Samsung QN90C Neo QLED 4K TV
The Samsung QN90C is a mid-range series of Neo QLED mini LED TVs set to be released in 2023. It provides stunningly bright images with deep, detailed shadows due to impressive local dimming. The anti-glare screen makes the QN90C an excellent choice for viewing in brightly lit rooms, and the Ultra Viewing Angle display allows for clear viewing from any seating position. Despite being more expensive than budget mini-LED competitors from TCL and Hisense, its complex Smart TV interface, elegant design, and excellent gaming features make it an outstanding device.
Pros:
– High brightness
– Anti-glare screen
– Excellent gaming capabilities
Cons:
– Slight dimming of the backlight
– More expensive than budget mini-LED TVs
Samsung QN85C Neo QLED 4K TV
The Samsung QN85C is an entry-level series of Samsung mini LED TVs for 2023. It offers mostly the same features as the more advanced QN90C series, with excellent gaming and streaming capabilities through the Tizen smart TV interface. The design of the QN85C is also identical, and it offers built-in Dolby Atmos sound that closely matches the QN90C. However, the peak brightness isn’t as good as the QN90C, and the QN85C lacks an anti-glare screen coating, making this series a great option for daytime viewing. The cost is also not as high as the QN90C series, being only slightly more expensive in most screen sizes.
Pros:
– Impressive image and sound
– Sleek design
– Excellent gaming capabilities
Cons:
– Minor backlight dimming
– Average brightness
– More expensive than budget mini-LEDs
Key Features Comparison
Samsung mini LED TVs mostly share the same feature set. Both the QN90C and QN85C support HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG with high dynamic range (but not Dolby Vision) and come equipped with the Samsung Neural Quantum processor to upscale HD images to 4K resolution. They are equally well-equipped for gaming with four HDMI 2.1 ports at 4K 120 Hz and Samsung’s gaming hub for cloud gaming. Input lag in both series is only 9.8 ms.
Samsung TVs use the proprietary Tizen smart TV interface for streaming and “smart home” control. The excellent Ambient Mode allows for selecting from a wide range of images to display on the TV screen when not in use, as well as uploading your images for display using the Samsung SmartThings app, which can also be used to set up and control the TV. Both the QN90C and QN85C come with a proprietary remote control with a solar battery, which can be powered by your home’s broadband network if the solar battery is blocked.
It’s worth noting that the built-in digital TV tuner in the QN85C only supports the older ATSC 1.0 broadcasting standard, while the QN90C supports the ATSC 3.0 “NextGen” standard.
In conclusion, the choice between the Samsung QN90C and QN85C depends on your budget and specific preferences. If you prioritize higher brightness and advanced features, the QN90C is the better option despite its higher price. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option with impressive performance, the QN85C offers great value for its price.
Design:
Both the Samsung QN90C and QN85C feature the sleek ‘NeoSlim’ design with a hexagonal stand for tablets. They closely resemble high-end computer monitors in appearance. Achieving such a slim profile allows for the inclusion of various ports, including 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, USB, optical digital audio, and a radio frequency antenna, all neatly tucked into the thin side panel, making for an attractive design compromise.
Image Quality:
When comparing the image quality of the QN90C and QN85C, it’s best to start with what they both excel at. Both models boast precise color reproduction in video shooting mode (though the “Filmmaker Mode” is not as good as “Movie”), and Samsung’s powerful local dimming enables them to achieve “infinite contrast.” Black levels on these TVs appear perfectly deep, with plenty of shadow detail even in dark movie scenes. Both Samsung Neo QLED models also handle motion processing exceptionally well, with smooth and cohesive panning in movies and games alike. In our reviews, we noted some backlight blooming effects, primarily visible when watching movies with white-on-black scenes, though they were generally more subdued on the QN90C. Additionally, the QN90C exhibited significantly higher peak brightness – measuring 1787 nits (tested with a 10% white window in video shooting mode) compared to 955 nits on the QN85C. The QN90C also features an anti-glare screen, which, coupled with its high peak brightness, makes it a fantastic option for viewing sports competitions during the daytime. The wide viewing angle of the QN90C provides another advantage in image quality when viewing from off-center seats, although the QN85C’s wide viewing angle feature did not disappoint in this regard.
Sound Quality:
Despite their slim profiles, both Samsung TVs deliver surprisingly clear and immersive sound. The QN85C boasts a 2.2.2 Dolby Atmos speaker configuration, while the QN90C supports a 4.2.2 configuration. Object tracking sound feature on both devices adds clarity to dialogue and enhance the trajectory of sound effects across the screen, making the audio more spatially accurate and realistic. Another feature found in both series is Q-Symphony, allowing for combining the TV’s built-in sound with Samsung’s Q and S series soundbars to enhance the audio presentation. While the sound quality of both the QN90C and QN85C is above average for a TV, they are somewhat lacking in low frequencies and would benefit from using one of Samsung’s or another top-quality soundbars.
Conclusion:
When considering which Samsung mini-LED TV is the best, excluding the flagship QN95C, it’s worth noting that the QN90C and QN85C offer similar feature sets and are excellent options for both gaming and movie-watching. They also boast good built-in sound and identical sleek designs, along with responsive, customizable Tizen smart TV interfaces for streaming and solar battery-powered remote controls. The main differences lie in the image quality category: the QN90C provides noticeably higher peak brightness, as well as an anti-glare screen and superior off-center viewing characteristics. However, this doesn’t mean the QN85C looks significantly inferior to the QN90C. When viewing in low light conditions, you’re unlikely to notice a huge difference between them, although the higher peak brightness of the QN90C can enhance the visual impact of HDR-supported movies. Additionally, the QN90C features a built-in digital TV tuner ATSC 3.0, if this feature is important to you, while the QN85C is equipped with ATSC 1.0. Cost should be an important factor when choosing between these two Samsung mini-LED TVs. Considering that the price of the QN85C is only slightly lower than the QN90C’s, and sometimes even matches it during sales, it’s not the best value proposition compared to the step-up Samsung mini-LED TV. This reality tilts the situation in favor of the QN90C, though most people will be quite satisfied with either TV.