Samsung S95H OLED TV first-look review: Infinite contrast meets serious brightness

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The Samsung S95H is the brand's latest premium OLED TV, and after spending some hands-on time with it, I'm impressed. This is the company's brightest OLED yet, and it's also the brightest OLED I've tested, period.

That's a big deal. For years, Mini LED TVs have held a clear advantage over OLEDs in sheer brightness. OLEDs have remained the go-to option for pixel-level contrast and perfect black levels, but Mini LED models have been better equipped to deliver the kind of punchy picture that stands out in rooms with a lot of light. The S95H closes that gap more than any OLED I've seen so far.

The S95H also boasts a few cool design flourishes that help it stand out as a living-room centerpiece. It's expensive, but it feels every bit like a flagship display, with a metal frame-like bezel, access to Samsung's Art Store, and the latest version of the company's love-it-or-hate-it glare-free screen.

To be clear, these are first impressions based on initial testing at Samsung's New Jersey facility. I plan to update this story with more in-depth impressions after extended use in the near future. But based on what I've seen so far, the S95H is easily one of the best Samsung TVs available and a serious contender for the top high-end TV of the year.

The S95H has a unique frame-like design

The Samsung S95H is the brand's flagship OLED for 2026, sitting above the midrange S90H and entry-level S85H. It's available in screen sizes ranging from 55 to 83 inches.

Though Samsung doesn't reveal exactly which type of OLED panel it uses, based on previous versions of this TV and my testing, it's likely that the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch models feature Samsung's newest-generation QD-OLED panel. The larger 83-inch size is likely using a four-stack OLED panel. This should result in similar brightness across the board, but the 83-inch model's color range may be slightly narrower than its smaller counterparts.

Pricing is similar to what we saw with last year's S95F at launch, though the 55- and 65-inch sizes are a bit more expensive than their S95F counterparts were. For this first-look review, I tested the 65-inch model. Here's a full rundown of current pricing:

From a design perspective, the S95H takes a bold stance with a unique bezel that draws attention. Samsung calls this its "FloatLayer Design." The TV has a metal frame-like border, with the panel appearing to float in front of it. In person, it looks rather stunning on a wall. The frame adds a premium touch that really helps the TV stand out, and the set can be installed virtually flush against a wall with almost no gap.

That said, this is a strong aesthetic choice, and it won't be for everyone's tastes. I think it works well when mounted, but it may not fit every living room's style. Likewise, I have not yet seen the S95H in person on its stand. If you don't mount it, the TV can be attached to left and right feet instead, and I suspect it may lose a bit of its luster when set up this way.

The S95H uses the latest version of Samsung's anti-glare screen technology, featuring a matte-like finish that significantly reduces reflections. This remains one of Samsung's most divisive TV features, but if you regularly struggle with glare, it can be a game changer. In particular, those who like watching sports in a bright room should consider this model.

However, there is still a trade-off. The glare-free coating can make black levels appear slightly elevated when the screen is exposed to light. I saw this during my testing with the lights on, but the effect was less noticeable than on previous S95 TVs. I still prefer glossy OLED screens overall, but if reflections are a major pain point in your room, the S95H's anti-glare screen is definitely a benefit.

When it comes to connections, the S95H features four HDMI 2.1 ports. But unlike last year's S95F, which came with a separate One Connect Box for its inputs, these ports are now built into the back of the panel, as on most TVs. However, the S95H is compatible with Samsung's Wireless One Connect Box (sold separately), so you can still use that setup if you prefer. The Wireless One Connect Box also features four HDMI 2.1 ports, so if you use it in conjunction with the TV's ports, you get a total of eight — the most on any consumer TV.

Samsung also includes its SolarCell remote. The remote has a compact, minimalist design and doesn't need batteries. Instead, it can recharge using sunlight or indoor light, which remains a very cool feature. But I don't love the remote's overall design. It's not backlit, and it feels a bit cheap in hand compared to some other premium TV remotes.

The S95H is the brightest OLED I've tested

During my testing, the S95H wowed me with top-notch image quality. Like all OLED TVs, it delivers an infinite contrast ratio, allowing each pixel to dim and brighten independently. In a dark room, black levels completely disappear, producing the inky depth OLEDs are known for.

Viewing angles are also wide, so colors and contrast don't fade when you watch from off-center. And for gaming, the S95H supports a fast 165Hz refresh rate, which is a nice perk for PC users who want smoother performance with compatible hardware.

But what really sets the S95H apart from other high-end OLEDs is its brightness. Using a colorimeter and Portrait Displays' Calman software, I measured a peak brightness of 2,780 nits. This was on a 10% test pattern in the TV's HDR Filmmaker mode. That number still can't match the absolute brightest TVs available, like the TCL X11L, but the S95H is close to flagship Mini LED territory, which used to be unthinkable for an OLED. It's also a nice bump over last year's already excellent S95F, which delivered 2,170 nits in the same test.

