importantly, the choice is ours. Watching films and playing on the QN80F is simply a delight.

The fluidity of motion has never been a strong point of televisions equipped with 60 Hz panels, and the Bravia 3 is no exception. Nevertheless, Sony has added something that may appeal to those more sensitive to the way images are displayed. We are talking about the proprietary motion smoother, Motion Flow, which offers users a considerable range of adjustment options. Thanks to it, one can make the image smoother, even theatrical, or stick to a more cinematic style with the characteristic judder that many simply associate with the filmic atmosphere. These functions work with content at lower frame rates, such as films and series recorded at 24 or 30 frames per second, which are the materials we encounter on a daily basis. It is here that the motion smoother proves to be one of the most important features in everyday use of the television, and this is where the Bravia 3 performs quite well.

Console compatibility and gaming features

9.6/10

4/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    No
  • VRR range
    48 - 144Hz
    No
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    No
    Yes
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    No
  • 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. We have a 144 Hz panel, four fully-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports, support for gamers in the form of Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and even one of the best-designed game bars on the market. The cherry on top is the motion smoother, which – uniquely in the world – works in games without significantly increasing input lag. Sounds like an almost perfect television for gamers? And indeed, it is almost that.

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

As usual, Samsung does not support Dolby Vision in games, but that no longer surprises anyone. However, it is much more surprising that... the HGIG function has disappeared – the system that allows the console (e.g. PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X) to precisely adapt 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 mistake than a deliberate move, but it must be honestly noted that at the time of writing the review, the HGIG function is simply not available.

And it is precisely because of this one absence that the QN80F shifts from being nearly perfect for gamers to being 'almost' perfect. It's a shame – because everything else suggested that Samsung could raise the bar very high again in this generation.

Bravia 3 is not equipment for e-sports enthusiasts or fans of night marathons with a controller in hand. The lack of 120 Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports closes the topic before it even has a chance to develop. This is a television for casual gamers who will play FIFA or racing games after work, not for someone who measures every frame in a spreadsheet. Nevertheless, Sony has added a few nice extras to ensure it’s not too sparse. ALLM works as it should, automatically switching the television to game mode (low latency). There’s even a simple Game Bar, which is clear. However, the biggest novelty here is the PlayStation Portal app. Thanks to it, you can launch PS5 games wirelessly and view them immediately on the television screen. It sounds great, but just a few minutes is enough to feel significant lag. In our opinion, it’s more of a showcase of capabilities than something that can be used every day. If someone really wants to play, it’s better to connect the console via HDMI cable and forget about wireless issues.

Input lag

9.8/10

10/10

SDR

1080p60
19 ms
12 ms
1080p120
9 ms
2160p60
19 ms
12 ms
2160p120
9 ms

HDR

2160p60
17 ms
11 ms
2160p120
9 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
11 ms
2160p120 DV

The QN80F does not 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 is hard to expect more in this class of TVs. Gaming is smooth, responsive, and without delays that could annoy even the most sensitive players. For 60 Hz materials, the lag is higher, around 19 ms, but this is a completely natural phenomenon and still falls within comfortable limits.

Here, the Bravia 3 shows its best side. Latencies drop below 12 milliseconds in almost every resolution and mode, so the response to controller movements is instantaneous and there is no feeling of delay. It feels as though the console and the television are speaking the same language, without unnecessary pauses or hesitations. The Dolby Vision Gaming mode is particularly noteworthy. In its predecessor, the X75WL model, using this feature was simply a pain – input lag could exceed 100 milliseconds, which effectively spoiled the enjoyment of gaming. In the Bravia 3, this issue has been completely eliminated.

Compatibility with PC

8.8/10

6/10

Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate)
9ms
12ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
RGB
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 connected computer is pure pleasure. The television effortlessly works 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 dynamic gameplay. Everything works immediately, without unnecessary fiddling with settings – exactly as it should.

When it comes to work, it is also very good. The readability of fonts is at a high level, and texts appear sharp and clear. With very thin horizontal lines, some minor imperfections in shading can be noticed, but honestly – you really have to look closely. Unless, like us, you sometimes enjoy looking at the screen with a magnifying glass… then you might spot something 😉.

