Choosing between premium TVs can be a dizzying affair, especially when two titans like the LG B2 OLED and Samsung QN90B Neo QLED enter the ring. Both offer stunning visuals and advanced features, but they achieve their brilliance through fundamentally different technologies.
Are you seeking the perfect blacks and infinite contrast of OLED, or the searing brightness and vibrant colors of Mini-LED? This comparison dives deep into the nuances of the LG B2 and Samsung QN90B to help you make an informed decision.
We’ll explore their strengths and weaknesses in areas like picture quality, gaming performance, smart features, and overall value. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of which 2022 marvel deserves a spot in your living room.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | lg b2 | qn90b |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | OLED | QLED |
| Screen Sizes | 55″, 65″, 77″ | 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ |
| Resolution | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| HDR Support | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Smart TV Platform | webOS | Tizen |
| HDMI Ports | 4 (2x HDMI 2.1) | 4 (4x HDMI 2.1) |
| Local Dimming | N/A (Self-emissive pixels) | Mini-LED with Full Array Local Dimming |
| Peak Brightness | Lower than QLED | Higher than OLED |
| Contrast Ratio | Infinite | Excellent, but not infinite |
| Gaming Features | VRR, ALLM, G-Sync Compatible | VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro |
| Sound Output | 20W (2.0 Ch) | 60W (2.2.2 Ch) |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Display Technology
- Lg B2: Utilizes an OLED panel, offering perfect blacks and infinite contrast due to self-emissive pixels. This results in exceptional detail in dark scenes and vibrant colors. However, OLEDs can be susceptible to burn-in with static content over long periods.
- Qn90b: Employs a Neo QLED (Mini-LED) panel with Quantum Dot technology. This provides excellent brightness, vibrant colors, and good contrast, but it can suffer from blooming around bright objects on dark backgrounds due to the nature of backlighting.
- Winner: lg b2
Brightness & HDR Performance
- Lg B2: While its peak brightness is lower than the QN90B, the B2’s perfect blacks allow for impressive HDR impact. Colors remain accurate and vibrant even in HDR content, though extremely bright highlights might not pop as much as on the QN90B.
- Qn90b: The QN90B boasts significantly higher peak brightness, making HDR content incredibly impactful with dazzling highlights. The Mini-LED backlighting helps in achieving a very bright and dynamic image, but blooming can sometimes detract from the experience.
- Winner: qn90b
Contrast Ratio & Black Levels
- Lg B2: As an OLED, the B2 offers a true infinite contrast ratio with perfect black levels. Each pixel can be turned off independently, ensuring no light bleed and exceptional depth in images.
- Qn90b: The QN90B offers very deep blacks thanks to its Mini-LED local dimming, but it cannot achieve the perfect black of an OLED. Blooming, where light spills into dark areas, can be noticeable in certain scenes, slightly impacting the perceived contrast.
- Winner: lg b2
Color Accuracy & Volume
- Lg B2: The B2 delivers excellent color accuracy out of the box and a wide color gamut, producing natural and lifelike colors. Its self-emissive pixels contribute to vibrant and saturated hues.
- Qn90b: The QN90B, with its Quantum Dot technology, offers a very wide color gamut and high color volume, meaning colors remain vibrant even at high brightness levels. It’s excellent for bright, colorful content.
- Winner: Tie
Gaming Features
- Lg B2: Supports HDMI 2.1 for 4K@120Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). It also includes LG’s Game Optimizer for fine-tuning settings. Input lag is very low.
- Qn90b: Also features HDMI 2.1 with 4K@120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. It offers a Game Motion Plus feature and a very responsive gaming experience with low input lag.
- Winner: Tie
Motion Handling
- Lg B2: OLEDs excel at motion handling due to their near-instantaneous pixel response times. This results in very little motion blur, making fast-paced action and sports look exceptionally clear.
- Qn90b: The QN90B offers good motion handling with its high refresh rate and processing. While generally smooth, it may exhibit slightly more motion blur compared to the OLED’s near-perfect response times.
- Winner: lg b2
Viewing Angles
- Lg B2: OLED technology provides near-perfect viewing angles. Colors and contrast remain consistent regardless of the viewing position, making it ideal for wide seating arrangements.
- Qn90b: Samsung’s QN90B features an “Ultra Viewing Angle” layer which significantly improves off-axis performance compared to many other LED TVs. However, it still cannot match the perfect uniformity of an OLED.
- Winner: lg b2
Sound Quality
- Lg B2: The B2 typically features a standard 2.0 channel audio system, providing decent sound for casual viewing. However, for a truly immersive experience, a soundbar or external audio system is recommended.
- Qn90b: The QN90B often includes Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound (OTS) technology, which uses multiple speakers to create a more dynamic and immersive audio experience. It generally offers a more robust built-in sound than the B2.
- Winner: qn90b
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Picture Quality (Dark Room) | lg b2 |
| Picture Quality (Bright Room) | qn90b |
| Contrast Ratio | lg b2 |
| Peak Brightness | qn90b |
| Color Accuracy | lg b2 |
| Gaming Performance | qn90b |
| Viewing Angles | lg b2 |
| HDR Performance | qn90b |
| Motion Handling | qn90b |
| Smart TV Platform | Tie (Subjective Preference) |
| Sound Quality | qn90b |
What They Have in Common
- Resolution: Both the LG B2 and Samsung QN90B feature a 4K UHD resolution, delivering sharp and detailed images for an immersive viewing experience.
