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Shoppers searching for their next television are met with a multitude of options. One factor that doesn’t receive enough consideration is how these TVs display their images.
Technologies like QLED, OLED, and LED make for difficult choices but are worth careful thought when considering your next purchase. The difference between the way these technologies work can mean quite a bit in terms of picture quality, color reproduction, and other massive factors for the display.
Samsung’s QN95C made quite the splash at CES 2023, and the manufacturer has been one of the pioneering forces in the industry for some time. How does the QLED QN95C stack against the venerable S95B? Both televisions are great choices, but which one is the top dog when it comes to your home viewing experience?
Let’s take a look at the tech, specs, and some other key factors before you make your next purchasing decision.
Samsung QN95C QLED vs. Samsung OLEDs: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Samsung QN95C | Samsung S95B | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 65 inches | 65 inches |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Low Latency Mode? | Yes | Yes |
| HDR | HDR10+, HLG | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| Audio Codecs | DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Atmos | DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Atmos |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, HDMI, Optical Audio out, USB, RS-232C, RF | Ethernet, HDMI, Optical Audio Out, USB, RF |
| Warranty? | N/A | 1-year parts and labor |
| Weight | 67.2 pounds | 57.3 pounds |
| Mount Support | VESA | VESA |
| MSRP | $3,299.99 | $1,999.99 |
- Over 8 million self-illuminating pixels with limitless contrast
- Neural quantum processor optimizes picture scene-by-scene
- Excellent detail and color for streaming
- Fantastic Dolby Atmos surround sound
Samsung QN95C QLED vs. Samsung OLEDs: What’s the Difference?
At first glance, these televisions bare a fair resemblance to each other given that they are from the same manufacturer. The display technologies differ greatly, but the overall user experience is quite similar. There are some key differences to make note of, especially given the disparity between the two display types. Let’s discuss them below.
Picture Quality
The QN95C is an iterative evolution of the technologies present in the previous QN95B. With this iteration comes some greater refinements to the actual display, in particular. Color reproduction on the QLED display is rock solid, displaying nearly perfect blacks, whites, and grays. The core display delivers a stunning picture, as one would expect from a modern Samsung television.
Further refinements in the image quality have seen an increase in the dimmer zones present on the QN95C, which have grown exponentially since the previous QN95B. The only real complaint that can be raised against the QN95C is the display isn’t quite as brilliant and bright as the previous model, but given the leaps taken in the image processing, it’s only a slight complaint.
By comparison, the S95B also has a stunning picture. The OLED display allows for a near-limitless contrast ratio, so color reproduction is quite solid. Black crushing isn’t ideal, especially given different films or changes in ambient lighting within the viewing area. Latency is likewise solid, but not quite as snappy as the 144Hz display of the QN95C. The S95B does display some stuttering with faster-moving media, unfortunately, thanks in part to how responsive it can be. Occasional stutters can be expected for demanding video games and intense sports matches.
Both of these televisions don’t have support for Dolby Vision, but given how sharp they look in HDR10+, it’s forgivable.
- Amazon Fire pre-installed
- Comes with the Art Mode feature for when you are not using the TV
- Features Dolby Atmos built-in
- Anti-Reflection technology for clear display
Audio Quality
The audio quality of both of these televisions is quite solid. It isn’t as superlative as an external soundbar or surround sound system, but for onboard speakers, they work very well. The QN95C does some extra magic behind the scenes to lend a little spatial simulation for media using Dolby Atmos. Well-mixed material immediately sounds more immersive, thanks to the speakers adorning not just the sides of the display but also the top.
The S95B renders sound in stereo and does so quite admirably. Harmonic distortion isn’t present, even at higher volumes. Bass response is a bit lacking, but the same can also be said of the QN95C. Samsung has made sure to package in good-quality speakers across both televisions, thankfully.
Audio support for DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Atmos is also present, and external sound systems can benefit greatly from this. Sound quality when utilizing an external sound source is almost identical, but the QN95C can deliver richer sound when coupled with a Samsung soundbar. This is thanks in part to the television utilizing not just the soundbar, but also the television speakers to render spatial audio for Dolby Atmos.
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User Experience
All modern televisions seem to have some degree of smart TV functionality these days, and this pair of Samsungs are no exception. Both the QN95C and the S95B both use Samsung’s exclusive Tizen OS. This operating system functions similarly to Google or Android TV but is Samsung’s own spin on things.
Tizen is easy to operate and the user experience is nearly identical between both televisions. Menus are quick to read, and the interface is responsive and well-designed like a modern smartphone’s operating system. There are a plethora of supported streaming platforms present, so viewers seeking their next hit of The Office or Breaking Bad won’t be left in a lurch.
Unfortunately, there are ads present, however. Samsung doesn’t allow you to opt out of advertising, but you can turn off personalization to just receive generic ads. This could be seen as a detriment, but given their prevalence on smart TV interfaces across a swath of manufacturers it is to be expected.
Build Quality
Both of these televisions are premium experiences when it comes to the actual build quality. The QN95C weighs a good bit more, and the screen’s actual depth is a good bit thicker. QLED displays don’t run quite as thin as other displays, but they more than makeup for it with their solid pictures.
The S95B is likewise a solidly constructed television. Users will note the actual thinness of the screen, which is common among OLED displays. The cause is due to the lack of a backlight, so it is thinner but also weighs a good deal less.
Both televisions utilize similar stands, with the typical mounts you’d expect. VESA mounts are supported across both televisions, allowing for a variety of mounting solutions to better suit your space. This is more ideal than a proprietary wall mount as you’d see on the Samsung Frame and overall allows for greater flexibility when designing your viewing area.
Samsung QN95C QLED vs. Samsung OLEDs: Must-Know Facts
Facts about QN95C
- The Samsung QN95C has a better display than the previous QN95B.
- The Samsung S95B is lighter than other Samsung TVs thanks to the OLED display
- The Samsung QN95C uses an LCD screen with LEDs as the projection method.
- The Samsung S95B supports HDR for Netflix and YouTube
- The Samsung QN95C can simulate spatial audio.
- The Samsung S95B has 1080p media upscale that is almost to perfection for 4K viewing.
- Over 8 million self-illuminating pixels with limitless contrast
- Neural quantum processor optimizes picture scene-by-scene
- Excellent detail and color for streaming
- Fantastic Dolby Atmos surround sound
Samsung QN95C QLED vs. Samsung OLEDs: Which One is Better?
The QN95C presents a lot of great things for your home entertainment purposes. Samsung’s latest is a superlative television, and could very well match up with the needs and demands of your viewing experience. It is a bit heavier, but the color reproduction is solid and the faster refresh rate makes for a responsive and snappy display when gaming or watching motion-heavy media.
The S95B is a better television for those concerned with budgets. Unlike some lower-cost alternatives, you aren’t being cheated on stellar picture quality by picking this excellent OLED television. Audio quality could, of course, have a little more bass response, and the stutter present in faster media is detrimental to the overall experience. That aside, it is a rock-solid television that should serve a household well for years to come.
If you want a future-proof display with stable performance, wait for the QN95C to hit shelves soon. If you want a stunningly brilliant display and don’t mind the occasional stutter, check out the S95B. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
