Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) vs Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K

Direct compare

BRAVIA 9 / XR90

Info

QN900D / Neo QLED / Excellence Line

Info

Available screen sizes: 75”85”

Available screen sizes: 65”75”85”

Panel technology: LCD VA (wide viewing angle)

Resolution: 3840x2160

Operating system: Google TV

Model year: 2024

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Panel technology: LCD VA (wide viewing angle)

Resolution: 7680x4320

Operating system: Tizen

Model year: 2024

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Overall rating

8.9

7.6

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    8.4

    7.6

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    8.4

    7.8

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    8.5

    7.6

  • Gaming on console

    9.2

    9.0

  • TV as a computer monitor

    7.6

    8.0

  • Watching in bright light

    9.5

    5.0

  • Utility functions

    9.5

    7.7

  • Apps

    10.0

    9.3

  • Sound quality

    9.4

    7.4

Advantages

  • Amazing HDR material brightness results

  • Very good colour reproduction after calibration

  • Advanced motion smoothing system

  • Noticeable positive impact of the image processor

  • Faithfulness to the source material

  • Versatile GoogleTV operating system

  • Good (for a VA panel) viewing angles

  • Great contrast and blacks

  • High brightness - good HDR effect

  • The smoothest TV in the world - 4K@240Hz

  • Great for gaming - low input lag, many features for gamers

  • Good digital processing - handles low-quality material well

  • Advanced operating system - Tizen

  • Great design - super slim, OneConnect, "floating" central stand

Disadvantages

No like
  • Only 2 HDMI 2.1 ports - including one ARC

  • No picture-in-picture (PiP) feature

  • Price

  • No Dolby Vision

Our verdict

Sony BRAVIA 9 is undoubtedly a top-tier product, and there’s no "but" about it, as this is a fact, not a thesis. It’s evident everywhere you look how much effort the manufacturer has put into perfecting the dimming algorithms, which undoubtedly perform their role to every possible degree. Thanks to this, we can enjoy an incredibly deep black and an amazingly vivid image. And since we’re talking about the picture and backlighting, one cannot help but mention the quality of HDR effects, which will brighten the room, enveloping us in over 2000 nits of peak brightness. Such a result certainly looks impressive on paper, but you have to trust us that it’s even better in person. The manufacturer, known for its meticulous approach to image quality, has once again endeavoured to ensure that its television faithfully reproduces what the film director intended to convey, and it has succeeded brilliantly. The Sony Bravia 9 also offers an excellent user experience thanks to the Google TV system. The interface is intuitive, and with a rich library of apps, we have access to countless contents that we can tailor to our own preferences. The integration with Google Assistant allows for quick and convenient searching of favourite movies, shows, or music, as well as controlling other smart devices in the home. It’s these kinds of solutions that make using the television not just a pleasure but also simplifies daily life. Unfortunately, not everything is perfect. The Sony Bravia 9 still has room for improvement, particularly regarding the HDMI port configuration. Sony BRAVIA 9 has only two HDMI 2.1 ports, one of which is eARC, that is a port for a soundbar or home theatre system. For such an expensive piece of equipment, one might expect four full HDMI 2.1 ports, and the lack of Picture-in-Picture (PiP) functionality is also a drawback that can be annoying. Despite these shortcomings, it’s hard not to notice just how exceptional this equipment is. It’s the first LCD television that can truly compete with OLEDs. Infinite contrast, fantastic picture quality, zero compromises — Sony BRAVIA 9 is nearly perfect. Excellent picture, modern technologies, attention to detail make every viewing experience one you won’t forget.

