Compare: Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K vs Samsung The Frame LS03D

Samsung QN900D is undoubtedly the top model for 2024. This television is equipped with Mini LED technology, which provides excellent picture quality – deep blacks and high brightness make films and high-definition content look fantastic. During dynamic scenes in movies, colours and details were exceptionally well presented – especially after calibration. HDR also does not disappoint – bright elements have an excellent level of detail, and the colours are vibrant and natural. One of the strongest points of QN900D is motion smoothness. Supporting a refresh rate of 240 Hz at 4K resolution is rare on the market. Dynamic scenes in sports or games look incredibly smooth, without a trace of blurring. However, it should be added that only users of advanced PCs will fully utilise the capabilities of this feature. An input lag of 9 ms additionally ensures very responsive gameplay, which will certainly please gamers. Tizen operates smoothly and provides access to all popular applications, such as Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+. Moreover, SmartThings features and support for AirPlay allow easy connection of the television with other devices in the home. This is a great solution if you care about comfortably controlling your smart home. An additional perk is Ambient Mode – the television can blend into the décor of the living room by displaying decorative graphics. QN900D not only works well but also looks great. Slim bezels, a central stand, and the One Connect module that allows for cable concealment make the television look elegant. If aesthetics matter to us, it will be hard to find something better. As befits a flagship model, QN900D is simply expensive. Unfortunately, the lack of agreement between Samsung and Dolby Vision may still be a significant downside, especially when watching content on platforms that utilise this format. In the most demanding HDR scenes, it also happens that the contrast is not as perfect as we might expect. And what about 8K resolution? For now, it is difficult to find content that fully utilises it, unless we are enthusiasts for future technology. Samsung QN900D is certainly a television for those who are looking for a top-tier device and are willing to pay for it. However, if we are looking for similar quality at a considerably lower price, it is worth mentioning the equally good QN95D – it offers similar picture quality, without the 8K resolution, which is still more of a curiosity than a standard.

Samsung The Frame LS03D (2024) is not an ordinary television that you can place in the corner and forget after two days. Here, it is immediately evident that the manufacturer has focused on something more than just playing films. First, the “Art” mode captures attention – with just a few clicks, we can turn The Frame into a digital gallery, displaying works that, in combination with the matte screen, truly resemble a real framed painting. And speaking of the frame, we have the option to customise its colour to perfectly match our interior. Additionally, the package includes a wall mount, allowing the television to hang almost “flush”, which further enhances the impression of engaging with an image rather than a typical screen. The matte screen provides excellent protection against reflections, which together with high brightness (650 cd/m²) works well in bright sunlight. Furthermore, we have a VA panel with quite decent contrast and a refresh rate of 120 Hz, so when watching sports or playing dynamic titles, everything appears smooth and pleasant to the eye. If we also add a gaming features package – VRR, ALLM and HGiG – it’s clear that Samsung has also considered console and PC enthusiasts. As a result, Samsung The Frame can be both a picturesque decoration for the living room and a reasonably effective gaming monitor. The mentioned One Connect is another useful gadget – it allows us to hide all the cables in one place, with a thin wire connecting the television to this magical box. If we like order, this solution is made for us. Another advantage is the Tizen system – easy to use, fast, and full of applications. We may not find absolutely everything in it (e.g. the Tidal app), but it still provides a wide range for exploring various streaming platforms. Of course, there’s no rose without thorns. The lack of local dimming is noticeable in dark scenes, where blacks become less pronounced. We also need to remember that there is only one HDMI 2.1 port here, so if we want to connect more devices at 4K and 120 Hz, we may feel limited. Additionally, the viewing angles are rather average, so it’s better for the most important viewer (that is us) to sit directly in front of the television. For fans of Dolby Vision, this will also not be an ideal choice, as The Frame LS03D only supports HDR10 and HDR10+. Furthermore, the sound – as with most slim televisions – is mediocre, so it’s worth considering a soundbar if we care about clearer bass and a bit deeper sound. Despite these weaker points, The Frame still makes a great impression. It is striking, stylish, and versatile – perfect for watching the latest hits as well as displaying reproductions of paintings on the wall. If we value an unusual appearance, high brightness, and at the same time want to play with low input lag, this model will be a perfect choice. And although it is not a leader in terms of value for money nor a technological “monster” in terms of picture quality, it has something that simply makes it likable. It is a device that stands out with its unique character and can blend into any interior, attracting attention both in television mode and as a digital art gallery.

