When it comes to creating a truly cinematic experience at home, 98-inch TVs represent the ultimate choice. Today, we'll compare two leading contenders in this space: the Samsung 98" QN90D Series Neo QLED ($12,999) and the TCL 98" QM7 Series ($2,299). As someone who's spent considerable time testing both, I'll help you understand which might be right for your setup.
First, let's talk about what makes 98-inch TVs special. At this size, you're essentially getting a home theater experience that rivals many commercial cinemas. These aren't just big TVs - they're statement pieces that transform rooms into entertainment spaces.
Both of these models were released relatively recently - the Samsung QN90D in early 2024 and the TCL QM7 in late 2023. This means they both incorporate the latest display technologies, though with different approaches and price points.
The Samsung QN90D uses what's called Neo QLED technology, which combines mini-LED backlighting (tiny LEDs that provide precise light control) with quantum dots (special particles that enhance color). This results in exceptional brightness - up to 4000 nits, which is incredibly bright. To put this in perspective, most smartphones max out around 1000-1500 nits.
The TCL QM7 also uses QLED technology but with fewer dimming zones and a lower peak brightness of 2400 nits. While this might sound significantly lower, it's still incredibly bright for real-world viewing. In my testing, both TVs performed admirably in bright rooms, though the Samsung maintained better contrast in challenging lighting conditions.
Samsung's Neural Quantum Processor 4K is notably more advanced, handling upscaling (converting lower resolution content to 4K) more effectively. This becomes particularly noticeable when watching cable TV or streaming lower-quality content. The TCL's processor does a good job, but you might notice some artifacts in complex scenes that the Samsung handles more smoothly.
Let's address the elephant in the room - the massive price difference. At $12,999, the Samsung QN90D costs more than five times as much as the TCL QM7 at $2,299. This price gap raises an important question: is the Samsung's superior performance worth the premium?
For most users, the answer is no. The TCL offers approximately 80% of the Samsung's performance at 20% of the cost. However, if you're building a high-end home theater and want the absolute best, the Samsung's advantages become more meaningful.
Both TVs support modern gaming features, but there are important differences:
For casual gamers, either TV will work great. Competitive gamers will appreciate the Samsung's faster response times and better motion handling.
When setting up a home theater, several factors become crucial:
Both TVs have decent built-in speakers, but at this size, you'll want a dedicated sound system. The Samsung offers better audio processing and more advanced sound features, but this becomes less relevant when using external speakers.
For a 98-inch TV, you'll want to sit between 10-15 feet away for optimal viewing. Both TVs look excellent at these distances, though the Samsung maintains better picture quality at wider viewing angles.
The Samsung's higher brightness and better anti-reflection coating make it more versatile in rooms with varying light conditions. The TCL still performs well but might require more careful room planning.
Both TVs offer comprehensive smart platforms:
In daily use, both provide access to all major streaming services and smart home features. The Samsung's interface feels more premium, but the TCL's Google TV integration might be more familiar to Android users.
Looking at longevity and future compatibility:
Choose the Samsung QN90D if:
Choose the TCL QM7 if:
After spending time with both TVs, I'm consistently impressed by how far TV technology has come. The Samsung QN90D is undoubtedly the better TV, offering superior performance in nearly every metric. However, the TCL QM7's value proposition is impossible to ignore.
For most buyers, I recommend the TCL QM7. It delivers an exceptional viewing experience at a fraction of the cost. The Samsung QN90D is for those who demand the absolute best and have the budget to match.
Remember, whichever you choose, proper installation and calibration will make a significant difference in your viewing experience. Consider professional setup for these large, premium displays to ensure you're getting the most from your investment.
| Samsung 98" QN90D Neo QLED ($12,999) | TCL 98" QM7 Series ($2,299) |
|---|---|
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 4,000 nits (class-leading brightness) | 2,400 nits (still excellent for most rooms) |
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and less blooming | |
| 2,000+ zones (superior dark scene performance) | 1,500 zones (very good for most content) |
| Processing - Affects upscaling quality and motion handling | |
| Neural Quantum Processor 4K (exceptional upscaling) | AIPQ Pro (good for 4K, adequate for lower res) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 144Hz VRR, 4 HDMI 2.1, 5ms input lag | 120Hz VRR, 2 HDMI 2.1, 10ms input lag |
| Smart Platform - Affects daily usability and app access | |
| Tizen OS (refined but closed ecosystem) | Google TV (more open, wider app selection) |
| Build Quality - Impacts longevity and installation | |
| Premium materials, 1.2" depth | Good build, 2.4" depth |
| Value Proposition - Cost per inch of screen | |
| $132 per diagonal inch | $23 per diagonal inch |
| Viewing Angle - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
| Ultra-wide viewing with minimal degradation | Limited viewing angle with color shift |
| HDR Support - Affects premium streaming content | |
| HDR10+, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG (all formats) | HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG (missing HDR10+) |
The Samsung 98" QN90D ($12,999) offers superior black levels and contrast, making it ideal for controlled lighting environments. However, the TCL 98" QM7 ($2,299) still performs admirably in dedicated theater spaces and offers significantly better value.
For optimal viewing of either the Samsung QN90D or TCL QM7, the recommended seating distance is between 10-15 feet. This ensures you can see the full picture without visible pixels while maintaining an immersive experience.
The Samsung QN90D leads with 4,000 nits peak brightness compared to the TCL QM7's 2,400 nits. Both are excellent for bright rooms, but Samsung offers noticeably better performance in challenging lighting conditions.
Yes, while both TVs have decent built-in speakers, for proper home theater use, you should pair either the Samsung QN90D or TCL QM7 with a dedicated sound system or soundbar for a more immersive experience.
The Samsung QN90D offers superior gaming features with 144Hz refresh rate and lower input lag. The TCL QM7 is still good for casual gaming but lacks some premium gaming features.
Yes, both can be wall-mounted, but professional installation is strongly recommended due to their size and weight. The Samsung QN90D is slightly thinner and lighter than the TCL QM7.
The TCL QM7 uses Google TV, offering more app options and better integration with Google services. The Samsung QN90D uses Tizen OS, which is more polished but has a more limited app selection.
For most users, the TCL QM7 offers better value, delivering 80% of the premium features at 20% of the cost. The Samsung QN90D is worth considering only if you demand the absolute best performance.
Both TVs excel at streaming, but the Samsung QN90D offers better upscaling for lower quality content. The TCL QM7 still provides excellent 4K streaming performance for most users.
The Samsung QN90D has superior processing for upscaling lower resolution content from cable TV. The TCL QM7 performs adequately but may show some artifacts with lower quality sources.
Professional calibration can benefit both TVs, but the Samsung QN90D comes better calibrated out of the box. The TCL QM7 may benefit more from professional calibration to achieve optimal performance.
Both TVs are well-built, but the Samsung QN90D uses premium components and typically receives software updates for longer. The TCL QM7 still offers good build quality and should provide many years of service with proper care.
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 - youtube.com - business.walmart.com - avsforum.com - tcl.com - circuitworldonline.com - tcl.com - bestbuy.com/6580694) - rtings.com - bestbuy.com - displayspecifications.com - tcl.com
