You can’t deny that Samsung makes great TVs, and many of its models go on sale during the holiday season. The question is which TV and display type to get. If you want the best viewing experience, Samsung has two of the most innovative display technologies: Crystal UHD and QLED. These are also two of the most popular, so it’s hard to decide which one is for you.
If you’re looking for vibrant displays that support HDR and 4K resolution, you’re on the right track regardless of which one you choose. However, there are some key differences between these two technologies, especially in contrast and color accuracy. Below, I’ve outlined some main differences to help you decide.
When to Choose a Crystal UHD TV?
You should get a Crystal UHD TV if:
1. You’re on a Budget
Samsung’s Crystal UHD TVs are more budget-friendly than their QLED counterparts. They don’t have as many features, so they’re more affordable. With some searching, you can often find older models of Crystal UHD Samsung TVs on sale for under $300, while QLED TVs start at around $500. That’s a big price difference, so Crystal UHD TVs are the better option for budget shoppers.
Plus, the lower upfront cost of Crystal UHD TVs often has lower operating costs. They consume less power than some higher-end models so that you can save on your electricity bill in the long run. So they’re a great option if you want quality viewing without the hefty price tag.
2. You Just Need a TV for Everyday, Basic Viewing
If you’re not looking to upgrade your home theater with an 8K TV but just need a display to watch the news or everyday movies, get a Crystal UHD TV.
These TVs still have 4K resolution so you can watch your favorite shows and movies in great detail. If you don’t need the advanced features of Quantum Dot, the Crystal UHD panels will do the job. They’re perfect for casual viewing, like sitcoms, reality shows, or sports, where the focus is more on content than on the best picture quality.
Also, these TVs can upscale HD images to improve clarity. So, even if you’re watching older content that’s not 4K, the Crystal UHD TV will improve the image so that you can enjoy it more.
3. You Want an Image That Looks Good from Any Angle
The debate on which TV type has the widest viewing angle is ongoing, but many users, including myself, have found Crystal UHD panels to be better than QLED in this regard. That means the picture quality on a Crystal UHD TV stays consistent and well-maintained even when viewed from the sides.
In contrast, QLED TVs use Quantum Dots to create colors, making the images more directional. So, the picture quality on QLED TVs gets darker and less visible when viewed from angles more than 50 degrees. That means the image quality degrades as you move away from the center of the screen.
That’s why Crystal UHD TVs are great for households with multiple people watching from different angles. Whether you’re having a movie night with friends or a family gathering, the consistent picture quality means everyone will have a great viewing experience no matter where they sit.
However, opinions on viewing angles vary among TV enthusiasts, and preferences differ greatly. Some may say QLED’s better color accuracy and brightness are worth the trade-off in viewing angles, especially in a dedicated home theater setup. Ultimately, it’s up to you and your viewing habits and preferences.
When to Get a QLED TV?
Get a QLED TV if:
1. You Want the Best Image Quality of the Two
QLED uses Quantum Dot to produce bright, colorful, and detailed images. It is Samsung’s flagship TV tech and often competes with LG’s OLED.
In short, a QLED TV has millions of individually lit pixels, each emitting a specific color to create the image you see on the screen. This intricate arrangement of pixels gives QLED an edge in terms of color accuracy, sharpness, and vibrancy. Whether you’re watching a nature documentary or an action movie, the clarity and richness of the visuals will improve your viewing experience.
2. You Want AI to Enhance Your Picture
Samsung’s high-end QLED TVs have what they call the Quantum Processor. This advanced tech uses artificial intelligence to upscale picture quality. The TVs can recognize lower-resolution videos and images and proactively upscale them with precise control over backlight dimming to give the viewer a better experience.
So 1080p content can look like 4K and 4K content can be upscaled to near 8K. This is great for those who watch older movies and TV shows that are not in the latest resolutions. The AI enhancements will give you the best picture quality no matter what the source material is.
3. You Want True Blacks and Higher Contrast
The Quantum Dots in QLED panels produce brighter, sharper images and deeper blacks for low-light scenes. In terms of color reproduction, QLED displays outperform traditional LCD displays, and LED displays have a higher contrast ratio, which makes the overall viewing experience better.
A simple way to see the difference is to turn off the light on your TV and look at the screen when nothing is playing. With Crystal UHD panels, you might see what’s called backlight bleeding, where patches of lighter pixels appear even when the screen should be black. QLED TVs maintain a more uniform black level, giving you a more immersive experience, especially in dark scenes or at night.
