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OSCAL Pilot 6: 30-second review

The Oscal Pilot 6 is a rugged Android phone designed for anyone working outdoors who needs a phone that can withstand far more than a standard commercial model. The design is rugged and, whilst it’s slightly larger than a standard phone, its plastic reinforced casing keeps it from being overly large, and it will just about slip into a pocket.

The bulk and weight, while more than your average consumer phone, is still less than many other larger rugged smartphones. Still, it’s nicely designed with the usual industrial design aesthetic synonymous with rugged smartphones. It’s comfortable to hold and use, and when it comes to that ruggedness, it offers IP68/IP69 and MIL-STD-810H ratings, highlighting that it can withstand significant abuse.

What makes this phone stand out against many of the other rugged smartphones is that it not only features all the usual camera specifications, including a massive 108-million-pixel camera, but also a thermal camera, which makes it great for trade, and a large 10,000mAh battery, which ensures that it can last for days in between charging. This battery can also be wirelessly charged at 15W and supports reverse charging for topping up other devices.

When used to navigate productivity apps, the handset's speed is okay, just held back a little by the MediaTek Helio G100, which is really a mid-range CPU, backed again by a mid-range Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. So, whilst it’s usable for updating documents and browsing the internet, it’s not the fastest on the market. What is nice, though, is that it’s all fronted by a 6.78-inch 120Hz screen, which is perfectly viewable in all conditions.

Also, what I really liked was that it has a built-in 98dB speaker that produces relatively decent audio quality. If you’re working on-site and want to listen to music, then this could be the perfect option.

For the consumer market, this phone is a little large for the general user. However, in trade, engineering, and surveying, the features, build quality, and size make it one of the best rugged phones I've tested. It’s just a little bit of a shame that it’s limited to 4G.

OSCAL Pilot 6: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? £330/$294
• When is it out? Now
• Where can you get it? Directly from Oscal or Amazon

At present, the Pilot 6 is available on Blackview's fficial website, with the 12GB/256GB model priced at $558.99 / £319. But keep an eye on the website as the price does change.

• Value: 4/5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)OSCAL Pilot 6: Specs

CPU: MediaTek Helio G100, octa-core, up to 2.2GHz
Graphics: Mali-G57
RAM: 12GB LPDDR4X, expandable virtually up to 36GB
Storage: 256GB UFS 2.1, microSD/TF expansion up to 2TB
Ports: USB-C
Connectivity: 4G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/Beidou/QZSS
Audio: 4.5W 98dB Smart-PA BOX speaker, USB-C earphone support
Camera: 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HM6 rear, 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN1 front, 160×120 thermal camera
Size: 182.8 × 82 × 18.1mm; 410.8g
OS Installed: DokeOS 5.0 based on Android 16
Accessories: Manual, USB cable, SIM ejector pin, and lanyard

OSCAL Pilot 6: Design

As I removed the Pilot 6 from the packaging, it was unmistakably a rugged smartphone with the usual industrial design, with credentials, including IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H. Sure enough, in the hand it feels good and rugged, and whilst it’s larger than most consumer-model smartphones, it’s not overly cumbersome, and it’s easy enough to handle, measuring 182.8 x 82 x 18.1mm and weighing 410.8g.

Whilst the size and weight do make it a little bit more bulky than a consumer phone, such as an iPhone, it’s still not overly large. If you do need to put it in a jacket or pocket, then whilst it’s going to be relatively bulky, it’s possible.

Checking through some of the build materials, it does look like OSCAL has really put a lot of thought into the rugged design, with an Al-Ti alloy used for the metal frame bracket, aluminium side strips, and the shockproof plastic base, which thankfully stays in one piece if dropped from a height.

It’s also good to see that the large 6.78-inch screen uses Gorilla Glass 5, and throughout the test, it withstood being dropped and submerged in water with no damage other than a little grime on the body, which was easily wiped away.

That screen offers a decent brightness of 750 nits, which makes it more than viewable in almost all sunny conditions, and throughout the test, which was conducted in the late spring in the UK, that brightness was made it easy to read documents and website content easily enough.

