If you're in the market for a high-end TV in 2024, you're probably overwhelmed by the choices. Today, we're comparing two excellent but very different options: the $998 TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV and the $2,295 Samsung 65" S95D 4K OLED Smart TV. Let's break down what makes each special and help you decide which is right for your setup.
Before diving into the specifics, it's helpful to understand what makes these TVs different. Mini-LED (used in the TCL QM8) uses thousands of tiny LED lights behind the screen to create brightness and contrast. Think of it like having incredible control over a bunch of small spotlights. OLED (used in the Samsung S95D) works differently - each pixel creates its own light and can turn completely off, giving perfect blacks.
Both technologies have advanced significantly in recent years. Mini-LED has gotten much better at controlling light precisely, while OLED has overcome many of its early brightness limitations.
Here's where things get interesting. The TCL QM8 can get incredibly bright - up to 3,180 nits in HDR content. For comparison, your smartphone probably maxes out around 800 nits. This brightness makes the TCL excellent for bright rooms and delivers stunning HDR performance. HDR, or High Dynamic Range, lets you see more detail in very bright and dark areas of the picture simultaneously.
The Samsung S95D takes a different approach. While not as bright (reaching about 1,700 nits), it delivers perfect blacks and infinite contrast because each pixel can turn completely off. This creates an incredible sense of depth and realism, especially in darker scenes. The S95D also includes a special anti-glare coating that helps combat room reflections.
Having tested both in various lighting conditions, I've found the TCL better handles bright rooms, while the Samsung creates a more cinematic experience in controlled lighting.
Both TVs support 4K gaming at 120Hz (meaning they can show 120 frames per second), but they handle it differently. The TCL QM8 offers basic gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate (which prevents screen tearing) and Auto Low Latency Mode (which reduces input lag).
The Samsung S95D goes further with its Gaming Hub, which includes cloud gaming integration, more detailed gaming settings, and slightly better motion handling. It also has lower input lag, making it more responsive for competitive gaming.
If you're building a home theater, there are some specific factors to consider. The Samsung's perfect blacks and wider viewing angles make it ideal for dedicated theater rooms. The anti-glare coating helps manage any ambient light without compromising picture quality.
The TCL's higher brightness can be beneficial for larger rooms or spaces where you can't control all the light. Its Mini-LED technology also prevents the very rare risk of screen burn-in that can affect OLED displays (though this is much less common with modern OLEDs).
Here's where things get practical. The TCL QM8 delivers exceptional performance for under $1,000, while the Samsung S95D asks for more than twice that amount. Both were released in early 2024, so they feature the latest technology improvements.
The TCL represents a significant value, offering:
The Samsung justifies its premium price with:
In my testing, both TVs excel in different scenarios. The TCL handles bright room viewing better than any OLED I've seen, making it perfect for family rooms or spaces with lots of windows. Sports and news content look fantastic thanks to its brightness and motion handling.
The Samsung creates a more immersive experience for movies and games, especially in controlled lighting. The perfect blacks and superior contrast make movies look exactly as directors intended. Its wider viewing angles also make it better for larger groups watching together.
Both TVs represent significant advances over previous years' models. The TCL's Mini-LED implementation has much better local dimming (meaning better control over which parts of the screen are lit) than earlier versions. The Samsung's new anti-glare coating and increased brightness address traditional OLED weaknesses.
Choose the TCL QM8 if:
Choose the Samsung S95D if:
Both TVs represent excellent choices for different users. The TCL QM8 offers tremendous value and performs exceptionally well in bright environments. The Samsung S95D provides the ultimate picture quality and gaming experience for those willing to pay for it.
Remember that room lighting and viewing habits should guide your decision more than specs alone. Consider where you'll place the TV and how you'll primarily use it. Either way, both options represent the cutting edge of their respective technologies and will provide years of excellent viewing experiences.
| $998 TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV | $2,295 Samsung 65" S95D 4K OLED Smart TV |
|---|---|
| Peak Brightness - Critical for HDR impact and bright room viewing | |
| 3,180 nits (exceptional for any lighting) | 1,700 nits (very good but not class-leading) |
| Display Technology - Determines fundamental picture characteristics | |
| Mini-LED (excellent brightness, very good contrast) | QD-OLED (perfect blacks, superior color) |
| Black Level Performance - Important for movie viewing and contrast | |
| Very good (hundreds of dimming zones) | Perfect (each pixel can turn completely off) |
| Gaming Features - Affects responsiveness and smoothness | |
| Basic VRR up to 144Hz, 9.8ms input lag | Advanced Gaming Hub, 144Hz, 5.9ms input lag |
| Anti-Glare Capabilities - Important for bright rooms | |
| Standard glossy screen (more reflective) | Advanced matte coating (superior reflection handling) |
| Viewing Angles - Important for group viewing | |
| Limited (picture degrades at angles) | Excellent (consistent from any angle) |
| Color Volume - Affects HDR and overall vibrancy | |
| Very good (quantum dot enhanced) | Exceptional (QD-OLED technology) |
| Value Proposition - Price vs Performance | |
| Excellent (80% of OLED quality at 43% of cost) | Premium (best possible quality at premium price) |
| Best Use Case - Where each TV excels | |
| Bright rooms, mixed-use, value-conscious buyers | Home theaters, serious gaming, critical viewing |
For dedicated home theater use, the $2,295 Samsung S95D OLED is superior due to its perfect blacks, superior contrast, and better viewing angles. However, the $998 TCL QM8 still performs well and offers better value if budget is a concern.
The TCL QM8 costs $998, while the Samsung S95D is priced at $2,295, representing a $1,297 difference. The TCL offers better value, while the Samsung provides premium features.
The TCL QM8 performs better in bright rooms due to its higher peak brightness of 3,180 nits, compared to the Samsung S95D's 1,700 nits. However, the Samsung's anti-glare coating helps reduce reflections.
While not essential, OLED TVs like the Samsung S95D offer superior contrast and black levels that create a more cinematic experience. The TCL QM8 Mini-LED still provides excellent picture quality at a lower price point.
The Samsung S95D provides a more cinematic experience with perfect blacks and superior contrast, making it ideal for movie watching. The TCL QM8 still offers excellent picture quality but doesn't quite match OLED's contrast.
Both technologies work well for gaming, but the Samsung S95D OLED offers lower input lag and more gaming features. The TCL QM8 still provides good gaming performance with 144Hz support and VRR.
Both TVs should last many years, but Mini-LED technology in the TCL QM8 doesn't have any risk of burn-in. While rare with modern OLEDs like the Samsung S95D, burn-in remains a theoretical possibility.
No, the $998 TCL QM8 proves you can get excellent picture quality for under $1,000. The $2,295 Samsung S95D offers superior performance but the difference may not justify the price for many users.
The TCL QM8 has an advantage for sports viewing due to its higher brightness and good motion handling. The Samsung S95D also performs well but may not be as bright for daytime sports viewing.
Both TVs excel in a basement setting. The Samsung S95D has an advantage in dark rooms due to its perfect blacks, while the TCL QM8's higher brightness isn't as crucial in controlled lighting.
Both offer excellent HDR, but in different ways. The TCL QM8 provides brighter HDR highlights, while the Samsung S95D offers better contrast and color volume. Both will provide impressive HDR experiences.
Both the TCL QM8 and Samsung S95D are 2024 models with the latest technology improvements. There's no need to wait as both represent current generation performance in their respective categories.
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 - rtings.com - techradar.com - tcl.com - the-gadgeteer.com - nfm.com - ecoustics.com - careyscommunications.com - pcrichard.com - tcl.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
