When it comes to creating a truly cinematic experience at home, nothing beats a massive premium TV. Today we're comparing two giants: the LG 97" G2 Series OLED evo priced at $24,999 and the Samsung 98" DU9000 Crystal UHD at $2,499. These TVs represent very different approaches to delivering a theater-like experience at home.
Large-format premium TVs have evolved significantly in recent years. While 65" used to be considered massive, we're now seeing 95"+ screens become increasingly available. This evolution brings new considerations for buyers, from simple logistics like getting it through your door to more complex decisions about viewing distances and room lighting.
The sweet spot for viewing these massive displays is between 10-15 feet away. Any closer and you might notice individual pixels; any further and you lose the immersive effect that makes these TVs special. In my experience testing large displays, room size is often overlooked - you need both adequate wall space and proper viewing distance to make these work effectively.
The LG G2 OLED uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), where each pixel creates its own light. Think of it like millions of tiny light bulbs that can turn completely off for perfect blacks. Released in 2022, it represents the peak of OLED technology with LG's "evo" panel, which addresses historical OLED brightness limitations.
The Samsung DU9000 uses LED-LCD technology with Samsung's Crystal display enhancements. While it can't match OLED's perfect blacks, it can get significantly brighter, which matters in well-lit rooms. Released more recently, it shows how far LCD technology has come in terms of picture quality while maintaining cost advantages.
In dark room viewing, the LG G2 is simply unmatched. Having tested both technologies extensively, OLED's ability to completely turn off pixels creates a depth to images that LCD can't replicate. The Samsung DU9000 compensates with higher brightness and excellent color processing, but you'll notice some blooming (light bleeding) around bright objects on dark backgrounds.
For HDR content (high dynamic range, which adds more detail in very bright and dark areas), both TVs handle it differently:
Modern gaming demands specific features, and these TVs handle them differently:
The LG G2 offers:
The Samsung DU9000 provides:
For dedicated home theater setups, the LG G2 is the clear winner, particularly in controlled lighting. Its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio create a truly cinematic experience. However, at nearly $25,000, it's in a different league price-wise.
The Samsung DU9000 still delivers an impressive theater-like experience, especially for bright room viewing. Its significantly lower price point makes it more accessible for most home theater enthusiasts.
Both TVs handle regular TV viewing well, but they shine in different scenarios:
Both TVs require careful installation due to their size. The LG G2 is designed primarily for wall mounting with its "Gallery" design, while the Samsung DU9000 offers more flexible mounting options.
Weight considerations:
Professional installation is highly recommended for both units, not just for safety but also for optimal setup and calibration.
The price difference between these TVs cannot be ignored - it's essentially the cost of a small car. The LG G2 at $24,999 represents the absolute peak of current TV technology, while the Samsung DU9000 at $2,499 delivers 90% of the experience at 10% of the cost.
Since their releases, both have maintained their positions in the market:
Consider choosing the LG G2 if:
Go for the Samsung DU9000 if:
These TVs represent different philosophies in delivering a premium viewing experience. The LG G2 shows what's possible when cost is no object, while the Samsung DU9000 demonstrates how far more affordable technology has come.
For most buyers, the Samsung's value proposition will be impossible to ignore. However, for those seeking the absolute pinnacle of picture quality and willing to pay for it, the LG delivers an unmatched viewing experience. The decision ultimately comes down to your priorities between budget and performance, and your specific viewing environment.
Remember: whichever you choose, proper installation and setup are crucial for getting the most out of these impressive displays. Take time to consider your room layout, viewing distance, and lighting conditions before making your final decision.
| LG 97" G2 OLED evo $24,999 | Samsung 98" DU9000 Crystal UHD $2,499 |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines overall picture quality, contrast, and viewing angles | |
| OLED evo (self-lit pixels, perfect blacks) | LED-LCD (brighter but less contrast) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR performance and bright room viewing | |
| 800-1000 nits (excellent for controlled lighting) | 1200-1500 nits (better for bright rooms) |
| Black Level Performance - Important for movie watching and dark scenes | |
| Perfect blacks (0 nits, infinite contrast) | Good blacks (limited by backlight) |
| Gaming Features - Matters for next-gen console gaming | |
| Full HDMI 2.1, G-Sync, FreeSync, <1ms lag | Basic HDMI 2.1, standard VRR, ~10ms lag |
| Smart Platform - Affects daily usability and streaming experience | |
| webOS 22 (faster, more intuitive) | Tizen OS (good but occasionally laggy) |
| Power Consumption - Impacts running costs | |
| 230W typical (more efficient) | 425W typical (higher energy costs) |
| Weight - Important for installation planning | |
| 123.5 lbs without stand | 85.9 lbs without stand |
| Installation Requirements - Critical for setup planning | |
| Gallery design, wall-mount focused | More flexible mounting options |
| Value Proposition - Real-world cost/benefit analysis | |
| Premium price, best possible picture | Excellent value, very good picture |
The LG 97" G2 OLED evo is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio. However, at $24,999, it's significantly more expensive than the Samsung DU9000 at $2,499, which still provides excellent picture quality for most viewers.
OLED technology used in the LG G2 has self-lit pixels that can turn completely off, providing perfect blacks. Crystal UHD, used in the Samsung DU9000, uses LED backlighting which can be brighter but can't achieve the same contrast levels.
The Samsung 98" DU9000 performs better in bright rooms due to its higher peak brightness. The LG OLED excels in controlled lighting conditions but may appear dimmer in well-lit spaces.
Yes, professional installation is recommended for both the LG 97" G2 and Samsung 98" DU9000 due to their size and weight. The LG specifically requires wall mounting, while the Samsung offers more mounting options.
The LG G2 OLED offers superior gaming features including G-Sync, FreeSync Premium, and lower input lag. The Samsung DU9000 provides basic gaming support but isn't as optimized for serious gamers.
For both the LG G2 and Samsung DU9000, the optimal viewing distance is 10-15 feet. This allows you to see the full 4K detail without noticing individual pixels.
For dedicated home theater enthusiasts with the budget, the LG OLED's superior picture quality might justify the premium. However, the Samsung DU9000 offers excellent value and satisfying performance for most users.
The LG G2 supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, while the Samsung DU9000 supports HDR10+ and HLG but not Dolby Vision. Both handle HDR content well, but the LG offers more format compatibility.
The LG OLED provides superior viewing angles with consistent picture quality from any position. The Samsung Crystal UHD shows some color and contrast degradation at wider angles.
The LG G2 excels with movies, especially in dark scenes and with HDR content. The Samsung DU9000 performs well but can't match the OLED's contrast and black levels in movie content.
Both TVs offer 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rates, but the LG G2 has more advanced gaming features and better HDR support. However, the Samsung DU9000 provides excellent value and modern features at a fraction of the cost.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses 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: digitaltrends.com - xssentials.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - rangsemart.com.bd - woodburyappliance.com - displaymate.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - displayspecifications.com - techradar.com - avsforum.com - lg.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - thebigscreenstore.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - rtings.com - assetserver.net - associatedappliance.com - insight.com - nfm.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - blog.rentacenter.com - samsung.com - merlinstv.com - samsung.com
