Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs. Sony A80K: Which One Wins?

OLED televisions have recently captured the public’s attention thanks to their limitless contrast, vibrant colors, and lack of the blooming effect. Not all brands, however, opted for the common OLED panels. For example, Samsung combined organic light-emitting diodes with its exclusive Quantum Dots (QD) technology to improve color accuracy and reduce the chance of burn-in.

Although this new panel type is more expensive than OLEDs in general, is the extra cost justified? Find out in this comparison between the Sony A80K TV and the Samsung S95C QD-OLED.

Let’s start right now!

Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs. Sony A80K: Side-by-Side Comparison

	Samsung S95C QD-OLED	Sony A80K
Year of Release	2023	2022
Display Type	QD-OLED	OLED
Color Accuracy	True-to-life	True-to-life
Display Resolution	4K	4K
Picture Processor	Neural Quantum Processor	Cognitive Processor XR
Refresh Rate	Up to 144Hz	120Hz
Peak Brightness	1,340 nits	650 nits
Design	Ultra-slim	Slim
Sound	Dolby Atmos	Dolby Atmos
Smart Platform	Tizen OS	Android TV
Available Sizes	55 , 65 , 77 , 83	55 , 65 , 77
Average Price	$2,300 to $5,400	$1,300 to $2,900

Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs. Sony A80K: What s the Difference?

The S95C is one of Samsung’s newest flagship TVs, which was unveiled at CES 2023. This TV uses a QD-enhanced OLED panel in comparison to the 2022 generation, which provides the same infinite contrast and no blooming expected from an OLED TV, but with higher brightness and vibrant colors.

At CES 2022, Sony unveiled its A80K OLED TV, which was recognized with two Innovation Awards. The system’s Cognitive Processor XR employs a regular OLED panel but AI upscaling to produce vivid hues and excellent visuals. Can it, however, stand up against the newest S95C?

Let’s examine how these two products contrast to determine whether Samsung’s QD-OLED TV is worth the premium price.

Image Quality

The Sony A80K and Samsung S95C both have OLED displays that have millions of self-illuminating pixels. These panels can display pure darkness and achieve infinite contrast because each pixel may switch on and off independently of the others.

When opposed to backlit panels, this characteristic results in more shadow details being visible and higher overall image quality. Even while both systems provide excellent images, Samsung’s S95C model features Quantum Dots for even more improvement.

Quantum Dots are nanoparticles that cover the display, much like LG’s NanoCell technology. Depending on the size, they feature an active center with 15 to 150 atoms and a core diameter between two and seven nanometers. A distinct color, such as blue, green, yellow, orange, or red, is represented by each size.

Each Quantum Dot boosts the reflection of the original hue when an image is projected, expanding the panel’s color spectrum and saturation. The S95C hence exhibits more vibrant colors than the A80K.

In addition to improving color, the Quantum Dots also make the panel brighter. Considering how dim typical OLED panels are, this is a significant advancement. To put things in perspective, the peak brightness of the S95C is 1,340 nits, which is roughly equivalent to that of a Mini LED TV, as opposed to the A80K’s peak brightness of only 650 nits. When viewing TV in bright light, the S95C displays images with a higher quality.

A quicker refresh rate of up to 144Hz, in addition to Quantum Dots, also eliminates stutters in fast-moving scenes, especially while playing action-packed video games. The A80K’s refresh rate is 120Hz, which is generally acceptable but more likely to cause stutters in scenes with a lot of motion.

Sound Quality

The most crucial aspect of a TV is image quality, but sound is also crucial. The Samsung S95C and the Sony A80K both dazzle with rich sounds delivered in perfect sync with the images on the screen thanks to their Dolby Atmos systems.

Each business relies on its unique technology to deliver this performance. In the case of Samsung, its S95C QD-OLEDTV employs Object Tracking Sound+, an audio-improving program that precisely monitors the activity on the screen and produces an immersive, theater-like sound.

