With OLED-panel televisions taking over the TV market, choosing the perfect TV has become more complicated than ever before. Dozens of different OLEDs are available, with new releases every other week, each with unique features and benefits. This wide range of options can leave you a little overwhelmed.
To make an informed decision on which TV to buy, it’s essential to understand the unique features that set the best TVs apart from each other. So, today’s article will focus on two top-tier TVs that are currently available: The S95C QD-OLED by Samsung and the B2 OLED by LG.
Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs. LG B2 OLED: Side by Side Comparison
| Specs | Samsung S95C QD-OLED | LG B2 OLED |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size: | 55-77” | 55-77” |
| Panel Type: | Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) | Self-Lighting OLED |
| Resolution: | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| HDR Support | HDR 10+, HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
| Contrast Ratio | Near-Infinite | Near-Infinite |
| Colors | 10-Bit (10.7 Billion Colors) | 10-Bit (10.7 Billion Colors) |
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz | 120 Hz |
- Neural Quantum Processor 4K can effectively manage color and contrast
- 1374 nits of peak brightness ideal for darker rooms
- HDR 10, HDR 10+, and HLG
- Offers smart features for gamers like GameBar 3.0, Minimap Sharing 3, and Virtual Aim Point
Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs. LG B2 OLED: What’s the Difference?
Both TVs are pretty similar from a quick glance. Let’s take a look at their individual aspects to figure out how they really compare.
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Display Technology
Samsung’s S95C QD-OLED is available in multiple sizes, starting from 55” and up to 77” for the largest. Similarly, LG’s B2 offers various sizes, with the maximum size being 77”. Your seating distance plays a significant role in determining the optimal screen size for your needs. For instance, if you find yourself seven feet away from your TV most of the time, 55” TVs would be the best fit. However, for TV sizes exceeding 65”, a viewing distance of nine to eleven feet is recommended for the ultimate viewing experience.
Both the S95C QD-OLED and the B2 OLED offer the same range of screen sizes. Therefore, determining which one is better for your specific requirements depends on other factors, such as brightness and particular features, which we will delve into shortly.
Gaming Performance
One of the S95C QD-OLED’s more exciting features is its practical gaming monitor usability. The S95C supports a 144 Hz refresh rate when connected to a computer, which is great news for PC gamers looking for a large, bright, and vibrant screen that provides a liquid smooth gaming experience. In addition to a 144 Hz refresh rate, the S95C also features AMDs FreeSync technology, which pairs an AMD FreeSync compatible GPUs frame rate to the refresh rate of the TV, helping to improve smoothness and stable frames further when gaming.
The B2 features support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which ensures that you are able to play your favorite games with a steady framerate by synchronizing the frame rate of the TV to that of your graphics card. In addition to VRR, the B2 comes with a native refresh rate of 120 Hz and also features FreeSync Premium from AMD and NVIDIA’s G-Sync, which helps to reduce screen tearing or visual artifacts when gaming.
The higher refresh rate of the S95C QD-OLED beat out the B2 when it came to our head-to-head comparison. We also wanted to note that the B2 only features one eARC HDMI port, which means that you cannot plug in a console and a soundbar or multiple consoles simultaneously without sacrificing frame rates. We preferred the higher refresh rate that comes with the S95C QD-OLED and the specialized features that Samsung has included with this TV over the B2 OLED.
Picture quality
The S95C employs a quantum dot (QLED) OLED panel, while the B2 uses the more prevalent W-OLED panel backlight. QD-OLED displays utilize a blue OLED layer as their backlight, and when the OLED back layer of the panel lights up, the light passes through another layer of quantum dot filters, producing reds and greens to create an RGB picture.
In contrast, for traditional OLED panels, the backlighting comes from a white backlight that passes through multiple red, green, and blue filters to create those colors. This means that some of the backlighting is lost as it passes through the color filters on the traditional OLED panels that LG uses.
While the B2 excels in darker rooms thanks to its OLED panel boosting the vibrancy of colors and providing for inky blacks, it cannot achieve the same brightness as the quantum dot technology found in the S95C. Consequently, HDR content on the B2 struggles compared to the S95C due to its lower HDR brightness.
On the other hand, the S95C is better suited for brightly lit rooms, with its quantum dot backlight providing more than enough brightness to handle glare in even the brightest settings. The S95Cs panel maintains color accuracy and vibrancy even in brighter environments without experiencing color degradation or washing out, yet it is still good in darker rooms, too, like your home theater.
Smart capabilities
Smart TVs are everywhere in today’s market, but it’s important to understand that not all are alike. For instance, Samsung’s line of TVs comes with Samsung’s own Tizen operating system, including the S95C, whereas LG uses its operating system, WebOS. While both offer you plenty of choices for streaming services, optimization options for movies, gaming, and streaming audio, let’s explore the unique features that set Tizen and WebOS apart from each other.
Samsung’s Tizen platform offers an easy-to-use interface featuring a row of icons for accessing applications such as popular streaming platforms and a suite of Samsung-specific apps. It also supports voice commands through Samsung Bixby and other voice assistants.
