- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- Contrast and black detail
- HDR effect quality
- Factory color reproduction
- Color reproduction after calibration
- Smoothness of tonal transitions
- Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
- Blur and motion smoothness
- Console compatibility and gaming features
- Input lag
- Compatibility with PC
- Viewing angles
- TV efficiency during daytime
- TV features
- Playing files from USB
- Apps
- Sound
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Panel technology: QD-OLED Brand: SAMSUNG Resolution: 3840x2160 Operating system: Tizen Model year: 2024
Our verdict
8.4
Overall rating
The Samsung S95D stands out as a top choice in Samsung’s 2024 lineup, featuring an innovative matte display that minimises reflections and performs impressively in both low-light and daylight conditions. This model is among the brightest in the OLED segment, offering exceptional visibility in any room. With excellent motion fluidity, it handles fast-paced content like sports or gaming with precision, making it ideal for enthusiasts of dynamic visuals. Gamers will also appreciate the S95D's four HDMI 2.1 ports, fully compatible with the latest console features, as well as built-in access to the Xbox app for cloud gaming, allowing for gameplay without a console.
In daily use, the S95D proves user-friendly. Samsung’s Tizen system offers an intuitive interface with access to popular streaming platforms and is compatible with a range of smart devices via the SmartThings app, enabling control of home features like lighting and security directly from the TV. The S95D also supports MultiView, allowing two programs to be viewed simultaneously, and has a responsive interface for smooth switching between apps. An eco-friendly solar remote further enhances convenience, capable of controlling multiple devices from one place, including decoders, home cinema systems, and consoles.
Connectivity options, such as AirPlay and Bluetooth, enable easy streaming and pairing with accessories. Design-wise, the S95D impresses with its slim profile and One Connect solution, making it a sleek addition to any space. Although the matte display may slightly reduce colour intensity in bright daylight, this TV is packed with advanced features and high-quality performance. It’s a premium choice for anyone seeking top-tier home entertainment, deserving its reputation as one of the standout televisions of 2024.
Advantages
Revolutionary image depth and blackness (OLED)
Superb HDR effect
Excellent brightness
Saturated colours - high coverage of the wide colour gamut Bt.2022
Best viewing angles on the market
Matte matrix
Super slim design (Innovative One Connect solution)
Disadvantages
Colours during the day may be less intense due to the matte display
No support for DTS audio tracks (may be an issue with an external player)
Movies and series in UHD quality8.9
Classic TV, YouTube9.2
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)8.9
Gaming on console9.7
TV as a computer monitor8.6
Matrix brightness6.2
Utility functions7.8
Apps8.6
Sound quality7.2
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TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (40Gbps) Other inputs: Toslink (Optical audio) Outputs: eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Where to buy
No links
Contrast and black detail
10/10
Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).
Result
∞:1
Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.
Result
∞:1
Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).
Result
∞:1
Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).
Result
∞:1
Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).
Result
∞:1
Samsung S95D with QD-OLED technology stands out with incredible black levels, achievable due to self-emissive OLED pixels combined with a quantum dot layer. With this technology, each pixel on the screen can be individually turned off, resulting in absolute black with no light leakage. The result is an image with infinite contrast, where bright objects on a dark background are sharply visible, and details in the shadows are rendered with extraordinary precision. Compared to traditional LCD TVs and other OLEDs, S95D offers exceptional uniformity and depth of black, making it an ideal choice for the most demanding viewers. This provides extraordinary depth and "three-dimensionality" of the image when viewed in the dark.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
HDR effect quality
7.8/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 99.6%, Bt.2020: 87.7%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
1400 nit
The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
1521 nit
The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).
Result
1560 nit
The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).
Result
1385 nit
The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).
