MacFormat UK – September 2019

Samsung QE65Q90R APPLE CHOICE

Team a cutting-edge

screen with Apple TV

functionality for

instant telly heaven.

There are cheaper

alternatives, though.

++++++

Apple TV app

Gorgeous picture

Great sound

Very expensive

VERDICT

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except its focuses entirely on TV and movie
purchases/rentals available via the iTunes
Store, plus the new Apple TV channel, rather
than present its own array of third-party apps,
games and the like.
The Apple TV app is split across seven tabs
that run along the top of the screen: Watch
Now, Movies, TV Shows, Kids, Library, Search
and Settings, with posters for each type of
content displayed in a colourful grid below.

AirPlay and iTTunes
Sign in with your Apple ID via Settings and
all your existing purchases and rentals will
appear under Library.
You can choose to buy or rent more content
via the Samsung TV, too, with your purchases
appearing on your other Apple devices for
download or streaming in the usual way. And
because the QE65Q90R supports AirPlay 2,
you can also stream content from your Mac,
iPhone or iPad, with the TV appearing as an
option in both iTunes on Mac, and via the
Control Centre in iOS.
When it comes to picture and sound
quality, the Samsung QE65Q90R really

delivers, bringing a new level of richness and

colour accuracy to your favourite movies and

TV shows, especially when you watch them

in 4K HDR via the Apple TV app interface.

And having a screen this big really makes a

difference – it’s the closest most of us will ever

get to having our own private cinema. Sound

quality is very respectable, too.

So, what’s the verdict? If you already own

an Apple TV or an Apple TV 4K, there’s no

need to buy this set, especially if you have a 4K

set already. If you’re thinking that Apple TV

would be a nice-to-have, plump for Apple’s

existing hardware instead – it’s cheaper and

arguably offers more functionality.

However, if you’re in the market for a

new TV and want to upgrade your Apple TV

viewing experience at the same time, and have

the budget, the QE65Q90R is compelling – it’s

gorgeous, easy to use and Apple TV-friendly.

What’s not to like? ROB MEAD-GREEN

The Samsung TV’s operating system is quick

and easy to navigate – and the Apple TV app is

as slick and well implemented as you’d expect.