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Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology has received little attention from Samsung throughout the years and it has promoted LED-backlit LCD TVs with quantum dots. But as of late, the business has blended the two to produce the magnificent S95B TV line. With outstanding color performance, this new entry boasts the best peak brightness we’ve seen from an OLED model. The evaluation of what ought to be ideal black levels is, however, made far more challenging by the usage of quantum dots on an OLED panel.
Additionally, it costs more than the winning LG C2 Evo OLED TV, which offers colors that are almost as good while delivering the deep black levels we expect from OLED, at $2,999.99 for the 65-inch model we tested. A unique TV in Samsung’s lineup is the S95B OLED. This TV differs from the premium Samsung QN95B and the company’s QLED lineup in that it makes use of a new QD-OLED panel. you will check our article on Samsung S95B OLED TV review.
This new TV technology, which uses blue OLED panels with quantum dot color filters, like the Sony A95K OLED, is claimed to produce much brighter colors than conventional white OLED displays, like the LG G2 OLED. It uses Samsung’s proprietary Tizen OS smart interface, which has a wide range of apps and games, just like other Samsung TVs. The addition of capabilities, such as support for Google Duo, which enables video conversations with up to 32 people right on your TV by attaching a suitable webcam, is Samsung’s main focus this year. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on gaming features, and it is FreeSync Premium certified and supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on all four ports.
Samsung S95B OLED TV review: Design
The S95B looks suitably futuristic for a TV that uses a new generation of panel technology. Its screen is incredibly thin, about the thickness of two credit cards stacked on top of one another. In fact, it’s most likely the thinnest TV we’ve seen since LG’s “Wallpaper” OLED TVs. The screen bends and twists pretty uncomfortably when you attach it to its sturdy, centrally affixed desktop stand, which makes the skinniness a little frightening.
Once set up is complete, it still feels a touch flimsy, but thankfully it was still intact and functional at the conclusion of my time with it. Since a panel as thin as the S95B’s cannot accommodate speakers, connections, processing, tuners, and the like, there is a larger section that protrudes three to four centimeters from the center of the screen’s bottom half.
However, even this “brain box” is smaller than comparable clunky components on other ultra-thin OLED and LED TVs. Two remote controls are included with the S95B. One is a typical plasticky, button-heavy device that is actually very simple to use, and the other is a “smart” device with fewer buttons that are helpfully organized and a built-in solar panel so you don’t have to keep charging batteries.
Features
The S95B supports the SmartThings app, which can be used to control the TV in addition to using the remote, and it also integrates with services like Ring, Arlo, Philips Hue, and Nanoleaf. This is true of the majority of new Samsung smart TVs. Setting up the TV is made simpler and quicker if you have a SmartThings account because you can restore previously owned Samsung TV backups on the S95B. also you will learn our article on Samsung S95B OLED TV review.
The Multi-View feature allows for the simultaneous viewing of two screens. Voice assistants are supported by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung’s Bixby, and Google Duo provided you have a webcam you can attach to the TV. There is a lot of gaming content available for console and PC players to enjoy. The S95B QD-OLED is in its lowest latency state when using ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and we measured latency at 9.2ms. For even more responsive gaming with suitable games up to 4K/120Hz, VRR can reduce that number.
For console and PC, respectively, HDMI VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium are supported, resulting in a more reliable visual performance. The Game Motion Plus mode is best used with games like RPGs that don’t require quick inputs because it adds a few seconds of latency but offers settings for reducing blur and judder. The Super Ultra Wide Game View feature for PC, which converts 16:9 televisions to widescreen 21:9 or 32:9 displays, is also supported by the S95B.
The S95B comes with the Samsung Gaming Hub, which offers services like Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, Xbox Game Pass, Twitch, and (in the US) Amazon’s Luna cloud/subscription services. All four HDMI 2.1 inputs support ALLM and VRR, allowing you to choose which device to connect to which one. For example, the eARC input on a Dolby Atmos sound bar is HDMI 3. Surprisingly, there are only two USB 2.0 ports on the device. Other features include ethernet, digital audio out, two satellites, antennae, and a CI+ 1.4 slot. The wireless options are Wi-Fi (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, DLNA, Wireless Dex) and Bluetooth 5.2.
