Samsung High-End TV Showdown: OLED S90D vs. Neo QLED QN85D (2024)

When it comes to premium televisions in 2024, Samsung offers two distinct flagship technologies that showcase just how far display technology has evolved. In this comparison, we'll examine the Samsung 65" OLED S90D TV and the Samsung 65" QN85D Neo QLED 4K Smart TV – two cutting-edge displays with different approaches to creating a stunning picture. Both were released in March 2024, representing Samsung's latest innovations in their respective display technologies.

At $2,699 (though sometimes on sale for $2,499), the OLED S90D commands a premium over the $1,797 QN85D Neo QLED. But is the roughly $900 difference justified? And more importantly, which one is right for your specific viewing environment and preferences? Let's explore these questions in depth.

Understanding the Technology: OLED vs. Neo QLED

Before diving into specific performance aspects, it's important to understand the fundamental difference between these display technologies.

OLED Technology

The S90D uses Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) technology, where each pixel creates its own light and can be individually turned on or off. This self-emissive nature means that when a pixel needs to display black, it simply turns off completely, achieving what we call "perfect blacks." This capability gives OLED displays their signature infinite contrast ratio – the difference between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks.

Samsung has been refining their OLED TV technology since reintroducing it to their lineup in 2022. The 2024 S90D represents their most advanced implementation yet, with improved brightness and better burn-in protection compared to earlier generations.

Neo QLED Technology

The QN85D uses Mini-LED backlighting combined with Quantum Dot technology (hence "QLED"). Mini-LEDs are significantly smaller than traditional LED backlights, allowing for more precise local dimming zones – areas of the screen that can be brightened or dimmed independently. The quantum dot layer enhances color reproduction by converting blue light into pure red and green light, creating more vivid and accurate colors.

Samsung introduced Neo QLED in 2021, and the 2024 QN85D represents their latest refinement of this technology. The current generation offers more dimming zones, better processing, and improved energy efficiency compared to earlier models.

Picture Performance: The Heart of the Comparison

Contrast and Black Levels

This is perhaps the most significant difference between these two displays.

The OLED S90D achieves perfect blacks because each pixel can be completely turned off. When watching content with starfields, night scenes, or letterbox bars in movies, those areas appear truly black, not dark gray. This perfect black level creates a sense of depth that's simply unmatched by LED-based displays.

I recently watched "Dune: Part Two" on an OLED display, and the night scenes were breathtaking – the stars against the desert night sky had a three-dimensional quality that made the vast landscape feel genuinely immersive.

The QN85D Neo QLED, while excellent for an LED-based display, can't quite match this performance. Its mini-LED backlight is organized into hundreds of dimming zones (not individual pixels), which means some light can bleed from bright objects into surrounding dark areas – a phenomenon called "blooming." This is most noticeable when you see bright objects on dark backgrounds, like subtitles or loading icons.

That said, in most normal viewing content, the Neo QLED's contrast is still impressive, especially compared to conventional LED TVs. For casual viewers who aren't specifically looking for these artifacts, the difference might not be dramatic.

Brightness and Room Adaptability

Here's where the QN85D Neo QLED shines – literally. With peak brightness levels reaching 1000-1200 nits (a measurement of light output), it can produce dramatically brighter highlights than the OLED. This makes it exceptional for well-lit rooms, especially spaces with windows or bright ambient lighting where reflections might be an issue.

The QLED's anti-reflective coating is also particularly effective, further enhancing its bright-room performance. If you're placing your TV in a sunroom, open concept living space with large windows, or simply prefer watching with lights on, this advantage cannot be overstated.

The OLED S90D has improved brightness compared to older OLED models, reaching approximately 600-700 nits at peak highlights. This is plenty bright for most viewing environments, but it doesn't have the same "punch" in very bright rooms. OLEDs perform at their best in dim to moderately lit environments where their perfect contrast can really shine.

For a dedicated home theater setup with controlled lighting, the OLED's contrast advantage would be my preference. However, for a typical living room with variable lighting, the Neo QLED's brightness might prove more practical day-to-day.

Color Reproduction

Both TVs excel at color reproduction, but in slightly different ways.

The S90D OLED features Pantone-validated colors, ensuring exceptional accuracy. Colors appear natural and true-to-life, with the perfect black levels enhancing the perceived vibrancy. Perhaps more importantly, OLEDs maintain consistent color and contrast regardless of viewing angle. This means everyone in the room sees the same quality image, whether they're sitting directly in front of the TV or off to the side.

The QN85D Neo QLED uses Quantum Dot technology to achieve 100% color volume, producing rich, vibrant colors across the brightness spectrum. The colors can appear slightly more saturated than on the OLED, which some viewers might prefer for content like animated movies or vibrant nature documentaries. However, the Neo QLED does exhibit some color shifting and contrast reduction when viewed from extreme angles – not ideal for large group viewing situations.

Gaming Performance: Responsiveness and Features

Both TVs are excellent for gaming, but there are notable differences that serious gamers should consider.

Response Time and Input Lag

Response time refers to how quickly a pixel can change from one color to another, while input lag measures the delay between your controller input and the corresponding action on screen.

The OLED S90D has a near-instantaneous pixel response time of approximately 0.1ms, which virtually eliminates motion blur in fast-paced games. This makes it ideal for competitive gaming where seeing fast movement clearly can provide an advantage. Its input lag is also very low at around 9.5ms when gaming at 4K/120Hz.

The QN85D Neo QLED has a very good response time of around 2-4ms and similar input lag measurements around 10ms at 4K/120Hz. While not quite as instantaneous as the OLED, these numbers are still excellent and would satisfy all but the most demanding competitive gamers.