Result
804 nit
Samsung S95D offers excellent HDR performance, providing uniform effects across all scenes exceeding 1500 nits, except for the fifth scene, where brightness drops to 800 nits. Despite this, the television maintains a high level of image quality. A significant advantage of QD-OLED technology is its ability to retain high brightness even in the smallest elements on a black background, which is uncommon in LCD and mini LED televisions. This ensures that every scene captivates with strong light effects, regardless of the size of the illuminated surface. Only in the brightest scenes with large light areas does brightness slightly decrease, which is typical even for standard LG-produced OLEDs. Additionally, the quantum dot coating has allowed for unprecedented high coverage of the BT.2020 colour gamut at 88%.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
Building on the high brightness capabilities demonstrated in gaming, the Samsung S95D also performs exceptionally well in demanding movie scenes. In challenging scenes from films like Pan and Billy Lynn, the TV proves its premium class. For instance, Pan, mastered at a remarkable 2800 nits, showcases intense, vivid imagery, though slight variations in shades of bright light are occasionally visible. Meanwhile, Billy Lynn impresses with its finely detailed fireworks, displaying clear colour differentiation and avoiding the blending often seen in more affordable models. Even with dynamic tone mapping disabled, the S95D handles HDR metadata effectively. However, setting it to static mode is advisable for optimal results, as excessive brightness may reduce detail clarity and detract from the viewing experience.
HDR luminance chart:
The Samsung S95D supports both static HDR10 and dynamic HDR10+, providing versatility across a range of content types. While the difference between static and dynamic metadata is subtle, scenes with dynamic metadata sometimes display a touch more detail. Even in static HDR10 scenes, such as the striking horse sequence, the television delivers impressive picture quality with excellent detail, a testament to Samsung's commitment to high-quality image reproduction. One limitation is the lack of Dolby Vision support, a popular standard many users expect. Although HDR10+ also uses dynamic metadata, Dolby Vision’s wider adoption might make its absence felt by some viewers. Nevertheless, the S95D handles HDR content with remarkable proficiency, offering a rich, immersive viewing experience.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: HDR10+
Factory color reproduction
7.5/10
The Samsung S95D’s Filmmaker mode excels in colour accuracy, making it ideal for true-to-life viewing and closely reflecting the intent of content creators. We rely on this mode for all testing, as it presents significantly more detail than the often oversaturated standard or dynamic modes. Initially, viewers may find the image slightly warmer in Filmmaker mode, but it brings out a more authentic, balanced display. Despite being in the premium segment, the factory settings aren’t perfect. For example, there is a dip in red tones in the white balance for both HD and HDR content, with Colour Checker tests showing a cooler colour bias that shifts the image towards blue, impacting the natural appearance of scenes. In the sample photo, the boy appears in cooler tones, which diminishes realism.
Brightness performance for HD content is generally on point, though minor inconsistencies appear. However, the more noticeable issue arises with 4K HDR content. While the EOTF curve seems accurate in test patterns, real scenes sometimes reveal fluctuations, where some areas are overly brightened or darkened. Although the S95D offers reasonably good out-of-the-box colour reproduction, calibration is recommended to achieve a more precise, natural, and immersive picture, maximising the television’s potential.
Color reproduction after calibration
9/10
Calibration can significantly elevate a television's image quality, enhancing both accuracy and overall viewing experience. For the Samsung S95D, calibration has notably refined the white balance, removing major colour inaccuracies to produce more natural and balanced tones, which allows for a closer representation of the filmmakers’ vision. The adjustments bring subtle improvements to contrast and gamma, with more pronounced distinctions between light and dark areas, adding depth and revealing finer details in both shadows and highlights. This creates a richer, more lifelike image with enhanced detail, particularly in darker scenes where shadows now hold greater clarity, while bright areas appear well-balanced rather than overly intense.
Despite these improvements, the EOTF curve remains slightly below ideal, which might influence the handling of dynamic scenes. However, the enhanced tonal transitions and boosted contrast post-calibration make the S95D an excellent choice for film and high-definition content, bringing it closer to reference-level quality. This calibration enables the television to deliver a more immersive, accurate visual experience in line with industry standards, ultimately offering a more rewarding viewing experience.
Smoothness of tonal transitions
8.5/10
The tonal gradation in the Samsung S95D television is exceptional. Even in the most demanding scenes from tested films, the TV performs remarkably well, with minimal and nearly imperceptible issues related to smoothing tonal transitions. These minor imperfections are unlikely to be noticed by the average viewer, enhancing the overall positive visual experience during everyday use.
