Compare: Sony X90L vs LG QNED91T6A

Sony X90L is a higher-end model from the Japanese manufacturer that premiered in 2023, but it will successfully continue into 2024 as well. The Sony brand and the name Bravia are associated with excellent picture quality, and this model confirms that reputation – it offers great brightness and very good black levels. Despite having fewer local dimming zones than its competitors, it makes up for this with an advanced algorithm. Additionally, after calibration, the television presents very well-rendered colours, resulting in a natural and cohesive image reminiscent of IMAX cinema. In everyday use, X90L performs excellently, mainly due to the image processor, which effectively scales lower resolution content, and the recording function from the built-in tuner, which is becoming increasingly rare in today’s televisions. Sony is also closely linked with the world of PlayStation, and in this regard, X90L Sony does not disappoint. It is equipped with HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, and a convenient Game Bar, making it a good choice for gamers who expect smooth gameplay and quick response times. However, even in such a successful model, there are some drawbacks. Gamers may be disappointed by the lack of support for HGiG, which could enhance image quality in HDR games. Furthermore, Sony has yet to introduce an update that would reduce input lag in Dolby Vision mode – something achieved in the higher model, the A95L. Those who prefer slimmer devices should know that although Sony X90L looks elegant thanks to its aluminium frame, it is not one of the thinnest televisions on the market. Even though X90L is already a year old, it remains a solid piece of equipment that combines good picture parameters with functionality and support for gamers. It is a successful choice for those seeking a versatile high-end television.

LG QNED91T is the only MiniLED backlit television from LG for 2024, attracting attention due to its innovative use of a VA panel. This is a certain departure from the previous standards of the Korean manufacturer in its top LCD televisions, which usually featured an IPS/ADS panel. However, the effect is positive – the panel combined with local dimming offers really good contrast. The blacks are deep and should satisfy most users. LG 65QNED91T6A is truly a bright television, so placing it in somewhat challenging lighting conditions will not pose a challenge for it. In terms of motion fluidity, the QNED91T shows top class. The TruMotion feature works excellently, allowing for adjustment of the image to personal preferences – from classic, cinematic looks to a smoother effect. And the 120Hz panel makes it ideal equipment for sports or gaming. For the latter, LG has prepared something special – four full HDMI 2.1 ports with a bandwidth of 48 Gbps, allowing you to enjoy features like VRR and ALLM (among others). This, combined with low input lag, makes this equipment an excellent choice for gaming on console or PC. Everyday use of QNED91T is pure pleasure, mainly thanks to the WebOS system. The interface is intuitive, there are plenty of applications available, and the included Magic Remote control significantly facilitates navigation through the menu. The operation is quick, and using the television is comfortable thanks to the voice assistant. Unfortunately, the television also has its drawbacks. Despite the advantages of the VA panel in terms of high contrast, the algorithms responsible for local dimming of the miniLED zones do not perform their best. In HDR content, there are situations where the image is either too bright or excessively dark, which is particularly troublesome in scenes requiring precision. Additionally, in practice, the differences between standard HDR10 and Dolby Vision are almost imperceptible. This is a significant disappointment, especially in this class of television. Nevertheless, the LG QNED91T is an interesting choice for those who need a high-brightness television with considerable gaming capabilities and value the convenience of the WebOS system. If image quality in HDR content, such as Netflix, Prime Video, or Max, is a priority, we recommend considering alternative models, for example, OLED B4 from the 2024 line, which can be purchased for a similar price.

The Sony X90L television is equipped with a VA panel and in the tested size of 65', it has 88 local dimming zones. It may seem that such a number of zones does not make a great impression, but thanks to the local dimming algorithm, the television handles blacks excellently. This is clearly visible in the first and third test patterns, where the contrast reaches nearly 100,000:1. In more demanding scenes, the X90L does not achieve such spectacular results – a contrast level of 6000:1 is just fine. Light separation performs really well, as confirmed by a scene from the film "Oblivion." However, the small number of dimming zones means that the halo effect is noticeable, especially in the test film from "Sicario 2," where the lights of the helicopter cause quite a significant flare over a large portion of the screen. Despite the limited number of dimming zones, the Sony X90L manages to reproduce blacks quite well. Although it does not match the highest series of miniLED or OLED televisions in terms of black depth and contrast level, it offers solid results that are sufficient for most demanding users.

