When two TVs side-by-side cost the same, Samsung and LG could also have boxes with nearly identical contents written in different words. This could mislead consumers into thinking the extra letter or fancier-sounding name means a better image quality. When comparing the QLED to QNED televisions, however, both terms actually refer to backlit LCD TVs that utilize the same technology, and independent tests conducted by laboratories indicate that the cheapest and priciest models within the same brand family may vary more greatly than do the different terminologies.
The names themselves keep changing. LG launched QNED in 2021 as Quantum Dot NanoCell color paired with a Mini LED backlight. As of 10/06/2026, its US page spells it out as Qualified Nano Enhanced Display. One shopper looking at an LG QNED85 “MiniLED” found that its spec sheet listed an edge backlight. What decides your picture is in the spec sheet, not on the box.
QLED and QNED are both backlit LCD TV families
QLED and QNED are both families of LCD TVs. In each, a backlight shines through a liquid-crystal panel, so neither has self-lit pixels like OLED. QLED is the quantum-dot label Samsung uses, and QNED is LG’s premium LCD brand. Neither name tells you how good the backlight or dimming is.
According to Samsung’s informational page on QLED TVs, QLED TVs are made with LED backlighting that shines through a quantum dot layer and as such, QLED TVs have increased brightness and vibrancy compared to standard-type LCD TVs. In addition, it is also stated on this page that Neo QLED devices are a unique version of QLED televisions made with “Mini LEDs,” with ordinary (not Neo) QLED televisions utilizing Direct Full Array or Dual LED backlighting along with many different series configurations. Therefore, in this example, there are at least three different backlighting approaches under one brand. Many other companies utilize the QLED label; for instance, RTINGS has reviewed a TCL QM8 QLED television.
LG has changed the definition of QNED, but it is more ambiguous. Two years ago, LG customer support responded to a Best Buy inquiry that QNED stands for “Quantum NanoCell LED” and provides a wider viewing angle than standard QLED technology but did not specify which models to compare. Currently, on LG’s Canadian website, QNED’s color solutions incorporate replacing quantum dots. However, on the U.S. page for the 65QNED92AUA, it states that its color is produced via quantum dot technology with the use of quantum dots, and RTINGS discovered certain types of quantum dot color processing technology within that display. In addition, the method by which the color behind the QNED name works differs depending on which model and which country the TV is purchased from.
If you search for QNED online, you will also find references to “Quantum Nano Emitting Diode”. These references are to research done on displays and do not apply to LG televisions purchased commercially.
What the QLED and QNED labels do—and do not—tell you
TVs can be compared to layers in a stack (Color Layer, LCD Panel, Backlight Layers, Dimming System, Input Formats) where each label is only capable of identifying one layer of the stack. There may even be situations where the label may not identify a particular layer at all. This means that each label will require additional testing via the manufacturer’s documents and independent test results in order to provide reliable information concerning each layer of the whole unit. The documentation and reports will allow for a clear mapping of the relationships between the individual layers and the functionality that each layer provides.
| Layer | What it changes on screen | What “QLED” tells you | What “QNED” tells you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color layer | How rich and bright colors look | A quantum dot layer | LG wide-color tech; quantum dots replaced on some models, used on others |
| LCD panel type | Contrast and viewing angle | Nothing; tested Q70D and QN90D used VA | Nothing; tested 65-inch QNED90T was VA, while its 86-inch size uses IPS |
| Backlight layout | Black levels and halos | Dual LED, Direct Full Array, or Mini LED, depending on series | Edge-lit or full-array, depending on model |
| Local dimming | Whether dark areas stay dark near bright ones | None on the tested Q70D; effective on the QN90D | Six zones on the tested QNED85A; “fantastic contrast” on the QNED92A |
| HDR formats | Which streams play in their best HDR mode | Tested Samsung models: HDR10+, no Dolby Vision | QNED92A and QNED90T have Dolby Vision; RTINGS found none on the QNED85A |
Looking at a single row, you will see that the badge has eliminated only some of the possibilities. This is evident in LG Canada’s comparison chart; the QNED85AUA is labelled as a “4K QNED MiniLED”, with an Edge Lit dimming system, while the QNED92A on the following column is labelled as a “Full Array Dimming Pro”.
