A Comprehensive Comparison of the Cheapest Samsung and LG OLED TVs: Which Excels in 2024?

The OLED TV market has long witnessed intense competition between industry giants LG and Samsung. After Samsung's strong return to this market in 2022 with the S95B model, the company won the "Best TV of the Year" title for two consecutive years with the Samsung S90C in 2023 and the Samsung S95D in 2024. However, many LG OLED models still hold a prominent place among the best OLED TVs. In this test, a direct comparison was made between two budget-friendly models: LG B4 and Samsung S85D. It is worth noting that both TVs use the same standard W-OLED display panel, which limits expectations about the differences between them. So, let's see the results.

Brightness and Contrast: A Battle of Lights and Shadows

Since both TVs use the same panel, expectations were that brightness measurements would be similar, and this indeed happened. When measuring the peak HDR brightness for both TVs, the LG B4 recorded approximately 668 nits, while the S85D recorded approximately 777 nits. A difference of just over 100 nits might seem insignificant, but practical experience proved otherwise.

Although the difference was subtle, the S85D's image showed bolder highlights in certain areas of cinematic scenes. When watching *The Batman*, the light emanating from lamps and floodlights in the initial subway fight scene and crime scene shots was noticeably brighter on the S85D. The B4 still offers good brightness, but the eye was naturally drawn to the more vibrant S85D image.

In the demonstration footage from the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc, which includes images like the sun behind a satellite dish or the horizon at sunset, the S85D had more vibrancy, making these illuminated areas appear more dazzling.

Contrast and Shadow Detail

Both the LG B4 and Samsung S85D demonstrated excellent contrast during the test. In *The Batman*, light sources balanced well with darker tones on screen, creating a great sense of depth, although the S85D's higher brightness gave it a slight edge.

However, the B4 excelled in displaying shadow details and black levels. It rendered deeper, richer blacks and preserved shadow detail better, while the S85D showed slight black crush, resulting in some loss of detail in dark areas. In black and white scenes from *Oppenheimer*, both TVs again showed a good range of gray tones, but here too, the B4 maintained details in darker areas more accurately than the S85D.

It was observed that while "Filmmaker Mode" was the most accurate for dark films, the differences between the two TVs were more pronounced in "Cinema" mode, especially regarding brightness, contrast, and shadow detail.

Color Accuracy: Samsung's Vibrancy vs. LG's Realism

The real difference between the B4 and S85D lies in their color processing. Despite using the same OLED panel type, the S85D's colors had greater visual impact, especially when evaluating both TVs with "Cinema" picture preset settings enabled.

In the movie *Wicked*, during the "Wizard and I" scene where Elphaba stands under pink blossoms, the blossoms appeared more vibrant on the S85D, giving them a striking quality. Elphaba's green skin also appeared brighter, and later in "Emerald City," the green colors looked more dazzling on the S85D.

In contrast, the B4 excelled in color depth. The deeper black levels on the B4 contributed to making the pink blossoms and Elphaba's green skin appear richer and more realistic compared to the S85D.

Using the same Spears & Munsil footage, images of colorful butterflies and flowers looked rich and refined on both TVs. But again, the B4 displayed deeper and more accurate color tones, while the S85D's images were explicitly more vibrant and brighter. I found myself leaning more towards the S85D's bold colors, especially in Cinema mode.

Sports Viewing: Motion Processing is the Judge

One of the crucial tests was the TVs' performance in watching sports. OLED TVs typically feature excellent motion processing, making them a great choice for gaming and fast-paced sports. Historically, Samsung TVs require more effort in setup for motion processing compared to LG TVs, and it was no different with the S85D.

In Standard mode, the LG B4 showed superior motion processing. A football match I watched via Prime Video looked smooth and fluid throughout, without the need for any settings adjustments.

On the other hand, the S85D in its standard setup showed several motion artifacts, such as ghosting and some stutter. Changing the Blur and Judder Reduction settings to 5 helped, but even with this adjustment, there was still some choppiness in the image compared to the B4.

Between the two TVs, the LG B4 was the clear winner when it came to motion processing, making it the better choice for sports enthusiasts.

Gaming Features: What Really Matters?

When we talk about the "best gaming TV," we are referring to a set of technologies that ensure a smooth and responsive gaming experience. Both TVs support essential features, but it's important to understand them:

• High Refresh Rate (120Hz/144Hz): Means the screen can display up to 120 or 144 frames per second, resulting in smoother and more fluid motion, which is crucial in fast-paced games.
• HDMI 2.1 Port: This port allows data transfer at a sufficient speed to support 4K resolution at a 120Hz refresh rate.
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): This mode automatically switches the TV to "Game Mode" when a gaming device is detected, reducing input lag.
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): This technology (including FreeSync and G-Sync) synchronizes the TV's refresh rate with the frame rate produced by the gaming device. This prevents "screen tearing" for a cohesive and smooth image.

For a detailed explanation of these features, you can refer to the comprehensive Best Gaming TVs guide from RTINGS.com.

Which TV to Choose? The Final Decision

After testing the LG B4 and Samsung S85D side-by-side, the differences were generally subtle, so your final choice will depend on your personal preference and what you value most.

• Choose the Samsung S85D if you: want a brighter, bolder TV with more vibrant and dazzling colors, ideal for watching movies in various environments.
• Choose the LG B4 if you: prefer a more natural look, richer blacks, and more accurate shadow details. Additionally, its superior motion processing makes it the perfect choice for sports enthusiasts and gamers who prioritize motion smoothness.

Both TVs include a full suite of gaming features we look for in the best gaming TVs, and both have excellent smart TV platforms.

During my testing, I ultimately found myself leaning more towards the S85D due to its brightness and cinematic colors. So, this is the option I would personally choose, but the competition was very close, and it can be said that the B4 is a more balanced device.

Price is the Final Judge

Ultimately, it may all come down to price and discounts. The 55-inch B4 model costs $1,499.99 USD, and the 55-inch Samsung S85D model costs $1,499.99 USD. Currently, there is no price difference in the United States and the United Kingdom. But as sales seasons and year-end approach, both displays will inevitably receive discounts, and the value of these discounts may determine which TV represents the best overall value for you.