QN70F / QN74F / QN77F
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Panel type: LCD VA Odświeżanie: 144Hz Brand: SAMSUNG Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Tizen Model year: 2025
QN70F is the lowest model in this year's series of 4K Neo QLED televisions with Mini LED backlighting from Samsung. But does the term "Mini LED" actually reflect the reality in this case? In this review, we will take a closer look at the QN77F model – a derivative variant of the base QN70F. How does its picture quality perform? Are we dealing with a true Mini LED, or rather a continuation of the QN70D model, dressed up in new marketing slogans? We check this in the latest test.
7.0
Overall rating
The Samsung QN70F is quite a decent mid-range television. Its strongest feature is definitely the smoothness of the image – thanks to the 144 Hz panel, low input lag, and a wealth of gamer features, we have here a recipe for nearly the perfect gaming display. It will also perform well for sports fans – the picture is fast, clear, and nothing tears. When it comes to picture quality – it's really not bad. The VA panel offers good black levels, brightness is better than average, and colors look great after calibration. Samsung advertises the QN70F as Neo QLED, meaning Mini LED, and in a certain sense, one can view it that way – but only partially. The backlighting is edge-lit, so it falls short of true Mini LEDs with local dimming. It's a shame because marketing does its job, and the user might feel a bit misled. Additionally, there are some small shortcomings – no USB recording, no DTS support. But despite everything, the QN70F makes a really good impression. It may not be a "true" Mini LED, but for its price, it's a solid piece of television – especially for gamers and anyone who enjoys fast, dynamic content.
Nice black 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
Extensive and smooth Tizen operating system
Super slim design
No USB recording function
No DTS format
Issues with the HGIG function (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
8.3
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 biggest advantage in terms of design is its slimness. When viewed from the side, it's hard to believe we are talking about a classic backlit TV – at its thinnest point, the casing is just about 2 centimeters. It resembles a modern display panel rather than a typical screen with speakers and electronics inside. It may not be of the highest quality in terms of construction, as it is mainly made of plastic, but it has to be said – it was done well. The material looks aesthetic, nothing creaks, and the details are refined. The tested model QN77F features a dark graphite, central stand, which actually consists of two elements hidden under one cover. It looks minimalist and holds the structure well. Also worth noting is the clever concealment of wires – despite such a slim profile, the manufacturer managed to hide the cables inside the casing, ensuring that they do not disrupt the clean line of the back panel. If someone cares about aesthetics, it can be confidently said: Samsung really does this 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:
The QN70F is equipped with a VA panel that offers high native contrast – this is already a good starting point for blacks, especially for evening viewing. But theoretically, this does not end its capabilities. The television is branded as Neo QLED, which means the presence of Mini LED technology and a local dimming system. And indeed – the QN70F has such a function. The problem is that we are not talking about classical local dimming with LEDs placed directly behind the panel. Instead, edge lighting is used with a full-screen dimming mechanism known as global dimming. 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 practice, this means that the contrast is average compared to Mini LED models that offer true local dimming. The black level is not bad – it's thanks to the VA panel itself – but we cannot speak of precise light control that advanced systems with multiple zones provide. And here comes the question: is the QN70F series television really a Mini LED TV, or just a marketing variation on the Q70 series? Looking at the technical aspects – it is hard to consider this model a full-fledged representative of this technology. However, in everyday use, the black level looks decent and may be fully satisfying for many people.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
5.3/10
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 TV that can positively surprise when it comes to brightness. In ideal test conditions, it reaches even 800 nits, which – for this price range – is really solid. Of course, that's a result from measurement test patterns, so we decided to check how it performs in practice, with real movies. Here, the TV somewhat tones down its capabilities. In most of the tested scenes – for example, in "The Meg" – the actual HDR brightness was around 500 nits. That's still a good result that allows you to enjoy HDR effects, although it is far from perfect. On the other hand, we have a QLED screen with a quantum dot layer, which means very good color reproduction capabilities. The colors are vivid and saturated. QN70F covers about 94% of the DCI-P3 color space, and in the wider BT.2020 gamut, it exceeds 75%, so in this regard, 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 materials – that is, films in the highest HDR quality available on streaming platforms. Initially, we were skeptical, but we must admit that the TV pleasantly surprised us. Tonally, it performs quite well – colors transition smoothly, and the overall image balance is correct. Only the brightest elements, such as light reflections or explosions, show less detail than in higher-end models. It doesn’t reach the level of TVs with 1000-nit brightness, but for the class of equipment – it looks really decent. In a scene from the movie, the detail reproduction in darker areas was very good, and the overall tone remained consistent. The HDR effect may not make a huge impression, but it doesn’t disappoint either – it’s simply a solid performance for the capabilities of the QN70F. The TV offers a dynamic tone mapping function, and – as is usually the case with Samsung TVs – the “static” mode performed better. The image was more balanced and natural. With active mapping, there were times