Samsung S95B OLED TV review: Performance
The QN65S96BAF is one of the first TVs on the market to combine OLED and quantum dot technology into a single set, and it generally lives up to its promise of next-generation picture quality. With the help of an X-Rite i1 Pro spectrophotometer, a SpectraCal VideoForge Pro pattern generator, and the Calman calibration software from Portrait Displays, we tested the set and got some impressive results.
In SDR Filmmaker Mode (the closest to an out-of-the-box calibration option) with the Brightness Optimization setting off, the QN65S95BAF’s Delta-E value, which measures how the source color differs from the displayed color (with lower numbers being better) was a fine 3.0184, and the picture covered exactly 100% of the Rec.709 color gamut. Using the same settings, the set’s brightness registered as 329.5 nits—a high result for an OLED TV.
For comparison, the Sony A80J, one of our favorite sets of 2021, was slightly less accurate in its Custom mode with a Delta-E of 3.3645, but covered more of the Rec.709 gamut (110.4%). The QN65S95BAF displayed even more brightness when HDR content was present, measuring about 1,050 nits with a 10% field (our standard for brightness readings), compared to the Sony A80J’s slightly more than 600 nits. The Samsung covered 99.8% of the UHDA-P3 color gamut, which is higher than the Sony’s 97.2%. HDR color was also good. In summary, the QN65S95BAF’s image is vivid, rich, and accurate in terms of its color.
Every piece of media we viewed on the QN65S95BAF reflected these results. Watching Denis Villeneuve’s Dune brought the sandy sandscapes of Arrakis to life, and the darker, more constricted inner scenes seemed properly tense. The Batman’s on the verge of collapse Gotham City ignited with its roughness and glory in ultrarealism. In contrast to Spider-Man: No Way Home, a different type of (partially) animated movie, Disney’s Encanto captivated audiences with its web-choked, multiverse-spanning action. Encanto burst with the warm Colombian colors that define its magical world. Mission: Impossible—Fallout’s 1080p version scaled up to 4K nicely with some, but not overly distracting, fuzziness.
Picture quality
The Samsung S95B comes with the Standard picture setting, which exhibits the typical extreme blue gamma and dramatically oversaturated colors. All of these problems are resolved by choosing the Filmmaker mode, which results in colors with an average error of 1.65, a gamma that tracks 2.4, and a greyscale with an average error of 1.5.
There are calibration controls available for those who seek perfection because these measurements are well below the visible threshold of three. Due to the use of quantum dots, SDR images have a stunning level of accuracy that results in deep blacks, excellent shadow delineation, precisely rendered details, and natural colors.
Additionally, picture processing is impressive, with the 4K Neural Quantum chipset bringing out and enhancing the details in high-quality images. Even content with lower resolutions can be viewed thanks to excellent upscaling and image enhancements. Motion handling is also excellent, producing moving images free of judder or other motion artifacts.
Sound quality
The S95B’s bodywork is incredibly thin for a large portion of its rear, as we’ll be discussing more in the section after this one, leaving very little room for such commonplace items as speakers. However, the S95B does a surprisingly good job of utilizing Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound system, making voices and incidental sounds appear to be coming from the appropriate place on or just off the screen for the majority of the time.
In contrast to Samsung’s Mini-LED and conventional LED TVs, which compress sound between the screen and the wall behind it, this TV’s voice quality is very convincing and clear. It also gives the impression of pushing forward into the room. However, the S95B’s audio has several restrictions that become noticeable as action sequences pick up steam.
For starters, the TV’s sound system is unable to adequately support the theatrical impact of its enormous screen and powerful images. Additionally, the bass presence is minimal and, when under stress, might sound buzzy and distorted. Finally, the S95B’s sound tends to collapse in on itself during the loudest, biggest movie moments, like many ultimately underpowered sound systems do.
Samsung S95B OLED TV review: Gaming
Thanks in large part to its support for 4K at 120Hz and VRR (variable refresh rate), which supports AMD Freesync and Nvidia G-Sync, although the latter isn’t officially accepted by Samsung for some reason, the Samsung S95B is a top-tier gaming TV. For a better gaming experience, the company also offers Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro technology.
