Looking to upgrade your TV but torn between cutting-edge 8K and refined 4K OLED technology? Let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung QN900D 65" Neo QLED 8K ($3,499.99) and Sony BRAVIA 8 65" 4K OLED ($1,698.00), two flagship models that showcase different approaches to premium picture quality.
The television landscape has evolved dramatically in recent years, with two distinct technologies now dominating the high-end space. QLED (Quantum dot LED) has matured into Mini-LED backed Neo QLED, while OLED continues to refine its self-emitting pixel technology. Both approaches offer stunning picture quality, but they excel in different viewing scenarios.
Released in early 2024, these models represent the latest advances in their respective technologies. The Samsung QN900D builds upon last year's QN900C with a more powerful AI processor and improved brightness control, while the Sony BRAVIA 8 evolves from the highly regarded A80L with enhanced processing and a slimmer design.
The Samsung QN900D uses Mini-LED backlighting (tiny LEDs thousands of times smaller than traditional LED backlights) combined with quantum dots (microscopic particles that produce incredibly pure colors). This combination allows for precise light control and exceptional brightness, regularly exceeding 2,000 nits in HDR content. For context, that's about twice as bright as most OLED TVs.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) where each pixel creates its own light and can turn completely off. This results in infinite contrast ratios and absolute black levels that QLED can't match. While peak brightness tops out around 800-900 nits, the perfect blacks make HDR content look incredibly dynamic, especially in darker rooms.
The Samsung QN900D offers 8K resolution (7680 x 4320 pixels), which is four times the resolution of 4K. While native 8K content remains limited in 2024, Samsung's new NQ8 AI Gen3 processor does an impressive job upscaling lower-resolution content. In my testing, 4K content looked noticeably sharper than on other high-end TVs, though the difference is most apparent when viewing from very close distances.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 sticks with 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels), which matches most current streaming and broadcast content. Sony's XR processor excels at handling motion and upscaling 1080p content, and the OLED panel's perfect pixel-level control means 4K content looks incredibly detailed and natural.
For dedicated home theater spaces, these TVs have different strengths:
The Sony BRAVIA 8 is exceptional in dark rooms, where its perfect blacks and infinite contrast create a truly cinematic experience. The OLED technology excels with movies, especially darker scenes where subtle shadow details matter. Having tested both TVs in a light-controlled environment, the Sony consistently delivered more immersive movie experiences.
The Samsung QN900D handles bright rooms better, maintaining punchy contrast and vibrant colors even with significant ambient light. Its anti-reflective coating is also more effective at reducing glare, making it a better choice for mixed-use spaces or rooms with large windows.
Both TVs offer excellent gaming features, but there are important differences:
The Samsung QN900D uses Tizen OS, which offers a comprehensive smart platform with:
The Sony BRAVIA 8 uses Google TV, providing:
The price difference between these TVs is substantial - nearly $1,800. The Samsung QN900D at $3,499.99 represents the bleeding edge of TV technology, while the Sony BRAVIA 8 at $1,698.00 delivers premium performance at a more accessible price point.
After extensive testing of both TVs, I find the Sony BRAVIA 8 offers the better value for most users today. Its perfect blacks, superior motion handling, and excellent processing make it a fantastic choice for both movies and gaming. However, if you have a bright viewing environment or want to future-proof for 8K content, the Samsung QN900D is an impressive, albeit expensive, option.
