Samsung and LG are two of the most popular TV brands on the market. Which one is better? There’s no easy answer to this question, but it can help to look at what each company does best. Samsung has a great reputation for producing high-quality TVs with excellent picture quality, while LG offers some of the thinnest models you’ll find today.
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- CRYSTAL PROCESSOR 4K: See every detail with stunning clarity; The powerful processor, specifically tuned for Crystal Displays, converts what you're watching to 4K
- BUILT-IN VOICE ASSISTANTS: Access a world of content beyond streaming; Schedule recordings, search, auto-adjust gaming settings, seamlessly connect with a host of compatible devices, and control your smart TV with your voice, all with one remote
- HDR: Enjoy a whole new world of vivid color and detail found in newer films and streaming service content with HDR, also known as High Dynamic Range
- MOTION XCELERATOR: With minimized blur and enhanced motion clarity, Motion Xcelerator catches all the fast-moving action, whether you're watching sports or taking advantage of new gaming capabilities
- VOICE CONTROL: Use your voice to control your TV and connected devices with built-in support for Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, and many more.VESA Mounting (W x H) 200 x 200. Power Supply (Voltage, Hz) AC 120V, 50/60Hz
- A5 GEN5 AI PROCESSOR 4K: Enhance your picture and sound with AI from the a5 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K
- WebOS: Customize your viewing experience with separate accounts and personalized recommendations for every member of your family
- ULTIMATE STREAMING: Find your faves fast with built-in access to Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV app, Disney plus, HBO Max and instant access to over 300 plus free LG Channels with everything from comedy to movies to sports
- MAGIC REMOTE: Quickly point, click, scroll or use voice control to find your favorite content faster with the LG Magic Remote
Both companies have strengths in different areas, so when purchasing a new television set it pays to do your research before making a final decision. And to help out, here’s a Samsung vs LG comparison you can use to decide which company makes the best TVs.
1. Brand Value and History
Both brands, Samsung and LG, have a rich history since the first television sets were manufactured in the 1950s and 1960s.
Both companies’ origins can be traced back to just one man: In-Ho Lee of South Korea and Guy Kliewer Buessing of the US, respectively.
The two TV manufacturing powerhouses have enjoyed great success as they kept innovating as time went by.
They started producing CRT TVs but as that technology was slowly displaced by LCDs, they followed up with their versions.
Despite having strong rivals such as Sony or Panasonic along the way, Samsung and LG always seemed to find a way to reach the top spot in worldwide rankings.
2. Operating System and Apps
This is where we can see a clear difference between the two TV manufacturers: Samsung has its OS and it’s called ‘Tizen’, while LG uses Google’s Android OS for its smart TVs.
Tizen was first released in 2013 and it’s mainly used by Samsung on most of their devices, such as smartphones or even refrigerators. Since then, Tizen OS has been updated to newer versions that include support for even more codecs and apps (Netflix 4K support is among them).
- QUANTUM MATRIX TECHNOLOGY PRO: With Quantum Matrix Technology Pro, a staggering grid of Samsung's own Quantum Mini LEDs unleash a billion colors with ultra-fine precision for intense contrast
- NEURAL QUANTUM PROCESSOR: Experience AI powered 8K; The ultra-high performance 8K processor uses 20 distinct neural networks, each with its own expertise, to drive intuitive Smart TV Hub controls, Dolby Atmos sound and exquisite 8K upscaling (disclosure: *Utilizes AI-Based formulas to upscale to 8K Resolution. Resulting picture may vary based on source content.)
- INFINITY ONE DESIGN W/ SLIM ONE CONNECT: Immerse yourself in the striking simplicity of the Infinity One Design; With its slim profile & modern lines, it was created to complement your style; and has the beauty to blend in. Plus, the Slim One Connect moves your cables out of sight.
- QUANTUM HDR 32X: Every detail bursts to life with the realistic contrast and brilliance the director intended; With HDR 32X and its wide range of brilliant shades of color, you’ll discover all the nuances in movies and shows made for High Dynamic Range.
- DOLBY ATMOS & OBJECT TRACKING SOUND+: Experience vividly realistic 3D sound that puts you in the middle of the action with OTS+; From strategically placed speakers behind the screen, you’ll hear the getaway car drive from one side to the other, and even feel the fighter jet fly overhead; Plus with Dolby Atmos built in, hear the rain from above and the explosion from beyond the strategically placed speakers behind the screen
On the other hand, LG opted for an open-source platform like Android: Even though they don’t have as much control over the interface as before (LG UX doesn’t offer too many customization settings), benefit from a multitude of apps and services.
3. TV Picture Quality and Size Range
These two manufacturers excel at different things as well: Samsung has usually been better with LED/LCD TVs while LG has worked wonders with OLED screens for quite some time now.
