Samsung Neo QLED TVs Now Available for Preorder in 4K, 8K Resolution – CNET

Samsung Neo QLED TVs Now Available for Preorder in 4K, 8K Resolution - CNET

Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement | How we test TVs

Samsung Neo QLED TVs Now Available for Preorder in 4K, 8K Resolution

Samsung’s 2023 Neo QLED TVs come in five different series and seven different sizes, and start at $1,200.

two Samsung Neo QLED TVs, one with a soundbar and subwoofer
Samsung

Samsung is the top TV-maker in the world, and while it sells both MicroLED and QD-OLED-based televisions, most of its best-known TVs use QLED screens. The first of its high-end Neo QLED TVs announced at CES are up for preorder now and roll out to major retailers this week, marking the opening salvo in the 2023 TV pricing game. As you might expect, they’re quite expensive.

The prices Samsung announced Tuesday range from the 43-inch QN90C at $1,200 to the 85-inch 8K QN800C for a cool $6,000. Neo QLED is the name Samsung uses to denote TVs with mini-LED backlights, which deliver improved picture quality in CNET’s tests. The 2023 lineup includes include two series with 8K resolution and three with 4K. 

The company says the new models deliver brighter highlights, a key aspect of image quality. High-end Samsung QLED TVs are generally very bright, but the top-of-the-line 8K QN900C takes it to a new level. Samsung boasts up to 4,000 nits of peak brightness, which if true would make it the brightest TV I’ve ever measured. Samsung’s peak brightness claims come with a big catch: They dim after a few seconds according to my tests. Even so, I expect that TV to be exceedingly bright. 

Samsung at CES 2023

Samsung’s 8K QLED TV now comes in a gigantic 98 inches.

James Martin/CNET

Samsung currently sells 98-inch TVs in 4K resolution, but the 98-inch QN900C would be its first in 8K. Samsung hasn’t announced pricing on any of this model yet but for reference, the current 4K 98-incher costs a cool $15,000, so the 8K version will likely be significantly more. And I still don’t think 8K resolution is worthwhile in any size.

Now playing: Watch this: Samsung Goes Bigger With 77-Inch QD-OLED, 98-Inch QLED…
3:30

More intriguing to me is the 4K QN90C, successor to the excellent QN90B I reviewed last year. Samsung says it has improved dimming, 14-bit processing and AI upscaling as well as new Auto HDR remastering. While I don’t expect any of those enhancement to allow this QLED TV to beat OLED models, the QN90B was my favorite non-OLED TV of 2022. 

Beyond improving image quality, Samsung touted some new features related to its optional camera. Samsung sells its own “easily detachable, privacy-focused videoconferencing and workout-assisting camera” for $100, or you can attach a third-party camera. Either way, the camera can monitor your health — including heart rate, oxygen saturation and stress — by detecting changes in facial skin color, and you can use it to connect to and communicate with your doctor. The camera can also be used for video calls with a new app, to check in on pets or others in the living room or to assist in workouts.

Read more: Samsung’s New Telemedicine App, Camera Aims to Give Your TV Telehealth Powers

samsung-telehealth-1

Samsung is branching out into remote medical care on its TVs and other devices.

David Katzmaier/CNET

Samsung’s QLED TVs like the QN90B have great design and features, including built-in cloud gaming, a feature I like but hardly consider a must-have. On the other hand, they generally cost more than other sets with similar image quality, so I don’t consider them as good a value as models like the TCL 6-Series or Hisense U8H. I got the chance to check out some of the new QLED TVs in person at CES and while they look great, the real question will be how they compare to other 2023 TVs for the money. I won’t know that until I can review them for real, which I expect to happen this spring. 

In the meantime here’s the pricing and availability information Samsung announced (note that “TBD” means Samsung hasn’t set a price yet). The company says all of the series below, with the exception of the QN95C, “will be part of the phased roll-out at authorized retailers nationwide this week, with additional sizes and lines to be announced at a later date.”

We asked for more details on how the TVs differ, but the company has yet to respond.

Samsung Neo QLED pricing for 2023

Model Series Resolution Size (inches) Price
QN98QN900C QN900C 8K 98 TBD
QN85QN900C QN900C 8K 85 TBD
QN75QN900C QN900C 8K 75 $6,300
QN65QN900C QN900C 8K 65 $5,000
QN85QN800C QN800C 8K 85 $6,000
QN75QN800C QN800C 8K 75 TBD
QN65QN800C QN800C 8K 65 $3,500
QN85QN95C QN95C 4K 85 $5,800
QN75QN95C QN95C 4K 75 $4,200
QN65QN95C QN95C 4K 65 $3,200
QN85QN90C QN90C 4K 85 $4,800
QN75QN90C QN90C 4K 75 $3,300
QN65QN90C QN90C 4K 65 $2,800
QN55QN90C QN90C 4K 55 $2,000
QN50QN90C QN90C 4K 50 $1,600
QN43QN90C QN90C 4K 43 $1,200
QN85QN85C QN90C 4K 85 $3,800
QN75QN85C QN90C 4K 75 $2,700
QN65QN85C QN90C 4K 65 $2,000
QN55QN85C QN90C 4K 55 $1,500

Add a Comment