Alongside the impressive 108-million-pixel camera, which is backed by a Samsung sensor, is an infrared camera that enables you to pick up heat signatures, which will be especially of interest to anybody working in trades. This feature, along with the torch that sits at the top of the handset, is activated through dedicated apps that are all pre-installed.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The torch offers 93 lumens of brightness, and being mounted at the top of the handset rather than the back makes it very easy to use. There’s no ability to focus it, so whilst it’s relatively bright and great for looking into crevices, it isn’t a replacement for a standard flashlight that has a focused beam.

Another feature I liked was the 98dB speaker on the back, which you can see clearly on the phone. This produces very loud audio, which is great for listening to music whilst you’re busy at work.

And ensuring it runs all day, even if you can’t charge up, there’s that huge 10,000mAh battery, which charges relatively quickly but has more than enough capacity to last all day without a charge.

• Design: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)OSCAL Pilot 6: Features

The Oscal Pilot 6 is packed with features, with the main headline being the 160 x 120 thermal imaging camera that can detect heat signatures between -15°C and 550°C. Whilst that resolution might not seem that great, when it comes to detecting everything from wildlife hiding in the bushes if you’re out shooting photographs to detecting where piping and wiring might be if you work in the trade, a thermal camera like this on your smartphone can be a real use.

The camera is activated through the thermal app, with a 25Hz frame rate that provides a relatively smooth live view, and it offers under 50 mK thermal sensitivity alongside measurement and reporting tools, giving you a complete suite in this one relatively small mobile phone.

Alongside the headline thermal camera is a 108-million-pixel HM6 main camera, capable of capturing high-resolution images perfect for surveys and site visits, as well as for video conferencing. There’s a 50-million-pixel Samsung JN1 front camera that also offers decent resolution and frame rate.

The mobile phone is powered by a 10,000 mAh battery. This offers plenty of usage time and features 27W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 10W reverse charging, if you need to top up other devices.

Interestingly, another main feature of the smartphone is the 98dB loudspeaker, which is visible on the back of the phone near the camera array, and it is perfectly good for listening to music on-site. As long as you’re not too bothered about high-fidelity music, it is perfectly good, but where it really comes into its own is through speakerphone calls, because that speaker makes it far easier to hear if there’s a group of you on a conference call, utilising the phone.

When it comes to rugged credentials, they’re pretty impressive, with IP68 and IP69K ratings alongside MIL-STD-810H, meaning it can survive being underwater for a period of time, as well as being dropped and generally not looked after quite as carefully as you would with a standard consumer-level mobile phone.

When it comes to connectivity, this phone is only 4G; however, it offers NFC, Wi-Fi 802.11, 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, and Bluetooth 5.2. When it comes to network connectivity, whilst it doesn’t offer 5G, it is backwards-compatible with 2G and 3G.

Inside, powering the smartphone is a MediaTek octa-core Helio G100, 6nm, up to 2.2GHz, paired with a Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.1 ROM. Whilst built-in storage is quite limited, as is the RAM, the RAM can be expanded to 36GB using virtual RAM, and, with a TF card or microSD card, you can expand the internal storage up to a huge 2TB.

The 6.78-inch 2.4K 120Hz screen is nice and bright, reaching 750 nits. That 1080 x 2460 resolution lets you see plenty on the screen, so if you do need to update documents, it’s a good resolution and brightness for doing so, even out in the field.

Checking through the specifications and features, it is quite obvious that this phone has been designed primarily for field use, by trade and industry, rather than consumer phone users. Still, with those loudspeakers, which, used in moderation, are pretty good, and with that large bright screen and decent resolution, it is equally good for watching back media and taking pictures if needed.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

• Features: 4.5 / 5

OSCAL Pilot 6: Performance

The first thing you notice about the phone compared to my phone is its size and bulk. Whilst it is smaller than many rugged smartphones, it is considerably bigger than a standard iPhone, in my case, an iPhone 15 Pro. Still, it is of a decent size, and you can easily hold it in one hand with no issue.

It’s not as bulky and cumbersome as some rugged smartphones, so if you do want to use it as an everyday phone, then it is a good size. Likewise, the bulk is bigger than most consumer-level smartphones, mainly due to the reinforcement that makes it rugged, and whilst it will fit into a jacket or trouser pocket, it is worth considering that it is that much larger than a standard phone.

