The Samsung QN95C Neo QLED 4K TV continues where the QN95B left off from the previous year, expanding the Mini LED backlight’s zone count but doing away with the One Connect Box. A comprehensive smart platform, state-of-the-art image processing, and class-leading local dimming are all standard.
Review of the Samsung QN95C: Construction, Control
Because the Infinity One is such a magnificent piece of industrial design, it’s not a terrible thing that the Samsung QN95C appears exactly like the model from the previous year. With a bezel-less screen contained in a rectangular slab and covered in a brushed metal outer trim, the focus is on modern minimalism.
Given that it contains a direct full-array backlight, a multichannel speaker system, and all the connectors, the TV is surprisingly thin. Sadly, Samsung has made the decision to stop offering the One Connect Box with the QN95C model this year and only provide it with the S95C and 8K variants.
The QN95C can be installed on a narrower surface because to the stand’s solid construction and reduced footprint compared to its 2022 predecessor. If wall mounting appeals to you more, a ‘no-gap’ bracket is an optional extra that can be used for that purpose.
The QN95C is a great option for PC and console gamers thanks to its four HDMI inputs, one of which (HDMI 3) supports eARC, and all of which are capable of handling 4K/144Hz, VRR, and ALLM. The connectors are positioned at the rear right of the screen and include everything you’ll need.
Additionally, there are two USB 2.0 inputs, twin satellite and terrestrial broadcast tuners, a CI slot, an optical digital output, an Ethernet port, and two USB 2.0 inputs. There are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and compatibility for Apple AirPlay 2 available for wireless connections.
Review of the Samsung QN95C, a smart TV platform
The Tizen operating system, which is what the Samsung QN95C runs, appears to be substantially unchanged from last year in terms of its layout and functions. Although the homepage takes up the entire screen and places a strong emphasis on suggestions, you may customize the Media section to group all the major streaming services and crucial inputs in one convenient location.
When it comes to content searches and suggestions, the system’s functionality and customization are good. Additionally, Samsung offers the Smart Hub, which automatically identifies and connects smart devices in one spot, and Samsung’s TV Plus, which has a wider selection of channels. Additionally, newly connected devices will be recognized and configured by the HDMI ports.
With Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Now TV, Rakuten, YouTube, and all of the UK catch-up services, Samsung offers a wide range of video streaming options. All of these apps demonstrated responsiveness, utilizing 4K, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Atmos as necessary.
There is built-in Bixby, as well as the ability to communicate with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and the SmartThings app makes setup straightforward and offers some management. If you choose, you can also use Apple’s AirPlay 2 to access Siri.
The Samsung QN95C comes with a Slim Fit USB camera, but you can also use the camera on your phone if you’d rather. Whichever approach you want, you can utilize it with features like the two-screen Multi View and apps like Google Meet, Workout, and Samsung Health.
With the help of an iOS or Android smartphone, you can calibrate any Samsung TV that supports it using the Smart Calibration Pro feature. Run the Wi-Fi-connected app, hold the phone camera over the test patterns, and then follow the on-screen instructions. The software will take care of the rest.
The Basic option works remarkably well, with DeltaEs for SDR and HDR below the visible threshold of three, and calibrates the greyscale and color gamut in around 30 seconds. There is also an Advanced option, which takes longer but offers greater flexibility and accuracy.
Review of the Samsung QN95C: Image quality
In comparison to prior years, the Samsung QN95C looks to feature a new light rejection filter. It considerably lessens the effect of ambient light in the room while preserving the black levels and efficiently eliminates reflections without introducing any undesired artifacts.
The QN95C also performs superbly off-axis, which is an improvement over last year when there was some blooming. Now that the ideal viewing angles are significantly wider, you should be able to enjoy great images from any seat in the room, albeit they won’t be quite as fantastic as OLED.The default Eco setting on the QN95C has too much blue in the white and too many saturated colors. The Filmmaker Mode, thankfully, provides a precise greyscale with an average DeltaE (error) below two. With an average DeltaE that is likewise under two, the colors and gamma tracking are both superb.
Even though the Smart Calibration app is a good thing to have, these data show that there isn’t much the Basic choice, or even the Advanced option, could do to improve the accuracy.
