LG G5 vs Samsung S95F vs Sony BRAVIA 8 II: Best OLED TV

The LG G5, Samsung S95F and Sony BRAVIA 8 II are the three flagship OLED TVs most often compared against one another. Each makes a different trade. The LG G5 uses LG's brightest four-layer panel and supports Dolby Vision. The Samsung S95F pairs a QD-OLED panel with an anti-glare matte screen and an external One Connect box. The Sony BRAVIA 8 II uses a QD-OLED panel too, with Sony's processing and tuning that many movie fans prefer.

This guide compares the three on brightness, reflections, color, processing, gaming and value, then explains which one suits which room. It also covers the cheaper LG C-series option and what the newer LG G6 and Samsung S95H change for anyone shopping now.

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Quick verdict

• Best all-rounder: the LG G5. It has the brightest picture of the three in most independent measurements, Dolby Vision, four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports and the widest size range.
• Best for bright rooms with windows facing the screen: the Samsung S95F. Its matte screen handles direct glare better than any glossy OLED, and the One Connect box keeps cables tidy.
• Best for film fans in a dim room: the Sony BRAVIA 8 II. It has rich QD-OLED color, excellent processing of streams and older content, and strong built-in sound, but it is dimmer and less flexible for gaming.

LG G5 vs. Samsung S95F vs. Sony BRAVIA 8 II: specs compared

Feature	LG G5	Samsung S95F	Sony BRAVIA 8 II
Panel type	WOLED, four-layer (Primary RGB Tandem) in most sizes	QD-OLED	QD-OLED
Screen finish	Glossy with anti-reflective layer	Matte "Glare Free"	Glossy with anti-reflective layer
Sizes	55 to 97 inches	Several sizes from 55 inches	55 and 65 inches only
HDR formats	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG	HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (no Dolby Vision)	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports	4	4	2 (one is the eARC port)
Max refresh rate	165 Hz	165 Hz	120 Hz
Inputs	On the TV	External One Connect box	On the TV
Mounting	Designed to hang flush on a wall	Very slim panel; stand or wall mount	Thicker, with feet
Smart platform	webOS	Tizen	Google TV
Price tier	Premium	Premium	Highest
Shop	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon

Specs vary by size and region, so confirm the exact model number before buying. The G5's four-layer panel, for example, is not used in every size.

Brightness: HDR and everyday viewing

Brightness is where the G5 pulled ahead of earlier LG OLEDs. In independent measurements from outlets such as TechRadar and RTINGS, the G5 posts the highest HDR peak brightness of the three, with the S95F close behind. On real movie scenes the two are often hard to tell apart. The BRAVIA 8 II is clearly dimmer, especially in its game mode, though its HDR picture is still excellent in a dark or dim room.

Everyday SDR viewing, such as sports, news and daytime TV, follows the same pattern. The G5 holds the most brightness on large bright areas of the screen, which makes it the strongest choice for a bright room without direct reflections. The S95F is a step behind, and the Sony is the dimmest of the group with full-screen bright content.

Reflections and the matte screen

Room lighting may matter more than any spec on this list. Samsung's matte screen diffuses reflections, so a window or lamp directly opposite the TV turns into a soft haze instead of a sharp mirror image. For a living room with a wall of windows facing the screen, that is a decisive advantage, and reviewers consistently rank the S95F best of the three at handling glare, with the Sony second.

The trade-off shows up in rooms with lots of ambient light that isn't reflecting directly. In that case, the matte coating can lift black levels slightly, so dark scenes look a little gray. The G5's glossy screen keeps blacks deeper under the same conditions, but it shows sharper reflections of anything in front of it. A simple test: if the TV will face a window during the hours it's used, lean Samsung; if the light comes from the side, the LG holds contrast better.

Color and accuracy

The two QD-OLED sets, Samsung and Sony, produce slightly richer, more saturated bright colors in HDR, which shows in neon signs, sunsets and animated films. The LG's four-layer panel has narrowed that gap and produces the brightest whites of the three.

Out of the box, the LG and Samsung are both accurate in their movie or Filmmaker Mode settings, and most owners won't need professional calibration. Sony's default picture tends toward a cooler white, which some viewers like and others correct with the warm color temperature setting. Turning on Filmmaker Mode on any of the three is the quickest way to see content close to how it was mastered.