Remember that both TVs represent the premium end of the market and will provide excellent viewing experiences. The choice ultimately comes down to your specific viewing environment, content preferences, and budget considerations.
| Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K ($3,499.99) | Sony BRAVIA 8 65" 4K OLED ($1,698.00) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines core picture quality characteristics | |
| Neo QLED (Mini-LED with quantum dots, higher brightness) | OLED (perfect blacks, better viewing angles) |
| Resolution - Consider limited 8K content availability in 2024 | |
| 8K (7680 x 4320) - Future-proofed but requires upscaling | 4K (3840 x 2160) - Matches most current content |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 2000+ nits (excellent for bright rooms) | 800-900 nits (best for controlled lighting) |
| HDR Support - Affects compatibility with streaming content | |
| HDR10+ (no Dolby Vision) | Dolby Vision, HDR10 (wider content support) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 4K@120Hz, 8K@60Hz, VRR, <10ms input lag | 4K@120Hz, VRR, 16ms input lag |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Tizen OS (Gaming Hub, SmartThings integration) | Google TV (better recommendations, Chromecast built-in) |
| Sound System - Consider if not using external audio | |
| 90W 6.2.4 channel system | 50W 2.1 channel with Acoustic Surface Audio+ |
| Processing - Affects upscaling and motion handling | |
| NQ8 AI Gen3 (exceptional 8K upscaling) | XR Processor (superior motion, natural colors) |
| Viewing Environment Sweet Spot - Where each TV performs best | |
| Bright rooms, mixed-use spaces | Dark rooms, dedicated home theaters |
The Sony BRAVIA 8 ($1,698.00) generally offers superior movie performance due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio. While the Samsung QN900D ($3,499.99) has higher brightness, the OLED technology in the Sony provides a more cinematic experience, especially in dark room viewing conditions typical of home theaters.
For most users, 8K isn't worth the premium price yet. While the Samsung QN900D offers excellent upscaling, there's very limited native 8K content available. The 4K resolution of the Sony BRAVIA 8 matches current content standards and provides exceptional clarity.
Both TVs excel at gaming, but the Samsung QN900D has slightly better gaming features with lower input lag (<10ms vs 16ms) and 8K/60Hz capability. However, the Sony BRAVIA 8 still offers excellent gaming performance with 4K/120Hz and perfect response time.
The Samsung QN900D significantly outperforms in bright rooms due to its much higher brightness (2000+ nits) and advanced anti-reflective coating. The Sony BRAVIA 8 is better suited for controlled lighting conditions.
In a dedicated home theater setting, the Sony BRAVIA 8 typically provides a better experience due to its perfect blacks and superior contrast. However, if your theater has ambient light, the Samsung QN900D might be preferable.
Each TV excels in different aspects of HDR. The Samsung QN900D offers higher peak brightness for HDR highlights, while the Sony BRAVIA 8 provides better shadow detail and supports Dolby Vision, which many users prefer for streaming content.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 uses Google TV, which offers better content recommendations and Chromecast built-in. The Samsung QN900D uses Tizen OS, which features Gaming Hub and better smart home integration through SmartThings.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 offers significantly better value at $1,698 versus $3,499 for the Samsung QN900D. Unless you specifically need 8K resolution or extremely high brightness, the Sony provides premium performance at a more reasonable price.
While both TVs offer decent built-in audio, for a true home theater experience, external speakers or a soundbar is recommended. The Samsung QN900D has a more powerful 90W system compared to the Sony's 50W, but neither matches dedicated audio systems.
The Samsung QN900D handles fast motion well and its higher brightness makes it excellent for daytime sports viewing. However, the Sony BRAVIA 8 offers superior motion handling, making it great for sports in controlled lighting.
Both TVs should last many years with proper care. The Samsung QN900D offers future-proofing with 8K resolution, while the Sony BRAVIA 8 OLED may require more careful use to avoid burn-in, though modern OLEDs have greatly improved in this regard.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 has an advantage for streaming due to its Dolby Vision support and excellent upscaling of varied content quality. While the Samsung QN900D offers great picture quality, most streaming content is in 4K or lower resolution, making the Sony's capabilities more practically useful.
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 - videoandaudiocenter.com - bestbuy.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com - walts.com - images.samsung.com - samsung.com - merlinstv.com - samsung.com - avsforum.com - samsung.com - bestbuy.com - bestbuy.com - crutchfield.com - avsforum.com - electronics.sony.com - sony.com - store.sony.co.nz - sony.com - displayspecifications.com
