If you are in the market to find the best TV, then looking into LG or Samsung will be a good decision. Comparing LG vs Samsung TV, Samsung uses QLED panel technology compared to OLED or NanoCell in LG. Overall, the OLED has better color contrast and view angle.
Each brand uses its own technology to enhance picture quality. LG has a better native contrast ratio in most of their TV as they don’t use backlit. Samsung, on the other hand, is brighter and handles motion well. Samsung is best for gaming and movies whereas LG is best for sports and has a better Smart OS.
If you are looking for the best gaming TV, then you can buy the Samsung Q90R QLED TV and for sports, the LG SK9000 is a good choice. Also, if you want a premium TV for general usage you can choose the Samsung Q900R.
The difference between LG vs Samsung price, Samsung has some cheaper models that have features and can work the same way LG does. One major factor that differentiates LG from Samsung is the LG AI ThinQ software that uses Artificial Intelligence in the webOS to get more accurate search results.
LG vs Samsung: Overview
LG and Samsung both are South Korean companies that are popular for selling Smart TVs. LG is well-known to manufacture its patented OLED technology whereas Samsung is known for its QLED technology.
Between Samsung vs LG, both have a huge number of different TVs in different series. You will find small to large TV screens and from 4k to 8k resolution. LG is well-known for using Artificial Intelligence like the LG AI ThinQ.
Comparing LG vs Samsung price, Samsung is slightly costlier than LG. Users seem to lean towards Samsung because of the brand name along with outstanding picture quality and Smart OS. LG acts as a close rivalry with Samsung.
LG vs Samsung: Model by model comparison
General Purpose/Mixed Usage: Samsung Q900R TV vs LG NANO99 TV
| Samsung Q900R | LG NANO99 | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 8k | 8K |
| Screen size | 55”, 65”, 75”, 82” | 65”, 75” |
| Type | VA | IPS |
| Picture processor | Quantum Processor 8k | α9 Gen 3 AI Processor 8K |
| HDR | Quantum HDR 32X | Cinema HDR (Dolby Vision®, HDR10, HLG), Dolby Vision IQ, HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping |
| Backlight | Full-array | full-array |
| SDR brightness (real scene) | 836 cd/m² | 380 cd/m² |
| HDR brightness (real scene) | 1027 cd/m² | 593 cd/m² |
| Response time | 7.95ms | 11.5ms |
| Input lag (1080p @ 60 Hz) | 15.1 ms | 16.2 ms |
| Upscaling | 8k AI upscaling | 8k AI upscaling |
| Smart interface usage | Not smooth | Average |
| ALLM | Yes | No |
| VRR | Yes | No |
| Freesync | Yes | No |
| Speaker channel | 4.2 | 4.2 with Dolby Atmos |
| Native contrast | 1630:1 | 560:1 |
| Apple AirPlay 2 | Yes | Yes |
The reason to choose Samsung Q900R and LG NANO99 is their overall performance in gaming, sports, movies, and TV shows.
Technology:
Some of the major dissimilarities between Samsung Q900R vs LG NANO99 are the technologies and color contrast. Q900R uses VA QLED technology with full-array backlit. LG uses an IPS panel with a full-array backlit but its native contrast ratio is poor which is less than half of that of the Samsung Q900R 2019 model.
Picture quality:
The difference between Samsung vs LG resolution is that they both have 8k resolution but Samsung Q900R is a 2019 model whereas the LG NANO99 is a 2020 model. The brightness with SDR and HDR is lower in LG NANO99 2020 compared to Samsung Q900R. This produces good contrast; better brightness and the full array local dimming effectively reduces blooming.
View angle:
If we compare the Samsung Q900R vs LG NANO99 view angle, the Q900R has a good viewing angle due to the Ultra Viewing Angle layer, whereas the LG NANO99 has a broader viewing angle and you can place them in bright rooms.
Motion handling and gaming features:
Between Samsung Q900R vs LG NANO99 motion handling, the Samsung outperforms LG as it has extremely low response time. Samsung supports VRR, Freesync, and ALLM so the gaming section is handled well. With LG, the sound quality is better than Samsung and the webOS Smart interface is smoother.
Audio quality:
With a 4.2 channel in Samsung, it will produce good sound and the LG has 4.2 channels with Dolby Atmos. You can use both as a PC monitor as both chroma 4:4:4. The price difference between Samsung Q900R vs LG NANO99 is almost similar but LG costs around $500 more than Samsung.
Cost:
The price gets compensated for their updated technology usage. Samsung uses 8k AI upscaling, Q Color, and Q Smart technology whereas LG uses ThinQ AI and α7 Intelligent Processor. For large rooms, you can select the Samsung 75” QN75Q900RBFXZA Q900/Q900R series or the LG 75” 75NANO99UNA NANOCell 99 series TV.
Winner: Samsung Q900R is best for mixed usage in terms of movies or games due to its brightness, color contrast, and gaming features.
TV Shows: Samsung Q80T TV vs LG C8TV
For TV shows watching purpose, we recommend you to choose one between LG C8 OLED and Samsung Q80/Q80T QLED.
| Samsung Q80/Q80T QLED | LG C8 OLED | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | OLED | LED |
| Panel | WRGB | VA |
| Permanent burn-in | no | yes |
| Native contrast ratio | 3042: 1 | Inf:1 |
| Local dimming | yes | no |
| Backlit | Full-array | No backlit |
| Response time | 10.1ms | 1.7ms |
| SDR peak brightness (real scene) | 407 cd/m² | 318 cd/m² |
| HDR peak brightness (real scene) | 702 cd/m² | 666 cd/m² |
| Gray uniformity (50% DSE) | 0.199 % | 0.135 % |
| Black uniformity (Native Std. Dev.) | 0.824 % | 0.416 % |
| Wide color gamut | yes | yes |
| Native fresh rate | 120Hz (except 49", 50") | 120Hz |
Technology:
The reason to choose Samsung Q80/Q80T QLED and LG C8 OLED for TV shows is their picture quality, color gamut, reflection handling, and viewing angle. The major difference between Samsung Q80T QLED vs LG C8 OLED is their panel technology.
Samsung uses VA QLED technology whereas LG uses WRGB OLED. WRGB OLED indicates the pixel structure. Samsung’s proprietary technology, QLED produces bright colors and enhanced brightness needed for enjoying TV shows.
Brightness:
These LG TVs have decent brightness that produces immersive and real-life images because of this technology. Samsung TV brightness is higher than LG and exceeds the standard SDR/HDR brightness The pixels in WRGB are a mixture of white OLED with red, green, and blue filters. Samsung VA panels have the best contrast ratio which is great for HDR contents.
Colour contrast:
The standard value for color contrast is greater than 3000. Comparing Samsung Q80T vs LG C8 OLED contrast ratio, the Q80T has a ratio of 3042:1 whereas the LG C8 has an infinite contrast ratio. LG produces the deepest blacks so watching dark scenes of TV shows will be the best with LG TV. Samsung also provides an excellent contrast ratio but some black areas may seem greyish.
Brightness & color:
Between LG C8 OLED vs Samsung Q80T QLED local dimming, the LG doesn’t have any backlit or local dimming so it can produce bright images with perfection without any blooming. SDR peak brightness is greater in Samsung Q80T that is sufficient to view images in a very bright room avoiding glare. HDR peak brightness is also higher in Samsung.
Gray & black uniformity:
The gray uniformity of these brands is close to each other and they display some dirty screen effect. The value of Samsung goes beyond the standard value which is <0.165%. The black uniformity of LG C8 OLED TV gets a full score because there is no backlit and for Samsung Q80T it is decent.
The black uniformity of these TVs lies within the standard value which is <1%. The reflection handling of these is excellent but the LG C8 can’t get bright enough like the Samsung Q80T to avoid glare.
Burn-in:
If you choose LG for TV shows, there is a chance of permanent burn-in as we tend to watch TV shows for a long time and the static logos can cause burn-in. However, in real-time it is seen that the amount of time people watch TV doesn’t actually cause burn-in.
