Samsung QLED TVs boost brightness and add massive 98-inch 8K size

Samsung is the world’s largest TV maker, and although it sells both MicroLED and QD-OLEDTV-based, most of its best-known TVs use QLED screens. At CES, the company showed off some of its flagship QLED TVs for 2023 in 8K and 4K resolutions, touting better picture quality, a new 98-inch size, and some health-related features for its detachable cameras.

High-end Samsung QLED TVs are usually very bright, but the top-of-the-line 8K QN900C takes it to a new level. Samsung claims a whopping 4,000 slow peak brightness, which if true would make it the brightest TV I’ve ever measured. Samsung’s maximum brightness claims come with a big catch: they fades after a few seconds according to my tests – but either way, I expect this TV to be extremely bright.

The company also launched a new 8K TV size: 98 inches. Samsung currently sells 98-inch TVs in 4K resolution, but this would be its first in 8K. Samsung has yet to announce pricing on any of its 2023 TVs, but for reference, the current 98-inch 4K is $15,000, so the 8K version will likely be much higher. And as usual, I don’t think 8K resolution is worth it in any size.

More intriguing to me is the 4K QN95C resolution, an indirect successor to the excellent QN90B I saw last year. Samsung says it’s improved 14-bit dimming and processing, although I don’t expect either improvement to do that QLED TV to beat OLED models, the QN90B was my favorite non-OLED TV of 2022. Samsung also shrunk the bezel of the QN95C TV, to just 20mm, and eliminated the external connection box.

Beyond improving image quality, Samsung touted a few new features related to its optional camera. Samsung sells its own ‘easily detachable, privacy-focused video conferencing and workout assist camera’ for $99 or you can connect a third-party camera. Either way, the camera can monitor your health, including heart rate, oxygen saturation, and stress, detecting changes in facial skin color, and you can use it to connect and communicate with your doctor. The camera can also be used for video calls with a new app, to monitor pets or other people in the living room, or to help workouts.

Read more:Samsung’s new telemedicine app, the camera aims to give your TV telehealth powers

Samsung’s QLED TVs like the QN90B have great design and features, including built-in cloud gaming, a feature that I like but hardly considered a must-have. On the other hand, they generally cost more than other sets with similar image quality, so I don’t consider them as good a value as models like the TCL 6 series or Hisense U8H. I had the chance to check out some of the new QLED TVs in person at CES and while they look great, the real question will be how they compare to other 2023 TVs for the money. I won’t know until I can review them for real, which should happen this spring.