Samsung and LG continue to battle it out for supremacy in the high-end television market. Their latest flagship models – the Samsung QN90B QLED and LG G2 OLED – represent the pinnacle of their respective display technologies. Both offer a wealth of cutting-edge features tailored towards discerning home theater enthusiasts and gamers.
But technology and specs aside, which model delivers the best overall viewing experience? As a seasoned home theater professional, I‘ve carefully analyzed how these premium TVs compare across a range of factors. Read on for an in-depth face-off.
Display Technology Showdown: QLED vs OLED
At their core, QLED and OLED televisions employ fundamentally different display architectures resulting in varying performance characteristics.
The Samsung QN90B uses an LCD panel illuminated by a full array local dimming (FALD) LED backlight supplemented by Quantum Dots. This combination enables exceptional brightness – up to 3000 nits peak on this model – for stunning high dynamic range content. Samsung‘s effective local dimming also delivers deep blacks.
However, LCD panels can exhibit blooming around bright objects and experience contrast reduction when viewed off-angle. Viewing angles on the QN90B max out at around 40 degrees.
Conversely, the LG G2 utilizes self-emissive OLED pixels that can switch off completely to produce infinite contrast and perfect blacks. This gives OLEDs a key advantage when displaying shadow detail. Input lag is also extremely low for responsive gaming.
But current generation OLEDs top out at around 800-900 nits peak brightness. High APL scenes have a harder time retaining detail. Still, colors remain accurate at wider viewing angles up to 80 degrees on the G2.
Ultimately, QLED shines brightest while OLED rules contrast. Personal preferences in viewing environment and habits determine which strengths matter more.
Dazzling 4K Picture Quality with Next-Gen Enhancements
Make no mistake – both the QN90B and G2 deliver absolutely stunning 4K UHD picture quality and represent the pinnacle of what their respective display technologies can achieve.
Samsung‘s Neo Quantum Processor 4K leverages AI deep learning to intelligently analyze content and apply the best upscaling and adjustments to resolve detail. Advanced contrast mapping maximizes depth and dimensionality.
The Quantum Dot filter significantly expands the color volume for images that pop with vibrant, lifelike tones. Quantum HDR 32X analyzes and enhances HDR10+ content on a scene-by-scene basis using a wider color gamut and more precise backlight control.
On the LG G2 side, the new α9 Gen5 AI Processor 4K handles upscaling and processing tasks. It also helps intelligently adjust brightness to prevent eye fatigue. This newest LG OLED panel, dubbed OLED Evo, utilizes deuterium compounds and personalized algorithms to boost brightness by 20% over last year‘s models while maintaining flawless blacks.
Dolby Vision IQ capability adds environmental light compensation to ensure optimized Dolby Vision content. Both TVs support the major HDR formats.
Crystal Clear Motion Handling for Sports and Gaming
If yours is a sports-focused or gaming household, you’ll be well served by either model. Each delivers class-leading motion clarity free of distracting artifacts.
For the QN90B, Samsung equips it with Black Frame Insertion technology to cleanly render fast motion at up to 120Hz refresh rates. The brand‘s Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ capability also minimizes blur and judder.
Serious gamers will appreciate Adaptive Sync (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode support alongside the low input lag.
The LG G2 also refreshes natively at 120Hz with OLED panels that inherently offer instantaneous pixel response times. This results in ultra smooth motion processing in both gaming and movies without heavy software intervention inducing the “soap opera effect”.
As with the QN90B, VRR and ALLM make an appearance to satisfy discerning players. LG‘s new OLED Motion Pro technology further eliminates blur and judder for fantastic clarity.
Dolby Atmos Enhanced Immersive Audio
With large screen sizes involved, the sonic experience matters just as much. Both manufacturers equip their flagships with potent audio hardware amplifying Dolby Atmos soundtracks.
The Samsung QN90B packs in Speakers 4.2.2 arrangement pumping out 60W of total power. Side-firing drivers join up-firing speakers to create overhead dimensionality. Samsung‘s proprietary Object Tracking Sound+ even shifts audio perspective based on movement shown on screen. Height channels simulate Atmos effects.
Meanwhile, the LG G2 integrates side-firing and rear-mounted speakers in a 4.2.2 channel layout, also rated for 60 watts altogether. Users can engage AI Sound Pro mode allowing LG’s intelligent algorithm to make real-time adjustments based on content type. Dolby Atmos decoding adds thrilling spaciousness.
Both TVs integrate nicely with soundbars, particularly Samsung models, for those desiring an expanded sonic panorama. eARC support passes high resolution audio formats.
Intuitive Smart TV Features and Functionality
Samsung‘s slick Tizen platform empowers the QN90B with one of the most responsive and feature-packed smart TV systems around. Effortlessly bounce between apps and sources using the intuitive point-and-click remote.
Owners also get access to Samsung TV Plus with its broad selection of free streaming channels in news, sports, movies and more. Bixby voice capability makes searching for content more natural. Ambient Mode adds artistic screensavers when idle.
LG‘s webOS makes an equally capable smart TV experience. The redesigned home screen offers faster access to apps and inputs. ThinQ AI assistance understands natural language requests via the mic-enabled remote. LG gaming dashboard centralizes settings for players.
Both platforms provide access to all the popular streaming video services. Apple AirPlay and Chromecast allow media sharing from mobile devices. Smart home device control expands functionality.
Slick Ultra Thin Design Aesthetic
As impressive as their surround-sound-like audio and best-in-industry picture, the industrial design of both models stakes out an ultra thin and minimalist footprint. Each can hold their own as objets d‘art.
The Samsung QN90B cuts a sleek, bezelless figure with its Infinity One Design of near rimless metal paired to an adjustable center pedestal stand. Wall mounting presents an even cleaner floating appearance. Despite the slender dimensions, build quality feels reassuringly robust.
LG‘s Gallery Series G2 clearly draws inspiration from artistic canvases with its nearly bezel-free Infinity Edge form factor. At a mere 20mm thin across its largest 77” class variant, this display hangs elegantly against an applied wall mount (bundled) for a painting-like aesthetic. The provided bezel accessory further trims the edges.
Few TVs can so adroitly blend into living spaces or be showcased as functional art.
The Better Buy Comes Down to Use Case
When two closely matched flagship televisions exhibit world class performance, personal use case scenarios and room considerations play pivotal roles in determining which model prevails. Here is my professional take:
The Samsung QN90B QLED makes the most compelling case if brightness and wider viewing angles take priority – typical of well-lit living rooms and home theaters. Vibrant HDR pops with specular highlights. Smart features satisfy techies. The slightly more affordable pricing doesn‘t hurt.
Cinephiles wanting the deepest blacks without compromise and enthusiasts regularly gaming or watching TV in dedicated darker spaces should go with LG’s G2 OLED. Here, perfect blacks marshal maximum dimensionality. Large screen real estate dresses the space while gaming responsiveness amazes. At 65” and above, LG‘s pricing offers fair value.
Either way, know that these industry leading 4K TVs assure a spectacular front row seat to today’s best content. Owners can expect many years of unmatched viewing enjoyment. Exciting innovations on the horizon like MicroLED panels and 8K resolution could potentially come to either series via future firmware updates, making them relatively futureproof purchases.
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