Samsung Q6FN vs Sony X900F Review – Which is a better choice?

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The Sony X900F is the flagship of Sony’s 2018 4K HDR LED TV lineup while the Samsung Q6FN is the entry level of Samsung’s 2018 4K HDR QLED TV lineup. On the market, both come with several screen size options, giving you the flexibility to suit the area of your room. Except for the largest screen, both  come in a 49 inch (QN49Q6FN vs XBR49X900F), a 55 Inch (QN55Q6FN vs XBR55X900F), a 65 inch (QN65Q6FN vs XBR65X900F), and a 75 Inch (QN75Q6FN vs XBR75X900F).  While for the biggest screen, the Q6FN comes in an 82 inch (QN83Q6FN) and the X900F comes in an 85 inch (XBR85X900F). Within the same screen size, the X900F is usually more expensive than the Q6FN. Of course, prices are certainly are not fixed and could change at any time. So what are the features offered by each and which is a better choice for you?

Samsung Q6FN vs Sony X900F Key Specs

Specs and Features Samsung Q6FN Sony X900F
Resolution 4K (2160×3840) 4K (2160×3840)
Sizes Available 49 Inch (QN49Q6FN), 55 Inch (QN55Q6FN), 65 Inch (QN65Q6FN), 75 Inch (QN65Q6FN), 82 inch (QN82Q6FN) 49 Inch (XBR49X900F), 55 Inch (XBR55X900F), 65 Inch (XBR65X900F), 75 Inch (XBR75X900F), 85 Inch (XBR85X900F)
Panel Technology VA Panel VA Panel
Screen Type Flat Flat
Backlighting Technology Edge Lit LED Direct Led
Local Dimming Yes Yes (Full Array Local Dimming)
Picture Engine Q Engine X1 Extreme
HDR Formats HDR 10, HLG, HDR10+ HDR 10, HLG, Dolby Vision
Color Technology Quantum Dot with Q Color Technology TriLuminos Display, Live Color Technology, Precision Color Mapping, Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR
Support 10 Bit Yes Yes
Contrast Enhancement Contrast Enhancer, Supreme UHD Dimming, Q Contrast Dynamic Contrast Enhancer, Object-Based HDR Remastering, X-Tended Dynamic Range Pro 6X
Clarity Enhancement UHD Up-scaling Engine 4K X-Reality Pro, Dual Data Base Processing
Motion Technology Motion Rate 240 (49 Inch : Motion Rate 120) Motion Flow XR960
Native Refresh rate Panel 120 Hz (49 Inch : 60 Hz) 120 Hz
Smart TV Tizen 2018 Android
Processor Quad Core Information Not Provided
Remote Samsung Smart Remote Sony Smart Remote
HDMI 4 4
USB 2 3
Audio Channel 2.1 2
Build-in Sub-Woofer Yes No
Sound Output 40 Watts 20 watts
Price Check today’s price Check today’s price

Technology and Features of the Sony X900F and the Samsung Q6FN

Panel Technology

Both the Sony X900F and the Samsung Q6FN equally use a VA panel. But the difference is the X900F comes with a Direct LED backlight while the Q6FN comes with an Edge Lit backlight. Both also have local dimming. With Direct Local Dimming (Full Array Local Dimming), the local dimming of the X900F should be able to work better to improve contrast and black level than the edge lit local dimming of the Q6FN. Nevertheless by default, the VA panel is able to deliver a strong native contrast ratio and a deep black level. The shortcoming is the use of a VA panel the makes the side viewing angle coverage poor. In addition to the local dimming, the Sony X900F and the Samsung Q6FN are powered by other technology for improving performance such as Supreme UHD Dimming, Contrast Enhancer, Q Contrast and others for the Q6FN — and Dynamic Contrast Enhancer, Extended Dynamic Range Pro 6X, Object Based HDR Remastering technology for the X900F.

Picture Engine

As seen on comparison table above, the Sony X900F is powered by the 4K HDR X1 Extreme Engine where inside there are the number of Sony’s advanced technology embedded such as Dynamic Contrast Enhancer, Precision Color Mapping, Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR, Object Based HDR Remaster Technology and Dual Data Base Processing. All of these technologies make the X900F do a great job when processing HDR images. On the other hand the Samsung Q6FN is powered by Q Engine as its image processor where its performance in processing HDR images is equal to that of the X1 Engine of the X900F.

