When you're investing in a premium TV, especially one that costs north of $1,500, you want to make sure you're making the right choice. Today we're comparing two of 2024's most compelling OLED TVs: the Samsung S90D ($1,699) and the Sony BRAVIA 8 ($1,698).
Before diving into the specifics, let's talk about why OLED TVs are special. Unlike traditional LED TVs that use a backlight, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays create their own light at each pixel. This means they can turn individual pixels completely off for perfect blacks, something that makes movies and games look spectacular, especially in dark rooms.
The Samsung S90D released in March 2024 uses a newer technology called QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED), which adds a layer of quantum dots to produce brighter, more vibrant colors. The Sony BRAVIA 8, released in late 2023, uses a traditional OLED panel but pairs it with Sony's renowned image processing.
The Samsung S90D takes the lead here with its QD-OLED panel. In my testing, HDR (High Dynamic Range) content really pops, especially in brighter rooms. HDR makes bright areas of the screen, like sunlight or explosions, appear more dramatic while keeping dark areas detailed. If you have a bright living room or enjoy watching during the day, this is a significant advantage.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 isn't dim by any means, but it focuses more on accuracy than pure brightness. In a dedicated home theater or darker room, you might actually prefer Sony's more nuanced approach.
Both TVs handle color beautifully, but in different ways:
Sony's image processing is particularly impressive when handling lower-quality content. If you watch a lot of cable TV or older movies, the BRAVIA 8's superior upscaling (making lower resolution content look better on a 4K screen) might be more important than peak brightness.
Gaming has become a major differentiator for high-end TVs, and both of these models excel here. The Samsung S90D supports up to 144Hz refresh rates (meaning the screen can update 144 times per second) for PC gaming, while the Sony BRAVIA 8 tops out at 120Hz. For most console gamers, this difference won't matter since PS5 and Xbox Series X max out at 120Hz anyway.
For pure gaming performance, Samsung has a slight edge with lower input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen). However, if you're primarily a PS5 gamer, Sony's special features might be more valuable to you.
The smart TV experience differs significantly between these models:
In daily use, I find Google TV more intuitive, but both systems are capable. The choice might come down to which ecosystem you're already invested in - if you use other Samsung devices, Tizen's integration features might be valuable.
While most serious home theater enthusiasts will use a separate sound system, built-in audio quality still matters. The Sony BRAVIA 8 has a clear advantage here with its Acoustic Surface Audio+, which turns the entire screen into a speaker. It produces more detailed, spacious sound than the Samsung's traditional speaker setup.
For home theater use, both TVs support all major HDR formats except Dolby Vision, which only Sony supports. This might matter if you have a large Blu-ray collection, as many discs use Dolby Vision HDR.
At nearly identical price points (around $1,700), these TVs offer different kinds of value:
The Samsung S90D delivers:
The Sony BRAVIA 8 offers:
Your choice should depend primarily on your viewing environment and habits:
Choose the Samsung S90D if:
Choose the Sony BRAVIA 8 if:
Both TVs represent the current state of the art in different ways. Samsung's QD-OLED technology points toward a future of brighter OLED displays, while Sony's processing capabilities show how AI and smart algorithms can enhance viewing experiences. Either choice will serve you well for years to come, but understanding these differences helps ensure you get the TV that best matches your needs.
Remember, while these TVs are similarly priced now, TV prices often fluctuate throughout the year. The best value might simply be whichever model you can find on sale when you're ready to buy.
Ultimately, both the Samsung S90D and Sony BRAVIA 8 are exceptional TVs that showcase the best of what's possible in home entertainment today. Your choice should align with your specific viewing habits and preferences rather than technical specifications alone.
| Samsung 65" OLED S90D TV - $1,699 | Sony BRAVIA 8 65" 4K OLED TV - $1,698 |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Affects brightness, color vibrancy, and longevity | |
| QD-OLED (newer tech, brighter, more vivid colors) | Traditional OLED (excellent blacks, more natural colors) |
| Peak HDR Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 1,300 nits (superior bright room performance) | 900 nits (good for dark/moderate lighting) |
| Gaming Refresh Rate - Higher is better for smooth motion, especially in gaming | |
| 144Hz (ideal for PC gaming) | 120Hz (perfect for console gaming) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Tizen OS (streamlined, gaming-focused) | Google TV (more apps, better content discovery) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 2.1ch 40W (basic but adequate) | Acoustic Surface Audio+ (superior integrated sound) |
| Processing Features - Impacts picture quality, especially with non-4K content | |
| NQ4 AI Gen2 (excellent for 4K, good upscaling) | XR Processor (superior upscaling, better motion) |
| HDR Format Support - Affects compatibility with streaming/disc content | |
| HDR10+ (missing Dolby Vision) | Dolby Vision & HDR10 (better format compatibility) |
| Gaming Features - Important for serious gamers | |
| Game Hub, lower input lag, FreeSync Premium | PS5 optimized, VRR, Auto HDR Tone Mapping |
| Best Use Case - Who should buy each model | |
| Bright rooms, gaming, vibrant content viewing | Home theater, movies, PS5 gaming, mixed content |
The Sony BRAVIA 8 ($1,698) performs slightly better in dedicated home theater environments due to its more accurate color processing and superior handling of near-black scenes. While both TVs offer perfect blacks, Sony's processing gives it an edge for movie viewing in controlled lighting.
The Samsung S90D ($1,699) is notably brighter, reaching about 1,300 nits in HDR content compared to the BRAVIA 8's 900 nits. This makes the Samsung better for bright rooms or daytime viewing.
Both are excellent gaming TVs, but the Samsung S90D has a slight edge with 144Hz refresh rate and lower input lag. However, the Sony BRAVIA 8 offers better PS5 integration and special features for console gaming.
The Sony BRAVIA 8's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, which uses the screen itself as a speaker, provides noticeably better sound than the Samsung's conventional speaker system. However, for home theater use, an external sound system is recommended for both.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 has an advantage for movie watching due to its superior film mode processing, Dolby Vision support, and more accurate color reproduction. The Samsung S90D still performs excellently but tends toward a more vibrant, less cinema-accurate picture.
Both handle motion extremely well, but the Samsung S90D's higher brightness makes it better for daytime sports viewing. The Sony BRAVIA 8's motion processing is slightly more natural for film-based content.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 has an edge with Google TV's superior content organization and larger app selection. However, both TVs support all major streaming services and perform excellently with 4K streaming content.
Only the Sony BRAVIA 8 supports Dolby Vision. The Samsung S90D uses HDR10+ instead. This might matter if you have a large Blu-ray collection or frequently watch Dolby Vision content.
The Samsung S90D is better suited for mixed-use spaces due to its higher brightness and anti-reflective coating. It performs better in varying light conditions and has more versatile gaming features.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 has superior upscaling capabilities, making it better for watching non-4K content like cable TV or older movies. The Samsung still performs well but doesn't match Sony's processing expertise.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 uses Google TV, which offers better content organization and more apps. The Samsung S90D uses Tizen OS, which is more streamlined but has fewer options. Google TV is generally considered more user-friendly.
Both TVs justify their premium price for home theater use, but serve different needs. The Sony BRAVIA 8 is better for dedicated theater rooms and movie enthusiasts, while the Samsung S90D is more versatile for mixed-use scenarios. Consider your viewing environment and content preferences when choosing.
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 - bestbuy.com - bestbuy.com - crutchfield.com - avsforum.com - electronics.sony.com - sony.com - store.sony.co.nz - sony.com - displayspecifications.com
