# Samsung vs Sony TVs: which brand fits your room and your consoles?

Source: https://specwiseguide.com/samsung-vs-sony-tv/
Updated: 2026-11-13 · By SMART SC Editorial Team

**Short answer:** **Choose Sony for film and broadcast TV**: Dolby Vision, an **ATSC 3.0 tuner** on most BRAVIA lines, Google TV, and processing tuned for accurate, natural pictures. **Choose Samsung for gaming setups and bright rooms**: **all four HDMI inputs take 4K 120 Hz** on its 55-inch-and-up OLEDs, Neo QLEDs and Q8F (Sony's take it on only **two**, and the soundbar's eARC port is usually one of them), refresh to **165 Hz**, and **Glare Free** anti-reflection. Samsung lacks Dolby Vision (it uses HDR10+); Sony lacks HDR10+.

## Key takeaways

- **Inputs:** Samsung 4 of 4 at 4K 120 Hz (The Frame: 1; under 55 in: none); Sony 2 of 4 (HDMI 3 and 4).
- **HDR:** Sony Dolby Vision; Samsung HDR10+.
- **Antenna:** Sony's BRAVIA 5, 7, 8 II and 9 II have ATSC 3.0; Samsung's lines we list don't.
- **Panels:** both sell QD-OLED (Sony BRAVIA 8 II, Samsung S9x); Sony's BRAVIA 9 II uses an RGB LED backlight.

Samsung and Sony make some of the best TVs on sale, but they're built for different priorities. Samsung chases brightness, anti-glare and gaming features; Sony chases picture accuracy and broadcast features. The spec sheets show exactly where they diverge.

## The differences that matter

| | Samsung | Sony |
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Vision | No | **Yes** |
| HDR10+ | **Yes** | No |
| HDMI inputs with 4K 120 Hz | **4 of 4** (The Frame: 1; 50 in and under: 0) | 2 of 4 (HDMI 3 and 4); BRAVIA 3: 0 |
| Highest refresh (lines we list) | **165 Hz** | 120 Hz |
| Anti-reflection | **Glare Free** on several lines | Not marketed on current sheets |
| ATSC 3.0 tuner | No (lines we list) | **Yes** on BRAVIA 5, 7, 8 II, 9 II |
| Smart platform | Tizen | Google TV |
| OLED panels | QD-OLED / WOLED by size | QD-OLED (BRAVIA 8 II) |
| Premium LCD | Neo QLED (Mini LED) | Mini LED (BRAVIA 7), **RGB LED** (BRAVIA 9 II) |

**Inputs.** If you have a PS5 and an Xbox plus a soundbar, Sony's two fast inputs are tight: the soundbar takes the eARC port, which is usually one of the two. Samsung's four leave room. See [HDMI 2.1 TVs](/hdmi-2-1-tvs/).

**Broadcast.** Sony is the only one of the two with ATSC 3.0 tuners in our catalogue, which matters if you watch [NEXTGEN TV over an antenna](/atsc-3-tvs/).

## Line-up map

| Tier | Samsung | Sony |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship LCD | **QN90F / QN90H** (Neo QLED Mini LED) | **BRAVIA 9 II** (RGB LED) |
| OLED | **S95F** (flagship), **S90F / S90H** | **BRAVIA 8 II** (QD-OLED) |
| Mid LCD | **Q8F** (QLED) | **BRAVIA 7** (Mini LED), **BRAVIA 5** (Mini LED) |
| Entry | Crystal UHD (not catalogued) | **BRAVIA 3** (direct LED, 60 Hz) |
| Lifestyle | **The Frame** | — |

## Picture: brightness and anti-glare vs accuracy

Samsung's strength is **brightness and reflection control**. Its Glare Free layer on the S90H, QN90F and QN90H is a matte-type treatment that diffuses reflections, which makes a bigger difference in a room with windows than most picture settings. Sony's strength is **processing and accuracy**: tone mapping, upscaling, gradient handling and motion, aimed at reproducing the creator's intent. Sony's **BRAVIA 9 II** also uses a newer **RGB LED** backlight, which produces color directly in the backlight rather than through quantum dots.

Neither strength appears on a spec sheet as a number, so for brightness, reflections and processing quality, compare lab measurements of the exact models.

## Gaming setups

- **One PS5:** either works. Sony adds PS5-specific auto settings (HDR tone mapping, genre-based picture mode).
- **PS5 + Xbox + soundbar:** Samsung. Sony's two fast inputs leave you choosing which console goes in a slower port, because the soundbar's eARC port is usually one of the two.
- **Gaming PC:** Samsung, for **165 Hz** (S90H, QN90F) against Sony's 120 Hz.
- **Xbox with Dolby Vision gaming:** Sony supports it; Samsung doesn't.

## Smart TV and ecosystem

Sony uses **Google TV** with Chromecast built in; Samsung uses **Tizen**, with AirPlay, Samsung TV Plus channels and SmartThings for smart-home control. Both pair with their own soundbars to use the TV's speakers together with the bar (Samsung **Q-Symphony**, Sony **Acoustic Center Sync**). See [smart TV platforms](/smart-tv-platforms/) and the [Samsung soundbar guide](/soundbar-for-samsung-tv/).

