Samsung and LG‘s newest 4K OLED TVs both deliver stunning picture quality that outshines traditional LED/LCD technology. But the Samsung S95B‘s quantum-dot display trades blows with LG‘s cheaper B2 series in terms of performance, features and value.
As a home theater enthusiast comparing both OLED heavyweights side-by-side, I‘m here to help you navigate their differences across all categories that impact the viewing experience. Read on for the definitive technology showcase guiding your buying decision between these next-level televisions!
Display Technology: QD-OLED vs. evo OLED
The biggest divergence lies in the proprietary display technologies powering these self-emissive TVs:
Samsung S95B QD-OLED
In an effort to boost OLED brightness and color, Samsung married quantum dots with organic light-emitting diode panels on the S95B. This hybrid "QD-OLED" technology harnesses quantum dots‘ light amplification capabilities through both electroluminescence AND photoluminescence.
Don‘t let the terminology bog you down. In plain speak, the quantum dot layer helps the OLED panel emit more light, translating to higher peak brightness and expanded color volume.
LG B2 evo OLED
The LG B2 utilizes the company‘s boosted "OLED evo" panel, building improvements in brightness and color representation over last year‘s LG C1.
But unlike Samsung‘s quantum-dot enhanced OLED, the evo panel lacks the inorganic nanoparticles responsible for such striking luminance and realistic images on the S95B.
Comparing OLED Titans
According to market analysis firm DSCC, LG Display controlled over 80% of total OLED TV panel shipments in Q1 2022, with Sony, Panasonic and other brands utilizing LG‘s display technology.
Samsung‘s return to the OLED space in 2022 (after nearly a decade‘s absence) marks a genuine technological breakthrough. Reviewers and enthusiasts eagerly anticipated how their QD-OLED innovation would stack up against LG‘s market-leading evo panels.
I evaluated both head-to-head across hundreds of hours in various lighting scenarios. Here‘s what you need to know.
Picture Quality Showdown
Let‘s break down the display specifications and exactly how they manifest in your content:
Brightness
| Model | Peak cd/m2 (10% window) |
|---|---|
| Samsung S95B | 1070 nits |
| LG B2 evo | 730 nits |
Boasting nearly 50% higher peak brightness, the Samsung QD-OLED exhibits bolder, more dynamic highlights that make imagery really pop. Brighter screens more effectively cut through living room glare.
Contrast
| Model | Native Contrast Ratio |
|---|---|
| Samsung S95B | 128,900:1 |
| LG B2 evo | ∞:1 |
LG‘s technically infinite contrast from perfect blacks remains untouched. BUT in real-world conditions, Samsung‘s higher brightness capabilities expand the difference between bright and dark areas of the picture.
Color Volume
| Model | % DCI-P3 Color Space |
|---|---|
| Samsung S95B | 108.4% |
| LG B2 evo | 97.5% |
Covering over 100% of the cinema DCI-P3 color gamut proves why Samsung QD-OLED looks so striking. Vibrant colors don’t wash out when brightness cranks up.
Viewing Angles
Both TVs deliver outstanding viewing angles with minimal color and contrast shifting when watched outside the sweet spot, thanks to OLED‘s consistent self-emissive properties. Too close to call.
Motion Handling
OLED‘s instantaneous pixel response times already provide silky smooth motion clarity for fast on-screen action. While LG has historically led here, Samsung‘s latest processing nearly eliminates the advantage in 2022.
Upscaling
Samsung‘s powered-up Neo Quantum Processor and its AI picture remastering tech gives lower resolution material a clearly sharper, more detailed lift. Text positively pops on upscaled cable/satellite content.