when brightness was overly boosted, making some scenes look unnatural. Therefore, in our tests, we recommend sticking to 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+. While the latter is still not as widespread as Dolby Vision, it has been increasingly encountered in recent months, even on streaming platforms where the competing format previously dominated. Does this matter? Absolutely – and it's immediately noticeable when we compare the same materials. Content utilizing dynamic metadata in HDR10+ looks significantly better on the QN70F. The image has more details, colors are better matched to the screen brightness, and the HDR effect appears more refined. In one of the test scenes, the difference was striking. The version with HDR10+ looked as if we were watching the same movie on a completely different television. This is precisely why information about HDR10+ support from various services – including Netflix recently – is so important. The QN70F may not support Dolby Vision, but when we encounter content prepared for the "Samsung" format, it can show itself in a very good light.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: HDR10+
7/10
We tested the QN70F in the best default picture mode, which is Filmmaker Mode. It must be said that in this particular test unit, the factory settings performed quite well. The picture was calm, natural, and despite minor deviations, pleasant to perceive. The biggest flaw was a slight dominance of red in the white balance, which caused a slight pinkish tint to the entire scene. However, this was not a glaring flaw – rather subtle and only noticeable when directly compared to a properly calibrated screen. A somewhat larger issue appeared in the brightness characteristic. The television tends to understate the brightness of parts of the image that should be displayed more brightly. As a result, some details can appear slightly dimmed – not so much lost entirely, but not as clearly pronounced as they should be. Nevertheless, as far as a television in this category and in these settings goes, we consider the result to be a good starting point for further calibration.
8.5/10
After calibration, the QN70F shows that it can offer a really high level of color reproduction. It nearly perfectly balanced the white point, and the values in the Color Checker test dropped below 3 – that is, below the threshold at which the average eye can perceive differences. The image looks natural, and the colors are accurately represented, without excessive saturation or the coolness known from factory settings. It must be said that Samsung provides very extensive calibration options – not only for enthusiasts but also for professionals. The QN70F takes advantage of this potential and, after proper adjustment, can come close to much more expensive models in terms of color accuracy. The only thing one could still criticize is the brightness characteristics. There is still a tendency to brighten the smallest parts 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 effect definitely deserves recognition.
8/10
In terms of tonal transition fluidity, the QN70F performs really well. The gradients are smooth, and the colors blend into each other without noticeable thresholds or banding. Even in more challenging film scenes – especially very dark ones – any imperfections are minimal, and you really have to focus to notice them. In everyday viewing, most users should not encounter any issues with color blending. The image looks clean and coherent, without artificial smoothing or distortions. This is another aspect where the QN70F pleasantly surprises.
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 problematic transitions without significantly interfering with the image structure. Film grain is partially removed, but details such as texture or skin structure still remain visible. The "High" mode operates much more aggressively. The smoothing is stronger, but it comes at the cost of a noticeable loss of detail. Therefore, in practice, we recommend sticking with the "Standard" setting or completely turning off this feature. The improvement in gradation may be less spectacular, but the image retains more naturalness.
When it comes to scaling low-quality content, the QN70F performs very well. Tests with lower resolution images were really impressive. Despite slight aliasing of contours, everything looks clean and clear, even if the original content was very poor. It's just a shame that the TV has an overscan issue that cannot be completely turned off. As a result, the image from very low resolution may be slightly cropped, which is mainly visible 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 puts it at the forefront in terms of image smoothness. Whether we are watching dynamic sports broadcasts or playing on a console, the picture looks very good. There is no feeling of stuttering, chopping, or the typical "tearing" in fast motion that is common in lower-end models. Samsung also allows you to adjust the smoothness to your own preferences. In the picture clarity settings, we find options such as blur reduction and motion smoothing – each of which can be adjusted independently. This is especially useful when watching content with a lower frame rate and we want to give it a smoother, more cinematic character – or on the contrary, maintain the natural film "feeling" 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 testing with the Ufo animation, slight trails were visible, especially on darker backgrounds, but this did not negatively affect the overall reception – the image remains readable and sharp even in fast sequences. The television is equipped with the "Clear Motion LED" feature, which is a classic BFI system. Its operation indeed significantly improves motion clarity – motion blur practically disappears. Unfortunately, as with most models with this technology, a side effect is the noticeable 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 truly a solid choice for gamers. Here we have as many as four HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gbps, which means full support for gaming in 4K at 144 Hz refresh rate. In addition, we have all the basic features we expect today: auto low latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rate (VRR), and a very well-designed, intuitive Game Bar with information about the mode, resolution, and frame count.