For everyday use, making calls, even though it is restricted to 4G connectivity, that connectivity is good and strong, and actually, in many situations, was better than my iPhone 15 Pro when it came to making standard calls. Obviously, the internet connectivity wasn’t as good, limited by that 4G connection.

As I’ve seen with other Oscal and Blackview phones, the Android 16 version that is used on the device is DokeOS 5.0, a slightly customised version for this brand of phone, and to be honest, it works exceptionally well for most uses, including many bespoke apps that enable a lot of functionality, including the torch, thermal camera and that speaker system. Alongside the custom apps, you also have all the usual Android applications, so if you want to download Google Docs, it's already installed on the phone.

Once you get up and running, accessing my standard applications, say Google Chrome for browsing and Google Docs, the phone can handle that quite well, and that larger-resolution screen enables everything to fit on quite nicely. This is quite an upgrade from many of the standard HD phones on the market, and whilst limited by the 4G connectivity, that screen resolution is absolutely ideal, giving plenty of real estate when you do need to edit or read documents.

The screen speed is also relatively good, although not quite as responsive as some other rugged smartphones. What I did note in the feature set is that there is a glove mode, so if you’re wearing gloves for work and still need to use that connectivity, you can activate it and still use the phone. This can be really handy both at work and when you’re out cycling and need to use a phone without removing your gloves.

In use, switching between apps, the phone was more than able to handle it, and whilst there were a few slight pauses, the overall workflow was quite smooth. What impressed me was the camera app; whilst it isn’t fully featured, it does offer a pro mode and plenty of flexibility over the images you take. That image quality, whilst not high-end, is also pretty good, and if you want to use it for something other than taking detailed site photos, then it’s actually far better than I had anticipated.

On the phone, there are a variety of apps, including AI Chat, AI Video, AI Photos and AI Music. All of these are pre-installed but require you to sign up for relatively expensive subscription plans. Likewise, some of the other applications that are pre-installed offer wallpaper options, but there’s advertising always integrated that wants to take you over to Temu, and there were several occasions when, for no reason whatsoever, an advert for a game would suddenly pop up on the screen, which I found incredibly annoying.

As the initial review went on, I actually went through and deleted a huge volume of the pre-installed apps, just because I kept getting notifications about products and Temu, or about games I didn't want to play when I was least expecting them.

One of the app options that was quite good was AI Photo, which lets you use a bit for free before you need to pay. You can enhance several pictures for free before any cost is involved, and I would’ve preferred a non-AI app pre-installed that let me play around with some images, rather than almost every single option on this phone trying to get me into some other subscription model.

Once I had settled all the apps on the phone and gone through and deleted a lot of them, the phone itself was actually pretty good, very much aimed at the mid-range, with a Helio G100 being perfectly good for all of the standard Android apps, navigation, messaging, watching media and quite a lot of other work apps, even able to download CapCut and utilise that to edit short video clips without any issue.

I also really like the headline features. The thermal imaging camera is really good and easy to use, and whilst the resolution is pretty low, with all the different colour overlays that you can use, it’s really good for spotting animals and creatures hiding in the bushes, and if you do want to detect pipes and electronics that are hidden behind walls and plaster, then it’s perfectly possible to do that as well. More of a guide than anything else, but it’s nice to have that feature built into the phone.

The small torch on the top of the phone was also good. Whilst it isn’t focused, the brightness is sufficient to be able to look inside cavities or the back of cupboards to discover things in the same way that you would with a standard flashlight. It’s a bit of a shame that it’s not focusable, but the brightness is there and is pretty decent.

The battery life is also superb, and it’s only after this first week of testing that I realised I still hadn’t charged the phone and just how good having such a large battery is. Essentially, you just keep the phone in your bag on standby, and you know that it’s going to be there, ready to go when you need it.

Overall, as a business phone, the Pilot 6 is a great option. It is slightly larger than a consumer-level phone, with a thermal camera, a high-resolution main camera, and that torch, and it all comes together with the ability to make calls, making it a useful addition for anyone working out in the field.