Similar software, named Acoustic Surface Audio+, is used by Sony. With the help of this AI actuator, the screen becomes a multi-channel speaker that can reproduce surround sound without the need for additional speakers. Additionally, a variety of sound modes, such as dialog, theater, music, and sport, can improve your listening experience even more.

The A80K and the S95C are both compatible with Sony and Samsung soundbars, allowing you to build the ultimate home theater or gaming space.

Smart Features

The smart platform is one of the biggest differences between the Samsung S95C and the Sony A80K. The former is powered by the proprietary Tizen OS, which is simple to use but lacks some of the functionality present in WebOS and Android TVs.

This does not, however, imply that Tizen is a letdown. The S95C supports Alexa and Google Assistant in addition to Bixby, the virtual assistant from Samsung. The platform is jam-packed with features and apps, including, to mention a few, Wireless DeX, Microsoft 365, and Samsung TV. You may utilize the TV for big-screen video conversations thanks to Google Meet, which is already installed, and the support for mobile cameras.

The Samsung Gaming Hub and NVIDIA’s GeForce NOW are also great options for gamers, as are pairing the S95C with an Xbox to access them.

An incredibly user-friendly Android TV is the A80K. You can access the Play Store to download apps, and it includes Google TV as a smart TV platform. Similar to the S95C, this television can be used for big-screen video calls and is compatible with the BRAVIA CAM.

The A80K is completely compatible with the PlayStation consoles, as one would anticipate from a Sony TV. Auto Genre Picture and Auto-HDR tone mapping are dedicated game options. Although cloud gaming isn’t a regular feature, PS Plus Premium members can use it and play their favorite games without having to connect a system to the TV.

Design and Available Sizes

The design of the S95C QD-OLED and the A80K is another distinction. One of the slimmest TVs available is the first. It stands out with its fashionable profile and thin thickness of only 0.4 inches, and the stand conceals all connections in a freestanding installation. A VESA wall mount is an alternative option for mounting the TV to a wall.

The A80K can be mounted on a wall or utilized with a stand, just like the S95C. Additionally, VESA mounts can be used with this TV. The 2.13-inch panel thickness is the primary distinction. This TV is much thicker than the S95C, yet still being rather compact.

Aside from having an ultra-slim design, Samsung’s S95C television is available in more sizes than the A80K. Diagonally, your options are 55, 65, 77, or 83 inches. Only three sizes—55, 65, and 77 inches—are offered for the A80K.

Price

The S95C and the A80K are comparable in many aspects, however the S95C costs more because of the Quantum Dots technology. Spending ranges from $2,300 to $5,400, depending on size. The A80K is a member of Sony’s 2022 TV lineup and has an OLED panel that is standard. Because of these qualities, you may purchase this TV for no more than $1,300 to $2,900, depending on size.

Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs. Sony A80K: 5 Must-Know Facts

• The Samsung S95C and the Sony A80K are two OLED TVs, but the former uses the brand s Quantum Dots technology to boost color accuracy and minimize the risk of burn-in.
• Sony equips its A80K model with a standard OLED panel that has a lower brightness and less vivid colors than the S95C.
• Both televisions provide an immersive sound experience optimized for movies, games, and music.
• Design-wise, the S95C is slimmer and more stylish than the A80K. Samsung also offers this model in more sizes.
• The A80K offers more clearance than the S95C when mounted on a stand, which can be important if you want to pair the television with a soundbar.

Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs. Sony A80K: Which One Should You Buy?

The Samsung S95C QD-OLED is the greatest option when only the technology and smart features are taken into account.Quantum dots are used in this television to counteract the drawbacks of traditional OLED displays. When watching TV in bright light, the chance of burn-in is reduced, the colors are more vibrant, and the visuals are crisper.

The TV also has a large number of pre-installed apps, including tools for productivity like Microsoft 365 and Google Meet. But each of these features will cost you money.

The Sony A80K might be a better choice if you don’t mind fewer pre-installed apps and a basic OLED panel. This television offers exceptional image quality and a very user-friendly smart platform. It is more reasonably priced and offers flawless connectivity with the PlayStation.