Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro vs. LG NanoCell 85 Series: A Comprehensive Comparison

In the realm of mid-range 4K televisions, the Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro (e.g., AU9000 series, 2021–2023) and the LG NanoCell 85 Series (e.g., NANO85, 2021–2023) are two compelling options for buyers seeking a balance between performance and affordability. The Crystal UHD 4K Pro uses Samsung’s Dynamic Crystal Color technology with a VA panel for enhanced contrast, while the NanoCell 85 Series employs LG’s NanoCell technology with an IPS panel for superior color purity and viewing angles. This article compares their picture quality, performance, cost, and target audience to determine the winner and who each TV best serves, drawing on insights from industry reviews where relevant.

Understanding the Technologies: Crystal UHD vs. NanoCell

• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro (LCD-based): The Crystal UHD 4K Pro is a step above Samsung’s standard Crystal UHD lineup, featuring a Dynamic Crystal Display with inorganic quantum dots for improved color accuracy and vibrancy. It uses a VA panel for better contrast and is powered by the Crystal Processor 4K for upscaling and motion handling. It’s positioned as a budget-friendly yet feature-rich 4K TV.
• LG NanoCell 85 Series (LCD-based NanoCell): The NanoCell 85 Series incorporates a nanoparticle filter to enhance color purity, paired with an IPS panel for wide viewing angles. Powered by LG’s α7 Gen 4 or 5 AI Processor (model-dependent), it supports full-array local dimming (FALD) in some sizes, improving contrast. It’s a mid-range option below LG’s QNED and OLED lines.

These technologies—quantum dot-enhanced VA versus NanoCell-enhanced IPS—shape their performance, with Crystal UHD prioritizing contrast and NanoCell focusing on viewing angles and color accuracy.

Picture Quality Comparison

Contrast and Black Levels

• LG NanoCell 85 Series: The NanoCell 85 Series uses an IPS panel, which has a lower native contrast ratio (around 1,000:1–1,200:1), resulting in grayish blacks that are less ideal for dark-room viewing. Full-array local dimming (available in higher-end models like the 55NANO85) improves contrast, but it still falls short of VA panels.
• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro: The 4K Pro’s VA panel delivers a higher contrast ratio (around 6,000:1–7,000:1), producing deeper blacks and better black uniformity. Its edge-lit backlight (or limited local dimming in some models) restricts precision, but it outperforms the NanoCell 85 in dark rooms.

Winner: Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro for its superior contrast and black levels, ideal for darker viewing environments.

Brightness

• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro: The 4K Pro achieves higher peak brightness (around 500–600 nits in HDR), making it better suited for moderately lit rooms. Its VA panel and quantum dot layer enhance HDR highlights, though it’s not as bright as premium QLEDs.
• LG NanoCell 85 Series: The NanoCell 85 reaches lower brightness (around 350–450 nits in HDR), which is adequate for dimly lit rooms but less effective in bright environments. Its anti-reflective coating helps mitigate glare, but it struggles in sunlit rooms.

Winner: Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro for its brighter display, better for moderately lit rooms.

Color Performance

• LG NanoCell 85 Series: NanoCell technology uses nanoparticles to filter out impure light, covering over 90% of DCI-P3 for vibrant, accurate colors. It supports Dolby Vision, which enhances HDR performance with dynamic metadata, delivering lifelike visuals.
• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro: The 4K Pro’s Dynamic Crystal Display also covers ~90% of DCI-P3, producing vibrant colors with good accuracy. It supports HDR10+ but lacks Dolby Vision, slightly limiting HDR flexibility compared to the NanoCell 85.

Winner: LG NanoCell 85 Series for its Dolby Vision support and slightly better color accuracy, ideal for HDR content.

Viewing Angles

• LG NanoCell 85 Series: The IPS panel provides wide viewing angles (up to 178 degrees), maintaining consistent color and contrast even at off-center positions, making it ideal for group viewing or wide seating arrangements.
• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro: The VA panel has narrower viewing angles, with colors and contrast degrading when viewed off-axis. It’s better suited for straight-on viewing.

Winner: LG NanoCell 85 Series for its wide viewing angles, perfect for multi-person setups.

