Samsung S95D OLED: The Quantum Leap Forward (Maybe)
The Samsung S95D OLED has arrived, and it’s making waves. It promises brighter images, bolder colors, and a whole host of AI-powered features designed to elevate your viewing experience. But does it live up to the hype? After spending a considerable amount of time putting this flagship TV through its paces, here’s our comprehensive breakdown.
First and foremost, let’s talk about the picture quality. The S95D boasts Samsung’s latest generation QD-OLED panel, and the difference is noticeable. Colors are incredibly vibrant, almost popping off the screen with impressive accuracy. Black levels, as expected from an OLED, are inky deep, providing exceptional contrast. Brightness is significantly improved compared to previous generations, making HDR content truly shine, even in brightly lit rooms. This is a major win for anyone tired of dim HDR experiences.
The new anti-glare coating is also a game-changer. It effectively diffuses ambient light, minimizing reflections and allowing you to enjoy the picture without distraction. This coating doesn’t seem to compromise the sharpness or color vibrancy, which is a significant achievement.
Moving on to design, the S95D maintains Samsung’s minimalist aesthetic. The bezels are incredibly thin, creating an immersive viewing experience. Build quality feels premium, with high-quality materials used throughout. The “One Connect” box returns, allowing you to keep your cables neatly organized and away from the TV itself, contributing to a cleaner setup. While aesthetically pleasing, this separate box adds to the overall system complexity and introduces one more component that could fail.
Samsung’s Tizen OS powers the smart features, and it’s generally a smooth and responsive experience. The user interface is intuitive, and there’s a vast library of apps available. However, Tizen does occasionally suffer from bloatware and unnecessary recommendations. The integrated AI upscaling does a decent job of improving the picture quality of lower-resolution content, although it’s not always perfect and can sometimes introduce artifacts.
Gamers will appreciate the S95D’s HDMI 2.1 ports, which support 4K/144Hz gaming with variable refresh rate (VRR). Input lag is incredibly low, making it a fantastic choice for fast-paced action games. The TV also includes AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certification, further enhancing the gaming experience.
The sound quality is adequate, but audiophiles will likely want to invest in a separate sound system. The built-in speakers provide decent clarity and punch, but they lack the immersive experience of a dedicated soundbar or surround sound setup.
Finally, the price. The S95D sits firmly in the premium TV category, and it’s a significant investment. While the picture quality is undeniably impressive, potential buyers need to consider whether the improvements justify the premium price tag compared to other high-end OLED TVs on the market. It is important to consider that the competition is also iterating on OLED technology.
Where to Buy:
Samsung S95D OLED Quick Summary
Key Scores:
- Value: 88%
- Design: 95%
- Performance: 95%
- Quality: 94%
- Popularity: 93%
Top Pros
- ✅ The QD-OLED panel delivers incredibly vibrant and accurate colors.
- ✅ The improved brightness levels enhance HDR content, even in bright rooms.
- ✅ The anti-glare coating effectively minimizes reflections without compromising picture quality.
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Key Cons
- ❌ The Tizen OS can suffer from bloatware and unnecessary recommendations.
- ❌ The built-in speakers are adequate but lack the immersion of a dedicated sound system.
- ❌ The AI upscaling is not always perfect and can sometimes introduce artifacts.
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