When it comes to high-end TVs in 2024, two models stand out: the value-focused Sony BRAVIA 7 65" 4K UHD Smart Google TV at $1,400 and the premium Samsung S95D 65" 4K OLED Smart TV at $3,400. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your home.
The TV market has evolved significantly in recent years, with two main premium technologies now dominating: Mini LED QLED (like the BRAVIA 7) and QD-OLED (like the S95D). While both deliver excellent picture quality, they take different approaches to achieve their results.
Mini LED technology uses thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen for precise brightness control, while OLED creates images using pixels that generate their own light. This fundamental difference affects everything from picture quality to viewing angles and room placement.
The Sony BRAVIA 7, released in early 2024, represents the latest evolution in Mini LED technology. Think of it like having thousands of tiny spotlights behind your screen, each one precisely controlled to create bright highlights and dark shadows. This results in:
The Samsung S95D, launched in March 2024, showcases Samsung's newest QD-OLED panel. This technology combines the perfect blacks of OLED with quantum dots for enhanced color. The big news this year is Samsung's anti-glare technology, which solves one of OLED's traditional weaknesses. You get:
In real-world testing, both TVs excel, but in different ways. The BRAVIA 7 shines (literally) in bright environments, making it perfect for sunlit living rooms. Its picture processing is particularly good at handling lower-quality content, thanks to Sony's excellent upscaling technology.
The S95D, however, takes the crown for overall picture quality. Its perfect blacks and incredible contrast make movies look exactly as directors intended. The anti-glare coating is a game-changer - imagine having OLED quality without worrying about room reflections.
Both TVs support 4K gaming at 120Hz, but the S95D takes gaming more seriously with:
The BRAVIA 7 is still excellent for gaming, but if you're a competitive gamer or want the absolute best gaming experience, the S95D has the edge.
The BRAVIA 7 uses Google TV, which I find more intuitive and better at suggesting content you'll actually want to watch. It integrates seamlessly with other Google services and offers excellent voice control.
Samsung's Tizen OS on the S95D is feature-rich but can feel overwhelming at first. It's improved since last year but still isn't quite as user-friendly as Google TV.
In a dedicated home theater setting, the S95D's perfect blacks and superior contrast make it the clear winner. However, the BRAVIA 7's higher brightness might be preferable if your theater room has ambient light or white walls that reflect light back onto the screen.
The price difference between these TVs ($2,000) could buy you an entire premium sound system or several years' worth of streaming subscriptions. The BRAVIA 7 delivers about 90% of the S95D's performance at 40% of the price, making it an incredible value.
However, if you're building a high-end home theater or want the absolute best picture quality regardless of cost, the S95D justifies its premium price tag through superior performance and cutting-edge technology.
Both the Sony BRAVIA 7 and Samsung S95D represent the best of what's available in their respective price categories. The BRAVIA 7 offers tremendous value and will satisfy most users, while the S95D pushes the boundaries of what's possible in TV technology.
For most people, I recommend the BRAVIA 7. It delivers outstanding performance at a more reasonable price point. However, if you're a videophile, serious gamer, or simply want the best possible picture quality, the S95D's premium features and performance improvements might be worth the additional investment.
Remember, the best TV for you depends on your specific needs, room conditions, and how you plan to use it. Consider your viewing habits, room lighting, and budget when making your final decision.
| Sony BRAVIA 7 65" ($1,400) | Samsung S95D 65" ($3,400) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines core picture quality and brightness capabilities | |
| Mini LED QLED (brighter, good for lit rooms) | QD-OLED (perfect blacks, best contrast) |
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and daytime viewing | |
| 1000+ nits (excellent for bright rooms) | 800+ nits (good but not as bright) |
| Black Levels - Impacts contrast and dark scene quality | |
| Very good (but not perfect) | Perfect (each pixel turns completely off) |
| Anti-Glare - Important for rooms with windows or bright lights | |
| Standard anti-glare coating | Revolutionary matte finish (best-in-class) |
| Gaming Features - Matters for console and PC gaming | |
| 4K/120Hz, VRR, ~12ms input lag | 4K/144Hz, VRR, 9ms input lag, better gaming HUD |
| Smart Platform - Affects daily usability and content discovery | |
| Google TV (more intuitive, better recommendations) | Tizen OS (feature-rich but more complex) |
| Processing - Impacts motion handling and upscaling quality | |
| Cognitive XR (excellent upscaling) | Neural Quantum (focuses on AI enhancement) |
| Color Volume - Determines color accuracy and vibrancy | |
| 95% DCI-P3 (very good) | 99% DCI-P3 (best available) |
| Power Consumption - Impacts electricity costs | |
| 320W typical (more power hungry) | 190W typical (more efficient) |
| Long-term Durability - Consider for long-term ownership | |
| No burn-in risk (better for news/static content) | Minimal burn-in risk (panel warranty included) |
The Samsung S95D OLED ($3,400) is superior for dedicated home theaters due to its perfect blacks and exceptional contrast ratio. While the Sony BRAVIA 7 ($1,400) performs well, OLED technology provides a more cinema-like experience in controlled lighting conditions.
The Sony BRAVIA 7's Mini LED technology offers higher brightness, making it better for well-lit rooms. However, the S95D's new anti-glare technology is revolutionary, handling reflections better than any previous OLED TV.
The Samsung S95D offers superior gaming features with lower input lag (9ms vs 12ms), 144Hz capability, and a better gaming interface. The BRAVIA 7 still provides good gaming performance but isn't quite as gaming-focused.
For serious movie enthusiasts, the S95D's superior contrast and perfect blacks justify the higher price. However, the BRAVIA 7 offers excellent picture quality at less than half the price, making it a better value for casual viewers.
The BRAVIA 7's Google TV platform is more user-friendly and offers better content recommendations. Samsung's Tizen OS on the S95D has more features but can be more complicated to navigate.
Both TVs handle motion extremely well. The BRAVIA 7's higher brightness might be preferable for daytime sports viewing, while the S95D's superior motion handling and contrast make it slightly better for nighttime sports watching.
Both are 65" models with similar dimensions and VESA mount compatibility. The Sony BRAVIA 7 is slightly heavier, while the S95D is remarkably thin due to its OLED technology.
Both offer good built-in sound, but for a home theater setup, you'll want to pair either TV with a separate sound system or soundbar for the best experience.
The BRAVIA 7's Mini LED technology has no risk of burn-in and should last many years. While modern OLEDs like the S95D have improved significantly, there's still a minimal burn-in risk with static content.
Sony's Cognitive XR processor in the BRAVIA 7 is known for excellent upscaling. While the S95D's Neural Quantum processor is very capable, Sony typically has an edge in this area.
The Samsung S95D has superior viewing angles due to its OLED technology, making it better for wide seating arrangements. The BRAVIA 7 performs well but may show some picture quality degradation at extreme angles.
If your current TV is more than 5 years old, either would be a significant upgrade. The BRAVIA 7 offers excellent value for most users, while the S95D represents the pinnacle of current TV technology for those seeking the absolute best.
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: bestbuy.com - bestbuy.com - avsforum.com - avsforum.com - crutchfield.com - sony.com - rtings.com - schaeferstv.com - youtube.com - displayspecifications.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
