LG vs Samsung TV Comparison
Samsung vs LG TV: Battle of Classic Brands
Samsung vs LG comparison is a battle of titans. They are among the most recognizable brands in the world when it comes to TVs. These manufacturers are also among the first ones that have started to massively produce 4K TVs, making them accessible for most buyers. And now, they dominate the market of smart TVs. These two South Korean brands provide a next-level picture performance and it’s hard to over esteem their contribution to the modern market of TVs. They have developed numerous technologies for improved picture quality and convenient user experience, selling their TVs for both high and low price-points.
You won’t find yourself disappointed when you buy a TV from LG or Samsung. Both manufacturers can guarantee the high quality and durability of their products and features implemented into them. However, these brands have different approaches to TV manufacturing and are equipped with different features that can play a decisive role in your decision.
Main Features
Samsung offers a lot of useful and unique features. E.g., the Multi Voice feature that implies two built-in voice assistants — Alexa and Bixby. They give you broader possibilities when it comes to voice control. For gamers, Samsung provides the Auto Game Mode (or Real Game Enhancer) that gives you an improved gaming experience by optimizing the TV’s settings for gameplay. The Ambient Mode mimics the wall design behind the TV to blend with the interior. The Tap View feature allows you to share any content from your phone (from documents to videos and photos) to the TV’s screen by just tapping on your phone.
As for LG, you can use ThinQ AI to ask questions, give commands to the TV hands-free. And you don’t even need a remote to use this feature: just speak right to the TV screen. It also has a deep learning feature and becomes smarter with each use. Meanwhile, Samsung’s Bixby voice assistant doesn’t have a deep learning feature and can’t be used without a remote control. The ThinQ AI-enabled models also come with two built-in voice assistants (Google Assistant and Alexa), just like those with Samsung’s Multi Voice feature.
LG offers the Filmmaker mode that automatically adjusts the picture for a more cinematic vision. It also provides a couple of features for gamers. The Auto Low Latency Mode optimizes the TV for gaming. For superior gameplay, LG TVs also support NVIDIA G-SYNC and FreeSync that provide minimal lag and a smooth picture. The Sports Alert feature gives you updates about your favorite teams and scores even while you are watching other content being a super-useful feature for sports fans. The OLED models from LG come equipped with the OLED Motion Pro feature. Such TVs have a native refresh rate of 120Hz providing smooth picture on fast-moving scenes. They also have an incredible 1ms response time.
Both brands offer AirPlay 2 compatibility that allows you to play content from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. LG TVs also have Apple HomeKit built-in. Thanks to that, you can use your Apple devices to customize and control the smart home system.
Obviously, these brands have a lot to offer. However, LG has more advanced AI and provides more features for gamers. So, comparing LG TV vs Samsung features, I will take the Samsung UN55TU8000FXZA and the LG 43UN7300PUF as an example.
The LG 43UN7300PUF wins as it has ThinQ AI, Filmmaker mode, and Auto Low Latency mode while the model from Samsung only offers Multi Voice and Auto Game Mode.
Our pick
The best features
- Quad-core processor 4K
- Auto low latency mode
- Filmmaker mode
- Ultra surround
- Bluetooth
- 43-inch display
- 38.3 x 7.4 x 24.1 inches and 17.9 pounds
Picture Quality
All 4K TVs from both brands support HDR and most of them are based on intelligent processors that upscale non-4K content to 4K.
Models from Samsung are either UHD-based or QLED based. The UHD TVs are more affordable while QLED models have better picture quality and more features, but their cost is noticeably higher. UHD TVs have numerous features for better picture quality. For example, the Crystal display feature automatically fine-tunes colors to deliver a natural picture, the PurColor technology reveals more color shades. The 4K Color Drive makes colors purer and the picture more vivid. The Motion Rate is a feature used to provide smooth action on any fast-moving content.
Samsung TVs also feature some technologies for an improved level of contrast. The Ultra Slim Array technology provides an impressive depth of blacks and brightness of whites. The Auto Depth Enhancer automatically analyzes each image to give it a greater depth of color. The UHD Dimming and Essential Black Pro technologies are designed to provide more immersive black color.
QLED TVs use quantum dots to provide an incredible level of brightness and enhanced color and contrast. They come equipped with the 100% Volume Color technology that shows billions of color shades providing a more realistic picture than usual 4K TV is able to deliver. Such models also use advanced HDR10 instead of simple HDR that offers a truly cinematic image.
LG provides an automatic noise reduction feature for most of its TVs. The Active HDR feature supports a wide range of formats (HDR10, HLG, etc.) that use scene-by-scene adjustment to make any picture look more lively. The Nano Color technology provides vibrant, detailed colors. The Local Dimming technology enhances the contrast between dark and light colors. The Triluminis display reveals true-to-life colors. Most models are based on an IPS panel that ensures wide viewing angles.
The premium range of LG TVs consists of OLED models. This technology uses self-lit pixels to provide a realistic, sharp, and bright image. Such TVs come supplied with Dolby Vision IQ that offers professionally mastered visuals for a truly cinematic picture.
So, going for a high-end model from Samsung or LG, you will get a choice between QLED and OLED TVs. QLED is an older and less advanced technology in comparison with OLED. Nevertheless, it has a higher brightness level. OLED, in its turn, has better contrast, a deeper level of black color, and wider viewing angles.
Summing up this Samsung TV vs LG TV picture quality comparison, I consider the LG OLED picture as better looking. Comparing the Samsung QN65Q60RAFXZA and the LG OLED48CXPUB, we will clearly see that the last one has a more natural picture.
