Samsung Q70R 4K HDR TV Review

QN65Q70R QLED Ultra HD 120Hz Smart TV

Samsung’s Q70R is one of four models in the company’s top-tier premier line of QLED series 4K TVs. For more info on the three additional models in this series click here. The 70R is offered in several different sizes which include 49”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 82” and 85″ screen options. The 65” model was used for this review; this review can be applied to the additional screen sizes as well.

Design and Features

The Q70R is par for the course where flat panel TV design is concerned – offering a very handsome and sleek profile, which I found to be quite appealing. When viewed straight on, the panel appears almost bezel-less due to the extremely thin frame bezel which measures approximately 1/8”. There is also a thin black border that is part of and encompasses the inside edges of the TV’s screen, which adds to the overall attractiveness of the display.

The TV’s semi-gloss screen is illuminated with full-array LED backlighting with local dimming, and when implemented well, it usually gives superior contrast and black levels when compared to edge-lit LED designs.

The 70R is a well-built TV with solid construction and doesn’t feel or look cheap. The feet that support the TV are well designed and give the display panel very good support.

This model does not use a One Connect box as do the two upper models in Samsung’s QLED lineup. All connections to this display are done via the rear panel.

Remote control – The supplied OneRemote has a built-in microphone for voice control and is basically the same as the previous year’s model but now adds direct access buttons for Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu; even with these additions, the remotes” button count” remains sparse, which is great for functionality. The remote is very compact and easy to use once you get accustomed to how the buttons actually work. The remote does not require a direct line of sight for most TV functions. The remote is not backlit.

Key features:

• HDR (High Dynamic Range): This Samsung QLED TV features the ability to provide a premium High Dynamic Range (HDR) experience, with a higher level of contrast between light and dark images that are more realistic. This increased contrast reveals the subtle nuances of the image, from detailed blacks and shadows to the brightest whites and colors, plus greater image depth. The TV supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG.
• As mentioned above – Direct Full Array 4X backlight with local dimming features zones of precision-controlled LEDs for excellent contrast and black levels
• Quantum Processor 4K improves contrast, shadow detail, and color accuracy
• Quantum HDR 8X for extended picture contrast and brightness when viewing HDR content from connected sources or the TV’s built-in apps
• Ambient mode helps the TV blend into your room when it’s wall-mounted, or shows screen savers featuring photos, artwork, or info like weather
• Motion Rate 240 blur reduction (120Hz refresh rate) 49” model 60Hz refresh rate
• 4K AI Upscaling enhances standard-def and high-def video signals for optimum display on a 4K screen
• FreeSync VRR Technology: This Samsung QLED TV gives you the real-time lower-lag gaming speed you need for a better gaming experience. FreeSync VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) allows the TV to adapt to your game console’s frame rate
• Auto Game Mode optimizes settings for minimal lag and supports FreeSync variable refresh rate
• Real Game Enhancer – To beat the competition, you have to have full control. Dynamic Black Equalizer gives you better visibility in the dark and uses detailed scene analysis to optimize image quality. It can even enhance the sound, so you can immerse yourself in the game

Smart TV features

• Use the OneRemote’s microphone to access Bixby, the TV’s built-in intelligent voice assistant. Bixby makes it easy to change channels, search for content, or even ask about the weather, using only your voice
• The TV supports voice control of compatible apps and works with Google Home-compatible voice control assistants and Amazon Alexa-compatible voice control assistants
• Built-in Apple AirPlay 2 allows wireless streaming from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
• TV-to-mobile and mobile-to-TV wireless mirroring

Connectivity

• 4 HDMI 2.0b inputs – HDCP 2.2 compliant
• 1 Digital optical out
• 2 USB inputs
• 1 Ethernet port
• 1 RF input for antenna/cable signals
• Dual-band 802.11ac built-in Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth wireless audio streaming to a compatible speaker or set of headphones

Performance

Note: Picture quality evaluation was done with the TV in Movie mode. Color Tone or temperature set to Warm2. Local Dimming set to High. If the Movie mode picture setting is too soft or flat for your liking, try using the Natural setting which will give the TV a more dynamic and vibrant picture without being harsh. Personally, I like using the Natural mode when I want a more vibrant picture image, especially while watching sporting events.

