First of all, thank you for your answer. It sounds like price is the main factor in recommending me the Samsungs, but you really really enjoy the Sony.
I just don't think there's a substantial advantage. Maybe you like the Sony X900F the most, but I can tell you right now I don't notice, say, $500 vs the X900E. Or the Q7FN.
Now, if price is the same, I think your priority is really "what is the most comfortable for me to use" or "what makes my viewing experience easier?"
What I love about the X900F in this regard:
- Can switch inputs immediately when the screen turns on. Don't have to wait for the full bootup process.
- X9000F soundbar using HDMI CEC + Arc smoothly turns on at the same time, no lag on waiting to change the volume.
- Super easy to install Google Play apps. Had VLC and Kodi running in minutes, pretty much unplugged my Mac Mini on the spot because now my family can access those apps using only the TV's own remote control (which also controls soundbar volume thanks to ARC).
- Big white Netflix button on the remote lets you skip all menu stuff and jump straight to that.
- Supports bluetooth keyboard + mouse. I literally just turned them on, sync worked without diving deep into menus. Rarely need to use them but some apps, like Kodi, do have some weird menus where I'm not sure if a button on the TV remote will right click or just straight up exit. So it's there if you want it.
- Per input picture settings and a clearly labelled game mode. Just had to set my PS4Pro input to Game Mode, max the brightness, and that's basically it. Follow RTINGS for more detail, of course, but I didn't have to relabel each input to get special settings. (That being said, you can write custom labels per input, which is useful to tell somebody what HDMI to switch to)
- No ads. Apparently the Samsungs have those built into the UI?
- Minor point, but none of the inputs are recessed. In some setups it's just a lot harder to plug things in when there is no clear route "out". I see the Q7 (not the Q8?) has the breakout box though, which to me is the best possible solution. Samsung basically has the only "wall portrait" TV because the breakout box allows the TV itself to be completely flat.