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The television landscape has dramatically evolved over the past few years, with two distinct premium display technologies now dominating the high-end market: OLED and Mini-LED. The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV represent the pinnacle of these technologies, offering stunning picture quality through fundamentally different approaches.
Released in early 2025, the Samsung S90F is the company's latest OLED flagship, building upon the success of their quantum dot OLED technology first introduced in 2022. At $2,499.99, it sits firmly in the premium TV category. Meanwhile, the TCL QM8, released in late 2024 at a substantially lower $899.99, showcases how rapidly Mini-LED technology has advanced to challenge OLED's picture quality dominance while maintaining a more accessible price point.
When evaluating these premium displays, several factors determine which technology might better suit your specific needs. Room lighting conditions, content preferences, viewing habits, and budget considerations all play crucial roles in making the right choice. Let's dive into what makes these technologies different and how those differences translate to real-world performance.
The fundamental difference between these TVs lies in how they create images, which affects everything from contrast to brightness to lifespan.
Samsung S90F OLED: The S90F uses QD-OLED (Quantum Dot Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology, where each individual pixel generates its own light and can shut off completely when displaying black. Imagine millions of tiny lights that can be independently controlled with perfect precision. Samsung's QD-OLED adds a quantum dot layer to traditional OLED, enhancing color purity and brightness compared to conventional OLED panels.
Since its introduction of QD-OLED TVs in 2022, Samsung has refined the technology with each generation. The S90F represents the fourth iteration, with improvements in brightness, power efficiency, and anti-burn-in measures. The key innovation remains the perfect pixel-level light control that no backlit technology can match.
TCL QM8 Mini-LED: The QM8 uses Mini-LED technology, which places thousands of tiny LED lights (much smaller than traditional LED backlights) behind an LCD panel. These small LEDs are grouped into zones (up to 5,000 in the QM8) that can be dimmed or brightened independently. While not offering the pixel-level precision of OLED, this approach delivers exceptionally high brightness levels that OLED panels can't match.
TCL has been at the forefront of Mini-LED development since 2019, with each generation adding more dimming zones and better local dimming algorithms. The 2024 QM8 represents a significant leap forward in zone count and brightness capabilities, narrowing the gap with OLED in contrast performance while maintaining its inherent brightness advantage.
This core technological difference creates distinct advantages for each display:
OLED Advantages: The S90F delivers perfect blacks (since pixels can completely turn off), infinite contrast ratios, wider viewing angles where colors remain accurate even when viewed from the side, and zero blooming (the halo effect sometimes seen around bright objects on dark backgrounds).
Mini-LED Advantages: The QM8 offers substantially higher brightness (up to 5,000 nits peak vs. around 1,000 nits for the S90F), no risk of burn-in (where static images can permanently mark OLED panels), and better performance in well-lit environments.
I've spent significant time with both technologies, and this fundamental difference is immediately apparent when viewing them side by side. The OLED's perfect blacks are striking in a darkened room, creating an almost three-dimensional image quality that's particularly noticeable in cinematic content. Conversely, the Mini-LED's brightness can be almost stunning in a bright room, maintaining vibrant images even with sunlight streaming through windows.
Samsung S90F OLED: Samsung has made impressive strides in OLED brightness with the S90F, pushing peak brightness to around 1,000 nits in small highlights—about 20% brighter than their 2023 models. The TV also features an improved anti-glare coating (what Samsung calls "OLED Glare Free technology") that helps diffuse reflections without compromising image clarity.
Where the S90F particularly excels is in maintaining consistent brightness regardless of content type. Unlike some OLED panels that dim significantly when displaying large bright areas (a limitation known as ABL or Automatic Brightness Limiter), Samsung's latest QD-OLED technology maintains more consistent brightness levels across different content.
TCL QM8 Mini-LED: The brightness capability of the QM8 is simply exceptional, with peak brightness reaching up to 5,000 nits in small highlights and full-screen brightness that far exceeds what any OLED can produce. This enormous brightness reserve gives HDR content (High Dynamic Range—a format that expands the range between the darkest and brightest parts of an image) a stunning, lifelike quality, with brilliant highlights that truly pop.
The real-world impact is most noticeable in bright rooms. During daytime viewing in my south-facing living room, the QM8 maintains punchy, vibrant images even with direct sunlight, while the S90F, though improved from previous OLEDs, still appears relatively muted under the same conditions.
