$2,158.19
The Samsung 65" S95D 4K OLED TV launched in early 2024, marking a significant evolution in Samsung's OLED lineup. At $3,299, it represents Samsung's flagship offering, and after extensive testing, we're convinced it sets new standards for OLED technology. Let's explore why this TV might be your perfect home theater centerpiece.
Samsung's latest QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED) panel is the star of the show here. Think of it as traditional OLED technology with an extra layer of quantum dots - tiny particles that enhance color and brightness. During our testing, this translated to noticeably more vibrant colors and brighter highlights compared to conventional OLED displays.
The most revolutionary feature is the new matte finish display. If you've ever been frustrated by screen reflections (haven't we all?), this is a game-changer. Unlike typical anti-glare treatments that can soften the image, Samsung's implementation maintains crystal clear picture quality while virtually eliminating reflections. In our bright testing room, this made a dramatic difference during daytime viewing.
The S95D boasts some impressive specs, but what matters is real-world performance. In our darkened home theater testing, the perfect blacks OLED is known for combine with improved brightness (we measured peaks around 1400 nits - significantly higher than last year's model). This means HDR content really pops, whether you're watching the latest blockbuster or gaming.
Color accuracy out of the box is exceptional - Samsung factory calibrates each unit. For the videophiles out there, our measurements showed Delta-E values under 2 in Filmmaker mode, meaning colors are essentially perfect to the human eye. The TV supports HDR10+ and HLG, though Dolby Vision remains absent from Samsung's lineup.
For gamers, the S95D is a powerhouse. The 144Hz refresh rate and 9ms input lag rival dedicated gaming monitors. All four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K/120Hz, and features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) ensure smooth, tear-free gaming. The Game Bar 2.0 interface lets you quickly adjust gaming-specific settings.
During our testing with the latest consoles and PC games, the performance was flawless. Racing games like Forza Horizon 5 looked particularly stunning thanks to the perfect motion handling and vibrant colors.
Samsung's Tizen OS has matured nicely. The interface is snappy, thanks to the new NQ4 AI Gen2 processor. While not as streamlined as Google TV, it offers extensive customization and supports all major streaming services. The SmartThings integration is particularly useful if you're invested in the Samsung ecosystem.
The One Connect Box remains a brilliant solution for clean installation, housing all connections in a separate unit that connects to the display via a single cable. This makes wall mounting much cleaner and simplifies cable management dramatically.
While no built-in TV speakers can match a dedicated sound system, the S95D's Object Tracking Sound+ technology impressed us. The system uses multiple speakers to create a more immersive soundstage, and dialogue remains clear. However, for a proper home theater setup, we'd recommend pairing this TV with at least a quality soundbar or, ideally, a full surround sound system.
In a dedicated home theater room, the S95D truly shines. The perfect blacks and exceptional contrast make movie watching a premium experience. During our testing with various content types:
The matte display makes the S95D uniquely suited for bright rooms. During daytime testing, the anti-glare properties made a significant difference compared to other OLED TVs, including LG's latest models. This makes it an excellent choice for living rooms with large windows.
At $3,299, the S95D represents a premium investment. However, when you consider the technological advancements and versatility, the value becomes clearer. This TV excels in both bright and dark rooms, handles all content types beautifully, and offers future-proof gaming features.
The S95D is ideal for:
It might not be the best choice if:
The TV landscape is evolving quickly, but the S95D's features should keep it relevant for years. The processing power, panel technology, and connectivity options are all future-proofed for upcoming content and gaming standards.
The Samsung S95D represents the current pinnacle of TV technology. Its revolutionary matte display, exceptional brightness, and versatile performance make it a standout choice for both home theater enthusiasts and casual viewers. While the price tag is significant, the quality and features justify the investment for those seeking the ultimate viewing experience.
In testing, this TV consistently impressed us with its ability to handle any content we threw at it, from the darkest scenes in movies to bright sports broadcasts. The gaming performance rivals dedicated monitors, and the smart features make it a capable entertainment hub.
If you're in the market for a premium TV and can afford the investment, the Samsung S95D should be at the top of your list. It's rare to find a display that excels in virtually every aspect of performance, but Samsung has achieved just that with this model.
The Samsung 65" S95D 4K OLED Smart TV is worth the investment for viewers seeking premium picture quality and anti-glare performance. At $3,299, it offers class-leading brightness, perfect blacks, and innovative matte display technology that makes it versatile for both home theater and bright room viewing.
The S95D excels in home theater environments, delivering perfect blacks, exceptional contrast, and accurate colors. The TV's peak brightness of 1400 nits ensures stunning HDR performance, while the factory calibration provides cinema-quality accuracy in Filmmaker mode.
