Samsung QN90B QLED Review (QN43QN90BAFXZA, QN50QN90BAFXZA, QN55QN90BAFXZA, QN65QN90BAFXZA, QN75QN90BAFXZA, QN85QN90BAFXZA) (2024)

Curved No

The Samsung QN90B has a modern, sleek design, with incredibly thin bezels and a slim stand. The heavy central stand looks great and takes up very little space, but it doesn't prevent all wobble.

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Wall Mount VESA 400x300

The back of the TV is mainly plastic, with fine horizontal etched lines that give off a brushed aluminum look. There are tracks along the back and the stand (see here), which help with cable management, but you won't be able to use those if you wall-mount the TV. Unlike the Samsung QN95B QLED, which uses an external input box known as the One Connect box, the inputs are in the back of the TV. This means they're difficult to access if you wall-mount the TV with a fixed bracket.

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Borders 0.35" (0.9 cm)

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Max Thickness 1.06" (2.7 cm)

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The build quality is fantastic. The base is metal and quite solid, and the materials used feel premium. The back panel is mainly plastic and flexes easily, but this isn't unusual and doesn't cause any issues. The stand is extremely heavy, but due to its small size, it doesn't support the TV very well, so the screen wobbles easily.

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Contrast

Native Contrast

The Samsung QN90B has an excellent contrast ratio. With Local Dimming on 'High', it displays deep and inky blacks next to bright highlights in dark rooms. You can only disable Local Dimming in PC mode through the service menu, which we did for this test, but considering it has a low contrast ratio without local dimming, there isn't a reason for you to do this.

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There isn't too much blooming around bright objects in dark scenes, like subtitles, but it's still there with the local dimming feature enabled.

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Local Dimming

Backlight

Dimming Zones Count Of Tested TV

The transition between dimming zones is decent, but it isn't as good as you'd expect from a high-end TV. The local dimming algorithm can't keep up well with fast-moving objects transitioning between dimming zones. While this isn't noticeable with most content, it can get distracting with fast-moving objects on dark backgrounds, as the leading edge is darker and the trailing edge has a bit of a halo effect.

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Unfortunately, like most Samsung TVs, the local dimming feature in Game Mode seems to be spreading highlights out over a greater number of zones, so there's a bit more noticeable blooming compared to outside of Game Mode. The processing is also slightly slower, so zone transitions are more noticeable. However, it's mainly due to the increased blooming.

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Hallway Lights (~1950 cd/m²)

Yellow Skyscraper (~700 cd/m²)

Landscape Pool (~300 cd/m²)

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Sustained 2% Window

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Sustained 100% Window

Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)

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Hallway Lights (~1950 cd/m²)

Yellow Skyscraper (~700 cd/m²)

Landscape Pool (~300 cd/m²)

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Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)

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600 Nit Tracking Delta

1000 Nit Tracking Delta

4000 Nit Tracking Delta

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Real Scene Peak Brightness

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Automatic Brightness Limiting (ABL)

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Wide Color Gamut

DCI P3 xy

DCI P3 uv

Rec 2020 xy

Rec 2020 uv

This TV has an excellent color gamut. It has fantastic coverage of the DCI-P3 color space used by most current HDR content, so images look vivid and lifelike. It has decent coverage of the wider Rec. 2020 color space, and the tone mapping is good, ensuring fine details are preserved and easy to see in areas of vibrant, saturated color.

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1,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage ITP

10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage ITP

White Luminance

Red Luminance

Green Luminance

Blue Luminance

Cyan Luminance

Magenta Luminance

Yellow Luminance

The color volume is fantastic. Most colors are displayed well at various brightness levels, and colors are just as bright as pure white. Thanks to its high contrast ratio, dark saturated colors are displayed well, but it isn't as good as an OLED.

