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The Samsung S95B OLED TV – Samsung’s first OLED TV in almost a decade and one of the first QD OLED TVs ever – remains one of this year’s most intriguing TVs. Available in 55- and 65-inch configurations, it promised all the benefits of OLED panels along with the brightness and color capabilities of the company’s Quantum Dot technology. Hence the name QD-OLED.
But does QD-OLED deliver? We just ran our series of benchmark tests on the Samsung S95B OLED TV to gauge metering and color reproduction, picture accuracy and maximum brightness, among other key indicators we look for in the best TVs.
We have to admit that given the simultaneous launch of Sony’s first QD-OLED (with Samsung’s panel but powered by Sony’s Bravia processor) and LG’s attempt at second-gen OLED evo, we had high expectations. Having tested two of this year’s headlining sets, the LG G2 OLED TV and the Samsung S95B OLED TV, we have a feel for how QD-OLED works. And how it fares against the OLED evo.
Samsung S95B OLED TV vs LG G2 OLED TV: results at a glance
| Samsung S95B OLED TV | LG G2 OLED TV | |
|---|---|---|
| model number | Samsung QN65S95BAF | LG OLED65G2PUA |
| Delta-E (lower is better) | 1.9 | 1.3 |
| Rec. 709 | 99.9% | 131.6% |
| Maximum brightness | 501.3 nits | 590.5 nits |
Samsung QD-OLED vs LG OLED evo: color accuracy and reproduction
When comparing TV test results, we primarily look at color reproduction, image accuracy and maximum brightness. These benchmarks help inform our anecdotal viewing experience by letting us know which TVs may perform better (or worse) than others in a similar price range or in each company’s TV lineup.
In terms of color accuracy, the S95B OLED TV has tested a Delta-E accuracy score of 1.9. Any result of 2.0 or less is good, with lower values being more accurate. This means that the color displayed on the screen is exactly what the human eye should perceive. However, the LG G2 got a better score of 1.3, meaning it’s the more accurate of the two.
The LG G2 also beat the S95B OLED TV in producing a wider color space – 131.6% of the Rec 709 color space. This exceeds the basic color standard by a lot, although a score of over 100% is common on the best OLED TVs.
In comparison, the S95B OLED TV produced 99.9% of the Rec 709 color space, which makes us wonder if this set’s technology is more LED than OLED. 99.9% is about as perfect as it gets for an LED TV, but lackluster for an OLED TV. (Learn more about the difference between QLED and OLED TVs here.)
What our testing shows, at least at this point, is that QD-OLED isn’t as good at producing colors as accurate or as vibrant as LG’s OLED evo TVs.
Samsung QD-OLED vs. OLED evo: brightness
Peak brightness is perhaps the test we most anticipated, as QD-OLED claims excellent brightness capabilities that we don’t typically see in OLED. OLED TVs don’t get as bright as the best QLED TVs because brightening millions of self-emissive pixels can dilute color volume and cause the dreaded OLED burn-in.
But by increasing the brightness with quantum dots and eliminating the white sub-pixel in the OLED pixel, QD-OLED should be brighter than OLED, right? We thought we’d see that in our test results, but the numbers tell a complicated story.
The Samsung S95B OLED TV reached a maximum brightness of 501.3 nits in dynamic mode. That’s really impressive for an OLED TV, and it’s brighter than many OLED TVs we’ve tested. The exception is the LG G2 OLED evo TV, which is the best LG TV to date in terms of brightness. At 590.5 nits in Vivid mode in a 10% window, it offered a 40% increase in brightness compared to last year’s LG G1 OLED TV.
So, the Samsung S95B OLED TV’s QD OLED panel is beaten by this year’s updated LG OLED evo panel, which uses a new heat dissipation system to control brightness. But the S95B OLED TV performed better here than the first OLED evo TV, and again, 500 nits is still great for an OLED TV. But it’s average compared to LEDs and many of Samsung’s best TVs. Expect more soon on how Samsung QD-OLED differs from Samsung Neo QLED.
Samsung QD-OLED vs LG OLED evo: who will win?
In addition to the tested picture performance, several factors play a role in the evaluation of a television. We also consider value, design, interface, audio quality, and remote control in our star rating. That’s why it’s not so easy to choose a winner between the Samsung S95B OLED TV and the LG G2 OLED TV. But if we boil it down to core technology, LG OLED evo beats Samsung QD-OLED. At least it does this year. It’s safe to expect Samsung’s next QD-OLED to up the ante.