Samsung QN900D is undoubtedly the top model for 2024. This television is equipped with Mini LED technology, which offers excellent picture quality – deep blacks and high brightness make films and high-resolution content look fantastic. When watching dynamic scenes in movies, the colours and details were exceptionally good – especially after calibration. HDR also delivers – bright elements have great detail levels, and colours are vibrant and natural. One of the strongest points of QN900D is the smooth motion. Supporting a refresh rate of 240 Hz at 4K resolution is rare in the market. Dynamic scenes in sports or games look incredibly smooth, with no trace of blurring. However, it’s worth adding that the full capabilities of this feature will mainly be utilised by advanced PC users. An input lag of 9 ms additionally ensures very responsive gameplay, which will surely please gamers. Tizen runs smoothly and offers access to all popular applications, such as Netflix, YouTube, or Disney+. Moreover, SmartThings features and support for AirPlay make it easy to connect the television with other devices in the home. This is a great solution if you value convenient control of your smart home. An additional feature is Ambient Mode – the television can blend into the living room decor by displaying decorative graphics. QN900D not only performs well but also looks great. Slim bezels, a central stand, and the One Connect module that allows cables to be hidden make the television present elegantly. If aesthetics are important to us, it will be hard to find something better. As a flagship model, QN900D is simply expensive. Unfortunately, the lack of agreement between Samsung and Dolby Vision may still be a significant downside. Especially when watching content on platforms that utilise this format. In the most demanding HDR scenes, it also happens that the contrast is not as perfect as one might expect. And what about 8K resolution? For now, it’s hard to find content that fully utilises it, unless we are technology enthusiasts of the future. Samsung QN900D is certainly a television for those seeking a top-tier device and are willing to pay for it. However, if we are looking for similar quality at a significantly lower price, it’s worth mentioning the equally good QN95D – it offers a similar picture quality, without the 8K resolution, which is still more of a curiosity than a standard.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
2 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (40Gbps)
Other inputs
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
First remote control Drugi pilot

Where to buy

No links

No links

Contrast and black detail

8.6/10

8/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1920 (60 x 32)

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1344 (56 x 24)

Contrast:

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Contrast and black detail

Result

184,000:1

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Contrast and black detail

Result

98,500:1

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Contrast and black detail

Result

120,000:1

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Contrast and black detail

Result

9,050:1

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Contrast and black detail

Result

5,800:1

Review Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Contrast and black detail

Result

205,000:1

Review Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Contrast and black detail

Result

89,000:1

Review Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Contrast and black detail

Result

7,800:1

Review Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Contrast and black detail

Result

4,000:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

Similarly, the Sony Bravia 9 utilises a high-contrast VA panel, supported by a backlight made up of Mini LED diodes. The total number of zones for the 75" size we tested was 1920. Combining such a number with advanced, and one might boldly say — the best zone dimming algorithms delivers excellent results in contrast and black levels. Practically every scene can display an incredibly deep and immersive image. Of course, the last two won't give us blacks akin to OLED televisions, however, it's fair to say that the results are not weak, as a significant portion of competing TVs will not provide such a faithful representation of the director's vision. Looking below at two test scenes from the Sony Bravia 9 from the film Oblivion and Sicario 2, we can observe very mature behaviour of the backlight algorithms, which ensure that blacks are maintained without sacrificing the original image. Of course, the blooming effect still occurs here due to the operation of the TV's zones (it can be observed on the small lights on the helicopter), but it is definitely one of the best LCD TVs we have had the opportunity to test in terms of black levels and contrast.

As befits the flagship model in the series, the Samsung QN900D television is equipped with a VA panel, which in the 65-inch version offers an impressive number of zones – as many as 1344. It’s worth noting that larger sizes of this television have even more zones, which naturally translates to better contrast. During tests in scenes from the film "Oblivion," the QN900D performs excellently. Contrast values approaching infinity are truly stunning, allowing this television to be confidently compared with OLEDs. Unfortunately, like all LCD televisions, this model also has its limitations. In the case of very small elements, certain irregularities are visible, such as halo effects (e.g., in the film "Sicario 2") and at times significant screen dimming (e.g., in scenes from the film "Gravity"). Despite these imperfections, the QN900D Samsung is undoubtedly one of the best LED televisions available on the market, capable of generating very high contrast.

HDR effect quality

8.5/10

6.5/10

Supported formats
HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 96.0%, Bt.2020: 77.0%
DCI P3: 96.0%, Bt.2020: 75.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Brightness measurement

Result

2199 nit

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Brightness measurement

Result

1700 nit

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Brightness measurement

Result

1717 nit

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Brightness measurement

Result

1751 nit

Review Sony Bravia 9 (XR90) Brightness measurement

Result

1741 nit

Review Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Brightness measurement

Result

1447 nit

Review Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Brightness measurement

Result

665 nit

Review Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Brightness measurement

Result

907 nit

Review Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Brightness measurement

Result

432 nit

Review Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Brightness measurement

Result

793 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Static HDR10

Dynamic: Dolby Vision

Dynamic: HDR10+

HDR luminance chart:

Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K

Sony Bravia 9 (XR90)

The brightness measurement results on the Sony Bravia 9 are phenomenal. Each scene achieves well over 1500 nits, and while watching movies, the TV can sometimes shine even brighter. It goes without saying that such brightness allows for unprecedented experiences and engagement with video material at the highest possible quality. With a high coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, the image is full of colours and, combined with such high luminance, it practically breathes. Thanks to the high peak brightness, viewers can enjoy the full spectrum of colours even in the most difficult scenes, such as those based on dynamic lighting changes. The Bravia 9 supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 formats, which further enhances the viewing experience.

