LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Which OLED TV is Right For You?

MLA vs. QD-OLED: LG G4 vs. Samsung S95D – Which OLED TV is Best?

FAQS & Tutorials - Updated 9th December 2024

LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Which OLED TV is Right For You?

Written By

Elliott Peeters-Vanstone

Which Flagship OLED TV Is Right For You?

OLED TVs have long been the go-to choice for the best in home entertainment, and the latest flagship models from LG and Samsung are both pushing the boundaries of picture quality once again. But which model is the best?

In this head-to-head, we'll be putting the LG G4 (MLA-OLED) against the Samsung S95D (QD-OLED). We'll dive deep into the technical specs, real-world performance, and unique features to help you decide which OLED TV is the perfect choice for your home.

While both TVs offer stunning visuals, there are key differences that could sway your decision. So, let's get started and find out which OLED TV should be on your shortlist.

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Want a more in-depth comparison? Watch our LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Who’s Your Money on video on YouTube 👇

LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Price

When it comes to the RRP prices both Samsung and LG’s flagship OLEDs are pretty competitively priced. For reference, the 65-inch LG G4 (Wall Mount) has an RRP of £3,299, while the 65-inch Samsung S95D, comes in at a slightly more expensive £3,399.

While their RRPs might be similar, TV prices fluctuate a lot! It's always a good idea to check our website for the latest prices as you might find a great deal on one model over another which will be important to factor in during your decision making process.

That said, if you’re looking for a screen larger than 77” then the G4 would be the way to go with an 83-inch and 97-inch models available - MLA panel technology is not used in the latter though.

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What's On Display? MLA vs. QD-OLED

Let’s kick off with the key differences in tech then. Firstly, while these TVs are both OLEDs, they both use totally different technology to tackle OLED’s biggest weakness - brightness. And let’s get one thing straight - these are both bright TVs. So how are they doing it?

LG G4 (MLA OLED)

Well, LG are onto their 2nd generation MLA panel with the G4, building on last year’s G3’s already very impressive brightness. MLA technology adds tiny micro lenses in the panel to improve the efficiency of the individual diodes by directing more of the light in the panel out towards the viewer.

LG have also added AI via their 2024 Alpha 11 AI processor and brightness booster max to enhance brightness further. As you’ll see, brightness is incredible on this TV and the MLA tech is now available in the 83” version for the first time.

Samsung S95D (QD-OLED)

Samsung, on the other hand, have opted for QD-OLED technology and the S95D is the 3rd generation of this tech for Samsung. This technology uses Blue OLEDs (as opposed to White OLEDs used in traditional OLEDs or “WOLEDs”) that shine blue light through red and green quantum dot layers to create richer, more vivid colours.

This method reduces the amount of layers required, leading to an overall brighter picture making this model considerably brighter than the already very bright S95C.

New for this year, Samsung also brings OLED Glare Free technology to the S95D which is essentially a low reflection coating designed to reduce reflections and glare. This seems to have divided some people and is a big difference from the glossy screen of the G4.

LG G4 and Samsung S95D reflection handling side by side

Don’t worry though, we’ve got plenty of examples comparing both MLA and QD OLED and matte and gloss screens coming up!

Want to learn more about the technology behind the TVs? Check out our blog article MLA vs. QD-OLED: The Differences That Actually Matter

LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Design

Samsung S95D with landscapes on the screen

As you might imagine, both the LG G4 and Samsung S95D are premium-looking TVs with a sleek finish, thin bezels, and a very slim profile.

The G-series from LG has historically been a wall-mount-only design out of the box, though you could purchase a separate stand if you could get your hands on one.

This year, LG has switched things up, with the 55” and 65” available in your choice of a stand-mount or wall-mount variant. Both the G4 and S95D have a centre pedestal stand, but only the G4 is height-adjustable.

One big difference in design is that Samsung has this external One Connect Box for all your inputs, which does give you a bit more versatility as you’ll only need one cable connected from the box to the TV.

Ultimately, both look great wall-mounted or on a stand, and which design you prefer will be down to personal preference.

LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Operating System

Both Samsung and LG have updated their operating systems for 2024, offering a smoother and more intuitive user experience.

LG's WebOS 24 provides a clean interface with easy-to-navigate tabs, a wide range of apps, and reduced advertising. The picture settings are user-friendly, offering both basic and advanced options.

Samsung's Tizen OS has also been refined, featuring a similar layout to WebOS. It includes a profile system, allowing different users to personalize their experience with recommended content.

