At the panel level, the Samsung QN65S90FAF and the Sony Bravia K-65XR80M2 are virtually identical twins: both are 64.5″ OLED/AMOLED screens delivering a 3840 x 2160 resolution at 68 ppi, with 10-bit color depth, 1070 million colors, 178° viewing angles in both axes, anti-reflection coating, and an ambient light sensor. In terms of picture fundamentals — sharpness, color volume, and off-axis consistency — neither TV has any structural advantage over the other.
The real fork in the road comes down to two specs: refresh rate and HDR format support. The Samsung runs at 144Hz versus the Sony's 120Hz, which matters primarily for gaming; a higher native refresh rate allows for smoother motion at frame rates beyond 120fps when paired with a compatible source, giving the Samsung a tangible edge for next-generation console or PC gaming. On the HDR side, the Samsung supports HDR10+ (the dynamic-metadata format backed by Amazon and Samsung Studios) but lacks Dolby Vision, while the Sony flips that equation — supporting Dolby Vision (the more widely adopted dynamic HDR standard across Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, and most major streaming platforms) but omitting HDR10+. Both cover HDR10 and HLG as a baseline. In practice, Dolby Vision's broader streaming ecosystem gives the Sony a wider content advantage today, while the Samsung's HDR10+ support is more relevant for physical media and select streaming titles.
For most buyers, the decisive factor is use case: if gaming performance is the priority, the Samsung's 144Hz panel is the stronger choice. If streaming and cinematic content drives your viewing habits, the Sony's Dolby Vision compatibility aligns with a broader library. Neither TV holds a clear overall display edge — the advantage is entirely context-dependent.