Independent UK technology advice — clear, honest and jargon-free.
TV & Cinema Research-based review

Samsung R85H (65-inch)

Micro New Screen Technology Colour Arrives Before the Evidence Is Finished

Samsung's R85H uses separate microscopic red, green and blue backlights to chase wider, cleaner colour, but new screen technology deserves measured proof before a £1,999 recommendation.

Independent evidence checkedAbout 4 minutesReviewed 1 August 2026
Our verdictA fascinating first-generation colour technology that cautious buyers should not purchase on claims alone
See why
Samsung R85H 65-inch television shown from the frontImage: UKTechExpert illustration
74/100

Performance

39/100

Value for money

Start here

The 60-second verdict

The R85H is interesting because its backlight changes how colour is created, not because the name contains another premium acronym. Separate red, green and blue light sources should reduce the amount of colour lost through filters and help bright scenes look saturated without becoming pale. That is the theory. At £1,899.01, theory is not enough: control over bright and dark parts of the picture behaviour, black level, colour accuracy and viewing angle need independent measurement before this can displace proven deep-black screen and bright-screen television rivals.

Our verdictA fascinating first-generation colour technology that cautious buyers should not purchase on claims alone

What it gets right

  • Promising wide-colour Micro new colour technology backlight
  • smooth gaming support
  • more spacious film sound and useful smart-home integration
  • No deep-black screen retention concern

The compromises

  • First-generation technology at a high price
  • No anti-glare screen treatment found on R95H
  • No support for a widely used film-picture format
  • Independent performance evidence is still limited
Is it right for you?

Buy it—or leave it?

Buy it if…
  • You want to explore Micro new colour technology after independent testing arrives
  • Wide colour and gaming matter
  • sensible screen care does not suit your use
Skip it if…
  • You want proven picture measurements now
  • Reflection handling is a priority
  • A tested deep-black screen or bright-screen television costs less
Compare before you buy
Your next step

What would you like to do now?

Choose the route that matches how confident you feel. The free review stays free whichever route you choose.

01Ready to buy

Check today’s price

£1,899.01 for 65 inches

Confirm the exact model and screen size with the retailer before paying.

Retailer link last checked 8 August 2026These are Amazon affiliate links. UKTechExpert may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. How this works
02Compare before buying

See the closest alternatives

See the important differences in plain English before deciding where your money should go.

See the closest alternativesFree UKTechExpert guidance
03Still unsure

Let us research it for you

Get three researched choices for your budget and priorities, explained without the confusing jargon.

Get my personal TV shortlist — £29Includes two follow-up replies
The full review

What it is actually like

Open any section for the detail behind our verdict.

01Picture quality

Micro new colour technology uses tiny red, green and blue LEDs behind a screen with a light behind it layer instead of a white backlight. That can expand colour volume and improve spectral control, but it does not automatically create deep-black screen-like blacks. Zone control, blooming and off-axis colour remain decisive, and Samsung's claims cannot answer those questions alone.

02Gaming and motion

The R85H supports an extra-smooth movement smoothness with automatic smoothing for games and automatic smoothing for games, enough for current consoles and many computer setups. Its screen with a light behind it construction also suits long sessions with fixed interfaces. The higher-tier R95H reaches extra-smooth movement, a difference mainly relevant to a capable gaming computer.

03Living with it

Samsung's television menus, Samsung's connected-home controls and the main UK apps make the smart side familiar. The absence of the R95H's anti-glare screen treatment matters in a lamp-filled room. Early adopters should also consider how first-generation pricing may move once the technology becomes more common.

What should you pay?

Price and value

The exact 65-inch Samsung R85H was listed at £1,899.01 in the UK when we checked on 17 August 2026. That 65-inch price is used throughout this review and by the buying guide; a cheaper 55-inch version cannot improve its value score. Prices and promotions can change, so confirm the model number and final basket total before buying.

Price last checked 17 August 2026

This price check is more than two weeks old. Use the retailer link for the latest price; this review is temporarily excluded from the buying finder until the price is refreshed.

These are Amazon affiliate links. UKTechExpert may earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. How this works
Living with it

Who will notice the difference?

1

Technology enthusiast

Micro new colour technology is genuinely new enough to be interesting, but interest is not proof.

2

Long gaming sessions

extra-smooth support and screen with a light behind it construction suit static interfaces.

3

Risk-averse flagship buyer

A mature, independently tested screen is the safer use of £1,999.

Before you decide

What else should you consider?

£1,899.01 · The R95H adds stronger processing, glare control and extra-smooth movement support; deep-black screen rivals offer proven pixel-level black; conventional bright-screen television is already heavily discounted. The R85H needs measured colour volume and control over bright and dark parts of the picture results to earn its premium.

How we reached the score

Our review process

This research-based article explains Samsung's verified UK Micro new colour technology architecture and model differences. It deliberately does not convert brand claims into a buying-guide award; the R85H stays evidence-gated until an independent test measures the 65-inch model.

Read our editorial standards
Evidence

Sources used for this review