The Samsung QN900D easily showcases its high capabilities in light production during synthetic tests – 1400 nits is truly an impressive result. It also demonstrated these capabilities in the first scene of the movie "Life of Pi," where we see a brilliant burst of the rising sun. However, due to issues with the dimming algorithm, some problems can be observed here. In the test scenes from "Sicario 2" and the second scene from "Life of Pi," these values are not as high, averaging around 500-600 nits. While this may not be the worst result among Mini LED TVs, more could be expected given the price of the television. Nevertheless, the television deserves praise for covering a wide colour gamut of DCP P3 at 96%. Although there are technologies offering higher values, this result is still satisfactory.

Factory color reproduction

8.1/10

6.6/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

The best factory mode on Sony televisions has remained "IMAX Enhanced" for years. This is what we used throughout the entire testing procedure. Despite being the closest to the reference compared to other predefined options, it has a number of aspects that can be improved to make viewing even more enjoyable. When we look at the gamma in SDR materials, we notice quite a significant boost that is related to over-contrasting the image. It is worth noting that the very beginning of the graph has an even greater spike compared to the reference, which leads to the merging of details in the blacks, creating a uniform blob. The EOTF curve in HDR content looked quite accurate and only showed slight deviations from the reference. However, a common characteristic for both was: a greenish tint in the white balance, issues with greys, and general colour misalignment. The most noticeable issue was related to the uneven distribution of colours in the white balance. Due to the excess of the aforementioned colour, the image was covered with an unpleasant greenish tint.

The QN900D television offers a Filmmaker mode that is designed to watch movies in the most natural way possible; however, this mode is not without its flaws. For HD content, the white balance shows a dominance of red and blue, which causes the image to shift towards pink hues. In contrast, for 4K HDR content, the situation is reversed – the reduction of blue and red levels results in warmer scenes and a shift towards yellow tones. This is confirmed by Color Checker tests, which clearly show that the colour samples veer in that direction.

When it comes to brightness and the associated contrast, the gamma is significantly distorted. The biggest issue is a noticeable jump at the beginning of the curve, indicating that dark details are overly brightened, causing the image to lose depth in the darkest areas - this is due to local dimming. For 4K HDR materials, the EOTF curve looks quite good, but it remains below the reference level, impacting the overall dynamics of the image.

Color reproduction after calibration

9.3/10

8/10

The colour reproduction after the calibration process should be regarded as excellent. Regardless of the signal, whether it's SDR or HDR, we can expect an image incredibly close to what the film director saw. Practically every image flaw has been modelled and maximally improved. This was made possible by the advanced tools used for the calibration process, which Sony has provided in its televisions for years, including 2- and 20-point grey scale adjustment and a very elaborate CMS.

After calibration, the Filmmaker mode can truly be called worthy of its name. The white balance for both HD and 4K HDR content has significantly improved, resulting in colours that are more natural and consistent. The image has gained in realism, with pink hues in HD content effectively eliminated, as well as the yellow haze in 4K HDR content. Thanks to the calibration, the television now offers much better colour reproduction, positively impacting the viewing experience.

When it comes to brightness, the situation with gamma is now the opposite – a clear drop is visible at the beginning of the graph, making the darkest details harder to discern. The EOTF curve for 4K HDR content has remained largely unchanged and is still below the reference level, indicating that the television still struggles to maintain adequate brightness. This is related to the aggressive dimming algorithm that affects the overall brightness of the image. You can see how the television fights to maintain high brightness or perfect black.

Despite the limitations associated with local dimming, the Samsung QN900D has improved in colour reproduction quality, as confirmed by the Color Checker test results – the colour samples are now much closer to the references, making the image more natural and pleasant to the eye.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7.1/10

8/10

The default quality of gentle gradation, i.e. without the enhancement feature activated, is fairly average, considering the price range and class of the device. The issue isn't noticeable with very bright backgrounds, but it's quite prominent on dark ones. This is perfectly illustrated by the last two test scenes, where tonal transitions are apparent and may cause discomfort to image purists.