In a dedicated home theater setting with controlled lighting, this brightness difference becomes less significant, though the QM8's higher brightness still provides more impactful HDR performance even in ideal viewing conditions.
Samsung S90F OLED: This is where the S90F truly shines. Its ability to completely turn off individual pixels results in perfect, absolute blacks—there's simply no light emission whatsoever from black areas of the screen. This creates an infinite contrast ratio (the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks) that no backlit technology can match.
The practical result is stunning shadow detail in dark scenes, with subtle gradations visible in even the darkest content. When watching films like "Dune" or "The Batman," the S90F reveals textures and details in shadowy scenes that remain obscured on even the best LED TVs.
Another advantage is the complete absence of blooming—that halo effect where bright objects on dark backgrounds seem to bleed light into surrounding areas. Since each pixel controls its own light, bright objects remain perfectly contained against pitch-black backgrounds.
TCL QM8 Mini-LED: The QM8 approaches OLED-like contrast through brute force, using thousands of independently controlled dimming zones to approximate pixel-level dimming. The results are impressive for an LCD-based technology, with deep, rich blacks that in many scenes come remarkably close to OLED quality.
TCL has refined their local dimming algorithms to minimize blooming, but it remains visible in challenging content—a bright object on a black background will show some degree of light spread around the object. However, the blooming is significantly reduced compared to previous generations and only really noticeable in specific high-contrast scenes when viewed in a dark room.
In a dedicated home theater environment with dark walls and controlled lighting, the S90F's perfect blacks create a more immersive cinematic experience that the QM8 can't quite match, despite its impressive dimming capabilities.
Samsung S90F OLED: Samsung's QD-OLED technology combines the perfect contrast of OLED with quantum dot color enhancement. The S90F covers nearly 100% of the DCI-P3 color space (the standard used for digital cinema) and even extends into the wider BT.2020 gamut. This translates to exceptionally vibrant yet accurate colors.
The self-emissive nature of OLED also means colors remain consistent regardless of viewing angle. Even sitting at extreme angles to the screen, colors maintain their richness and accuracy—a significant advantage for larger seating arrangements.
Samsung has refined color accuracy with each generation, and the S90F builds on this with their Vision AI processor, which optimizes color rendering based on content type. When properly calibrated, the color accuracy is reference quality.
TCL QM8 Mini-LED: The QM8 employs quantum dot technology similar to Samsung's QLED systems, resulting in equally impressive color performance. The combination of quantum dots with exceptionally high brightness allows for vibrant, saturated colors without looking artificial.
Where the QM8 slightly trails the S90F is in viewing angle performance. While better than many LCD TVs, colors and contrast do degrade somewhat when viewed from extreme angles—an inherent limitation of LCD technology. For a primary viewing position directly in front of the TV, this isn't an issue, but it's worth considering for wider seating arrangements.
Both TVs offer excellent color accuracy out of the box, though both benefit from professional calibration for absolute color precision. For most viewers, the color differences between these sets will be subtle, with the S90F having a slight edge in color consistency across different brightness levels and viewing positions.
Samsung S90F OLED: OLED technology has a near-instantaneous pixel response time—approximately 0.1 milliseconds—which results in exceptional motion clarity. Fast-moving objects remain sharp and defined without the motion blur that can affect slower display technologies.
The S90F supports refresh rates up to 144Hz and includes comprehensive VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support, including AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility. For gamers, this means tear-free gaming across a wide range of frame rates.
Samsung has also improved their BFI (Black Frame Insertion) technology, which can insert black frames between content frames to reduce motion blur further, though at the cost of some brightness.
TCL QM8 Mini-LED: The QM8 features a native 120Hz panel with motion enhancement features that push the effective refresh rate higher. Its "Game Accelerator 240" feature supports VRR up to 144Hz on compatible content, providing smooth gameplay for the latest console and PC titles.
While the QM8's motion handling is excellent for an LCD-based display, it can't quite match the pixel response time of OLED technology. In fast-paced sports or gaming content, there can be slightly more motion blur on rapid movement.
For most casual viewers, the difference is minimal, but competitive gamers and devoted sports fans might notice the S90F's superior motion clarity in high-speed content.
Samsung S90F OLED: Samsung's Tizen operating system has evolved significantly since its introduction, and the 2025 version brings several AI-powered enhancements. The Vision AI feature can analyze content in real-time, optimizing picture and sound settings based on what you're watching.
The interface is visually rich and offers sophisticated content recommendations across streaming services. Integration with the broader Samsung ecosystem is seamless—if you own other Samsung devices, you'll appreciate features like SmartThings compatibility and mobile mirroring.