As befits the top model in the series, the Samsung QN900D television is equipped with a VA panel, which in the 65-inch version offers an impressive number of zones – as many as 1344. It is worth noting that larger sizes of this television have an even greater number of zones, which naturally translates to better contrast. During tests in scenes from the film "Oblivion," the QN900D performs excellently. Contrast values close to infinity are truly impressive, allowing for bold comparisons between this television and OLEDs. Unfortunately, like every LCD television, this model also has its limitations. In the case of very small elements, certain inaccuracies are visible, such as halo effects (e.g., in the film "Sicario 2") and occasionally significant dimming of the screen (e.g., in scenes from the film "Gravity"). Despite these imperfections, the Samsung QN900D is undoubtedly one of the best LED televisions available on the market, capable of generating very high contrast.

Samsung The Frame uses a VA panel, which in itself provides quite high contrast. In our tests, the results oscillated around 4000–5000:1, which will be more than enough for most users. However, the lack of local dimming is noticeable, especially on more demanding test slides. In dark scenes, it can be observed that black has a subtle hint of navy blue. During the day or in a well-lit room, this will not be an issue, but during an evening viewing, more discerning viewers may feel a slight deficiency.

The Samsung QN900D television demonstrates its high capabilities in light production in synthetic tests without any issues – 1400 nits is truly an impressive figure. It also showcased these capabilities in the first scene from the film "Life of Pi," where we see a brilliant burst of the rising sun. However, due to problems with the dimming algorithm, some issues can be noticed here. In the test scenes from "Sicario 2" and the second scene from "Life of Pi," these values are no longer as high and amount to around 500-600 nits. While this may not be the worst result among Mini LED televisions, one could expect more given the price of the television. Nonetheless, the television deserves praise for covering a wide colour gamut of DCP P3 at 96%. Although there are technologies offering higher values, this result is still satisfactory.

Samsung The Frame LS03D performs really well with brightness. Results of 700 nits make bright elements on the screen look striking and detailed, whether they illuminate the entire screen or appear as small points of light against a dark background. In more demanding scenes, like the fourth sequence from the film Sicario 2, the black levels are average, but we have already discussed this in the section on contrast. As for brightness – the television definitely excels here. An additional advantage is the quantum dot coating, which is QLED technology. Thanks to this, the colour palette coverage has been improved, although The Frame does not stand out in this regard compared to the competition.

The television QN900D offers a Filmmaker mode that has been created with the intention of watching films in the most natural way possible, however, this mode is not without certain flaws. For HD content, the white balance shows a dominance of red and blue colours, causing the image to take on pink hues. In contrast, for 4K HDR content, the situation is the opposite – the decrease in blue and red levels warms up scenes and shifts colours towards yellow tones. This is confirmed by Color Checker tests, which clearly show that colour samples are veering in this direction.

As for brightness and the associated contrast, the gamma is significantly impaired. The biggest issue is a noticeable jump at the beginning of the graph, which indicates that dark details are excessively brightened, resulting in a loss of depth in the darkest areas of the image – this is due to local dimming. For 4K HDR materials, the EOTF curve looks quite good, however, it remains below the reference level, impacting the overall dynamics of the image.

Samsung offers several picture modes on its televisions, but undoubtedly the Filmmaker Mode is the one that should provide the most natural representation of content. Unfortunately, as is often the case with mass production, the differences between units can be considerable, and our tested model was not free from a few issues.

In the case of SDR content, the white balance leaned heavily towards red, with a slight boost in blue. This effect was particularly noticeable in comparison images – for example, in a photograph of a boy whose face was unnaturally flushed. The gamma, or brightness characteristic, also did not perform perfectly – the image was slightly brightened, which detracted from its depth.

