When Samsung released both the 65" OLED S90D TV and 65" QN85D Neo QLED TV in March 2024, they gave TV buyers an interesting choice. Both represent Samsung's latest display technologies, but they take different approaches to delivering a premium viewing experience. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home.
The fundamental difference between these TVs lies in how they create an image. The OLED S90D uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), which means each pixel creates its own light. Imagine millions of tiny lights that can turn completely off for perfect blacks or shine brightly for vivid colors. It's like having precise control over every single dot on your screen.
The Neo QLED QN85D, on the other hand, uses mini-LED backlighting with quantum dots. Think of it as having thousands of tiny flashlights behind your screen, combined with special particles (quantum dots) that enhance color. While not as precise as OLED, this technology can get much brighter and handles well-lit rooms better.
In a dark room, the $2,699 OLED S90D truly shines. When watching movies with dark scenes, like space films or noir thrillers, OLED's ability to turn pixels completely off creates an unmatched sense of depth. The blacks are truly black, not just dark gray. This makes movies feel more cinematic and immersive.
The $1,797 Neo QLED QN85D takes the lead here. Its higher brightness output (nearly twice that of the OLED) means it can combat sunlight and room lighting more effectively. Sports fans and daytime TV watchers will appreciate how the picture remains vibrant even with sunlight streaming through windows.
Both TVs support next-gen gaming features, but there are important differences:
For serious gamers, the OLED S90D has a slight edge due to its faster refresh rate and quicker response time. However, most casual gamers wouldn't notice the difference between these two excellent gaming displays.
If you're building a dedicated home theater, several factors come into play:
Both TVs use Samsung's latest NQ4 AI Gen2 processor and run the Tizen smart TV platform. This means you get:
The $1,797 QN85D represents excellent value, offering about 90% of the OLED's performance for roughly two-thirds of the price. The $900 saved could go toward:
However, if you're seeking the absolute best picture quality and gaming performance, the $2,699 OLED S90D justifies its premium price tag.
In day-to-day use, both TVs excel but in different ways:
Consider these key factors when making your choice:
Both TVs represent significant improvements over their predecessors, with better processing, gaming features, and smart capabilities. The OLED S90D offers the ultimate in picture quality and gaming performance, while the QN85D provides exceptional value and versatility.
For most users, the QN85D's balance of performance and value makes it the smarter choice. However, if you're a videophile, serious gamer, or have a dedicated home theater, the OLED S90D's superior contrast and gaming capabilities might be worth the premium.
Remember, both are excellent TVs that will serve well for years to come. The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs, room conditions, and budget rather than one being definitively "better" than the other.
| Samsung 65" OLED S90D TV - $2,699 | Samsung 65" QN85D Neo QLED 4K Smart TV - $1,797 |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines core picture quality characteristics | |
| OLED (perfect blacks, self-emitting pixels) | Mini-LED with Quantum Dots (brighter, no burn-in risk) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 1,000 nits (good for dark/dim rooms) | 2,000 nits (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Refresh Rate - Important for gaming and fast motion | |
| 144Hz (premium gaming performance) | 120Hz (great for most gaming needs) |
| Black Level Performance - Affects contrast and movie experience | |
| Perfect blacks (infinite contrast) | Very good blacks (limited by local dimming) |
| Sound System - Built-in audio quality | |
| 40W 2.1 channel (good but basic) | 60W 4.2.2 channel (noticeably better) |
| Processing - Affects upscaling and motion handling | |
| NQ4 AI Gen2 (identical performance) | NQ4 AI Gen2 (identical performance) |
| Bright Room Performance - How well it fights glare | |
| Good (but can reflect light) | Excellent (better anti-reflection coating) |
| Value Proposition - Price vs Performance | |
| Premium price for ultimate quality | Better value for most users ($900 less) |
| Best Use Case - Where each TV excels | |
| Home theater, gaming, dark room viewing | Bright rooms, general purpose, value-focused buyers |
The Samsung OLED S90D TV ($2,699) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast. In controlled lighting, OLED technology provides a more cinematic experience than the Neo QLED QN85D ($1,797).
The Neo QLED QN85D performs significantly better in bright rooms with its 2,000-nit peak brightness and anti-reflection coating. The OLED S90D can struggle with glare and isn't as visible in sunlit spaces.
For most users, the Neo QLED QN85D offers better value at $900 less. However, if you're building a home theater or demand the best picture quality, the OLED S90D's premium price is justified.
The OLED S90D provides a superior movie-watching experience with perfect blacks and infinite contrast, especially in dark scenes. The Neo QLED QN85D still offers excellent picture quality but can't match OLED's contrast.
No, both the OLED S90D and Neo QLED QN85D use identical Tizen OS and NQ4 AI Gen2 processors, offering the same smart features and interface.
The Neo QLED QN85D has superior built-in audio with its 60W 4.2.2 channel system compared to the OLED S90D's 40W 2.1 channel setup. However, for home theater use, external speakers are recommended for both.
The Neo QLED QN85D may have a longer theoretical lifespan since it doesn't risk burn-in like the OLED S90D. However, with normal use, both TVs should last many years.
Both perform excellently, but the Neo QLED QN85D has an advantage for daytime sports viewing due to its higher brightness. The OLED S90D offers better motion handling for nighttime viewing.
Yes, both the OLED S90D and Neo QLED QN85D support standard VESA wall mounting and are slim enough for elegant installation.
Neither TV requires special equipment, but both benefit from quality HDMI 2.1 cables for gaming and external audio systems for home theater use. The OLED S90D might benefit more from room-darkening solutions.
The Neo QLED QN85D offers brighter HDR highlights, while the OLED S90D provides better overall HDR contrast. For home theater use, the OLED's contrast advantage typically provides a more impressive HDR experience in controlled lighting.
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 - youtube.com - cnet.com - bestbuy.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - youtube.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - pcrichard.com - samsung.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - shopjetson.com - mysoundconcepts.com - samsung.com - merlinstv.com - youtube.com - samsung.com - samsung.com
