If you’re in the market for one of the best Samsung TVs today with a QLED screen, you might find yourself wondering the Samsung Q60B vs. the Samsung Q80B — they’re both more affordable than the company’s lineup.
Samsung has an enviable track record for TVs at nearly every price point – it’s rare to put any category of best TV that doesn’t have a Samsung model in dispute when it comes time to make a shortlist.
Samsung, like most other major TV manufacturers, isn’t shy about releasing a very wide range of TVs, from “entry-level” to “premium flagships packed with the latest technology.” It’s not hard to understand the differences between the models at those extremes of the lineup.
The differences between models that are close in range and fairly close in price are pretty hard to come to terms with, though. This makes understanding a) better value for money, and b) more suitable to your specific requirements, and less obvious than ideal.
This is where we come in. Here we’ll take a look at two models in Samsung’s 4K QLED lineup, the Q60B and Q80B. We’ll look at the price difference, spec differences, and basically all relevant information in order to give you the best possible idea of how these models differ – and which one is best suited to your needs.
Samsung Q60B vs. Q80B: price and sizes
Samsung obviously wants to make both models as attractive as possible to as many people as possible, so both are available in a wide range of sizes. The Q60B is available in eight sizes in the US and six sizes in the UK; The Q80B is available in five sizes in both countries.
Choosing the right screen size is important, of course — too small and you’ll be angry with your purchase almost instantly; So big you’ll never stop feeling dominated by your TV.
So despite the fact that there’s quite a bit of overlap between the Q60B and Q80B prices, don’t imagine you’re hacking the system somehow by buying a larger Q60B than you actually need because it’s similarly priced to a smaller Q80B. The right size is always the right size.
In terms of pricing, the Q60B costs £649 / $549 for the 43in model; £749 / $549 for the 50in version; £819 / $749 for the 55in; $799 for a 60-inch screen (US only); £1,049 / $899 for the 65-inch model, $1,199 for the 70-inch version (US only); £1,619 / $1,299 for the 75in model; and £2,799 / $1,999 for the 85in.
Meanwhile, the Q80B will set you back £999 / $999 for a 50-inch screen; £1,499 / $1,099 for the 55in model; £1,999 / $1,299 for the 65in version; £2,499 / $1,899 for the 75in monitor; and £3,699 / $2,799 for the 85in model.
So there’s definitely a screen size that will suit most people in both ranges, and while the price difference isn’t massive, it certainly establishes a hierarchy in Samsung’s model range. But, as always, we suggest that you select your ideal screen size, set a budget and then stick to it – this should get you on your way.
Samsung Q60B vs Q80B: Design
The differences in features are more significant than the differences in design between these two models, but both deserve equal attention.
As far as design is concerned, the Q60B is one of Samsung’s “AirSlim” ranges — and the description is totally fair. The 50-inch model has a depth of less than 26mm, and across the range the bezels are nearly invisible. The screen itself can be adjusted for height on its own two feet, so you can leave a big enough gap between the TV and the surface it’s standing on for one of the better sound bars if you want to. The feet can also be adjusted for width on the 75-inch and 85-inch models, which it does too—otherwise you’d need an extra-wide surface to set your large TV on, if not wall-mounted. The Q60B range is compatible with Samsung’s ‘Slim Fit’ wall mount bracket, so if you’re not using your TV’s feet, it can be mounted close to the wall – without unsightly gaps.
By contrast, the Q80B is nearly 54mm deep — barely bloated, but slightly deeper than the Q60B. This extra depth means it is not compatible with the “Slim Fit” wall mount either. Its central stand means that it does not need a particularly wide surface to stand on, however, when viewed from dead front, its edges are not visible.
Samsung Q60B vs Q80B: Screen Technology
Some of the Q80B’s added depth, and some of its extra cost, can be explained by the fact that the 4K QLED panel features full-array backlighting — meaning there are LEDs across the entire back of the panel that provide the illumination a QLED panel needs. The Q60B uses an edge-to-edge panel, so the LEDs are only located around the sides of the screen, shining inward to cover the entire panel.
The advantages of full-array backlighting are that it is much brighter, and allows for more precise local dimming of the backlight for greater contrast. You can have more areas of darkening, and you can restore brightness in smaller areas when needed.
The Q60B uses Samsung’s “Dual LED” backlighting methodology instead, with both “warm” and “cool” LEDs deployed in an effort to deliver as much color volume as possible. It’s an affordable, more compromised way to get light through the panel, but it at least allows the screen to be noticeably thinner, and still offered good contrast in monitors we’ve tested it on, like the Samsung BU8500.
So, both screens are 4K, with QLED’s rich colors, but the Q80B will offer brighter and darker HDR.
Samsung Q60B vs Q80B: Features
It’s a similar story where it comes to many of the other features of these model ranges – the more expensive S80B is, in essence, better defined than its S60B sibling.
Image processing, for example: The chips that run the entire display in the S60B are Samsung’s Quantum Processor Lite 4K, while the S80B is equipped with an AI Quantum Processor 4K. The AI Quantum Processor 4K allows for a degree of artificial intelligence, which means it’s able to adapt to the type of content you’re watching and adjust picture settings to suit it. It’s also more accomplished when it comes to upscaling less than 4K content, and it uses some machine learning to try and bring in more 3D to the images on screen.
The S60B is equipped with a two-channel audio system, propelled by an undisclosed but decidedly modest amount of power. It features “Object Tracking Lite,” the milder version of Samsung’s attempt at an audio output that follows on-screen motion, and is compatible with “Q Symphony.” “Q Symphony” allows the TV’s speakers to contribute sound output to compatible Samsung speakers (of which there are many) when they are connected.
The S80B is more precisely specified for audio performance. It also features “Object Tracking Lite,” but even more impressively, it’s equipped with six speakers—two of which shoot upwards in an effort to give the audio an element of “loudness” when the TV receives a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. It’s also “Q Symphony” compatible, and its superior processing power means it can evaluate the acoustic characteristics of the room it’s in and adjust its sound output accordingly.
Elsewhere, there are quite a few great features that are common across both bands. The Tizen-based smart TV interface is still among the best, for example, and both bands are HDR10 + Adaptive compatible (but not, with all Samsung TVs, the Dolby Vision equivalent). Both have eARC capability on an HDMI jack, and both use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.2 for wireless connectivity.
Samsung Q60B vs Q80B: Games
Here the Q80B puts the most decisive distance between itself and its more expensive brethren – if you take next-generation console gaming seriously, the Q80B is widely the better choice here.
This is mainly because it is able to exploit more smart features of next generation consoles than the Q60B. Both bands feature Auto Low Latency Mode, and both feature an ultra-wide game display and Samsung’s handy Game bar for checking settings, but the Q80B adds HGiG, FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, and 4K 120Hz over HDMI. VRR and 4K 120Hz in particular are game-changers, so to speak.
Samsung Q60B vs Q80B: Conclusion
To some extent, we’ll come out the way we went in — by suggesting you choose your screen size and budget, and stick to it. But if you’ve got a little flexibility in terms of budget, the Q80B has a better edge than the less expensive Q60B in a number of areas, including all-important image quality.
If you’re a gamer, for example, the Q80B is better equipped. If you don’t intend to add an external speaker, it’s best to select it for audio. Its superior processing engine promises an overall enhanced picture performance. In short, it’s the best TV.
Not that it’s cut and dried, mind you. The Q60B is much slimmer than the Q80B, and to quite a few undecided customers that will count a lot. And you can get a bigger screen for the same price, if that’s your priority.