When it comes to creating an impressive home theater or upgrading your living room to truly cinematic proportions, 98-inch TVs represent the pinnacle of consumer display technology. Today, we're comparing two major contenders: the TCL 98" QM7 Series 4K UHD Smart TV ($2,299.99) and the LG 98" Class UT90 Series 4K UHD Smart TV 2024 ($2,499.99). Both were released in early 2024, marking significant advances in large-format display technology.
Before diving into the comparisons, let's talk about why you might want a TV this large. At 98 inches, these displays create a truly immersive experience that approaches what you'd get in a commercial theater. For context, that's over 8 feet diagonally - bigger than many people's bedroom walls!
The sweet spot for viewing these TVs is between 12-15 feet away, making them perfect for:
The TCL QM7 uses what's called QD-Mini LED technology - think of it as thousands of tiny lights behind the screen that can dim or brighten independently (specifically, 1,500+ zones). This technology allows for incredible contrast between bright and dark areas of the screen. When watching a space movie, for example, you'll see pitch-black space right next to brilliantly bright stars without any glowing or bleeding between them.
In contrast, the LG UT90 uses a more traditional LED panel with fewer dimming zones. While still impressive, it can't match the precise control over brightness that the TCL offers. This difference becomes particularly noticeable in dark room viewing, where the TCL's superior contrast really shines (pun intended).
The TCL can reach up to 2,400 nits of brightness (nits are a measure of light output - for reference, most laptops max out around 300-400 nits), while the LG peaks significantly lower. This makes the TCL especially good for:
Both TVs support modern gaming features, but there are important differences. The TCL QM7 offers:
The LG provides:
For serious gamers, especially those with current-gen consoles or gaming PCs, the TCL's superior gaming features make it the better choice. The higher refresh rate and better HDR performance create a more responsive and visually impressive gaming experience.
Both TVs offer comprehensive smart platforms, but they take different approaches:
TCL uses Google TV, which provides:
LG's webOS 24 offers:
While both platforms are capable, Google TV tends to receive updates more frequently and has wider app support. However, if you're already invested in the LG ecosystem, webOS might feel more familiar and integrated with your other devices.
When we look at pure value for money, the TCL QM7 leads the pack. It offers:
The LG UT90 comes in at $200 more but doesn't match the TCL's technical specifications in most areas. However, LG does offer:
For dedicated home theater use, several factors become particularly important:
If you have a dedicated theater room with controlled lighting, both TVs will perform well, but the TCL's superior contrast and black levels will create a more cinema-like experience.
Both TVs support eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) for connecting to modern sound systems, but the TCL offers wider format support including:
At 98 inches, both TVs require careful consideration of viewing distance. The optimal viewing distance is between 12-15 feet, though you can sit closer (10 feet) if you enjoy a more immersive experience.
In practical use, both TVs excel at their primary functions, but the TCL's technical advantages translate to noticeably better performance in:
The LG still performs admirably but is better suited to:
Choose the TCL QM7 if you:
Choose the LG UT90 if you:
The 98-inch TV category represents the current peak of consumer display technology, and both these models are impressive achievements. However, the TCL QM7 stands out as the better choice for most buyers, offering superior technology and performance at a lower price point. Its mini-LED technology, gaming features, and brightness capabilities make it an excellent choice for both home theater enthusiasts and casual viewers alike.
Remember that these are both premium products that will likely serve well for many years, so choosing based on your specific needs and preferences is more important than minor technical differences. However, given the price difference and technical advantages, the TCL QM7 represents the better value for most buyers in 2024.
| TCL 98" QM7 Series ($2,299) | LG 98" UT90 Series ($2,499) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines contrast, brightness, and overall picture quality | |
| QD-Mini LED with 1,500+ dimming zones | Standard LED with basic local dimming |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 2,400 nits (exceptional for any lighting) | 800 nits (adequate for normal rooms) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console and PC gaming | |
| VRR up to 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro | Basic VRR up to 120Hz |
| Smart Platform - Affects app availability and ease of use | |
| Google TV (more frequent updates, wider app support) | webOS 24 (clean interface, less app variety) |
| HDR Support - Affects color range and contrast in modern content | |
| Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG only |
| Local Dimming Zones - More zones mean better contrast and less blooming | |
| 1,500+ zones (excellent contrast control) | ~100 zones (basic contrast enhancement) |
| Color Technology - Impacts color vibrancy and accuracy | |
| Quantum Dot with nearly 100% DCI-P3 | Standard LED color (85% DCI-P3) |
| Price-to-Performance Ratio - Overall value proposition | |
| Better specs at lower price | Premium price with fewer features |
| Audio Output - Built-in sound quality, though external speakers recommended | |
| 40W (2.1 channel with subwoofer) | 20W (basic stereo) |
The TCL 98" QM7 Series ($2,299) is better for home theater use due to its superior contrast ratio, higher brightness (2,400 nits), and better HDR performance. Its Mini-LED technology with 1,500+ dimming zones creates deeper blacks and more impactful HDR, making it ideal for dedicated theater rooms.
The TCL 98" QM7 offers better value at $2,299 compared to the LG 98" UT90 ($2,499), providing superior specs at a lower price point. You get better brightness, more dimming zones, and advanced gaming features for $200 less.
The TCL QM7 has better gaming features, including VRR up to 144Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and Game Accelerator 240. The LG UT90 offers basic 120Hz VRR support, making the TCL the better choice for serious gamers.
While both TVs include built-in speakers, for a proper home theater experience, an external sound system is recommended. The TCL QM7 has better built-in audio (40W 2.1 channel) compared to the LG's 20W system, but neither matches the quality of a dedicated sound system.
The TCL QM7 uses Google TV, offering wider app support and more frequent updates. The LG UT90's webOS 24 is user-friendly but has fewer apps. Both are capable, but Google TV generally provides more options.
Both TVs handle sports well, but the TCL QM7 has an advantage with better motion handling and higher brightness, making it superior for fast-moving content and daytime sports viewing.
The TCL QM7 offers a better movie-watching experience with superior contrast, better HDR support (including Dolby Vision IQ), and more dimming zones, creating a more cinematic experience.
The TCL QM7 offers superior HDR performance with support for Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, plus higher peak brightness. The LG UT90 only supports basic HDR10 and HLG, making the TCL the clear winner for HDR content.
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 - youtube.com - business.walmart.com - avsforum.com - tcl.com - circuitworldonline.com - tcl.com - bestbuy.com/6580694) - rtings.com - bestbuy.com - displayspecifications.com - tcl.com - rtings.com - shopjetson.com - abt.com - rtings.com - rtings.com - pcrichard.com - lg.com - rcwilley.com - lg.com - elechid.com - lg.com
