The LG 65-inch QNED90T QNED TV stands out as a formidable contender in the competitive 4K TV market, offering a compelling blend of Mini LED backlighting and Quantum Dot NanoCell color technology.
This combination delivers exceptional brightness, vibrant and accurate colors, and impressive contrast that significantly elevates the viewing experience, particularly for HDR content.
While it might not reach the absolute black levels of OLED, its performance in bright rooms and its overall picture quality make it a strong choice for those seeking a high-end LED TV.
It’s essentially LG’s answer to those who want a vivid, impactful picture without the burn-in concerns sometimes associated with OLED, making it a highly attractive option for diverse viewing habits, from sports and movies to gaming.
Product Name | Screen Technology | Key Features | Price Range Approx. | Best For |
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LG 65-inch QNED90T QNED TV | QNED Mini LED + Quantum Dot NanoCell | α8 AI Processor 4K, 120Hz Native, VRR, FreeSync Premium | $1,500 – $2,000 | Bright rooms, HDR content, Gaming |
Samsung 65-inch QN90C Neo QLED TV | Neo QLED Mini LED | Neo Quantum HDR+, Anti-Glare, Ultra Viewing Angle | $1,800 – $2,300 | Premium picture quality, Gaming, Bright rooms |
Sony 65-inch X90L BRAVIA XR Full Array LED TV | Full Array LED | XR Processor, Acoustic Multi-Audio, Google TV | $1,200 – $1,700 | Cinematic viewing, Upscaling, Sound quality |
TCL 65-inch QM8 Mini LED QLED TV | Mini LED QLED | QLED Pro, High Brightness, Game Master Pro 2.0 | $1,000 – $1,500 | Value, Gaming, High brightness |
Hisense 65-inch U8 Series Mini-LED ULED TV | Mini-LED ULED | Hi-View Engine, IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision IQ | $900 – $1,400 | Affordable premium, Gaming, HDR content |
LG 65-inch C3 OLED TV | OLED | α9 Gen6 AI Processor 4K, Self-Lit Pixels, G-SYNC | $1,700 – $2,200 | Best black levels, Dark room viewing, Gaming |
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED Series 65-inch | QLED Full Array | Fire TV built-in, Hands-free Alexa, Adaptive Brightness | $700 – $1,000 | Smart home integration, Value, Streaming |
Decoding QNED: Mini LED + Quantum Dot + NanoCell Explained
Alright, let’s cut through the jargon and get to the core of what LG’s QNED technology actually brings to the table, especially in the 65-inch QNED90T.
You’ve likely heard about QLED and OLED, but QNED is LG’s unique blend designed to deliver a high-performance LCD experience.
Think of it as hitting the sweet spot between traditional LED TVs and the more premium OLEDs.
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Mini LED Backlighting: This is the game-changer. Instead of standard, larger LEDs for backlighting, Mini LEDs are, well, mini. We’re talking thousands of tiny LEDs, often less than 200 micrometers in size, packed behind the screen. Apple Iphone 16 Plus Review
- More Dimming Zones: What does this density mean? It allows for a significantly higher number of local dimming zones. The QNED90T, for example, boasts hundreds, if not thousands, of these zones. More zones mean the TV can control light with far greater precision. When a dark scene appears, the TV can dim specific zones completely, leading to much deeper blacks and better contrast than a conventional LED TV.
- Reduced Blooming: This precision also helps mitigate “blooming” or “haloing,” where light from bright objects spills into dark areas. While not entirely eliminated it’s still an LCD panel, Mini LED drastically minimizes this effect compared to older full-array local dimming FALD technologies.
- Higher Peak Brightness: More LEDs also mean more raw light output. The QNED90T can hit impressively high peak brightness levels, making HDR content pop and ensuring excellent visibility even in brightly lit rooms.
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Quantum Dot QD Layer: This is where the color magic happens. Quantum dots are microscopic nanocrystals that emit specific colors of light when illuminated.
- Wider Color Gamut: The Quantum Dot layer on the QNED90T allows for a much wider color gamut, meaning it can reproduce a broader spectrum of colors than standard LCDs. This translates to incredibly vibrant and lifelike images.
- Improved Color Volume: It’s not just about how many colors, but how brightly they can be displayed. Quantum dots maintain their color accuracy even at high brightness levels, which is crucial for truly impactful HDR.
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NanoCell Technology: This is LG’s proprietary color filter layer, layered on top of the Quantum Dot film.
- Purer Colors: NanoCell particles are designed to absorb unwanted light wavelengths, specifically those that cause colors to bleed or desaturate. By filtering out dull colors, NanoCell ensures the remaining colors are purer and more accurate.
- Improved Viewing Angles: While not as good as OLED, NanoCell technology does contribute to somewhat better viewing angles compared to basic LCD panels, reducing color shift when you’re not sitting directly in front of the screen.
The Synergistic Effect: So, the QNED90T isn’t just about one technology. it’s about how these three work together. The Mini LED provides the contrast and brightness, the Quantum Dot delivers the wide color, and NanoCell refines that color for purity and angle. The result is a TV that aims for the best of both worlds: the vibrant, high-brightness capabilities of a premium LED with a significant leap in black levels and contrast thanks to Mini LED, all wrapped up with LG’s excellent color science.
Picture Quality and Performance: A Deep Dive into Visual Fidelity
When you’re shelling out for a 65-inch TV, picture quality is paramount, and the LG QNED90T largely delivers, especially for its price point.
Let’s break down its performance across various viewing scenarios.
