2023’s Samsung S95C blew viewers out of the water with its exciting fusion of QLED and OLED technology. The Samsung S95D takes another giant leap forward with a QD-OLED screen—and a matte finish. The matte finish is causing a bit of an uproar among TV enthusiasts: does it increase the quality of the picture and deliver on its promises? Abt’s technologist Carl on our video team dove deep into the specs on this television, even comparing it side by side with the S95C in our space. Take a look at the video below, then see how our team at the Bolt felt about how this new Samsung TV ranks.
Picture Quality
QD-OLED screen tech has been Samsung’s screen technology investment for the past year or so, and it’s impressive. Infusing the deep blacks and self-illuminating pixels of an OLED screen with Samsung’s own proprietary, color-infused quantum dot technology and true brightness is a genius move (again). And the Samsung Q95D TV is packed with all of that beauty, bringing punchy visuals and color contrast to every scene you see.
But let’s get into what’s really different on the Samsung S95D: a matte screen. The concept of a matte screen is not new. The idea is that any light that might reflect off of a glossy screen is instead diffused across a matte one with the finish on the Samsung S95D. Instead of a glare, you might see a bit of diffused light. You can see the effect in the video when Carl shines a flashlight on the TV in the dark.
A practical result is that instead of turning off all the lights in your living room when it’s time to watch your favorite show, you can keep the lights on and multitask. While the S95C had an anti-glare coating, this model takes anti-glare even further. This tech is a leap forward, though, so don’t be surprised if it looks different from other TVs on the market. Our team loved the look and found the technology to be great for those who want an OLED for a room with a lot of windows or other light sources.
There’s more than just the matte coat to this Samsung television’s picture quality. The NQ4 AI Gen2 processor brings impressive HDR performance and even HDR 10+ for beautiful detail rendering that beats out last year’s S95C. This chip is responsible for all the 4K upscaling as well as features like Dolby Atmos and the Smart TV Hub.
Impressive Audio With A Slim Body
You’ll rarely see the two things together, but the Samsung S95D balances them perfectly. The body is thin and features eight speakers on the back. These pump out 4.2.2 channel audio sound. Other audio features like Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+ bring 3D sound to your home theater, whether you’re watching in a true home theater or your living room. Carl suggests (and we agree) that this screen is worth investing in a compatible soundbar featuring Samsung’s Q-Symphony. Q-Symphony activates the speakers on the television and those in the soundbar at the same time, ensuring that viewers have the best sonic experience possible.
The One Connect Box
The One Connect Box is one of the first things that Carl talks about in our video, and there’s good reason. This connectable box is the one place where users will plug all their peripherals into the TV. Instead of having a set number of HDMI or optical cords on the TV, users will plug all of their cords (apart from a USB-C) into the One Connect Box. You then mount the box to the pedestal, add it to the upper corner of the TV when wall-mounted, or even hide it elsewhere. With 4 HDMI ports, 3 USB-A ports, ethernet, optical audio out and more, this box makes the S95D a perfect hub for connectivity, all without covering the TV in cords.
Should I Choose The Samsung S95C or S95D?
We asked the same question in last year’s in-depth analysis of the 2022 model and the 2023 model. The S95 is Samsung’s top QD-OLED model, and in many ways, not too much has changed. The body style, sound system, sizing (55″, 65″, and 77″) and Tizen Smart TV platform are all here (though updated: the Daily Plus menu is worth exploring in the Smart TV Hub, as Carl mentions above). One change worth noting is that the NextGen ATSC 3.0 tuner is absent in 2024’s model. That’s a common move in this year’s televisions across multiple brands. But if having that antenna hookup is important for you, the Samsung S95C should be your choice instead.
But if you want new and fast, the S95D is your best best. The NQ4 AI Gen 2 processor is quick and powerful, upscaling and connecting in a flash. Gamers, those who watch sports and anyone who wants lag-free on-screen visuals, this model is for you. The S95C does an amazing job as well, but if you want the latest technology, this is it.
And of course, there’s the matte screen. This is where buyers are going to have to make the ultimate choice: do you want a matte screen or a glossy one? There’s a chance that it’s going to come down to personal preference, but we believe the matte screen of the S95D has great viewing quality. Consider things like the lighting in the space you’ll be watching, as well as how you feel about glossy screens now. Do they leave something to be desired? For us, the answer was yes, and the S95D came out on top. But the S95C isn’t far behind, and you’ll find steep savings on it at retailers like Abt. You can find both TVs here, both in-store and online.
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