While the Samsung TU8500 and the Samsung Q60T are 4K TVs from the same brand, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some differences between the two.
We took the TU800 and Q60T against each other to see what they have in common and how they differ.
We’ve given the 50-inch TU8500 a four-and-a-half star review, although we haven’t had a chance to test the Q60T yet. This means that we will compare the two on the merits of their respective datasheets and features. This will serve as a guide to help you determine which smart TV is right for you.
Read on to find out how these two Samsung displays stack up.
Related: Best Cheap TV
Samsung TU8500 vs Samsung Q60T – Price
Both TVs come in multiple sizes, so to keep things fair, we price the 50-inch models.
The Samsung TU8500 is the more affordable of the two. Priced at £ 599 at launch, a 5% discount can be obtained by entering the code ‘PRODUCT5’ at checkout by August 18th. You can get the TU8500 for £ 569 with free shipping when you shop with Currys PC World on eBay.
The Q60T cost around £ 899 at launch and has dropped to £ 699 – £ 100 more than the TU8500. The best deal we’ve found is free delivery with AO through eBay.
No matter where you buy the TV, the TU8500 is the most wallet friendly option.
Samsung TU8500 vs Samsung Q60T – Design
The TU8500 and Q60T share a few features in terms of design. Both feature thin black bezels and are identical in dimensions, with each TV being 57.1mm deep.
The most obvious difference between the two models is their support. The TU8500 has a V-shaped stand, slightly higher than the legs of the Q60T. The Q60T’s feet are sleeker and the overall design is more understated. The Q60T’s feet are also lighter, allowing the whole thing to weigh 2.1kg less.
When it comes to connectivity, the TU8500 includes three HDMI ports (one eARC), two USB ports, Ethernet and a CI slot. The TV also has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Samsung doesn’t provide as many details for the Q60T, but it does indicate eARC and Bluetooth support. An Argos listing provides the full specifications and matches the TU8500 with three HDMI ports, two USBs, one Ethernet port, and built-in Wi-Fi.
With so many similarities in design and connectivity, the decision really depends on what type of mount is right for your living environment and what look you prefer. This makes this comparison a draw.
Related: Best Samsung TV
Samsung TU8500 vs Samsung Q60T – Specifications
The biggest difference between the two is the type of display they use. The TU8500 has a dynamic crystal display, while the Q60T is part of the QLED range.
Dynamic Crystal is a display that uses two panels rather than the single backlight seen on a traditional LED. Samsung claims its Dynamic Crystal display offers 64 times more hue than other conventional UHD TVs. Meanwhile, the QLED range uses Quantum Dot technology for bolder, more accurate colors, delivering 100% color volume without image degradation over time.
Both have dual LEDs, which help increase contrast for more lifelike images, while continued support for HDR10 + over Dolby Vision allows its dynamic metadata solution to tailor HDR content scene by scene to brighter and darker scenes. They also have ambient modes which turn the screen into a decorative feature when not in use.
Samsung’s Tizen operating system provides access to settings, sources and applications in the form of Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV, BT Sport and more. There’s even a Multi View feature, which splits the screen in half so that the viewer can watch two sources at the same time.
Both TVs have other smart capabilities, including SmartThings, which provides the ability to control the TV, as well as smart home devices. In terms of voice assistants, there’s Alexa, Google Assistant (coming soon) and, of course, Samsung’s Bixby.
The list of features is almost identical but, in the end, the Q60T wins this victory with its QLED display.
Related: Best 4K TV
Samsung TU8500 vs Samsung Q60T – Performance
The TU8500 is powered by Samsung’s Crystal 4K processor, and we found the TV to offer improved picture quality compared to most mid-range LED displays at similar price points. The device offers a range of picture modes, including Film, Standard, Natural and Dynamic, as well as two options for gaming. Natural and Standard provide good contrast and precise color temperatures, compared to the slightly overbaked colors of Dynamic.
Gaming performance is great, but the TU8500 does not support 4K / 120Hz gaming, which makes it less ideal for PS5 and Xbox Series X upgrades. HDR performance and screen brightness might as well. be improved. That said, this screen will easily be an upgrade over many older / non-4K TVs.
It’s hard to comment on the performance of the Q60T as we haven’t tested it for ourselves yet, but expect what held true with the TU8500 to be applicable here. QLED generally offers brighter gaming performance than Dynamic Crystal TVs, along with higher color volume and smoother picture quality.
Samsung TU8500 vs. Samsung Q60T – Verdict
While we haven’t reviewed the Q60T yet, we’ll be looking to get a review sample soon to judge its quality.
As such, although we are big fans of the TU8500 and what it brings at its more affordable low price point, there is a good chance that its image quality will be an improvement over the TU8500.
If you can crank up your budget and spend an extra £ 100, the Q60T would make sense, as it will arguably shade it when it comes to upgrading SD and HD content. Still, for those who want to keep costs down, the TU8500 remains a compelling choice for the price.