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When it comes to TVs, Samsung and LG make some of the best sets around. Deciding between these two giants can be difficult, especially since both make products that run the price gamut from cheap and fun to ultra-premium.
But there are some things to keep in mind when trying to decide between LG or Samsung TV. Although an expensive LG TV will beat a cheap Samsung set and vice versa, these points can help you push one way or the other when looking at two sets in the same price bracket.
Read on for our recommendations, and for more like this, check out our guide to the best TV brands.
(Image credit: Samsung)
Before we get into the differences between Samsung and LG TVs, it’s important to cover the factors that add hundreds of dollars to your average TV price.
The first is the resolution, that is the number of pixels placed on the screen: a high, sharp number of images. In 2022, there are three resolutions sold: 1080p (or full HD), 4K, or 8K, from just over two million pixels to over 33 million. At the time of writing, you definitely need 4K, which is the sweet spot. 1080p images look a little blurry on big screens, while 8K adds a premium format that isn’t broadcast anywhere at the moment – not on cable and not on streaming platforms.
Second, size plays an important role. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the screen, the bigger the tag value. And while the difference between 55- and 65-inches may not sound like much on paper, in practice, it’s a lot because that measurement is taken in width. A 55-inch TV, for example, has an 89% larger screen area than a 40-inch set. Ask yourself, “Do I need a TV size?” before you start your search.
You can still find 75-inch sets cheaper than the best 40-inch TVs, though, and that’s down to the type of panel used. Cheaper sets will use LCD panels, and Samsung and LG both have budget sets using this basic technology. But it’s when you get to the more premium levels that the difference between LG and Samsung TVs becomes more apparent.
(Image credit: LG)
Samsung vs LG TVs: Display technology
At the high end of the market, you’ve heard of two types of panels fighting for supremacy: OLED and QLED. While Samsung recently released its first OLED panel, it is primarily known for its QLED fight. LG, meanwhile, is famous for its OLED panels (and has made them for other manufacturers.)
What is the difference? Well, OLED stands for ‘Organic Light-Emitting Diode,’ and that means that each of the TV’s pixels — more than 8 million of them in a 4K panel — are lit individually. This results in incredible immersion in dark scenes (because the pixels are off, so they’re completely black) and unbeatable contrast. There is a reason why LG C2 (opens in a new tab) regularly at the top of the best TV lists on the web.
The main limitations are the lower peak brightness than backlit panels, making them less suitable for rooms with a lot of natural light during the day. There is also the risk of burn-in where the image can be permanently damaged on the screen if left standing for too long (think news tickets and sports scores.) But today’s OLED panels have warnings instead of ensuring that this is more of a theoretical risk than a real problem with normal use.
Despite the name QLED, Samsung’s proprietary technology is a huge improvement over LED panels found in less expensive sets. While the pixels don’t light up by themselves, QLED has a number of dark zones and uses quantum dots for improved color and contrast. Look for small QLED LED-like sets QN90A Neo (opens in a new tab) – as these have small lights for tight control.
Finally, picture quality isn’t as good as OLED in perfect conditions, but it’s not far off, and the improved brightness makes it more suitable for bright rooms or daytime viewing, which is important.
LG has something called NanoCell, similar to QLED – where a layer of nanoparticles is placed between the LED light and the screen to enhance colors and contrast. These are cheaper than OLED panels, mostly with the same advantages and disadvantages as QLED.
(Image credit: Samsung)
Samsung vs LG TVs: Formats and operating systems
With little to choose between Samsung and LG in terms of raw standards, you may want to consider the supported formats. While LG supports Dolby Vision on its high-end TVs, Samsung opts for HDR10+ instead. LG has an advantage here, given that Dolby Vision has 12-bit color in HDR10 + 10-bit. It is also more widely supported.
There is also TV software to consider. To be clear, both LG’s WebOS and Samsung’s Tizen support all major streaming systems. Both look great (especially compared to the history of Android/Google TV). Still, you may find one more attractive than the other. LG’s high-end sets also come with a “Magic Remote,” where you can select items with a mouse-like pointer on the screen. For more on this user interface, head over to our guide on whether a smart TV or streaming device is the best investment.
Speaking of mobility, both TVs support voice assistants, with Alexa and Google Assistant built-in (and Samsung’s Bixby assistant pushed to its sets, too.) This means you can control the TVs with the power of your voice if you wish, even from a distance it is still popular with many people.
(Image credit: LG)
Samsung vs LG TVs: Which should you choose?
Hopefully, this guide will provide some useful tips on whether to go with an LG or Samsung TV. However, it is important to remember that this is general advice and may not apply to specific sets. Most importantly, a high-end TV from one will always beat a low-end model from another, regardless of the overall quality standards.
Because of their dedication to the TV-like lifestyle The framework (opens in a new tab) and Serif (opens in a new tab), we are big fans of Samsung TVs in the average style-forward living room. The brand is also one of the best mid-range TVs that aren’t too technologically demanding, and has a wide selection of 8K and other 85-inch TVs.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a bargain, LG wins our budget model. In our opinion, OLED panels are the best screen technology right now, so LG also comes out on top there. If you’re in the mood to splurge, the LG Signature range (opens in a new tab) it can certainly give some effect.
If you have a specific model in mind, check out the reviews to see its strengths and weaknesses. Ideally, look at the set in person – but remember that the lighting in the showroom is unlikely to match your living room.
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