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In the rapidly evolving world of premium televisions, two distinct technologies are battling for supremacy in your living room: OLED and Mini-LED. The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV represent the cutting edge of these respective technologies. Released in early 2025, both TVs showcase the latest advancements in their categories, but they approach the goal of stunning picture quality through fundamentally different methods—and at significantly different price points ($2,499 vs. $748).
Having spent considerable time analyzing both displays, I'm excited to break down exactly how these televisions differ, who each one is best suited for, and how to decide which deserves a place in your home entertainment setup. Let's dive into what makes each of these impressive TVs tick and which one might be the better fit for your specific needs.
Before we compare specific features, it's important to understand the fundamental difference between these two display technologies.
The Samsung S90F OLED uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) technology. This means each pixel generates its own light and can turn completely off—something that fundamentally changes the viewing experience. When a pixel is turned off, it produces absolute black, not just a dark gray. This ability creates what we call "infinite contrast," where the transition from bright to dark areas is perfectly defined.
In 2025, Samsung's implementation of OLED has evolved significantly from early versions. The S90F uses quantum dot technology combined with OLED (sometimes called QD-OLED) for improved color volume and brightness compared to traditional OLED displays. Samsung has also incorporated advanced anti-burn-in technology, addressing one of the historical concerns with OLED panels, where static images could leave permanent "ghost" impressions if displayed for too long.
The TCL QM6K takes a different approach with its Mini-LED technology. Rather than self-illuminating pixels, it uses thousands of tiny LED backlights arranged behind the LCD panel in hundreds of independently controlled dimming zones (up to 500 zones in this model).
This represents a significant evolution from traditional LED-backlit TVs, which typically had far fewer dimming zones. The higher number of zones allows for more precise control of which areas of the screen are illuminated, resulting in better contrast than conventional LED TVs, though not quite matching OLED's pixel-level precision.
The QM6K also incorporates quantum dots (hence the "QD" in QD-Mini LED) to enhance color reproduction. These microscopic particles improve color purity and brightness when light passes through them. TCL's latest Super High Energy LED Chip technology delivers 53% increased brightness compared to their previous generation, making the 2025 QM6K significantly more capable in well-lit environments.
The contrast ratio—the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks—is perhaps the most noticeable aspect of picture quality.
The Samsung S90F delivers perfect blacks that are truly black, not dark gray. This creates a depth to the image that's immediately noticeable, especially in darker scenes. When watching movies like "Dune" or "The Batman," the shadow detail is remarkable—you can see textures and details in dark scenes that would be lost on lesser displays.
The TCL QM6K performs admirably for its technology, achieving very good black levels with minimal "blooming" (where light from bright objects bleeds into surrounding dark areas). Its 500 dimming zones provide precise control, but physics dictates that multiple pixels share the same backlight zone. This means you'll occasionally notice a slight halo effect around bright objects on black backgrounds, particularly noticeable in credits sequences or starfields.
During a recent viewing of "Interstellar," the difference was subtle but noteworthy. The black of space appeared perfectly dark on the Samsung, while showing a very slight grayish quality on the TCL. However, in most mixed-content scenes, the difference is less dramatic.
While OLED excels in black levels, Mini-LED has a distinct advantage in peak brightness—a crucial factor for HDR (High Dynamic Range) content and viewing in bright rooms.
The TCL QM6K can reach peak brightness levels of around 1,800 nits in highlights, significantly outshining the Samsung S90F's approximately 1,000 nits. This difference is most noticeable when watching HDR content with bright highlights, such as sunlight reflecting off water or explosions in action movies.
During a daytime viewing session with sunlight streaming through windows, the TCL maintained image visibility and impact much better than the Samsung, which looked comparatively subdued. If your living room is bathed in natural light, this brightness advantage could be the deciding factor.
For HDR content specifically, both TVs support Dolby Vision and HDR10+, offering dynamic scene-by-scene optimization. The Samsung's perfect blacks give it an edge in overall HDR contrast, while the TCL's higher brightness makes highlights pop more dramatically.
Both televisions use quantum dot technology to enhance color reproduction, but they implement it differently.
The Samsung S90F maintains exceptional color accuracy across its entire brightness range, with colors appearing rich and vibrant without becoming oversaturated. The self-emissive nature of OLED means colors maintain their integrity even in very dark scenes.
