Hey guys! Let's talk about the Samsung 65" Q60A 4K QLED TV from 2021. This TV was a popular choice, and for good reason. It packed a lot of features into a mid-range price point, making it a tempting option for folks looking to upgrade their home entertainment setup. We're going to dive deep into what made this TV tick, its strengths, weaknesses, and what you should consider if you're thinking about picking one up, especially in the used market. This article will be your comprehensive guide to the Samsung 65" Q60A, giving you all the info you need to make a smart decision.

Unboxing and Initial Impressions

When you first unboxed the Samsung 65" Q60A 4K QLED TV, you were greeted with a sleek, modern design. The bezels were relatively thin, maximizing the screen real estate. The stand offered a stable base, and the overall build quality felt solid. The initial setup was straightforward, thanks to Samsung's user-friendly interface. The remote control, though a bit basic, was functional and easy to navigate. Getting everything up and running was a breeze, which is always a good sign. It's important to remember that this is a mid-range TV, so while the design was attractive, it didn't have the premium feel of Samsung's higher-end models. However, it still looked great in most living rooms and offered a stylish aesthetic.

What truly stood out during the initial setup was the picture quality. The 4K resolution was immediately noticeable, providing sharp and detailed images. The QLED technology delivered vibrant colors, and the TV's brightness was impressive, especially for a TV in its price range. The viewing angles were decent, although there was some color shift when viewed from extreme angles. The TV also handled motion quite well, making it suitable for watching fast-paced content like sports or action movies. The initial impressions were definitely positive, setting the stage for a promising viewing experience. The Q60A presented itself as a strong contender in the mid-range TV market.

Key Features and Technology

Let's break down the key features of the Samsung 65" Q60A 4K QLED TV. First and foremost, you have the QLED (Quantum Dot LED) display technology. This is Samsung's take on LED-backlit LCD TVs, and it's designed to deliver a wider color gamut and enhanced brightness compared to standard LED TVs. Quantum Dots are tiny particles that emit specific colors of light when illuminated, resulting in more accurate and vibrant colors. The Q60A uses this technology to produce a more immersive and lifelike picture. The colors pop, and the images have a certain richness that you don't typically find in lower-end models.

Another important feature is the 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels). This provides incredible detail and clarity, allowing you to see every nuance in your favorite movies and shows. When paired with HDR content, the 4K resolution truly shines, providing a stunning visual experience. The Q60A supports HDR10+, which is a dynamic HDR format that optimizes the picture scene-by-scene. This means the TV adjusts the brightness and contrast levels to provide the best possible picture quality for each scene. While it doesn't support Dolby Vision (a rival HDR format), HDR10+ still delivers a noticeable improvement in picture quality, especially with compatible content.

The Q60A also comes with Samsung's smart TV platform, which is known for its user-friendliness and extensive app selection. You have access to all the major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it simple to find and watch your favorite content. The TV also features built-in voice assistants, like Bixby, allowing you to control the TV with your voice. Overall, the key features of the Samsung 65" Q60A are designed to deliver a premium viewing experience without breaking the bank. The combination of QLED technology, 4K resolution, HDR support, and a smart TV platform make it a compelling choice in its class.

Picture Quality: Performance Breakdown

The picture quality of the Samsung 65" Q60A 4K QLED TV is a definite highlight. The QLED technology is the star of the show, delivering vibrant and accurate colors. The color reproduction is excellent, with a wide color gamut that allows the TV to display a vast range of colors. This results in a more lifelike and immersive viewing experience. The colors pop, and the images have a certain richness that makes everything look more appealing.

The brightness levels are also impressive, especially for a TV in this price range. The Q60A can get quite bright, making it suitable for viewing in well-lit rooms. This is important, as it helps the TV overcome ambient light and maintain a clear picture. The contrast ratio is also decent, providing a good balance between bright and dark areas of the screen. This allows you to see more detail in both the highlights and shadows of an image. The HDR10+ support further enhances the picture quality by optimizing the brightness and contrast levels scene-by-scene. This results in a more dynamic and realistic picture.

