Samsung QN90D Series QN98QN90D 98"

The Samsung QN98QN90D delivers best-in-class audio at the 95th percentile, with a 9.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos soundbar included. Picture quality is solid at the 79th percentile, but HDR is mediocre at the 36th percentile. It's a massive 98-inch screen with great sound and a good picture, but weak connectivity and thin social proof hold it back.

Let's talk about that 95th percentile audio score first, because it's the standout. The bundled HW-Q910D soundbar pushes 9.1.2 channels with up-firing drivers and a wireless subwoofer. Object Tracking Sound+ means when a car zooms across the screen, the sound follows it. That's not marketing fluff, it's genuinely how the system works. And Wireless Dolby Atmos means no cable spaghetti behind your entertainment center. For a 98-inch screen, that's a big deal.

Picture quality lands at the 79th percentile, which is well above average but not best-in-class. The Quantum Matrix Mini-LED backlight does solid work with dark scenes, and the 144Hz refresh rate keeps motion smooth. But the HDR performance is where things get shaky. At the 36th percentile, the Neo Quantum HDR+ just doesn't deliver the contrast punch you'd expect from a TV this expensive. The display score is also middle of the pack at the 54th percentile. It's a good picture, but not the jaw-dropper Samsung's marketing suggests.

Against the Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L, the Samsung wins on sheer size and audio, but Sony's OLED panel will crush it on HDR and contrast. The LG G5 Series OLED83G5WUA is another OLED competitor that likely outclasses the QN90D on picture quality, though it's smaller at 83 inches. The TCL QM6K Series 55QM6K and Hisense U8 Series 65U8QG are much cheaper options that punch above their weight on HDR, but they're also significantly smaller. If you want a massive screen with incredible built-in audio, the Samsung is compelling. If you want the best picture quality per dollar, look elsewhere.

We can't give you a clean price-to-performance ratio here because there's no listed price in our data. What we do know is that this TV shows up at $13,382 USD in one US listing, which is a serious chunk of change. For that kind of money, you're getting best-in-class audio and a very good picture, but you're also getting mediocre HDR and weak connectivity. The bundled soundbar does soften the blow, since you're not dropping extra cash on a separate audio system. But if you're paying flagship money, you probably want flagship HDR too, and this TV doesn't deliver that.

The Samsung QN90D Series QN98QN90D is a 98-inch Mini-LED monster that lands in the 79th percentile for picture quality in our database. That's a strong showing, but the real headline is the audio setup. At the 95th percentile, this is one of the best-sounding TVs we've tracked, thanks to the bundled 9.1.2 channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+. You're getting a theater-grade audio experience without running a single HDMI cable to the soundbar, which is genuinely impressive.

But here's the thing. The HDR score sits at the 36th percentile, which is mediocre for a TV that leans so hard on its Neo Quantum HDR+ branding. And the connectivity score is a real letdown at the 16th percentile. For a 2024 flagship at this size, that's a weak spot. The 144Hz panel and Motion Xcelerator tech are nice for gamers, but the gaming score only reaches the 66th percentile. This is a TV that does a few things brilliantly and a few things surprisingly poorly.

Skip this TV if you care about HDR performance or connectivity. The 36th percentile HDR score means dark scenes won't have the depth and contrast you'd get from an OLED at a similar price. And the 16th percentile connectivity score is one of the worst we've seen in this category, which is frustrating for a 2024 flagship. If you're a cinephile who wants the best possible picture quality, or someone who needs lots of ports and wireless options, this isn't your TV. The 28th percentile social proof also means there aren't many verified buyers vouching for it yet.

The QN98QN90D is a weird one. It's a 98-inch TV with best-in-class audio and a very good picture, but it stumbles on HDR and connectivity. The 95th percentile audio score is genuinely impressive, and the bundled 9.1.2 channel soundbar with Wireless Dolby Atmos is a real value add. But the 36th percentile HDR score is hard to ignore at this price point. If you're building a home theater where sound matters as much as picture, this is a strong pick. If you're a cinephile who cares about HDR contrast above all else, you'll probably be happier with an OLED from Sony or LG.