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Head to head

TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV vs Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV

They split the 4 rankable specs evenly, so cost decides it: TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV costs $400 less.

Catalog as of September 1, 2026

Why, in numbers

  • Panel type: TCL QM8 Mini-LED lists Mini-LED QLED (VA HVA) (TCL sheet, 2026-09-02); Samsung QN90D Neo lists Mini-LED QLED (VA) (Samsung sheet, 2026-09-02).
  • Peak brightness (HDR): TCL QM8 Mini-LED lists ~3,500–5,000 nits HDR (other published figure, not on maker sheet); Samsung QN90D Neo lists ~2,000 nits HDR (other published figure, not on maker sheet).
  • HDMI 2.1 ports: TCL QM8 Mini-LED lists 2 (of 4 HDMI total) (TCL sheet, 2026-09-02); Samsung QN90D Neo lists 4 (Samsung sheet, 2026-09-02).
  • Native refresh rate: TCL QM8 Mini-LED lists 120 Hz (up to 144 Hz PC / 240 Hz DLG) (TCL sheet, 2026-09-02); Samsung QN90D Neo lists 120 Hz (up to 144 Hz PC) (Samsung sheet, 2026-09-02).
  • Contrast: TCL QM8 Mini-LED lists Extreme local contrast (our summary); Samsung QN90D Neo lists Very high (local-dimmed LED, not infinite) (our summary).

Manufacturer list price, not a live offer. Confirm current pricing before you buy.

TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV
$1,4992 spec wins
Swap
Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV
$1,8992 spec wins
Swap

Buying for

Every rankable spec counts once. Pick a lens to score only what matters for your tv.

Straight answer

Overall: 2 to 2

Tied overall. TCL QM8 Mini-LED is cheaper.

  • The 4 rankable overall specs split 2 to 2.
  • Saves $400 at list price.

Check first: the TCL QM8 Mini-LED has only two HDMI 2.1 ports.

2 TCL QM8 Mini-LED4 rankable of 28 specsSamsung QN90D Neo 2

Deal-breakers

tick what would make you walk away

  • row

    A PS5, an Xbox and a 4K120 PC cannot all connect at full bandwidth, and one port doubles as eARC.

    Trips:TCL QM8 Mini-LED · 2 (of 4 HDMI total)Clear:Samsung QN90D Neo · 4

At a glance

The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.

3 of 3 differ

Panel type

TCL

Mini-LED QLED (VA HVA)

Samsung

Mini-LED QLED (VA)

Peak brightness (HDR)

TCL

~3,500–5,000 nits HDR

Samsung

~2,000 nits HDR

HDMI 2.1 ports

TCL

2 (of 4 HDMI total)

Samsung

4

The 90-Day Owner Regret Check

Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.

Post-Purchase Truths

TCL: What to watch for

  • Software / Apps

    Smart TV interface runs sponsored ads and banner recommendations.

    Like most modern smart TV platforms, the home menu highlights suggested streaming content and sponsored banner placement out of the box.

  • Ergonomics

    Thin integrated TV speakers lack low-end bass punch.

    Ultra-thin modern chassis leave minimal acoustic chamber depth, making a dedicated soundbar or audio system virtually mandatory for movie dialogues.

Samsung: What to watch for

  • Software / Apps

    Smart TV interface runs sponsored ads and banner recommendations.

    Like most modern smart TV platforms, the home menu highlights suggested streaming content and sponsored banner placement out of the box.

  • Ergonomics

    Thin integrated TV speakers lack low-end bass punch.

    Ultra-thin modern chassis leave minimal acoustic chamber depth, making a dedicated soundbar or audio system virtually mandatory for movie dialogues.

Picture

leads 1-0
Picture specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV.
Panel typeMini-LED QLED (VA HVA)Mini-LED QLED (VA)
Screen size65 inches65 inches
Resolution3840 × 2160 (4K)3840 × 2160 (4K)
Native refresh rate120 Hz (up to 144 Hz PC / 240 Hz DLG)120 Hz (up to 144 Hz PC)
Peak brightness (HDR)Not on the official sheet~3,500–5,000 nits HDR (wins this row: higher)~2,000 nits HDR
ContrastOur summaryExtreme local contrastVery high (local-dimmed LED, not infinite)
Local dimmingQD-Mini LED (5,000+ zones)Quantum Matrix with Mini LED
Viewing angleOur summaryModerateWide (Ultra Viewing Angle)
Screen finishAnti-glare low reflectionMatte anti-glare
HDR formatsDolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLGHDR10, HDR10+, HLG (no Dolby Vision)

