Samsung Q90T vs Samsung QN85A TV comparison 2021/05

On the one hand QLED TV’s are not just about their awesome picture quality, they also got amazing full colors and therefore they are a real pleasure for every movie lover. On the other hand QLEDs might be really expensive, whereby not everyone can afford one of these TV’s. We compared two Samsung Televisions. One the one side we got the QN85A, and on the other hand the Q90T. The QN85A is a QLED from 2021 with Mini LED Backlight, when the Samsung Q90T is a “normal” QLED TV, but don’t underestimate this TV. Both TV’s show great performance and are comparable to other QLED TV’s if you check the prices. Which one is the better QLED? We will show you, what you need to know.
Samsung Q90T
Samsung QN85A
vs
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Samsung Q90T and Samsung QN85A compared – Which TV is better?

Reflections Icon
Reflections
Image quality in bright environments and dealing with reflections
90%
Samsung Q90T 55"
89%
Samsung QN85A 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.
79%
Samsung Q90T 55"
74%
Samsung QN85A 55"
SDR Image Quality Icon
SDR Image Quality
Picture quality when viewing material in SDR, i.e. anything that is not HDR.
87%
Samsung Q90T 55"
71%
Samsung QN85A 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.
79%
Samsung Q90T 55"
63%
Samsung QN85A 55"
Movies & Series Icon
Movies & Series
Use of the TV for movies, series & documentaries - be it as stream, BluRay or in the TV program.
83%
Samsung Q90T 55"
75%
Samsung QN85A 55"
Gaming Icon
Gaming
Gaming performance of the TV especially for responsive games with focus on PS5 and Xbox Series X
90%
Samsung Q90T 55"
96%
Samsung QN85A 55"
Sports Icon
Sports
Suitability for watching soccer, Formula 1, Olympics and more, even with several persons
73%
Samsung Q90T 55"
73%
Samsung QN85A 55"
Equipment Icon
Equipment
Smart TV features, connections and general equipment of the TV
70%
Samsung Q90T 55"
80%
Samsung QN85A 55"
Samsung Q90T 55"
Samsung QN85A 55"
Rating v2.5
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Samsung Q90T 2020

Samsungs Flagship from 2020


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

The Samsung Q90T is one of the brands top-of-the line QLED models from 2020. Besides a good picture quality, a high contrast ratio and a maximum brightness of 1400 Nits, this TV also owns a wide viewing angle onto the VA Panel. Dolby Atmos, balanced Highs and also a balanced centre perform a good sound all together. Especially for gamers this device is really interesting. It supports VRR, ALLM and a really low Input lag, which is about ~10ms. The Q90T also has a HDMI 2.1 Input, so you can use your new Playstation 5 or Xbox Series X at full potential.

Samsung QN85A 2021

QLED with Mini LED Backlight


Mini LED with FALD
Mini LED with FALD
ADS Panel
ADS Panel
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections

The Samsung QN85A Neo QLED is one of the first 2021 TV’s that contains the highly expected Mini LED Backlight. Overall the QN85A is having a solid picture quality. It also has a brightness up to 1250 Nits. The QN85A is using an IPS Panel in almost every size, which is pretty uncommon for QLED TV’s. With that panel the TV has a great viewing angle, so you don’t have to sit right in front of the TV. Even Gaming is a great experience, thanks to a really low input lag, VRR, ALLM and 4K@120 Hz.

Detailed comparison: Samsung Q90T or Samsung QN85A

Reflections Icon
Reflections Comparison

Both TV's with a good reflection behavior.

Both TV’s have a really good behavior towards reflections. They got a coating to deny reflections at most. Since QLEDs are getting brighter than OLEDs, they usually don’t have a lot of problems with reflections.

90%
Reflections
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections
Contrast
10520 :1
Max. Brightness
1400 Nits
Video technologies
89%
Reflections
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections
Contrast
2000 :1
Max. Brightness
1250 Nits
Video technologies
Viewing Angle Icon
Viewing Angle Comparison

Wide viewing angle for both devices.

Usually, LCD TV’s don’t have such a wide viewing angle. With their actually wide angle, both devices have shown, that the standard doesn’t need to apply to everything. The Q90T is using a Wide Angle layer to artificially widen the viewing angle. Thanks to that coating, it has an even bigger viewing angle than the QN85A’s IPS Panel, which is used for that kind of feature.

79%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Viewing Angle
Wide Viewing Angle Layer
Wide Viewing Angle Layer
Reflections
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections
74%
Panel type
ADS Panel
ADS Panel
Viewing Angle
wide
IPS Viewing Angle
Reflections
Layer against reflections
Layer against reflections
SDR image Icon
SDR image Comparison

The first differences are shown

Both TV’s have a good picture quality. Besides that, the first differences are noticeable. The Q90T has a better picture, thanks to the contrast ratio, so it can scale up the picture better, than the QN85A. Even the promoted Mini LED’s, are not making up for the bad contrast ratio.

