Samsung QN800A vs QN900A: what's the difference between these 8K TVs?

If you're looking at the best 8K TVs of 2021, you should absolutely have the Samsung QN800A and QN900A in mind. These are the top two models in Samsung entire LCD TV range, and both are equipped with the company's next-gen Neo QLED screen technology, as well as that 8K resolution and its latest and greatest image processing.

With our Samsung QN900A review already affirming it as deserving of the top spot in our list of the best TVs available today, you might not be expect to learn that this is the better-specced model of these two TVs. 

But, of course, it's also the more expensive option, so we'll dig into what you get for that extra money, and whether the QN800A still offers what you're looking for from an elite TV – after all, although these models are different prices, they're both still very high-end models, with high-end prices.

Samsung QN800A vs QN900A: Price and models

The Samsung QN800A comes in 65-inch, 75-inch and 85-inch sizes. At the time of writing, the 65-inch QE65QN800A costs £3,499, the 75-inch QE75QN800A costs £4,799 and the 85-inch QE85QN800A costs £6,499.

In the US, these are known as the 65-inch QN65QN800A ($2,799), 75-inch QN75QN800A ($4,499) and the 85-inch QN85QN800A ($5,499).

The Samsung QN900A comes in the same sizes, and in the UK the 65-inch Samsung QE65QN900A costs £5,299, the 75-inch QE75QN900A costs £6,999, and the 85-inch QE85QN900A costs a colossal £10,999.

In the US, the 65-inch Samsung QN65QN900A costs $4,499, the 75-inch QE75QN900A costs $5,799, and the 85-inch QE85QN900A costs a colossal $8,999.

Being larger-size only is pretty standard for 8K TVs, since the higher resolution really gets to shine on bigger screens, where having four times the number of pixels offers a tangible advantage over 4K. So you tend to find 8K screens in our lists of the best 65-inch TVs, best 75-inch TVs and best 80+ inch TVs, but not anything smaller.

Samsung QN800A vs QN900A: Design & features

These TVs are incredibly similar when it comes to both the design and tech features available. First, the looks: both sets are designed to the same overall 'Infinity One' look, which means incredibly thin panels with a single foot stand attached (and the option of wall-mounting instead, of course).

The panels are dead flat on the back as well as the front, and really do feel like they're barely there. The QN800A is just 16.9mm thick, while the QN900A is even more preposterous at 15.2mm. Similarly, the QN800A has just the slightest bezels arounds its edges, while the QN900A has an even thinner edge that's effectively invisible.

The thinness is thanks to the mini-LEDs used in the Neo QLED panel – these are 40 times smaller than the lights used in Samsung's previous TVs (according to Samsung), which means they take up much less space.

The other major factor that makes them so thin is that there are no connections and no processing within the TV unit. Those are all in a separate box, called the One Connect box, which connects to the TV over a single thin cable.

This enables you to hide the box in your TV unit or wherever, and keeps the svelte lines of the TV untroubled by all those HDMI cables. Both models include the One Connect box.

Both TVs feature the same Samsung Neo Quantum Processor 8K for image processing, which is among the very best of its kind. It uses machine-learned knowledge of what common scenes and objects should look like so that it can better upscale low-res video or process motion to look clearer. Both models also include ultra-wide angle viewing and anti-reflection tech so they're clearer to see in real-world living rooms.

Both sets feature Samsung's Object Tracking Sound tech, which uses speakers positioned around the edge of the display – plus clever processing of soundtracks – to add better positioning of audio in the space in front of you. The QN900A includes more speakers, though. Sadly, there's no decoding of Dolby Atmos soundtracks on either set, though the TV will pass Atmos out to a soundbar or receiver over its HDMI eARC ports.

Samsung's smart TV platform is one of the easiest to use and more comprehensive for streaming app support in the business, and the nice thing is that's true whether you buy these elite TVs or cheaper models.

You also get the same great range of gaming features on both models, including all HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1 features, including 4K 120Hz and Variable Refresh Rate, plus AMD FreeSync.

Samsung's new Game Bar is a smart feature too, enabling you to choose settings on the fly, and make sure response time is a low as you want. The sets also support a letterboxed ultra-wide mode for compatible PC games, which is a niche need, but will make some people very happy.

Samsung QN800A vs QN900A: Picture quality

In terms of features, the two sets are effectively identical, then. The difference is really in image quality.

The long and short of it is that the QN900A represents the absolute peak of what Samsung is capable of with QLED sets. It pushes the brightness of the backlight to its limit, and also appears to offer more precision when it comes to local dimming.

The QN800A is rated by Samsung as 'HDR2000', while the QN900A is rated as 'HDR4000'. Basically, the QN900A is designed to go brighter in HDR peak brightness levels, adding even more of the dazzle of the real world to scenes that call for it. 

Both are still incredibly bright, we should say, both blasting far beyond the peak brightness levels that the best OLED TVs can offer.

When it comes to local dimming, what we're looking for is for the lighter parts of the screen to avoid spilling the light behind them into dark areas nearby – this is known as 'blooming'. The QN900A appears to handle this better than the QN800A – the benefit of having that extra money in the panel design.

Otherwise, they the same in all the really key ways – including the most important one for 8K TVs, which is the upscaling from 4K to take advantage of all those extra pixels that an 8K set has. They do an incredible job of this, and really make 4K video look sharper than any 4K can, even if it's not at quite the level of native 8K footage for overall realism. You get this in either model, which is great.

Samsung QN800A vs QN900A: Sound quality

Samsung's Object Tracking Sound technology is designed to make TV audio seem more 3D. Because there are speakers all around the edges of the screen, these sets can really make something sound like it's coming from the top-left of your vision, or that something is moving from left to right, rather than it all just happing in the centre.

The QN800A uses eight individual speakers, and Samsung calls this Object Tracking Sound+. The QN900A uses 10 speakers, adding just that little bit extra clarity and dimensionality.

Really, you should be pairing these with a sound system that's as good at audio as they are at video – perhaps one of the best soundbars.

In fact, Samsung actually has a special feature for if you add one of its own soundbars. It's called Q Symphony, and it basically makes the TV speakers work together with the soundbar's speakers, creating an even bigger soundstage than either can achieve on its own. It's really impressive – we've got a guide to the best soundbars for Samsung TVs that includes Q Symphony models. Both of these sets supports Q Symphony.

Samsung QN800A vs QN900A: Verdict

As we mentioned at the start, ultimately, the Samsung QN900A is the best model – there's no question. They're very similar in almost all ways, but that one offers even better image quality.

However, the QN800A costs a huge amount less, and you could buy a truly elite soundbar to pair with it for the amount you'd save. So that's your dilemma really: get the very best image quality LCD TVs have to offer in 2021, or dial that back just a little and save a large chunk of money.