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Panel type: LCD VA Refresh rate: 60Hz Brand: SAMSUNG Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Tizen Model year: 2025
In the world of Samsung QLEDs, the Q7F (2025) plays a relatively important role. It is the cheapest model from this family in the current offering of the Korean manufacturer. Of course, we won't find a 120 Hz panel or advanced gaming features here, but… it compensates with a solid Tizen system and pleasantly saturated colors worthy of a QLED filter. The only question is how it performs in everyday use? And more importantly, does a cheap QLED make sense at all? You will find out in this review!
5.7
Overall rating
Samsung Q7F is the cheapest model from the manufacturer in the QLED line, and it must be admitted that several advantages can easily be pointed out. After calibration, the colors look really good, and the additional QLED filter makes the hues more saturated than in typical budget LCD TVs. In addition, there is a VA panel that offers quite decent native contrast. It is certainly not at the level of top constructions, but it does fine for everyday viewing. The biggest plus, however, is the Tizen system, which is Samsung's flagship card. It runs smoothly, is well-developed, provides access to a plethora of applications and add-ons, and at the same time allows you to easily connect the TV to the SmartThings ecosystem and control other devices in the home. And this is basically where the list of pros ends, because the longer you use the Q7F, the more it becomes clear that it is a heavily unfinished product. It is not just about the panel itself with its low brightness and mediocre picture quality in HDR films, but also about the lack of features that usually worked flawlessly in Samsung TVs. The manufacturer claims the presence of VRR and HGiG, but in practice, they are of no use, which makes it difficult to recommend the TV even to casual gamers. It also doesn't perform very well for regular television, as the digital image processing is at best average, and the tonal transition improvement feature, which usually performed excellently in Samsung TVs, here practically does not work. The Q7F is a product that can only be recommended to those looking for a TV with two phrases on the box: “QLED” and “good Smart TV”. The rest receive a rather bland product that lacks a lot to compete even with other more budget-friendly offerings. It is a shame because usually the word "QLED" in Samsung meant something more than just an ordinary TV.
Solid native contrast (VA Panel)
Vivid colors thanks to the QLED filter
Low input lag (around 10MS)
Advanced and smooth Tizen operating system
Small sleek pilot with Type-C charging
Very low brightness (only 250 nits in HDR)
Lack of many features for gamers, including VRR and HGiG – the manufacturer promised something, but ultimately these features are simply not there
Lack of many classic "TV" features, e.g., USB recording or PIP
No Dolby Vision
Average quality of digital image processing
Movies and series in UHD quality
5.7
Classic TV, YouTube
5.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
5.3
Gaming on console
6.3
TV as a computer monitor
6.0
Watching in bright light
3.9
Utility functions
6.6
Apps
8.7
Sound quality
5.8
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HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1 Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: BuildQuality-Good
Stand type: Legs
Kolor ramki: Graphite
Although the Samsung Q7F (2025) is a rather budget model, it is clear that the manufacturer has put effort into its construction. The bezels are slim and narrow – just like those that Samsung now installs on most of its TVs. The issue of the legs has been very well resolved. Yes, they are plastic, but they offer plenty of adjustment options: they can be set wider or narrower thanks to special recesses in the casing, and the TV can be raised using built-in spacers – useful if we want to slide a soundbar underneath. The only thing to nitpick is that the Q7F has become a bit more "bulky" compared to what Samsung has accustomed us to. When mounted on the wall, it will protrude more than the more expensive models. While this may not be a major flaw, it is certainly something that stands out immediately. Overall, we rate the appearance a solid four on a school grading scale.
Select size:
4.7/10
Local dimming function: No
Result
2,850:1
Result
2,750:1
Result
3,300:1
Result
3,050:1
Result
2,750:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
The Samsung Q7F in the tested size of 55 inches has a VA panel, which immediately translates to decent native contrast. Values around 3000:1 may not be record-breaking, as we know that VA panels are currently being produced with more than double the contrast, but it still performs much better than IPS or ADS panels, where blacks quickly fade into shades of gray or navy blue. Unfortunately, we won't find typical local dimming zones here, but the manufacturer has added something resembling global dimming – meaning the whole screen darkens in relation to the content. The effect? In most scenes, blacks look quite solid, although during night screenings, we can still see that they resemble dark navy blue or gray rather than true pitch black. Overall, it's okay, but without fireworks – it's not spectacular, but it's also not a disaster.