## Sizes

Samsung's lines in our catalogue run from 32 to 85 inches (Q8F; The Frame from 43; OLEDs 55 to 83); Sony's BRAVIA lines are catalogued at 43 to 65 inches so far (43 and 50 for the BRAVIA 3 only), with larger sizes available in several lines. Below 55 inches, both brands' sets we list are 60 Hz.

## Every Samsung and Sony line we list

| TV line | Type | Panel (as marketed) | Refresh / max VRR | 4K 120 Hz+ inputs | HDR formats | Anti-reflection | Sizes we list | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung QN90H 2026 | Mini LED | Neo QLED (Mini LED) with Glare Free | 120 / 144 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | Glare Free | 65″, 75″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Samsung S90H 2026 | OLED | OLED with Glare Free | 120 / 165 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | Glare Free | 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Samsung Q8F 2025 | LED | QLED | 120 / 144 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | – | 32″, 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Samsung QN90F 2025 | Mini LED | Neo QLED (Mini LED) with Glare Free | 120 / 165 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | Glare Free | 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Samsung S90F 2025 | OLED | OLED | 120 / 144 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | – | 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Samsung S95F 2025 | OLED | OLED with Glare Free | 120 / 165 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | OLED Glare Free | 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Samsung The Frame (LS03F) 2025 | LED | QLED with matte anti-reflection display | 120 / 144 Hz | 1 of 4 | HDR10+ | Matte Display | 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Sony BRAVIA 9 II 2026 | RGB LED | RGB LED, local dimming | 120 / 120 Hz | 2 of 4 | Dolby Vision | – | 65″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Sony BRAVIA 5 2025 | Mini LED | Mini LED, local dimming | 120 / 120 Hz | 2 of 4 | Dolby Vision | – | 55″, 65″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Sony BRAVIA 8 II 2025 | QD-OLED | QD-OLED | 120 / 120 Hz | 2 of 4 | Dolby Vision | – | 55″, 65″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Sony BRAVIA 3 2024 | LED | LED, direct backlight | 60 / 60 Hz | 0 of 4 | Dolby Vision | – | 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″ | Amazon ↗ |
| Sony BRAVIA 7 2024 | Mini LED | Mini LED, full-array local dimming | 120 / 120 Hz | 2 of 4 | Dolby Vision | – | 65″ | Amazon ↗ |

## Picks from each brand

**Best Sony TV: Sony BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED**

- QD-OLED, 2025 model
- 120 Hz native, VRR up to 120 Hz
- 4K 120 Hz+ on 2 of 4 HDMI inputs
- HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
- Tuner: ATSC 3.0
- Models: 55″ K-55XR80M2 · 65″ K-65XR80M2

**Best Samsung TV: Samsung S90H OLED**

- OLED with Glare Free, 2026 model
- 120 Hz native, VRR up to 165 Hz
- 4K 120 Hz+ on 4 of 4 HDMI inputs
- HDR: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
- Tuner: ATSC 1.0
- Anti-reflection: Glare Free
- Models: 55″ QN55S90H · 65″ QN65S90H · 77″ QN77S90H · 83″ QN83S90H

## Our take

Pick **Sony** if you watch mostly films and streaming with Dolby Vision, use an antenna, and have one or two fast devices. Pick **Samsung** for a multi-console or PC setup, a bright room, or a preference for HDR10+ and Samsung's ecosystem. For the OLED-specific comparison with LG, see [Sony vs LG OLED](/sony-vs-lg-oled/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sony better than Samsung?

For film accuracy, Dolby Vision and over-the-air TV, Sony. For multiple consoles, PC gaming, bright rooms and anti-glare, Samsung.

### Is Sony or Samsung better for PS5?

Both work well. Sony adds PS5-specific auto settings, but its TVs have only two 4K 120 Hz inputs. Samsung's four fast inputs suit a PS5 plus another console or a PC.

### Do Sony TVs have HDR10+?

Not the lines we list: Sony supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG.

### Which is better for a bright room, Sony or Samsung?

Samsung, on paper: its Glare Free anti-reflection is on the S90H, QN90F and QN90H. Sony's current lines don't market an anti-glare layer in their US sheets.

### Is Sony or Samsung better for gaming?

Samsung for multi-console and PC setups (four 4K 120 Hz inputs, up to 165 Hz). Sony for a single PS5, with PS5 auto settings and Dolby Vision gaming for Xbox.

## Sources

- [Samsung QN90H specifications sheet](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/QN65QN90H_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Samsung S90H specifications sheet](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/QN55S90H_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Samsung Q8F specifications sheet](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/QN55Q8F_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Samsung QN90F specifications sheet](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/QN65QN90F_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Samsung S90F specifications sheet](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/QN42S90F_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Samsung S95F specification sheet](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/QN65S95F_Specification-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Samsung The Frame (LS03F) specifications sheet](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/QN55LS03F_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Sony BRAVIA 9 II specifications sheet (K-65XR90M2)](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/K65XR90M2_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Sony BRAVIA 5 specifications sheet (K-65XR50, K-55XR50)](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/K65XR50_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Sony BRAVIA 8 II specifications sheet (K-65XR80M2, K-55XR80M2)](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/K65XR80M2_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Sony BRAVIA 3 specifications sheet (K-65S30, K-55S30)](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/K65S30_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [Sony BRAVIA 7 specifications sheet (K-65XR70)](https://static.pcrichard.com/docs/K65XR70_Specifications-Sheet_01.pdf)
- [RTINGS, Best TV brands (independent lab measurements)](https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/best/brands)