The applied IPS matrix, combined with properly functioning support for chroma 4:4:4, ensures that the readability of fonts is at an excellent level. Letters appear sharp, regardless of the background colour or the content itself, so working with documents or browsing websites does not strain the eyes. In this role, the television easily deserves a very good, if not outstanding, rating, as there are not many models in this budget that perform as well. Of course, if we look at the Bravia 3 from a PC gamer’s perspective, the picture is not quite so rosy. We won't find G-SYNC or Free Sync frame synchronization with graphics cards, nor high refresh rates, so the television is not the best choice for fast-paced computer games. However, it performs excellently as a monitor for work, whether in a home office or a student room, and in this respect, it is truly hard to criticise.

Viewing angles

3.1/10

6.6/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
81%
75%

QN80F, like most TVs with a VA panel, does not impress in terms of viewing angles. All it takes is a slight lean to the side to notice a significant drop in brightness and lost colour saturation. The picture loses its "depth" and "vibrancy", and darker scenes may appear slightly washed out. However, this is a typical characteristic of VA panels, which provide significantly better native contrast than IPS panels in return. In short: something for something. If you are sitting directly in front of the screen, there will be no problem. But when watching together in a larger group, it is worth keeping this in mind.

Thanks to the use of an IPS matrix, colours do not lose intensity as quickly as in the case of screens based on VA panels. Even when watching television with a larger group, when some people sit at an angle, the image remains clear and does not appear washed out. Of course, it is not at the level offered by organic OLED matrices, where the image looks identical from almost any position, but for an LCD television, the viewing angles in the Bravia 3 are among the better ones. This provides a sense of comfort and freedom, especially in larger living rooms or during family viewings, where it is difficult for everyone to find a spot directly in front of the screen.

Daytime performance

6.6/10

4.9/10

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

Panel brightness

SONY BRAVIA 3: 337 cd/m2

Samsung QN80F: 543 cd/m2

The QN80F is truly a bright television. The average brightness in SDR content is around 550 nits, regardless of the scene, which in practice means that you can comfortably watch content even in a well-lit room – and you don’t have to close the blinds every time you turn on a film. The new satin coating on the panel also deserves praise, as it performs significantly better at reducing reflections compared to last year’s QN80D. Glare is less bothersome, and the screen maintains readability in various lighting conditions. It’s hard to find fault here – the QN80F performs simply excellently during the day.

Bravia 3 performs quite decently in the face of daylight. The satin coating on the panel effectively reduces reflections, and the colours do not lose their intensity when stronger external light hits the screen. As a result, in typical home conditions, with blinds open or in a living room with a larger window, the image maintains its clarity. However, it must be remembered that this is not a high-brightness television. Bravia 3 has no chance of competing with brighter models, so in very sunny rooms, there are moments when the screen simply does not stand out against intense light. In normal conditions, it will cope without problems, but in more challenging scenarios, one should not expect miracles.

Panel details

Backlight Type
Mini-LED QLED
PFS LED
Software version during testing
T-PTMFDEUC-0090-1110.8, E2500007, BT-S
6120600301
Image processor
MT5896 2,5 GB RAM

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:

Review Samsung QN80F TV Panel details
Review SONY BRAVIA 3 TV Panel details

Samsung QN80F

SONY BRAVIA 3

TV features

7.7/10

6.6/10

  • HDMI inputs
    0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
    4 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
    No

Smart features:

  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    No
  • 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 SONY BRAVIA 3 TV features
Review SONY BRAVIA 3 TV features
Review SONY BRAVIA 3 TV features

SmartTV QN80F: Tizen

In terms of smart features, the QN80F has nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary – Tizen is one of the richest operating systems when it comes to functionality. We have voice search, support for AirPlay, Miracast, and all the major streaming platforms at our fingertips. But Samsung's true advantage reveals itself in the smart home – SmartThings. Here you can not only synchronise light bulbs and vacuum robots but 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 may not find a few lesser-known applications. Although in practice it has everything that 99% of users need.

