QN90D 4K QLED vs QN900D 8K: Which is best?

An 8K powerhouse and a solid 4K performer

Samsung has refreshed its top-tier QLED line for 2024, introducing the QN90D and the QN900D, upgrading from the previous models, the QN90C and the QN900C. As the bestselling 4K TV brand, Samsung has built a global reputation as a manufacturer of quality TVs.

While these QLED TVs are in the same family of smart TVs, they have some key differences. When comparing the Samsung QN90D 4K to the QN900D 8K, the most notable difference is in the QN900D, which is one of the few TVs on the market with 8K resolution. While the QN90D doesn’t have 8K technology, it’s still a quality option for those looking to upgrade to a modern 4K smart TV.

The BestReviews Testing Lab loved both of these TVs during our evaluation. We think the QN90D is a great option for those leaping to the upper tier of the 4K market, while the QN900D is meant for home-theater connoisseurs looking for an ultra-premium 4K TV. Let’s dive in.

Samsung QN90D vs. QN900D

While both of these TVs represent premium offerings in the 4K market, the QN90D is more of a value proposition compared to the high-end specs of the QN900D. The QN90D still has plenty to offer for the average consumer.

Samsung QN90D 4K QLED specs

The QN90D performed well in our viewing-angle degradation tests.

Product specifications
Size: 43” to 98” | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz at 4K with VRR | Resolution: 4K | Connectivity: 4 HDMI (1 eARC), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, USB, Optical Audio |

The QN90D has all the features you would expect out of a modern 4K television. It has a high variable refresh rate (VRR) of 144 hertz, which is ideal for gaming, a host of different sizes to fit your room and, of course, 4K resolution with HDR10+. All of these features are standard fare for Samsung TVs in this price range, including Samsung’s OLED TVs.

What the QN90D notably doesn’t have compared to the QN900D is 8K resolution. It also has a lower refresh rate but is still fantastic for most gaming needs. During testing, we identified the QN90D as an ideal 4K TV for gamers. The QN90D is installed with a high-end processor, some AI technology and Quantum Matrix Technology, offering advanced brightness control.

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QN900D 8K specs

The QN900D is the first ever TV to offer a variable refresh rate of 240 Hz.

Product specifications
Size: 65” to 85” | Refresh Rate: 240 Hz at 4K with VRR | Resolution: 8K | Connectivity: 4 HDMI (1 eARC), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Optical Audio |

Samsung has packed the QN900D with impressive specs, but it comes at a price. The QN900D blows most TVs out of the water, offering an industry-leading VRR of 240 Hz (the first TV to do so), 8K resolution and 8K AI-powered upscaling. The QN900D also includes an Infinity Air design, giving it a sleek and modern look. In dim settings, the Infinity Air stand makes the QN900D appear like it’s floating in the air. It can also upscale older content into 8K, albeit with mixed results when we tested it out.

While testing, we couldn’t think of a premium spec the QN900D didn’t have. It’s an impressive piece of machinery and anybody looking for the ultimate home-theater TV and is willing to be an early adopter of 8K technology will be very happy.

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Samsung QN90D vs QN900D: What they do well

The QN900D and the QN90D are the latest in Samsung’s QLED line of smart TVs.

Both of these TVs perform fantastically, but they are targeting a different brand of consumer. Let’s dive into the benefits of each.

QN90D benefits

Gaming features: This TV boasts fantastic gaming features, including a VRR of 144 Hz at 4K resolution. It handles motion as well as most TVs in this price range.
Viewing angle: Particularly zero picture degradation when viewing the QN90D from an angle.
Color accuracy: Whites are crisp and clear, blacks are deep and inky, and the color is vibrant.
Sharpness: When looking at faraway cityscapes and landscapes, you can clearly see details like roofs and ocean waves.
Tizen OS: Samsung’s refreshed OS was easy to use and has all the applications you would expect a smart TV to have.

QN900D benefits

Brightness: The QN900D has striking brightness and is one of the brightest TVs we’ve ever tested.
Color accuracy: While watching visuals of mountains at dusk, the shadows on the mountains were dynamic, down to slight variations in the mountainside, rather than an all-black mountainscape like you would find on cheaper TVs.
Gaming features: At 240 Hz VRR, everything on this TV runs like butter and looks outstanding.
8K content: The 8K resolution videos we watched were incredible; the colors were super rich with unmatched clarity.
Infinity Air design: The TV feels very modern and sleek, fit for someone who is in search of a thin TV that can fit seamlessly into any living space.

What they could improve

While these are fantastic TVs, we do have a couple of nits to pick.

QN90D drawbacks

Brightness: While it’s still very good, we did notice that the light dimmed at the very edges of the QN90D.
Input lag: In faster-paced moments in video games, we noticed some slight input lag but nothing major.
Anti-glare: When we shined a light to the QN90D with an iPhone flashlight, we could clearly see the light reflecting back.

