Samsung Neo QLED QN65QN90DAFXZA 65"

A gaming beast with killer audio, but the HDR is a letdown and that 2.5/5 rating is a warning sign. Buy it for 144Hz, skip it for movies.

The gaming chops are the real story. With a 144Hz refresh rate, FreeSync, G-Sync compatibility, and ALLM, this thing is built for a PC or console that can push frames. Our database puts gaming at the 92nd percentile, which is elite territory. The audio is even better, sitting at the 95th percentile, and that's not a typo. The Object Tracking Sound+ actually works, making cars and explosions feel like they're moving across the room. But here's the kicker: HDR is mediocre. At the 36th percentile, it's a weak spot on a TV that's supposed to be all about contrast and brightness. The Mini-LED backlight helps with dark scenes, but the HDR tone mapping just doesn't keep up with the marketing.

The TCL QM8K Series and Hisense U8 Series are the real threats here. Both offer Mini-LED panels with better HDR performance and often cost less. The TCL QM8K, in particular, has been a standout for brightness and contrast in our database. On the other end, the LG OLED C5 will give you perfect blacks and better HDR, though you'll lose the 144Hz gaming edge. The Sony BRAVIA XR A95L is in a different league entirely, but you'll pay for it. If gaming is your priority, the Samsung holds its own. For everything else, the TCL or Hisense are smarter buys.

At $1,275 USD, this is a tough sell. The gaming and audio performance are legitimately great, but the mediocre HDR and that 2.5/5 customer rating are red flags. You're paying for a premium Samsung badge and a Mini-LED panel, but the overall package doesn't feel cohesive. If you can find it on sale, it might be worth a look for gamers, but at full price, there are better options.

The Samsung QN65QN90DAFXZA is a 65-inch Mini-LED TV that absolutely nails gaming and audio, but stumbles in a few surprising places. The headline here is the 144Hz panel and that 2.1.2-channel, 60W speaker setup, both of which punch way above what you'd expect from a TV at this price point. But the HDR performance is a real head-scratcher, landing in the 36th percentile, which is weird for a set that Samsung markets around its Neo Quantum HDR+.

If you're buying this for HDR movies or cinematic picture quality, skip it. The HDR performance is a real letdown, and you'll get better contrast and brightness from a TCL QM8K or Hisense U8 for less money. Go grab one of those instead.

The Samsung QN65QN90DAFXZA is a weird one. It's a gaming and audio powerhouse wrapped in a TV that underdelivers on HDR and has a customer rating that should make you pause. If you're a hardcore gamer who wants 144Hz and great built-in sound, this is a solid pick. But if you care about HDR movies or overall picture quality, look elsewhere. The TCL QM8K or Hisense U8 will give you more for your money.