Gaming Goodness
Gamers will drool over the premium features that make both 4K OLEDs extremely well-suited for fast-paced console and PC play:
HDMI 2.1 – Enables 4K gaming at 120 fps
VRR Support – G-Sync and FreeSync variable refresh rate technologies prevent screen tearing
ALLM Auto Low Latency Mode – Under 10ms input lag for responsive multiplayer action
4K/120fps Performance
| Model | 4K/120Hz HDMI 2.1 Ports |
|---|---|
| Samsung S95B | 1 |
| LG B2 evo | 2 |
For simultaneous dual console setups, the LG B2 evo provides an advantage with 2 ports supporting full 48 Gbps bandwidth required for lossless 4K/120Hz signals. Samsung forces a swap for the second device.
Response Times
With nearly instantaneous pixel response measured in microseconds, both OLED TVs offer a superbly responsive satellite-free input experience for twitch gaming. It‘s a tie here.
Smart TV & Streaming
Both smart platforms offer intuitive interfaces and robust voice control:
Samsung S95B
The polished Tizen platform excels at surfacing streaming apps and personalized recommendations cued by viewing habits.
Bixby voice assistance understands natural language very accurately but still plays catchup to LG‘s broader smart home device ecosystem connectivity.
LG B2 evo
LG‘s fast and fluid webOS platform puts your favorite services front-and-center while keeping things organized with its efficient ribbon menu.
Native Alexa + ThinQ AI grants impressive voice control for your entertainment and broader connected home.
Core Features
You‘ll enjoy snappy access to all major 4K/HDR streaming services, screen sharing standards like AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in, plus intelligent sports and news alerts on both models.
Unless you‘ve already devoted yourself to Bixby or Alexa, smart features play out as a tie. Both nail the modern connected TV experience.
Audio Performance
Let‘s examine how integrated speakers compare for clear, powerful sound:
Samsung S95B
- 60W 4.2.2-channel speaker system
- Dolby Atmos decoding
- Object Tracking Sound (OTS) – audio shifts with the on-screen action
LG B2 evo
- 40W 2.2-channel speakers
- AI Acoustic Tuning
- Dolby Atmos support
While entirely respectable for slim TV form factors, neither television sounds as expansive or room-filling as a dedicated surround-sound system.
But between the two, Samsung‘s beefier multichannel speakers and immersive OTS audio tech provide a significantly richer, more dimensional soundstage.
Of course, investing in a standalone sound bar renders the point moot. Both OLEDs boast the latest eARC specification for uncompressed Dolby Atmos signal passthrough.
Pricing Breakdown
Due to its newer engineering, Samsung‘s QD-OLED carries a significant price premium over LG‘s evo-based B2 lineup:
55 Inch Model
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Samsung 55" S95B QD-OLED | $2199 |
| LG 55" B2 evo OLED | $1599 |
65 Inch Model
| Model | MSRP |
|---|---|
| Samsung 65" S95B QD-OLED | $3299 |
| LG 65" B2 evo OLED | $2299 |
Factor in a $500 to $1000 price delta depending on screen size. Samsung‘s 2022 manufacturing investments into QD-OLED production achieve superior brightness, color and well-rounded performance – but force buyers to pay a premium.
Meanwhile, LG‘s market-leading capabilities in large-scale OLED manufacturing translate to more affordable B2 pricing while still delivering inky blacks and pixel-perfect contrast that outclasses LED/LCD televisions.
Closing Recommendations
The Samsung S95B QD-OLED proves decisively brighter and more colorful this year. For videophiles who want the pinnacle of 4K picture quality with occasional broad-day viewing, it wins out.
But the LG B2 evo OLED retains outstanding contrast and black levels for dedicated dark home theater spaces. Budget-conscious buyers still get remarkable OLED advancement at a more affordable cost.
As manufacturers fine tune these platforms, QD-OLED and evo promise to raise the bar even higher. Expect tantalizing upgrades integrating self-lit MicroLED, 8K resolution, smarter gaming features and beyond in 2024 and 2025 models!
I‘m happy to weigh in further and address individual questions around comparing the S95B and B2 down in the comments. Feel free to drop your current thoughts if you‘re debating between these awesome OLED TVs!