Thanks to ALLM support, the TV automatically switches to game mode when it detects a console, and the input lag is an astonishingly low 9ms. A number of PC games support the 21:9 and 32:9 ultra wide aspect ratios, and the Game Motion Plus controls help deliver smoother motion without appreciably increasing lag.
The Game Bar 2.0, which appears when you hold down the play/pause button or when a game console is recognized, compiles all the game-related data into a single useful display. The HDR information, which supports HDR10+ Gaming and HGiG, as well as the frame rate and VRR status, as well as important gaming picture modifications, are all included in the Game Bar. Streamed gaming services are available through Samsung’s recently released Game Hub, but no matter how you access your games, the results will be excellent.
The S95B creates rich, vibrant 4K HDR images that give games a lot of punch and guarantee a smooth, quick-paced gaming experience. It’s important to note that tone-mapping in video games can be a little aggressive and cause some highlights to be clipped. This isn’t noticeable with regular video content, indicating that it might be because of the metadata used with games. As a result, you’ll need to turn down the ST.2084 control a little if you prefer accurate rather than punchy gaming visuals.
Interface
Although it lacks the simplicity of the previous edition’s “shelves,” the new version of Tizen has advanced to a full-screen interface, and while we don’t detest the appearance as much as some others, we do. The navigation is simple enough, but it seems like some things require a few more clicks than they did previously. One standard, chunkier remote and one slim, slender, and environmentally friendly smart version that can be charged by ambient room light are provided. A navigation d-pad, shortcuts, voice control access, and quick buttons for opening apps like Disney+ and Netflix are among the few buttons on its face.
Strangely, unlike on other Samsung televisions, there is no support for checking the smart remote’s current battery life in the settings. The smart remote doesn’t respond to screen inputs quickly enough. We initially believed that we weren’t pointing at the proper spot on the TV. But even when you hit the sweet spot, it might still need a few blows before it reacts. Comparatively, using the standard battery-operated remote is much quicker when navigating the interface. Five areas make up the user interface: Search, Ambient, Gaming, Media, and Menu. also you can read our article on Samsung S95B OLED TV review.
While gaming offers a tone of cloud gaming services and allows you to keep track of which games/devices have been used, media has access to streaming apps. While Search is used to browse content on the Tizen platform, Ambient offers designs that serve as wallpaper in the Ambient+ mode of the television. The TV’s settings and features, like Multi View, are located on the menu. Similar to LG’s webOS, Samsung’s Tizen offers a diverse selection of apps. The majority of the most widely used apps, including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV, as well as all of the UK’s catch-up and on-demand services, are all available here.
Samsung offers its own TV Plus service as an alternative to the Freeview Play umbrella but does not support it. A free online content service from Samsung called TV Plus gives users access to live and on-demand channels. There are approximately 100 channels available, including CNN, Bloomberg, Comedy Hub, Tastemade, and America’s Got Talent, which is an exclusive in the UK. The service varies slightly depending on the region (due to rights issues).
Price and availability
With prices starting at £2999 (roughly AU$5300) versus £3499 (roughly AU$6200), the Samsung QE65S95B successfully launches its marketing campaign. Of course, £2999 is not exactly pennies on the dollar, but we are discussing a brand-new, possibly game-changing technology. When you consider that early adopters were anticipated to pay five figures for other revolutionary technologies like plasma and OLED when they first launched, it’s a pleasant surprise to find that Samsung’s first 65-inch QD OLED TV actually slots in just below the price of a premium “standard” OLED TV like LG’s OLED65G2, below the price of its Sony QD-OLED rival, and even below the launch price of Samsung’s own premium 65-inch flagship 4K “Neo QLED”
Conclusion
Overall, the Samsung S95B is an excellent TV. With its self-emissive panel technology, you can view movies or play video games in complete darkness. The excellent color spectrum and high peak brightness of HDR content make it seem fantastic. It also offers a great viewing angle, so you can enjoy a clear image from any position, which makes it fantastic for watching TV or sports.
Sadly, it employs an extremely unusual pixel layout that leads to glaring color fringing and fuzzy text, making it unsuitable for use as a PC monitor for productivity. Additionally, because the screen has a pink tint and has raised blacks in a room with any ambient lighting, it works best in completely dark environments.