When you're ready to invest in a truly theater-sized TV, the choice often comes down to two leading technologies: OLED and Neo QLED. Let's dive into comparing the LG 97" G2 OLED ($14,999) and the Samsung 98" QN90D Neo QLED ($12,999), both representing the pinnacle of their respective technologies.
The TV landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. The LG G2 launched in 2022 with their breakthrough OLED evo panel, which finally addressed OLED's historical brightness limitations. Meanwhile, the Samsung QN90D represents the latest evolution of their mini-LED technology, which uses thousands of tiny LEDs to achieve OLED-like contrast while maintaining LCD's brightness advantages.
Think of OLED as having millions of tiny light bulbs that can completely turn off (perfect blacks) but with some brightness limitations. Neo QLED, on the other hand, is like having an incredibly precise backlight with thousands of dimming zones - brighter overall but never quite achieving OLED's perfect blacks.
Both TVs excel, but in different ways. The LG G2 delivers unmatched black levels and contrast - imagine watching a space movie where the stars truly pop against a perfectly black background. This makes it ideal for home theaters where you control the lighting.
The Samsung QN90D shines (literally) in bright environments. Its 2500-nit peak brightness (compared to OLED's 1200) means HDR highlights like sunlight or explosions have more impact, and the picture remains vibrant even in sun-filled rooms.
Both TVs support modern gaming features:
The LG has a slight edge in response time and input lag, making it marginally better for competitive gaming. However, the Samsung's higher brightness might be preferable for daytime gaming sessions.
This is perhaps the most crucial factor. If you're setting up a dedicated home theater, the LG OLED is nearly impossible to beat. Its perfect blacks and infinite contrast create a truly cinematic experience in controlled lighting.
However, if your TV will live in a bright living room or you frequently watch during the day, the Samsung Neo QLED is probably the better choice. Its anti-reflective coating and higher brightness make it more versatile in varying light conditions.
We need to address OLED burn-in. While modern OLEDs have many protections against this, it's still possible with static images displayed for extended periods. If you watch a lot of news channels with static logos or play games with fixed HUD elements, the Samsung's QLED technology might provide more peace of mind.
Both TVs are massive and heavy (over 120 pounds each). The LG is designed primarily for wall mounting, while the Samsung offers more flexible placement options. Consider your room layout and mounting capabilities carefully.
While the $2,000 price difference might seem significant, at this price point it's worth focusing on getting exactly what you want. The LG G2 commands its premium price through superior contrast and perfect blacks, while the Samsung QN90D offers slightly more screen size and better bright-room performance at a lower price point.
In a dedicated home theater, the LG OLED's advantages become more pronounced:
However, if your home theater doubles as a media room with ambient light, the Samsung's brightness advantage might be more valuable.
Choose the LG 97" G2 if:
Choose the Samsung 98" QN90D if:
Both technologies continue to evolve. OLED is getting brighter each year, while mini-LED backlighting is getting more precise. However, both these models represent the current peak of their respective technologies and will provide outstanding performance for years to come.
Remember, the best TV isn't always the most expensive one - it's the one that best matches your viewing environment and habits. Consider your room, your content preferences, and your viewing schedule when making your final decision.
| LG 97" G2 OLED ($14,999) | Samsung 98" QN90D Neo QLED ($12,999) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Fundamentally affects picture quality and viewing experience | |
| OLED evo (self-lit pixels, perfect blacks) | Neo QLED (mini-LED backlit LCD, very bright) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 1,200 nits (good for controlled lighting) | 2,500 nits (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Black Level Performance - Determines contrast and dark scene quality | |
| Perfect blacks (0 nits, infinite contrast) | Very good (mini-LED local dimming) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM, <1ms response | 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM, ~4ms response |
| Screen Size - Minimal difference at this scale | |
| 97 inches | 98 inches |
| Power Consumption - Impacts running costs | |
| 423 kWh/year (more efficient) | 750 kWh/year (higher due to brightness) |
| Room Compatibility - Critical for optimal viewing experience | |
| Best in dedicated home theaters/dark rooms | Versatile, excellent in bright rooms |
| Weight - Important for mounting considerations | |
| 123.5 lbs | 166.9 lbs |
| Long-term Considerations - Affects peace of mind | |
| Potential burn-in risk with static images | No burn-in risk, more durable |
| Value Proposition - Price vs. Feature analysis | |
| Premium price for ultimate picture quality | Better value if brightness is priority |
The LG 97" G2 OLED ($14,999) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio. In controlled lighting, OLED technology provides a more cinematic experience than the Samsung QN90D ($12,999).
The Samsung QN90D performs significantly better in bright rooms with its 2,500-nit peak brightness, while the LG G2 maxes out at 1,200 nits. For sunlit spaces, the Samsung is the clear winner.
For movie watching, especially in dark scenes, the LG G2 offers superior performance with perfect blacks and better shadow detail. However, the Samsung QN90D provides excellent HDR highlights for daytime viewing.
Both TVs offer excellent gaming features with 4K@120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. The LG G2 has slightly better response time (<1ms vs 4ms), but the difference is minimal for most gamers.
The LG G2 OLED maintains better picture quality at wide viewing angles compared to the Samsung QN90D, making it ideal for larger seating arrangements in home theaters.
Burn-in remains a potential risk with the LG G2, particularly with static images like news tickers or game HUDs. The Samsung QN90D isn't susceptible to burn-in, offering more peace of mind.
At $12,999, the Samsung QN90D offers better value with its larger screen and versatile performance. The LG G2 at $14,999 commands a premium for its superior contrast and perfect blacks.
The Samsung QN90D has superior anti-reflection coating and higher brightness to combat glare. The LG G2 handles reflections well but is better suited to controlled lighting.
The difference is minimal - the Samsung QN90D is 98 inches while the LG G2 is 97 inches. At this scale, the 1-inch difference is practically imperceptible.
The Samsung QN90D has an advantage for sports viewing due to its higher brightness and better motion handling in bright rooms. However, the LG G2 performs excellently in darker environments.
The LG G2 is more energy-efficient at 423 kWh/year, while the Samsung QN90D uses approximately 750 kWh/year due to its brighter display.
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: digitaltrends.com - xssentials.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - rangsemart.com.bd - woodburyappliance.com - displaymate.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - displayspecifications.com - techradar.com - avsforum.com - lg.com - youtube.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
