What do they offer?
Intro
Samsung’s entry-level 4K QLED TV lineup for 2025 comprises the Q6F, Q7F, and Q8F, which utilize Samsung’s Vision AI technology to deliver enhanced performance and a more personalized viewing experience, according to the company.
However, before we begin, I would like to note that these models are not replacements for last year’s entry-level QLED models, specifically the Q60D, Q70D, and Q80D. In fact, from my research, I discovered that the models featured in this video don’t perform as well as last year’s entry-level QLED models.
So, keep this in mind if you’re interested in one of these new TVs. QLED, as you might know, stands for Quantum Dot LEDs.
And it means you can expect brighter, more vibrant, and more lifelike colors when compared to non-QLED models.
This year’s models offer this enhanced technology at lower price points, making them accessible to a wider audience.
The Q6F is the base model, offering the QLED experience and a host of decent features, while the Q7F adds some key upgrades, and the Q8F adds even more features and performance upgrades.
That being said, Samsung’s 2025 entry-level QLED TVs offer a “good, better, and best” lineup, designed to cater to different needs and budgets.
So now, let’s jump right in and see what these models have to offer, starting with the Q6F.
Samsung Q6F
Check price at Amazon.com
The Q6F represents Samsung’s entry into the world of QLED technology for 2025, making it their most affordable option in the QLED lineup. It’s designed to bring quantum dot technology to a wider audience. Samsung also claims that this TV will achieve 100% Color Volume due to its use of Quantum Dot technology.
The Q6F is the only model in this lineup that offers what Samsung calls a Metal Stream rear panel design, which is crafted from a single metal sheet. I don’t consider this an appealing design aesthetic since it won’t be seen because the back of the TV will be facing the wall.
Other key features include Samsung’s Q4 Lite Processor. This smart processor optimizes audio and upscales content up to 4K resolution for enhanced video clarity, while utilizing 3D color mapping to ensure a vibrant picture. No matter the quality of the source material, you’ll enjoy a satisfying viewing experience.
When viewing HDR content, this TV won’t produce enough peak HDR brightness output, although it still offers Samsung’s Quantum HDR. Samsung claims this technology provides deeper blacks, brighter whites, and a wider range of colors, resulting in a more vibrant and realistic picture in both bright and dark scenes.
The Q6F also offers Samsung’s Color Booster. This feature allows for enhanced color saturation and brightness, resulting in more vibrant and punchy visuals, particularly for red and blue colors.
For motion handling, the Q6F uses Motion Xcelerator 60Hz. This technology automatically estimates the motion between individual frames and then uses it to predict subsequent frames, thereby improving the smoothness of the motion, which helps to provide smoother, faster motion and reduce motion blur when watching fast action content, and supports up to 4K at 60Hz for gaming.
And speaking of 60Hz, the Q6F has a 60Hz refresh rate, which means it’s less capable in terms of motion handling when compared to a TV with a 120Hz refresh rate, which provides a smoother, more responsive experience, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content.
For panel backlighting, I’ve found conflicting info for all of the models in this lineup; this is what I’ve learned so far: The Q6F is direct-lit. The Q7F is direct-lit. The Q8F is edge-lit.
All of the TVs in this lineup use the Tizen OS smart TV platform, which provides “Endless Free Content” to watch over 2,700 free channels, including 400+ Samsung TV Plus premium channels and streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and many more. You also have access to national and local news, sports, movies, and more, with new content being added regularly.
For sound quality, the Q6F has Object Tracking Sound Lite, which provides a three-dimensional surround sound experience that follows the onscreen action. You also get Q-Symphony, which allows Samsung’s TV speakers and a Samsung soundbar to work together to enhance your audio experience.
This TV is designed for casual viewers upgrading from an older set who are looking for an improvement in picture quality and features. However, keep in mind that this isn’t the best TV for gaming, as it lacks advanced gaming features. It does, however, offer Auto Low Latency Mode and Samsung’s Gaming Hub.
For connectivity, this TV has 3 HDMI 2.0 inputs and e-ARC support. The Q6F is a decent starting point into the QLED market, offering a solid balance of performance, features, and affordability. The Q6F is available in 55, 65, 75, and 85-inch screen sizes in the US market.
