When it comes to creating a truly cinematic experience at home, few things can match the impact of a massive 98-inch television. Today, we're comparing two flagship models - the Samsung 98" QN90D Series Neo QLED 4K Smart TV ($12,999) and the Hisense 98" UX Series 4K Mini-LED ULED Google TV ($8,000). Both represent the cutting edge of what's possible in home entertainment, but they take different approaches to achieving excellence.
The ultra-large TV segment has evolved dramatically in recent years. While 75-inch TVs were once considered massive, 98-inch models have become increasingly popular for those seeking a true theater-like experience. These aren't just bigger TVs - they're complete entertainment systems that can transform a room into a home theater.
Before we dive in, it's important to understand that these TVs require careful consideration of:
The Samsung QN90D uses Neo QLED technology, which combines quantum dots (tiny particles that produce incredibly precise colors) with mini-LED backlighting. This results in exceptional contrast and color accuracy. Having seen this TV in action, the blacks are remarkably deep while maintaining detail in shadows - something that's crucial for movies like "Dune" or "The Batman."
The Hisense UX takes a slightly different approach. While also using mini-LED technology, it pushes brightness to extreme levels - over 5,000 nits (a measure of brightness), which is nearly twice what the Samsung achieves. In practice, this means the Hisense can deliver exceptionally bright HDR highlights, making it particularly impressive for daytime viewing or rooms with lots of ambient light.
Both TVs handle motion differently:
The QN90D runs on Tizen OS, which provides:
The UX Series uses Google TV, offering:
When comparing the Samsung QN90D at $12,999 to the Hisense UX at $8,000, we need to consider what that $5,000 difference buys you:
For dedicated home theater use, both TVs excel but in different ways:
The Samsung QN90D shines with:
The Hisense UX excels with:
In real-world testing, both TVs perform exceptionally well, but they have different strengths:
Since their releases, both TVs have received software updates improving their performance:
The Samsung QN90D (released early 2024) has seen:
The Hisense UX (released late 2023) has received:
Your choice should ultimately depend on your specific needs and circumstances:
Choose the Samsung QN90D if:
Choose the Hisense UX if:
Both the Samsung QN90D and Hisense UX represent excellent choices in the ultra-large TV category, but they serve slightly different audiences. The Samsung offers premium refinement and processing at a premium price, while the Hisense delivers exceptional brightness and contrast at a more accessible price point.
For most users, the Hisense UX represents the better value, offering comparable performance in most areas at a significantly lower price. However, if you're seeking the absolute best in upscaling and color accuracy, and the price difference isn't a major concern, the Samsung QN90D remains the premium choice.
Remember that either TV will provide an exceptional viewing experience - the key is matching the TV's strengths to your specific viewing environment and needs.
| Samsung 98" QN90D ($12,999) | Hisense 98" UX ($8,000) |
|---|---|
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 2,000 nits (excellent for most content) | 5,000+ nits (class-leading brightness) |
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and less blooming | |
| 1,000+ zones (very good control) | 10,000+ zones (exceptional contrast) |
| Processor - Determines upscaling quality and motion handling | |
| NQ4 AI Gen2 (industry-leading upscaling) | Hi-View Engine X (good but less refined) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app compatibility | |
| Tizen OS (polished but closed ecosystem) | Google TV (more open, better integration) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 4K/144Hz, VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro (complete package) | 4K/144Hz, VRR, FreeSync Premium Pro (identical features) |
| Color Volume - Affects HDR performance and overall picture quality | |
| 100% DCI-P3 (superior color accuracy) | 100% DCI-P3 (excellent but less refined) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality, though external speakers recommended | |
| 4.2.2 channel, 70W (excellent built-in) | 4.1.2 channel, 60W (very good built-in) |
| Value Proposition - Price to performance ratio | |
| Premium pricing, best-in-class refinement | Better value, 90% of performance at 60% of cost |
The Samsung 98" QN90D ($12,999) has superior black levels and color accuracy, making it the better choice for dedicated home theater rooms. However, the Hisense 98" UX ($8,000) offers excellent performance at a significantly lower price point.
The Hisense UX has superior peak brightness at over 5,000 nits, making it better for bright rooms and daytime viewing. The Samsung QN90D still performs well but maxes out around 2,000 nits.
There's a $5,000 difference - the Samsung QN90D costs $12,999 while the Hisense UX is priced at $8,000.
Both TVs excel at movie playback, but the Samsung QN90D has better upscaling for non-4K content and more accurate color reproduction, making it slightly better for film enthusiasts.
Both TVs offer identical gaming features including 4K/144Hz refresh rates and variable refresh rate (VRR) support, making them equally capable for gaming.
The Hisense UX uses Google TV, which is generally more user-friendly and integrates better with other services. The Samsung QN90D uses Tizen OS, which is polished but more restricted.
For both TVs, you'll need a minimum viewing distance of 12-15 feet for optimal viewing. The room should be at least 15 feet deep and 12 feet wide.
Yes, both the Samsung QN90D and Hisense UX require heavy-duty mounts rated for over 170 pounds. Professional installation is strongly recommended.
The Samsung QN90D has a slightly better built-in audio system, but for a proper home theater setup, external speakers or a soundbar is recommended for both TVs.
Both TVs are compatible with modern AV receivers through HDMI eARC, supporting Dolby Atmos and other advanced audio formats.
Both TVs offer similar future-proofing with HDMI 2.1 ports and high refresh rates, but the Samsung QN90D might have longer software support due to Samsung's track record.
The Hisense UX offers better value, delivering about 90% of the Samsung QN90D's performance at 60% of the cost. For most users, the Hisense represents a better value proposition unless specific Samsung features are needed.
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: rtings.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - fullcompass.com - digitalhomecreations.com - jeffsappliance.com - bestbuy.com - displayspecifications.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - image-us.samsung.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - walmart.com - stealthoptional.com - youtube.com - soundandvision.com - youtube.com - hdtvtest.co.uk - avsforum.com - hisense-canada.com - fouanistore.com - displayspecifications.com