Our pick
The best picture quality
- Cinematic sight and sound
- webOS and Magic remote
- α9 GEN 3 AI processor 4K
- Dolby Vision
- OLED pixels
- Motion pro
- 48-inch display
Sound
In terms of similar features between the brands in this part of LG vs Samsung 4K TV comparison, both manufacturers use Dolby Atmos sound technology in the built-in speakers of their TVs (starting from middle price range).
Most Samsung TVs don’t use any sound enhancement technologies except for DTS and Dolby Atmos. Meanwhile, most LG models have Ultra Surround sound technology that allows hearing scenes with all the details in addition to Dolby Atmos and DTS.
For example, the LG 43UM7300PUA uses 2-channel 20W speakers with Ultra Surround sound technology and DTS-HD support while the Samsung UN50RU7100FXZA has 20W speakers with only Dolby Atmos support.
Our pick
The best sound
- α7 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor
- Access AI based entertainment with webOS
- Dolby Atmos 2.0 Ch 20W
- Quad-core processor
- 4K Active HDR
- Airplay 2
- 43-inch display
Operating System
Both brands stand out among the other TV manufacturers for using their own operating systems.
Most TVs from Samsung use Tizen OS. It offers a Universal Guide and Samsung Smart Hub that provide an easy way of content search. Tizen supports such apps as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, Browser, and many others.
LG TVs run on WebOS. This platform has a simple and minimalistic interface, similar to the Tizen OS layout. There is a dedicated horizontal menu of the most frequently used apps (the placement of apps is also customizable). It gives you access to such streaming as Netflix, Amazon Video, Disney , Apple TV, Youtube, etc.
Both of these operating systems are great, but, in this part of LG TVs vs Samsung comparison, I’ll choose Samsung's Tizen as slightly better. It offers more intuitive control and a bigger number of apps (including even BT Sport and Tidal).
So, comparing the Tizen-based Samsung UN55TU8000FXZA and the WebOS-based LG 43UN7300PUF, my choice falls on the Samsung UN55TU8000FXZA.
Our pick
The best operating system
- Crystal processor 4K
- Multi voice: Alexa and Bixby
- Powered by Tizen
- 4K UHD TV
- HDR
- 55-inch display
- 48.4 x 9.9 x 30.8 inches and 31.3 pounds
TV Ports
The compared brands offer a similar set of ports that includes HDMI, USB, component and composite video inputs, VGA, port, Ethernet, and audio out. However, Samsung usually offers a wider range of connectors. For example, the Samsung UN43RU7100FXZA has 3 HDMI, 2 USB, Ethernet, component and composite video inputs, RF input, and digital audio out. The LG 43UN7300PUF offers 3 HDMI, 2 USB, Ethernet, digital audio out, and composite input.
So, comparing Samsung 4K vs LG 4K, the Samsung UN43RU7100FXZA appears to have more ports.
Our pick
Most ports
- 4K UHD Processor
- Enhanced detail with HDR
- Purcolor reveals spectrums of color
- Clean cable solution
- Seamless connections
- Motion rate — 120
- 43-inch display
Connectivity
At first glance, there is nothing to compare when it comes to LG 4K vs Samsung 4K wireless connectivity comparison as most models from both brands support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as well. However, the Samsung UN55RU7300FXZA only supports audio Bluetooth transmission (from ear buds, headphones, soundbars, etc.) being not able to wirelessly connect the TV with such devices as a keyboard, mouse, etc.
Meanwhile, the LG OLED48CXPUB supports an advanced Bluetooth 5.0 and can be connected to almost any Bluetooth-enabled device.
Our pick
The best сonnectivity
- Cinematic sight and sound
- webOS and Magic remote
- α9 GEN 3 AI processor 4K
- Dolby Vision
- OLED pixels
- Motion pro
- 48-inch display
Remote Control
Samsung TVs come with OneRemote while LG TVs are shipped with Magic Remote. OneRemote allows controlling all the compatible devices and gives you the opportunity to communicate with voice assistants. It also has a minimal set of buttons.
LG’s Magic Remote has more buttons. It has quick-access buttons for services like Netflix and Amazon Video. Besides, you can use it as a pointer or a remote. It also has a pin hole for a mic.
Magic Remote is more universal as it can act as a pointer and has more buttons. So, the LG 43UN7300PUF that comes with Magic Remote outperforms the Samsung UN55TU8000FXZA that comes with OneRemote in this part of LG vs Samsung LED TV.
Our pick
The best remote control
- Crystal processor 4K
- Multi voice: Alexa and Bixby
- Powered by Tizen
- 4K UHD TV
- HDR
- 55-inch display
- 48.4 x 9.9 x 30.8 inches and 31.3 pounds
Price
It’s not easy to compare Samsung vs LG TV 4K pricing given the fact that both manufacturers will make you overpay some money for the brand name. However, in general, affordable models from LG are about $50 – $100 cheaper than those from Samsung.
The LG 43UN7300PUF costs less than the Samsung UN43RU7100FXZA while they both are 43-inch UHD models, so it wins here.
Our pick
The best price
- Quad-core processor 4K
- Auto low latency mode
- Filmmaker mode
- Ultra surround
- Bluetooth
- 43-inch display
- 38.3 x 7.4 x 24.1 inches and 17.9 pounds
LG vs Samsung: Conclusion
Concluding this LG TV vs Samsung TV battle, I can assert that LG wins in most categories. It has more features and ports, better sound and picture quality, and greater remote control. Samsung has more ports and a better operating system.