It's also worth highlighting the Game Motion Plus feature, which allows you to add artificial frames to games running at 60 fps or less. It works surprisingly well and in many titles – especially those where consoles struggle to maintain a stable framerate – it improves gameplay smoothness without significant lag.
Unfortunately, there are also some drawbacks. The lack of support for Dolby Vision mode is not surprising – it's a standard for Samsung. But the much bigger disappointment is the absence of the HGiG feature. What's worse, it was removed in a software update, leaving users who previously used it quite shocked. Without HGiG, you can't manually set the maximum HDR brightness from the console, which results in some games looking slightly washed out – especially if the TV misinterprets the tonal range. Why did Samsung, a brand that has set standards in gaming features for years, decide to take such a step? It's 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 temporarily hold off on updates.
10/10
QN70F does not disappoint in terms of response time either. For 120 Hz materials, input lag stays around 8 ms, which can be considered a very good result – especially in the context of online competition or fast-paced action games. The screen responds to controller movements almost instantly, without any noticeable delay. This allows for smooth and comfortable gameplay, even in more demanding titles. In this category, Samsung still maintains 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 aspect when it comes to connecting the QN70F to a computer – that is gaming. The 144 Hz refresh rate, support for G-Sync compatible VRR, and very low input lag are the recipe for an almost perfect screen for PC gamers. In this role, the QN70F truly does not disappoint – games look smooth, responsiveness is at a very high level, and everything operates stably.
However, the performance when it comes to text work is somewhat lacking. At a 4K resolution and 144 Hz refresh rate, there is a noticeable lack of sharpness in the text outlines – the text can appear slightly blurred, with a slight "layering" of the outlines. This is not a problem that disqualifies the usability of the QN70F as a monitor, but those planning to do office work or text editing on this screen should keep this in mind.
3.1/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 74%
As for the 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 sharper angle. Compared to IPS panels, it's definitely weaker. On the other hand – it is precisely because of this panel that 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 living room without any problems. The screen has a satin finish that effectively reduces reflections, so there's no need to immediately draw the curtains to see something. Even when there’s a lot of light in the room – for example, near a window on the side – the image still looks sharp and colorful. Brightness is also at a solid level. In SDR mode, the television averages around 500 nits, which is more than enough for daytime viewing. It may not be at the level of top 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
The QN70F does not forget about classic features that still matter to many users. On board, we find, among other things, picture-in-picture mode (PiP), enabled by the presence of two tuners, teletext, and "Audio Only" mode – ideal if we want to use the TV like a radio. We can effortlessly pair it with headphones or a soundbar via Bluetooth, and the remote – despite the lack of a numeric keypad – works reliably, allowing control of other devices and additionally does not require us to aim at the screen. However, it should be noted that, as with all new Samsung models, we will not find USB recording functionality here. This is a system limitation that the brand consistently adheres to.
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 screen sharing 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 connected by the SmartThings app, which allows controlling devices, automating tasks, and connecting devices on one network. (Not only Samsung brand). However, it is not perfect. Tizen is a closed system, so the selection of applications can be somewhat limited – especially compared to Google TV. All the major streaming services are in place, but if you use less popular services, it's worth checking before purchase whether they are available in the Samsung store.
8.3/10
8.4/10
Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
---|---|
Samsung QN70F performs well in media playback – it easily runs pictures, music, and videos in the most commonly used formats. During testing, it opened JPG files, MP4, 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 specific 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 be surprising given the exceptionally slim design of the television. The built-in speakers will perform adequately during daily news watching or simpler content, but it's hard to speak of any depth or spaciousness of sound here. It's simply a compromise that one has to accept when choosing an elegant and thin design over a bulkier housing with a better audio system.
Software version during testing: 1110
Panel uniformity:
Backlight Type: QLED
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Journalist, reviewer, and columnist for the "ChooseTV" portal
1/16/2025
3/6/2025