Compare: Sony X85L vs LG QNED93A / QNED90A

Sony X85L is a model from 2023 that will be continued in the offering for 2024 by the Japanese manufacturer. Its greatest advantage is the Google TV system. It currently provides the largest access to applications, so we need not worry that one of our favourite applications will be missing. The intuitive interface and voice control feature using Google Assistant make daily use of the television comfortable and modern. As for picture quality, Sony X85L performs well. Thanks to local dimming (albeit with a very average number of zones), black levels look quite decent. Additionally, its fairly high brightness allows for comfortable television viewing during the day, even in well-lit rooms. Furthermore, the television offers a programme recording function with built-in tuners, which is a great convenience for those wanting to control what and when they watch. In terms of motion smoothness, X85L does not disappoint either. The 120 Hz panel and Motionflow system ensure smooth display of dynamic scenes, satisfying both movie enthusiasts and sports fans. The television is also equipped with a range of features for gamers, including VRR, Game Bar and G-Sync support, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. Of course, the television is not without its faults. The lack of HGiG support and high input lag in Dolby Vision mode can be disappointing for more demanding gamers. Additionally, the compromise between font readability and image smoothness when connected to a PC may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, Sony X85L is a decent piece of equipment that is particularly worth attention if it can be purchased on promotion.

The LG QNED93A is a television that, at first glance, appears to be a solid step forward compared to previous LCD models from this brand. On paper, we get quite a lot: a significantly larger number of dimming zones, 144 Hz refresh rate for gamers, support for all HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, and WebOS with a new Magic remote, which remains one of the most convenient control systems. The QNED93A shines particularly in gaming applications. Four full-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports allow for connecting consoles and PCs without any restrictions, and the low input lag remains consistent at both 120 and 60 Hz. For PC users, an additional advantage is the 144 Hz mode and full compatibility with G-Sync and FreeSync. Therefore, it can be confidently said that in terms of gaming features, the QNED93A holds its own against the competition. Another strong point is WebOS. LG's system has long been regarded as one of the most user-friendly in everyday use, and this is confirmed here. Everything is clear, and the Magic remote allows for controlling the television like a mouse pointer – quickly and intuitively. Brightness can also be considered a plus. At its peak, it managed to achieve results close to 1400 nits. This is sufficient for the picture to remain vibrant in brighter rooms, and for special effects in films or games to look convincing. The image processor handles scaling of older content well – television or films in lower resolution appear clearer and sharper than on many competing screens.

However, it cannot be denied that the biggest problem with the QNED93A lies in the local dimming algorithms. In scenes full of black, the screen can dim significantly, causing many details to simply disappear. The effect is such that contrast appears better at first glance, but at the cost of information that should be visible. An additional problem is the Dolby Vision mode, which usually improves certain aspects of screens, yet in this case, it makes little difference. The differences between dynamic and static metadata literally have to be searched for with a magnifying glass. This is simply disappointing because the hardware itself, with its number of dimming zones and stronger backlighting, provides grounds for a better result. So, who is the LG QNED93A for? It is a television that works excellently as a home entertainment centre, especially if you're considering gaming on a console or PC. In everyday television viewing and films in well-lit conditions, it also delivers a lot of satisfaction due to its high brightness and decent image processor. However, one must accept that in scenes with a lot of black and full HDR utilisation, this model does not match its competitors. LG has shown that it can create a very solid LCD screen, but it is also evident that not everything has been refined as well as in their OLED televisions.

The Sony X85L television is equipped with a VA panel, which in itself offers quite good contrast. Additionally, this model features local dimming technology – in the 55-inch version, it encompasses 24 zones. Although this number is not impressive, it naturally increases with the size of the television. The contrast in the X85L is good, though not the best, especially in comparison to other televisions also equipped with advanced local dimming technology. Results at a level of 8000:1 are satisfactory, but appear average in the context of competition. In some cases, such as the third scene from the film Arrival, the contrast is promising and performs fairly well. This is thanks to the very good dimming algorithm that Sony has employed in its televisions for years. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of local dimming zones, the television struggles with noticeable blooming, which can be observed, for example, in scenes with the helicopter from the film Sicario 2.