However, it's important to note that the Q60A uses an edge-lit LED backlighting system. This means that the LEDs are located around the edges of the screen, rather than directly behind it. This can sometimes lead to issues with backlight uniformity, where you might notice some brighter or darker areas on the screen. While the Q60A generally does a good job of minimizing these issues, they can be noticeable in certain scenes, particularly those with a lot of dark content. The viewing angles are also not the best. You might notice some color shift and loss of contrast if you view the TV from extreme angles. Overall, the picture quality of the Samsung 65" Q60A is very good, but it's not perfect. It excels in color accuracy and brightness, but the edge-lit backlighting and viewing angles are areas where it could be improved. Nevertheless, the picture quality is still a strong selling point, especially considering its price.

Audio Performance

Alright, let's talk about the audio experience on the Samsung 65" Q60A. The built-in speakers provide a decent sound, especially for casual viewing. You'll find that for everyday TV shows and news, the audio is perfectly adequate. However, if you're a movie buff or a gamer who craves a more immersive experience, you might find the built-in speakers lacking. The sound tends to be a bit thin, and the bass is not very strong. The Q60A lacks some of the features found in higher-end models like object tracking sound, which can create a more dynamic and realistic soundstage. While the TV supports Dolby Digital Plus, the audio quality doesn't always fully leverage it. To get the most out of your viewing experience, you might want to consider adding an external soundbar or a full home theater system. This will significantly improve the audio quality and create a more immersive experience.

If you're using the built-in speakers, you can adjust the sound settings to try and improve the audio. There are various preset modes like Standard, Movie, and Music, and you can also customize the settings to your liking. The Q60A also supports Bluetooth, so you can connect wireless headphones or speakers for a more personal listening experience. Keep in mind that the audio performance is a trade-off for the price point. While the picture quality is a strong point, the audio is not quite as impressive. If you prioritize audio quality, factor in the cost of a separate audio system when considering this TV. The built-in speakers do the job, but they're not going to blow you away. The soundstage is limited, and the overall audio quality is acceptable for basic use. For a truly cinematic experience, an external audio solution is highly recommended.

Smart TV Features and User Experience

Let's delve into the smart TV features and user experience of the Samsung 65" Q60A. Samsung's Tizen operating system powers the smart TV functions. Overall, the user interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. The home screen displays your favorite apps, recently used content, and personalized recommendations, making it easy to find what you want to watch. The app selection is extensive, with all the major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and more readily available. Samsung consistently updates its app library, so you shouldn't miss out on any of the popular streaming platforms.

One of the standout features is the universal guide, which aggregates content from various sources, including streaming services and live TV. This makes it easy to discover new shows and movies without having to jump between different apps. The TV also supports voice control through Samsung's Bixby voice assistant. You can use your voice to change channels, adjust the volume, search for content, and control other smart home devices. While Bixby is functional, it might not be as sophisticated or responsive as some of the other voice assistants like Google Assistant or Alexa. However, it gets the job done and adds to the overall convenience. The remote control is sleek and minimalistic, but it has all the necessary buttons for navigation. The smart TV features are a strong point of the Q60A. The intuitive interface, the extensive app selection, and the universal guide make it a pleasure to use. The voice control adds an extra layer of convenience, although it's not perfect. Overall, the user experience is smooth and enjoyable, making the Samsung 65" Q60A a great choice for those who value smart TV features.

Gaming Performance

For gamers out there, let's look at the gaming performance of the Samsung 65" Q60A. This TV offers a decent gaming experience, but it's not designed to be the ultimate gaming TV. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Samsung's higher-end gaming models. The Q60A has a 60Hz refresh rate, which means the screen refreshes 60 times per second. While this is sufficient for casual gaming, hardcore gamers might prefer a TV with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother motion and a more responsive feel. The TV also supports AMD FreeSync, which helps to reduce screen tearing and stuttering, leading to a more fluid gaming experience. However, it's not the latest version of FreeSync, so the benefits might not be as pronounced as with newer models.

