LG QNED93A / QNED90A vs Samsung OLED S90F (QD-OLED)

Although the number of local dimming zones in the LG QNED93A did not directly translate to a noticeably better contrast, one cannot deny that this model is brighter than its predecessor. In synthetic tests, we recorded values around 1400-1500 nits, and more importantly, these results are reflected in real movie scenes. In full-screen sequences flooded with white or bright lights, the screen was able to maintain high luminance, which produced a truly decent incredible HDR effect. Unfortunately, where the television could show its true class, namely in scenes that require precision, all the magic evaporates. The dimming algorithms we mentioned earlier are aggressive enough that small bright objects—such as distant lights, stars, or the moon—can almost completely disappear. Just look at the test scenes from the movie Pan or Sicario 2 (screens 2 and 4) to see how subtle details are dimmed to the brink of visibility. It's a shame, because a greater number of zones could theoretically lead to significantly better results. Fortunately, there are also stronger points. The QNED93A performs well in terms of color gamut coverage, achieving around 96% of the DCI-P3 standard. As a result, colors in movies look vivid and full, and the picture does not lose intensity even in more demanding scenes. So it can be said that the HDR in this model is solid, although the unfinished local dimming algorithms hinder its full potential.

The biggest difference between the 65-inch S90F and the other versions is brightness. The QD-OLED panel can achieve up to 1700 nits in laboratory tests, which is over 500 nits more than the variant with the WOLED panel. This translates to a significantly stronger and more engaging HDR effect. In most scenes, bright parts of the image look fantastic, and we have to admit we were pleasantly surprised because we expected results closer to the WOLED version, but we got an effect that makes a big impression even in movies. As with any OLED, there are moments when the panel has to limit brightness somewhat. This mainly concerns full-screen, very demanding scenes – for example, in the last test frame from the movie "The Meg," brightness drops to around 800 nits. However, it's hard to consider this a flaw since it’s still an excellent result, unprecedented in OLED TVs in this price range. All signs indicate that the 65-inch S90F could be one of the best choices this year for those looking for a strong OLED at a reasonable price. Another advantage of the QD-OLED panel in HDR content is its color gamut coverage. Thanks to quantum dots, the television achieves almost full 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and nearly 90% of the BT.2020 gamut. These values place it alongside much more expensive models and make it exceptional in its class.

In movie mode (specifically Filmmaker), color reproduction on the QNED93A was relatively accurate, although it wasn't without critiques. In SDR content, white balance leaned towards warmer tones, resulting in a slight yellowing across the entire screen. Gamma, on the other hand, led to a slight brightening of the image, making it look a bit less natural, especially in scenes requiring precise shading (this is evident in the comparison picture). This isn't a problem that immediately stands out to every viewer, but more discerning individuals may feel that the picture deviates from the aesthetic intended by the filmmakers. In HDR materials, the situation looked somewhat different. The white balance presented itself quite well here, ensuring that whites didn't lean towards pink or unwanted shades of green. However, brightness management proved to be an issue. Analysis of the EOTF curve revealed that at certain moments the television can be noticeably too dark where it shouldn't be, losing some detail and reducing the realism of scenes. This detracted from the experience of HDR effects, which were theoretically supposed to be the most impressive. For this reason, we decided to carry out calibration.

Samsung S90F, like most modern televisions, offers several picture modes, but in keeping with our tradition, we checked it in the most important one, which is Filmmaker. This setting makes the picture look much more natural than in the default, often oversaturated modes. It is neither overly saturated nor artificially subdued – just closer to what you should actually see. However, that doesn't mean it's perfect. The S90F had noticeable shortcomings in white balance, primarily in the blue range, which created a slightly yellowish filter effect on most scenes. One might argue that it looks more "cinematic" because it's warmer, but let's not kid ourselves – George Lucas didn't shoot Star Wars in sepia 😉 (you'll find a comparison with a scene below as always). In HDR materials, there was also a problem with brightness management. The EOTF curve clearly showed that the television brightens the picture more than it should, which led to some effects looking too intense and deviating from the reference. Fortunately, many of these shortcomings can be eliminated through professional calibration – we will discuss the effects of this procedure further in the test.

After professional calibration, the Filmmaker mode on the QNED93A gained the most where it matters most in everyday use. It was possible to adjust the white balance and eliminate the yellowish tint in SDR content, which we watch most often – television, streaming services, or standard quality films. This makes colors look natural and pleasant, and the overall experience is much more comfortable. In HDR mode, we also made adjustments, but the biggest problem here turned out to be the EOTF curve. Although LG provides some leeway in the settings, the television still manages brightness on its own terms. It is evident that the local dimming algorithms are not entirely refined and can spoil the viewing experience by dimming parts of the image at inappropriate moments. Nonetheless, it is worth opting for calibration of this model, especially the mode intended for daily viewing.

