If you are considering upgrading your television in 2023 to one of the latest and highest performing models available, two great options to choose between are the LG C2 OLED TV and the Samsung QN95B Neo QLED.
Both represent the pinnacle TV technology from two rival manufacturers. With large screen sizes delivering jaw-dropping 4K resolution, stunningly accurate color and powerful smart interfaces, these televisions can provide an entertainment experience akin to having a movie theater in your home.
In this comprehensive guide, we will be comparing all aspects of these flagship televisions to help you determine which is the better fit. By the end, you should have all the information needed to decide whether the LG C2 or Samsung QN95B will work best in your living room.
Display Technology
The first area we will be comparing is the display technology which plays a critical role in enabling the exceptional picture performance users get from these sets.
LG C2 Display
The LG C2 uses a new generation OLED evo panel representing the pinnacle of self-emissive display technology. With OLED, each individual pixel in the panel generates its own light and color.
This gives OLED televisions like the C2 two key advantages:
- Perfect Black Levels: Since pixels can turn completely off, the C2 delivers inky, infinite blacks for amazing shadow detail.
- Per-Pixel Control: Precise control of each OLED pixel provides incredibly realistic color as well as class-leading contrast.
Samsung QN95B Display
Instead of OLED, the Samsung QN95B uses an advanced LED backlit panel featuring quantum dot nano-crystal technology and Mini-LED local dimming the company calls Neo QLED.
With quantum dots enhancing the color palette and Mini-LEDs providing precision lighting zones, Neo QLED panels offer exceptional performance rivaling OLED, including:
- Quantum Dot Color: The QN95B produces over a billion color shades for true-to-life realism.
- Mini-LED Backlight: With nearly 2,000 local dimming zones, inky blacks approach OLED levels.
Additionally, with LED backlighting, the QN95B can achieve much higher sustained brightness than OLED panels making them better suited for very bright viewing environments.
Comparing Display Specs
| LG C2 | Samsung QN95B | |
| Resolution | 4K Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) | 4K Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) |
| Dimming Zones | Per-Pixel | 1,936 Zones |
| Peak Brightness | 784 nits | 1,905 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | Infinite | 241,800:1 |
| Color Gamut | 100% DCI-P3 | 100% DCI-P3 |
While their numbers differ, both achieve gorgeous color reproduction and industry-leading contrast. The LG C2 will render extremely deep shadows better while the QN95B will have the edge presenting High Dynamic Range (HDR) content at peak intensity.
Picture Quality Results
The superb black levels, precision local dimming zones on the Samsung QN95B and per-pixel OLED lighting on the LG C2 translate into downright stunning 4K picture quality that must be seen to truly appreciate.
Cinematic Dynamic Range on LG C2
Watching movies on the LG C2 provides perhaps the most cinematic experience available on any consumer television. With perfect pixel-level black rendition against vibrant colors in bright scenes, images take on a dynamic range and realism only matched in advanced theater projection setups.
This helps explain why OLED TVs like the C2 are beloved by videophiles wanting the most film-like performance possible in a living room television today.
Bright Pictures on Samsung QN95B
With higher sustained brightness from its advanced backlighting system, the Samsung QN95B renders HDR content remarkably well. Explosions, sunlight glinting off cars and buildings and other peak brightness moments will make you want to shield your eyes.
Its anti-glare screen also maintains better picture integrity if a bright light source is present behind you. This allows the QN95B to shine even in sun-filled living rooms.
Gaming and Sports
For gaming and sports, both TVs also excel. Their fast 120Hz panels keep the action smooth while ALLM and VRR allow new consoles and PCs to control the displays for lag-free interactivity. While not vastly different here, the LG C2 is considered the top gaming TV with the lowest input lag.
Honestly though, we consider both televisions essentially equal when it comes to rendering motion clarity for fast gaming, sports and action movies.
Smart TV & Special Features
With powerful onboard computers and robust operating systems, the LG C2 and Samsung QN95B both enable you to stream shows, control smart home devices, display NFT artwork and more without needing additional hardware.
webOS vs Tizen OS
The LG C2 runs the company‘s proprietary webOS platform while the Samsung QN95B uses Tizen. Both allow access to all the most popular streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, YouTube and more. Voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant are also built-in to facilitate hands-free control.
In terms of layout, webOS uses a "launcher" bar for app shortcuts while Tizen employs a more conventional grid of apps and menus. Either can be customized with your favorite services on the home screen.
Unique LG Features
Unique to LG webOS TVs like the C2 are advanced wireless connectivity protocols allowing you to share content from Apple devices via AirPlay 2 or share the TV screen itself to compatible laptops phones and tablets.
You also have access to over 300 free LG content channels bursting with movies, shows, sports and viral videos through the LG Channel app.
Samsung SmartThings and NFT Platform
As part of the Samsung ecosystem, the QN95B integrates tightly with SmartThings allowing you to control compatible lights, locks, cameras and kitchen appliances right from the TV. SettingModes also optimizes picture and audio settings automatically based on what you are watching.
The Samsung also comes with an integrated NFT platform allowing artists and photographers to display and sell digital artwork directly on the television.
Audio Sound Quality
With screen sizes nearing 70-inches and beyond, having quality built-in audio keeps pace with their big beautiful pictures.
