Samsung Q70 QLED TV review
Our Verdict
The Samsung Q70 QLED is a mid-range 4K TV model that boasts direct backlighting and local dimming, resulting in excellent picture performance. A comprehensive smart platform and features state-of-the-art complete what is an impressive overall package.
For
Excellent image quality
Excellent HDR performance
State-of-the-art features
Complete intelligent platform
Versus
No Dolby Vision
No Dolby Atmos support
UPDATE:
After a
new samsung tv
?The Samsung Q70 QLED has since seen a 2020 successor in the
Samsung Q80T
, which we found to be a capable QLED with plenty to offer viewers and gamers alike. The new
Q70T
, however, is technically less specified – and if you're looking for a bargain, you'll want to get the Q70 QLED reviewed here while it's still in stock, rather than a 2020 TV at its full RRP.
Read on for what we thought in our original 2019 review...
Samsung's flagship
Q90 QLED TV
recently blew us away with its wider viewing angles, deeper blacks and superior HDR images – sadly, not everyone can afford the flagship model. So what can Samsung offer those who want to experience
QLED
image quality on a budget?
The Samsung Q70 seems like a good place to start, with its direct QLED backlighting and local dimming. You don't get the ultra-wide viewing angles, black filter, or One Connect housing found on models the more expensive ones, but you get all that great AI processing. In fact, aside from those three missing features, the Q70 has most of the same cutting-edge features and a comprehensive smart platform as its more expensive siblings.
Does this mid-range model hit the QLED sweet spot for those with limited funds? Let's find out.
QLED versus OLED
: What is the difference?
Samsung QE55Q70R QLED TV (65-inch HDR) at Amazon for $1,494.99
Samsung Q70R price and release date
The 2019 Q70R comes in five screen sizes - a 49-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch and 82-inch variant - all of which are available in the US and UK now.
If you're in the UK, you'll find the QE49Q70R (£1,499); QE55Q70R (£1,699); QE65Q70R (£2,199); QE75Q70R (£3,499); and QE82Q70R (£4,799).
While in the US, customers will have the option of the QN49Q70RAFXZA ($1,249); QN55Q70RAFXZA ($1,499); QN65Q70RAFXZA ($2,199); QN75Q70RAFXZA ($3,299); and QN82Q70RAFXZA ($4,499).
Unfortunately, Australian AV fans can only choose between three versions of the TV, all of which are called the Q75R. That said, expect to find the QA55Q75RAWXXY (AU$2,899); QA65Q75RAWXXY (AU$4,099); and QA75Q75RAWXXY (AU$5,899).
(Image credit: Samsung)
Design
Samsung Q70 Specifications
Screen sizes:
49, 55, 65, 75 and 82 inches |
Tuner:
HD TNT, HD satellite |
4K:
Yes |
HDR:
Yes |
Panel technology:
QLED |
Smart TVs:
Yes |
Curved:
No |
Dimensions:
1231 x 780 x 248 mm (WxHxD) |
Weight:
18.5kg |
3D:
No |
Submissions:
4xHDMI, 3xUSB, 2xRF, optical, Ethernet, CI slot
The Samsung Q70 looks functional rather than flashy, and while it retains the same basic styling as the rest of the 2019 QLED lineup, it also reflects the lower price point.
Although it uses a lot of plastic, the design still has the 360-degree detail philosophy used elsewhere in the range: that means a virtually bezel-less screen, a black border around the outer edge and textured grooves on the rear.
Samsung has adopted a more traditional stand higher up in the QLED range, but the Q70 uses metal feet that simply snap together (no screws). surface to place the TV on, and this problem will only get worse when you're dealing with larger screens (as we mentioned earlier, the Q70 goes all the way up to 82 inches).
It's important to note that there's no One Connect box here either. Instead, all connections are located on the right rear of the panel when facing the screen. less, there's a comprehensive set of inputs, including four HDMIs, three USB tuners, two terrestrial and satellite tuners, a CI slot, an optical digital input, an auto-calibration connector, and a LAN port for wired connection ( with built-in WiFi and Apple AirPlay 2).
Samsung has resisted the temptation to adopt HDMI 2.1, saying the current 2.0b inputs do all that is necessary. This might disappoint some, but the company says the Q70 can handle 4K up to 120Hz, dynamic metadata (HDR10+), variable refresh rate (VRR) and automatic low latency mode (ALLM). The only thing missing is enhanced audio return channel (eARC), but Samsung says that will come via an update software update by the end of the month.
