When Samsung released both the QN90D Neo QLED ($2,700) and S95D OLED ($3,400) in March 2024, they represented the latest in display technology. Let's break down these premium TVs and help you understand which might be right for your home.
Before diving into specifics, it's helpful to understand what makes these TVs special. Both use quantum dots (tiny particles that enhance color) but implement them differently. The QN90D uses Mini-LED backlighting, while the S95D uses OLED technology where each pixel creates its own light.
Think of it this way: Mini-LED is like having thousands of tiny flashlights behind your screen that can turn on and off independently, while OLED is like having millions of microscopic light bulbs that each control themselves. Both approaches have their strengths, which we'll explore.
The S95D OLED excels in what we call "contrast ratio" - the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of the screen. Since each pixel can turn completely off, you get perfect blacks, which is especially noticeable in dark scenes. When watching space movies like Interstellar, the stars look like they're actually punching through the darkness.
The QN90D, however, can get noticeably brighter. Its Mini-LED technology might not match OLED's perfect blacks, but it can create more impactful HDR highlights - those bright spots in scenes that make content feel more lifelike. Think sunlight glinting off water or explosions in action movies.
Here's where your living space becomes crucial to the decision:
If you have a sun-filled room or lots of windows, the QN90D is likely your better choice. Its higher brightness can overcome ambient light, keeping the picture vivid even during daytime viewing.
For dedicated home theater spaces or evening viewing, the S95D's perfect contrast and new anti-glare coating make it the superior choice. The anti-glare feature is particularly impressive - it reduces reflections without compromising picture quality like older anti-glare solutions did.
Both TVs support next-gen gaming features like:
The S95D has a slight edge in response time - how quickly pixels can change color - which can matter in fast-paced games. However, the QN90D's higher brightness might make games pop more in well-lit rooms.
The QN90D offers excellent value at $2,700, especially considering its versatility across different lighting conditions. The S95D commands a premium at $3,400 but delivers the best overall picture quality currently available.
Consider these factors:
In a dedicated home theater setting, the S95D truly shines. The perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio create a cinema-like experience that's hard to match. However, the QN90D isn't far behind and actually offers advantages for rooms where you can't control all the lighting.
Key home theater considerations:
Both TVs showcase significant improvements over their predecessors:
Choose the QN90D ($2,700) if:
Choose the S95D ($3,400) if:
Remember, both TVs represent the pinnacle of current television technology. The "best" choice depends entirely on your specific needs and viewing environment. Don't feel pressured to spend the extra money on the S95D if the QN90D better suits your space and usage.
Having spent time with both TVs, I can say they're both impressive in their own ways. The QN90D's brightness and value make it a fantastic choice for most users, while the S95D's perfect contrast and advanced anti-glare technology make it the ultimate choice for enthusiasts and home theater setups.
The good news is that you really can't make a wrong choice between these two excellent TVs. Focus on matching the TV's strengths to your specific viewing environment and needs, and you'll be happy with either option.
| Samsung QN90D Neo QLED ($2,700) | Samsung S95D OLED ($3,400) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines core strengths and ideal viewing conditions | |
| Mini-LED with quantum dots (brighter, excellent for lit rooms) | QD-OLED (perfect blacks, best for dim rooms) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 2,000+ nits (exceptional for bright rooms) | 1,400 nits (good but not as bright) |
| Black Level Performance - Impacts overall picture depth and movie experience | |
| Very good (excellent local dimming) | Perfect (each pixel can turn completely off) |
| Anti-glare Capability - Affects viewing in rooms with windows or bright lights | |
| Standard anti-reflection coating | Advanced OLED glare-free technology (superior) |
| Response Time - Important for gaming and fast motion | |
| 4ms (very good) | 0.1ms (practically instant) |
| Viewing Angle - Matters for wide seating arrangements | |
| Good up to 40° off-center | Excellent up to 60° off-center |
| Power Consumption - Impacts energy bills | |
| 270W max (higher due to backlight) | 190W max (more efficient) |
| Expected Lifespan - Consider for long-term value | |
| 7-10 years (no burn-in risk) | 5-7 years (minimal burn-in risk with modern protection) |
| Value Proposition - Cost vs. Performance | |
| Better value for bright rooms | Premium price but best overall picture quality |
The Samsung S95D OLED ($3,400) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio. In controlled lighting, these qualities create a more immersive cinema experience than the QN90D.
The Samsung QN90D ($2,700) performs better in bright rooms thanks to its higher peak brightness and Mini-LED technology. It maintains picture quality better than the S95D when dealing with ambient light.
For movie enthusiasts and home theater users, the S95D OLED justifies its higher price with superior contrast and viewing angles. However, the QN90D Neo QLED offers better value for bright rooms or mixed-use spaces.
Both TVs excel at gaming with 4K/120Hz support and low input lag. The S95D has a slight advantage with faster response time, while the QN90D offers better brightness for gaming in well-lit rooms.
The S95D OLED has significantly better viewing angles, making it ideal for wide seating arrangements in home theaters or large living rooms.
The QN90D Neo QLED has no risk of burn-in. The S95D OLED has minimal risk thanks to modern prevention features, but it's still a consideration for displays showing static images for extended periods.
Both TVs are equally future-proof with HDMI 2.1 features, high refresh rates, and advanced processing. The choice should be based on your viewing environment rather than future compatibility.
Both use Samsung's Tizen OS and offer identical smart features. The choice should be based on picture quality and viewing environment rather than smart capabilities.
The QN90D ($2,700) offers better value for most users, especially in bright rooms. However, if perfect black levels and contrast are priorities for your home theater, the S95D ($3,400) justifies its premium price.
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: samsung.com - standardtvandappliance.com - gerhardsappliance.com - bestbuy.com - image-us.samsung.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - images.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
