Sony X90L Vs. Competitors: TV Showdown & Comparisons [2024]

04 May, 2025

Is the pursuit of the perfect picture quality an endless quest? For many, the Sony X90L/X90CL series represents a compelling destination on that journey, but how does it fare against the competition, and where does it truly shine?

The world of televisions is a crowded marketplace, filled with a bewildering array of technologies, features, and price points. Choosing the right TV can feel like navigating a minefield, especially for those seeking the best possible picture quality. The Sony X90L/X90CL series, a popular choice for many, positions itself as a contender in the mid-range market, offering a balance of performance and value. Its predecessor, the X90K/X90CK, set a high bar, and the X90L aims to build on that foundation.

Feature	Sony X90L/X90CL	Samsung QN85D	Sony X95K	LG QNED85	Samsung QN90D/QN90DD QLED	Samsung Q80C QLED	Hisense U7K	Samsung QN90C/QN90CD QLED	LG B3 OLED	LG C3 OLED
Contrast	Excellent with local dimming	Better black uniformity	Significantly better with mini LED	Good	Noticeably deeper	Much better	Slightly better	Better reflection handling	Nearly infinite	Inky blacks
Brightness (HDR)	Noticeably bright, impactful highlights	N/A	Significantly better	Pop more in bright rooms	Brighter	Better	Slightly brighter in HDR	Gets brighter in HDR	N/A	More lifelike colors
Viewing Angle	Disappointing	Wider	N/A	Vastly wider	N/A	Wider	N/A	N/A	Much wider	Wider
Reflection Handling	Good	N/A	Significantly better	N/A	Better	N/A	Superior	Better	Better	Better
Gaming	HDMI 2.1	N/A	N/A	N/A	Dimmer in game mode	N/A	N/A	Lower input lag	Faster response time, less blur	Faster response time, less blur
Overall	Better than Bravia 3	Equally as good as X90L/X90CL	Better than X90L/X90CL	Slightly better	Better than X90L/X90CL	Better	Slight edge	Better	Better for dark rooms	Better

The Sony Bravia 7 QLED enters the arena as a strong contender, posing a significant challenge. Boasting superior contrast thanks to an enhanced local dimming solution, the Bravia 7 aims to deliver a more impactful HDR experience. It is noticeably brighter than the X90L, especially in HDR, leading to more impactful highlights overall. However, while the X90L does have a wider viewing angle, the Bravia 7 overall represents a superior choice, particularly for those who prioritize picture quality in various lighting conditions.

When comparing the Sony X90L/X90CL to the Samsung QN85D, the contest is closer. These two models offer a comparable experience, but with distinct differences. The Samsung often takes the lead with its superior contrast, particularly its excellent black uniformity, making it a clear winner for dark room viewing. The X90L/X90CL, on the other hand, shines as a replacement for the Sony Bravia 3, and elevates its performance with local dimming that enhances contrast. Furthermore, its increased brightness contributes to a more impactful HDR experience, especially for gaming due to HDMI 2.1 bandwidth.

The Sony X95K, however, pulls ahead of the X90L/X90CL with its superior reflection handling, making it a more suitable choice for bright living rooms. The X95K's mini-LED backlight is the key differentiator, resulting in much deeper blacks, minimal blooming around bright objects, and smoother zone transitions. The X90L/X90CL's performance is not to be dismissed, but the X95K represents a step up in picture quality.

The LG QNED85 offers a different perspective, and the X90L/X90CL holds a slight edge in this comparison. The Sony's brightness makes it more vibrant in bright rooms, while the LG offers a broader viewing angle, making it ideal for large viewing parties. The Sony, however, often delivers a punchier viewing experience.

Samsung's QN90D/QN90DD QLED showcases a superior picture compared to the X90L/X90CL. The Samsung boasts noticeably deeper contrast and is brighter in most HDR content. While it may be slightly dimmer in game modes, the Sony tends to provide better image accuracy, which is a critical factor for many viewers.