Motion Handling and Gaming

• LG NanoCell 85 Series: The NanoCell 85 has a faster response time (5–10ms) and a 120Hz refresh rate in some models, reducing motion blur for sports and gaming. It includes HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, and HGIG, making it better for next-gen consoles, though input lag (~10ms) is adequate but not exceptional.
• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro: The 4K Pro has a slower response time (~10–15ms) and is typically limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, with slight motion blur in fast scenes. It supports ALLM but lacks HDMI 2.1 and VRR in most models, limiting its gaming appeal. Its VA panel tracks motion better than IPS but is less future-proof.

Winner: LG NanoCell 85 Series for its better motion handling and gaming features, ideal for casual gamers.

Burn-In Risk

• LG NanoCell 85 Series: As an LCD-based TV, it’s immune to burn-in, making it safe for static content like news tickers or game HUDs.
• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro: Similarly, it’s immune to burn-in, offering reliability for static content users.

Winner: Tie. Both TVs are burn-in-free, suitable for varied usage.

Cost Comparison

Pricing varies by size, retailer, and model year, but here’s a general comparison based on 2025 market trends for a 55-inch model:

• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro (55”): Retails around $500–$700, often discounted due to its entry-to-mid-range positioning. Its affordability makes it a strong value option.
• LG NanoCell 85 Series (55”): Priced slightly higher, around $600–$900, reflecting its NanoCell technology, Dolby Vision, and gaming features. It’s still budget-friendly but costlier than the 4K Pro.

Winner: Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro for its lower cost, offering excellent value for budget-conscious buyers.

Additional Considerations

Smart Features and Software

• LG NanoCell 85 Series: Runs on webOS, a user-friendly platform with a wide app selection, AirPlay 2, HomeKit, and the Magic Remote for intuitive navigation. It supports AI features like ThinQ for voice control and profile switching.
• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro: Uses Tizen OS, a sleek platform with Samsung TV Plus, voice control (Bixby, Alexa, Google Assistant), and a Solar Cell remote. It’s intuitive but lacks HomeKit support.

Winner: LG NanoCell 85 Series for its HomeKit compatibility and AI-driven features, though both platforms are excellent.

Sound Quality

• LG NanoCell 85 Series: Features Dolby Atmos and 2.0 or 2.2-channel speakers (20–40W), offering decent audio with AI Sound Pro for virtual surround. A soundbar is recommended for immersion.
• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro: Includes Object Tracking Sound Lite and 2.0-channel speakers (20W), delivering clear but less immersive audio. A soundbar is also advised.

Winner: LG NanoCell 85 Series for its Atmos support, though both benefit from external audio.

Durability and Longevity

• LG NanoCell 85 Series: IPS panels are durable with no burn-in risk, but their lower contrast may degrade slightly over time compared to VA panels.
• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro: VA panels offer better contrast retention and no burn-in risk, ensuring consistent performance.

Winner: Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro for its contrast longevity.

Final Verdict: Which TV Wins?

The LG NanoCell 85 Series is the superior choice for versatility and features, offering wide viewing angles, better color accuracy with Dolby Vision, and advanced gaming capabilities (HDMI 2.1, 120Hz). It’s ideal for group viewing, casual gamers, and HDR enthusiasts in brighter rooms. Its slightly higher price reflects its mid-range enhancements.

The Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro excels in contrast, brightness, and affordability, delivering deeper blacks and vibrant visuals at a lower cost. It’s better for darker rooms and straight-on viewing, making it a strong value option for budget-conscious buyers.

Target Audience

• LG NanoCell 85 Series: Best for families or group viewers with wide seating arrangements, casual gamers using next-gen consoles, and those prioritizing color accuracy and HDR performance. It suits brighter rooms and users who value smart features like HomeKit.
• Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro: Ideal for budget-conscious buyers, movie enthusiasts in darker rooms, and casual viewers who prioritize contrast and don’t need advanced gaming features. It’s perfect for straight-on viewing setups.

The Winner

The LG NanoCell 85 Series takes the crown for its wide viewing angles, gaming features, and Dolby Vision support, making it the better choice for most mid-range buyers in 2025 seeking versatility. The Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Pro is a strong alternative for those prioritizing affordability, contrast, and dark-room performance, but its limitations in gaming and viewing angles make it less flexible. Choose based on your viewing environment, seating arrangement, and budget.

SARABI MAISHA MAGIC PLUS SEASON 1 EPISODE 70