During CES, Samsung revealed its full Neo QLED 8K and Neo QLED 4K series of TVs for 2025. Recently, I took a trip out to New Jersey to visit Samsung’s QA Lab to go hands-on with these displays to see all the new innovations myself. Suffice it to say, seeing is believing as the company leverages Quantum Matrix Mini LEDs as well as immersive sound quality. However, it’s the integrations of AI and cross-device innovations that truly stood out to me over my hours of hands-on testing.
Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K is launching as the QN990F model in four size options. Available in 65-, 75-, 85-, and 98-inch options, the Neo QLED 8K’s QN990F model offers new glare-free technology and Motion Xcelerator 240Hz. In a fully lit room, Samsung’s new TV is able to diminish the distracting glare from light sources within the room or from sunlight, offering better clarity.
The flagship QN990F also launches using the company’s NQ8 AI Gen 3 processor. The company states this is leveraged to use Samsung’s 8K AI Upscaling Pro engine, improving the image quality of SD, HD, and 4K content. The company is also launching the NEO QLED 4K (QN70F, QN80F, and QN90F), running from 55 to 100-inch options. These support the NQ4 AI Gen2 chip as well as the Motion Xcelerator 165Hz refresh rate.
It was no surprise that as I sat down to rewatch episodes of Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man on Disney+, I was taken aback by the stunning clarity of the Neo QLED 8K. The Quantum Matrix Mini LED are able to exceptionally handle colour, making a full spectrum pop off the screen. I also threw on Across the Spider-Verse and fell back in love with the film’s animation. There’s a real, discernable impact made to handle blacks and contrast. Even with lights turned on, I was able to make out details in the darker scenes of Stranger Things.
With Samsung’s larger displays, like Neo QLED 4K in 100 inches, the company supports Supersize Picture Enhancer, which optimizes larger displays, avoiding blur from muddied pixels. With these innovations, it’s easy to see how Samsung remains a dominant force in the TV market.
Introducing Vision AI and all of its quirks
With the launch of the Neo QLED 8K and Neo QLED 4K, Samsung introduces Vision AI, the first smart TVs from the company to use this technology. Vision AI is said to compliment AI-enhanced images and sound for the best performance from the company’s displays.
Alongside an algorithmically-improved viewing experience, Vision AI offers a suite of new AI-powered features out of the box. This includes the new ‘Click to Search’ feature. Similar to Prime Video’s X-Ray feature, Click to Search recognizes what’s playing on Samsung TV Plus channels to provide on-screen information. This includes actors on screen, an IMDB score, a quick synopsis and more. Samsung designed Click to Search to offer recommendations based on what’s available. However, from my hands-on time, Click to Search was only able to recommend Coyote Ugly and The Heat. Though, I was told the displays were running older pieces of firmware.
Other AI-powered features include Generative Wallpaper. Of course, through the Samsung Art Store, you can select from over 3,000 works to show off on your display when it’s not in use. This includes pieces from Jean-Michel Basquiat, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Art Basel. However, with the NQ8 AI Gen 3 and NQ4 AI Gen 2 processors, these new displays can create generative images. Using pre-selected queries, I was able to create and display an image of a dark chocolate cake. While I’m not convinced I’d ever use this over the 3,000 pieces of beautiful pieces of art to display, I suppose the option is nice to have.
Samsung also touts that the NEO QLED features AI-powered support for Live Translate. Using AI, Samsung’s new flagship displays can render real-time subtitle translation on live broadcasts in up to seven languages. The Neo QLED 8K and Neo QLED 4K smart TVs also support ‘Samsung Food,’ a feature which offers real-time recipes, the ability to order groceries and more.
There are also home security features like ‘Home Insights’ and ‘Pet and Family Care.’ Samsung’s smart TVs can provide real-time alerts and updates if the TV’s camera and speakers detect unusual behaviour like a break-in or if a family member falls. Unfortunately, as of the time of writing, it’s unclear which of these features will be available in Canada.
Enhance the ecosystem with Galaxy Watch’s Universal Gestures
Introduced across Samsung’s new flagship smart TVs this year, the company is integrating Galaxy Watch Universal Gestures. These gestures are available to use on any Galaxy Watch ranging from contemporary models all the way back to Galaxy Watch 4. I had the chance to test these myself and see what it’s like to turn my hand into what ostensibly feels like a Wiimote. Galaxy Watch’s Universal Gestures are enabled using the SmartThings app on the device. Once selected, the device’s ‘Pointer Mode’ is activated.
I was then able to use my hand and arm as a motion guide to select tiles and options on the screen. Using a pinch gesture with my index finger and thumb, I was able to make a selection. One immediate hurdle I faced was that Galaxy Watch’s Universal Gestures are offered with inverted motion navigation on the X-axis. Moving my arm down, the on-screen arrow then moves up and vice versa. As someone who can’t play games with inverted controls, this broke my brain and would require a lot of patience to get used to.
Galaxy Watch’s Universal Gestures have some other quirky gestures as well. Holding my arm out and making one fist, I was able to go back to a previous screen. Making a fist in two successions, I’d be taken all the way back to the Samsung TV’s main menu. Bringing my arm from out in front of me, towards my chest, I was able to control a pause function. Extending my arm back out would initiate the play function.
Unfortunately, there are some glaring issues with Galaxy Watch’s Universal Gestures. For instance, there is no way to change the inverted motion controls to something that feels more natural. Additionally, there’s no way to control the volume. This can be done on the Galaxy Watch itself using a small on-screen control screen. Additionally, Universal Gestures can’t support scrolling navigation up or down a page. Once again, this must be done on the Galaxy Watch.
It’s also impossible to temporarily pause Pointer Mode if, for instance, you wanted to get up and get a snack. I was told the only way to stop using gesture controls was to turn off Pointer Mode entirely and then reestablish the connection afterwards. Overall, I found very little compelling evidence of how Galaxy Watch’s Universal Gestures were more convenient than using the One Remote.
Samsung’s Neo QLED 8K and Neo QLED are available to pre-order now. Canadian pricing has yet to be determined. However, we have reached out to Samsung for more information.
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