Ryan McBride is a writer based in Los Angeles. He has contributed work to magazines and sites including Gayot, Spy, Paper, Ladygunn, 3AM and the Crab Creek Review. He writes consumer reviews, essays, science and tech journalism as well as literary and art criticism.
The Samsung QN90B Neo QLED TV impresses with stunning brightness, low input lag, and great gaming features, but it’s pricey and lacks Dolby Vision. It’s an excellent choice for cinematic visuals and gaming enthusiasts.
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Table of Contents
Product Snapshot
Overview
The Samsung QN90B Neo QLED TV, introduced in 2022, is a high-end 4K TV that uses mini-LED backlighting with full-array local dimming. Its standout feature is its high 1000 cd/m2 peak brightness, making it one of the best TVs for brightly-lit rooms.
In addition, the QN90B’s 720+ areas of local dimming help boost contrast and dynamic range. 43-and 50-inch versions get a 144Hz refresh rate. All sizes deliver impressive gaming performance, low input lag, and gaming hub compatibility.
Its Tizen smart interface is intuitive, and it offers one-button access to the most popular streaming apps. With 4k resolution and a full set of high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 connectors, the QN90B caters to home theater enthusiasts, gamers, and those looking for a centerpiece television with an elegant design and top-notch features.
Consensus
our Verdict
The QN90B offers great brightness, with over 1000 cd/m2 in real viewing. It produces vivid, tonally-balanced HDR scenes. Input options include 4 HDMI 2.1 ports. While it doesn’t match the image quality of OLED TVs, it works well in brightly-lit areas.
The TV’s local dimming provides a 73,455:1 contrast ratio for deep blacks, though some blooming and reflections crop up. Gamers will appreciate its low 5.9ms input lag and tested 144 Hz refresh rate, which reduces screen tearing.
Its downscaling capabilities, sleek remote, Tizen smart interface, and low input lag contribute to its appeal. Quality at wide viewing angles up to 35 degrees off-center is good but not as good as on an OLED TV.
If you can overlook the lack of Dolby Vision and the premium price tag, the QN90B is an excellent choice.
ReasonS to Buy
Great picture quality
A peak brightness of 1000 cd/m2 places it in the top third of new 4K TVs and makes it one of the brightest models in its category, helping it stand out for viewing in brightly lit areas.
Good contrast and local dimming
The QN90B’s local dimming provides a 73,455:1 contrast ratio for deep blacks. This is higher than most TVs in its category.
Great motion handling for gaming and high-frame-rate content
Input lag is just 5.9 ms, meaning the QN90B is faster than ⅔ of the TVs in its class, and its 144 Hz refresh rate ties for the fastest refresh rate available in a mid-range 4K QLED TV.
Relatively wide viewing angles
Picture quality remains essentially unchanged up to about 35 degrees off-center, which is better than average for its category, but a few competitors, particularly those with OLED screens, provide wider viewing angles.
Reason to Avoid
Lacks Dolby Vision support
Missing support for this popular home theater format may limit the TVs appeal for those looking to set up a new home cinema
Some blooming around bright objects in otherwise dark scenes
Compared to true OLED TVs, this model’s local dimming allows more blooming or “halo effect” around highlights in dark scenes.
Built-in speaker quality doesn’t match the picture quality
Home cinema users will likely find the built-in speakers inadequate, with their below-average fidelity, sound profile and bass output.
Samsung QN90B Neo QLED TV Specs
Backlight Type
Full-Array
Display Type
LED
HDMI Inputs
4
HDMI Type
HDMI 2.1
HDR Format
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HomeKit Compatible
No
Max Resolution
3840 x 2160 (4k)
Number of Audio Channels
4.2.2
Panel Type
QLED LCD
Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Screen size
43", 50", 55", 65", 75", 85"
Smart Platform
Tizen
Speaker Output
60 watts
Sync Technology
AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync
VRR
Yes
Works With
Amazon Alexa, Bixby, Google Assistant, Remote Control, SmartThings, Wi-Fi
All Specs
Test Results
These are the most important criteria to test for TVs based on our comprehensive Testing Methodology.
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy)
93.3767
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 uv)
95.63
Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy)
71.76
Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv)
79.68
Color Gamut % (sRGB)
97.4
Color Gamut % (Rec 709)
99.68
Color Gamut % (BT.2020)
0
Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB)
76.7
Color Gamut % (BT.709)
0
Contrast Ratio (x:1)
73,455
SDR Brightness (nits)
1,626
HDR Brightness (nits)
2,075
Input Lag (ms)
10.3
Response Time (ms)
7.9
Color Washout (Degrees)
29
Color Shift (Degrees)
47
Brightness Loss (Degrees)
45
Reflections (%)
1.7
Low-Freq Extension (Hz)
95.14
Freq Response StdDev @ 70db
3.18
Freq Response StdDev @ 80db
3.45
Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db
0.204
Intermodulation Distortion @80db
2.01
EOTF (600 nit delta)
0.0526
EOTF (1000 nit delta)
0.0516
EOTF (4000 nit delta)
0.048
All Tests
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The Samsung QN90B Neo QLED TV, introduced in 2022, is a high-end 4K TV that uses mini-LED backlighting with full-array local dimming. Its standout feature…
The Samsung QN90B Neo QLED TV, introduced in 2022, is a high-end 4K TV that uses mini-LED backlighting with full-array local dimming. Its standout feature is its high 1000 cd/m2 peak brightness, making it one of the best TVs for brightly-lit rooms.
In addition, the QN90B’s 720+ areas of local dimming help boost contrast and dynamic range. 43-and 50-inch versions get a 144Hz refresh rate. All sizes deliver impressive gaming performance, low input lag, and gaming hub compatibility.
Its Tizen smart interface is intuitive, and it offers one-button access to the most popular streaming apps. With 4k resolution and a full set of high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 connectors, the QN90B caters to home theater enthusiasts, gamers, and those looking for a centerpiece television with an elegant design and top-notch features.
Compared to the QN90B QLED TV, the flagship QN900B adds 8K resolution and more numerous local dimming zones. However, the QN90B costs significantly less and…
Compared to the QN90B QLED TV, the flagship QN900B adds 8K resolution and more numerous local dimming zones. However, the QN90B costs significantly less and matches the 8K model’s 144Hz refresh rate, low input lag, and fast pixel response time. Our Samsung QN900B NEO QLED TV review has more details.
The Samsung QN95 TV differs from the QN90B in that it houses most of its ports in a separate OneConnect box, helping users create a…
The Samsung QN95 TV differs from the QN90B in that it houses most of its ports in a separate OneConnect box, helping users create a cleaner setup with fewer wires running to the TV frame itself. Picture quality and performance is nearly identical, however. See our Samsung QN95B NEO QLED TV review for more information. Or, for another alternative, check out our Samsung QN85B NEO QLED TV review.
Compared to its predecessor, the QN90A, the QN90B boasts better local dimming, boosting contrast and overall fidelity. The newer model’s “shape adaptive light control” technology…
Compared to its predecessor, the QN90A, the QN90B boasts better local dimming, boosting contrast and overall fidelity. The newer model’s “shape adaptive light control” technology reduces blooming and stray illumination more effectively as well.
Though the LG OLED65C1P pulls ahead of the Samsung QN90B’s picture quality, the QN90B comes surprisingly close, with higher peak brightness and an effective local…
Though the LG OLED65C1P pulls ahead of the Samsung QN90B’s picture quality, the QN90B comes surprisingly close, with higher peak brightness and an effective local dimming feature to boost HDR contrast. The QN90B also offers equally fast pixel response times and a 144Hz refresh rate. However, the lack of Dolby Vision support might be a drawback for some viewers.