Color Technology

For delivering a wide color gamut, the Samsung Q6FN is powered by Samsung’s Quantum Dot Panel technology while the Sony X900F is powered by TriLuminos Display. This makes both have excellent color gamut. Maximized by other technology like Precision Color Mapping, and Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR for the X900F and Q color technology for the Q6FN, all of this technology makes each have excellent color rendition with a smooth color gradient.

HDR Support

Equally maximized for the HDR experience, both the Sony X900F and the Samsung Q6FN support most of major HDR formats. The similarity between them is to equally support HDR 10 and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma). The difference is the Sony X900F supports Dolby Vision and the Samsung Q6FN supports HDR10+. Bth of these formats use dynamic metadata for remapping brightness and color, making the brightness and color shown to be more accurate for every scene.

Motion Technology

For handling motion blur when playing fast paced display technology, except for the 49 inch model (QN49Q6FN), the Samsung Q6FN is powered by Motion Rate 240 technology based on a native 120 Hz refresh rate panel. Meanwhile the Sony X900F is powered by Motion Flow XR960 technology. Both of these technologies are based on a native 120 Hz refresh rate panel. Both the X900F and the Q6FN have an additional BFI (Black Frame Insertion) mode to help to clear-up motion, particularly when playing 60 fps content like sports and Video Games.

Smart TV

For their Smart TV platform, the Samsung Q6FN features Tizen 2018 powered by a quad core processor while the Sony X900F features Google Android TV version 7.0. Both platforms are equally attractive and have several apps and features. Both also have Voice Assistant apps and Home Smart Assistant apps. For navigating, both the X900F and the Q6FN are equipped with a smart Remote for their controller.

Audio System

For producing sound, the Samsung Q6FN is equipped with a 2.1 channel speaker system with 40 watts of total sound output and has a built-in subwoofer. On other hand, the Sony X900F is only equipped with a standard sound system for TV that is a 2.0 channel speaker system with 20 watts of total sound output and it doesn’t have a built-in sub-woofer. With the built-in subwoofer, this means the Q6FN can deliver more impressive sound quality than the Q6FN, particularly for low frequency and bass.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung Q6FN <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony X900F <<

Sony X900F vs Samsung Q6FN performance

Picture Quality

Black Level

Although the Samsung Q6FN has a bit stronger contrast ratio that certainly means it can produce a bit deeper black level than the Sony X900F, essentially their peak brightness and black level is equally excellent and dark enough to show a really deep black, making performance in a dark room excellent. On the other hand, the Q6FN also has a bit better black uniformity than the X900F. Although essentially they each have good black uniformity. The combination of deep black level and good black uniformity produced by each makes dark scenes displayed on screen look excellent, even when viewed in a dark room where the impact of a high native contrast ratio could be very sensitive. The black level produced by each is also dark enough to show shadow details of HDR images fully just like the content creator intended.  With their great performance for showing dark scenes, this makes them a good option for those of you who often watch movies with a lot of dark scenes such as thriller and horror movies.

Winner: Q6FN

Peak Brightness

While black level of then Samsung Q6FN is a bit deeper, in terms of peak brightness, the Sony X900F is superior to show far brighter peak brightness. Peak brightness reached by the X900F depends on the source. When the source is SDR, its peak brightness is brighter than 600 nits, which is bright enough to fight glare, meaning it can maintain picture quality in most bright rooms.  When playing HDR content, the peak brightness of the X900F is even brighter, close to 900 nits, making HDR images shown excellently on screen. Additionally, its local dimming works well to make small windows of screen brighter, making the highlight of HDR images also shown brighter. When showing a totally bright scene, just like other TVs with local dimming, th peak brightness may also dim, but it’s still brighter than 600 nits, and a scene with all objects bright can be shown fairly bright. On the other hand, although it’s not as bright as the X900F, the peak brightness of the Samsung Q6FN is also bright enough to fight glare, meaning it can maintain its picture quality in most bright rooms.  Additionally when playing HDR images, its peak brightness is also bright enough to show HDR images fairly bright. Like the X900F, it can also show a small window size brighter, making small highlights of HDR images look well. Totally bright scenes like outdoor scenes are also shown fairly bright. Overall peak brightness of the Samsung QN6QFN and the Sony X900F is good. Unfortunately, since their peak brightness is still less than 1000 nits, this means they are not able to show highlights of HDR images at 1000-4000 nits of brightness range in the way their creator had intended.

