The Samsung CU7000 is a budget-priced TV that will save you money, but it has limitations, especially in motion handling due to its 60Hz panel, and in HDR performance where it lacks brightness and color range. In contrast, the Sony X90L comes at a higher price but offers a better overall picture quality with higher brightness, a wider color gamut, and better contrast due to its full-array local dimming and 120Hz panel which is great for motion. If you watch a lot of movies, sports, or play games, and value a more immersive experience, the Sony X90L would be a better option, though it will cost more. If you're looking for a more affordable option for casual viewing, particularly in less challenging viewing environments, the Samsung CU7000 could meet your needs. 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 CU7000 (LCD)
The Samsung CU7000 (LCD) has no clear advantages over the Sony X90L (LCD).
Advantages of the Sony X90L (LCD)
Very good for bright room
Good for dark room
Very good for gaming
Good for movies & TV
Good for sports
Excellent for news, talk, & other TV
Very good for cartoons & animation
Good for use as monitor
Best in class for upscaling
Best in class motion processing
Key differences
Picture Quality
6.2/10
7.8/10
5.82/10
CONTRAST
7.125/10
5.6/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
8.8/10
LED
PANEL TYPE
LED FALD
VA
PANEL SUB-TYPE
VA
The Sony X90L (LCD) has good picture quality, while the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) has only fair picture quality.
Movies & TV
5.8/10
7.6/10
5.82/10
CONTRAST
7.125/10
6.6/10
BLACK UNIFORMITY
6.0/10
6.6/10
UPSCALING
10.0/10
Yes
HDR10 SUPPORT
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ SUPPORT
No
No
DOLBY VISION SUPPORT
Yes
The Sony X90L (LCD) is good for movies & TV, while the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung CU7000 falls short in providing a good movie and cinematic TV experience due to its lower contrast, less effective local dimming, and poor black uniformity, leading to less vivid images and washed-out black levels. On the other hand, the Sony X90L excels in these aspects with higher contrast, superior local dimming, and better black uniformity, offering deeper blacks and more vibrant colors that enhance the overall viewing experience.
Sports
6.6/10
7.2/10
8.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
10.0/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
120Hz
8.7/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
7.0/10
6.6/10
UPSCALING
10.0/10
6.2/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.4/10
Yes
HLG SUPPORT
Yes
The Sony X90L (LCD) is good for sports, while the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) is only fair.
The Sony X90L is considered better for watching sports because it has a superior response time and motion processing capabilities that reduce motion blur during fast-paced action, whereas the Samsung CU7000 has a fair response time which might not handle fast movements as smoothly. Additionally, the Sony model's broader viewing angles and better handling of reflections offer a more consistent picture quality in different seating positions and lighting conditions, unlike the Samsung which may have issues with reflections and limited optimal viewing angles.
Gaming
6.0/10
8.1/10
6.5/10
RESPONSE TIME SCORE
8.0/10
8.7/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
7.0/10
8.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
10.0/10
30.0/100
GAMING LOCAL DIMMING
73.0/100
5.9/10
GAME HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.6/10
The Sony X90L (LCD) is very good for gaming, while the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) is only fair.
The Samsung CU7000 has fair response time and very good input lag, which may not be as smooth or reactive for gaming, while the Sony X90L has very good response time and good input lag, providing a more seamless and responsive gaming experience.
Cartoons & Animation
5.7/10
8.6/10
5.9/10
COLOR GAMUT SCORE
7.7/10
5.6/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
8.8/10
6.2/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.4/10
6.0/10
COLORS OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
8.0/10
6.0/10
GRAY UNIFORMITY
6.6/10
The Sony X90L (LCD) is very good for cartoons & animation, while the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) is poor.
The Sony X90L's colors out of the box and color gamut performance are rated as very good and good, making it better for cartoons & animation which often use a wide and consistent range of vibrant colors. In contrast, the Samsung CU7000 has fair and poor ratings for colors out of the box and color gamut respectively, indicating a less accurate and narrower range of colors, which can diminish the viewing experience for colorful content like animation.
News, Talk, & Other TV
6.0/10
9.0/10
6.2/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.4/10
6.6/10
UPSCALING
10.0/10
The Sony X90L (LCD) is excellent for news, talk, & other TV, while the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) is only fair.
The Samsung CU7000 has fair SDR brightness and upscaling, which might make it less ideal for watching news and talk shows that typically have lower resolution content and often require good upscaling for clarity. On the other hand, the Sony X90L has excellent SDR brightness and upscaling capabilities, ensuring sharper images and brighter display, which enhances the viewing of news and TV programs even if the content is not in high definition.
