Let’s see what the bank reported for the three months ended 31 March.
CBA share price on watch following Q3 update
Operating income down 1%
Operating expenses up 2%
Unaudited statutory net profit after tax down 5% to $2.4 billion
CET1 ratio of 11.9%
What happened during the quarter?
For the 31 March, CBA reported a 1% decline in operating income. This reflects one less day in the quarter and slightly lower net interest margins. The latter was driven primarily by continued competitive pressures and customers switching to higher yielding deposits. This was largely offset by higher earnings on replicating portfolio and equity hedges.
CBA’s expenses increased 2% due to higher amortisation and staff costs, which were partially offset by productivity initiatives.
This ultimately led to Australia’s largest bank reporting an unaudited statutory net profit after tax of $2.4 billion for the three months. This is down 3% on the first half average and 5% on the prior corresponding period.
What else did CBA report?
CBA reported improved momentum in volume growth. This was delivered across home lending and household deposits in the quarter.
It advised that in the Retail Bank, transaction accounts continued to grow with an increase of ~143,000 accounts in the quarter. This was mainly driven by new migrant account openings.
Home loans grew $4.2 billion during the quarter. However, this was at 0.7x system for the three months.
Its proprietary mix for home loans represented 65% of new business flows for the quarter. Household deposits grew $5.3 billion in the quarter.
CBA has been working hard on its business banking operations. It advised that it has continued to build its Business Banking franchise through deep transaction banking relationships.
Business transaction accounts increased by ~25,000 in the quarter to over 1.22 million accounts. This is up 10% on the prior comparative period.
Business lending volumes grew above system at 1.1x for the three months, with diversified growth across multiple sectors.
Rising arrears
Finally, the bank’s balance sheet remains strong despite an increase in arrears. It reported a loan impairment expense of $191 million for the quarter, or 8 basis points of average Gross Loans and Acceptances (GLAA).
Home loan arrears increased during the quarter to 0.61% (+9 basis points), as higher interest rates continue to impact some borrowers. Credit card arrears increased during the quarter (+8 basis points) in line with seasonal trends. Personal loan arrears increased (+20 basis points) during the quarter, with elevated arrears observed for customers more susceptible to cost of living pressures.
Management warned that it expects to see further increases in arrears in the months ahead given continued pressure on real household disposable incomes.
Nevertheless, CBA finished the period with a healthy customer deposit funding ratio of 75%, LCR of 138%, and NSFR of 120%.
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You can redeem Chase, Amex, Citi, Capital One, Discover, Bilt, U.S. Bank, Bank of America, and Hilton points directly at Amazon checkout — but it's not always the best idea.
Crystal Cox/Business Insider
You can significantly reduce your shopping bill by redeeming credit card points on Amazon.
Many popular currencies participate, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards® and Amex Membership Rewards.
We don't usually recommend using points this way because they can be worth much more for travel.
Introduction to using credit card points on Amazon
Amazon makes it simple to redeem many rewards currencies from the best credit cards at checkout to offset your balance. We almost never recommend using your points this way, but it can make sense for you if you don't plan to travel in the near future.
Redeeming credit card points on Amazon can also a good strategy if you have a small points balance you won't otherwise use. And it can make Amazon Prime Day deals even sweeter if you use points to discount or pay for your purchase.
Here's everything you need to know about the benefits of using points for Amazon purchases.
Eligible credit cards for Amazon points use
Participating credit card programs
Multiple credit card programs allow customers to pay for Amazon purchases using their rewards. The full list is below:
Linking your card to Amazon
While each of the programs listed below has its own points system, linking your rewards card to Amazon is the same process across the board. Here's a step-by-step guide to account linking.
After logging into your account on Amazon, click on "Accounts & Lists" under your name at the top-right corner of the page. Once that page opens up, navigate to the "Your Payments" section toward the bottom left of the page.
Amazon
From there, scroll down the sidebar of your wallet until you find the "Add a payment method" button. Follow the prompts to add your rewards credit card. Once that's done, you can check your points balance on the Shop with Points account page to monitor your rewards programs. This is also the page you'll use to ensure that your account is not set up to pay with points by default.