We examined the 55-inch version of the LG QNED93A, equipped with a high-contrast VA panel. However, in the case of Mini-LED televisions, it is not just the panel itself, but primarily the number and operation of local dimming zones that determine the final effect. In this model, we counted as many as 308 zones, which already looks impressive from the start. For comparison, last year's QNED91T in the 65-inch variant had only about 160. The difference is enormous and shows that LG has made a serious step forward in this technology. On paper, it looks great, but practice quickly cools the enthusiasm. The contrast in the QNED93A can indeed be impressive – bright elements are clearly separated from blacks, and in many scenes, the depth of the image truly pleases the eye. The problem is that despite such a significant improvement in the backlighting design, the results are not much better than in last year's model. The algorithms controlling the dimming can be too aggressive. This is especially noticeable in darker sequences, where the screen dims to such an extent that subtle details disappear from view. Many viewers will appreciate the deeper blacks, but it is hard not to notice that this comes at the expense of the director's intentions. The most problematic are scenes with many small, bright elements. It is then that the typical halo effects, meaning glowing outlines, characteristic of LCD with local dimming zones appear around them. This phenomenon does not completely ruin the experience, but it reminds us that even with an increased number of zones, local dimming still has its limitations. Ultimately, the contrast in the QNED93A can be considered good, but we have the impression that the manufacturer did not pay enough attention to optimising the new model in terms of blacks and contrast.

The Sony X85L television offers solid HDR performance with a brightness level of 750 nits, which is sufficient to enjoy vivid effects. In scenes of moderate difficulty, such as the first, third, or fifth test scenes, a brightness of around 600 nits allows one to fully experience the HDR effect. Unfortunately, in more demanding segments, like the scene from the film Sicario 2, the television reveals its limitations. Drops in brightness to 250 nits cause the HDR effect to lose its impressive quality, resembling rather ordinary SDR. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting the very good coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette at 95%, which definitely deserves praise and positively impacts the overall image quality.

Although the number of local dimming zones in the LG QNED93A has not directly translated to noticeably better contrast, it is hard to deny one thing about this model – it is brighter than its predecessor. In synthetic tests, we recorded values around 1400-1500 nits, and more importantly, these results are reflected in real film scenes. In full-screen sequences flooded with white or bright lights, the screen could maintain high luminance, which created a truly decent amazing HDR effect. Unfortunately, where the television could showcase true class, that is in scenes requiring precision, all the magic dissipates. The dimming algorithms, which we mentioned earlier, operate so aggressively that small bright objects – such as distant lights, stars, or the moon – can almost completely disappear. A glance at the test scenes from the film Pan or Sicario 2 (screens 2 and 4) shows how subtle details are dimmed to the limits of their visibility. It's a pity, as a greater number of zones could theoretically have led to significantly better results. Fortunately, there are also strengths. The QNED93A performs well in terms of colour gamut coverage, achieving around 96% of the DCI-P3 standard. As a result, colours in films appear vivid and full, and the picture does not lose intensity even in more demanding scenes. Therefore, one could say that the HDR in this model is solid, although the underdeveloped local dimming algorithms hinder its full potential.

The television Sony X85L was tested in IMAX Enhanced mode, which, although associated with world-class cinema, does not guarantee an image that aligns with the director's intention. The main problem is the white balance – there is a noticeable strong dominance of blue colour and significant shortcomings in red. As a result, the picture becomes unnaturally cool and looks artificial. Errors in colour reproduction were confirmed by the Colour Checker test, which showed considerable discrepancies – the colours were "scattered" like shots from a rifle, and only a few samples hit the target values. This clearly demonstrates that the accuracy of colour reproduction leaves much to be desired.

The brightness of the image is one of the positive features of the television. The gamma for HD content is at an acceptable level, although there are minor errors, but generally it is quite good. However, the characteristic of brightness for 4K materials remains a problem, controlled by the EOTF curve. It is evident here that very small, bright elements of the image are too dim, which is the result of the limited number of backlighting zones due to the design of the television.

