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Panasonic VIERA AX902 vs Samsung QLED Q8FN (2018)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

PanasonicVIERA AX902SamsungQLED Q8FN (2018)
Overview
Released20142018
Display
PanelLED LCDLED LCD
Panel detailPanasonic specifies an LED LCD panel with Local Dimming Ultra. AVForums identifies the reviewed 55-inch panel as IPS with full-array direct backlighting and 128 zones; that zone count is not claimed for the 65-inch size. Panasonic's 3000 Hz Backlight Scanning claim is not a native refresh rate.Quantum-dot edge-lit LCD on the UK Q8FN. AVForums distinguishes this UK model from the full-array UK Q8DN and US Q8FN; Samsung's UK tables do not explicitly state backlight placement.
Resolution3840 × 2160 (4K)3840 × 2160 (4K)
HDR formatsNoneHDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR extras–Samsung's Q HDR 1500 is a product label, not a measured 1500-nit figure for every size. Dolby Vision is unsupported.
Screen finish–Ultra Black Moth Eye antireflection treatment in both UK maker tables.
Colour range–Q Color and billion-colour support in both UK maker tables.
Picture processingStudio Master Drive, Local Dimming Ultra, Studio Master Colour, 4K Pure Direct and Intelligent Frame Creation Pro. The 55-inch zone count is reported by AVForums, not the UK manual.Q Engine, Q Contrast, Supreme UHD Dimming, Contrast Enhancer and Picture Quality Index 3200 in both UK maker tables. PQI is not a native refresh rate.
Picture modesDynamic, Normal, Cinema, THX Cinema, THX Bright Room, True Cinema, Monitor, Custom, Professional 1 and Professional 2; BT.1886 gamma is available.Film Mode, Natural Mode and Auto Motion Plus in both UK maker tables.
Motion handlingHDTVTest found clear motion with Intelligent Frame Creation enabled but mild 24p judder; AVForums preferred turning interpolation off for films.Samsung's UK tables do not publish native refresh Hz.
Viewing angleThe reviewed 55-inch IPS panel retained contrast and colour better off-axis than many contemporary VA LCDs according to HDTVTest.Q Viewing Angle in both UK maker tables; no quantified viewing angle is published.
Sizes
Sizes55, 65″55, 65″
Largest size65″65″
Gaming
HDMI ports4 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)4 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)
Variable refresh rateNoneNone
HDMI detailFour HDMI inputs support 4K and 3D; HDMI2 supports ordinary Audio Return Channel. The UK manual also lists DisplayPort for 4K, one SCART, component and composite inputs, CI+ and an SD card slot. HDTVTest confirmed full HDMI 2.0 bandwidth and HDCP 2.2 on the reviewed 55-inch unit.Four HDMI inputs with ARC and HDMI-CEC in both UK maker tables.
Game features–Auto Game Mode and Game Motion Plus in both UK maker tables. UK launch VRR availability was not established.
Input lagAVForums measured 90 ms in Game mode on the 55-inch set; HDTVTest measured 87 ms on its separate 55-inch sample.–
Smart TV and sound
Smart TV platformmy Home ScreenTizen
ProcessorQuad Core Pro5Q Engine
Speakers18 W40 W, 4.1 channels
Wi-FiBuilt-in dual-band IEEE 802.11a/b/g/nBuilt-in Wi-Fi
BluetoothBluetooth 3.0 for accessoriesBluetooth audio and Bluetooth Low Energy
Speaker detailPanasonic specifies 4 W + 4 W stereo drivers and a 10 W woofer.Samsung specifies 40 W, 4.1 channels and a woofer in both UK maker tables.
Audio features3.5 mm headphone socket and Bluetooth accessory support.Dolby Digital Plus, Bluetooth audio and Multiroom Link in both UK maker tables.
Voice assistants–Samsung voice interaction includes UK English in both 2018 maker tables; present-day service support can differ.
CastingPanasonic's my Home Screen platform supports network media, TV Anywhere, screen mirroring and streaming apps; service availability varies over time.SmartThings support, mobile mirroring, DLNA and Wi-Fi Direct in both UK maker tables.
TV tunersUK DVB-S/S2 Freesat, DVB-T/T2 Freeview HD and PAL I analogue tuners; two satellite dish inputs.Twin DVB-T2/C/S2 digital tuners, analogue tuner, CI+ 1.4, UK MHEG 5, programme guide, USB recording and time shift.
USBTwo USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port support media and recording to a registered drive; SD card slot.Three USB inputs in both UK maker tables.
EthernetRJ45 10/100/1000 Ethernet for network services and local sharing.Ethernet LAN built in.
Optical audio outFibre-optic PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS output.One optical digital audio output.
Design and power
SizeTV only: 55-inch 1238 × 741 × 59 mm and 26 kg; 65-inch 1457 × 864 × 60 mm and 35 kg. With pedestal: 55-inch 1238 × 740 × 283 mm and 40 kg; 65-inch 1457 × 863 × 356 mm and 52 kg.Without stand, width × height × depth from separate UK maker tables: 55-inch 1227.2 × 704.8 × 46.9 mm; 65-inch 1446.1 × 827.9 × 46.9 mm. Configuration weights exclude stand.
StandSupplied rear-weighted pedestal. Panasonic lists 400 × 400 mm wall mounting holes.Central Tri Stand. With-stand weights from separate UK maker tables: 55-inch 20.8 kg; 65-inch 27.2 kg.
Power usePanasonic product fiche on-mode average: 210 W for 55 inches and 229 W for 65 inches; 0.30 W standby and off mode for both.Maximum from separate UK maker tables: 55-inch 170 W; 65-inch 215 W.
Energy classC for UK 55-inch and B for UK 65-inch under the historical Panasonic product fiche.Old UK maker energy scale: B for 55-inch; A for 65-inch. Not today’s A–G scale.
ColoursBlack glass front with silver edge trim.Eclipse Silver front in both UK maker tables.
In the boxStandard and touchpad remotes, two pairs of passive 3D glasses, pedestal, mains lead and instructions. Panasonic's 2014 UK model list and manual confirm 55- and 65-inch AX902B sets; the distinct 85-inch TX-85X942B is excluded. Exact first-sale month remains unconfirmed; contemporary UK coverage places availability in November 2014.Samsung's UK tables list TM1890A Smart Control, power cable, manual and e-manual. A precise UK first-sale month was not established.

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