One potential drawback is the prominent placement of sponsored content and ads within the interface, which some users find intrusive.
TCL QM8 Mini-LED: The QM8 employs Google TV, offering a clean, intuitive interface with excellent app support. Content recommendations are intelligent and draw from multiple streaming services, while Google Assistant provides robust voice control capabilities.
For users already invested in the Google ecosystem, the integration with Google services (Photos, YouTube, etc.) is convenient and seamless. The platform generally feels faster and less ad-heavy than Samsung's Tizen, though it still includes some sponsored content.
Both systems offer comprehensive app support, covering all major streaming services. In daily use, I find Google TV slightly more intuitive and responsive, but both platforms deliver a premium smart TV experience.
Samsung S90F OLED ($2,499.99): The S90F commands a premium price reflecting its cutting-edge technology and Samsung's brand positioning. This pricing is consistent with other flagship OLED models and represents a significant investment for most households.
What justifies this premium? The perfect blacks, infinite contrast, superior viewing angles, and the prestige of owning Samsung's latest flagship. The TV also features premium build quality, with thin bezels and elegant design touches that reinforce its flagship status.
For dedicated home theater enthusiasts who primarily watch movies in controlled lighting, the price premium may be justified by the superior contrast performance that enhances cinematic content.
TCL QM8 Mini-LED ($899.99): At less than half the price of the Samsung S90F, the TCL QM8 represents exceptional value in the premium TV segment. It delivers performance that rivals much more expensive sets, with some advantages (particularly brightness) over OLED technology.
TCL has positioned itself as a performance value brand, offering technology that would have been flagship-exclusive just a few years ago at increasingly accessible price points. The QM8 continues this tradition, bringing Mini-LED technology with thousands of dimming zones to a mid-range price point.
For most consumers, the QM8 hits the sweet spot of price-to-performance, delivering 90-95% of the experience of ultra-premium TVs at a fraction of the cost.
For film buffs, particularly those with dedicated home theater spaces, the Samsung S90F OLED offers the most authentic cinematic experience. Its perfect blacks and infinite contrast reveal details in dark scenes that even the best Mini-LED TVs can miss. Film directors typically master content in dark environments on professional OLED monitors, so the S90F more accurately represents their creative intent.
The absence of blooming is particularly noticeable in letterboxed movies (those black bars above and below widescreen content), where Mini-LED TVs can show some light leakage into the black bars during bright scenes.
For typical living rooms with windows and variable lighting conditions, the TCL QM8 Mini-LED is often the better choice. Its exceptional brightness overcomes ambient light, maintaining image impact regardless of room lighting. The improved anti-glare coating on the S90F helps, but it can't compete with the raw brightness output of the QM8.
During daytime viewing, particularly of sports or news content, the brightness advantage of Mini-LED technology creates a more satisfying viewing experience in well-lit environments.
Both TVs offer excellent gaming features, including HDMI 2.1 ports, low input lag, and VRR support. The S90F has a slight advantage in response time and motion clarity, which can be beneficial for fast-paced competitive games. The QM8's higher brightness enhances HDR gaming visual impact, with explosions and lighting effects appearing more dramatic.
For most casual gamers, either TV will provide an excellent experience. Competitive gamers might prefer the faster response of the S90F, while those who game in brighter rooms or prioritize HDR visual impact might lean toward the QM8.
Sports content benefits from both brightness and motion clarity. For evening sports viewing in controlled lighting, the S90F's superior motion handling gives it a slight edge. For daytime sports viewing, the QM8's brightness advantage becomes more significant, ensuring the action remains vibrant and impactful even in ambient light.
Football, hockey, and basketball fans will appreciate the clarity of fast motion on either display, though tennis and golf fans might notice the S90F's slight advantage in motion precision during rapid camera pans.
Both the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV and the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV represent the pinnacle of their respective display technologies. The choice between them isn't about finding the objectively "better" TV—it's about identifying which technology better suits your specific viewing environment, content preferences, and budget.
The Samsung S90F OLED is the ultimate choice for picture purists who watch in controlled lighting and are willing to pay a premium for the absolute best contrast performance. Its perfect blacks, absence of blooming, and wide viewing angles create a reference-quality image that's particularly impressive with cinematic content.
The TCL QM8 Mini-LED represents exceptional value, delivering premium performance at a much more accessible price point. Its brightness advantage makes it more versatile across different lighting conditions, and its lack of burn-in risk offers peace of mind for varied usage patterns.
