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Samsung’s S95C is among the greatest 4K TVs you should purchase in 2023. With an OLED panel that delivers infinite distinction, quantum dots that present wealthy colours, and a super-thin design, the TV checks practically each field it’s best to search for in a high-end show.
However in comparison with final 12 months’s already spectacular S95B, the S95C does not supply an enormous leap in efficiency. Do not get me incorrect, there are key upgrades right here which might be completely price geeking out over, together with larger peak brightness and 144Hz gaming help, however these enhancements aren’t fairly sufficient to justify the present distinction in worth between this new mannequin and the 2022 S95B. No less than, not for most individuals.
The 65-inch S95C (its flagship measurement) carries an MSRP of $3,300. Whereas that is on par with different 2023 TVs on this class, just like the LG G3, it is about $1,500 greater than the 2022 S95B normally sells for. Large dwelling theater fanatics with massive pockets will not be disenchanted with the S95C’s efficiency (it is top-notch), however there are TVs that provide barely much less spectacular picture high quality for lots much less.
Observe: Our overview unit is the 77-inch mannequin with an MSRP of $4,500, however efficiency specs stay the identical throughout all sizes. There’s additionally a 55-inch mannequin with an MSRP of $2,500.
The S95C is Samsung’s flagship OLED TV for 2023. It delivers a brighter image than final 12 months’s mannequin, together with a better refresh charge and a sleeker design. Most individuals can be happy with the cheaper S95B, however this new mannequin is undeniably spectacular. It is available in 77-, 65-, and 55-inch display screen sizes.
One of many brightest OLED TVs thus far
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Like its predecessor, the S95B, the S95C delivers actually high-end image efficiency, with specs that rival its high rivals this 12 months, the LG G3 and Sony A95L. The OLED panel delivers pixel-level distinction and the TV’s use of quantum dots helps it obtain top-of-the-line shade vary and quantity.
Although total picture efficiency is similar to the 2022 S95B, the S95C does enhance upon that mannequin in a single notable space: brightness. The S95B hit a peak of round 1,050 nits in its Filmmaker image mode, however the S95C has a peak of round 1,360 nits. That is a couple of 30% enhance, which is spectacular. Colours additionally preserve brightness properly, with excessive shade quantity that surpasses the efficiency of OLED panels that do not use quantum dots (like LG’s).
This implies the TV can do an excellent higher job of hitting the meant distinction ranges of high-dynamic-range (HDR) content material, with highlights that basically pop from the display screen. It additionally delivers higher efficiency in rooms that allow in additional exterior mild so you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in glorious picture high quality throughout the day. And better of all, we get that elevated brightness whereas sustaining the proper black ranges that OLED TVs are recognized for.
When watching films and exhibits, these spectacular specs ship attractive image efficiency. The opening scene of “The Matrix” on 4K Blu-ray comes by way of with inky black ranges and strong shadow element. The cops’ flashlights supply punchy specular highlights that basically showcase the advantages of the OLED panel’s exact distinction.
“Aquaman” can be a stunner on the S95C. The film’s vibrant shade palette seems wealthy with out changing into oversaturated and the movie’s climactic underwater battle is brilliant and full of intricate element. The show’s quantum dots and elevated shade quantity assist it ship an depth in smaller highlights that dimmer OLED fashions merely cannot obtain.
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Gradients are additionally easy, with solely a faint trace of vertical banding in grey check patterns. The TV handles our check scene in “Ex Machina” properly too, with background colours that stay easy in sequences that characteristic harsh purple mild. And like all OLED TVs, viewing angles are very good.
In terms of gaming, the S95C presents all of the bells and whistles patrons ought to search for, together with variable refresh charge (FreeSync and G-Sync appropriate), auto low latency mode, and 120Hz help for PS5 and Xbox Collection X. The S95C additionally helps an excellent larger 144Hz refresh charge when related to a appropriate PC. Final 12 months’s S95B may technically do that as properly, however the characteristic wasn’t formally supported and had efficiency points.