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Brightness SDR and HDR: This is where the QNED90T truly shines, thanks to its Mini LED backlighting.
- SDR Standard Dynamic Range: For everyday viewing—broadcast TV, older movies, streaming non-HDR content—the QNED90T provides ample brightness. You can easily watch it in a sun-drenched living room without the image looking washed out. Its sustained brightness is excellent for maintaining clarity in bright environments.
- HDR High Dynamic Range: This is the sweet spot. The TV can hit impressive peak brightness levels for HDR highlights, making explosions, sunlight reflecting off water, or neon signs absolutely pop off the screen. It supports major HDR formats including Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, ensuring compatibility with almost all modern HDR content. The ability to reproduce these dazzling highlights is a key differentiator from many less expensive TVs.
- Example: Watching a documentary on nature, the gleam of ice on a glacier or the shimmer of light on water will be exceptionally bright and realistic, adding depth and immersion.
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Contrast and Black Levels: While Mini LED dramatically improves contrast over traditional LCDs, it’s essential to set realistic expectations.
- Local Dimming: The QNED90T utilizes sophisticated local dimming, dividing the screen into numerous zones that can be independently brightened or dimmed. This allows for significantly deeper blacks adjacent to bright areas, vastly improving perceived contrast.
- Blooming: Despite the high number of zones, some blooming a halo effect around bright objects on a dark background can still be visible, especially with very small, very bright objects against a pitch-black screen. It’s much less noticeable than on older FALD TVs, but OLED remains king for absolute black levels with no blooming.
- Dark Room Performance: In a dark room, the improvements in black levels are evident, but if absolute, inky blacks are your top priority and you watch predominantly in a dark environment, an OLED might still be the ultimate choice. However, for most users, the QNED90T’s dark room performance is very good, with impressive shadow detail.
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Color Accuracy and Volume: The combination of Quantum Dot and NanoCell technology makes the QNED90T a strong performer in the color department.
- Wide Color Gamut WCG: It covers a substantial portion of the DCI-P3 color space, which is critical for displaying the full range of colors in HDR content. This means you’re seeing colors as the creators intended.
- Color Volume: The TV maintains color saturation and accuracy even at high brightness levels, which is crucial for impactful HDR. You won’t see colors wash out when a scene gets extremely bright.
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Motion Handling and Upscaling:
- Motion Clarity: With a native 120Hz refresh rate panel, the QNED90T handles fast-moving content—sports, action movies, games—with excellent clarity and minimal motion blur. LG’s TruMotion processing can be used to smooth out motion further, though some users might prefer to disable it to avoid the “soap opera effect.”
- Upscaling: The α8 AI Processor 4K does a commendable job upscaling lower-resolution content like 1080p Blu-rays or standard definition broadcasts to 4K. While not magic, it adds detail and sharpness without introducing significant artifacts, making older content look surprisingly good on the large screen.
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Viewing Angles: This is traditionally an LCD weakness, but LG’s NanoCell technology helps somewhat. The Legend Of Zelda Echoes Of Wisdom Review
- Improvement: While not as wide as an OLED, the QNED90T offers decent viewing angles. There will be some color and brightness degradation when viewing from extreme off-angles, but for typical living room arrangements, it’s quite good, meaning friends and family won’t be stuck with a washed-out picture.
The Verdict on Picture Quality: The LG QNED90T delivers a vibrant, bright, and detailed picture that excels with HDR content. Its Mini LED backlight provides significant improvements in contrast and black levels over traditional LCDs, making it a powerful choice for diverse viewing environments. While it doesn’t quite reach OLED’s perfect blacks, its performance in bright rooms and overall picture impact make it a very strong contender.
Gaming Features: Unlocking the Ultimate Console and PC Experience
For gamers, the LG 65-inch QNED90T isn’t just a pretty screen.
It’s engineered with features that cater directly to the demands of modern gaming.
LG has consistently been a leader in gaming TV features, and the QNED90T continues that trend, making it a compelling choice for console and PC gamers alike.
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HDMI 2.1 Ports: This is non-negotiable for next-gen gaming. The QNED90T comes equipped with multiple HDMI 2.1 ports.
- 4K @ 120Hz: These ports allow you to connect your PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or a high-end gaming PC and output 4K resolution at a buttery-smooth 120 frames per second FPS. This is crucial for competitive titles where every millisecond counts, and for immersive single-player games that benefit from high frame rates.
- eARC Enhanced Audio Return Channel: While not strictly a gaming feature, eARC on one of the HDMI 2.1 ports allows for uncompressed, high-bitrate audio passthrough to a soundbar or AV receiver, ensuring you get the best possible sound from your gaming setup.
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Variable Refresh Rate VRR Support: Say goodbye to screen tearing.
- NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible: The QNED90T is specifically listed as NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible, meaning it can dynamically match its refresh rate to the frame rate output by your NVIDIA graphics card, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering for a smoother PC gaming experience.
- AMD FreeSync Premium: It also supports AMD FreeSync Premium, providing similar benefits for AMD graphics cards and Xbox consoles.
- HDMI Forum VRR: Beyond the proprietary standards, it supports the universal HDMI Forum VRR standard, ensuring broad compatibility with future devices.
- Benefit: This technology synchronizes the TV’s refresh rate with the game’s frame rate, resulting in tear-free, fluid gameplay, especially important during intense action sequences where frame rates can fluctuate.
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Auto Low Latency Mode ALLM: The QNED90T detects when a gaming console is connected and automatically switches to its lowest latency “Game Optimizer” mode.
