Are you trying to decide between the new Panasonic 65" OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV and the Samsung 65" QN90D Neo QLED Smart TV? Let's break down everything you need to know about these premium TVs to help you make the right choice for your home.
The television market has evolved dramatically in recent years, with two main technologies now dominating the high-end space: OLED and Mini-LED (which Samsung brands as Neo QLED). Both offer stunning picture quality, but they achieve it in fundamentally different ways.
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panels create their own light at the pixel level, allowing each pixel to turn completely off for perfect blacks. Neo QLED uses tiny LED backlights (called Mini-LEDs) with advanced local dimming to approach OLED-like contrast while delivering much higher brightness.
The Panasonic OLED delivers what many consider the ultimate contrast experience. Since each pixel creates its own light, when a pixel needs to be black, it simply turns off completely. This creates true, infinite contrast that's especially noticeable in dark scenes. Watching space movies or dark thriller scenes in a home theater setting is simply breathtaking on this TV.
The Samsung Neo QLED takes a different approach. Its Mini-LED backlighting system uses thousands of tiny LEDs arranged in precise zones. While it can't match OLED's perfect blacks, it comes remarkably close, and most viewers would be hard-pressed to notice the difference in typical viewing conditions.
This is where the Samsung really shines (pun intended). The QN90D can reach peak brightness levels nearly twice that of the Panasonic OLED, making HDR content really pop. HDR (High Dynamic Range) content looks spectacular on both TVs, but the Samsung's higher brightness gives it an edge with HDR highlights like sunlight reflecting off water or bright explosions.
The Panasonic compensates somewhat with its superior contrast and color accuracy, but if you're watching in a bright room or really want HDR content to shine, the Samsung has a clear advantage.
Both TVs support modern gaming features, but Samsung has put extra emphasis on gaming with the QN90D. It includes:
The Panasonic OLED also supports key gaming features like VRR and ALLM, but with slightly higher input lag (around 14ms) and fewer gaming-specific optimizations. Both will provide an excellent gaming experience, but competitive gamers might prefer the Samsung's lower input lag and gaming-focused features.
Both TVs offer comprehensive smart platforms with access to all major streaming services. The Samsung runs on Tizen OS, which is generally more polished and responsive than Panasonic's MyHomeScreen platform. However, both will handle your streaming needs without issue.
A notable difference is voice assistant support. The Samsung integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby, while Panasonic offers more limited voice control options.
At $3,199, the Panasonic OLED commands a premium price for its superior movie-watching experience and color accuracy. The Samsung QN90D offers better value at $2,497, especially considering its versatility and gaming features.
Both TVs represent significant improvements over their predecessors. The Panasonic Z95A series (released September 2024) includes their latest Micro Lens Array technology, which helps boost brightness - traditionally an OLED weakness. The heat management system has also been improved, reducing the risk of burn-in (where static images can leave permanent marks on the screen).
The Samsung QN90D (released early 2024) features an upgraded AI processor that improves upscaling of lower-resolution content and enhanced local dimming algorithms for better contrast control.
If you're building a dedicated home theater room, the Panasonic OLED is probably your best bet. Its perfect blacks and superior contrast really shine in a controlled lighting environment, and its color accuracy is second to none. I've personally found that OLED TVs provide an unmatched movie-watching experience in dark rooms.
However, if your home theater doubles as a living room or has significant ambient light, the Samsung's brightness advantage might make it the better choice. I've seen both TVs in various lighting conditions, and the Samsung maintains better picture quality in bright environments.
Here's my straightforward advice based on different use cases:
Choose the Panasonic OLED if:
Choose the Samsung Neo QLED if:
Both the Panasonic OLED and Samsung Neo QLED are exceptional TVs that represent the best of their respective technologies. The Panasonic offers the ultimate movie-watching experience in controlled lighting, while the Samsung provides better versatility and value for most users.