In 4K HDR content, the white balance was again dominated by red, this time in combination with green. Meanwhile, blue clearly lost intensity, which was easy to notice on the Color Checker palette, where colours began to "drift" in the wrong direction. The EOTF curve, responsible for brightness in HDR content, showed that the television has a tendency to excessively brighten the image, especially in the darkest elements of scenes.

Overall, while it did not look terrible, it definitely required adjustment. Fortunately, Samsung offers extensive calibration options, which provides the chance for a significant improvement in image quality. Therefore, we proceeded with professional calibration to extract the full potential from this television.

After calibration, the Filmmaker mode can indeed be called worthy of its name. The white balance for both HD and 4K HDR content has been significantly improved, making colours more natural and consistent. The image has gained in realism, and pink hues in HD content have been effectively eliminated, as has the yellowish glow in 4K HDR content. Thanks to calibration, the television now offers much better colour reproduction, positively affecting the viewing experience.

As for brightness, the situation with gamma is now quite the opposite – at the beginning of the graph, there is a noticeable drop, making the darkest details harder to discern. The EOTF curve for 4K HDR content has remained largely unchanged and is still below the reference level, meaning the television still struggles to maintain proper brightness. This is related to the aggressive dimming algorithm that affects the overall brightness of the image. You can see how the television fights to maintain high brightness or perfect black.

Despite the limitations associated with local dimming, the Samsung QN900D has improved colour reproduction quality, as confirmed by the Color Checker test results – the colour samples are now much closer to the targets, making the image more natural and pleasing to the eye.

After professional calibration, the Filmmaker Mode shows its full potential. The white balance in HD content is exemplary – errors at the level of 0.5 indicate almost perfect colour reproduction accuracy. The image now looks natural, and the colours are precisely as they should be. In 4K HDR content, the effect is not quite as perfect, but it still maintains a really high level. The colours are vibrant, well-saturated, and the overall picture quality can be impressive.

So where does the problem arise, given our praise for colour reproduction? Unfortunately, the entire experience is marred by brightness characteristics. The gamma in HD content looks decent, but in 4K HDR it's not as good. The EOTF curve shows that the television excessively brightens certain parts of the image, which is a result of construction limitations. The lack of local dimming means that the television cannot accurately control the differences between the brightest and darkest areas of the screen. This is a barrier that simply cannot be overcome in this model.

Nonetheless, after calibration, Samsung The Frame LS03D offers excellent colour reproduction, particularly in HD content, and the overall appearance is considerably better than before the settings were corrected.

The Samsung QN900D television handles tonal transitions smoothly, deserving a rating of 8/10. Colour gradation is generally good, although not perfect – in darker scenes, certain imperfections may be noticeable to more demanding users. Despite these minor flaws, the effect should satisfy most viewers, providing natural transitions.

This is one of the best televisions we have had the opportunity to test in terms of the smoothness of tonal transitions. Any potential imperfections are so minor that you really have to strain your eyes to notice them. They are subtle enough that we only deducted a symbolic fraction of points in this category. Without a doubt, this is one of the greatest advantages of this model. It is possible that such a good effect is partly due to the matte screen coating, which gently masks any irregularities in the colour gradation. The smoothness of tonal transitions in Samsung The Frame LS03D is at a level that will satisfy even exceptionally demanding users. Kudos to LS03D!

The fluidity of tonal transitions in lower-quality materials is impressive – the Noise Reduction feature effectively smooths tonal transitions while eliminating film grain. Although the removal of grain is not always desirable, the overall final effect looks very aesthetically pleasing, particularly for those who prefer a cleaner image.

When it comes to upscaling, or image scaling, QN900D shows the enormous potential of the new processor with AI technology. Images and materials in lower resolution are upscaled while preserving many details – for example, a photo of a model looks fantastic, free of unnecessary jagged edges, and the branches in the background are not overly jagged.

