The QN85D series represents Samsung’s entry-level, mid-range offering in the 2024 Neo QLED TV lineup. Distinguished by its mini-LED backlighting, this model stands apart from the standard QLED televisions produced by the company. The next tier, the QN90D, is priced slightly higher and features several enhancements in both picture and sound quality.
Available in screen sizes ranging from 55 inches to 85 inches, the Samsung QN85D utilizes VA-type panels with a special coating designed to enhance viewing angles. Overall, Samsung markets the QN85D as an optimal blend of visual and audio performance, thanks to its Neo QLED display and streamlined audio system.
Design
The Samsung QN85D TV features a design akin to the QN85C series, complete with the same centrally positioned hexagonal stand. A notable difference from its predecessor is the increased thickness of the casing, which has grown by one and a half times; however, the TV maintains an appealing profile from the side. This design is referred to as Simple Chamfer, contrasting with last year’s Neo Slim.
The stand offers robust support for the unit, giving it the appearance of a desktop monitor. The ports are conveniently located on the back and the right side of the front, allowing for close wall placement if desired. The rear of the TV is aesthetically pleasing, showcasing a textured finish, and features channels for effective cable management.
The bezels measure no more than 1 cm in thickness, and the overall build quality of the Samsung QN85D is commendable. There is a noticeable bend near the VESA mounting holes and ports, which, while not particularly remarkable, is worth mentioning. Additionally, the TV has a sleek appearance and is constructed from high-quality plastic. The Samsung 55QN85D model includes a Solar Cell remote control, similar to that of the QN90D.
This design retains the familiar smaller remote control casing, with a reduced number of buttons. The remote is crafted from superior quality plastic compared to the 2022 version. It features a built-in battery, a USB-C port for charging, and a small solar cell for ongoing power replenishment.
Image quality
The Samsung QN85D TV features a VA type LCD display (IPS in the US). One of the primary benefits of VA panels is their superior contrast, which surpasses that of IPS or ADS panels. Given the TV’s classification, pricing, and the components utilized, the color reproduction is commendable. In Filmmaker mode, the average color sample error is measured at 2.7, which is below the perceptual threshold of 3.0.
The 55QN85D can display a broad color spectrum, although it does not match the range of other models from the same brand or higher-end competitors. The UHDA-P3 (CIExy) color space coverage stands at 88%, which is fairly typical for this category.
Equipped with advanced Neo QLED LCD technology and multi-zone Mini LED backlighting (with 504 zones in this instance), the TV delivers impressive contrast and deep blacks, making it an ideal choice for home cinema enthusiasts. The depth of black levels is striking, closely resembling the “icy” quality of the Samsung S95D.
By switching from ADS to VA while keeping the same number of zones, the contrast ratio is significantly enhanced. In the 55-inch model being discussed, this ratio exceeds 50,000:1. This remarkable contrast is achieved in the factory settings of Filmmaker mode, specifically when the Local Dimming function is set to “Standard.”
The TV performs admirably in HDR brightness, achieving approximately 1,000 nits in a 10 percent white window, while a full-screen white window reaches an impressive 640 nits. This clearly indicates that investing in a Neo QLED model now represents a substantial upgrade in picture quality for consumers compared to standard QLED TVs like the Q80C.
While the viewing angles are slightly inferior to last year’s QN85C, the new model compensates with enhanced color saturation, reducing color loss when viewed from the sides. The QE55QN85D features an anti-glare coating, although some reflections may still be noticeable under artificial lighting. Video and audio processing is powered by the advanced NQ4 AI Gen2 processor, which utilizes 20 AI neural networks.
To improve 4K images with HDR, the TV employs Neo Quantum HDR+ and HDR Brightness Enhancer, along with an automatic HDR remastering feature that enhances the dynamics of standard HD sources. Quantum Matrix technology effectively manages the backlight, and the anti-glare coating on the screen enhances picture consistency when viewed from an angle. The TV excels in displaying whites and maintains a generally balanced color profile.
Display of movement and play
The QN85D excels in motion picture performance, delivering sharp images of moving objects, a hallmark of quality 120Hz televisions, and effectively implementing motion smoothing. While the intense backlight modulation, facilitated by the sharpness enhancement feature, may lead to decreased brightness and some flickering, this trade-off enhances motion resolution.
In the realm of gaming, the 55QN85D receives high marks, boasting numerous gamer-centric features and minimal signal lag in its processing. It offers a variety of gaming functionalities, including Game Mode, Automatic Game Mode, Game Motion Plus, Dynamic Black EQ, Ultra Wide View in Games, Mini Map Zoom, Freesync Premium Pro, and HGIG. Notably, in Game Mode, the input lag is an impressive 10ms.
Additionally, the Samsung Game Bar 4.0 now features an AI Auto Smart Mode that can identify game genres and automatically adjust picture and sound settings to match your preferences. Furthermore, you can connect your game console’s controller to the TV via Bluetooth for added convenience.