In most respects, the Sony X90L/X90CL outperforms the Samsung Q80C QLED. The Sony offers superior contrast and black uniformity, providing deeper blacks in dark rooms and reducing blooming. HDR content is more impactful on the Sony, thanks to its higher brightness, wider color gamut, and superior color volume. The Samsung, however, has a wider viewing angle.

The Sony X90L/X90CL is also a noticeable improvement over its predecessor, the Sony X90K/X90CK. The X90L is significantly brighter, especially in HDR, resulting in better specular highlights. It also improves its local dimming, leading to deeper blacks and smoother zone transitions. The picture is full of realistic depth.

Comparing the X90L and X90CL models requires a focus on specific features. Differences in performance metrics, such as processing speed or memory capacity, significantly impact user experience.

The Sony X90L/X90CL is a strong performer overall, notably better than the Sony Bravia 3, with improved contrast through local dimming and brightness that overcomes glare. It is also a strong gaming contender.

The Hisense U7K and Sony X90L/X90CL, offer similar experiences, with the Hisense having a minor edge overall. The Sony is slightly brighter in HDR and noticeably brighter in SDR. However, the Hisense compensates with superior reflection handling, and better contrast in dark rooms.

In most aspects, the Samsung QN90C/QN90CD QLED is better than the Sony X90L/X90CL. The Samsung offers better reflection handling and SDR brightness, which is well-suited for bright rooms. It also gets brighter in HDR and has lower input lag for gamers.

For many, the Sony 75-inch X90L could be the best option. The XR Clear Processor significantly enhances the color and lighting. Side-by-side comparisons in stores highlight its superiority over many other LED TVs.

The Samsung S90C OLED is better than the Sony X90L/X90CL, offering nearly infinite contrast and deep blacks. The HDR content is more impactful, and colors are more vibrant. The TCL is punchier with better black levels and high peak brightness, but the Sony is more accurate in both SDR and HDR. The TCL is better for gaming, with 1440p support.

The LG B3 OLED and the Sony X90L/X90CL each have their strengths. The LG is better for dark rooms, with inky blacks due to its contrast ratio. Its wider viewing angle makes it suitable for group viewing. The LG has faster response times.

The LG C3 OLED offers inky blacks and more lifelike colors thanks to its wider color gamut, making it the better choice. The wider viewing angle means image quality barely degrades from the sides.

The Samsung QN85C and the Sony X90L/X90CL offer similar performance. The Samsung has a wider viewing angle and is slightly better for gaming. The Sony offers a faster response time, reducing blur behind quick motion.

In all of these assessments, the X90L is recommended. The experience is better compared to the Sony X950H. The contrast on OLEDs is amazing, but the motion handling isn't as smooth. The Sony picture processing is great.

The Sony X90L/X90CL is a superior option compared to the Sony X85K. Its local dimming significantly improves contrast. It's also brighter, with better highlights in HDR and overcomes more glare in bright rooms.

The Sony X90L/X90CL and the Panasonic W95A are similar, with different strengths. The Sony has a slight edge in SDR brightness and reflection handling and is more accurate in both SDR and HDR.

The Sony Bravia 8 OLED is better than the Sony X90L/X90CL. However, the X90L is brighter in HDR and even more so in SDR, with the edge in brighter rooms, while the Bravia 8 has significantly better reflection handling. The Bravia 8's OLED panel provides perfect blacks, making it look better in darker rooms, although the X90L's contrast is solid.

The LG B4 OLED is better than the Sony X90L/X90CL. The LG's OLED panel gives it perfect blacks. The Sony's brightness in SDR gives it an edge in brighter rooms.

Overall, the Sony X90L/X90CL establishes itself as a strong competitor in the mid-range TV market. With its improved picture quality and feature set, it appeals to a broad audience, making it a solid choice for those seeking an elevated viewing experience. Its strengths in contrast, brightness, and image processing make it a compelling option, even when faced with stiff competition.

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