In filmmaker mode, the colour reproduction on the QNED93A was relatively accurate, although there were some reservations. In SDR content, the white balance was shifted towards warmer tones, which gave the screen a slight yellowish tint overall. The gamma, in turn, led to a slight brightness increase, making the image appear somewhat less natural, especially in scenes requiring precise shading (this is clearly visible in the comparison photo). This is not a problem that immediately stands out to every viewer, but more discerning individuals may feel that the image deviates from the aesthetics intended by the filmmakers. In HDR materials, the situation was somewhat different. The white balance, in this case, was quite good, ensuring that the whites neither leaned towards pink nor unwanted green hues. However, managing brightness turned out to be an issue. An analysis of the EOTF curve revealed that at certain moments, the television could be noticeably too dark where it shouldn't be, losing some detail and lowering the realism of the scenes. This spoiled the reception of HDR effects, which were theoretically supposed to make the biggest impression. For this reason, we decided to carry out calibration.

Thanks to the application of calibration tools offered by Sony X85L, the image quality has been significantly improved. After calibration, the white balance for HD content is much more stable, making colours appear more natural and enhancing the authenticity of the image. Although it is not perfect, these changes allow viewers to enjoy a more realistic colour reproduction, eliminating the previous cool tone. The gamma, which was already decent, has been adjusted to an even better version. As a result, tonal transitions and brightness are more consistent, positively affecting the depth and detail of the image.

As for 4K content, despite efforts, the white balance still struggles with a lack of red, which can lead to overly warm colours in some scenes. Synthetic tests showed that the EOTF curve in HDR is quite stable, with a slight enhancement in mid-bright scenes. However, in actual film material, the television can still be too bright with fine, light details, which is a result of the limitations of large local dimming technology.

Nevertheless, calibration has brought significant benefits, particularly in terms of colour accuracy, improving the overall image quality and providing a more natural and cohesive directorial vision.

After professional calibration, the Filmmaker mode on the QNED93A has improved primarily in areas that matter most on a daily basis. We managed to correct the white balance and eliminate the yellowish tint in SDR content, which is what we watch most often – television, streaming services, or standard quality films. As a result, the colours look natural and pleasant, making the overall experience much more comfortable. We also made adjustments in HDR mode, but here the biggest issue turned out to be the EOTF curve. Although LG offers some flexibility in the settings, the television still manages brightness on its own terms. It is evident that the local dimming algorithms are not fully refined and can ruin the viewing experience by darkening parts of the image at inappropriate times. Nevertheless, it is worth opting for calibration of this model, especially the mode intended for everyday viewing.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in Sony X85L is at a good level – the gradation of colours is smooth, even in more demanding areas, which makes the perception of scenes positive and natural. The biggest issues arise around shadows, where subtle colour joins may be visible. Despite this, the television performs well enough that most viewers should not notice these minor imperfections.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in the LG QNED93A is truly impressive. In most scenes, there are no artificial colour separations or banding effects visible. The dark shots are particularly surprising in a positive way – it is precisely in these that many televisions struggle, yet here the image remains smooth and coherent. In brighter segments, one can note subtle colour blending, however, they are not pronounced enough to significantly distract the viewer. During testing, we encountered a clear issue with DSE, or the so-called "dirty screen" effect. On our unit, the phenomenon was strong enough that in bright scenes, the corners visibly darkened, giving the impression of vignetting. This may be a flaw of the test unit, but during intense viewing, we found it hard to overlook.

In terms of smoothing tonal transitions, the Sony X85L television does not offer any dedicated enhancement options, which is a certain drawback. On the other hand, the image scaling performs quite well – the television adds a bit of artificial sharpness, which may make details such as tree branches more pronounced, although sometimes with noticeable jagged edges. This type of effect may appeal to some viewers who prefer a more detailed image.

The LG QNED93A proves to be a very solid television for everyday use. Its image processor handles scaling extremely well, which means even older films or terrestrial television benefit from increased sharpness and detail. During the screening of "The Godfather," it is clearly visible how upscaling retrieves additional details from the image – the faces of the characters and the texture of their clothing appear much clearer than in the original material.

