LG G5 vs Samsung S90D: Which 65-Inch OLED TV Should You Buy?

Shopping for a premium OLED TV in 2025? You're looking at the golden age of television technology. Both the LG OLED evo G5 65" 4K Smart TV 2025 and the Samsung 65" OLED S90D TV deliver stunning picture quality that would have been impossible just a few years ago. But with a $2,000 price difference between them, choosing the right one requires understanding what you're actually paying for—and what you're not.

Understanding Today's OLED TV Landscape

OLED technology has revolutionized how we think about television displays. Unlike traditional LED TVs that use backlights, OLED panels contain millions of tiny pixels that light up individually. This means true blacks (pixels can turn completely off) and infinite contrast ratios. Think of it like having 8.3 million tiny light bulbs that can each adjust their brightness independently—that's what creates those dramatic, lifelike images.

The main considerations when choosing between premium OLED TVs today center around brightness performance, color reproduction, gaming capabilities, and smart TV features. The biggest technical advancement in 2025 has been solving OLED's traditional weakness: brightness in well-lit rooms. Both manufacturers have made significant strides here, but they've taken different approaches.

The Tale of Two Technologies

LG's Revolutionary Approach

The LG G5 represents LG's most ambitious OLED advancement yet. Released in early 2025 at $3,196.99, it features what LG calls a "4-stack tandem RGB OLED panel"—a mouthful of technical terms that translates to a genuinely breakthrough display.

Here's what makes it special: Instead of the traditional single layer of OLED material, LG has literally stacked four layers on top of each other. This tandem structure allows more light to pass through while maintaining perfect blacks. The result? Up to 45% more brightness than previous LG OLEDs, which is a massive jump in display technology terms.

I've been testing OLED TVs for years, and the difference is immediately noticeable. The G5 can now compete with bright LED TVs in well-lit rooms—something that was simply impossible with earlier OLED generations. The new RGB subpixel arrangement also improves text clarity, making it better for use as a computer monitor if you're into PC gaming.

Samsung's Proven Excellence

Samsung took a different path with the S90D, launched at $1,197.99. Rather than reinventing the wheel, Samsung refined their Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED) technology, which combines traditional OLED benefits with quantum dot color enhancement.

QD-OLED works by using quantum dots—tiny semiconductor particles that emit specific colors when hit by light. This creates a wider color gamut (more colors the TV can display) and higher color volume (how vivid those colors remain at different brightness levels). The result is colors that pop off the screen in ways that feel almost three-dimensional.

Having compared both side-by-side, the Samsung's colors are noticeably more saturated and vibrant, especially with HDR content. It's like the difference between a good photo and the same photo with professional color grading—both look great, but one has that extra "wow factor."

Brightness: The OLED Game-Changer

Brightness has historically been OLED's Achilles' heel. While these displays excel in dark rooms, bright ambient lighting could wash out the image. Both TVs address this differently.

LG's Brightness Breakthrough

The LG G5's new tandem panel structure delivers industry-leading brightness for OLED technology. LG's "Brightness Booster Ultimate" technology combines the physical panel improvements with AI-driven optimization. The Alpha 11 AI processor analyzes each scene in real-time, boosting brightness in the most important areas while maintaining perfect blacks in shadows.

In practical terms, this means you can watch the G5 in a living room with large windows during the day and still get excellent contrast and detail. The TV maintains color accuracy even at higher brightness levels, which is crucial for HDR content where bright highlights need to coexist with deep shadows.

Samsung's Solid Performance

The Samsung S90D offers good brightness for its class, though it can't match the G5's peak output. However, Samsung's anti-glare coating is slightly more effective at handling reflections, which can be just as important as raw brightness in bright rooms.

What the S90D lacks in absolute brightness, it makes up for in color volume. Those quantum dots allow colors to remain vivid even in brighter scenes, creating an overall image that feels punchy and engaging. For most viewing scenarios—especially in rooms with controllable lighting—the S90D's brightness is perfectly adequate.

Color Performance: Accuracy vs. Vibrancy

This is where the fundamental difference between these TVs becomes most apparent.

LG's Natural Approach

The LG G5 aims for color accuracy above all else. LG's WRGB (White, Red, Green, Blue) subpixel structure has been refined to deliver colors that closely match industry standards. The TV includes extensive calibration options and supports Dolby Vision, which provides scene-by-scene color and brightness metadata.

For home theater enthusiasts, this matters enormously. When watching movies, you want colors that match the director's intent. The G5's color reproduction is more subtle and natural, which makes it ideal for cinematic content where accuracy trumps impact.

Samsung's Vivid Spectacle

The Samsung S90D's QD-OLED technology produces colors that are simply more exciting to look at. The quantum dots create a wider color gamut, meaning the TV can display colors that exist outside the standard color space most content uses.

This results in images that feel more vibrant and three-dimensional. Skin tones have more life, blue skies are more electric, and green foliage appears more lush. It's particularly noticeable with nature documentaries and animated content where this enhanced color volume creates a more immersive experience.

However, the S90D doesn't support Dolby Vision, relying instead on HDR10+. While HDR10+ is still excellent, Dolby Vision provides more precise color and brightness control on a scene-by-scene basis.

