Samsung QE55Q80T Review, A Detailed Look at the 2020 QLED TV

Driven by tremendous innovation in the development of image-rendering HDR displays, Samsung is an ever-evolving company at the bleeding edge of home entertainment technology. The Samsung QE55Q80T, launched in 2020, exemplifies this spirit, offering more than acceptable image performance at a reasonable (though not bargain-basement) price. The QE55Q80T is the subject of this detailed review, in which I've fully analysed its performance, both positive and negative, to help you understand how innovation and value streamline the appeal of the QE55Q80T.

The QE55Q80T: Unveiling its Core Features

The QE55Q80T is based around a 55-inch QLED panel that is 4K resolution, measuring 3840 x 2160 pixels. Its 120Hz refresh rate completes the formula for picture quality – taming flicker and making motion look utterly smooth, especially on sport and fast action.

• QLED Technology: Using quantum dots, QLED provides a greater colour gamut than run-of-the-mill LCD panels. This results in more vivid, life-like colours, which can make movies, TV shows and games look and feel more realistic and punchy. In effect, a more vivid and detailed version of our world is created at first glance.
• HDR10+ and HLG Support: The TV is part of the HDR revolution by supporting two standards: HDR10+ makes the TV capable of having a much wider range of light and dark shades. It gives you more black tones, more white tones and more ‘contrast’ which (basically – a lot of terminology in this review) provides more depth and 3D-like richness that simply isn’t able to be displayed on HDR10-supported TVs (and I’m also assuming regular LED TVs). I’m still a bit young for a nerdy HDR rant, but at a certain point it becomes more than just the tones of light and dark in a picture, in some way, it just looks more ‘real’.
• Quantum Processor 4K: powered by Samsung’s own unique Quantum Processor 4K is focussed on optimising image processing, including on-the-fly scene-by-scene analysis of content and intelligent upscaling of lower-resolution sources to optimal detail and clarity, so that everything you watch looks as good as possible From the author.
• Tizen Operating System: Samsung’s Tizen operating system powers the QE55Q80T. The Tizen operating system is the most intuitive interface around, and it is an absolute breeze to navigate, providing easy access to a huge range of streaming apps, allongside access to your cable box if you subscribe to one. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, BFI Player and hundreds more.
• Samsung TV Plus: For those who want to watch free live content, the QE55Q80T edition has Samsung TV Plus, a built-in streaming service that provides access to a broad array of channels across different genres that can fulfil anyone’s need for more entertainment or news consumption.
• Use the QE55Q80T as a hub for all your home appliances and gadgets. Control your TV with your voice using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Find content, change channels, manage playback and even control your connected devices such as door locks, lights, cameras and thermostats.
• Game Mode: The QE55Q80T has a special Game Mode that optimises the way the TV performs in gaming. Game Mode can reduce input lag (input to output delay) and response times (how long it takes for the screen to show your inputs) to give you a better gaming experience particularly if you play fast-action games.

Picture Quality: Delving into Visual Brilliance

But we are here to talk about the quality of that picture and first impressions were very good indeed. The way the QE55Q80T painted was very impressive. The advantages of Samsung’s proprietary QLED technology, like all ‘Q’ TVs, are its wide colour range (and consequently its gamut) which delivers images in saturated, rich and natural colours beyond the limitations of LCD panels.

This is most apparent when you watch previz scenes with strongly saturated colours such as sunsets and verdant jungles. Other scenes that come to mind are those where explosions of colour dominate the screen, like in a carnival scene in a movie, or with numerous brightly coloured costumes. The 4K delivers the detailed image that players will see and the 120Hz display produces butter-smooth movement that makes the action appear more realistic by getting rid of motion blur and judder when the action gets fast in games or when watching sports in high-definition broadcasts.

Console gamers (that’s you) will not want to go back to old-style screens once they see the action they miss by playing on smooth display sets. They’ll particularly appreciate the ability of the screens to deliver the details in so-called Fast Action Pan Mode, which reveals previously unnoticeable facial expressions and textures in games and movies. For avid competitive gamers who are particularly sensitive to motion artifacts, the 120Hz refresh rate is also an important comfort feature. Aesthetically, the HDR (High Dynamic Range) support on the QE55Q80T’s screen is nothing short of triumph.

The HDR10+ and HLG standards enable the accurate interpretation and reproduction of the director’s vision, with a greater dynamic range of brightness and contrast levels, to convey deeper blacks, brighter highlights and greater depth and dimension. The results are fantastic, embracing you with a seal of realism and drawing you into the story. The Quantum Processor 4K evaluates the incoming signal and adjusts it for the best picture performance according to the signal profile. Indoors, the picture can be very impressive even when starting with standard definition content. The resolution is upscaled to near-4K and appears smoother and more detailed as a result, especially if you’re streaming an old film or watching broadcast TV.

Sound Quality: A Symphony of Sound or Just a Chorus?