• Performance: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)OSCAL Pilot 6: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Oscal Pilot 6 is a great smartphone option for anyone working in industry or trade. The thermal camera and high-resolution main camera let you detect piping, wiring, and other heat-related objects that other cameras can’t, and, as it’s built into a smartphone, it is a good, quick indicator for on-site visits.

Backing up the thermal camera is a very decent 108-million-pixel main camera, which is good for taking detailed site images that are first-rate in tone and, compared with some other high-resolution cameras, maintain quality. I was just impressed with the overall tone, detail and clarity this small camera was able to produce.

The torch is a nice addition, but it’s not the best smartphone torch I’ve seen. The fact that it is mounted at the top of the smartphone does make it a little more useful and versatile, but with no ability to focus and, to be honest, limited brightness, it’s great for looking in cupboards and other things that are close. But if you’re thinking of using it as a flashlight, then its power just isn’t quite up to it.

As a slightly left-field feature, the speakers are actually pretty decent. If you’re on a conference call with people on site, this phone is well-suited to that use, and you can hear things above the ambient sounds of a building site, which could be exceptionally useful.

But then you come onto some of the downsides of this phone, and primarily that is the fact that many of the apps require a subscription or take you to some advertising randomly when you least expect it, and after a day of testing, I decided to sit down and delete all of the apps on the phone that would automatically take me elsewhere.

Once the OS was cleaned, it’s a relatively decent system, and DokeOS, as ever, is nice and stable and proved fast enough, even with a 4G network connection.

The CPU and GPU are mid-range. Whilst they’re good for productivity, they’re not ideal for multimedia editing or gaming. Still, if you want to do a bit of light gaming or multimedia editing, to be honest, most phones are powerful enough these days.

By the end of the test, it was clear that if you’re working in the trade or industry and looking for a rugged, thermal-cameras smartphone, this is a great option. If you’re into outdoor activities, then whilst this is a good mid-range phone, it probably won’t fully meet your needs. Whilst that camera is good, there are better options out there.

Should I buy the OSCAL Pilot 6?

Value

Great value for a phone, with high-resolution and thermal cameras in one relatively compact unit.

4/5

Design

Usual tough, rugged design with industrial aesthetics that enable this phone to stand up to more than most. 

3.5/5

Features

A very decent set of features for a smartphone, with the added interest of that thermal camera.

4/5

Performance

Very capable mid-range smartphone, just limited by 4G connectivity and slightly intrusive apps.

3.5/5

Overall

With the apps cleaned, this is a decent rugged smartphone that can withstand more than most and offers decent performance.

4/5

Buy it if...

Need thermal vision
If you need a phone with a built-in thermal imaging camera, this is a great option, backed by a high-resolution main camera for detailed site images.

Work away often
That 10,000mAh battery just kept going, needing just one charge per week despite heavy testing, making it good not only for trade but also for camping or as a backup phone for emergencies.

Don't buy it if...

Want slim comfort
While a smartphone might be appealing, at just over 400g and considerably larger than a consumer-level model, it can be more cumbersome to carry daily.

Need 5G speeds
It’s surprising that there are still phones without 5G connectivity, but for its use, 4G is more than adequate. If you do need a faster connection, 5G rugged smartphones are available.

For more durable devices, we've tested the best rugged tablets and the best rugged laptops.

The Oscal Pilot 6 is a rugged Android smartphone that features a high-resolution Samsung camera, large-capacity battery, 98dB speaker, and thermal camera, making it an ideal smartphone solution for anyone working outdoors, in trade, surveying, or industrial work.

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Samsung HW-Q990H review: Two minute review

The Samsung HW-Q990H continues the high standard set by its predecessors, which are reliably among the best soundbars on the market, delivering a full, multi-box Dolby Atmos experience for one of the most competitive prices around. While it doesn’t offer that many changes from its predecessor, it’s still a fantastic system.

An 11.1.4 channel soundbar system, the Q990H is packed with superb sound-enhancing features such as SpaceFit Sound Pro and Q-Symphony, which add more layers to its already excellent sound. Sound Elevation (where sound is raised to the height of the TV itself) is one of two new features introduced, and while I didn’t use it for much of my testing, it could be useful depending on your circumstances.

It supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X enhanced audio formats, and there’s even support for 4K 120Hz and VRR passthrough in the soundbar’s two HDMI 2.1 In ports — perfect for those who don’t own one of the best gaming TVs.

The Q990H’s performance is phenomenal. It delivers an immersive, powerful sound with bass that’s both meaty and controlled, aided by the returning small-sized, dual-driver subwoofer introduced in last year's Q990F. Sound mapping is accurate, with details placed precisely to the correct channels and connected with the action on screen. Speech is consistently clear, and Dolby Atmos effects are re-created faithfully with real clarity. While it doesn’t innovate much on last year’s Samsung HW-Q990F, it’s still a superb soundbar.

Design-wise, the Q990H benefits from the compact subwoofer, which is easy to position while still delivering excellent sound. While the soundbar itself feels sturdy and has a nice color to it, the actual grated design doesn’t feel as premium as 2024’s Samsung Q990D, and the alphanumeric display isn’t always the easiest to read, but is a welcome feature. It would be nice to see Samsung mix up the design of the flagship model in future.

The Q990H is incredibly easy to set up and use. Actual installation took a few minutes, and I used the SmartThings app to control EQ and other features, never running into any issues. There is a supplied remote for those who don’t want to use the app, but I suggest you give the app a try.

The Q990H is a premium soundbar system, and while it delivers the performance to back up its asking price of $1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999, there aren’t a great many changes over its predecessor the Q990F. The latter is available for $1,599 / £999 / AU$1,599 at the time of writing, so it's the better option in my view. Once it disappears though, the Q990H is a more than worthy successor.

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Release date: May 2026
• Price: $1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999

The Samsung HW-Q990F is the flagship model in Samsung’s 2026 soundbar lineup. It sits above the Samsung HW-900H, HW-Q800H and the HW-QS90H, the latter of which is a follow-up to the Samsung QS700F from 2025.

The HW-Q990H’s launch prices are pretty consistent with its predecessor, the HW-Q990F, from last year. The Q990H is launching for £100 cheaper in the UK and AU$100 cheaper in Australia, however.

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Specs

Dimensions (W x H x D)

Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches)

Speaker channels

11.1.4

Connections:

1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Dolby Atmos/DTS:X

Yes/Yes

Sub included

Yes

Rear speakers included

Yes

Features

Q Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro, Adaptive Sound, Sound Elevation, Auto Volume, Game Mode Pro, Tap Sound, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, HDMI 2.1 120Hz pass-through, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision pass-through, wireless Dolby Atmos

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Features

The Q990H has two HDMI In ports, both of which support 4K 120Hz passthrough for gaming (Image credit: Future)

• 11.1.4 channel soundbar system
• Dolby Atmos and DTS-X support
• HDMI 2.1 input ports rated for 4K 120Hz gaming

The Q990H doesn’t bring many new features to the table compared to last year’s Q990F, but that’s not a bad thing, as that soundbar's features were pretty impressive. The Q990H is an 11.1.4 channel soundbar system comprising four units: a main soundbar, a subwoofer (the same compact unit introduced with the Q990F), and two rear speakers. It has the same 23-speaker layout as the Q990F.

In terms of audio support, the Q990H supports Dolby Atmos and DTS: X sound formats, and there’s support for Eclipsa Audio, Samsung and Google’s joint foray into the 3D sound world. Wireless Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are also supported.

Connections are the same as last year, with an HDMI eARC port for connection to your chosen display, as well as two HDMI In ports. Both are HDMI 2.1 and rated for 4K 120Hz gaming, and both support HDR10+ HDR. There's also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming.

The Q990H introduces two new sound features. Sound Elevation is designed to direct the sound towards the screen itself in order to create a more natural listening experience, while Auto Volume aims to reduce sudden spikes in volume when changing channels or content.

Returning sound-enhancing features include SpaceFit Sound Pro, which optimizes the sound profile to suit the environment you’re in; Adaptive Sound, which analyzes the content being played and adjusts it in real time; and Active Voice Amplifier Pro, which analyzes voices within a scene and optimizes them. The Q990H also supports Q-Symphony, which enables a compatible connected Samsung TV’s speakers to be employed to enhance the audio further.

