When it comes to creating a truly cinematic experience at home, 98-inch TVs represent the pinnacle of consumer displays. Today, we're comparing two leading options: the Samsung Q80C 98-inch QLED TV and the TCL QM7 98-inch. Let's dive into what makes these massive screens different and help you decide which one delivers the best value for your needs.
Before we dive into specifics, let's talk about what makes 98-inch TVs special. At this size, you're essentially getting a home theater display that rivals many commercial cinema screens. To put it in perspective, these TVs are over 8 feet wide - nearly the size of a standard room wall!
For optimal viewing, you'll want to sit between 10-15 feet away from these displays. This distance lets you take in the entire screen while still appreciating the 4K resolution's fine details. Both TVs we're discussing today handle this challenge differently, but they're both designed specifically for creating immersive experiences in larger rooms.
The Samsung Q80C hit the market in July 2023, positioning itself as a premium offering at $7,997.99. Samsung has since offered various promotions, including bundled soundbars and installation services, showing they're aware of the competitive pressure in this segment.
The TCL QM7 arrived slightly later in 2023, aggressively priced at $2,299.99. This dramatic price difference reflects TCL's strategy of offering high-end features at more accessible price points, challenging traditional premium brands.
The biggest technical difference between these TVs is their backlight systems. The Samsung uses traditional LED backlighting with 96 dimming zones, while TCL employs Mini-LED technology with over 1,500 zones. More dimming zones mean better control over which parts of the screen are lit or dark, resulting in better contrast and less "blooming" (where bright objects on dark backgrounds create a halo effect).
Both TVs support HDR (High Dynamic Range), which allows for brighter highlights and deeper blacks in compatible content. The TCL boasts an impressive 2,400 nits peak brightness, while the Samsung typically hits around 1,800 nits. For context, most TVs manage only 500-1,000 nits, so both are exceptionally bright.
Samsung's Neural Quantum Processor 4K gives it an edge in upscaling lower-resolution content and handling complex scenes. It also offers better out-of-box color accuracy. The TCL isn't far behind though, and most viewers would be hard-pressed to notice the difference in normal viewing.
For gamers, both TVs offer HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K at 120Hz. The Samsung has lower input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) at around 9.7ms, while the TCL supports a higher variable refresh rate up to 144Hz.
The Samsung Q80C includes their Gaming Hub, which provides easy access to cloud gaming services. The TCL QM7 counters with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support, which can provide smoother gaming experiences with compatible hardware.
Neither TV will provide cinema-quality audio alone - you'll want a dedicated sound system. The Samsung pairs especially well with their own soundbars through Q-Symphony technology, which uses both the TV and soundbar speakers together. The TCL works well with any modern sound system through HDMI eARC.
These 98-inch displays need proper space and mounting considerations. You'll want:
The price difference between these TVs cannot be ignored - you could buy the TCL and a high-end sound system for less than the Samsung alone. However, Samsung offers:
Meanwhile, TCL provides:
Choose the Samsung if:
Choose the TCL if:
For most buyers, the TCL QM7 represents an incredible value that's hard to ignore. Its Mini-LED technology actually provides better contrast than the more expensive Samsung, and its brightness capabilities are class-leading. The Samsung Q80C counters with better processing, gaming features, and brand support, but at more than three times the price.
Remember that at this size, proper installation is crucial. Consider professional mounting services regardless of which model you choose, and make sure your viewing space can accommodate these massive displays properly.
The good news is that both TVs represent massive improvements over similar-sized displays from just a few years ago, with better brightness, contrast, and features. Whether you prioritize premium features or value, you're getting a truly cinema-like experience at home.
| Samsung 98" Q80C ($7,997) | TCL 98" QM7 ($2,299) |
|---|---|
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and less blooming around bright objects | |
| 96 zones (good but limited) | 1,500+ zones (excellent contrast control) |
| Peak Brightness - Higher brightness helps with HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 1,800 nits (very good) | 2,400 nits (exceptional) |
| Processing - Better processing means improved upscaling of non-4K content and smoother motion | |
| Neural Quantum Processor 4K (superior) | AIPQ Pro (good but less sophisticated) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower is better for responsive gaming | |
| 9.7ms (excellent) | 30ms (good) |
| Variable Refresh Rate - Higher ranges mean smoother gaming | |
| Up to 120Hz | Up to 144Hz |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Tizen OS (refined but ads) | Google TV (more open, better search) |
| Warranty - Important for large investments | |
| 2-year premium support | 1-year standard |
| Color Accuracy - Important for cinema purists | |
| Excellent out of box | Good, needs calibration |
| Value Proposition - Consider total cost vs performance | |
| Premium pricing, premium support | Better price-to-performance ratio |
| Brand Reliability - Important for long-term ownership | |
| Established premium brand | Growing mid-tier brand |
For dedicated home theater use, the TCL QM7 offers better contrast and brightness at $2,299, making it the superior choice for movie viewing. While the Samsung Q80C has slightly better color accuracy, its $7,997 price doesn't justify the minimal difference in a controlled lighting environment.
The Samsung Q80C costs $7,997, while the TCL QM7 is priced at $2,299, representing a significant $5,698 difference. This makes the TCL a much more value-oriented choice for most buyers.
The TCL QM7 performs better in bright rooms with its 2,400 nit peak brightness, compared to the Samsung Q80C's 1,800 nits. Both TVs handle reflections well, but the TCL's extra brightness gives it an advantage.
For most users, the Samsung Q80C doesn't justify its premium price over the TCL QM7. The TCL offers similar or better performance in key areas like brightness and contrast, making it the better value choice.
The Samsung Q80C has lower input lag (9.7ms vs 30ms) and a better gaming hub, while the TCL QM7 offers a higher refresh rate (144Hz vs 120Hz). Serious gamers might prefer the Samsung, but casual gamers will be happy with either.
Both TVs excel at movie watching, but the TCL QM7 has an edge with better contrast from its 1,500+ local dimming zones compared to the Samsung Q80C's 96 zones. This results in better black levels and HDR performance.
For both the Samsung Q80C and TCL QM7, you'll want a viewing distance of 10-15 feet and a wall width of at least 10 feet. Ceiling height should be at least 8 feet for comfortable viewing.
Yes, professional installation is recommended for both the Samsung Q80C and TCL QM7. These 98-inch TVs weigh over 65 pounds and require proper wall mounting or sturdy furniture placement.
The Samsung Q80C uses Tizen OS which is more refined but has ads, while the TCL QM7 uses Google TV which offers better search and more customization options. Both provide access to all major streaming services.
Both TVs handle motion well, but the TCL QM7 has an advantage with higher brightness for daytime sports viewing. The Samsung Q80C has slightly better motion processing for fast-moving content.
Yes, while both TVs have decent built-in speakers, for a true home theater experience, you'll want external audio with either the Samsung Q80C or TCL QM7. Both support eARC for high-quality audio passthrough.
The Samsung Q80C comes with better warranty support and Samsung's reputation for reliability, while the TCL QM7 uses newer Mini-LED technology but has a shorter warranty period. Both should last many years with proper care.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: techradar.com - samsung.com - rtings.com - abt.com - trustedreviews.com - billsmith.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - images.samsung.com - samsung.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - business.walmart.com - avsforum.com - tcl.com - circuitworldonline.com - tcl.com - bestbuy.com/6580694) - rtings.com - bestbuy.com - displayspecifications.com - tcl.com