SDR visuals are spectacular with deep blacks, excellent shadow depth, accurately rendered images, and gorgeous colors that profit from the purity provided by the Neo QLED panel’s quantum dot filters thanks to the excellent level of greyscale, gamma, and color correctness.
The advantages of the direct Mini LED backlight are clear, and Samsung’s industry-best local dimming and image processing contribute to these advantages. However, the definition just above black is also outstanding, bringing up details in the shadows. The VA panel offers deep blacks.
Review of the Samsung QN95C’s HDR performance
When it comes to HDR, all the qualities that make the Samsung QN95C’s SDR picture look so good still hold true. HDR features deep blacks, very dazzling highlights, and almost no blooming thanks to the use of an efficient filter, larger viewing angles, more independent zones, unmatched local dimming algorithms, and cutting-edge processing.
Peak brightness in Filmmaker mode is 2,150 cd/m2 on a 10% window and reaches a staggering 719 cd/m2 on a 100% full field pattern. This is not only astonishing, but it also means that the QN95C can accurately show HDR content at 1,000 nits without the use of tone mapping.
The EOTF precisely maps the PQ goal, and the HDR greyscale measurements track red, green, and blue very closely. No matter if the grade employs 1,000, 4,000, or 10,000 nits, the exact tone mapping ensures that the creative intent is being maintained.
Overall HDR color performance was outstanding, with BT.2020 coverage reaching 71% and DCI-P3 coverage measuring 95%. Importantly, all of the colors in BT.2020’s DCI-P3 color tracking achieve their desired saturation levels.
With the inclusion of Shape Adaptive Light control, the Quantum Matrix Technology (which controls the Mini LEDs) is made even more precise. The Mini LED light source is further improved with the addition of 14-bit HDR Mapping (which provides even more details to dark and bright scenes).
Additionally, energy is transferred from the darker to the brighter areas of the image, increasing the dynamic range while also being more effective. In order to maximize the potential of any HDR content, the QN95C also comes with Neo Quantum HDR+ and Auto HDR Remastering.
In relation to that, the QN95C only supports HDR10, HLG (hybrid log-gamma), and HDR10+; Dolby Vision is not supported. Having said that, it is questionable how much value the specific dynamic information format would bring given the native HDR capabilities of this TV.
Gaming review on the Samsung QN95C
The QN95C is a fantastic option for any gamer out there because it has all the features they could want. Freesync Premium and Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro 144Hz are available for PC gamers, while the HDMI inputs support next-generation console capabilities including 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM.
The action is exceptionally fluid and responsive thanks to the 10ms input lag in Game Mode, and the motion handling is as amazing, showing no evidence of tearing or other aberrations even at the maximum frame rates.
The Game Bar is a great feature that gives you rapid access to all the important settings and technical information as well as a variety of game-related parameters that users can modify to create a unique gaming experience.
Review of the Samsung QN95C: Audio quality
With speakers built into the bottom, sides, and top of the QN95C, the sound quality is just as amazing as the picture. This 4.2.2-channel setup creates a wide soundstage that fills the wall behind the TV, giving the music a visual presence.
Extra height channels make a significant difference, and Object Tracking Sound Plus allows for a more engaging audio experience. As a result of the 70W of amplification, the sounds are amplified and clearly move around the screen to correspond to particular items on screen.
It has good width and stereo separation, clear reproduction of the mid-range and treble frequencies, and a surprisingly large quantity of bass. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’s finale featured fireworks that were audibly heard bursting above and to the sides of the screen.
It also works well to have onboard Dolby Atmos decoding and the ability to broadcast Atmos back over ARC. Atmos content obviously expands the soundstage in terms of height, width, and depth. All things considered, this is a fantastic performer that provides top-notch audio with any content.
Verdict on the Samsung QN95C review
With Mini LED backlighting, industry-leading local dimming, and state-of-the-art image processing, the Samsung QN95C is a great 4K Smart TV that creates some of the best SDR and HDR images you’ll see this year.
The QN95C has a beautiful industrial style and produces excellent sound despite having a tiny chassis. Numerous game options, a snappy smart platform, and a wide variety of apps are all available.