There are a number of night-mode listening features as well, such as Private Audio, which directs the sound to the rear speakers, and Moderate Bass, which mutes the subwoofer and directs the bass to come from the soundbar itself.

The Q900H can be controlled by the SmartThings app, where adjustments to the EQ and sound levels for each channel can be made. You can also choose from the soundbar’s four listening modes here: Standard, Surround, AI and Game. The aforementioned sound enhancements can also be controlled via the app.

• Features score: 5 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Performance

The Q990H's excellent sound positioning and detail mean scenes like the Death Star attack from Star Wars: A New Hope are immersive and cinematic. (Image credit: Disney / Future )

• Detailed expansive sound
• Powerful, controlled bass
• Great Atmos reproduction

Of the Q990H’s four sound presets (Standard, Surround, Game and AI) I chose Surround, as I felt it gave the most consistently immersive sound. I also used the SpaceFit Sound Pro setting to calibrate the soundbar to our testing lab, and this created a more immersive sound profile.

The Q990H’s sound placement and mapping are superb. Watching the Death Star attack run from Star Wars: A New Hope, the whir of the X-Wing’s engines came from the rear speakers, laser fire came from all around, and the flight paths of the various TIE fighters and X-Wings was accurately placed, making me feel like I was in the cockpit.

Watching The Batman, as Penguin fired a spray of bullets towards Catwoman, the sound travelled from the front to the rear channels, following the direction of the action on screen. In the chase sequence itself, the swerving of tires and blaring car horns travelled across the soundbar, again mapped perfectly.

The compact subwoofer first introduced in last year’s Q990F returns here, and I was reminded of how good it was. Despite its smaller stature, the Q990H’s subwoofer packs a mighty punch. As the Batmobile’s engine fires up in The Batman, the subwoofer delivered an almighty rumble that filled the room, accurately delivering the roar and the crunching gear changes during the driving sequences. Crucially however, the bass never got ahead of itself, as the subwoofer demonstrated excellent control, with the same gear changes delivered with great detail.

Speaking of detail, the Q990H delivers it in spades. During the Darkstar test flight in Top Gun: Maverick, subtle sound effects, such as the wind passing through the jet’s outer panels and the tightening of Maverick’s gloves are all well balanced with the bass of the jet engine and the loud beeps of the various displays.

The Q990H benefits from four height channels, meaning Atmos effects are reproduced accurately. As Maverick flies over Admiral Kane in Top Gun: Maverick, the sound of the Darkstar’s flight path went over my head, delivering an expansive sound. The same was true as TIE Fighters flew overhead in Star Wars, with height channels precisely following their iconic howling sound.

The Q990H's subwoofer delivers powerful, controlled bass: perfect for capturing the roar of the Batmobile's engine in The Batman (pictured) (Image credit: Warner Bros. / Future )

Throughout my testing, the Q990H’s front channels delivered crystal-clear speech, even in complicated scenes such as the Batmobile chase, accurately delivering the Penguin’s frantic shouts over the loud explosions and impacts.

As I tested the Q990H with the Samsung S95F, one of 2025’s best OLED TVs, I tried out the Q-Symphony setting. This added extra volume and more power to the front channels by using the S95F’s speakers, giving everything extra punch. If you don’t own a Samsung TV, fear not — this Q990H still sounds fantastic without Q-Symphony.

I tried out the new Sound Elevation feature, and while it did move the height of the sound effectively, it wasn’t necessary for my viewing. This could be a useful feature for those who wall-mount the soundbar, but I’d recommend giving it a try to see if it fits your environment.

The Q990H is also a solid soundbar for music. Listening to a Dolby Atmos version of Bad Bunny’s BAILE INoLVIDABLE, the Q990H delivered tightly controlled low-end from the track’s heavy bass synths and drums later in the song. The piano sounded detailed, and Bunny’s varied vocals were delivered accurately. High notes had plenty of brightness without sounding overbearing, and the horn section sounded punchy and detailed.