Β 

87%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Direct LED with FALD
Direct LED with FALD
Local Dimming
Full Array Local Dimming with 96 Zones
Contrast
10520 :1
DCI-P3
ca. 85%
Energy consumption SDR
186 kWh / 1000 Hours
71%
Panel type
ADS Panel
ADS Panel
Backlight
Mini LED with FALD
Mini LED with FALD
Local Dimming
Full Array Local Dimming with 576 Zones
Contrast
2000 :1
DCI-P3
ca. 86%
Energy consumption SDR
77 kWh / 1000 Hours
HDR image Icon
HDR image Comparison

The main difference

InΒ HDR, both TV’s are missing Dolby Vision, even though the Q90T would have been an excellent candidate for that. Nevertheless, the Samsung top model from 2020 has a really high contrast and is also covering 70% of the REC 2020 color space. The high values promise a clear picture, which is mostly noticeable in lighter areas. The reason for the slightly worse score from the QN85A, is a low contrast, if you are watching movies in HDR.

79%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Direct LED with FALD
Direct LED with FALD
Local Dimming
Full Array Local Dimming with 96 Zones
Contrast
10520 :1
Max. Brightness
1400 Nits
DCI-P3
ca. 85%
REC 2020
ca. 70%
Energy consumption HDR
218 kWh / 1000 Hours
Video technologies
63%
Panel type
ADS Panel
ADS Panel
Backlight
Mini LED with FALD
Mini LED with FALD
Local Dimming
Full Array Local Dimming with 576 Zones
Contrast
2000 :1
Max. Brightness
1250 Nits
DCI-P3
ca. 86%
REC 2020
ca. 65%
Energy consumption HDR
162 kWh / 1000 Hours
Video technologies
Movies & Series Icon
Movies & Series Comparison

For nice movie nights

Both TV’s are decent for watching movies on. The higher contrast is delivering a better picture on the Q90T, even though the QN85A is having good values and shows a beautiful picture overall. Both TV’s are not presenting the best sound, so you should consider to buy a soundbarΒ in addition.

83%
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
/
75%
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
2.2.2 Channels with 60 Watt
Audio formats
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
Gaming Icon
Gaming performance Comparison

A high class duell

Both TV’s are awesome and pretty similar in the gaming section. They have got a HDMI 2.1 Input, VRR and ALLM, whereby you can fully experience your Playstation 5 or Xbox Series X. The Input Lag is almost similar, although the QN85A is ahead by a bit with ~9ms.

90%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 4ms
HDMI 2.1
1x Connections
Variable Refresh Rate
Input Lag 4K@60Hz +HDR
ca. 10ms
Input Lag 4K@120Hz
ca. 5ms
96%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 5ms
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

Good TV, but not Champions League

When you want to watch sports, both TV’s have a good picture. The corners from the Q90T are getting darker, therefore you will get the so called Dirty Screen Effect. If you are watching wide and similar colors, like a football or ice hockey field, you will be able to see that your screen is not as consistent, as it should be. Nevertheless both TV’s have a short response time and the picture overall is having a wide variety of colors..

73%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 4ms
DCI-P3
ca. 85%
73%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 5ms
DCI-P3
ca. 86%
Equipment Icon
Equipment Comparison

Better equipment for the QN85A

The QN85A is has more advanced features and specifications then the Q90T. The TV from 2021 is using the newer Operating system Tizen 6.0 and also has a better processor. The newer model is not just compatible with Amazon Alexa and apple AirPlay 2, but also with Google’s voice assistant. Both TV’s also got an eARC Input, Dolby Atmos and have a Twin Tuner included.

70%
Operating System
Tizen 5.5
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
Amazon Alexa
kompatibel
Ambilight
One Connect Box
80%
Operating System
Tizen 6.0
Bluetooth
Twin Tuner
Integrated soundbar
Audio
2.2.2 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:
Similar TV's - but still a difference

Both TV’s are pretty similar in most areas and there are only minor differences. However there is a big difference in this comparison – the contrast. The contrast ratio of 10500:1 was against a contrast ratio of 2000:1, which was the reason why the Q90T was better in some categories. Contrast is the most important attribute for a great picture, and even though Samsung’s QN85A has good stats, the low contrast was the reason for its lower score. Apart from that, the devices were pretty similar. Both use a veryΒ high brightness level and have FALD. Even though they are QLEDs, both TV’s have a really wide viewing angle, which is usually a big problem with that kind of TV. Since both devices don’t have a great sound, you should consider getting an external soundbar.

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Samsung Q90T 2020
82%
Samsung Q90T
  • Contrast 10500:1
  • Brightness ~1400 Nits
  • VA Panel
  • Awesome local dimming
  • Dirty Screen Effect
  • No Dolby Vision
Samsung QN85A 2021
78%
Samsung QN85A
  • Neo Mini-LED
  • 2021 Model
  • Brightness ~1250Nits
  • No Dolby Vision
  • Contrast 2000:1
  • No deep black
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