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The Samsung QN90C launched in 2023 as the second-best 4K Neo QLED (quantum-dot light-emitting diode) TV in Samsung’s lineup, just below the QN95C. It paired a Mini light-emitting diode (Mini-LED) backlight with quantum-dot color, four High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 2.1 ports, and an anti-glare screen, and it still turns up today as open-box, refurbished, and used stock. This Samsung QN90C review looks at how it performed according to major reviewers, what the original specs got wrong, what replaced it, and whether it’s still worth buying in 2026.
Quick verdict: The QN90C remains a very bright, gamer-friendly TV that handles sunny rooms well. It’s no longer the latest model, though: Samsung followed it with the QN90D in 2024 and the QN90F in 2025, and a 65-inch QN90H has now appeared at retail for 2026. Buy a QN90C only at a steep discount, and skip it if you want Dolby Vision. Check the Samsung QN90C price on Amazon.
Samsung QN90C at a glance
| Spec | Samsung QN90C (2023) |
|---|---|
| Display | 4K QLED panel with a Mini-LED backlight and full-array local dimming |
| Panel type | Vertical alignment (VA) on the 43- and 50-inch sizes; Advanced Super Dimension Switch (ADS) on the 55- to 85-inch sizes |
| Sizes | 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz native; up to 144Hz on the 43- and 50-inch models |
| Processor | Neural Quantum Processor 4K |
| High dynamic range (HDR) | HDR10, HDR10+, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG); no Dolby Vision |
| Measured HDR brightness | About 1,787 nits (TechRadar, Movie mode) to 2,101 nits (Reviewed), 10% window |
| Inputs | Four HDMI 2.1 ports (one with enhanced Audio Return Channel, or eARC), two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, Ethernet, optical audio, and an antenna input |
| Gaming | Variable refresh rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and about 9.8 milliseconds (ms) of input lag |
| Audio | 4.2.2-channel speakers with Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Plus (OTS+), as tested on the 65-inch model |
| Smart platform | Samsung Tizen with Bixby and Alexa built in |
| Launch price (US) | $1,199.99 (43-inch) to $4,799.99 (85-inch) |
Specs and measurements come from TechRadar’s QN90C review, Reviewed’s QN90C review, and Samsung.
Is the Samsung QN90C discontinued?
Yes. Samsung replaced the QN90C with the QN90D in 2024 and the QN90F in 2025. The QN90D brought the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor and, according to Samsung’s QN90D spec sheet, a 144Hz refresh rate on all four HDMI ports, along with a 60-watt, 4.2.2-channel sound system. The QN90F added Samsung’s Glare-Free matte screen and refresh rates of up to 165Hz on most sizes.
Samsung left the QN90 out of its Neo QLED announcement at the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). According to Tom’s Guide’s report on Samsung’s 2026 lineup, that made the QN80H Samsung’s flagship Neo QLED at launch, with the new Micro RGB R95H above it as Samsung’s best non-OLED TV. Retailer P.C. Richard has since listed a 65-inch QN90H (QN65QN90H) for $1,499.99 with a native 120Hz panel, so the QN90 line continues for 2026 in at least one size. Retailers also still sell the QN90F at clearance prices. If you see a QN90C listed as new, expect old stock; check the return policy and warranty before you buy.
Design and build
The QN90C looks premium for an LED TV. It has a slim, even profile, thin dark-gray metal bezels, and a hexagonal central pedestal stand on most sizes. The pedestal lets the TV sit on narrow furniture, but a single center stand wobbles more than wide-set feet, so consider a sturdy console or a mount if you have kids or pets. The flat back hugs the wall well when mounted, and the side-facing ports stay reachable. If you plan to wall-mount a larger size, see our guide to the best TV wall mounts for a 65-inch TV.
Picture quality
Brightness and contrast
Brightness is the QN90C’s headline strength. Reviewed measured more than 2,100 nits in HDR on a 10% window, and TechRadar recorded about 1,787 nits in Movie mode. That’s bright enough to make HDR highlights pop and to keep the picture punchy in a sunlit living room. The Mini-LED backlight uses many small local dimming zones, so the TV produces deep blacks for an LED set.
