Samsung QN90D Review: A Feature-Packed Mini LED TV for Bright Rooms

If you're in the market for a new TV and often find yourself watching in a brightly lit room, the Samsung QN90D could be an excellent choice. This feature-packed Mini LED TV offers a bright and colorful performance, making it a strong contender for gamers and movie enthusiasts alike. However, like any product, it comes with its pros and cons. Let's dive into the details.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Bright, colorful picture: Perfect for bright rooms.
• Excellent gaming features: Refresh rates up to 144Hz and low input lag.
• Abundance of entertainment options: Samsung’s Tizen interface is loaded with apps.
• Well-built design: Sleek and sturdy.

Cons:

• Average viewing angles: Not ideal for wide seating arrangements.
• Slight blooming: Local dimming could be more precise.
• Audio system lacks heft: Sound quality is just okay.
• No Dolby Vision support: Limited to HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG.

Key Features

Tizen Smart Interface

Samsung’s Tizen interface is well-known for its ease of use and content options. It offers tons of entertainment, gaming, and well-being apps. The interface is divided into three main sections: For You, Live, and Apps, making it easier to navigate and discover content.

Anti-Reflection Screen

The Anti-Reflection screen minimizes glare, which is a godsend when watching in bright rooms. This feature ensures that the TV's brightness and color performance aren't compromised by ambient light.

Gaming Features

Gamers will appreciate the 144Hz refresh rate and low input lag (measured at 10.1ms). The TV supports ALLM, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro), and HGiG standards, making it a great choice for gaming enthusiasts.

Design

The Samsung QN90D features a slim and minimalist design, with a depth of just 26mm. Unlike some OLED TVs, it doesn’t have the rear bulge, making it easier to wall-mount. However, it doesn’t come with Samsung’s One Connect box, so you'll have to deal with cables trailing from the TV.

The hexagonal stand is compact and comes with slots to funnel cables, keeping the setup tidy.

Picture Quality

Brightness and Color Performance

The Samsung QN90D excels in brightly lit environments. Its peak brightness reaches up to 2217 nits in Movie mode, outperforming most OLED TVs. This makes it ideal for daytime viewing or rooms with lots of natural light. The TV also displays a wide range of colors, though sometimes it may appear less saturated than OLEDs, especially in darker scenes.

Local Dimming and Contrast

The local dimming system, while effective, isn't flawless. Blooming (where bright objects bleed into darker areas) is noticeable, especially when viewed off-axis. The QN90D features around 504 dimming zones, which is impressive but not as high as competitors like the Hisense U8N. That said, the QN90D still offers deeper blacks and more precise contrast compared to many other LED TVs.

Upscaling

Upscaling from lower-resolution content is solid, though not perfect. Blu-rays and DVDs are upscaled cleanly, but some artifacts and clipping issues can be noticed, especially in darker scenes.

Sound Quality

The OTS+ (Object Tracking Sound) system includes eight speakers and offers 60W of power. While it supports Dolby Atmos, the sound quality lacks the immersion and depth you might expect from a high-end system. Dialogue is clear, but explosions and action scenes lack punch. If you're an audiophile or want a more cinematic sound experience, pairing the QN90D with a Samsung soundbar using Q-Symphony would be a good idea.

If you're interested in improving the sound quality of your setup, you can check out Samsung soundbars on Amazon here.

Gaming Performance

The Samsung QN90D is a stellar option for gamers. Its 144Hz refresh rate and low input lag make it ideal for fast-paced games. The Auto AI Game Mode automatically adjusts settings based on the type of game you’re playing, and the Super Ultra Wide Game View offers a widescreen aspect ratio for an immersive experience.

For those looking to enhance their gaming setup, consider a high-performance gaming controller like the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller available on Amazon here.

Final Thoughts

The Samsung QN90D is a fantastic TV for those who prioritize brightness and color performance, especially in well-lit rooms. Its gaming features, smart interface, and sleek design make it a great all-around TV. However, its local dimming could be more precise, and the audio system leaves something to be desired. For those who don't mind these trade-offs, the QN90D offers excellent value, especially with prices dropping as we approach the holiday season.

Should You Buy It?

• Yes, if you watch TV in a bright room and want a TV with excellent gaming features.
• No, if you prioritize perfect contrast and deep black levels—OLED might be a better choice.

For those interested in purchasing the Samsung QN90D, you can find it on Amazon here.

Alternatives to Consider

If you're still on the fence, here are a few alternatives to consider:

• Philips 55OLED809: A great OLED option with better contrast and black levels. Check it out on Amazon here.
• LG OLED55C4: Another OLED choice with excellent picture quality and gaming features. Available on Amazon here.
• Samsung Q80D: A more affordable option from Samsung that still offers great features, though without a Mini LED backlight. Find it on Amazon here.

Conclusion

The Samsung QN90D is a solid choice for those who want a bright, colorful TV with plenty of gaming and smart features. While it has some drawbacks like average viewing angles and blooming, its strengths—especially in bright rooms—make it a compelling option. Keep an eye out for deals as prices are dropping fast, making it an even better value for money.