Expert testers loved how the Samsung QN9DA is optimized for gaming & movies through its wide viewing angles, VRR support, high color accuracy, low input lags, and quick response times, but the “halo” effects that popped out during dark scenes may discourage some buyers from parting with their money for the TV.
Picture Quality
4K
- The Samsung QN9DA boasts impressive picture quality thanks to its 4K UHD display. Product testers all agreed that the TV delivered a fine, detailed picture powered by tiny hyper-focused light cells. They also praised its ability to upscale every picture to 4K quality due to its Neo Quantum Processor 4K.
Color
- Reviewers found the color tones delivered by the Samsung QN9DA to be pretty impressive, as flesh tones looked quite natural and life-like. In addition, they found the TV’s color accuracy to be spot on without much calibration, as the TV can achieve 100% color volume through its Quantum Dot technology.
Black
- The Samsung QN9DA comes packed with UHD dimming pro, which is a feature that stunned experts in how well it eliminated image distortion on the TV. The elimination of this distortion helped deliver deep blacks, making the TV suitable for dark room viewing.
Brightness
- Product testers were generally impressed with how bright pictures on the Samsung QN9DA TV appeared, and this was mainly due to the TV’s adoption of Quantum Matrix Technology, which it shares with the Samsung QN85A. The technology uses mini-LEDs to output a brighter color density, resulting in improved brightness and color accuracy.
Contrast
- The Samsung QN9DA has excellent contrast thanks to a high contrast ratio, and this helped give images increased depth and dimension.
- Experts said that the TV’s high contrast ratio also contributes to it having deeper blacks, though they noticed “halo” effects during dark scenes.
Dimming
- Product testers loved how well the Samsung QN9DA’s Full Array Local Dimming feature helped improve the contrast ratio by dimming dark spots and keeping bright scenes bright. Testers from Consumer Reports agreed that the Samsung NEO QLED 4K TV was among the brightest they’ve ever tested, but this was only with brightness backlight control turned up.
Gaming
- The Samsung QN9DA Smart TV is an excellent choice for gamers. Reviewers loved that the TV allowed players to broaden their view with the option to choose between 21:9 and 32:9 screen ratios. It also features an on-screen menu dubbed the Game Bar, where players can adjust game-specific settings such as input lag and screen ratio. Gamers will also appreciate the performance of the Samsung Q900TS QLED 8K TV, due to its low input lag.
HDR
- Expert testers applauded how rich and detailed HDR content was on the Samsung QN9DA, and this was attributed to its Quantum HDR 32x technology. This technology means the TV can attain a peak brightness of 3200 nits when viewing HDR content, making it significantly brighter than the Samsung QN85A QLED.
Motion
- Motion handling on the Samsung QN9DA is sublime thanks to its Motion Accelerator Turbo+ feature, ensuring that gameplay goes smoothly at high speeds. Reviewers discovered that this feature significantly reduced motion blur, allowing for fast-action gaming and swift reactions.
Refresh
- With a native refresh rate of 120Hz, expert testing revealed that the Samsung QN9DA was quick enough to handle fast-moving scenes without omitting any details and also agreed that this was another primary reason why the TV was great for gamers.
Response
- The Samsung QN9DA registered a rapid response rate, making it suitable for users who want to enjoy fast-paced gaming without ghosting. In addition, expert testers agreed that the TV’s response times would also impress movie lovers watching HDR content (thanks in part to quantum HDR brightness), as this would result in significantly better viewing experiences.
Viewing Angle
- Reviewers appreciated how well the Samsung QN9DA’s Ultra Viewing Angle helped maintain a consistent picture even when the TV is being viewed from the side. The 50-degree wide-angle proved to be great for group viewing, making it ideal for use in a commercial setup.
Burn-In
- The Samsung QN9DA is a QLED TV, meaning it remains averse to any risks associated with burn-in. Reviewers concurred that fixed images could be displayed on the TV without any real threat, regardless of the duration.
Design
Stand
- The stand on the Samsung QN9DA is a bending plate, which reviewers found more common with Samsung’s 2021 releases. It’s situated at the center of the TV and bends from the back into the front giving the TV good stability. The stand is about 14 inches wide, so users will need to use a large surface to place it on.
Back
- Reviewers appreciated that the back of the Samsung QN9DA was made of plastic, and were also impressed with the elaborate cable management system that ensured all the TV’s inputs were well organized.
Borders
- The Samsung QN9DA has very thin borders that expert testers agreed adds significantly to its elegant design and doesn’t become distracting to viewers when viewing content. The borders also gave the TV a more boundless appearance, which is modern and in style.
Thickness
- The Samsung QN9DA is about 1.1 inches thick, so it might pop out just a bit when VESA mounted on a wall. However, this shouldn’t be a big issue as reviewers agreed that the TV boasts wide viewing angles, so anyone in the room should be able to view content on the TV.
Features
Tuner
- Expert testers confirmed that the Samsung QN9DA comes with an Analog Tuner so that users can watch local digital broadcasts without much hassle. The ATSC 3.0 tuner is, however, a notch above what other ordinary sets may have to offer, as it allows the TV to receive “Next-Gen TV” signals.
Input
- The Samsung QN9DA Smart TV boasts of 4 HDMI inputs, 2 USB ports, 1 Ethernet port, and 1 Optical Digital Audio Output, making it similar to the Samsung Q90T in this regard. In addition, one of the 4 HDMI ports supports an enhanced audio return channel. With its ability to connect to a WiFi network, users can connect to their compatible phone, computer, or mobile device to view content.
Remote
- Product testers appreciated how simple the Samsung QN9DA remote is to use, as it only had a few essential buttons and a microphone for receiving voice commands. In addition, users will find dedicated buttons for streaming Netflix, Prime Video, and Samsung TV Plus on the remote.
- Still, reviewers did express disappointment at the remote not having a source input button.
Smart TV
Apps
- Powered by its Tizen Operating System, the Samsung QN9DA proved to be very easy to operate, so reviewers didn’t think any new user would encounter any issues when trying to calibrate the TV or make any changes. Experts loved that there was a wide range of apps to choose from, providing access to a wide range of content.
- They were, however, unimpressed that users couldn’t opt-out of ads.
Streaming
- Product testers discovered that a wide range of streaming services and providers could be downloaded onto the TV, so streaming content from Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV shouldn’t be an issue. They were also pleased to find out that viewers could stream some of these services in 4K UHD.
Menu
- Adjusting the settings on the Samsung QN9DA didn’t give experts any issues, as the menu items are well laid out, and the picture options are relatively easy to navigate to. If users make any mistakes or unwanted changes, there will always be the option to reset everything to factory default.
Sound Quality
Audio
- With a sound output of 60 Watts, experts enjoyed that the Samsung QN9DA is loud enough to fill a room, so there shouldn’t be any issues with general viewing. In addition, the TV doesn’t distort sound even when playing at high volume, though audiophiles might find it below par, especially if they tend to use it as a PC monitor.
- Reviewers couldn’t verify the presence of the Object Tracking Sound feature, leaving a lot of room for improvement.
Bass
- The Samsung QN9DA has moderately deep bass, but reviewers learned that it wasn’t quite enough to cause any thumping of sound in a room when playing music at loud volume. The bass also doesn’t distort when tuned to the max, so movie watchers and general users will get to enjoy high-volume playback without any severe distortion.
Sound Stage
- Expert testers acknowledged that the Samsung QN9DA performed best when connected to a Soundbar thanks to a feature called Q-Symphony. The feature helps synchronize sound between the TV and Soundbar, resulting in a harmonious sound.