View-angle:
Comparing Samsung Q80T vs LG C8 OLED viewing angle, the LG has a broader viewing angle whereas Samsung has a decent view angle as it has a VA panel. If you have a large room and want large screens then you can choose the Samsung 85-inch QLED Q80T or the LG OLED77C8PUA 77-Inch OLED TV.
Winner: The LG C8 OLED is best for TV shows with 100% perfect black uniformity and contrast. It can also get brighter and has a broader view angle to enjoy TV shows with the family.
HDR Movies: Samsung Q90T QLED TV vs LG GX OLED TV
| Samsung Q90T QLED | LG GX OLED | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 4k | 4k |
| View angle | Ultra Viewing Angle with Anti-Glare | wide |
| Picture processor | Quantum Processor 4K | α9 Gen 3 AI Processor 4K |
| HDR | Quantum HDR 16x | Cinema HDR (Dolby Vision®, HDR10, HLG), Dolby Vision IQ, HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro |
| Contrast ratio | 4004: 1 | Inf :1 |
| Audio channel | 4.2.2 | 4.2 |
| Voice assistant | Bixby, Google Assistant, Alexa | Google Assistant, Alexa |
| Response time | 10.6ms | 2.3ms |
| HDR brightness (real scene) | 1151 cd/m² | 662 cd/m² |
| User interface | Very smooth | average |
| HDR in Netflix & YouTube | Yes | Yes |
If we want a TV specifically for movies, then the picture and sound quality get priority. Also, good motion handling is needed for fast-moving scenes in action movies. A decent performing Smart OS is also needed with your desired apps and contents.
Technology:
Comparing Samsung Q90T QLED vs LG C6 OLED, they differ in terms of technology, brightness, color contrast, and price. Samsung Q90T QLED has 4k AI upscaling and Adaptive technology which will reduce noise, ensure detailed image, and adjust according to your room lighting.
The LG has α9 Gen 3 AI Processor 4K which includes facial recognition and minimizes multi-step noise. It also has perfect black uniformity and accurate upscaling but the brightness isn’t good. The Samsung Q90T has high brightness in both SDR and HDR content. It has good black uniformity as well.
Audio quality:
The sound quality of these TVs is decent. The sound output is 60W for both but Samsung has a 4.2.2 channel with an Active Voice Amplifier that enhances voice in movies based on the background noise. You can also pair the TV with a soundbar like Samsung HW-Q60T. LG GX has 4.2 channels with Dolby Vision IQ & Dolby Atmos and with the help of Filmmaker mode, you can watch scenes just as the director intended them to look.
Colour contrast:
The Samsung Q9FN is best for HDR movies or standard movies because it has an excellent contrast ratio, decent viewing angle, crystal clear stutter-free image quality. It has 100% color volume in DCI-P3 space. The LG GX is best for movies as well because the OLED produces perfect blacks and the contrast ratio is good
So, this one gives you an affordable solution. It has an impressive color gamut and upscaling. You can choose the LG 65” OLED65GXPUA GX OLED or the Samsung 65” Q90T Series QLED TV.
Winner: Samsung Q9FN due to its color gamut, color contrast, good view angle.
HDR Gaming: Samsung Q90R QLED TV vs LG C9 OLED TV
| Samsung Q90R | LG C9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 4k | 4k |
| Native contrast | 3249: 1 | Inf:1 |
| Picture processor | Quantum Processor 4K | α9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor |
| HDR | Quantum HDR 16X | 4K Cinema HDR (Dolby Vision®, HDR10, HLG), HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro |
| SDR brightness | 831 cd/m² | 335 cd/m² |
| VRR | Yes | Yes |
| G-Sync | No | Yes |
| Input lag | 14.7m | 13.5ms |
| Response time | 9.6ms | 2.4ms |
| Judder-free content | Yes | yes |
| Native refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
Colour contrast:
Between Samsung Q90R vs LG C9, they both have excellent performance in gaming use cases. They both have 4k resolution, 10-bit color depth, and a wide color gamut. The contrast ratio of Samsung Q90R is excellent but LG has taken this to perfection so when you view games in dark rooms, you will view perfect blacks.
Technologies and gaming features:
LG uses AI technologies, has very low response time, and good value for input lag. This makes reactions faster in gaming. It supports Nvidia G-Sync, Free-Sync, and VRR. The VRR and ALLM ensure you get the most-detailed stutter-free graphics at the highest speed. It ensures there is no screen tearing in-game scenes and the image has vibrant color with crystal-clear details.
Samsung Q90R is best for gaming because it has very high brightness with SDR/HDR content. The Dynamic Black Equalizer deals with dark scenes and adjusts image quality. It gives you real-life experience while gaming. The difference in sound quality between Samsung Q90R vs LG C9 is that Samsung has 4.2 channels and LG C9 has 2.2 channels.
Response & Input lag:
The Samsung Q90R response time is very good but higher than LG C9. Both values are within the standard value which is <14 ms. The input lag of these models is the same. One downside is that the LG C9 has permanent burn-in features so the TV may suffer from burn-in due to static logos in games. You can choose the Samsung 65” Q90R QLED TV or the LG 55” C9 OLED TV.
Winner: Samsung Q90R
Sports: Samsung Q6F vs LG SK9000
| Samsung Q6F | LG SK9000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Native contrast | 6203: 1 | 1306: 1 |
| Picture engine | Q Engine | α7 Intelligent Processor |
| HDR | Q HDR Elite | 4K Cinema HDR |
| backlit | Edge | Full-array |
| SDR brightness | 502 cd/m² | 458 cd/m² |
| HDR brightness | 524 cd/m² | 520 cd/m² |
| Speaker channel | 2.1 | 2.2 |
| View angle | poor | good |
| Reflection handling | good | Good |
| Response time | 12.9 ms | 14.4ms |
| Input lag | 15.2ms | 15.7ms |
If your main purpose for buying a TV is watching sports, then you should look at how well it can handle motion or fast-moving contents. Samsung Q6F vs LG SK9000, which is best for sports?
Brightness & contrast ratio:
The brightness of both TVs is close and they are not very bright. Samsung Q6F has very poor local dimming compared to LG. so if you watch in dark rooms, then LG will give better performance. In terms of contrast ratio, Samsung has an outstanding value which indicates deeper blacks. LG has decent value where the blacks may appear grey. Overall, the image quality while watching sports is better with Samsung and decent with LG.
View angle & reflection handling:
If we differentiate the Samsung Q6F vs LG SK9000 view angle, the Samsung has a very poor view angle whereas LG has a good view angle. So, if you plan to watch sports with friends and family, then LG is a good choice. Both these TVs have good reflection handling so you can use them in bright rooms but may face some glare.
Motion handling:
The response time of these TVs is close but Samsung has a lower value which makes it better to represent fast-pacing sports scenes. the input lag of these TVs are quite similar and within the standard input lag which is <25ms.
If you want an affordable TV with a broader view angle and decent response time, then the LG SK9000 is the best TV for sports. On the other hand, if you prefer a great contrast ratio and color, lower response time, and good reflection handling then Samsung Q6F is also good.
You can choose the Samsung 75” QN75Q6FNAFXZA QLED TV or LG SK9000 65” 65SK9000 OLED TV.
Winner: LG SK9000 is affordable with low input lags, better response time, and can effectively remove stutter and judder.
PC Monitor: LG SK8000 vs Samsung NU80000
| Samsung NU80000 | LG SK8000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Panel type | VA | IPS |
| Input lag | 18.1 ms | 14.2 ms |
| Native refresh rate | 120 Hz (except 49") | 120 Hz (except 49") |
| Response time | 12.8 ms | 13.0ms |
| Chroma 4:4:4 | Yes | Yes |
| View angle | Good | Better |
| Sound | 2.1 | 2.0 with Dolby Atmos |
| SDR brightness | 509 cd/m² | 240 cd/m² |
| HDR brightness | 529 cd/m² | 271 cd/m² |
| Native contrast ratio | 5461: 1 | 1098: 1 |
Between Samsung NU8000 vs LG SK8000, we see that they differ in panel technology, reflection handling, view angle, and gaming features. Gaming features are important to look into because when we use TVs as PC monitors, we use them for work purposes or gaming.