Furthermore, the incorporation of a QD-OLED panel enables the S95D to achieve superior results compared to the best WOLED panels produced by LG. This advanced technology contributes to a more vibrant and nuanced colour reproduction, allowing viewers to enjoy a richer and more immersive viewing experience. Overall, the Samsung S95D sets a high standard for tonal performance in televisions.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
8/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The Samsung S95D handles tonal transitions in lower-quality materials exceptionally well. In tests featuring a screen with a light bulb, there are virtually unnoticeable transitions between shades of grey, positioning it among the best televisions we have evaluated in this aspect.
Regarding digital processing, the S95D excels in rendering the entire image—whether it's branches or figures—without any jagged edges or overly pronounced contours. However, one point to note is that the image appears slightly trimmed. Despite this minor issue, the television still performs admirably, ensuring that details in lower-quality materials remain noticeable and well-defined. This ability to maintain clarity and depth in various content types further solidifies the S95D's reputation for delivering a high-quality viewing experience.
Blur and motion smoothness
8.5/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz: No
Brightness drop with BFI: 50%
The Samsung S95D TV, featuring a refresh rate of 120 Hz (and even 144 Hz when configured correctly for PC use), guarantees exceptional motion smoothness. Samsung provides a range of image sharpness settings on a ten-point scale, enabling users to customise the display according to their preferences— favouring a more cinematic look or a smoother, theatrical feel.
In UFO tests, the OLED panel demonstrates its strengths by effectively eliminating any blurring. The rapid pixel response ensures that dynamic movements are replicated with remarkable precision, resulting in a fluid viewing experience that enhances fast-paced content, such as action films or competitive gaming. This combination of high refresh rates and superior pixel response makes the S95D an outstanding choice for those seeking crisp, clear motion in their visual media.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Console compatibility and gaming features
9.5/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 144Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
No
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
Yes
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
Yes
- 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
Yes
- G-Sync:
Yes
The Samsung S95D TV is expertly designed to meet the needs of gamers, featuring four HDMI 2.1 ports that support essential functionalities like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and HDR Gaming Interest Group (HGIG). While the HDMI 2.1 ports do not offer the full 48Gb bandwidth, they are still adequate for achieving the desired resolution and smooth performance.
These technologies enable players to experience smoother and more responsive gameplay, significantly enhancing comfort and performance during intense gaming sessions. A standout feature is the Xbox app, which facilitates cloud gaming without requiring a console. This allows gamers to access an extensive range of titles directly on the TV, enjoying high image quality and fluid gameplay.
Additionally, the S95D includes a Game Bar feature, making it easy to manage game settings with quick adjustments, such as changing the screen ratio—an extremely useful function for various games and gameplay modes. The support for G-Sync and FreeSync is another advantage, particularly for Nvidia and AMD graphics card users.
Although the S95D lacks support for Dolby Vision, it still provides an impressive array of features, making it an ideal choice for console gaming enthusiasts. Overall, the S95D combines cutting-edge technology with exceptional picture quality, creating a comprehensive package for any gamer seeking an immersive experience.
Input lag
10/10
The Samsung S95D TV excels with an exceptionally low input lag of just 5 ms for 120 Hz content and 9 ms for 60 Hz content. These impressive figures contribute to an incredibly smooth gaming experience, ensuring players can react quickly and accurately during intense gaming sessions. If our scale extended beyond 10 points, the S95D would undoubtedly warrant an even higher rating for its outstanding performance!
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 9 ms | 2160p60: 9 ms | |
| 1080p120: 5 ms | 2160p120: 5 ms | |
| 2160p60: 9 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 5 ms |
Compatibility with PC
8.6/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 5ms
The Samsung S95D is truly an excellent choice for computer use. With support for chroma 4:4:4, text on the screen is sharp and clear, making it ideal for both work and gaming. When connected to a computer, the input lag of just 5 ms ensures a smooth and responsive experience.
However, we did deduct some points due to the visibility issues with small fonts on a black background, which stem from the specific sub-pixel layout of QD-OLED panels. Despite this, the overall user experience is impressive, and the TV performs exceptionally well in both everyday tasks and more demanding scenarios.
Viewing angles
9.8/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 9%
The viewing angles on the Samsung S95D are truly outstanding—the best we've encountered in our tests. QD-OLED matrices excel in this area, setting a new standard. While standard WOLEDs offer impressive viewing angles, the S95D surpasses them easily. No matter the angle you're watching, the image remains bright, clear, and rich in detail. This remarkable performance solidifies the Samsung S95D as the absolute leader in viewing angle quality among televisions.
TV efficiency during daytime
6.2/10
Matrix coating: Matte
Reflection suppression: Very Good
Black levels during daytime: Poor
The Samsung S95D television stands out with exceptional performance during the day, being the only OLED on the market with a matte screen. Thanks to this feature, light reflections are reduced, allowing for comfortable viewing in bright rooms. However, it is worth noting that the matte coating may slightly diminish colour intensity. Despite this minor drawback, the television remains very bright, offering up to 500 nits of brightness. This makes the picture clear and vivid even in well-lit spaces, making the S95D a great choice for everyday use.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
Samsung S95D: 508 cd/m2
TV features
7.8/10
System operacyjny: Tizen
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
- Recording to USB (terrestrial TV):
No
- Recording programming:
No
- Picture in Picture (PiP):
Yes
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast):
Yes
- AirPlay:
Yes
- Voice search in native language:
Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse:
Yes
- Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV:
Yes
- Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker:
Yes
- Audio only mode:
Yes
- RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen):
RF
- Backlit remote control:
No
- Teletext:
Yes
The Samsung S95D television offers a range of features that significantly enhance user comfort, making it an ideal device for home entertainment. The Tizen system, on which this model is based, is a modern and advanced platform that provides an intuitive and smooth experience. Thanks to the user-friendly interface, navigation through applications and settings is quick and simple, making it easy to use the television even for those less familiar with technology. Tizen supports a rich set of applications, including all popular streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video. Alongside this, the support of AirPlay allows for easy content sharing from Apple devices such as the iPhone or iPad.
It is also worth noting that the S95D television works with the SmartThings app, enabling integration with other smart devices in the home. This app allows for the creation of automations and monitoring of home equipment, making the television an entertainment device and a smart home management centre all in one.
Another highlight is the included accessories, such as the environmentally friendly solar remote, which is also practical for everyday use. This remote can control multiple devices connected to the television, eliminating the need for several different remotes; it easily integrates with other decoders such as Canal+ and NC+. Additionally, the One Connect module in the Samsung S95D is a fantastic solution that makes the television incredibly sleek. With this device, you can hide all cables and connections. It is one of the slimmest devices that can be mounted on the wall, providing an aesthetic and modern look to your interior. If you wish to place the device on a sturdy metal base, you need not worry; this module can be mounted at the back of the base, creating a harmonious whole.
The only downside that can be pointed out is the lack of USB recording support. For some users, this may be a limitation. Despite this, the Samsung S95D television offers many advanced features and technologies making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking high-quality entertainment in their home.
Playing files from USB
8.8/10
| Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
|---|---|
| 4 Mpix | JPEG |
| 6 Mpix | HEIC |
| 8 Mpix | PNG |
| 10 Mpix | GIF |
| 12 Mpix | WebP |
| 16 Mpix | TIFF |
| 20 Mpix | BMP |
| 24 Mpix | SVG |
| 28 Mpix | |
| 32 Mpix |
Samsung S95D stands out with its excellent built-in player, which handles most of the video and audio files we tested without any issues. The exceptions are files in Dolby Vision format and some less common codecs.
Apps
8.6/10
Sound
7.2/10
7.2/10
Subjective sound quality
84dB
Maximum volume
Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Dolby True HD 7.1
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
DTS-HD Master Audio
Despite being one of the slimmest televisions on the market, the Samsung S95D offers surprisingly pleasant sound quality. The television supports Dolby codecs, allowing for high audio fidelity. However, a notable downside is the lack of DTS support, which may be a limitation for some users who rely on external players. Nonetheless, the overall sound quality remains satisfactory, especially for such a slim device.
With advanced Dolby Atmos technology, users can enjoy immersive, three-dimensional sound that perfectly complements the high picture quality. In tests, the sound quality of the Samsung S95D QE65S95D model was characterised by exceptional clarity and detail, making it stand out among other models in this category. The integrated acoustic correction system further fine-tunes the sound to the size and acoustics of the room, ensuring optimal audio experiences. Overall, the Samsung S95D performs excellently whether watching movies or listening to music, providing an impressive audio-visual experience.