When shopping for a premium TV in 2024, two standout options are the Samsung 65" QN90D Neo QLED ($2,497.99) and the Sony BRAVIA 8 65" OLED ($1,698.00). Let's dive into what makes each special and help you figure out which one belongs in your home.
The TV landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. Both these models represent the latest advancements in their respective technologies, released in early 2024. The key difference comes down to how they create images:
The Samsung QN90D uses Mini-LED technology (which they brand as "Neo QLED"), where thousands of tiny LEDs create the backlight. Think of it like having extremely precise control over a lot of small flashlights behind your screen. This allows for very bright images while maintaining good contrast.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 uses OLED technology, where each pixel creates its own light. Imagine millions of tiny lightbulbs that can turn completely off when displaying black. This gives perfect blacks but typically can't get as bright as LED-based displays.
In bright rooms, the Samsung QN90D really shines (pun intended). Its Mini-LED system can push over 1500 nits of brightness, making it excellent for daytime viewing or rooms with lots of windows. The local dimming (where different zones of LEDs can be controlled independently) has improved significantly from last year's model, reducing the "blooming" effect where bright objects on dark backgrounds create a halo effect.
The BRAVIA 8 takes a different approach. While it can't match the Samsung's raw brightness (reaching about 800-900 nits), it compensates with perfect blacks and infinite contrast. In a dark or moderately lit room, this creates an incredibly immersive image that many consider more natural-looking.
Both TVs handle color beautifully, but in different ways. The QN90D uses quantum dots (tiny particles that enhance color) to achieve vivid, saturated colors that pop off the screen. Sony's OLED uses their XR processor and Triluminos Pro technology to deliver extremely accurate colors that look more natural and true-to-life.
Gaming has become a major consideration for TV buyers, and both models offer impressive features for gamers.
The Samsung QN90D includes:
The Sony BRAVIA 8 offers:
For home theater enthusiasts, both TVs excel but have different strengths.
The BRAVIA 8 is arguably the better choice for a dedicated home theater setup. Its perfect blacks and infinite contrast make it ideal for dark room viewing, and Sony's processing is particularly good at handling complex motion and upscaling lower-quality content. It also handles film grain more naturally, which is important for movie purists.
The QN90D, while still excellent, is better suited for a multipurpose room where ambient light control isn't perfect. Its anti-reflective coating and high brightness make it more versatile, though you might notice some blooming in very dark scenes when watching movies in a pitch-black room.
Samsung's Tizen OS (on the QN90D) and Google TV (on the BRAVIA 8) both offer comprehensive smart features, but they take different approaches:
Tizen OS provides:
Google TV offers:
At $2,497.99, the Samsung QN90D is positioned as a premium option, justified by its brightness capabilities and gaming features. The BRAVIA 8 at $1,698.00 represents better value for movie enthusiasts, especially given its OLED technology.
The decision really comes down to your specific needs:
Choose the Samsung QN90D if:
Choose the Sony BRAVIA 8 if:
Both the Samsung QN90D and Sony BRAVIA 8 represent the cutting edge of TV technology in 2024. While they take different approaches, both deliver exceptional picture quality. The QN90D excels in bright environments and gaming, while the BRAVIA 8 offers superior movie performance and better value. Your choice should ultimately depend on your viewing environment and primary use case.
Think about your room's lighting, your viewing habits, and your budget. While both TVs will provide an excellent viewing experience, matching the TV's strengths to your specific needs will ensure you get the most enjoyment from your investment.
| Samsung 65" QN90D Neo QLED ($2,497.99) | Sony BRAVIA 8 65" OLED ($1,698.00) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines core performance characteristics | |
| Neo QLED (Mini-LED backlight, excellent brightness) | OLED (self-emitting pixels, perfect blacks) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 1500+ nits (exceptional for bright rooms) | 800-900 nits (good for moderate lighting) |
| Contrast Ratio - Determines image depth and realism | |
| Very good (local dimming zones) | Infinite (perfect pixel-level control) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 144Hz, 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, Gaming Hub | 120Hz, 2 HDMI 2.1 ports, PS5 optimized |
| Processing - Affects motion handling and upscaling quality | |
| NQ4 AI Gen2 (very good) | XR Processor (industry leading) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Tizen OS (Samsung ecosystem) | Google TV (more universal) |
| Sound System - Built-in audio quality | |
| 4.2.2CH, 60W (good) | 2.1CH, 50W (very good) |
| Viewing Angles - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
| Good (limited color shift) | Excellent (minimal degradation) |
| Best Use Case - Where each TV excels | |
| Bright rooms, gaming, sports | Home theater, movies, dark room viewing |
| Value Proposition - Price vs. Performance | |
| Premium price, best for bright rooms | Better value, superior movie performance |
For dedicated home theaters, the Sony BRAVIA 8 OLED is superior due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast. While the Samsung QN90D is excellent, OLED technology provides a more cinema-like experience in controlled lighting.
The Samsung QN90D costs $2,497.99, while the Sony BRAVIA 8 is priced at $1,698.00, making the Sony a better value for most buyers.
The Samsung QN90D performs better in bright rooms with its 1500+ nits peak brightness, compared to the BRAVIA 8's 800-900 nits. If you have lots of windows or bright lighting, the Samsung is the better choice.
Modern OLEDs like the BRAVIA 8 have significantly reduced burn-in risk thanks to improved panel technology and protective features. However, the Samsung QN90D has no burn-in risk due to its LED technology.
The Samsung QN90D offers superior gaming features with 144Hz refresh rate and four HDMI 2.1 ports, while the BRAVIA 8 supports 120Hz with two HDMI 2.1 ports. Both are excellent, but Samsung has the edge for serious gamers.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 provides a more cinematic experience with perfect blacks and superior motion handling, making it ideal for movie watching. The Samsung QN90D still offers excellent picture quality but can't match OLED's contrast.
The BRAVIA 8 uses Google TV, offering better search and universal compatibility, while the Samsung QN90D uses Tizen OS, which works best within the Samsung ecosystem.
While both TVs have decent built-in audio, a soundbar or home theater system is recommended for the best experience. The Samsung QN90D has a 4.2.2CH 60W system, and the BRAVIA 8 features a 2.1CH 50W system.
The Samsung QN90D has an advantage for sports due to its superior brightness and excellent motion handling, especially in bright rooms. The BRAVIA 8 performs well but is better suited for darker environments.
Both TVs excel at streaming, but the BRAVIA 8 has an edge with Google TV's content-focused interface. The Samsung QN90D offers a clean, fast experience through Tizen OS.
Both TVs are well-built, but the Samsung QN90D may have a slight advantage due to no burn-in risk. However, the BRAVIA 8 should last many years with normal use and built-in protection features.
For a dedicated home theater, the Sony BRAVIA 8 at $1,698.00 offers better value with its superior contrast and movie performance compared to the Samsung QN90D at $2,497.99, unless you need the extra brightness for your room conditions.
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 - bestbuy.com - bestbuy.com - crutchfield.com - avsforum.com - electronics.sony.com - sony.com - store.sony.co.nz - sony.com - displayspecifications.com
