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Samsung QN95C QLED vs. LG TVs: Which is Best?

Samsung QN90B QLED vs LG G2

Samsung QN95C QLED vs. LG TVs: Which is Best?

QLEDs or QNEDs, which is better for your next television? Samsung QN95C vs. LG? Televisions are advancing at such a rapid rate that it’s hard to keep track of the latest and greatest technologies driving them. Samsung debuted the QN95C at CES 2023, the latest iteration of its QLED display technology. The QN95C Neo QLED is Samsung’s flagship 4K TV for 2023. The Quantum Mini LED backlight provides strong levels of contrast, with a brighter display, more vibrant colors, and lower latency.

The LG QNED90 is a similar TV released in 2021. It utilizes a mini LED backlight coupled with LG’s Quantum Dot color technology. Mini LEDs allow for a wider range of dimming zones, giving better control over brightness, contrast, and color reproduction on the display itself. The contrast ratio isn’t quite as high as you might see when using an OLED display, but it comes quite close in practice. This works in conjunction with Dolby Vision to deliver at truly memorable viewing experience.

So how does the QN95C QLED stack up against the similar LG QNED90? Both use a similar display technology to broadcast images and promise greater colors and brightness than their OLED counterparts. Picking out a television is arguably the most difficult task when assembling your home entertainment solutions, but it shouldn’t be. Let’s take a look at the tech, specs, and other crucial factors to determine which of these televisions is the ideal fit for your streaming marathons.

Samsung QN95C QLED vs. LG QNED90: Side-By-Side Comparison:

Samsung QN95C vs LG QNED90
Samsung QN95CLG QNED90
Screen Size65 inches65 inches
Refresh Rate144Hz120Hz
Low Latency ModeYesYes
HDRHDR10, HLGHDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Audio CodecsDTS Digital Surround, Dolby AtmosDTS Digital Surround, Dolby Atmos
ConnectivityEthernet, HDMI, Optical Audio Out, USB, RS-232C, RFEthernet, HDMI, Optical Audio Output, USB
WarrantyN/A1-year parts and labor
Weight67.2 pounds58.6 pounds
Mount SupportVESAVESA
MSRP$3,299.99$1,999.99
Best Smart Features
LG 65QNED90UPA Alexa Built-in QNED MiniLED 90 Series 65″ 4K Smart UHD NanoCell TV (2021)
  • a7 Gen4 AI Processor 4K
  • Ultra HD display combines NanoCell and miniLED technology for vibrant colors and high contrast
  • Supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Atmos
  • HGIG, ALLM, VRR for gaming
  • Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Samsung QN95C vs. LG TVs: What’s the Difference?

Both of these televisions feature similar display technologies, relying on a network of absolutely tiny LEDs clustered together. That’s about where the differences end, however, as the implementation of QNED vs QLED is vastly different in terms of performance. While the Samsung QN95C isn’t available on store shelves quite yet, there is a fair bit known about the television and its functionality.

Picture Quality

Samsung’s QN95C is by far the superior product here. The display is overall brighter, the colors are more vibrant, and the latency is far lower. Samsung has done quite a bit to upgrade the previous QN95B, and the latest effort on their part is a stunning display. If there is a flaw to nitpick regarding the image quality it is the overall brightness. The QN95C seems to be less bright than its predecessor but still finds itself holding quite favorably.

By comparison, the QNED90 is an adequate television in terms of picture quality but it isn’t excelling at it. The contrast ratio isn’t as deep as an OLED display, with color reproduction being less accurate. Latency isn’t terrible, and the QNED90 does support low latency modes for compatible gaming consoles. Instead, the QNED90 shows itself as an entry-level 4K display with a more premium price. It is a bit tough to recommend next to the other strong offerings on sale from LG, let alone the QN95C.

Another area to look at in terms of picture quality is the upscaling for lower-resolution media. Samsung’s upscaler is sharp and crisp when working with 1080p media, which cannot be said about the LG television. LG has touted AI upscaling for a number of years, but the picture quality would arguably be better when used in its native resolution.

Audio Quality

Samsung’s latest has a fairly decent set of speakers built into the case. Audio output has minimal distortion at higher volumes, and there is some trickery behind the scenes for spatial simulation. Thanks to the speaker array being built around the display, the QN95C can more closely approximate spatial audio for Dolby Atmos. This also works in conjunction with supported Samsung soundbars, creating a surround sound experience where the television’s speakers work with the external solution for more depth and richness.

LG’s QNED90 suffers from distortion at medium to high listening volumes. This isn’t quite as noticeable when watching media at lower volumes, but becomes more prominent as you crank it higher. This is of course mitigated with external sound sources but is less than ideal if you’re looking to keep your home entertainment more compact. Frequency response is equally middle of the road, with very little bass response but decent mid-range. This might not be noticeable for some cinephiles, but those who enjoy a good mix in a movie are sure to notice the lack of punch in an action film.

