OLED, Who? How Samsung's Flagship Neo QLED TV Stunned Me and Redefined My Expectations

For years, like many display enthusiasts, I've been a staunch advocate for OLED technology. The promise of perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and individual pixel control felt untouchable, making any alternative seem like a compromise. So, when the opportunity arose to spend a week with Samsung’s flagship QN90C Neo QLED TV, I approached it with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Could a QLED, even a top-tier Mini-LED one, truly hold its own against the OLED standard I’d grown to adore? The answer, to my genuine surprise, was a resounding yes.

From the moment I powered on the QN90C, it was clear this wasn't just another TV. Samsung’s Neo QLED technology, powered by thousands of tiny Mini-LEDs, is a marvel.

These miniature light sources, vastly smaller than traditional LEDs, allow for incredibly precise local dimming. The result? Blacks that are so profoundly deep, they often rival the inky perfection of an OLED. While purists might argue OLED's black is still infinitesimally superior, the QN90C gets so breathtakingly close that for most viewers, in most content, the distinction becomes negligible.

But where the QN90C truly flexes its muscles is in brightness.

This TV is an absolute powerhouse. OLED, while stunning, often struggles to deliver intense peak brightness across the entire screen, particularly for sustained periods. The QN90C, however, blasts through this limitation. HDR content, from explosive sci-fi action to sun-drenched nature documentaries, truly popped with a luminosity that not only enhanced detail but also made the viewing experience incredibly immersive.

Watching in a well-lit room, a common challenge for OLEDs, was no longer an issue thanks to the QN90C's impressive brightness and its exceptional anti-glare screen. Reflections, which used to be a constant nuisance, were virtually eliminated, allowing for distraction-free viewing day or night.

Beyond the impressive contrast and brightness, the QN90C delivers a visual feast of vibrant and accurate colors.

Samsung's Quantum Dot technology ensures a wide color gamut, bringing scenes to life with rich, nuanced hues. Whether it was the subtle gradients of a sunset or the punchy tones of a cartoon, the color reproduction was consistently stunning and true to life. Motion handling was also superb, ensuring smooth action in fast-paced movies and sports.

For gamers, the QN90C is nothing short of a dream.

With a blazing 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium Pro support, and incredibly low input lag, it’s designed to provide an ultra-responsive and fluid gaming experience. Connecting my console felt seamless, and I immediately noticed the difference in how smoothly games rendered, making competitive play all the more engaging.

In conclusion, my week with the Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV was a revelation.

It wasn't just a good TV; it was a TV that genuinely challenged my preconceived notions about display technology. While OLED still holds a special place, the QN90C proved that QLED, particularly with Mini-LED backlighting, has matured into a truly elite contender. Its combination of incredible brightness, near-perfect blacks, stunning anti-glare capabilities, and top-tier gaming features means I didn't just not miss my OLED – I actively embraced the superior qualities this Neo QLED brought to my living room.

For anyone considering a high-end television, the QN90C isn't just an alternative; it's a compelling, perhaps even superior, choice.