TVs / Samsung QN80H vs Toshiba M550
Samsung QN80H vs Toshiba M550
Samsung QN80H
Samsung's 2026 Neo QLED 4K mid-range flagship, now the top non-8K Neo QLED tier.
Wins overall by 1.3 points
Quick Verdict
A 1.3-point gap makes the Samsung QN80H the straightforward choice here. Samsung's 2026 Neo QLED 4K mid-range flagship, now the top non-8K Neo QLED tier.
The Samsung QN80H and Toshiba M550 are both closely matched TV models, and the Toshiba M550 is $1,220 cheaper than the Samsung QN80H ($379.99 vs $1,599.99). On Gaming Features, the Samsung QN80H leads (8.7 vs 5.8/10) — refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support. On Brightness & HDR, the Samsung QN80H leads (8.8 vs 6.8/10) — peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail. On Connectivity, the Samsung QN80H leads (8.8 vs 6.8/10) — HDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars. Overall, the Samsung QN80H scores 8.2/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 6.9/10 for the Toshiba M550. 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 | Toshiba M550 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1599.99 | $379.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2025 |
| Screen Size (in) | 65 | 65 |
| Panel Type | Neo QLED (Quantum Mini LED Full Array) | QLED (Full Array Local Dimming) |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) |
| Peak Brightness (nits) | Not independently confirmed | Not independently confirmed |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 144 | Not independently confirmed |
| Processor | NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor | Not officially specified |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports (ports) | 4 | Not independently confirmed |
| HDR Formats | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Tizen (Samsung Vision AI, One UI Tizen) | Google TV |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | Yes | No |
| Built-in Audio System | Not officially specified (Object Tracking Sound Lite, Dolby Atmos) | Not officially specified (Dolby Atmos passthrough) |
| Built-in Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Titanium Black | Black |
Category Scores
Picture Quality
The Samsung QN80H leads clearly here, 8.3 against 7.0 — a 1.3-point margin on panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy. If that is what you are buying for, the Toshiba M550 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Brightness & HDR
The Samsung QN80H leads clearly here, 8.8 against 6.8 — a 2.0-point margin on peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Toshiba M550 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming Features
The Samsung QN80H leads clearly here, 8.7 against 5.8 — a 2.9-point margin on refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support. If that is what you are buying for, the Toshiba M550 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Platform
The Samsung QN80H leads clearly here, 8.7 against 7.8 — a 0.9-point margin on OS responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support. If that is what you are buying for, the Toshiba M550 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Built-in Sound
The Samsung QN80H leads clearly here, 6.8 against 6.3 — a 0.5-point margin on onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support. If that is what you are buying for, the Toshiba M550 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The Samsung QN80H leads clearly here, 8.0 against 6.8 — a 1.2-point margin on panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish. If that is what you are buying for, the Toshiba M550 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Samsung QN80H leads clearly here, 8.8 against 6.8 — a 2.0-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 Toshiba M550 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Toshiba M550 is marginally ahead, 8.0 to 7.8. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if performance and features relative to price is your priority.
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).
- • Brightness & HDR matters most to you — the Samsung QN80H scores 8.8/10 here (peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail).
- • 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).
- • Picture Quality matters most to you — the Samsung QN80H scores 8.3/10 here (panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy).
- • Design & Build matters most to you — the Samsung QN80H scores 8.0/10 here (panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish).
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)
Toshiba M550
Pros
- +Genuine quantum dot QLED color with Full Array Local Dimming at a budget price
- +Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos passthrough — rare combination this cheap
- +Google TV platform offers broader app support than the C350's Fire TV
- +Meaningfully better contrast than the non-QLED C350
Cons
- −Pricing has fluctuated significantly and availability has narrowed at some retailers
- −No confirmed VRR or high refresh rate for gaming
- −Peak brightness, refresh rate, and HDMI port count not officially specified
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FAQs
Is the Samsung QN80H or Toshiba M550 better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Samsung QN80H 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 Gaming Features, the Samsung QN80H or the Toshiba M550?+
The Samsung QN80H scores higher on Gaming Features (8.7/10 vs 5.8/10) — refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support.
Which is better for Brightness & HDR, the Samsung QN80H or the Toshiba M550?+
The Samsung QN80H scores higher on Brightness & HDR (8.8/10 vs 6.8/10) — peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail.
Which is better for Connectivity, the Samsung QN80H or the Toshiba M550?+
The Samsung QN80H scores higher on Connectivity (8.8/10 vs 6.8/10) — HDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars.
Which is better for Picture Quality, the Samsung QN80H or the Toshiba M550?+
The Samsung QN80H scores higher on Picture Quality (8.3/10 vs 7.0/10) — panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy.
Is the Samsung QN80H worth the price difference over the Toshiba M550?+
The Toshiba M550 is the cheaper option at $379.99 versus $1,599.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Gaming Features.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Samsung QN80H is the better fit if you mainly care about gaming. The Toshiba M550 is the better fit for home-theater.
What's the warranty on the Samsung QN80H vs the Toshiba M550?+
The Samsung QN80H ships with a 12-month warranty; the Toshiba M550 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
Toshiba C350 — $279.99
Premium Option
Samsung R85H — $2099.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.