It isn’t perfect. Both TechRadar and Reviewed noted some blooming, a faint halo around bright objects on dark backgrounds, such as subtitles or starfields. Reviewed also saw minor light bleed along the bottom edge of its review unit. The pricier QN95C and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TVs control light more precisely.
Color
The QN90C covered about 93% to 94% of the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI-P3) color space in testing by both TechRadar and Reviewed, and about 73% of the wider BT.2020 space. Colors look rich and saturated, though TechRadar rated out-of-the-box accuracy as average. Filmmaker Mode or Movie mode gets you closest to accurate color without a calibration.
Viewing angles and glare
The 55-inch and larger models use ADS panels with Samsung’s Ultra Viewing Angle technology, so color and contrast hold up better off-center than on most VA-panel TVs. That suits wide sofas and group viewing. Reviewed did spot a pinkish-purple tint in the corners with dark gray content viewed from an angle. The 43- and 50-inch models use VA panels, which look best from straight ahead. The anti-glare coating handles reflections well, which made TechRadar call it a strong pick for daytime sports.
Motion and upscaling
The Neural Quantum Processor upscales high-definition (HD) content to 4K cleanly, and fast sports and games look smooth with little blur. Like most fast-responding LED TVs, the QN90C can show slight stutter in slow camera pans on 24-frames-per-second movies. Samsung’s motion settings can smooth this out if it bothers you, at the cost of some “soap opera effect.”
Gaming performance
Gaming is where the QN90C still shines. All four HDMI 2.1 ports accept 4K at 120Hz, so you can connect a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series X, and a soundbar without juggling cables. It supports VRR, ALLM, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and TechRadar measured 9.8 ms of input lag in Game mode, which is excellent. The 43- and 50-inch versions go up to 144Hz for PC gaming.
Samsung Gaming Hub adds cloud gaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna, so you can stream games without a console. The Game Bar overlay shows frame rate, HDR status, and VRR status, and lets you tweak settings on the fly. TechRadar gave the QN90C a perfect 5 out of 5 for gaming. For more options, see our list of the best gaming TVs for PS5 and Xbox.
Smart features
The QN90C runs Samsung’s Tizen platform, which includes the major streaming apps and Samsung TV Plus, a free service with hundreds of ad-supported live channels. Bixby and Amazon Alexa are built in. Ambient Mode turns the screen into a display for art, photos, or useful information when you’re not watching, and SmartThings lets the TV control compatible smart home devices.
Reviewers found Tizen cluttered, though. Reviewed called it less refined than Google TV, and TechRadar listed the complicated interface as a con. Samsung promises several years of Tizen upgrades on newer models, but a 2023 TV won’t get every new feature.
Sound quality
The 65-inch QN90C that TechRadar tested uses a 4.2.2-channel speaker system with Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Plus, which tries to move sound across the screen with the action. Dialogue comes through clearly, but TechRadar found the bass weak and the sound flat at high volumes. Note that Samsung TVs don’t support DTS audio. Q-Symphony lets a compatible Samsung soundbar play together with the TV speakers, and a Samsung Q-Symphony soundbar is the easiest upgrade.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very high HDR brightness for bright rooms
- Effective anti-glare screen
- Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K at 120Hz and low input lag
- Wide viewing angles on 55-inch and larger models
- Slim, premium design
- Large discounts on remaining stock
Cons
- No Dolby Vision support
- Some blooming around bright objects
- Cluttered Tizen interface
- Weak bass from the built-in speakers
- Replaced by newer models with better processing and higher refresh rates
Samsung QN90C vs. current alternatives
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the QN90C’s successor along with its strongest current rivals. All of these TVs use Mini-LED or red, green, and blue (RGB) LED backlights, and most beat the QN90C on features for similar money.