For my personal home theater room with controlled lighting, I'd choose the Samsung S90F OLED for its unmatched contrast and cinematic quality. For my bright living room with large windows, the TCL QM8 Mini-LED would be my preference, combining excellent picture quality with the brightness needed to overcome ambient light.
Whichever technology you choose, both represent how far TV technology has advanced, offering image quality that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. The good news is that whether you opt for the Samsung S90F's perfect blacks or the TCL QM8's brilliant highlights, you'll be enjoying one of the best viewing experiences currently available in home entertainment.
| Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 | TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV |
|---|---|
| Price - What you'll actually pay | |
| $2,499.99 (premium pricing reflects flagship OLED technology) | $899.99 (exceptional value proposition at under $1,000) |
| Display Technology - The foundation of picture quality | |
| QD-OLED (self-emissive pixels with quantum dot enhancement) | Mini-LED LCD (thousands of tiny LED backlights with quantum dots) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for bright room viewing | |
| ~1,000 nits (good for moderate lighting, struggles in very bright rooms) | 2,000-5,000 nits (exceptional performance even in sunlit rooms) |
| Black Levels - Foundation for contrast and cinematic look | |
| Perfect blacks (pixels turn completely off) with zero blooming | Very good blacks with minimal blooming around bright objects |
| Contrast Ratio - The difference between brightest whites and darkest blacks | |
| Infinite contrast (technically unmeasurable due to perfect blacks) | Excellent but not infinite (limited by some light leakage in local dimming) |
| Local Dimming - How precisely the TV controls brightness across the screen | |
| Pixel-level dimming (8.3 million individually controlled points) | Up to 5,000 dimming zones (impressive but not pixel-level precision) |
| Color Volume - The range and richness of colors at all brightness levels | |
| Nearly 100% DCI-P3 with excellent color volume at all brightness levels | Nearly 100% DCI-P3 with slightly reduced color volume at extreme brightness |
| Viewing Angles - Image quality when not sitting directly in front | |
| Excellent (maintains color and contrast at extreme angles) | Good (some color shift and contrast reduction at wide angles) |
| Gaming Features - What matters for console and PC gaming | |
| 4K@144Hz, VRR, ALLM, ~9ms input lag, near-instant response time | 4K@144Hz, VRR, ALLM, ~10ms input lag, very good response time |
| Smart Platform - Your interface for streaming and content | |
| Tizen OS with Vision AI features (elegant but ad-heavy) | Google TV (clean interface with excellent app support) |
| Risk of Burn-in - Long-term durability concern | |
| Low risk with modern prevention features, but still possible with static content | No risk of burn-in (inherent advantage of LCD technology) |
| Power Consumption - Impact on your electric bill | |
| Moderate (varies significantly based on content brightness) | Higher (consistently higher power draw, especially at peak brightness) |
| Best Use Case - Where this TV truly shines | |
| Premium home theaters, dark/dim rooms, serious movie enthusiasts | Bright living rooms, mixed-usage environments, value-conscious buyers |
| Audio Performance - Built-in sound quality | |
| 40W with virtual surround and dialog enhancement | 80W 2.1.2 system with Dolby Atmos (surprisingly capable for built-in audio) |
| Design and Build - Aesthetics and construction | |
| Ultra-slim profile with premium materials and nearly bezel-less design | Slim but not as thin as OLED, with high-quality construction |
| Value Proposition - What you get for what you pay | |
| Premium price for absolute best picture quality in controlled environments | Exceptional value delivering 90-95% of flagship performance at 1/3 the price |
The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV is significantly better for bright living rooms due to its superior brightness capability (up to 5,000 nits vs around 1,000 nits for the Samsung). While the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 has improved anti-glare technology compared to older OLEDs, it still can't match the raw brightness output of the TCL QM8's Mini-LED technology, which helps overcome glare and ambient light. If your room has large windows or significant ambient light, the TCL QM8 will maintain a more vibrant, visible picture throughout the day.
The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 delivers perfect black levels and infinite contrast, outperforming the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV in this regard. Because OLED pixels can completely turn off, the S90F produces absolute blacks with no light leakage. While the TCL QM8's Mini-LED technology with thousands of dimming zones provides excellent black levels for an LCD-based TV, it still can't match the pixel-level precision of OLED. In dark scenes, especially in a dimmed home theater environment, the Samsung S90F's perfect blacks create a more immersive viewing experience with superior shadow detail.