“Mini LED” doesn’t settle the backlight question either. RTINGS calls it a marketing term with no proper definition and notes that Samsung’s QN70F is sold as Mini LED even though it uses basic edge-lit dimming. LG’s “100% Color Volume” claim is a different kind of thing: Intertek verified it against the DCI-P3 color volume. It’s a color measurement, not a rating of contrast or overall picture quality.
A QLED or QNED badge does not guarantee better picture quality
The quality of the image is not determined by the badge; it is determined by the quality of the backlight design and dimming capability of the TV which varies tier to tier by families.
On the LG side, the US QNED page advertises the QNED85 as having colors “powered by Mini LEDs” in sizes from 50 to 100 inches. RTINGS tested a QNED85A and found it was edge-lit with six dimming zones. Because the backlight can only adjust whole columns at a time, the entire backlight is often on during real content. Turning local dimming on raised contrast but added “a lot of haloing,” so RTINGS published its main results with dimming off. LG’s own fine print says Precision Dimming applies only to the 100-inch QNED85, and the smaller sizes get “Advanced Local Dimming.” The same model name covers two backlight designs depending on screen size.
Samsung essentially has the same distribution. The Samsung Q70D QLED does not feature any local dimming capabilities at all. As such RTINGS concluded that when displaying bright highlights, the blacks in this model were raised or greyish in tone compared to the QN90D Neo QLED which features “truly excellent contrast” when local dimming is set to “High” mode.
The rankings of the various models mentioned will all depend on the testing results obtained from four separate tests where these models are compared to each other. The entry-level Samsung QN90D will outperform some of the lower model edge-lit LG QNED85A during dark scene performance. On the other hand, a high-end LG model such as the QNED92A should outperform an entry-level dimming-free Samsung Q70D. Getting an answer to the question of “which brand has the best badge” will yield two totally opposite opinions, while asking “which specific model has the better performance” will provide an answer that can be used as a guideline when shopping for a new television.
What independent tests reveal about real QLED and QNED TVs
RTINGS is a company who purchase and test one unit of each model to provide an opportunity for you to compare each of these televisions using the same video source (the content that is being displayed). The charts below contain information collected by RTINGS as of October 6, 2026 and show the specific settings that were used to collect data on the five televisions in this review.
| Tested model (family) | Backlight and dimming | Dark-scene result | HDR “Hallway Lights” reading (setting) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG QNED85A (QNED, 2025) | Edge-lit, six zones | Heavy haloing with dimming on | 381 cd/m² (local dimming on) |
| LG QNED90T (QNED, 2024) | Local dimming | Very deep blacks; a bit of blooming | 506 cd/m² (dimming Medium) |
| LG QNED92A (QNED, 2025) | Full-array Mini LED | Fantastic contrast; noticeable halos | 738 cd/m² (Filmmaker, dimming High) |
| Samsung Q70D (QLED, 2024) | No local dimming | Grayish blacks next to highlights | 503 cd/m² (tone mapping Active) |
| Samsung QN90D (Neo QLED, 2024) | Mini LED with local dimming | Excellent contrast; some blooming | 1,223 cd/m² (Filmmaker, tone mapping Active) |
The unit of brightness measured in this chart is measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m²) and in common parlance as “nits.” The numbers listed in this table show how bright the televisions are based on their relative brightness as compared to each other within a particular class of television. The highest QNED television is opposite the lowest QLED television and the highest QLED television is opposite the lowest QNED television. Therefore, don’t treat these numbers as you would treat an exact ranking, because there are variations in the number of units tested and the picture settings used to collect data from each television tested span two model years.
Dark scenes are where the backlight shows
Among the different television set manufacturers, local dimming is the feature that is likely to look different at home than it would at a retail store. In the course of the testing performed by RTINGS, local dimming for the QNED92A performed best when set to High for SDR but Low for HDR, so one setting won’t suit everything you watch. When they tested the QNED90T in the Game Optimizer mode, RTINGS observed a bit more blooming.
