For long time now , Sony and Samsung have been two of the fiercest competitor in theworld of video . Each manufacturer prioritizes all the integral elements that go into a world - stratum display , includingresolution , backlighting , image upscaling , and the impudent tv set experience . Both stigma also raise TVs in many unlike sizes , ranging from 32 - inch set that are bully for bedrooms to monumental 85 - inch - plus model that might be a squeeze for even the biggest living rooms .
Sony and Samsung TVs have a band in uncouth , but there are also a few key orbit where these TV behemoth differ . This is why we ’ve compared both brands to help you decide which is salutary for you .
Design
Both Sony and Samsung make some of the best - looking TVs , even before you start considering picture quality . Whether you ’re going tabletop orwall - put on , razor - thin bezels and unbelievably diminished depth measure are portion out between Sony and Samsung — although the latter rifle a bit more gung - ho in that respect .
Take theSamsung S95C OLED , for example : As the company ’s flagship model , the S95C is part of Samsung ’s Infinity One Design , excrete the perimeter bezel around the silver screen for an enhanced , misdirection - free screening experience . And without the stand , the 65 - inch variant of this TV is only 0.4 inches from front to back ! You wo n’t regain any HDMI port on the S95C either because they ’re all housed in the separate slim One Connect Box .
Sony video are pretty flimsy , too , though . The flagship65 - inch XR A95L QD - OLEDis only 1 - 3/8 inch without the stand . Razor - thin bezel complement the screen , and unlike the centered S95C stand , the A95L come with two feet that sequester to either side of the set . This allows the bottom of the A95L to be suspended mere centimeter from the top of your TV stand .
Chassis - wise , Sony and Samsung be given to favor industrial grey and flatness - black shell colors . For good example without Samsung ’s Slim One Connect , you ’ll find HDMI port and other connections on the back and sides of Sony and Samsung set ( depending on the model ) .
Generally address , Sony sets are a morsel bulkier than Samsung ’s television lineup . Do keep in idea , though , that as you start await at mid - compass and entry - level models from both stigma , bezel size and overall deepness tend to increase .
Display
When it comes to firmness of purpose , Samsung and Sony ’s TVs have got you covered . Both companies produce 4 K and8 K models , along with some 1080p and 720p options ( mostly smaller sizes ) . While 4 kB be given to be the median TV pixel count these days , it does n’t ache to invest in an 8 thou stage set — although your options for 8 K cognitive content are still rather circumscribed .
As far as literal panels and lighting goes , Sony and Samsung raise a few dissimilar type of sets . On the bottom rung , both brands make traditional LED - LCDs with either border - lit or full - raiment backlighting . In the midrange and premium tier , you ’ll findQLEDs , light-emitting diode - LCDs , QLEDs with mini - LED lighting , andQD - organic light-emitting diode .
Sony and Samsung ’s more advanced light-emitting diode and QLED models utilize features like local dimming to insure the backlighting of these sets more in effect . This all but extinguish light flower and haloing during dark setting while pitch improved contrast levels overall .
Models like theSony XR X93Land theSamsung QN90Care also some of the brightest television set on the market , which foreshadow well for those of us watching movies and shows in bright - lit room .
QD - OLED are currently only made by Sony and Samsung , and this newer idiot box tech is only in its second propagation . Combining ego - emissive organic light-emitting diode pixels with quantum dots for enhanced colors , promising brights , and pure blacks , models like theSamsung S95CandSony A95Lare some of the best TVs money can buy .
Colors, upscaling, and motion
Samsung ’s Neural Quantum Processor and Sony ’s Cognitive Processor XR are the picture engine responsible for framing - by - frame optimization . Whether you ’re watching a brand - new Ultra HD movie or old home TV , Samsung and Sony tv are design to present as much color and detail as potential .
HDR performanceis just as constitutional as a substantial pic engine , though . as luck would have it , Sony and Samsung TVs are class - leading when it fare to HDR decoding . Both brands substantiate popular formats like HDR10 , Dolby Vision , and HLG . Samsung tv set do have a leg - up when it comes toHDR10 + accompaniment , though , as Sony TVs do not .
Sony and Samsung are also terrific at 4 K and 8 potassium upscaling . Even if you ’re watch an ancient DVD , both brands utilize AI - drive upscaling tool to make even the noble-minded lo - fi images look more like Ultra HD .
For the most part , Sony and Samsung refresh rate are capped at 120Hz aboriginal , but we ’re starting to see models equal to of 144Hz ( for compatible microcomputer connections ) . If you ’re a handsome sportswoman fan or you love playing video plot , feature like Samsung ’s Motion Xcelerator add an extra digital boost to that 120Hz baseline .
sure midrange models and most entry - layer Sony and Samsung sets are capped at 60Hz .
Sound quality
There ’s no concealing that most TVs are n’t very good at fork up pulse - pounding audio . That being say , Sony and Samsung TVs have some pretty brain sound optimizations .