As such, you can expect the latest QLED TVs from South Korea or Signature OLED models from the US to be among the best in what they do and offer much better picture quality than budget-oriented sets.
However, we should note that both makers have recently started to produce much larger sets (from 55-inch up to 88-inch) that take your breath away when it comes to room-filling capacities but also tend to go over a thousand dollars more frequently than smaller counterparts.
4. Smart Home
Samsung and LG are two of the top manufacturers for smart appliances, mainly fridges or washing machines that you can control remotely via an app on your smartphone.
We have to mention, in addition, that they both offer connected thermostats (to adjust the temperature in your house) with some models even offering remote control capabilities via a mobile app.
- REAL 8K QUANTUM DOT NANOCELL DISPLAY: See brighter depth and detail. Thanks to Real 8K, the best in resolution, combined with our best in backlighting. Over 33 million pixels bring your content to life with unbelievable detail. Games, movies and shows pop like never before with Full Array Dimming Pro, our most advanced LED technology.
- MINI LED: New MiniLED technology is a giant leap forward in LCD TV. MiniLED technology uses smaller LEDs to maximize precise luminance, a higher level of contrast and deeper blacks due to increased dimming zones.
- a9 GEN 4 AI PROCESSOR 8K: The a9 Gen 4 AI Processor 8K is specifically engineered to power 8K performance, detecting and enhancing every detail you see on screen. Your non-8K content looks like near 8K with AI 8K Upscaling. Plus, AI Picture Pro and AI Sound Pro give you clearer, smoother images and maximum sound quality.
- HOME CINEMA EXPERIENCE: Get breathtaking picture and audio that makes you feel like you're in the action with Cinema HDR, Dolby Vision IQ & Dolby Atmos. See movies exactly how directors intended with Filmmaker Mode.And with built-in access to Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+ and LG channels, your favorite content is at your fingertips.
- ULTIMATE GAMEPLAY: Experience gaming like never before with features that help you beat the competition. Game Optimizer gives you easier access to all your game settings, the latest HDMI allows for fast gaming speeds and you'll get low input lag and fast response times with Auto Low-Latency Mode and HGiG.
Both TV brands also offer smart lights – mostly compatible with their TVs but sometimes not – with some models able to be controlled via an external device such as Alexa or Google Home.
5. Design and Build Quality
This is where things get more complicated when comparing these two companies: Samsung has always been known for its clean minimalistic design while LG’s choice fell on more striking aesthetics.
As such, you can expect Samsung TVs to look stylish yet unobtrusive while LG’s latest lineup might catch your attention with their bolder looks.
Samsung TVs usually boast an elegant metallic finish and thin bezels around the screen that makes them very attractive when placed into living rooms.
LG OLED TVs don’t have as clean a design but they offer much larger screens than their LED/LCD counterparts from other brands thanks to their super-thin panels. This also means they are easy to fix on any wall without the need for special installation services or tools.
We should mention that it’s getting increasingly harder to tell what kind of chassis both TV makers use because they tend to hide all sorts of cables behind the panel so you only see what they want you to see.
6. Pricing and Availability
Samsung TVs are more expensive than LG’s counterparts by at least $500 for the most part, but you can choose from a wider variety of screen sizes if that’s your primary concern.
They’re usually sold in stores worldwide, with Amazon being one of our favorite places to buy screens since it offers reliable shipping without having to worry about fakes (Of course, this doesn’t mean buying things online is always safe).
As for LG OLED TVs – even though their price tags are also very high – there aren’t as many sizes available as Samsung has to offer. If you want an ultra-large model make sure you scout out the latest “W” models that have just started being released.
7. Customer Support
Samsung has a much better reputation when it comes to customer support than LG, with many customers reporting that their queries are resolved within less than an hour by very skilled agents.
LG OLED TVs are known for having issues after the one-year warranty expires so if you plan on using your screen for more than 18 months make sure you buy some sort of protection.
Samsung’s Strengths
The Samsung KS9000 is a good example of what this Korean manufacturer does best: produce high-quality TV sets that have excellent picture quality.
Read: Samsung QN55Q70TAFXZA Review
One of its most impressive features is the way it handles black colors. When something on screen is supposed to be black, it will be very dark and deep. And when a scene contains many different blacks at once, the KS9000 maintains their distinction from one another. This results in some of the most striking images you can get from a modern television set. It also has impressively wide viewing angles thanks to the type of panel it uses. This makes it ideal for people who watch TV with a group of friends or family members.
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- QUANTUM PROCESSOR LITE W/ 4K UPSCALING: Everything on your screen is upgraded to 4K resolution by a smart, powerful processor; Turn on your TV and see your favorite shows and movies automatically transformed to 4K thanks to the smart and fast Quantum Processor 4K Lite
- DUAL LED: Enjoy natural, real-life colors with dedicated warm and cool Dual LED backlights; Whatever you watch, you’ll notice amazing color tones with backlighting that automatically adapts the contrast to match your content in real time
- QUANTUM HDR: Go beyond HDTV with Quantum HDR that delivers an expanded range of color and contrast; With an impressive spectrum that deepens blacks and brightens whites, you’ll finally see the details in the Hollywood movies and shows with HDR
- SMART TV W/ MULTIPLE VOICE ASSISTANTS: Just speak up—your favorite Voice Assistant is ready to help; Voice Assistants are built into your Samsung TV; Simply use your voice to find the content you love, control your connected home and more
Samsung’s Operating System is Best
One final point where Samsung comes out on top against LG is its operating system. When using the Smart function on their TVs most LG users will be taken to an almost empty screen, while with Samsung everything loads up immediately. There are still some areas of the former company’s interface that will need work, but overall Samsung offers a better experience when it comes to your TV’s built-in software. You should also read our review of the Samsung UN75TU7000FXZA.
LG’s Strengths
The best part about LG TVs is their slimness. Many models are less than two inches thick, which means they look great when mounted to the wall in your living room or any other place you plan to use them. They’re so thin that this often becomes their main selling point, which might be a turnoff to people who are looking for an excellent TV set that excels in other areas.
Aside from their lack of thickness, LG TVs also have good clarity and viewing angles. They’re not quite at the level of Samsung’s KS8000 or KS9000, but they come close enough that this alone probably wouldn’t be enough to convince you one way or another.
Read: LG 65UM7300AUE Review
LG’s Cinematic Color
If picture quality is your number one priority when shopping for a new television set, the most important part is ensuring it can handle color correctly. Both companies have managed to do this well on most of their recent models. Where LG has an advantage its Korean competitor doesn’t is in the cinematic color department.
LG TVs tend to have a wider color gamut than Samsung’s. This means their color range is greater, which results in richer colors that mimic what you see when watching a movie on Blu-Ray or DVD at home.
- Experience amazing, beautiful picture quality with infinite contrast, deep black, and over a billion colors, now even brighter*, thanks to LG's 8 million self-lit OLED pixels
- Engineered exclusively for LG, the α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K adapts to the content you're watching, automatically adjusting the TV's settings for improved picture and sound quality
- Eliminate unnecessary processing with movies and preserve the action the way film directors intend with Filmmaker Mode, and enhance every moment of your viewing experience with Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos**
- LG Game Optimizer mode with NVIDIA G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) improve your gaming experience with fluid on-screen motion. Game Optimizer manages your game settings all in one place
- Mount it on the wall with a 300 x 200 VESA mount (sold separately). Magic Remote with Magic Tap, remote control batteries (AA), power cable, wall mount, and quick start guide are included. TV stand sold separately
If you often watch movies on your TV set instead of going out to the theater, this is an important factor to consider when making your purchase. It can also be helpful for gamers who play titles from older generations since they typically have more detailed graphics and better use of color.
One last point worth mentioning about LG’s screens compared with most other manufacturers is that they don’t suffer from burn-in issues. This only matters to people who plan to use their TV for watching movies or playing video games, but it’s worth mentioning in case you prefer this aspect.
Which One Is Right for You?
Both companies make excellent TVs that excel in different ways, so at this point, it comes down to a matter of personal preference. If you want a TV that looks great and is also thin, goes with LG. But if picture quality is your biggest priority and you often watch movies on your set, Samsung is the better choice.
The Bottom Line
Both TV makers offer fantastic high-end products these days so it’s up to you which direction to take: If picture quality and range of specs are all you care about then go for Samsung; otherwise, make sure you get an OLED model from LG if the screen size is your primary concern.
It’s also worth mentioning that our reviews have found OLED TVs from LG to deliver a better overall picture, so it might be wiser to choose one of their models over a screen from Samsung if you care about how your favorite movies or games will look on your new TV.
In official reviews, we have seen that LG OLED TVs deliver a better overall picture than their Samsung counterparts in most cases which means they are probably more recommended for home viewing with family and friends. We hope you enjoyed reading our comparison article and feel free to leave a comment below in case you want
Frequently Asked Questions
Are LG or Samsung TVs better to purchase?
At this point, there isn’t one company that stands above the other in terms of quality. Both companies have excellent screens with their advantages. It all comes down to what you want from your TV, so be sure to compare features before making a decision.
Is burn-in an issue with LG TVs?
No, LG screens do not suffer from this problem. That said, if you want a TV that doesn’t have burn-in issues it’s best to stick with either Samsung or Sony. It’s worth mentioning that Panasonic models can also prevent burn-in but aren’t as widely used.
Is the operating system an advantage for most users?
For most consumers who won’t be using their TV for anything but watching movies and playing video games, the operating system isn’t something that needs to be taken into consideration. If you like smart functions and plan on using them frequently, however, you should buy a model from either company.