Yes, the S95D's revolutionary matte display technology makes it uniquely suited for bright rooms. The anti-glare coating virtually eliminates reflections while maintaining picture quality, solving a common problem with OLED TVs.
The S95D includes 144Hz refresh rate, 9ms input lag, VRR, ALLM, and FreeSync Premium Pro. All four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K/120Hz gaming, making it excellent for next-gen consoles and PC gaming.
The built-in Object Tracking Sound+ with Dolby Atmos provides good audio quality for a TV, but for a proper home theater experience, we recommend pairing it with a dedicated sound system or soundbar.
No, the S95D does not support Dolby Vision. However, it does support HDR10+ and HLG formats, delivering excellent HDR performance through these standards.
Yes, the S95D supports VESA 400 x 300mm mounting. The One Connect Box design makes wall mounting particularly clean, as only a single cable needs to be run to the TV.
For optimal 4K viewing, we recommend a viewing distance of 8-10 feet for the 65-inch model. In a home theater setting, this allows you to appreciate the full detail while maintaining comfortable viewing angles.
The S95D offers significant improvements over the 2023 model, including higher peak brightness, the new matte display technology, and an upgraded processor. The anti-glare capabilities particularly stand out as a major advancement.
The Samsung S95D runs on the Tizen OS platform, offering built-in voice assistants, SmartThings integration, and support for all major streaming services. The interface is responsive thanks to the new NQ4 AI Gen2 processor.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research has used advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: techradar.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - avsforum.com - cnet.com - abt.com - merlinstv.com - nfm.com - rtings.com - flintsfurniture.com - samsung.com - bestbuy.com - displayspecifications.com
Samsung 65" S95D 4K OLED Smart TV |
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Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR performance and bright room viewing: 1400 nits |
Display Technology - Determines picture quality fundamentals: QD-OLED with Anti-glare matte finish |
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160) |
Refresh Rate - Impacts motion clarity and gaming performance: 144Hz |
Input Lag - Critical for gaming responsiveness: 9ms |
HDR Support: HDR10+, HLG |
Gaming Features: VRR, ALLM, FreeSync Premium Pro |
HDMI Ports - Important for connecting multiple devices: 4x HDMI 2.1 |
Smart Platform: Tizen OS with Voice Assistants |
Sound System - Determines built-in audio quality: Object Tracking Sound+ with Dolby Atmos |
Processor - Impacts upscaling and smart features: NQ4 AI Gen2 |
Panel Size: 65 inches |
Dimensions (without stand): 56.8 x 32.7 x 0.4 inches |
Weight (without stand): 41.7 lbs |
VESA Mount: 400 x 300mm |
Special Features: One Connect Box, Solar Cell Remote |
The Sony BRAVIA 9 ($2,698) takes a different technological path, leveraging Mini LED backlighting to achieve the highest brightness levels we've seen in a premium TV. This approach delivers exceptional HDR performance and makes it particularly well-suited for bright room viewing, where it can overcome even challenging ambient light conditions. Sony's XR Backlight Master Drive technology provides impressive local dimming control, minimizing blooming while maintaining bright highlights. For PS5 gamers, the BRAVIA 9 offers unique optimizations and automatic HDR tone mapping that create a more seamless gaming experience.
While the BRAVIA 9 commands a higher price than the S95D, it offers distinct advantages for specific use cases. Its higher brightness makes it more versatile in varying light conditions, and the lack of burn-in risk provides peace of mind for users who frequently display static content or use the TV as a PC monitor. The Sony BRAVIA 9 also features superior built-in audio with its 70W multi-channel system, though most users at this price point will likely pair either TV with external speakers. However, unless maximum brightness or burn-in resistance is a priority, the S95D's perfect blacks and lower price point make it hard to justify the BRAVIA 9's premium.
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The $998 TCL QM8 Mini-LED offers a compelling alternative with its exceptional brightness capabilities, reaching up to 3,180 nits in HDR content - nearly double what the S95D can achieve. This makes it particularly well-suited for bright rooms and daytime viewing, where its powerful Mini-LED backlight system can overcome ambient light while maintaining impressive contrast. While it can't match OLED's perfect blacks, the QM8's local dimming technology still delivers excellent contrast and HDR performance that will satisfy most viewers. The TV also includes capable gaming features with 144Hz refresh rate support and competitive input lag.
Where the TCL QM8 really stands out is its value proposition, delivering about 80% of the S95D's performance at less than half the price. The $998 TCL QM8 manages to include many premium features like quantum dot color technology, robust HDR support, and strong upscaling capabilities that make it an excellent choice for mixed-use environments. While it doesn't quite match the S95D's viewing angles or gaming refinements, the significant cost savings make it a more practical choice for many buyers, especially those with bright rooms or mixed lighting conditions where its superior brightness can be fully utilized.
