LG C1 vs Samsung QN90A TV comparison 2021/12

The comparison between the LG C1 vs Samsung QN90A does not seem far-fetched despite the different panel technology. Both represent top models from the manufacturers LG and Samsung, which do not want to convince with their low price, but with their capabilities. For a similar comparison in video format, the comparison between LG OLED G1 and Samsung QN90A can be referred to, which does not deviate much from this one.
LG OLED C17
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED
vs
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LG C1 and Samsung QN90A compared – Which TV is better?

Reflections Icon
Reflections
Image quality in bright environments and dealing with reflections
74%
LG OLED C17 55"
87%
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 55"
Viewing Angle Icon
Viewing Angle
Picture quality when sitting at an angle to the TV - Also relevant when sitting very close in front of a large TV.
90%
LG OLED C17 55"
78%
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 55"
SDR Image Quality Icon
SDR Image Quality
Picture quality when viewing material in SDR, i.e. anything that is not HDR.
96%
LG OLED C17 55"
88%
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 55"
HDR Image Quality Icon
HDR Image Quality
Picture quality when viewing material in HDR, so everything from HDR, HDR10, HLG to HDR10+ & Dolby Vision.
83%
LG OLED C17 55"
82%
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 55"
Movies & Series Icon
Movies & Series
Use of the TV for movies, series & documentaries - be it as stream, BluRay or in the TV program.
88%
LG OLED C17 55"
84%
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 55"
Gaming Icon
Gaming
Gaming performance of the TV especially for responsive games with focus on PS5 and Xbox Series X
99%
LG OLED C17 55"
97%
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 55"
Sports Icon
Sports
Suitability for watching soccer, Formula 1, Olympics and more, even with several persons
83%
LG OLED C17 55"
74%
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 55"
Equipment Icon
Equipment
Smart TV features, connections and general equipment of the TV
90%
LG OLED C17 55"
80%
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 55"
LG OLED C17 55"
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 55"
Rating v2.5
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LG OLED C17 2021

The proven gaming OLED


OLED Panel
OLED Panel
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections
LG OLED C17

The LG OLED C1 is the gaming OLED par excellence and probably the most popular OLED of 2021. It really has everything a gaming heart could desire and the features have really been implemented best by LG. Besides the gaming features, movies and series also look great because the contrast is simply unbeatable β€” as you would expect from OLEDs.

Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 2021

Neo QLED with mini LED technology


Mini LED with FALD
Mini LED with FALD
VA Panel
VA Panel
Wide Viewing Angle Layer
Wide Viewing Angle
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections

The Samsung QN90A is a Neo QLED with the mini-LED full array backlight. Samsung wants to compete with OLEDs in terms of contrast ratio and higher brightness.

Detailed comparison: LG C1 or Samsung QN90A

Reflections Icon
Reflections Comparison

QLED outshines OLED?

Both TVs are well equipped against reflections and glare. However, the point definitely goes to the Samsung Neo QLED QN90A because its brightness is higher on the one hand, but also because it has an additional layer against reflections in front of the panel.

The difference is also noticeable in a direct comparison, but when you consider that only about ten times the brightness appears twice as bright, you can see that the difference is not as big as it first appears.

74%
Reflections
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections
Contrast
infinite :1
Max. Brightness
760 Nits
Video technologies
87%
Reflections
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections
Contrast
26000 :1
Max. Brightness
1860 Nits
Video technologies
Viewing Angle Icon
Viewing Angle Comparison

Despite additional layer behind

Besides an additional layer against reflections, the Samsung TV also has a “Wide Viewing Angle Layer“, which is supposed to widen the viewing angle at which the colors are not washed out. But still, the viewing angle is narrower than the OLED competitor. This is due to the basic panel technology. The LG OLED C1 already has an extremely wide viewing angle natively, while the QN90A with its VA panel only has a very narrow viewing angle natively. This decision was made to benefit from the contrast ratio of the VA panel, but even an additional layer cannot provide as good a picture quality when viewed at an angle as the C1.

90%
Panel type
OLED Panel
OLED Panel
Viewing Angle
very wide
OLED Viewing Angle
Reflections
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections
78%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Viewing Angle
Wide Viewing Angle Layer
Wide Viewing Angle Layer
Reflections
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections
SDR image Icon
SDR image Comparison

Unbeatable contrast

Since SDR content is not about stand-out highlights and not about HDR performance, brightness is not the first priority. The contrast ratio plays a bigger role here.

Even though the Samsung Neo QLED has a remarkable contrast ratio of 26000:1, it still cannot hold a candle to the LG OLED C1. Thus, the latter also scores better in the SDR picture comparison.

96%
Panel type
OLED Panel
OLED Panel
Contrast
infinite :1
DCI-P3
ca. 81%
Energy consumption SDR
106 kWh / 1000 Hours
88%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Mini LED with FALD
Mini LED with FALD
Local Dimming
Full Array Local Dimming with 576 Zones
Contrast
26000 :1
DCI-P3
ca. 90%
Energy consumption SDR
84 kWh / 1000 Hours
HDR image Icon
HDR image Comparison

Kontrast gegen Helligkeit

Both TVs can provide an excellent HDR experience, which leaves little to no wish unfulfilled. Here, the OLED can once again gain an edge due to the unbeatable contrast ratio, even though the Samsung QN90A comes very close. Highlights stand out clearly due to the higher peak brightness, and the above-average contrast for an LCD TV paired with the extremely wide color gamut guarantee a breathtaking movie night.

However, both are suitable for a different situation here: The LG OLED C1 is suitable for dark rooms or for watching in the evening, and the Samsung Neo QLED QN90A is perfect for rooms flooded with light.

