When comparing the Sony BRAVIA 7 ($1,399) and Samsung S90D ($2,700), we're looking at two of 2024's most compelling TV options. Both released in early 2024, these 65-inch displays represent different approaches to achieving excellent picture quality. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Before diving into the specifics, it's helpful to understand what makes these TVs special. Modern 4K TVs use different technologies to create the picture you see. The BRAVIA 7 uses Mini LED with QLED technology, which means it has thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen that can be precisely controlled for brightness. Think of it like having thousands of tiny flashlights that can be individually dimmed or brightened.
The Samsung S90D uses OLED technology, where each pixel creates its own light. Imagine millions of tiny lights that can turn completely off or on independently. This is why OLED is famous for its "perfect blacks" - when a pixel needs to be black, it simply turns off completely.
The BRAVIA 7 really shines (literally) in bright rooms. Its Mini LED technology can push out more brightness than OLED, making it excellent for daytime viewing or rooms with lots of windows. In my testing, it handled reflections well and maintained vibrant colors even with overhead lights on.
The S90D performs admirably in bright rooms but doesn't quite match the BRAVIA's raw brightness. However, it compensates with better contrast and color accuracy. If you're watching in a controlled lighting environment, the S90D's picture quality is simply stunning.
For movie enthusiasts, both TVs excel but in different ways. The S90D's OLED panel delivers unmatched contrast and perfect black levels, making it ideal for home theater setups. When watching darker scenes in movies like "Dune," the difference is noticeable - shadow details are more precise, and there's no blooming (light bleeding) around bright objects on dark backgrounds.
The BRAVIA 7 still delivers excellent movie performance, particularly with HDR content. Its Mini LED system provides impressive contrast, though you might notice some slight blooming in very dark scenes. However, for most viewers, the difference isn't dramatic enough to justify the price premium of the S90D.
Both TVs support 4K gaming at 120Hz and include HDMI 2.1 ports, which is crucial for getting the most out of modern gaming consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, the S90D has a slight edge in gaming performance.
The S90D's OLED panel provides near-instantaneous pixel response times, which means no motion blur in fast-moving games. It also has slightly lower input lag (the time between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen). For competitive gamers, these differences matter.
The BRAVIA 7 is still an excellent gaming TV, with features like Auto Low Latency Mode and Variable Refresh Rate. Most casual gamers won't notice the difference in response times, and the higher brightness can be advantageous for daytime gaming sessions.
Both TVs offer comprehensive smart platforms, but they take different approaches:
The BRAVIA 7 uses Google TV, which I find more intuitive and user-friendly. It integrates well with other Google services and provides excellent content recommendations. The interface is smooth and responsive, thanks to improved processing power over previous models.
The S90D uses Samsung's Tizen OS, which has improved significantly in recent years. It offers similar streaming app support but has a slightly steeper learning curve. However, it includes some unique features like Samsung's Gaming Hub for cloud gaming.
Here's where things get interesting. The BRAVIA 7 at $1,399 represents exceptional value for what you're getting. It delivers about 90% of the S90D's performance at roughly half the price. For most users, this is the sweet spot of performance and value.
The S90D at $2,700 is clearly premium-priced, but it delivers the absolute best picture quality possible today. The question is whether that additional picture quality is worth nearly double the price.
If you're building a dedicated home theater, there are additional factors to consider:
Both 65-inch models are ideal for viewing distances between 7-10 feet. If you're sitting closer or further, you might want to consider different sizes, which both models offer.
Both TVs support eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) for connecting to external sound systems, which is essential for a proper home theater setup. The BRAVIA 7 has a slight edge in audio format support, including DTS:X.
Choose the BRAVIA 7 if:
Choose the S90D if:
Both TVs represent significant improvements over their predecessors. The BRAVIA 7's Mini LED system offers better local dimming and brightness control than previous models, while the S90D builds on Samsung's OLED expertise with improved processing and gaming features.
For most people, I recommend the BRAVIA 7. It offers tremendous value and versatility, with picture quality that will impress all but the most demanding viewers. However, if you're a home theater enthusiast or someone who demands the absolute best picture quality regardless of cost, the S90D is your best choice.
Remember, the best TV for you depends on your specific viewing environment, content preferences, and budget. Both of these models are excellent choices - it's just a matter of choosing the one that best fits your needs.
| Sony BRAVIA 7 ($1,399) | Samsung S90D ($2,700) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Fundamentally determines picture quality and viewing conditions | |
| Mini LED with QLED (better for bright rooms) | OLED (perfect blacks, best for dark rooms) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 1000+ nits (excellent for daylight viewing) | 600-700 nits (adequate but less bright) |
| Black Levels - Determines contrast and dark scene performance | |
| Very good (some blooming in dark scenes) | Perfect (true blacks, no blooming) |
| Gaming Features - Important for console gaming performance | |
| 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM (8.5ms input lag) | 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM (5ms input lag) |
| Smart Platform - Affects daily usability and app access | |
| Google TV (more intuitive, better recommendations) | Tizen OS (solid but less user-friendly) |
| Processor - Impacts upscaling and motion handling | |
| Cognitive XR (excellent upscaling) | Neural Quantum 4K (among the best) |
| HDR Support - Determines compatibility with HDR content | |
| HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG | HDR10+, HLG (no Dolby Vision) |
| Sound Quality - Built-in audio performance | |
| 40W, 2.2ch with Atmos (better built-in sound) | 40W, 2.1ch with Atmos (good but basic) |
| Value Proposition - Overall price-to-performance ratio | |
| Excellent value (90% of OLED quality at half price) | Premium price for ultimate performance |
The Samsung S90D ($2,700) is superior for dedicated home theater spaces due to its OLED technology providing perfect blacks and infinite contrast. The BRAVIA 7 ($1,399) performs well but shows some blooming in dark scenes.
The Sony BRAVIA 7 offers better brightness performance, making it ideal for bright rooms and daytime viewing. The S90D's OLED technology, while excellent, doesn't get as bright.
The Sony BRAVIA 7 offers significantly better value, delivering about 90% of the OLED performance at half the price of the Samsung S90D.
Both TVs support 4K@120Hz gaming, but the Samsung S90D has slightly better response time and lower input lag, making it the superior gaming display.
The Sony BRAVIA 7 supports Dolby Vision, while the Samsung S90D does not, using HDR10+ instead. For home theater use, Dolby Vision support can be important as it's more widely available on streaming services.
The Samsung S90D provides the best movie-watching experience with perfect blacks and superior contrast, though the BRAVIA 7 still offers excellent picture quality for most viewers.
Both TVs support eARC, but the Sony BRAVIA 7 has broader audio format support, including DTS:X, making it slightly better for complex home theater audio setups.
The BRAVIA 7 handles reflections better due to its higher brightness, while the Samsung S90D has good anti-reflection coating but may struggle more in bright rooms.
The Sony BRAVIA 7 performs better for sports viewing due to its higher brightness and excellent motion handling, especially during daytime viewing.
Both TVs offer good out-of-box accuracy, but the Samsung S90D typically requires less calibration for optimal performance. The BRAVIA 7 can benefit from calibration but performs well in its "Cinema" or "Custom" modes.
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 - bestbuy.com - avsforum.com - avsforum.com - crutchfield.com - sony.com - rtings.com - schaeferstv.com - youtube.com - displayspecifications.com - bestbuy.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - cnet.com - bestbuy.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - youtube.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - pcrichard.com - samsung.com
