The S90D offers dazzling brightness and color, while the G4 delivers unmatched picture processing and accuracy.

Upgrading your TV is a huge deal. It’s the centerpiece of your living room, where you unwind with movies, get lost in games, and catch up on your favorite shows. When you’re spending a good chunk of change, you want to get it right. I found myself in this exact spot, staring at two of 2024's best OLED TVs, wondering which one to choose. The decision between the Samsung S90D vs LG G4 is a classic battle of philosophies: Samsung's vibrant, bright QD-OLED approach versus LG's refined and incredibly accurate MLA OLED. I’ve spent weeks with both, and I’m here to walk you through my experience to help you decide.

Is the Samsung S90D Good?

Yes, without a doubt. The Samsung S90D is an absolutely fantastic TV, especially if you live in a brighter room or are a serious gamer. It uses a Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) panel that produces some of the most vibrant and punchy colors I have ever seen. It’s a real showstopper that makes everything you watch feel more vivid and alive.

My "wow" moment came when I fired up a nature documentary in 4K. The colors of a coral reef were just breathtaking; the blues, greens, and oranges popped off the screen in a way that felt incredibly lifelike. Then, I switched over to my gaming console. The 144Hz refresh rate made gameplay feel buttery smooth, and the low input lag was instantly noticeable in fast-paced shooters. It felt like the TV was directly connected to my brain, giving me a real competitive edge. The Samsung S90D vs LG G4 debate for gamers starts right here, and Samsung makes a very strong case.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• QD-OLED Panel: Combines the perfect blacks of OLED with the brightness and color volume of Quantum Dots.
• Motion Xcelerator 144Hz: Delivers exceptionally smooth motion, perfect for high-frame-rate PC and console gaming.
• NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor: Uses artificial intelligence to upscale lower-resolution content to near-4K quality.
• Tizen Smart TV OS: A fast and responsive operating system with a huge library of apps.
• OLED HDR+: Samsung's dynamic tone mapping for optimizing HDR10+ content scene-by-scene.

What I Like

• Incredible Brightness: It cuts through glare in a well-lit room better than most OLEDs I’ve used.
• Stunning Color Vibrancy: Colors are rich, saturated, and just pop off the screen.
• Superb Gaming Performance: With its high refresh rate and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), it's a gamer's dream.
• Sleek, Minimalist Design: The TV is razor-thin and looks incredibly modern.
• User-Friendly Interface: Tizen is easy to navigate, making it simple to find what you want to watch.

What Could Be Better

• No Dolby Vision Support: It relies on HDR10+, which isn't as widely supported as Dolby Vision on major streaming services.
• Built-in Sound is Average: Like most thin TVs, you’ll really want a soundbar to match the excellent picture quality.

My Recommendation

The Samsung S90D is for the person who wants a TV that wows them every time they turn it on. It’s an amazing choice for bright rooms and is arguably one of the best gaming TVs you can buy today.

Best For	Why
Gamers	Its 144Hz refresh rate and low input lag provide a clear competitive advantage.
Bright Room Viewing	The QD-OLED panel gets bright enough to combat daytime glare effectively.
Color Enthusiasts	If you love vibrant, punchy, and saturated colors, this TV is a visual treat.

Is the LG G4 Good?

Yes, the LG G4 is more than good; it's a masterpiece of television engineering. This is the TV for the cinephile, the person who craves picture accuracy and wants to see a movie exactly as the director intended. Its MLA (Micro Lens Array) OLED evo panel, combined with LG's new a11 AI Processor, creates a picture that is breathtakingly detailed, clear, and natural.

I tested the LG G4 by putting on a dark, atmospheric movie I’d seen a dozen times. On the G4, I saw details in the shadows that were previously just a black smudge on other TVs. The way it handled subtle gradients and skin tones was simply on another level. Later, I was watching a streaming show in Dolby Vision, and the highlights had a specular brilliance that was stunning, all while maintaining perfect black levels. The LG G4 is less about in-your-face "pop" and more about refined, reference-level quality that truly respects the source material. For movie lovers, the Samsung S90D vs LG G4 comparison heavily favors the G4.

