Samsung’s R95H television introduces Micro RGB technology to the consumer market, offering 95.3% Rec.2020 color coverage and a 2760 cd/m² HDR peak brightness. While it excels in color purity and anti-reflection, Les Numériques reports significant blooming and banding issues that may make OLED alternatives more appealing for high-end buyers.
How does Samsung’s Micro RGB technology work?
The Samsung R95H utilizes a new “Micro RGB” system, which Les Numériques describes as a departure from traditional Mini-LED setups. Instead of using standard white or blue backlighting, this technology employs a system of red, green, and blue diodes.
By using RGB diodes, Samsung aims to increase color purity and expand the color gamut. This approach attempts to bridge the gap between the high brightness levels of LCD screens and the superior color accuracy typically found in OLED panels.
Unlike standard Mini-LED TVs, the Micro RGB technology in the R95H allows the display to reach an exceptional 95.3% coverage of the Rec.2020 color space, outperforming many existing QD-OLED and Mini-LED models.
What are the primary image quality strengths of the R95H?
According to testing by Les Numériques, the R95H performs exceptionally well in bright environments. The television features an advanced anti-reflective coating that limits reflectance to just 8%. This puts it ahead of competitors like the LG G6, which measured at 17% reflectance.
Color accuracy is another significant highlight. The device achieved a Delta E of 2.5 in SDR mode, placing it within professional-grade accuracy thresholds. In HDR mode, the peak brightness reached 2760 cd/m² across a 10% window, a figure that surpasses many current OLED models.
Color Gamut Comparison
The R95H’s color performance stands out when compared to other high-end technologies. Data from the Les Numériques report shows:
- Samsung R95H: 95.3% Rec.2020 coverage
- SQD Mini-LED: Approximately 91% Rec.2020 coverage
- Standard OLED/QD-OLED: Generally lower Rec.2020 coverage than the R95H
Why do blooming and banding remain issues?
Despite the advanced backlighting, the R95H faces challenges with local dimming precision. Les Numériques noted that the number of dimming zones appears insufficient to fully control light leakage. This results in “blooming,” where bright objects on dark backgrounds are surrounded by visible light halos.
The review also identified “catastrophic” banding in certain scenes. This effect, where smooth color transitions appear as distinct steps or stripes, suggests that the television’s internal processing struggles with specific complex gradients.
Is the Samsung R95H a viable option for gamers?
For enthusiasts, the R95H provides a robust technical specification. The panel supports a 165Hz refresh rate, making it suitable for high-end PC gaming, while consoles can utilize 4K at 120Hz. The device includes four HDMI 2.1 ports, supporting features like ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate).
Input lag remains very low, measured at 7.3ms when playing at 1080p/120Hz. However, the report notes a response time of 18ms, which may result in more motion blur compared to the nearly instantaneous response times found on OLED displays.
How does it compare to OLED and other Mini-LED competitors?
The R95H sits in a crowded premium market. While it offers higher peak brightness than many OLEDs, it cannot match the perfect black levels or the wide viewing angles of Samsung’s own QD-OLED models, such as the S95H or S99H.
| Model | Technology | Primary Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung R95H | Micro RGB Mini-LED | Color Gamut & Anti-Reflection |
| Sony Bravia 9 II | Mini-LED | Higher Peak Brightness (4000 cd/m²) |
| LG G6 | OLED | Contrast & Viewing Angles |
Ultimately, Les Numériques suggests that unless the price of the R95H drops significantly, the higher-contrast OLED models or more affordable Mini-LED options like the TCL C89L may offer better value for most consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Samsung R95H support Dolby Vision?
No. The R95H supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, but it does not include Dolby Vision support.
What is the refresh rate of the R95H?
The television features a 165Hz refresh rate, making it compatible with high-performance PC gaming.
How bright is the R95H in HDR?
The R95H reaches a peak brightness of 2760 cd/m² in a 10% HDR window, according to Les Numériques.
Does it have good viewing angles?
No. As a VA-based LCD, the R95H experiences significant brightness loss and color shifts when viewed from an angle.
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