On the draw back, Samsung nonetheless does not help Dolby Imaginative and prescient, which is a complicated HDR format that tells a TV the way to correctly render colours and brightness. Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material will as an alternative play in commonplace HDR10, which is not fairly as exact, however the S95C’s HDR10 efficiency is so robust that most individuals aren’t more likely to discover a distinction exterior of a side-by-side comparability with a high-end Dolby Imaginative and prescient TV. HDR10+ can be supported, which delivers lots of the identical advantages as Dolby Imaginative and prescient, however that format is not used on practically as many 4K Blu-ray discs or streaming titles.
Like all OLED TVs, there may be technically some danger of burn-in on the S95C. Burn-in can happen in the event you depart a static picture on the display screen for hours on finish, inflicting a faint shadow picture to get caught on the display screen. Although OLED house owners ought to be conscious of this, it is not one thing that can have an effect on customers with common viewing habits.
A uniformly skinny design, nevertheless it makes use of an exterior field for inputs
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As a premium TV, the S95C actually seems the half. The show has a chic construct with a virtually bezel-less body. And in contrast to final 12 months’s S95B, this mannequin maintains a skinny profile of 0.4 inches all the best way round.
To realize this glossy design, the TV homes all of its ports and processing parts in a separate “One Join Field.” The field plugs into the show and then you definately plug all of your video units into the field. The older S95B protrudes out to 1.6 inches in its decrease half to accommodate all of the ports, nevertheless, it’s technically slimmer at its thinnest level of simply 0.15 inches.
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On the one hand, this design provides the S95C’s panel a strikingly slim construct, nevertheless it does imply that you need to cope with an additional element. Fortunately, the field can connect proper to the again of the TV’s included pedestal stand, which makes it simple to cover out of view. It might additionally connect to the again of the TV in the event you wall mount it.
A strong good TV expertise
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There aren’t any main modifications to Samsung’s good TV expertise for 2023, so the S95C delivers practically an identical efficiency as final 12 months’s S95B on this division. Samsung’s OS works properly with easy accessibility to each main streaming app there may be, and the TV helps Bixby and Alexa built-in. Google Assistant can be supported however requires a a separate machine.
Final 12 months’s Gaming Hub additionally returns, the place you will discover help for cloud companies like Xbox Recreation Cross. This implies Recreation Cross Final subscribers can stream Xbox video games straight on the TV with out a console. As famous in my S95B overview, this characteristic is a cool perk, however efficiency depends closely in your web connection. Because it stands, taking part in on an precise console nonetheless delivers a a lot better expertise.
Samsung’s compact distant will get the job performed, and its SolarCell design means you by no means have to fret about batteries. As an alternative the distant can regularly recharge itself by way of the lights in your room. All you need to do is flip it over. USB-C charging can be supported. On the draw back, I nonetheless hate that Samsung reduce a devoted settings button from the distant. Because it stands, you need to navigate by way of the data display screen first to get to image changes.
Samsung S95C 65-inch OLED 4K TV: Specs
Must you purchase the Samsung S95C 4K OLED TV?
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If price range is not a priority and also you need the very best image high quality available on the market, the Samsung S95C ought to be excessive in your procuring listing. Nonetheless, at $3,300 (65-inch mannequin), there isn’t any denying that it is a dear TV.
For a whopping $1,500 much less, you possibly can nonetheless choose up the 2022 model of this show, the S95B, which delivers related efficiency. The brand new S95C is brighter, has a better refresh charge, and encompasses a uniformly skinny design, however we simply do not suppose these perks are price the additional cash for most individuals. That stated, the S95C is the one mannequin of the 2 that is available in a 77-inch display screen measurement, so it is the clear choose for anybody who desires an extra-large Samsung OLED.
Residence theater fanatics prepared to shell out the dough for the very best 4K TV, must also needless to say LG and Sony have new flagship OLEDs for 2023 which might be poised to rival the S95C. The LG G3 simply hit shops for a similar worth because the S95C. It does not use quantum dots, however on paper it guarantees related brightness ranges. In the meantime, the Sony A95L does use quantum dots and its specs have the potential to ship an excellent higher picture than Samsung’s TV, although it is more likely to price extra when it hits shops later this 12 months.
