When it comes to premium 4K TVs, Samsung and LG are two of the top brands that likely come to mind. Both are known for their cutting-edge display technologies, immersive picture quality, and abundance of smart features. But how do their current 2022 TV lineups stack up head-to-head?
In this in-depth comparison, we‘ll be pitting the Samsung QN90B, the brand‘s top-of-the-line 4K Neo QLED TV, against LG‘s OLED offerings like the LG B2 4K OLED TV. Our goal is to closely examine their display technologies, picture and sound performance, gaming capabilities, design, and overall value to help you decide which is the best fit for your needs and preferences.
Let‘s start by looking at the core display technologies used in these TVs:
QLED vs OLED
The Samsung QN90B features Samsung‘s latest Neo QLED display technology. QLED stands for "quantum dot LED TV" and refers to the layer of quantum dots in front of the backlight that helps produce a wide color gamut. The "Neo" designation means it uses Mini-LED backlighting, which allows for much finer control over local dimming zones compared to standard LED backlights.
The result is excellent contrast and black levels that come close to OLED, as well as very high brightness levels for impactful HDR. In typical rooms with some ambient light, a TV like the QN90B can actually produce a more dynamic, contrast-rich image than OLEDs.
The LG B2, on the other hand, uses an OLED panel. OLED stands for "organic light emitting diode." Each pixel is self-emissive and can turn on and off independently. This allows for perfect black levels, an essentially infinite contrast ratio, and wide viewing angles. Motion handling is also nearly instant with minimal blur.
However, OLED TVs can‘t get as bright as high-end QLED TVs and can be more susceptible to image retention and burn-in over time. While the B2 uses LG‘s latest OLED panel which mitigates these downsides somewhat, it‘s still a concern for very heavy TV watchers or gamers.
So which technology produces a better overall picture? Generally, videophiles and home theater enthusiasts prefer the perfect blacks and "infinite" contrast of OLED for watching movies in a dark room. But the QN90B‘s Neo QLED is better suited for brighter rooms and provides the brightness needed to make HDR content really pop.
Picture Quality
Now let‘s dive a bit deeper into these TVs‘ picture quality and performance. Both can produce a gorgeous 4K picture, but there are some differences worth pointing out.
The QN90B excels in brightness, reaching over 1,500 nits in its Dynamic picture mode. This makes it one of the best LED TVs for watching HDR content. Its full-array Mini-LED backlight with somewhere around 700-900 dimming zones allows for excellent local dimming, enhancing the contrast and black levels. It uses an anti-glare coating that virtually eliminates reflections in bright rooms. And quantum dot technology enables nearly full coverage of the DCI-P3 color space.
The LG B2 OLED maxes out at around 500-600 nits of brightness, which may disappoint HDR fanatics. But its pixel-level contrast is unmatched, resulting in an incredibly deep and detailed picture in dark rooms. Colors are also extremely accurate and vibrant, covering about 97% of DCI-P3 after calibration according to RTINGS lab testing. It also maintains color and contrast at wide viewing angles better than the QN90B.
Both of these TVs use glossy, anti-reflective screens. But the QN90B‘s new anti-glare coating is better at mitigating reflections from light sources like lamps and windows. So if you have a very bright room with lots of ambient light, it‘s a better choice for reducing glare.
Gaming Performance
If you‘re a gamer, both of these TVs have a lot to offer with some outstanding gaming-centric features. Both support 4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and have at least 2 HDMI 2.1 ports for next-gen console and PC connectivity.
The QN90B has a native 120Hz panel and supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for a nearly tear-free gaming experience. Its response time is a bit slower than the LG B2, but still under 10ms which is good enough for all but the most hardcore competitive gamers.
The LG B2 OLED also has a native 120Hz panel but adds support for both NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR formats. With its near-instantaneous response time under 2ms and low input lag, it‘s one of the most responsive 4K TVs you can game on. It also has LG‘s Game Optimizer menu which lets you easily make adjustments and see frame rate and VRR status.
