Samsung S90F Oled Tv vs Lg B5 Oled Tv Review: Performance, Price, and Verdict

I've owned and used both the Samsung S90F OLED TV and the LG B5 OLED TV in my living room for several months, switching between them depending on what I was watching or playing. I bought them because I wanted to experience high-end OLED picture quality and test how each handled real-world usage: bright-dayroom viewing, late-night movies, console gaming, and everyday streaming. What I found was a pair of excellent TVs with distinct personalities — one that grabs your eye immediately, and one that rewards patience and careful setup.

Introduction

When I started shopping, I already knew OLED would deliver the best blacks and contrast. What I needed to figure out was which of these two models fit my needs better. The S90F stood out on spec sheets (and in showrooms) for its punchy, vivid look. The B5 promised solid value and the familiar LG smart platform. After months of living with both, I can talk about everyday strengths and annoyances — not just marketing copy or benchmark numbers.

How I tested

My testing routine was practical: I used both sets as my main TV in a medium-sized living room for a minimum of two months each. I watched movies in the evening, daytime TV during the day, and played console games (PS5 and Xbox Series X) for an hour or more several times a week. I tested streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video), local 4K HDR content via USB, and a few sports broadcasts. I also compared them side-by-side on the same content where possible, and tweaked picture modes until each looked best to my eyes.

First impressions and design

Out of the box, the Samsung S90F made a stronger first impression. The screen looked vivid and lively even before tweaking settings, and the TV's slim profile and understated bezel fit my living room aesthetic. The included remote felt precise and comfortable in hand; Samsung's remote design has improved in ergonomics over past models.

The LG B5 arrived with a quieter, more reserved presentation. Colors were accurate and pleasant, but the initial pop wasn't as immediate as the Samsung. LG's minimal bezel and simple stand gave it a refined look that blends into the room instead of calling attention to itself. The Magic Remote (if included with your purchase) is intuitive for navigating webOS, though I often preferred a physical game controller for app navigation.

Picture quality and color

In my experience, the S90F favors eye-catching color and impact. Skin tones, lush greens, and bright highlights in HDR content had a lively saturation that made action scenes and animated content feel energetic. If you like a "wow" factor straight out of the box, Samsung's tuning does a lot of the heavy lifting.

The B5 leans toward a more natural palette. After spending time calibrating the LG, I appreciated how nuanced and film-like it felt, especially with dramas and indie films. Colors aren't as punchy by default, but once adjusted the B5 delivered subtlety that felt closer to what I expected from a cinema-style image.

Both TVs delivered OLED-level black depth that I appreciated during late-night movie sessions: deep, inky blacks and excellent contrast. I noticed the Samsung sometimes made highlights pop more aggressively, while the LG preserved delicate shadow detail better in some dark scenes — that quiet detail in the back third of the frame is where I noticed differences.

HDR and brightness handling

HDR content was impressive on both. The S90F's highlights tended to "jump" at me more, making specular highlights — explosions, sunlight glints, reflections — brighter and more immediate. That was delightful for blockbuster movies and fast-paced action.

The B5 handled HDR with more restraint. I liked that for movies where I wanted a more cinematic presentation rather than punchy spectacle. In bright-room viewing, the S90F felt easier to enjoy because those brighter highlights cut through ambient light better. The B5 was a little more subject to room reflections in daytime, which required careful positioning to minimize glare.

Motion handling and upscaling

Both TVs perform well with motion. Sports and fast camera pans were generally clean on both, with the Samsung offering slightly snappier processing when I turned on its motion-enhancement features. The LG's motion smoothing was effective when enabled but introduced the familiar "soap opera" effect if set too aggressively. For most viewing I left motion processing off or low and found both TVs handled native 24fps film content gracefully.

Upscaling from non-4K sources surprised me in a positive way on both models. Both did a solid job turning 1080p and 720p content into watchable images with fewer artifacts than older TVs I've owned. Between the two, the difference in upscaling was marginal in normal viewing; where things diverged was how each rendered fine detail in HDR remasters — Samsung favored sharpening and perceived detail, while LG emphasized texture fidelity.

Gaming performance

I've played dozens of hours of both fast shooters and single-player adventures on these sets. Input lag was low on both TVs in their respective game modes, and I didn't notice any meaningful delay during competitive play. Both supports variable refresh rate features on modern consoles, and in practice gameplay felt smooth and tear-free most of the time.

The Samsung S90F had a slightly more responsive feel when switching between HDR and SDR gaming content, and its gaming-focused settings were quick to access. The LG B5 offered a neat Game Optimizer menu that gathered all game-related settings in one place, which I appreciated when I was tweaking HDR tone mapping for specific titles.

Smart TV platforms: Tizen vs webOS

Samsung's Tizen platform on the S90F is mature and snappy. Apps launch quickly, navigation is predictable, and Samsung's interface gave me quick access to streaming services I use. I did find the home dashboard occasionally pushes promoted content, which I found distracting until I trimmed it down in settings.

