When you're looking at TVs in the 95"+ range, you're entering the realm of truly cinematic home viewing. Today we're comparing two flagship models: the LG 97" G2 OLED ($14,999) and the TCL 98" QM8 ($2,999). Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your space and needs.
The large-format TV market has evolved dramatically in the past few years. These 95"+ displays were once purely commercial products, but technological advances and manufacturing improvements have brought them into the home market. Both of our contenders were released in 2023, representing the latest in their respective technologies.
The key distinction here is OLED versus Mini-LED technology. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) creates light and color at the pixel level - imagine millions of tiny lights that can turn completely off for perfect blacks. Mini-LED, on the other hand, uses thousands of tiny LED backlights behind an LCD panel, offering incredible brightness and good contrast, though not quite matching OLED's perfect blacks.
Your viewing space dramatically impacts which technology will work best. I've set up numerous home theaters, and room lighting is often overlooked but critically important.
If you have large windows or bright lighting, the TCL QM8 has a clear advantage. Its Mini-LED technology can push significantly more brightness, easily cutting through ambient light. The anti-reflective coating works well, though you'll still want to manage direct light sources.
In a controlled lighting environment, like a dedicated home theater, the LG G2 OLED truly shines. The perfect blacks and infinite contrast create an almost three-dimensional image quality that Mini-LED can't quite match. I've found that in dark rooms, OLED creates a more immersive experience, especially with cinematic content.
Both TVs offer 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), but they achieve image quality differently:
The LG G2 OLED features:
The TCL QM8 offers:
Both TVs support modern gaming features, but there are differences:
LG G2:
TCL QM8:
The price difference here is substantial - the LG G2 costs about five times more than the TCL QM8. This price gap reflects both the cost of OLED technology at this size and LG's premium positioning.
Beyond the purchase price, consider:
Having spent time with both technologies, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
Both TVs game well, but the LG G2's faster response time and better motion handling give it an edge for competitive gaming.
If you're building a dedicated home theater, several factors come into play:
Choose the LG G2 OLED if:
Choose the TCL QM8 if:
Both of these TVs represent the cutting edge of their respective technologies. The LG G2 OLED offers the ultimate in picture quality for those who can afford it and have the right viewing environment. The TCL QM8 provides exceptional value and better bright-room performance at a fraction of the cost.
For most buyers, the TCL QM8 will be the more practical choice, offering tremendous performance for the price. However, if you're building a dedicated home theater and budget allows, the LG G2's perfect blacks and superior contrast create an unmatched viewing experience.
Remember, both TVs are massive and require careful consideration of room size, viewing distance, and installation requirements. Whichever you choose, you'll be getting a truly cinematic viewing experience that was impossible in homes just a few years ago.
| LG 97" G2 OLED ($14,999) | TCL 98" QM8 ($2,999) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines core picture quality characteristics | |
| OLED Evo (self-emitting pixels, perfect blacks) | Mini-LED (2,300 dimming zones, higher brightness) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 1,800 nits (excellent for dark rooms) | 2,500 nits (superior bright room performance) |
| Black Level Performance - Impacts overall contrast and movie experience | |
| Perfect blacks (infinite contrast) | Very good blacks (some blooming possible) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 4K/120Hz, <1ms response, G-Sync/FreeSync | 4K/144Hz, 4ms response, basic VRR |
| Smart Platform - Affects daily usability and app experience | |
| webOS (more polished, stable) | Google TV (more apps, occasionally laggy) |
| Power Consumption - Impacts running costs | |
| 230W typical (more efficient) | 450W typical (higher energy costs) |
| Viewing Angle - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
| Excellent (minimal color shift) | Limited (color shifts at angles) |
| Warranty - Protection for your investment | |
| 2 years (panels rarely fail) | 1 year (standard coverage) |
| Room Requirements - Critical for optimal performance | |
| Best in controlled lighting | Versatile, handles bright rooms well |
| Value Proposition - Overall price-to-performance ratio | |
| Premium price, ultimate picture quality | Excellent value, very good performance |
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 conditions, it provides a more cinematic experience than the TCL QM8.
The TCL 98" QM8 ($2,999) offers significantly better value, costing about one-fifth of the LG G2 while delivering very good picture quality and brightness.
The TCL 98" QM8 performs better in bright rooms thanks to its higher peak brightness and anti-reflective coating. It's more versatile for rooms with windows or bright lighting.
The LG 97" G2 offers superior gaming performance with faster response times (<1ms), G-Sync/FreeSync support, and better motion handling, making it ideal for competitive gaming.
The LG G2 provides better movie-watching experience in dark rooms with superior contrast and black levels. However, the TCL QM8 still offers excellent picture quality at a much lower price point.
Both TVs are built to last, but the TCL QM8's Mini-LED technology might have a longer lifespan due to no burn-in risk. However, modern OLEDs like the LG G2 have significantly improved longevity.
The TCL 98" QM8 performs better for daytime sports viewing due to its higher brightness. However, the LG 97" G2 handles motion slightly better in ideal lighting conditions.
Both TVs handle streaming content excellently, but the LG G2 has an advantage with darker content and HDR movies. The TCL QM8 performs better for brighter content and daytime viewing.
For both the LG 97" G2 and TCL 98" QM8, you'll want a minimum viewing distance of 10-15 feet and a room width of at least 15 feet for optimal viewing. Consider ceiling height as well - these are massive displays.
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 - camelcamelcamel.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com - greentoe.com - tcl.com
