If you‘re in the market for a new high-end Samsung television, you‘ll likely be deciding between the uniquely designed Samsung Frame and the cutting-edge S95B with QD-OLED technology. Both 2022 models stand out in the crowded TV space, but have distinct strengths that appeal to different buyers.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll compare every aspect of these two top-tier Samsung 4K sets so you can determine which is the better fit for your living room and budget.
Samsung Frame Overview
The aptly named Samsung Frame television aims to reinvent the purpose and aesthetic of our living room screens. Marketed as a "designer TV", the Frame rocks an understated style with customizable bezels to better resemble wall art rather than a black box when not in use.
Gone are the days of staring at a blank or eyesore of a TV mounted to our walls whenever shows aren‘t being actively watched. The Frame brilliantly solves this issue through its Art Mode – a special ambient setting that displays over 1,200 digital paintings, photographs, and designs.
You can even subscribe to Samsung‘s Art Store with a monthly fee to gain access to even more artwork options that automatically rotate to prevent burn-in. The Frame‘s matte anti-glare QLED panel and motion/light sensor work together to make displayed art appearconvincing as if it were a real canvas print hanging in a gallery.
This effectively allows the Frame to seamlessly blend into living spaces as a decorative element in addition to serving entertainment needs whenever viewing content. No unsightly black rectangle marring your carefully crafted interior design!
Beyond novel Art Mode functionality, the Frame also delivers excellent 4K picture quality thanks to Samsung‘s Quantum Dot technology. With support for HDR10/HLG and peak brightness hitting ~600 nits, highlights pop while its VA panel renders inky blacks. A quantum processor 4K also enables accurate upscaling for lower resolution content.
Available in sizes ranging from 32" to 85", thin depth, customizable bezels, and slim fit wall mount all reinforce the Frame‘s goal of hanging innocuously like a framed painting. One Connect box neatly houses inputs for tidier cable management as well.
Of course, next-gen gaming connectivity is still well served with 4 HDMI ports including Variable Refresh Rate / Auto Low Latency Mode. The Frame ticks all the boxes as a versatile modern 4K television. But how does Samsung‘s 2022 showpiece compare to the cutting-edge S95B display?
Introducing the S95B – Samsung‘s First QD-OLED TV
Representing a major evolution in display technology, the S95B introduces Samsung‘s very first QD-OLED panel. This innovative new screen combines the company‘s highly refined quantum dot filtration layer with an OLED backlight.
The result is a best-of-both-worlds scenario marrying the rich, vibrant colors Samsung QLED is known for with OLED-grade inky blacks and pixel-perfect luminance control. In other words – spectacular contrast and image accuracy.
Rather than relying on edge-lit LED backlights (Frame) or self-emissive RGB OLEDs (competitor LG OLEDs), the S95B‘s quantum dot OLED panel leverages blue OLED emitters with quantum dot nano particles to produce red and green light. This unlocks luminous efficiency and color volume that makes the S95B really shine.
Specifications indicate the S95B can achieve up to nearly 2000 nits peak brightness across a 10% window for searing HDR pop. And its OLED light control means perfect blacks with infinite contrast, avoiding LCD issues like blooming or flashlighting. This combination of spectral highlights and abyssal blacks yields images with incredible depth and punch.
Samsung‘s renowned Tizen smart platform also returns on the S95B, now with 2022 updates like watchlist integration and NFT support. Gaming cred comes courtesy of four HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM supported to satisfy next-gen players. A new solar-powered Eco Remote rounds out the package.
Available in 55 and 65-inch sizes, the S95B alternatives more streamlined European styling to the Frame but similarly targets premium demographics. Representing the pinnacle of Samsung‘s television technology for 2022, this QD-OLED display rightfully commands a luxury price tag.
Samsung Frame vs S95B – Detailed Comparison
Now that we‘ve covered the unique characteristics of both the art-inspired Frame and the state-of-the-art S95B QD-OLED television, let‘s compare these flagship Samsung sets across the critical categories that matter most to shoppers.
Design
The Frame immediately stands apart for its namesake design aiming to appear more like a framed painting rather than a traditional TV. Its customizable bezels, slim depth of 24.9mm, and wall mounting system reinforce this goal.
Conversely, the S95B exhibits a fairly conventional aesthetic for premium televisions – an elegant minimal bezel around the panel measuring 30.8mm at its thinnest point. This allows for more display real estate in the same space, but won‘t integrate quite as seamlessly for those prioritizing deco appeal.