One AVForums thread shows what this looks like for an owner. The poster’s LG 75QNED91 showed patchy dark areas that only faded when the backlight was turned up toward maximum. A reply suggested dropping local dimming from High to Medium or Low. Another QNED91 owner in the same thread said it took a panel replacement and six months of back-and-forth with LG before the set was refunded. That’s one thread, not proof of how common the problem is. Still, it shows why it’s worth watching dark content on a new TV before your return window closes.
Motion doesn’t follow the badge either
Fast-moving images appear blurred because of the speed at which the pixels are changed and not based on the name of the brand of TV. According to the tests conducted by RTINGS, the QNED90T was rated as having “bad,” motion performance at 120Hz with very blurry images for fast-moving images. The Q70D, which is less expensive than the other two televisions, was rated as having “alright” motion performance, so there was no noticeable blur while watching sports or playing video games. If you are a frequent viewer of sports or video games, then you should research the exact model of television that you are considering, and check whether or not it has good motion performance.
Which differences matter in a bright room, dark room, or wide seating area
It is the room you will be placing your television in that will dictate which of these results will be applicable to you. The following patterns are examples of the five television comparisons from the reviews you are referencing for comparison of QLED and QNED televisions.
Bright rooms: brightness plus reflection handling
In order to compete with the bright light of day, a TV must have a screen that can produce a high level of brightness and has an anti-glare surface. In this case, the QN90D produced “superb” SDR brightness when it comes to competing with direct light, and it performed exceptionally well at filtering out indirect reflections. The QNED90T was bright enough to overcome glare but had poor direct reflection handling, and the QNED92A’s overall reflection handling was mediocre. With dimming off, the QNED85A wasn’t bright enough to overcome glare. Therefore, if you have a window facing your television, you should be concerned with both the brightness measurement and the results obtained in terms of the amount of light reflected by the window.
Dark rooms: dimming control
When watching movies while having all of the lights turned off, you will want a television that produces strong contrasts and has a good amount of local dimming capability. Both the QN90D and QNED92A performed quite well in this regard due to their backlighting capability, while neither QNED85A nor Q70D did very well because of the reasons discussed above. An analysis by RTINGS has shown that when it comes to having more dimming zones, that it is not just the number of dimming zones, but the way they are controlled through the algorithms controlling them, that contributes substantially to the overall quality of the image. Merely having a high zone count as evidenced on specifications, does not mean the television will have clean blacks.
Wide seating: the panel, not the label
LG’s customer-care answer promised wider viewing angles than QLED, but none of the three tested QNEDs held up well off-center. RTINGS rated the viewing angle inadequate on the QNED85A, unremarkable on the QNED90T, and sub-par on the QNED92A. All three tested units used VA panels. The QN90D, also VA, was the only one RTINGS called a satisfactory choice for wide seating. RTINGS explains that viewing angle comes mostly from the panel’s structure, which is why the 86-inch QNED90T’s IPS panel could behave differently from the tested 65-inch unit.
How QNED compares with OLED and Mini LED
Comparing OLED technology to Mini LED technology is essentially comparing two totally different things that utilize completely different methods of producing visual images on a display. Thus, while Mini LED is a type of backlighting that can be found inside some QNED (Quantum Dot Nano Crystal Enhanced) TVs and QLED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode) TVs, OLED is not produced by backlighting but rather from the pixels themselves.
How OLED differs
With an OLED TV, there are no backlighting components; every pixel creates its own light source and is capable of turning itself off completely. Therefore, based on the aforementioned comparison, the idea of comparing QNED (Mini LED) vs OLED is based solely on how each display performed during RTINGS’ testing; RTINGS found that in all cases, OLED displays performed better than LED-like backlit displays when tested for criteria such as black levels, response times and viewing angles, but on average, all backlit models offered a brighter visual effect as measured across the 45 TVs tested under RTINGS’ 2.0.1 methodology. LG has published guides that direct owners of QNED models to utilize these displays in areas that receive lots of light, while using OLED for dark rooms. This recommendation is not unique to LG, and the guides created by other companies will also usually list similar guidance. Furthermore, the guides assume that all models classified as QNED utilize Mini LED backlighting; however, LG’s own specifications contradict this assumption. Based on their testing of both types of TVs, RTINGS determined that OLEDs were able to last longer than LCD-based TVs since they are not susceptible to “burn in” if an image were to stay on the screen for extended periods. Conversely, LCD-based displays do not suffer from “burn in”, but they can fade over time.
