The Samsung QN90C, being a high-end model, is priced at a premium. It generally provides a better viewing experience with higher quality across various content including movies, sports, and gaming. It's also more suited for bright rooms due to its superior brightness and reflection handling. For gaming, its low input lag and high responsiveness will be beneficial.
On the other hand, the TCL S546 is a budget-friendly option. While it offers good quality for its price, it falls behind the Samsung in picture quality, brightness, and gaming performance. It has lower scores in handling bright room conditions.
If you prioritize top-notch picture quality, gaming performance, and have a bright viewing space, and if the budget is not a constraint, the Samsung QN90C would be the better choice. However, if you're looking for more affordable options and can compromise on some performance aspects, the TCL S546 could offer good value for its price. 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 QN90C (LCD)
Best in class for bright room
Very good for gaming
Very good for movies & TV
Good for sports
Very good for news, talk, & other TV
Very good for cartoons & animation
Very good for use as monitor
Very good for upscaling
Very good motion processing
Excellent reflections
Advantages of the TCL S546 (LCD)
The TCL S546 (LCD) has no clear advantages over the Samsung QN90C (LCD).
Key differences
Picture Quality
8.1/10
7.4/10
7.38/10
CONTRAST
8.21/10
9.1/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
8.0/10
miniLED FALD
PANEL TYPE
LED FALD
ADS / IPS
PANEL SUB-TYPE
VA
The Samsung QN90C (LCD) has very good picture quality, while the TCL S546 (LCD) has good picture quality.
Movies & TV
8.0/10
7.0/10
7.38/10
CONTRAST
8.21/10
6.8/10
BLACK UNIFORMITY
6.8/10
8.0/10
UPSCALING
5.9/10
Yes
HDR10 SUPPORT
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ SUPPORT
Yes
No
DOLBY VISION SUPPORT
Yes
The Samsung QN90C (LCD) is very good for movies & TV, while the TCL S546 (LCD) is good.
The Samsung QN90C delivers excellent contrast, impressive local dimming, and good black uniformity, which are crucial for deep blacks and detailed shadows in movies and cinematic TV. On the other hand, the TCL S546 also offers outstanding contrast and good black uniformity but falls short with less effective local dimming, affecting dark scene portrayal and overall picture depth.
Sports
7.0/10
6.3/10
8.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
4.6/10
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
8.0/10
8.0/10
UPSCALING
5.9/10
10.0/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.2/10
Yes
HLG SUPPORT
Yes
The Samsung QN90C (LCD) is good for sports, while the TCL S546 (LCD) is only fair.
The Samsung QN90C is preferred for sports due to its excellent reflection handling and better motion processing, which are crucial for fast-paced action, whereas the TCL S546, with its fair reflection handling and lower motion processing capabilities, is less suited for dynamic sports content. Additionally, the wider viewing angles of the QN90C accommodate larger groups better, but the S546's weaker viewing angles may limit the clarity of the display from off-center positions.
Gaming
8.2/10
6.6/10
7.8/10
RESPONSE TIME SCORE
7.6/10
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
8.0/10
8.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
4.6/10
75.0/100
GAMING LOCAL DIMMING
60.0/100
8.9/10
GAME HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
6.9/10
The Samsung QN90C (LCD) is very good for gaming, while the TCL S546 (LCD) is only fair.
The Samsung QN90C is better suited for gaming than the TCL S546 because it has a higher refresh rate of 120Hz, which allows for smoother motion, and it boasts lower input lag, providing a more responsive gaming experience. Conversely, the TCL S546 has a lower 60Hz refresh rate and higher input lag, which could result in less fluid motion and a less immediate response to gaming inputs.
Cartoons & Animation
8.8/10
6.6/10
7.5/10
COLOR GAMUT SCORE
7.8/10
9.1/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
8.0/10
10.0/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.2/10
8.1/10
COLORS OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
4.4/10
7.7/10
GRAY UNIFORMITY
7.0/10
The Samsung QN90C (LCD) is very good for cartoons & animation, while the TCL S546 (LCD) is only fair.
News, Talk, & Other TV
8.8/10
6.4/10
10.0/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.2/10
8.0/10
UPSCALING
5.9/10
The Samsung QN90C (LCD) is very good for news, talk, & other TV, while the TCL S546 (LCD) is only fair.
The Samsung QN90C excels in upscaling lower resolution content and delivers very high SDR brightness, making it particularly suitable for viewing in well-lit environments and ensuring clear presentation of standard TV programs. The TCL S546, while offering good SDR brightness, falls short in upscaling and color performance right out of the box, which can affect the immediate viewing experience of news and talk shows without additional calibration.
Bright Room
9.7/10
7.2/10
6.5/10
VIEWING ANGLE
5.3/10
10.0/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.2/10
8.8/10
HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
6.8/10
9.0/10
REFLECTIONS SCORE
6.0/10
The Samsung QN90C (LCD) is best in class for bright room, while the TCL S546 (LCD) is good.
