When looking for a premium TV in 2024, Samsung offers two excellent but distinctly different options: the QN85D Neo QLED ($1,699) and the S95D OLED ($3,400). Let's explore how these TVs differ and help you decide which one best fits your needs.
The TV landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. While we used to focus mainly on resolution (4K vs 1080p), today's premium TVs all offer 4K resolution. The real differences now lie in how they create their images and handle things like brightness, contrast, and motion.
Both of these TVs were released in March 2024, representing Samsung's latest technology. They've made significant improvements in their AI processing and picture quality compared to 2023 models, particularly in upscaling lower-resolution content to 4K.
The QN85D uses Mini LED technology (which Samsung calls Neo QLED), essentially thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen that can be precisely controlled. Think of it like having thousands of tiny flashlights that can be individually dimmed or brightened. This allows for very bright images and good contrast, though not quite as perfect as OLED.
The S95D uses OLED technology, where each pixel creates its own light. Imagine millions of tiny lights that can turn completely off or on independently. This results in perfect blacks and infinite contrast, since pixels can be truly off, not just dimmed.
In practice, these differences matter most in specific scenarios:
Both TVs offer exceptional picture quality, but they shine in different ways:
The QN85D Neo QLED delivers:
The S95D OLED provides:
Both TVs support next-gen gaming features, but there are differences:
The Neo QLED offers:
The OLED adds:
For dedicated home theater use, the S95D OLED has a clear advantage. Its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio create that true cinema-like experience that home theater enthusiasts crave. The improved anti-reflective coating also helps in controlling any ambient light that might sneak in.
However, if your home theater doubles as a casual viewing space with varying light conditions, the QN85D might be the more versatile choice. Its higher brightness helps maintain picture quality even with some lights on, which is common during social gatherings or daytime viewing.
The price difference between these TVs is substantial. At $1,699, the Neo QLED delivers exceptional performance for most users. The $3,400 OLED offers the absolute best picture quality, but at twice the price.
Consider your primary use case:
Having spent time with both TVs, I can say they're both exceptional displays. The Neo QLED's brightness and anti-reflective capabilities make it more versatile for the average living room. The OLED's perfect blacks and contrast make it the choice for enthusiasts and those with dedicated viewing rooms.
For my own living room, which has large windows and varying light conditions, I'd choose the QN85D. However, for a dedicated home theater setup, the S95D would be my pick despite the higher price.
Both TVs represent the pinnacle of current display technology, just with different strengths. The Neo QLED offers tremendous value and versatility, while the OLED provides the absolute best picture quality for those willing to pay for it. Your choice should ultimately depend on your viewing environment, content preferences, and budget.
Remember that either TV will provide an exceptional viewing experience - the differences we're discussing here are at the highest end of performance. Most viewers will be thrilled with either choice, but understanding these differences helps ensure you get the best TV for your specific needs and environment.
| Samsung 65" QN85D Neo QLED ($1,699) | Samsung 65" S95D OLED ($3,400) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Fundamentally affects picture quality, brightness, and viewing conditions | |
| Mini LED with quantum dots (brighter, better for lit rooms) | OLED with quantum dots (perfect blacks, best contrast) |
| Picture Quality Score - Overall assessment of image quality | |
| 8.2/10 (excellent for most viewers) | 9.5/10 (reference quality, worth it for enthusiasts) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 2,000+ nits (exceptional for bright rooms) | 1,000+ nits (good but not as bright) |
| Gaming Performance - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 120Hz, 9ms input lag (excellent for casual gaming) | 144Hz, 6ms input lag (best for competitive gaming) |
| Contrast Ratio - Affects picture depth and realism | |
| Very good (some blooming in dark scenes) | Infinite (perfect blacks, best for movie watching) |
| Viewing Angle - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
| Good (slight degradation at angles) | Excellent (maintains quality at extreme angles) |
| Anti-Glare Performance - Critical for bright room viewing | |
| Standard anti-reflective coating | New matte finish (best-in-class reflection handling) |
| Long-term Durability - Consider for investment protection | |
| No risk of burn-in, longer lifespan | Minimal burn-in risk with modern protection |
| Value Assessment - Bang for buck consideration | |
| Better value for most users | Premium price for ultimate performance |
The S95D OLED ($3,400) is superior for dedicated home theater use due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio. While the QN85D Neo QLED ($1,699) performs well, it can't match the OLED's cinema-like picture quality in controlled lighting conditions.
The QN85D Neo QLED performs better in bright rooms thanks to its higher peak brightness. While the S95D OLED has improved anti-glare technology, it can't match the Neo QLED's brightness for daytime viewing.
The S95D OLED maintains better picture quality at wide viewing angles, making it ideal for large seating arrangements. The QN85D Neo QLED shows some picture degradation when viewed from extreme angles.
While the S95D OLED includes modern burn-in prevention features, there's still a small risk. The QN85D Neo QLED has no risk of burn-in, making it more suitable for static content like news channels or gaming HUDs.
The QN85D Neo QLED may have a longer theoretical lifespan due to its LED technology. While the S95D OLED is also durable, OLED panels can gradually lose brightness over many years of use.
For most users, the QN85D Neo QLED offers better value, providing excellent performance at a more reasonable price. The S95D OLED is best for enthusiasts who demand the absolute best picture quality and are willing to pay for it.
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: videoandaudiocenter.com - shopjetson.com - mysoundconcepts.com - samsung.com - merlinstv.com - youtube.com - samsung.com - samsung.com - techradar.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - avsforum.com - cnet.com - abt.com - merlinstv.com - nfm.com - rtings.com - flintsfurniture.com - samsung.com - bestbuy.com - displayspecifications.com