- Game Optimizer: This dedicated mode is a hub for all gaming settings. You can quickly check your current FPS, VRR status, genre settings FPS, RPG, RTS, and even fine-tune specific visual enhancements like black stabilizer to reveal enemies in dark areas.
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Cloud Gaming Integration: Beyond console and PC, LG’s WebOS platform is expanding its cloud gaming capabilities.
- NVIDIA GeForce NOW: Many LG TVs, including the QNED90T, offer direct integration with NVIDIA GeForce NOW, allowing you to stream high-end PC games directly to your TV without needing a powerful local PC, provided you have a strong internet connection. This is a must for accessibility.
Key Gaming Metrics Estimates based on similar LG models:
- 4K @ 120Hz Input Lag: Typically in the 5-6ms range in Game Optimizer mode. This is incredibly low and imperceptible for virtually all gamers.
- 1080p @ 60Hz Input Lag: Also extremely low, often around 10-12ms.
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The cumulative effect of these features is a truly premium gaming experience.
You get the high resolution and frame rates of next-gen consoles, free from visual artifacts like tearing and stuttering, and with minimal input lag that ensures your actions are registered instantly. The QNED90T isn’t just capable of gaming.
It actively enhances it, making it an excellent centerpiece for any gaming setup.
Audio Quality and Smart Features: Beyond the Visuals
While the picture is undeniably the star, a great TV experience also hinges on capable audio and a smart, intuitive operating system.
The LG 65-inch QNED90T aims to deliver on both fronts, leveraging LG’s proprietary technologies and a robust smart platform.
Audio Performance:
Let’s be real: built-in TV speakers are rarely an audiophile’s dream.
However, LG has put effort into making the QNED90T’s audio output respectable for casual viewing.
- 2.2 Channel Speaker System Typically: The QNED90T generally features a 2.2 channel speaker system, meaning two main speakers and two subwoofers integrated into the TV chassis. This configuration aims to provide a fuller sound with a bit more bass than standard 2.0 systems.
- AI Sound Pro / AI Acoustic Tuning: LG’s α8 AI Processor 4K doesn’t just handle video. it also optimizes audio.
- Room Calibration: The TV uses its remote’s microphone Magic Remote to analyze your room’s acoustics during setup. It then calibrates the sound output to match your specific environment, attempting to compensate for reflections and optimize clarity.
- AI Sound Pro: This feature analyzes the audio content you’re watching dialogue, podcast, action and dynamically adjusts the sound profile for optimal delivery. For instance, it might enhance dialogue clarity during a speech or boost bass during an explosion. While not always perfect, it’s generally a noticeable improvement over standard modes.
- Dolby Atmos Support: The QNED90T can decode and pass through Dolby Atmos audio. While its internal speakers can’t deliver true overhead Atmos effects, they attempt to create a more immersive, virtualized soundstage. For genuine Atmos, you’ll want to connect a compatible soundbar or AV receiver.
- Connectivity Options:
- HDMI eARC: The most important connection for external audio. This allows high-bitrate, uncompressed audio formats like Dolby Atmos from Blu-ray players or streaming services to be passed to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver with a single HDMI cable.
- Optical Digital Audio Out: For older sound systems or soundbars that don’t support HDMI ARC.
- Bluetooth: For connecting wireless headphones or Bluetooth speakers, offering a convenient way to listen without disturbing others.
Recommendation: For the best audio experience, especially for movies and gaming, an external audio solution like a soundbar e.g., LG SP9YA Soundbar or a full home theater system is highly recommended. The QNED90T’s built-in speakers are fine for news or casual TV, but they won’t provide the depth and impact of dedicated audio hardware.
Smart Features and WebOS:
LG’s WebOS is consistently lauded as one of the best smart TV platforms available, and for good reason. It’s fast, intuitive, and packed with features.
- Intuitive User Interface: WebOS uses a simple, horizontal launcher bar at the bottom of the screen, providing quick access to all your apps, inputs, and settings. It’s highly customizable, allowing you to reorder apps to your liking.
- Magic Remote: This innovative remote is a standout feature. It functions as a point-and-click device, similar to a mouse, making navigation incredibly fast and easy. It also includes voice control and a scroll wheel, which are incredibly useful for browsing menus and inputting text.
- Comprehensive App Support: You’ll find all the major streaming services you could ask for: Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV+, Max, Peacock, and many more. The app store is robust and regularly updated.
- AI ThinQ: LG’s AI ThinQ platform integrates the TV into your smart home ecosystem.
- Voice Assistants: Built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant allows you to control the TV, search for content, check the weather, or even control other smart home devices just by speaking into the Magic Remote.
- Smart Home Hub: The TV can act as a central hub, allowing you to monitor and control compatible smart devices lights, thermostats, cameras directly from the TV interface.
- Apple AirPlay 2 & HomeKit: If you’re an Apple user, these features are a big plus.
- AirPlay 2: Easily cast content videos, photos, podcast from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to the TV.
- HomeKit: Control your TV using Apple’s Home app or Siri, and integrate it into your Apple HomeKit automations.
- Multi-View: Some models offer a multi-view feature, allowing you to display two sources simultaneously e.g., watching a game while browsing the web or following a YouTube tutorial.
- User Profiles: WebOS now supports user profiles, allowing different family members to have their own personalized home screen layouts, recommendations, and viewing history.
The WebOS Advantage: The responsiveness of WebOS, combined with the versatility of the Magic Remote, makes daily use of the QNED90T a smooth and enjoyable experience. You’re not just buying a display. you’re getting a fully integrated smart entertainment hub. Lenovo Thinkpad X12 Gen 2 Detachable Review
Design, Build Quality, and Connectivity: A Look at the Hardware
The physical aspects of a TV—how it looks, feels, and connects—are just as important as its internal tech.