Winner X900F

Color Performance

The use of the quantum dot panel makes the Samsung Q6FN have a wider color gamut than the Sony X900F. Essentially, both equally support a wide color gamut. Although not as wide as what’s provided by the Samsung Q7FN and higher priced models, at least their color gamut is able to cover more than 90% of DCI P3 color space which means they can show color of HDR images fully as intended, particularly for HDR10 images. Most color in DCI P3 color space can be shown accurately, even for less saturated colors like greens, yellow, or others. Although the Q6FN also has better color volume than the X900F, this is more because the Q6FN has a wider color gamut. What happens is since its local dimming works well in extending color gamut at different brightness, the X900F can show its wide color gamut at its entire brightness range, and even very dark colors can be shown as saturated as bright colors. On the other hand, since its local dimming doesn’t work as well, the Q6FN can not produce deep colors as saturated as bright colors. But overall, the the exception of deep color, the Q6FN can still show its wide color gamut at its entire brightness range. While the Samsung Q6FN is superior for Color Gamut and Color Volume, the Sony X900F has a better and smoother color gradient, particularly when playing 10 bit content. In fact, the color gradient of the X900F is excellent and very smooth. There is almost no color banding when playing 10 bit content. On the other hand for the Samsung, although not as smooth as the X900F and there are still some little imperfections particularly in green and darker colors, most people may not notice this much. Overall the color gradient of the Samsung Q6FN is also very good.

Winner: Q6FN

Side Viewing Angle

The use of a VA panel makes each have an excellent native contrast ratio, although this means the side viewing angle coverage is poor. Like other TVs with a VA panel, at less than 20 degrees off center and front the black level will start to degrade while color also starts to fade. When viewed from a wider angle, their color and black level degradation will be more significantly impacted. This certainly makes the picture displayed on screen not look as good as when viewed from the center and front. For you who often watch TV with a group of family, if you don’t want to lose the excellent picture quality, you must set your seat in such away so that it’s still within the side viewing angle coverage. If you don’t frequently watch TV from the side then this should not be a problem.

Winner: Draw (Equally bad)

Motion Handling and 24p Playback

Both series do a great job when handling motion blur for fast paced contents. The Sony Q9FN may have a lower pixel response time than the Samsung Q6FN but overall the pixel response time of each is excellent. When they are playing fast moving images, the picture produced looks very smooth with almost no motion blur visible. Following a fast moving object, there is only a short ghosting trail where most people may not notice this. The blur that may be visible is more likely from 60 fps persistence than pixel response time.  Additionally= for dimming the backlight, both the Samsung Q6FN and the Sony X900F equally use PWM Dimming System. The Sony X900F uses a higher dimming frequency that is 720 Hz while the Samsung Q6FN uses 240 Hz. For people who might be sensitive to flicker, the backlight flicker will be more noticeable on the screen of the Samsung Q6FN. While on the screen of the X900F, since it uses a high frequency, the flicker is almost imperceptible. For reducing blur caused by the 60Fps persistence, the Q6FN has an optional 60 Hz BFI mode that will flicker the backlight at 60 Hz. This will make motion look clearer, particularly when playing 60 fps content like sports and video games, but on the other hand this could make backlight flicker more noticeable. For enabling this feature, you just need to set the “Auto Motion Plus” to “custom” and turn on “LED Clear Motion”.  The Sony X900F also has an optional BFI mode, but the lowest possible frequency of the flickering pattern accepted is 120 Hz. This can help the motion of 60fps looks clearer, but this is not as effective as on the Q6FN and still causes some duplication. For you who prefer no flicker, this may be a better option for you. To enable this feature, you must set “Motion Flow” to “Custom” and increase the “Clearness” slider on the picture setting.

Meanwhile when playing 24p movies, both are equally capable to do a great job. No matter the frame rate of the content, whether native 24p video like DVD and Blu Ray’s movies, 24p movies from streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Video, 24p movies via 60i signal like movies from streaming devices, 24p movies via 60i signal like movies from satellite TV, all of them will be shown clearly and smoothly judder-free. To make the picture clear with judder-free, you must make some setting changes. For the Q6FN, you need to set “Auto Motion Plus” to “Custom” and then set both the “Blur Reduction” and the “Judder Reduction” to”0”; while for the X900F, you need to set “MotionFlow” to “True Cinema” and then set “CineMotion” to “High”.

