OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro review: A stellar successor to the Q1 Pro

I did not care a lot for the design of the OnePlus TV Q1 Pro when it launched in 2019, and I referred to as out the producer for the extreme use of chrome and the wobbly stand. My worries concerning the stability of the bottom or the slide-out soundbar proved unfounded, and the Q1 Pro turned out to be terrific in every day use; in reality, I used it as the first lounge TV for the higher a part of two years.So when OnePlus mentioned that it was launching a successor to the Q1 sequence after a three-year hiatus, I used to be instantly . While the corporate continued to launch TVs during the last three years, they have been centered on the entry-level Y and mid-range U sequence, and we did not get a follow-up to the Q1 Pro. Until now.The OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro builds on the strengths of its predecessor, providing a QLED panel with Dolby Vision. But because the title suggests, it comes with a bigger 65-inch display screen, there is a new design, and also you get HDMI 2.1 ports. The slide-out soundbar has made approach for a set possibility, however on the plus facet, you now get a 70W built-in soundbar that is tuned by Dynaudio.Like the remainder of the producer’s TV efforts, the Q2 Pro is proscribed to India, and will not be launching in different areas. So for those who’re excited about a brand new TV and are eyeing a 65-inch mannequin, this is what you want to know concerning the Q2 Pro. OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro: Availability(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)OnePlus unveiled the TV 65 Q2 Pro at a launch occasion in New Delhi on February 7, 2023, and the TV is about to go on sale in India beginning March 10. The TV is bought in a single variant with a 65-inch display screen, and retails within the nation for ₹99,999 ($1,208). You can choose up the TV at OnePlus’s web site, Amazon, and Reliance Digital shops.You get an ordinary one-year guarantee on the TV, with an extra 12 months for the panel.OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro: Design(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)OnePlus modified the design language with the Q2 Pro, and the result’s that the TV appears to be like extra refined. The giant Horizon Soundbar is affixed to the underside bar and does not slide out, however that is nice — the brushed steel end design offers it lots of magnificence.The TV has skinny bezels on all sides, and the bottom that is included within the field is respectable sufficient. As for the shortage of a slide-out soundbar, OnePlus mentioned it needed to ship the very best sound, and by going with a set possibility, it was in a position to maximize storage and provide bigger drivers.Overall, I just like the look of the Q2 Pro.  It does not have fairly the identical character because the Q1 Pro, however it undoubtedly appears like a extra polished design.OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro: Hardware and ports(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The Q2 Pro is powered by MediaTek’s MT9617 platform, and it has 4 Cortex A73 cores together with the Mali G52. You additionally get 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, and having used lots of Android TVs through the years, I consider that the interface wants a minimum of 3GB of RAM to ship lag-free navigation, so I’m glad to see that the Q2 Pro ticks all the precise packing containers on this space.You get three HDMI ports on the again, and whereas most producers have performed quick and unfastened with HDMI 2.1 branding — taking a look at you, Xiaomi — you get full-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports right here with VRR, ALLM, and full 48Gbit bandwidth. What this principally means is that the Q2 Pro delivers 4K at 120Hz with none points, making it an excellent alternative to be used with the PS5. HDMI 2.1 is on the market on HDMI 2 and HDMI 3 ports, with the primary reserved for eARC. Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)On the connectivity facet of issues, you may discover Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, Ethernet port, and two USB 2.0 ports. I’d have favored to see Wi-Fi 6 right here, however Wi-Fi ac remains to be nice for the meant use case, and I did not see any points whereas streaming excessive bitrate 4K content material over Wi-Fi.OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro: Picture high quality(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)OnePlus went with a 65-inch 4K QLED panel for the Q2 Pro, and it full-array native dimming with 120 dimming zones. It goes as much as 500 nits in common use and hits 1200 nits for HDR content material, and consists of Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG. You get a 120Hz refresh charge with MEMC, and movement smoothing is enabled out of the field.You get lots of image modes, and the built-in digital noise discount impacts picture high quality by being a bit too aggressive. The algorithms that management the distinction ranges are additionally heavy-handed, and what I discovered finest was to make use of the Movie mode, flip off these options, and disable movement smoothing — it is referred to as Ultra clean movement.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)After switching off all of the extraneous stuff, the Q2 Pro was in a position to ship correct colours, and it was a delight to make use of the TV for streaming Dolby Vision content material on Netflix. I used a half-dozen QLED TVs following the Q1 Pro, and I just like the tech fairly a bit — it provides higher brightness and colours than LED TVs, whereas being extra reasonably priced than OLEDs.The Q2 Pro delivers good distinction ranges and vibrant colours, and the full-array native dimming makes a distinction in demanding scenes. I watched lots of soccer on the TV, together with the likes of Our Planet and Night on Earth, and older TV exhibits in customary definition. (Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The Q2 Pro does an excellent job with Dolby Vision content material specifically, and it’s simply as dependable when streaming SDR content material, providing good colour vibrancy and minimal blooming.The TV holds up extremely effectively for gaming as effectively due to the HDMI 2.1 ports and the flexibility to hit 4K at 120Hz, and there are zero points on this space. The display screen measurement together with connectivity and the QLED panel makes it a great general alternative for those who’re available in the market for a TV to make use of together with your PS5.