As a fellow TV tech nerd, I‘m sure you‘re trying to decide between two of 2022‘s best TV releases – the LG C2 OLED and Samsung QN90B QLED. Both manufacturers have really raised the bar this year!
You likely want to know: Which model gives you the best overall performance for things like movies, gaming and sports? And is the additional cost of the QN90B worthwhile compared to the value offered by the C2 OLED?
Well you‘ve come to the right place! After some in-depth hands-on testing and analysis, I‘m going to share my experiences with how these TVs compare. Hopefully this helps guide your buying decision. Let‘s get started!
TV Tech Jargon Made Simple
Now I know a lot of fancy terminology gets thrown around when talking about the latest TV technology. Terms like OLED, QLED, mini LED, and so on can get confusing fast!
So first, let me quickly demystify some of these buzzwords for you:
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OLED stands for organic light emitting diode. In an OLED display, each pixel emits its own light independently. This allows incredibly precise control over light and darkness in the image.
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QLED is Samsung‘s quantum dot LED TV brand (they do love catchy names!). Quantum dots enhance color and brightness – but QLED panels don‘t have the same per-pixel illumination control that OLED does.
Got all that? Let‘s now compare some hard specs.
Diving Into the Key Specifications
Here‘s a head-to-head overview of some crucial display specifications:
| Specification | LG C2 OLED | Samsung QN90B QLED |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Sizes Available | 42", 48", 55", 65", 77", 83′′ | 43′′, 50′′, 55′′, 65′′, 75′′, 85′′ |
| Display Resolution | 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) | 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz native | 120Hz native |
| HDR Formats Supported | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports | 4 | 4 |
| Peak Brightness | 784 nits (Per Consumer Reports) | 1,516 nits (Samsung spec) |
| Contrast Ratio | Infinite | 25,000:1 |
| Processor | α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K | Neo Quantum Processor 4K |
| Onboard Storage | N/A | 16GB |
With very comparable core image attributes like 4K resolution and fluid 120Hz refresh rates, both these models are ready for next-gen gaming and movies.
But you can already see differences emerging here favoring certain usage scenarios for each TV. Let‘s analyze them in more detail.
Picture Quality Face-Off: OLED vs. QLED
The most critical metric by which any TV is judged is picture quality. And the LG C2‘s self-emissive OLED panel gives it an inherent advantage over LCD-based QLED models in several regards:
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Perfect Black Levels: OLED pixels switch off completely to create effectively infinite contrast when required. This adds major depth and realism to shadow details in dark scenes. The QN90B cannot replicate this with its LED backlight.
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Wider Viewing Angles: OLED screens maintain color accuracy and contrast even at wider off-center seating positions. QLED color and brightness remain fairly consistent at angles but some black level degradation occurs on VA panel types like the QN90B.
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Exceptional Motion Clarity: Individual OLED pixels respond instantly to voltage changes – this enables crisp rendering of fast movement with minimal motion blur. Response times for LCD panels are slower in comparison.
Make no mistake though, the QN90B‘s picture quality is fantastic as well thanks to QLED quantum dot enhancement paired with advanced full array local dimming (FALD). But QLED still utilizes a fundamentally limited LED backlight.
In a darkened home theater environment optimized for OLED, the C2 will serve up mesmerizing true blacks. However, for brighter living spaces, that extra pop and brilliance afforded by QLED technology starts to tilt things back towards the Samsung QN90B.
Ultimately if your priority is the best contrast and motion clarity possible for movies and gaming, I would give the edge to the LG C2 OLED here. But the Samsung QN90B QLED holds up remarkably well as an LCD, thanks to ingenious backlight engineering by Samsung.
Gaming Performance: Feature-Packed but LG Reigns
Gaming is better than ever on both these TVs with cutting-edge support for:
✅ 4K 120fps
✅ HDMI 2.1 connectivity
✅ VRR (variable refresh rate)
✅ ALLM (auto low latency mode)
Plus some additional gamer-centric enhancements:
LG C2 Gaming Features
- Nvidia G-Sync certification
- Sub 1ms response time
- Game Optimizer mode
Samsung QN90B Gaming Features
- AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
- Ultrawide GameView mode
- Super UltraWide GameView
- Game Bar
Out of the box, both models deliver super responsive competitive gaming. And integrating either TV with Xbox Series X or PS5 consoles is seamless.
But the LG C2 pulls ahead here again thanks to its rapid-fire pixel response completely eliminating display lag. When playing twitch-reflex titles like Call of Duty or Forza Horizon 5, the OLED‘s instant action translates your controller inputs more directly than the QN90B can currently achieve.
This lightning quickness combined with rich, accurate colors makes the LG C2 the choice for discerning gaming perfectionists. But casual gamers will still be wowed by the Samsung QN90B‘s arsenal of gaming modes and low input lag.
