If you‘ve browsed big TV purchases recently, you‘ve likely asked yourself this question – should you go with LG‘s acclaimed OLED models or take a chance on Samsung‘s futuristic-sounding QD-OLED newly arrived on the scene? As someone obsessed with finding the clearest 4K picture and smoothest gaming for my next-gen console, I needed to dig deeper into the key pros and cons to make the best choice.
Demystifying Samsung‘s Quantum Dot-OLED Invasion
Before jumping into nitty-gritty comparisons, what exactly is QD-OLED compared to traditional OLED anyway? Essentially, Samsung has augmented OLED‘s tried-and-true ability to switch individual pixels on and off for perfect black levels and infinite contrast. By integrating a quantum dot layer into each pixel, they‘ve boosted control over color performance and brightness levels beyond what standard OLED alone can achieve.
Quantum dots act almost like nano-scale pigments producing super accurate red, green and blue light when stimulated. This lets QD-OLED sets like Samsung‘s top-tier S95C series reach up to 2000 nits peak brightness – around 20% higher than LG‘s brightest 2023 OLED models. Testing also shows quantum dot filtration enables over 100% coverage of the wide DCI-P3 color gamut used across lots of cinema and HDR content. Ultimately this combination unlocks superior HDR with searing highlights plus a wider range of ultra-realistic colors for amazing realism.
While LG‘s OLED evo TVs utilize customized new "deuterium" elements to increase brightness too, Samsung‘s QD-OLED tech indicates even more potential to transform the viewing experience as it further develops. But LG is no slouch here either continually refining their panel designs and processing algorithms to squeeze out better and better picture. So let‘s examine how they stack up across some key areas of performance.
Brightness Blowout: Samsung QD-OLED Illuminates the Way
Peak brightness signifies how intensely white elements and glinting highlights can surge to sell the spectacular sparkle of HDR content. Here Samsung‘s quantum-dotted concoction sends luminance levels soaring higher for enhanced real-world detail across sunny skies, metallic surfaces and flashing lasers.
| Model | Peak Brightness (nits) |
|---|---|
| Samsung S95C 65" QD-OLED | Over 2000 nits |
| LG G3 65" OLED evo Gallery | Up to 1750 nits |
Lab measurements confirm Samsung‘s 2023 QD-OLED sets can sustain up to 2000 nits or more when displaying small bright zones whereas LG‘s finest OLED manages just under 1750 nits presently. This 15% surge makes HDR content really shine keeping visible clarity even if you‘re watching sports in a sun-drenched living room. Augmented brightness also adds punch to FX-laden cinematic destruction delivering explosions with eye-searing intensity. Ultimately Samsung is leading the industry‘s charge towards display‘s next quantum leap.
Contrast Showdown: Infinite Black Levels Across Both
Of course contrast remains king when judging picture prowess too – how effectively screens balance intensely bright and dark areas simultaneously across scenes. Here both Samsung and LG‘s 2023 TVs stand toe-to-toe leveraging OLED‘s independent pixel illumination super power. Unlike LCD/LED panels requiring constant backlight glow across zones, OLED can toggle individual pixels on and off completely. This means near infinite contrast ratios are achievable for gorgeously inky, light-devouring black levels beside powerfully peaky bright zones.
So whether you‘re streaming Shadow and Bone witnessing oily umbra living shadows devour hapless soldiers – or viewing Stranger Things portal monsters darting from shrouded basements into sunlight, OLEDs deliver the full high dynamic range impact. Near total blackness immerses you in dark scenes letting subtle highlights gleam even brighter by comparison. Then fiery effects instantly erupt with luminance levels able to meet/exceed real-world intensities. Both Samsung‘s QD-OLED and LG‘s OLED evo handle these light-dark transitions flawlessly for jaw-dropping contrast – though Samsung‘s extra luminance muscle gives it the theoretical edge.
Quantum Leap: Samsung‘s Visions from Vibrant Expanded Gamut
Looking past eye-popping brightness peaks though, color quality across the full spectrum is equally crucial for authenticity. Here too Samsung seems to have a visible lead over LG models even among their latest 2023 releases with expanded "OLED EX" ranges.
Portrait Display‘s calibration software testing indicates Samsung QD-OLED TVs like the S95C achieve approximately 107% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut used widely across cinema transfers and streaming HDR content. Comparatively, LG‘s acclaimed C2 OLED model measured roughly 98.5% DCI-P3 coverage putting Samsung at around 8% wider color reproduction capabilities.
Likewise DisplayMate‘s color accuracy analysis concluded the S95C delivers the highest color precision and volume they‘ve measured raising the bar over OLED rivals. Even if some tweaking is required out of the box, optimized Samsung QD-OLED sets clearly offer visibly expanded, life-like color variety versus any competitor. Vivid reds, emerald greens and cobalt blues should seem almost hyper-real and intensely saturated watching the best sources.
While LG has absolutely advanced OLED color performance too, Samsung‘s uniquely customizable quantum dot layer allows unmatched control point-by-point across the pixel array. This nanoscopic filtration and light origination power gives QD-OLED panels a detectable visible edge over standard OLED, making hues look subjectively more true-to-life with finely-tuned renders of every shade.
Wide Viewing: No Off-Axis OLED Compromises
Unlike conventional LCD TVs using a separate backlight layer prone to issues off-center, OLED viewing remains outstanding even from exaggerated side angles. Because each self-illuminating pixel generates its own colors and contrast without relying on sharing a global backlight system, OLED allows impressive off-axis image consistency. This means even extreme seating spots to the far left, right, above or below center will exhibit excellent tonal accuracy without drastic shifts as commonly afflicts LCDs.
Both Samsung and LG‘s newest TVs include dedicated anti-glare, anti-reflection layers combined with matte finishes that diffuse stray lighting. This better maintains on-screen focus limiting perceived haze or mirror-like reflectance in average lit environments. It also helps colors stay more consistent regardless of viewing orientation. Paired with flicker elimination and local dimming assisting deeper blacks, everything combines to keep you immersed in the content not surface distractions.
AI-Assisted Upscaling: Samsung‘s Neural Networks vs LG Deep Learning
Looking beneath the physical panel layers, both manufacturers include dedicated upscaling silicon enabling lower-quality HD/FHD streams to near-seamlessly integrate into the flagship 4K screen real estate. Samsung‘s updated Neural Quantum Processor 4K deploys machine learning capabilities leveraging 20 independent neural networks running simultaneously. This enables dynamic calibration modifying color, contrast, textures and more independently by zone according to on-screen content in real time. Resultantly, streaming video looks cleaner and streaming sport movement plays smoother with less perceived artifacts.
Similarly, LG‘s newest Alpha 9 Gen 6 AI Processor actively analyzes incoming media applying detail and dynamic tone enhancements selectively per scene. Deep learning powered algorithms build intelligent logic modeling then tweak clarity, smooth gradations and sharpen edges where needed. Both chipsets aim to get viewers closer to perceiving native 4K quality regardless of input media quality. In settings comparisons, Samsung‘s machine learning networks appear better able to reveal hidden textural complexities in things like hair, foliage and fabric patterns based on samples analyzed however.
Gaming Greatness: Samsung‘s Blazing Fast Response
For gamers, quick reflexes separating victory from defeat are partially dictated by display lag – how rapidly on-screen response reacts to input controls. Here Samsung‘s QD-OLED panels score phenomenally with sub 1 ms grey-to-grey response capable of keeping up with the fastest gameplay commonly demanding up to 120 fps. Thanks to OLED‘s quick pixel transition speeds, the S95C measured just 0.1 ms signal response delivering buttery smooth motion flow for headshots in Call of Duty and drift powerslides in Forza Horizon. This ensures even dark transitions appear seamless without detectable smearing or ghosting trailing effects.
LG‘s latest OLEDs aren‘t slackers though also measuring around 0.03 ms signal response meeting Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certifications for fluidity. But the S95C does claim a 144 Hz maximum refresh rate at 4K resolution versus LG‘s 120 Hz ceiling presently. This allows films and gaming an extra performance kick when sourcing content mastered over 60 fps. For competitive online warriors, those marginal differences help Samsung‘s sets feel more instantly reactive making it easier pulling off split-second moves and dodging attacks.
Connected Living: Tizen vs webOS Smart Platforms
As today‘s TVs become multimedia hubs centralizing entertainment while also controlling smart homes, their interface plays an instrumental role. Both Tizen OS onboard Samsung sets and the webOS platform deployed by LG handle core duties like streaming aggregation and voice commands admirably. LG‘s webOS feels a bit snappier swiftly flipping between apps without delay even when loading lots simultaneously. WebOS also supports more niche streaming channels absent on Tizen currently allowing increased niche content access.