QNED91T is a television with MiniLED backlighting, and in the tested size of 65", we noted 160 zones of backlighting. The specimen we tested, with the "1" suffix at the end, was equipped with a VA panel, which offers significantly better contrast than IPS panels, which - note - can be found in the LG QNED90T. Therefore, it is worth being cautious when choosing a version to avoid disappointment in terms of contrast. The model QNED90T is rather difficult to acquire in Poland, but distribution can vary. Returning to our contrast tests, it performed really well in less demanding scenes. For example, in one scene from the film "Oblivion", we observed perfect light separation - it looked impressive. However, not everything is so straightforward. In a scene from "Sicario 2", we noticed that the screen was noticeably darker, significantly deviating from the reference image appearance. The television effectively eliminates the halo effect (i.e., the glow around objects), but this comes at the cost of brightness - and quite a substantial one. Despite these compromises, the contrast of the LG 65QNED91T6A is really solid. Of course, as is the case with MiniLED televisions, one must reckon with certain limitations, but the overall impressions are very positive.

HDR on the Sony X90L TV looks promising. The luminance chart showed that the television has a solid power reserve, reaching a maximum of 1000 nits in synthetic tests. However, how does this perform in real-world scenarios? In scenes such as the opening of Life of Pi or the final sequence from The Meg, the TV is able to deliver this power on HDR content, reaching about 800 nits. Unfortunately, displaying small light elements on a black background, as seen in the scene from Sicario 2, poses greater challenges for the X90L – here the results drop to around 600 nits. Despite this, when compared to competing models with mini-LED technology, the effect looks very good and can shine just enough to impress us. Notably, the colour gamut coverage is commendable, with a score of 96% for DCI-P3 and 76% for BT.2020, indicating good colour reproduction in HDR content.

As befits a MiniLED television, LG QNED91T easily surpasses the magical barrier of 1000 nits on the luminance chart. In scenes where light played a key role, the effect was truly decent. For instance, 1000 nits in the first scene of "Life of Pi" is an impressive value, and the 600 nits achieved in the third and fifth scenes allowed one to feel the true magic of HDR. However, problems arise with very small light elements on the screen, such as the moon, street lamps, or lights. A value around 100 nits - to put it bluntly - is disappointing, as these elements are dark enough to be barely visible. The television deserves praise for covering 96% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut and 75% of BT.2020. LG QNED91T leaves us with very mixed feelings, mainly due to the very aggressive dimming algorithms, which, while effectively eliminating the halo effect, negatively impact the brightness of smaller elements.

The best mode in Sony televisions is the IMAX Enhanced mode. Although IMAX is mainly associated with the cinematic experience, here the colour reproduction out of the box is average. In the case of lower quality content, such as HD – regular television or YouTube – it is worth paying attention to the white balance. It is characterised by a deficiency in red and an excessive dominance of blue, which gives the image a pinkish hue. The brightness characteristic, or gamma, for HD content is quite decent, but a slight boost could make the image appear washed out and look as if it is behind a light fog.

In 4K HDR content, the situation looks somewhat different. The white balance shows a significant boost in blue, which causes the image to become unnaturally sharp and seem artificial. Such an exaggeration in colour reproduction may not appeal to everyone, especially if one prefers more realistic shades. Additionally, the EOTF curve in Sony X90L appears quite correct at first glance. However, at the end of the graph, some fluctuations can be seen, suggesting that the television is trying to maintain appropriate brightness to avoid overexposing larger elements.

All our tests are conducted in the best picture mode on each television. In this case, as usual, it is the Filmmaker mode. The name of the mode suggests ideal colour reproduction; however, there were noticeable deviations from the correct image here. Our unit, in terms of white balance, displayed quite a strong dip in blue hues - both in SDR and 4K HDR content - which resulted in a distinct yellowing of the image, visible in comparison scenes from the film with Tom Cruise. As we mentioned earlier, QNED91T has certain tendencies to brighten the screen. This is confirmed by gamma, which is quite significantly below the reference value of 2.4. Meanwhile, the EOTF curve, responsible for brightness in 4K content, showed some issues with the television's dimming in the darkest areas, which we could observe in the paragraph describing the quality of the HDR effect. Although the Filmmaker mode is quite a good "out-of-the-box" mode, it too requires some adjustments.

