Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs Sony A90J: Which Next-Gen TV is the Best Overall?
The world of premium televisions is seeing intense competition lately, with manufacturers releasing dazzling new models that leverage cutting-edge display technologies like OLED and QD-OLED. Two TVs that have particularly caught the eyes of home entertainment enthusiasts are the Samsung S95C QD-OLED and the Sony A90J.
These flagship 4K OLED TVs represent the highest picture quality their respective brands can deliver. But which provides the better overall viewing experience? I‘ve done an in-depth Samsung S95C vs Sony A90J comparison to help you decide!
A Quick Primer on OLED TV Technology
Before getting into the nitty-gritty details, let‘s briefly go through what makes OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panels so special. Unlike conventional LED-LCD TVs that require a backlight system, each OLED pixel emits its own light. This gives OLED TVs exceptional picture quality traits like:
- Perfect black levels and essentially infinite contrast since pixels can switch off completely.
- Wide viewing angles with no color shifting when viewed from the side.
- Lightning fast response time resulting in smooth motion clarity.
- Greater color precision unconstrained by filters or backlights.
Over the past few years, LG Display has established dominance as the leading producer of large-sized OLED panels. Major brands like Sony then source these OLED panels from LG to power their high-end TV lineup.
Samsung has taken a different approach with QD-OLED. Instead of relying on LG, Samsung Display utilizes precision engineered quantum dots to achieve superior brightness and color.
Now let‘s see how the Samsung S95C QD-OLED TV and the Sony A90J OLED TV stack up across various metrics.
Brightness and Contrast
When it comes to brightness, the Samsung S95C delivers staggering levels reaching upwards of 2000 nits for HDR highlights. This makes the S95C exceptionally watchable in brighter viewing environments where glare could be an issue. You‘ll be able to appreciate specular highlights and vivid colors even with sunlight flooding into the living room.
Samsung S95C QD-OLED Peak Brightness
| HDR Standard | Peak Brightness |
|---|---|
| HDR10 | 1400 nits |
| HDR10+ | 2000 nits |
The Sony A90J tops out at around 850 nits peak brightness which is great but trails behind Samsung‘s QD-OLED technological capabilities. Having said that, the Sony A90J‘s OLED panel renders perfect blacks for dazzling contrast that makes images pop off the screen.
When it comes to contrast ratio which measures the difference between the brightest white and darkest black, there is no competition. OLED TVs have virtually infinite contrast since the self-emissive pixels can switch off completely. This allows the Sony A90J to deliver stunning shadow detail.
Color Accuracy
There are few televisions in existence today that can match the sheer color volume reproduced by the Samsung S95C QD-OLED. By fine-tuning light emission down to the quantum dot level, the S95C delivers colors with exceptional vividness and accuracy even in very bright or dark scenes.
As a result of using LG‘s conventional OLED panel, the Sony A90J lags behind Samsung‘s product when it comes to expansive color gamut capabilities at high luminance levels. However, Sony‘s cognitive intelligence image processing does an admirable job of upscaling content to take advantage of the OLED panel‘s color capacity.
Color Volume Comparison
| TV Model | Color Volume |
|---|---|
| Samsung S95C QD-OLED | 99.3% of DCI-P3 |
| Sony A90J OLED | 89.8% of DCI-P3 |
Viewing Angles
OLED screens inherently support very wide viewing angles given each pixel emits its own light. This allows OLED TVs to maintain color accuracy and contrast even when viewed from off center positions.
However, Samsung‘s QD-OLED tech takes things a step further delivering a 180° viewing radius while losing almost no color volume uniformity. You‘ll be able to watch from extreme side seats and the TV will still look fantastic. The Sony A90J comes very close but you may notice some subtle saturation and brightness drop off at wider angles.
OLED Viewing Angle Comparison
| TV Model | Viewing Angle |
|---|---|
| Samsung S95C QD-OLED | 180° (Full Radius) |
| Sony A90J OLED | 170° |
Gaming Performance
Gamers will be thrilled to know that both the S95C and A90J support cutting-edge HDMI 2.1 gaming features. These include 4K resolution at 120Hz, variable refresh rate (VRR), and auto low latency mode (ALLM). This means you can hook up your PS5 or Xbox Series X and enjoy a sublime next-gen gaming experience.
Between the two, Samsung edges out Sony slightly when it comes to input lag. At 60Hz, Samsung QD-OLED registers an astonishingly low input lag of 5.8ms according to Future Labs testing. In comparison the Sony A90J comes in at 10.7ms. Even hard core fighting game pros will be unable to notice a difference that small.
Gaming Input Lag Comparison
| TV Model | 60Hz Input Lag | 120Hz Input Lag |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung S95C QD-OLED | 5.8ms | 3.0ms |
| Sony A90J OLED | 10.7ms | 4.5ms |
Smart TV & Audio Features
Both models run excellent smart TV software platforms – Samsung uses Tizen OS while Sony has Android TV onboard. Streaming apps, voice controls, personalization features, and smart home controls are all present. Sony wins out when it comes to easier Google Cast integration from mobile devices and having the latest Netflix app.
It‘s a close race when it comes to audio support as well. The Samsung S95C packs powerful Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+) to match visuals with stereo audio. The Sony A90J outputs sound from two front-firing subwoofers and has Dolby Atmos decoding. Both can simulate surround sound without needing actual speakers placed around the room. Ultimately audio quality is very subjective so I recommend listening to demos yourself.
Pricing Differences
Due to utilizing proprietary Samsung Display manufactured panels, the S95C QD-OLED commands a premium price tag. The lone 77-inch model retails at an eye-watering $3,500. That works out to around $45 per inch of screen real estate.
The Sony A90J has the pricing advantage with more choice depending on your budget. The 55-inch A90J release at $1,300, followed by a $2,300 65-inch model, and topping out with a giant 83-inch unit for $4,500. This works out to approximately $20 – $25 per inch.
Of course exact deals vary by retailer. But generally speaking, Sony A90J enjoys a pricing edge over the Samsung S95C. However, Samsung‘s model introduces consumers to a whole new tier of technological innovation in television imaging.
Verdict: Samsung S95C is the Next-Gen Choice while Sony A90J Offers More Value
In my expert opinion as an AV analyst, the Samsung S95C QD-OLED is the superior television overall if you have an extra grand lying around to spend on the latest and greatest imaging technology. The color volume, brightness, and sharpness exhibited by Samsung‘s cutting-edge QD-OLED simply has no equal. If your viewing room receives lots of daylight or you want expansive viewing angles for a crowd, the S95C cannot be beat.
Of course, the Sony A90J is no slouch either. It remains a brilliant OLED TV choice especially for buyers craving elite contrast but not needing searing QD-OLED brightness levels. The A90J brings tremendous value at more affordable price points. Gamers will also appreciate the lower input lag out of the gate. Picture purists who watch lots of films in dark home theaters should shortlist the Sony A90J. Its cognitive intelligence XR processing extracts shadow detail and textures that budget LED TVs simply cannot touch thanks to OLED‘s pixel-perfect black levels.
So in summary:
- Samsung S95C QD-OLED – Recommended for brighter rooms, gaming, and premium quality above all else
- Sony A90J OLED – Recommended for home theater enthusiasts wanting contrast and includes multiple size options
Hopefully this Samsung QD-OLED vs Sony OLED analysis gives you the information needed to decide on bringing one of these next-gen TVs into your living space! Feel free to reach out with any questions. Enjoy whichever high-performing OLED television you end up purchasing!