While both operating systems have improved significantly, we personally prefer Sony's Google TV. However, LG and Samsung's offerings are becoming increasingly competitive.

Both TVs also incorporate pixel shift, pixel refresh, and panel care settings to reduce the risk of burn in and maintain image quality over time.

LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Picture Quality

Look, there’s no debate that the LG G4 and Samsung S95D are two of the best TVs on the market, each offering their own unique strengths. After weeks of side-by-side testing, we’ve identified the key strengths and weaknesses of both TVs:

For a detailed comparison, check out our LG G4 vs. Samsung S95D Review on YouTube. Skip to 07:29 to see the side-by-side testing.

LG G4 Strengths	Samsung S95D Strengths
✅ Superior black levels ✅ More accurate and lifelike colours ✅ Excellent motion handling	✅ Higher peak brightness ✅ Wider colour gamut & more vibrant ✅ Better handling of reflections
LG G4 Weaknesses	Samsung S95D Weaknesses
❌ While it's still plenty bright, it might not reach the peak brightness of the S95D in certain scenes	❌ Can exhibit some blooming in bright scenes ❌ Requires calibration for true realism and true-to-life colour accuracy

Key Differences At A Glance:

Brightness: The S95D offers higher peak brightness, making it ideal for bright rooms.

Colour Accuracy: The G4 generally offers more accurate colors, especially in darker scenes.

Reflections: The S95D's matte display significantly reduces reflections, making it more suitable for brighter environments.

Processing Power: The G4 often has a slight edge in terms of image processing, resulting in smoother motion and better upscaling.

LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Gaming Performance

Call Of Duty being played on the Samsung S95D

Feature	LG G4	Samsung S95D
HDMI 2.1 Ports	x4	x4
4K 144Hz Support	Yes	Yes
HDMI 2.1 Bandwidth	48 Gbps	40 Gbps
Dolby Vision	Yes	No
DTS Passthrough	Yes	No
HDR10+	Yes	Yes
VRR	Yes	Yes
AMD FreeSync	Yes	Yes

When it comes to inputs and gaming specs, both TVs are quite comparable.

Both offer four HDMI 2.1 ports that support up to 4K 144Hz—a significant upgrade this year for both models. While the G4 supports a full 48 gigabits per second HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, the S95D caps out at 40 gigabits. While there's a technical difference, 40 gigabits is still plenty for most use cases.

One key difference that might be a deal-breaker for some is that the S95D doesn't support Dolby Vision or DTS audio passthrough. While the Samsung still delivers impressive HDR performance with HDR10+, these omissions are worth noting.

For gamers, both TVs are strong contenders. They both support VRR and AMD FreeSync, and both offer comprehensive game modes. Based on my testing, both TVs offer excellent HDR brightness in game mode. However, the Samsung is slightly brighter, which can be beneficial for spotting details in darker scenes. Both TVs also have very similar input lag at 4K 120Hz.

LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Sound Performance

While the LG G4 and Samsung S95D are both impressive performers visually, their audio performance is a bit more of a supporting act. Both TVs offer decent built-in speakers, but let's be honest, most of us will be plugging in a soundbar or dedicated home cinema system.

That said, if you're curious about the built-in speakers, the LG G4 has a slight upper hand with a bit more oomph in the bass. But don't expect a cinematic audio experience, there's only so much you can do when the TVs are this thin!

LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Our Verdict

LG G4 and Samsung S95D side by side with mountain range image on screen

So, where does all of this leave us? Well, it would be easy to say that both TVs are fantastic and you won't regret buying either. While that's true, it's also true that one is likely a better fit for your specific needs.

Last year the G3 was a real standout TV and we’re really pleased that LG have managed to build on that success with the G4. But, we’re also equally glad that the Samsung S95D has also been able to deliver such a competitive alternative.

Depending on your preferences, I think the purists among you will prefer the colour accuracy of the G4 but there’s no doubt that Samsung’s vivid colours and brightness will be an appealing option for a lot of viewers.

We love making these comparisons and although how the TVs handle reflections is a matter of personal preference. It's worth noting that the differences in picture quality between the two are only really noticeable when compared side-by-side. Standalone both TVs are stunning when viewed individually.

If we had to choose a "Best OLED TV of 2024," we'd give the edge to the LG G4 for its accurate and natural picture quality. However, the Samsung S95D is an equally compelling alternative, especially in brighter environments.

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