Most innovative LCD TVs: Samsung Neo QN90A vs LG QNED90. Review

Probably, this year will go down in the history of TVs development as one of the most saturated. Indeed, this year’s list of significant innovations includes:

– OLED Evo technology (LG G1 Gallery Series OLED TV).

– Sony’s Cognitive Processor in new Sony BRAVIA XR A80J & A90J TVs.

– Hisense Dual Cell technology (75U9DG).

– TriChroma Laser technology in Hisense L9G UST Laser TV;

– MiniLED backlit.

All of these technologies solve certain tasks. For example, OLED Evo panels provide up to 1,000 nits of OLED TVs brightness. Today premium OLED models provide max brightness only up to about 800 nits.

Sony’s Cognitive Processor enhances video quality by splitting the screen into hundreds of zones and recognizing separate objects in each of them.

Dual Cell technology uses an additional monochromatic LCD layer, whose black and white pixels act as a primitive analogue of the backlit with Local Dimming for the RGB layer.

The Hisense L9G UST Laser TV is actually an Ultra Short Throw (UST) laser 4K HDR projector with a built-in TV tuner that delivers high-quality images on a 100-inch or 120-inch screen.

But miniLED backlit is causing the most interest and really claims to be the second giant breakthrough after quantum dot (QD) technology in the improvement of LED TVs.

MiniLED backlit

As known, quantum dot (QD) technology has radically expanded the color gamut and increased color accuracy by significantly improving the white quality for backlit. In fact, QD TV generates white using an additional film with two types of nanoparticles, the sizes of which correspond to green and red wavelengths.

In this case, the blue from the backlit is directed to the film and partially passes through it. Nanoparticles on the film absorb blue and re-emit green and red, respectively. Behind the film, blue, green and red are combined into high quality white, which is used like backlit for RGB layer.
Companies today use this technology under a variety of names including Samsung QLED, LG Nano Cell, Sony Triluminos, Hisense ULED, etc.

MiniLED backlit use a huge number of miniature LEDs, increasing overall image contrast by dramatically increasing the number of local dimming zones.

For example, the announced in spring 85-inch TCL X12 8K Mini LED Starlight Smart Screen uses an unprecedented 96,000 LED chips, which are grouped into 1920 local dimming zones. But its price exceeds $ 15,000 and it’s not available today.

In contrast to this Chinese miracle, the Samsung Neo QLED & LG QNED series with miniLED backlit have been available since spring, not very expensive, and are rapidly gaining popularity. Of course, the competition between these two South Korean giants is of great interest from consumers and experts.

Samsung Neo QLED QN90A vs LG QNED90 Series

Prices:

– 50″ (125cm) – $ 1,200 / -;

– 55″ (138cm) – $ 1,350 / -;

– 65″ (164cm) – $ 2,000 / $ 1,600;

– 75″ (195cm) – $ 2,600 / $ 2,200;

– 85″ (217cm) – $ 3,750 / $ 3,300 (86″).

Considering the size of the available models, Samsung is $ 400 more expensive, and its series additionally includes 50″ and 55″ Tvs.

LG currently only offers models with a screen of 65 inches or more.

Many of the specs and functionality of these TVs are identical. Both models are ideal for gaming, supporting 120Hz refresh rate, 3 ms response time, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), FreeSync (AMD) & G-Sync (Nvidia), and 5ms Input Lag for 4K@120Hz. But Samsung wins marginally for 4K@60Hz + HDR (10ms vs 14ms).

TVs also support Google Assistant & Amazon Alexa, Dolby Atmos and have HDMI ARC / eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel). As known, ARC protocol is designed to transmit sound from TV to a soundbar or receiver.

But in general, the price level is quite high. This is probably the first time the price of LCD TVs exceeds the price of OLED models. In particular, the 65″ Samsung Neo QLED QN90A is $ 200 more expensive than the great 65″ LG OLED C1 ($ 2,000 vs $ 1,800).

Main differences

The Samsung’s basic specs are higher. This list includes (Samsung QN90A vs LG QNED90):

– contrast with Local Dimmimg – 26,000: 1 vs 6,000: 1;

– Local Dimming with Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) – 792 zones vs 1,000 zones;

– color coverage or color gamut (characterizes the number of displayed color shades) – DCI-P3 – 90% vs 81%; Rec 2020 – 70% vs 64%;

– max brightness – 1,860 nits vs 1,030 nits;

– reflections – 87% (with layer against reflections) vs 59%;

– video technologies – HDR 10, HLG, Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ vs HDR 10, HLG, HDR 10+;

– 10bit 120Hz VA panel vs 10bit 120Hz ADS panel (but for Europe, Samsung models use ADS panel, which is an improved version of the IPS panel).

Discussion about pros & cons of IPS vs VA panels lasts for several years. Overall, the VA panel is more expensive, brighter, and provides higher contrast, but IPS is cheaper, faster, has wider viewing angles and offers higher color accuracy. In addition, ADS technology opens up new prospects for IPS panels. But today, premium LCD TVs are more likely to use VA panels.

– wide viewing angles with Ultra Viewing Angle technology vs wide viewing angles of ADS panel;

– Samsung has a Twin tuner that can record a selected program while watching a different channel. But the option is available when only one signal source is used at a time;

– Audio – 4.2.2 channels (60W) vs 2.2 channels (40W);

– HDMI 2.1 – 1x vs 2x.

Unlike Samsung, the LG TV has a 3.5 jack and supports Apple Homekit.

Conclusion

Probably, this year has become one of the most intense in terms of improving TVs. This list includes:

– OLED Evo technology (LG G1 Gallery Series OLED TV);

– Sony’s Cognitive Processor in new Sony BRAVIA XR A80J & A90J TVs;

– Hisense Dual Cell technology (75U9DG);

– TriChroma Laser technology in Hisense L9G UST Laser TV;

– MiniLED backlit (Samsung Neo QLED & LG QNED series and TCL OD-Zero MiniLED backlit).

The miniLED backlit really claims to be the second giant leap behind quantum dot (QD) technology in LED TVs. As known, it significantly increases the overall image contrast due to the use of a huge number of miniature LEDs, combined into hundreds and even thousands of local dimming zones with separate control. Today the market offers Samsung Neo QLED & LG QNED series with this innovation.

Samsung QN90A delivers higher image quality for SDR / HDR content at the expense of higher specs, but it’s about 20% more expensive. Besides, the assessment of this aspect must take into account reasonable sufficiency. LG delivers great 6,000: 1 contrast, 81% DCI-P3 color coverage and 1,030 nits peak brightness, which is more than enough for SDR content, including satellite or cable TV. Samsung’s advantage is visually manifested when viewing high-quality HDR content such as from Netflix and, accordingly, only makes sense when accessing it.

Both models are ideal for gaming. The cons list of LG TV includes minor dirty screen effect and blooming, but Samsung has only one HDMI 2.1 interface and does not support Dolby Vision.

This video introduces the LG QNED90 Series with miniLED backlit.