LG G4 vs Samsung S95C – does the 2024 OLED top it?

Ever since CES 2024, the LG G4 has gathered all the buzz around it with its impressive peak brightness. In this guide, we will compare the LG G4 vs Samsung S95C to see which one comes out on top across the board.

The LG G4 is the company’s high-end TV for 2024, and its main selling point is the high brightness, all thanks to the second-gen MLA OLED panel and Alpha 11 AI processor. As a result, the LG G4 is one of the brightest OLED panels currently available and a contender for the best OLED TV this year.

In comparison, the Samsung S95C was the company’s high-end QD-OLED TV in 2023. It is soon to be replaced by the S95D, but it still holds a solid position in terms of brilliant colors and punchy audio.

Being top-tier TVs in their line-ups, both the G4 and the S95C are capable of fast-paced gaming, but to find out which one outperforms the other, we will compare the two based on specifications, performance, and price.

LG G4 OLED Series

Pros

Bright second-gen MLA OLED panel

Up to 144Hz, ideal for gaming PCs

Upgraded Alpha 11 AI Chip

MLA now available in 83″ model too

Cons

Still no MLA in 97″ model

Samsung S95C Series

Pros

Top-notch colors and picture quality

Stunning second generation QD-OLED panel

Streamlined cable management

Cons

40Gbps HDMI with One Connect Box

Today’s best TV deals

LG G4 vs Samsung S95C specs

Starting off with the size range, the LG G4 is more suited for those who want the biggest TV, as it has 83” and 97” models available. However, it is important to note that the 97” LG G4 does not come with an MLA OLED panel, so it won’t be as bright as the others, plus it has a considerable price hike.

On the topic of MLA, the LG G4 is significantly brighter than the Samsung S95C under all scenarios. Whether you watch SDR content or switch to HDR, the G4 will remain brighter. Consequently, it can also handle glares better than the S95C in well-lit rooms. Even the G3 was brighter than the S95D, so the improvements on the G4 widen the gap further.

The Samsung S95C is known for its deep, rich, and vibrant colors. Its wide color coverage was its biggest advantage over last year’s G3. But LG has improved its color accuracy with the 2nd-gen MLA panels a lot, so the G4 takes the win in overall picture quality.

While the difference may be negligible to some and a complete dealbreaker to others, it should be mentioned that the LG G4 supports Dolby Vision, while the S95C only supports HDR10+. Sadly, even the 2024 Samsung flagship isn’t getting it either.

Both TVs support Dolby Atmos, but it is good to see that G4 supports lossless, wireless Dolby Atmos with a compatible soundbar for a cleaner look with zero compromises on the audio quality. Nevertheless, we expect the Samsung to sound the best. The G4 does makes the most out of its new chip and AI Sound Pro to virtually up-mix 11.1.2-channel audio, while the S95C delivers excellent immersion with its Object Tracking Sound+.

Remember how we mentioned that G4 provides a cleaner look with soundbars? If we compare which TV looks overall less cluttered, the S95C wins by a mile, all thanks to its One Connect Box. You can connect all your HDMI cables to the One Connect Box and have only one cable that plugs into your TV, making cable management a lot easier. LG’s M4 OLED is a wireless twist on this.

While AI upscaling is a great feature in both TVs, and the S95C does a great job bringing low-res content to 4K, it is not nearly as good as the LG G4. In fact, the S95C’s upscaling was behind the LG G3’s as well. So, with the improved Alpha 11 AI chip, the S95C does not stand a chance against the LG G4 when it comes to upscaling.

LG G4 vs Samsung S95C price

So far, the LG G4 seems to be coming out on top, right? It has a brighter display, improved performance, and Dolby Vision. But its value-for-money proposition changes drastically if we look at the pricing at the time of writing.

The Samsung S95C is cheaper than the G4 across all sizes, and it is not just a little bit more affordable; its 77” and 65” models cost $1100 less, and the smallest 55” model costs $800 less than their LG G4 alternatives. This is because it has been out for longer – the launch prices were much closer to that of the G4.

Therefore, if you’re looking to save a significant amount of money and get the best bang for your buck, the S95C is the top choice. Additionally, if you can wait a bit longer, we suggest postponing your S95C purchase. This is because when the S95D is released in 2024, the price of the S95C is expected to drop even more, making it an even more attractive deal.

LG G4 vs Samsung S95C for gaming

As far as their gaming capabilities go, both the LG G4 and the Samsung S95C are excellent choices. They are rigged with high-end gaming features that make them some of the best gaming TVs currently available. 

After all, both of them can refresh at up to 144Hz @ 4K, and both TVs support AMD FreeSync, HDMI VRR, and G-Sync compatibility for smooth gameplay with zero chances of screen tearing or stuttering. One worry for the S95C though is that the One Connect Box only offers 40Gbps bandwidth rather than HDMI 2.1’s full 48Gbps. This has reportedly caused drops when playing at 4K 144Hz with HDR content.

The S95C nails response time and input lag, as the TV is one of the fastest we have ever seen. However, with the latest Alpha 11 AI, the LG G4 can marginally outperform the S95C in terms of response time, now at less than 0.1ms. We don’t know you’d notice either way.

Furthermore, its higher brightness also makes it a better option for gaming in rooms with bright lights. Speaking of which, the last-gen LG G3 suffered from unstable brightness in Game Mode, as it was not as high as in normal modes. On the other hand, the S95C’s brightness, while lower than the G3, was consistent across all modes.

Well, given that the G4 is even brighter than the G3, which was already brighter than the S95C, we don’t think this is going to be as much a problem in Game Mode anymore. Plus, the LG G4 also looks better in HDR gaming, so that’s another plus point.

LG G4 OLED Series

55″, 65″, 77″, 83″, 97″

Samsung S95C Series

Is the G4 brighter than the S95C?

Display tests show that even the last-gen G3 was brighter than the S95C in HDR and SDR scenarios, and the new and improved G4 only builds on top of that. One thing to consider though is that the S95C’s game mode was brighter than the G3, but we expect the 2024 LG model to overcome this problem and make it one of the brightest OLED TVs released to date across all modes.

As always though, the QD-OLED tech in Samsung’s panels has produced brighter colors for a more vibrant image on average. One downside is that the S95C lacks the same Dolby Vision support as the G4, so the LG TV looks to be the better choice overall for bright HDR content.

Should I buy the LG G4 or Samsung S95C?

Picking between these two can be a tough decision, though we think that much of it comes down to budget. The G4 is a generation ahead of the S95C, so it should always be the more expensive choice. The S95C is already cheaper than it was at launch in 2023, so it’s the better value for money as long as the G4 remains close to its MSRP.

For movies and TV, we’d go for the S95C as it offers the best value for money, unless you want to take full advantage of the new bright MLA 83″ screen the G4 offers – as the S95C caps at 77″. For gaming, we’d go for the G4 thanks to the full 48Gbps bandwidth on the HDMI 2.1 ports (especially if you’re playing on PC).

Final word

In short, if you are in the market for a high-end TV that leaves no stone unturned to offer you the best viewing experience possible, we recommend the LG G4. It makes the most out of its latest tech, like the 2nd-gen MLA panel, to deliver the brightest, most brilliant picture quality. We have a dedicated page for where to buy the LG G4 OLED TV if you’re interested.

However, if you are not too concerned about having the latest TV and want to save a few bucks without compromising on a relatively high-end and premium experience, the Samsung S95C is still a great choice in 2024.