Switching to a heavier track, Dir En Grey’s Un Deux, the Q990H did a great job delivering the pounding guitars, crunching drums and Kyo’s soaring vocals, capturing the wide production of the track with its big soundstage. While other soundbars, such as the Sonos Arc Ultra, are better for music overall, the Q990H is still great.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Design

While I like the compact subwoofer, the rest of the HW-Q990H could do with a design refresh (Image credit: Future)

• Return of the brilliant compact subwoofer
• Sturdy build quality
• Design becoming familiar

The Q990H is almost identical in appearance to last year’s Q990F, which in turn felt like a cheapened design of the 2024 Samsung HW-Q990D. While the Q990H does have a sturdy, weighty build that feels premium, my criticisms of last year’s design remain.

The highlight is once again the compact subwoofer design. The dual-driver unit is weighty, but has a much more visually appealing cubed design. Due to its more compact size, it’s much easier to conceal than most subwoofers. The main soundbar measures 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches), which was the exact width of the 55-inch Samsung S95F OLED TV I tested the soundbar with. It’s quite a deep soundbar however, so you may need to consider this when placing it.

The actual look and materials of the Q990H are the main issue. While the metallic grille that’s been used for years remains, the cheaper-looking grated design introduced in the Q990F is still here, and it doesn’t look as appealing as older models. The same is true of the rear speakers, which don’t feel or look as premium.

The alphanumeric display included can still be a challenge to a read, but it’s still welcome. While the Q990H’s overall design is fine, Samsung could stand to learn from other multi-box units, such as the JBL 1300Mk2.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Setup and usability

You can control the Q990H with the supplied remote (pictured) or the SmartThings or new Samsung Sound app (Image credit: Future)

• Easy, hassle-free setup
• SmartThings app for control as well as remote
• Wireless connection between soundbar and other units

As I’ve found with the last few iterations of Samsung’s flagship soundbar, the Q990H was a breeze to set up. I simply connected the main soundbar to the TV via HDMI eARC, and then paired the subwoofer and rear speakers by holding down a button. At one point during my testing I had to disconnect and re-connect the same units due to a brief Wi-Fi issue, and this again took a matter of minutes.

The Q990H can be controlled by the supplied remote or the SmartThings app. I opted for the latter, and it allowed me to easily make adjustments to the EQ and sound levels as I saw fit, with said changes happening almost instantaneously. It’s worth trying out the app, but the Q990H also sounds great out of the box.

One quick note: Samsung advertises its new Samsung Sound app as the new control, though at the time of writing it doesn’t offer the full compatibility or support all the features of SmartThings, so you’re best sticking with the latter for now.

• Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5

Samsung HW-Q990H review: ValueSamsung Q990H soundbar FutureSamsung Q990H subwooferFutureSamsung Q990H rear speaker Future

• Great flagship performance and features
• Still a premium price
• Only minor upgrades over predecessor

The Q990H is undoubtedly at the premium end of the soundbar market. Priced at $1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999, it’s pricier than a lot of all-in-one options such as the Sonos Arc Ultra and Marshall Heston 120, as well as more budget surround sound models from the likes of JBL, Hisense and Ultimea.

Major rivals such as the JBL 1300MK2 are also available for less, with the 1300MK2 priced at $1,699 / £999 in the US and UK (it’s pricier in Australia at $AU2,299). That said, the 1300MK2 did launch several months ago, so its prices have had time to drop.

Still, the Q990H is a flagship soundbar that delivers phenomenal audio quality and comes with a ton of useful features, most prominently its HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming. Compared to said multi-box rivals, it’s also pretty fairly priced.

There is the small matter, however, of the Q990H’s predecessor, the Q990F, still being available. While the Q990H offers a couple of upgrades, the Q990F is still a fantastic soundbar in its own right, and at $1,599 / £999 / AU$1,599 it’s the better option right now. Once it disappears, though, the Q990H will make a worthy successor — and we’ll have hopefully seen some discounts by then.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Samsung HW-Q990H?

Section

Notes

Score

Features

Great list of sound enhancing features, WI-Fi and Hi-res audio for music and 4K 120Hz for gaming

5 / 5

Performance

Detailed, powerful sound with faithful and accurate Dolby Atmos reproduction

5 / 5

Design

Compact subwoofer returns and feel sturdy, but design feels familiar and could do with a refresh

4 / 5

Setup & usability

Easy setup and usage with easier supplied remote or SmartThings app

4.5 / 5

Value

A premium experience with a price to match. Few upgrades over predecessor

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want the full Dolby Atmos experience at home
The Q990H delivers a powerful, refined and immersive sound experience with authentic Dolby Atmos, bringing the cinema to your home

You want a soundbar to cover all the bases
With Hi-res audio support, Dolby Atmos and DTS: X and 4K 120Hz for gaming, the Q990H really does cover all the bases.

