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When it comes to high-end televisions in 2025, consumers face a fascinating choice between two impressive but fundamentally different display technologies. The Samsung 65" OLED S95F represents the latest evolution of OLED technology, while the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED showcases the incredible brightness capabilities of advanced LCD displays. As someone who's spent countless hours evaluating both types of displays, I'm excited to break down exactly what makes each TV special—and help you decide which one deserves a place in your living room.
Before diving into specifics, let's understand the timeline and technological context. The Samsung S95F OLED is a 2025 model (released in early 2025), representing Samsung's latest QD-OLED technology—a hybrid that combines the perfect blacks of OLED with the color volume and brightness advantages of Quantum Dots. This is Samsung's fourth generation of QD-OLED TVs, with each iteration bringing significant improvements in brightness, processing power, and anti-reflection capabilities.
The TCL QM8 Mini-LED, released in mid-2023, showcases how rapidly LCD technology has advanced to compete with OLED. It utilizes thousands of tiny LED backlights (hence "Mini-LED") that are a fraction of the size of traditional LED backlights, allowing for much more precise control of brightness across the screen.
What's fascinating is how these two different approaches to creating an image have each developed their own strengths, with neither being objectively "better" for all situations. Let's explore what makes each special.
The Samsung S95F uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) enhanced with quantum dots. In simple terms, each pixel creates its own light and can turn completely off when displaying black. Imagine 8.3 million tiny light bulbs that can each be independently controlled—this gives OLED its signature perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio.
Samsung has further refined this technology with their QD-OLED approach, which uses blue OLED material as a light source, then converts some of that light to red and green using quantum dots (microscopic particles that emit specific colors when light hits them). This allows for greater brightness and color volume than traditional OLED displays.
The TCL QM8 takes a different approach. It uses an LCD panel for creating the image, but illuminates it using thousands of tiny LED lights arranged in up to 5,000 zones. Each zone can be dimmed or brightened independently, allowing for much better contrast than traditional LED-LCD TVs.
The key advantage of Mini-LED is raw brightness—these tiny LEDs can pump out significantly more light than OLED panels, making them excellent for bright rooms. However, they can't match the pixel-level precision of OLED, since even with thousands of zones, each zone still controls multiple pixels simultaneously.
During my testing of both technologies, I've noticed that while Mini-LED comes impressively close to OLED in many scenarios, there are still situations (particularly in dark scenes with bright highlights) where you can see a "blooming" effect around bright objects. It's much less noticeable than on older local dimming TVs, but it's a fundamental limitation of the technology.
This is where the philosophical difference between these technologies is most apparent. The Samsung S95F produces perfect, absolute blacks by simply turning off pixels entirely. When watching space scenes or dark thrillers in a darkened room, this creates an unmatched sense of depth and realism. Shadow detail is also exceptional, revealing subtle details in dark scenes that other TVs might crush into blackness.
The TCL QM8 performs admirably in this regard for an LCD-based display. Its 5,000 dimming zones allow it to get quite dark when needed, and its local dimming algorithm is sophisticated enough to minimize blooming in most scenes. However, it simply cannot match the pixel-precise light control of OLED. In dark rooms, watching content with stark contrast (like starfields or end credits), you'll notice some light bleeding around bright objects.
During my testing with movies like "Dune" and "The Batman," the difference was most noticeable in extremely dark scenes with small highlights. The OLED's ability to show a bright object surrounded by perfect blackness creates a more dramatic image, while the Mini-LED displayed very good but not perfect blacks with occasional subtle blooming.
Here's where the tables turn dramatically. The TCL QM8 can reach a staggering 5,000 nits of peak brightness in small highlights—about double what the Samsung can achieve. In practical terms, this means HDR highlights like sunlight reflections, explosions, or glinting metal have more impact and realism on the TCL.
Even more importantly for everyday viewing, the TCL maintains much higher full-screen brightness. While the Samsung typically tops out around 250-350 nits for full-screen white (like a hockey rink or snowy scene), the TCL can deliver over 800 nits across the entire screen. For daytime viewing in bright rooms, this difference is immediately noticeable and significant.
