Samsung has an impressive line of TVs coming in 2025. This includes OLED and Neo QLED TVs, 8K models, The Frame Pro, and TVs in sizes up to 115 inches for those with significant wall space and grandiose dreams. I saw these TVs at CES 2025, but WiFi HiFi was invited to New Jersey to get a chance to spend more time with various models in an intimate setting. Visiting the Samsung QA Labs for Samsung Unbox and Discover, I had the chance to sit down with new Neo QLED 4K and 8K models.
Of course, these reviews were conducted in controlled settings and might not reflect your conditions at home. This includes factors like viewing distance, ambient light, furniture placement, and more. But invitees were given significant time to relax with each TV on our own to enjoy content and try out some of the latest Vision AI features. Generative Wallpapers, Click to Search, and even using a Galaxy Watch Ultra as a gesture controller for the big screen were all available to test. We had full access to whatever we needed when it comes to content as well, from 4K streaming accounts to popular video games and live TV.
Throughout the day that we were there, I visited multiple rooms, spending anywhere from 30-45 minutes in each. Here’s my mini review of Samsung’s Neo QLED 4K and 8K TVs.
Samsung Neo QLED 4K (QN90F, QN80F, QN70F)
Relaxing on the couch in this intimate room, I was able to fully immerse myself in the 65-inch size of this stunning TV (a second room featured the behemoth 100-inch). I watched live TV content from Samsung TV Plus, 4K content from Netflix, movies, and more on both TVs. To simulate a home environment at different times of the day, I enjoyed watching with the lights both on and off in the smaller room with the 65-incher.
I used the opening sequence of The Residence on Netflix in 4K as a consistent test for each of these TVs. It’s a show I have already watched at home on an OLED TV, so I’m familiar with the scene. It includes lots of contrast between lights and darks and vibrant colours. There’s also a rapid-moving point-of-view (POV) shot going through hallways and up a winding staircase.
Compared to the other TVs I watched on this visit, this TV produces wonderful black levels and crisp whites. Overall, the images were rich, as if I was navigating the White House myself along with the swanky guests. I verified this further by watching a bit of the movie The Menu, which I also previously watched at home on my OLED TV. The TV displayed sharp colours and dark blacks during the more ominous scenes.
With some TVs, you might detect motion blur in the opening scene of The Residence. The camera moves at warp speed through hallways and up a winding staircase to reveal a screaming Jane Curtain. There was no motion blur detected on this TV. That’s a good indication that it’s a great option for fast action movies, sports, and video gaming.
It’s worth noting that if you want to watch content from external devices, you can use the Samsung One Connect Box. This wireless hub is for connecting everything from your cable set-top box to a Blu-ray player, gaming console, and more.
Specs of the Samsung Neo QLED 4K
The Samsung Neo QLED 4K line leverages Quantum Matrix Mini LEDs. The top line QN90F adds improvements like glare-free technology, an NQ4 Gen2 processor, 165Hz refresh rate, and access to the Samsung Art Store. Supersize Picture Enhancer optimizes picture quality to prevent blur. You also get Samsung Vision AI features, some of which I was able to try out (see below), including Click to Search, Live Translate, Samsung Food, Generative Wallpaper, Home Insights, and Pet and Family Care. It’s available in sizes from 55 inches up to 100 inches for the QN80F ($1,800-$7,500); 43 inches up to 115 inches for the QN90F ($3,000-$20,000); and 55 inches to 85 inches for the QN70F ($1,600-$3,300).
Samsung Neo QLED 8K (QN990F, QN900F)
Is 4K not enough for you? 8K TVs are starting to become more readily available, even though there’s very little 8K content to support them. Of course, with upscaling, you’ll often get a better 4K picture on an 8K TV, depending on size. Still, it’s an expensive proposition to future-proof your purchase. Nonetheless, for those who want the latest and greatest, 8K is it. And this TV doesn’t disappoint.
I started off with The Residence on this gloriously large 85-incher and once again and noticed some differences on this massive TV. The exterior shots of The White House, for example, had a slight yellowish tinge that wasn’t apparent on the 4K TVs. (I noticed the same in some brighter scenes of The Bear as well). Adjusting colour settings could rectify this, depending on your room, lighting, and what you’re watching. In the same aforementioned winding staircase scene, there was also some slight motion blur. However, the TV displays wonderful contrast. The scenes showing the congressional hearing had depth and presence.
