The Samsung S95B and LG G3 represent the pinnacle of OLED TV technology in 2023. Both of these high-end televisions offer cutting-edge picture quality, sleek designs, and smart features to provide an unparalleled home theater experience. But how do they compare head-to-head? In this in-depth guide, we‘ll examine every aspect of the S95B and G3 to help you determine which premium OLED TV reigns supreme.
Design and Build Quality
When it comes to aesthetics, both the Samsung S95B and LG G3 are simply stunning. The S95B boasts an incredibly slim profile, measuring just 1.6 inches thick despite housing a generous 65-inch screen. It‘s crafted from premium materials with impeccable fit and finish. The nearly bezel-less design immerses you in the on-screen action.
LG takes a somewhat different approach with the G3. While not quite as razor-thin as the S95B, the G3 features LG‘s innovative Zero Gap wall mount. This allows the TV to sit flush against the wall like a piece of art when mounted. The bezels are vanishingly thin, putting all the focus on that glorious OLED panel. One downside is that the G3 doesn‘t include a tabletop stand in the box – that‘ll cost extra if you don‘t plan to wall-mount it.
Picture Quality
Of course, the real star of any OLED TV is the picture quality. And in this area, both the S95B and G3 deliver in spades. Since each individual pixel is self-illuminating, these TVs achieve a theoretically infinite contrast ratio. Blacks are perfectly black, while bright highlights pop off the screen.
The S95B utilizes Samsung‘s latest QD-OLED technology. By combining quantum dots with organic light-emitting diodes, the TV is able to produce a wider color gamut with enhanced color volume and brightness compared to traditional OLED panels. It tops out at around 1500 nits peak brightness in HDR.
LG takes a more traditional WRGB OLED approach with the G3, but still manages to push the technology forward. The 3rd generation OLED evo panel, combined with LG‘s Brightness Booster Max technology, cranks out measurably higher peak brightness than last year‘s G2 – up to 70% brighter. The G3‘s anti-reflective screen also helps reduce glare and maintain perfect black levels from wider viewing angles.
Both TVs support a range of HDR formats including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG. They have near-instantaneous response times and excel at motion handling thanks to their 120Hz native refresh rates. You really can‘t go wrong with either TV when it comes to pure picture quality.
Smart TV Platforms and User Experience
As the brains of the TV, the smart TV operating system plays a big role in your day-to-day experience. The Samsung S95B runs the latest version of Tizen OS, while the LG G3 sports the brand new webOS 23.
Tizen offers an intuitive, full-screen interface for accessing your favorite streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO Max. There‘s a good selection of apps available, and the interface is snappy and responsive.
LG has redesigned webOS for version 23 with some helpful new personalization options and recommendations. It offers a similarly robust app selection and zippy performance. LG‘s "Magic Remote" supports both button presses and mouse-like point-and-click functionality.
Both platforms now have increased ad presence that you can‘t completely disable, which is unfortunate on such premium TVs. But in general, they are evenly matched in terms of smart features and usability. It mostly comes down to personal UI preference between Tizen and webOS.
Gaming Performance
Gamers will be well-served by either of these high-end OLEDs. The Samsung S95B and LG G3 both have HDMI 2.1 ports with support for 4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR), and auto low latency mode (ALLM) when paired with PS5 or Xbox Series X consoles.
The S95B exhibited lower input lag in some tests, as low as ~5ms in its dedicated gaming mode. But the G3 is no slouch either, and its game optimizer menu offers granular control over VRR, black stabilizer, and other settings.
Unfortunately, neither TV currently supports Dolby Vision gaming, which is offered on some other high-end sets. But they cover all the other important gaming-related bases with excellent motion handling, response times, and overall performance.
Sound Quality
While most people spending this much on a TV will likely pair it with a dedicated sound system, both the S95B and G3 offer better than average built-in audio. The S95B sports a 4.2.2 channel system with support for Dolby Atmos object-based surround sound. It gets fairly loud and has decent bass response for built-in speakers.
The G3 has a 60W 4.2 channel speaker system with up-firing speakers to simulate Atmos height effects. It can‘t match a true surround setup, but dialogue is clear and there‘s a solid amount of punch and dynamics to the sound.
Both TVs have eARC HDMI support for lossless audio passthrough to compatible receivers and soundbars. So while the built-in speakers are better than most, I‘d still recommend investing in a proper sound system to match the stellar picture quality of these OLEDs.
Recent and Future Updates
Samsung and LG are constantly innovating and improving their TV technology. The S95B is one of the first QD-OLED models on the market, combining the best attributes of QLED and OLED into one impressive package.
LG continues to tweak its OLED formula each year, with the G3 sporting a brighter, more advanced panel than last year‘s G2 model. It has also introduced precision tone mapping and personalized picture wizard features to help optimize image quality.
Looking ahead, Samsung is working on even larger QD-OLED screen sizes, more advanced Mini LED backlight systems for its LCD models, and is investing heavily into Micro LED as a potential next-generation display technology.
LG has hinted at using deuterium in future OLED materials to increase lifespan and brightness. It‘s also developing transparent and flexible OLED screens for novel applications beyond traditional TVs.
So while the S95B and G3 represent the current state-of-the-art, there‘s plenty to look forward to as Samsung and LG continue to push TV picture quality to new heights.
Price and Value
As the flagship models in their respective OLED TV lineups, the Samsung S95B and LG G3 command premium prices. The 65-inch S95B has an MSRP of $3,499 while the 65" G3 comes in at $3,199. The G3 is also available in a mammoth 83-inch size for $6,499 if you want the ultimate OLED experience.
These are undeniably expensive TVs, but you‘re paying for the absolute best picture quality on the market. Both models use cutting-edge panel technology and pack in all the latest features and formats. They offer significantly better performance than more budget-friendly OLED options like LG‘s B2 or Sony‘s A80K.
Between the two, the LG G3 offers slightly better value in my opinion. It‘s a bit cheaper than the S95B while providing a brighter panel and that sleek Zero Gap wall mount design. But the S95B‘s QD-OLED technology is impressive in its own right, and some may prefer Tizen over webOS.
The Verdict
So which high-end OLED should you buy? The Samsung S95B or LG G3? Honestly, there is no wrong answer. Both of these flagship TVs offer phenomenal picture quality, future-proof gaming features, slick smart TV platforms, and elegant designs.
Videophiles may slightly prefer the S95B for its cutting-edge QD-OLED technology and best-in-class color reproduction. It‘s the kind of TV that will have your jaw on the floor during 4K HDR movies. And the ultra-slim design is incredibly impressive from an engineering standpoint.
But the LG G3 earns my overall recommendation for a few key reasons. The higher peak brightness and anti-reflective coating make it more versatile for rooms with ambient lighting. The Zero Gap mount is a revelation for those wanting their TV to disappear into the wall. And the webOS 23 platform is a bit snappier and more intuitive than Samsung‘s Tizen in my experience.
Ultimately, you can‘t go wrong with either TV if pure picture quality is your top priority. The Samsung S95B and LG G3 are the finest OLED televisions that money can buy in 2023. They represent the pinnacle of display technology and provide a truly next-level viewing experience. If you have the budget for a flagship OLED, you‘ll be endlessly impressed by what these two Korean TV titans have achieved.