The Q70R produced very good overall picture quality, as was expected from Samsung’s QLED lineup. The display had no trouble delivering a bright and colorfully vibrant picture image, in addition to excellent contrast range and deep black levels.

As with most of my TV reviews, I test displays using a variety of resolutions which include 4K HDR, 4K, 1080p, and 480p video sources.

4K HDR rendered the best image quality, showing a robust and contrast-rich image that had very good peak bright highlights in the brightest areas of the picture, and very good black levels when the picture image demanded it. Color rendering was also very pleasing, and I had no complaints with the natural realism and accuracy of colors as they appeared on the screen.

Image detail was sharp and crisp and allowed me to see the fine detail that on-screen images had to offer; for example, close-ups shots of actors revealed the fine textures and patterns within the clothing they were wearing. Furthermore, images also had a notable three-dimensional presence.

4K and 1080p content had excellent picture quality on this TV. Picture detail and clarity were impressive, giving a sense of realism to the picture image as a whole; it also produced great image depth and transparency that allowed me to clearly see objects that were set deep in the picture image.

480p content also looked decent on this TV. The image was clean and clear with no picture quality artifacts that can often be present when watching non-high def content on an HDTV.

Color reproduction was excellent on this display. Colors were satisfyingly rich and vibrant with plenty of punch that added to the realism of the TV’s picture quality. Colors also had good tonal balance and precise accuracy. The Q70R also has a wide color gamut for expanded color reproduction.

Black levels were very deep on this set and allowed the darkest areas of the picture to be rendered with deeply saturated blacks. Over the years it has been nice to see how well LED/LCD TVs have improved contrast and black levels, and the Q70R did not disappoint with this crucial picture element.

Shadow detail on this set was very good; for example, viewing the movie scene I usually go to for this evaluation, I could see and discern all of the objects and landscapes in this dimly lit scene. Overall, the Q70R did an excellent job displaying shadow detail from my test video clip.

Black screen uniformity was excellent on my review unit thanks in part to its local dimming capability and was capable of rendering a completely black screen with no evidence of light leakage or clouding on any area of the screen.

The results from my side angle viewing session on this display were what I expected from an LED/LCD TV, which was diminished contrast and color saturation as my side angle viewing position increased; this issue became readily apparent as my off-axis viewing angle increased to a 45-degree angle and wider.

Motion handling – This TV had very good motion handling capability with all of the content I typically use to reveal any motion artifact issues, however with only one minor exception: a panning shot from a movie scene I viewed showed some slight judder as the camera moved from left-to-right. I was able to correct this issue by turning on the TV’s Auto Motion Plus feature. Setting this feature to Auto mode of Custom mode eliminated this issue.

I usually leave motion handling features set to “off” during my TV reviews unless needed. With that said, in the case regarding the issue mentioned above, the judder was so slight, that under normal TV watching I would have not turned on Auto Motion Plus.

The sound quality of the TV’s built-in speakers was a little better than what I expected; although bass output was very limited, the sound did have a small amount of punch which added to the overall dynamics of the TV’s sound quality. The TV’s volume can reach loud output levels while remaining clear and intelligible with most content.

Conclusion

Samsung’s QN65Q70R QLED is a very good and solid performing 4K Ultra HD TV. Unlike last year’s Q7FN, it now offers full-array LED backlighting with local dimming which increases its contrast and black level capabilities. It also does an admirable job with HDR content, although not the best I’ve seen. Its wide color gamut capability expands its color range for better color reproduction. And its bright screen will serve you well in a brightly lit room.

This TV also has a great smart TV platform powered by an easy-to-use and navigate Tizen smart interface that will connect you to your favorite entertainment apps. So if you’re in the shopping mode for a premium based 4K HDR Ultra HD TV, put this model on your list of current models to check out.

HDTVs and More recommended.