Skip to main content

Who makes the better flagship 4K TV? Samsung KS9500 vs. Sony X930D

Every once in a while, I’m fortunate to have two flagship TVs from competing major manufacturers in our testing lab at the same time. Recently, one of those moments came along when the Samsung KS9500 arrived before we sent back our Sony XBR-65X930D. Considering both are stellar televisions, I figured I would try to explore some of the finer differences between the two.

To be clear, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend either one of these TVs. I come along with my own set of personal preferences, and that ultimately shapes my final opinion, but which one is “better” is really a matter of your individual needs and preferences. The KS9500 might be better for Joe, who watches in a bright room most of the time, but the Sony might be better suited to Sam, who tends to watch movies in the dark and entertains larger groups of people.

There’s also the matter of the curved screen, which seems to push folks hard in one direction or another. Some folks won’t stand for it, and lean toward a flat screen even if it had slightly inferior picture quality.

One more point of clarification: The new Sony Z series is technically the company’s flagship line now, but that TV series is, in my opinion, in a class of its own, and one that is poised to do some serious battle with OLED over the coming year. From a price and performance perspective, the comparison between these two televisions is fair.

In the video above, we do our best to show the performance differences and individual characteristics of each television. In some cases, we’ve exaggerated elements for the purposes illustration in a video format.

Editors' Recommendations

Caleb Denison
Digital Trends Editor at Large Caleb Denison is a sought-after writer, speaker, and television correspondent with unmatched…
Samsung Galaxy Buds deals: As low as $79 today
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and their charging case.

Music, movies, and all of your favorite content are made all the better with a good set of wireless headphones. Some of the most popular in-ear options are Samsung’s Galaxy Buds lineup. They’re made to compete with the likes of the Apple AirPods 3 and Apple AirPods Pro 2, but they come in at more affordable prices. And right now they’re coming in at even better prices, as there are some good Samsung Galaxy Buds deals to shop. We’ve put all of the best Samsung Galaxy Buds deals together below, so read onward for more details on how to save.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 -- $79, was $140

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 are more traditional wireless earbuds compared to the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live, with a comfortable design that lets you listen to your favorite playlists without any strain on your ears. They also offer active noise cancellation, alongside an Ambient Sound mode that will let you listen only to the sounds of your environment that you want to hear without having to take them out of your ears. With ANC deactivated, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 can last up to 7.5 hours on a single charge, and up to 29 hours with the juice from their charging case.

Read more
Vizio shrinks the price of a Dolby Atmos soundbar to $99
Vizio QuickFit soundbar mounting system.

If you thought the impending acquisition of Vizio by Walmart might slow Vizio's progress on pumping out new products, think again. The company has just released its 2024 lineup of soundbars, all of which include Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing. They also possess a new mounting system that lets them quickly and easily attach to the bottom of select Vizio TVs. But perhaps the most remarkable aspect is the price. The collection of speakers starts at just $99 -- the first time we've seen a Dolby Atmos-capable soundbar sell for less than $100.

Some of the new Vizio soundbars will be available on the company's website starting May 13, however, the full lineup will roll out gradually over the coming months, with some models not appearing until the fall.

Read more
Best Sling TV deals: Save 50% off your first month and more
Sling TV app icon on Apple TV.

A great way to save on one of the best live TV streaming services is by making Sling TV your provider of choice. Sling is popular among people who prefer to watch their TV with an internet connection, as its user interface closely resembles the familiarity of cable, and Sling TV channels also match much of what you’ll find if you’re coming from a cable or satellite provider. Sling TV offers several ways to save, and we’ve provided a list of the best Sling TV deals currently taking place below. So whether you want to kick back with your favorite movies or ensure you have access to anticipated sports games — such as the NBA playoffs — taking place this month, Sling TV offers several ways to save.
Today’s best Sling TV deals

Sling TV is one of the more affordable ways to stream live TV online because it allows you to customize what kind of content you’re paying for. Basketball fans should make it a top consideration, as Sling currently has a package available that ensures you'll have access to all of the NBA playoffs. Sling offers two base subscription packages, Orange and Blue. Sling Orange is focused on sports and family entertainment, while Sling Blue is primarily focused on news and general entertainment. You can also buy a subscription to both Orange and Blue. Other packages are available that add channels not available through either base plan. Unfortunately there is no Sling TV free trial happening right now.

Read more