The digital image processing also deserves praise. The television is equipped with a function for reducing unwanted colour banding and screen irregularities. It works best in the "Medium" setting – subtly smoothing tonal transitions without excessively interfering with the image. As a result, the natural film grain is preserved, and the screen does not appear artificially smooth. It is possible that in some scenes slight colour banding can still be observed, but in practice, the effect is more beneficial than with a stronger intervention from the algorithm.

Sony X85L, equipped with a 120 Hz panel, will meet the expectations of a wide range of users – from sports and gaming fans to movie enthusiasts. Movie buffs will certainly appreciate the presence of one of the best motion smoothing systems, known as Motionflow. This system offers adjustment through sliders for smoothness and clarity – smoothness is responsible for motion fluidity, eliminating judder, while clarity improves the sharpness of fast scenes, reducing blur.

The LG QNED93A is equipped with a 144 Hz panel. This is primarily a nod to gamers, but the fact that higher refresh rates are increasingly making their way into televisions can be viewed positively. In everyday viewing, 120 Hz remains key, and in this respect, the QNED93A performs well. The manufacturer also provides the option to adjust the picture using the TruMotion system – the De-Judder and De-Blur sliders allow you to choose between a cinematic motion character with visible frames and a complete smoothing with theatrical motion.

Sony X85L offers a quite solid set of features for gamers, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. First and foremost, the television has a 120 Hz panel, which translates to smooth and dynamic image display, ideal for both fast-paced action games and more demanding sports titles. It is equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, allowing for the full utilisation of next-generation consoles. Additionally, Sony X85L supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology, which helps reduce stuttering and artifacts during gameplay, providing a smooth experience. The television also supports G-Sync, which is particularly beneficial for gamers using NVIDIA graphics cards, allowing for the synchronisation of the screen refresh rate with GPU performance, eliminating screen tearing. It is worth mentioning the Game Bar feature, which facilitates quick access to the most important gaming-related settings, such as VRR, brightness levels, and display modes, which is convenient and useful during gameplay.

However, there are certain limitations. The television does not support HGiG, which may be a downside for some gamers, as HGiG optimises HDR effect rendering in games, providing a more authentic visual experience. Additionally, while the Dolby Vision mode is available, it is not practical for gaming due to the very high input lag.

LG QNED93A is a television that has undoubtedly been prepared with gamers in mind. Right from the outset, we get a complete set – all four HDMI ports operate in standard 2.1, so regardless of whether we connect a console, PC or amplifier, we can be assured of full compatibility. This is important, as many manufacturers still limit themselves to two ports, and here nothing hinders the entire equipment from having maximum capabilities. There is also an automatic game mode (ALLM), which automatically switches the television to the appropriate settings when the console is turned on, as well as variable refresh rate (VRR). This ensures the picture doesn't stutter or jerk, even when the frame rate drops – whether in dynamic shooters or during races.

The 144 Hz panel gives an additional advantage in computer games. While 120 Hz is sufficient for consoles, in the case of PCs, the QNED93A allows for even more – every movement, every glance to the side is refreshed faster, and this makes a difference, especially in e-sports. The manufacturer also considered HDR in gaming – the television supports the HGiG mode, which are guidelines to ensure that the lighting effects are exactly as the game developers intended. To top it off, we get Game Bar – a special information bar that appears on the screen, showing parameters in real-time. You can monitor the frame rate, active VRR functions, or the level of input lag. This solution is useful not only for settings enthusiasts but for anyone who wants to quickly check what mode the television is operating in and whether everything is working as it should.

Generally speaking, the input lag on the Sony X85L is very good, which is crucial for smooth gameplay and quick reactions in games. In standard modes, especially when using HDMI 2.1 and playing at a resolution of 4K at 120 Hz, the input lag is minimal.

Unfortunately, the Dolby Vision mode is an exception to this rule. In this case, the input lag reaches as much as 95 ms. Such a high level of delay makes the Dolby Vision mode virtually unplayable, as the responses to commands are noticeably delayed.

