LG QNED85A vs Samsung S90D: Which 65" TV Should You Buy?

Shopping for a new TV can feel overwhelming, especially when you're looking at premium 65-inch models that cost over $1,000. The good news? Both the LG 65" QNED evo AI QNED85A ($999.99) and Samsung 65" OLED S90D ($1,197.99) represent excellent choices in 2025, but they take completely different approaches to delivering great picture quality.

After spending considerable time with both TVs, I've found that your choice really comes down to understanding these different approaches and matching them to your specific viewing habits and room setup. Let me break down everything you need to know to make the right decision.

Understanding Modern TV Technology

Before diving into specifics, it's crucial to understand that we're comparing two fundamentally different display technologies. The LG uses MiniLED technology, while the Samsung employs QD-OLED. Think of it like comparing a traditional sports car engine versus a hybrid system – both can get you where you want to go, but they work in completely different ways.

The main considerations when choosing between premium TVs include display technology, picture performance in different lighting conditions, gaming capabilities, smart features, and overall value. Room environment plays a huge role too – a TV that looks stunning in a dark basement home theater might struggle in a bright living room with lots of windows.

The Technology Showdown: MiniLED vs QD-OLED

LG's MiniLED Approach

The LG QNED85A uses MiniLED technology, which is essentially a supercharged version of traditional LED backlighting. Instead of having a few dozen LED lights behind the screen, MiniLED uses thousands of tiny LEDs that can be controlled in precise zones. This creates what's called "local dimming" – the ability to make specific parts of the screen brighter or darker independently.

The "QNED" name combines three technologies: Quantum Dot (for enhanced color), NanoCell (for improved viewing angles), and MiniLED (for better contrast). The result is a display that can get incredibly bright – we're talking about peak brightness levels around 2,000 nits, which is roughly 10 times brighter than older LED TVs.

What makes the 2025 model particularly interesting is LG's new α8 Gen 2 AI Processor, which represents a 70% improvement in AI performance over previous generations. This processor constantly analyzes what you're watching and adjusts the picture in real-time, optimizing everything from color saturation to noise reduction.

Samsung's QD-OLED Innovation

The Samsung S90D uses QD-OLED technology, which is relatively new to the TV world. Traditional OLED panels use organic compounds that emit light when electricity is applied – each pixel is essentially its own tiny light bulb. Samsung's quantum dot layer adds another level of sophistication, improving color accuracy and brightness compared to regular OLED.

The key advantage of OLED technology is that pixels can turn completely off, creating true black levels. When you watch a movie with a dark scene, those black areas aren't just "dark gray" – they're completely black, with zero light emission. This creates what's called "infinite contrast ratio," something that MiniLED technology, despite its improvements, cannot match.

The S90D's NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor uses 20 specialized neural networks to upscale content and optimize picture quality. While this sounds impressive, in practice, it's more focused on traditional upscaling rather than the comprehensive AI features found in the LG model.

Picture Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Contrast and Black Levels

This is where the two TVs show their most dramatic differences. The Samsung S90D delivers perfect black levels that make dark movie scenes look absolutely stunning. When I watched "Dune" on the Samsung, the desert scenes had an almost three-dimensional quality, with perfect blacks creating incredible depth.

The LG QNED85A, while impressive, shows some limitations in dark scenes. You might notice subtle "blooming" around bright objects – like a bright moon against a dark sky might have a faint halo around it. This happens because the MiniLED zones, while numerous, still can't control individual pixels like OLED can.

However, the story changes completely in bright rooms. The LG's higher peak brightness means it can maintain picture quality even with sunlight streaming through windows. The Samsung, while bright for an OLED, might look washed out in very bright conditions.

Color Performance

Both TVs excel at color reproduction, but in different ways. The Samsung S90D's quantum dot layer provides exceptional color volume – meaning colors stay vibrant even at high brightness levels. Reds look particularly rich and saturated, while blues have an almost electric quality that makes nature documentaries pop off the screen.

The LG QNED85A offers what I'd call more "accurate" colors. Its combination of Quantum Dot and NanoCell technologies creates colors that are vibrant but natural-looking. The AI processor also helps by analyzing content and adjusting color temperature and saturation based on what you're watching.

HDR Performance

Here's where things get interesting. The LG supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG – essentially every HDR format you're likely to encounter. The Samsung only supports HDR10 and HDR10+, missing Dolby Vision entirely. This might not sound like a big deal, but Dolby Vision is widely used by Netflix, Apple TV+, and other streaming services for their premium content.

The LG's higher peak brightness also means HDR highlights look more impactful in bright rooms. Watching "Top Gun: Maverick" during a sunny afternoon, the cockpit scenes and bright sky looked more realistic on the LG than the Samsung.

Gaming: Built for Next-Gen Consoles

Both TVs are excellent for gaming, supporting 144Hz refresh rates and featuring multiple HDMI 2.1 ports. HDMI 2.1 is crucial because it allows these high refresh rates at 4K resolution – something older HDMI versions couldn't handle.