Use Chase Points on Amazon
When you redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points with Amazon, you'll receive a value of 0.8 cents per point. Still, if you plan to use your points through Amazon, your best bet is to simply make your purchase with an eligible Chase card and then redeem your points for a statement credit later at a rate of 1 cent each.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card — 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Chase Sapphire Reserve® — 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card — 100,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
To link your Chase Ultimate Rewards account with Amazon, click here. You'll then simply log in to your Amazon account, link your Chase card, and apply your Ultimate Rewards points at checkout.
Use Amex Points on Amazon
American Express Membership Rewards offers a very low redemption rate of 0.7 cents each for Amazon purchases — and the points value when redeeming for statement credits is even lower. If you want to make purchases with your Amex points, consider using them to purchase an American Express gift card at a rate of 1 cent per point, and then use those gift cards to buy your items.
You can earn Amex Membership Rewards points by opening and swiping cards like:
The Platinum Card® from American Express — 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership
American Express® Gold Card — 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $6,000 on purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership
You can link your Amex Membership Rewards account with Amazon by clicking here. You'll log in to your Amazon account, link your eligible American Express card, and choose to apply your points to your order at checkout.
Use Citi ThankYou Points on Amazon
Per Business Insider's estimations, you'll receive just half of the average Citi ThankYou points value when redeeming your rewards for shopping with Amazon. This is not the currency to collect if you intend to regularly use your points for online shopping.
Citi issues credit cards like the Citi® Double Cash Card and Citi Custom Cash℠ Card which earn Citi ThankYou points you can use for travel, cash back, and more. Earning rewards on one of these cards and redeeming them for cash is your best route if you intend to use them for online shopping.
Click here to link your Citi ThankYou account to Amazon. Then just select your Citi ThankYou card as your payment method and choose to pay with points
Use Capital One Miles on Amazon
Again, Capital One miles are best used for travel — not for Amazon purchases. You'll receive less than half the average points value by redeeming them for shopping — a meager 0.8 cents each.
You can link your Capital One miles account to Amazon by clicking here. After you enroll your qualifying Capital One card, you'll see the option to pay with Capital One miles at checkout.
Use Discover Rewards on Amazon
Whether you collect cash back with the Discover it® Cash Back or miles with the Discover it® Miles, you can redeem them directly through Amazon to pay for all or part of your cart.
All Discover rewards are worth 1 cent each, whether you spend through Amazon or redeem for cash. Therefore, it's more beneficial for you to make your purchase with the card and later request a statement credit instead of using your rewards for the purchase.
This ensures you'll earn rewards for your purchase — which is especially handy if you have the Discover it® Cash Back, as its rotating bonus categories sometimes include Amazon purchases (from April 1 to June 30, 2024, you can earn 5% cash back at gas stations & electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores, and public transit on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).
Click here to link your Discover Rewards with Amazon and then select Discover as the payment method at checkout. You'll see the option to apply your cash back at that point.
Use Hilton Points on Amazon
You'd be hard-pressed to find a currency easier to earn than Hilton points. For example, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card currently offers a welcome bonus of 175,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the card within the first six months of card membership (offer ends 06/05/24).
You'll even get 5x points on the first $100,000 spent on other purchases outside of eligible Hilton purchases each calendar year (then 3x points).
However, the redemption rate of 0.2 cents per point means you'll get a return of as little as 0.6% back on purchases. If you intend to use Hilton points to shop on Amazon, make a cash-back credit card your daily driver, instead.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card — 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card — 130,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the card within your first six months of card membership
Hilton Honors American Express Card — 80,000 Hilton Honors bonus points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the card in the first six months of card membership
Use Marriott Points on Amazon
You can't use your Marriott points directly on the Amazon website as you can with the previous rewards currencies. However, if you navigate to Marriott Shop With Points, you can purchase an Amazon gift card with your points at the following rates:
$25 gift card — 10,000 points
$50 gift card — 17,500 points
$100 gift card — 30,000 points
In other words, the most value you'll get by using your points with Amazon is 0.33 cents each — less than half the average value you'll receive by using your points for travel.