Compare similar Mini-LED TVs on Amazon
| TV | Backlight | Refresh rate | Dolby Vision | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung QN90F (2025) | Mini-LED with Glare-Free screen | Up to 165Hz | No | Bright rooms and Samsung fans | Check price |
| Samsung QN80H (2026) | Mini-LED with quantum dots | Up to 144Hz | No | Samsung’s CES 2026 Neo QLED flagship | Check price |
| Sony Bravia 7 II (2026) | True RGB LED | 120Hz | Yes | Movie lovers who want Sony processing | Check price |
| TCL QM8K (2025) | Mini-LED, up to 3,800 zones | 144Hz | Yes | Maximum brightness per dollar | Check price |
| Hisense U8 (U8QG, 2025) | Mini-LED | Up to 165Hz | Yes | Value-focused gamers | Check price |
- Samsung QN90F: The direct successor measured 2,109 nits and 9.5 ms of input lag in Tom’s Guide’s QN90F review, and its Glare-Free screen handles reflections very well. Tom’s Guide noted that rivals beat it on brightness and color for less money. See the Samsung QN90F on Amazon.
- Samsung QN80H: Samsung’s flagship Neo QLED at CES 2026 offers four HDMI ports and up to 144Hz, starting at $1,299 for the 55-inch at launch. A 65-inch QN90H has since appeared at retail for $1,499.99. See the Samsung QN80H on Amazon.
- Sony Bravia 7 II: Sony’s 2026 set uses True RGB backlighting, and Tom’s Guide measured about 2,078 nits with very wide color coverage. It costs more but adds Dolby Vision and Google TV. See the Sony Bravia 7 II on Amazon.
- TCL QM8K: TechRadar measured 2,268 nits in Filmmaker Mode, and the QM8K supports Dolby Vision and Google TV for well under the QN90C’s launch price. TCL’s 2026 QM8L now replaces it. See the TCL QM8K on Amazon.
- Hisense U8QG: The 2025 U8 pairs very high brightness with Dolby Vision and a 165Hz panel. Hisense didn’t release a U8 for 2026, so the U8QG stays on sale while stock lasts. See the Hisense U8QG on Amazon.
If you’d rather have perfect blacks, consider Samsung’s quantum-dot OLED (QD-OLED) TVs; read our Samsung S90F review. For a cheaper Samsung QLED without Mini-LED, see our Samsung Q8F review.
Who should buy the Samsung QN90C?
Buy the QN90C if you find a 55-inch or larger model at a deep clearance, open-box, or refurbished price, you watch in a bright room, and you game on a console or PC. Its brightness, anti-glare screen, and four full-speed HDMI 2.1 ports still hold up well in 2026.
Skip it if you stream a lot of Dolby Vision content on Netflix, Disney+, or Apple TV+, if you want the best movie contrast in a dark room, or if a new QN90F, TCL QM8K, or Hisense U8QG costs about the same. Those newer TVs offer more features and longer software support for similar money.
Frequently asked questions
When did the Samsung QN90C come out?
Samsung released the QN90C in spring 2023. It replaced the 2022 QN90B and was itself replaced by the QN90D in 2024.
Does the Samsung QN90C support Dolby Vision?
No. Like all Samsung TVs, it supports HDR10+ instead of Dolby Vision. It still plays Dolby Vision content, but in standard HDR10.
Is the Samsung QN90C good for gaming?
Yes. It has four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K at 120Hz, VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro, and roughly 9.8 ms of input lag, which makes it an excellent gaming TV.
What is the difference between the QN90C and the QN95C?
The QN95C has a more advanced backlight, a brighter picture, and Samsung’s One Connect box, which moves the ports to a separate unit. The QN90C keeps the ports on the TV and costs less.
Final verdict
The Samsung QN90C earned strong reviews in 2023 for its brightness, anti-glare screen, wide viewing angles on larger sizes, and gaming features. Its weak points, including no Dolby Vision, some blooming, and an aging Tizen interface, matter more now that the QN90F and rivals from TCL and Hisense offer more for less. At a deep discount, it’s still a great bright-room and gaming TV. Check the current Samsung QN90C price on Amazon, or compare the newer Samsung QN90F on Amazon.