Calibration quickly showed that the S90F has a substantial reserve of capabilities. The image in SDR immediately gained a natural quality – classic films stopped looking as if someone had applied a yellowish filter to them, and the colors regained their true character. It’s a return to the atmosphere of the original, without the impression that someone tried to "age" it artificially. In HDR content, the difference was even more pronounced. The EOTF curve was managed almost to a reference level, and any deviations are so subtle that most viewers won't even notice them. In practice, the S90F after calibration displays an image very close to perfection. Compared to the WOLED version, it performs even better – mainly due to the wider color gamut coverage, which makes the colors look fuller and more vibrant.

LG QNED93A proves to be a very solid television for everyday use. Its image processor handles scaling excellently, ensuring that even older movies or terrestrial television gain sharpness and detail. During the screening of "The Godfather," it's clearly visible how upscaling pulls extra details from the image – the characters' faces and the texture of the 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 color banding and screen irregularities. It works best in the "Medium" setting – subtly smoothing tonal transitions without over-interfering with the image. This way, the natural film grain is preserved, and the screen doesn't appear unnaturally smoothed. Perhaps in some scenes, you can still notice slight color banding, but in practice, the effect is more favorable than with a stronger intervention from the algorithm.

The S90F performs really well here, although there are some comments that are repeated in the case of most Samsung TVs. The noise reduction feature can effectively smooth out unwanted color transitions in lower-quality materials, such as television or YouTube, making them simply look better. However, it should be noted that it operates quite aggressively and can also soften elements that we wouldn't want to touch, like facial details. Therefore, if we want to use it, it’s best to use it in the "medium" setting and be aware of the compromise it brings. The upscaling itself is at a high level – low-quality materials are enhanced towards a 4K-like image. The only caveat is that the S90F can still have problems with so-called overscan, which is slight trimming of the edges in very poor materials like 576p and lower.

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 seen as a positive development. In everyday viewing, 120 Hz remains key, and in this regard, the QNED93A performs well. The manufacturer also provides the option to adjust the image through the TruMotion system – the De-Judder and De-Blur sliders allow you to choose between a cinematic motion character with visible frames and a fully smoothed theatrical motion.

S90F is an OLED with a refresh rate of 144 Hz, but in practice, what matters most is how it performs at 120 Hz, as this frequency is the most significant when watching sports. The QD-OLED panel is no different in this regard from WOLED panels—the pixel response is almost instantaneous, allowing motion to be rendered with surgical precision. The effect is easy to predict. The image is practically free of ghosting, making gaming on consoles, matches, or other sports broadcasts a great pleasure on the S90F.

Fans of movies and series are not forgotten either. Like every Samsung TV with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and above, the S90F is equipped with a proprietary motion smoother called "Image Clarity." Here, we find two sliders—motion blur reduction and judder reduction—that allow you to improve the fluidity of materials recorded at 24 frames and adjust the effect to your personal preferences.

LG QNED93A is a television that has undoubtedly been designed with gamers in mind. Right from the start, we get a complete package – all four HDMI ports operate at standard 2.1, so whether we connect a console, PC, or receiver, we can be sure of full compatibility. This is important because many manufacturers still limit themselves to two ports, and here nothing prevents all equipment from having maximum capabilities. There’s also an automatic game mode (ALLM), which switches the television to the appropriate settings when the console starts up, as well as variable refresh rate (VRR). This ensures that the image does not stutter or tear, 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, which makes a difference especially in e-sports. The manufacturer also considered HDR in games – the television supports the HGiG mode, which provides guidelines to ensure that the lighting effects are exactly as intended by the game developers. For dessert, we get Game Bar – a special informational strip invoked on the screen that shows parameters in real-time. You can check the frame rate, active VRR functions, or input lag levels. This solution is useful not only for settings enthusiasts, but for anyone who wants to quickly verify what mode the television is operating in and whether everything is working as it should.

S90F is a television that truly brings a lot of joy when gaming. Right off the bat, we get four full-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports, which means you can connect all consoles and PCs without having to figure out which device takes priority. This is a convenient and practical solution that is not a given with other manufacturers. Additionally, there are key features such as the automatic game mode (ALLM), which switches the screen to low-latency settings, and VRR frame synchronization working over a wide range from 48 to 144 Hz. This ensures that the picture remains smooth regardless of whether we are playing fast-paced online shooters or calmer story-driven titles. Another noteworthy feature is the Game Bar – a panel that allows quick access to several useful additions. For example, you can turn on an additional crosshair in the center of the screen, enlarge the minimap, or, in the case of a PC, change the aspect ratio. Finally, there is also the unique Game Motion Plus mode exclusive to Samsung. Its purpose is to smooth out older or less optimized titles, and it actually works quite well. Thanks to this mode, even less polished games can look better and provide more enjoyment than on other televisions that theoretically offer the same technical specifications.