The Samsung S95B made a splash when it debuted as Samsung‘s first foray into the world of QD-OLED TVs. With exceptional brightness, vibrant and accurate colors, and Samsung‘s renowned smart TV platform, it seemed the S95B would be hard to top. But the truth is, the premium TV space offers many stellar options that can give the S95B serious competition.
So if you‘re exploring alternatives to the Samsung S95B, you have great choices across multiple brands, display technologies, price points and feature sets. Let‘s compare how 6 of the best options stack up.
How I Selected the Best Samsung S95B Alternatives
Choosing the top alternatives to the S95B involved researching expert reviews and buyer experiences with today‘s premium TVs to identify models that:
- Deliver a comparable or better overall viewing experience
- Excel in one or more performance areas like visuals, sound and smart connectivity
- Provide great value given their pricing and positioning
- Earn strong recommendations from critics and users alike
I compared Samsung‘s offering to models featuring both OLED and QLED displays from LG and Sony to cover a range of high-end technologies. Picture quality is important but so are sound, gaming skills and smart platform usability.
So these picks showcase excellent alternatives covering a spectrum of buyer needs, preferences and budgets. Let‘s get into the details!
Best Overall Alternative: LG C2 OLED TV
Key Strengths: Stunning OLED visuals, future-ready gaming features, intuitive smart platform
The LG C2 earns the title of best overall Samsung S95B alternative thanks to its sublime OLED visuals, excellent gaming credentials and user-friendly webOS smart platform.
For picture quality, the LG C2‘s self-lit OLED pixels deliver perfect blacks and incredibly vibrant colors. Its α9 Gen5 AI Processor accurately optimizes on-screen content via machine learning algorithms.
Gaming is similarly outstanding on the LG C2 – it supports 4K gaming at 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). So gameplay feels instantaneously responsive. Two HDMI 2.1 ports allow connecting high-performance consoles and PCs.
webOS provides an intuitive and customizable smart TV experience with built-in support for popular voice assistants. Streaming services, apps and connected devices are all easily accessible.
So at a similar price point, the LG C2 either matches or beats the Samsung S95B across multiple usage scenarios. It‘s an easy pick for S95B shoppers wanting an alternative option.
Key Differences vs Samsung S95B:
- Brighter panel and wider viewing angles on the S95B
- Object tracking sound on Samsung vs virtual surround sound on the LG C2
- Tizen OS vs webOS smart platforms
Our Verdict: With generally better expert and user reviews for visual performance paired with excellent gaming skills and smarter connectivity, the LG C2 is the best head-to-head S95B alternative available today.
Best Picture Quality: Sony A95K QD-OLED TV
Key Strengths: Cutting-edge QD-OLED panel technology, Cognitive Processor XR, XR Triluminos Max colors
If outright picture quality is your main priority, then the Sony A95K with its quantum-dot OLED (QD-OLED) display is the closest match to the S95B‘s exceptional visual capabilities.
Powered by an advanced Cognitive Processor XR chip, the A95K leverages machine learning to analyze and optimize on-screen content to a degree matched by very few TVs.
The QD-OLED panel combines Samsung‘s own quantum-dot technology with OLED. This fusion helps reproduce colors more accurately than regular OLED panels alongside higher peak brightness levels.
So the Sony A95K achieves noticeably better color volume, luminance and viewing angles than LG‘s latest OLED TVs. Making it extremely close to Samsung‘s QD-OLED offering in real-world performance.
Key Differences vs Samsung S95B:
- Still can‘t match the S95B‘s peak brightness
- Acoustic surface audio vs object tracking sound
- Google TV smart platform
Our Verdict: With its exceptional QD-OLED panel and industry-leading image processing power matched by hardly any other television, the Sony A95K comes the closest to the S95B in outright picture quality today.
Best Price/Performance: Hisense U8H Mini-LED TV
Key Strengths: Impressive 4K visuals given the price bracket, future-ready gaming connectivity, Google smart platform
The Hisense U8H demonstrates that you don‘t need to spend multiple thousands to land a premium-tier TV that impresses on multiple fronts.
For a reasonable price, you get a quantum-dot powered 4K display capable of 1,500 nits peak brightness – higher than both LG‘s latest OLED TVs and Samsung‘s QN90B QLED option. Vivid colors and deep contrast provide plenty of HDR pop.
Gaming wise too, the U8H checks all the right boxes. You get HDMI 2.1 inputs with support for 4K 120fps, VRR and ALLM. Dolby Vision gaming at 4K 60fps ups the visual appeal.
Google TV provides a familiar smart platform that most streaming viewers will instantly adapt to. Support for Alexa and Google Assistant voice control makes operation easier.
Key Differences vs Samsung S95B:
- Can‘t match OLED-level blacks or viewing angles
- Mid-range sound quality
- Less advanced local dimming
Our Verdict: For shoppers who don‘t want to spend over $2,000 on a premium television, the U8H provides the most complete high-end viewing package and a true performance upgrade from the S95B.
Best Sound Quality: LG G2 Gallery OLED TV
Key Strengths: Custom-designed heat dissipation solution for brighter OLED visuals, AI-enhanced virtual surround sound, smart TV flexibility
LG‘s flagship G2 Gallery television really shows what‘s possible by pairing an ultra-bright OLED panel with serious sound engineering chops.
The G2 builds on the already impressive LG C2 with an advanced heat dissipation system dubbed the α (Alpha) Slim Design. This custom cooling approach allows higher sustained brightness versus regular OLED TVs without risk of burn-in.
On the audio side, the powerful α9 Gen5 AI Processor transforms stereo sound into a thumping virtual 7.1.2 surround experience. Dolby Atmos decoding further elevates immersion.
webOS smart features are similarly robust with personalized recommendations, built-in casting and extensive connectivity. With rich colors joining expansive contrast plus room-filling sound, the LG G2 is purpose-built for home cinephiles needing better audio than the S95B.
Key Differences vs Samsung S95B:
- Brighter panel with wider viewing angles on the Samsung S95B
- More advanced object tracking sound on the S95B
- Lacks the newer quantum-dot OLED technology
Our Verdict: The LG G2 offers the complete premium home theater experience – exceptionally vibrant OLED visuals elevated by impressive virtual surround sound. Making it the best option for buyers wanting ATMOS-capable audio missing on the S95B.
Best Smart TV Experience: Sony A80K Google TV OLED
Key Strengths: User-friendly Google TV platform, fast processors for smooth smart features, extensive voice assistant support
Smart connectivity is a key pillar of the premium viewer experience today. And the Sony A80K‘s implementation of the Google TV platform sets it apart in this realm even from the S95B‘s capable Tizen OS.
Google TV surfaces entertainment options you‘ll actually love thanks to intelligent, personalized recommendations. The onboard mic supports robust hands-free voice control via Google Assistant.
Sony‘s Cognitive Processor XR delivers plenty of power for instantaneous responses when using smart features and services. Switching between apps and inputs feels effortless as a result.
This smart speed extends to gaming too – there‘s HDMI 2.1 support for 4K 120fps and VRR plus exclusive Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode for PlayStation 5 players.
Key Differences vs Samsung S95B
- Brighter panel with better viewing angles on the Samsung S95B
- Object tracking sound gives Samsung the audio edge
- Lacks newer QD-OLED screen technology compared to the S95B
Our Verdict: With Google TV providing the smartest, most user-friendly smart TV experience today and plentiful power for lag-free navigation, the Sony A80K is the top alternative pick for buyers wanting best-in-class connected features.
Best Budget Samsung Competitor: Samsung QN90B Quantum-Dot TV
Key Strengths: Quantum-dot 4K visuals meet advanced Mini-LED local dimming plus gaming extras
For shoppers wanting Samsung‘s respected technology but without spending on the newer and pricier S95B, the QN90B 4K Neo QLED television makes an attractive case at about 60% the cost.
You get rich quantum-dot color, higher peak brightness than OLED and a VA panel with outstanding dark scene reproduction courtesy tightly controlled Mini-LED backlighting.
Gaming feels satisfyingly responsive thanks to AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support for 4K gaming at up to 144Hz. There‘s ultra-low input lag too for competitive online multiplayer and fast-paced titles.
The Tizen smart platform matches what the S95B offers including app diversity, ambient modes and support for multiple voice assistants.
Key Differences vs Samsung S95B:
- Can‘t precisely match QD-OLED viewing angles or per-pixel illumination control
- Brighter panel with better contrast on the S95B
- Lacks the S95B‘s sleek, ultra-minimalist design
Our Verdict: With excellent quantum-dot 4K visuals meets gaming extras in a more affordable Samsung package, the QN90B Neo QLED TV handsomely rewards S95B buyers with tighter budgets.
