Let’s speak frankly, buying the last-year TV isn’t always a good idea, especially if you want to save some money and your budget is not so large to afford anything you want. If you want to buy the TV with the best ratio of price and quality, then you might think about buying a previous year’s model. That’s an especially good idea, if we take into account the fact, that usually, previous years TVs’ prices are going down when the new model is released.
In this article, we’re going to compare 3 different 90 series Quantum Dots TVs. TVs of this series are on sale since 2019, here there are:
- Q90R – 2019 year
- Q90T – 2020 year
- QN90A – 2021 year
By the way, if you don’t know what’s Quantum Dots TVs or want to understand the subject better, you can read our article explaining Quantum Dots TVs.
It may look strange that the model number has slightly changed in 2021, but there’s nothing extremely new. Samsung just added another letter indicating the type of QLED TV. So, in the QN55QN90A, the first letter N means that the TV is going to sale in North America. For Europe, the same TV model number would look like this: QE55QN90A. QN before the model number means QLED TV of the NEO series.
Also, if you want to understand Samsung TV model numbers better, you can check our article covering this subject as well.
QN90A features
Let’s turn back to comparing these 3 TVs. First of all, I think we should look on QN90A features and improvements to understand whether this new TV model is offering something new, compared to the previous models.
The main feature of QN90A is a new screen technology. Actually, it’s better say that the screens are the same as before, but the blacklight technology was improved and there are used mini diodes now.
You can read more about Neo QLED TVs in our article.
The 2021 TVs use a new version of the Tizen OS (Tizen 6.0). The new version has paid more attention to gaming opportunities, using the TV as a monitor and using the TV as a screen for presentations and offices.
QN90A Gaming opportunities
The QN90A takes gaming to a new level. If in the previous version you had to find and turn on the game mode in the settings, the TV of 2021 has an ALLM mode (Auto Low-Latency Mode). Thanks to this mode, TV automatically detects a game console connection and activates game mode.
And, of course, for the gamers there are Super Ultra Wide Game View and Game bar for quick gaming functions configuration. FreeSync mode is also supported, so you can sync TV and video card.
New SollarCell smart remote
Samsung has also introduced new SollarCell smart remote. We already talked about it in our article, so you can read it. In fact, this smart remote is similar to One Remote, but it has sollar cells, so it can save your bateries charge.
Also, there’s no proved info now, but seems that the new SolarCell remote would work with the older TVs as well.
New technologies and their names in QN90A
Compared to previous TV models, Samsung has added a lot of new technology names. Note, while some of these technologies are really new, other part is just new names to the technologies that already existed.
We would add links to this technologies explanations as soon as possible, but now you can use site search in order to find the technology explanation you’re interested in. The whole list as follows:
- Film Mode
- LED Clear Motion
- Natural Mode Support
- Motion Technology
- 360 Video Player
- 360 Camera Support
- Easy Setup
- App Casting
- Wireless TV On – Samsung WOW
- Wired TV On – Samsung WOL
- SmartThings App Support
- SmartThings
- Far-Field Voice Interaction
- TV Plus
- Web Browser
- Gallery
- EPG
- FreeSync
- Filmmaker Mode
- BT HID Support
- MBR Support
- IPv6 Support
- Tap View
- Auto Game Mode (ALLM)
- Wireless Dex
- Cloud Service
- Multi View
- Game Motion Plus
- Dynamic Black EQ
- Super Ultra Wide Game View
Is QN90A better than Q90T?
Now, let’s speak about QN90A vs Q90T. In fact, if you don’t want to overpay, I recommend you to take a look on Q90T or even on Q90R. Yes, Samsung has introduced some really interesting features, but if you aren’t looking for the top TV and want just to watch movies, Q90T would satify 99% of your needs.
Is Q90T better than Q90R?
The same thing is with Q90R vs Q90T. Of course, 2020 year model is more advanced in some features (at least, it has higher top brightness), but if you just want to buy a TV to watch movies, series and sometimes play your XBOX, Q90R is quite a nice (and cheaper) choice.
QN90A vs Q90R vs Q90T comparison table
Here is the table, comparing QN90A vs Q90R vs Q90T. We don’t recommend to rely on pure side-by-side comparisons, but it can help you a lot if you still don’t know what TV to buy.
