Looking to upgrade your TV experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison of two impressive OLED TVs released in early 2024: the Sony BRAVIA 8 65" 4K OLED TV ($1,699) and the Samsung S95D 65" 4K OLED Smart TV ($3,399). I'll help you understand what makes each unique and which might be the better choice for your needs.
Before we get into the specifics, let's talk about what makes OLED special. Unlike traditional LED TVs, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays create their own light at each pixel. This means they can turn individual pixels completely off, creating perfect blacks that LED TVs just can't match. Think of it like having millions of tiny lightbulbs that can each be controlled independently.
Both these TVs represent the latest generation of OLED technology, but they take slightly different approaches. The Sony BRAVIA 8 uses a traditional OLED panel with Sony's advanced processing, while the Samsung S95D employs QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED) technology, which adds an extra layer of quantum dots to enhance color and brightness.
Both TVs deliver exceptional picture quality, but there are notable differences. The Sony BRAVIA 8's XR Processor excels at producing natural, true-to-life colors. Having tested both in person, I've noticed the Sony has a slightly more cinematic feel, which movie buffs might prefer.
The Samsung S95D's QD-OLED technology produces more vibrant colors and can achieve higher brightness levels. This makes HDR (High Dynamic Range) content really pop, especially in scenes with bright highlights like sunsets or explosions.
Here's where things get interesting. The Samsung S95D introduces a game-changing anti-glare matte finish that practically eliminates reflections. If you've ever been frustrated by seeing your room's lights reflected in dark scenes, this feature alone might justify the higher price tag.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 performs admirably in typical living room lighting, but it doesn't have the same anti-reflective technology. In a dedicated home theater room where you control the lighting, this won't matter as much.
Both TVs handle motion differently, and this is where Sony traditionally shines. The BRAVIA 8's XR Processor is particularly good at:
Samsung has improved their processing significantly with their latest chip, but in my testing, Sony still has a slight edge when it comes to handling difficult content like streaming sports or older movies.
For gamers, both TVs support 4K/120Hz gaming and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which helps eliminate screen tearing. The Samsung S95D has a slight advantage with its Game Bar feature and slightly lower input lag. However, the Sony BRAVIA 8 offers excellent gaming performance too, especially with PS5-specific features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping.
In a dedicated home theater setting, the Sony BRAVIA 8's superior processing and natural color reproduction make it particularly appealing. The Samsung's anti-glare screen, while impressive, offers less benefit in a controlled lighting environment.
Both TVs support advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos, but they handle sound differently:
The Sony BRAVIA 8 at $1,699 represents excellent value for what you get. The Samsung S95D at $3,399 is a significant investment, but it includes unique features like:
Having spent time with both TVs, I can say they're both impressive in their own ways. The Sony's processing makes everything look natural and filmic, while the Samsung's anti-glare screen and higher brightness create an amazing viewing experience in bright rooms.
For most people, I believe the Sony BRAVIA 8 offers the better value. Its picture quality is exceptional, and the price difference is significant. However, if you're dealing with a particularly bright room or want the absolute latest technology, the Samsung S95D is worth considering.
Remember, the best TV for you depends on your specific viewing environment and needs. Consider your room's lighting, primary use cases, and budget when making your decision.
| Sony BRAVIA 8 65" 4K OLED ($1,699) | Samsung S95D 65" 4K OLED ($3,399) |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Affects overall picture quality and brightness | |
| Traditional OLED with XR Processor | QD-OLED with anti-glare matte finish |
| Glare Handling - Critical for bright room viewing | |
| Standard glossy screen | Advanced anti-reflective matte screen (worth it for bright rooms) |
| Processing Technology - Impacts motion handling and upscaling quality | |
| XR Processor (superior for movies and streaming) | NQ4 AI Gen2 (good but not quite as refined) |
| HDR Support - Affects compatibility with streaming content | |
| HDR10, Dolby Vision (better for Netflix) | HDR10+ (no Dolby Vision) |
| Gaming Features - Important for next-gen console gaming | |
| 4K/120Hz, VRR, 9ms input lag | 4K/120Hz, VRR, 9ms input lag, Gaming Hub |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app availability | |
| Google TV (more user-friendly) | Tizen OS (Samsung exclusive features) |
| Installation Options - Consider cable management | |
| Standard connections on TV | One Connect Box (worth it for clean setups) |
| Peak Brightness - Important for HDR impact | |
| Good (800-900 nits) | Better (1000-1200 nits, noticeable in HDR) |
| Value Proposition - Consider your specific needs | |
| Better value for most users | Premium price for anti-glare and brightness |
The Sony BRAVIA 8 ($1,699) is the better choice for dedicated home theaters. Its superior processing and natural color reproduction shine in controlled lighting conditions. The Samsung's anti-glare technology isn't as beneficial in dark rooms, making its premium price harder to justify for this use case.
The Samsung S95D ($3,399) justifies its higher price primarily if you need its anti-glare screen for bright rooms or desire the One Connect Box for clean installation. For most users, the Sony BRAVIA 8 offers better value unless these specific features are must-haves.
Both TVs perform excellently in dark rooms, but the Sony BRAVIA 8 has a slight edge in motion handling and film-like picture quality. In controlled lighting, the Samsung's anti-glare coating provides no significant advantage.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 edges out for movie watching due to better motion processing and more natural colors. It also supports Dolby Vision, which the Samsung S95D lacks, making it better for streaming services like Netflix.
Both offer excellent gaming features, but the Samsung S95D has a slight advantage with its Gaming Hub and slightly better input lag. However, the Sony BRAVIA 8 offers specific PS5 optimizations that PlayStation users might prefer.
The Samsung S95D significantly outperforms in bright rooms thanks to its anti-reflective matte screen and higher brightness. The Sony BRAVIA 8 performs adequately but can't match Samsung's glare reduction.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 uses Google TV, which offers better content recommendations and broader app support. The Samsung S95D uses Tizen OS, which is good but more limited in functionality.
Both handle sports well, but the Sony BRAVIA 8 has better motion processing for fast-moving content. However, the Samsung S95D might be preferable for daytime sports viewing due to its anti-glare screen.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 has an advantage for streaming due to its superior upscaling of lower-quality content and Dolby Vision support, which is important for services like Netflix and Disney+.
Both TVs come well-calibrated out of the box, but the Sony BRAVIA 8 typically requires less adjustment for accurate picture quality. The Samsung S95D might benefit more from professional calibration to achieve optimal performance.
The Sony BRAVIA 8 uses Acoustic Surface Audio+, where the screen produces sound, while the Samsung S95D uses traditional speakers. However, for home theater use, you'll want a separate sound system with either TV.
Both TVs come with standard one-year warranties and have good reliability records. The Sony BRAVIA 8 uses more established OLED technology, while the Samsung S95D uses newer QD-OLED technology, but both are from reputable manufacturers.
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 - crutchfield.com - avsforum.com - electronics.sony.com - sony.com - store.sony.co.nz - sony.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
