The Samsung S95D OLED is arguably the best TV that Samsung makes one of the best OLEDs that you can buy — up there with LG. This is what we learned testing the 77-inch S95D that is new for 2024.
Movie lovers and gamers will appreciate the deep blacks and accurate, bright HDR performance of the S95D. The set also delivers impressive gaming performance with fast response times and a Game Bar that lets you quickly change important settings.
The Samsung S95D OLED 77-inch we tested is $4,599.99. You can buy it at Samsung and other retailers.
Display & Performance
An OLED TV is the pinnacle of home theater visuals. The technology allows for the deepest blacks paired with accurate colors and bright pinpoint specific highlights.
The S95D is Samsung’s third generation in the OLED space, which was dominated by LG for years. The blacks are incredibly deep and accentuated by the pops of color in movies and TV shows. This model is able to compete with the market leader. The default picture created a very soap opera-style effect, but after changing settings, this disappeared.
The matte screen means that you can easily install this in a room with windows and still enjoy the great experience. The viewing angles are also quite wide, so friends will still have a great seat even on the edges of the room.
Gamers love the performance of OLED displays for the performance mentioned already, and for low input lag. The Samsung S95D input lag feels very small and it’s great for fast-reaction games like Call of Duty:Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone.
We tested gaming on a PS5 at 4K 120Hz, with Variable Refresh Rate enabled. You can connect a PC and enable Motion Xcelerator 144Hz to get an even higher refresh rate.
The sound on this TV is good thanks to a 4.2.2 Dolby Atmos speaker configuration that includes Object Tracking+. Most users will want to pair it with a soundbar to round out the movie theater-like experience. The Samsung Q990D and other Samsung models unlock a feature called Q-Symphony that combines the TV speakers with the soundbar for an upgraded center stage.
The Smart TV on the S95D includes access to all the popular streaming apps and even supports our TV provider. The ambient mode lets you show your photos, artwork and cinemagraphs. There is also a mode that pulls in SmartThings connectivity to link up with other devices in your smart home and set up routines. The Tizen powered Smart TV operating system is flexible, but it is a little slower on the S95D than on the QLED models we just reviewed.
Design
Samsung’s S95D OLED design is impressively sleek. The pedestal base is made of metal and looks premium.
You only need to connect one cable to the TV for power and video. The rest of your devices connect to the One Connect box. This makes it easy for a clean installation and simplifies wall mounting options. You will need someone to help you set this up, as the large size and thin display means the screen itself is fragile. The One Connect box includes 4 HDM1 ports and supports eARC.
The remote control features a solar cell on the back, like an old-school calculator. That means you’ll never need to replace a battery.
Is the Samsung S95D OLED Worth Buying?
The Samsung S95D OLED is a great way to upgrade your TV setup. This OLED is perfect for movies and part of an epic gaming setup. The inky blacks make even dramas like The Morning Show feel a little more special and they combine with brilliantly bright HDR highlights in action movies to rival the theater.
The 77-inch display is very thin and does an impressive job handling glare, so you can keep this in a main room with a lot of windows. The only real catch is that the art TV software is a little slower than on the QLED models.
Buy at Samsung.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.