83%
Panel type
OLED Panel
OLED Panel
Contrast
infinite :1
Max. Brightness
760 Nits
DCI-P3
ca. 81%
REC 2020
ca. 61%
Energy consumption HDR
171 kWh / 1000 Hours
Video technologies
82%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Mini LED with FALD
Mini LED with FALD
Local Dimming
Full Array Local Dimming with 576 Zones
Contrast
26000 :1
Max. Brightness
1860 Nits
DCI-P3
ca. 90%
REC 2020
ca. 70%
Energy consumption HDR
165 kWh / 1000 Hours
Video technologies
Movies & Series Icon
Movies & Series Comparison

Cinematic performance

Watching movies and series is a real pleasure on both TVs. There really shouldn’t be any major drawbacks here.

Both TVs can be expanded excellently with a soundbar, since Dolby Atmos and HDMI eARC are available.

88%
HDR Image Quality
SDR Image Quality
Environment & Reflections
Tuner
Analog (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) DVB-T DVB-T2 DVB-C DVB-S DVB-S2
Twin Tuner
Audio
2.2 Channels with 40 Watt
Audio formats
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
84%
HDR Image Quality
SDR Image Quality
Environment & Reflections
Tuner
Analog (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) DVB-T DVB-T2 DVB-C DVB-S DVB-S2
Twin Tuner
Audio
4.2.2 Channels with 60 Watt
Audio formats
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
Gaming Icon
Gaming performance Comparison

Only Dolby Vision Gaming is missing

Both TVs are also extremely suitable for gaming and the differences are hidden in the details. LG is known to be the gaming TV brand and the LG OLED C1 is also an OLED that is perfectly suited for gaming. 120Hz, a low response time, 4 HDMI 2.1 interfaces, VRR and ALLM. The list of gaming features seems endless. However, the Samsung QN90A is not behind. It also has all these gaming features, only Dolby Vision Gaming is unfortunately missing.

99%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 0.2ms
HDMI 2.1
4x Connections
Variable Refresh Rate
Input Lag 4K@60Hz +HDR
ca. 10ms
Input Lag 4K@120Hz
ca. 5ms
97%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 3ms
HDMI 2.1
1x Connections
Variable Refresh Rate
Input Lag 4K@60Hz +HDR
ca. 10ms
Input Lag 4K@120Hz
ca. 5ms
Sports Icon
Sports performance Comparison

Faster response time

Even with a large group, the next sporting event can be watched since both have a wide viewing angle, but which one is generally better? Well, here again it depends on the environment: If watching in the evening, the picture looks better on the C1 and the brighter it is, the QN90A can benefit. The Samsung TV only has a disadvantage in terms of response time, which is also so low that it does not cause stuttering.

83%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 0.2ms
DCI-P3
ca. 81%
74%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 3ms
DCI-P3
ca. 90%
Equipment Icon
Equipment Comparison

webOS 6.0 vs Tizen 6.0

No matter which TV you choose, you get a new TV that offers all-around smart operation, but also an all-around smart operating system. However, this is also the biggest difference, because the C1 has webOS 6.0 and the Samsung QN90A has Tizen 6.0. It only depends on your own preference, which one you like better, because both offer everything that is expected from today’s smart TVs.

90%
Operating System
webOS 6.0
Bluetooth
Twin Tuner
Integrated soundbar
Audio
2.2 Channels with 40 Watt
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
Audio formats
USB recording PVR
HDMI 2.0
HDMI 2.1
4
USB 2.0
3
USB 3.0
Ethernet RJ45
1
3.5mm jack
1
Digital optical
1
Ci+ Slots
Ci+ 1.4
Timeshift
Apple Airplay
Apple Homekit
Assistants
Google Assistant
integriert
Amazon Alexa
integriert
Ambilight
One Connect Box
80%
Operating System
Tizen 6.0
Bluetooth
Twin Tuner
Integrated soundbar
Audio
4.2.2 Channels with 60 Watt
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
Audio formats
USB recording PVR
HDMI 2.0
3
HDMI 2.1
1
USB 2.0
2
USB 3.0
Ethernet RJ45
1
3.5mm jack
Digital optical
1
Ci+ Slots
Ci+ 1.4
Timeshift
Apple Airplay
Apple Homekit
Assistants
Google Assistant
kompatibel
Amazon Alexa
integriert
Ambilight
One Connect Box
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Our conclusion:
High contrast vs proper brightness

The LG OLED C1 is probably the best-selling OLED of 2021 for a reason. It benefits from the OLED panel, which is simply the best panel technology at the moment in our opinion. The contrast, but also the gaming features of the LG OLED C1 could convince us more than the Samsung QN90A despite lower brightness.

This should definitely not deter anyone from buying the Samsung QN90A, as it too represents a fantastic TV that will definitely find uses where it performs better. One example would be use in rooms with a lot of light. However, we would generally lean towards the LG OLED C1.

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LG OLED C17 2021
88%
LG OLED C17
  • Perfect Blacks
  • Contrast Ratio: ∞:1
  • Motion Handling
  • Viewing Angle
  • HDMI 2.1 (4K@120Hz)
  • HDMI VRR & G-Sync Compatible VRR
  • Dolby Vision
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Alpha 9 Gen 4 AI Processor
  • Automatic Brightness Limiter (ABL)
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 2021
84%
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED
  • 120Hz Mini LED VA Panel
  • Contrast Ratio 26000:1
  • Full Array Local Dimming
  • Peak Brightness ~1800 Nits
  • HDMI 2.1
  • Gaming Features
  • Viewing Angle
  • Only one HMDI 2.1 Interface
  • Kein Dolby Vision
  • Kein DTS
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