Both TVs are well served by Samsung‘s new detachable slim-fit wall mount and separate One Connect box to isolate inputs from the display. Ultimately the Frame‘s design holds more appeal for those wanting their TV to double as living art when not watching content. But the S95B offers a more standardized look typical of high-end screens.
Winner: The Frame for unique decorative TV design
Picture Quality
Here is where we see the biggest differences in performance between these two displays. The Frame leverages a VA panel paired with edge-lit LED backlights peppered across the edges. This allows Samsung to hit high peak brightness up to ~600 nits in HDR.
But with no local dimming capability, the Frame suffers from inherent contrast limitations of edge-lit displays. Blacks appear more grey, and there can be noticeable blooming or flashing during dark scenes. It‘s still capable of lovely QLED images, but the S95B‘s self-illuminating QD-OLED panel operates on another level.
Boasting almost double the peak brightness at nearly 2000 nits, the S95B avoids any issues with blooming or black level washout. Its per pixel illumination control and OLED blacks also yield practically infinite contrast for images with incredible depth and skies filled with detail.
The quantum dot layer helps the S95B render colors with stunning vibrance and accuracy as well. Winner by TKO.
Winner: S95B for vastly superior contrast and peak brightness
Viewing Angles
One inherent strengths of OLED technology is its ability to maintain color accuracy and contrast at wide viewing angles. This proves true of the S95B and its QD-OLED panel. Images remain faithful with no color shifting present even when viewing from seats far off axis.
The Frame‘s VA panel does well in keeping black levels relatively deep when viewing from the side. But you will notice colors start to shift with brightness and saturation being impacted. The further off axis, the more pronounced this effect becomes. For large living rooms where people may be sitting at extreme angles, the S95B is the better choice here.
Winner: S95B offers wider viewing angles with color accuracy maintained
Gaming Performance
Gamers will be well served by either Samsung offering thanks to next-gen HDMI 2.1 ports enabling 4K 120Hz and VRR support for buttery smooth visuals devoid of tearing. Input lag also measures excellent on both models.
Still, the S95B provides a superior experience thanks to its infinite contrast for richer, more immersive scenes and highlights that really sear without blooming artifacts. Its 12-bit color depth renders gradients smoothly in gameplay for better perceived detail as well.
For the ultimate big screen gaming display outside of projectors, the S95B is untouchable. But casual gamers would still enjoy either model.
Winner: S95B – deeper blacks and greater color depth enhance gaming
Audio Quality
Television speakers often serve as an afterthought, but Samsung manages to imbue both the Frame and S95B with capable built-in audio. Powered by Dolby Atmos processing, four channel speakers project quality sound.
Dialogue comes through clearly and the sets can reach satisfactory volume levels for average living room layouts. Of course, we always recommend pairing either TV with a dedicated sound system for audio that matches their stellar visuals. But unlike budget TVs, audio quality won‘t disappoint out of the box on either Samsung flagship.
With nearly identical 60 watt output and 4.2 channel speakers, this category results in a draw. But audiophiles should still plan to build out a surround system to unlock the full home theater experience.
Winner: Draw
Smart Features
Samsung‘s intuitive Tizen smart platform makes an appearance on both the Frame and S95B, granting access to all popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and more. New for 2022 is an ambient mode that fills the entire display rather than just a dock.
Integration with Samsung smart devices allows TV settings and content to follow you onto mobile screens automatically. Gaming dashboard aggregates cloud, console, and PC game libraries into one place. And NFT platform support stands out as a unique offering.
The S95B does gain an upper hand with its solar-powered Eco Remote that never needs charging or battery replacement. But Tizen‘s slick interface and vast app selection otherwise delivers a uniform experience across both. The Frame enjoys exclusive new integration with the Art Store platform to curate a custom art collection.
With extremely robust smart capabilities all around, Samsung leaves little to be desired here. For most users, the discrepancy will come down to preferring the S95B‘s sustainability minded remote. But Tizen provides a great platform on both.
Winner: S95B thanks to the charge-free solar remote
Sizes Available
Shoppers choosing between the Frame and S95B will first need to settle on a preferred screen size. Here‘s a breakdown of what dimensions Samsung offers across these models:
The Frame TV
- 32-inch
- 43-inch
- 50-inch
- 55-inch
- 65-inch
- 75-inch
- 85-inch
S95B TV
- 55-inch
- 65-inch
With nearly triple the size options spanning smaller 32" screens up to cinematic 85" displays, the Frame caters to more diverse spaces. The S95B tops out at 65 inches. So larger living rooms will need to look at the Frame.
