When it comes to high-end TVs in 2024, Samsung's latest Neo QLED lineup presents an interesting choice: the excellent QN90D 4K TV at $2,500 or the flagship QN900D 8K TV at $5,000. Both were released in March 2024, representing Samsung's latest TV technology. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home.
The TV market has evolved significantly in recent years. Features that were once premium, like HDR (High Dynamic Range) and 120Hz refresh rates, are now standard in mid-range TVs. Today's premium TVs differentiate themselves through advanced processing, better picture quality, and future-proof features.
What really matters in a premium TV purchase?
The most obvious difference between the QN90D and QN900D is resolution. The QN90D offers 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), while the QN900D delivers 8K (7680 x 4320 pixels). But resolution isn't just about numbers.
In real-world viewing:
This is where processing power comes in. The QN900D's NQ8 AI Gen3 processor is significantly more powerful than the QN90D's NQ4 AI Gen2. It handles upscaling more effectively, making even 1080p content look remarkably good on the 8K panel.
Both TVs use Samsung's Neo QLED technology, which combines Mini LED backlighting (thousands of tiny LEDs for precise brightness control) with quantum dots (for better color). However, there are differences:
QN90D features:
QN900D advantages:
In a home theater setting, both TVs excel, but the QN900D's superior processing and brightness control become more noticeable in challenging scenes.
Modern TVs need to handle gaming well, and both models deliver:
QN90D gaming features:
QN900D adds:
For most gamers, the QN90D's features are more than adequate. The QN900D's advantages mainly benefit PC gamers with high-end hardware who can utilize the higher refresh rates.
Having spent time with both TVs, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
Both TVs excel with movies, but in different ways. The QN90D delivers excellent 4K performance with deep blacks and vivid colors. The QN900D takes things further with better upscaling and more precise contrast control, though the difference is subtle with most content.
Both handle motion exceptionally well. The QN900D has a slight edge in motion clarity due to its superior processing, but most viewers won't notice the difference in typical viewing.
For console gaming, both TVs are outstanding. The QN900D's advantages mainly show up in PC gaming scenarios where you can push beyond 120Hz at 4K resolution.
Both TVs handle bright rooms extremely well thanks to their high brightness and anti-reflective screens. The QN900D has a slight advantage in very bright conditions due to its higher peak brightness.
The price difference between these TVs is substantial. At $2,500, the QN90D represents excellent value for a premium TV. The QN900D at $5,000 requires serious consideration of whether its advantages justify the cost.
Consider this value equation:
In a dedicated home theater setting:
Choose the QN90D if:
Choose the QN900D if:
For most buyers, the QN90D represents the sweet spot of performance and value. Its picture quality is outstanding, and its gaming features are more than adequate for current needs. The QN900D is an impressive technological achievement, but its benefits are harder to justify given the current content landscape and price premium.
Remember that TV technology continues to evolve rapidly. While 8K represents the cutting edge today, consider whether investing in the highest-end model makes sense given how quickly TV technology advances. Both TVs will provide an excellent viewing experience, but the QN90D hits a particularly sweet spot in terms of features, performance, and value for most users in 2024.
| Samsung QN90D 4K ($2,500) | Samsung QN900D 8K ($5,000) |
|---|---|
| Resolution - Higher resolution matters most when sitting close or using very large screens | |
| 4K (3840 x 2160) - Perfect for typical viewing distances | 8K (7680 x 4320) - Future-proof but limited current content |
| Processor - Determines upscaling quality and smart features performance | |
| NQ4 AI Gen2 - Good upscaling | NQ8 AI Gen3 - Superior upscaling, especially noticeable with lower quality content |
| Gaming Refresh Rate - Higher rates mean smoother motion | |
| 4K@120Hz - Excellent for current gaming | 4K@240Hz, 8K@60Hz - Best-in-class but overkill for most |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 2000+ nits - Excellent for any lighting | 2500+ nits - Marginally better but rarely noticeable |
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and less blooming | |
| 1000+ zones - Excellent contrast | 2000+ zones - Slightly better dark scene performance |
| Sound System - Built-in audio quality, though most will use external speakers | |
| 4.2.2ch (60W) - Good for casual viewing | 6.2.4ch (90W) - Better but still not home theater quality |
| Price/Value Ratio - Consider real-world benefits vs cost | |
| Excellent value for current content | Premium price for future-proofing and minimal current benefits |
For dedicated home theaters, both the Samsung QN90D ($2,500) and Samsung QN900D ($5,000) perform excellently. However, the QN90D offers better value unless you're sitting very close or using a screen larger than 75 inches, where 8K resolution becomes noticeable.
Both TVs excel at gaming. The QN90D supports 4K@120Hz, while the QN900D offers 4K@240Hz and 8K@60Hz. For console gaming, the QN90D's capabilities are more than sufficient. The QN900D's advantages mainly benefit high-end PC gaming.
Both TVs handle bright rooms exceptionally well with anti-reflective screens. The QN900D has slightly higher peak brightness, but the QN90D's brightness levels are already excellent for most lighting conditions.
For proper home theater sound, we recommend external speakers with either TV. While the QN900D has a better built-in 6.2.4ch system compared to the QN90D's 4.2.2ch, neither matches the performance of a dedicated sound system.
The QN900D's NQ8 AI Gen3 processor provides superior upscaling compared to the QN90D's NQ4 AI Gen2. This difference is most noticeable when watching 1080p or lower resolution content.
Both TVs handle motion exceptionally well. The QN90D offers excellent motion clarity for sports, while the QN900D provides marginally better performance due to its superior processor.
The QN900D is more future-proof with its 8K resolution and superior processor. However, the QN90D's 4K resolution and features will remain relevant for years, as 4K content is still becoming mainstream.
Yes, both TVs are excellent for PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming, offering HDMI 2.1, VRR, and ALLM. The QN90D's 4K@120Hz capability matches current console capabilities perfectly.
Both TVs deliver excellent picture quality for movies. The QN900D offers slightly better contrast and color accuracy, but in typical viewing conditions, the difference is subtle. The QN90D provides outstanding picture quality that will satisfy most viewers.
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: samsung.com - standardtvandappliance.com - gerhardsappliance.com - bestbuy.com - image-us.samsung.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - images.samsung.com - rtings.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - bestbuy.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com - walts.com - images.samsung.com - samsung.com - merlinstv.com - samsung.com - avsforum.com - samsung.com