I also watched a bit of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. It’s a much darker show, and the sharp details and true-to-life scenes drew me into the story. I popped on Despicable Me 4 as well to see how the TV performs with animated content. The vibrant colours popping out of the screen assured me that this is a family-friendly TV. You won’t regret going big for the living room.
Speaking of which, one thing worth noting is that if you do get this TV in one of its largest sizes (it comes in 65-, 75-, 85-, and 98-inch sizes), you’ll want to make sure you are only watching 4K content. When playing low-res live TV content, even at 1080P, it looks especially grainy when watching a massive screen up close, as to be expected. With that said, someone investing in a TV like this will almost assuredly have top-tier subscriptions, games, and other media.
Specs of the Samsung Neo QLED 8K
With an AI-backed experience through Samsung Vision AI, this smart TV boasts glare-free technology. Using the Wireless One Connect Box, you can connect external devices and transmit the signal at 120Hz from up to 10-feet away. Employing a metal frame, you get access to the Samsung Art Store. It comes, as noted, in 65-, 75-, 85-, and a new 98-inch size. Along with the Samsung Vision AI features I tried, you will also be able to enjoy Live Translate, Samsung Food with real-time recipes, Home Insights from compatible connected devices, and Pet and Family Care with alerts of things like falls or break-ins. Pricing ranges from $4,000 up to $10,200.
Testing AI And Gesture Features
At CES 2025, Samsung Canada’s Jeff Ingram walked me through the enticing new AI features coming to the brand’s TVs this year. I got to see them in action at the First Look event as well as on the CES show floor. But here, I finally got to try them out for myself.
Click to Search
Click to Search, which will only be available stateside for now, is a fun feature that isn’t necessarily a new concept. Amazon Prime Video already offers a similar feature baked into its streamer. The feature gives you the ability to click during playback to see details about the actor and what else they’ve been in. It’s the same searches most of us do on our mobile devices while watching a show and wondering “where did I see that actor again?”
Tap the handy AI button on the remote and a tab pops up in a vertical strip of the right side of the screen showing details about the actors. Click any person’s icon to get more information about them. This can include what else they’ve been in, even their career history (pulled seemingly from sources like Wikipedia). There are also suggestions of similar shows or movies you can watch next.
There are limitations, of course. For one, Click to Search only works with live TV content, not streaming services. It’s designed to provide details for source content that doesn’t already offer it. Second, the results aren’t always comprehensive or entirely accurate. I received the same movie recommendations, for example, when playing completely different shows and movies. With that said, this is just a demo and not a final version. So, you can expect Click to Search to get more intelligent, accurate, and comprehensive over time. It’s a nice way to eliminate the need for a second screen so you can stay focused on what you’re watching.
Generative Wallpaper
I tried Generative Wallpaper quickly to get an idea of how it works. With this feature, you can choose a mood, a type of scene, likes and dislikes, then see image options that fit. If you don’t like the first three, try again until you find the perfect pic. Then, use this as a background for your TV, enhancing the room’s ambiance.
It’s worth noting that Samsung’s Art Store is now also available for all Samsung TVs, not just The Frame. So, you can also sign up and chose from thousands of popular works of art as well or even display your own photos or artwork.
Smartwatch Gesture Controls
In a separate room with another Samsung Neo QLED 4K, I was able to try out gesture controls with a Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. Once connected, you can flick your wrist to call up the pointer, then move your arm around to navigate a menu. Through gestures like pinching and making a fist, you can select items, go back in menus, and more. You can also run your finger around the perimeter of the watch screen to navigate.
It took a few tries before I got used to it, and it can be a bit finicky. You need to activate the pointer feature first from the watch as well, which some might find cumbersome. But it would be handy while you relax on the couch or even in bed and don’t want to fish for the remote. With that said, I generally find gesture controls more gimmicky than useful. I rarely using them in any devices that offer it. But that’s just a personal preference. As an alternative, the TVs support voice control as well.
Samsung has a lot coming in 2025, including these exciting new Neo QLED 4K and 8K TVs. Stay tuned for pricing and availability details for Canada. For now, you can sign up for pre-order.