Samsung QN95C QLED vs. LG Z3: Which TV Is the Best?

As TVs continue to evolve, there are more options than ever regarding high-end TVs. Two of the most powerful high-end TVs today are the upcoming LG Z3, which should release sometime next year, and the Samsung QN95C QLED, which is available today.

These TVs are packed with cutting-edge features and technology, and both claim to offer viewers an unparalleled viewing experience. In this article, we will dive into what makes these TVs so powerful and delve into the details of each TV’s picture quality, sound, and features.

Whether you’re a cinephile, a gamer, or simply looking for a TV with the latest bells and whistles, we hope this article will help you decide which TV fits you.

Samsung QN95C QLED vs. LG Z3: Side-by-Side Comparison

Samsung QN95C QLED vs. LG Z3: What’s the Difference?

Between screen size, resolution, and software features, both of these TVs bring plenty of innovation to the table. The screen size and resolution are not the only factors to consider when thinking of a new TV. The picture quality itself is something of equal importance to keep in mind.

Color accuracy and vibrancy are primarily determined by the display panel technology. Both the Samsung QN95C and LG Z3 take an entirely different approach to their displays, with LG opting for OLED and Samsung using QLED.

Let’s dive into the different aspects of each one in a little more detail.

Screen size

Probably the most important factor for most buyers when it comes to TV is size. A larger TV gives you even more screen space to enjoy your favorite movies and shows, and filling an entire wall with a massive display adds a dramatic focal point to your living room or home theater.

The LG Z3 will only come as a massive 77-inch or 88-inch OLED screen. This size is ideal for creating a cinematic experience in their home. The Samsung QN95C QLED, on the other hand, offers a variety of screen size options ranging from 55 inches to 85 inches, allowing you to choose the perfect size for multiple-sized spaces. 

This is ideal if you want a high-end TV but don’t exactly have the amount of wall real estate required for a 77-inch TV. Thanks to Samsung’s use of Quantum Dot technology in the QN95C, the screen in any size is more than bright and colorfully vibrant enough for an exceptional experience when watching movies, TV shows, and playing video games. 

Resolution

The Z3 will be one of the few TVs on the market next year that boasts an 8K resolution, coming with a total of 7,680 x 4,320 pixels. This is four times the resolution that you’ll find within a typical 4K television.

The Samsung QN95C QLED, which comes with a 4k resolution, only boasts a total of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, by comparison. In terms of technicality, an 8K resolution can display four times as many pixels as a 4K resolution, making images appear more detailed and textured and bringing a lifelike video experience to the viewer. 

However, discussion around 8K as the future of video content has gone quiet recently. 8K content has yet to become mainstream, so most of the content you stream or watch via Blu-ray was shot, edited, and optimized to be viewed with a 4K resolution.

There will be 8K games in the near future; Sony and Microsoft have both announced they will feature software updates allowing the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 to output 8K resolution. But at the time of writing, there’s little to no content out there that requires an 8K screen in a home. 

On the other hand, the QN95C QLED features the more-standard 4K UHD resolution. At 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, it provides viewers with a highly detailed viewing experience — bright with vivid and accurate colors in a fast and responsive panel. This makes the QN95C the better TV for most people regarding resolution.

Picture quality

The Samsung QN95C QLED features exceptional picture quality that features the company’s own Neo Quantum Processor. This cool new tech uses AI to push the limits of standard 4K and delivers high-resolution upscaling of standard-definition (SD) or Full-HD (1080p) content to 4K.

Native 4K content looks excellent. There are incredibly inky blacks and a high contrast level boosted via Full Array Local dimming technology. There’s excellent HDR support, with support for HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. The color gamut is extensive, and colors shine with true-to-life accuracy.

The Z3 is an 8K OLED TV powered by the latest a9 AI Gen6 processor, which promises to deliver content upscaling and enhance visual quality thanks to dynamic tone mapping and fine-tuned image reproduction. For what little 8K content currently exists, the Z3 handles it expertly, with sharp, lifelike, detailed images.

The AI processing capabilities of the Z3 excite us the most about the picture quality. While 8K content may still be a ways off, the upscaling technology that LG has debuted performs excellently and allows for 4K or even SD content to be upscaled with a natural feel that delivers sharp images.

The refresh rate is satisfactory on both TVs, although nothing earth-shattering. The LG Z3 will offer a standard 100hz, while the Samsung is a touch higher, at 120. Gamers, in particular, will appreciate that the QN95C features a higher native refresh rate that can even increase further, up to an eye-pleasing 144 Hz.

Smart capabilities

In today’s day and age, it is hard NOT to find a smart TV. So it should be a given that both of these models have sufficient smart capabilities. The Z3 TV will come with the latest version of LG’s webOS Smart TV software, which brings about a further optimized webOS experience, an updated look, and new features to the operating system.

