Samsung Q7F QLED TV review: A no-brainer purchase at $399

Samsung TVs, including its most premium models, provide exceptional value for money. The company also offers a lineup that enables people to experience its QLED technology at an attractive price point. In 2025, that baton has been taken up by the Q7F, which starts as low as $399.

This TV is the first entry point for customers looking to upgrade to a QLED TV. The price tag is low enough to make it a very compelling option, and Samsung has also equipped it with great software features that further enhance its desirability. Let's dive into more detail in this Samsung Q7F review to find out if you should open up your wallet for this TV.

Samsung has changed up the naming scheme so if you're coming from one of its previous models like the Q70, you'll notice that it doesn't feel the same. That's because the Q70s in the past used to have a 120Hz panel, while the Q7F has a 60Hz panel, so this will be a downgrade in that respect.

It's also worth noting that the Q7F has three HDMI ports at the back, while more higher-end Samsung TV models have four HDMI ports. If your setup requires four HDMI ports, you may want to think about other solutions.

Samsung has focused on making the set up process very simple for its TVs. It's the same story with the Q7F. It takes mere minutes from unboxing to powering it up. The plastic feet easily snap into place and are reassuringly sturdy, so you'll have the peace of mind that this TV isn't going anywhere. The build quality is excellent as well.

Despite being an entry-level TV, the Q7F looks modern and sleek. The front is dominated by the display panel which recessed portions at the back cleverly house its electronics bay and input ports. The company focused on ensuring that this TV doesn't look out of place in a modern living room, and it has delivered on that front.

You're not getting full array local dimming on the Q7F like the step up models in Samsung's lineup, but it's in line with what you'd expect from a TV using an entry-level backlight system like it does. It is a QLED TV, after all, so you do get a lot of color compared to a lot of other TVs in this price range that use inferior display technology.

The contrast is good enough, obviously not as good as it would be on a TV with full array local dimming, but then again the price you're paying for the Q7F makes it justified. So while it doesn't have the deepest blacks, on the plus side, you're also not going to have blooming that's evident on some of the cheaper full array local dimming TVs that don't have enough dimming zones.

If there was one weakness worth highlighting here, it would definitely be the peak brightness. While the TV does have HDR support, the brightness simply can't be pushed enough to deliver the vibrancy you'd expect from HDR. SDR content, the picture quality is quite decent. Watching broadcasts and TV shows is good enough as the colors are sufficient and the motion is smooth on his 60Hz panel.

Viewing angles are also a downside, but then again, most TVs in this price range aren't going to have excellent viewing angles. Since VA panels are used here, when you go off angle you start to lose contrast and color.

Gaming was a pleasant surprise, as long as you're playing in SDR. It has really low input lag, which matches some of Samsung's premium models, in 60Hz. That's really impressive. Samsung's game mode software is onboard, providing easy access to different presets to further fine tune the gaming experience.

Like all modern Samsung TVs, the Q7F runs on Tizen One UI, which is gradually becoming an extension of the One UI platform from Samsung's mobile devices. The Samsung Gaming Hub is also available, just hook up your controller to the TV and play games through various streaming services. Those who prefer to use digital assistants will find Bixby and Alexa baked into the software.

There's just about every streaming app available on the platform, including Samsung TV Plus, which is the company's own free TV streaming app that provides access to a lot of great content, including free on-demand movies and live TV channels.

Samsung has done a great job of improving the software and the UI. Tizen feels much faster on the TV, despite its rather demure specs compared to some of the more premium models that have a better chipset, but you can expect to not encounter any lags when mindlessly switching through the many content options available.

Software enhancements have been made to provide users with a smoother gaming experience, and we've been impressed by this feature during our tests. The Game Bar has also received a UI facelift, which makes it many features easier to access.

Samsung has used the Q4 AI processor in the Q7F, which is capable of upscaling content up to 4K resolution, even if the source quality is lower resolution. We've found this feature to work as advertised.

Q7F gets a few Vision AI features, but not all of them like the step-up models, such as the AI picture mode. It does have the AI button on the remote which interacts with the content that you're watching, for example, providing information about the cast in a show. AI also features include the ability to generate your own wallpapers using generative AI.

The sound isn't anything to write home about, you'd even find it mediocre if you've been around Samsung's high-end TVs, but you have to remember that the Q7F's price range reflects the compromises made here. The dialogue in content comes across as decent and the TV does get away with it in a small room, but it would be best to get a Samsung soundbar with it for a better listening experience.

Comparison is the thief of joy, so you'll find the Q7F to be an okay TV when you compare it with Samsung's more premium models. On its own, it's a good option for anyone who wants a QLED TV without breaking the bank. Remember, prices for the Q7F start at just $399.

It's also a good hold over TV, if you looking to upgrade to something a lot more premium in a couple of years, the Q7F will get the job done in the interim. As long as you know precisely what you're getting, you won't have any complaints when you buy the Samsung Q7F.