Remember that personal preference plays a huge role in TV selection. If possible, try to view both TVs in person before making your final decision. Pay attention to the lighting conditions in the store and how they might differ from your home environment.
| Panasonic 65" OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV | Samsung 65" QN90D Neo QLED Smart TV |
|---|---|
| Panel Technology - Determines fundamental picture characteristics and viewing environment suitability | |
| OLED (perfect blacks, best for dark rooms) | Mini-LED (brighter, better for lit rooms) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 800-1000 nits (good for controlled lighting) | 2000+ nits (excellent for any lighting) |
| Price - Consider value against your specific needs | |
| $3,199 (premium price for ultimate movie quality) | $2,497 (better value for most users) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| Basic VRR/ALLM support, 14ms input lag | Advanced gaming hub, 9.7ms input lag, better VRR |
| HDR Format Support - Affects compatibility with streaming content | |
| All formats (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG) | HDR10+ and HLG (no Dolby Vision) |
| Color Accuracy - Crucial for movie enthusiasts | |
| Professional-grade accuracy out of box | Very good but needs calibration for best results |
| Risk Factors - Consider long-term durability | |
| Potential burn-in risk with static images | No burn-in risk, more durable |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality matters if not using external speakers | |
| 20W system (basic, external recommended) | 60W 4.2.2ch (good for casual viewing) |
| Processor - Affects upscaling and motion handling | |
| HCX Pro AI Gen2 (excellent for movies) | NQ4 AI Gen2 (superior gaming processing) |
The Panasonic 65" OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its perfect blacks and exceptional contrast performance in dark rooms. While the Samsung is excellent, OLED technology provides an unmatched cinematic experience when lighting is controlled.
The Samsung 65" QN90D Neo QLED Smart TV delivers significantly higher brightness, reaching over 2,000 nits compared to the Panasonic OLED's 800-1000 nits. This makes the Samsung better for bright rooms or daytime viewing.
Yes, the Panasonic OLED costs $3,199 while the Samsung Neo QLED is priced at $2,497, representing a $702 difference. The Samsung offers better value for most users, unless perfect black levels are a priority.
The Samsung QN90D has superior gaming features, including lower input lag (9.7ms vs 14ms), a dedicated gaming hub, and better VRR support. While both TVs support next-gen gaming, the Samsung is the better choice for serious gamers.
Only the Panasonic OLED supports Dolby Vision. The Samsung uses HDR10+ instead. For home theater enthusiasts, the Panasonic's Dolby Vision support might be important since it's more common in premium movie releases.
The Panasonic OLED has superior viewing angles due to its OLED technology. This makes it better for wide seating arrangements in home theaters where viewers might be sitting off-center.
Only the OLED has potential burn-in risk, though it's less common with modern OLEDs. The Samsung Neo QLED has no burn-in risk due to its LED-based technology.
The Samsung has a superior built-in audio system (60W 4.2.2ch) compared to the Panasonic's 20W system. However, for a proper home theater, external speakers or a soundbar is recommended for both TVs.
The Samsung Neo QLED's higher brightness and superior motion handling make it better for sports viewing, especially in bright rooms during daytime games.
The Panasonic OLED comes with excellent out-of-box calibration, while the Samsung typically needs some adjustment for best results. For home theater use, professional calibration would benefit both TVs.
The Samsung Neo QLED typically has better longevity due to no burn-in risk. While the Panasonic OLED has improved durability over previous OLEDs, LED-based displays generally last longer with heavy use.
Both TVs have excellent upscaling capabilities, but the Panasonic's HCX Pro AI processor is particularly good with movie content, while the Samsung's NQ4 AI processor handles a wider variety of content types well.
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: youtube.com - youtube.com - whathifi.com - tomsguide.com - shop.panasonic.com - store.in.panasonic.com - rtings.com - applianceplus.co.nz - rtings.com - store.in.panasonic.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - standardtvandappliance.com - gerhardsappliance.com - bestbuy.com - image-us.samsung.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - images.samsung.com
