2024 OLED TV Shootout Review: Which TV Delivers the Best Picture Quality?

In this year’s highly anticipated 2024 OLED TV Shootout, four top-performing OLED TVs went head-to-head to determine which model truly excels in picture quality. Judged by nine industry experts, these OLED TVs were assessed under controlled conditions, comparing their output to a $30,000 reference monitor. Calibrated and displayed without branding identifiers, the evaluation ensured an unbiased approach to reveal the best TV of 2024. The detailed ratings and insights come from the latest video by HDTVTest, a leading authority on TV reviews, led by expert Vincent Teoh. You can check out the full video here: Watch HDTVTest on YouTube.

Key Areas of Evaluation in the 2024 OLED TV Shootout

1. Near Black Handling

• Why It Matters: Near black handling is essential for displaying shadow details, particularly in darker scenes of movies and shows.

• Results:

• Samsung S95D: This model provided the most accurate shadow representation, closely matching the reference monitor and avoiding distracting artifacts.

• LG G4: Delivered slightly darker-than-ideal shadows, hinting at minor limitations in low-light performance.

• Sony A95L: Appeared somewhat too bright in dark scenes, impacting shadow realism.

• Panasonic Z95A: Noted for chrominance overshoot, reducing shadow accuracy and fidelity.

2. HDR Color Accuracy

• Purpose: HDR color accuracy ensures the TV can vividly and accurately display colors in high dynamic range, making scenes more lifelike.

• Top Performers:

• Sony A95L: Showcased excellent color accuracy across a wide color gamut, closely mimicking the reference monitor.

• LG G4: Delivered impressive accuracy in darker HDR scenes, including low-luminance colors, particularly noticeable in films like Wonder Woman 1984.

• Samsung S95D: Excelled in high-brightness scenes, thanks to its advanced QD OLED panel, preserving color vibrancy at peak brightness.

• Panasonic Z95A: Displayed some color overshoot issues, which detracted from the overall HDR experience.

3. Tone Mapping for Bright HDR Content (1000 and 4000 nits)

• Importance: Tone mapping determines how well a TV displays bright highlights in HDR, impacting image detail in brightly lit scenes.

• Performance:

• 1000 nits: The Sony A95L performed exceptionally well in this range, maintaining accurate brightness levels.

• 4000 nits: Panasonic Z95A achieved a balanced brightness and detail, while Samsung S95D’s aggressive tone mapping led to some clipping in peak brightness.

4. Brightness and Reflection Handling

• Significance: High brightness and effective reflection handling are essential for quality viewing in bright rooms.

• Notable Performances:

• Samsung S95D: Achieved top brightness with its QD OLED panel, making it well-suited for rooms with ambient light.

• LG G4: Provided outstanding SDR brightness and managed reflections effectively, preserving contrast even in well-lit environments.

• Sony A95L: Encountered challenges in bright settings due to limited ambient lighting adjustments.

• Reflection Handling: Samsung S95D’s matte finish minimized reflections but slightly reduced contrast in bright rooms.

5. Upscaling and Motion Handling

• Purpose: Upscaling allows lower-resolution content to appear sharp on a 4K screen, while smooth motion handling is crucial for fast-moving scenes.

• Results:

• LG G4: Outperformed others in upscaling, delivering clear details for lower-resolution content, such as 1080i broadcasts, and excelled at handling 50 Hz motion without stuttering.

• Samsung S95D: Ranked highest in 10-bit gradation, ensuring seamless tonal transitions without visible banding.

Best OLED TVs of 2024: Category Winners

Best Home Theater TV

• Winner: Samsung S95D

• Strengths: Near-black detail, superior brightness, and color gradation make it ideal for dedicated home theater setups.

• Runner-Up: Sony A95L

• Strengths: Great color accuracy and tone mapping, though it slightly trails Samsung in brightness.

Best Living Room TV

• Winner: LG G4

• Strengths: Optimized for brightly lit rooms, with excellent SDR brightness and sharp upscaling.

• Runner-Up: Samsung S95D

• Strengths: High brightness and strong color accuracy, though slightly impacted by reflections.

Overall Best TV of 2024

• Winner: LG G4 (Score: 28.97)

• Summary: Balanced performance across low-light and bright-room settings, excellent upscaling, and accurate out-of-the-box color.

• Second Place: Samsung S95D (Score: 28.61)

• Summary: Outstanding for HDR and brightness, making it a strong choice for home theater use.

• Third Place: Sony A95L

• Summary: While an excellent model, it fell short of the latest LG and Samsung advancements in 2024.

Additional Insights from the TV Shootout

Transparent Testing Process: Judges were not aware of each TV’s brand or model during the testing, with menus and on-screen markers hidden to maintain objectivity.

Collaborative Effort for Quality Assessment: The event used professional-grade equipment and collaborated with content specialists, ensuring a stable and accurate evaluation environment.

Optional Calibration Services: For those seeking optimal picture quality at home, a calibration service was offered, allowing users to achieve the best display settings on their TVs.

For more insights, comparisons, and expert commentary, check out HDTVTest’s full video hosted by Vincent Teoh on YouTube: Watch HDTVTest on YouTube.

This comprehensive review of the 2024 OLED TV Shootout reveals that each model brings unique strengths to the table. From top-tier home theater options to versatile living room choices, this year’s lineup showcases some of the most impressive advancements in OLED technology.