In 2020, LG introduced its NanoCell TV lineup, which included Nano80, Nano85, Nano90, Nano91 and Nano99.
In this article, we’ll compare two models from that lineup — LG Nano90 vs Nano91 to see the difference and which model is better (if one is better than the other).
LG nano91 vs nano90 overview
The LG Nano90 and Nano91 are very similar TV models and differ only in small details. The biggest difference between the two is that the Nano90 uses a four-legged stand, while the Nano91 has an ArcLine stand.
Another difference is that Nano90 offers four screen sizes — 55, 65, 75 and 86 inches, while Nano91 supports only three: 65, 75 and 86 inches.
In every other way, they are practically the same TV.
| Features | LG Nano90 | LG Nano91 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Sizes | 55, 65, 75 and 86 inches | 65, 75 and 86 inches |
| Screen Panel | IPS | IPS |
| Image Processor | Alpha 7 3rd Generation 4K | Alpha 7 3rd Generation 4K |
| Operating System | WebOS | WebOS |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| VRR (Variable Refresh Rate | Yes | Yes |
| Resolution | 4K | 4K |
| Contrast Ratio | 1,070: 1 | 1,070: 1 |
| HDMI Ports | 4 | 4 |
| USB Ports | 3 | 3 |
| WiFi and Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Speakers | 2.2 Channel 40 Watts | 2.2 Channel 40 Watts |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Not Available on Amazon |
LG NanoCell NANO90
Pros:
- Very good viewing angles
- Top-notch reflection and glare handling
- Very low input lag
Cons:
- The screen can be much brighter
- Low contrast ratio
LG NanoCell NANO91
Pros:
- Very good viewing angles
- Top-notch reflection and glare handling
- Very low input lag
Cons:
- The screen can be much brighter
- Low contrast ratio
Features Face to Face
Panel Technology
Both models use a LED display with IPS (in-plane switching) panels.
Because of this, both models have excellent viewing angles, which you wouldn’t normally get on TVs with VA panels; however, they don’t get very bright.
To learn more about the difference between IPS and VA panels, check out our IPS vs VA vs TN Display Panel Types comparison article.
Image Processor
The same processor, ɑ7 Gen 3 Processor 4K, comes in both models.
LG introduced the alpha 7 processors as a mid-range processor for its QNED TVs, with alpha 5 chips for LED UHD and alpha 9 processors for its premium OLEDs and 8Ks.
The Gen3 was introduced in 2020 to replace 2019’s 2nd generation and has since been replaced in 2021 by the Gen4 (and Gen5 in 2022).
This intelligent processor includes four CPU cores with a 1.008GHz frequency, two GPU cores with 700MHz frequency, 8GB ROM built-in memory and 2GB RAM.
In addition, the CPU also offers an artificial intelligence algorithm that enables it to better adjust your picture, sound, brightness and so on.
Motion Technology
The LG Nano90 and Nano91 both use TruMotion 240 motion technology. This motion technology has a 120Hz native refresh rate and also supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) and FreeSync.
In terms of response times, both Nano90 and Nano91 have excellent response times that overall look very smooth. Namely, the pixels on the screen can switch from one color to another in just 10.1 milliseconds, which is significantly faster than the 14ms benchmark.
Picture Quality
Overall, the picture quality is solid in both models, and the two models support 4K UHD resolution and have an integrated 4K-Upscaler, which is capable of upscaling non-4K content to near 4K quality.
In addition, both models include Double Step Noise Reduction and Sharpness Enhancer. The first does a lot to reduce screen noise, and the latter makes the screen much sharper.
Contrast Ratio / Black Level
Since they’re using an IPS panel rather than a VA one, the contrast ratio isn’t very good and has a native contrast of about 1,070: 1.
Unfortunately, the blacks aren’t very deep and in dark rooms, they’ll look grayer.
Local Dimming
Both Nano90 and 91 are equipped with the Full-Array Local Dimming feature, but it’s not the best, as the dimming zones don’t transition as fast as they could and are pretty noticeable.
Peak Brightness
The Ultra Luminance technology improves peak brightness somewhat on these two TV models.
That said, neither SDR nor HDR peak brightness is very good on these two models.
On SDR content, both Nano90 and Nano91 get up to 294 nits, while HDR peak brightness is 380 nits. In comparison, the two other LG models that we compared — LG C2 and G2 — have a maximum brightness of 850 and 1170 nits, respectively.
Color
Color details on LG Nano90 and LG Nano91 are very accurate thanks to the fact they both use LGs trademark Billion Rich Colors technology, which offers 10-bit dithering.
Additionally, these models also have two more color technologies integrated.
The first one is True Color Accuracy, which makes the color details on the screen more accurate, and the second is the Advanced Color Enhancer, which makes the color more natural.
As far as color gamut and volume go, LG Nano90 and LG Nano91 have a wide color gamut and cover a good range of colors (>86 percent on DCI P3 xy and >93 percent on DCI P3), though the Rec 2020 color space coverage is a bit limited and is around 60-70 percent.
The color volume is okay but not great though the two models don’t display bright blues or dark colors very well.
Viewing Angle
Although brightness and contrast aren’t very good, since these are IPS monitors, their viewing angles are very good. Resulting in the picture being very accurate from any angle you’re watching.
Reflections / Anti-Glare
These two LG TV models handle reflections quite well and use a semi-gloss screen finish, which makes watching them in anything but very bright rooms.
Sound Quality
Both Nano90 and Nano91 use a 2.2-channel speaker system of 40 Watts power with AI sound for better calibration and have integrated Dolby Atmos.
Additionally, they’re also WiSa-ready (Wireless Spatial Sound), although this requires a dongle to enable it.
Smart TV Platform (Operating System)
When it comes to the smart TV platform or the operating system, LG uses WebOS in all of its TVs, and these two aren’t the exception.
This is a very good TV OS with a wide selection of apps, amazing app smoothness and is pretty user-friendly as well.
Connectivity
Inputs
As we said earlier, LG Nano90 and Nano91 have very low input lag.
| Resolution | Input Lag |
|---|---|
| 1080p @60Hz | 14.7 ms |
| 1080p @120Hz | 5.5 ms |
| 1440p @60Hz | 14.8 ms |
| 1440p @120Hz | 5.4 ms |
| 4K @60Hz | 14.7 ms |
| 4K @120Hz | 12.5 ms |
In the back, there are four HDMI and three USB ports, plus an Ethernet, Tuner and Digital Optical Audio Out port.
The models support HDMI 2.1, but not USB 3.0.
Voice Assistant
The LG Nano90 and Nan091 support both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Wireless Technologies
The standard WiFi 2.4GHz and 5GHz, as well as Bluetooth 5.0, are all fully supported.
Conclusion
As you can see, there’s not much difference between LG Nano90 vs Nano91. The Nano91 can be a little more expensive depending on the retailer that is selling it, but other than a different TV stand and one more screen size available for Nano90, you’re basically buying the same TV here.
Is it a good TV?
It depends mostly if you like NanoCell or not. On one hand, you’ll get wide viewing angles, vivid colors and very good reflection handling, but on the other, color accuracy, contrast and especially black range aren’t all that good.
If you want to learn more about NanoCell panels, check out our NanoCell and OLED or NanoCell and QLED comparisons.