QN900D drawbacks

Anti-Glare: Similar issue with the QN90D — generally, QLED TVs aren’t as good as OLED in keeping light from reflecting.
Sound: Like most smart TVs, the sound was lacking. We felt it needed a sound bar.
Lack of 8K content: While 8K content looks fantastic, there is so little native 8K content out there that it makes it hard to recommend spending a pretty penny for the upgraded resolution.

Testing

Overall picture quality

To assess the overall picture quality, we evaluated metrics such as brightness, saturation, performance in dark scenes, motion blur, color accuracy, viewing angle degradation and sharpness. We used 4K and 8K content, viewing the TV from various angles, including far away, up close and at an acute angle.

Gaming

We tested these TV’s gaming capabilities by running Fortnite on max settings in various gaming modes with a PS5 to see how it handled motion blur, input lag and graphics processing.

Samsung QN90D vs QN900D functionality

Both of these Samsung TVs have a lot to offer in terms of functionality. While the QN900D performs better in several respects, it comes at a premium.

Gaming performance comparison

We were blown away by the gaming capabilities of the QN900D. As mentioned earlier, this is the first TV to feature a VRR of 240 Hz, a number only seen on high-end computer monitors. The field of vision (FOV) was incredibly smooth and the TV had no issues running Fortnite at every max setting possible enabled on the PS5. We felt it could’ve handled even more — even the next generation of consoles, whenever that may be.

While it pales in comparison to the QN900D, the QN90D still performed admirably in testing with the PS5 version of Fortnite. The 144 Hz VRR is still plenty for the vast majority of gamers. While we did notice some motion blur and input lag, it’s miles better than most TVs cheaper than this one.

Both TVs offer the Samsung Gaming Hub, a cloud gaming app that can run Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation, Origin and Steam games. For a gamer looking to simplify their setup, this is a useful convenience feature.

Design and build comparison

We weren’t overly impressed with the QN90D’s design during testing. While it’s certainly not a bad design, we felt it didn’t stand out among other modern 4K TVs. It’s a TV that will feel familiar in build quality for anyone who has purchased a Samsung in the past. It’s not super thin. It would fit nicely in a high-end conference room.

However, the QN900D’s design is otherworldly. We already mentioned the Infinity Air design, but it bears repeating that it’s a very cool build from Samsung. It has virtually no bezel, is about a centimeter thick and there’s no bulging at the back of the TV. The Infinity Air stand’s floating aesthetic is unlike any TV stand we’ve tested.

Picture quality comparison

As we mentioned, the QN900D’s picture quality is outstanding. To achieve this picture, the QN900D is installed with an NQ8 AI Gen3 processor. This technology allows the QN900D’s screen to display everything in crisp detail and vivid color. And while we had mixed results, the QN900D can upscale old content into 8K resolution.

The QN90D’s picture pales in comparison, but it is no slouch. Despite some gripes with brightness at the very edges, it still has a beautiful and vibrant screen. The QN90D also utilizes AI technology, boasting an updated Samsung NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor. The result is a fantastic 4K TV with deep blacks and bright whites.

Features comparison

Both of these QLED offerings from Samsung have virtually the same features. Each utilizes Samsung’s refreshed for 2024 Tizen OS. We felt Tizen was smooth, easy to use and included all the apps we would ever want in a smart TV.

Pricing

The QN90D starts at $1,499 and is available at Samsung. The QN900D starts at $4,999 and is also available at Samsung. The QN900D’s 8K resolution makes the TV significantly more expensive than the QN90D. While it is an impressive package, we aren’t sure the price is justified. 8K content is very limited at the moment and the use of 8K cameras by Hollywood studios is likely years away.

How do they compare to other TVs we tested?

While we are big fans of these QLED models from Samsung, we still think OLED screens are better than QLED. OLED screens are brighter, sleeker and have fantastic anti-glare technology. We are big fans of the Samsung S95D and would pick that over these other two TVs. The S95D even outperforms the QN900D, and it comes at a significantly cheaper price (starting at $2,599).

How do they compare to The Frame?

However, if QLED TVs are your preference, these two TVs lead the pack among other QLED TVs we’ve tested, such as Samsung’s The Frame. The Frame is a unique offering in Samsung’s smart TV lineup, acting more as an art piece than a daily driver TV (it’s often referred to as a “lifestyle TV”). The Frame’s minimalist design and features that emphasize displaying digital artwork are meant for the user not interested in making their TV the centerpiece of a living space.

Bottom line: Should you get the QN90D or the QN900D?

Both the QN900D and the QN90D boast fantastic gaming features.

Comparing them simply on specs, picture quality and build, the QN900D is the clear winner. The QN900D is a very high-end TV that can display high-quality pictures. It’s super bright, very color-accurate and has the gaming features of a high-end computer monitor. It’s hard to beat a TV like this one.

With that said, the QN90D comes at a cheaper price. It is still a high-quality TV that will make most consumers happy, including solid gaming features and a vibrant display. It doesn’t have the flashy features of the QN900D, but it will be just fine as a home-theater workhorse.

If cost is not a factor and you’re looking for one of the best displays on the market, go with the QN900D. If you want something a bit cheaper but are still looking for a high-quality 4K display, go with the QN90D.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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