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Updated January 10, 2024·
The Samsung QN90A is a premium price option and is typically much more expensive than the Sony X85K. If you are looking for a TV with better overall picture quality, particularly in bright rooms, and superior gaming performance, the Samsung QN90A would be an excellent choice. It also has better sound quality with great built-in speakers. On the other hand, the Sony X85K is a midrange price option, which is typically much less expensive, and still offers good gaming performance and picture quality for sports content. However, it may not perform as well in dark rooms and its sound quality is not as impressive as the Samsung QN90A. Keep in mind that both TVs have a 120 Hz LCD screen and support HDR formats, but the Samsung QN90A uses miniLED technology which contributes to its higher price. The choice between the two will depend on whether you prioritize superior performance and features or are looking for a more cost-effective option with satisfactory performance. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung QN90A (LCD)
- Best in class for bright room
- Good for dark room
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for movies & TV
- Very good for use as monitor
- Excellent reflections
Advantages of the Sony X85K (LCD)
- Best in class for upscaling
- Best in class motion processing
Key differences
Picture Quality
8.1
7.2
7.00/10
CONTRAST
7.50/10
8.2/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
7.4/10
miniLED FALD
PANEL TYPE
LED
VA
PANEL SUB-TYPE
VA
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) has very good picture quality, while the Sony X85K (LCD) has good picture quality.
Movies & TV
8.0
6.4
7.00/10
CONTRAST
7.50/10
7.0/10
BLACK UNIFORMITY
6.8/10
8.0/10
UPSCALING
10.0/10
Yes
HDR10 SUPPORT
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ SUPPORT
No
No
DOLBY VISION SUPPORT
Yes
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) is very good for movies & TV, while the Sony X85K (LCD) is only fair.
Gaming
8.3
7.5
8.3/10
RESPONSE TIME SCORE
7.6/10
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
7.3/10
8.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
10.0/10
70.0/100
GAMING LOCAL DIMMING
0.0/100
9.3/10
GAME HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
7.3/10
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) is very good for gaming, while the Sony X85K (LCD) is good.
The Samsung QN90A is favored for gaming due to its superior response time and lower input lag, which translates to a smoother picture with less motion blur and quicker on-screen reactions to player inputs. On the other hand, the Sony X85K performs well, but doesn’t match the Samsung’s responsiveness and speed, making it less optimal for high-paced gaming situations.
News, Talk, & Other TV
8.9
8.2
9.4/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.4/10
8.0/10
UPSCALING
10.0/10
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) and Sony X85K (LCD) are both very good for news, talk, & other TV, though the Samsung QN90A (LCD) is somewhat better.
The Samsung QN90A has excellent SDR brightness, which is crucial for viewing in well-lit rooms, and it performs incredibly well in upscaling lower resolution content, making it ideal for watching news and talk shows that aren't always broadcast in high definition. The Sony X85K, while slightly better at upscaling, also provides a vibrant picture with its excellent color accuracy right out of the box, and good SDR brightness, ensuring that news and TV programs are displayed clearly.
Bright Room
9.7
7.4
6.5/10
VIEWING ANGLE
5.5/10
9.4/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.4/10
9.3/10
HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
7.0/10
9.0/10
REFLECTIONS SCORE
7.3/10
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) is best in class for bright room, while the Sony X85K (LCD) is good.
The Samsung QN90A outshines the Sony X85K in a bright room as it has superb SDR and HDR brightness and excellent handling of reflections. Sony's X85K, while still good in bright conditions, has lower SDR and HDR brightness and is not as effective at minimizing reflections.
Cost
$948
$648
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) has a price of $948 and the Sony X85K (LCD) costs $648.
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Key similarities
Sports
7.0
7.4
8.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
10.0/10
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
7.3/10
8.0/10
UPSCALING
10.0/10
9.4/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.4/10
Yes
HLG SUPPORT
Yes
The Sony X85K (LCD) and Samsung QN90A (LCD) are both good for sports.
The Samsung QN90A provides excellent motion processing and a high response time, making it well-suited for sports where these aspects ensure smooth playback and quick image transitions. In contrast, the Sony X85K has a perfect score in motion processing and also boasts a good response time, though it has a less effective reflection handling and narrower viewing angles compared to the Samsung QN90A, which might reduce the viewing experience from certain angles or in brightly-lit rooms.