The TCL QM6K delivers impressive color performance as well, with vivid, accurate colors particularly in brighter content. Its quantum dot layer ensures good color volume, though at extreme brightness levels, some subtle color degradation can occur.
When viewing nature documentaries like "Planet Earth," both displays render the vivid greens of forests and blues of oceans with striking realism. The Samsung edges ahead slightly in maintaining color accuracy in shadowy scenes, while the TCL's higher brightness gives a slight advantage in making colorful daytime scenes appear more vibrant.
If your seating arrangement means some viewers watch the TV from an angle rather than directly in front, viewing angle performance becomes crucial.
The Samsung S90F maintains consistent picture quality from virtually any angle in the room. Colors remain accurate, contrast stays strong, and brightness is consistent even when viewing from extreme side angles.
The TCL QM6K, while better than many LCD-based displays, still shows some degradation in picture quality when viewed from far to the side. Colors become slightly washed out, and contrast decreases as you move away from the center viewing position.
For larger family rooms or entertaining spaces where people might be seated at various angles to the TV, the Samsung's viewing angle superiority could significantly impact the viewing experience for those not directly in front of the screen.
How a TV handles motion can make or break the experience when watching sports, action films, or playing fast-paced games.
The Samsung S90F features nearly instantaneous pixel response time (approximately 0.1ms), meaning pixels can change state almost immediately. This results in exceptionally clear motion with minimal blur, even during rapid on-screen movement. When watching hockey games or Formula 1 racing, the clarity of fast-moving objects is remarkable.
The TCL QM6K performs very well for its technology, with low response time and effective motion processing. However, in scenes with extremely rapid movement, you might notice slight blurring that isn't present on the OLED. This difference is subtle and many viewers might not notice it during casual viewing.
Both TVs cater to gamers with a suite of features designed to optimize the gaming experience.
The Samsung S90F offers a 144Hz native refresh rate, extremely low input lag (<10ms at 4K 120Hz), and all the HDMI 2.1 features gamers prize: Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and 4K 120Hz support. Samsung's Game Bar 3.0 interface provides quick access to gaming-related settings.
The TCL QM6K matches most of these gaming credentials with its own 144Hz panel, low input lag (<12ms), and full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. Its Game Accelerator technology supports variable refresh rates up to 288Hz, and it's certified for FreeSync Premium Pro, making it ideal for AMD graphics card users.
When testing both TVs with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the gaming experience was excellent on both displays. The Samsung's perfect blacks gave it an edge in dark, atmospheric games like "Resident Evil Village," while the TCL's higher brightness made games like "Forza Horizon 5" pop with vibrant colors and lighting effects.
For competitive gamers sensitive to every millisecond of input lag, the Samsung's slightly lower input lag might be meaningful, but for most players, both TVs provide exceptional gaming experiences.
The operating system your TV runs determines how you'll interact with streaming apps and other smart features.
The Samsung S90F runs Samsung's proprietary Tizen OS, which has evolved into a polished, responsive interface. It offers quick access to popular streaming services and integrates well with other Samsung devices if you're already in that ecosystem. The NQ4 AI Gen3 processor ensures smooth navigation, though some users have noted an increase in promotional content and ads in recent Tizen iterations.
The TCL QM6K uses Google TV, providing excellent content recommendations that aggregate across multiple streaming services. The Google TV interface is intuitive and benefits from Google's content-finding prowess, though it occasionally shows ads unless you switch to "Apps Only" mode. Voice control through the built-in Google Assistant works remarkably well for finding specific shows or movies.
Not all content you watch will be in pristine 4K quality, making a TV's ability to upscale lower-resolution content crucial.
The Samsung S90F's NQ4 AI Gen3 processor leverages 128 neural networks to analyze and enhance non-4K content. When watching older movies or cable TV broadcasts, the upscaling is impressive, adding detail without introducing artifacts or unnatural sharpening.
The TCL QM6K's AiPQ Pro processor does a commendable job with upscaling as well, though side-by-side comparisons reveal slightly less refined results with very low-quality sources. For most standard HD content, however, the difference is minimal.
Perhaps the most striking difference between these two televisions is their price point. At $2,499 versus $748, the Samsung costs more than three times as much as the TCL for the same 65-inch size.
This price difference raises the central question: Is the Samsung's superior performance worth the premium price? The answer depends entirely on your priorities and viewing habits.