It’s time to check how Samsung The Frame LS03D performs with older, lower-quality materials. We already know that the fluidity of tonal transitions is at a very high level here, so we were curious to see how the television would handle smoothing them out.

The noise reduction feature in the "Standard" setting does its job well – tonal transitions are noticeably smoothed out, and at the same time, the image does not lose too much detail. However, it is worth noting that this effect also smooths out film grain, so its use will be a matter of individual preference.

When it comes to image scaling, the television also performed really well. The test chart turned out solid – the model was reproduced correctly, with clear details. The branches in the background, though slightly frayed in places, generally appear natural and do not stand out as imperfections.

Samsung QN900D is currently the fastest television in the world – literally. A refresh rate of 240 Hz in 4K resolution is an incredible value that PC gamers will surely appreciate. As for cinema fans, they will not be disappointed either – Samsung offers a 10-step clarity scale in the picture settings, allowing for image adjustments. We can choose whether the television should provide a smoother, theatrical effect at the highest settings, or a more cinematic experience, with visible frames, at the lowest settings.

Firstly, it is worth noting that the model we tested in the size of 55 inches, like the 65, 75 and 85-inch versions, is equipped with a 120 Hz panel. Unfortunately, the 43 and 50-inch variants of this series only offer 60 Hz panels, which is worth keeping in mind when making a purchase. As for improving motion fluidity, the television offers a feature called “Picture Clarity”. This is a classic motion smoother that gives users the ability to adjust it using two sliders:

Motion blur reduction – this controls the sharpening of the image in dynamic scenes. The higher the value, the less blur during quick camera movements or moving objects. However, overly aggressive settings may cause the image to become unnatural, appearing like a “soap opera”.

Judder reduction – this slider influences the smoothness of frame playback, particularly in materials with a lower frame rate, such as films (24 fps). Higher settings can smooth motion but may also lead to excessive “plasticity” of the image.

Both sliders operate on a scale from 0 to 10, allowing for precise adjustment of the effect to one’s own preferences. It is worth experimenting with the settings to find the perfect balance between fluidity and a natural appearance of the image. We recommend setting them as shown in the picture.

Samsung QN900D is a television that offers excellent compatibility with consoles and a range of features that gamers will appreciate. It has 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, although unfortunately without the full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s. Nevertheless, for the average user, this is more than sufficient. Additionally, the television supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which means a smoother image and no screen tearing during dynamic gameplay. The G-Sync and FreeSync technologies also deserve attention, as they ensure optimal cooperation with consoles and computers equipped with the appropriate graphics cards, minimizing stuttering and providing a smooth image.

One of the unique features available only in Samsung televisions is the Xbox Game Pass app, which allows for game streaming without the need for a console. This is a very convenient solution that lets you enjoy your favourite games without the need to purchase additional hardware. Furthermore, the QN900D has a Game Bar – a special panel that enables quick access to game-related settings, making the configuration of game mode fast and intuitive.

Another interesting feature is a function called Auto Motion Plus Game, which is a special motion smoothing mode that can increase the frame rate (operating at a maximum for a 4K@60Hz signal). Importantly, this does not cause a significant increase in input lag, allowing the player to enjoy both greater image smoothness. All these features make the Samsung QN900D an excellent choice for those looking for a gaming television with the highest possible specifications.

The Frame LS03D in the 2024 version has been equipped with four HDMI ports, but only one of them supports the 2.1 standard with a bandwidth of 40 Gb/s. This is important information if we plan to connect more than one device that requires a 4K@120 Hz signal – for example, two consoles or a console and a gaming PC.

In terms of features for gamers, The Frame truly has a lot to boast about. Here we find ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and HGiG. It is worth highlighting that HGiG has been very well implemented here, which is particularly important as the television does not support Dolby Vision in games (which is only available on Xbox consoles). In this case, HGiG turns out to be a better standard for gaming.

Samsung has also not forgotten about features that enhance gaming comfort. Game Bar is an advanced panel for gamers that allows for quick adjustment of screen settings without the need to dig through the television's menu. We can even change the aspect ratio from 16:9 to a panoramic 21:9, which may be a significant advantage for some gamers.