The LG QNED93A has nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to latency. The television responds instantly to our actions, as seen in the initial tests with the controller in hand. In 120 Hz mode, the input lag drops to around 7 ms, which means almost immediate response – shots, passes, or precise movements of the joystick are instantly reflected on the screen. For 60 Hz content, the result rises slightly to just under 15 ms, but it still remains within the bounds of full comfort. An interesting feature is the Dolby Vision mode for games, which in the QNED93A works with the Xbox Series X console. Here, the lag increases to about 20 ms. In theory, this could be considered a detriment, but in practice, it is still a very good result. Even with such a demanding picture standard, the gameplay remains dynamic, and the differences in control are practically imperceptible.

The collaboration of the television Sony X85L with a PC is a bit of a balance between image quality and user comfort. If we want to use the television for work, where clear fonts matter, we need to set the refresh rate to 60 Hz. In this mode, the text looks good and doesn't strain the eyes, which is crucial if we intend to spend a longer time in front of the screen.

On the other hand, if the television is to be used for gaming, where we can take full advantage of its capabilities at 120 Hz, we must bear in mind that the readability of fonts noticeably decreases. The image becomes less sharp, and the text harder to read, which can be frustrating. In short – Sony X85L will perform well for occasional connections to a computer, but if we need it on a daily basis for work and gaming, this compromise may not appeal to everyone.

A new feature of this year's model is the full support for 144 Hz refresh rates, which PC gamers will appreciate. The QNED93A works with both Nvidia graphics cards, offering compatibility with G-Sync, as well as with AMD products, where it operates with FreeSync Premium Pro. As a result, gameplay is smooth, without stuttering or tearing, and the panel itself performs very well in dynamic esports titles and demanding AAA productions.

Equally important is the clarity of the image for daily work. The television supports chroma 4:4:4, so fonts in Windows and applications are sharp and clear. However, we noticed a small detail – against a dark background with bright letters, subtle horizontal stripes may appear, resulting from the arrangement of subpixels. This is a minor detail that does not affect the convenience of using the television on a daily basis, but perfectionists might notice it after prolonged exposure to text. But we don’t think anyone would want to work on a 55-inch screen with text sitting less than 1 meter away from it 😉.

The viewing angles on the Sony X85L, as is often the case with VA panels, are not the best. The picture looks great when viewed directly, but as soon as you move to the side, you notice that the colours lose intensity and the contrast significantly weakens. This can be an issue if the television is meant for viewing in larger groups, where viewers are seated at different angles. For those who usually watch solo or from one central spot, this won’t be a major downside, but when watching from the side, the picture quality unfortunately declines.

QNED93A uses a VA panel, which means one thing: the category of viewing angles becomes its Achilles' heel. Already at an angle of about 45 degrees, brightness drops by as much as 80%, and colours begin to noticeably fade. This is the natural price for the high contrast that VA panels offer. There is no additional coating to enhance angles here, as in some more expensive models, which is why the QNED93A performs best when viewed head-on. If you are planning a large family screening where some viewers will sit more to the side, you must take into account that the picture will not be as attractive as it is in the centre of the screen.

The performance of the television Sony X85L during the day is quite decent. Its satin screen coating handles light reflection moderately well, meaning that in bright rooms there can be some glare, but it is not bothersome enough to significantly interfere. The brightness in SDR mode at 570 nits is sufficient for comfortable TV viewing during the day, even with natural light coming in through the windows. This ensures that colours remain vivid and the picture is clearly visible, making the television suitable for everyday use.

LG QNED93A uses a satin matrix, which handles glare suppression moderately well. It is certainly not on the level of matte screens, but it does not have the mirror-like surface feel of models with a glossy finish. As a result, reflections are not overly distracting, and the colours maintain their intensity even when light from a window strikes the screen. The brightness also scores positively. The average level in HDR mode hovers around 550–600 nits. This means that the television performs well in well-lit rooms, allowing viewers to enjoy a film even during the day, with the blinds only partially drawn. In the role of a large screen in the living room, the QNED93A performs quite well.

Sony X85L runs on the Google TV system, which is a substantial advantage for many users. The television offers wide access to applications, and using streaming platforms is smooth and user-friendly. The interface is intuitive and easy to master, allowing quick switching between applications and searching for favourite content. Google TV allows for personalisation of the home screen, enabling each user to tailor it to their preferences. The Google Assistant further enriches the experience by offering voice control and quick changes to settings or searching for films without the need for a remote.

