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Head to head

TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV vs Samsung S90D OLED TV

Samsung S90D OLED TV leads 3 to 1 on the 4 rankable specs, but TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV costs $100 less. Most of the 28 attributes tracked here are descriptive rather than numeric.

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 S90D lists QD-OLED / WOLED (size dependent) (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 S90D lists ~1,100–1,300 nits peak 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 S90D 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 S90D lists 120 Hz (up to 144 Hz with PC) (Samsung sheet, 2026-09-02).
  • Contrast: TCL QM8 Mini-LED lists Extreme local contrast (our summary); Samsung S90D lists Infinite (per-pixel self-lit) (our summary).

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

TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV
$1,4991 spec win
Swap
Samsung S90D OLED TV
$1,5993 spec wins
Swap

Buying for

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

Straight answer

Overall: 1 to 3

Buy the Samsung S90D.

  • Leads 3 of 4 rankable overall specs; TCL QM8 Mini-LED takes 1.
  • HDMI 2.1 ports: 4 vs 2
  • Input lag (4K 120, game mode): ~5.5 ms at 4K 120Hz / ~9.5 ms at 60Hz vs ~6 ms
  • TCL QM8 Mini-LED is $100 cheaper. Pay the difference only if hdmi 2.1 ports matters to you.

Check first: the Samsung S90D has burn-in risk. Tick them under deal-breakers if that rules it out.

1 TCL QM8 Mini-LED4 rankable of 28 specsSamsung S90D 3

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 S90D · 4
  • row

    Static news tickers, game HUDs and desktop use can leave permanent marks over the years.

    Clear:TCL QM8 Mini-LED · None (LED)Trips:Samsung S90D · Yes (mitigated by Samsung OLED Care and…

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

QD-OLED / WOLED (size dependent)

Peak brightness (HDR)

TCL

~3,500–5,000 nits HDR

Samsung

~1,100–1,300 nits peak 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 S90D OLED TV.
Panel typeMini-LED QLED (VA HVA)QD-OLED / WOLED (size dependent)
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 with PC)
Peak brightness (HDR)Not on the official sheet~3,500–5,000 nits HDR (wins this row: higher)~1,100–1,300 nits peak HDR
ContrastOur summaryExtreme local contrastInfinite (per-pixel self-lit)
Local dimmingQD-Mini LED (5,000+ zones)Per-pixel self-emissive
Viewing angleOur summaryModerateUltra Wide viewing angles
Screen finishAnti-glare low reflectionGlossy with anti-reflective filter
HDR formatsDolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLGHDR10, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10+ Gaming, HLG (no Dolby Vision)

Processing

3 differences
Processing specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung S90D OLED TV.
ProcessorAIPQ Pro ProcessorNQ4 AI Gen2 Processor
Motion handlingOur summaryMotion Rate 480 with MEMCInstantaneous OLED response time (~0.1 ms)
UpscalingAI 4K Clarity Upscaling4K AI Upscaling

Gaming

leads 2-0
Gaming specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung S90D OLED TV.
HDMI 2.1 ports2 (of 4 HDMI total)4 (wins this row: higher)
4K 120HzYesYes (up to 4K 144Hz)
VRRYes (FreeSync Premium Pro)Yes (AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, HDMI VRR)
Auto low latency (ALLM)YesYes
Input lag (4K 120, game mode)Not on the official sheet~6 ms~5.5 ms at 4K 120Hz / ~9.5 ms at 60Hz (wins this row: lower)
G-Sync / FreeSyncFreeSync Premium ProFreeSync Premium Pro, G-Sync Compatible

Audio

3 differences
Audio specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung S90D OLED TV.
Speakers2.1.2 ch Onkyo soundbar built-in, 60W2.1 channel, 40W (Object Tracking Sound Lite)
Dolby AtmosYesYes (with wireless Dolby Atmos support)
eARCYesYes (HDMI 3)

Smart TV

2 differences
Smart TV specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung S90D OLED TV.
Operating systemGoogle TVTizen OS
Voice assistantsGoogle Assistant, AlexaBixby, Amazon Alexa built-in

Design

leads 1-0
Design specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung S90D OLED TV.
ThicknessNot on the official sheet~44 mm~39 mm at thickest section (LaserSlim design) (wins this row: lower)
Wall mountVESA 400x400VESA 300 × 200 mm

Ownership

2 differences
Ownership specifications. Middle column is TCL QM8 Mini-LED TV, right column is Samsung S90D OLED TV.
Burn-in riskOur summaryNone (LED)Yes (mitigated by Samsung OLED Care and Pixel Shift)
Warranty1 year1 year manufacturer limited warranty
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 S90D OLED TV

65-inch 4K OLED TV with NQ4 AI Gen2 processor, 144Hz native refresh rate, and OLED HDR+.

  • Infinite contrast with deep true blacks
  • 144Hz refresh rate with four HDMI 2.1 ports for PC gaming
  • Great value OLED compared to flagship S95D

What you give up

  • No Dolby Vision support (Samsung uses HDR10+)
  • Built-in speakers lack deep low-end bass

Best for each use

Gaming

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

For gaming, buy the Samsung S90D.

  • Leads 2 of 2 rankable gaming specs.
  • HDMI 2.1 ports: 4 vs 2
  • Input lag (4K 120, game mode): ~5.5 ms at 4K 120Hz / ~9.5 ms at 60Hz vs ~6 ms
  • TCL QM8 Mini-LED is $100 cheaper. Pay the difference only if hdmi 2.1 ports matters to you.

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 Infinite
  • Panel type: Mini-LED QLED vs QD-OLED / WOLED

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 Glossy with anti-reflective filter
  • Viewing angle: Moderate vs Ultra Wide viewing angles

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 S90D OLED TV

Common questions

Which is cheaper, the TCL QM8 Mini-LED or the Samsung S90D?

TCL QM8 Mini-LED costs $100 less at list price.

What is the biggest catch with the TCL QM8 Mini-LED or Samsung S90D?

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 S90D?

For gaming, buy the Samsung S90D. Leads 2 of 2 rankable gaming specs. HDMI 2.1 ports: 4 vs 2

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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