3.7/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 92.4%, Bt.2020: 69.2%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
215 nit
Result
225 nit
Result
267 nit
Result
113 nit
Result
250 nit
Unfortunately, the Samsung Q7F is not one of the bright televisions, and this directly affects the quality of HDR movies. The peak brightness of the panel is only about 250 nits, which is definitely too low to speak of true cinematic experiences. In practice, the image in HDR content does not differ significantly from classic SDR, making it hard to talk about any "wow effect" that usually accompanies us while watching such films. During testing movie scenes, the image simply looked dim, and brightness almost invariably hovered around the mentioned 250 nits. The worst performance was observed in shots with small, intensely glowing elements – the applied global dimming technique reacted very aggressively, dimming the entire screen to maintain the black effect. On the plus side, it is worth noting the presence of a QLED coating that expands the color palette. As a budget QLED model, the Q7F performs quite decently here: its DCI-P3 color coverage is about 93%, and BT.2020 reaches 70%. This means that colors, despite the low brightness, can look quite vivid and attractive.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
In the case of the Q7F, the situation is quite complex. The brightness is low enough that it's difficult to speak of cinematic experiences on par with better screens, but at the same time, it's not possible to say that the image it produces is completely unattractive. A scene from the film Mr. with a slight overexposure appeared vibrant and colorful, and the fragment with Billy Lynn was also depicted quite accurately. The dynamic tone mapping feature plays a big role in this, and it's definitely worth turning on. Interestingly, in the Q7F, it operates differently than in most Samsung models. The “static” setting makes the image look washed out, while the “active” mode can enliven it and give it complete depth (of course within the capabilities of the display). This feature largely saves the Q7F in more challenging movie scenes, allowing the viewing experience to gain attractiveness despite the limitations of the panel itself.
HDR luminance chart:
HDR luminance
Although the effect of clipping is still occasionally visible, enabling tone mapping makes the image look significantly better. It then becomes easier to notice more shadows and details that simply get lost in static mode. In everyday viewing, the difference is substantial enough that this feature can be considered essential. It becomes even more interesting with HDR10+ content. This format immediately shows that the Q7F can extract more from the image than one might expect based solely on the panel's parameters. In HDR10+ materials, details in challenging scenes become more visible. This can be compared to Dolby Vision, which is unfortunately lacking in the Q7F – both solutions operate on a similar principle, adjusting the television's parameters scene by scene, or even frame by frame. Fortunately, HDR10+ has been gaining popularity in recent years – not only in gaming but also among streaming services. A good example is Netflix, which has recently started supporting this format. This somewhat compensates for the lack of Dolby Vision and makes the Q7F perform acceptably with cinematic content.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: HDR10+
5/10
The factory color reproduction in the Samsung Q7F definitely isn't one of its strong points. In Filmmaker mode, which theoretically should be closest to neutral, the white balance issue is immediately noticeable. There's too much red on the screen, while blue is noticeably lacking. The effects of this are very easy to see – white, instead of being neutral, takes on warm, almost slightly orange tones. Over time, this makes the entire image look somewhat unnatural, and bright areas of the scene can seem unrealistic. The problems become even more apparent in HDR content. The graphs show that the TV has significant errors in the Color Checker palette, which translates to visible inaccuracies in the real image. In practice, this means that colors are not presented as they should be. The Q7F also heavily manipulates brightness; darker elements are overly boosted, causing them to lose their cinematic feel, while bright parts can appear dimmed. As a result, the image seems flattened, and instead of helping to bring out details, contrast only highlights its own limitations. This is particularly frustrating in HDR materials, as every detail matters there. In scenes where a subtle play of light and shadow should be felt, the Q7F either overdoes the brightening or, conversely, suppresses elements that were meant to draw the eye. This causes the image to lose its depth, and instead of cinematic realism, we get more of a simplification effect.
7.6/10
After professional calibration, we managed to bring the Q7F in order – at least in terms of SDR content. The picture in this mode looks really good: the white balance has been set correctly, the colors appear natural, and errors in the color palette have dropped to values that are practically invisible to the eye. The gamma behaves excellently, and the only minor drawback is a slight brightening of smaller elements, which results from the lack of local dimming. For everyday TV watching or standard quality films, the Q7F performs surprisingly well.