Cartoons & Animation
8.8
8.5
7.8/10
COLOR GAMUT SCORE
7.5/10
8.2/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
7.4/10
9.4/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.4/10
9.5/10
COLORS OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
9.1/10
6.4/10
GRAY UNIFORMITY
7.5/10
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) and Sony X85K (LCD) are both very good for cartoons & animation.
The Samsung QN90A excels with colors right out of the box and has a wide color gamut, making cartoons & animation look vibrant and true-to-life. In comparison, the Sony X85K also displays cartoons & animation very well, although it might not match the color performance of the QN90A, it still offers strong color volume and good gray uniformity, which is important for consistent coloration across the screen.
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How the Samsung QN90A (LCD) and the Sony X85K (LCD) compare to other TVs
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung QN90A (LCD) | Sony X85K (LCD) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$948 | $648 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | February 1, 2021 | May 1, 2022 | |
Full name | |||
Full name | QN43QN90A | KD-43X85K | |
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 43" | 43" | |
Screen Resolution | |||
Screen Resolution | 4K | 4K | |
TV FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Tizen | Android TV | |
Sound Quality Score | |||
Sound Quality Score | 8.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
NextGen Ready | |||
NextGen Ready | Yes | Yes | |
HDMI Ports | |||
HDMI Ports | 4 | 4 | |
Coax Ports | |||
Coax Ports | 1 | 1 | |
DISPLAY QUALITY SCORES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Picture Quality Score | |||
Picture Quality Score | 8.2/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Bright Room Score | |||
Bright Room Score | 9.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Movies & TV Score | |||
Movies & TV Score | 8.1/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Sports Score | |||
Sports Score | 7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dimensions w/o Stand (H x W x D) | |||
Dimensions w/o Stand (H x W x D) | 22" x 37.8" x 1.1" | 22.2" x 37.9" x 2.7" | |
Dimensions with Stand (H x W) | |||
Dimensions with Stand (H x W) | 24.5" x 37.8" | 24.7" x 37.9" | |
Weight without Stand | |||
Weight without Stand | 20.3 lbs | 22.5 lbs | |
VESA Mount | |||
VESA Mount | 200 x 200 | 200 x 200 | |
DISPLAY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Color Depth | |||
Color Depth | 10 bit | 10 bit | |
Black Frame Insertion | |||
Black Frame Insertion | Yes | Yes | |
Auto Low Latency Mode | |||
Auto Low Latency Mode | Yes | Yes | |
Contrast | |||
Contrast | 7/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Local Dimming | |||
Local Dimming | 8/10 | 2.5/10 | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Speaker Setup | |||
Speaker Setup | 2.0 | 2.0 | |
Speaker Power | |||
Speaker Power | 20 W | 20 W | |
Dolby Atmos | |||
Dolby Atmos | Bypass only | Yes | |
DTS:X | |||
DTS:X | No | Up to DTS Digital Surround, Bypass only | |
Get a great deal on the Samsung QN90A (LCD) or the Sony X85K (LCD)
About Samsung
Samsung, a South Korean electronics manufacturer, holds the title of being the largest global TV vendor in terms of units sold. They offer a diverse lineup of TV products that cater to various budget ranges. A notable achievement in recent years is the development of Quantum Dots, a technology that enhances color reproduction, resulting in richer and more vibrant hues. Samsung TVs are well-regarded for their high manufacturing quality and user-friendly software, making them an excellent choice for consumers seeking an intuitive viewing experience.
About Sony
Sony stands as a highly experienced and widely trusted TV manufacturer, earning a reputation that surpasses all others. A Japanese company, Sony has been making TVs for far longs than it has been making Playstation game consoles. Sony's high-end TVs are often regarded as the ultimate choice for videophiles, representing the epitome of quality, albeit at a premium price point. Renowned for their advanced and precise motion handling, as well as their cutting-edge local dimming algorithms, Sony consistently delivers unparalleled performance in these areas. They include Google TV software with all their TV sets, which grants access to the largest selection of apps available and they also include Bravia Core which is a movie streaming platform specifically for Sony TVs that offers higher picture quality by using more bandwidth.
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