| QN90A | Q90T | Q90R (2019) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| screen | |||
| Screen Size | 55, 65, 75, 85 | 55, 65, 75, 85 | 65, 75, 82 |
| Style | Flat Panel | Flat Panel | Flat Panel |
| Resolution | 3,840 x 2,160 | 3,840 x 2,160 | 3,840 x 2,160 |
| screen bit | 10bit | 10bit | 10bit |
| type screnn | Quantum Dot | Quantum Dot | Quantum Dot |
| screen technology | VA | VA | VA |
| Backlighting | HDR 10+, HLG | Direct Full Array 16X | Direct Full Array 16X |
| Dimming Technology | Ultimate UHD Dimming | Ultimate UHD Dimming pro | Ultimate UHD Dimming |
| Stand Type (Color) | Sand Black | Bending Plate (Titan Black) | Bending Plate |
| Bezel Width | 4 Bezel-less | Slim | 4 Bezel-less |
| Video | |||
| Motion Rate | 240 | 240 | 240 |
| refresh rate | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Color | 100% Color Volume | 100% Color Volume with Quantum Dot | 100% Color Volume with Quantum Dot |
| Contrast | Quantum Matrix Technology | ||
| HDR (High-Dynamic Range) | HLG, HDR10+ Quantum HDR 32X | Quantum HDR 16x | Quantum HDR 16x |
| Picture Engine | Neo Quantum Processor 4K | Quantum Processor 4K | Quantum Processor 4K |
| Audio | |||
| Dolby | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sound Output | 60W | 60W | 60W |
| Woofer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Speaker Type | 4.2.2 CH | 4.2.2 CH | 4.2CH |
| Object Tracking Sound | Yes | Yes | No |
| Q-Symphony | Yes | Yes | No |
| Multiroom Link | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Features | |||
| OS | Tizen 6.0 | Tizen 5.5 | Tizen 5.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Yes WiFi5 | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes 4.2 | Yes 4.2 | Yes |
| Smart Hub | Yes (incl. Sports, Music and TV Plus) | Yes (incl. Sports, Music and TV Plus) | |
| Samsung Health | Yes | ||
| Bixby | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Film Mode | Yes | ||
| LED Clear Motion | Yes | ||
| Natural Mode Support | Yes | ||
| Motion Technology | Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ | ||
| 360 Video Player | Yes | ||
| 360 Camera Support | Yes | ||
| Easy Setup | Yes | ||
| App Casting | Yes | ||
| Wireless TV On - Samsung WOW | Yes | ||
| Wired TV On - Samsung WOL | Yes | ||
| Digital Clean View | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ultra Black | No | No | Ultra Black Elite |
| ConnectShare | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Closed Captioning | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Game Mode | No | Yes | Yes |
| Eco Sensor | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile to TV - Mirroring, DLNA | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Google Assistant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alexa | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SmartThings App Support | Yes | ||
| SmartThings | Yes | ||
| Far-Field Voice Interaction | Yes | ||
| TV Plus | Yes | ||
| Web Browser | Yes | ||
| Gallery | Yes | ||
| EPG | Yes | ||
| FreeSync | Yes | ||
| Filmmaker Mode | Yes | ||
| IP Control | Yes | ||
| BT HID Support | Yes | ||
| MBR Support | Yes | ||
| IPv6 Support | Yes | ||
| Tap View | Yes | ||
| Auto Game Mode (ALLM) | Yes | ||
| Wireless Dex | Yes | ||
| Cloud Service | Office 365 | ||
| Multi View | Yes | ||
| Game Motion Plus | Yes | ||
| Dynamic Black EQ | Yes | ||
| Super Ultra Wide Game View | Yes | ||
| Game bar | Yes | ||
| Expert Calibration | Yes | ||
| Auto Channel Search | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| InstaPort S (HDMI Quick Switch) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Channel Guide | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ambient Mode | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Power Off | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI Technology | ? | ? | Yes |
| Apps Platform | Yes | Smart TV with Bixby Voice, Apps and Full Web Browser | Smart TV with Bixby Voice, Apps and Full Web Browser |
| Auto Motion Plus | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Embedded POP | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| V-Chip | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TV to Mobile - Mirroring | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| USB HID Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI Upscale | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Easy Pairing | No | No | No |
| Inputs & Outputs | |||
| HDMI | 4 (3 ver.2.0, 1 ver 2.1) | 4 (3 ver.2.0, 1 ver 2.1) | 4 ver. 2.0 |
| USB | 2 (2.0) | 2 | 3 |
| Ethernet | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RF In (Terrestrial/Cable | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RF In (Satellite Input) | Yes Europe, No US | Yes Europe, No US | Yes Europe, No US |
| Digital Audio Out (Optical) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Return Channel Support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| eARC | Yes | Yes | No |
| One Connect | No | No | Yes |
| Samsung OneRemote | Yes | Yes | No |
| System | |||
| Digital Broadcasting | ATSC 3.0/ATSC/ClearQAM US, DVB Europe | ATSC/ClearQAM US, DVB Europe | ATSC/ClearQAM US, DVB Europe |
| Analog Tuner | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Accessories | |||
| Remote control | TM2180E | TM2050C | TM1950C |
What is confusing me is that the prices I’m seeing don’t line up. An 85″ q90A is available for a grand less than the q90T and half the price of the q90R.
Perhaps it’s just a scam? (q90A would not deliver till the new year)
Any thoughts?
[…] Samsung QN90A vs Q90T vs Q90R: Which one should you buy? […]
Hi, you are kinda right, what this was referring to was breaking the full name into 3 parts:
QN55QN90A (as an example)
QN – this first part the N is for North America as they say above. if it started QE it would be the Europe model (QE55QN90A)
55 – the numbers indicate the screen size
QN – this second part having the N indicates it being a Neo QLED as you said
90A – the actual model with R being 2019 T being 2020 and A being the new 2021
I was under the strong impression that the N in the new Samsung TV models is a reference to the Neo QLED models and not North America… but maybe I was wrong.