It was much more difficult to tame HDR content. Despite adjusting the white balance, the television continues to manipulate brightness significantly, causing scenes to sometimes look unnatural – what was meant to be subtly darker can end up being overly brightened, and bright parts of the image sometimes appear dull. The final effect is better than in the factory settings, but it is evident that the design limitations of the Q7F do not allow for fully utilizing the potential of HDR materials.
9/10
The fluidity of tonal transitions in the Q7F is really impressive. The gradients are smooth, without strong steps or artificial divisions that can be quite noticeable in cheaper televisions. Even in more challenging scenes, like the one from The Revenant or the red shot of the actor flowing in water, the image held its level and simply looked good. If someone examines it very closely, they might notice slight imperfections in extremely demanding moments, but they are subtle enough that most people won't even notice them. For this price range, the Q7F handles gradation surprisingly well, and it's hard to find anything serious to criticize.
4.5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
Upscaling and digital image processing in the Q7F is a bit of a sine wave. On one hand, we have really nice upscaling – weaker sources look better than one might expect. The image becomes clearer, sharper, and even older movies or terrestrial TV hold up well. Samsung has been strong in this area for years, and the Q7F confirms that. On the other hand… things start to get tricky. The TV has a problem with overscan – part of the image is simply cut off, and it looks rather unrefined. Additionally, we were let down by a feature called "noise reduction," which should improve the smoothness of tonal transitions in weaker materials. In other Samsungs, it works relatively well, but here it practically makes no difference – the banding in gradients remains. It's a bit disappointing because we could have expected more from a model that is aimed at users looking for a display for SDR content.
5.5/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 60Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: No
BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
Brightness drop with BFI: 49%
Motion blur and motion fluidity in the Q7F is probably the most budget-conscious element of this TV. The 60 Hz panel is noticeable, with blur being quite evident, especially in dynamic scenes, and it's rather difficult to consider this model as equipment designed for watching sports or playing fast-paced games. In tests with the little green man, there was a long tail, and the ball in a football match would leave trails behind it.
On the plus side, the presence of motion smoothing is commendable. It really makes a difference in movies - especially since most materials are recorded at 24 frames. Here we can decide for ourselves whether we prefer a more "cinematic" image, with the slight jerkiness characteristic of cinema, or a smoother, more "television-like" one. This actually works quite well and helps improve the viewing comfort for series or movies.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Image flickers in this mode
3.3/10
Features for gamers in the Samsung Q7F is a topic that evokes quite a bit of mixed emotions. On one hand – no sensible person expected miracles here, after all, it's a 60 Hz television, and it was clear from the beginning that it wouldn't be a device to extract the maximum from a console or PC. On the other hand, since the manufacturer promised specific solutions in promotional materials, it's natural that we wanted to see them in practice. At the start, it's quite decent. The automatic game mode (ALLM) works, so there's no need to manually fiddle with the settings; the console switches the TV to low latency mode by itself. Additionally, we have the Game Bar, which looks impressive and allows you to check a few basic parameters without leaving the game. And this is where the good news ends.
The biggest problem with the Q7F is VRR, or rather its absence. Indeed, a relevant icon appears in the menu, and you can even see it in the Game Bar, but throughout the entire test, the function remained dead and could not be activated in any way. The issue with HGiG is even more painful; this option was actually available at the beginning, but after a software update, it disappeared completely, which is simply unprofessional. Therefore, the Q7F is only suitable for absolute basics. Sure, you can turn on the console, play more mellow titles, and enjoy low input lag, but if someone is counting on more advanced features that the manufacturer promised, they will be disappointed. This is not a television intended for gaming, and it's better to be aware of this before purchasing.
10/10
The input lag on the Samsung Q7F is really good for a 60 Hz display. Measurements showed values below 12 ms, which means that for regular gaming on a console, this model is more than sufficient. Of course, it doesn’t match the top-level 120 Hz screens that can go below 6–7 ms, but in everyday use, it's hard to talk about noticeable delay. In this regard, the Q7F does not lag behind the competition in its segment and can easily be considered a safe choice for casual or sports gaming. At least in this respect.
SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
---|---|---|
1080p60: 13 ms | 2160p60: 12 ms | |
2160p60: 13 ms |
6/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 13ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 60Hz
G-Sync: No
Cooperation with a PC on the Q7F is decent, although it's not a TV that will satisfy the most demanding users. The fonts are displayed clearly and sharply, so you can comfortably work on it – especially for everyday office tasks or browsing the internet. With thin letters, you can notice slight shading, but it's not something that interferes with normal use. In a smaller size, the Q7F can actually work as a computer screen, although you have to keep its limitations in mind. The lack of variable refresh rate means that we won't benefit from G-Sync or FreeSync, and 60 Hz effectively closes the door to more demanding PC gaming. For work and light use, it will be okay, but for serious gaming, it's definitely better to look for something higher up in Samsung's offering.
3.5/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 78%
The viewing angles on the Q7F are simply poor – typical for VA panels. Just sitting slightly to the side and it's immediately clear that the picture loses quality. Colors fade, contrast significantly drops, and blacks begin to resemble more of a gray than anything deep. This is a television that is definitely best viewed straight on, and any larger viewing angle comes with compromises.
3.9/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Decent
Black levels during daytime: Good
The performance of the Q7F during the day unfortunately does not impress. Due to low brightness, the screen quickly succumbs in very sunlit rooms. Therefore, it is difficult to recommend it to those who plan to watch television in a bright living room with large windows. In moderately lit rooms, it still manages, but in bright light, the picture loses clarity. Additionally, the fact that the panel does not always effectively handle reflections means that during the day, glare can be problematic. This is more of a screen for evening viewing than for daily sessions in full sunlight.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
Samsung Q7F: 237 cd/m2
6.6/10
System: Tizen
Here Q7F shows its strongest side. Samsung has been developing the Tizen system for years, and it is evident that we are dealing with a mature, refined platform. Everything works smoothly, the menu does not lag even when switching between heavier applications, and installing additional programs from the library is quick and hassle-free. Additionally, there is full support for AirPlay, integration with voice assistants, as well as a wide range of add-ons – from collaboration with devices in the SmartThings ecosystem to the ability to control Philips Hue smart lighting or other smart gadgets. Samsung strongly focuses on advanced network features, and it shows – in terms of Smart TV, Q7F has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, and on the contrary, it can put more expensive competitor models to shame.
On the side of classic "TV" solutions, it is clear that the manufacturer has put everything on the smart card. We will not find USB recording or PiP mode here, features that used to be standard. It is evident that Q7F is primarily intended to be a media center, not a device for users accustomed to more traditional solutions. Fortunately, there are several practical additions – we have Bluetooth for pairing headphones or speakers and the option to change the font size in the menu, which will be appreciated by users with weaker eyesight.
8.7/10
9/10
Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
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In the Q7F, we have a built-in file player, and as is usually the case with Samsung TVs, it works quite well – most popular movies or music play without any fuss. For basic use, it’s sufficient, and there’s usually no need to reach for external solutions like connecting a laptop. It’s worse if someone wants to upload photos – it can stumble here, especially with Apple’s HEIC or PNG, which are visible in the player menu but don’t necessarily want to work.
5.8/10
80dB
Maximum volume
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
The Samsung Q7F comes with a 20 W speaker system and… well, there’s no point in sugarcoating it; it’s not really impressive. The TV itself sounds quite decent, meaning we can clearly hear series, news, or daily programs, and the dialogues are not lost, but there is a lot lacking in depth and sound space. There is practically no bass; something thuds, but it resembles more of a knock on a box than true low tones. Music sounds flat, and movies also don't make any significant impression – we won’t feel like we're in a cinema. It’s a sound in the category of “acceptable,” just enough to have something built-in, but if someone is counting on stronger experiences, they will sooner or later reach for a soundbar anyway. And to be honest – even the simplest model will make a significant difference here, and Samsung has quite a few of those in their offering.
80dBC (Max)
75dBC
Software version during testing: T-RSLFDEUC-0090-1110.7, E2500007, BT-S
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
Backlight Type: QLED
Founder and originator of the "ChooseTV" portal
Journalist, reviewer, and columnist for the "ChooseTV" portal
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