The Samsung QN900D TV handles tonal transitions smoothly, deserving a rating of 8/10. The colour gradation is generally good, although not perfect – in darker scenes, some imperfections may be noticeable to more demanding users. Despite these minor flaws, the effect should satisfy most viewers, offering natural transitions.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

8.5/10

7/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
OK
Smooth transition function
OK
OK

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Let's take another look at the quality of tonal transitions, but this time we will analyse the quality of image scaling, which will be crucial when watching lower quality materials. We'll start with the function responsible for the quality of tonal transitions. While they are quite average by default, after activating the option, even at the smallest degree, we can confidently say that these are some of the better ones we've seen. You can confidently enable this function, as it does not cause any negative phenomena, such as grain blur.

Sony has been boasting for several years that its "XR" processor is unmatched when it comes to image scaling. And it's not hard for us to believe that, because the image is indeed incredibly sharp, yet very natural.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in lower-quality materials looks fantastic – the Noise Reduction feature very effectively smooths out tonal transitions while getting rid of film grain. Although the removal of grain isn't always desirable, the overall final effect is very aesthetically pleasing, especially for those who prefer a cleaner image.

When it comes to upscaling, or image scaling, QN900D shows the tremendous capabilities of the new processor with AI technology. Photos and materials in lower resolution are scaled while retaining many details – for example, a photo with a model looks amazing, free of unnecessary jagged edges, and the branches in the background are not overly serrated.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

7.4/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
120Hz
240Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 120Hz (double contours)
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz
Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Nie
Brightness drop with BFI
1%
74%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

Smużenie ():

Smużenie (2160p 240Hz):

The maximum refresh rate of the Sony Bravia 9 is 120 Hz. This is the essential minimum for watching primarily sports or content that has a lot of movement dynamics while maintaining a sharp and smooth image. For demanding users, the manufacturer has implemented a very advanced smoothing system, which is divided into three segments: Smoothness (Film), Smoothness (Camera), and Clarity. The first two correspond to: blur degree and smoothing degree, respectively. The third option will be described in more detail below. Additionally, we can adjust all settings to various levels, each of which will have an effect, ensuring that we can find our very own sweet spot. In the photo, we present a setting with slight smoothing, without the soap opera effect.

Samsung QN900D is currently the fastest television in the world – literally. A refresh rate of 240 Hz in 4K resolution is an amazing value that PC gamers will surely appreciate. As for movie fans, they won't be disappointed either – Samsung offers a 10-level scale in the picture clarity settings, allowing users to adjust the image. We can choose whether the television should provide a smoother, theatrical effect at the highest settings, or a more cinematic one, with a visible frame, at the lowest settings.

Console compatibility and gaming features

9.4/10

9.5/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 120Hz
    48 - 240Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    Yes
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    No
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

The Sony Bravia 9 television is equipped with four HDMI ports. However, somewhat incomprehensibly for this class of device, only two of them operate in the 2.1 standard. Nevertheless, it shouldn't be taken away that almost all features work excellently and do not cause any negative feelings upon being activated. Games operating in either HDR10 or Dolby Vision have a very short input lag, allowing for a very comfortable session with the title. A consolation remains in the good implementation of the HGIG mode, which after proper tuning does not deviate significantly from Dolby Vision.

A year ago, Sony added to its televisions what has been standard for some manufacturers for years. This is, of course, the GameBar, allowing for quick adjustment of settings without the need to exit the game. The implementation of this feature was successful and works very smoothly. We have been provided with conveniences such as: crosshair grid, black level correction, and the ability to reduce the screen to the proportions of gaming monitors.

Sony Bravia 9 will certainly find its group of fans, most likely among PlayStation enthusiasts. Here, we must admit that this will be the most sensible choice, as in practice both the console and the television have exactly the same capabilities. However, looking more broadly, aside from issues with Dolby Vision in games, one cannot deny that the Bravia 9 is a very good television in the context of gaming.

Samsung QN900D is a television that offers excellent compatibility with consoles and a range of features that gamers will appreciate. It has 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, although unfortunately without the full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s. Nonetheless, for the average user, this is more than sufficient. Additionally, the television supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which means smoother images and no screen tearing during dynamic gameplay. The G-Sync and FreeSync technologies are also noteworthy, providing optimal compatibility with consoles and computers equipped with the appropriate graphics cards, minimising stuttering effects and ensuring a smooth picture.