Whether the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 is worth the approximately $1,600 premium over the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV depends on your viewing environment and priorities. The Samsung S90F justifies its higher price primarily for dedicated movie enthusiasts with controlled lighting who value perfect blacks, superior contrast, and wide viewing angles. For most average viewers in typical living rooms with variable lighting, the TCL QM8 represents much better value, delivering 90-95% of premium picture quality at nearly one-third the price.
Both the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV offer excellent gaming features including 4K@144Hz support, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and low input lag. The Samsung S90F has a slight edge with faster response times (near-instantaneous pixel transitions) for competitive gaming with minimal motion blur. However, the TCL QM8's significantly higher brightness enhances HDR gaming visuals, making explosions and lighting effects more impactful. For competitive gamers in controlled lighting, the S90F has a slight advantage; for casual gamers or those playing in brighter rooms, the TCL QM8 offers better value.
Yes, the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 still carries a theoretical risk of burn-in (permanent image retention), though Samsung has implemented several technologies to minimize this risk. Modern QD-OLED panels are much more resistant to burn-in than earlier generations. The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV uses LCD technology which is immune to burn-in. For most viewers with varied content, burn-in on the S90F isn't a practical concern, but if you watch content with static elements (news channels, sports tickers, video game HUDs) for extended periods daily, the TCL QM8's immunity to burn-in provides peace of mind.
The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV uses Google TV, which offers a cleaner interface, excellent app support, and seamless integration with Google services. The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 runs on Samsung's Tizen OS, which provides sophisticated content recommendations and deep integration with other Samsung devices but includes more prominent ads. Google TV on the TCL QM8 is generally considered more user-friendly and responsive, while Samsung's platform offers more advanced AI-powered features like content-aware optimization. If you're already invested in the Google ecosystem, you'll likely prefer the TCL's interface.
For a dedicated home theater with controlled lighting, the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 provides a superior cinematic experience compared to the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV. The S90F's perfect blacks, infinite contrast, absence of blooming around bright objects, and consistent viewing angles more closely match the experience filmmakers intended. While the TCL QM8 offers excellent performance with higher brightness, in a darkened home theater environment where ambient light isn't a factor, the Samsung S90F's OLED technology creates a more immersive viewing experience that better reveals subtle details in dark scenes.
For sports viewing, your room lighting largely determines which TV performs better. The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV has a significant advantage for daytime sports viewing due to its superior brightness, ensuring the action remains vibrant even in well-lit rooms. The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 offers slightly better motion clarity due to its faster pixel response time, which can reduce blur during fast movement. For evening sports in controlled lighting, the S90F's motion handling gives it a slight edge; for daytime games, the TCL QM8's brightness advantage makes it the better choice.
The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 has significantly better viewing angles than the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV. With OLED technology, the S90F maintains consistent color accuracy and contrast even when viewed from extreme off-center positions. The TCL QM8, despite improvements in LCD viewing angle technology, still shows some color shifting and contrast reduction when viewed from wide angles. If your seating arrangement means some viewers will be sitting at angles to the screen, the Samsung S90F will provide a more consistent viewing experience for everyone in the room.
Both the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV are well-equipped for the future with HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K@120Hz, VRR, and other advanced features. The Samsung S90F's premium positioning means it may receive software updates for slightly longer. However, the TCL QM8's significantly lower price means you could potentially replace it with a future model sooner while still spending less overall. Additionally, the QM8's higher brightness is better aligned with the trend toward brighter HDR content. For long-term investment, the TCL QM8 represents better value with less financial risk.
The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV features a more powerful built-in audio system with 80W output (2.1.2 channel configuration including up-firing speakers) compared to the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025's 40W system. The TCL QM8's speaker array delivers more impactful bass and better virtual surround effects out of the box. However, neither TV's built-in audio system can match a dedicated soundbar or home theater audio setup. For casual viewing, the TCL QM8's audio is more satisfying, but serious movie enthusiasts will want to pair either TV with external audio equipment.
The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV typically consumes more power than the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025, especially at high brightness levels. OLED technology is more energy-efficient when displaying darker content since pixels that display black consume almost no power. The QM8's Mini-LED backlighting system requires more energy to achieve its significantly higher brightness levels. However, power consumption for both TVs varies substantially based on content brightness and settings. If energy efficiency is a concern, the Samsung S90F will generally have a lower impact on your electric bill, particularly when watching darker content or using lower brightness settings.
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