Sony vs. Samsung TV 2021: which TV should you buy?

If you're looking for the latest smart TV, there are so many factors to consider: from 4K to 8K and Dolby Vision to HDR10+. In this article, we're exploring Sony vs. Samsung TVs to compare the features of both brands.

Sony vs. Samsung TV 2021: which TV should you buy?
Sony XBR A8H Series OLED TV design

Choosing a smart TV can be challenging, especially when you don’t know which brand to put your trust in. But two of the industry’s favorite brands, Sony and Samsung, boast some of the most high-tech and luxurious TVs you can buy.

Related: LG vs. Samsung TV 2021: Who’s winning the smart TV war?

Deciphering between the two brand’s selections requires comparing the specifications and features of their best-selling or most recent smart TVs. But don’t worry, that’s what we’re here to do. Let’s uncover an in-depth analysis to help resolve the debate: Sony vs. Samsung TVs.

Unique operating systems

Similar to a desktop, a TV’s operating system has a huge role to play in its durability and functioning. Samsung and Sony use different operating systems that present their own set of strengths and weaknesses. The right operating system for you can provide a better user interface, a large range of apps, third-party device compatibility, web browsing, and more.

In the Sony vs. Samsung TVs debate, both brands offer competitive operating systems that boast numerous benefits. Let’s take a look.

Android oS: Sony

Pros

  • Multitasking: Seamlessly switch between streaming videos and filtering between different apps. Moreover, you can watch the news while listening to your favorite YouTube playlist.
  • Simple layout: Quickly discover content with minimal scrolling and searching. All the latest apps are easy to locate, and you can customize the panel to the layout you prefer.
  • Built-in Google Assistant: Make voice commands to load a movie or show instead of sifting through the channels. This can save you a lot of time if you’re a daily Netflix user. And you can even check the weather forecast or check the distance from one place to another.
  • Range of apps: From YouTube and Amazon Prime to Spotify, there’s plenty of downloadable apps at your fingertips. You’ll also get access to the Sony Select feature, which lets you view available apps made specifically for your Sony TV.
  • Smart compatibility: Control home smart devices from your TV. Press the microphone button on the remote to say a simple command such as, “dim the lights” or “power on the AC”.

Cons

  • Cluttered menu: The menu might appear more cluttered due to the profusion of apps. This overload of apps can seem overbearing for some users, although you can set aside an hour to re-organize the control panel.

Tizen oS: Samsung

Pros

  • Responsive interface: Tizen oS responds quickly to your requests, so you can click the YouTube app, and it’ll load almost immediately (depending on your internet connection, of course).
  • Auto-detection of sources: A feature that can detect which device is connected to which port. This means no more guessing if the HDMI port 1 is connected to the PlayStation or Blu-ray player.
  • Universal remote: The One Remote lets your control multiple devices at one time using a single remote. Therefore, you can avoid switching between the DVD player remote to navigate the TV.
  • Smart View app: Connect your smartphone, tablet, or laptop to the TV to mirror the content to the screen. Easily share photos, videos, or music from your device to your Samsung TV. Best of all, the Smart View app acts as a secondary remote on your smartphone that boasts all the same functions as the Samsung remote.
  • Games app: Enjoy HD gaming on a big screen that’s streamed over the internet.
  • Lightweight operating system: This supports a faster start-up time compared to Android oS.

Cons

  • Limited apps: Not as much choice for downloads compared to Android oS.
  • Reduced intelligence: Tizen oS doesn’t learn what you like, so it’ll only suggest opening apps you haven’t visited in a while, rather than new suggestions.
  • Simple interface: While this might be an advantage for some users, tech-savvy individuals might prefer the option of subheadings and drop-down options to have the ability to do more, eg. opening the last video on YouTube, rather than having to fire up YouTube again.

In summary, it’s evident that Sony’s Android oS operating system wins this battle of Sony vs. Samsung TVs. This is primarily due to its larger range of apps and intelligence, along with the ability to multitask and control smart devices from your TV.

sony vs samsung tvs

Samsung The Wall MicroLED Modular TV

QLED vs. OLED

Samsung has been pushing its TVs with QLED technology, which feature 1,000–2,000 nit screens, provide vivid HDR scenes. In fact, QLED displays are much better than Sony’s OLED technology, which offers a maximum brightness of around 800 nits. As a result, OLEDs can’t quite offer color vibrancy like QLEDs.

While OLED displays might be dimmer, they do offer a more natural color contract and are self-emissive. This means that each pixel emits its own light, providing a great amount of light and darkness throughout the display. As a result, blacks are really black and bright sections don’t bleed. In fact, a black and white color spectrum can appear adjacent, and neither will cancel out the other. However, an OLED TV has a lighter and thinner panel, which can increase response times and make the viewing angles significantly wider.

Sony’s OLED TVs are susceptible to image retention (think of the burn-in of old plasma TVs). This isn’t to say that every Sony TV will experience it, but it’s a factor to consider. However, OLED TVs are more energy-efficient due to the absence of backlighting.

This category is a close call, but we declare Sony as the winner for its visual technology. While Samsung’s QLED TVs offer brighter visuals, we’d much prefer a TV that’s more energy-efficient, offers deeper blacks, has a thinner profile, and offers more viewing angles.