Smart TV
The Samsung QN85D series operates on the Tizen 8.0 Smart TV operating system, which has seen minimal changes in recent years, although some features have been updated and refined. The Tizen home menu still provides recommendations for trending TV shows and movies, which can be beneficial for some users; however, this feature contributes to a somewhat cluttered home screen when compared to other smart TV systems, such as LG’s webOS 24, which adopts a more streamlined design.
The platform includes dedicated hubs for various categories, including Games and the Daily+ hub, which features lifestyle applications like Samsung Health, Workspace, a workout tracker, and SmartThings. For users looking to utilize their TV as a comprehensive hub for daily activities, Tizen proves to be an excellent choice.
In terms of picture and sound customization, Tizen offers a wide array of options compared to other platforms. While it remains a reliable, albeit not the most secure, Smart TV platform with a vast selection of applications and a reasonable number of settings and menus, there is a sense of inconvenience when navigating the settings menu. A minor update could enhance its usability and help it keep pace with competing Smart TV platforms.
Sound
The 2024 QN85D series sound system has been reduced to a 2.2-channel configuration, a downgrade from the previous year’s QN85C model. This means that the height speakers are no longer included, and the overall power output has been lowered to 40 watts. Consequently, the system relies solely on the Object Tracking Sound Lite feature to follow the sound effects as they move across the screen. Additionally, the Q-Symphony function allows for simultaneous playback from both the soundbar and the TV speakers, enhancing the surround sound experience. However, for those seeking a deeper emotional connection to the on-screen action, investing in a soundbar or a separate sound system is advisable.
Connections
Samsung has maintained a consistent switching scheme across its identical series for several years, and the QN85D models are no exception. The back panel features four HDMI 2.1 ports (including one with eARC), two USB ports, an Ethernet port, an optical audio output, and antenna jacks for both satellite and terrestrial connections. In terms of wireless functionality, the Samsung QN85D TV is equipped with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.2.
Conclusion
Samsung QN85D is the most budget-friendly Mini LED TV available from Samsung in 2024. While it lacks any significant innovations, it essentially serves as a simplified version of the QN85C with minor adjustments. Although there are more competitively priced alternatives from other manufacturers, if you are set on acquiring a Samsung TV and have budget constraints, the QN85D provides a reasonable compromise between price and performance.
Samsung QN85D Specifications
| Panel | |
| Diagonal | 55″ 139 cm |
| Type | Neo QLED |
| Aspect ratio | 16:9 |
| Screen Covering | Anti Glare |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 |
| Color depth | 10 bits |
| Refresh rate | 100 Hz |
| Lighting system | Mini LED |
| HDR certificate | Neo Quantum HDR |
| HDR compatibility | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) |
| Design | |
| Type | Simple Chamfer |
| Type of stand | One Touch Hexagon |
| Frame | Thin on 3 sides |
| Color of the stand | Black silver |
| Panel color | Black silver |
| Video | |
| Viewing angle | Wide Viewing Angle |
| Calibration from the app | Smart Calibration Basic |
| Contrast | Quantum Matrix Technology |
| Local dimming | Supreme UHD Dimming |
| Contrast enhancement | Yes, Real Depth Enhancer |
| Increase clarity | Motion Xcelerator 120Hz |
| Director mode | Yes |
| Image processing | NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor |
| HDR Processing | Auto HDR Remastering |
| Scaling up to 4K | Yes, intellectual |
| Sound | |
| Output power | 40 W |
| Sound system | 2.2CH |
| Dolby Atmos support | Yes |
| Q-Symphony | Lite |
| OTS | Lite |
| Multiroom Link | No |
| Active Voice Amplifier | Yes |
| Bluetooth Audio | Yes |
| Adaptive sound | Adaptive Sound Pro |
| Connections | |
| Inputs | 4 x HDMI 2.1, antenna sockets |
| Outputs | 1 x optical (audio) |
| Audio Return Channel (ARC) | Yes, eARC |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| USB ports | 2 x USB 2.0 (audio, photo, video) |
| Ethernet | LAN |
| Smart TV | |
| operating system | Tizen 8.0 |
| Bixby | Yes |
| Working with smart speakers | Yes, Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Interior mode | Ambient Mode+ |
| Light sensor | Yes |
| Mirroring | Yes, two-sided |
| SmartThings App Support | Yes |
| NFT | Nifty Gateway |
| Multiview | Yes, up to 2 videos |
| Remote control | TM2360E |
| Remote voice control | Yes |
| Game mode | |
| Auto game mode | ALLM |
| Game Motion Plus | Yes |
| Black Level Equalizer | Dynamic Black EQ |
| Wide view of the game | Super Ultra Wide Game View |
| Game panel | Game Bar 4.0 |
| VRR | FreeSync Premium Pro |
| Nutrition | |
| Consumption max / type | 195W / 80W |
| Consumption in anticipation | 0.5 W |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Dimensions without stand | 1227.6 x 706.4 x 46.1 mm |
| Dimensions with stand | 1227.6 x 766.0 x 243.9 mm |
| Dimensions of the stand | 361.7 x 243.9 mm |
| Weight without / with stand | 17.1 kg / 20.1 kg |
| VESA mount | 200 x 200 mm |