The Samsung QN90C outshines for viewing in a bright room with its higher brightness in both standard and high dynamic range content, combined with its superior reflection handling, ensuring a clear picture even in sunny conditions. Meanwhile, the TCL S546, despite having very good performance in standard dynamic range brightness, falls behind in high dynamic range brightness and reflection handling, making it less ideal for well-lit environments.
Cost
$1,299
$398
$0
$500
$1,000
$1,500
$2,000
The Samsung QN90C (LCD) has a price of $1,299 and the TCL S546 (LCD) costs $398.
How the Samsung QN90C (LCD) and the TCL S546 (LCD) compare to other TVs
Spec Comparison
Samsung QN90C (LCD)
TCL S546 (LCD)
GENERAL
Price
Price
$1,299
$398
Brand
Brand
Samsung
TCL
Release Date
Release Date
March 2, 2023
August 3, 2021
Full name
Full name
QN65QN90C
65S546
Screen Size
Screen Size
65"
65"
Screen Resolution
Screen Resolution
4K
4K
Screen Type
Screen Type
LCD
LCD
Screen Sub-type
Screen Sub-type
miniLED FALD ADS / IPS
LED FALD VA
Smart TV
Smart TV
Yes
Yes
TV FEATURES
Operating System
Operating System
Tizen
Android TV
Sound Quality Score
Sound Quality Score
8.3/10
5.9/10
NextGen Ready
NextGen Ready
Yes
No
HDMI Ports
HDMI Ports
4
3
Coax Ports
Coax Ports
1
1
Refresh Rate
Refresh Rate
120Hz
60Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Variable Refresh Rate
Yes
Yes
HDR Supported formats
HDR Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG
Accessibility
Accessibility
Voice Commands
None
DISPLAY QUALITY SCORES
Picture Quality Score
Picture Quality Score
8.1/10
7.4/10
Bright Room Score
Bright Room Score
9.7/10
7.2/10
Gaming Score
Gaming Score
8.3/10
6.7/10
Movies & TV Score
Movies & TV Score
8.1/10
7/10
Sports Score
Sports Score
7/10
6.4/10
News, Talk, & Other TV Score
News, Talk, & Other TV Score
8.9/10
6.5/10
Cartoons & Animation Score
Cartoons & Animation Score
8.9/10
6.6/10
Use as Monitor Score
Use as Monitor Score
8/10
6.6/10
PHYSICAL
Dimensions w/o Stand (H x W x D)
Dimensions w/o Stand (H x W x D)
32.6" x 56.9" x 1.1"
32.9" x 56.9" x 3"
Dimensions with Stand (H x W)
Dimensions with Stand (H x W)
35.1" x 56.9"
34.8" x 56.9"
Weight without Stand
Weight without Stand
53.4 lbs
47.4 lbs
VESA Mount
VESA Mount
400 x 400
300 x 300
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
7.4/10
8.2/10
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
7/10
5.7/10
Gaming Local Dimming
Gaming Local Dimming
7.5/100
6/100
Game HDR Brightness Score
Game HDR Brightness Score
9/10
6.9/10
SDR Brightness Score
SDR Brightness Score
10/10
8.2/10
HDR Brightness Score
HDR Brightness Score
8.8/10
6.8/10
Gray Uniformity
Gray Uniformity
7.8/10
7/10
Black Uniformity
Black Uniformity
6.9/10
6.9/10
Viewing Angle
Viewing Angle
6.5/10
5.4/10
Reflections Score
Reflections Score
9.1/10
6/10
Upscaling
Upscaling
8/10
5.9/10
Motion Processing
Motion Processing
8/10
4.6/10
Color Gamut Score
Color Gamut Score
7.6/10
7.9/10
Color Volume Score
Color Volume Score
9.2/10
8/10
Response Time Score
Response Time Score
7.8/10
7.6/10
Input Lag Score
Input Lag Score
10/10
8/10
Colors Out of the Box Score
Colors Out of the Box Score
8.2/10
4.4/10
Quality Control
Quality Control
8/10
6.3/10
Chroma Subsampling Score
Chroma Subsampling Score
8/10
7/10
SOUND
Speaker Setup
Speaker Setup
4.2.2
2.0
Speaker Power
Speaker Power
60 W
16 W
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Yes
DTS:X
DTS:X
No
No
Get a great deal on the Samsung QN90C (LCD) or the TCL S546 (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 TCL
TCL, the highly recognizable TV brand from China, has firmly established itself as the second-largest manufacturer in terms of sales volume. Renowned for striking an impressive balance between affordability, picture quality, and design, TCL TVs deliver a compelling overall package. While they have traditionally excelled in the low-end and midrange TV segments, TCL has recently made remarkable strides in the realm of high-end televisions, introducing impressive models that rival top competitors. Most TCL TVs use Roku software which is very user friendly and easy to use, but they have a few other models that use Google TV which has the largest app selection, but is not as user friendly as Roku.
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.
By the numbers
385
TVs evaluated
33,110
TVs stats compiled
21
Proprietary TVs ratings developed
122,130
Recommendations made
18,320
Consumer hours saved
About the TV team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and TVs Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Jaime Roldán
TVs Expert
Jaime is a Colombia-based TV expert. He is an electronics engineer with 8 years of experience in the telecom sector and has been making TV recommendations for 12 years.