Now, let’s see what you get by stepping up to the Q7F, and explore the additional features and performance enhancements it offers.
Samsung Q7F
Check price at Amazon.com
The Q7F is the midrange model in the lineup. It keeps the features of the Q6F, except for the metal back panel. The Q7F adds a “Slim-Look” panel design that blends into your room decor for an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The Q7F upgrades its processor to the Q4 AI Processor. This chip uses AI to optimize color reproduction and audio quality. The processor also handles the TV’s 4K upscaling, which upscales non-4K content to near 4K quality.
The Q7F upgrades to Color Booster Pro and uses AI to analyze each scene and enhance the hues for a more vibrant and colorful viewing experience.
The Q7F and Q8F also have solar-powered remote controls.
The Q7F should also provide a step-up in overall picture quality, including screen brightness, when compared to the Q6F.
The Q7F is available in 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85, and 98-inch screen sizes.
Next, let’s take a look at the Q8F and explore its additional features.
Samsung Q8F
Check price at Amazon.com
Stepping up the ladder, the Q8F emerges as the top model within this entry-level trio of Samsung QLED TVs. It represents a leap in performance and features compared to its siblings.
Its standout feature, and what truly sets it apart, is its gaming capabilities. This TV is equipped with the latest advanced gaming features. It starts with the TV’s 120Hz native refresh rate. This TV also uses Samsung’s Motion Xcelerator 144Hz, which provides smoother gameplay and no screen tearing. The Q8F also supports VRR gaming at up to 4K at 144Hz via Free-Sync Premium. You also get AI Auto Game Mode, which automatically detects the game genre and optimizes settings for the best gaming experience. And of course, ALLM is also on board.
For motion handling, the Q8F steps up to Motion Xcelerator Turbo-Plus. This feature provides exceptional motion clarity with minimal lag or blur when watching sporting events and playing video games. You’ll get consistently crisp visuals and ultra-smooth performance at top speeds, so your picture stays seamless throughout all the non-stop action.
The Q8F uses Quantum HDR+ for a wider range of contrast, immersive color, and refined detail. This level of HDR dynamically analyzes each scene to deliver enhanced brightness and contrast.
For audio, the Q8F adds an Adaptive Sound feature that optimizes sound based on real-time scene analysis by content type, delivering powerful and balanced audio. Additionally, the Active Voice Amplifier enhances voices over background noise, allowing you to hear speech clearly and enjoy your content without distraction.
The Q8F adds an Air-Slim panel design that blends into your room decor for an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The Q8F is also brighter than its counterparts. This higher brightness output allows HDR content to deliver more vibrant colors and better bright highlights.
While speaking of HDR performance, none of the TVs in this lineup will produce enough peak brightness for an optimal HDR viewing experience, in my opinion. This is something to be mindful of if you want a TV that will deliver great HDR picture quality.
For connectivity, the Q8F has 4 HDMI 2.1 ports on the 55, 65, 75, and 85-inch models. The other models have HDMI 2.0b ports.
The Q8F is available in 32, 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, and 85-inch screen sizes. I should note that the 55-inch model and above have 120Hz refresh rates, while the other models are 60Hz.
So, if you’re seeking the best possible picture quality and overall performance within this lineup without venturing into the more expensive Samsung Neo QLED TVs, then the Samsung Q8F emerges as the clear winner and the most compelling choice in this group.
Conclusion
To sum things up, Samsung’s entry-level QLED models, the Q6F, Q7F, and Q8F, are a decent choice if you want a basic and affordable QLED TV.
After doing a bit of research on the performance of these models, I found that they don’t give a lot in the way of good performance. First, color rendering, whether it be SDR, HDR, or color volume, and accuracy, their performance ranges from just okay too good.
Furthermore, none of these models have local dimming, which means contrast and black levels are just mediocre.
Also, SDR and HDR peak brightness are mediocre, so these TVs are not a good choice for watching HDR content. This also means that these TVs aren’t the best choice for watching TV in a bright room.
That being said, please keep in mind what I mentioned earlier, that these 2025 models don’t perform as well as last year’s entry-level QLED models.
You can obtain affordable and better-performing models from Hisense and TCL in this price class.
Check out this review for Samsung’s QN80F
Also, check out this overview & performance highlights for Samsung’s U8000F
Image credit Samsung