There are TVs you dream about, and then there are TVs you actually buy. While $5,000 flagship models grab the headlines, the real battle happens in the “Premium” tier. This is the sweet spot where you get 95% of the performance for 60% of the price. However, in 2026, choosing a winner isn’t easy.

We have the three heavyweight champions facing off:

• LG C5 OLED: The “Do-Everything” fan favorite with 4 HDMI 2.1 ports.
• Samsung S85 OLED Bundle: The giant killer offering incredible value and bundled sound.
• Sony BRAVIA XR8B: The cinematic purist’s choice with exclusive PS5 features.

Whether you want the biggest screen for your money, the best gaming features, or the most accurate cinema experience, one of these TVs is your perfect match. Therefore, let’s break down the specs, the screens, and the sound to find the Best Premium OLED of 2026.

1. Head-to-Head Specs: The Tale of the Tape

Before we dive deep, let’s look at the raw numbers. Specifically, pay attention to the HDMI ports and supported HDR formats.

2. Round 1: Picture Quality & Processing

All three TVs use variations of WOLED panels (likely sourced from LG Display), but they handle the image very differently.

Sony’s XR Processor creates the most realistic depth perception.

• Sony XR8B (The Purist): Sony wins on realism. Its XR Clear Image technology upscales low-bitrate content (like streaming or cable TV) better than anyone else. If you watch a lot of movies, this is the most “cinematic” look out of the box.
• LG C5 (The Popper): LG’s processing is punchy. The Alpha 9 Gen 8 chip sharpens background objects aggressively, creating a very vivid, crisp image that looks amazing in showrooms and bright rooms.
• Samsung S85 (The Vibrant): Samsung tunes its colors to be vibrant and saturated. While purists might find it “too colorful,” most people love the pop. However, it lacks Dolby Vision, which is a significant miss for movie buffs.

Winner: Sony BRAVIA XR8B for pure accuracy; LG C5 for pop.

3. Round 2: Gaming Features (PS5 vs. Xbox)

This is where the divide happens. Your choice should depend entirely on what console you own.

• LG C5 (The Gamer’s Choice): With four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports and support for 144Hz (great for PC gamers), the LG C5 is the objective king of specs. You can plug in an Xbox, PS5, and PC and run them all at max settings simultaneously.
• Samsung S85: Also features four HDMI 2.1 ports and supports the Samsung Gaming Hub, letting you stream Xbox Game Pass without a console. It’s a fantastic alternative for casual gamers.
• Sony XR8B: Only has two HDMI 2.1 ports. But, if you only own a PlayStation 5, this TV is magic. It features “Auto HDR Tone Mapping” which configures your PS5 graphics instantly perfectly.

Winner: LG C5 OLED (Better ports and VRR compatibility).

4. Round 3: Audio Performance

Sony XR8B: Uses “Acoustic Surface Audio,” where the screen itself vibrates to create sound. Voices literally come from the actors’ mouths. It is the best built-in TV sound, period.

Samsung S85 Bundle: This is the cheat code. Since the bundle we reviewed here includes a dedicated Dolby Atmos soundbar, it destroys the other two in raw audio power. Q-Symphony syncs the TV speakers with the soundbar for a wall of sound.

Winner: Samsung S85 Bundle (Dedicated hardware always wins).

5. Round 4: Smart Features

• Sony (Google TV): Clean, easy to use, and has the best recommendations. It integrates perfectly with Android phones and Google Home.
• LG (webOS 26): Snappy and colorful. The “Magic Remote” (mouse pointer) makes typing passwords easy, though the interface has more ads than Sony.
• Samsung (Tizen): Powerful but can feel cluttered. It works best if you have a Samsung phone or use SmartThings for home automation.

6. Buying Guide: Which One is For You?

The “I Want It All” User

You play games, watch sports, and stream movies. You need reliability and future-proof specs.
👉 Buy: LG C5 OLED

The “Home Cinema” Builder

You want the biggest screen possible for your money and a sound system included. You want instant immersion without buying extra speakers.
👉 Buy: Samsung S85 OLED Bundle

The “PlayStation” Purist

You primarily play PS5 and watch 4K Blu-rays. You value image accuracy and ease of use over raw spec sheets.
👉 Buy: Sony BRAVIA XR8B Bundle

7. FAQ