SAMSUNG QLED Q70A Series Smart TV Review

Contemplating a TV upgrade and intrigued by Samsung’s QLED technology? The Q70A Series might catch your eye. This mid-range TV promises a vibrant picture and a user-friendly smart platform. But does it deliver the complete package, or are there hidden shortcomings? This review delves deep into the Q70A’s strengths and weaknesses, helping you decide if it’s the right fit for your living room.

Specifications

Today’s  SAMSUNG QLED Q70A Series Smart TV Deals

Picture Quality

The Samsung Q70A boasts QLED technology, which utilizes Quantum Dots to enhance color and light performance. Here’s a breakdown of its key aspects:

• Rich and Vibrant Colors: Quantum Dots absorb unwanted wavelengths of light, resulting in colors that appear richer and more vivid compared to traditional LED TVs.
• Decent Contrast: The Q70A utilizes local dimming technology to control backlight bleed, leading to improved contrast for a more cinematic experience. However, some users might experience blooming (halo effect around bright objects) in dark scenes, affecting the overall contrast.
• Exceptional Brightness: This TV excels in brightness levels, making it ideal for well-lit rooms or HDR content. In fact, its brightness might be overpowering for some viewers in darker environments.

Compared To Other TVs

The Q70A holds its own against similarly priced TVs in terms of color vibrancy thanks to the QLED technology. However, some higher-end TVs, including OLED TVs, might offer superior contrast due to deeper blacks and better blooming control. Additionally, some high-end competitors might boast advanced processing features that further enhance picture quality.

Design

The Q70A embraces a minimalist aesthetic. The display boasts thin bezels that create a near bezel-less look, drawing focus to the picture. The sleek stand offers sturdy support and complements various living room setups. Overall, the design exudes a modern and clean feel that blends seamlessly into most contemporary homes.

Sound Quality

The sound quality of the Q70A is, well, average. The built-in speakers lack the depth and power needed for a truly immersive movie or gaming experience. Dialogue can sound clear, but bass is lacking, and action scenes might sound underwhelming. For an enhanced audio experience, consider pairing the Q70A with a soundbar or a home theater system. This will unlock the full potential of your movies, games, and music.

Smart Features

The Q70A runs on Samsung’s Tizen smart platform, known for its user-friendly interface and vast app selection. Popular options like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ are readily available, along with countless other streaming services and games. Built-in Wi-Fi allows for seamless connection to your home network, and voice control is available through Bixby, Samsung’s virtual assistant.

Here are some additional highlights of Tizen:

• Seamless Integration with Samsung Ecosystem: If you own other Samsung devices, Tizen offers a smooth and integrated experience for controlling them from the TV.
• SmartThings Hub: The Q70A can act as a hub for your smart home devices, allowing you to control lights, thermostats, and other compatible gadgets directly from the TV.
• Multi-View Function: This allows you to split the screen and watch two things simultaneously, like a live game and a streaming service. However, the functionality might be limited depending on the content source.

While Tizen is a user-friendly and feature-rich platform, some users might prefer the interface of competing smart TV platforms, such as LG’s webOS or Google TV. Ultimately, the best platform comes down to personal preference.

Motion

The Q70A features a 60Hz refresh rate panel, the standard refresh rate for most TVs. While it delivers a decent viewing experience for casual content like movies and TV shows, fast-paced scenes like sports or action movies might exhibit some motion blur. This can be a dealbreaker for gamers or viewers particularly sensitive to motion blur.

For smoother motion handling, especially in fast-paced content, consider a TV with a higher refresh rate (120Hz or higher). These higher refresh rates can significantly reduce motion blur and create a more realistic viewing experience.

Gaming Features

The Q70A caters to casual gamers with features like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). ALLM helps reduce input lag, ensuring a more responsive gaming experience where your actions translate to the screen instantly. However, the Q70A lacks some features that might be important for serious gamers:

• Higher Refresh Rates: As mentioned earlier, the 60Hz refresh rate might not be ideal for gamers seeking the smoothest possible motion.
• VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): This technology eliminates screen tearing, a visual glitch that can occur during fast-paced gameplay. The Q70A doesn’t advertise VRR support, and its effectiveness might be limited compared to TVs specifically designed for gaming.
• Dedicated Game Modes: Some TVs offer pre-calibrated picture settings optimized for different game genres (FPS, RPG, etc.) for the best possible gaming experience. The Q70A lacks such dedicated modes.

Durability and Build Quality

The Q70A appears well-built with a sturdy stand and a sleek plastic back panel. Samsung TVs generally have a good reputation for reliability, but longevity ultimately depends on usage and care. As with any TV, proper handling and avoiding extreme temperatures or environments will contribute to a longer lifespan.

Viewing Angles and Screen Uniformity

The viewing angles of the Q70A are decent, but not exceptional. The VA panel technology used offers good contrast, but colors might appear slightly less vibrant when viewed from off-center positions compared to TVs with IPS panels.

In terms of screen uniformity, some users might experience minor variations in brightness or color across the screen, especially in dark scenes. This is a common occurrence with most TVs, and its severity can vary between individual units. If uniformity is a major concern, researching user reviews and professional calibrations can help you determine if this is a widespread issue with the Q70A.

Inputs

The Q70A comes equipped with a good selection of inputs, including:

• Multiple HDMI ports (with some featuring HDMI 2.1 capabilities) for connecting streaming devices, game consoles, and cable boxes. HDMI 2.1 ports offer features like higher resolutions and faster refresh rates (important for gaming).
• USB ports for connecting external storage drives or media players.
• An optical audio output for connecting external sound systems.
• An Ethernet port for a wired internet connection.

The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 ports is a plus for future-proofing, but some higher-end TVs might offer an even wider variety of input options.

Overall Value

The Samsung Q70A Series Smart TV offers a compelling proposition for its price point. The vibrant colors thanks to QLED technology, excellent brightness for well-lit rooms, and user-friendly Tizen smart platform make it a good option for casual viewers seeking an upgrade from traditional TVs. The sleek design complements most living rooms.

However, there are some trade-offs. The motion handling might not be ideal for fast-paced content or gamers, the sound quality is average, and advanced gaming features are absent. Additionally, the viewing angles are decent but not exceptional, and some users might experience minor screen uniformity variations.

Conclusion

The Samsung Q70A Series Smart TV is a solid choice for users seeking a balance between picture quality, smart features, and affordability. The QLED technology delivers vibrant colors, and the TV is well-suited for bright rooms. However, if you prioritize absolute top-tier motion handling, the best possible gaming experience, superior sound quality, or wider viewing angles, you might want to explore other TV options.