In 2024, we're seeing an exciting trend in home entertainment - truly massive TVs becoming surprisingly affordable. Let's compare two flagship models: the Hisense 100" U8 Series ($2,999) and the Samsung 98" QN90D ($12,999), both released in early 2024. These aren't just big TVs; they're practically home theater screens that can transform your living room into a personal cinema.
Both TVs use Mini-LED technology, which is a significant upgrade from traditional LED backlighting. Think of Mini-LEDs like having thousands of tiny flashlights behind your screen instead of just a few dozen bigger ones. This allows for much more precise control over brightness and dark areas, getting closer to the perfect blacks that OLED TVs are famous for.
The key differences lie in how each manufacturer implements this technology:
The Hisense U8 pushes brightness to impressive levels, reaching 1500 nits (a measure of screen brightness). That's bright enough to look great even in sunny rooms. Samsung's QN90D doesn't quite match this peak brightness but compensates with superior video processing - meaning it's better at making lower-quality content look good on such a large screen.
Samsung's Neural Quantum Processor is particularly good at upscaling - making lower-resolution content look better on these massive screens. This matters because most content isn't native 4K, and at 98-100 inches, you'll notice any imperfections. The Hisense handles this well too, but Samsung has a slight edge in making older content look crisp.
Both TVs are excellent for gaming, but there are some notable differences:
For most gamers, either TV will provide an exceptional experience. The Hisense's higher refresh rate might appeal to PC gamers, while console gamers won't notice much difference since current consoles max out at 120Hz anyway.
The Hisense U8 uses Google TV, which I find more intuitive and user-friendly. It integrates well with other Google services and offers excellent content recommendations. Samsung's Tizen OS on the QN90D is also capable but can feel a bit cluttered. However, Samsung's Gaming Hub - which lets you stream games without a console - is a unique feature that some might value.
When setting up a home theater, both TVs excel but have different strengths:
These TVs are massive and heavy - the Hisense weighs about 150 pounds, while the Samsung is around 167 pounds. You'll want:
This is where the comparison gets interesting. The Hisense U8 at $2,999 represents exceptional value, offering:
The Samsung QN90D at $12,999 provides:
In actual use, both TVs deliver stunning picture quality. The Hisense impresses with its brightness and vibrant colors, while the Samsung shows its strength in processing and handling of different content types. For most content - streaming, sports, movies - you'd be hard-pressed to see $10,000 worth of difference between them.
Consider these factors when making your choice:
For most buyers, the Hisense U8 represents the better choice. It offers 90% of the Samsung's performance at less than 25% of the price. The money saved could go toward an excellent sound system or room treatments to create a true home theater experience.
The Samsung QN90D is an excellent TV, but its price premium is hard to justify unless money is no object and you demand the absolute best in processing and build quality.
Remember: Both TVs represent the cutting edge of what's possible in home entertainment, and either one will provide an impressive viewing experience that was unimaginable at these prices just a few years ago.
| Hisense U8 100" ($2,999) | Samsung QN90D 98" ($12,999) |
|---|---|
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 1,500 nits (excellent for most environments) | 1,000 nits (still very good but not class-leading) |
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and HDR precision | |
| 1,600+ zones (excellent contrast control) | 1,000+ zones (very good but fewer zones) |
| Refresh Rate - Higher rates mean smoother motion, especially for gaming | |
| 144Hz (ideal for PC gaming) | 120Hz (great for console gaming) |
| Input Lag - Lower numbers mean more responsive gaming | |
| 13.1ms (very good) | 9.6ms (excellent) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Google TV (more user-friendly, better integration) | Tizen (good but more complex, exclusive gaming features) |
| Processing - Impacts upscaling quality of non-4K content | |
| Good upscaling (visible artifacts on lower quality content) | Excellent upscaling (better handling of low-quality sources) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 50W 2.1.2 channel (good for casual viewing) | 40W 2.2 channel (adequate but less powerful) |
| Value Proposition - Overall price-to-performance ratio | |
| Excellent value (90% of premium performance at 25% of cost) | Premium pricing (incremental improvements at 4x cost) |
Both offer excellent picture quality, but the Hisense U8 ($2,999) provides higher peak brightness at 1,500 nits, making it slightly better for HDR content. The Samsung QN90D ($12,999) has superior upscaling, which matters when watching non-4K content on such large screens.
The Hisense U8 offers exceptional value at $2,999, while the Samsung QN90D is priced at $12,999. The Hisense delivers about 90% of the Samsung's performance at less than 25% of the cost.
For both the 98-inch Samsung and 100-inch Hisense, you'll want a minimum viewing distance of 12-15 feet for optimal viewing. The room should be at least 15 feet deep and 13 feet wide to accommodate these sizes comfortably.
The Hisense U8 offers a 144Hz refresh rate with 13.1ms input lag, while the Samsung QN90D provides 120Hz with 9.6ms input lag. Both support VRR and ALLM, making them excellent for gaming, but the Hisense has a slight edge for PC gaming due to higher refresh rate.
Yes, professional installation is recommended for both models. They weigh over 150 pounds each and require proper mounting or very sturdy furniture. Improper installation could be dangerous and void warranty coverage.
The Hisense U8 has an advantage with its 1,500 nit peak brightness, making it better suited for bright rooms. Both TVs have anti-glare technology, but the higher brightness of the Hisense gives it an edge in challenging lighting conditions.
The Hisense uses Google TV, which is generally more user-friendly and offers better content recommendations. The Samsung's Tizen OS has exclusive features like Gaming Hub but can be more complex to navigate.
The Hisense U8 features a 50W 2.1.2 channel system, while the Samsung QN90D has a 40W 2.2 channel system. However, for proper home theater use, an external sound system is recommended for both.
Both manufacturers offer similar warranties and expected lifespans of 7-10 years with normal use. The Samsung may have slight edge in build quality, but both are premium products designed for longevity.
Yes, both TVs require HDMI 2.1 cables to access features like 4K/120Hz gaming. The Hisense U8 needs them for 144Hz support, while the Samsung QN90D requires them for 120Hz and VRR features.
Both excel at movie playback, but the Hisense U8 has an advantage in HDR content due to higher brightness. The Samsung QN90D has better upscaling for older movies but may not justify its premium price for most users.
This is a crucial consideration - both TVs require careful planning for delivery and installation. Doorways should be at least 36 inches wide, and you'll need to consider hallway turns and stairways. Professional delivery services can usually handle the logistics but should be consulted beforehand.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: bestbuy.com - valueelectronics.com - pcrichard.com - youtube.com - cnet.com - bargainoutletandmore.com - bestbuy.com - files.hisense-usa.com - fouanistore.com - bestbuy.com/6561416) - salesindia.com - rtings.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - fullcompass.com - digitalhomecreations.com - jeffsappliance.com - bestbuy.com - displayspecifications.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - image-us.samsung.com - youtube.com
