LG and Samsung continue to battle it out as two of the biggest players in the TV space. With every new product release, home theater enthusiasts eagerly compare the latest and greatest from these two industry titans.
In 2022, LG introduced its C2 series, representing the second generation of its Evo OLED panel technology. The Evo name indicates enhanced brightness capabilities previously unseen from OLED screens.
Meanwhile, Samsung countered with its Neo QLED TV lineup, headlined by the new Mini-LED-powered QN90B. This TV aims to deliver a best-in-class viewing experience thanks to extreme contrast levels made possible by its advanced backlight system.
As the current OLED and QLED flagships from LG and Samsung, it’s only natural to pit the C2 and QN90B against each other to see which emerges as the better purchase for most buyers. This in-depth guide breaks down how they stack up across all the key categories you should consider.
Picture Quality
The picture is where these TVs differ the most significantly, simply due to the underlying screen technologies powering them.
The LG C2 utilizes the company’s latest generation OLED Evo panel. In basic terms, OLED stands for organic light emitting diode. Rather than relying on a separate backlight system, each individual pixel in an OLED screen emits its own light. This allows for perfect per-pixel illumination control.
With no backlight, OLEDs can achieve truly infinite contrast ratios. When an OLED pixel is turned off to display black, it emits absolutely no light at all. This enables the deepest possible blacks right alongside intensely bright highlights in the same scene.
The Samsung QN90B is built around a VA-type QLED panel. QLED refers to Samsung’s proprietary quantum dot filter technology sandwiched between the backlight and TFT active matrix. Quantum dots enable expanded color capabilities compared to conventional LCD screens.
Rather than OLED’s self-emissive pixel-level lighting, this QLED uses advanced full array local dimming powered by Mini-LEDs. While far superior to edge-lit dimming, a FALD system still can’t match the per-pixel precision of OLED. There will always be some amount of blooming caused by the zone-based dimming structure.
As you may have deduced, that gives the LG C2 the outright win when it comes to contrast and black level performance. With colors also appearing richer and more vibrant on OLED, the C2 pulls ahead for overall picture accuracy too.
However, QLED technology maintains a brightness advantage – the Samsung QN90B can hit higher peak luminance levels. For viewers who routinely watch TV with lots of ambient light, the extra punch of the QN90B may provide a better experience.
While wider viewing angles have long been an OLED benefit, Samsung has nearly closed that gap thanks to the anti-glare filter introduced on this year’s Neo QLED lineup. With its combination of high brightness and reflection handling, the QN90B shines in bright living spaces in ways no OLED can.
Ultimately, the pristine contrast of the LG C2 makes it the superior performer for dark room movie nights where black level depth matters most. But the Samsung offers meaningful strengths of its own – namely increased luminosity and diminished on-screen reflections.
Design
Given the ultra-premium aspirations of both of these 2022 TVs, it should come as no surprise that the latest display technologies are housed in elegantly designed enclosures.
The LG C2 continues the company’s trend of slim, perfectly flushed wall mounts – when viewed head-on, you can barely spot the panel edges. The supplied stand is just as sleek with its centrally-mounted bracket leaving the bottom completely open. Overall, the C2 presents beautifully from all angles.
Similarly, the QN90B carries an impressively svelte profile – though not quite as razor thin as the OLED panel on the C2. Unique angular stand legs provide enhanced stability and perfectly complement the TV’s bezel-less aesthetic.
In terms of pure dimensions, you’ll spot some notable differences examining the complete chassis of these two TVs:
| Model | 55” Screen Size | 65” Screen Size |
| LG C2 | 1305.9 x 770.2 x 55.3 mm | 1448.7 x 896.2 x 55.3 mm |
| Samsung QN90B | 1228.3 x 704.2 x 30.9 mm | 1450.1 x 828.8 x 31 mm |
Accounting for both soundbar compatibility and stability, Samsung’s wider, heavier stand makes practical sense even if it infringes on the installation footprint. Bottom line, you can proudly showcase either model as the centerpiece of your living room without any stylistic clashes.
Smart Platform
LG webOS and Samsung Tizen have gone toe-to-toe over the years in the battle for streaming platform supremacy. Both mature operating systems bring a robust smart TV experience brimming with entertainment options.
After several generations of minor tweaks rather than major overhauls, general sentiment positions LG’s webOS platform as one of the easiest to navigate thanks to its clean yet customizable User Experience. Switching between inputs and apps proves fast and frustration-free.
New for 2022, Samsung rolled out its own aggregated home screen dubbed the Media Screen. This aims to simplify content discovery with curated recommendations. However, the overall Tizen UI remains relatively unchanged outside of this main hub.
