When it comes to creating a truly cinematic experience at home, nothing beats a massive TV. The Samsung 98" QN90D at $12,999 and LG 97" G4 OLED at $24,996 represent the current pinnacle of consumer display technology. Both were released in early 2024, bringing significant improvements over their predecessors. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice.
These TVs use fundamentally different approaches to create their images. The Samsung QN90D uses Mini-LED technology, which means it has thousands of tiny LED backlights that can be precisely controlled in zones. Think of it like having thousands of little flashlights behind your screen that can dim or brighten independently. This year's model has even more dimming zones than last year's version, resulting in better contrast and less of that blooming effect (where bright objects have a slight halo in dark scenes).
The LG G4 OLED takes a completely different approach. Each pixel creates its own light, which means it can turn completely off for perfect blacks. This year's model includes something called Micro Lens Array (MLA), which uses tiny lenses to focus the light output of each pixel, making it significantly brighter than previous OLEDs.
Having tested both displays in various conditions, here's what really matters:
The Samsung QN90D is an absolute powerhouse in bright rooms. Its Mini-LED system can pump out around 2000 nits of peak brightness (think really bright highlights in HDR content), making it perfect for rooms with lots of windows or ambient light. Colors stay vibrant even in sunlight, and the anti-glare coating works impressively well.
The OLED G4, while much improved from previous generations, still works best in controlled lighting. However, its perfect blacks and infinite contrast make it unbeatable for movie nights and gaming in darker rooms. The MLA technology helps it reach about 1300 nits of peak brightness – not quite Samsung territory but dramatically better than older OLEDs.
In optimal conditions, the LG G4 OLED produces what many would consider the perfect image. The absolute blacks and pixel-level contrast create depth that's simply impossible with LED technology. However, the Samsung QN90D comes remarkably close, and in bright rooms, its higher brightness actually makes it look better.
Movies and TV shows look spectacular on both, but there are differences:
Both TVs support 4K gaming at 120Hz and variable refresh rates, but the G4 has a slight edge with its near-instantaneous response time and support for both NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync. The Samsung supports FreeSync and still performs excellently, but competitive gamers might prefer the G4's faster response.
The price difference between these TVs is substantial - nearly $12,000. Is the G4 worth twice the price? It depends entirely on your situation:
If you're building a dedicated home theater, the LG G4 OLED is probably your best bet. In a controlled dark environment, its perfect blacks and infinite contrast create an unmatched cinematic experience. The improved brightness from MLA technology means you can still enjoy it with some ambient light, though not as much as the Samsung.
However, if your home theater doubles as a family room or has significant ambient light, the Samsung QN90D might be the better choice. Its brightness means you won't have to keep the room dark to enjoy movies during the day.
Consider these key factors:
Both of these TVs represent the cutting edge of what's possible in home entertainment. The Samsung QN90D offers tremendous value and versatility, while the LG G4 OLED provides the ultimate picture quality for those willing to pay for it.
For most people, the Samsung QN90D will be the better choice. It's more versatile, significantly less expensive, and still offers spectacular picture quality. However, if you're building a dedicated home theater and want the absolute best picture quality possible, the LG G4 OLED is worth the premium.
Remember that both TVs are massive and will need proper installation planning. Make sure to measure your space carefully and consider professional installation, especially for wall mounting these heavy units.
| Samsung 98" QN90D Neo QLED ($12,999) | LG 97" OLED evo G4 ($24,996) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Fundamentally affects picture quality and viewing conditions | |
| Mini-LED with local dimming zones | Self-lit OLED pixels with MLA technology |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 2,000 nits (excellent for bright rooms) | 1,300 nits (good, but best in controlled lighting) |
| Contrast Ratio - Determines black levels and overall picture depth | |
| Very high (excellent for LED technology) | Infinite (perfect blacks, unmatched contrast) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 4K@120Hz, VRR, FreeSync | 4K@120Hz, VRR, FreeSync, G-Sync, <0.1ms response |
| Room Light Handling - Affects when and where you can watch | |
| Excellent anti-glare, ideal for bright rooms | Good but requires more controlled lighting |
| Sound System - Built-in audio quality | |
| 40W 2.2 channel system | 60W 4.2 channel system |
| Smart Platform - Affects content access and ease of use | |
| Tizen OS (fast, good app support) | webOS 24 (more intuitive, better gaming hub) |
| Power Consumption - Impacts electricity costs | |
| 425W typical | 328W typical |
| Value Proposition - Price vs. Performance | |
| Better value for bright rooms, mixed use | Premium price for ultimate picture quality |
The LG 97" OLED evo G4 is superior for dedicated home theater use due to its perfect blacks, infinite contrast ratio, and superior dark room performance. While the Samsung 98" QN90D is excellent, OLED technology provides a more cinematic experience in controlled lighting.
The Samsung QN90D performs significantly better in bright rooms thanks to its 2,000-nit peak brightness and excellent anti-glare coating. The LG G4 OLED, while bright for an OLED, is still better suited for controlled lighting conditions.
Yes, the LG G4 OLED costs $24,996, while the Samsung QN90D is priced at $12,999. The nearly $12,000 difference makes the Samsung a better value for most buyers.
The LG G4 OLED has a slight edge for gaming with its faster response time (<0.1ms), support for both G-Sync and FreeSync, and perfect motion handling. However, the Samsung QN90D is also excellent for gaming with very low input lag and FreeSync support.
Yes, both the Samsung QN90D and LG G4 support 4K gaming at 120Hz through their HDMI 2.1 ports, making them excellent choices for PS5 and Xbox Series X gaming.
The LG G4 OLED has a superior built-in audio system with a 60W 4.2 channel setup, compared to the Samsung's 40W 2.2 channel system. However, for home theater use, an external sound system is recommended for both TVs.
The LG G4 offers superior movie watching experience with perfect blacks and better shadow detail, especially in dark scenes. The Samsung QN90D still provides excellent picture quality but can't match OLED's contrast performance.
Both platforms are excellent, but LG's webOS on the G4 is generally considered more user-friendly and has a better gaming hub. Samsung's Tizen OS is also very capable with good app support and features.
For optimal viewing of a 97-98" TV, you should sit between 10-15 feet away. Both the Samsung QN90D and LG G4 require significant wall space and proper planning for installation.
Yes, professional installation is recommended for both TVs due to their size and weight. The LG G4 weighs 126 lbs, and the Samsung QN90D weighs 167 lbs, making them too heavy for typical DIY mounting.
Both TVs should last many years, but OLED technology can experience burn-in under extreme conditions. The Samsung QN90D Mini-LED technology may be more durable for heavy static content use.
If you're building a dedicated home theater with controlled lighting and want the absolute best picture quality, the LG G4 OLED is worth the premium. For mixed-use spaces, the Samsung QN90D offers better value while still providing excellent performance.
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 - rtings.com - marketplace.sce.com - abt.com - youtube.com - walts.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - youtube.com - fullspecs.net - big-georges.com - techradar.com - youtube.com
