Summary
The Samsung Q70C is positioned in the intermediate range of its line of quantum-dot LED (QLED) televisions, precisely between the low-end Q60C and the high-end Q80C. In consequence, it offers a marginal increase in luminance compared to the Q60C, but performance remains one in which compromises are unavoidable.
In this regard, the Q70C provides an average experience: Particularly for gamers, its low input latency, high color accuracy, and four HDMI 2.1 connections are notable characteristics. However, movie and television enthusiasts will not appreciate its mediocre sound quality, low peak luminance, and color saturation, nor its Tizen smart platform.
Even more detrimental are the threats posed by sets of comparable price that surpass it in a few crucial aspects while remaining the same or slightly more expensive. While a few features of the Q70C may capture your interest, in comparison to the award-winning Hisense U8K and the TCL QM8 Mini-LED TVs, it is difficult to recommend.
Samsung Q70C review: Pricing and availability
- On sale for $849.99, the Samsung QN55Q70CAF (55 inches) costs $999.99.
- 65-inch Samsung QN65Q70CAF: $1,299.99 | on sale for $949.99
- On sale for $1,199.99, the Samsung QN75Q70CAF (75 inches) costs $1,799.99.
- The 85-inch Samsung QN85Q70CAF costs $2,799.99; it is on sale for $1,899.99.
While our assessment was limited to the 65-inch model, we anticipate that the performance of all variants in the series will be essentially identical.
Samsung Q70C review: Design and features
Although it cannot compete with Samsung’s highest-end OLED televisions, the Q70C appears more impressive than its price might indicate. Its beveled bezel, slender profile (its broadest point is only 1 inch), and elegant stand (two screw-in feet supported by an attractive plate of plastic approximating burnished metal) contribute to an unexpected amount of style. Even if you choose to mount it to the wall, that is an alternative option. If you mount the television on the wall using the 400x300mm VESA openings, you will omit the stand. However, due to its slender design, the television will not appear overbearing when it is hanged.
Two USB ports, S/PDIF optical audio out, EX-LINK, Ethernet, and coaxial ports are angled out the right side of the set, and they are all connected to the four HDMI ports. All of these adhere to the HDMI 2.1 standard, enabling the playback of 4K 120Hz video to optimize sports and other fast-paced media. (eARC is an additional feature of HDMI 3 that enables the connection of a soundbar.) This is to be expected from televisions in this price range, but it is still commendable and helps to ensure the Q70C’s longevity.
Once again, Samsung’s Tizen is the preferred intelligent interface for the Q70C. Each panel within the user interface is uncluttered and straightforward to navigate, exuding a serene and soothing aesthetic while simultaneously providing straightforward access to various categories of content. However, navigating between displays can be cumbersome, and modifying the settings still necessitates further pathfinding than is ideal.
LG’s webOS is considerably more streamlined for a more compact device, whereas Google TV retains its strength by virtue of its integrations with Google’s extensive search ecosystem. Although Tizen fulfils its intended purpose, it lacks substantial merit.
The Q70C retains the SolarCell remote from Samsung, which is recharged via a solar panel located on its rear. Although I am still not convinced that it requires that few controls or has that steep a learning curve, its compact size, streamlined design, and innovative thinking distinguish it and the television it is integrated with.
Samsung Q70C review: How we test
At Tom’s Guide, we adhere to a standardized testing protocol for each television we evaluate. The efficacy of the set is evaluated through a series of technical and subjective evaluations that comprise our benchmarks. We conduct measurements using an X-Rite i1 Pro spectrophotometer, a SpectraCal VideoForge Pro pattern generator, and the Calman TV-calibration software from Portrait Displays as part of our technical experiments. A Leo Bodnar 4K Input Lag Tester is also employed to evaluate the gaming capabilities of the television.
Subjective evaluations differ depending on the evaluator, but typically comprise anecdotes from a variety of films, television programs, and other media that reflect the sorts of things you might actually be interested in watching on television. See our “How We Test TVs” page for a more comprehensive explanation of what we do and how we do it.
Samsung Q70C review: Performance and test results
The Q70C exhibits commendable performance attributes in relation to its cost. Its Delta-E of 1.9701 (a metric that compares the degree of color variation at the source to the image displayed on the screen, with lower values indicating superior quality) is significantly inferior to those of the Hisense U8K and the TCL QM8, as determined in Filmmaker Mode. Its coverage of the Rec. 709 (SDR) color gamut is merely marginally superior to that of the TCL; the Q60C performs marginally better. The sets manufactured by other companies significantly outperform both Samsung models in terms of their ability to capture the HDR color gamuts.
The area in which the Q70C falls significantly short of the Hisense and the TCL is brightness. In other words, it simply cannot compete. In addition to its 239 nits with SDR content being inadequate in comparison to their 1,365 and 1,347 nits, respectively, the situation is even more dire with HDR, with 444 nits compared to 1,788 and 2,201 nits. Although the Q70C is less expensive than the Hisense and the TCL, you’re not saving that much money, and you’re giving up a substantial amount of brightness in exchange.
Local dimming may be an even greater factor, as neither the Hisense nor the TCL have it compared to the Q70C. Even in the most precise picture mode, this results in ostensibly black areas of the screen taking on a grayish hue, which imparts an unnatural appearance. This was especially evident in Avatar: The Way of Water and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, whose numerous underwater sequences evoked the sensation of peering through the confines of a filthy aquarium’s enclosure. Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning appeared more aesthetically appealing, despite the rosy hue of the skin tones.
Additionally, the screen of the television is excessively reflective, which complicates viewing in a well-lit room. Additionally, avoid deviating excessively from the screen’s center, as the image quality diminishes as one approaches or passes the periphery. The sound quality was unsatisfactory at best, as the 20W speakers produced inadequate volume (I had to increase the volume past the halfway point to hear anything clearly), an abundance of uninteresting bass, and strident high trebles that were typical when music was being played. Lastly, observe that the Q70C, as customary from Samsung, lacks Dolby Vision support.
Possibly the Q70C’s saving grace is its 120Hz display. You’ll want it for gaming, and those HDMI 2.1 connections provide access to all the latest essential gaming features, such as Auto Low-Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Games like Starfield performed admirably, and the Samsung game bar (accessible via the home screen) is convenient for quickly adjusting game-specific settings. However, the Gaming Hub (which can be accessed by holding the Play/Pause button on the remote) adds an extra step or two to the playing process.
Although it is better than the comparable Hisense and TCL models, the Q70C’s 11.4ms input latency is higher than the 9ms range of the company’s other televisions and our 10ms threshold for top-tier gaming, which is not the ultra-low input lag we’ve come to expect from Samsung.
Samsung Q70C review: Verdict
The Samsung Q70C is figuratively and literally stranded in the middle. It’s not a terrible television, and it even has a few notable features to its credit, including four HDMI 2.1 connections, a 120Hz panel, and decent SDR color management and input latency.
However, in situations where each dollar is critical, each choice becomes significant. In this case, the Q70C appears to be falling behind the Hisense U8K and the TCL QM8, which present formidable competition in terms of luminosity and HDR color capabilities. Given that they can be purchased for as little as $50 to $150 more than the Q70C, is the cost savings truly justified? And isn’t it problematic that the performance of the less expensive Q60C is comparable to or surpasses that of the Q70C in the majority of aspects?
It is a difficult proposition to prove. You can justify the Q70C if you are on the precipice of your budget and do not wish to spend an additional penny beyond what is required to view sports or enjoy a satisfying console gaming experience. However, if one has any flexibility, the U8K or the QM8 are both potentially more advantageous investments—and, in our perspective, more cost-effective.
