The Samsung 2018 flagship TV range is all about QLED technology, with four distinct models-- the Q9, Q8, Q7 and Q6-- available in different screen sizes and either flat or curved panels.
“With our 2018 TV lineup, we are changing the definition of visual display to Intelligent Displays," the company says. "Designed for total immersion and to enhance the daily lives of consumers everywhere, all while being incredibly easy to use.”
The US and Korean versions of the TVs features Bixby, the Samsung take on the voice-controlled smart assistant. SmartThings is also included, turning the TV into a home automation hub. Another interesting addition is Ambient Mode, a means to allow connected TVs to present news, weather and traffic even when "off." The mode can also turn the TV into a music player or run colour screens to blend with a wall.
As for the actual TVs, the lineup includes one direct QLED backlight model-- the Q9FN. Direct Full Array backlighting promises reduced blooming and halo effects. Q Engine technology upscales non-4K images to UHD level, and Samsung says it is working on 8K TV with the upcoming 85-inch Q9SN.
The range consists of the Q9FN (available in 75-, 65- and 55-inch sizes), the curved Q8CN (65- and 55-inch), the Q7FN (75-, 65- and 55-inch) and the Q6FN (82-, 75-, 55- and 49-inch). All promise brighter HDR, with HDR models reaching peak 1500 nits brightness with the exception of the entry-level Q6FN. A super-thin "One Invisible Connection" cable connects the TV to an external box for HDMI inputs and power. The cable lends into walls, and comes with the Q9 and Q7 models.
Also announced by Samsung is a Dolby Atmos soundbar- the HW-N950, a bar complete with DTS:X support for 7.1.4 surround sound. Other soundbars revealed by the company are the HW-N650, a soundbar aimed at gaming featuring Acoustic Beam Technology for immersive audio, and wall-mount HW-NW700 with a design matching the 2018 QLED TVs.
