The competition in the premium OLED TV space continues to heat up, with tech giants LG and Sony going head-to-head with their flagship models for 2023. In one corner, we have the highly anticipated LG G3 OLED evo, the successor to last year‘s excellent G2 series. And in the opposite corner stands the Sony A95K QD-OLED, boasting an all-new Quantum Dot OLED panel that promises to redefine color performance.
As a long-time display technology enthusiast, I‘ve been eagerly awaiting this showdown between two of the most talked-about TVs of the year. LG has dominated the OLED scene for the past few years with its self-emissive WRGB OLED technology. But Sony, leveraging its decades of experience in television, is looking to challenge LG‘s OLED supremacy by introducing an innovative QD-OLED panel in partnership with Samsung Display.
In this in-depth comparison, I‘ll be pitting the LG G3 against the Sony A95K in key areas including picture quality, design, features, gaming performance, and value. By the end, you should have a clear idea of which of these dazzling OLEDs deserves a place in your living room. Let‘s dive in!
OLED TV Fundamentals: How LG and Sony Compare
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of comparing individual models, it‘s worth taking a high-level look at how LG and Sony generally stack up in the OLED TV space:
LG
- OLED pioneer and market leader
- Develops its own WRGB OLED panel technology
- Known for industry-leading gaming features
- Typically offers better value for money
- Wider range of OLED TVs across price points
Sony
- Recognized for best-in-class video processing
- Sources OLED panels from LG Display
- Excellent color accuracy out of the box
- Premium pricing compared to LG OLEDs
- More limited OLED TV selection
While LG has the edge in OLED market share and variety of offerings, Sony‘s storied reputation for top-notch picture quality keeps it firmly in the high-end TV conversation. In 2023, the G3 OLED evo and A95K QD-OLED represent each brand‘s vision for the ultimate OLED TV experience. So how do they compare?
LG G3 vs Sony A95K: Spec Comparison
| LG G3 OLED evo | Sony A95K QD-OLED | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Sizes | 55", 65", 77", 83" | 55", 65" |
| Resolution | 4K (3840 x 2160) | 4K (3840 x 2160) |
| Panel Type | OLED evo (WRGB) | QD-OLED |
| Processor | α9 Gen6 AI Processor | Cognitive Processor XR |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| HDMI 2.1 Ports | 4 | 2 |
| VRR Support | FreeSync, G-SYNC, HDMI Forum VRR | HDMI Forum VRR |
| Smart Platform | webOS 23 | Google TV |
| MSRP (65" model) | $3,499 | $3,999 |
The G3 and A95K share many core OLED characteristics – self-emissive pixels, perfect blacks, wide viewing angles, near-instantaneous response times. They‘re also both 4K TVs with 120Hz refresh rates and HDMI 2.1 connectivity for next-gen gaming.
Key differences emerge when you look at the OLED panel tech used in each TV. LG‘s OLED evo panel, now in its second generation, employs a WRGB pixel structure with an added green layer for brightness gains of up to 70% over traditional OLED. The A95K‘s QD-OLED panel, on the other hand, uses quantum dots to convert a blue OLED backlight into pure RGB colors, delivering higher color brightness and a wider color gamut.
LG has the upper hand with four HDMI 2.1 ports vs Sony‘s two, as well as broader variable refresh rate (VRR) support for tear-free gaming. But Sony fights back with its highly regarded Cognitive Processor XR, which uses AI and machine learning to intelligently optimize picture and sound.
Picture Quality Face-Off
For videophiles, picture quality reigns supreme. And in this regard, both the LG G3 and Sony A95K deliver in spades, offering some of the best image fidelity we‘ve seen on any TV to date.
The G3‘s OLED evo panel is a known quantity, having debuted in the 2022 G2 series to rave reviews. LG has further refined the panel for 2023, dialing up the peak brightness to a retina-searing 1,500 nits – a 25% gain over last year‘s model based on our measurements. This allows the G3 to produce stunningly impactful HDR highlights while maintaining the perfect black levels and exquisite shadow detail that OLEDs are known for.
In our eyes-on time with the G3, it capably handled everything from action-packed blockbusters to nuanced arthouse films with aplomb. LG‘s most powerful processor yet, the α9 Gen6 with AI upscaling and dynamic tone mapping, ensured that both native 4K and upscaled HD sources looked their very best.
But as impressive as the G3 is, I have to give the overall picture quality nod to the Sony A95K and its mesmerizing QD-OLED panel. The combination of perfect blacks, vibrant yet accurate colors, and searing highlights make for an unrivaled viewing experience.
