Samsung released pricing for its new 8K Q900R QLED TV lineup through its direct-to-consumer web store and app showing nearly the full range of models and pricing for the U.S. market.
The company revealed at CES 2019 that it was adding to the previously released 85-inch QN85Q900RBFXZA ($14,999.99) a full range range of models including the 65-, 75- and 82-inch screen sizes. Pricing and availability were not yet listed for the mammoth 98-inch 8K QN900, which was prominently featured at CES 2019. This is expected to come later in the year.
When we first test the 85-inch QN85Q900RBFXZA last year, we were blown away by the high level of peak brightness (exceeding 2000 nits) and strong black levels. The added resolution brought noticeable levels of edge sharpness and detail compared side-by-side with a 2018 Samsung Q6 4K QLED sample. This was especially evident looking at images of newspaper text.
As well, the television did present HDR and colors with somewhat greater punch, thanks to the four times greater pixel density on screen. Supported HDR profiles include HDR10 and HDR10+. The latter utilizes dynamic tone mapping for scene-by-screen grading adjustments.
The LED-LCD TV technology still has some weak areas in off-axis viewing and blooming and haloing, though the later was significantly reduced from prior model years and didn’t show signs of light leaking into black letter box borders.
The televisions ship with Samsung’s One Connect box, which keeps inputs and circuitry in an outboarded box. This is tethered to the screen via a hybrid thin-optical cable which also supplies power to the display. Right now, the One Connect box is currently equipped with HDMI 2.0b ports, in place of the new HDMI 2.1 connector, which is still in testing. This limits the bandwidth to video quality of up to 8K at 30Hz. For 8K at higher frame rates, the full HDMI 2.1 connector will be required. Samsung notified buyers of the 85-inch model on its web site that it will supply an upgraded One Connect box once it has been certified next year.
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Delivery dates for the soon-to-available models are listed as either March 1st or March 22nd, depending on the model. In addition, Samsung listed the previously available 85-inch QN85Q900 as arriving on February 8th.
The following is the initially released pricing, according to the Samsung site:
Samsung 65-inch QN65Q900BFXZA 8K QLED LED-LCD TV: $4,999.99. Available March 1st.
Samsung 75-inch QN75Q900BFXZA 8K QLED LED-LCD TV: $6,999.99. Available March 1st.
Samsung 82-inch QN82Q900BFXZA 8K QLED LED-LCD TV: $9,999.99. Available March 22nd.
Samsung 85-inch QN85Q900BFXZA 8K QLED LED-LCD TV: $14,999.99. Available Feb. 8th.
By Greg Tarr
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