One of the unique features available only in Samsung televisions is the Xbox Game Pass app, which allows for game streaming without the need for a console. This is a very convenient solution that lets you enjoy your favourite games without having to purchase additional hardware. Furthermore, the QN900D has Game Bar – a special panel that enables quick access to gaming-related settings, making game mode setup quick and intuitive.

Another interesting feature is the Auto Motion Plus Game function, which is a special motion smoothing mode that can increase the frame rate (works up to a maximum of 4K@60Hz). Importantly, this does not cause a significant increase in input lag, allowing players to enjoy both greater image fluidity. All these features make the Samsung QN900D an excellent choice for those looking for a gaming television with the highest possible parameters.

Input lag

9.7/10

9.8/10

SDR

1080p60
20 ms
13 ms
1080p120
10 ms
12 ms
2160p60
19 ms
13 ms
2160p120
10 ms
12 ms

HDR

2160p60
19 ms
13 ms
2160p120
10 ms
12 ms
4320p60
17 ms

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
20 ms
2160p120 DV
10 ms

Input lag for Bravia 9 is low in every scenario. Even the most dedicated gamers will certainly appreciate the very low input lag of 10 ms at demanding 4K 120 Hz with HDR settings.

When it comes to signal delay (input lag), Samsung QN900D achieves impressive results. Values below 15 ms are truly excellent, making the TV an ideal choice for gamers expecting minimal delays during gameplay. The input lag at 8K resolution is also noteworthy, clocking in at just 17 ms – this is also a very good result that allows for enjoying dynamic games in the highest possible resolution without noticeable delays.

Compatibility with PC

7.6/10

8/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Average
Readability of dark text and shapes
Good
Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
9ms
12ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
BGR
Max refresh rate
120Hz
240Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

Sony Bravia 9 coupled with a PC performs excellently, thanks to its very low latency of just 9 ms, providing immediate response between the mouse, eye, and screen. An extremely important aspect while working on the screen is the readability of text, which in the case of the tested television is very good. However, it is essential to remember to switch the television to "Game" mode, as this provides the best text readability, while in other scenarios, the font may become unreadable.

The subpixel arrangement is BGR, which does not negatively impact using the television as a monitor. However, since operating systems are not adjusted for such a subpixel format, this may result in slightly less sharp contours. This is practically negligible, and only a handful of people may notice it.

Samsung QN900D offers excellent compatibility with computers, making it a great choice for users looking for a large screen for work and entertainment. It supports full Chroma 4:4:4 colour reproduction, which translates to better image quality when using text and office applications. Font readability is quite decent, especially considering the 8K resolution, which offers an immense level of detail.

Unfortunately, despite the very high resolution, the television does have some issues with bright fonts on a dark background – one can notice slight shadows created by subpixels. It may not be a critical issue, but for more demanding users, it could impact comfort, especially when working in text applications. Nevertheless, the overall image quality and compatibility with computers are of a high standard. It's also worth praising the television for supporting 240Hz at lower resolutions such as 4K. This allows high-end PCs to showcase their prowess in games.

Viewing angles

7.4/10

7.8/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
54%
51%

Thanks to the use of an angular coating, colour degradation and contrast loss at an angle are not as drastic as in the vast majority of VA matrix televisions. Only after a significant shift off-axis does greater image destabilisation become apparent; however, the overall experience can be rated very positively.

The viewing angles on the QN900D television are very good, despite the use of a VA panel. Thanks to a special coating that widens the viewing angles, the image remains flawless even when viewed from an angle. This is particularly important when there are more people in the room – every viewer, regardless of their seat, can enjoy excellent image quality without distortion or loss of colour. This makes the Samsung QN900D a great choice for watching movies and sports broadcasts with a larger group.

TV efficiency during daytime

9.5/10

5/10

Matrix coating
Glare
Glare
Reflection suppression
Average
Good
Black levels during daytime
Very Good
Average

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K: 387 cd/m2

Sony Bravia 9 (XR90): 1609 cd/m2

When watching during the day, we can count on an incredibly high brightness of 1600 nits, which allows for very comfortable viewing even when harsh angled light hits the TV. Even reflections that spill across the screen do not detract from the enjoyment of watching on a sunny day. For this reason, the Sony Bravia receives nearly the highest rating from us in this regard.

When it comes to the performance of the Samsung QN900D TV in daytime conditions, it generally presents itself as average. The television has a special anti-reflective coating that helps reduce glare, however, due to the VA panel and the angle-enhancing coating, light reflections are strongly dispersed horizontally - resembling the colours of a rainbow. This results in a loss of image richness, especially in bright rooms where intense light sources can negatively affect the quality of the displayed image.

