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The Samsung QN990F is the strongest-supported 8K TV pick for 2026 in RTINGS’ comparison, updated September 11, 2026. Its bright-room performance, matte anti-reflective screen, wireless One Connect box and gaming features make it the flagship choice. But most TV and streaming content still is not native 8K, so many buyers should compare it with a large 4K TV before paying extra for the resolution.
Which 8K TV is best in 2026?
For buyers set on 8K, choose the Samsung QN990F if you want the flagship feature set and a separate wireless One Connect box. RTINGS names it the best 8K TV it tested in its 2026 guide. The Samsung QN900F is a sensible alternative if you prefer inputs directly on the TV and prioritize lower input lag across its inputs.
These are Samsung’s 2025 US Neo QLED 8K models, not new 2026 launches. RTINGS’ ranking reflects its own testing; it is not a claim that the QN990F is the best television for every room, budget or viewing habit. See RTINGS’ 2026 8K TV comparison.
What you gain—and what you probably will not watch
8K resolution is 7680 × 4320 pixels, or four times the pixel count of 4K UHD. That extra detail matters most when the screen is large enough and the viewer sits close enough to distinguish it. RTINGS cautions that the 8K benefit is largely lost on smaller screens and advises considering 4K for smaller setups; there is no universal distance cutoff established by the reviewed sources.
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- SAY GOODBYE TO DISTRACTING REFLECTIONS: Watch everything you love without distracting reflections so you can get lost in your content —even with sun streaming through your windows or that one lamp you keep on while watching the latest thriller.
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The bigger limitation is content. RTINGS describes only a small amount of native 8K material, including some YouTube videos and a handful of PS5 Pro games. Samsung also says 8K content is less available than 4K and identifies YouTube and Samsung TV Plus as platforms with some 8K content. That does not establish a broad native-8K catalog on mainstream film and TV services. Most viewing will be upscaled, and RTINGS warns that upscaled content can look worse than it does on a 4K TV.
Samsung’s US 8K TV page describes its resolution and model family. The 8K Association has examples of 8K video and reported on June 18, 2026 that Kaleidescape’s Strato K player is compatible with and certified for native 8K content. That shows a specialized ecosystem exists, not that ordinary buyers need the player or will find a broad, affordable library.
QN990F vs. QN900F: what changes?
| Decision | Samsung QN990F | Samsung QN900F |
|---|---|---|
| Role in RTINGS’ 2026 guide | Best 8K TV | Best mid-range 8K TV |
| Sizes listed by RTINGS | 65, 75, 85 and 98 inches | 65, 75 and 85 inches |
| Screen and room | Matte anti-reflective coating; RTINGS highlights very bright-room performance | Matte finish; RTINGS describes it as dimmer overall |
| Connections | Wireless One Connect box puts inputs in a separate box | Inputs are on the TV; no Wireless One Connect box |
| Gaming modes reported by RTINGS | Up to 8K/120Hz with VRR through the separate Micro-HDMI input; Wireless One Connect can have higher input lag | 8K/60Hz or 4K/165Hz; lower input lag across the inputs |
| US launch MSRP, announced March 26, 2025 | $5,499 (65-inch); $6,499 (75-inch); $8,499 (85-inch); $39,999 (98-inch) | $3,299 (65-inch); $4,299 (75-inch); $5,499 (85-inch) |
Specifications and assessments in the comparison are from RTINGS’ guide; launch MSRPs and model details were announced by Samsung Electronics America on March 26, 2025. The launch prices are historical US figures, not current sale prices. RTINGS refreshed its picks on September 11, 2026, but does not provide a live price or inventory feed for every market. Check your local retailer for current availability, and confirm which sizes are actually sold in your region.
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Choose the QN990F for a bright room or cleaner setup
The QN990F is the clearer fit if glare is a concern, you want a large-size option up to 98 inches, or you value placing connected devices in the separate One Connect box. Its gaming capabilities depend on the specific input and signal combination. RTINGS reports up to 8K/120Hz with VRR through the separate Micro-HDMI input, while noting that Wireless One Connect can have higher input lag.
Choose the QN900F for direct connections and input lag
The QN900F keeps inputs on the TV and, in RTINGS’ assessment, has lower input lag across its inputs. Its reported gaming modes are 8K/60Hz or 4K/165Hz. If gaming is a priority, check that your source device and chosen input support the resolution, refresh rate and VRR combination you intend to use.
Compare a large 4K TV before committing
If most of your viewing is streaming, broadcast or disc content mastered below 8K, the extra panel resolution may not provide much benefit. Compare the size and price of a large 4K model in your room, especially if a smaller 8K screen would erase much of the visible resolution advantage. Do not assume upscaling turns ordinary 4K or HD material into native 8K.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before buying
- Screen size and seating: Consider whether the screen will be large enough, at your usual viewing distance, for 8K detail to matter.
- Room brightness and reflections: The QN990F’s tested bright-room performance and matte coating may matter more than resolution in a sunlit room.
- Gaming connection: Match the console or PC, TV input, resolution, refresh rate, VRR and input-lag priorities. Verify the exact combination rather than relying on a headline maximum.
- Connection layout: Decide whether a separate wireless box or inputs mounted on the TV better suits your installation.
- Content expectations: Treat native 8K as limited, and assume most viewing will be upscaled unless you have specific 8K sources in mind.
- Local price and stock: Check the actual listing for your country and screen size; the published US launch MSRPs are not today’s retail prices.
What the 2026 recommendation does—and does not—say
Tom’s Guide reported on January 1, 2026 that high cost and limited native content remain barriers, and that Samsung was the only major TV maker to release a new 8K TV in 2025. That is the publication’s market reporting, not an audited sales statistic or a guarantee about every regional lineup. The evidence supports a narrow conclusion: if you have a specific reason to buy an 8K TV, the QN990F is the strongest-tested recommendation in the cited 2026 guide; if you do not, a 4K comparison is essential before spending more. Read Tom’s Guide’s 2026 analysis of 8K TV barriers.
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