The software includes new advanced personalization tools that are powered by AI, allowing for individual profiles for each family member and customized content suggestions based on their viewing preferences, search history, and viewing history. Additionally, the software has an updated interface and home screen, providing an intuitive user experience.

Most notably, the new webOS software features an updated Quick Cards function. This neat little feature lets you categorize content and services into groupings, making navigating and quickly finding what you want easier. 

On the other hand, the Samsung QN95C QLED comes with the Samsung Tizen operating system. Tizen comes with the standard full-page home screen that features personalized recommendations, but you can personalize the Media section to include all of your must-have streaming apps and HDMI inputs in one place. In addition, Samsung’s SmartThings app simplifies setup while providing easy-to-access optional controls to optimize the TV further.

Audio Quality

TVs have never been focused on audio quality. In fact, most manufacturers fail to truly deliver an impressive audio experience out of the box. Even still, both of these TVs try their best. The speakers offer sufficient sound quality despite the physical limitations of being inside a thin TV.

LG has promised to bring us what could be the best-integrated speakers for the Z3, featuring a 9.1.2-channel surround sound. Additionally, suppose you connect a soundbar to the Z3 — which we recommend for any TV you buy. In that case, LG features the WOW Orchestra, which allows you to further pair and optimize a compatible LG soundbar to the Z3.

Samsung includes integrated speakers on the back and bass transducers of the QN95C QLED that features Samsung’s Object-Tracking Sound+, which creates a field of sound and provides a more immersive sound from the integrated speakers; however, if you want to use Q-Symphony, you will need a compatible Samsung soundbar, to deliver a fully immersive sound. 

Inputs and Connections

Having a good selection of ports to plug in your game consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices is just as important as any other factor. The good news is that both TVs have plenty of standard connectors to satisfy your media needs.

The QN95C QLED comes with four HDMI ports, all featuring a native 120 Hz refresh rate, with the third HDMI input being your eARC input for soundbar support. There are also two USB Type-A ports available and a LAN port for a wired connection to your network. 

The LG Z3 will feature four HDMI 2.1 inputs, all of which should support 4K at 120 Hz refresh rates and Dolby Vision. There’s also an additional USB port when compared with the QN95C, along with an additional HDMI input supporting eARC, allowing you to connect multiple devices and experience the audio benefits of eARC. 

Samsung QN95C QLED vs. LG Z3: 6 Must-Know Facts

1. The QN95C comes with the Samsung Solar Remote. This innovative remote control uses ambient light to maintain and extend battery life.
2. The QN95C features the Samsung Game Hub, allowing you to access NVIDIA GeForce NOW and other cloud gaming services. 
3. The QN95C is Samsung’s flagship TV announced at CES 2023, offering the newest features, latest TV hardware, and tech. 
4. The LG Z3 was set to release in 2023 but has been delayed until 2024.
5. The Z3 comes with the improved a9 Generation 6 processor, an improvement from the LG’s B3, which featured the a7 Generation 5 processor
6. The Z3 features the latest 8K resolution, while the QN95C still features the more popular 4K resolution.

Samsung QN95C QLED vs. LG Z3: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?

On paper, the Z3 is a much better TV than the QN95C thanks to the 4K resolution and larger format size. However, as an early adopter of 8K, the Z3 is a costly TV, and only a minimal amount of content takes advantage of the 8K resolution.

Additionally, lower-resolution content won’t look the best, although hopefully, we can get more information soon about the test results of the AI resolution feature. 

The QN95C deserves to be the flagship Samsung QLED TV. Its picture quality is superb, and it offers one of the brightest possible screens you can get today. Besides being super bright, the high number of dimming zones means that blacks are also inky and dark.

In addition, gaming is wonderful on the QN95C thanks to the high native refresh rate, and the included Samsung Game Hub provides a nice way to access some of the newest streaming tech from the likes of Amazon and NVIDIA. 

Updates on Samsung QN95C QLED

Samsung’s QN95C is widely regarded as a vast improvement on it’s predecessor, the QN95B. The QN95C has double the amount of dimming zones which produce an improved image quality. It also has better black colors which produce dark scenes that are of a sublime quality. The QN95C also has an improved Neural Quantum 4K processor which, along with the adaptive light technology and mini-LED lighting, can adjust the wavelength of the light in a dimming zone to allow it to blend it better. Overall, the numerous technological advances make this one of the top TVs on the market today.

Updates on LG Z3

Unlike its predecessor, the LG Z2, the LG’s new flagship 8K TV, the LG Z3 is reported to have OLED Evo designation in order to improve its brightness. However, it doesn’t feature MLA technology which experts suggest means that it will not be quite as bright as the new G3 model.

Looking Ahead

Samsung and LG both regularly improve and update their lineup of TVs and new released can be expected in 2024. Any new TVs will likely feature improved image quality, new smart features, and brighter colors. LG, in particular, is working on new OLED technologies, including self-lit pixels and transparent QLED panels