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card — three Free Night Awards, each with a redemption level of up to 50,000 points, after you use your new card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first six months of card membership
Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card — 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card — 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card — 5 Free Night Awards (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from your account opening
Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card — 85,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in purchases in your first three months from your account opening
Use Bilt Points on Amazon
You can use Bilt Points directly through the Amazon website after enrolling your Bilt Mastercard® on Shop with Points. Then, when you checkout on Amazon, select the Bilt credit card and choose the number of points you'd like to apply to your order.
You'll only get around 0.7 cents per point when you redeem on Amazon, which isn't the best rate but better than some of the other options on this list. However, you'll get the most value out of your reward points when you transfer to airline and hotel partners.
Click here to enroll your Bilt Mastercard® with Amazon.
Use U.S. Bank Rewards at Amazon
It's easy to redeem U.S. Bank rewards through Amazon.com checkout, and you'll get a solid 1:1 rate. So if you have an eligible U.S. Bank card, and are looking to redeem rewards for Amazon purchases, you'll get a fair value. However, redeeming for travel through the U.S. Bank portal is still a more valuable redemption option.
That said, if your main objective is to redeem on Amazon anyway, you might as well get a cash-back card versus a points-earning card. The best U.S. Bank card option in this instance is the U.S. Bank Shopper Cash Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card, which can earn you 6% cash back at Amazon (when selected as one of two retail brand earning categories).
You can earn U.S. Bank rewards on the following cards:
U.S. Bank FlexPerks® Gold American Express® Card — 30,000 bonus FlexPoints after spending $2,000 in eligible purchases on the card in the first four months from account opening
U.S. Bank Business Leverage® Visa Signature® Card — $750 in rewards when you spend $7,500 in eligible purchases on the card within the first 120 days of account opening
Click here to enroll your card with Shop with Points.
Use Bank of America Unlimited Cash Rewards at Amazon
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card is one of Business Insider's picks for the best Bank of America credit cards, and the only Bank of America credit card eligible to be enrolled in Shop with Points. It has a no-frills cash-back program that offers a value of 1 cent per point.
It's a no-annual-fee card and earns unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. New cardholders can earn $200 online cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening.
Once your card is enrolled with Shop with Points, you'll be able to view your eligible Bank of America point balance.
Click here to enroll your Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card with Shop with Points.
How to apply points to Amazon purchases
Once your rewards card has been linked to Amazon, you can apply points at check-out quite easily.
Redeeming points at checkout
First, navigate to your shopping cart page and click "Proceed to checkout." Under the "Payment method" section, select your rewards credit card if it isn't the default form of payment designated in your account. When you look through the list of connected credit and debit cards, you'll see eligible rewards cards with the value of your points in Amazon credit listed below them.
Adjusting points used for each purchase
Select the card you want to use, then use the text field to enter the number of points you want to use toward your total balance. If you're participating in one of Amazon's frequent promotions for American Express Membership Rewards or Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can often trigger your discount or promotional cash back by paying with a single point.
Maximizing the value of points on Amazon
As mentioned several times, you'll rarely get good value from using your points on Amazon purchases. There are a few exceptions, such as when Amazon offers a generous discount or cash back from using a small number of points toward your purchases.
The best way to determine the value of your points is by comparing them against Business Insider's valuations. Our credit card experts have carefully calculated the value of each rewards system so you can tell if you're getting a good, mediocre, or poor deal on your exchange.
Conclusion
There are several options for smart shopping with credit card points on Amazon. Just keep an eye on each transaction to ensure that you're getting the best value. And at all costs, make sure you don't end up paying for your entire purchase with points by default.
Shop With Points at Amazon frequently asked questions
Which credit cards allow you to use points on Amazon?
Many major credit cards with rewards programs, such as those from American Express, Chase, and Citi, allow you to use points for Amazon purchases.
How do I link my credit card rewards account to Amazon?
From your account on the Amazon website, navigate to "Accounts & Lists", then "My Payments", and follow the prompts to connect your credit card. An eligible card with convertible points will automatically offer the option to pay with points at checkout. You can choose how many points to use.
Can I use points to cover the entire purchase amount on Amazon?
Yes, you can use points to cover the full cost of eligible purchases, or use a combination of points and another payment method.
Is it always a good value to use credit card points on Amazon?
The value of using points on Amazon can vary. It's important to compare the redemption value of using points on Amazon to other redemption options available through your credit card rewards program.
Can I use points for all items on Amazon?