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

• OLED evo Panel with MLA: Uses tiny lenses to focus light, boosting brightness and efficiency for a stunning HDR experience.
• a11 AI Processor 4K: LG's most advanced processor for superior upscaling, motion handling, and picture enhancement.
• Full HDR Format Support: Includes Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG for maximum compatibility.
• webOS 24 Smart TV: A refined and customizable smart platform with the beloved Magic Remote.
• Gallery Design: Designed to sit perfectly flush against a wall like a piece of art (wall mount included).

What I Like

• Reference-Level Picture Accuracy: The colors are incredibly natural and true to life.
• Exceptional Image Processing: The a11 processor is a wizard at cleaning up and enhancing all types of content.
• Comprehensive HDR Support: Having Dolby Vision is a huge plus for services like Netflix and Disney+.
• The Magic Remote: Pointing and clicking on the screen feels intuitive and futuristic.
• Premium Build and Design: It feels and looks like a high-end, luxury product.

What Could Be Better

• Less Saturated Colors (by design): It doesn't have the same level of color "pop" as the S90D, which some viewers may prefer.
• Design Requires Wall-Mounting: While a stand is included, it's truly designed to be wall-mounted for the best aesthetic.

My Recommendation

The LG G4 is for the movie purist and the home theater enthusiast. If your priority is seeing content with the utmost accuracy and detail, especially in a controlled lighting environment, this is the TV for you.

Best For	Why
Movie Lovers	Its picture accuracy and Dolby Vision support deliver an authentic cinematic experience.
Picture Purists	The combination of the MLA panel and a11 processor provides reference-quality images.
Home Theater Setups	Designed for dark-room viewing where its perfect blacks and shadow detail can truly shine.

Samsung S90D vs LG G4: Side-by-Side Test

Putting these two TVs next to each other was an eye-opening experience. While both are phenomenal, their differences became crystal clear. Here’s how my direct comparison of the Samsung S90D vs LG G4 broke down.

Picture Quality & Color

This is where the core difference lies. I played the same 4K HDR content on both TVs simultaneously to see how each interpreted the image.

Feature	Samsung S90D	LG G4
Panel Technology	QD-OLED	WOLED with MLA
Color Profile	Highly vibrant and saturated	Natural and accurate
Detail in Brights	Exceptional, colors hold up well	Excellent, slightly more refined
Shadow Detail	Very good	Phenomenal, class-leading

Rating: Samsung S90D – 9/10 | LG G4 – 9.5/10

Summary: The LG G4 wins for its sheer accuracy and superior processing, which brings out more subtle detail. However, many people will prefer the S90D's more vibrant and punchy colors.

Brightness & HDR Performance

Brightness is crucial, especially if you watch TV during the day. I tested both with bright, full-screen scenes and small, specular highlights.

Feature	Samsung S90D	LG G4
Peak Brightness	Extremely high, especially in highlights	Very high, boosted by MLA
Full-Screen Brightness	Excellent for an OLED	Very good, holds up well
HDR Format Support	HDR10, HDR10+, HLG	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Glare Handling	Superb	Excellent

Rating: Samsung S90D – 9.5/10 | LG G4 – 9/10

Summary: The Samsung S90D takes the edge here. Its QD-OLED panel can push higher overall brightness, making it a better choice for rooms with lots of ambient light.

Gaming Features

As a gamer, this was a key category for me. I hooked up my console and PC to test input lag, refresh rates, and overall feel.

Feature	Samsung S90D	LG G4
Max Refresh Rate	144Hz	144Hz
VRR Support	FreeSync Premium Pro	FreeSync Premium, G-Sync
Input Lag	Extremely low	Extremely low
Game Bar/Menu	Game Bar 4.0 (Very comprehensive)	Game Optimizer (Excellent)

Rating: Samsung S90D – 9.5/10 | LG G4 – 9/10

Summary: This is incredibly close, but the Samsung S90D squeaks out a win due to its slightly more robust Game Bar and a feel that is just a tiny bit more responsive for competitive play.