You don't get the sleek metal zapper included with the more expensive models, but you still get two controllers: a fully featured remote and a more basic wand designed for everyday use. The latter is comfortable to hold and easy to use d with one hand, and includes a built-in mic for voice control, plus direct access buttons for Netflix, Amazon and Rakuten.
TL design; DR:
The design is functional rather than flashy, and those splayed legs can cause setup issues. However, the remote is effective and there's a decent set of connections.
Smart TV (Eden)
The Samsung Q70 uses a
Smart-TV
platform to other models in the QLED range, based on the Tizen-powered operating system. So you get the same launch bar at the bottom as previous years, and the useful second layer that allows easy access to other content (a feature LG copied from webOS this year).
If you want to use your TV to watch video streaming services (and why don't you?), you'll be delighted with the comprehensive choice available. Samsung has it all, with apps for Netflix, Amazon, Now TV, Rakuten, YouTube and all UK TV catch-up services. There's even a brand new iTunes app that just hit the platform earlier this month.
Perhaps in recognition that owners are faced with a bewildering choice, Samsung has introduced the Universal Guide. This new feature is specially designed to bring together all available games, movies, sports and streaming services into one user-friendly interface.
The guide then uses AI magic to monitor your viewing habits, creating a single “For You” page with content tailored to your particular tastes. The more time it has to analyze your behavior, the better the recommendations and that works very efficiently. However, there is no individual login, so unless you live alone, the analysis will be based on multiple users.
Image credit: Samsung
Setting up the Q70 couldn't be easier with SmartThings - the handy app lets you quickly and easily set up your TV using your smartphone (it's available for iOS and Android). Use your TV as a smart hub, allowing you to sync, share and control other connected devices in your home.
Samsung's QLED TVs are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and, thanks to the inclusion of Apple's AirPlay 2, even Siri. This year Samsung has also integrated its own smart assistant Bixby into its TVs, giving the Q70 compatibility with a full suite of AI-enabled assistants.
Since Bixby is actually built into the TV, rather than just working with another device that includes a smart assistant, the experience is largely seamless. Bixby is best accessed by simply pressing the mic button on the remote. There's a near-field mic built into the TV, but we recommend turning it off unless you want Bixby to come to life every 10 minutes.
The Q70 also includes Samsung's Ambient mode, which was introduced last year. This feature lets you use your TV, even when you're not watching it. The mode uses minimal power and displays information such as news and weather, or even artwork and family photos. It can also blend in with the surroundings, which is very cool when the sign is mounted on the wall.
TL Smart TV; DR:
It might be lower down the range, but you'll still find the same cutting-edge smart platform that includes iTunes, Universal Guide and the Bixby voice assistant here, as you would on the flagship displays.
HD/SDR performance
The Samsung Q70 performs great in terms of SDR image quality, and while it might not have the ultra black filter found on the more expensive models, as long as you don't place don't have this TV in front of a strong light source which shouldn't be a problem. In addition, the Q70's bright, punchy images look great even when there's ambient light in the room.
Viewing angles aren't as wide as taller models, but as long as you're seated reasonably centrally, that won't be an issue either. Thanks to the VA panel, direct backlighting and local dimming, levels of black are impressive and there's plenty of shadow detail. We only counted around 50 areas, but Samsung's superb local dimming algorithm is still very effective regardless.
We often use
Gravity
as a local dimming test, as star fields and bright white spacesuits are a real challenge. In general, the Q70 handles this difficult material well, with very little haloing, blooming, or clipping. However, it There were a few occasions where local dimming was caught off guard, although with the less difficult content that was rarely an issue.
Regardless of the material, the detailed nature of the image was evident, with the AI-enhanced processing cleaning up more compressed content and eliminating every last pixel of lower resolution material. The panel has plenty of brightness and color are saturated yet precise, giving images real pop.
Motion handling is also good for an LCD TV, even without resorting to frame interpolation. There's a lot of motion. We measured input lag at 14ms, which is great news for gamers, especially since there's no risk of image retention or burn-in. 'screen.
HD/SDR Performance TL;DR:
The SDR image quality is sure to please movie and TV fans, while some handy features and 14ms input lag will delight gamers.
