Shopping for a massive TV is both exciting and daunting. Let's explore two popular 98-inch models - the Sony BRAVIA XR X90L ($9,999) and the Samsung DU9000 ($2,499) - to help you make the right choice for your space and budget.
The home theater landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. While projectors once ruled the giant-screen space, modern LED TVs now offer compelling alternatives. These 98-inch behemoths deliver incredible brightness, require no special room setup, and work well in both dark and lit rooms.
However, before diving in, consider that a screen this large needs significant wall space and proper viewing distance - typically 12-15 feet for comfortable viewing. You'll also want to think carefully about installation, as these TVs weigh over 100 pounds and require professional mounting.
The Sony X90L and Samsung DU9000 take notably different approaches to image quality. Released in mid-2023, the Sony X90L uses full-array local dimming (FALD), which means it has multiple zones of LED lights behind the screen that can brighten or dim independently. This creates much better contrast - when one part of the screen needs to be dark while another is bright, the TV can actually dim specific areas.
The Samsung DU9000, introduced in early 2023, uses edge-lit LED technology, where the lights are arranged around the screen's perimeter. While this allows for a slimmer design and lower cost, it can't match the contrast capabilities of FALD.
In real-world viewing, this difference is most noticeable when:
The Sony also employs their latest Cognitive XR processor, which analyzes images in a way that mimics human visual perception. While this sounds like marketing speak, the results are noticeable - especially when upscaling lower resolution content to 4K.
Both TVs support 120Hz refresh rates, meaning they can display up to 120 frames per second. However, the Sony X90L offers more complete gaming features:
While the Samsung includes some gaming features, they're more basic. For serious gamers, especially those with PS5 or Xbox Series X consoles, the Sony provides a more future-proof solution.
For sports viewing, both TVs handle motion well, but the Sony's superior processing gives it an edge with fast movement. The difference is subtle but noticeable when watching quick-moving sports like hockey or soccer.
The Sony runs Google TV, while Samsung uses their proprietary Tizen OS. Both platforms offer access to all major streaming services, but Google TV provides:
Samsung's platform is perfectly functional but feels more limited. However, if you're already invested in the Samsung ecosystem (phones, SmartThings devices), you might appreciate the integration.
For dedicated home theater use, the Sony X90L stands out. Its superior contrast and black levels make it ideal for dark-room viewing, while its processor handles film content expertly. The TV also supports Dolby Vision HDR, which many streaming services use for their highest quality content.
The Samsung DU9000 can still deliver an impressive theater-like experience, especially in rooms with some ambient light where its contrast limitations are less noticeable. Its brightness and color performance are good, just not at the same level as the Sony.
Here's where things get interesting. At $2,499, the Samsung costs roughly a quarter of the Sony's $9,999 price tag. While the Sony offers better performance in nearly every metric, the question becomes: is it four times better?
For most users, the answer is no. The Samsung delivers about 80% of the Sony's performance at 25% of the cost. However, for enthusiasts and those building high-end home theaters, the Sony's superior contrast, processing, and feature set might justify the premium.
In typical living room conditions, both TVs perform well. The Samsung's limitations become more apparent in:
The Sony handles these situations better but comes with a significant price premium. It's worth noting that both TVs will impress most viewers with their sheer size and impact.
Choose the Sony X90L if:
Choose the Samsung DU9000 if:
Both TVs represent different approaches to the giant screen market. The Sony aims for the premium segment with superior technology and processing, while Samsung targets value-conscious buyers who want maximum screen size impact.
For most buyers, the Samsung offers tremendous value and good performance. However, if you're building a serious home theater or demand the best possible picture quality, the Sony's premium features justify its higher price tag.
Remember to consider your room size, viewing distance, and installation requirements before committing to either model. At 98 inches, these TVs make a dramatic statement in any space - just make sure you're choosing the right one for your specific needs and budget.
| Sony BRAVIA XR X90L ($9,999) | Samsung DU9000 ($2,499) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines contrast and black levels, crucial for movie watching | |
| Full-array LED with local dimming (superior contrast) | Edge-lit LED (decent but limited contrast) |
| HDR Processing - Impacts how well the TV handles high dynamic range content | |
| Cognitive XR processor (excellent upscaling and processing) | Crystal processor (good but basic processing) |
| Gaming Features - Critical for next-gen console gaming | |
| Full HDMI 2.1, VRR, 4K/120Hz (complete package) | Basic 120Hz support (limited gaming features) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Google TV (more apps, better updates) | Tizen OS (good but more limited) |
| Panel Brightness - Important for daytime viewing | |
| 1000+ nits peak (excellent HDR performance) | 700+ nits peak (good for SDR content) |
| Sound Quality - Built-in audio performance | |
| Acoustic Multi-Audio with sound positioning (better for large rooms) | Object Tracking Sound Lite (basic but functional) |
| Value Proposition - Price vs Performance | |
| Premium price, superior performance (ideal for enthusiasts) | Excellent value, good performance (best for budget-conscious) |
| Viewing Angle - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
| Limited viewing angle (best for centered viewing) | Similar limited viewing angle (best for centered viewing) |
| Size and Weight - Installation considerations | |
| 151 lbs with stand (professional installation required) | 150 lbs with stand (professional installation required) |
The Sony BRAVIA XR X90L ($9,999) is significantly better for home theater use due to its full-array local dimming and superior contrast. While the Samsung DU9000 ($2,499) is capable, it lacks the advanced contrast control needed for premium movie viewing in dark rooms.
The Sony X90L costs $9,999 while the Samsung DU9000 is priced at $2,499, making the Samsung about one-quarter the price of the Sony.
While both TVs have 120Hz panels, the Sony X90L offers full HDMI 2.1 support with VRR and ALLM, making it superior for gaming. The Samsung DU9000 has basic 120Hz support but lacks some advanced gaming features.
Both TVs perform well in bright rooms, but the Sony X90L has higher peak brightness. However, for most bright room viewing, the Samsung DU9000 is more than adequate at one-quarter the price.
Yes, both the Sony X90L and Samsung DU9000 weigh around 150 pounds and require professional installation for safety and optimal setup.
The Sony X90L uses Google TV, offering more apps and frequent updates. The Samsung DU9000 uses Tizen OS, which is good but more limited in app selection and features.
Yes, both TVs work well with soundbars. The Sony X90L offers enhanced integration with Sony soundbars, while the Samsung DU9000 works best with Samsung soundbars through Q-Symphony.
For both the Sony X90L and Samsung DU9000, the recommended viewing distance is 12-15 feet for optimal viewing experience.
The Sony X90L has superior motion handling and processing, making it better for sports viewing. However, the Samsung DU9000 still performs adequately for most sports content.
Yes, both the Sony X90L and Samsung DU9000 support all major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and HBO Max.
The Sony X90L has superior upscaling through its Cognitive XR processor, making lower resolution content look better on the large screen compared to the Samsung DU9000's more basic processing.
For dedicated home theater use or if you demand the best picture quality, the Sony X90L is worth considering. However, for most users, the Samsung DU9000 offers better value with good performance at a much lower price point.
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: avsforum.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - electronics.sony.com - stewartappliance.com - rcwilley.com - rtings.com - abt.com - pcrichard.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com - thebigscreenstore.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - rtings.com - assetserver.net - associatedappliance.com - insight.com - nfm.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - blog.rentacenter.com - samsung.com - merlinstv.com - samsung.com