Bright Room
5.8/10
8.6/10
5.3/10
VIEWING ANGLE
5.5/10
6.2/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
9.4/10
5.4/10
HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
8.3/10
5.9/10
REFLECTIONS SCORE
5.9/10
The Sony X90L (LCD) is very good for bright room, while the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung CU7000 struggles in bright rooms due to its limited SDR and HDR brightness and poor handling of reflections, while the Sony X90L excels with much higher brightness capable of overcoming glare and superior reflections handling. Additionally, the superior local dimming of the Sony X90L enhances contrast and provides better color volume and gamut, contributing to a more vibrant image in well-lit environments.
Cost
$428
$998
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
$1,600
The Samsung CU7000 (LCD) has a price of $428 and the Sony X90L (LCD) costs $998.
How the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) and the Sony X90L (LCD) compare to other TVs
Spec Comparison
Samsung CU7000 (LCD)
Sony X90L (LCD)
GENERAL
Price
Price
$428
$998
Brand
Brand
Samsung
Sony
Release Date
Release Date
April 5, 2023
August 1, 2023
Full name
Full name
UN65CU7000
XR-65X90L
Screen Size
Screen Size
65"
65"
Screen Resolution
Screen Resolution
4K
4K
Screen Type
Screen Type
LCD
LCD
Screen Sub-type
Screen Sub-type
LED VA
LED FALD VA
Smart TV
Smart TV
Yes
Yes
TV FEATURES
Operating System
Operating System
Tizen
Google TV
Sound Quality Score
Sound Quality Score
5.9/10
8.3/10
NextGen Ready
NextGen Ready
No
Yes
HDMI Ports
HDMI Ports
3
4
Coax Ports
Coax Ports
1
1
Refresh Rate
Refresh Rate
60Hz
120Hz
Variable Refresh Rate
Variable Refresh Rate
No
Yes
HDR Supported formats
HDR Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Accessibility
Accessibility
Voice Commands
Voice Commands
DISPLAY QUALITY SCORES
Picture Quality Score
Picture Quality Score
6.2/10
7.8/10
Bright Room Score
Bright Room Score
5.8/10
8.6/10
Gaming Score
Gaming Score
6/10
8.2/10
Movies & TV Score
Movies & TV Score
5.9/10
7.6/10
Sports Score
Sports Score
6.6/10
7.2/10
News, Talk, & Other TV Score
News, Talk, & Other TV Score
6/10
9/10
Cartoons & Animation Score
Cartoons & Animation Score
5.8/10
8.7/10
Use as Monitor Score
Use as Monitor Score
6.3/10
7.3/10
PHYSICAL
Dimensions w/o Stand (H x W x D)
Dimensions w/o Stand (H x W x D)
32.7" x 57.1" x 2.4"
32.7" x 57" x 2.2"
Dimensions with Stand (H x W)
Dimensions with Stand (H x W)
35.7" x 57.1"
34" x 57"
Weight without Stand
Weight without Stand
32.7 lbs
53.4 lbs
VESA Mount
VESA Mount
400 x 300
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
5.8/10
7.1/10
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
4.1/10
6.8/10
Gaming Local Dimming
Gaming Local Dimming
3/100
7.3/100
Game HDR Brightness Score
Game HDR Brightness Score
5.9/10
8.7/10
SDR Brightness Score
SDR Brightness Score
6.3/10
9.4/10
HDR Brightness Score
HDR Brightness Score
5.4/10
8.4/10
Gray Uniformity
Gray Uniformity
6/10
6.6/10
Black Uniformity
Black Uniformity
6.6/10
6/10
Viewing Angle
Viewing Angle
5.4/10
5.6/10
Reflections Score
Reflections Score
5.9/10
6/10
Upscaling
Upscaling
6.7/10
10/10
Motion Processing
Motion Processing
8/10
10/10
Color Gamut Score
Color Gamut Score
5.9/10
7.8/10
Color Volume Score
Color Volume Score
5.6/10
8.9/10
Response Time Score
Response Time Score
6.6/10
8.1/10
Input Lag Score
Input Lag Score
8.8/10
7/10
Colors Out of the Box Score
Colors Out of the Box Score
6/10
8/10
Quality Control
Quality Control
8/10
10/10
Chroma Subsampling Score
Chroma Subsampling Score
7/10
8/10
SOUND
Speaker Setup
Speaker Setup
2.0
2.2
Speaker Power
Speaker Power
20 W
30 W
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos
Yes
Yes
DTS:X
DTS:X
No
Up to DTS Digital Surround, Bypass only
Get a great deal on the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) or the Sony X90L (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.
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
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18,275
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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
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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.