Image credit: Samsung
4K/HDR performance
The Samsung Q70 produced some nice HDR images...even if it's not as impressive as its more expensive siblings.
One thing's for sure: it's definitely not as bright, hitting 800 nits in its sharpest picture mode. However, tone mapping ensures peak highlights are rendered as accurately as possible. It also covers nearly 100% of the DCI-P3 color space, ensuring HDR images make full use of all those extra colors.
Blacks are still black, even with the backlight and contrast controls maxed out, and the brightest whites are free of clipping. However, the limited number of dimmable areas is more evident with HDR, and blooming is certainly an issue with more difficult content. That said, local dimming is still surprisingly effective and HDR images still have plenty of impact with the Q70 making full use of its 4K panel.
A show like
Star Trek: Discovery
looks bright and colorful in HDR, even though it's not actually 4K. The same goes for
Jack Ryan
on Amazon, which is 4K and also looks stunning with its dynamic HDR10+ metadata. Pop on an Ultra HD Blu-ray like
Aquaman
and the screen is flooded with comic book primaries, while HDR10+ encoding on the new
Extraterrestrial
The 4K drive means you won't miss anything nasty lurking in the shadows.
Unfortunately, Samsung still doesn't support Dolby Vision, a proprietary version of HDR that also uses dynamic metadata. This puts the Q70, and the company's entire TV line, at a disadvantage compared to models from Panasonic and Philips, which support both support Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Despite missing features, the Samsung Q70 delivers strong HDR performance.
4K/HDR TL performance; DR:
The Q70 offers solid HDR performance, but falls short of the heights of more expensive QLED models.
Image credit: Samsung
Ring
The Samsung Q70 sounds pretty good for a modern TV, thanks in part to its direct LED backlighting requiring a deeper chassis. That means there's a little more room to fit a decent set of speakers, even if they are always downward-firing. There's a good sense of stereo separation, a solid midrange and well-defined highs, but the bass is quite limited.
Samsung has tried to improve the sound quality of its TVs this year through the application of machine learning. The result is the AI-enhanced Intelligent Sound mode that analyzes audio based on the environment and the content, and optimizes it accordingly. As a result, the sound has more breadth and depth, creating a more defined and immersive acoustic experience.
AI processing ensures dialogue is clear, music more defined, effects more precise, and crowd noise more enveloping. The Q70 does not support Dolby Atmos, but it is capable of sending Dolby Atmos from from built-in apps such as Netflix and Amazon to soundbars and AV receivers via the HDMI Audio Return Channel.
Sound TL;DR:
Basic sound quality is adequate, but gets a welcome sonic boost thanks to some clever AI enhancements.
Other signs to ponder...
If you are looking for alternatives to the Samsung Q70, the
Sony KD-55XG9505
(XBR-55X950G in the US) is worth considering. It costs a bit more, but also offers full local dimming, plus a Triluminos display, X-Wide Angle viewing, X-Motion Clarity and the X1 Ultimate processor. There's no support for HDR10+, but it can handle both Dolby Vision and Atmos, and there's an Android smart hub with Google Assistant built-in.
The
LG 55SM90
(LG SM9000 in the US) is cheaper than the Sony but still costs more than the Q70 It has full local dimming and also includes NanoCell technology for better colors and deeper blacks, better angles of wider vision and the second generation Alpha7 processor. LG also does not support HDR10+, but like Sony there is Dolby Vision and Atmos, as well as webOS 4.5,
Google Assistant
and Amazon Alexa built-in, and ultra-low input lag.
final verdict
The Samsung Q70 is a solid mid-range model that offers a taste of QLED's potential without the higher price tag. The panel may lack the black filter and wider viewing angles of the more expensive models, but it can still provide a bright and impactful image.
Additionally, the AI-enhanced image processing is equally effective, helping to improve the appearance of heavily compressed and low-resolution content and the local dimming is particularly impressive, especially given the limited number of areas available. Feed the TV a 4K signal, however, and the results are often excellent. Sound quality isn't bad either, thanks again to some sonic AI magic, and the 14ms input lag will please for sure to the players.
Although lower down the QLED range, the Q70 includes the same comprehensive smart platform, extensive connections and cutting-edge features found higher up the range. flashier than Samsung has ever made, but if your funds are limited, the Q70 is a versatile QLED worth checking out.
Expect to see the Samsung Q70 QLED TV on our list of
best tvs
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