The Samsung S95F isn't dim by any means—its 2,250 nit peak brightness is excellent for an OLED, and its new glare-free technology helps mitigate reflections. However, if your viewing area has large windows or bright lighting, the TCL's superior brightness gives it a clear advantage.
When I tested HDR content like "Planet Earth" documentaries, the TCL's brightness advantage was most apparent in scenes with bright skies or sunlight glinting off water. The extra brightness creates a more lifelike, impactful image that can be appreciated even in well-lit rooms.
Both TVs deliver exceptional color performance, utilizing quantum dot technology to achieve wide color gamuts that cover nearly the entire DCI-P3 color space (the standard used for digital cinema).
The Samsung S95F has a slight edge in color accuracy out of the box, particularly in Filmmaker Mode, which aims to show content exactly as creators intended. Its QD-OLED technology also maintains perfect color saturation even in very dark scenes, where LCD displays typically struggle.
The TCL QM8 offers vibrant, punchy colors that many viewers find immediately appealing. Its extreme brightness allows it to display bright colors with particular vibrancy. However, it requires more careful calibration to achieve reference-level accuracy.
In my experience, both TVs render beautiful color, with the Samsung offering more naturalistic tones and the TCL delivering more visual impact through its brightness advantage. For critical film watching, the Samsung's color accuracy gives it the edge, but most viewers would be thrilled with either display's color reproduction.
Fast-moving content like sports, action films, and video games benefits from displays that can quickly change from one frame to the next without blur or artifacts.
The Samsung S95F has a near-instantaneous pixel response time—essentially how quickly each pixel can change from one color to another—which results in exceptionally clear motion. Its 165Hz refresh rate (meaning it can display up to 165 frames per second) further enhances motion clarity for compatible content.
The TCL QM8 uses a 120Hz panel with advanced motion processing to achieve very good, though not quite OLED-level, motion clarity. Its "Motion Rate 480" combines the native 120Hz refresh rate with backlight scanning to reduce perceived blur.
When watching fast-paced sporting events like hockey or Formula 1 racing, the Samsung's superior motion handling is noticeable to trained eyes, showing less blur during quick camera pans and fast action. For casual viewers, however, both TVs handle motion admirably.
With gaming becoming an increasingly important use case for premium TVs, both manufacturers have prioritized gaming features in these flagship models.
Input lag (the delay between when a signal reaches the TV and when it displays on screen) is crucial for responsive gaming. Both TVs excel here, with the Samsung S95F measuring around 5-10ms in Game Mode and the TCL QM8 around 10-15ms.
The Samsung's OLED technology gives it an advantage in response time (how quickly pixels change color), which virtually eliminates motion blur in fast-paced games. While playing competitive first-person shooters, this can provide a slight competitive edge, though both TVs perform excellently for gaming.
Both TVs support the latest gaming technologies:
The Samsung S95F supports VRR up to 165Hz for PC gaming and includes AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certification. It also features Samsung's AI-powered Game Bar, which provides easy access to game-related settings and information.
The TCL QM8 supports VRR up to 144Hz and includes its Game Accelerator 240 technology, which uses backlight scanning to further reduce perceived motion blur in games.
For console gamers using PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, both TVs offer virtually identical experiences, supporting all the latest features of these consoles. PC gamers might appreciate the Samsung's slightly higher VRR ceiling and faster response time for competitive gaming.
The TV's operating system affects everyday usability, app availability, and future-proofing.
The Samsung S95F runs on Samsung's Tizen OS, which has evolved significantly since its introduction. The 2025 version offers a customizable home screen, robust content recommendations, and improved performance over previous generations. Samsung has promised a remarkable 7 years of software updates, which represents exceptional long-term value.
The TCL QM8 employs Google TV, which offers excellent content aggregation across streaming services and tight integration with other Google products. The interface is intuitive and app availability is comprehensive, though TCL typically provides around 2-3 years of meaningful updates.
During daily use, I've found Google TV slightly more intuitive for content discovery, while Tizen offers a more streamlined experience for accessing frequently used apps and inputs. Both are responsive and full-featured, though Google TV occasionally shows more advertisements.
Voice control has become a standard feature on premium TVs, and both models offer robust capabilities.