You want a compact but powerful subwoofer
Some subwoofers prioritise design over sound and vice versa. The Q990H's subwoofer does both: it's small enough to hide but without compromising on sound.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
The Q990H is a fantastic soundbar, but it comes with a premium price tag. There are cheaper Atmos soundbars available.

You want an easy-to-read front display
The Q990H design hasn't been updated for a while, and the LED front display is still tricky to read.

You own the Samsung HW-Q990F
The Q990H introduces a couple of new features and refinements, but it's not dissimilar to last year's Q990F. View Deal

Samsung HW-Q990H review: Also consider

Samsung HW-Q990F

Samsung HW-Q990F

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Sonos Arc Ultra

Price (May 2026)

$1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999

$1,599 / £999 / AU$1,599

$1,699 / £999 / AU$2,299

Dimensions

Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches)

Soundbar: 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm (48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches); Subwoofer: 249 x 251.8 x 249mm (9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches); Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm (5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches)

Soundbar: 40.6 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 1030 x 58 x 136mm; subwoofer: 12.4 x 10.9 x 10.8 inches / 315 x 277 x 275mm; surround speakers: 8 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 202 x 58 x 136mm

2.95 x 46.38 x 4.35 inches (75 x 1178 x 110.6mm)

Speaker channels

11.1.4

11.1.4

11.1.4

9.1.4

Connections

Two HDMI 2.1 input, One HDMI output, optical output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Two HDMI 2.1 input, One HDMI output, optical output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

1x HDMI eARC, 3x HDMI in, digital optical, USB (playback US-only), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)

1x HDMI with eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Dolby Atmos/DTS:X

Yes/Yes

Yes/Yes

Yes / Yes

Yes/No

Sub included

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Rear speakers included

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Samsung HW-Q990F (2025)
The Samsung HW-Q990F is the Q990H's predecessor, and was Samsung's first flagship model to use the compact subwoofer featured on the Q990H. It delivers very similar performance and features to the Q990H, and is currently cheaper. This is your best bet until the Q990H's prices start dropping.

Read our full Samsung HW-Q990F review

JBL 1300Mk2
The JBL 1300Mk2 is an 11.1.4 channel Dolby Atmos system, the same as the Q990H. Its rear speakers are detachable from the front soundbar for easy storage, making it a neater system than the Q990H. While it is cheaper, it's lacking the 4K 120Hz passthrough the Q990H has, so if you want gaming features, the Q990H is your better option.

Read our full JBL 1300Mk2View Deal

Sonos Arc Ultra
The Sonos Arc Ultra is an all-in-one Dolby Atmos soundbar that delivers great performance. It's better for music than the Q990H, but the Q990H has rear speakers and a subwoofer included as standard, whereas the Arc Ultra's are optional. If you want the best value, the Q990H is my pick.

Read our full Sonos Arc Ultra review

How I tested the Samsung HW-Q990H

• Tested with the Samsung S95F OLED TV
• Tested using different sources
• Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround and stereo sound tested

I tested the Samsung HW-Q990H with the Samsung S95F OLED TV, which allowed me to test out the Q-Symphony feature, which employs the Samsung S95F's speakers in conjunction with the soundbar.

To test the Q990H soundbar, I used reference Dolby Atmos scenes that I also use to test TV speakers, namely The Batman and Top Gun: Maverick on 4K Blu-ray, and Star Wars: A New Hope for 4K streaming.

I used the Samsung SmartThings app to test out its sound features, including SpaceFit Sound Pro and Sound Elevation, as well as testing out its different sound presets.

I also tested the Samsung HW-Q990H's music capabilities using Dolby Atmos tracks such as Bad Bunny's BAILLE INoLVIDABLE, as well as stereo tracks such as Dir En Grey's Un Deux.

• First reviewed: May 2026
• Read more about how we test