Since nearly every major streaming service is accessible from both platforms, your preference here may just boil down to which menu system clicks with your personal usage habits. webOS gains points for sheer familiarity while Tizen offers comparable flexibility including PC-to-TV connectivity for easily beaming up cloud content.
It’s also worth noting that Samsung recently unveiled the Gaming Hub on its 2022 TVs – built-in access for streaming popular titles from partners like Xbox and NVIDIA GeForce Now. Casual gamers who want to play without consoles can benefit meaningfully from this addition.
Regardless if gaming is a priority, both webOS and Tizen represent fully-formed smart experiences that hold their own against competitors from Roku, Amazon, and Google.
Audio Performance
As display resolutions and peak brightness viscosities continue to expand, improving built-in audio feels like an afterthought among TV manufacturers. Thankfully, the sound systems of both the LG C2 and Samsung QN90B exude a level of premium quality absent from lower-cost models.
Let’s examine some key sound specs:
| Model | Audio Channels | Total Power | Key Features |
| LG C2 | 2.2 | 40W | AI Sound Pro virtual 5.1.2 surround Dolby Atmos decoding |
| Samsung QN90B | 4.2.2 | 60W | Q-Symphony sync with compatible soundbars Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+) |
LG packs dedicated bass drivers to assist the down-firing speakers placed strategically within the sleek chassis. Thanks to built-in psychoacoustics processing, the C2 can simulate immersive Dolby Atmos without added speakers or soundbars.
Samsung places tweeters at the top of the enclosure to enable distraction-free dialogue clarity. As indicated above, the star of the show is Q-Symphony allowing compatible Samsung soundbars to operate in perfect harmony with the TV speakers. Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+) goes one step further by coordinating audio directionality on-screen.
If you don’t plan on incorporating an external audio system, the Samsung QN90B’s 4.2.2 channel setup should satisfy even discerning listeners with impressive volume and presence. Music lovers may still prefer the bass prowess integrated into the LG C2. Both deliver far richer than expected sonic abilities – but the QN90B pulls ahead relying strictly on its built-in drivers.
Gaming Performance
Gaming remains one of the fastest expanding TV usage categories as console and cloud platforms lead a revolutionary shift in interactive entertainment. Whether your gaming diet consists of a PS5, an Xbox Series X, or streaming services, the LG C2 and Samsung QN90B are prepared to enable breathtaking visual feasts.
Let’s run through the gaming-specific functions equipped on both TVs:
- Native 4K resolution at up to 120Hz refresh rate
- NVIDIA G-Sync + AMD FreeSync Premium variable refresh rate support for smooth gameplay free from stutters, screen tearing, and input lag
- Auto Low Latency Mode ensuring lightning quick response to controller/keyboard inputs
- Four HDMI 2.1 inputs enabling 4K/120Hz passthrough from gaming devices
- Game optimizer settings to automatically calibrate low input lag with calibrated picture modes
When it comes to sheer gaming performance, all key benchmarks are met identically by both the LG C2 and Samsung QN90B. So why do many enthusiasts consider OLED to remain superior for gaming over QLED?
The answer lies in the stellar contrast and pixel response that only organic LED technology can provide. Dark shadow detail and speedy motion clarity give OLED an advantage for fast-paced shooters, sports titles, and next-gen gaming systems. LG also ensures compatibility with NVIDIA’s G-Sync system for especially smooth computer-fed gameplay.
For its part, Samsung fights back with the new Gaming Hub described earlier. Cloud gaming through Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce Now, Google Stadia, and Utomik doesn’t require a console on these TVs. Casual players who want to quickly jump into the latest marquee game releases may prefer built-in access instead of adding another external piece of hardware.
In summary, while both the C2 and QN90B excel as gaming displays thanks to HDMI 2.1 and cutting-edge speed, contrast remains king. OLED is tough to beat in this regard so the LG C2 gaming experience sits a notch above. Yet the unique tricks found on the Samsung Gaming Hub shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Final Verdict
LG and Samsung largely split the key categories examined above with the superior movie watching performance of the C2 OLED balanced out by advantages for the QN90B in areas like sunlight visibility, audio depth, and cloud gaming convenience.
As always, the better overall TV comes down to buyer preferences and viewing habits. Those wanting the pinnacle showcase piece for theater rooms should invest in the richness of organic LED. For sports fans and competitive gamers where brightness and speed are paramount, Samsung’s Neo QLED brings its own set of strengths.
Given its wider range of screen sizes plus HDMI 2.1 functionality across all configurations, the LG C2 OLED represents the easy best value. But the Samsung makes its own case depending on planned usage patterns.
Either way, buyers can rest assured knowing these industry-leading televisions sit at the peak of display innovation, ready to enable a best-in-class viewing experience as the highlight of a modern living room, bedroom, or basement for years of cinematic enjoyment to come.