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👌TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV Details
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The LG G4 OLED ($2,599.99) stands out with its MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology and powerful Alpha 11 processor, which deliver impressive brightness consistency and superior motion handling compared to the S95D. Its near-instantaneous 0.1ms input lag and more accurate out-of-box color calibration make it particularly appealing for both serious gamers and home theater enthusiasts. The G4's processing power really shows in how it handles lower quality content, with noticeably better upscaling of cable TV and streaming services.
However, the G4's traditional glossy screen doesn't match the S95D's exceptional anti-glare performance, making it less suitable for bright rooms. While both TVs are premium offerings at virtually identical price points, the choice largely comes down to viewing environment and personal preference. The G4 excels in controlled lighting conditions where its consistent brightness, superior motion handling, and cinema-accurate colors create an outstanding home theater experience. For rooms with ambient light or viewers who prefer more vibrant colors, the S95D might be the better choice.
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👌LG 65" G4 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart TV Details
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The Hisense H9G ($1,505) represents a compelling value proposition, offering exceptional brightness levels up to 1,000 nits and impressive HDR performance through its quantum dot technology and 180 local dimming zones. Despite being an older model from 2020, it remains competitive with modern TVs, particularly in bright room performance where its LED technology excels. For viewers who prioritize daytime viewing or have rooms with significant ambient light, the H9G's brightness advantage and anti-glare capabilities might actually provide a better real-world viewing experience than the S95D's OLED panel.
While the H9G can't match the S95D's perfect blacks or viewing angles, it offers remarkable performance for its price point. The Android TV platform provides extensive app support and customization options, though it's not as refined as Samsung's Tizen OS. Gaming features are solid with 120Hz support and low input lag, even if they don't reach the heights of the S95D's advanced gaming features. For budget-conscious buyers who want excellent picture quality and don't need the absolute latest technology, the H9G's $800 savings could be better spent on other home theater components like a quality sound system or subwoofer.
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👌Hisense 65" H9G Quantum Series 4K UHD Smart Android TV Details
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The Samsung S90D at $2,699 delivers most of the S95D's premium performance at a significantly lower price point. While it uses a slightly less advanced anti-reflective coating and tops out at 1,300 nits peak brightness, the core picture quality remains exceptional. For viewers primarily watching in controlled lighting conditions or during evening hours, the S90D's performance is nearly indistinguishable from its more expensive sibling, offering the same perfect blacks, vivid colors, and gaming capabilities including 144Hz refresh rate and low input lag.
Where the S90D makes its strongest case is in value - at $700 less than the S95D, it provides virtually identical performance for movie watching and gaming in typical home theater environments. The Samsung S90D only really shows its limitations in challenging bright room conditions, where its standard anti-reflective coating can't match the S95D's advanced glare reduction. For most users, especially those with some control over room lighting, the S90D represents the sweet spot in Samsung's 2024 OLED lineup, delivering premium performance without the premium price tag.
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👌Samsung 65" OLED S90D TV Details
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The Panasonic 65" OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV distinguishes itself with superior HDR performance and the most complete format support, including Dolby Vision, which the Samsung lacks. Its MLA OLED panel and advanced HCX Pro AI processor deliver exceptional brightness and arguably the most accurate color reproduction available in a consumer TV. The standout 160W audio system with Sound Focus technology provides noticeably better built-in sound than the Samsung, making it a more complete package out of the box for those who don't plan to add external speakers.
While priced $700 higher than the Samsung, the Panasonic Z95A justifies its premium positioning for dedicated home theater enthusiasts and viewers who prioritize absolute picture accuracy. Its superior motion handling and upscaling technology make it particularly impressive with movie content, especially in controlled lighting conditions. However, its traditional glossy screen finish means it doesn't handle bright room reflections as well as the Samsung's matte display, and its higher price point could be better spent on the Samsung plus a quality soundbar for those who don't require its specialized features.
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👌Panasonic 65" OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV Details
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The Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K ($3,499) represents Samsung's ultimate expression of brightness and resolution, pushing beyond 4K to deliver 33 million pixels powered by the new NQ8 AI Gen3 processor. Its Mini LED technology produces significantly higher peak brightness than the S95D, making it particularly effective in bright rooms or for HDR content. While 8K content remains limited, the QN900D's advanced AI upscaling makes even 1080p and 4K content look remarkably sharp on its ultra-high-resolution panel. The QLED technology also eliminates any concern about burn-in, which could be appealing for users who frequently display static content or watch news channels with fixed graphics.