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)On the entire, OnePlus bought lots proper with the Q2 Pro. I requested the corporate why it did not go together with OLED with this era, and was advised that it acquired lots of optimistic suggestions over the QLED panel on the Q1 Pro, so it determined to make use of the identical tech this time round. Furthermore, going with an OLED panel would have elevated the price of the TV by a sizeable margin, and OnePlus needed to launch the TV on the ₹1,00,000 determine. OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro: Sound(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)I by no means use a TV’s built-in audio system as they’re often not definitely worth the problem, however the Q2 Pro provides lots on this space due to its 70W built-in soundbar. There are two full-range drivers and one tweeter on all sides, and the forward-facing design means you get an honest quantity of sound. What makes the Q2 Pro stand out is that you just get a 30W subwoofer constructed into the chassis (it is situated on the again). The onboard audio is greater than serviceable for every day use; there’s good definition for low-end frequencies, and the Dynaudio tuning lends itself effectively to TV exhibits and flicks. I nonetheless suppose it’s best to spend money on a standalone soundbar with a subwoofer, however for those who do not wish to do this, you may discover lots to love within the built-in soundbar.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Like the Q1 Pro, you should utilize the soundbar as a Bluetooth speaker in its personal proper. Dubbed Bluetooth Stereo, you may pair your cellphone with the TV and simply use the soundbar for taking part in music, and it really works very effectively.OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro: Remote(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)I hated the distant on the Q1 Pro, so it is good to see that the Q2 Pro comes with a wise distant. It’s made out of plastic, however it has all of the buttons I want, and is nice to carry and use.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The one quibble I’ve with the distant is that the button for Google Assistant is subsequent to the again button, and each time I needed to go to the house display screen, I inadvertently pressed the Assistant button as an alternative of the house button, which is situated beneath the again button. I feel the structure ought to have been the opposite approach round, however apart from that, the distant is faultless.OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro: Software(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The Q2 Pro runs Google TV based mostly on Android 11 out of the field, and also you get all the same old streaming companies put in out of the field. The listing consists of Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and Hotstar, together with full entry to the Play Store.I hate Google TV as a lot as I like Android TV, and I do not actually perceive Google’s choice to cram the interface filled with adverts. It would make sense if it tailor-made these so-called suggestions based mostly on my viewing habits, however it does not do this. (Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)I have never seen any Hindi or Telugu content material on any of my Android TV units during the last 5 years, however every time I switched on the Q2 Pro, I bought suggestions for random TV exhibits and flicks in Hindi that I’ve by no means heard of and have zero curiosity in watching.Essentially, Google TV is a gateway for full-screen adverts, and as somebody that has a Pi-hole routing all visitors to verify no adverts get by way of the house community, I discover it more and more infuriating. Look, I would not be so irritated if Google really beneficial one thing I’d usually watch — British police procedurals — however within the two weeks I used the Q2 Pro, I solely bought adverts for regional TV exhibits and flicks.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Anyway, I intend to attach a Shield TV Pro to the TV and use that to stream media, and for those who’re equally pissed off by Google TV, I counsel doing the identical. For what it is price, the interface itself is lag-free and fluid, and I did not run into any points when streaming content material on the likes of Netflix or YouTube.OnePlus has just a few distinctive options on prime of Google TV, like MultiCast 2.0, which helps you to forged the display screen of as much as 4 cellular units to the TV on the identical time. I do not fairly perceive the necessity for this characteristic, however it’s there must you want it. NFC Cast can also be obtainable, and it provides a straightforward strategy to mirror content material out of your cellphone to the TV.You may use your cellphone as a gamepad when enjoying a sport on the TV, and you will find a memo board characteristic that permits you to depart relations a message instantly on the TV. Again, I do not see the utility of such a characteristic, and it wasn’t stay within the construct that got here out of the field.OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro: The competitors(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There’s no scarcity of QLED TVs proper now in India, and for those who’re available in the market for a 65-inch mannequin, it’s best to check out the Hisense 65U7H. The 65U7H additionally has a 65-inch panel and options HDMI 2.1 ports, and whereas the interface wants lots of work, it will get lots proper when it comes to the panel itself. Coming in at ₹64,999 ($785), it’s far more reasonably priced as effectively, and for those who do not thoughts the shortage of polish, it’s a good various. OnePlus TV 65 Q2 Pro: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You should purchase this if:You desire a 65-inch QLED TV with nice image high qualityYou want HDMI 2.1 with VRR and ALLMYou want detailed onboard soundYou should not purchase this if:You want the perfect worth on a QLED TVOnePlus did all the precise issues with the Q2 Pro. The TV has a sublime design, delivers good image high quality, and is a good alternative for those who’re available in the market for a 65-inch TV for gaming. The quibbles with Google TV aren’t restricted to this TV alone, and in relation to the fundamentals, there actually is not a lot lacking right here.The TV is not fairly nearly as good a price contemplating you may discover related panels for much less, however once you consider the remainder of the options, it turns into that rather more engaging.