In terms of user features, Sony X85L offers many useful options. The television has the capability to record programmes, which is a significant convenience for those wanting to watch their favourite content at any time. AirPlay support allows for seamless content streaming from Apple devices, which iPhone and iPad owners will appreciate. Additionally, thanks to the built-in Bluetooth, various devices such as headphones or keyboards can be connected. However, one of the shortcomings is the PiP (picture-in-picture) function, which may disappoint users who prefer multitasking on screen.

The design of the Sony X85L television, while perhaps not among the thinnest, is solid and elegant. The metal stand with adjustable feet is one of its stronger points, allowing the height and width of the television to be adapted to various furniture and spaces. This practical solution enhances the interior and adds a modern character to it.

Smart Features

The QNED93A runs on webOS, which is one of the most enjoyable Smart TV systems. It comes with AirPlay, Screen Mirroring, Chromecast, and convenient voice control. The platform is quite clear and mostly fast, although in the tested unit, there were instances where the response to pressing the remote control required a moment of "thought". However, it's hard to consider this a serious issue – webOS still remains a refined system and will likely receive further updates that will enhance it even more.

Classic Features

In this model, LG has not included the old Magic remote with a numeric keypad, but the television itself performs excellently as a screen for everyday viewing of channels from the antenna. The EPG interface is readable, the television offers a TV guide, and we have the ability to record programmes from the built-in tuners directly onto a USB stick. Everything works correctly and intuitively. We only missed the PiP feature, which in 2025 is offered by just two manufacturers.

Magic Remote

The Magic remote is still the biggest difference compared to competitors. In 2025, it underwent a slight facelift – it has fewer buttons and resembles the minimalist remotes from Samsung. However, the cursor remains key, functioning like a magic wand. Just move your hand, and the pointer on the screen follows your movement. It's incredibly simple, yet very convenient. Navigation in the menu or entering passwords is much faster, and it's difficult to then switch back to traditional buttons.

Sony X85L easily handles playback of most popular file formats from USB, which is a big plus for those who often access external content. However, it should be mentioned that there is a small downside – the built-in player does not allow for changing the font colour in subtitles, which may be troublesome for some. Fortunately, thanks to the extensive Google TV system, users have a wide range of options. Alternative media players can be easily installed, offering more personalisation options.

The built-in media player in the LG QNED93A handles most popular video and audio formats without any issues, so it is quite sufficient for basic use. However, during testing, we noticed two minor oversights. The first is the lack of support for HEIC files, which is Apple's photo format. The manufacturer claims that the television should be able to open them, but in practice, we were unable to confirm this. The second issue concerned text files with subtitles in TXT format. Fortunately, the other more common subtitle formats worked without any problems, so it's hard to consider this a real limitation in everyday use.

The sound in Sony X85L is good – it is clear across the entire range, allowing enjoyment of both dialogues and music. The bass, though light, is noticeable and adds some depth to the overall sound. However, it should be emphasised that this is a subjective assessment – some may find such a sound profile satisfying, while others might need additional audio equipment to fully experience stronger tones and a more spacious sound.

The LG QNED93A sounds quite pleasant for built-in speakers in a television. The sound quality is fairly clear, and at medium volume levels, vocals and dialogues come across clearly. The bass, as is often the case in relatively slim designs, is not the strongest, but its presence can be heard and is entirely sufficient for everyday viewing of series. The maximum volume reaches around 81 dB and does not lead to strong distortions, although during more demanding cinematic scenes, it's evident that the system has its limitations. Overall, the sound can be described as decent and not off-putting. It certainly won't compete with a soundbar, but it won't ruin your film experience either.

Sony X85L vs LG QNED93A / QNED90A

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

TV appearance

Where to buy

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

Daytime performance

Panel details

TV features

Classic features:

Smart features:

Sound connection options

Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC audio):

Senior accessibility

Smart Features

Classic Features

Magic Remote

Apps

Playing files from USB

Sound

Acoustic Measurements