Technology:
The LG SK8000 has an IPS panel with NanoCell technology that ensures excellent color contrast, wide color gamut, and precise color representation. Samsung has the 4kHDR + screen that supports 240 motion rate to effectively minimize blur in quick-moving scenes.
If we compare between LG SK8000 vs Samsung NU8000, Samsung outperforms LG in terms of contrast, SDR/HDR brightness. SDR and HDR brightness of LG is much lower than the expected value which is 365 cd/m² for SDR and 650 cd/m² for HDR.
Gaming and input lag:
Both these models support chroma 4:4:4 so subtitles or icons will appear clear on the PC. They also have the same refresh rate. With lower input lags LG seems to respond faster while used as a PC monitor but as for gaming features it doesn’t support VRR, G-sync or Freesync. Samsung supports Freesync and VRR that reduces stuttering and tearing of the screen and ensures an excellent graphical representation of gaming.
View angle:
The viewing angle isn’t very wide in Samsung so you may see a color washout at an angle. If the average view angle doesn’t bother you then Samsung NU8000 is the best TV for PC monitor because it has better color contrast and major gaming features.
Samsung also comes in different sizes: 49”, 55”, 65”, 75” whereas LG has only two sizes: 49” and 65”. You can buy the Samsung 55” UN55NU8000FXZA TV or LG 65” 65SK8000 TV.
Winner: Samsung NU8000 with chroma 4:4:4 support, low input lag, and better response time.
Facts to compare: Samsung vs LG
3 Major technological differences:
Fact 1 of 3: Samsung QLED vs LG OLED vs LG Nano cell
One major difference between Samsung vs LG TVs is the technology of them. Both use their proprietary technology; Samsung uses Quantum dot LED and LG uses Organic LED. OLED TV panels can release their own light which means it can produce more vibrant and deeper color and color contrast. It deals with pixel by pixel so each color is displayed as it was meant to be.
QLED doesn’t emit light on its own rather backlight light passes through them. Samsung QLED is known to deliver the highest brightness level but in terms of displaying brightest white and darkest blacks, they aren’t as good as OLEDs. QLEDs are brighter but OLEDs have deeper blacks and infinite contrast ratio. If you are concerned about viewing angle, then OLED TVs are better and they also have better uniformity.
LG comes with another panel technology known as NanoCell. It has a similar working procedure to LED TV where light from behind the TV falls on the panel and it enhances the brightness of the image. Comparing LG OLED vs NanoCell, the NanoCell is cheaper and affordable.
NanoCells have a filter layer that can deliver better color production in red and green wavelengths. It uses Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) to produce deeper blacks
Winner: Samsung QLED is an affordable solution with impressive picture quality and color contrast. If you want to scrutinize, then LG OLED is also good but it is costly
Fact 2 of 3: Samsung HDR 10+ vs LG Dolby Vision
These technologies indicate how well the picture or any scene is being displayed on the TV. Dolby Vision is used by LG in its premium models and UHD models. HDR 10+ is found on Samsung TV. Between HDR 10+ vs Dolby Vision, the Dolby Vision is better than HDR 10+. The Dolby Vision has more colors than HDR 10+. It has 12- bit color depth with 68.7 billion colors and the HDR10 has 10-bit with 1.07 billion colors.
Samsung HDR 10+ focuses on shadows and highlights creating more real life-like images on TV. You can watch HDR 10+ content through Prime Video, YouTube, and Google Play Movie and TV apps but you won’t find it on Netflix, Chromecast Ultra, or Apple TV 4K. Both of these formats use dynamic metadata to display images.
The Dolby Vision produces a better range of colors and higher picture quality than HDR 10+. The Samsung HDR 10+ is an affordable solution whereas the Dolby Vision is something on the high-end. It adjusts scene by scene to achieve immense color representation, appropriate brightness, and a detailed image.
Winner: LG Dolby Vision
Fact 3 of 3: Samsung Tizen vs LG webOS:
The heart of a TV nowadays is the Smart platform. Samsung vs LG, both provide various popular apps and contents so that you can easily cut-the-cord and rely on your Smart TV. In the LG webOS Smart TV platform, the menu bar is arranged horizontally. It has all major apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV app, etc.