Processing and upscaling

Sony's reputation rests on processing, and the BRAVIA 8 II earns it. It cleans up compression blocking in low-bitrate streams and cable channels, upscales older content smoothly and handles gradients like skies and dark shadows with very little banding. The LG G5 is close behind and in some low-quality sources removes just as much noise. Samsung's processing handles banding well but leaves more blockiness in heavily compressed video. For a household that watches a lot of cable, broadcast sports or older streaming catalogs, the Sony and LG have the edge.

Gaming

All three OLEDs respond almost instantly, so motion is clear on each. The differences are in ports and features. The LG G5 and Samsung S95F each have four HDMI 2.1 ports that run up to 4K at 165 Hz, so a console, a gaming PC and a streaming box can all stay plugged in. The BRAVIA 8 II has two full-bandwidth ports capped at 120 Hz, and one of them doubles as the eARC connection for a soundbar, which can mean an HDMI switch for multi-console setups. Sony's input lag is also higher, especially outside game mode.

Between the LG and Samsung, the deciding factor is often Dolby Vision. Xbox Series X|S consoles support Dolby Vision gaming, which the LG handles and the Samsung does not. Both support variable refresh rate and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which switches the TV into its low-lag mode when a console starts a game. PlayStation 5 owners get a few Sony-specific conveniences on the BRAVIA 8 II, such as automatic picture mode switching for PS5 games.

Sound, design and setup

Most buyers of a flagship TV add a soundbar, but built-in sound still matters for everyday watching. Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+, which uses the screen itself as a speaker, is generally regarded as the best-sounding of the three. The LG and Samsung are fine for casual viewing but benefit more from external speakers. For soundbar options, see the soundbar buying guide.

Design differences affect installation. The G5 is built to hang flat against the wall like a picture, and in many sizes no stand comes in the box, so budget for a stand if it will sit on furniture. The S95F is very thin because its inputs live in the separate One Connect box, which can sit in a cabinet with only one thin cable running to the screen. The BRAVIA 8 II is the thickest and stands on feet near the edges, so it needs a wide console.

Which TV should you buy?

Samsung S95F: bright rooms and clean cable setups

The S95F is the pick when windows or lamps sit directly across from the screen. The matte finish keeps the picture watchable in direct light, and the One Connect box is useful for wall mounts and tight media consoles. Buyers who don't need Dolby Vision and want vivid color in a sunny room will be happiest here.

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LG G5: the most balanced flagship

The G5 suits buyers who want the brightest picture, Dolby Vision for movies and Xbox, four HDMI 2.1 ports and the most size options, from apartment living rooms to 97-inch home theaters. Its glossy screen keeps blacks deep in rooms with side lighting, and it looks best wall-mounted.

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Sony BRAVIA 8 II: dedicated movie rooms

The BRAVIA 8 II fits a dim media room or basement theater where processing quality, natural color and built-in sound matter more than peak brightness. It is the most expensive of the three and comes only in 55 and 65 inches, and its limited HDMI 2.1 ports make it the weakest pick for serious gamers.

Sony BRAVIA 8 IICheck today’s price on AmazonBuy on Amazon →

Cheaper option and newer models

For buyers who want an LG OLED without flagship pricing, the C-series is the usual step down. The LG C6 keeps Dolby Vision, the same webOS platform and four HDMI 2.1 ports, but it uses a dimmer panel than the G-series, so it is a better fit for evening viewing than for a bright room.

LG and Samsung have also released successors. The LG G6 uses a newer version of the four-layer panel that LG says is brighter than the G5's, and the Samsung S95H drops the One Connect box in favor of inputs on the TV. As newer models arrive, the G5 and S95F usually sell for less, which can make them the better value for buyers who don't need the latest panel. Compare current prices and check that the listing is for a new TV, not a renewed one.

Planning a full room setup? The guide to converting any room into a home theater covers seating distance, lighting and acoustics, and a strong home network matters for 4K streaming. See mesh Wi-Fi systems compared for that side of the setup.

Want the picture to spill onto the wall behind the screen? See the TV backlight guide for sync boxes that match the light to what's playing.