The LG 65-inch QNED90T generally presents a premium aesthetic with thoughtful design choices and robust connectivity options.
Design and Aesthetics:
- Sleek and Modern Look: The QNED90T boasts a minimalist design that should blend well into most modern living spaces. It features relatively thin bezels the frame around the screen on three sides, maximizing the screen-to-body ratio and drawing attention to the picture.
- Thin Profile for an LCD: While not as wafer-thin as an OLED, Mini LED technology allows for a much slimmer profile than traditional full-array LED TVs. This makes it look sleeker when wall-mounted and less bulky on a stand.
- Central Stand: Many LG QNED models utilize a sturdy, central pedestal stand. This is a practical design choice for a 65-inch TV as it requires less surface area than wide-set feet, making it easier to place on various TV stands. The stand is typically well-weighted to prevent wobbling.
- Cable Management: LG often includes basic cable management solutions, such as clips on the back of the stand or channels to route cables, helping to keep your setup tidy and reduce clutter.
Build Quality:
- Premium Materials: While not always using high-end metals throughout, LG typically employs good quality plastics and finishes that feel solid and durable. The back panel is usually a textured plastic, and the stand, while sometimes plastic-covered, has a metal core for stability.
- Panel Uniformity: Mini LED technology, combined with LG’s manufacturing precision, generally leads to excellent panel uniformity. This means the screen should display a consistent image across its surface, without noticeable clouding, dirty screen effect DSE, or significant backlight bleed. However, as with any large panel, some minor variations can occur, but these are typically very minimal in premium models.
- Durability: The TV is built to last, with components designed for longevity. The internal cooling for the Mini LED array is also a factor, ensuring the LEDs operate efficiently and don’t overheat, which contributes to the TV’s lifespan.
Connectivity Options:
The QNED90T is well-equipped to handle a multitude of devices, from gaming consoles to sound systems and streaming boxes.
- HDMI Ports:
- Multiple HDMI 2.1 Ports: This is a crucial feature, especially for gamers and those with high-bandwidth devices. The QNED90T typically offers four HDMI ports, with at least two, and often all four, supporting HDMI 2.1 features.
- HDMI 2.1 Key Features:
- 4K @ 120Hz: Essential for next-gen consoles PS5, Xbox Series X and high-end gaming PCs.
- VRR Variable Refresh Rate: As discussed, this includes FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatibility, and HDMI Forum VRR.
- ALLM Auto Low Latency Mode: Automatically switches to game mode for minimal input lag.
- eARC Enhanced Audio Return Channel: Found on one of the HDMI ports, allowing for uncompressed, high-bitrate audio passthrough to compatible soundbars or AV receivers.
- USB Ports:
- Typically two or three USB ports are available. These are useful for connecting USB drives to play media photos, videos, podcast directly on the TV, or for connecting peripherals.
- Ethernet Port LAN: For a stable wired internet connection, which is often preferable for streaming high-bandwidth 4K content to avoid Wi-Fi congestion.
- Optical Digital Audio Output: For connecting older soundbars or audio receivers that don’t support HDMI ARC/eARC.
- RF Input Antenna/Cable: For connecting an antenna for over-the-air broadcasts or a cable TV connection.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth:
- Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6: For wireless internet connectivity, enabling all smart TV features and streaming.
- Bluetooth: For connecting wireless headphones, keyboards, or other Bluetooth peripherals.
Practical Considerations: When setting up, consider where your ports are located. LG often places them on the side or bottom of the TV, making them accessible for wall-mounting while keeping a clean look from the front. The inclusion of multiple full-spec HDMI 2.1 ports is a significant advantage, future-proofing the TV for upcoming content and hardware.
Calibration and Settings: Maximizing Your QNED Experience
You’ve unboxed your shiny new LG 65-inch QNED90T.
While it looks good out of the box, taking a few minutes to adjust settings can unlock its full potential.
Think of it like tuning a performance car – it’s already great, but a little tweak makes it sing.
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Picture Modes: The Starting Point
- Filmmaker Mode: If you care about cinematic accuracy, this is your go-to for movies and TV shows. It disables all post-processing like motion smoothing and aims to present content exactly as the director intended, maintaining correct aspect ratios, colors, and frame rates. It’s often the most accurate preset.
- ISF Expert Bright Room / Dark Room: These modes are designed for professional calibration but offer excellent out-of-the-box accuracy for those who don’t want to pay for a professional. They provide a neutral baseline.
- Standard / Vivid: Avoid these for critical viewing. “Standard” is often too bright and cool, while “Vivid” over-saturates colors and boosts sharpness unnaturally. They might look “punchy” on the showroom floor, but they distort the original content. Use them only if you specifically prefer an extremely vibrant, albeit inaccurate, picture.
- Game Optimizer: As discussed, this is crucial for gaming. It prioritizes low input lag and activates gaming-specific features like VRR.
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Key Picture Settings to Tweak:
- Backlight / OLED Pixel Brightness: Controls the overall brightness of the screen. Adjust this based on your room’s ambient light. Lower for dark rooms, higher for bright rooms. For HDR, the TV will automatically boost this significantly.
- Contrast: Adjusts the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of the image. Too high and you lose detail in whites. too low and blacks look milky. Start with the default and adjust slightly.
- Brightness Black Level: This sets the black point. Be careful here – too high, and blacks look gray. too low, and you crush shadow detail. Use a test pattern if possible.