Gaming Features

Both TVs support the latest gaming features, including:

• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): This synchronizes the TV's refresh rate with your gaming console or PC's frame rate output, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering.
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): Automatically switches to game mode when a compatible console is detected.
• AMD FreeSync Premium/Premium Pro: Advanced forms of VRR specifically optimized for AMD graphics systems.
• 4K/120Hz support: Both TVs can display 4K resolution at 120 frames per second on all four HDMI ports.

The S90D offers Motion Xcelerator 144Hz for PC gaming, allowing for slightly higher refresh rates when connected to a compatible PC.

Both TVs include Samsung's Gaming Hub (for cloud gaming services) and Game Bar, which provides quick access to gaming-related settings. For casual gamers, both displays will provide an excellent experience, but competitive gamers might appreciate the OLED's faster response time.

Smart Features and User Experience

The user experience is virtually identical between these models, as both run on Samsung's 2024 version of the Tizen operating system. The interface has been refined since previous years, with a more intuitive layout and faster navigation.

Key features include:

• Samsung TV Plus: Free ad-supported streaming channels
• Voice assistants: Both Alexa and Samsung's Bixby are built-in
• SmartThings integration: Control compatible smart home devices
• Multi-view capability: Watch content from multiple sources simultaneously
• Samsung Health: Fitness tracking dashboard

The NQ4 AI Gen2 processor powers both TVs, providing excellent upscaling of lower-resolution content to near-4K quality. It also handles AI-based picture optimization, adjusting brightness and contrast based on room lighting conditions.

If you're upgrading from a TV more than a few years old, you'll notice significantly faster menu navigation and app loading times with either of these 2024 models.

Sound Quality: More Than an Afterthought

While many serious home theater enthusiasts will pair their TV with a separate sound system, the built-in audio capabilities can be important for bedroom setups or casual viewing.

The OLED S90D features a 2.1 channel 40W system with Dolby Atmos support. This provides reasonable sound for everyday viewing, with clear dialogue and some bass presence, but lacks the power and spatial awareness for truly cinematic experiences.

The QN85D Neo QLED steps things up with a more robust 4.2.2 channel 60W system featuring Object Tracking Sound Lite. This technology uses multiple speakers to create a more three-dimensional soundstage, making sounds appear to come from specific parts of the screen. The additional speakers and power create a more immersive audio experience that better complements the premium visual quality.

For a dedicated home theater, I'd recommend a separate sound system with either TV. However, if you're relying on the built-in speakers, the Neo QLED has a noticeable advantage in audio performance.

Longevity and Reliability Considerations

When investing in a premium TV, longevity matters. Both technologies have specific considerations:

The OLED S90D may be susceptible to burn-in if static images are displayed for extended periods. This occurs when persistent elements (like channel logos or game HUDs) cause uneven pixel wear. Samsung has implemented various protection features to mitigate this risk, including pixel shifting and logo detection. For most normal viewing habits, burn-in isn't a significant concern, but if you plan to use the TV as a PC monitor or frequently watch content with static elements for hours daily, it's something to consider.

The QN85D Neo QLED isn't susceptible to burn-in, making it better suited for those specific use cases. Its LED backlighting may degrade slightly over many years of use, but this typically occurs very gradually and evenly across the panel.

Both TVs have an expected lifespan of many years before noticeable degradation, but the Neo QLED might offer more peace of mind for certain usage patterns.

Value Proposition: Is OLED Worth the Premium?

At $2,699 (or $2,499 on sale), the S90D OLED commands approximately a $900 premium over the $1,797 QN85D Neo QLED. This price difference is substantial and represents a significant consideration for most buyers.

What does that premium buy you? Perfect blacks, better off-angle viewing, and marginally better gaming response. For cinema enthusiasts, home theater devotees, and serious gamers, these advantages might justify the cost difference.

The Neo QLED, meanwhile, offers superior brightness for well-lit environments, freedom from burn-in concerns, and better built-in sound at a significantly lower price point. For many viewers – especially those with bright living rooms – it might actually be the better choice regardless of price.

How to Decide: Finding Your Perfect Match

Choosing between these excellent displays ultimately comes down to your specific circumstances and preferences:

Choose the Samsung OLED S90D if:

• You're creating a dedicated home theater with controlled lighting
• Picture quality is your absolute top priority
• You frequently watch movies with letterbox bars or dark scenes
• You view the TV from wide angles with family or friends
• You're a serious gamer who values the fastest possible response time
• You don't mind paying a premium for the best possible contrast

Choose the Samsung Neo QLED QN85D if:

• Your TV is in a bright room with lots of windows or ambient light
• You want excellent picture quality while saving significantly
• You occasionally use the TV as a PC monitor or for static content
• You prefer not to worry about the possibility of burn-in
• You want better built-in sound without adding a separate system
• Value is an important consideration in your purchase decision

In my experience setting up home theaters for various environments, I've found that room conditions often dictate which technology is more appropriate. In a basement theater or bedroom with blackout curtains, an OLED's perfect blacks create a truly cinematic experience. In a sun-filled living room with large windows, a bright QLED often provides a more consistently enjoyable picture throughout the day.

Both the Samsung 65" OLED S90D TV and the Samsung 65" QN85D Neo QLED 4K Smart TV represent excellent options in the premium TV segment. They showcase Samsung's commitment to pushing display technology forward on multiple fronts rather than focusing on a single solution. This approach recognizes that different viewing environments and priorities call for different technologies, allowing consumers to choose the option that best fits their specific needs.

Whether you prioritize the perfect blacks and infinite contrast of OLED or the brightness and value proposition of Neo QLED, either of these flagship displays will provide years of exceptional viewing experiences that make older TVs look decidedly last-generation by comparison.

Samsung 65" OLED S90D TV Deals and Prices

Samsung 65" QN85D Neo QLED 4K Smart TV Deals and Prices