When you're looking to invest in a high-end 65" TV, the Samsung S90D OLED and TCL QM8 Mini-LED represent two different approaches to achieving spectacular picture quality. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home.
The television market has evolved dramatically in recent years, with two main technologies now dominating the premium segment: OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) and Mini-LED. Each offers distinct advantages that can significantly impact your viewing experience.
The Samsung S90D, released in March 2024, brings Samsung's latest OLED innovations to market at $2,299. Meanwhile, the TCL QM8, launched in May 2023, delivers impressive Mini-LED performance at $1,498. Both represent significant technological advances over previous years' models.
OLED displays work by having each pixel create its own light. Imagine millions of tiny lights that can turn completely off or on independently. This means when you're watching a space scene, the stars can be bright white while the surrounding space is perfectly black - there's no light leakage between pixels.
The S90D's OLED panel offers:
Mini-LED uses thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen, grouped into zones that can dim or brighten independently. Think of it like having thousands of small spotlights behind your screen, each controllable for precise brightness.
The QM8's Mini-LED implementation provides:
If you have a living room with large windows or bright overhead lighting, the TCL QM8 has a clear advantage. Its Mini-LED technology can push significantly higher brightness levels, making it easier to see the picture clearly even with ambient light. The screen also has excellent anti-reflective coating.
The Samsung S90D performs adequately in bright rooms but doesn't quite match the TCL's brightness levels. However, its anti-glare coating is quite effective, and the picture remains vibrant even in moderate ambient light.
In a dedicated home theater or during nighttime viewing, the S90D's OLED technology truly shines. The ability to completely turn off pixels creates an unmatched contrast ratio that makes movies and TV shows look incredibly cinematic. You'll notice this especially in scenes with starfields or cityscapes at night.
The QM8 still performs admirably in dark rooms, but you might notice some subtle blooming (light haloes around bright objects on dark backgrounds). However, its local dimming is sophisticated enough that most viewers won't find this distracting.
Both TVs offer excellent gaming features:
The S90D has a slight edge in response time and handles motion slightly better, which can be important for competitive gaming. However, the QM8's higher brightness can make HDR games look more impressive, and its slightly lower input lag might appeal to competitive gamers.
The Samsung S90D runs on Tizen OS, offering:
The TCL QM8 uses Google TV, providing:
When considering value, we need to look beyond just the price difference of $801. The TCL QM8 offers exceptional performance for its price point, with features that match or exceed TVs costing significantly more. Its brightness capabilities and gaming features make it a versatile choice for most homes.
The Samsung S90D's higher price brings OLED's perfect blacks and superior viewing angles, plus Samsung's proven track record for quality and support. For movie enthusiasts or those with challenging room layouts requiring wide viewing angles, this premium might be justified.
For dedicated home theater use, several factors become more important:
Both TVs support eARC for connecting to external audio systems, which is essential for any serious home theater setup. The QM8 actually has better built-in speakers, but in a home theater, you'll likely use an external sound system anyway.
Choose the Samsung S90D if:
Choose the TCL QM8 if:
Both TVs represent excellent choices in the premium 65" category, but they serve different needs. The TCL QM8 offers remarkable value and versatility, especially for bright rooms and gaming. The Samsung S90D provides superior picture quality in controlled lighting and better viewing angles, albeit at a higher price point.
For most users, the TCL QM8's combination of performance and value makes it the more practical choice. However, if you're a cinephile with a dedicated viewing space, or if perfect black levels are a must-have, the Samsung S90D's premium features might be worth the extra investment.