Color measurements were also extremely impressive. I measured 100% of the P3 color space used in most modern Hollywood productions and about 83% of the wider BT.2020 color space. That's not as high as Samsung's R95H Micro RGB TV, which can hit 91% of BT.2020, but it's an excellent number for an OLED. This is a result of the panel's quantum-dot technology, which helps the TV deliver a wider, brighter color range than a standard OLED. Though most current movies and TV shows don't require such high BT.2020 coverage, that could change in the future as more filmmakers take advantage of the gamut.

Colorful, bright movies like "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Aquaman" looked fantastic on the S95H. Both films are great showcases for bold HDR, and the S95H delivered vibrant, impactful images with highlights that really popped from the screen. The TV's combination of high brightness and rich color gives these kinds of movies a level of intensity that midrange OLEDs can't match.

The S95H also impressed me with darker material. The burning church scene in "1917" had excellent black levels, and the TV maintained good shadow detail. This is where OLED's pixel-level precision remains a big advantage over Mini LED models. Even the best Mini LED TVs need to rely on dimming zones, which can sometimes lead to blooming or uneven black levels. The S95H doesn't have that issue because it doesn't have a backlight. Dark areas remain even and precise.

That said, those black levels do take a hit with the lights on because of the TV's anti-glare screen. When I watched the opening scene from "The Matrix" in a bright room, black levels still looked decent, but they weren't as inky as they were in the dark. This is something to keep in mind, but it's likely an acceptable tradeoff for people who hate reflections.

Samsung's Tizen interface has been tweaked with a cleaner layout

Samsung's Tizen smart TV system is solid, but it's still not my favorite platform. I give an edge to systems like Google TV and Roku, which I find a bit more reliable and helpful. Still, Tizen is decent enough with all the functions and apps most users need. The interface has also been tweaked for 2026.

Various pages are now kept in a horizontal menu at the top of the screen rather than a vertical menu on the left. Content recommendations are also less pushy, which makes the homepage feel cleaner and easier to navigate.

This is a welcome change overall, but it also gives the homepage a more sparse look. Some users will prefer this less cluttered design, while others may find it a little barebones.

Voice control is available using Bixby or Amazon Alexa, and you can activate it with the included remote or hands-free with the TV's built-in mics. Samsung's Gaming Hub is also included, which offers access to cloud services like Xbox Game Pass.

During my hands-on time, navigating the Xbox app felt a little laggy, but I'm not ready to hold that against the TV yet. It may have been an internet issue in the room I was in, rather than a widespread problem with the interface itself. I'll need more testing in a different environment before drawing any conclusions.

The S95H is the first Samsung OLED to offer access to the brand's Art Store. This lets the TV display classic and contemporary artwork when you're not watching something. A subscription is required for the full catalog, but Samsung includes a rotating selection of 30 free pieces each month.

That's a nice bonus for users who want the TV to double as a decor piece in their living room, and it complements the S95H's metal frame bezel perfectly. Samsung's Frame TVs are still the brand's most decor-focused displays, but the S95H's design and Art Store access give it some of that same lifestyle appeal while delivering flagship OLED performance.

Microsoft Copilot AI is also integrated, bringing chatbot-like capabilities to the TV. It's a convenient extra, but not essential. While it's neat to ask your TV to help plan a vacation or answer detailed questions, I can do those things just as easily on my phone or laptop.

Copilot was also a bit glitchy during my testing, with audio cutting in and out. But again, this could have been related to WiFi issues at Samsung's facility rather than the TV itself. I'll revisit this feature after spending more time with the S95H in a controlled environment.

Should you buy the Samsung S95H OLED TV?

The Samsung S95H is a stunner. Based on my first impressions, it has the potential to be one of the best TVs of the year.

It combines everything I like about OLED — pixel-perfect contrast, wide viewing angles, and deep black levels — with brightness that gets shockingly close to flagship Mini LED territory. Its color performance is also one of the best I've measured on an OLED.

However, Samsung's glare-free screen tech remains divisive. I still prefer glossy screens, which preserve contrast better in bright rooms. But for people who regularly struggle with reflections, the anti-glare screen can be a huge selling point.

The S95H is an expensive TV, but based on what I've seen so far, it warrants its premium positioning. That said, last year's S95F is still available for less. The S95H is brighter, has the new metal-frame design, and access to the Art Store, but the S95F remains an excellent TV. In that sense, the older model is a good buy for those who want a premium Samsung OLED at a discount.

But for enthusiasts who want Samsung's best OLED picture quality, the S95H should be high on the list. I'll need more time with the TV before issuing a final verdict, but after my initial testing, this is easily one of the best TVs for picture quality in 2026.