Samsung is pushing an update to its 2018 QLED TVs to improve the gaming experience.
The firmware update (for the Q6FN, Q7FN, Q8FN, Q9FN, and NU8000 sets) adds AMD’s FreeSync technology, which should ensure a silky smooth experience when using Game Mode.
Similar to Nvidia’s G-Sync tech, FreeSync helps to eliminate the screen tears caused when the console or PC’s graphics card frame rate differs from the monitor’s refresh rate.
However, you’ll need a PC with an AMD graphics card or the Xbox One S or Xbox One X to enjoy the benefits of the FreeSync update.
Related: What is QLED?
Sadly, there’s a trade off. FreeSync limits the resolution to 1080p, so there’ll be no 4K gaming while FreeSync is deployed (via Digital Trends).
Gamers will have to choose between the smoother visuals or the greater detail, while Samsung also warns there may be some noticeable issues with brightness.
Samsung’s ‘Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode’ televisions impressed upon their debut in 2017, but were improved upon with a new range in 2018.
The Samsung Q9FN earned a perfect 10/10 score from Trusted Reviews in our review last month.
We praised the gorgeous brightness and colours and impressively deep blacks. It offers high-end HDR, 2000 nits of brightness and four HDMI ports. In his verdict, Ced Yuen called it a shining example of what HDR is all about.
He wrote: “The Samsung Q9FN offers about as little in the way of compromise as I’ve ever seen on a TV. This is a rare beast that seems as comfortable in pitch black as it is with the lights blazing. Its light and colour performance is, as it was last year, unprecedented. And while its black performance doesn’t quite offer OLED levels of detail and control, it’s more than good enough.”
Related: Best TV 2018
Have you snapped up a Samsung QLED TV? Are you impressed with the investment? Let us know @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