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White Balance dE

Color dE

Gamma

Color Temperature

Picture Mode

Color Temp Setting

Gamma Setting

The Samsung QN90B has good accuracy before calibration. Colors have excellent accuracy overall, but some colors are still off. The color temperature is on the warm side, but it isn't bad enough to be noticeable. The white balance is okay, but brighter shades of gray are off. Gamma is close to the 2.2 target for a moderately lit room, but bright scenes are a bit too bright.

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White Balance dE

Color dE

Gamma

Color Temperature

White Balance Calibration

Color Calibration

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50% Std. Dev.

50% DSE

5% Std. Dev.

5% DSE

The Samsung QN90B has decent gray uniformity overall. There are a few patchy spots near the center, which is a bit distracting when watching sports. The sides of the screen are also a bit darker than the center, but this isn't very noticeable with normal content. Gray uniformity in near-black scenes is much better, with no noticeable issues.

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Std. Dev.

Native Std. Dev.

This TV has amazing black uniformity with Local Dimming on 'High'. It displays deep blacks, but there's still some blooming around bright objects on dark backgrounds. Although you can only disable Local Dimming through the service menu, we still did so for testing, and black uniformity is worse with it off as blacks look blue and there's clouding throughout.

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Color Washout

Color Shift

Brightness Loss

Black Level Raise

Gamma Shift

The Samsung QN90B has a good viewing angle. It's great if you have a wide seating arrangement or like to move around with the TV on, as the image remains consistent at an angle. The 43-inch and 50-inch models lack Samsung's Ultra Viewing Angle Layer, so they have a worse viewing angle. You can see the viewing angle of the 43-inch model here.

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Screen Finish

Total Reflections

Indirect Reflections

Calculated Direct Reflections

The Samsung QN90B Neo QLED TV has superb reflection handling. The glossy coating significantly reduces the intensity of direct reflections, so glare isn't as distracting. Sadly, like other TVs with the Ultra Viewing Angle layer, there's a rainbow-like effect that scatters across the screen, but the 43 and 50-inch models don't have this layer and don't have this rainbow-like issue, as you can see here. The replacement model in Samsung's 2023 lineup, the Samsung QN90C/QN90CD QLED, doesn't have the same rainbow smearing on it.

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100% Black to 50% Gray

50% Gray to 100% White

100% Black to 50% Red

50% Red to 100% Red

100% Black to 50% Green

50% Green to 100% Green

100% Black to 50% Blue

50% Blue to 100% Blue

This TV has excellent gradient handling. You won't notice any banding with most content besides some minor banding in dark blues and greens.

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Smoothing

Detail Preservation

The TV struggles with smoothing out low-quality content, like streaming sources that use compression. It loses details, and there's macro-blocking in dark areas, which is disappointing for a high-end TV.

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The Samsung QN90B upscales low-resolution content well, like if you're watching DVDs or cable TV. Some text can look blurry, but for the most part, it keeps details well. The recommended settings are with Picture Clarity off and Sharpness at '5'.

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Subpixel Layout

Type LED

Sub-Type

The Samsung QN90B QLED TV uses a BGR sub-pixel layout, negatively impacting how it displays text when using the TV as a PC monitor. You can read more about that here. The pixels look a bit blurry due to the 'Ultra Viewing Angle' layer.

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80% Response Time

100% Response Time

The Samsung QN90B has an excellent pixel response time. Most transitions are extremely quick, resulting in a short blur trail behind fast-moving objects. There's still some noticeable persistence blur, and there's overshoot in some dark transitions. This causes some inverse ghosting, but it isn't very noticeable.

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Flicker-Free

PWM Dimming Frequency

This TV uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to dim its backlight, and the flicker frequency varies between picture modes and with certain settings. In 'Movie' mode, with the backlight set between '46' and the max of '50', the backlight flickers at 120Hz. However, it increases to 960Hz with a backlight setting below '46'. The flicker frequency drops to 120Hz in the 'Dynamic', 'Natural', 'Standard', and 'Filmmaker' Picture Modes, or if you enable the Game Mode or Picture Clarity settings. This low flicker frequency can cause headaches if you're sensitive to flicker, and it also causes image duplications with 60Hz content.