However, Samsung's biggest ace up its sleeve is the Game Motion Plus feature. This is a special smoothness enhancer dedicated to games that adds additional frames of animation without significantly affecting input lag. The effect is truly noticeable – the image appears much smoother, which fans of dynamic titles will particularly appreciate.

In summary – Samsung The Frame LS03D is a television that offers a solid set of features for gamers. While the limitation to one HDMI 2.1 port may be a downside, the rest of the solutions makes gaming on this television a truly enjoyable experience.

When it comes to signal delay (input lag), Samsung QN900D achieves impressive results. Values below 15 ms are truly excellent, making the television an ideal choice for gamers expecting minimal delays during gameplay. The input lag at 8K resolution is also noteworthy, measuring just 17 ms – this is also a very good result that allows enjoyment of dynamic games at the highest possible resolution without noticeable delays.

In terms of latency, The Frame LS03D is truly impressive. 13 ms for 60 Hz content and 8 ms for 120 Hz are results that will satisfy even the most demanding gamers. Such low values mean that responses to controller movements are almost instantaneous. In dynamic games, such as shooters or racing games, every fraction of a second matters – this is where Samsung LS03D excels.

Samsung QN900D offers very good compatibility with computers, making it an excellent choice for users looking for a large screen for work and entertainment. It supports full colour reproduction with Chroma 4:4:4, resulting in better image quality when using text and office applications. The readability of fonts is quite good, especially considering the 8K resolution, which offers an enormous level of detail.

Unfortunately, despite the very high resolution, the television has some issues with bright fonts on a dark background – slight shadows created by subpixels can be noticed. This may not be a key issue, but for more demanding users, it could affect the comfort of use, particularly when working in text applications. Nevertheless, the overall image quality and compatibility with computers are at a high level. It is also worth praising the television for supporting 240Hz at lower resolutions like 4K. This allows high-end PCs to showcase their prowess in gaming.

Using a computer on The Frame is truly a pleasant experience. The fonts are clear and well-rendered thanks to support for chroma 4:4:4. There is no blurring or fuzziness, which often occurs in cheaper televisions. Of course, if someone looks very closely at small text, they may notice minimal imperfections, but that's really a minor detail that doesn't interfere with everyday tasks. It is also suitable for PC gaming. The 120 Hz panel, support for G-Sync, and really low input lag ensure that games run smoothly and without delays.

The viewing angles on the QN900D television are very good, despite the use of a VA panel. Thanks to a special coating that broadens the viewing angles, the picture remains flawless even when viewed at an angle. This is particularly important when there are more people in the room – every viewer, regardless of their seating position, can enjoy excellent picture quality, without distortion or loss of colours. This makes the Samsung QN900D a great choice for watching both films and sports broadcasts with a larger group.

The viewing angles of the Samsung The Frame LS03D are average, which is typical for a VA panel. Here lies a bit of a problem – this television is supposed to serve as a display for images and works of art, which are not always viewed head-on. When viewed at an angle, colours begin to lose their intensity, and blacks turn into shades of grey. This is not at a level that completely ruins the experience, but if the television is to be placed where it will often be viewed from the side, the effect may be noticeable. It's a shame, as better viewing angles would be a significant advantage for a television of this purpose.

When it comes to the performance of the Samsung QN900D television in daylight conditions, it is generally average. The television has a special anti-reflective coating that helps reduce glare; however, due to the VA panel and the layer that widens the viewing angles, light reflections are heavily scattered horizontally - resembling the colours of a rainbow. This results in a loss of image vibrancy, especially in bright rooms where intense light sources can negatively affect the quality of the displayed image.

Samsung The Frame is equipped with a matte panel that excels at suppressing direct light reflections. This means that even in a brightly lit room, the image remains clear, and reflections do not interfere with viewing. Of course, as is often the case with matte finishes, there is a trade-off – colours lose some intensity, and black may appear more washed out during the day. Fortunately, the television compensates for this with a brightness level of 650 cd/m². This ensures that the image is bright, clear, and well visible even in a heavily sunlit room.