There’s a 2.1 channel speaker system onboard the QE55Q80T with a total output of 40W. The sound is clear and relatively balanced for everyday use. However, the audio lacks the oomph and bass response of dedicated soundbars, making it a touch poor for those wanting to use the TV for more cinematic experiences or those who are looking to bolster their home theatre setups with a more natural sound and purposeful emphasis.

If you want the best experience, you’ll want to match it with an external soundbar. It’s only for those short of cash who are happy sticking with average audio, likely masked by most decent source material. If this isn’t quite delivering the full audio-visual monty for you, why not dig a little deeper into your wallet and try to really bring out these images with sound to match?

Smart TV Features: A Gateway to Content and Convenience

The smart TV experience on the QE55Q80T is excellent, with a feature-rich and well-designed suite of Tizen smart TV software. Long menus don’t offer overwhelming options, but instead let you find your preferred apps amid an adaptable and highly visible list. Even the quick access bar at the bottom of the home screen provides a simple way to get to the apps you use most often. For anyone who subscribes to lots of streaming services, Samsung offers essentially all of the major apps, including favourites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu and Disney+, as well as lesser-known cult services like Acorn TV and Boomerang for classics. Want to use an app that’s not directly supported? No problem: Samsung offers a Web Browser app as well.

Finally, the QE55Q80T does have Samsung’s TV Plus: a free streaming service with a spread of live channels covering news, entertainment and sport. Again, the versatility of the TV is extended. Here it’s ideally suited for news and casual entertainment: an attractive treat for free content with no need to sign up to a streaming service. And also if you work with the most used voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant. You can talk to the QE55Q80T to control the television, browse through the menus, search for content and even control your other compatible smart home devices. What it enables you to do is adding to the user experience – making the TV easier and more intuitive to use.

Pros and Cons: Weighing the Value Proposition

Overall, the Samsung QE55Q80T is a good choice: the balance between specs and performance is spot on. As with any product, it’s important to weigh up not only its advantages but its possible disadvantages so that you can then determine whether it’s the right choice for your needs.

Pros:

• Exceptional picture quality: the QE55Q80T’s QLED technology, along with its 4K resolution and HDR capabilities, provides an outstanding visual experience replete with bold colours, fine detail, and deep black contrast levels.
• Smoother motion: You need fast refresh rate, like 120 times per second, to get smooth visual motion. Action sequences, sports and 3D gaming all benefit hugely from this feature.
• Features: Although this TV is credited with smart TV options including Tizen for quick navigation and various streaming apps, Samsung TV Plus, and access to Alexa and Google Assistant to control your TV with your voice, I would not buy it for those reasons. Value for Money [4] You get a lot of TV for your money with a set as good as the QE55Q80T.
• Game Mode: a gaming mode that decreases input lag and response times.

Cons:

• Sound quality: Clear but lacks the punch and bass response of dedicated soundbars, more suitable to music or TV than visceral cinematic sound.
• No Dolby Vision: The TV supports HLG as well as a competitor to the former, HDR10+, but doesn’t support Dolby Vision, which has an even wider colour gamut with larger dynamic range. More content is becoming available in HDR10+ than Dolby Vision anyway, so it’s not too much of an issue.

Alternatives: Exploring Other Options

If you’re shopping at the same price, here are some more TVs to consider:

• LG OLED55C1PUB Better contrast and black levels, but no HDR brightness and colour gamut (SDR mode only); worse viewing angle, can be prone to burn-in when displaying static elements for long periods.
• Sony XR55X90J: A wonderfully tomato-y crudités plate. Sony’s approach to picture is conservative, with balanced brightness, contrast and colour, and excellent motion handling: its proprietary XR processor does a great job of boosting picture quality.

Where to Buy: Finding the Best Deal

This Samsung QE55Q80T is available at major electronics retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and also on Samsung's official website. Remember, the price varies from one retailer to another, depending on current promotions and availability.

Conclusion: The QE55Q80T - A Solid Choice for Home Entertainment

Now the Samsung QE55Q80T is a great 55-inch QLED TV with excellent picture quality, great smart features and ease-of-use that comes at just the right price. A QLED TV with heaps of smart features and excellent picture quality for less than £1,000 was always going to be a strong prospect and the Samsung QE55Q80T does not disappoint – it’s genuinely impressive. Is there more competition out there? Undoubtedly so, but at this end of the market there is little to moan about.

Certainly, the built-in speakers could do with a little help to bring the cinematic experience roaring to life, but if you are after an immersive cinematic experience with award-winning picture quality and tonnes of smart features in the mid-range TV market, I wouldn’t discard the Samsung QE55Q80T too hastily. 9 Total Score Great picture quality and smart features with good price-performance. Could do with some help to the sound quality. 9 Ease of use 9 Picture quality 9 Value for money 10 Add your review | Read reviews What you need to know.