QD-OLED is a latest addition to the world of show applied sciences. Combining an OLED show panel with a quantum dot layer, QD-OLED was first launched in 2022 with the Samsung S95B OLED TV.
While the S95B was a formidable TV, QD-OLED actually hit its stride in 2024 with the Samsung S95D, which supplied a brighter, extra vibrant various to plain W-OLED TVs.
QD-OLED isn’t solely utilized by among the best TVs from Samsung, however has additionally been adopted by Sony, including a brightness increase to TVs just like the Sony A95L in 2023 and now the Sony Bravia 8 II in 2025.
I just lately had the possibility to evaluate the Samsung S95F, a TV that I awarded 5 out of 5 stars for its distinctive image high quality and gaming efficiency, but additionally for its efficient Glare Free display.
Like the Samsung S95F, the Sony Bravia 8 II additionally makes use of an anti-reflective display to minimize the affect of room lighting on photos. TechSwitch’s Sony Bravia 8 II evaluate continues to be within the works, however I just lately had an opportunity to check it side-by-side with the Samsung S95F to see how these two flagship QD-OLED TVs examine.
Reflections, be gone
The Samsung S95F’s critically spectacular Glare Free 2.0 display all however eliminates mirror-like reflections, decreasing glare from gentle sources to a barely seen haze, whereas concurrently sustaining deep black ranges, one thing its Samsung S95D predecessor struggled with.
The S95F’s reflection-eliminating capabilities are aided by its excessive display brightness. I measured its peak brightness at 2,132 nits in Filmmaker Mode. It additionally has spectacular fullscreen brightness, hitting 390 nits in Filmmaker Mode, the best fullscreen brightness degree we’ve measured up to now on an OLED TV.
I anticipated that the Sony Bravia 8 II wouldn’t fare as nicely at beating reflections, because it does not function the identical matte display because the S95F, as a substitute choosing a shiny display with an anti-reflection coating. But I used to be pleasantly stunned by how nicely it fared in my comparability.
Image 1 of 2
With each TVs turned off in our lab in vivid lighting situations, objects had been mirrored on the Bravia 8 II’s display, however they weren’t as apparent as after I previously compared screen reflections on the Samsung S95F and the LG G5, another flagship OLED TV.
When watching darkish motion pictures equivalent to The Batman (a very difficult supply for testing as a result of its low mastered brightness), mirror-like reflections had been extra apparent on the Bravia 8 II in comparison with the S95F, and it was finest considered in dimmed lighting situations. But once more, it fared higher than the LG G5 did on the same comparability in the identical vivid viewing situations in our testing lab, and the Bravia 8 II additionally did a greater job of sustaining shadow element than the G5.
The Batman appeared clearer in vivid room lighting on the S95F because of its anti-glare display, particularly considered within the brighter Movie mode. Black ranges appeared barely raised in comparison with the Bravia 8 II, however they had been nonetheless wealthy and inky.
Picture high quality battle
When I measured the Samsung S95F’s HDR coloration gamut, it was the primary TV I’d but examined to hit 100% protection, and it additionally hit an impressively excessive 89.3% BT.2020 coloration gamut protection.
In our measurements of the Sony Bravia 8 II, it hit an equally spectacular 99.9% for UHDA-P3 and 87.5% for BT.2020.
It’s no surprise, then, that after I dimmed the lights and watched the Wizard & I scene from Wicked the place Elphaba stands beneath pink flowers and a wall with blue particulars, each TVs showcased spectacular colours that had been vibrant and punchy. A later scene within the Emerald City additionally showcased luscious, shiny greens on each screens, particularly with the Samsung’s brighter Movie mode and the Sony’s Cinema mode energetic.
The S95F’s larger peak brightness made highlights look punchier than on the Bravia 8 II, nonetheless. In a shot the place Elphaba runs by means of a cornfield, the yellows of the corn and the solar appeared extra vivid on the S95F in comparison with the Bravia 8 II.
An space the place the Bravia 8 II had an higher edge was within the naturalness of its image. Textures and particulars appeared lifelike on each TVs, however the Bravia 8 II’s image had a extra true-to-life look. A detailed-up in Wicked of Elphaba’s hand as a dragonfly lands on it confirmed extra element in her fingers on the Bravia 8 II, for instance.
Both TVs displayed wonderful distinction. In each the subway and crime scene investigation sequences close to the beginning of The Batman, every confirmed a powerful stability between gentle and darkish tones, with lights and torches simply reducing by means of the darkish environment.
Viewing black and white scenes from Oppenheimer, each once more demonstrated robust distinction and a variety of grey tones. I discovered myself extra drawn to the Bravia 8 II’s image, nonetheless, as white highlights on the S95F overpowered the remainder of the image. Switching to Filmmaker Mode for the S95F and Professional for the Bravia 8 II, it was a extra intently fought contest, however once more, I nonetheless leaned in the direction of the Bravia 8 II.
Superior Sony sound
Sony has delivered among the best TVs for sound over the previous few years, and the Bravia 8 II’s Acoustic Surface Audio tech truly positions actuators behind the display that flip the complete TV right into a speaker.
The S95F doesn’t have the most effective sound high quality in the marketplace, nevertheless it actually matches or beats another examples of the best OLED TVs, such because the LG C5. Compared with the Sony Bravia 8 II, nonetheless, it’s a distinct story.
Watching the Batmobile chase from The Batman, each the S95F and Bravia 8 II produced punchy however managed bass, however the Bravia 8 II’s was extra impactful, precisely capturing the rumble of the Batmobile’s engine.
Watching the Penguin and Batman weave by means of visitors, each units demonstrated correct placement of sound, however the Bravia 8 II produced a wider soundstage that gave it a extra immersive really feel. Dolby Atmos top results, such because the pounding rain, had been additionally extra audible on the Bravia 8 II.
Voices had been crystal clear on each TVs all through Wicked, however the Bravia 8 II’s wider soundstage gave vocals a better sense of area in musical numbers. Even sound results equivalent to shuffling and scraping ft, and the wind in the course of the broom scene in Defying Gravity, had been extra pronounced on the Bravia 8 II.
Final ideas
Both the Samsung S95F and Sony Bravia 8 II are set to be two of the most effective OLED TVs of 2025. The S95F is undoubtedly a greater match for brighter rooms, and its larger brightness additionally provides extra colourful photos a greater punch. But the Bravia 8 II’s correct image and its superior sound system can’t be ignored.
On paper, the S95F is the extra full bundle, with a wider vary of gaming options and a slimmer design. But with the Bravia 8 II launching at a extra aggressive value than normal (roughly $200 / £200 costlier in a 55-inch display when it’s been larger in earlier years), the battle between these two QD-OLEDs to your cash goes to be fascinating.