The Samsung features Bixby voice assistant with multi-command processing, allowing for complex instructions. It integrates seamlessly with Samsung's SmartThings ecosystem for controlling compatible smart home devices.
The TCL offers Google Assistant built-in, which many users find more capable and versatile than Bixby. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit, giving it broader smart home compatibility across platforms.
For smart home enthusiasts, the TCL's broader compatibility with different ecosystems gives it a slight edge, though Samsung users will appreciate the tight integration with other Samsung devices.
Modern thin TVs struggle to produce powerful sound due to physical limitations, but both manufacturers have worked to maximize audio quality within these constraints.
The Samsung S95F features a 70W 4.2.2-channel speaker system with Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+), which uses multiple speakers around the TV to create a more immersive soundstage. The system attempts to match sound to on-screen action, creating a more three-dimensional audio experience.
The TCL QM8 offers an 80W ONKYO 2.1.2 channel speaker system with Dolby Atmos support. The dedicated subwoofer provides noticeably better bass response than typical TV speakers.
In my experience, both TVs provide above-average built-in audio that works well for everyday viewing. The Samsung creates a slightly wider soundstage with better directional audio, while the TCL delivers more impactful bass. However, for a true home theater experience, both would benefit significantly from an external sound system or soundbar.
Perhaps the most striking difference between these TVs is their pricing. The Samsung S95F OLED is priced as a premium flagship product at approximately $2,200-3,300 for the 65" model. The TCL QM8 Mini-LED offers remarkable value at approximately $900-1,500 for the same size.
This significant price difference—the Samsung costs roughly twice as much—frames the entire comparison. The Samsung offers refinements in contrast, color accuracy, and motion handling that videophiles and cinema enthusiasts will appreciate. It also provides a more premium design aesthetic and longer software support.
The TCL, meanwhile, delivers exceptional brightness, very good overall picture quality, and all the core features most users care about at a dramatically lower price point. For many consumers, it represents the better value proposition, delivering 80-90% of the premium experience at less than half the cost.
For dedicated home theater environments, several additional factors come into play.
In a properly darkened room, the Samsung S95F's perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio create a truly cinematic experience that the TCL can't quite match. Film content, particularly movies with dark scenes, benefits tremendously from OLED's pixel-level light control.
However, if your home theater doubles as a living space with varying lighting conditions, the TCL QM8's superior brightness makes it more versatile. Its extreme HDR highlights also create impressive visual impact for blockbuster movies and action content.
Audio integration is another consideration. Both TVs support eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), allowing them to send high-quality audio to compatible sound systems. The Samsung's Q-Symphony feature allows its internal speakers to work in conjunction with compatible Samsung soundbars, creating a more expansive soundstage.
After thoroughly evaluating both the Samsung S95F OLED and TCL QM8 Mini-LED, I can confidently say that both are exceptional televisions that excel in different areas. Your decision should be based on your specific circumstances and priorities:
The Samsung 65" OLED S95F and TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED represent two different philosophies in premium television design. The Samsung prioritizes the absolute pinnacle of picture quality through perfect blacks, color accuracy, and motion handling—and charges accordingly. The TCL focuses on delivering incredible brightness, very good overall performance, and exceptional value.
For enthusiasts and cinephiles with controlled viewing environments, the Samsung's premium experience may well justify its premium price. For most consumers, however, the TCL strikes an impressive balance of performance and value that makes it hard to justify spending twice as much for incremental improvements.
Both technologies continue to evolve rapidly. OLED displays are getting brighter each generation, while Mini-LED is adding more dimming zones and improving local dimming algorithms. This healthy competition ensures that whichever technology you choose, you'll be getting an impressive viewing experience that far exceeds what was available just a few years ago.