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type
Mini-LED QLED
Mini-LED QLED
Software version during testing
112.624.140.1EUA
1120
Image processor
mt5897 6gb ram

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Sony Bravia 9 (XR90)

Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K

TV features

9.5/10

7.7/10

  • Operating system
    Google TV
    Tizen
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    Yes
    No
  • Recording programming
    Yes
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    No
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    RF
    RF
  • Backlit remote control
    Yes
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes

Bravia 9 runs on the Google TV system, which is a significant advantage compared to TVs equipped with proprietary systems from manufacturers, where installing applications from a USB drive can be difficult, and often downright impossible. With Google TV, we have the ability to install virtually any application, both from the official store and directly from online repositories via an APK file.

This system also offers many conveniences in terms of control. We can connect a keyboard with a touchpad, which significantly makes entering queries much easier. Additionally, thanks to integration with Google, we can use voice control features via the remote, which works very well, although there are occasional minor issues with understanding functions and options. It's worth noting that Google TV receives regular updates that enhance functionality and introduce new options. We can also confirm that, according to reports from users of older models, the software has its off days and sometimes has a “bad day.”

In summary: Google TV is currently one of the most popular systems on the market. Thanks to its efficient CPU, it operates very smoothly, doesn’t freeze and has no issues with lagging for a significant portion of usage. It is definitely the best option for those who want to fully utilise the potential of their TV and value system openness.

The Tizen system that powers the Samsung QN900D offers excellent integration with other devices, allowing for convenient use of numerous applications, including AirPlay. Users can also control other equipment using the SmartThings app. The television also works with lighting systems such as Philips Hue, which helps create an atmospheric setting during movie screenings.

In everyday use, the QN900D performs brilliantly. The solar remote can control other devices, such as set-top boxes, making the lack of a recording function less of an issue. Additionally, the television offers a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature, and with its 8K resolution, it even allows the screen to be split into four sections, making it exceptionally functional and useful for watching multiple programs at once as well as for effective work with various image sources.

The Samsung QN900D also stands out with its modern design. Its slim profile makes it the thinnest Mini LED television on the market, and the use of the One Connect module enables tidy cable management, giving the area around the TV a neat and elegant appearance. The central stand adds lightness and creates the impression that the television is floating in the air, which imparts a unique character. Additionally, the Ambient Mode feature allows for decorative graphics to be displayed or the image to be adjusted to suit the interior, making the television an integral part of the room, even when it is turned off.

Playing files from USB

8.7/10

9/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
Yes
No
PNG
No
No
GIF
No
No
WebP
No
No
TIFF
No
No
BMP
No
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
Yes
24 Mpix
Yes
Yes
28 Mpix
Yes
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

The built-in player in Sony Bravia 9 is quite good. While it’s not without its flaws, it must be said that it plays a significant portion of files without a hitch. However, among the missing features, the lack of support for subtitles in .sub, .txt formats or selectively working image formats can be bothersome, with only JPEG and HEIC available. This isn’t really a problem considering the ease of installing applications like VLC or KODI.

QN900D Samsung plays most popular video and audio formats without any issues. The resolution of photos is also not a challenge for it; however, the television has difficulty opening less common photo formats, including the HEIC format from Apple.

Apps

10/10

9.3/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Viaplay
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
OK
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
OK
Kodi
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Viaplay
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
No
Kodi

Sound

9.4/10

7.4/10

  • Subjective sound quality:
    9.4/10
    7.4/10
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1:
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1:
    No
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC):
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD:
    No
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA:
    Yes
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio:
    Yes
    No

We must admit that the sound coming from the Sony Bravia 9 left us quite astonished. Of course, we knew it was a top-of-the-line product, but we didn’t expect such sound quality. You can easily hear each instrument individually, and the bass adds the right depth to the whole experience. With a clear conscience, we can say that this is the best sounding television we have had the chance to test. Of course, we realise that people opting for such a television already have their own home theatre setup. And here there won't be any major obstacle, as the Bravia 9 supports DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby Atmos.

Television Samsung QN900D, equipped with an audio system with a power of 90 W in a 6.2.4 channel configuration. Despite its slim design, the sound is clear and immersive, further supported by Dolby Atmos technology, which provides an engaging audio experience. Unfortunately, like many other Samsung televisions, the QN900D does not support DTS audio tracks, which may be significant for home theatre users.