LG's webOS is my personal favorite for day-to-day use. The card-based launcher is tidy and visually clean. App selection is broad and everything I used worked smoothly. Both platforms get the job done; choosing between them feels like a preference for navigation style rather than raw capability.

Sound and built-in speakers

Neither TV replaces a dedicated soundbar for cinematic audio, and I quickly reverted to using my sound system when watching films. The Samsung's built-in speakers were serviceable for news and casual TV watching, with a slight emphasis on clarity. The LG's built-in soundstage was balanced but lacked bass oomph in action scenes. If you care about audio, plan to budget for an external soundbar — the difference was night and day for me.

Build quality, ports, and remotes

Both sets felt well-built. The S90F's finish and the remote felt a touch more premium to me, while the B5's chassis had a clean, functional design that fit well on my media shelf. Port selection was sufficient on both, with enough HDMI inputs for a couple of consoles, a Blu-ray player, and a streamer. If you have lots of legacy devices, double-check the available HDMI ports for eARC and the latest gaming features before buying.

Longevity, burn-in, and daily use concerns

I've been conscious about OLED burn-in since owning these sets. In daily use, I didn't experience permanent burn-in on either TV after months of mixed content. I did notice slight temporary image retention if I left a static channel logo on full brightness for extended periods. Simple practices ��� varying content, using screen savers, reducing static UI brightness — were effective at preventing any lasting issues for me.

Pros & Cons

Samsung S90F — Pros

• I've been impressed by the immediate punch and vivid HDR highlights that make movies and games feel energetic.
• Excellent handling of bright-room viewing — highlights cut through ambient light.
• Tizen is fast and app-rich; remote is comfortable and responsive.
• Snappy gaming performance with easy-to-find game settings.

Samsung S90F — Cons

• In my experience, the image can feel a bit saturated straight out of the box — calibration helps, but not everyone wants to tweak settings.
• Some home-screen promotion and recommended content clutter unless you turn it off.
• Built-in speakers are okay but not a substitute for a soundbar.

LG B5 — Pros

• I appreciated the natural color balance and film-like presentation after minor calibration.
• webOS is clean and easy to navigate; I liked the simplicity for everyday streaming.
• Excellent black levels and subtle shadow detail in dark scenes.
• Good value if you prioritize accurate color and cinematic tone over immediate punch.

LG B5 — Cons

• In bright rooms I noticed reflections more than on the Samsung; placement matters.
• Out-of-the-box image is conservative; some people may miss the extra pop without adjustments.
• Speakers lack low-end impact for action movies.

Comparison Table

Buying guide — what to consider before choosing

After using both for months, here are practical considerations I relied on when deciding which to keep in my own setup:

1. Room brightness and placement

If you watch with daylight or have a bright living room, the S90F's brighter, punchier highlights made a real difference for me. If your room is dim or you can control reflections, the B5's subtlety and cinematic tone are very satisfying.

2. Default picture preference

Do you want a TV that looks impressive straight away? Samsung tends to deliver that. Do you prefer accurate, film-like color after a little calibration? LG might be a better fit.

3. Gaming needs

If you're a console gamer who values quick access to settings and a lively image, the Samsung was slightly more convenient in my experience. If you prefer a consolidated Game Optimizer and a calm image that adapts well to long sessions, LG works very well.

4. Smart platform comfort

Both Tizen and webOS are mature. If you already have an ecosystem preference (some devices integrate better with one platform), let that sway you. Otherwise, choose based on navigation style because both have the apps you need.

5. Audio budget

Neither TV replaces a decent soundbar. If you want immersive sound, factor in the cost of an external speaker system. I found that adding a soundbar transformed movie nights on both sets.

6. Longevity and burn-in

OLED burn-in risk exists but is manageable. If you plan to use the TV as a PC monitor or have static UI elements, consider rotating content, lowering static UI brightness, and using the screen protection features available on both TVs.

Final verdict

After living with both, my personal takeaway is this: I kept the Samsung S90F for weeks when I wanted more "immediate" excitement from my content — bright HDR highlights and punchy color that made gaming and blockbuster movies feel visceral. I appreciated how easily it handled daytime viewing and how quickly it delivered a pleasing picture with minimal fuss.

That said, the LG B5 won my affection for quiet, cinematic viewing. When I settled in for a drama or classic film, the LG's restrained color and nuanced shadow detail felt more like a theater experience. If you enjoy calibrating your display and you value accuracy and film-like presentation, the B5 rewarded that attention.

For me, the deciding factor was how I used the TV most: if I prioritized bright-room versatility and a picture that looks lively immediately, I'd recommend the Samsung S90F. If I prioritized a true-to-source, cinematic image and slightly better shadow nuance for dark scenes, I'd recommend the LG B5.

Both are excellent choices depending on your priorities. My honest experience after several months of daily use is that neither felt like a compromise — they simply offer different strengths. Choose the one that matches how you watch, and you'll be very happy with your purchase.