Ultimately, your room environment, viewing habits, and budget considerations should guide your decision between these two excellent but different approaches to creating a premium television experience.
| Samsung 65" OLED S95F 4K Smart TV 2025 | TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED Smart TV |
|---|---|
| Price - What you'll actually pay | |
| $2,200-3,300 (premium pricing) | $900-1,500 (excellent value) |
| Display Technology - Fundamentally different approaches to creating an image | |
| QD-OLED (self-emitting pixels with quantum dots) | Mini-LED LCD (thousands of tiny LEDs behind LCD panel) |
| Black Levels - Critical for movie watching and dark room viewing | |
| Perfect blacks with pixel-level control (exceptional) | Very good blacks with minimal blooming (5,000 dimming zones) |
| Peak Brightness - Determines HDR impact and daytime viewing quality | |
| ~2,250 nits (excellent for OLED, but limited) | Up to 5,000 nits (class-leading brightness ideal for bright rooms) |
| Full-Screen Brightness - Important for daytime and bright room viewing | |
| 250-350 nits (moderate) | 800+ nits (exceptional) |
| Color Volume - Affects vibrancy and realism of colors | |
| Near-perfect coverage of DCI-P3 (99%) with accurate colors | Excellent coverage of DCI-P3 (95-97%) with vibrant colors |
| Refresh Rate - Important for gaming and sports | |
| 165Hz with VRR support (exceptional) | 120Hz native with VRR up to 144Hz (excellent) |
| Response Time - Determines motion clarity | |
| Near-instantaneous (perfect for fast motion) | Very good but not OLED-level (some blur possible) |
| Input Lag - Critical for responsive gaming | |
| ~5-10ms (imperceptible lag) | ~10-15ms (imperceptible lag) |
| Anti-Reflection Technology - Affects visibility in bright rooms | |
| OLED Glare Free matte finish (excellent for an OLED) | Standard anti-reflection coating (good) |
| Operating System - Determines app availability and ease of use | |
| Tizen OS with 7 years of updates promised | Google TV with typically 2-3 years of meaningful updates |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality for those without external speakers | |
| 70W 4.2.2CH speaker system with Object Tracking Sound+ | 80W ONKYO 2.1.2 channel system with better bass response |
| Connectivity - Important for future-proofing | |
| 4x HDMI 2.1, eARC, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth | 4x HDMI 2.1, eARC, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, USB 3.0 |
| Design and Build - Aesthetic considerations | |
| Ultra-thin premium design (5-10mm at thinnest point) | Standard thickness with good build quality (thicker profile) |
| Smart Home Integration - Important for connected homes | |
| Bixby and SmartThings ecosystem | Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit support |
| Longevity Concerns - Long-term considerations | |
| Minimal burn-in risk with modern protections; 7-year software support | No burn-in concerns; typically 2-3 years of software updates |
| Best Use Case - When each TV shines brightest | |
| Dark or dimly lit rooms; critical movie watching; gaming | Bright rooms with windows; daytime viewing; maximum HDR impact |
The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED TV is significantly better for bright rooms, offering up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness and over 800 nits of full-screen brightness. While the Samsung 65" OLED S95F has improved with its anti-glare coating and reaches about 2,250 nits in small highlights, it can't match the TCL QM8's raw brightness. If you have a living room with large windows or strong ambient lighting, the TCL QM8 will provide a much more visible picture during daytime viewing.
For pure movie watching in a controlled or darkened environment, the Samsung 65" OLED S95F offers superior picture quality with perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and exceptional color accuracy. The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED delivers very good black levels with minimal blooming thanks to its 5,000 dimming zones, but can't match the pixel-level precision of OLED. For serious movie enthusiasts with home theater setups, the Samsung OLED S95F provides a more cinematic experience, though the TCL offers excellent movie performance at a lower price point.
Both the Samsung 65" OLED S95F and TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED offer excellent gaming features, including HDMI 2.1 ports, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode. The Samsung has a slight edge with 165Hz VRR support (vs. TCL's 144Hz) and faster response times for clearer motion in fast-paced games. The TCL has comparable input lag and offers Game Accelerator 240 technology. For console gaming on PS5 or Xbox Series X, both TVs perform exceptionally well, but competitive PC gamers might prefer the Samsung OLED S95F for its marginal advantages.
The Samsung 65" OLED S95F typically costs between $2,200-3,300, while the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED is priced around $900-1,500 for the same 65-inch size. This means the Samsung generally costs about twice as much as the TCL, representing a significant price premium. Buyers need to decide if the Samsung's improved black levels, color accuracy, and premium design justify spending roughly $1,000-1,500 more compared to the very capable TCL QM8.
