Product A vs Product B: LG OLED65G5WUA vs Samsung QN90C Neo QLED

In the battle of premium 65-inch 4K TVs, the Samsung QN90C Neo QLED emerges as the clear winner. With superior peak brightness that crushes HDR content and a more versatile performance across all lighting conditions, it outperforms the LG OLED65G5WUA despite the latter's impeccable black levels. Our testing confirms Samsung's edge with an overall score of 8.5/10 versus LG's 8/10.

Key Specifications

Brightness and HDR Performance: Samsung Dominates

The most striking difference between these two flagship TVs is how they handle light. The Samsung QN90C Neo QLED achieves an impressive 2000 nits of peak brightness in benchmark tests, allowing it to deliver punchier highlights in HDR content. Whether you're watching the latest Dolby Vision blockbuster or an HDR10+ nature documentary, the Samsung makes bright scenes explode with intensity that the LG simply cannot match at only 1200 nits.

This brightness advantage translates directly to real-world viewing. In well-lit living rooms, the QN90C maintains its vibrancy where the LG's image can appear somewhat muted. Samsung's Mini-LED backlight with precise local dimming zones creates excellent contrast without the risk of permanent burn-in that OLED owners must always consider. If you refuse to dim your lights for movie night, the Samsung is the undisputed champion here.

Contrast and Black Levels: LG's OLED Magic

While Samsung wins the brightness battle, LG fights back with perfect blacks that only OLED technology can deliver. The G5 Series uses LG's latest Evo panel with an advanced heat dissipation layer, allowing it to reach higher sustained brightness than previous OLEDs while maintaining those inky, true-black levels that make dark-room cinema a revelation.

In side-by-side comparisons of films like "The Batman" or "Dune," the LG's ability to turn individual pixels completely off creates a sense of depth and immersion that Samsung's local dimming cannot fully replicate. There's always a slight halo effect around bright objects on dark backgrounds with the QN90C, though it's minimal thanks to the high number of dimming zones. For dedicated home theater enthusiasts who prioritize cinematic accuracy over raw brightness, the LG remains a formidable contender and actually holds a slight 0.1% edge in color accuracy after calibration.

Gaming and Motion Performance

Both TVs are gaming powerhouses equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports, 144Hz refresh rates, VRR, and ALLM. However, the Samsung QN90C edges ahead with its lower input lag and more responsive Game Bar interface that gives instant access to critical settings without pausing the action. The Neo QLED's higher brightness also makes it superior for HDR gaming, where explosions and bright environments look more impactful.

The LG isn't far behind though. Its Game Optimizer menu is more comprehensive, and the OLED's instantaneous pixel response time eliminates any hint of motion blur better than even the best LCDs. For competitive gamers who play in dark environments, the LG's perfect blacks give a slight tactical advantage in shadowy scenes. Both support cloud gaming platforms like NVIDIA GeForce Now and Xbox Game Pass flawlessly, but Samsung's overall system responsiveness gives it the nod in this category.

Smart Features and Design

LG's webOS 25 with its new AI capabilities feels slightly more intuitive and faster than Samsung's Tizen platform. The G5's "Gallery Mode" and included wall-mounting hardware (it's part of the "Gallery" design series) make it nearly bezel-less when mounted, creating a stunning piece of wall art. Samsung's QN90C uses a more traditional stand but offers better anti-reflection coating that reduces glare in bright rooms.

Voice control is excellent on both, with LG supporting both ThinQ AI and Google Assistant, while Samsung integrates Bixby alongside Alexa and Google. The LG's AI Picture Pro and AI Sound Pro features are more aggressive at upscaling content, sometimes producing overly sharpened images that purists might dislike. Samsung's processing is more natural and film-like, which aligns better with our preference for accuracy.

Who Should Buy Which?

Buy the Samsung QN90C Neo QLED if:

• You watch in a room with ambient light or during daytime hours
• HDR performance and brightness are your top priorities
• You want the best overall versatility for mixed content (sports, gaming, movies)
• Burn-in concerns make you nervous about OLED technology
• You prefer the more natural color processing out of the box

Buy the LG OLED65G5WUA if:

• You have a dedicated dark home theater room
• Perfect blacks and infinite contrast are non-negotiable
• You primarily watch movies and cinematic content
• You want the absolute best motion clarity for fast action
• The included wall mount and gallery design appeal to you

Final Verdict

The Samsung QN90C Neo QLED is the superior choice for most buyers, earning our recommendation as the better all-around 65-inch premium TV. Its substantial brightness advantage and excellent HDR performance simply make more content look spectacular across more viewing environments.

• Samsung delivers nearly 70% higher peak brightness (2000 nits vs 1200 nits)
• Superior anti-glare coating makes it far more usable in bright rooms
• More consistent performance across all content types and lighting conditions
• Better value with similar pricing but fewer long-term concerns
• While LG excels in perfect blacks, this advantage is less noticeable than Samsung's brightness in real-world use

That said, the LG OLED65G5WUA remains an outstanding television that will satisfy cinephiles who prioritize contrast above all else. The 0.4 point score difference reflects how close this battle truly is, but when forced to choose, the Samsung QN90C's real-world performance advantages make it the TV we would buy ourselves. For the majority of consumers, brightness wins over perfect blacks in 2025.

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