Where Mini LED fits
QNED vs Mini LED isn’t a choice between two things. Mini LED is a backlight design, and some QNEDs use it. LG documents Mini LED with Precision Dimming on the QNED92A, and Samsung’s Neo QLED combines Mini LED with quantum dots. The names are getting more tangled. On 3/24/2026, Samsung announced a separate “Mini LED” lineup (M80H, M70H) alongside its Neo QLED QN80H and QN70H. If the backlight question is your main concern, the companion explainer on Mini-LED versus QLED goes into that side in more detail.
What to check on the exact TV before spending more
Turning a badge into a real comparison takes about ten minutes per model. Work through these steps for every TV on your shortlist.
- Write down the full model number, including the size. A 65-inch and a 100-inch QNED85 use different dimming systems, and the 86-inch QNED90T uses an IPS panel instead of the tested VA one. Even LG’s 2026 launch release names its 115-inch flagship as a QNED92 in one place and a QNED90 in the footnotes, so go by the exact model number on the listing.
- Find the backlight or dimming field on your region’s spec page. “Edge Lit” versus “Full Array” in that field tells you more than the product name does, as the QNED85AUA listing shows. If you’re outside the US, check your country’s manufacturer page instead of assuming US specs apply.
- Look up an independent review of the same model, ideally the same size. Note the picture mode and local-dimming setting used, since RTINGS’s QNED92A results depend on that setting.
- Confirm the HDR formats for your exact SKU. The Samsung sets tested here support HDR10+ but not Dolby Vision. Sources also disagree on one LG model: LG Canada lists Dolby Vision for the QNED85AUA, while RTINGS recorded no Dolby Vision on its tested QNED85A. Check your model’s US spec page or box rather than either source alone.
- Check refresh rate and HDMI ports if you game. LG Canada lists the QNED80A at a 60Hz native refresh rate with HDMI 2.0, and the 55- and 50-inch QNED85 sizes top out at 120Hz rather than 144Hz.
- Test dark scenes as soon as the TV arrives. Play a dim movie scene with subtitles and look for halos or patchy blacks. Then check your retailer’s return deadline, because the AVForums owner who went through LG support instead spent six months getting a refund.
Which Technology Is Better for Your TV?
Both QLED and QNED televisions utilize backlighting through backlit LCD families, and both brands have produced good (high quality) as well as bad (low quality) models using the same technology, according to the tests done by RTINGS. Before you purchase either one of these products for a premium price, check what kind of backlight each model offers as well as the different types of HDR that both support and review each product in its entirety with a reviewer who is also in your area or at least provides similar reviews. It is important to note that all test results were based on a single unit set up as per the reviewer’s specifications and should be interpreted as such, and therefore the models that you should put the greatest emphasis on will be transferred from whatever review process to your exact model and within your region of distribution. The best way to avoid paying too much for a name is to compare two individual television units that share a common feature, not two companies with different brand names.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a QLED or QNED TV get burn-in?
RTINGS classifies LCD-based sets like the QNED92A as immune to permanent burn-in, unlike OLED. They still age, though: RTINGS notes that LCD backlights can fade and develop uniformity problems over time.
What does “evo” mean on an LG QNED TV?
According to LG, they market their QNED evo as their premium QNED product range and include mini LEDs as well as support for refresh rates up to 144 Hz with VRR. However, LG Canada say that their QNED85AUA evo is edge lit and only their 65″ and above versions of this model are capable of supporting a 144Hz refresh rate.
Do Samsung QLED TVs support Dolby Vision?
Both Samsung TVs (Q70D and QN90D) that RTINGS have tested for use in this comparison do not support HDR10+. You will want to check your individual specifications for your specific model before making a purchase decision.