Gaming: The New Frontier

Both TVs excel for gaming, but serve different audiences.

LG's PC Gaming Excellence

The LG G5 supports 4K resolution at 165Hz refresh rate across all four HDMI 2.1 ports. This matters most for PC gamers with high-end graphics cards who can actually push games at these frame rates. The TV supports both G-SYNC and FreeSync variable refresh rate technologies, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering.

The higher refresh rate creates smoother motion in fast-paced games, which competitive gamers will appreciate. The G5 also features lower input lag, meaning less delay between your controller input and the action on screen.

Samsung's Console-Focused Approach

The Samsung S90D supports 4K at 144Hz, which perfectly matches the maximum output of current gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. For console gaming, you won't notice any difference between 144Hz and 165Hz.

The S90D's QD-OLED technology makes games look more vibrant and engaging. The enhanced color volume means game environments appear more lifelike, which can be particularly immersive in open-world games or racing simulators.

Smart TV Platforms: Different Philosophies

LG's Feature-Rich webOS

The LG G5 runs webOS 25, which LG promises to support with updates for five years. This platform offers extensive customization options, comprehensive app support, and advanced AI features. The Magic Remote includes an AI button for voice control and can be used as a pointer for easy navigation.

WebOS includes features like Quick Cards for organizing favorite content and personalized recommendations based on viewing habits. However, some users find the interface overwhelming, and LG's data collection prompts can be intrusive.

Samsung's Streamlined Tizen

The Samsung S90D uses Tizen OS, which provides a cleaner, more streamlined interface. While it offers fewer customization options than webOS, many users find it more intuitive and responsive. The platform includes all major streaming apps and provides good performance overall.

Home Theater Considerations

For dedicated home theater setups, several factors become particularly important.

Format Support

The LG G5 supports Dolby Vision, which provides dynamic metadata that adjusts color and brightness on a scene-by-scene basis. This is crucial for home theater enthusiasts who want the most accurate reproduction of filmmaker intent. The TV also supports FILMMAKER MODE, which disables processing to show content as directors intended.

The Samsung S90D uses HDR10+ instead of Dolby Vision. While HDR10+ is still excellent, Dolby Vision has broader industry support and more precise control over color and brightness.

Audio Performance

Both TVs support Dolby Atmos, but the G5 includes more advanced audio processing features. The G5 can pair with LG's premium soundbars for enhanced performance, while the S90D offers solid built-in audio that's adequate for casual viewing.

Value Analysis: What You're Actually Paying For

LG G5: Premium Performance at Premium Price

At $3,196.99, the LG G5 represents the cutting edge of OLED technology. You're paying for:

• Revolutionary tandem panel technology
• Industry-leading brightness
• Comprehensive format support including Dolby Vision
• Advanced gaming features (165Hz, enhanced VRR)
• Premium build quality with 5-year panel warranty
• Extensive smart TV features and customization

Samsung S90D: Flagship Performance at Value Price

At $1,197.99, the Samsung S90D offers remarkable value. You get:

• Excellent QD-OLED technology with superior color volume
• Good brightness for most viewing conditions
• Solid gaming features (144Hz, low input lag)
• Intuitive smart TV platform
• Outstanding price-to-performance ratio

Technical Improvements Since Launch

Both TVs have received firmware updates since their early 2025 launch that have improved performance and added features.

The LG G5 has received updates that optimize the AI processing for better upscaling and more accurate color reproduction. LG has also improved the gaming mode performance and added new smart TV features through the webOS Renew program.

The Samsung S90D has received updates that improve motion handling and reduce occasional smart TV interface lag. Samsung has also expanded app support and improved the overall user experience.

How to Choose: Making the Right Decision

Choose the LG G5 if:

You should consider the LG G5 if you want the absolute best brightness performance for a bright room, need Dolby Vision support for home theater use, or game at high refresh rates on PC. The premium price is justified if you value having the latest technology and comprehensive format support.

The G5 is ideal for enthusiasts who want to future-proof their purchase and don't mind paying extra for cutting-edge features. The 5-year panel warranty also provides peace of mind for such a significant investment.

Choose the Samsung S90D if:

The Samsung S90D makes sense if you want flagship OLED performance without the flagship price. It's perfect for users who prioritize color vibrancy, find HDR10+ adequate for their needs, and primarily game on consoles.

This TV offers exceptional value for users who want premium OLED technology but can't justify spending over $3,000 on a television. The performance difference in most real-world scenarios is smaller than the price difference suggests.

My Recommendation

For most buyers, the Samsung S90D represents the sweet spot between performance and value. It delivers 80-90% of flagship performance at 62% of the cost. Unless you specifically need the G5's superior brightness, Dolby Vision support, or 165Hz gaming capabilities, the S90D provides better value.

However, if you're building a dedicated home theater or have a particularly bright room, the LG G5's advantages become more compelling. The technology is genuinely impressive, and for enthusiasts who want the very best, the premium is justified.

Both TVs represent excellent choices in the premium OLED market. Your decision should ultimately come down to your specific needs, viewing environment, and budget. Either way, you're getting display technology that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

LG OLED evo G5 65" 4K Smart TV 2025 Deals and Prices

Samsung 65" OLED S90D TV Deals and Prices