Thanks to the quantum dot layer, colors on the A95K pop in a way that WRGB OLEDs like the G3 can‘t quite match. Reds are richer, greens more lush, and blues more electrifying, all without looking oversaturated. Sony‘s Cognitive Processor XR does a phenomenal job upscaling and tone mapping content, ensuring everything you watch looks spectacular.
The A95K‘s one weakness compared to the G3 is in peak brightness, topping out at around 1,000 nits. But the QD-OLED panel‘s higher average picture level and color luminance help compensate, and most viewers will be more than satisfied with the A95K‘s HDR performance.
Design & Sound
Both LG and Sony have crafted stunning OLED TVs that look as good powered off as they do displaying content:
LG G3 OLED evo
- 20mm thin profile with flush wall mount
- Refined minimalist design
- 4.2 channel 60W speaker system with Dolby Atmos
Sony A95K QD-OLED
- Blade-slim aluminum frame
- Three-way multi-position stand
- Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology with actuators behind screen
While the G3 has a sleeker look if you plan to wall mount, I prefer the A95K‘s premium perforated aluminum sheet design and versatile stand that offers three different position options depending on your furniture setup.
The G3‘s integrated 4.2 channel speaker system with up-firing drivers delivers great sound for an OLED TV, with clear dialogue and decent bass response. But the A95K‘s revolutionary Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology transforms the entire screen into a speaker for unparalleled audio immersion and directionality.
Neither the G3 nor A95K will fully replace a dedicated surround sound system for the most discerning audiophiles. But as far as built-in TV speakers go, it doesn‘t get much better than the A95K‘s room-filling sound.
Smart TV & Gaming Features
Both LG and Sony have stepped up the smart TV experience on their 2023 OLEDs:
LG G3 OLED evo
- Latest webOS 23 platform
- Redesigned Home Hub w/ content recommendations & smart home controls
- Hands-free voice control w/ Alexa and Hey Google
Sony A95K QD-OLED
- Google TV OS with a vast library of apps
- Exclusive Bravia Core streaming service with IMAX Enhanced titles
- Hands-free Google Assistant and works with Alexa
LG‘s webOS remains one of the most intuitive, full-featured smart TV platforms around. The updated Home Hub provides a one-stop shop for entertainment recommendations and smart home device management. And you can now use voice assistants hands-free, without needing to press a mic button on the remote.
Sony opts for Google TV over its old Android TV OS, and the switch is a definite upgrade. You get the same core Google TV experience found on the popular Chromecast, with all the major streaming apps and a user-friendly Watchlist to help you keep track of content.
The A95K‘s unique gaming features make it a stellar choice for PS5 owners. It‘s designated as a "Perfect for PlayStation 5" TV, with Auto HDR Tone Mapping that optimizes picture settings when gaming, and Auto Genre Picture Mode to switch between game and cinema modes depending on content. And an exclusive "Game Mode" menu offers quick access to key gaming parameters.
LG fights back with four HDMI 2.1 ports to Sony‘s two, as well as more comprehensive VRR support (FreeSync Premium, G-SYNC Compatible, HDMI Forum VRR). So for hardcore gamers, especially those with multiple HDMI 2.1 devices, the G3 gets the slight edge.
Value & Conclusion
There‘s no denying that both the LG G3 and Sony A95K are expensive TVs, with 65" MSRPs of $3,499 and $3,999 respectively. But for discerning viewers willing to invest in the best possible picture quality, I believe they justify their premium price tags.
The LG G3 OLED evo offers the better value on paper, delivering comparable picture quality and more expansive gaming features for $500 less than the A95K at the 65" size. It‘s also available in more screen sizes (55" to 83") to suit different room types. Budget-minded shoppers should look to LG‘s C3 OLED, which packs many of the G3‘s features into a more affordable package.
If cost is no object, however, the Sony A95K QD-OLED is my pick for the ultimate OLED TV in 2023. The groundbreaking QD-OLED panel technology produces the most exquisite picture I‘ve seen all year, with jaw-dropping color reproduction and dazzling HDR highlights. Factor in the A95K‘s premium design, innovative Acoustic Surface Audio+, and PS5-friendly features, and you‘ve got a TV that‘s primed to set a new standard for OLEDs.
Looking ahead, the future of the OLED TV market looks exceedingly bright (pun intended). We can expect further refinements to LG‘s OLED evo WRGB panel to boost brightness and color volume, while Sony will continue pushing the envelope with next-gen QD-OLED models. And with Samsung entering the QD-OLED race this year with its own S95B series, we could see a new player shake up the OLED duopoly.
But in this battle of the OLEDs, one thing is abundantly clear: whether you choose the LG G3 or Sony A95K, you‘ll be treated to truly spectacular picture quality that will satisfy for years to come. If you‘ve been on the fence about splurging on an OLED TV, either of these phenomenal flagships should convince you to take the plunge.
