Samsung QLED Q9FN (2018) vs Sony BRAVIA XF90

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

QLED Q9FN (2018) compared with BRAVIA XF90
SamsungQLED Q9FN (2018)SonyBRAVIA XF90
Overview
Released20182018
Display
PanelLED LCDLED LCD
Panel detailQuantum-dot LED-backlit LCD with direct full-array local dimming. The UK maker tables do not publish native refresh or a dimming-zone count; AVForums counted just under 500 zones on its 65-inch unit.Direct LED backlight with full-array local dimming and Triluminos colour. AVForums and Expert Reviews counted 48 dimming zones on their 55-inch review samples; Sony does not publish a series-wide count. X-Motion Clarity is picture processing, not a native refresh specification.
Resolution3840 × 2160 (4K)3840 × 2160 (4K)
HDR formatsHDR10, HDR10+, HLGHDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
HDR extrasSamsung's QHDR 2000 is a product label, not a measured 2000-nit result. AVForums measured 1,833 nits in Movie mode on a 10% window on its UK 65-inch test unit; this is not assigned to the other sizes. Dolby Vision is unsupported.Sony announced Dolby Vision support for XF90 and now lists the series as compatible; it arrived through a firmware update after launch.
Peak brightness–AVForums measured about 1,000 nits in its brightest HDR mode and 705 nits in Cinema Pro on its UK 55-inch review sample; these are test results, not maker series specifications.
Screen finishUltra Black Elite Moth Eye anti-reflection treatment in all three UK maker tables.–
Colour rangeSamsung's Q Color and billion colours appear in all three UK maker tables. AVForums measured 95% DCI-P3 xy on its 65-inch unit, short of Samsung's 100% colour-volume claim; that measurement is not assigned to other sizes.–
Picture processingSamsung's Q Engine, Q Contrast Elite, Supreme UHD Dimming, Auto Motion Plus and 3700 Picture Quality Index appear in each UK maker table. PQI is a processing score, not native refresh rate.4K X-Reality PRO, X-tended Dynamic Range PRO, Object-based HDR remaster, Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR and X-Motion Clarity.
Picture modesFilm Mode, Natural Mode, Auto Motion Plus and Contrast Enhancer in each UK maker table. AVForums found the 65-inch Movie mode accurate without extensive calibration.–
Motion handlingAVForums finds good 24p, 50p and 60p motion on its 65-inch test and suggests disabling the default Auto Motion Plus interpolation if the soap-opera effect is distracting. Samsung's UK tables do not state native Hz across sizes.Sony describes X-Motion Clarity but its exact UK size sheets do not publish a native refresh figure, so no Hz value is assigned to the series.
Viewing angleBoth independent 65-inch reviews note reduced contrast and colour off-axis compared with OLED despite Samsung's Q Viewing Angle feature.AVForums and Expert Reviews report the 55-inch LCD's contrast and colour degrade when viewed from the side.
Sizes
Sizes55, 65, 75″49, 55, 65, 75″
Largest size75″75″
Gaming
HDMI ports4 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)4 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)
Variable refresh rateNoneNone
HDMI detailFour HDMI 2.0 inputs on the 65-inch review unit accept up to 4K 60p, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG (AVForums). Samsung's UK maker tables list four HDMI ports and ARC for every size. No 4K 120 Hz or eARC capability is claimed.Four HDMI inputs. AVForums reports only HDMI 2 and 3 accept the higher-bandwidth 4K 60 Hz signal modes. ARC is supported; no HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.
Input lagAVForums measured 21 ms at 1080p and 4K SDR and 22 ms at HDR on its UK 65-inch unit in Game Mode; about 80 ms without it. These are reviewer measurements for that size.Expert Reviews measured 25 ms at 4K and 42 ms at 1080p in Game mode on its 55-inch sample.
Game featuresSamsung's UK maker tables list Auto Game mode and Game Motion Plus. AVForums confirmed automatic Game Mode detection with a PS4 Pro on its 65-inch unit. At review time, VRR was planned in a firmware update, not yet available; VRR is therefore not listed as a confirmed feature here.Game mode; no HDMI VRR.
Smart TV and sound
Smart TV platformTizenAndroid TV
ProcessorQ Engine4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme
Speakers60 W, 4.2 channels (better)20 W, 2.0 channels
Wi-FiWi-Fi802.11a/b/g/n/ac
BluetoothBluetooth audio and Bluetooth Low Energy4.1
Speaker detailSamsung's separate UK maker tables specify 60 W, 4.2 channels and a woofer for all three sizes. AVForums found its 65-inch set adequate for ordinary TV but thin for films and sport.Two 10 W speakers with ClearAudio+ and S-Force Front Surround.
Audio featuresDolby Digital Plus, Bluetooth audio and Multiroom Link in the UK maker tables. No Dolby Atmos or DTS:X claim is made.–
Voice assistantsSamsung voice interaction includes UK English in the 2018 maker tables; today's service availability may differ.–
CastingMobile-to-TV and TV-to-mobile mirroring, DLNA and Wi-Fi Direct in the UK maker tables.Chromecast built in, per Sony UK specifications.
TV tunersTwin DVB-T2/C/S2 digital tuners, analogue tuner, CI+ 1.4, UK MHEG 5, guide, PVR and time shift in the UK maker tables.Sony UK lists DVB-T/T2 terrestrial, DVB-C cable and DVB-S/S2 satellite tuners.
USBThree USB inputs on the One Connect box in all three UK maker tables.Three USB inputs, including support for media playback and USB HDD recording.
EthernetEthernet LAN built in.One LAN input.
Optical audio outOne optical digital audio output.One optical digital audio output.
Design and power
SizeWithout stand, width × height × depth: 55-inch 1231.2 × 707.1 × 38.9 mm; 65-inch 1450.1 × 830.4 × 38.9 mm; 75-inch 1675.8 × 961.9 × 39.4 mm. Configuration weights exclude stand. Each size is from its own UK maker table.Without stand (W × H × D), Sony UK sheets: 49″ 1093 × 629 × 69 mm; 55″ 1228 × 706 × 69 mm; 65″ 1447 × 829 × 69 mm; 75″ 1674 × 958 × 73 mm. Configuration weights also exclude stands.
StandMidnight Black T-Center stand. With-stand weights from the separate UK maker tables: 55-inch 23.2 kg; 65-inch 30.9 kg; 75-inch 46.3 kg. The One Connect box holds power and inputs and joins the screen by one cable.Wide-set feet; VESA is 200 × 200 mm for 49″, 300 × 300 mm for 55/65″ and 400 × 300 mm for 75″.
Power useMaximum from separate UK maker tables: 55-inch 255 W; 65-inch 305 W; 75-inch 340 W.–
Energy classB in the old UK maker energy-label scale for all three sizes; not today's A–G scale.–
ColoursMidnight Black front in the UK maker tables.–
In the boxTM1890A Smart Control, power cable, manual and e-manual in the UK maker tables. The maker lists No Gap wall-mount support; the wall mount is optional.Sony announced the series in January 2018; AVForums reported UK retailer availability in March 2018.

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