LG C2 Audio
The LG C2 features impressive audio hardware with a powerful 4.2 channel system and dual built-in subwoofers. Dolby Atmos decoding places effects all around the room with surprisingly good sound separation from the slim chassis.
Vocal clarity stands out on the C2 allowing dialogue to cut through loud action scenes well. The dedicated AI Sound Pro mode also optimizes all content for a more spacious, 3D effect.
Samsung QN95B Audio
Utilizing AI machine learning, the QN95B analyses audio continuously to upmix sound to 5.1.2 channels. The dedicated center channel ensures dialogue comes through clearly.
An integrated 60-watt subwoofer also provides impactful bass response. Quantity can‘t compete with a good surround system but, for a streamlined minimalist living room, it works great.
Sound Enhancement Options
Both TVs also support the latest wireless sound protocols enabling high bandwidth audio streaming to external speakers and soundbars. So those wanting more powerful, dedicated audio components have forward-looking support for easy upgrades.
Overall the LG C2 sounds slightly better to our ears. But external soundbars remain great options to build an awesome surround system over time.
Gaming Performance
Modern video game consoles and gaming PCs output cutting-edge graphics up to 4K resolution at 120 frames per second. Making the most of this requires a high-performance display, low input lag and variable refresh rate (VRR) capability.
Thankfully both the LG C2 and Samsung QN95B televisions meet the strict requirements of serious gamers.
Key Gaming Specs
| LG C2 | Samsung QN95B | |
| Native Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 144Hz |
| VRR Range | 40-120Hz | 48-144Hz |
| Input Lag | 5ms | 9.5ms |
| HDMI 2.1 | Yes (4 ports) | Yes (4 ports) |
With support for 4K 120fps signals, Variable Refresh Rates (VRR) and extremely low input lag for pixel-perfect precision, both TVs provide a smooth responsive gaming platform.
LG C2 Gaming Leadership
Dedicated gaming settings on the C2 like genre-specific presets and advanced calibration tools have established it as a favorite display for hardcore gamers though.
Nvidia has also certified the LG C2 as G-Sync compatible ensuring the best possible performance for computer gamers running GeForce graphics cards.
Samsung Super Ultrawide GameView
Serious PC gamers will also appreciate Samsung‘s Super Ultrawide GameView feature which can stretch select games to fill the entire 32:9 screen with an expanded field of view perfect for racing/flight simulators.
Overall, both the LG C2 and Samsung QN95B represent stellar big-screen gaming displays that console and PC gamers will greatly enjoy.
Physical Design
With massive screens pushing 80-inches for the most immersive experience possible, keeping TV depth and bezels slim preserves the awesome picture while enabling flexible placement options.
Slim Profile
Despite complex internal hardware, both LG and Samsung have achieved impressively thin depth measurements:
- LG C2 – 1.8 inches thin
- Samsung QN95B – 1.6 inches thin
Even at less than 2-inches, there is ample room for full array backlighting, detachable panel connections and multiple speaker drivers.
Minimal Bezels
Bezels have also been trimmed to just millimeters on both models. This creates a near edge-to-edge screen appearance that looks spectacular when displaying movies or artwork.
Stand Design
The LG C2 uses a pair of angled legs secured near the edges allowing you to place a soundbar directly in front. The Samsung QN95B stand runs across the center which looks very clean but largely precludes a front soundbar.
Regardless of stand design, we love how both TVs can nearly hug the wall while enabling tilt adjustments.
Cost Comparison
With so many similarities in terms of core performance and features, the price tag may be the deciding factor for most customers comparing the LG C2 OLED vs Samsung QN95B Neo QLED.
65-Inch MSRP
The table below shows manufacturer recommended pricing for the 65-inch models:
| LG 65" C2 OLED | Samsung 65" QN95B | |
| MSRP Price | $2499 | $2799 |
So Samsung retails for $300 more than LG officially. However, both see frequent sales from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy so deals around $150 less than MSRP are not uncommon.
75-Inch and Larger
As display sizes push past 70-inches, the price gap does narrow somewhat. The 75-inch C2 still retains a roughly $200 advantage at the moment. But pricing fluctuates month-to-month so discounts for either could appear at any time.
Bottom line, with both makers still clearing out inventory on 2022 models, big savings off MSRP make now an attractive time for buyers to be monitoring listings.
The Bottom Line Recommendation
In our detailed side-by-side evaluation, both the LG C2 OLED TV and Samsung QN95B Neo QLED television shine as smart 4K displays that will deliver an immersive cinema-like experience at home. You will be wowed by their vibrant colors, perfect blacks and smooth motion clarity.
For those wanting the pinnacle realization of HDR content with specular highlights that leap off the screen, the Samsung QN95B cannot be beat. This TV caters especially well to sports fans and gamers appreciating extreme luminosity.
However, cinephiles wanting perfect black level reproduction will still be drawn to LG‘s OLED panel technology. And its market-leading gaming implementation gives it the edge with console/PC players wanting the absolute fastest display.
In truth, we give the QN95B a slight nod for its smart ecosystem and shaded outdoor visibility. But the LG C2 stands right alongside it as co-leader of the flagship television space entering 2023. Choosing one over the other comes down to subtle preferences and budget.
Either model will provide heavyweight performance with gorgeous style at this point. But act soon while holiday deals on these 2022 TVs last. Feel free to reach out in the comments below if you have any other questions as you evaluate these top-tier televisions!
