Why’s that? It’s as a result of the Q60 collection continues to be the most cost effective QLED TV Samsung places out every year, with each the Q60R (from 2019) and Q60T (new for 2020) providing astonishing worth for his or her reasonably priced worth factors.
You received’t get all the bells and whistles of a number of the best Samsung TVs , and definitely nothing like 8K resolution – however you’re nonetheless getting a QLED (quantum dot) panel and a number of related benefits, reminiscent of elevated distinction and vivid color-filled show. The Q60T is not fairly a direct successor, although, given the Q60R has been changed with the Q70T, and the Q60T appearing as a brand new, lower-specified various with a less expensive processor.
The query stays, although: in case you’re trying to purchase an inexpensive QLED TV, must you go for final yr’s Q60R or its new Q60T sibling? Right here’s every part you could know to make your resolution.
Samsung Q60R vs Q60T: worth and sizes
On issues of worth, issues aren’t precisely clear lower – and we’ll let you know why.
The Q60R, as a barely older TV, is mostly cheaper than the newer Q60T. The Q60R begins at simply $529 / £499 for its smallest 43-inch dimension, making it an incredible cut price for an entry-level QLED. The Q60T is retailing at $799 / £799 for a 43-inch mannequin, although, which means you’re paying nearly twice as a lot for a 2020 improve.
At bigger sizes, although, that worth disparity disappears. Within the US, the 65-inch mannequin for each units retails at $949, whereas the 75-inch for each retails at $1,499. Within the UK, the 75-inch fashions retail for £1,299 and £1,799 respectively, which means there may be nonetheless a saving for the Q60R – but it surely’s clear that US customers don’t have a lot incentive to not get the Q60T in the event that they’re going greater than a 43-inch dimension. (Remember the fact that the Q60T is simply going to get cheaper a number of months down the road too.)
It’s tougher to search out the Q60R within the UK today, too, with Currys and John Lewis solely stocking the smallest 43-inch mannequin. Argos, nevertheless, nonetheless shares its bigger sizes in the interim.
The 2 units solely barely fluctuate within the sizes provided. The Q60R is available in 43-inch, 49-inch, 55-inch , 65-inch, 75-inch, and 82-inch fashions – whereas the Q60T replaces the 49-inch with a 50-inch, provides a 58-inch for good measure, and goes up to an enormous 85-inch dimension. There’s not a lot variation, however the latter is certainly a great shout in case you’re after a 58-inch dimension somewhat than the 55-inch or 65-inch requirements.
Samsung Q60R vs Q60T: design and specs
Samsung Q60R (rear view) (Image credit: Samsung)
You won’t find much difference on the outside, either. Both the Q60R and Q60T sport a relatively uncontroversial design, with insertable twin feet, a thin bezel, plastic casing with a matte black finish, and a smattering of ports at the rear.
The Q60T has an advantage in supporting HDMI 2.1 , too, although the refresh price is capped at 60Hz, which means you may’t make use of 4K/120Hz video passthrough (say, from next-gen consoles just like the PS5 and Xbox Series X ). You’ll, nevertheless, get eARC (enhanced audio return channel), the most recent customary for high-quality audio funnelled from the TV to a soundbar .
There’s a distinction in processor, too, to take care of. The Q60R makes use of the Quantum Processor 4K present in most new Samsung TVs, and which can also be discovered within the new-for-2020 Q80T QLED . The Q60T successor, although, makes do with a Quantum Processor Lite, which actually appears like a step down within the image processing division. We’ll get to research this in additional element in our Q60T evaluate, however for now know that the newer set won’t routinely imply a greater image.
The Q60R and Q60T share the identical Tizen smart TV platform, with the 2020 iteration solely actually various in barely extra compact tiles within the dwelling menu (which means you may match extra apps on the display directly). Each units work with Alexa and Google Assistant, with Samsung’s in-house Bixby assistant included as nicely.
Each units are edge-lit, too, which means you received’t get the identical dazzling brightness and constant lighting of full-array QLEDs – so in case you can afford the Q80T, undoubtedly give it a glance.
Samsung Q60T / Q65T variations
Solely the Q65T will get the Samsung OneConnect field (Picture credit score: TechRadar)
One necessary level for these inclined to the newer Q60T mannequin: there’s additionally a Q65T iteration, which is basically the identical tv however with Samsung’s OneConnect field (an exterior cabling field that outsources HDMI ports and the like from the tv casing).
It’s an incredible, and tidy cabling answer, and one which isn’t as widespread within the 2020 vary as we’d have anticipated. The Q90T has comparable Q95T iteration, and in each circumstances you’re seeing a small uptick in worth to account for the extra {hardware}, although don’t be tricked into pondering the rest has modified.
Samsung Q60R vs Q60T: conclusion
Is the Samsung Q60T the precise alternative? (Picture credit score: Samsung)
It’s a good race in the meanwhile, and we’ll have the ability to give a extra definitive reply when our Q60T QLED evaluate goes dwell within the coming weeks.
For now, although, US patrons will see little-to-no worth disparity between fashions, which means the query actually comes all the way down to some minor options and variations, such because the inclusion of eARC within the Q60T (nice for audiophiles), and the higher-end processor within the Q60R (a greater guess, maybe, for cinephiles).
Remember the fact that the utmost 60Hz refresh price applies to all sizes of the Q60T, which means that HDMI 2.1 port received’t make a lot distinction in terms of next-gen gaming, both. Each the Q60R and Q60T, although, ought to nonetheless provide good worth for cash, even when neither of them can compete with different, higher, costlier QLED TVs.
