When it comes to massive TVs that can transform your living room into a home theater, 98-inch displays represent the pinnacle of consumer television technology. Today, we're comparing two impressive contenders: the Samsung 98" DU9000 Series Crystal UHD Smart TV ($4,000) and the TCL 98" Q6 Series 4K UHD QLED Smart TV ($1,500). Both launched in early 2024, marking significant advances in bringing cinema-sized screens to homes at increasingly accessible prices.
The 98-inch TV category has evolved dramatically over the past few years. What once cost upwards of $10,000 is now available at a fraction of that price, thanks to manufacturing improvements and increased competition. These TVs are designed for rooms where you'll be sitting 12-15 feet away from the screen - think large living rooms, dedicated home theaters, or even small commercial spaces.
The TCL Q6 uses QLED technology, which employs quantum dots - tiny particles that enhance color reproduction and brightness. Think of quantum dots as color boosters that make reds redder and blues bluer. The result is more vivid, lifelike colors, especially noticeable in bright scenes and HDR content.
The Samsung DU9000 uses Crystal UHD technology, which is Samsung's enhanced LED-LCD technology. While it doesn't use quantum dots, it employs advanced color processing and filtering to achieve impressive results. The difference is most noticeable in very bright or colorful scenes, where the TCL's QLED technology shows its advantages.
The TCL Q6 has a notably brighter panel, which makes it better suited for bright rooms or daytime viewing. In my testing of similar models, QLED TVs typically perform better in rooms with ambient light, maintaining vibrant colors even with some sunlight present.
Samsung's superior processing becomes evident when watching non-4K content. The DU9000's Crystal Processor 4K does an excellent job making 1080p content look sharp on the massive 98-inch screen. This is particularly important because not all content is available in 4K, and good upscaling makes a big difference on such a large display.
Both TVs handle motion differently:
For sports and action movies, both perform well, though the TCL has a slight edge in gaming scenarios due to its better VRR implementation.
Gaming on a 98-inch TV is an incredible experience, but these TVs approach it differently:
For serious gamers, the TCL's better VRR support and lower input lag make it the stronger choice, especially considering the price difference.
Samsung's Tizen OS on the DU9000 feels more polished and responsive compared to TCL's Google TV implementation. However, Google TV offers better app selection and more straightforward content discovery. Both platforms support major streaming services and voice controls, but Google TV's universal search tends to work better across services.
For dedicated home theater use, consider these factors:
Both TVs benefit from external audio systems. While they include decent built-in speakers, a room large enough for a 98-inch TV deserves a proper surround sound system. The Samsung does have slightly better audio processing and compatibility with Samsung soundbars through Q-Symphony.
The TCL Q6 at $1,500 represents exceptional value, offering QLED technology at a price point that was unimaginable just a year ago. The Samsung DU9000 at $4,000 is positioned as a premium option, justified by better processing and build quality.
Choose the Samsung DU9000 if:
Choose the TCL Q6 if:
Both TVs represent how far large-format TV technology has come. The TCL Q6 offers remarkable value and better core display technology, making it the logical choice for most buyers. However, the Samsung DU9000 justifies its premium with better processing, refined features, and brand reliability.
For my home theater setup, I'd lean toward the TCL Q6. The QLED technology and significant cost savings outweigh the Samsung's advantages in processing and refinement. The money saved could be better spent on a quality sound system or room treatment, which would have a more noticeable impact on the overall viewing experience.
Remember, whichever TV you choose, proper installation and setup are crucial for displays of this size. Consider professional installation and make sure your viewing space can accommodate these massive screens properly.
| Samsung 98" DU9000 ($4,000) | TCL 98" Q6 ($1,500) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Impacts color vibrancy and brightness | |
| Crystal UHD (LED-LCD) | QLED (better color and brightness) |
| Brightness Performance - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| Good brightness, suitable for dim rooms | Higher brightness, better for lit rooms |
| Refresh Rate - Important for smooth motion and gaming | |
| 60Hz native with Motion Xcelerator 120Hz | 60Hz native with VRR up to 144Hz |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Tizen OS (more polished, fewer apps) | Google TV (more apps, better search) |
| HDR Support - Determines contrast and color range in HDR content | |
| HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Processing Quality - Affects how non-4K content looks | |
| Excellent upscaling (Crystal Processor 4K) | Good upscaling (AIPQ Engine) |
| Gaming Features - Important for console gaming | |
| Auto Game Mode, basic VRR | Auto Game Mode, superior VRR range |
| Audio Output - Consider if not using external speakers | |
| 20W 2.0 Channel | 30W 2.0 Channel |
| Build Quality - Indicates longevity and reliability | |
| Premium build, established brand | Good build, emerging brand |
| Price-to-Performance Value - Overall worth for money | |
| Premium price, better processing | Excellent value, better core display tech |
The TCL 98" Q6 ($1,500) offers superior picture quality with its QLED technology, providing better brightness and color accuracy. While the Samsung DU9000 ($4,000) has excellent processing, the TCL's quantum dot technology delivers better contrast and HDR performance for dedicated home theater environments.
The biggest difference is display technology and price. The TCL Q6 uses QLED technology for better brightness and color, while costing $2,500 less than the Samsung DU9000, which uses Crystal UHD technology.
The TCL Q6 performs better in bright rooms due to its QLED panel and higher brightness levels. The Samsung DU9000 works best in controlled lighting conditions.
Yes, for a proper home theater experience, both TVs benefit from external audio. While both have built-in speakers (TCL: 30W, Samsung: 20W), a dedicated sound system or soundbar is recommended for these large-format displays.
For both the Samsung DU9000 and TCL Q6, you need a minimum viewing distance of 12-15 feet and a room width of at least 15 feet for optimal viewing experience.
The TCL Q6 offers better gaming features with VRR support up to 144Hz and lower input lag. While the Samsung DU9000 includes gaming features, it's not as optimized for serious gaming.
Yes, both TVs support 4K streaming. The TCL uses Google TV platform with broader app support, while Samsung's Tizen OS offers a more refined but limited app selection.
Both handle motion well, but the TCL Q6 has an advantage with better brightness for daytime sports viewing. The Samsung DU9000 offers smoother motion processing for fast-moving content.
The TCL Q6 offers better HDR performance with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+, plus higher brightness levels. The Samsung DU9000 supports HDR10 and HLG but lacks Dolby Vision support.
Due to their 98-inch size and weight (over 100 lbs each), professional installation is strongly recommended for both the Samsung DU9000 and TCL Q6.
The TCL 98" Q6 at $1,500 offers significantly better value with QLED technology and comparable features to the Samsung DU9000 at $4,000.
Both TVs should last 7-10 years with proper care. Samsung has a stronger track record for reliability, but TCL offers a better warranty and similar build quality at a lower price point.
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 - thebigscreenstore.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - rtings.com - assetserver.net - associatedappliance.com - insight.com - nfm.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - blog.rentacenter.com - samsung.com - merlinstv.com - samsung.com - bestbuy.com - tcl.com - walmart.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - greentoe.com - kitele.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - tcl.com - pcrichard.com - youtube.com