The Samsung has a slight edge for competitive gaming due to its instant pixel response time. When playing fast-paced games like "Call of Duty," there's virtually no motion blur. The perfect black levels also help with visibility in dark game environments.

The LG's higher brightness can be advantageous for gaming in bright rooms, and there's no concern about burn-in from static game elements like health bars or mini-maps. OLED TVs, while much improved, can still suffer from permanent image retention if static elements are displayed for extended periods.

Both TVs feature variable refresh rate (VRR) support, which synchronizes the TV's refresh rate with your gaming console or PC to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering. They also include automatic low-latency mode, which automatically switches to game mode when it detects a gaming console.

Smart Features: The AI Revolution

The LG QNED85A really shines in the smart features department. Running webOS 25, it includes sophisticated AI features that feel genuinely useful rather than gimmicky. The AI Voice ID feature can recognize different family members and automatically switch to their preferred settings and recommendations.

The AI Concierge is particularly impressive – it can understand conversational queries like "find me something funny to watch with the kids" and provide relevant suggestions. The AI Picture Pro feature constantly analyzes what you're watching and adjusts settings automatically, which I found worked better than manual adjustments in most cases.

LG's commitment to long-term support is also noteworthy. The webOS Re:New Program guarantees five years of OS upgrades, meaning your TV will stay current with new features and security updates well into the future.

The Samsung S90D runs Tizen OS, which is reliable and responsive but less feature-rich. The interface is clean and straightforward, which some users actually prefer. The NQ4 AI processor handles upscaling well, making lower-resolution content look better, but it lacks the comprehensive AI features of the LG.

Room Environment: The Make-or-Break Factor

Bright Room Performance

If your TV will be in a living room with lots of windows or bright overhead lighting, the LG QNED85A is the clear winner. Its peak brightness of around 2,000 nits means it can compete with ambient light effectively. I tested both TVs in my living room during a sunny afternoon, and the LG maintained vibrant colors and good contrast while the Samsung appeared somewhat washed out.

The LG also handles reflections better thanks to its anti-reflective coating. While you'll still see some reflections from bright light sources, they're less distracting than on the Samsung's glossier screen.

Dark Room Cinema Experience

For dedicated home theater setups or dark room viewing, the Samsung S90D is in a league of its own. The perfect black levels create an almost cinematic experience that's hard to match. Watching "Blade Runner 2049" in a dark room, the Samsung's ability to show subtle details in shadows while maintaining bright highlights was genuinely impressive.

The infinite contrast ratio means you can see details in both the darkest shadows and brightest highlights simultaneously – something that's crucial for dramatic films and moody TV shows.

Mixed Lighting Versatility

Most people don't have perfect viewing conditions all the time. The LG QNED85A offers better versatility across different lighting conditions throughout the day. It performs well in both bright and dark environments, making it more practical for families with varied viewing habits.

Value Proposition: Performance Per Dollar

At $999.99, the LG QNED85A represents excellent value, especially considering its AI features and future-proof capabilities. The five-year OS upgrade guarantee alone adds significant long-term value, and the comprehensive feature set makes it feel like a premium TV without the premium price tag.

The Samsung S90D at $1,197.99 costs about $200 more, but that extra money buys you genuinely superior picture quality in optimal conditions. For movie enthusiasts and those with dedicated home theater setups, the improved contrast and color performance justify the higher price.

Home Theater Considerations

For dedicated home theater setups, several factors become more important. Light control is typically excellent in these environments, which plays to the Samsung's strengths. The perfect black levels and superior contrast create a more immersive cinematic experience that's particularly noticeable with high-quality content.

However, the LG's Dolby Vision support shouldn't be overlooked. Many premium streaming services and 4K Blu-rays use Dolby Vision, and the difference in HDR performance is noticeable. The AI features also work well in home theater settings, automatically optimizing picture settings based on content type.

Both TVs support Dolby Atmos audio, though for serious home theater use, you'll likely want a dedicated sound system anyway. The Samsung's Tizen platform might actually be preferable for some home theater enthusiasts who prefer simpler interfaces without AI interventions.

Making Your Decision

Choose the Samsung S90D if you primarily watch in dark or controlled lighting conditions, prioritize absolute picture quality, and don't mind paying extra for OLED technology. It's the better choice for movie enthusiasts, dedicated home theater setups, and anyone who wants the best possible contrast and color performance.

Choose the LG QNED85A if you watch TV in bright rooms, want the latest AI features, prefer better overall value, or need Dolby Vision support. It's more versatile across different viewing conditions and offers better long-term software support.

The bottom line: both TVs represent excellent choices in 2025, with the Samsung S90D offering superior picture quality for $200 more, while the LG QNED85A provides better versatility, features, and value. Your room's lighting conditions and viewing priorities should ultimately guide your decision.

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