Samsung Tizen platform also has a user-friendly and organized interface. it supports popular apps like Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, etc. Samsung Tizen vs LG webOS, which one is better? The Tizen has more number of apps and is comparatively faster or snappier. It has BT sport and Tidal which webOS lacks. You can enjoy 4k content on Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV, and YouTube.
In terms of Samsung vs LG voice assistants, the LG supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Samsung uses its proprietary voice assistant named Bixby. Unfortunately, Bixby isn’t that smart or responsive as LG’s voice assistants. Another factor that makes LG webOS better than Tizen is the AI method used in searching any content via the AI ThinQ AI software.
Winner: LG webOS
Other things to consider:
While choosing a TV other factors that you should keep in mind are TV screen size, room size and sitting distance, the purpose of use, and cost. For bigger rooms, you should buy 65” or larger sizes. For medium-sized rooms, 50” or 55” should be a decent screen size.
If you don’t have space but want a large screen, then you should try mounting it on the wall. Smart TVs usually have moderate sound quality so if you want home theatre sound, then you should pair your TV with a soundbar.
Find out the difference between Samsung Q6FN TV and Samsung NU8000 TV
Conclusion:
The reason to choose between Samsung vs LG is their years of expertise in manufacturing TV. Samsung is well-known for the brand name and it remains updated with technologies all the time. LG is famous for its patented OLED panels that have good picture quality but are slightly costlier than Samsung.
The differences between Samsung vs LG build quality, LG will last long, up to 8 to 15 years. Both these TVs can easily be used as PC monitors and show good performance for gaming. However, if you want a cost-effective solution, then you can also look into Vizio TV.
LG has better Smart OS and seamless integration with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, AirPlay 2, Homekit. Its AI features make the TVs outstanding. Samsung has well integration with SmartThings. It has its own Bixby voice assistant and the Tizen OS has some apps and contents that are not in webOS.
This article on Samsung vs LG provides in-depth analysis in terms of use cases, technology with recommendations for the best product in each category. In the end, it depends on your use case and budget that will decide which is best for you.
Which one comes with the best features of streaming YouTube TV or PS Vue?
FAQ:
This FAQ section is here to solve your problems and to have a better understanding is a plus.
How to set up Preset Picture Mode in LG TV?
Answer: Follow the steps below:
- Make sure the TV is in Home or Store mode
- At the button right corner of your TV, select the Settings icon
- Use the right or left arrow to select the preset picture mode
- You can choose one of the following picture mode settings: Standard, Vivid, APS, Cinema, Sports, Game, ISF (Day/Night), HDR Effect.
How to adjust gaming settings in LG UN7000?
Answer: For gaming use these steps:
- Go to the ‘Additional Settings’ menu
- Enable Instant Game Response. Once you do it, the ALLM will also activate
- The ‘Game’ Picture mode will be enabled automatically.
If you are using it for PC gaming,
- Change the input to PC
- Enable the HDMI Ultra Deep Colour
How to reboot Samsung TV?
Answer: If you want to reboot your TV, then you can do it but not using the app. Follow these steps to reboot:
- Go to Settings, choose General.
- Press on Reset and enter the PIN 0000.
- Press Reset
- Press Ok. the reboot will start
How to change motion settings in the Samsung TV?
Answer: on your TV, do the following:
- Go to Settings, then select Picture
- Select Expert Settings and then Auto Motion Plus Settings.
- By default, the setting should be Auto.
- choose Auto Motion Plus
- Adjust the settings to Off or Custom
- In Custom mode, you can choose one of the following three:
- Blur Reduction
- Judder Reduction
- LED Clear Motion
How to mount the Samsung TV on the wall?
Answer: if you want to mount the TV on the wall, you can do it yourself but with the help of a friend. You should have all the tools listed below and then use the instruction manual to guide you through the process.
Required equipment:
- Stud finder
- Carpenter’s Level
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Power drill
- Pencil
- Universal TV mounting screws
- In-wall power extension (cable management)
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