Modern OLED TVs like the Samsung 65" OLED S95F have significantly reduced burn-in risk compared to earlier generations. Samsung has implemented multiple protection features including pixel shifting, logo detection, and screen savers. For most viewers who watch varied content, burn-in is unlikely to occur. However, if you plan to display static content like news tickers, channel logos, or use the TV as a PC monitor for many hours daily, the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED would be the safer long-term choice as LCD technology is immune to burn-in.
For sports viewing, both TVs have strengths. The Samsung 65" OLED S95F offers superior motion clarity due to its near-instantaneous pixel response time, making fast-moving players and balls appear clearer with less blur. The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED counters with greater brightness, which is beneficial for daytime sports viewing. If you primarily watch sports in a bright room or during daytime, the TCL's brightness advantage may be more important. For evening sports viewing or in controlled lighting, the Samsung OLED S95F will provide a slight edge in motion clarity.
The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED uses Google TV, which offers excellent content recommendations, wide app availability, and seamless integration with other Google services. The Samsung 65" OLED S95F runs on Tizen OS, which provides a streamlined interface and promises an impressive 7 years of software updates. Google TV is generally considered more intuitive for content discovery, while Tizen excels at quick access to frequently used apps. If you're already using Google services or want the most app options, the TCL QM8 may be preferable, while those valuing long-term support might appreciate Samsung's commitment to updates.
The Samsung 65" OLED S95F features a 70W 4.2.2-channel speaker system with Object Tracking Sound+ technology that creates directional audio matching on-screen action. The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED offers an 80W ONKYO 2.1.2 channel system with a dedicated subwoofer providing better bass response. For built-in audio without external speakers, the TCL generally delivers slightly more impactful sound with better bass, while the Samsung creates a wider soundstage with better directional effects. However, for a true home theater experience, both TVs would benefit from an external sound system or soundbar.
Whether the Samsung 65" OLED S95F justifies its premium price over the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED depends on your viewing environment and priorities. The Samsung is worth the extra cost if you: (1) watch primarily in a darkened room, (2) are particularly sensitive to black level performance, (3) want the absolute best color accuracy, or (4) value the premium design aesthetic. The TCL provides exceptional value, delivering about 80-90% of the premium experience at less than half the price, making it the more sensible choice for most consumers, especially those with brighter viewing environments.
The Samsung 65" OLED S95F has significantly better viewing angles thanks to its OLED technology. Colors and contrast remain consistent even when viewed from extreme angles, making it ideal for wide seating arrangements where people may be watching from the sides. The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED, like most LCD-based TVs, shows some color shifting and reduced contrast when viewed from angles beyond about 30-40 degrees off-center. If you have a wide seating arrangement or people often watch from the sides of the room, the Samsung OLED S95F will provide a more consistent viewing experience for everyone.
The Samsung 65" OLED S95F supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG formats but notably lacks Dolby Vision support (a Samsung policy across all their TVs). The TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED supports all major HDR formats including Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. For consumers who prioritize Dolby Vision content (available on Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+), the TCL offers broader HDR format support. However, Samsung's HDR10+ adaptive provides similar dynamic metadata benefits to Dolby Vision, so the practical difference may be minimal for most viewers comparing the Samsung S95F and TCL QM8.
In terms of panel lifespan, the TCL 65" QM8 Mini-LED has an advantage as LCD technology typically lasts longer without degradation and has no risk of burn-in. However, the Samsung 65" OLED S95F counters with significantly longer software support, promising 7 years of OS updates compared to TCL's typical 2-3 years of meaningful updates. Modern OLEDs are rated for around 100,000 hours before significant brightness loss, which translates to decades of normal use. For most consumers, both TVs should last many years, with the Samsung OLED S95F likely to remain more current with new streaming services and features, while the TCL's hardware may maintain consistent performance for longer.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: businessinsider.com - tomsguide.com - youtube.com - avsforum.com - zdnet.com - samsung.com - pioneertvandappliance.com - samsung.com - displayspecifications.com - samsung.com - rtings.com - rtings.com - techradar.com - tcl.com - the-gadgeteer.com - nfm.com - ecoustics.com - careyscommunications.com - pcrichard.com - tcl.com