For dedicated cinephiles who watch movies primarily in controlled lighting and want the absolute best picture quality—especially for dark scenes—the Samsung S90F delivers a viewing experience that justifies its premium price. The perfect blacks, superior viewing angles, and slightly better motion handling create a more immersive experience for film content.
For most viewers, particularly those with bright living rooms or varied content preferences, the TCL QM6K offers exceptional value. Its picture quality is genuinely impressive in its own right, and in some scenarios—like bright-room viewing of HDR content—it may actually outperform the more expensive Samsung. The $1,750 saved could be invested in a quality sound system to complement the TV, potentially creating a better overall home theater experience.
When investing in a premium television, longevity becomes an important consideration.
The Samsung S90F, like all OLED displays, carries a theoretical risk of burn-in if static images are displayed for very extended periods. However, modern OLED TVs incorporate several protective features that make this much less likely than in early OLED models. Samsung's implementation includes pixel shifting, logo detection, and screen savers that significantly mitigate this risk for normal viewing habits.
The TCL QM6K doesn't have burn-in concerns due to its LCD-based technology. LED backlights can gradually dim over very long periods (many years), but this occurs very slowly and affects the entire panel evenly rather than creating permanent image retention.
Both manufacturers offer similar warranty periods, typically one year for parts and labor, though extended warranties are available for purchase.
After weighing all these factors, here's how to determine which of these excellent televisions better suits your specific needs:
Both the Samsung 65" S90F OLED and the TCL 65" QM6K Mini-LED represent the best of their respective technologies in 2025. While they approach image quality from fundamentally different angles, both deliver outstanding viewing experiences that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.
The Samsung's perfect blacks, superior viewing angles, and refined processing create a premium experience that justifies its price for enthusiasts and those creating dedicated viewing spaces. Its performance in dark, controlled environments is simply unmatched.
The TCL's exceptional brightness, impressive contrast for its technology, and dramatically lower price point make it an extraordinary value proposition. For many viewers—particularly those in bright rooms—it may actually provide a more enjoyable day-to-day experience while saving enough money to upgrade other components of your home entertainment system.
Whichever you choose, both TVs represent the impressive pace of advancement in display technology, delivering picture quality that continues to narrow the gap between the home viewing experience and commercial cinema.
| Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 | TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV |
|---|---|
| Price - The fundamental consideration for most buyers | |
| $2,499 (premium pricing tier) | $748 (exceptional value tier) |
| Display Technology - Determines fundamental picture characteristics | |
| QD-OLED (self-emitting pixels with quantum dots) | QD-Mini LED (LED backlight with quantum dots) |
| Contrast Ratio - Critical for image depth and realism | |
| Infinite contrast with perfect blacks (each pixel can turn completely off) | Very good contrast with minimal blooming (up to 500 dimming zones) |
| Peak Brightness - Essential for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| ~1,000 nits (good but not class-leading) | ~1,800 nits (excellent for bright rooms and HDR highlights) |
| Black Level Performance - Important for dark room viewing | |
| Perfect blacks with no blooming or haloing | Very good blacks with minimal blooming in most content |
| Viewing Angles - Critical for group viewing and wide seating arrangements | |
| Excellent (consistent picture quality from any angle) | Good (some color and contrast loss at extreme angles) |
| Motion Handling - Important for sports and action content | |
| Exceptional (near-instantaneous 0.1ms response time) | Very good (minimal blur in most content) |
| Refresh Rate - Important for smooth motion and gaming | |
| 144Hz native refresh rate | 144Hz native with Game Accelerator up to 288Hz VRR |
| Gaming Features - Critical for console and PC gamers | |
| HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, <10ms input lag | HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro, <12ms input lag |
| Burn-in Risk - Long-term durability consideration | |
| Low risk with modern protections, but still possible with static images | No risk (LED technology immune to burn-in) |
| Processor - Determines upscaling quality and smart features performance | |
| NQ4 AI Gen3 (superior upscaling and processing) | AiPQ Pro (very good upscaling with AI optimization) |
| Smart Platform - Your interface for streaming and content | |
| Tizen OS (polished but ad-heavy) | Google TV (intuitive with excellent content recommendations) |
| Audio Quality - Important unless using external sound system | |
| Good built-in sound (better than TCL) | Underwhelming 2.1 channel Onkyo system (soundbar recommended) |
| Best Use Case - Where each TV truly shines | |
| Dark or controlled lighting environments, movie watching, premium home theaters | Bright rooms, mixed content viewing, value-conscious buyers who prioritize brightness |
The TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV is significantly better for bright living rooms with its ~1,800 nits peak brightness compared to the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025's ~1,000 nits. The TCL QM6K's higher brightness allows it to overcome glare and maintain vibrant picture quality even with sunlight in the room, while the Samsung S90F OLED may appear more washed out in very bright environments.