- Sharpness: Generally, leave this at 0 or the lowest setting that avoids softening. Increasing sharpness can introduce artifacts and a ‘processed’ look.
- Color / Tint: Usually accurate out of the box in Filmmaker or ISF modes. Only adjust if you have a specific calibration tool.
- Color Temperature White Balance: This is critical for accurate colors. “Warm2” or “Warm” settings are generally the most accurate, matching industry standards for cinematic viewing. Cooler temperatures e.g., “Standard,” “Cool” give a blueish tint.
- TruMotion Motion Interpolation: This is LG’s motion smoothing feature. For movies, turn it off completely to avoid the “soap opera effect.” For sports, some users might prefer a low setting e.g., “Cinematic Movement” or “User” with de-judder/de-blur set low to reduce blur, but be aware of artifacts.
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- Dynamic Tone Mapping: For HDR content, this processes metadata frame-by-frame to optimize brightness and contrast for the TV’s capabilities. Generally, leave this “On” for the best HDR experience, unless your source device like a high-end 4K Blu-ray player is handling tone mapping externally.
- Local Dimming: This controls the Mini LED backlight. Set to “High” for the best contrast and black levels, but be aware that some minimal blooming might be more apparent. “Medium” or “Low” can reduce blooming but will also reduce overall contrast. Experiment to find your preference.
- Noise Reduction / MPEG Noise Reduction: Turn these off for 4K and high-quality sources. They can soften the image. Only use them for very low-quality, compressed content where noise is distracting.
- Real Cinema / Cinema Screen: Ensure this is “On” for 24p content most movies and many streaming shows to properly handle film judder and ensure smooth playback.
Calibration Best Practices:
- Choose the Right Mode: Start with Filmmaker Mode or ISF Expert.
- Adjust for Your Environment: Calibrate in the lighting conditions you typically watch in.
- Use Test Patterns: Websites like RTINGS.com or dedicated calibration discs can provide patterns to help accurately set brightness, contrast, and black levels.
- Calibrate Each Input Separately: Picture settings can be unique to each HDMI input, so calibrate your Blu-ray player input, gaming console input, etc., individually.
- Don’t Overdo It: Small adjustments often make the biggest difference. Resist the urge to crank everything up.
By spending a little time with these settings, you can truly unlock the stunning visual potential of your LG QNED90T and enjoy content closer to its original artistic intent.
Pros and Cons: Weighing Your Options for the QNED90T
No TV is perfect, and the LG 65-inch QNED90T is no exception.
Understanding its strengths and weaknesses will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your living room and viewing habits.
Pros:
- Exceptional Brightness: Thanks to Mini LED, the QNED90T gets incredibly bright for both SDR and HDR content. This makes it a fantastic choice for bright living rooms, where it can easily overcome glare and deliver impactful HDR highlights that truly pop.
- Vibrant and Accurate Colors: The combination of Quantum Dot and NanoCell technologies results in a wide color gamut and highly accurate, rich colors. HDR content looks particularly impressive with its expansive color volume.
- Excellent Contrast for an LCD: The Mini LED backlight with its numerous local dimming zones provides significantly deeper blacks and better contrast than traditional full-array LED TVs. This leads to a much more dynamic picture, especially in dark scenes.
- Top-Tier Gaming Features: With multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K @ 120Hz support, VRR G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium, HDMI Forum VRR, and ALLM, the QNED90T is a powerhouse for next-gen console and PC gaming. Low input lag is a major plus.
- Intuitive and Feature-Rich Smart Platform WebOS: LG’s WebOS is one of the best smart TV platforms available, offering a fluid user experience, comprehensive app support, AI ThinQ integration, and the fantastic Magic Remote.
- Dolby Vision and HDR10 Support: Full compatibility with the most common HDR formats ensures you get the best quality from a wide range of content.
- Decent Viewing Angles for an LCD: While not OLED-level, NanoCell technology helps to minimize color and brightness degradation when viewing from off-center angles, making it suitable for larger family gatherings.
Cons:
- Not OLED Black Levels: Despite Mini LED’s advancements, the QNED90T is still an LCD panel. It cannot achieve the absolute, inky blacks of self-emissive OLED technology, which can fully turn off individual pixels.
- Potential for Blooming/Haloing: While significantly reduced compared to older FALD TVs, some degree of blooming light bleed around bright objects on a dark background can still be visible in very challenging scenes, especially in a dark room. This is the primary trade-off with Mini LED vs. OLED.
- Off-Axis Viewing Still Not OLED-Level: While improved, viewing angles are still not as wide as an OLED. If you have a very wide seating arrangement, viewers at extreme angles might notice some degradation in color or contrast.
- Built-in Audio is Average: Like most TVs, the integrated speakers are adequate for casual viewing but lack the depth, clarity, and bass response needed for an immersive cinematic or gaming experience. An external sound solution is highly recommended.
- Price Point: While offering excellent value for its features, the QNED90T sits in the premium LCD category, meaning it’s more expensive than entry-level or mid-range 4K TVs. Its price can sometimes overlap with entry-level OLEDs, which might make the choice difficult for dark-room viewers.
Who is this TV for?
The LG 65-inch QNED90T is an excellent choice for:
- Users who primarily watch TV in brightly lit rooms.
- Gamers who demand all the latest HDMI 2.1 features for their next-gen consoles and PCs.
- Anyone seeking a vibrant, punchy HDR picture with excellent color volume.
- Those concerned about OLED burn-in but still want deep blacks and high contrast.
Who might want to look elsewhere?