The input lag, which is the delay between when you press a button on your controller and when you see the action on the screen, is relatively low. This is crucial for gaming, as it ensures that your actions are reflected on the screen quickly. The Q60A also has HDMI 2.0 ports, which support 4K resolution at 60Hz. This is ideal for current-generation consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, although it won't fully utilize their potential for 4K 120Hz gaming. The overall gaming performance of the Samsung 65" Q60A is good, but not great. It's a solid choice for casual gamers who want a good picture and responsive controls. However, if you're a serious gamer who demands the best possible performance, you might want to consider a TV with a higher refresh rate and more advanced gaming features. The Q60A offers a good balance of performance and price for gamers.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung 65" Q60A boasts a design that's both modern and functional. It's not the flashiest TV on the market, but its clean lines and minimalist aesthetic will blend seamlessly into most living room environments. The bezels are relatively thin, which maximizes the screen real estate and provides a more immersive viewing experience. This design choice helps the viewer focus on the content without distractions. The stand is a simple, two-legged design that provides a stable base. It's not as fancy as some of the more elaborate stands found on higher-end TVs, but it gets the job done. The stand also allows you to place a soundbar in front of the TV without blocking the screen. The overall build quality feels solid, with no obvious signs of flimsy construction. The materials used are of good quality, and the TV feels durable and well-made.

The back panel of the Q60A is clean and organized, with all the ports and connections neatly arranged. This makes it easy to connect your devices and keep your cables tidy. The remote control is also designed to be simple and intuitive. It has all the essential buttons you need for navigation and controlling the TV's functions. The design is a strong point of the Samsung 65" Q60A. It's a well-designed TV that looks good in any room. The clean lines, the thin bezels, and the solid build quality all contribute to its appealing aesthetic. While it might not have the premium feel of Samsung's higher-end models, it still offers a great design at a mid-range price point. The design of the Q60A is a winning combination of form and function. It's attractive, practical, and easy to integrate into your home entertainment setup. The overall design is a testament to Samsung's focus on user experience and aesthetics.

Pros and Cons

To give you a clear overview, here's a rundown of the pros and cons of the Samsung 65" Q60A 4K QLED TV:

Pros:

• Excellent Picture Quality: The QLED technology delivers vibrant colors and impressive brightness.
• 4K Resolution: Provides sharp and detailed images.
• HDR10+ Support: Enhances picture quality with dynamic HDR.
• User-Friendly Smart TV Platform: Tizen offers a smooth and intuitive experience.
• Extensive App Selection: Access to all major streaming services.
• Sleek and Modern Design: Looks great in any room.

Cons:

• Edge-Lit Backlighting: Can lead to issues with backlight uniformity.
• Viewing Angles: Colors can shift when viewed from extreme angles.
• Audio Performance: The built-in speakers are adequate but not exceptional.
• No Dolby Vision Support: Some users might miss this HDR format.
• 60Hz Refresh Rate: Not ideal for serious gamers.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Samsung 65" Q60A?

So, should you buy the Samsung 65" Q60A 4K QLED TV in 2024? That depends. If you're looking for a TV that offers excellent picture quality, vibrant colors, and a user-friendly smart TV experience, and you're on a budget, then the Q60A is a solid choice. It's particularly well-suited for those who prioritize streaming content and casual viewing. The strong points of the Q60A are its picture quality, design, and smart TV features. You'll get a beautiful picture with bright colors and sharp details, and the smart TV interface is a pleasure to use. The design is sleek and modern, and it will look great in your living room.

However, if you're a serious gamer or you demand the absolute best picture quality, then you might want to consider other options. The 60Hz refresh rate and edge-lit backlighting are not ideal for hardcore gaming or critical viewing. If you're looking for the ultimate gaming experience or a TV with perfect blacks and wide viewing angles, then you might need to spend more money on a higher-end model. Also, consider the audio. The built-in speakers are okay, but you'll likely want to invest in a soundbar or a full home theater system to get the most out of your viewing experience. Overall, the Samsung 65" Q60A is a great value for the price. It offers a lot of features and performance for the money. If you're looking for a mid-range TV that delivers a great picture and a user-friendly experience, then the Q60A is definitely worth considering. It remains a viable option in the used market. Just make sure the price is right and you are aware of its limitations. The Samsung 65" Q60A represents a sweet spot for many consumers, offering a compelling blend of features and performance that still holds up well years after its release.