ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Whereas it is now not the most recent QLED mannequin from Samsung, the QN90C continues to be a formidable TV in 2024, with incredible image high quality, a low-latency mode for gaming, and extra.
- The set up course of and total wobbliness are nitpicks however nonetheless price calling out for a TV on this worth vary.
- Samsung’s Gaming Hub options are the low-key greatest a part of the TV, perfect for customers who need full management over the set’s colour, refresh charge, and extra.
Since being launched in 2021, Samsung’s Neo QLED sequence of televisions has ranked excessive in its class, setting the benchmark for show high quality and options. And whereas the 2023 QN90C TV is now not the very best mannequin from the corporate, it is nonetheless probably the greatest choices usually should you do not want all the most recent AI options on Samsung’s 2024 line.
(The set is on the market in 43 to 85 inches, however I examined the 55-inch for this evaluation.)
Proper out of the field, that is only a handsome TV. It has a really slim design and a super-thin bezel that actually makes the image stand out. As I used to be unboxing it, the stand additionally caught my eye. As an alternative of two legs like virtually all different TVs, the QN90C is supported by a single leg within the center, much like a pc monitor.
Although I’ve to confess, organising that stand was somewhat cumbersome, a lot in order that after I learn the guide and began placing it collectively, I needed to refer again to the directions as a result of I could not determine it out. I would take into account {that a} small inconvenience, although as it is a “one and performed” sort of factor, I really feel just like the smooth, premium look was ultimately price it. The stand did have a slight wobble, particularly when my children ran by way of the lounge, however I used to be by no means anxious concerning the set toppling over.
If inputs are a priority, the QN90C carries 4 HDMI ports (one eARC), all of them supporting HDMI 2.1.
For an working system, the set makes use of Samsung’s personal Tizen software program. This was my first expertise with Tizen, and whereas it wasn’t as user-friendly as Roku or Google TV, I used to be capable of navigate the place I wished to go with out a lot bother.
On the show facet, it is a Quantum Mini-LED, which Samsung first launched in 2021. Because the title implies, the LEDs are a lot smaller right here than regular, main to higher backlight management. Samsung claims to take {that a} step additional although, with microlayers contained in the LEDs, eliminating noise.
There’s help for HDR10 and HDR10+, and on-line studies put the brightness at almost 2,000 nits — which means it is shiny sufficient for many house and workplace environments.
My lounge has a good quantity of pure gentle shining the place my TV sits, and this set’s show thrives in that surroundings — largely on account of its anti-reflection movie. There are occasions with my on a regular basis tv that I’ve to shut my blinds due to glare, however the QN90C was shiny sufficient which made that pointless. I fired up a private favourite, Netflix’s Stranger Issues, to check the show, and it was essentially the most I’ve loved that present visually.
The QN90C additionally makes use of native dimming management, which takes unused electrical energy from darkish areas of the display screen and diverts it to brighter areas. I used to be impressed with how that labored right here, as darkish scenes have been darkish as meant, however black ranges nonetheless had a distinction the place issues have been clearly seen. Vibrant colours popped fantastically, and scenes with quick motion confirmed no indicators of blur.
So far as upscaling content material Samsung has its Neural Quantum Processor on board, which makes use of AI so as to add depth and sharpness to content material whatever the authentic decision — primarily making every part 4K. I examined this out with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and completely cherished how issues regarded. I’ve had televisions the place the upscaling produced outcomes far too unnatural trying, however the QN90C does this very properly.
Relating to sound, this set is lots ample as-is. It helps Dolby Atmos, however even and not using a sound bar, I may clearly hear dialogue over the bustle of my two children and canine. I maintain closed captions on my on a regular basis TV for this very motive, even when utilizing a sound bar, and it was good to have the ability to flip that off for some time.
Like different Samsung televisions, it helps what they name object monitoring, which sends sounds to the related a part of the display screen. For instance, should you’re watching a film with a racing scene, you will audibly discover the engine sound roar left to proper together with the automobile.
After I began digging into the gaming options although, I discovered the place this tv actually shined. It has a really low enter lag (underneath 10ms), a 120Hz show, help for variable refresh charge, and Samsung’s above-average Recreation Bar function.
Holding the pause/play button whereas a online game console is on brings up the menu overlay, and from there you may dig into the settings like Recreation Image Mode (there are six to select from, plus two customized choices), Recreation Movement Plus (which reduces movement blur and improves image high quality), and an on-screen crosshair (with three colour choices).
From that bar, there is a deeper recreation mode settings possibility, which helps you to tune the black equalizer, select “fundamental” or “superior” for HDR, and even select the extent of judder discount and blur discount.
Most informal avid gamers would not dive this deep into these settings, however for critical avid gamers, it is a incredible factor to have. It is the deepest stage of customization I’ve seen from a gaming menu. Actually, I would name this simply one of many greatest gaming TVs I’ve come throughout.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Samsung QN90C TV has just a few minor annoyances — I am hesitant to name the wobbliness and set up course of shortcomings — however its image high quality in each occasion and gaming options greater than made up for these. When you’re searching for a premium-level TV that does properly in any surroundings with any sort of content material, maintain this one excessive in your listing.
Amazon’s Prime Day sale runs July 16-17, so you will have to hurry if you wish to benefit from this low cost earlier than it ends!