Alternatives
Samsung 65-inch Q80B QLED 4K TV—Best QLED Alternative
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line QLED alternative, get the Samsung 65-inch Q80B QLED 4K TV. This latest model features Samsung’s Quantum HDR 8X technology that upscales 4K to deliver fantastic picture quality. With Quantum HDR 8X, you can expect brighter and higher contrast, so you get a wider color gamut and deeper blacks for every scene to come alive.
Besides its impressive visual capabilities, the Q80B also has 3D audio for an immersive sound experience to match the visuals. This audio technology creates a surround sound effect so you feel like you’re part of the action, whether you’re watching an action movie or a concert. The combination of great visuals and immersive audio makes the Q80B a great choice for those who want a complete home entertainment experience.
Features
The Q80B runs on Samsung’s Tizen OS, which has a user-friendly interface and access to many streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. So, you can find and watch your favorite content without any extra devices. The TV also supports voice assistants like Bixby, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant for hands-free control.
Also, the Q80B has low input lag and high refresh rates, making it a great choice for gamers. Whether you’re playing fast-paced action games or exploring open-world games, this TV will give you smooth gameplay and responsive controls for a better gaming experience.
Design and Connectivity
In terms of design, the Q80B has a slim and modern look that will fit any room. The slim bezels give you more screen real estate for a more immersive experience. The TV also has various connectivity options, including HDMI 2.1 ports that support advanced gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
For those who want cable management, the Q80B has a One Connect Box where you can keep your cables organized and out of sight for a clutter-free setup.
Samsung 65-inch 7 Series LED TV—Best Budget Alternative
If you’re on a budget, the Samsung 65-inch 7 Series LED TV is a great choice. It’s not the latest model, but it has a 65-inch Crystal UHD panel with 4K resolution, so it’s a great option for budget shoppers who want a good viewing experience.
Features
The 7 Series is designed to deliver great picture quality, with Samsung’s UHD Upscaling technology upscales lower resolution content to near 4K quality. So, even if you’re watching old movies or TV shows, you can expect a clearer and more detailed picture for a better viewing experience.
It also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), which gives you a wider range of colors and better contrast. This feature enhances the overall picture quality with deeper blacks and brighter highlights, which is noticeable in scenes with varying light levels.
User Experience
The 7 Series LED TV runs on Samsung’s Tizen OS, which has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate streaming services and apps. You can access Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video directly from the TV, so you don’t need extra devices.
Also, the TV supports voice control through Bixby, so you can change channels, adjust the volume, and search for content with voice commands. This is convenient for those who want a hands-free experience.
Design and Connectivity
The 7 Series has a slim and modern design with slim bezels, which gives you more screen real estate for a more immersive experience. It also has multiple connectivity options, such as HDMI and USB ports, so you can connect your gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and external storage.
Amazon 75-inch Fire TV Omni Series 4K—Best Fire TV Alternative
If you’re looking for a top-notch Fire TV alternative, the Amazon 75-inch Fire TV Omni Series 4K is a great choice. This TV combines large screen size with advanced features, so it’s an excellent option for those who want a premium viewing experience.
Features
The Fire TV Omni Series has 4K video resolution so that you can watch your favorite movies and shows in crystal-clear detail. It’s also Dolby Vision certified, which enhances picture quality by giving you a wider range of colors and better contrast. So, you can expect vibrant visuals and deeper blacks for a more immersive experience, especially during high-action scenes or visually rich content.
Alexa Integration
One of the Omni Series’ best features is its Alexa integration. With hands-free voice control, you can navigate through your favorite apps, search for content, and control playback without needing a remote. Just ask Alexa to find a show, adjust the volume, or switch inputs, so it’s very convenient for those who want a smart home experience.
User Interface
The Fire TV Omni Series runs on the Fire TV platform, which has a user-friendly interface that aggregates content from various streaming services. You can access popular platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and more all in one place. The interface is designed to make it easy to discover new content with personalized recommendations based on your viewing history.
Design and Connectivity
The Omni Series has a slim and modern design with thin bezels, which gives you more screen real estate for a more immersive experience. The 75-inch model is perfect for larger living rooms or home theaters, so you can have a cinematic experience at home.
In terms of connectivity, the Fire TV Omni Series has multiple HDMI ports for connecting gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and soundbars. It also has Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity for stable streaming.