- Refresh Rate: Both TVs boast a 120Hz native refresh rate, which is crucial for smooth motion handling, especially during fast-paced scenes in movies and sports, and for a responsive gaming experience.
- HDMI 2.1 Ports: Both models include HDMI 2.1 ports, essential for next-generation gaming consoles and PCs, allowing for features like 4K @ 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
- Smart TV Functionality: Both televisions are equipped with robust smart TV platforms, offering access to a wide array of streaming services, apps, and other online content.
- Gaming Features: Beyond HDMI 2.1 capabilities, both TVs support key gaming technologies like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) to minimize input lag and screen tearing for a fluid gaming experience.
Lg B2 Vs Qn90B Buying Guide
Picture Quality for Movies and TV Shows
The LG B2, with its OLED panel, excels in delivering perfect blacks and infinite contrast, resulting in stunning HDR performance and incredible detail in dark scenes. This makes it a top choice for cinematic viewing where shadow detail is paramount.
The Samsung QN90B, a Neo QLED TV, offers exceptional brightness and vibrant colors thanks to its Mini-LED backlight. While it can’t achieve the perfect blacks of OLED, its local dimming is very effective, minimizing blooming and providing a punchy, dynamic image that’s great for bright room viewing and general entertainment. (See Also: Demeyere 5 Plus Vs Atlantis )
Gaming Performance and Features
For gamers, both TVs offer excellent experiences. The LG B2 boasts near-instantaneous pixel response times, virtually eliminating motion blur, and supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) for smooth gameplay. Its OLED panel also provides superior contrast for immersive gaming visuals.
The Samsung QN90B also shines in gaming with its low input lag, quick response times, and support for advanced gaming features like 4K @ 120Hz on multiple HDMI 2.1 ports. Its high brightness can also make fast-paced action pop, and its anti-reflective coating is a significant advantage in well-lit gaming setups.
Smart TV Platform and User Experience
LG’s webOS platform is renowned for its intuitive interface and ease of use. It offers a wide selection of streaming apps and features like LG Channels for free live TV. The Magic Remote enhances navigation with its pointer functionality, making browsing and selecting content a breeze.
Samsung’s Tizen OS is equally robust, providing a clean and responsive interface with access to all major streaming services. It integrates well with other Samsung devices and offers features like SmartThings for smart home control. Both platforms are mature and offer a premium user experience. (See Also: Nikon 50 1 8 Vs 1 4 )
Room Brightness and Viewing Angles
The Samsung QN90B is the clear winner for bright rooms due to its significantly higher peak brightness. Its Quantum Dot technology also ensures colors remain vibrant even in challenging lighting conditions. The QN90B’s anti-reflective screen further enhances its performance in well-lit environments.
The LG B2, while offering incredible contrast, is best suited for darker viewing environments. Its OLED panel’s perfect blacks are most appreciated when ambient light is minimized. While its viewing angles are generally excellent for an LED TV, the QN90B’s wider viewing angle technology might offer a slight edge in certain setups.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy lg b2 If…
- You prioritize perfect black levels and infinite contrast for exceptional movie and dark-room viewing.
- You are a serious cinephile who values the natural color reproduction and viewing angles of OLED technology.
- You want a TV that excels in darker environments and offers a more cinematic picture quality.
Buy qn90b If…
- You watch TV in a bright room and need a TV that can combat glare and maintain a vibrant picture.
- You want the brightest possible picture with exceptional HDR performance for impactful highlights.
- You are a gamer looking for a TV with top-tier gaming features and excellent motion clarity in bright conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which TV is better for dark room viewing?
For dark room viewing, the LG B2 is generally superior. Its OLED panel produces perfect blacks and infinite contrast, meaning individual pixels can be turned off completely. This results in unparalleled shadow detail and an absence of blooming, making it ideal for a truly cinematic experience where subtle dark tones are crucial.
Which TV is brighter and better for a bright room?
The Samsung QN90B is significantly brighter and the better choice for well-lit rooms. Its Neo QLED technology with Mini-LED backlighting allows for much higher peak brightness levels, enabling it to overcome ambient light and maintain vibrant colors. The QN90B also features a more effective anti-reflective coating. (See Also: Samsung Pro Vs Evo 850 )
Do both TVs have HDMI 2.1 for next-gen gaming?
Yes, both the LG B2 and the Samsung QN90B are equipped with HDMI 2.1 ports. This is essential for next-generation gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, allowing for features such as 4K resolution at 120 frames per second, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for smoother, more responsive gameplay.
How do their smart TV platforms compare?
LG’s webOS is praised for its user-friendly interface and the intuitive Magic Remote. Samsung’s Tizen OS is also very capable, offering a clean design and seamless integration with other Samsung devices. Both platforms provide access to all major streaming apps, ensuring a comprehensive entertainment experience.
What is the main difference in panel technology?
The fundamental difference lies in their panel technology. The LG B2 utilizes an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel, where each pixel emits its own light, leading to perfect blacks and infinite contrast. The Samsung QN90B employs a Neo QLED (Quantum Dot LED) panel, which uses a Mini-LED backlight for enhanced brightness and color volume, but relies on local dimming to control contrast.
Final Verdict
The LG B2 stands out for its perfect blacks and infinite contrast, making it the ultimate choice for cinematic movie watching and gaming in darker environments. Its OLED panel delivers unparalleled image depth and detail. However, for bright rooms and users prioritizing peak brightness and vibrant colors, the Samsung QN90B’s Neo QLED technology offers a superior experience.
Winner: LG B2