Now that Samsung has finally released its first OLED TV in over a decade, you might be wondering whether to buy the new Samsung S95B OLED or save a little money by buying a cheaper OLED TV like the LG C2 OLED.
The answer is still worth exploring, though, mostly cut and dried based on our TV review and price discrepancies — especially if you’re someone who likes getting the latest tech before anyone else.
The short answer is that LG OLED TVs are still the best yet. It might not be as bright as Samsung’s new S95B display, but the LG C2 OLED and LG G2 OLED do a better job with black levels and come with a smarter platform that’s more user-friendly. It also helps that the C2 OLED is cheaper than the QD-OLED that the S95B uses.
Want a detailed breakdown of these two TV titans? Here’s how the Samsung S95B OLED stacks up against LG’s two premium OLED options, the LG C2 OLED and the LG G2 OLED.
Samsung OLED vs LG OLED: Specifications
Now, before we get too deep into it, it’s worth noting that the Samsung S95B OLED TV isn’t just an OLED screen — it’s actually a QD-OLED TV, a new panel technology that adds a layer of quantum dots to a blue OLED backlight. . This differs from the OLED Evo panels that LG uses, but is similar enough in price and performance that they can be compared in an apple-to-apple comparison.
Below is a breakdown of the specifications of each TV:
| LG C2 OLED | LG G2 OLED | Samsung S95B OLED | |
|---|---|---|---|
| price range | $1,399 – $5,299 | $1499 – $5999 | 1999 – $2,799 |
| Screen sizes | 42″, 48″, 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | 55″, 65″, 77″ and 83″ | 55 inch and 65 inch |
| the decision | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) | 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) |
| Supported Formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG |
| refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| ports | 4x HDMI 2.1 | 4x HDMI 2.1 | 4x HDMI 2.1 |
| My voice | 7.2.2 Audio Channel | 4.2 channel audio | 2.2.2 Audio Channel |
| smart tv program | webOS 22 | webOS 22 | tizen |
| Healer | α9 Gen 5 AI processor with 4K resolution | α9 Gen 5 AI processor with 4K resolution | Quantum Neural Processor 4K |
| voice assistant | ThinQ AI, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | ThinQ AI, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Bixby, Google Assistant |
Samsung OLED vs LG OLED: Prices and Sizes
Of all the three TV series mentioned above, the Samsung S95B comes in the fewest sizes — so far, it’s limited to 55 or 65 inches from corner to corner. The LG C2 OLED comes in both sizes, as well as having a screen size of 42, 48, 77 and 83 inches. The G2 has all of those sizes minus the 42- and 48-inch sizes that are exclusive to the C2 Series.
In terms of pricing, Samsung and LG’s OLED models both cost about the same as each other, but the LG C2 stands out as a cheaper and more affordable option.
| LG C2 OLED TV | LG G2 OLED TV | Samsung S95B OLED | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42 inches | 1,399 USD | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| 48 inches | 1499 USD | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| 55 inch | $1,799 | $2,099 | 1999 dollars |
| 65 inches | $2,299 USD | $2900 | $2,799 |
| 77 inches | 3,299 USD | 3999 USD | Unavailable |
| 83 inches | $5,299 | $6,499 | Unavailable |
If you just compare the more expensive models – in this case the LG G2 OLED versus the Samsung S95B – you’ll spend about the same amount. However, the LG C2 is less expensive than either, and likely the one best suited to offer the most value for every dollar.
winner: LG C2 OLED
Samsung OLED vs LG OLED: Design
Let’s be clear about this: the design is definitely personal and I wouldn’t mind any of these TVs looking on my mantle. Having said that, in my opinion, there is one clear winner here that stands out above the rest.
The LG G2 OLED is designed to be a classy business. LG packs a mounting bracket into each box—which is a problem if you really want a stand instead—which helps the TV sit against the wall. It has a feel designed with the feel of Samsung’s The Frame, but with an OLED panel packed in to help make the image really stand out. The C2 OLED does sag, but it does come with a stand and it’s not as slim as its more expensive stablemate.
We appreciate that Samsung has reduced the bezels on the new S95B and carried up the attractive base design of its QLED series. It’s slimmer than other OLEDs – if that’s even possible in some way – but it doesn’t use a OneConnect box, unfortunately.
winner: LG G2 OLED
Samsung OLED vs LG OLED: Performance
One could argue that each of these TVs, despite sharing some of the same basic technology, is trying to do different things when it comes to performance. For LG, it’s all about shooting perfect blacks and better contrast, while Samsung cares about better lighting and more colour. They both succeed in achieving those goals – but there is a flaw in both.
At this point, LG has really perfected its OLED panels to the point where they display impressive contrast levels and color accuracy far above what is required in the Rec.709 color space. However, LG’s OLED panels – even the new LG Evo panels – are limited in brightness to less than 1,000 nits in a 10% window. That’s still a lot of brightness, especially if you’re planning to put the G2 in a decent home theater, but it’s twice as much compared to the S95B OLED.
Where the S95B OLED shines is in color reproduction – this is one of the first TVs to exceed the 80% mark in Rec.2020 tests which means its colors will be bright and beautiful. Delta-E color tests show it to be fairly accurate as well. We weren’t quite sold out the way I dealt with black levels that sometimes squashed before hitting the lowest production level. It’s a minor quirk, but one reviewer noted it in his review.
In addition to the great bell specs, you’ll also notice differences in motion handling (we’ve always been big fans of the LG algorithm compared to Samsung’s) and sound quality. The latter is the only area where the LG C2 OLED outperforms both the G2 and the S95B OLED. Ultimately, you’ll want to add one of the best speakers to the mix, but out of the box the LG C2 OLED has the best sound.
winner: Necktie
Samsung OLED vs LG OLED: Smart TV Features
At prices like these, you should expect that you’re buying a serious smart TV — and you, all of these models are exceptionally good at accessing streaming services, integrating smart assistants and helping you find new shows and movies.
However, we found that one manufacturer has a slightly more usable smart TV platform this year than the other, which is LG. LG’s new WebOS 22 isn’t a complete overhaul of the platform as Samsung’s new Tizen smart platform is, but it does improve upon LG’s already great smart TV platform. This year’s WebOS is adding up to six user profiles so you can keep your recommendations separate and the ability to pass a cable signal from one WebOS TV to another TV that doesn’t have a cable box attached to it. Small but impressive changes.
Samsung went the other way this year and opted for an overhaul of Tizen. There’s a new home screen and a different setup from previous years. The system wasn’t perfect before but the new UI can be a bit slow, which is unfortunate considering that simple actions now require more button presses.
Samsung’s new Tizen platform isn’t horrible, but LG is currently better.
winner: LG G2 OLED and LG C2 OLED
Samsung OLED vs LG OLED: Which Should You Buy?
If I was shopping for a TV for myself now, I would probably go with the LG C2 OLED. It is cheaper than others and offers the best value for money. People who want something more designer-focused can easily make the case for buying the LG G2 OLED instead, while people who want the most modern and colorful panel may see the value in the S95B.
However, the standoff should only have one winner and for me, it’s the LG C2 OLED.
winner: LG C2 OLED