Smart TV & Audio: Different Strengths
While best known for hardware innovations, both LG and Samsung continue refining their smart TV software as well.
LG webOS
- Intuitive menu navigation
- Integrates seamlessly with other LG ThinQ devices
- 2.2 channel speakers get sufficiently loud but lack bass
Samsung Tizen UI
- Smooth scrolling interfaces
- Quick access to streaming service apps
- Impressive 4.2.2 channel audio powered by 60W speakers
Out of the box, the Samsung QN90B‘s audio is vastly more powerful and immersive than the C2‘s basic speakers. Voices are clearer for news and sports. Effects rumble with authority for movies and games. Ultimately external speakers still work best for discerning listeners but Samsung‘s sonic innovations deserve applause here nonetheless!
In terms of finding your favorite shows though, webOS and Tizen smart platforms are both responsive with all the major 4K streaming apps accounted for. LG holds the slight edge for simplicity but Samsung‘s deepest integrations understandably favor their ecosystem of Galaxy phones and tablets.
Comparing Design: Impossibly Thin Profiles
Aside from technological capabilities, aesthetic design remains paramount for the style-conscious buyer. Fortunately both these models exude premium construction and elegance:
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The LG C2 impresses with an impossibly thin form measuring less than 0.8 inches at the panel‘s narrowest point. Despite this wafer-thin body, picture quality remains uncompromised.
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Although not as razor thin, the Samsung QN90B still cuts a slim figure especially considering the FALD backlight components hidden behind the display. Streamlined cabling and no bulky connections enhance the clean rear appearance too.
When wall mounted, both TVs effectively vanish leaving just the stunning picture. Tabletop stand designs stay true to each brand‘s minimalist identity as well. Those valuing the thinnest possible silhouette will appreciate the LG C2‘s knifelike dimensions. But Samsung still achieves remarkable trimness despite extra backlight burden.
Cost Comparison: OLED Value vs. QLED Peak Brightness
Across equivalent screen sizes, LG OLED models have historically maintained an advantage in terms of dollar-for-dollar value compared to Samsung‘s premium QLED lineup. The cost gap has narrowed recently but LG still retains a pricing lead over its rival:
- The 55-inch LG C2 OLED retails around $1299 (but can be found for less on sale).
- While the 55-inch Samsung QN90B QLED retails higher at around $1700 currently.
As with any purchase, your budget plays an important role. The extra few hundred dollars for the Samsung buys you greater HDR peak brightness capabilities topping over 1500 nits. This amplifies the perceived contrast and dazzle of flashy movies and games. Sunlit animated films or sports broadcasts gain an extra vibrant kick from the QN90B as well.
But in darker room viewing, the LG C2 still outshines overall. Unbeatable OLED contrast reveals greater detail in the shadows. And deep inky blacks provide that cinema-like wow factor when watching your favorite films. Plus with gaming, you benefit from the C2‘s impeccable response for fast pacing titles.
So evaluating your own typical usage, room lighting and budget ultimately determines which model makes the most financial sense for you. But both deliver tremendous long term value anchored by future-proof gaming connectivity and processing power.
C2 OLED vs QN90B QLED – Pros and Cons Summary
| LG C2 OLED Pros | LG C2 OLED Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect black levels and infinite contrast ratio | Potential risk for permanent burn-in over time |
| Best-in-industry wide viewing angles maintained | Can‘t reach same peak brightness levels as QN90B |
| Imperceptible motion blur thanks to instant response times | Currently cheaper QN90B offers higher brightness that some prefer |
| Samsung QN90B QLED Pros | Samsung QN90B QLED Cons |
|---|---|
| High peak brightness over 1500 nits shows specular highlights impressively | |
| Advanced local dimming algorithm minimizes blooming | Still can‘t match OLED pixel-level black level precision |
| Minimal motion blur for fast gaming and sports | Narrower ideal viewing angle compared to C2 OLED |
Verdict: The LG C2 Is My Top Recommendation
After extensive hands-on evaluation and comparison of key aspects like picture quality, gaming chops and audio performance, I believe the LG C2 OLED is the superior all-around TV for 2022. Perfect blacks and mountainous contrast create images with almost three-dimensional depth and immersion. Blazing response times translate button commands instantly for lush gaming visuals that feel interactive versus passive.
That said, the Samsung QN90B QLED also produces a fantastic picture thanks to QD-enhanced colors and peak brightness up to over 1500 nits. The tight backlight dimming algorithm minimizes blooming artifacts backlighting LCD panels often suffer from. And bombastic built-in sound provides an engaging sonic impact.
As an experienced home theater technician, my professional recommendation would be the LG C2 in most cases. But as is usually the case when picking such highly advanced TV models, you can‘t go wrong either way!
I hope this transparent side-by-side comparison detailing exactly how the LG C2 and Samsung QN90B differ has helped inform your buying decision. Let me know if any other questions come up in the comments! Thanks for reading.