Sony offers a range of tools for improving image quality, including two additional picture modes that we decided to utilise during testing and to apply calibration to. This solution significantly facilitates the calibration process and is very effective, provided the appropriate tools are available. In the case of HD content, the white balance was almost perfectly aligned – only one shade of grey exceeds the error value of "1", which is an excellent result. The same can be said for the brightness characteristic (gamma), which presents itself nearly perfectly, with microscopic deviations on the order of 0.01.

In the case of 4K HDR content, the situation is not quite so ideal. Although the white balance has been greatly improved, it has not been possible to completely eliminate the dominance of blue colour. Nevertheless, the errors on the Colour Checker test only occasionally exceed the value of "2", which means that image distortions are practically imperceptible. As for the EOTF curve, it is worth activating the filter in the top right corner "EOTF in Films" – the graph looks correct, but the television encounters difficulties when illuminating very small elements, which is due to the limited number of dimming zones. Despite these minor errors, it is thanks to the calibration that the IMAX Enhanced mode on the Sony X90L makes watching films feel like a true cinema experience.

LG offers advanced calibration tools in its televisions such as 65QNED91T6A, which we utilised. When it comes to white balance, we were able to significantly correct it in SDR content. The picture mode in 4K HDR quality posed greater challenges, which, although still not perfect, looks significantly better than before calibration. Errors on the Color Checker palette and colour gamut are much smaller than in the factory settings. Regarding brightness characteristics, gamma for HD content is practically ideal, with a slight exception at the end of the graph. However, the television had the most trouble with brightness in 4K HDR content. Analyzing the EOTF characteristics in films, we observed that the television manipulates brightness quite heavily, which we could see in previous tests. Brightness is significantly boosted compared to the graph in the static test, and the television lights up certain scenes to the point that some smaller elements lose detail. This is unfortunately caused by the average backlight zone management algorithm in this model. Nevertheless, calibration yields quite good results, especially when it comes to the precise reproduction of colours.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in Sony X90L is excellent. The gradation is beautiful on high-quality sources such as 4K streaming. One can only notice slight cuts on more demanding gradients, but the overall effect is very good and should satisfy even the more discerning viewers.

The gradation on the LG QNED91T looks very good. There are only slight cut-offs in the brightest scenes, but the television handles the black levels very well, ensuring smooth tonal transitions. As a result, the picture is natural and pleasant to the eye, without any visible issues.

The Sony X90L television features a tone transition smoothing function known as Soft Gradation, which is extremely effective. Even at the "low" option, the effects are satisfactory, but at the "medium" setting, it works like a dream – we recommend using this option for the best results. The image scaling on the Sony X90L is simply excellent. The image is not overly sharpened, which provides a natural effect and ensures that everything looks cohesive. It's clear that the engineers really focused on this aspect, creating a solution that is impressive and performs well in daily use. Because of this, even when watching content such as regular television or YouTube, where the image is not inherently stunning, one can enjoy a smooth, cohesive, and visually pleasing experience.

When it comes to tonal transitions in lower quality materials, the television offers a well-known feature from LG televisions - "Smooth Gradation". We can control it in three levels: low, medium, and high. We recommend using the medium option, as it does a good job of removing tonal transitions without causing noticeable problems with the removal of object structure or other artefacts.

As for image scaling (upscaling), LG's Alpha processor performs quite well in this regard. The image appears very plastic, with slight aliasing on some elements, which does not significantly affect the quality. It looks really okay, and the overall effect is very satisfactory.

Sony X90L with a 120 Hz panel is an excellent choice for both gamers and cinema enthusiasts. The television is equipped with the Motion Flow smoothing feature, which allows for adjusting motion fluidity using two sliders: "smoothness" and "clarity." The "smoothness" slider controls the level of fluidity in motion, which helps reduce image stuttering, while "clarity" is used to minimize blur and enhance motion sharpness, which is particularly useful in dynamic scenes.

The television has a refresh rate of 120 Hz, which should satisfy most users in terms of motion smoothness. Additionally, QNED91T is equipped with the TruMotion feature, which allows for smoother image display in films. Within this feature, we can adjust the "De-Judder" and "De-Blur" sliders. The "De-Judder" slider is responsible for reducing judder in films, which is particularly useful when playing content with a lower frame rate, while "De-Blur" helps to reduce blur in fast scenes, which is important for sports or dynamic shots.

