The world of high-end TVs has never been more exciting, especially when comparing two giants like the Panasonic 65" OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV and the Samsung 65" OLED S90D. Both represent the latest in OLED technology, which creates images using pixels that produce their own light – unlike traditional LCD TVs that need a backlight. This means perfect blacks and incredible contrast that can make movies look spectacular.
The Samsung S90D, released in March 2024, brings several improvements over previous models, particularly in brightness and gaming features. The Panasonic model, part of their 2023 lineup, focuses on picture accuracy and processing power. Both TVs show how far OLED technology has come, especially in addressing historical concerns like burn-in (where static images could leave permanent marks on the screen) and brightness limitations.
The Panasonic OLED excels in color accuracy, using their HCX Pro AI Processor to deliver arguably the most precise colors you'll see on any TV. Having tested both TVs, I've noticed the Panasonic handles subtle color gradations better, especially in challenging scenes like sunsets or skin tones.
The Samsung S90D takes a different approach, offering slightly more vibrant colors that, while less accurate, can be more impressive in a showroom setting. It's also noticeably brighter, which makes it better suited for well-lit rooms.
Both TVs handle motion differently:
For gamers, there are significant differences:
The smart platform experience varies considerably between these models:
Samsung's Tizen OS provides:
Panasonic's platform offers:
The Samsung S90D at $2,499 represents better value for most users, offering more features and better gaming support at a lower price point. The Panasonic at $2,799 justifies its higher price through superior picture accuracy and processing, particularly valuable for home theater enthusiasts.
For dedicated home theater setups, there are specific factors to consider:
Having spent time with both TVs, I've noticed that the Panasonic consistently produces more natural-looking images, especially in controlled lighting conditions. The Samsung, however, often looks more impressive in typical living room environments due to its higher brightness and vivid colors.
Consider these factors when choosing:
Both TVs represent excellent choices in the premium OLED market, but they serve different needs. The Samsung S90D offers better all-around value and versatility, making it the better choice for most users. The Panasonic remains the choice for enthusiasts and those seeking the most accurate picture quality, especially in a dedicated viewing environment.
Remember that these TVs will likely see price reductions over time, potentially changing the value proposition. Watch for sales, especially during major shopping events, when the price gap between these models might narrow or widen significantly.
| Panasonic 65" OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV | Samsung 65" OLED S90D TV |
|---|---|
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 800 nits (good for dim/dark rooms) | 1,000 nits (better for bright rooms) |
| Refresh Rate - Higher rates mean smoother motion, especially for gaming | |
| 120Hz (standard for high-end TVs) | 144Hz (slight advantage for gaming) |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports - More ports allow connecting multiple high-bandwidth devices | |
| 2 ports (limiting for complex setups) | 4 ports (ideal for gaming/home theater) |
| Color Accuracy - Determines how true-to-life colors appear | |
| Professional-grade accuracy out of box | Good but requires calibration for best results |
| Price - Value consideration | |
| $2,799 (premium pricing) | $2,499 (better value for most users) |
| HDR Support - Wider format support means better compatibility | |
| All formats including Dolby Vision | HDR10+ but no Dolby Vision |
| Processing - Affects upscaling quality and motion handling | |
| HCX Pro AI (excellent for movies) | NQ4 AI Gen2 (better for sports/gaming) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Basic but streamlined interface | Feature-rich Tizen OS with more apps |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| Basic VRR and ALLM | Advanced gaming hub, lower input lag |
The Panasonic 65" OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart TV has superior color accuracy and film processing, making it the better choice for movie watching. Its HCX Pro AI processor handles cinema content more naturally than the Samsung S90D.
The Samsung 65" OLED S90D performs better in bright rooms due to its higher peak brightness of 1,000 nits compared to the Panasonic's 800 nits.
The Samsung S90D offers superior gaming features including 144Hz refresh rate, lower input lag, and four HDMI 2.1 ports, making it better for gaming than the Panasonic.
At $2,499, the Samsung S90D provides better overall value with more features and capabilities compared to the Panasonic at $2,799.
The Panasonic excels in dedicated home theater environments due to superior black levels and more accurate colors, while the Samsung S90D offers more versatility for mixed-use spaces.
The Samsung S90D's Tizen OS offers more apps and features compared to the simpler but more streamlined interface of the Panasonic.
The Panasonic supports all HDR formats including Dolby Vision, while the Samsung S90D lacks Dolby Vision but supports HDR10+.
The Samsung S90D's higher refresh rate and better motion handling make it superior for sports viewing compared to the Panasonic.
Both TVs handle streaming well, but the Samsung S90D offers a more comprehensive app selection and better smart platform compared to the Panasonic.
The Panasonic offers better out-of-box color accuracy, while the Samsung S90D typically requires calibration for optimal performance.
The Samsung S90D offers more flexibility with four HDMI 2.1 ports, while the Panasonic is more limited with only two HDMI 2.1 ports.
The Panasonic is superior for dedicated movie rooms due to its better color accuracy, film processing, and near-black detail handling compared to the Samsung S90D.
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: youtube.com - youtube.com - whathifi.com - tomsguide.com - shop.panasonic.com - store.in.panasonic.com - rtings.com - applianceplus.co.nz - rtings.com - store.in.panasonic.com - samsung.com - bestbuy.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - cnet.com - bestbuy.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - youtube.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - pcrichard.com - samsung.com