- Videophiles prioritizing absolute black levels and perfect contrast for dark-room viewing an OLED would be a better fit.
- Budget-conscious buyers who need a 65-inch TV but don’t require all the advanced features.
Ultimately, the QNED90T strikes a fantastic balance, offering a premium LED TV experience that excels in many areas, particularly brightness and gaming, making it a highly competitive option in its segment.
Comparing QNED to OLED and QLED: What’s the Real Difference?
Navigating the acronyms in the TV market can feel like deciphering ancient texts.
QNED, OLED, and QLED are all premium display technologies, but they achieve their stunning visuals in fundamentally different ways, leading to distinct strengths and weaknesses.
Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right TV for your specific needs. Lenovo Ideapad Pro 5I 16 Review
OLED Organic Light Emitting Diode:
- How it Works: This is the most fundamentally different technology. Each pixel in an OLED panel is self-emissive, meaning it generates its own light. When a pixel needs to be black, it simply turns off completely.
- Strengths:
- Perfect Blacks: The ability to turn off individual pixels results in absolute, inky blacks and infinite contrast. This is OLED’s undisputed killer feature.
- Perfect Viewing Angles: Colors and brightness remain consistent even at extreme off-axis viewing angles.
- Instant Pixel Response Time: Pixels light up and turn off instantaneously, leading to virtually no motion blur and incredibly smooth motion, making it excellent for gaming.
- Excellent Color Accuracy: Generally very accurate colors, especially in dark scenes.
- Weaknesses:
- Lower Peak Brightness: While OLEDs have gotten much brighter, they generally cannot match the peak brightness of Mini LED TVs, especially for full-screen white scenes. This makes them less ideal for very bright rooms.
- Risk of Burn-in Image Retention: While highly unlikely with normal, varied content, static images displayed for very long periods e.g., news tickers, game HUDs can theoretically cause permanent image retention. Modern OLEDs have protections, but the risk exists.
- Higher Price: OLEDs are typically at the premium end of the market, though prices have been coming down.
- Best For: Dark room viewing, cinematic experiences, competitive gaming, users who prioritize absolute black levels and contrast.
QLED Quantum Dot LED:
- How it Works: QLED TVs are essentially enhanced LED LCD TVs. They use a traditional LED backlight either edge-lit or full-array local dimming combined with a Quantum Dot layer. The Quantum Dots enhance color vibrancy and volume by converting light from the backlight into purer, more saturated colors.
- High Brightness: Can get very bright, making them suitable for well-lit rooms.
- Excellent Color Volume: Quantum Dots ensure colors remain vibrant and saturated even at high brightness levels.
- No Burn-in Risk: As an LCD technology, QLEDs are immune to permanent image retention.
- Often More Affordable: Can be a more budget-friendly option than OLED while still offering vibrant colors.
- Contrast and Black Levels: Still rely on a backlight, so they cannot achieve perfect blacks. Local dimming helps but blooming can be present, especially in challenging scenes.
- Viewing Angles: Can suffer from color shift and contrast degradation when viewed from off-angles, though some premium models incorporate layers to mitigate this.
- Best For: Bright rooms, vibrant colors, users looking for a high-quality LED TV without OLED’s burn-in concern, and those on a slightly tighter budget than premium OLEDs. Note: Samsung’s “Neo QLED” is essentially QLED with Mini LED backlighting.
QNED Quantum Dot NanoCell + Mini LED:
- How it Works: This is LG’s unique hybrid approach, combining the best of several technologies:
- Mini LED Backlight: Provides significantly more dimming zones than standard QLEDs, leading to much finer control over brightness and darker blacks.
- Quantum Dot Layer: Enhances color vibrancy and volume, similar to QLED.
- NanoCell Layer: LG’s proprietary filter that refines color purity and helps improve viewing angles.
- Excellent Brightness: Matches or even exceeds QLEDs in peak brightness, making it superb for HDR and bright rooms.
- Vibrant and Accurate Colors: Outstanding color reproduction thanks to Quantum Dot and NanoCell.
- Significantly Improved Contrast over Standard QLED: The Mini LED backlight brings black levels much closer to OLED than standard QLED, with reduced but not eliminated blooming.
- No Burn-in Risk: Like QLED, it’s an LCD, so no concerns about permanent image retention.
- Strong Gaming Performance: Often equipped with full HDMI 2.1 features.
- Not Perfect Blacks: Still doesn’t reach OLED’s infinite contrast and perfect black levels. Blooming, while minimal, can still be observed.
- Viewing Angles: Better than standard QLED, but still not as wide as OLED.
- Price: Positions itself as a premium LCD, often similar in price to entry-level OLEDs.
- Best For: Users who want the best of both worlds – high brightness for bright rooms, excellent contrast for an LCD, vibrant colors, and top-tier gaming features, all without the burn-in concern of OLED.
Summary Table:
Feature | OLED | QLED | QNED |
---|---|---|---|
Backlight | Self-emissive no backlight | Traditional LED FALD or Edge-lit | Mini LED thousands of tiny LEDs |
Black Levels | Perfect infinite contrast | Good can have blooming | Excellent much improved over QLED, minor blooming |
Peak Brightness | Good, improving lower than Mini LED | Excellent | Excellent often highest |
Color | Excellent, accurate | Excellent, vibrant, high volume | Excellent, vibrant, accurate, high volume |
Viewing Angles | Perfect | Limited can degrade off-axis | Good improved over QLED |
Motion Clarity | Near instantaneous best | Very Good | Very Good |
Burn-in Risk | Low but possible with static content | None | None |
Price | Premium | Mid-to-Premium | Premium |
Best For | Dark rooms, videophiles, competitive gaming | Bright rooms, general viewing, value | Bright rooms, gamers, those wanting near-OLED blacks without burn-in risk |
The LG 65-inch QNED90T is LG’s flagship LCD, directly competing with Samsung’s Neo QLED line.
It’s a compelling alternative to OLED for those who prioritize brightness in well-lit environments and want to avoid any burn-in concerns, while still enjoying significantly improved contrast over older LED technologies.
Value Proposition and Target Audience: Is the QNED90T Right for You?
So, you’ve digested the tech specs, understood the features, and even done a into the competition. Now, the big question: Is the LG 65-inch QNED90T a smart investment for you? Let’s break down its value proposition and identify its ideal audience.
Value Proposition:
The LG QNED90T positions itself as a premium LED TV that bridges the gap between traditional LCDs and OLEDs.
Its value comes from delivering a significant upgrade in key performance areas without reaching the absolute top-tier price point of the most expensive OLEDs or facing the burn-in concerns sometimes associated with OLED.
- Premium Picture at a Non-OLED Price: While certainly not cheap, the QNED90T offers a picture quality that often punches above its weight compared to its direct price competitors, especially when you factor in its brightness and HDR capabilities. You’re getting Mini LED, Quantum Dot, and NanoCell—a trifecta of tech designed to deliver a visually impactful experience.
- Future-Proof Gaming: For gamers, the value is clear. The comprehensive suite of HDMI 2.1 features 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM means you won’t need to upgrade your TV when the next generation of consoles or graphics cards arrives. This TV is ready for whatever you throw at it.
- Versatility in Lighting Conditions: Its high brightness means it performs admirably in almost any room, from a sun-drenched living room to a dimly lit den. This versatility is a major value point for those who don’t have a dedicated dark home theater.
- Intuitive Smart Experience: WebOS and the Magic Remote add significant everyday value. A TV isn’t just about picture. it’s about how easy and pleasant it is to use, and LG nails that.
Target Audience: Who is the QNED90T for?
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The Bright Room Enthusiast: If your main TV viewing space is a brightly lit living room with lots of natural light, the QNED90T is an excellent choice. Its high peak brightness and ability to control reflections mean you’ll get a vibrant, clear picture even in challenging lighting conditions, where an OLED might struggle with reflections or appear less impactful.
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The Hardcore Gamer Console & PC: This TV is practically tailor-made for gamers.
- Next-Gen Ready: If you own a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or a powerful gaming PC, the QNED90T offers all the essential features 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM to maximize your gaming experience.
- Low Input Lag: Its minimal input lag ensures competitive gameplay is as responsive as possible.
- No Burn-in Worry: Gamers often display static HUD elements for long periods. The QNED90T, being an LCD, completely alleviates any concerns about burn-in.
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The HDR Content Lover: If you primarily watch 4K HDR movies and shows on streaming services Netflix, Disney+, Max or 4K Blu-rays, the QNED90T’s ability to produce dazzling highlights, wide color gamut, and decent contrast will make your content truly shine.
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The OLED-Curious but Burn-in Averse: Many people are drawn to OLED’s picture quality but are hesitant due to concerns about burn-in however rare it may be with normal use. The QNED90T offers a high-contrast, vibrant, and impressive picture that gets closer to OLED than any traditional LED, effectively serving as a premium alternative without the OLED-specific anxieties. Webflow Website Builder Review
Who Might Want to Consider Alternatives:
- The Absolute Videophile Dark Room Focus: If your primary viewing environment is a dedicated, completely dark home theater, and your absolute top priority is the deepest, inkiest blacks possible with zero blooming, an OLED like an LG G3 OLED is still the king.
- The Budget-Conscious Buyer: If you need a 65-inch TV but don’t require all the bells and whistles of Mini LED or high-end gaming features, there are more affordable 4K LED TVs on the market that might suffice e.g., TCL Q7 QLED.
- The Sound Enthusiast Without External Audio: If you refuse to buy a soundbar or home theater system, know that the QNED90T’s built-in speakers, while decent for a TV, won’t deliver a truly immersive audio experience for movies or gaming.
In conclusion, the LG 65-inch QNED90T is a versatile, high-performance TV that offers compelling value for its target audience.
It’s a strong contender that delivers a stunning picture in varied lighting conditions, excels at gaming, and provides a delightful smart TV experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is QNED TV technology?
QNED Quantum Dot NanoCell LED is LG’s premium LCD TV technology that combines Mini LED backlighting with Quantum Dot and NanoCell layers to deliver enhanced brightness, more precise local dimming, and a wider, more accurate color gamut compared to traditional LED TVs.
Is the LG 65-inch QNED90T good for bright rooms?
Yes, the LG 65-inch QNED90T is excellent for bright rooms due to its Mini LED backlight, which allows it to achieve very high peak brightness levels, effectively combating glare and maintaining picture vibrancy.
Does the LG QNED90T support HDMI 2.1?
Yes, the LG QNED90T typically supports multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, enabling features like 4K @ 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate VRR, and Auto Low Latency Mode ALLM for next-gen gaming.
What is the native refresh rate of the LG 65-inch QNED90T?
The LG 65-inch QNED90T has a native refresh rate of 120Hz, which is ideal for smooth motion in sports, action movies, and high-frame-rate gaming.
Does the LG QNED90T support Dolby Vision?
Yes, the LG QNED90T supports Dolby Vision, along with HDR10 and HLG, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of High Dynamic Range content.
Is the LG QNED90T good for gaming?