Sony X90L is a television that performs well in terms of compatibility with consoles and features for gamers. Its 120 Hz panel and two HDMI 2.1 ports with a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s allow for smooth playback of high-resolution games at a high frame rate. Gamers can also take advantage of the ALLM feature, which automatically switches the television to low latency mode, and VRR, which ensures smooth gameplay without image stuttering. The Game Bar is an additional advantage – an intuitive tool that provides quick access to the most important gaming settings and features, facilitating control over gameplay.

Unfortunately, when it comes to HDR in games, the Sony X90L has its limitations. There is a lack of support for HGiG, a standard that many gamers consider crucial for precise HDR reproduction in games. While the television supports Dolby Vision, which could theoretically improve image quality in games, the practical application of this feature is problematic. Dolby Vision in game mode is associated with very high input lag, making gameplay less comfortable and precise movements more difficult. Additionally, it is not possible to enable Dolby Vision alongside VRR. This means that despite its numerous advantages, gamers seeking the ideal HDR in games may feel a sense of disappointment.

The LG 65QNED91T6A television is equipped with HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, providing full support for all the standards needed for gaming on modern consoles. We can count on variable refresh rate (VRR) support and automatic low latency mode (ALLM). This ensures smooth gameplay without delays.

Thanks to support for all popular HDR standards in games, such as HGiG and Dolby Vision, we can fully utilise the potential of the PS5 and XBOX One consoles. The television also handles lower resolutions than 4K without any issues, so even older consoles look good on it. The Game Bar makes it easy to access gaming-related settings, allowing us to quickly and intuitively adjust picture parameters and features for gamers. Additionally, the QNED91T offers the NVIDIA GeForce Now feature, which allows us to play in the cloud without needing a console. However, it should be noted that this solution is quite costly and somewhat falls short of the Xbox Game Pass, which is available only on Samsung televisions.

QNED91T LG is an excellent choice for both less experienced and more advanced gamers looking for a versatile television for gaming.

Input lag in Sony X90L can be assessed as decent, although it is not outstanding. In Dolby Vision mode, the television operates only at 60 Hz, and the additional high input lag complicates matters as it makes gameplay practically unplayable. For games at the popular frequency of 60 Hz, the input lag is about 25 ms – this is an acceptable result, but for more demanding gamers, it may prove disappointing.

However, those more advanced gamers who have equipment supporting higher refresh rates can expect better results. With a 120 Hz signal, the input lag drops to around 12 ms, providing significantly better responsiveness and smoother gameplay, meeting the expectations of more demanding users.

The input lag on QNED91T is really very low, even in Dolby Vision mode. This means we can rely on a fast response time, which is very important in dynamic games where every millisecond counts. Regardless of whether we are playing in standard mode or HDR, the television offers very good results that will satisfy even the most demanding gamers.

Cooperation with the PC in Sony X90L is at a good level. The X90L television supports chroma 4:4:4, which ensures quite good font visibility, important while working or browsing content on a large screen. Although there are minimal issues with font legibility on a dark background, it is not bothersome enough to pose a major problem in everyday use.

An additional advantage for PC users is the 120 Hz refresh rate and support for G-Sync functionality. As a result, gamers can expect smoother gameplay without the effect of stuttering or tearing, which significantly enhances comfort and the gaming experience.

When it comes to gaming on a computer, LG QNED91T easily synchronises with NVIDIA graphics cards and supports G-Sync functionality. The very low input lag makes gaming on a personal computer truly enjoyable. The television supports chroma 4:4:4, which provides excellent text readability. Although we noticed slight blurring of fonts around the edges, overall the image looks very good, and readability is at an acceptable level.

The viewing angles on the Sony X90L are unfortunately very poor, which is typical for VA panels. The picture quality degrades when viewed at an angle, which can be problematic when watching from a greater distance or with a larger group of people. It's a shame that the manufacturer did not use a coating to widen the viewing angles, which could significantly improve this aspect and make the television more versatile for different room layouts.