However, the QN900D's $1,200 premium over the S95D primarily pays for features that may not deliver immediate benefits to most users. While its brightness advantage is meaningful, it can't match the S95D's perfect blacks or viewing angles, and its local dimming can produce visible blooming around bright objects in dark scenes - something OLED technology inherently avoids. The 8K resolution, while impressive, remains largely future-proofing rather than a current necessity. For most home theater enthusiasts, the key question is whether the additional brightness and resolution justify the significant price premium over the S95D's already excellent performance.
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👌Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV Details
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The Sony BRAVIA 8 ($1,699) excels with its superior video processing and more natural color reproduction, particularly noticeable in challenging content like streaming services and sports. Its XR Processor handles motion more effectively and does a better job upscaling lower-resolution content to 4K, resulting in a more consistent viewing experience across all sources. The inclusion of Dolby Vision support also gives it an advantage for streaming services like Netflix, and its Google TV interface offers a more intuitive and content-rich smart platform compared to Samsung's Tizen OS.
The most compelling aspect of the Sony BRAVIA 8 is its value proposition, offering nearly equivalent picture quality at almost half the price of the S95D. While it lacks the anti-glare screen and One Connect Box, its performance in a dedicated home theater or controlled lighting environment is arguably just as impressive. For viewers who don't need the specific bright-room advantages of the S95D's matte display, the Sony provides a more cost-effective path to premium OLED picture quality, with the added benefit of better motion handling and more natural color reproduction.
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👌Sony BRAVIA 8 65" 4K OLED TV Details
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The Samsung QN85D Neo QLED ($1,699)
offers impressive brightness levels and excellent HDR performance at a more accessible price point. Its Mini LED technology with quantum dots excels in bright room viewing, making it particularly suited for living rooms with large windows or spaces where lighting control isn't always possible. The QN85D delivers very good contrast and black levels, though not quite matching OLED standards, and its anti-reflective coating handles ambient light well. Gaming performance remains strong with 120Hz refresh rate and low input lag, satisfying most gamers' needs.
At half the price of the S95D, the QN85D
represents a compelling value proposition for viewers who want premium picture quality without the OLED premium. Its higher brightness capability actually makes it a better choice for daytime viewing or bright rooms, and the lack of any burn-in risk provides peace of mind for viewers who watch a lot of static content like news channels or play games with static HUDs. While it can't match the S95D's perfect blacks or viewing angles, the real-world performance difference in typical viewing conditions may not justify the price gap for many users. For those seeking excellent picture quality in a versatile TV that can handle various lighting conditions, the QN85D offers an impressive balance of performance and value.
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👌Samsung 65" QN85D Neo QLED 4K Smart TV Details
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The Samsung QN90D Neo QLED ($2,700) excels in bright environments thanks to its significantly higher peak brightness and advanced Mini-LED backlighting system. This brightness advantage makes it particularly compelling for living rooms with large windows or outdoor viewing areas where controlling ambient light isn't always possible. At $700 less than the S95D, it delivers excellent picture quality and impressive HDR performance that many viewers might find more practical for everyday use. The Neo QLED technology also eliminates any concern about burn-in, making it a safer choice for viewers who frequently watch content with static elements like news tickers or game HUDs.
While the QN90D can't match the S95D's perfect blacks or wide viewing angles, it compensates with superior brightness, better HDR highlights, and strong overall performance in well-lit environments. Its local dimming capabilities are among the best in LED-based TVs, producing deep blacks that, while not OLED-level, are still impressive for most content. For viewers who prioritize versatility across different lighting conditions and value for money, the QN90D represents a more practical choice that doesn't significantly compromise on picture quality, especially in typical viewing environments.
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👌Samsung 65" QN90D Series 4K Neo QLED Smart TV Details
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The Sony BRAVIA 7 ($1,400) represents an impressive value proposition, utilizing Mini LED technology to deliver exceptional brightness levels and excellent contrast that rivals OLED in many viewing conditions. Its Cognitive XR processor is particularly skilled at upscaling lower resolution content, and the Google TV interface offers a more intuitive, user-friendly experience compared to Samsung's Tizen OS. For bright rooms and daytime viewing, the BRAVIA 7's higher brightness capabilities might actually provide a better real-world viewing experience than the S95D, despite its technically inferior contrast ratio.
At less than half the price of the S95D, the BRAVIA 7 delivers roughly 90% of the premium viewing experience, making it an extremely compelling choice for most users. While it can't match the S95D's perfect blacks or ultra-wide viewing angles, it offers better long-term durability with no risk of burn-in, making it more suitable for viewers who frequently watch news channels or other content with static elements. For most home theater enthusiasts who aren't seeking the absolute pinnacle of picture quality, the BRAVIA 7's performance-to-price ratio makes it the more practical choice, especially when considering that the $2,000 saved could be invested in other home theater components like a quality sound system or room treatments.
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👌Sony BRAVIA 7 65" 4K UHD Smart Google TV Details
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