Final Verdict: LG‘s C2 is the Best Overall S95B Alternative
The LG C2 OLED TV emerges my pick for the best alternative to Samsung‘s S95B across critical categories of picture quality, sound, gaming and smart features.
It may not be as bright as Samsung‘s QD-OLED display but the LG C2 offers a comparable viewing experience – true blacks, vibrant HDR colors, excellent off-axis viewing and fast response for gaming.
More importantly, LG‘s acclaimed webOS platform caters to streaming viewers better with its highly intuitive navigation and ability to quickly personalize recommendations. Hands-free Google Assistant and Alexa voice control add convenience.
The LG C2 costs considerably lesser than the A95K too. Unless you absolutely need the brightest TV possible, the overall package here outclasses Samsung‘s offerings making this the smartest alternative choice for most shoppers.
What to Consider When Comparing Samsung S95B to Alternatives
Here are few pointers to factor in while comparing the S95B to other premium television options:
Display Technology – Samsung‘s shift to self-lit quantum-dot OLED panels is significant but how does it compare against LG‘s OLED evo screens or quantum-dot enhanced VA-type LCD displays in the real world?
Brightness – One of the S95B‘s marquee features. Does its claimed 1,000 to 1,500 nits peak brightness provide a visible boost over standard OLED or QLED panels in regular viewing?
Smart Platform – Tizen is capable but how does it compare to alternatives like webOS, Android TV or Google TV in ease of use, customization and access to services?
Gaming Abilities – With support for 4K 120Hz signals, VRR and ultra-low input lag, the S95B is built ready for next-gen gaming. But some alternatives match or exceed its capabilities.
Audio Quality – The S95B has okay sound but there are alternatives with dedicated audio innovations that bring cinema-like surround sound into the living room.
Price and Value – Premium TVs don‘t come cheap but alternatives like the Sony A95K cost almost twice as much. The experience versus price balance deserves careful evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How big a difference does the type of smart TV platform make?
A: The smart platform has a significant influence on the overall viewing experience – from how easy it is to discover new content to advanced capabilities like integrated voice assistants. Evaluating and comparing smart TV systems is important.
Q: Do any alternatives offer better gaming performance than the Samsung S95B?
A: The Sony A95K matches and even exceeds some of the Samsung S95B‘s already excellent gaming credentials like 4K 120fps and Variable Refresh Rate support. Others like the LG C2 are close competitors too.
Q: Is OLED technology better than Samsung‘s quantum-dot OLED televisions?
A: The S95B proves Samsung can make exceptional self-lit QD-OLED panels. But LG has similarly impressive, comparable OLED options. Going with a trusted brand if choosing core OLED tech still makes sense for many.
Q: Why are Mini-LED TVs like the Hisense U8H listed as premium Samsung alternatives?
A: Higher-end Mini-LED televisions with full-array local dimming provide precision backlight control that brings their picture quality extremely close to OLED. The best models make fantastic and more affordable alternatives.
Q: Do any rivals match the Samsung S95B in design aesthetics?
A: Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. However, LG‘s Gallery Edition G2 OLED TV presents buyers with an impressively slim, wall-hugging hardware design reminiscent of Samsung‘s striking approach.
Final Thoughts
The Samsung S95B QD-OLED smart TV brings exceptional brightness, lovely colors and next-gen gaming chops. But it also carries a premium price tag positioning it out of reach for many shoppers.
Thankfully, today‘s advanced TV space offers many stellar alternatives covering a wide spectrum of budgets and needs. Outstanding OLEDs from LG and Sony, high-performing Mini-LED models like the Hisense U8H and even Samsung‘s own QN90B Neo QLED television standout as options matching or beating the S95B in one or more usage categories.
Of these, the LG C2 strikes the best all-round product and value balance to emerge as the easy recommendation for most buyers needing a Samsung S95B alternative. With self-lit OLED pixels capable of delivering perfect contrast paired with AI-enhanced gaming, smarts and sound, it either equals or outperforms Samsung‘s offering at a fairer price.
Make no mistake, the S95B is an incredible television. But competition is strong. So shoppers have fantastic choice when seeking alternatives that best suit their exact needs and budgets. Hopefully, this guide brings you closer to picking the perfect premium television as your next dream screen!