As we mentioned in the paragraph about contrast, the television is equipped with a VA panel, which generally offers very good contrast compared to IPS panels. Unfortunately, VA panels have their weakness in the form of limited viewing angles, a weakness that is also evident in the case of QNED91T LG. The viewing angles here are not the best, and although the use of an angle-expanding coating could significantly improve the situation, unfortunately, it is not present here. As a result, the picture loses quality when viewed from a larger angle, which can be problematic when there are multiple people watching at the same time.

The performance of the television Sony X90L during the day is very good. The satin matrix effectively dampens reflections, which minimises glare and keeps the image clear even in bright rooms. An SDR brightness level of 785 cd/m² allows for comfortable viewing of standard television and lower quality materials regardless of the time of day. As a result, the X90L will perform excellently in both well-lit living rooms and more sunlit spaces.

The LG 65QNED91T6A television is equipped with a satin panel, which performs moderately with direct reflections of light, such as from lamps or wall lights. In the first test photo with a large lamp, you can see how the reflection "spreads across the screen". However, the QNED91T makes up for this in terms of brightness - the average SDR brightness of 580 cd/m² is sufficient for watching television even in more challenging lighting conditions. As a result, despite the issues with reflections, the television performs well during the day.

Sony X90L offers a rich set of features, starting with the Google TV system, which is the heart of entertainment. This solution provides access to a vast array of applications and streaming services, and the interface is intuitive and straightforward. With the support of a voice assistant, using the television becomes even more convenient – just one command is enough to find your favourite films, series, or music. Google TV operates smoothly and allows for full personalisation, making everyday use enjoyable and hassle-free.

The television also offers a number of user-friendly features. It supports AirPlay and Miracast, enabling easy content sharing from mobile devices. Additionally, other devices can be connected via Bluetooth, which enhances versatility and user convenience. For those who prefer traditional television viewing, there is even a recording feature available without the need for an external decoder, which is a significant advantage for fans of live shows.

In terms of design, Sony X90L may not be the sleekest, but its appearance is impressive thanks to a metal frame that adds elegance. The television is equipped with a base that can be positioned in three different ways, allowing for adjustments according to different spaces and user preferences.

The most important thing in today's televisions, besides picture quality, is the operating system. The one available in LG models is really very good. Of course, we are talking about the WebOS system, which offers most of the popular applications available in Poland, similar to GoogleTV. What sets this system apart is primarily the excellent remote control with an accelerometer - the Magic Remote, which resembles a magic wand. Controlling with this remote is incredibly convenient. Additionally, the television offers a very good voice assistant that understands Polish perfectly.

In terms of user functions, the television offers practically everything one could desire. Here we find the ability to record programmes from built-in tuners, support for AirPlay to connect an iPhone, and a mirroring function. We can easily connect keyboards, mice, or headphones, although keyboards are not essential thanks to the convenient Magic Remote. Unfortunately, it lacks the PiP (Picture-in-Picture) function, but this is such a specific feature that only those who truly need it will feel its absence. The QNED91T is a television that does not disappoint when it comes to daily enjoyment of its use.

Sony X90L handles the playback of most popular file formats from USB without any issues, which is a big plus for those who often access external content. However, it is worth mentioning a slight downside – the built-in player does not allow for changing the font colour in subtitles, which may be problematic for some. Fortunately, thanks to the extensive Google TV system, users have a wide range of options. Alternative media players, which offer more personalisation options, can be easily installed.

The built-in player in QNED91T should satisfy most users. It easily handles Polish characters and plays films with subtitles from external drives. The player will also cope with most audio and photo formats, except for Apple HEIC files.

The sound on the Sony X90L is pleasant and clear, and the presence of bass makes the audio richer. The television performs well when playing music, offering satisfactory audio experiences. An additional advantage is the support for Dolby Atmos and DTS technologies, which provide a more spatial and immersive sound. As a result, films, games, and music gain depth and realism, creating a better experience for the user.

LG QNED91T is equipped with a set of 4 speakers in a 2.2 configuration with a total power of 40W. The television sounds quite pleasant, and the subtle bass is noticeable. Of course, it is not at the level of an external audio system, such as a soundbar or home cinema, but it is sufficient for everyday use. It is also worth praising the support for audio formats DTS:X and Dolby Atmos, which significantly enhance the quality of sound experiences.

Sony X90L vs LG QNED91T6A

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

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound