Samsung OLED S95D vs Samsung QD-OLED S90D / S94D

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%.

In the HDR effect category, the Samsung S90D delivers remarkable performance. On the luminance graph for up to 10% of the window, the television surpasses the 1000 nits mark, which is a notable achievement. However, in the film scenes we tested, these values were slightly lower. In scenes with fullscreen sun glare the brightness drops to about 500 nits, but this is still considered a very good result. It is also worth noting that this model stands out due to its very high colour gamut coverage, thanks to the QD-OLED panel, giving it an edge over televisions with WOLED panels, which cannot achieve such a wide spectrum of colours.

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.

The Samsung 65" S90D with a QD-OLED panel has been tested in Filmmaker Mode, which the manufacturer has used for years to deliver optimal picture settings. In this mode, the TV offers a very good image, but there are some shortcomings worth noting.

In terms of white balance, viewers may notice a red dominance in HD content, which can make skin tones appear unnatural and create a warm overall scene, potentially affecting immersion. This issue becomes more apparent in scenes where subtle colour differences are important. The same effect can be observed in 4K HDR content, though the red shift is less pronounced. This shift can prevent certain details and colours from being fully realised, diminishing the naturalness of the image.

As for contrast, the gamma performance is decent but still has some issues. The gamma values fall short of the reference level of 2.4, resulting in bright areas of the image appearing washed out and dark areas lacking detail. This limitation can make certain scenes feel less dynamic and impact the depth and richness of the picture. However, the EOTF curve for contrast in 4K HDR content performs well, showing the TV's ability to handle differences in brightness. That said, these values still fall slightly below the ideal range, indicating room for further optimisation.

Overall, the Samsung S90D in Filmmaker Mode offers solid colour reproduction, but some adjustments are needed to fully unlock its potential, particularly with different types of content.

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.

The quality improves more than anticipated after calibrating the S90D television in movie mode. The white balance for HD and 4K HDR content has been fine-tuned to near perfection. While minor imperfections are still noticeable, they are subtle enough not to significantly impact the overall picture quality. Colours have become more cohesive, promoting a natural reproduction of details, particularly in scenes where precise colour representation is essential. It’s important to note that this particular model, in this size, uses a QD-OLED panel, which offers a broader colour gamut compared to other versions of this model equipped with a WOLED panel.

The contrast has also seen a marked improvement. After calibration, the gamma chart is much closer to the expected curve, resulting in a better balance between the bright and dark areas of the image. The EOTF curve, which previously indicated issues with overexposed scenes, now shows significantly better results. This improvement allows for greater preservation of details in the brighter parts of the image, particularly in HDR content.

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.

The television excels at smoothing tonal transitions, allowing colours to blend seamlessly, resulting in a natural and fluid image. The built-in noise reduction feature can further enhance these transitions, useful in certain situations. However, it is important to note that activating this option may overly smooth out the desired film grain structure, potentially compromising the authenticity and atmosphere of the image. Therefore, caution is advised when using this feature, to maintain the character and depth of the content.

The S90D model handles lower-resolution materials effectively, as demonstrated in the displayed image. The model's silhouette remains sharp and naturally reproduced, with fine details preserved. Additionally, the branches of the trees are well-defined, free from any visible jagged edges that might otherwise degrade the image quality. Thanks to efficient scaling, even lower-resolution content appears attractive on the screen, which is sure to please users who rely on a variety of content sources, such as standard cable or antenna television.

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.

The S90D TV, featuring a 120 Hz refresh rate matrix and up to 144 Hz in the appropriate PC configuration, delivers excellent motion fluidity. Samsung highlights a range of sharpness settings on a ten-point scale, allowing users to fine-tune the display to their preferences. In UFO tests, the OLED matrix showcases its strengths by eliminating any blurring. The ultra-fast pixel response ensures dynamic movements are faithfully reproduced.

Similar results can be seen in other sizes of this model with a WOLED matrix, which also offer outstanding image fluidity. Organic technology, in this case, is considered among the best on the market. The S90D image, regardless of the matrix type, is exceptionally sharp and detailed, making this television perfect for dynamic scenes, whether for gaming or sports broadcasts. Additionally, its refresh rate and sharpness capabilities guarantee that every movement is smooth and natural, satisfying even the most discerning users.

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.

The S90D television is an excellent solution for gamers, offering a range of advanced features that elevate gaming quality to a new level. Equipped with HDMI 2.1 standard, the model supports modern technologies such as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Thanks to these solutions, the image is incredibly smooth, and the response to commands is instantaneous, which is crucial in dynamic titles. Additionally, the S90D supports HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) as well as G-Sync and FreeSync image synchronisation. This enables a perfect connection with Xbox, PlayStation, or PC, eliminating issues with tearing and stuttering. The built-in operating system offers the Xbox Game Pass app, providing access to a vast library of games directly from the television. This solution makes gaming even more convenient and accessible. The Game Bar feature provides quick access to essential information, such as current settings, performance statistics, and the ability to adjust image options. This allows for on-the-fly display parameter modification, which is extremely useful during intense gameplay. Despite lacking support for Dolby Vision, the S90D still offers excellent HDR image quality, allowing for full utilization of the potential of games and movies. As a result, the S90D represents a unique combination of modern technologies, outstanding image quality, and intuitive features, perfect for any gaming enthusiast.