At the CES 2025 exhibition, Samsung showcased its crown jewel of OLED technology, the S95F, setting new benchmarks for home entertainment with its impressive upgrades over the S95D, which already enjoyed accolades as one of 2024's best OLED TVs.
The spotlight is firmly on the new QD-OLED panel of the S95F, which boasts dramatic improvements, including peak brightness claimed to reach approximately 4,000 nits—significantly outshining the S95D’s 1,650 nits. This upgrade not only enhances viewing comfort, especially when it’s sunny outside, but also promises richer colors and stunning HDR content. "Samsung Display claims the new panel used in the S95F can hit up to 4,000 nits of peak HDR brightness, allowing for richer highlights and enhanced viewing experiences," notes technology journalist Max Slater-Robins.
Beyond just brightness, the gaming-minded features have also seen major enhancements. The S95F improves refresh rates from the S95D's 144Hz to 165Hz, making it particularly appealing for gamers who demand high performance. This leap means sharper, smoother motion with less screen tearing during fast-paced gaming sessions. Slater-Robins emphasizes, "One of the biggest talking points of the S95F OLED is its gaming performance, pushing the refresh rate from 144Hz on the S95D to 165Hz," showcasing its fit for the latest gaming consoles.
But what does this all mean for the average viewer? The S95F maintains Samsung's commitment to captivating design, featuring the same ultra-slim profile and razor-thin bezels, yet introduces minor tweaks for refinement. The gorgeous visuals come wrapped around cutting-edge technology, including Samsung’s anti-glare coating, which is engineered to help maintain visibility even under bright lights. This new coating builds on the elements already incorporated within the S95D to provide the ultimate cinematic experience.
Another noteworthy aspect of the S95F is Samsung’s NQ4 AI-powered processor, which significantly refines real-time tone mapping and upscaling. With this enhancement, users will experience improved color accuracy and uniformity, eleviating the overall visual quality of both old and new media. Various smart features continue under the Tizen OS, but the S95F offers faster response times and improved AI-driven recommendations, allowing for more seamless multitasking across apps.
From the gaming experience to breathtaking color displays, Samsung is catering to diverse viewing needs, whether it's for thrill-seeking gamers or those indulgently binge-watching the latest series on streaming platforms. And let’s not forget the audio—while establishing itself as primarily video-centric, the S95F supports multiple sound technologies, including Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony, allowing for immersive audio experiences paired effortlessly with compatible Samsung soundbars.
Considering all these significant upgrades and new features, the conversation naturally shifts to whether current owners of the S95D need to rush out and purchase the S95F. For many, the continuous excellence of the S95D means they might find little reason to upgrade, especially since it still delivers exceptional OLED picture quality and sound. But for those transitioning from older OLED models or moving up from traditional LED/LCD TVs, the jump to the S95F presents distinct benefits.
Samsung hasn't disclosed official pricing yet, but with anticipation, it's expected to align similarly to the launch price of the S95D, making it likely to remain on the premium end of the market. For consumers weighing options, the contextual advancements of brightness and refresh rates could justify the hefty investment, spinning dreams for avid gamers and film buffs.
Overall, the S95F OLED TV exemplifies Samsung's relentless pursuit of perfection within the OLED space, piecing together quality, technology, and user experience seamlessly. It beckons for attention as Samsung's most advanced OLED yet, landing just as the expectations for home entertainment are soaring to new heights.