Both stigma indorse several unlike audio codecs , include surround virtualization formats likeDolby Atmosand DTS : X. Then there ’s Sony ’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ , a feature you ’ll find on some of the society ’s high - closing models . With actuators behind the gore , this technical school permit compatible Sony television receiver to create sound from the center of the projection screen . That ’s on top of two built - in subwoofer .
If you ’re the kind of person who always needs a separate audio system to go with your TV ( we get it ! ) , certain Samsung telly include a feature call Q - Symphony . This allows the TV speakers to work out in unison with compatible Samsung soundbars to deliver an vast soundstage for your movies , show , and game .
Smart TV and user interface
Behind the scenes ( and all the impression and good processing tools ) , Sony and Samsung TVs have comfortable - to - navigate user interface and smart TV platforms .
For Sony , the OS of choice is usuallyGoogle goggle box , although you ’ll still observe a duo of models that expend Android video instead . Over in Samsung Land , the Tizen OS scat the show .
If you spend a lot of time streaming movies and shows from apps like Netflix , Disney+ , and Amazon Prime Video , Google TV offers one of the most intuitive Home Screen experiences . By keeping pill on your viewing habits , Google TV will urge content to you . You ’ll also be able-bodied to take advantage of Chromecast for beaming medium from your smartphone or tablet to your TV .
Many Google TV - power Sony have Google Assistant built in too . Not only will you be able-bodied to utilise the digital companion to explore for movies and check your smart menage equipment , but you could also see resilient survey from your Google Nest security cams on your goggle box !
Samsung ’s Tizen may not turn in movie and show recommendations , but the OS supports an huge app library , screen share-out between compatible gadget , and voice supporter musical accompaniment for Samsung ’s Bixby , Amazon Alexa , and Google Assistant .
Additionally , several Sony and Samsung telecasting supportApple AirPlay 2and Apple HomeKit .
Gaming
TV games are everywhere , so guarantee your TV can handle everything a next - gen console or souped - up gambling PC can throw at it is important . Luckily , Sony and Samsung TVs include a number of gaming optimizations and picture presets .
TheHDMI 2.1 standardis one of the sound room to ensure your telly will give you solid gaming carrying into action . Faster refresh rate , less input lag , and well bandwidth are just a few of HDMI 2.1 ’s laurel wreath , and , luckily , several Sony and Samsung sets include HDMI 2.1 input signal .
Many Samsung television include a built - in Game Bar . Think of this as a dashboard for all your gameplay and photograph options , provide you to aline features like HDR and Variable Refresh Rate ( VRR ) in a mite . That ’s on top of an automatic Game Mode that is set off whenever you turn on a next - gen console table .
With Xbox Game Pass Ultimate , you ’ll also be able to roleplay Xbox game on your Samsung TV , without even having the system connected !
If you ’re the proud owner of a PlayStation 5 , pair your console with a Sony TV is one of the good things you ’ll ever do . Thanks to features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping , an automatic Game Mode , and PS Remote Play supporting , your PS5 gameplay will look and feel near - perfect .
You ’ll also get hold other gaming optimizations , such as AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G - Sync , supported by both Sony and Samsung tv .
Remote control
This category can be unmanageable to judge based on whether or not you care your TV remotes to have a lot of buttons or very few . Samsung remotes tend to represent the latter .
Most mid- and top - tier up Samsung TVs come packaged with a sleek - face Bluetooth remote that deal all the essential , let in volume control , communication channel up / down , ability , and a home plate push that fires up the smart idiot box menu . If you ’re into shipment apps up with phonation commands , there ’s even a built - in mic for doing so .
Certain Samsung tv now come with SolarCell remotes . When localise in a well - lit environment with the solar panel facing up , the SolarCell re - ups your remote barrage fire . you’re able to also charge SolarCell remotes with a USB - 100 cablegram .
While minimalist and comfortable to peck up , one affair we ’ve noticed with this lineup of remotes is that the Bluetooth can get a little wonky occasionally , ensue in an “ un - paired ” remote control ( especially when the battery level is low ) . Fortunately , re - couple is as simple asholding a few button down , but we think we ’d observe this footling incommodiousness .
Sony remote are certainly more clit - packed . On mid- and top - tier simulation , you ’ll find pretty much anything you would expect from a modernistic TV remote , including numbers , volume control , a domicile push button for smart TV functions , jump - to - app button like Netflix and YouTube , and a mic push button for voice bid . Sony remote control also have a more traditional goggle box remote coming into court compare to Samsung ’s more futuristic designing .
The one minor bummer for both stigma : no backlighting . It ’s never fun to pick at buttons in the shadow , and neither Samsung nor Sony has a release on their remote for illuminating push .
Of course , there ’s a battlefield of thebest TV brandsto choose from , but hopefully , you ’ve find out enough about some of the strength and weakness of both Samsung and Sony telly to make a more informed choice .