Smart TV Platform

A good smart TV experience is non-negotiable. I spent hours navigating menus, launching apps, and using voice controls.

Feature	Samsung S90D	LG G4
Operating System	Tizen OS	webOS 24
Remote Control	Slim SolarCell Remote	Magic Remote with pointer
App Support	Excellent	Excellent
User Experience	Fast but with some ads	Smooth and customizable

Rating: Samsung S90D – 8.5/10 | LG G4 – 9/10

Summary: The LG G4 wins thanks to the intuitive Magic Remote and a slightly cleaner, ad-free interface. Both systems are fast and full-featured, but webOS feels more polished.

Sound Quality

While I always recommend a soundbar, I tested the built-in speakers to see what you get out of the box.

Feature	Samsung S90D	LG G4
Speaker System	Object Tracking Sound Lite	AI Sound Pro
Clarity	Good for dialogue	Very good, clear vocals
Bass	Lacking, as expected	A bit more present
Virtual Surround	Decent effect	More convincing effect

Rating: Samsung S90D – 7/10 | LG G4 – 7.5/10

Summary: The LG G4 has a slight edge in sound clarity and processing. However, both TVs are just average in this department and desperately need an external audio solution.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

After all my testing, the choice in the Samsung S90D vs LG G4 showdown comes down to your primary use case and personal preference. Neither TV is objectively "bad," but they are clearly built for different people. The Samsung S90D is an explosion of color and brightness. It's the TV you get if you want every image to leap off the screen with stunning vibrancy. It's the undisputed champion for bright rooms and is one of the best choices a serious gamer can make today.

The LG G4, on the other hand, is a master of subtlety and precision. It’s for the viewer who appreciates accuracy and wants to see a film exactly as it was mastered. Its superior processing, natural color, and support for Dolby Vision make it the ultimate choice for a dedicated home cinema experience, especially in a dimly lit room. It’s the purist’s TV. So, ask yourself: do you want a vibrant showstopper or a refined cinematic masterpiece? Your answer will lead you to the right TV.

FAQs Of Samsung S90D vs LG G4

Which TV is better for bright rooms, the Samsung S90D or LG G4?

The Samsung S90D is generally better for bright rooms. Its QD-OLED panel can achieve higher peak and full-screen brightness, which helps it overcome ambient light and reduce reflections more effectively than the LG G4.

Does the Samsung S90D's lack of Dolby Vision really matter?

It depends on your viewing habits. Major streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ use Dolby Vision extensively for their 4K HDR content. The LG G4 will display this content as intended. The S90D will default to the base HDR10 layer, which still looks fantastic but may lack the scene-by-scene optimization Dolby Vision provides.

Is the LG G4 significantly better for movies than the S90D?

For movie purists, yes. The LG G4's focus on picture accuracy, superior shadow detail, and Dolby Vision support creates a more authentic and cinematic experience that is closer to the director's intent. The S90D is still amazing for movies, but it presents them with a more vibrant, saturated look.

For gaming, which is the better choice between the Samsung S90D vs LG G4?

This is a very close call, but the Samsung S90D has a slight edge for most gamers. Both offer 144Hz, VRR, and low input lag, but the S90D's higher brightness and punchier colors can make games look more visually impressive. Both are top-tier gaming TVs.

What is the main panel technology difference between the S90D and G4?

The key difference in the Samsung S90D vs LG G4 debate is the panel. The S90D uses a QD-OLED panel, which uses blue OLEDs and quantum dot layers to create red and green, resulting in very pure and vibrant colors. The LG G4 uses a WOLED panel with a Micro Lens Array (MLA), which adds a white subpixel for brightness and uses a color filter to create RGB colors, focusing on accuracy.