If you're looking to create a truly cinematic experience at home, today's massive TVs offer an incredible alternative to traditional projector setups. Let's compare two standout options in the 95"+ category: the Hisense 100" U76 Series ($1,999) and the Samsung 98" QN90D Series ($12,999).
The landscape of large format TVs has changed dramatically in recent years. What was once exclusively premium territory has become more accessible, with manufacturers like Hisense bringing 100-inch displays to price points that were unthinkable just a few years ago.
These massive TVs compete directly with traditional home theater projectors, offering some significant advantages:
However, they do require careful consideration of your space. You'll need:
The Hisense U76 and Samsung QN90D both use quantum dot technology (that's the 'Q' in QLED) to produce vibrant colors, but their implementations differ significantly.
Released in early 2024, the U76 combines quantum dots with traditional LED backlighting and 256 dimming zones. Think of dimming zones like independently controlled sections of the backlight - more zones mean better contrast and less "blooming" (where bright objects create a halo effect on dark backgrounds).
The QN90D, released in late 2023, uses Mini-LED technology (what Samsung calls Neo QLED). These much smaller LED lights allow for more precise control and typically better contrast. It's similar to having a much finer brush for painting - you can create more detailed light and dark areas.
In real-world testing, both TVs perform impressively, but the Samsung shows its premium pedigree with:
However, the Hisense holds its own remarkably well considering the price difference, particularly in good lighting conditions.
Here's where things get interesting. The Hisense U76 actually outperforms its more expensive rival in some gaming aspects:
Both TVs handle gaming well, but the Hisense's higher refresh rate gives it a slight edge for PC gaming. For console gaming (PS5/Xbox Series X), both perform excellently since consoles typically max out at 120Hz anyway.
The choice between Google TV (Hisense) and Tizen OS (Samsung) might influence your decision more than you'd expect, as you'll interact with these systems daily.
Google TV offers:
Tizen provides:
In my experience, Google TV's content discovery features make it easier to find something to watch, but Samsung's interface feels more responsive overall.
The price difference here is stark - you could buy six Hisense TVs for the price of one Samsung. Let's break down what that premium gets you:
Samsung QN90D advantages:
Hisense U76 advantages:
For dedicated home theater use, both TVs offer compelling features but with different strengths:
The Samsung excels at:
The Hisense stands out for:
Both support Dolby Atmos passthrough and have decent built-in speakers, though for a proper home theater, you'll want a separate audio system regardless of which TV you choose.
Consider these key factors:
For most buyers, the Hisense U76 represents an incredible value that's hard to ignore. It delivers a massive, high-quality picture with excellent gaming features at a revolutionary price point. Unless you're a serious enthusiast who demands the absolute best picture quality and has the budget to match, it's the more logical choice.
The Samsung QN90D is for those who want the very best and are willing to pay for it. Its superior processing, better contrast, and more refined picture quality are noticeable - but you'll have to decide if those improvements are worth the significant price premium.
Remember that both TVs are massive and will dominate any room they're in. Measure your space carefully, plan for installation help, and consider viewing distance before making your final decision. Either way, you'll end up with a truly theatrical experience that was impossible at these price points just a few years ago.
| Hisense 100" U76 ($1,999) | Samsung 98" QN90D ($12,999) |
|---|---|
| Screen Size - Larger size provides more immersive experience, but requires proper viewing distance (12-15 feet minimum) | |
| 100 inches | 98 inches |
| Display Technology - Affects overall picture quality and brightness capabilities | |
| QLED with standard LED backlight | Neo QLED with Mini-LED backlight (superior contrast) |
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and less blooming around bright objects | |
| 256 zones | ~1000 zones (better HDR performance) |
| Refresh Rate - Higher rates provide smoother motion, especially important for gaming | |
| 144Hz (excellent for gaming) | 120Hz (standard for high-end TVs) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and viewing in bright rooms | |
| 800 nits | 2,000+ nits (significantly better HDR) |
| Smart Platform - Affects daily usability and content access | |
| Google TV (better content discovery, more apps) | Tizen (smoother but more limited) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console and PC gaming | |
| VRR, ALLM, 144Hz, FreeSync Premium | VRR, ALLM, 120Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro |
| Weight - Consider for mounting and installation | |
| 132.3 lbs (without stand) | 166.9 lbs (without stand) |
| Warranty - Indicates manufacturer confidence | |
| 2 years | 1 year |
| Release Date - Newer models typically have better features | |
| Early 2024 | Late 2023 |
The Samsung 98" QN90D ($12,999) offers superior dark room performance and HDR handling, making it better for dedicated home theaters. However, the Hisense 100" U76 ($1,999) provides excellent performance at a fraction of the cost, making it a compelling value choice for most home theater setups.
The Hisense U76 costs $1,999, while the Samsung QN90D is priced at $12,999 - a difference of $11,000.
The Hisense U76 offers superior gaming features with a 144Hz refresh rate, while the Samsung QN90D maxes out at 120Hz. Both support VRR and ALLM, but the Hisense's higher refresh rate gives it an edge for PC gaming.
Both TVs perform well in bright environments, but the Samsung QN90D has significantly higher peak brightness (2,000+ nits vs 800 nits). However, the Hisense U76 is still bright enough for most well-lit rooms.
For both the Hisense 100" and Samsung 98", you'll need a minimum viewing distance of 12-15 feet and a wall width of at least 9 feet. Room height should be at least 8 feet for comfortable viewing.
The Hisense U76 uses Google TV, offering better content discovery and more apps. The Samsung QN90D uses Tizen OS, which is smoother but more limited in functionality.
Yes, both TVs offer projector-sized images with superior brightness and contrast. They don't require dark rooms like projectors and offer instant on/off capability, making them excellent projector alternatives.
The Samsung QN90D offers better movie performance with superior HDR handling and more precise local dimming. However, the Hisense U76 still provides excellent movie viewing experience at a much lower price point.
Yes, professional installation is recommended for both the Hisense U76 and Samsung QN90D. They weigh over 130 pounds and require secure mounting and careful handling.
The Samsung QN90D offers superior HDR performance with higher peak brightness and more local dimming zones. The Hisense U76 still provides good HDR but doesn't reach the same peak brightness levels.
Both TVs should last 7-10 years with normal use. The Samsung QN90D offers premium build quality, while the Hisense U76 provides a longer warranty (2 years vs 1 year).
The Hisense U76 offers exceptional value, delivering 90% of the premium features at 15% of the cost of the Samsung QN90D. Unless you need the absolute best picture quality, the Hisense provides better value for most users.
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 - greentoe.com - walmart.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - files.hisense-usa.com - displayspecifications.com - hisense-canada.com - howards.pairsite.com - displayspecifications.com - electronicexpress.com - hisense-usa.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
