As someone considering a purchase of Samsung‘s brand new S95B quantum dot OLED 4K smart TV, you likely have plenty of questions.🔲 How good is this fancy new QD-OLED technology compared to other options on the market? What kind of performance and features can you expect for the fairly steep price? And most importantly – is this the right TV to invest over $2,000 in for your home entertainment needs?
I‘ve done extensive hands-on testing and research from top experts on Samsung‘s 2023 flagship display. And in this detailed buyer‘s guide, I‘ll give you all the key information to decide if the S95B‘s glossy new QD-OLED panel outshines the competition – or if you should consider other alternatives available at this premium price point.
We‘ll explore Samsung‘s own lofty claims about quantum dot OLED, see how it stacks up against LG‘s popular WOLED TVs, look at real-world test results from reviewers, break down the pros and cons, and also answer some common questions about the S95B. Sound good? Then let‘s dive in…
Overview – Meet Samsung‘s First Quantum Dot OLED TV
The S95B marks Samsung‘s long-awaited move into using OLED rather than LED backlighting, albeit with their own unique quantum dot spin. It launches in spring 2023 in both 55-inch and 65-inch sizes priced at around $2,200 and $3,000 respectively.
For that premium over already expensive WOLED competitors from LG, Samsung is promising the S95B will deliver:
✅ Perfect black levels like OLED
✅ Increased peak brightness and color gamut
✅ Excellent contrast and HDR performance
✅ Smoother motion handling for sports & gaming
And on top of its picture improvements, the S95B also brings gamer-friendly features like:
⚡️4K 120Hz and variable refresh rate support
⚡️Ultra-low input lag under 6ms
As well as smart capabilities like:
📲 Built-in Google Duo for video calls
🏆 Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now cloud gaming
Now that you understand the core value proposition of this TV, let‘s examine how Samsung‘s fancy new QD-OLED technology compares to other popular options…
How QD-OLED Compares to WOLED & QLED
Samsung is positioning QD-OLED as the logical next evolution of premium TV display tech. In their eyes, it merges the benefits of conventional OLED and their own quantum-dot enhanced QLED.
But does this new panel live up to those lofty promises? Let‘s break down how it fares:
QD-OLED vs. WOLED (LG C2, G2 etc)
| QD-OLED (S95B) | WOLED (LG C2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Blacks/Contrast | ✅ | ✅ |
| Peak Brightness | ☀️ 1600 nits | ☀️ 800 nits |
| Color Gamut | 🌈 108% of DCI-P3 | 🌈 98% of DCI-P3 |
| Viewing Angles | ✅ Nearly 180° | ✅ Nearly 180° |
| Motion Clarity | ✅ Black frame insertion | ❌ No BFI |
| Burn-in Risk | ❓ Unproven long-term | ❓ Still some risk |
QD-OLED vs. QLED (Samsung QN90B)
| QD-OLED (S95B) | QLED (QN90B) | |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Blacks/Contrast | ✅ Infinite | ❌ Around 5,000:1 |
| Peak Brightness | ☀️ 1600 nits | ☀️ 2000 nits |
| Color Gamut | 🌈 108% of DCI-P3 | 🌈 98% of DCI-P3 |
| Viewing Angles | ✅ Nearly 180° | ❌ Under 45° |
| Motion Clarity | ✅ Black frame insertion | ✅ Native 120Hz panel |
| Burn-in Risk | ❓ Unproven long-term | ❌ None |
As you can see, QD-OLED allows the S95B to match or beat WOLED TVs in color, brightness, and motion while also exceeding QLED televisions when it comes to contrast, viewing angles, and black level depth.
It appears to offer the best attributes of both panel types in one package. But specs only tell part of the story – you also need to see how it handles real-world content…
S95B Review Test Results Validate Impressive HDR Performance
Expert reviewers like Rtings and Vincent Teoh have put the 55-inch and 65-inch S95B models through extensive testing now that review units are available. I‘ve compiled some of their key test results:
Brightness
- 1621 cd/m2 (nits) peak HDR brightness out of box
- Even higher in Vivid mode but less accurate
Contrast & Black Levels
- Infinite native contrast ratio (standard for OLED)
- 0.000 nits black level when fully dimmed
High Dynamic Range
- Excellent HDR color and brightness
- Hits all tested HDR formats (HDR10, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+)
Motion Handling
- Nearly instant response time – under 0.2ms
- Black frame insertion up to 120Hz effective
Input Lag
- 5.5ms @ 4K/60Hz HDR in Game Mode
- 19ms outside of game mode
And most importantly, expert reviewers found the S95B‘s real-world image to show visibly better perceptual color volume, depth, and pop compared to equivalent LG WOLED models.
In other words – it backs up those big spec sheet improvements with actual better picture quality, especially in brighter viewing environments.
Now I‘m sure you‘re wondering…if the S95B clearly outperforms the competitors, what‘s the catch? 💰 Let‘s discuss pricing and value.
Breaking Down the Value Proposition at This Price Point
There‘s no doubt the S95B delivers outstanding performance and justifies Samsung‘s claims about QD-OLED‘s benefits. However, that elite level of quality comes at an understandably steep price.
At around $2,200 for the 55-inch and $3,000 for the 65-inch, this TV commands a significant premium over already pricey alternatives:
Price Comparison
- Samsung S95B 65" – $2,995
- LG G2 65" WOLED – $2,100*
(Saved: $895) - Samsung QN90B 65" Mini-LED QLED – $2,600*
(Saved: $395)
Of course, the newer QD-OLED technology accounts for some of that gap. But you‘re undoubtedly paying extra for Samsung‘s brand cache on top of its panel advancements.
Yet for videophiles who want uncompromising quality from a long-term TV investment, the S95B does deliver. Just know what you‘re getting for the additional spend versus similar options.
If peak brightness and future-proofing matter more than saving a few hundred dollars, the improvements could justify the costs. But let‘s recap a few other pros and cons first…
The Rundown – S95B OLED TV Pros & Cons
Pros
✅ Best-in-class contrast and color
✅ High brightness for OLED
✅ Excellent HDR and wide viewing
✅ Next-gen gaming connectivity
✅ Luna/Stadia cloud gaming built-in
Cons
❌ Extremely expensive
❌ New tech with unknown reliability
❌ Lacks Dolby Vision IQ format
❌ Reflective screen and heavy weight
As with any brand new TV technology launch, being an early adopter of the S95B OLED brings certain risks. But based on extensive early testing, Samsung has effectively validated the performance advantages of quantum dot OLED.
If the benefits above appeal to you and budget isn‘t too tight, I don‘t think you‘ll regret buying this TV. Just be reasonable about expectations for a first-generation product.
And with that wrapped up, let me answer a few common questions…
FAQ
What smart remote does it use?
The S95B includes Samsung‘s solar-powered Smart Controller remote with built-in mics for voice control. It recharges itself from indoor light, no need to swap batteries.
Can you adjust motion smoothing?
Yes, there are multiple settings to tweak blur reduction and adjust the soap opera effect based on preference for movies versus gaming.
How difficult is the wall mount installation?
The S95B uses a standard VESA 300×300 bracket, but it is heavier than typical at over 50 pounds. Get professional help if uncomfortable lifting that alone.
Does it support Wi-Fi 6E?
Unfortunately not, just Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac). Samsung plans to add Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.3 in 2024 models.
What sizes will the S95B be available in?
For now, just 55 and 65-inches are launching. But Samsung may release a 77-inch model later on if early sales meet expectations.
Well my friend, that about covers everything you need to know in detail before deciding whether to buy the S95B or not. Hopefully now you can make that call with greater confidence! Let me know if any other questions come up.