User Experience

Both of these televisions are smart TVs, meaning they feature a full-blown operating system with streaming functionality built in by default. A great many of the major streaming services out there have partnered with Samsung and LG, so you won’t be missing anything going with one over the other.

LG’s webOS 22 is a bit more restrictive in terms of interface, not offering up the full-screen browsing experience you’d get from Samsung’s Tizen OS. Tizen is heavily reminiscent of Android and seems to be operating under the same design ethos. Navigation is easy, if you’ve even a passing familiarity with any recent smartphones, this is quite similar.

As with a great many modern televisions, there are ads displayed directly on the menus. There is no option to opt out of the ads, although it does seem on both platforms you can readily disable personalization. All in all, they work well and you likely won’t need a dedicated streaming device unless that is your absolute preference.

Build Quality

Both televisions show their pedigree when it comes to their construction. Samsung’s QN95C is just as solidly built as its predecessor. The materials chosen along with the fit and finish are superb, and it features a traditional stand with an accompanying mount. The QNED television also is compatible with VESA mounts, allowing for easy access to a variety of wall mounts to better suit your needs.

LG’s QNED90 is likewise sturdily built. The stand is a bit different, composed of a pair of feet that mount directly to the bottom of the television. Fit and finish are great, and you can certainly tell LG cut zero corners when it comes to assembling the QNED90. Universal VESA mounts are supported for this television, allowing the same sort of flexibility for placement as the Samsung television.

Samsung QLED 8K on display at a Samsung electronics store
The QN95C Neo QLED is Samsung’s flagship 4K TV for 2023.

Samsung QN95C vs. LG TVs: 6 Must-Know Facts

  • The Samsung QN95C has far more dimmer zones than its predecessor, the QN95B
  • LG QNED90 uses IPS panel
  • The QN95C has an anti-glare screen for multiple optimal viewing angles
  • The LG QNED90 has support for Dolby Vision
  • Samsung QN95C can automatically add HDR thanks to HDR10+
  • The QNED90 has less than optimal black crushing across games and movies

Samsung QN95C vs. LG TVs: Which is Better? Which One Should You Choose?

The QN95C looks to be a solid television that will readily serve your home entertainment needs. The bright screen, vivid colors, and snappy input latency make it greatly suited for games, films, and anything else you can throw at it. While it isn’t readily available on store shelves just yet, it looks to be a substantial upgrade and a sign of things to come after the vaunted QN95B. It also has great audio support and a decent set of speakers installed directly within the television itself.

The QNED90 isn’t a bad television by any measure, but it is lacking in some key areas. The colors aren’t as vibrant and the sound distorts. If anything, the QNED90 is likely the overpriced option in this comparison, especially thanks to the usage of the cheaper IPS panel for the main display. There’s nothing inherently wrong with IPS panels, but they are far better served on computer monitors rather than something where deep and vibrant colors would be appreciated.

If budget is a concern, then save up for the Samsung QN95C. You’ll need additional investments to get a decent audio stream out of the LG QNED90, so you might as well just get the better overall television without the need to invest in extra components for your home viewing experience.

Samsung and LG TV Technology Updates

After receiving a 5-star rating in 2023 by TechRadar, the Samsung QN95C has been making major headlines in the tech community and has been a popular pick among consumers looking to buy a new television. TechRadar also called the QN95C the “best LCD TV on the market.” Gamers have also been a big fan of Samsung’s newest model, praising it for it’s clear image and updated graphics.

LG has also been making great strides when it comes to innovate television technology and was recently named “Editors Choice” by CNET. It has also been viewed as one of the most affordable televisions on the market for the quality in 2023. As of late, some LG models have received a firmware update to correct some existing issues.

Looking Forward

LG isn’t the only one launching firmware updates to improve their newest models. Samsung plans to release a firmware update this year that will fix a few bugs that have been noticed among some QLED models.

LG continues to work on larger versions of the LG C3 and recently debuted a new line of OLED televisions that will be available for purchase sometime in 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the QNED90 8K capable?

The QNED90 only supports a maximum resolution of 4K. There are LG televisions with 8K displays, however.

Is the QN95C compatible with the PS5's gaming mode?

Yes, and thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate it is a pretty snappy experience too.

Does the QN95C have full HDR support?

The QN95C has full support for HDR10+, and can automatically add HDR to media that don’t support it.

Is the QNED90 an OLED display?

The QNED90 uses miniature LEDs, packing more on the display than you’d see in a typical television.

Is the QNED90 good for color reproduction?

For general viewing it’s fine, but it is rather lacking when it comes to true blacks, grays, and whites.

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