Lab – Samsung S95C: a record peak of brightness for QD-Oled technology!

The Samsung S95C is the first television to use a totally unbridled QD-Oled 2023 panel. It thus displays a higher peak of brightness than last year’s models. Why unbridled? Because according to our information, the S90C, the entry-level model which succeeds the S95B from 2022, is equipped with the same panel and yet its peak brightness is identical. Only the most high-end TVs, such as the S95C and probably the Sony A95L, should feature this brighter QD-Oled panel.

With a 10% window, we measured maximum brightness in Dynamic picture mode at 1315 cd/m². In this mode, the luminance curve is not respected at all and the television systematically displays an image that is too bright.

Of course, the Dynamic mode does not respect the original image at all. The color temperature is whimsical and far too blue, while the colors are totally wrong. We measured a delta E of 30.6, very, very far from the delta E of 3 below which the colors are considered faithful. In fact, these are far too saturated. Example, a pale green will turn into an almost fluorescent green.

The better calibrated Standard mode with a slightly higher maximum brightness

In Standard picture mode, peak brightness is measured at 1363 cd/m². This is the highest value recorded on a QD-Oled television.

Standard mode displays better colors than Dynamic mode, but with a Delta E greater than 15.3, we are still very, very far from the colors sent by the source.

The perfectly calibrated Filmmaker mode with a very close peak of brightness

In Filmmaker picture mode, peak brightness measured between 1300 and 1350 cd/m² depending on the chosen HDR mapping. In active mode, the signal is smoothed to retain details in the brightest areas of the image, while with the static setting, the reference signal (in yellow) is perfectly followed, even if it means losing details when the luminance exceeds 1350 cd/m².

As with many manufacturers, the Filmmaker mode makes it possible to obtain a simply perfect image, with colors very faithful to those sent by the source and to the director’s vision.

Balance sheet

The Samsung S95C displays a peak brightness of around 1300 cd/m², regardless of the image mode used. We therefore prefer the perfectly calibrated Filmmaker mode. We also note that this QD-Oled television does not do better than the LG 65G3, which displays a peak brightness of 1470 cd / m² in Filmmaker mode. On the other hand, the QD-Oled model stands out with a wider Rec.2020 colorimetric coverage, therefore better color reproduction. You will find out more in the full test which will be published on Tuesday morning.