The Samsung QN90A is a premium-priced TV that generally costs more than the Samsung QN85B, which is priced in the midrange. The QN90A offers better overall picture quality, especially in dark rooms and for watching movies, and it has better sound quality with great speakers. It also has a better contrast ratio and black uniformity, which is important for deep black levels in dark scenes.
On the other hand, the QN85B is less expensive and offers good gaming performance and bright room performance. However, it may not perform as well in dark rooms or for movie watching when compared to the QN90A. 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 QN85B (LCD)
Good viewing angle
Advantages of the Samsung QN90A (LCD)
Best in class for bright room
Very good for movies & TV
Very good for upscaling
Excellent reflections
Key differences
Picture Quality
7.5/10
8.1/10
5.64/10
CONTRAST
7.00/10
7.5/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
8.2/10
miniLED FALD
PANEL TYPE
miniLED FALD
IPS
PANEL SUB-TYPE
VA
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) has very good picture quality, while the Samsung QN85B (LCD) has good picture quality.
Movies & TV
7.3/10
8.0/10
5.64/10
CONTRAST
7.00/10
5.7/10
BLACK UNIFORMITY
7.0/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
8.0/10
Yes
HDR10 SUPPORT
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ SUPPORT
Yes
No
DOLBY VISION SUPPORT
No
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) is very good for movies & TV, while the Samsung QN85B (LCD) is good.
The Samsung QN90A provides superior contrast and black uniformity, which makes it stand out for movies and cinematic content, enhancing deep blacks and overall picture depth. The Samsung QN85B, while still offering good performance in these areas, slightly lags behind the QN90A, and also falls short in terms of color accuracy out of the box.
Cartoons & Animation
8.0/10
8.8/10
7.2/10
COLOR GAMUT SCORE
7.8/10
7.5/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
8.2/10
9.3/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.4/10
7.9/10
COLORS OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
9.5/10
7.2/10
GRAY UNIFORMITY
6.4/10
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) and Samsung QN85B (LCD) are both very good for cartoons & animation, though the Samsung QN90A (LCD) is somewhat better.
The Samsung QN85B and QN90A both provide strong performance for cartoons and animation, thanks to their good colors out of the box and color gamut, ensuring vibrant and accurate reproduction of animated content. While both TVs offer good color volume and gray uniformity, the QN90A stands out with better contrast and brightness, making it a slightly superior choice for cartoons and animation in bright rooms or for viewers particularly sensitive to picture quality.
News, Talk, & Other TV
8.2/10
8.9/10
9.3/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.4/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
8.0/10
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) and Samsung QN85B (LCD) are both very good for news, talk, & other TV, though the Samsung QN90A (LCD) is somewhat better.
The Samsung QN85B and Samsung QN90A both excel at upscaling lower resolution content and deliver bright SDR content, making them suitable for watching news and TV programs. The QN85B provides good performance right out of the box and has a wide color gamut for vibrant images, while the QN90A offers slightly better upscaling and color accuracy, as well as a higher contrast which can enhance the viewing experience but may come with a higher cost.
Bright Room
9.2/10
9.7/10
7.5/10
VIEWING ANGLE
6.5/10
9.3/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.4/10
8.9/10
HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.3/10
8.9/10
REFLECTIONS SCORE
9.0/10
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) is best in class for bright room, while the Samsung QN85B (LCD) is excellent.
The Samsung QN90A stands out for bright room viewing due to its superior contrast and reflection handling compared to the Samsung QN85B, providing a more vivid picture and less distraction from ambient light, but both models offer excellent SDR and HDR brightness which is very important for clarity in well-lit environments. Although somewhat less crucial, the QN90A also has a slight edge in color volume and gamut, enriching the overall viewing experience with more vibrant and varied colors.
The Samsung QN85B (LCD) and Samsung QN90A (LCD) are both good for sports.
The Samsung QN85B is good for watching sports due to its very good motion processing and response time, in addition to handling reflections well, which helps when viewing from different angles. The Samsung QN90A offers similar benefits for sports viewing, with excellent reflection handling and a very fast response time, making it conducive for fast-paced action without distracting reflections or motion blur.
Gaming
8.2/10
8.3/10
8.0/10
RESPONSE TIME SCORE
8.3/10
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
10.0/10
8.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
8.0/10
70.0/100
GAMING LOCAL DIMMING
70.0/100
9.0/10
GAME HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.3/10
The Samsung QN90A (LCD) and Samsung QN85B (LCD) are both very good for gaming.
The Samsung QN85B and QN90A are praised for gaming due to their swift response times and minimal input lag, which are crucial for fast-paced games. Both models also offer high refresh rates, but the QN90A has a slight edge in sound quality, making it a more immersive option for those who prioritize audio performance alongside a smooth gaming experience.
Cost
$1,448
$1,398
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
$2,500
The Samsung QN85B (LCD) has a price of $1,448 and the Samsung QN90A (LCD) costs $1,398.
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How the Samsung QN85B (LCD) and the Samsung QN90A (LCD) compare to other TVs
"Particularly key to this is the fact that black levels are unusually good, on a level we haven’t seen from any IPS TV before. Build quality is impressive too, with a gleaming silver metallic frame and stand, and enough heft to suggest plenty of quality innards. High dynamic range content jumps off the screen with enough luminosity and intensity to really sell what makes HDR special."
Get a great deal on the Samsung QN85B (LCD) or the Samsung QN90A (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.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec TVs team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest TV information and makes it digestible for you.
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