It's an exciting time for TV technology, and Samsung's 2024 flagship models showcase two very different approaches to achieving spectacular image quality. Let's compare the Samsung QN900D 65" Neo QLED 8K TV priced at $3,499 and the Samsung S95D 65" 4K OLED TV at $2,295 to help you make the right choice for your needs.
The television market has evolved dramatically in recent years, with two key technologies emerging as leaders: Mini LED-based QLED and OLED. Each offers distinct advantages, and understanding these differences is crucial for making an informed decision.
What makes this comparison particularly interesting is that both TVs represent Samsung's latest flagship models, released in early 2024. They showcase different approaches to achieving premium picture quality - one through sheer pixel density and brightness, the other through perfect contrast and advanced anti-glare technology.
The QN900D uses Neo QLED technology, which combines mini LED backlighting (thousands of tiny LEDs behind the screen) with quantum dots (special particles that enhance color). This results in exceptional brightness and vivid colors, making it particularly effective in bright rooms.
The S95D employs QD-OLED technology, which merges OLED's self-emitting pixels with quantum dots. This means each pixel creates its own light and can turn completely off for perfect blacks. The addition of quantum dots helps deliver richer colors than traditional OLED displays.
A significant advancement in the S95D is its new anti-glare technology. Unlike previous OLEDs that could be quite reflective, this new screen treatment dramatically reduces glare while maintaining image clarity. It's a game-changer for those who want OLED quality but have typically struggled with room reflections.
Let's address the elephant in the room: 8K resolution. The QN900D offers 33 million pixels compared to the S95D's 8 million 4K pixels. However, current 8K content is extremely limited. Both TVs must upscale (enhance) most content to fill their screens.
The QN900D's NQ8 AI Gen3 processor is incredibly powerful at this upscaling task. It analyzes content in real-time and enhances detail and clarity, making even 1080p content look remarkably sharp on the 8K panel. The S95D's NQ4 AI Gen2 processor similarly excels at upscaling to 4K, though with less heavy lifting required.
In real-world viewing:
The $1,200 price difference between these TVs is significant, so let's break down the value proposition:
The QN900D at $3,499 offers:
The S95D at $2,295 delivers:
Having spent time with both TVs, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
In a dedicated home theater, the S95D's perfect blacks and contrast make it the superior choice. The absence of any blooming (light bleed around bright objects) creates a more immersive experience for movie watching. However, if your theater has ambient light, the QN900D's brightness advantage might be preferable.
For bright living rooms, the QN900D's higher brightness and anti-reflection capabilities make it more versatile. The S95D's new anti-glare technology is impressive, but it can't quite match the raw brightness output of the QN900D.
Both TVs offer excellent gaming features:
The S95D tends to offer better overall gaming performance due to its faster pixel response times, though the QN900D's 8K capability might appeal to next-gen console gamers.
Consider these factors in order of importance:
For most users, the Samsung S95D represents the better value today. Its perfect blacks, excellent contrast, and new anti-glare technology make it a fantastic choice for both movie watching and gaming. The price difference makes it even more attractive.
However, if you have a very bright viewing environment, want to future-proof your purchase, or simply must have the absolute latest technology, the Samsung QN900D is an impressive piece of engineering that won't disappoint.
Remember that both TVs represent the pinnacle of current television technology, and either choice will provide an exceptional viewing experience. The key is matching the TV's strengths to your specific viewing environment and needs.
| Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K - $3,499 | Samsung 65" S95D 4K OLED - $2,295 |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines core picture quality characteristics and room compatibility | |
| Neo QLED (Mini LED with quantum dots) - Brighter, no burn-in risk | QD-OLED - Perfect blacks, better viewing angles |
| Resolution - Impacts detail and future-proofing | |
| 8K (7,680 x 4,320) - Future-proof but limited current content | 4K (3,840 x 2,160) - Matches today's content standards |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 2,000+ nits - Excellent for bright rooms | 1,000+ nits - Good for most environments |
| Black Level Performance - Determines contrast and dark scene quality | |
| Very good blacks with some blooming around bright objects | Perfect blacks with no blooming |
| Gaming Features - Affects compatibility with latest consoles | |
| 4K@120Hz, 8K@60Hz, VRR, ALLM | 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM, faster response time |
| Anti-Glare Capability - Important for rooms with windows/lighting | |
| Traditional anti-reflective coating | New OLED glare-free technology - revolutionary for OLED |
| Processor - Affects upscaling and smart features | |
| NQ8 AI Gen3 - More powerful for 8K upscaling | NQ4 AI Gen2 - Excellent for 4K processing |
| Sound System - Built-in audio quality | |
| 90W 6.2.4 channel | 70W 4.2.2 channel |
| Value Proposition - Consider long-term investment | |
| Higher price for future-proofing and brightness | Better value for current content and movie watching |
For a dedicated home theater room, the Samsung S95D 4K OLED TV ($2,295) is the better choice. Its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio create a more cinematic experience in controlled lighting conditions. The QN900D ($3,499) is excellent but shows some blooming around bright objects that can be distracting in dark rooms.
The Samsung QN900D handles bright rooms better with its significantly higher peak brightness and effective anti-reflection coating. While the S95D features new anti-glare technology, it can't match the raw brightness output of the QN900D for daytime viewing.
The Samsung S95D offers superior movie-watching performance due to its perfect blacks, infinite contrast ratio, and excellent color accuracy. The QN900D performs well but can't match the OLED's contrast performance for film content.
Both TVs excel at gaming, but the Samsung S95D has a slight edge with faster response times and lower input lag. However, if you're specifically interested in 8K gaming, the QN900D is the only option that supports 8K at 60Hz.
The Samsung QN900D might have better longevity since QLED technology isn't susceptible to burn-in. While the S95D has burn-in prevention features, OLED technology does have a theoretical risk of burn-in under extreme conditions.
The Samsung S95D has superior viewing angles thanks to its OLED technology, maintaining better picture quality when viewed from the side. The QN900D shows more color and brightness degradation at wide angles.
The Samsung S95D offers better value for most users at $2,295, providing exceptional picture quality for current content. The QN900D at $3,499 is more expensive primarily for its 8K capability, which has limited current utility.
The Samsung QN900D has an advantage for sports due to its higher brightness and excellent motion handling. The S95D performs well but might not be as bright for daytime sports viewing.
Yes, both the Samsung QN900D and S95D work excellently with external streaming devices through their HDMI 2.1 ports. Both support all major HDR formats and have low input lag for responsive navigation.
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: rtings.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - bestbuy.com - avsforum.com - bestbuy.com - walts.com - images.samsung.com - samsung.com - merlinstv.com - samsung.com - avsforum.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