Yes, the LG QNED90T is excellent for gaming due to its low input lag, 120Hz native refresh rate, and comprehensive HDMI 2.1 features including VRR G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync Premium, HDMI Forum VRR and ALLM.
What is the difference between QNED and OLED?
OLED TVs have self-emissive pixels that can turn off completely for perfect blacks and infinite contrast, while QNED TVs use a Mini LED backlight system with local dimming to achieve significantly improved blacks and contrast compared to standard LCDs, but not true infinite contrast like OLED.
QNED generally offers higher peak brightness than OLED. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office Review
Does the LG QNED90T have blooming?
While significantly reduced compared to traditional LED TVs due to its Mini LED backlight and numerous local dimming zones, some minor blooming halo effect around bright objects on a dark background can still be visible in very challenging scenes, especially in a dark room.
What smart TV platform does the LG QNED90T use?
The LG QNED90T uses LG’s proprietary WebOS smart TV platform, which is known for its intuitive interface, fast performance, extensive app support, and the Magic Remote.
Does the LG QNED90T have built-in voice assistants?
Yes, the LG QNED90T comes with built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, accessible via the Magic Remote.
Can I connect a soundbar to the LG QNED90T?
Yes, you can connect a soundbar using the HDMI eARC port for high-quality, uncompressed audio passthrough, or via the optical digital audio output.
What is NanoCell technology in LG TVs?
NanoCell is LG’s proprietary color filter technology that uses nanoparticles to absorb unwanted light wavelengths, resulting in purer, more accurate colors and improved viewing angles compared to standard LCD panels.
How does Mini LED improve picture quality?
Mini LED technology uses thousands of tiny LEDs for backlighting, allowing for a much higher number of local dimming zones.
This provides more precise control over brightness, leading to deeper blacks, better contrast, and higher peak brightness.
Is burn-in a concern with the LG QNED90T?
No, burn-in permanent image retention is not a concern with the LG QNED90T as it is an LCD TV, not an OLED.
What picture modes are best for the LG QNED90T?
For accurate picture quality, “Filmmaker Mode” or “ISF Expert Bright/Dark Room” are generally recommended as they aim to preserve the content as intended by the creator. “Game Optimizer” is best for gaming.
Does the LG QNED90T support Apple AirPlay 2?
Yes, the LG QNED90T supports Apple AirPlay 2, allowing you to stream content from your Apple devices directly to the TV. Sync Review
What is AI Sound Pro?
AI Sound Pro is an LG audio feature that uses the TV’s AI processor to analyze content and optimize the sound profile, enhancing dialogue clarity, boosting bass, and attempting to create a more immersive, virtual soundstage.
Does the QNED90T support VRR for both AMD and NVIDIA?
Yes, the QNED90T typically supports AMD FreeSync Premium, is NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatible, and also supports the universal HDMI Forum VRR standard, offering broad compatibility for variable refresh rates.
How do I reduce input lag on the LG QNED90T for gaming?
The TV automatically switches to its lowest latency “Game Optimizer” mode when a gaming console is detected via ALLM, ensuring minimal input lag.
What is the α8 AI Processor 4K in the QNED90T?
The α8 AI Processor 4K is LG’s latest generation intelligent processor designed to enhance picture and sound quality through AI-powered algorithms, optimizing upscaling, noise reduction, dynamic tone mapping, and audio.
Can I wall-mount the LG 65-inch QNED90T?
Yes, the LG 65-inch QNED90T is wall-mountable.
You will need a compatible VESA-standard wall mount for a 65-inch TV.
What is Color Volume in QNED TVs?
Color Volume refers to the TV’s ability to display colors accurately and vibrantly across all brightness levels, from very dark to very bright.
Quantum Dot technology helps maintain high color volume in QNED TVs.
Does the QNED90T have a central stand or feet?
The LG 65-inch QNED90T typically features a sturdy, central pedestal stand, which can be more convenient for placement on narrower TV furniture than wide-set feet.
Is the Magic Remote included with the LG QNED90T?
Yes, the LG Magic Remote, with its point-and-click functionality, voice control, and scroll wheel, is typically included with the QNED90T. Lomography Lomoinstant Wide Glass Review
How is the upscaling performance of the QNED90T?
The QNED90T’s α8 AI Processor 4K does a very good job of upscaling lower-resolution content like 1080p Blu-rays or streaming to 4K, adding detail and sharpness without significant artifacts.
Does the QNED90T support Multi-View?
Some LG QNED models offer a Multi-View feature, allowing you to display two different sources simultaneously on the screen.
Check specific model specifications for confirmation.
What’s the benefit of the α8 AI Processor 4K for picture quality?
The α8 AI Processor 4K intelligently analyzes and optimizes content in real-time, enhancing details, reducing noise, improving color, and applying dynamic tone mapping for a more refined and lifelike picture, especially with HDR.
How durable is the LG QNED90T?
LG builds its QNED TVs with good quality materials and components designed for durability.
While not indestructible, they are generally robust for everyday use and are expected to have a long lifespan.
Can I control smart home devices with the LG QNED90T?
Yes, through LG’s AI ThinQ platform and built-in voice assistants, the QNED90T can act as a smart home hub, allowing you to monitor and control compatible smart devices directly from your TV.
Is the LG 65-inch QNED90T good value for money?
The LG 65-inch QNED90T offers strong value for money by delivering a premium LED TV experience with excellent brightness, vibrant colors, advanced gaming features, and a user-friendly smart platform, positioning it as a competitive alternative to higher-priced OLEDs for many users.
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