Winner: X900F

Input/Output

For their major connectivity, both the Samsung Q6FN and the Sony X900F are equally equipped with 4 HDMI ports. All their HDMI ports support HDCP 2.2 and CEC. Additionally they also have 1 port that supports ARC (Audi Return Channel). The Samsung Q6FN is on HDMI 4 while the Sony X900F is on HDMI 3. Meanwhile for the Q6FN, all of its HDMI ports also support HDMI 2.0 Full while for the X900F, which supports HDMI 2.0 for only 2 ports those being HDMI 2 and 3. Additionally in terms of the number of USB ports, the X900F has one more HDMI port being 3 ports while the Q6FN only has 2 ports. All of their USB ports are USB 2.0 compatible and none of them is USB 3.0. In addition to USB and HDMI ports, both are equipped with 1 RF In, 1 Ethernet port, and 1 Digital Audio Out (optical). For the X900F it also has a Composite IN (AV IN), Analog audio out (mini jack), and IR In for its IR blaster.

When considering input lag, the Samsung Q6FN is superior to the Sony X900F. In “PC” and “Game Mode”, the input lag of the Q6FN is excellent at about 15 ms no matter the resolution. This means it is low enough to play any game comfortably and responsively, even for fast paced games that require quick reflexes. On the other hand, although not as quick as the Q6FN, the input lag of the Sony X900F at 4K resolution is lower than 25 ms which means it is also comfortable for about any kind of game. Unfortunately, its input lag at 1080p resolution is too high being higher than 40 ms.  This means this is only acceptable for casual games while for fast-paced games you might be disappointed.

Winner: Q6FN

Smart TV

For their smart TV platform, the Sony X900F features Sony’s version of Android TV while the Samsung Q6FN is has the Tizen OS 2018. Both platforms are equally attractive and provide an intuitive user interface and each have attractive animations. For navigating, the Tizen OS is easier than Android TV. On the home screen of the Tizen OS, all shortcuts for apps and menu are located on a customizable “strip” bar at the bottom across the screen.  To make navigation faster, you can move the frequently used apps to the front while the rarely used apps you can send to the back. On the screen of Sony Android TV, the shortcuts actually are neatly arranged and grouped according to function. Since preinstalled apps are many, this makes the home screen very long to see everything and it needs a lot of scrolling. Talking about the apps provided, there are a lot of preinstalled apps provided by both platforms. There’s VoD services like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Video, Games, Web Browser, Live TV, and much more. Both also have an app store that provides several apps, games and content. The Tizen OS comes with the Samsung Apps Store while Google Android TV comes with the Google Play Store. But since the Google Play Store is supported by many developers, this makes what’s provided to be more complete than what’s provided by the Samsung apps store.  Additionally they also have a “Home Smart Assistant” and Voice Assistant. Android TV comes with Google Voice Assistant and supports Amazon Alexi while Tizen OS comes with Samsung’s Bixby Voice Assistant and Smart Things.

For their controller, both the Samsung Q6FN and the Sony X900F come with a smart remote. The remote of the X900F is large and has a lot buttons, where the remote of the Q6FN is small and only has few buttons. Both of these remotes have a built-in microphone and a voice assistant, and each has excellent voice navigation. Additionally they both have universal remote ability, allowing you to control other devices connected to their TV with each of these remotes. In this case, Samsung’s remote works alone while Sony’s remote needs IR blaster included in its buying package.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Q6FN <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the X900F <<

Summary

Performance Samsung Q6FN Sony X900F
Picture Quality (3.9/5) (4.1/5)
HDR (4.1/5) (4.3/5)
Motion Handling (4.2/5) (4.4/5)
Inputs (4.7/5) (4.3/5)
Sound Quality (3.2/5) (3.1/5)
Smart TV (3.9/5) (4.0/5)

Conclusion

As discussed above, the Samsung Q6FN and the Sony X900F have advantages and disadvantages compared to each other. In terms of picture quality, the Q6FN is superior on black level and color reproduction while the X900F is superior on peak brightness. Each have been maximized for the HDR experience, the Q6FN and the X900F already support most HDR formats. The difference between them is where the X900F supports Dolby Vision while the Q6FN supports HDR10+.  Additionally the Q6FN also has lower input lag, making it more acceptable when used for playing games particularly for fast paced games, while the X900F has better motion handling and is almost flicker free. Each smart TV is also attractive, but in this case the Sony X900F is superior for the amount of apps provided and for the voice navigation, while the Samsung Q6FN is superior on the screen navigation. Both equally have a major shortcoming on viewing angle coverage where the side viewing angle is equally poor.

So which is a better choice for you? As mentioned above within the same screen size, the Sony X900F is usually more expensive than the Samsung Q6FN, while the advantages and disadvantages for each have been discussed above. Now the decision is yours according to your own preferences. If you need a brighter TV, the Sony X900F would be better for you while if you’re searching for a TV for games, the Samsung Q6FN would be better for you.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung Q6FN <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony X900F <<

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