Remember that both technologies continue to evolve - while OLED has made strides in brightness and burn-in resistance, Mini-LED has improved its local dimming and contrast capabilities. Whether you choose the Samsung S90D or TCL QM8, you'll be getting a TV that represents the current state of the art in its respective technology.
| Samsung 65" OLED S90D TV - $2,299 | TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED TV - $1,498 |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Fundamentally affects picture quality and viewing conditions | |
| OLED (self-emitting pixels, perfect blacks, better angles) | Mini-LED (brighter, no burn-in risk, some blooming) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 1,000 nits (good for moderate lighting) | 2,500 nits (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Local Dimming Zones - Determines contrast precision and blooming control | |
| Perfect per-pixel dimming (best possible) | 2,300+ zones (very good but can show blooming) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 4K@144Hz, VRR, ALLM, 9.8ms input lag | 4K@144Hz, VRR, ALLM, 9.1ms input lag |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Tizen OS (clean interface, limited customization) | Google TV (more apps, better customization) |
| Viewing Angles - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
| Excellent (maintains quality up to 60°) | Limited (noticeable color shift past 30°) |
| Sound Quality - Consider if not using external speakers | |
| 40W 2.2.2 channel (good) | 80W 2.1.2 channel (better) |
| HDR Support - Affects high dynamic range content quality | |
| HDR10+, HLG, No Dolby Vision | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HLG |
| Color Volume - Important for vibrant, accurate colors | |
| 100% DCI-P3 (OLED advantage) | 98% DCI-P3 (excellent) |
The Samsung S90D OLED TV performs better in dark rooms due to its perfect black levels and infinite contrast ratio. While the TCL QM8 is excellent, its Mini-LED technology can show slight blooming around bright objects in dark scenes. For dedicated home theater use, the S90D's OLED technology provides a more cinematic experience.
At $1,498, the TCL QM8 offers exceptional value with premium features like high brightness and advanced gaming capabilities. The Samsung S90D at $2,299 costs more but provides OLED's unique benefits. For most buyers, the TCL QM8 represents better value unless perfect blacks are essential.
The TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV is superior for bright rooms, with peak brightness reaching 2,500 nits compared to the S90D's 1,000 nits. Its anti-reflective coating and higher brightness make it ideal for well-lit spaces or rooms with large windows.
Both TVs offer excellent gaming features including 4K@144Hz, VRR, and ALLM. The Samsung S90D has slightly better motion handling, while the TCL QM8 offers marginally lower input lag. Both are excellent choices for gaming, with the TCL offering better value.
Modern OLEDs like the Samsung S90D have significantly improved burn-in resistance through various protection features. However, if you watch content with static elements for extended periods, the TCL QM8 Mini-LED eliminates this concern entirely.
The Samsung S90D OLED maintains better picture quality at wide viewing angles, making it ideal for large seating arrangements. The TCL QM8 shows noticeable color and brightness degradation when viewed from angles beyond 30 degrees.
The TCL QM8 uses Google TV, offering more app options and better customization. The Samsung S90D uses Tizen OS, which is sleek but more restricted. Google TV generally provides a more versatile smart platform experience.
For movie watching, especially in a controlled lighting environment, the Samsung S90D offers superior performance with perfect blacks and excellent motion handling. However, the TCL QM8 provides very good movie performance with the advantage of better HDR brightness.
The TCL QM8 handles sports better in bright rooms due to its higher brightness, while the Samsung S90D offers better motion handling and wider viewing angles. Both perform excellently, with your viewing environment being the deciding factor.
The TCL QM8 offers superior HDR brightness and supports Dolby Vision IQ, while the Samsung S90D provides better contrast but lower peak brightness. For HDR impact, the TCL generally provides more impressive highlights.
Both TVs are well-built 2023/2024 models. The TCL QM8 has no risk of burn-in, while the Samsung S90D uses the latest OLED panel technology with improved longevity. Both should last many years with proper care.
For dedicated home theater use, the Samsung S90D's $801 premium over the TCL QM8 can be justified if you prioritize perfect blacks and wide viewing angles. However, the TCL QM8's performance is excellent, making it a strong value choice even for home theater applications.
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 - rtings.com - rtings.com - techradar.com - tcl.com - the-gadgeteer.com - nfm.com - ecoustics.com - careyscommunications.com - pcrichard.com - tcl.com