Dolby Vision vs. HDR10+

Samsung has its own HDR10+ image format, whereas Sony prides itself in using Dolby Vision. First, Dolby Vision can display 12-bit color depth, 10,000 nits of brightness resulting in 68.7 billion colors. On the other hand, HDR10+ has a limited pixelation of 1.07 billion, 4,000 nuts of brightness and a 10-bit. Furthermore, Samsung’s HDR10+

Not only does Dolby Vision offer brighter, more realistic visuals, it’s also widely supported on Netflix, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video. So if you regularly use these apps, Sony’s Dolby Vision might be your preferred choice.

sony vs samsung tvs

Sony XH81 4K TV series

Sony vs. Samsung TVs

Now that we’ve explored some of the top specifications to consider during this debate, let’s take a look at our favorite three selections of each brand.

Samsung TVs: Top Picks

Samsung Q700T QLED 8K Smart TV

If you’re looking for a Samsung TV that offers smooth motions and can upscale low-resolution, content, the Q700T is for you. It’s available in a 55- or 65-inch display and features Object Tracking Sound+ technology with eight speakers. This technology delivers three-dimensional audio to make it seem like the audio is surrounding you.

  • 55- or 65-inch screens
  • Ultra HD 8K resolution
  • Quantum Processor 8K
  • 9.7 ms lag time
  • Eight built-in speakers
  • Object Tracking Sound+ technology
  • Quantum HDR 1000
Get your hands on the Samsung Q700T QLED 8K Smart TV for $2,463.55 to feel the power of 33 million pixels that enhance colors, texture, and skin tones.
sony vs samsung tvs

Samsung Q700T QLED 8K Smart TV

Samsung Q950TS QLED 8K Smart TV

Featuring Active Voice Amplifier, this technology enhances the dialogue from TV shows, so that background noise won’t disturb you. Most impressively, you can split the screen into two to watch multiple shows simultaneously. Plus, with 8K resolution, this smart TV enhances the reality in the shows you’re watching with rich colors and crisp detail.

  • Sizes: 65″, 75″, and 85″
  • Quantum Processor 8K
  • 200 motion rate
  • Direct Full Array 32x contrast
  • Dolby Digital Plus sound
  • 8K resolution
  • 33 million pixels

The Samsung Q950TS QLED 8K Smart TV is available for $8,215.05 and boasts an edge-to-edge display to eliminate distractions and enhance your viewing experience.

sony vs samsung tvs

Samsung Q950TS QLED 8K Smart TV

Samsung 110” MicroLED TV

Split between four screens with this Samsung TV. Therefore, you can watch a show on Netflix while watching the news. This impressive feature makes it suitable for a busy household. All the while, the TV offers immersive 4K visuals.

  • 110″ display
  • 4K resolution
  • Eight million pixels
  • 5.1 channel sound
  • 99.99% screen-to-body ratio
  • Four split screens

The Samsung 110” MicroLED TV will be coming soon, so stay posted on the link for a release date and price.

sony vs samsung tvs

Samsung 110” MicroLED TV

Sony TVs: Top Picks

Sony A9S 4K OLED TV

Simplify your living space, with Sony’s A9S 4K TV. It features a Sony Acoustic Surface Audio, which acts as a speaker. Furthermore, with X-Motion Clarity tracking technology, it boasts high-quality, clear visuals.

  • OLED screen
  • 4K resolution
  • 48″ display
  • Sony Acoustic Surface Audio
  • Dolby Vision
  • Netflix Calibrated Mode
  • Smart home controls

The Sony A9S 4K OLED TV costs $1,799 and is available in one 48-inch size.

sony vs samsung tvs

Sony A9S 4K OLED TV

Sony XBR A8H Series OLED TV

This Sony smart TV has a high-powered processor that reduces lags. It also features a Pixel Contract Booster, helping to enhance bright scenes along with color controls. This 8K TV produces peak brightness and a truly realistic picture.

  • Sizes: 55″ and 65″
  • Dolby Atmos speakers
  • OLED display
  • Dolby Vision visuals
  • Live Color Technology color enhancement
  • Acoustic Surface Audio
  • 8K resolution

The Sony XBR A8H Series OLED TV costs $1,899 and the Acoustic Surface Audio acts as a built-in speaker for the TV.

sony vs samsung tvs

Sony XBR A8H Series OLED TV

Sony BRAVIA XR MASTER Series Z9J 8K TV

Designed with a Cognitive Processor XR, this Sony TV has AI algorithms to understand how you use a TV. It’s available in 75- and 85-inch sizes for a true home theatre experience, and it uses an updated Bravia XR Sound for truly immersive audio.

  • Sizes: 75″ and 85″
  • 5.1.2 channel
  • 3D Surround Sound Upscaling
  • Bravia XR Sound
  • 8K resolution
  • AI technology

The Sony BRAVIA XR MASTER Series Z9J 8K TV is coming soon and the price has yet to be released.

sony vs samsung tvs

Sony BRAVIA XR MASTER Series Z9J 8K TV

Sony vs. Samsung TVs: Who wins the battle?

With all of the above features and specifications presented to you, along with suggested products, we hope you can choose a smart TV to suit your needs and budget.

If visuals are the determining factor, opt for Sony’s OLED, with many of their TVs also boasting Dolby Vision for heightened visuals. But if budget is a determiner, Samsung’s QLED range makes it more affordable while also offering brighter images. And if Samsung’s absence of Dolby Vision isn’t an obstacle for you, the brand has a wide range.

Which brand has won over you? Share your feedback, plus other recommendations, in the comments.

Meet Amy Poole

Amy Poole is an Editor and Writer at Gadget Flow. When she's not indulged in everything gadget-related, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Rosie, and keeping fit.
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