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Optional BFI

Min Flicker For 60 fps

60Hz For 60 fps

120Hz For 120 fps

Min Flicker for 60 fps in Game Mode

The Samsung QN90B Neo QLED has an optional backlight strobing feature, commonly known as BFI. This feature reduces persistence blur caused by the TV's fast response time. It works at both 60Hz and 120Hz, but the timing is a bit off, causing a duplicated image.

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Motion Interpolation (30 fps)

Motion Interpolation (60 fps)

This TV has a feature to increase the frame rate of low-frame-rate content up to 120Hz. It's okay overall on this TV, but it looks best in slow-paced scenes. In busy scenes with a lot of action, it doesn't look very good, and there are a lot of artifacts. Unlike some TVs, which stop interpolating when they can't keep up, this one keeps going, so there are more and more artifacts in busy scenes. Even the smaller sizes, like the 43-inch QN90B, support motion interpolation with 30 fps and 60 fps content and perform like the larger sizes.

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Frame Hold Time @ 24 fps

Frame Hold Time @ 60 fps

Due to this TV's quick pixel response time, low frame rate content, like movies, appears to stutter. It's mainly noticeable in slow panning shots. If this bothers you, the optional motion interpolation or backlight strobing features can help, but those features create other issues, so there's no perfect solution.

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Judder-Free 24p

Judder-Free 24p via 60p

Judder-Free 24p via 60i

Judder-Free 24p via Native Apps

This TV automatically removes judder from all sources; no additional settings are needed. It's great for watching movies, as motion appears smooth.

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Native Refresh Rate

Variable Refresh Rate

HDMI Forum VRR

FreeSync

G-SYNC Compatible

4k VRR Maximum

4k VRR Minimum

1080p VRR Maximum

1080p VRR Minimum

1440p VRR Maximum

1440p VRR Minimum

VRR + Local Dimming Yes

The Samsung QN90B is compatible with all three variable refresh rate formats and works across a very wide refresh rate range. Low Frame Rate Compensation (LFC) automatically engages at low refresh rates, multiplying frames to ensure a tear-free gaming experience even at very low frame rates. Note that the 43-inch and 50-inch models have a max refresh rate of 144Hz. You can read the review of the 43-inch model as a monitor here.

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1080p @ 60Hz

1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode

1080p @ 120Hz

1080p @ 144Hz

1440p @ 60Hz

1440p @ 120Hz

1440p @ 144Hz

4k @ 60Hz

4k @ 60Hz + 10-Bit HDR

4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4

4k @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode

4k @ 60Hz With Interpolation

4k @ 120Hz

4k @ 144Hz

8k @ 60Hz

The Samsung QN90B has very low input lag in Game Mode. This results in a very responsive gaming experience, ensuring your actions align with what you see on screen. If you're a fan of motion interpolation, Samsung's Game Motion Plus feature allows you to interpolate low frame rate games, improving motion clarity without adding much input lag. With the setting at its max, there's higher input lag than with it disabled, but it's still good for casual gamers.

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Resolution 4k

480p @ 59.94Hz (Widescreen)

720p @ 59.94Hz

1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4

1080p @ 120Hz

1080p @ 144Hz

1440p @ 60Hz

1440p @ 120Hz

1440p @ 144Hz

4k @ 60Hz

4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4

4k @ 120Hz

4k @ 120Hz @ 4:4:4

4k @ 144Hz

8k @ 30Hz or 24Hz

8k @ 60Hz

This TV supports all common resolutions up to 4k @ 120Hz. Except for 1440p @ 120Hz, all supported formats display chroma 4:4:4 signals properly, which is essential for clear text from a PC. 4k @ 120Hz signals are displayed properly, with no resolution-halving or other issues.

