TVs / Samsung QN80H vs TCL QM7L
Samsung QN80H vs TCL QM7L
TCL QM7L
TCL's 2026 mid-range SQD Mini LED — Bang & Olufsen sound at a value price.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.1 points separate them. TCL's 2026 mid-range SQD Mini LED — Bang & Olufsen sound at a value price. The Samsung QN80H answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Samsung QN80H and TCL QM7L are both current-generation TV models, and the TCL QM7L is $800 cheaper than the Samsung QN80H ($799.99 vs $1,599.99). On Built-in Sound, the TCL QM7L leads (7.8 vs 6.8/10) — onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support. On Value, the TCL QM7L leads (8.7 vs 7.8/10) — performance and features relative to price. On Gaming Features, the Samsung QN80H leads (8.7 vs 8.2/10) — refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support. Overall, the TCL QM7L scores 8.3/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 8.2/10 for the Samsung QN80H, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Samsung QN80H | TCL QM7L |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1599.99 | $799.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Screen Size (in) | 65 | 65 |
| Panel Type | Neo QLED (Quantum Mini LED Full Array) | SQD Mini LED (HVA 2.0 Pro Panel) |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) |
| Peak Brightness (nits) | Not independently confirmed | 3000 |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 144 | 144 |
| Processor | NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor | TSR AI Processor |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports (ports) | 4 | 4 |
| HDR Formats | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Tizen (Samsung Vision AI, One UI Tizen) | Google TV (Gemini for Google TV) |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Audio System | Not officially specified (Object Tracking Sound Lite, Dolby Atmos) | Bang & Olufsen speaker array, Dolby Atmos FlexConnect (3.1.3-channel) |
| Built-in Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Titanium Black | Black |
Category Scores
Picture Quality
The Samsung QN80H and TCL QM7L are level here, at 8.3/10 each. panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Brightness & HDR
The Samsung QN80H is marginally ahead, 8.8 to 8.6. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail is your priority.
Gaming Features
The Samsung QN80H leads clearly here, 8.7 against 8.2 — a 0.5-point margin on refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support. If that is what you are buying for, the TCL QM7L does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Platform
The Samsung QN80H is marginally ahead, 8.7 to 8.3. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if OS responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support is your priority.
Built-in Sound
The TCL QM7L leads clearly here, 7.8 against 6.8 — a 1.0-point margin on onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung QN80H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The Samsung QN80H is marginally ahead, 8.0 to 7.8. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish is your priority.
Connectivity
The Samsung QN80H leads clearly here, 8.8 against 8.3 — a 0.5-point margin on HDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars. If that is what you are buying for, the TCL QM7L does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The TCL QM7L leads clearly here, 8.7 against 7.8 — a 0.9-point margin on performance and features relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung QN80H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Samsung QN80H if…
- • Gaming Features matters most to you — the Samsung QN80H scores 8.7/10 here (refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support).
- • Connectivity matters most to you — the Samsung QN80H scores 8.8/10 here (HDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars).
- • Smart Platform matters most to you — the Samsung QN80H scores 8.7/10 here (OS responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support).
Choose the TCL QM7L if…
- • Built-in Sound matters most to you — the TCL QM7L scores 7.8/10 here (onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support).
- • Value matters most to you — the TCL QM7L scores 8.7/10 here (performance and features relative to price).
- • You want to spend less — it's $800 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Samsung QN80H
Pros
- +More Mini LED dimming zones than the outgoing QN80F for better contrast
- +Motion Xcelerator 144Hz with FreeSync Premium Pro for gaming
- +Four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports
- +Dolby Atmos with Object Tracking Sound Lite
Cons
- −Replaces the discontinued QN90 tier as Samsung's new mid-range ceiling — no direct higher-Neo-QLED-4K option below the 8K models
- −Peak brightness not independently confirmed for the 2026 model year
- −No Dolby Vision (Samsung remains HDR10+ only)
TCL QM7L
Pros
- +Bang & Olufsen-tuned speaker array with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect — unusually good built-in sound for the price
- +Up to 2,100 local dimming zones (98" model) with the same 26-bit backlight controller as the QM8L
- +Four HDMI 2.1 ports, though 144Hz is limited to 2 of them
- +Aggressive pricing versus the outgoing QM7K
Cons
- −Only 2 of 4 HDMI ports support the full 144Hz refresh
- −Lower peak brightness and fewer dimming zones than the QM8L above it
- −Google TV platform has more ads/sponsored content than Tizen or webOS
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Samsung QN80H or TCL QM7L better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the TCL QM7L comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Built-in Sound, the Samsung QN80H or the TCL QM7L?+
The TCL QM7L scores higher on Built-in Sound (7.8/10 vs 6.8/10) — onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support.
Which is better for Value, the Samsung QN80H or the TCL QM7L?+
The TCL QM7L scores higher on Value (8.7/10 vs 7.8/10) — performance and features relative to price.
Which is better for Gaming Features, the Samsung QN80H or the TCL QM7L?+
The Samsung QN80H scores higher on Gaming Features (8.7/10 vs 8.2/10) — refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Samsung QN80H or the TCL QM7L?+
The Samsung QN80H scores higher on Connectivity (8.8/10 vs 8.3/10) — HDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars.
Is the Samsung QN80H worth the price difference over the TCL QM7L?+
The TCL QM7L is the cheaper option at $799.99 versus $1,599.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Built-in Sound.
What's the warranty on the Samsung QN80H vs the TCL QM7L?+
The Samsung QN80H ships with a 12-month warranty; the TCL QM7L ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Samsung QN70H — $1199.99
Premium Option
Hisense U8QG — $1499.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.