The world of television technology moves fast. It seems like just yesterday 8K TVs were announced, and now in 2023 the talk of the town is about LG‘s new G3 OLED TV and Samsung‘s latest QD-OLED models.
These cutting-edge displays represent the pinnacle of picture quality you can currently get in a consumer TV. But with innovative new panel technologies and premium pricing coming into play, making a buying decision is far from straightforward.
To help shed some light, this extensive guide will compare LG‘s hottest new G3 against Samsung‘s latest QD-OLED offerings across over a dozen categories. Read on for a detailed breakdown of how they stack up.
Display Technology
LG‘s new G3 series uses the company‘s latest "OLED evo" panel, which pairs self-emissive OLED pixels with additional "deuterium" elements to boost brightness through stabilized decay. This evolution allows LG to extract up to 70% more brightness from the same power input compared to a standard OLED TV.
Samsung‘s QD-OLED panels take a different approach, combining blue OLED elements with quantum dot nanocrystals. This hybrid configuration allows for better color volume and brightness compared to standard OLED, reaching up to 1500 nits peak in some cases based on Samsung‘s claims.
So while both brands promise next-level performance compared to normal OLED televisions, LG leverages improvements in materials science while Samsung banks on quantum dot additions.
Picture Quality
Based on early reviews from credible sources like Rtings.com and CNET, both the LG G3 and Samsung S95C QD-OLED produce truly exceptional picture quality. They offer perfect inky blacks thanks to their OLED foundations paired with heightened brightness and expanded color compared to last year‘s models.
CNET calls the LG G3‘s picture "reference-quality" with impressive specular highlights. Rtings echoes this sentiment, praising its "perfect blacks and outstanding peak brightness."
Meanwhile, the Samsung S95C earns similar acclaim, with Tech Radar calling it "the most colorful TV ever tested" and Android Authority deeming it "scarily accurate" after calibration.
So when it comes to real-world image performance, both brands stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the top with superb contrast, color, motion handling, and viewing angles.
HDR Performance
With high dynamic range content becoming more prevalent from streaming services and Ultra HD Blu-rays, it‘s important for flagship televisions to excel at HDR.
Thankfully both the LG G3 and Samsung QD-OLED models support leading standards like HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. They can hit 1000+ nits of peak brightness for specular highlights and display rich, vibrant colors with 10 or 12 bit depth.
Rtings measures the 55-inch LG G3 as reaching 950 nits full-screen brightness and 1620 nits peak, earning a 9.7/10 score for HDR brightness. Samsung does even better, with the S95C rated at 1118 nits full-screen and 1544 nits peak brightness for a perfect 10/10 in this testing category.
So when it comes to leveraging the expanded color and contrast of HDR content, Samsung may have a slight edge but both TVs do the technology justice.
Gaming Performance
Gaming has become a massive focus for television manufacturers in recent years. With features like 4K 120fps, VRR, and ultra-low input lag becoming standard, big TVs now rival dedicated gaming monitors.
The LG G3 continues the company‘s gaming pedigree, supporting 4K 120Hz signals, Nvidia G-Sync and AMD Freesync Premium VRR, and dedicated Game Optimizer software. Input lag measures an extremely responsive 5.5 ms, ensuring tight control response for competitive titles.
Samsung matches this gaming prowess across the board in the QD-OLED camp. The S95C likewise supports 4K 120 fps, VRR standards, and has a best-in-class input lag of just 3.5 ms as tested by Rtings. Additional gaming features like auto low latency mode switching and GameBar 3.0 software provide extra functionality tailored for players.
With quick response times and integration of all major gaming-centric features, both the LG G3 and Samsung S95C should satisfy next-gen console and PC gamers. Samsung pulls ahead slightly on input lag, but differences will be hard to perceive.
Sound Quality
With panel technology advancing rapidly, sound systems in slim TVs often get overlooked. But LG and Samsung have made audio a priority in their flagship series.
The G3 improves on the previous LG G series by bumping up to a 60 watt 4.2 channel system with Dolby Atmos decoding. Early reviews praise its clarity and spatial projection as a cut above basic TV speakers. It offers decent bass response despite lacking an integrated subwoofer.