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Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)

4k @ 120Hz

1440p @ 120Hz

1080p @ 120Hz

HDR

VRR

The Samsung QN90B is fully compatible with the PS5, as there are no issues. It also works with Sony's variable refresh rate feature on the console.

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Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)

4k @ 120Hz

1440p @ 120Hz

1080p @ 120Hz

HDR

VRR

There aren't any compatibility issues with the Xbox Series X|S.

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HDR10

HDR10+

Dolby Vision

HLG

HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth

HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth

CEC Yes

HDCP 2.2 Yes (HDMI 1,2,3,4)

ATSC Tuner

USB 3.0

Variable Analog Audio Out No

Wi-Fi Support Yes (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz)

Unlike the 2021 Samsung TVs, this one supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on all four HDMI ports. It's great, as it gives you the flexibility to connect multiple high-bandwidth devices, like if you have both the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Unfortunately, it doesn't support Dolby Vision, which is a common HDR format, but it supports the similar, yet less common, HDR10+ format.

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HDMI 4

USB 2

Digital Optical Audio Out 1

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm 0

Analog Audio Out RCA 0

Component In 0

Composite In 0

Tuner (Cable/Ant) 1

Ethernet 1

DisplayPort 0

IR In 0

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ARC/eARC Port

eARC: Dolby Atmos Over Dolby Digital Plus

eARC: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

eARC: LPCM 7.1 Over Dolby MAT

eARC: Dolby TrueHD 7.1

eARC: DTS:X Over DTS-HD MA

eARC: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1

eARC: LPCM Channels (Bitstream)

ARC: Dolby Digital 5.1

ARC: DTS 5.1

Optical: Dolby Digital 5.1

Optical: DTS 5.1

The Samsung QN90B supports eARC, allowing it to pass uncompressed high-quality audio from a connected source to your soundbar or home theater system. Sadly, it doesn't support DTS formats, which is disappointing, as many UHD Blu-rays use DTS for their lossless audio tracks. If you want a TV supporting DTS, check out the Sony X90K/X90CK.

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Low-Frequency Extension

Std. Dev. @ 70

Std. Dev. @ 80

Std. Dev. @ Max

Max

Dynamic Range Compression

This TV has a decent frequency response. The low-frequency extension, or LFE, is high, so it can't produce much thump or rumble, but this is normal for TVs. The frequency response above the LFE is well-balanced at moderate listening levels. However, there's a noticeable dip in the treble range at max volume, making dialogue harder to understand. It has an optional room correction feature, which was enabled for these measurements.

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Weighted THD @ 80

Weighted THD @ Max

IMD @ 80

IMD @ Max

The Samsung QN90B has decent distortion performance. There's very little harmonic distortion in the treble range at a moderate listening level, but it increases slightly at max volume.

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Smart OS Tizen

Version 2022

Ease of Use

Smoothness

Time Taken to Select YouTube

Time Taken to Change Backlight

Advanced Options

The 2022 version of Tizen OS is fast and easy to use. The interface now fills the entire screen instead of the bar that appeared in the previous version. It makes it easier to find your favorite content.

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Ads

Opt-out

Suggested Content in Home

Opt-out of Suggested Content

Unfortunately, like most TVs on the market, there are ads throughout the interface, and there's no option to disable them completely. They're not always present, though; there weren't any when we took photos of the interface.

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App Selection

App Smoothness

Cast Capable

USB Drive Playback

USB Drive HDR Playback

HDR in Netflix

HDR in YouTube

The included apps cover most of the common streaming services, and a great selection of additional apps is available in Samsung's app store. It's also compatible with Google Duo, which supports video calls with up to 32 people by connecting a compatible webcam to the TV.

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Size

Voice Control

CEC Menu Control

Other Smart Features

Remote App Samsung SmartThings

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The controls are beneath the Samsung branding on the bottom right side of the TV. A single button lets you power the TV on/off and change channels, volume, and inputs.

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Power Consumption 61 W

Power Consumption (Max) 175 W

Firmware 1204

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