Samsung S90D / S94D 48" (WRGB OLED) vs LG OLED C5

In the tested movie scenes, the Samsung OLED 48 S90D television achieves impressive brightness results, exceeding 800 nits in the first four shots, which can be considered a very good outcome. In the case of the last shot, where a full-screen burst of sunlight is visible, the brightness drops to around 400 nits but still remains at an acceptable level. However, it is worth noting that this model in larger sizes offers higher values, exceeding the "barrier" of 1000 nits. Additionally, speaking of the DCI-P3 colour space coverage value of 97% is an excellent result, which guarantees extremely rich and realistic colour reproduction, further enhancing the picture quality. However, once again it should be remembered that the panel in the 65' variant equipped with a QD-OLED panel will be even better in this aspect. For those hesitating about the size of the S90D model, it is worth noting that larger versions of this television offer a better HDR effect, and consequently, a higher score in our tests.

LG C5 has finally done what we've been waiting for years in the C series – it exceeds 1000 nits of brightness! This is a significant change compared to previous models in the series and very important – because most HDR content on streaming platforms is created around such luminance today. The image finally has the right "glow," and details in the highlights look as they should even without the use of dynamic metadata. However, there are scenes where the C5, like most OLED TVs, has certain issues. Especially when the screen has to light up entirely. In our test sequences, like the bright scene from the movie The Meg, brightness noticeably drops. Don't get us wrong, this result is not bad; it’s more of a reminder that OLED technology still has its limitations. Year by year, they are getting smaller, but they still exist.

Now, what about the colours? They are very good. Although the C5 doesn't match OLEDs with QD-OLED or Tandem RGB panels, its coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut at 97% and 73% of BT.2020 will satisfy even the more demanding viewers. The colours are saturated, natural, and very consistent in HDR materials.

The S90D Samsung TV has been tested in Filmmaker mode, which offers good colour reproduction, although with some imperfections that may be noticeable to more demanding users. This mode may seem a bit too warm, and users who switched from Standard mode may experience a slight shock. It's worth considering that this state of affairs is caused by poor settings, such as white balance, rather than the Filmmaker mode itself. Both in SDR and HDR content, the device exhibits drops in blue, causing colours to appear warmer than they should. In practice, this means that some shades, like sky blue or skin tones, may seem less natural and take on a pinkish or yellowish tint. The Colour Checker test confirms these deviations, showing shifts towards warmer tones. In SDR content, the gamma chart indicates minor fluctuations, resulting in a slightly darker image, especially in the shadows. This may affect the clarity of details in darker scenes. Conversely, in 4K HDR materials, the EOTF curve is above the recommended line, leading to some portions of the image being too bright, which can cause clipping in the brightest areas. Overall, the Samsung S90D presents a solid image straight out of the box, but for the best results, particularly with more demanding content, additional calibration is recommended.

LG C5, like other TVs we tested, was checked in the best possible factory mode – which remains the Filmmaker Mode. And here we have good news: in SDR materials, LG has once again done a solid job. The white balance and colour reproduction right out of the box are at a very high level. Most errors – both in balance and in the Colour Checker test – did not exceed a ΔE value of 3, which is the threshold above which differences become visible to the naked eye. Such factory settings are what we'd like to see in many more TVs!

However, the situation is different for HDR content, which is what the C series was truly designed for. Here, the C5 performs weaker. An excessive amount of blue in the white balance causes the image to appear distinctly cooler – which affects things like unnaturally pale skin tones or somewhat shifted tonality of the entire scene. Fortunately, LG provides very precise calibration tools, and we – as always – made use of them.

After calibration, the Samsung OLED 48 S90D in movie mode looks even better than one might have assumed. The white balance, for both HD and 4K HDR content, has been improved to near perfection. Although minor errors can still be noticed, they are so minimal that they do not significantly affect the picture quality. Colours are more balanced, which translates into a natural reproduction of details, especially in scenes requiring a precise colour palette. It’s worth noting that this model in the 48' size is equipped with a WOLED panel that has different characteristics compared to larger sizes and has a smaller coverage of a wide colour gamut, not offering as rich colours as, for example, the 65-inch version, which is equipped with a QD-OLED panel.

Contrast has also seen significant improvement. The gamma chart after calibration is much closer to the expected line, providing better balance between the bright and dark portions of the image. The EOTF curve, which showed issues with overexposed scenes before calibration, now shows better results. This effect allows for greater detail retention in bright parts of the image, particularly in HDR material.

We must honestly admit – in the case of the LG C5, it took very little to achieve an almost perfect image. After carrying out calibration, we managed to achieve compliance with reference screens at a level that impresses even compared to significantly more expensive models. The image after our adjustments looks exactly as filmmakers and series creators would want – with no colour distortion, natural depth, and subtle plasticity. LG has done a great job this year regarding factory settings and calibration potential. Hats off!

The Samsung OLED 48 S90D television performs exceptionally well in smoothing tonal transitions. Thanks to the technology used, the transitions between colours are more fluid and natural. It is also possible to utilise the noise reduction feature, which further smooths tonal transitions, which can be useful in some situations. However, it's worth remembering that turning on noise reduction can also lead to the smoothing of desired film grain, which may reduce the cinematic feel of the picture. For this reason, caution is advised when using this feature, as it's better to leave the natural grain that adds character and authenticity to the content being viewed.

Samsung, as always, does not disappoint, and in terms of scaling images from lower resolutions, it performs excellently. The S90D OLED 48 Samsung television effectively processes lower resolutions, as seen in the visible photo. The outline of the model is clear and correct, making it look natural and detailed. Furthermore, the branches of the trees are well reproduced, showing no significant jaggedness that could detract from the image quality. Thanks to effective scaling, even lower resolution materials look attractive on the screen, satisfying users who prefer diverse content sources such as regular antenna/cable television.

LG C5 handles lower quality materials exceptionally well. One of the main issues that older WOLEDs faced was posterisation – unwanted “steps” in colour transitions. The C5 utilises a system function that smooths these transitions, and it works surprisingly effectively. The banding effect is nearly completely eliminated, and the image gains consistency. Compared to last year's model, we feel that this function operates slightly weaker – but the good news is that it doesn't compromise the image structure. Film grain, textures, and details remain on the screen – nothing is forcefully smoothed out.

The C5 also excels at enhancing the quality of older recordings. Thanks to the α9 Gen6 (8th gen) processor, "scaling to 4K" is impressively solid. The image is clear, details are sharp, and the only minor drawback might be a slightly noticeable aliasing on some edges. However, there is no problem with overscan here – the image is not artificially cropped or shifted, which is a significant plus and still not a given.

The S90D television is equipped with a 120 Hz panel, with the ability to "overclock" to 144 Hz with the right PC configuration, providing exceptional motion smoothness. Samsung has been offering a variety of image clarity settings on a ten-point scale for years, allowing users to customise the display to their preferences. In the UFO test, thanks to the use of an OLED panel, there's no question of any ghosting. The response time of the pixels is instantaneous and perfectly captures dynamic movements. In this aspect, OLED technology is considered one of the best on the market. The picture is extremely sharp and detailed, even during fast action, making the S90D OLED 48 Samsung television the perfect choice for gamers and sports enthusiasts.

The LG C5 is equipped with a 144 Hz display, and this, combined with virtually zero response time of the OLED pixels, makes it one of the best screens for watching dynamic content. It doesn’t matter whether it’s sports, fast-paced games, or just action – the image is razor sharp.

And what about movies at 24 frames? LG has thought of that too. The built-in "TruMotion" smoother allows you to adjust the picture to your own preferences. The “de-judder” slider increases fluidity in films, while “de-blur” subtly reduces motion blur – although to be honest, it’s practically invisible here.

The Samsung OLED 48 S90D television is well-suited to the needs of gamers, offering four HDMI 2.1 ports that support features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and HGIG (HDR Gaming Interest Group). With these technologies, gamers can enjoy smoother gameplay and faster on-screen response, significantly enhancing comfort during long gaming sessions. Additionally, the Game Bar feature allows for easy adjustment of settings, such as aspect ratios, which can be particularly useful in different types of games. For PC users, the television offers an impressive refresh rate of 144Hz, and Nvidia and AMD graphics cards support G-Sync and FreeSync, further improving image smoothness. Although the lack of Dolby Vision support may be a drawback, it's worth noting that in gaming, this technology is not as widely used as in films. Nevertheless, the S90D still offers excellent features for gamers, making it a great choice for those seeking high-quality visuals and advanced gaming technologies.

LG C5 is a TV designed with gamers in mind – and there's not a hint of exaggeration in that. It's hard to find anything to criticise here. We have a refresh rate of 144 Hz, full support for VRR, ALLM, and as many as four HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s. For those who have an Xbox, PS5, Nintendo, and a gaming PC in one room – no limitations, everything can be connected without any hassle.

Configuring HDR for gaming is also straightforward. The TV correctly supports the HGiG mode, which allows you to achieve an image that aligns with the creators' intentions. For those interested, there is also Dolby Vision in the Gaming version, although we still recommend HGiG as the most predictable and "clean" variant of HDR in games.

It also includes the Game Bar, which is a "command centre" for the gamer. Everything important, from VRR settings, picture modes, to frame rate information – is at our fingertips. The interface is simple and clear. It may look like something out of a space simulator, but it serves its purpose and just works; exactly as it should.

C5 is truly a complete package for any gamer.