Introduction
Samsung’s latest foray into the Micro‑RGB arena arrives as the R95H series, a step down in price from the ultra‑premium S99H OLED line but still positioned as a high‑end LCD alternative. The British launch includes 65‑inch and 75‑inch variants, priced at £3 399 and £4 299 respectively. John Archer, writing for Trusted Reviews, examined the TVs in depth and highlighted how the new back‑light technology translates into real‑world performance.
Design & Build
The R95H abandons the thick bezels that have become common on Samsung’s flagship OLEDs. Both sizes feature ultra‑slim side panels and a rear that is barely thicker than a typical LCD. The stand is a low‑profile, centrally mounted unit with a mirrored finish that creates a “floating” illusion. It slots into the chassis without screws, meaning the TV can sit on narrow furniture without compromising stability.
Cable management is handled via a discreet channel on the back panel, keeping cords hidden for a clean look. Samsung also offers an optional Wireless One Connect box that can carry up to four HDMI sources wirelessly, effectively eliminating the need for a cable bundle.
A notable aesthetic touch is the integration of Samsung’s Art Store and an anti‑reflection screen. When the TV is idle, it can display high‑resolution artwork, turning the screen into a piece of wall décor rather than a blank rectangle.
Picture Quality – What Micro‑RGB Brings
Micro‑RGB replaces the traditional white or blue back‑light with dedicated red, green and blue LEDs. This approach expands the colour gamut dramatically while also improving brightness efficiency. Archer’s measurements with a Calman Ultimate suite recorded about 150 % of the DCI‑P3 colour space, a figure that outstrips most LCDs on the market today.
Peak brightness topped 2 200 nits, giving HDR content plenty of headroom even in bright rooms. The TV supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG out of the box, and Samsung promises a firmware update later in the year to add HDR10+ Advanced, positioning the R95H to compete with emerging Dolby Vision 2 implementations – though, as with all Samsung sets, native Dolby Vision support is still absent.
The panel is a VA type with a 1 792‑zone local dimming system. Combined with the per‑LED colour control of Micro‑RGB, this yields deep blacks and strong contrast, though Archer noted a slight blooming effect on very bright objects when viewed from an off‑centre position.
Two picture presets are worth mentioning:
- Dynamic pushes the colour envelope to its limits, delivering a vivid, almost surreal look that can feel a little artificial on skin tones.
- Standard offers a more natural rendering, suitable for movies and TV shows where colour accuracy is paramount.
Overall, the R95H’s picture quality feels like a bridge between premium LCDs and OLEDs – bright, colourful and punchy, with a few minor trade‑offs.
Gaming Performance
Gaming was a major focus of Archer’s review. All four built‑in HDMI ports, plus the optional four on the Wireless One Connect box, are HDMI 2.1 compliant, supporting up to 165 Hz refresh rates and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) via AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.
In native HDMI mode the TV’s input lag sits at 10.4 ms, just a whisker slower than the S99H OLED but still well within the range for competitive play. The only latency penalty appears when using the Wireless One Connect box, which adds roughly 20 ms due to the wireless transmission – a factor to consider for serious e‑sport enthusiasts.
Samsung’s Game Hub aggregates console, PC and cloud‑gaming sources on a dedicated home screen, while a long‑press of the remote’s play button summons a gaming overlay with tools such as cross‑hair assistance, brightness boosts for dark scenes, and motion‑smoothing options.
Archer praised the TV’s colour vibrancy in games, noting that titles like Crimson Desert and Forza Horizon looked especially striking thanks to the expanded gamut and high brightness. The only downsides were occasional blooming on bright objects and a hint of softness during rapid pans compared with the OLED counterpart.
Smart Features & Connectivity
The R95H runs Samsung’s Tizen OS, which has been refined with a new AI‑driven home menu accessed via a dedicated button on the premium remote. This menu launches third‑party AI assistants Co‑Pilot and Perplexity, as well as a generative‑AI image creator that can produce custom wallpapers from text prompts.
Voice control works with both Bixby and Alexa, and the system can generate personalised content recommendations that factor in the viewing habits of each household member – thanks to multiple user profiles.
Two remotes are supplied:
- A traditional, button‑heavy remote for those who prefer tactile control.
- A slimmer, solar‑powered remote with an integrated microphone and the new AI button. The solar panel eliminates the need for battery changes, a small but welcome convenience.
Beyond the remotes, the TV can be controlled via gestures when paired with a Samsung Galaxy Watch, or through the SmartThings app on Android and iOS, which offers a virtual remote experience.
Connectivity includes:
- Four HDMI 2.1 ports (plus four more on the optional Wireless One Connect box)
- Dual‑band Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2 support
- Optical audio out and USB ports (doubled when the One Connect box is used)
Verdict – Is the R95H Worth the Premium?
John Archer concluded that the R95H delivers a compelling mix of cutting‑edge back‑light technology, strong gaming credentials and a polished smart platform, all at a price point that undercuts Samsung’s own S99H OLED line. While the lack of Dolby Vision and the occasional blooming are minor blemishes, the sheer colour volume and brightness make the R95H a standout for bright‑room viewing and high‑end gaming.
For UK consumers hunting a premium TV that can double as a piece of art and a gaming hub, the R95H offers a solid alternative to OLEDs without the risk of burn‑in. The £4 299 price tag for the 75‑inch model positions it as a serious contender for those willing to invest in future‑proof picture quality.
Bottom line: If you want a TV that showcases the next generation of LCD back‑lighting while still delivering strong gaming performance and a robust smart experience, the Samsung R95H is a worthy addition to a high‑end home‑entertainment setup.