Processing

3 differences
Processing specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV.
ProcessorAIPQ Pro ProcessorNQ4 AI Gen2 Processor
Motion handlingOur summaryMotion Rate 480 with MEMCMotion Xcelerator 144Hz
UpscalingAI 4K Clarity Upscaling4K AI Upscaling Pro

Gaming

3 differences
Gaming specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV.
HDMI 2.1 ports2 (of 4 HDMI total)4 (wins this row: higher)
4K 120HzYesYes
VRRYes (FreeSync Premium Pro)Yes (FreeSync Premium Pro)
Auto low latency (ALLM)YesYes
Input lag (4K 120, game mode)Not on the official sheet~6 ms (wins this row: lower)~9.5 ms
G-Sync / FreeSyncFreeSync Premium ProFreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync Compatible

Audio

1 differences
Audio specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV.
Speakers2.1.2 ch Onkyo soundbar built-in, 60WObject Tracking Sound+, 60W 4.2.2ch
Dolby AtmosYesYes
eARCYesYes

Smart TV

2 differences
Smart TV specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV.
Operating systemGoogle TVTizen OS
Voice assistantsGoogle Assistant, AlexaBixby, Alexa

Design

leads 1-0
Design specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV.
ThicknessNot on the official sheet~44 mm~27 mm (wins this row: lower)
Wall mountVESA 400x400Standard VESA

Ownership

0 differences
Ownership specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV.
Burn-in riskOur summaryNone (LED)None (LED)
Warranty1 year1 year
Most rows are from the official spec sheet. Marked rows are other published figures or our summary, not lab tests we ran.

Which one should you buy

Pick this one if

TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV

High-value 65-inch powerhouse with up to 5,000 nits peak brightness and 5,000+ local dimming zones.

  • Unmatched brightness-to-price ratio
  • Deep black levels with massive zone count
  • Built-in Onkyo 2.1 sound system with subwoofer

What you give up

  • Narrower viewing angle than OLED
  • Image processing slightly behind Sony

Pick this one if

Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV

Premium 65-inch Mini-LED 4K TV with NQ4 AI Gen2 processor, 144Hz refresh rate, and anti-glare screen.

  • High peak brightness exceeding 2,000 nits for sunlit rooms
  • Four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports supporting up to 144Hz PC gaming
  • Ultra Viewing Angle layer and matte anti-glare finish

What you give up

  • No Dolby Vision format support
  • Slight blooming around bright subtitles on pitch-black backgrounds

Best for each use

Gaming

Console or PC play: low input lag, 120 Hz, enough HDMI 2.1 ports for every box

Tied on gaming. TCL QM8 Mini-LED is cheaper.

  • The 2 rankable gaming specs split 1 to 1.
  • Saves $400 at list price.

Movies

Dark-room films and HDR streaming: black levels, HDR formats, motion and upscaling

Too close to call on movies from the spec sheets. Only peak brightness (hdr) is rankable here.

  • Contrast: Extreme local contrast vs Very high
  • Panel type: Mini-LED QLED vs Mini-LED QLED

Bright rooms

Daytime TV and sports in a sunny room: brightness, glare handling, wide seating

Too close to call on bright rooms from the spec sheets. Only peak brightness (hdr) is rankable here.

  • Screen finish: Anti-glare low reflection vs Matte anti-glare
  • Viewing angle: Moderate vs Wide

Every answer above is scored from published figures. A lens uses only the rows that matter for that use, including marked rows that are not on the official sheet. Switch lenses interactively in the panel above.

Done deciding?

Open the full standalone spec sheet for either device.

Manufacturer pages: TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV · Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV

Common questions

Which is cheaper, the TCL QM8 Mini-LED or the Samsung QN90D Neo?

TCL QM8 Mini-LED costs $400 less at list price.

What is the biggest catch with the TCL QM8 Mini-LED or Samsung QN90D Neo?

TCL QM8 Mini-LED has this deal-breaker: only two HDMI 2.1 ports. A PS5, an Xbox and a 4K120 PC cannot all connect at full bandwidth, and one port doubles as eARC.

Which is better for gaming, the TCL QM8 Mini-LED or the Samsung QN90D Neo?

Tied on gaming. TCL QM8 Mini-LED is cheaper. The 2 rankable gaming specs split 1 to 1. Saves $400 at list price.

What cannot be compared from spec sheets?

Of the 28 specs tracked here, 24 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.

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