Classic TV features:

When it comes to classic features, it is just as good – well, almost. The QN80F supports picture-in-picture, which is a rarely seen but still useful PiP function. We can easily find the EPG, good old teletext (yes, it works!), and the ability to connect external devices via Bluetooth – whether it's headphones or a soundbar. Unfortunately, there is a lack of the option to record to USB from the built-in tuners. This is a minor setback, especially since the competition at a similar price increasingly offers this feature. It may not be a must-have function, but since everything else works so well, it's a pity that this feature is missing a dot over the i.

Smart TV Features

The biggest advantage of the Bravia 3 in everyday use is the presence of the Google TV system. Thanks to it, we have access to one of the largest libraries of apps and streaming services, so regardless of whether someone mainly uses Netflix, Disney+ or smaller platforms, everything is within reach. The Google voice assistant also worked very well, managing to respond to our commands quite "cleverly". In theory, the Google TV system should operate very smoothly, as Sony has been implementing it better than many cheaper competitors for years. Unfortunately, in the case of the Bravia 3, it is not as great as we might have hoped. During testing, we noticed slight stutters in the interface, and some functions, such as screen mirroring, simply refused to work. One might get the impression that the processor in this model sometimes struggles to handle the demanding system, and not everything works as smoothly as we would expect.

Classic Features

Even in the cheapest series, Sony can remind us of its experience with various users. The set includes two remote controls. The first is modern and minimalist, with a small number of buttons, which works excellently for using apps and Google TV functions. The second is a classic remote with a richer set of keys and a numeric keypad, which will be especially appreciated by older people accustomed to traditional solutions. This is a nice nod towards different user groups, and it must be acknowledged that Sony has solved this very practically. It's a pity, however, that the ability to record content from TV tuners to USB memory has disappeared compared to the X75WL model. The manufacturer has completely eliminated this function, so if someone was attached to it, they will unfortunately not find it in the Bravia 3.

Apps

9.3/10

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
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
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

Playing files from USB

9/10

9.6/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
Yes
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 media player in the QN80F handles most popular video formats – from classic MP4 to slightly more demanding containers. It may not be a powerhouse like VLC, but it's perfectly adequate for home use. The situation is less impressive with photographs – here, unfortunately, it's rather modest. Support is mainly limited to the JPG format, but hey, at least that's the most important one 👌. During our tests, there was also a slight issue with subtitles. The QN80F could only handle the simple text format .txt – other, more advanced formats (like .srt or .sub) were unfortunately not recognised.

Here Sony has really done a great job. The built-in player works quickly and doesn’t “complain” when launching various formats. We didn’t have to reach for external applications like VLC, as the television handled even files that can cause quite a few problems on other models – such as HEIC photos from Apple devices. It's a small detail, but one that shows the manufacturer wanted the user to have a complete sense of convenience. By plugging a film onto a USB drive or holiday photos onto an external hard drive, you can simply connect them and start watching on the big screen right away. No fuss, no installing additional software, no searching for workarounds. This is truly a rarity in televisions, and it must be admitted that in this aspect, the Bravia 3 really pleasantly surprised us.

Sound

6.7/10

6.5/10

  • Maximum volume
    87dB
    88dB
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1
    No
    Yes
  • 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

For a television of this class, the QN80F sounds surprisingly good. It supports the Dolby Atmos format, which is worth noting, as this is still not a given 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, one can even be tempted to listen to music without the need for external equipment. However – as is often 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 television.

Bravia 3 plays in a rather flat manner, but makes up for it with loudness. It is perfectly suited for watching classic television, as the dialogues are clear and the mid tones are easily heard. This type of characteristic will be particularly appreciated by older users who primarily value speech intelligibility. However, if someone expects something more from the sound, like stronger bass or a wider soundstage, it is still worth reaching for a soundbar. The television supports modern codecs, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, so an external sound system can easily take advantage of their potential. This assures that with a relatively modest expense, one can achieve a much fuller and more engaging sound.

Sound Quality Test

Acoustic Measurements

87dBC (Max)

75dBC

88dBC (Max)

75dBC