Samsung Q8F Series QN55Q8FAAFXZC 55"

The Samsung QN55Q8FAAFXZC is a 55-inch QLED with a smooth 144Hz panel that gamers will appreciate, but its HDR and audio are pretty mediocre. For $700, it's a decent pick if you prioritize motion clarity over deep blacks and booming sound. If you want all-around excellence, you'll find better options at this price.

The 144Hz panel is the star here, and it genuinely makes fast-paced games and sports look crisp. Our motion tests landed it in the top third for gaming, which is impressive for a TV in this price range. But the picture quality overall lands at a mediocre 36th percentile, mostly because the edge-lit backlight can't keep up with proper full-array sets. HDR is where things get rough—at 34th percentile, highlights lack punch and dark scenes lose detail. The Q4 AI processor does an okay job upscaling, but don't expect miracles from the 20W speakers; their 13th percentile score means dialogue can sound thin and you'll almost certainly want a soundbar. Smart features using Tizen feel sluggish compared to competitors, landing near the bottom of the pack in our connectivity rankings.

Stacked against rivals, the Samsung's weak points become glaring. The LG C5 OLED absolutely destroys it in picture quality, HDR, and viewing angles, though you'll pay more. The Sony BRAVIA 5 delivers a more refined image and better processing at a similar price, but lacks that 144Hz panel. The Hisense U7 and TCL QM8K both offer mini-LED backlights that crush this Samsung's HDR and contrast, and they often include better smart platforms with far more connectivity—all for roughly the same cash. Even the budget Roku Plus Series feels snappier to use day-to-day. The QN55Q8FAAFXZC's only real edge is that 144Hz motion, and unless you're a dedicated competitive gamer, the trade-offs just aren't worth it.

At $700, the 144Hz refresh rate gives this TV a clear niche, and if that's the only spec you care about, it's not a bad deal. But the compromises add up fast. You're getting an edge-lit panel with weak HDR and some of the worst built-in audio we've measured. For the same money, competitors offer better picture processing and smarter features. If you can live without the high refresh rate, you'll find significantly better image quality elsewhere. If 144Hz is a must-buy, this Samsung just barely earns its keep, but don't expect a home theater revelation.

Samsung's QN55Q8FAAFXZC is a 55-inch 4K QLED TV that puts its 144Hz Motion Xcelerator front and center. It's clearly aimed at gamers and sports fans who want buttery motion without breaking the bank. You get Samsung's Tizen smart platform, a Q4 AI processor, and 20W built-in speakers, all wrapped in that familiar slim QLED design. But this is an edge-lit panel, and you'll feel its limitations the second you fire up HDR content in a dark room.

We put it through our standard suite of tests, and the numbers paint a clear picture. It rides high on social proof and decent display quality, but the internals stumble where it counts: HDR brightness, smart features, and especially audio. At $700, it's sitting in a fiercely competitive spot. Let's dig into whether the 144Hz refresh rate is enough to make up for the corners Samsung cut.

Skip this set if you watch a lot of movies in a dark room, because the edge-lit panel's poor black levels and weak HDR will drive you nuts. Also, if you need a snappy smart experience or plan to use the TV's speakers, look at the Hisense U7 or TCL QM8K instead. Those offer far better contrast and smarter interfaces for the same money.

Buy this if you're a console or PC gamer who needs a 55-inch display with true 144Hz support and don't care much about cinematic HDR or built-in audio. It's a solid, high-motion monitor replacement that happens to double as a TV. For everyone else, the poor HDR, weak speakers, and clunky smart interface make it a tough sell when there are so many better all-rounders out there.