One issue to consider with the B2 for gaming is the risk of temporary image retention or even permanent burn-in when playing games with persistent static HUD elements for many hours on end. While LG has included several features to help avoid this like pixel refresher, logo luminance adjustment, and screen shift, it‘s still a possibility to be aware of.
Smart TV Platform
When it comes to smart TV platforms and overall user experience, the Samsung QN90B uses the latest version of Tizen OS while the LG B2 uses webOS22. Both are fast, responsive, and pretty easy to navigate. But there are some differences.
Tizen‘s main advantage is its large app selection, including most of the popular streaming apps and services. It also integrates well with other Samsung devices and has some unique features like Ambient Mode+ which displays art or photos when the TV is off. The redesigned home page in the latest version puts all your favorite content in one place and has a new "Media Screen" that combines content recommendations from across apps and services.
LG‘s webOS is also an excellent platform. Its interface is slightly simpler and more intuitive than Tizen‘s, with a launcher bar at the bottom for quick access to your most-used apps. It supports voice control through LG‘s ThinQ AI as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, while the QN90B only has Samsung‘s Bixby and Alexa built-in (no Google Assistant).
One webOS feature that stands out is Magic Explorer, which provides extra info and content related to what you‘re currently watching and even recommends similar titles. It also has a new "Always Ready" mode which displays art, weather, etc when not in use.
Audio
When it comes to built-in audio, the Samsung QN90B has the edge. It features an Object Tracking Sound+ system with speakers built into all sides of the TV, plus AI-based processing to make dialog clear and provide a more immersive sound stage.
The LG B2 OLED has a standard 2.0 channel audio system with 20W of power, which is fine for casual viewing but nothing special. Like the QN90B it supports Dolby Atmos passthrough to a compatible soundbar or receiver. But if you want the best sound and aren‘t planning to connect the TV to an external audio setup, the QN90B is the better choice.
Design & Aesthetics
Both of these TVs have a sleek, modern design that looks great in any room. The QN90B has an ultra-thin profile with a nearly bezel-less screen and slim silver metal edges. It sits on a simple center stand that allows you to place a soundbar in front without blocking the screen. Cable management is excellent too, with a hollow back panel section to hide your cords.
The LG B2 is also very thin and sleek, though not quite as premium-looking as the QN90B. It has a slightly thicker bottom bezel and cheaper-looking plastic casing around the edges and back. Instead of a center stand, it uses two legs out to the sides which provide good stability but limit your soundbar placement options a bit. Like the QN90B it has a cable management system in the rear to minimize clutter.
Price & Value
Finally, let‘s talk about price and overall value for the money. Both of these are expensive high-end TVs, but one is significantly pricier than the other.
Currently, the 65" model QN90B has an MSRP of $2,599, though it can often be found on sale for less. The 65" LG B2 OLED is quite a bit cheaper at an MSRP of $1,999.
So is the QN90B worth that $600+ price premium over the B2? It depends on your priorities and use case. If you watch a lot of TV during the day in a bright room, need the best HDR performance, or plan to use the built-in speakers a lot, then yes the QN90B is probably worth the extra cost.
But if you mainly watch at night in a dark room and care most about those inky OLED blacks and infinite contrast, the LG B2 provides similar overall picture quality and an excellent smart TV experience while saving you a big chunk of change. It‘s also a bit better for gaming assuming you‘re not worried about burn-in.
Conclusion
You really can‘t go wrong with either of these outstanding 4K TVs. If money is no object and you want the brightest HDR performance, best built-in audio, and most complete overall package, the Samsung QN90B is an excellent choice. Its Neo QLED display with Mini-LED delivers a stunning picture in any environment.
But if you‘re looking to save some money while still getting one of the best pictures available, the LG B2 is a great value for an OLED TV. Its ability to produce a perfectly deep black and infinite contrast is unmatched, and it has all the major features most people are looking for.
Ultimately, both TVs provide incredible picture quality, smooth gaming performance, and capable smart platforms. It just comes down to your budget, viewing environment, and priorities. The QN90B is the more versatile and feature-rich option while the B2 is the best bang for your buck in a dark room. You‘ll be blown away by either one!