On the other hand, WebOS was first designed for LG’s smartphones but has been integrated and re-designed for LG’s line of smart TVs in the years since its initial development. WebOS utilizes an interface that is card-based, and as a result, it features a responsive interface that enables users to flip between apps quickly and easily. In addition, the design of WebOS is optimized so that applications boot and load rapidly, much quicker than they would on Tizen-based TVs, giving LG an advantage here in efficiency.
Audio quality
Both Samsung’s S95C and the LG B2 come equipped with their own set of built-in speakers. But internal TV speakers have a reputation for not delivering the best audio quality, and this stands largely true with the S95C and B2. Therefore, it’s recommended to invest in a soundbar or other audio system—regardless of which TV you purchase—for a better listening experience.
The B2’s audio quality isn’t amazing, and this is largely due to its thin build. While dialog in movies isn’t impossible to hear, it is pretty muffled. LG also attempts to boost the quality of the integrated audio with a feature called AI Sound Pro, which attempts to recreate a Dolby surround sound experience. However, the speakers don’t deliver enough power without a soundbar, and the AI Sound Pro creates an unwanted tinny echo.
The S95C is okay. The sound quality is middling. Dialogue is clear, but it doesn’t get very loud and is muffled much the same as the B2. The lack of bass or any kind of thump from the speakers is especially noticeable when watching movies. All this being said, both TVs have passable audio, but you should probably look into a separate sound system if you consider yourself a true audiophile.
Connections and Inputs
Samsung has uniquely handled the inputs and outputs on the S95C, as you won’t find any inputs or outputs on the TV’s back panel. Instead, you will find the inputs and outputs on Samsung’s Slim One Connect Box, a standalone receiver that connects all your media devices to the S95C. The Slim One Connect box features four HDMI 2.1 ports, with the third HDMI port being your eARC connection for any HDMI-powered audio systems you might use.
Inspecting the B2, you’ll notice four HDMI 2.0 ports, with the third and fourth HDMI ports providing compatibility with HDMI 2.1. In addition, the B2 includes two USB Type-A ports, one less than the S95C’s three USB Type-A ports. These ports allow you to connect media drives and additional USB devices directly to the TV. While there is built-in Wi-Fi to the B2, we always prefer a wired network connection. Therefore, we would recommend taking advantage of the Ethernet port for built-in streaming services. Lastly, LG has provided a digital audio port that can be used to connect a soundbar or other audio system to the B2, providing a better audio experience over the B2’s built-in speakers.
- 8 million self-lit OLED pixels for vivid viewing experience
- Advance α7 Gen5 AI Processor 4K algorithmically adapts and adjusts picture and sound quality
- 120Hz refresh rate for fast-paced games
- LG Game Optimizer mode with NVIDIA G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs. LG B2 OLED: Must-Know Facts
- S95C is a 4K Ultra HD TV that combines Quantum Dot and OLED technology.
- LG B2’s OLED panel provides a nearly infinite contrast ratio.
- The S95C’s quantum dot filters produce red and green colors, while the blue color comes from the OLED back layer.
- S95C has a premium remote control that supports voice commands and features built-in solar charging.
- B2 OLED has an OLED self-lighting pixel system that can precisely control brightness and contrast.
- S95C has a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, making it capable of displaying cinematic HDR content with bright highlights and true-to-life colors.
Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs. LG B2 OLED: Which One Is Better? Which Is Better For You?
S95C QD-OLED and LG B2 OLED are top-tier 4K TVs equipped with advanced features and cutting-edge technology but differ in some ways. Samsung S95C QD utilizes Quantum Dot technology and Full Array Local Dimming to enhance brightness and contrast in picture quality. At the same time, the B2 relies on a traditional OLED panel to produce rich colors and deep blacks in content.
If a bright picture is your highest priority, especially in well-lit rooms, the S95C QD-OLED would be your best option. Additionally, gamers may prefer this TV due to its high refresh rates enabled by VRR technology and Samsung’s suite of features that cater to gamers. On the other hand, the B2 offers a cinematic home theater experience with its exceptional color reproduction and inky blacks, making it an obvious choice for home theater enthusiasts.
Samsung and LG OLED in the News
LG’s OLED television has been making headlines since it hit the shelves and was even named the best TV of 2023 by big name publications like PCMag, CNET, and TechRadar. LG also debuted a new Wow Orchestra feature in 2023 that combines the sound from the TV speakers with a soundbar, for a more immersive sound experience.
Samsung’s QD-OLED television has been praised by critics for it’s innovative new features, picture quality, and overall performance. As of 2023, you can purchase the Samsung S95C QD-OLED in three different sizes, including 55, 65, and 75 inches.
Looking Forward
Looking forward to the next six to 18 months in OLED technology, LG has announced a new series of OLED TVs for 2023, that include a variety of sizes from 43 – 75 inches with new features, 4K resolution, and HDR support. Meanwhile, Samsung continues to push their new line of OLED televisions to the consumer and has received popular reviews from the public.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Eric Broder Van Dyke/Shutterstock.com.
