TVs / Samsung QN80H vs Samsung S90H
Samsung QN80H vs Samsung S90H
Samsung S90H
Samsung's mid-range 2026 OLED — flagship gaming specs and glare-free coating, lower brightness ceiling.
Wins overall by 0.3 points
Quick Verdict
The Samsung S90H wins by 0.3 points, which is not enough to settle it. Samsung's 2026 Neo QLED 4K mid-range flagship, now the top non-8K Neo QLED tier. Pick on the specs that matter to you, not the overall score.
The Samsung QN80H and Samsung S90H are both current-generation TV models, and the Samsung QN80H is $1,100 cheaper than the Samsung S90H ($1,599.99 vs $2,699.99). On Brightness & HDR, the Samsung QN80H leads (8.8 vs 8.0/10) — peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail. On Design & Build, the Samsung S90H leads (8.8 vs 8.0/10) — panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish. On Built-in Sound, the Samsung S90H leads (7.5 vs 6.8/10) — onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support. Overall, the Samsung S90H scores 8.5/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 8.2/10 for the Samsung QN80H, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Samsung QN80H | Samsung S90H |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1599.99 | $2699.99 |
| Release Year | 2026 | 2026 |
| Screen Size (in) | 65 | 65 |
| Panel Type | Neo QLED (Quantum Mini LED Full Array) | OLED panel with 165Hz refresh (panel vendor not independently confirmed for the 2026 model year) |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) | 3840x2160 (4K UHD) |
| Peak Brightness (nits) | Not independently confirmed | Not independently confirmed; Samsung positions this below the S95H's peak brightness on the same 165Hz panel generation |
| Refresh Rate (Hz) | 144 | 165✓ |
| Processor | NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor | NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports (ports) | 4 | 4 |
| HDR Formats | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Tizen (Samsung Vision AI, One UI Tizen) | Tizen (Samsung Vision AI) |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Audio System | Not officially specified (Object Tracking Sound Lite, Dolby Atmos) | 2.1-channel, 40W (Dolby Atmos, Q-Symphony) |
| Built-in Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Titanium Black | Black |
Category Scores
Picture Quality
The Samsung S90H leads clearly here, 8.8 against 8.3 — a 0.5-point margin on panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung QN80H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Brightness & HDR
The Samsung QN80H leads clearly here, 8.8 against 8.0 — a 0.8-point margin on peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung S90H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Gaming Features
The Samsung S90H leads clearly here, 9.2 against 8.7 — a 0.5-point margin on refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung QN80H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Platform
The Samsung QN80H and Samsung S90H are level here, at 8.7/10 each. OS responsiveness, app ecosystem, and voice assistant support is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Built-in Sound
The Samsung S90H leads clearly here, 7.5 against 6.8 — a 0.7-point margin on onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung QN80H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Design & Build
The Samsung S90H leads clearly here, 8.8 against 8.0 — a 0.8-point margin on panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung QN80H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Samsung S90H leads clearly here, 9.3 against 8.8 — a 0.5-point margin on HDMI 2.1 port count and other I/O for consoles and soundbars. If that is what you are buying for, the Samsung QN80H does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Samsung QN80H and Samsung S90H are level here, at 7.8/10 each. performance and features relative to price is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Best For
Choose the Samsung QN80H if…
- • Brightness & HDR matters most to you — the Samsung QN80H scores 8.8/10 here (peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail).
- • You want to spend less — it's $1,100 cheaper.
Choose the Samsung S90H if…
- • Design & Build matters most to you — the Samsung S90H scores 8.8/10 here (panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish).
- • Built-in Sound matters most to you — the Samsung S90H scores 7.5/10 here (onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support).
- • Picture Quality matters most to you — the Samsung S90H scores 8.8/10 here (panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy).
- • Gaming Features matters most to you — the Samsung S90H scores 9.2/10 here (refresh rate, VRR, input lag, and console support).
Pros & Cons
Samsung QN80H
Pros
- +More Mini LED dimming zones than the outgoing QN80F for better contrast
- +Motion Xcelerator 144Hz with FreeSync Premium Pro for gaming
- +Four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports
- +Dolby Atmos with Object Tracking Sound Lite
Cons
- −Replaces the discontinued QN90 tier as Samsung's new mid-range ceiling — no direct higher-Neo-QLED-4K option below the 8K models
- −Peak brightness not independently confirmed for the 2026 model year
- −No Dolby Vision (Samsung remains HDR10+ only)
Samsung S90H
Pros
- +Same 165Hz panel generation and NQ4 AI Gen3 processor as the flagship S95H, at a lower price
- +Glare-free coating added to the S90 line for the first time in 2026
- +2.1-channel 40W speaker system with Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony
- +Full ALLM/FreeSync Premium Pro/G-Sync gaming suite
Cons
- −Meaningfully lower peak brightness than the S95H
- −No Dolby Vision support
- −Panel sourcing not independently confirmed for the 2026 model year
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Samsung QN80H or Samsung S90H better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Samsung S90H comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Brightness & HDR, the Samsung QN80H or the Samsung S90H?+
The Samsung QN80H scores higher on Brightness & HDR (8.8/10 vs 8.0/10) — peak nits and HDR format support for highlight detail.
Which is better for Design & Build, the Samsung QN80H or the Samsung S90H?+
The Samsung S90H scores higher on Design & Build (8.8/10 vs 8.0/10) — panel thinness, bezels, stand/mount options, and finish.
Which is better for Built-in Sound, the Samsung QN80H or the Samsung S90H?+
The Samsung S90H scores higher on Built-in Sound (7.5/10 vs 6.8/10) — onboard speaker power, clarity, and Dolby Atmos support.
Which is better for Picture Quality, the Samsung QN80H or the Samsung S90H?+
The Samsung S90H scores higher on Picture Quality (8.8/10 vs 8.3/10) — panel technology, contrast, and color accuracy.
Is the Samsung QN80H worth the price difference over the Samsung S90H?+
The Samsung QN80H is the cheaper option at $1,599.99 versus $2,699.99. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Brightness & HDR.
What's the warranty on the Samsung QN80H vs the Samsung S90H?+
The Samsung QN80H ships with a 12-month warranty; the Samsung S90H ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Samsung QN70H — $1199.99
Premium Option
Philips OLED911 — $2954.00
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.