Counterbalancing, Samsung‘s Tizen empowers effortless source reorganization to preference allowing preferred consoles or media players to take top billing on the home screen. Quick app switching and screen splitting also help Tizen multitask conveniently letting sports and YouTube divide attention. Either ecosystem meets most buyers‘ smart needs but webOS holds the slight edge for broader app variety and intuitiveness even if Tizen matches functionality across the most popular services.
Sound Showdown: Object Tracking vs AI-Enhanced Upmixing
Audio immersion is crucial for decisively besting visual awe and here both TV giants integrate capable sonic hardware. Baseline we‘re looking at 40+ watt sound systems with discrete channel speakers including dedicated height and side-firing drivers. This allows Dolby Atmos object-based audio mixing to steer localized effects around independent of base channel beds. So crackling fireplace pops and whisping apparitions seem to emanate precisely across horizontal and vertical axis naturally matching the action.
But Samsung further augments physical speaker setups with smart software called Object Tracking Sound+. Special processing analyzes incoming Atmos effects then apportions appropriate audio level distribution across available integrated drivers. So things like helicopters thumping overhead or cars screeching past are accurately mixed louder into top speakers while dialogue stays locked from the screen center. This helps the S95C perform almost like a basic integrated soundbar without requiring additional components.
By distinction, LG enables easy consumer expansion into legit home theater arrays thanks to WiSA compatibility. This allows pairing wireless surround speaker packages to the TV sans cables transforming any room into an immersive cinema. While Samsung supports WiSA too, LG‘s bigger driver cutouts and coaxial builds offer enhanced headroom noticeably upgrading scale and sonic fidelity for larger setups. But for most buyers wanting convenience without complexity, the S95C‘s object tracking sells a surprisingly capable built-in acoustic experience.
Streamlined Styling: Minimal Bezel, Maximum Immersion
Physical format plays a role in both brands‘ appeal too for those wanting displays fitting nicely into existing décor. Here LG draws eyes with their ultra-thin Gallery Series including edge-to-edge screens that mount completely flat against the wall like framed artworks. This extreme minimalism drops TV footprint disappearing into the background literally when not in use. Samsung‘s QD-OLEDs can‘t quite achieve that as dramatically but still serve up impressively slender bezels with a streamlined rectangular rear casing.
The S95C‘s new slim stand variant also cuts down mass while providing cable management to tidy wire routing. While neither dominates design per se, LG certainly seems more committed to austerity almost eliminating framework altogether. But Samsung counterbalances with less radical style still getting out of the way to spotlight stellar imaging yet giving flexible placement. Ultimately both let immersion shine but LG‘s wow-factor Gallery edgelessness seduces strictly wanting a floating picture.
Verdict: Two TV Titans Deliver Dazzling Dynamism
Evaluating Samsung‘s flashy freshman QD-OLED TV debut against LG‘s bachelor veterans indicates an ultra-tight clash between two industry heavyweights. Considering picture quality, gaming responsiveness and even audio, Samsung‘s adoption of quantum dot technology to augment existing OLED backbones helps new S95C sets pull ahead of LG in areas like brightness, color range, sharpness and motion resolution. This comes thanks to the cyan/red/green quantum filtration enabling individual pixel-level color control plus the instant transition responsiveness of OLED itself. As LG continues iterating on existing OLED materials to coax out improved performance combined with elegant physical formats, Samsung‘s injection of QD-OLED hints at transforming the premium TV space in short order.
There‘s no definitive winner suitable for all scenarios either however. Cinema purists and especially dark-room home theater builders may still prefer LG for the inky blacks and impressive Dolby Vision format support. But gamers wanting the fastest twitch reactions give Samsung‘s QD-OLED models a narrow but noticeable advantage today. Likewise, brightly-lit viewing spaces benefit from that quantum-enabled luminance lift revealed in Samsung S95C context. Still, LG‘s continual OLED improvements across contrast, clarity and smart integration ensure both brands are pushing display innovation further year-after-year.
So rather than case closed lock-in, savvy shoppers should examine pricing plus personal priorities to pick the best high-def hero. LG‘s OLED roll-out across wider model ranges parleys their black level brilliance into fairly affordable offerings like the A3 ready for modest budgets. But flagship seekers with cash to splash may witness QD-OLED‘s reality-defying feats satiating their inner AV perfectionist. Ultimately you can‘t go wrong though rewarding yourself with either option as next-generation TV tech continues ascending ever upwards. Both score huge in overall enjoyability making the future binge-able indeed!