The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 costs $2,499, while the TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV is priced at $748. This substantial $1,751 difference means the Samsung costs more than three times as much as the TCL for the same 65-inch screen size, making the TCL QM6K an exceptional value option.
The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 has perfect black levels due to its OLED technology where pixels can turn completely off. The TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV has very good black levels with minimal blooming thanks to its 500 dimming zones, but cannot match the perfect blacks of OLED. For movie enthusiasts who watch in dark rooms, the Samsung's perfect blacks create a more immersive experience.
Whether the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 justifies its $1,751 premium over the TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV depends on your viewing habits. The Samsung is worth the extra cost if you: 1) primarily watch movies in controlled lighting, 2) are sensitive to blooming/haloing around bright objects, 3) often view from wide angles, or 4) demand the absolute best picture quality. For most viewers with mixed content in average living rooms, the TCL offers better value.
Both the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV offer excellent gaming features including 144Hz refresh rates, HDMI 2.1, and VRR support. The Samsung has a slightly lower input lag (<10ms vs <12ms) and better dark scene performance, while the TCL offers higher brightness and FreeSync Premium Pro certification. For competitive gamers, the Samsung's faster response time may give a slight edge, while casual gamers will be well-served by either TV.
Yes, the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 uses Samsung's Tizen OS, while the TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV runs on Google TV. Tizen offers a polished interface that integrates well with other Samsung devices but has become increasingly ad-heavy. Google TV provides excellent content recommendations across streaming services and better voice search through Google Assistant. Most users find Google TV more intuitive and less commercial.
The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 has significantly better viewing angles than the TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV. The Samsung maintains consistent picture quality, contrast, and color accuracy even when viewed from extreme side angles. The TCL shows noticeable degradation in picture quality when viewed from the side. For large family rooms or entertaining spaces where people sit at various angles to the TV, the Samsung provides a better experience for all viewers.
Burn-in remains a theoretical concern with the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025, though modern OLEDs include advanced protection features that make it unlikely with normal viewing habits. The TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV has no risk of burn-in due to its LED-based technology. If you frequently watch content with static elements (news channels, sports tickers, game HUDs) for extended periods, the TCL offers greater peace of mind for long-term durability.
For movie watching, especially in controlled lighting, the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 provides a superior experience with its perfect blacks, infinite contrast ratio, and exceptional shadow detail. The TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV offers very good movie performance with the advantage of brighter HDR highlights, making it better for daytime movie viewing. For dedicated home theater setups or serious cinephiles, the Samsung's picture quality advantages justify its higher price.
Yes, the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV approach HDR differently. The Samsung offers better overall HDR contrast with perfect blacks and good peak brightness (~1,000 nits). The TCL delivers more impactful HDR highlights with its higher peak brightness (~1,800 nits) but slightly less precise contrast. Both support Dolby Vision and HDR10+. For dark HDR scenes, the Samsung excels; for bright, vivid HDR content, the TCL has an advantage.
The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 offers superior upscaling with its NQ4 AI Gen3 processor, which uses 128 neural networks to enhance lower-resolution content. The TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV provides good upscaling with its AiPQ Pro processor but shows slightly more artifacts with very low-quality sources. For viewers who watch a lot of cable TV, older movies, or other non-4K content, the Samsung's better processing may be worth considering.
The main reasons to choose the TCL 65" QM6K QD-Mini LED 4K TV over the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 are: 1) Significantly lower price ($748 vs $2,499), 2) Higher brightness for better performance in well-lit rooms, 3) No risk of burn-in for longer-term durability, 4) Excellent picture quality that satisfies most viewers' needs, and 5) Google TV interface that many find more user-friendly than Samsung's Tizen OS. For the majority of consumers, the TCL offers exceptional value while still delivering premium picture quality.
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