But we expect Samsung opened with its two most popular sizes for the S95B given higher costs of manufacturing OLED panels at scale. Larger model availability may expand down the road. For now, huge TV shoppers have only one choice.
Winner: The Frame for far greater range of sizes available
Price Considerations
As Samsung‘s pinnacle offering with an all-new display format Leveraging self-illuminating OLED technology, the S95B commands a luxury price tag. Expect to spend $2,199 for the 55-inch model and $2,999 for 65 glorious QD-OLED inches.
Meanwhile, the Frame ranges from affordable to premium pricing across its wider range of sizes. Entry models like the 43-inch and 50-inch can readily be found under $1,000. But the largest 85-inch clocks in at a hefty $4,999 price of admission.
No matter which screen dimension you have space for, expect to pay a decent premium for the S95B over an equivalently sized Frame model. Particularly the 65-inch shopper faces a $1,500 premium. Review overall features versus pricing to determine if that breakthrough QD-OLED contrast warrants the extra expenditure for your needs.
Of course, value hunters can score smaller Frame models at reasonable prices unmatched by any OLED technology. But the bigger you go, the smaller price gap becomes.
Winner: The Frame offers better value, but 65" the S95B merits its higher cost
The Verdict – Which Is the Better TV?
So on paper, which comes out ahead in this Samsung showdown – the ingeniously designed Frame or S95B powered by revolutionary QD-OLED technology? Ultimately there is no objective right answer, as each caters to slightly different priorities.
AV enthusiasts wanting the pinnacle of picture quality backed by technological breakthroughs will find the value in spending extra on the S95B. Images boasting incredible contrast and searing brightness represent a new generation of display performance simply unattainable via conventional LED/LCD televisions like the Frame.
If your living room environment can counteract any risk of OLED burn-in and budget allows, there are few better ways to unlock next level visuals than the S95B. It handily claims crown for contrast and color in this comparison.
But for those prioritizing aesthetic appeal, unique lifestyle functionality via Art Mode, or craving larger sizing options, the Frame remains a brilliant offering. Beyond maintaining decor continuity as functional wall art, the Frame still delivers pleasing QLED visuals aided by anti-glare tech. Its design stands in a class of its own.
Here‘s a quick cheat sheet for deciding:
Get the Samsug S95B QD-OLED if you want:
- Best-in-class contrast with perfect blacks
- Vastly superior peak brightness and highlights
- Amazing color vibrance and accuracy
- Giant screen in more light-controlled room
Get the Samsung Frame TV if you want:
- Seamless artistic blend into living space
- Constantly changing artwork display
- Very large 85-inch screen option
- Superior value and affordable pricing
So while the S95B achieves resounding victory on the spec sheet side, determining a winner requires assessing your room, priorities, sizing needs, and budget. Rather than replace the Frame as Samsung‘s top lifestyle television, the S95B introduces a new tier of performance for discerning home theater fans. We consider both crowd pleasing recommendations shoppers can confidently build their entertainment sanctuaries around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the Frame TV lay flat for a painting-like appearance?
A: Yes, the Frame TV ships with a special "no gap" wall mount allowing it to hang completely flush against walls for a painting aesthetic. Optional Studio Stand available for tabletop placement allows the Frame to tilt fully horizontal for a canvas painting look on shelves.
Q: Is the S95B at risk for permanent OLED burn-in?
A: Any OLED panel carries inherent risk of burn-in with prolonged static image display as organic diodes slowly degrade unevenly. But modern OLEDs have greatly mitigated this issue through pixel-shifting algorithms, screen savers, and brighter materials. Just avoid excessive static elements, vary content, and limit max brightness to sidestep burn-in.
Q: Which TV model has better sound, the Frame or S95B?
A: Our audio testing determined little notable difference between the two models. Both leverage 60 watt speakers with Dolby Atmos processing. Performance should satisfy most users unless truly demanding home theater grade immersive sound. Add-on soundbar still recommended for full cinematic experience.
Q: What smart remote ships with each model?
A: The 2022 Frame includes Samsung‘s standard plastic smart remote. But the S95B introduces an updated model with solar charging that never requires battery swaps or power outlets. It‘s arguably the most eco-friendly television remote on the market.
I hope this comprehensive guide better outlined how Samsung‘s Frame and S95B televisions compare. Let me know any other questions in the comments!