Alternatively, Samsung‘s QD-OLED debut includes an impressive 70 watt 4.2.2 channel audio array complete with built-in subwoofers and object tracking sound. As Samsung‘s most advanced TV speaker system yet, it supports rich Dolby Atmos performance and even vertical stereo projection.
While those with dedicated surround sound systems likely won‘t use the integrated TV audio, Samsung‘s setup should satisfy more users straight out of the box. But LG‘s no slouch here either.
Smart Platform & Features
A television‘s smart platform enables key functionality like app support, content aggregation, and voice controls. This software environment often augments picture quality as a differentiating factor.
The LG G3 runs the company‘s proprietary webOS platform. Now in its 6.0 iteration, it provides access to popular streaming services and LG‘s acclaimed Magic Remote capabilities. webOS remains one of the most user-friendly and intuitive smart TV systems according to reviewers.
Samsung deploys its Tizen OS on all of its smart models going back many generations. Also well-regarded for its polish and app support, Tizen offers similar abilities to LG‘s webOS but with wider third party integration. Unique additions like Samsung Gaming Hub cloud streaming sweeten the package.
It‘s hard to declare one platform decisively better since both webOS and Tizen achieve excellent usability. But Tizen‘s more open ecosystem lends it an advantage.
Design & Build Quality
With such large display surfaces dominating rooms when installed, aesthetic design deserves attention alongside technical prowess.
The LG G3 introduced a new "Zero Gap Wall Mount" intended specifically for this TV. The panel intelligently adjusts positioning when installed flush to the wall for a floating, artistic appearance. This builds on the previous Gallery series design ethos focused on form factor.
Samsung‘s QD-OLED models like the S95C have an attractive minimal bezel on a composite metal stand. A centralized, retractable "One Connect Box" hosts input ports to reduce clutter at the panel. While not quite as unique as LG‘s specialized mounting, Samsung crafts a premium high-tech design.
As largely subjective preferences, style considerations come down to personal taste. But LG likely innovates more on radical form here while Samsung focuses on refined evolution.
Price & Sizes
Demanding best-in-class performance requires paying a premium price, unfortunately. As flagship television lines, neither of these models aim for budget-conscious shoppers.
LG‘s G3 OLED is available in 55, 65, 77, and new gargantuan 97-inch variants. Entry pricing for the 55-inch starts at $1,996 while the range-topping 97-incher commands an eye-watering $12,996 MSRP. In between, the 65-inch retails around $3,000 and 77-inch near $5,500.
Across Samsung‘s QD-OLED lineup including the S95C reviewed here plus S90C and S90B tiers, sizing runs from 55 to 77 inches. The entry 55-inch S90B model starts at $1,997 while the 65-inch S95C reviewed here runs $3,499, and the 77-inch S95C costs $5,999. Samsung currently lacks an ultra-large model like LG‘s 97-inch G3.
In other words, expect to pay somewhere between $2,000 to $6,000 for one these cutting edge TVs. Generally Samsung charges a slight premium over LG equivalents as tested by CNET. But frequent sales could sway the equation.
Verdict: LG G3 vs Samsung QD-OLED
Evaluating flagship televisions like LG‘s new G3 OLED versus Samsung‘s latest QD-OLED models makes for a very close call. Both achieve superb picture quality with perfect contrast backed by enhanced brightness and expanded color over standard OLED. Differences in areas like operational smarts, sound, design, and price point remain razor thin.
If picking an absolute winner, Samsung‘s QD-OLED technology enjoys a minute advantage. Benchmark testing shows slightly better color accuracy, superior peak brightness, and a gaming edge thanks to incredibly low input lag. Combined with integrated subwoofers for audio and a refined Tizen smart platform, these minor cumulative gains earn the Samsung S95C the victory by the narrowest of margins.
Yet that should not undermine LG‘s stellar accomplishment bringing OLED evo performance levels to a consumer-friendly price point. As CNET concluded in their review, ultimately you can‘t go wrong choosing between these industry-leading TVs. Personal preferences around branding, budget, and use cases may rightly swing any buyer toward either of these magnificent televisions.