The Tizen system that powers the Samsung QN900D television offers excellent integration with other devices, allowing for convenient use of numerous applications, including AirPlay. Users also have the option to control other equipment via the SmartThings app. The television also works with lighting systems such as Philips Hue, enabling the creation of a moody atmosphere during film screenings.

In everyday use, the QN900D performs exceptionally well. The solar remote can control other devices, such as set-top boxes, making the lack of recording functionality less of an issue. Additionally, the television features a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) function, and with its 8K resolution, it is even possible to split the screen into four parts, making it exceptionally functional and useful for watching multiple programmes simultaneously as well as for effective work with various image sources.

The Samsung QN900D also stands out with its modern appearance. Its slim profile makes it the thinnest Mini LED television on the market, and the use of the One Connect module allows for neat cable management, so the area around the television looks tidy and elegant. The central stand adds lightness and creates the impression that the television is floating in the air, giving it a unique character. Additionally, the Ambient Mode feature allows for the display of decorative graphics or the adjustment of the image to fit the interior, making the television an integral part of the room, even when it is switched off.

Samsung The Frame LS03D is a television that stands out from other models and is difficult to describe in a traditional way. Of course, it includes all the standard Smart TV features thanks to the Tizen system. The system operates responsively, is comprehensive, and offers a wide selection of applications. The remote control supports voice commands in Polish, and additional devices can be connected via Bluetooth – just like in many other televisions. But that's not the essence of this model.

The greatest strength of Samsung The Frame is its design. The "Art" mode allows you to display thousands of high-resolution images, which, combined with a matte display, look truly exceptional. The effect is surprisingly realistic and hard to compare with any other television.

The bezels may not be the thinnest on the market, but you can customise them in terms of colour and style to perfectly blend with your interior. (Sold separately) And while the bezels themselves are not ultra-thin, the entire construction is sleek and elegant. The wall mount, which is included (its value is approximately £80), also deserves special attention. With it, the television can be mounted practically flat against the wall, with no gap, which further emphasises the "picture" effect.

And what about the cables? Samsung thought of that too. The Frame has been equipped with a One Connect module – an external box where all devices are connected. Only one nearly invisible cable runs to the television, which transmits both the signal and power. The box can be easily hidden in a cabinet or behind furniture, which means nothing disrupts the aesthetics of the interior.

Samsung The Frame LS03D is more than just an ordinary television – it is a thoughtfully designed decorative element that combines the modern functionality of Smart TV with exceptional design and practical solutions. Although it lacks typical features such as USB recording or PiP, it is not a model created with a classic approach to television in mind. LS03D the frame is a television that is easy to love for its innovation, originality, and how wonderfully it fits into any interior.

QN900D Samsung plays most popular video and audio formats without any issues. The resolution of images is also not a challenge for it; however, the television has difficulty opening less common image formats, including Apple's HEIC format.

The built-in media player in Samsung The Frame handles most popular video and audio formats without major issues. Video files, even those with subtitles that we have added, play smoothly and without interruptions. The same goes for audio files – here too, there are no significant surprises. The situation is somewhat worse when it comes to handling photo formats. The built-in player has certain limitations and does not support all possible types of graphic files. However, nowadays, most people use wireless photo transfer, so for many users, this will not be a major problem.

Television Samsung QN900D, equipped with an audio system with a power of 90 W in a 6.2.4 channel configuration. Despite its slim casing, the sound is clear and spacious, which is further supported by Dolby Atmos technology, providing immersive audio experiences. Unfortunately, like many other Samsung televisions, the QN900D does not support audio tracks in DTS format, which may be significant for home cinema users.

The sound on the Samsung The Frame is… well, quite average. The slim design of the television, while looking impressive, doesn’t allow much space for decent speakers. As a result, the sound is flat and lacks dynamism – exactly like most televisions in this category. Samsung is clearly aware of this, as it offers a special series S of soundbars, specifically created for its "lifestyle" televisions, which includes the The Frame.

Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K vs Samsung The Frame LS03D

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound