Samsung Q90R vs LG OLED C9 Review (QN65Q90R vs OLED65C9PUA, QN75Q90R vs OLED77C9PUB)

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Both the Samsung Q90R and the LG OLED C9 are high-end TVs for 2019. The Q90R is the top model of the Samsung’s 2019 4 HDR QLED TV Lineup. Meanwhile, the OLED C9 is a part of LG’s 2019 OLED TV lineup and it sits between the OLED E9 and B9 Series. In the market, both of them are available in 3 screen sizes options. The Q90R comes in 65 inches model (QN65Q90R), 75 inches model (QN75Q90R), and 82 inches model (QN82Q90R), while the OLED C9 comes in 55 inches model (OLED55C9PUA), 65 inches model (OLED65C9PUA), and 77 Inches model (OLED77C9PUA). With the same screen sizes (QN65Q90R vs OLED65C9), the Q90R is sold hundreds of dollar more expensive then the OLED C9. But for their bigger screen (QN75Q90R vs OLED77C9), the OLED C9 is sold more than a thousand dollar more expensive than the Q90R, but it has 2 inches bigger screen.  So, which is a better choice between them?

Short Review of Samsung Q90R (QN65Q90R, QN75Q90R, QN82Q90R)

Samsung Q90R is the high-end TV with fantastic picture quality. It uses 10 bit VA panel that has Full Array Local Dimming feature with around 240 or 480 dimming zones. This features makes the Q90R has approximately 11000:1 of contrast ratio, allows them can produce extremely deep dark. This makes its dark room performance is really excellent. Still on its panel, the Samsung Q90R has quantum dot panel technology that allows can produce wide color gamut and good volume, makes the color of HDR images displayed on their screen looks really excellent. Unlike most VA TVs that usually has poor side viewing angle coverage, the Q90R has a new optical layer technology called “Ultra Viewing Angle”. This makes it has better side viewing angle coverage than most VA TVs, albeit still a bit worse than IPS TV or OLED TV. The other great thing is that it can hit peak brightness brighter than 1000 nits. This means, it is able t make HDR details pops like the intended by the content creator.

In addition has excellent picture quality, it also has excellent motion handling, makes motion looks very crisp on their screen. Additionally, it also has excellent low input lags, allow you to play even fast paced game without delay. Additionally, it also has FreeSync VRR technology that allows you to play a game with nearly screen tearing-free.

Meanwhile, as its processor, the Samsung Q90R is powered by the new Quantum 4K processor. This processor is able to provide AI-Related features for the Q90R like Adaptive Brightness, Adaptive Sound, and Adaptive Volume. Additionally, its processor also has machine learning capability. Combination of AI algorithm and its machine learning allows it up-scaling engine (4K AI Up-scaling) is able to further optimize the up-scaled image resulted overtime.

The Samsung Q90R is also claimed already support the HDMI 2.1 full bandwidth. This allows it can play HFR (High Frame Rate) content like 4K @120 Hz via its HDMI ports. And as its smart TV platform, the Q90R runs the latest version of Tizen OS or 2019 version. In this version, its interface is much faster and smoother than previous version. Now, streaming and screen synchronization via Apple AirPlay 2 are also possible. Its smart TV now also already supports Amazon Alexa and Google Home, albeit they both are not built-in.

>> Check today’s price for the Samsung Q90R <<
>> Check today’s price for the Samsung QN65Q90R <<
>> Check today’s price for the Samsung QN75Q90R <<
>> Check today’s price for the Samsung QN82Q90R <<

Short Review of LG OLED C9 (OLED55C9PUA, OLED65C9PUA, OLED77C9PUB)

LG OLED C9 is also an OLED TV with amazing picture quality. As we have known, the best thing of OLED TVs including the OLED C9 is about their infinite native contrast ratio and nearly perfect black. Since the OLED TV doesn’t have backlight, this makes the LG C9 doesn’t has local dimming. But even so, since it has individual self-lighting pixel, this allows it has pixel dimming level. It is equal to the Full Array Local Dimming which is its number of dimming zones is equal to the number of its pixels.  Can be ascertained, its dark room performance is really fantastic. Additionally, the LG C9 is also able to deliver wide color gamut and good color volume that makes its color reproduction is excellent, allow it can show HDR images with vivid color. The LG OLED C9 also has good peak brightness, allow it can show HDR images as bright as they should be. However, its peak brightness is still worse than Q90R and less than 1000 nits, that means it is not able to show HDR images at 1000-4000 nits of brightness range which are HDR images are usually mastered. And the other good thing is it has excellent side viewing angle coverage, better than LED TVs, even with IPS panel. This makes the picture displayed still look accurate when viewed from the side, even from extremely wide angle.

The LG OLED C9 also has nearly instantaneous pixel response time, allow it can handle motion excellently. Its pixel response time is even much lower than the Q90R. But at the same time, the instantaneous pixel response time can cause the picture appear to stutter, particularly when it is playing low frame rate content like 24p movies or others. But fortunately, the image stuttering can be minimized by enabling Black Frame Insertion Mode or Motion Interpolation, so this should not be serious problem. Just like the Q90R, the OLED C9 also has excellent input lags that allow you to play any games responsively. It also already supports VRR technology that can improve their game experience with nearly tearing-free. But unfortunately, the VRR format supported by the LG C9 is HDMI Forum VRR which is not compatible with FreeSync or GSync. The issue is there are not many devices that support this format and at this time, there is only X-Box One that already supports this format. But even so, the good news is that LG has announced it will support NVidia GSync with nearly future software update.

As the image processor, the LG OLED C9 is powered by the powerful Alpha 9 Gen 2 processor.  Just like on the 90R, this processor also allow the OLED C9 has some AI-Related features such as AI Picture, AI Brightness, and AI Sound. This feature can automatically adjust the TV setting to get optimal picture and sound based on room condition. And as its smart TV, it runs the latest version of WebOS or 4.5 version. Ad we known, the interface of the WebOS is very intuitive, smooth, and easy to use.  And just like the Tizen of Q90R, it also supports voice navigation, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, AirPlay, and more.

>> Check today’s price for the LG OLED C9 <<
>> Check today’s price for the LG OLED55C9PUA <<
>> Check today’s price for the LG OLED65C9PUA <<
>> Check today’s price for the LG OLED77C9PUB <<

Samsung Q90R vs LG OLED C9 Specification

Specs and Features LG C9 (OLED C9) Samsung Q90R
Resolution 4K (2160 x 3840) 4K (2160 x 3840)
Screen Sizes Available 55 Inches (OLED55C9PUA), 65 Inches (OLED65C9PUA), 77 inches (OLED77C9PUA) 65 inches (QN65Q90R), 75 Inches (QN75Q90R), 82 inches (QN82Q90R)
Picture on Glass Design No Yes
Panel Type OLED 10 bit VA Panel with “Ultra Viewing Angle” optical layer
Dimming Technology Pixel Level Dimming Full Array Local Dimming with 240-480 dimming zones
Picture Engine Alpha 9 Gen 2 Processor Quantum Processor 4K
HDR Format Supports Dolby Vision, Advanced HDR, HDR10, HLG HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR Enhancement 4K Cinema HDR, HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro Quantum HDR 16x
Contrast Enhancement Object Depth Enhancer, Ultra Luminance Pro Ultra Black
Color Enhancement Intense Color, Billion Rich Colors, Advanced Color Enhancer, True Color Accuracy Pro, 4 Colors Sub Pixel Quantum Dot
Clarity Enhancement Quad Step Noise Reduction, Frequency Based Sharpness Enhancer
AI-Related Features AI, Picture, AI Brightness, AI Volume Adaptive Brightness, Adaptive Sound, Adaptive Volume
4K Up-scaling 4K Up-Scaler 4K AI Up-Scaling
Refresh Rate Panel Native 120 Hz Native 120 Hz
Variable Refresh Rate Support HDMI Forum VRR, NVidia G-Sync with near future update (OLED77CPUA) doesn’t support any VRR technology ) FreeSync VRR
Platform WebOS 4.5 Tizen 2019
Features LG ThinQ AI, Google Assistant, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Intelligence Voice Recognition, AirPlay2, Home Dashboard Samsung’s Bixby 2.0, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, SmartThing
LG Magic Remote 2019 model 2019 model
HDMI 4 4
HDMI Supports HDMI 2.1 Full bandwidth, HDMI 2.0 Full bandwidth ,HDCP 2.2, ARC, eARC, ALLM HDMI 2.1 Full bandwidth, HDMI 2.0 Full bandwidth ,HDCP 2.2, ARC, eARC, ALLM
USB 3 3
Ethernet 1 1
RF (Terrestrial Cable) 1 0
Composite In (AV) 1 0
Component In No No
Channel 2.2 Channel 4.2
Total Audio Output 40 Watt(WF : 20 Watts) 60 Watt(WF : 20 Watts)
Dolby Atmos Support Yes No
Price See today’s Price See today’s price

Samsung Q60R vs LG OLED C9 Performance

Black Level and Contrast Ratio

As we have mentioned above, the best thing of OLED TVs including the LG OLED C9 is that it has infinite contrast ratio and nearly-perfect black. So, even though it is set in a pitch dark environment, black of images displayed on its screen looks really black. Additionally, its pixel dimming level also further improves its performance in a dark room. It can show small highlight in a dark scene with almost blooming-free. On the other hand, even though not as perfect as LG C9, the Samsung Q90R also can produce extremely deep dark, which is around 0.009 nits. This is also dark enough to makes black still looks really black in a dark room. Additionally, it also has excellent local dimming that can further improve its performance in a dark room.

Ignoring the superiority of LG OLED C9, overall, they both can show dark scene excellently. Additionally, their deep black level is also able to makes shadow details pop the way they should in HDR.  So, if you are searching a TV for watching movies in a dark room, they both are great TVs for you.

Winner: LG OLED C9

Peak brightness

While LG OLED C9 is better in black level, the Samsung Q90R can get much brighter. The OLED C9 actually has good peak brightness. With SDR content, it can hit average of 350 nits, bright enough to overcome the glare in most bright rooms. Meanwhile, with HDR content, it can hit approximately 750 nits, bright enough to make HDR details pop. It even can show small highlight of HDR images brighter than 8000 nits, makes highlight of HDR images looks excellently the way they should in HDR. However, as the brightness area increase, their peak brightness is dimmed by its ABL (Auto Brightness Limiter). Even when it is showing the entire screen is bright, their peak brightness is dimmed down to around 150 nits. This can prevent excessive power consumption, but on the other hand, this will cause bright scene looks dimmer.

Meanwhile, the Samsung Q90R even has much better peak brightness. With SDR images, it can hit around 850 nits, bright enough to fight the glare in even a very bright room with a lot of lights or sunny windows. With HDR content, it can even hit around 1300 nits. Furthermore, it can even show small highlight at around 1400 nits. This means, the Q90R can show HDR not just as bright as they should be, but also at 1000-4000 nits of brightness range intended by the content creator.  Meanwhile, when showing the entire screen is bright, its peak brightness may still drop, but still above 500 nits. This means, it is able to show bright HDR images with popped detail, regardless the scene.

Winner: Q90R

Color Gamut and Color Volume

The LG OLED C9 can deliver a bit wider color gamut than the Samsung Q90R. In DCI P3 color space, the OLED C9 can cover around 98% of color space while the Q90R cover around 94%. You need to know, the color gamut of the Q90R is actually not as wide as the predecessor Q9FN. The use of “Ultra Viewing Angle” optical layer may cause its color gamut is reduced. But even so, despite of a bit issue on the Q90R, overall, their color gamut is wide enough to show almost all colors of HDR images accurately. On the contrary, the color volume of the Q90R is betEven theter than OLED C9. They both may be able to produce dark deep colors fairly well. But in producing saturated colors, the Q90R is better than the OLED C9. AS we have known, the OLED panel has white-sub pixel that allows it can produce pure white. But on the other hand, this will de-saturated bright colors. This makes it cannot produce saturated bright colors. On the other hand, the Q90R can show its wide color gamut at its entire brightness range, except very bright blues.

Winner: The OLED C9 has a bit better color gamut, the Q90R has better color volume.

Color Gradient

LG OLED C9 has better color gradient than the Samsung Q90R. The OLED C9 is able to show HDR images with very smooth color gradient. There may be still slight banding in some certain colors, but in normal content, this should not be noticeable. But even so, if you feel the banding still bother, it has “Color Gradation” feature that can help to minimize color banding. But keep in mind, this can also cause some loss of fine details in some scenes. On the other hand, although not as smooth as the OLED C9, the Samsung Q90R also has excellent color gradient. But even so, in darker grey and medium green, a very little banding might be still visible. But even so, if the LG C9 has “Smooth Gradation” feature, the Q90R has “Digital Clean Vide” feature that can also help to remove banding.  But just like on the OELD C9, this can also cause the image lose some fine details.

Winner: LG OLED C9

Side Viewing Angle

Even though the Samsung Q90R has an optical layer technology that can improve its side viewing angle coverage, but its side viewing angle is not as good as the LG OLED C9. But even so, its side viewing is better than most VA TVs. The Q90R can prevent its black level from rising up to 70 degrees off center and front, similar to the LG OLED C9. But even so, in maintain peak brightness, the OLED C9 is much better. On the screen of Q90R, its peak brightness will reduce started at around 40 degrees off center, while on the screen of LG C9, its brightness can be maintained up to around 70 degrees. Additionally, the OLED C9 also can maintain color from washed out better than the Q90R. On the screen of the LG C9, color will start to look washed out at around 50 degrees while on the screen of Q90R is around 30 degrees. But even so, in preventing the color from shifting, the Q90R can do a  bit better job than the OLED C9. On the screen of the Q90R, color shift started at around 38 degrees while on the screen of OLED C9 is around 30 degrees.

With this behavior, can be ascertained, when viewed from the side, the picture displayed on the screen of the LG OLED C9 will look more accurate than Q90R, particularly when viewed from extremely wide angle.

Winner: LG OLED C9

Motion Handling

As we known, one of the best things of the OLED TV is that it has instantaneous pixel response time, much faster than the LED TV. The result, when showing fast paced content like fast sports or video games, motion looks very crisp with nearly blur-free. But at the same time, this will cause the image appear to stutter, particularly when it is playing low frame content like 24p movies. But as we have mentioned, the stuttering can be minimized by enabling its BFI mode. On the other hand, even though not as low as OLED C9, the pixel response time of the Q90R is also really excellent. It is also able to show fast motion images smoothly and clearly with almost no motion blur. There is only a short faint trail following fast moving object which should be hard to notice. Just like on the OLED C9, its fast response time also causes the image appears to stutter. But even so, this certainly is not as bad as on the LG C9. And just like on the C9, this can be reduced by enabling its BFI mode.

Meanwhile, since the LG OLED C9 doesn’t have backlight, to dim its screen, it doesn’t use PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming system. This makes its screen is almost flicker-free. Nevertheless, as we have mentioned, it also has an optional BFI mode that causes its screen flickers at 60Hz. Enabling this feature will help to make motion looks crisper, but on the other hand, this will cause its screen’s flicker may bother some people.

On the other hand, to dim its backlight, the Q90R uses PWM Dimming system. But even so, its dimming frequency depends on the setting mode. In movie mode with “Auto Motion Plus” disabled, its dimming frequency is 960 Hz, high enough to make backlight’s flicker is not noticeable. But even so, once the “Auto Motion Plus” is enabled or its mode is changed to the mode other than “Movie”, its dimming frequency will change to 120 Hz. In this condition, this will make motion looks a bit crisper, but on the other hand, this will caused some duplication. Furthermore, if you enable “LED Clear Motion”, this will make its dimming frequency change to 60 Hz which can make motion looks crisper, particularly when it is playing 60 fps content. But just like on LG C9, this will cause the flicker is more noticeable and may bother some people.

 When playing 24p movies, they both can do the great job. Regardless the source of the movies, they both are able to show them with judder free. But even so, to remove judder from any source, you must make a certain setting. On the LG OLED C9, you just need to simply enable “Real Cinema”, while on Samsung Q90R, you must set “Auto Motion Plus” to “Custom” and both “Blur Reduction” and “Judder Reduction” to “0”.

Winner: OLED C9

Input Lags

The LG OLED C9 and Samsung Q90R both have excellent input lags in PC mode. At 60 Hz, regardless the resolution, the input lags of the Q90R are around 15 ms while the input lags of the OLED C9 is around 14 ms. Meanwhile, at 120 Hz, regardless the resolution, the input lags of the Q90R is around 6 ms while the OLED C9 is around 7 ms. As we have mentioned, the Q90R already support FreeSync VRR where their refresh rate can change between 20 – 120 Hz on 1080p and 1440p resolution and 48 Hz – 60 Hz with 4K resolution. And in VRR mode, the input lags of the Q90R are around 6 ms with 1080p and 1440p resolution and around 14 ms with 4K resolution. The LG OLED C9 also supports VRR technology. But it supports HDMI forum format which is not compatible with FreeSync and GSync and at this time, only Xbox One that already support this VRR format. And to further improve their game experience, they both also already support ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), allow them can automatically change to “Game Mode” once their HDMI ports detect the signal from a compatible game console. Can be ascertained, with their excellent input lags and other features that can further improve their game experience, both of them are great TVs when used for playing, allows you to play any game responsively without delay.

Winner: Samsung Q90R

Summary

Performance Samsung Q90R LG OLED C9
Picture Quality (4.2/5) (4.4/5)
HDR (4.3/5) (4.6/5)
Motion Handling (4.6/5) (4.7/5)
Inputs (4.8/5) (4.8/5)
Sound Quality (3.5/5) (3.6/5)
Smart TV (4/5) (4.1/5)

Conclusion

Both Samsung Q90R and LG OLED C9 are high-end TV with fantastic picture quality. Almost all components of picture quality produced by them are very strong. The both have extremely dark black, excellent black uniformity, good peak brightness, wide color gamut, smooth color gradient, great motion handling, low input lags, excellent smart TV platform, and others. This makes their performance is really great, regardless they are used for.  This means, no matter you use them for watching movies in a dark room, watching sports in bright room with a group of your friend, playing any game, HDR experience, or Smart TV experience, their performance is really great.

Meanwhile, the better thing of the LG OLED C9 is that it has nearly perfect black level, instantaneous pixel response time, and good side viewing angle coverage. On the other hand, the better thing of the Samsung Q90R is that it has outstanding peak brightness and good color volume. In showing HDR images, the OLED C9 is better in a dark scene while the Q90R is better in bright scene.

So, which is a better choice between them? The decision certainly comes back to you according to your own preferences.  If you want a TV that can show HDR images with outstanding highlight, the Q90R certainly is better. But on the other hand, if you want a TV that can show HDR image with outstanding shadow details, the LG OLED C9 is better.

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Size Samsung Q90R LG OLED C9
55 inches OLED55C9PUA
65 incehs QN65Q90R OLED65C9PUA
75 inches QN75Q90R
77 inches OLED77C9PUB
82 inches QN82Q90R

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