Most items sold directly by Amazon and fulfilled by Amazon are eligible for purchase with points, but there may be restrictions on some products or categories.
Is Amazon Shop With Points a good deal?
Paying with points at Amazon is almost never as good a deal as other redemptions. You won't receive outsized value for your rewards, and the return rate you'll get is significantly below what you can expect if you use them for travel. A big exception is the aforementioned promotions that offer a significant discount for using just a single point.
How do I find discount promotions for using points at Amazon?
Amazon promotional discounts for shopping with points usually come to your email. You can also search online for discounts using a specific rewards currency. These offers are usually targeted, so if you haven't received an email with a link to enroll, you may be out of luck.
Luckily for income investors, there is no shortage of dividend payers on the Australian share market.
But which ASX dividend stocks could be quality options for an income portfolio right now?
Well, listed below are two stocks that have recently been named as buys by analysts. In addition, they have been tipped to provide investors with dividend yields of at least 5.5% in FY 2024 and FY 2025.
Let’s now take a look at why analysts are bullish and what they are saying about these stocks:
The first ASX dividend stock for investors to look at according to analysts at Bell Potter is Accent Group.
It is a footwear focused retailer that operates over 800 stores (and numerous online stores) across brands including HypeDC, Sneaker Lab, Platypus, Stylerunner, and The Athlete’s Foot.
Following a review of the retail sector this week, the broker remains very positive on Accent Group. It said: “Our revenue assumptions for Accent Group (AX1) see improving comps towards the end of the 2H and we remain positive on recovering trends with positive commentary from global footwear brands such as Skechers & Deckers (Hoka). We also focus on incremental benefits to AX1’s younger customer demographics who we think could benefit from the upcoming tax cuts.”
Bell Potter expects this to underpin fully franked dividends per share of 13 cents in FY 2024 and then 14.6 cents in FY 2025. Based on the latest Accent share price of $1.83, this represents dividend yields of 7.1% and 8%, respectively.
The broker currently has a buy rating and $2.50 price target on its shares.
Another ASX dividend stock that could be a buy is Dexus Industria.
It is a real estate investment trust that primarily invests in high quality industrial warehouses located across capital cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.
Morgans is positive on the company. It notes that “DXI’s industrial portfolio remains robust with the outlook positive for rental growth. The development pipeline also provides near and medium-term upside potential and post asset sales there is balance sheet capacity to execute.”
The broker currently has an add rating and $3.18 price target on its shares.
In respect to dividends, Morgans expects dividends per share of 16.4 cents in FY 2024 and 16.6 cents in FY 2025. Based on the current Dexus Industria share price of $2.97, this will mean dividend yields of 5.5% and 5.6%, respectively.
Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?
When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…
Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Accent Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
Overall, the vote tally was 359-43, with seven Democrats voting "present."
The vote came as something of a surprise — Greene had seemingly backed off from the threat on Tuesday, only to make a surprise bid to oust Johnson on Thursday.
Greene's effort had long been expected to fail after House Democratic leaders announced that they would vote to table her motion to vacate.
While most Democrats sided with their leadership, several of them did not, arguing that Johnson's brand of politics should not be affirmed and that their party should have extracted more concessions in exchange.
"It's important to send a very clear message that Mike Johnson is an extremist," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York told reporters on Tuesday. "This is not a decision that is just an easy giveaway."
It is unclear whether Greene will continue to force votes on ousting Johnson.
This story will be updated with a full list when it becomes available via the House Clerk.
Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie at a press conference on their bid to oust Johnson last week.
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images
Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson has officially failed.
But 11 House Republicans voted to at least allow debate on the matter.
Most lawmakers who voted with Greene were Democrats who are opposed to Johnson's politics.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to boot Speaker Mike Johnson has officially failed after the House voted by a 359-43 margin to table the Georgia Republican's motion to vacate on Wednesday.
Several Republicans sided with Greene, voting against a procedural vote to table her motion. Basically, they voted to allow a debate on Greene's effort rather than simply quashing it.
Just two other Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Paul Gosar of Arizona — officially cosponsored her resolution.
The far-right congresswoman's effort was long expected to fail, given Democratic leaders' decision to vote to table the motion. Several Democrats voted with Greene or voted "present," citing their opposition to Johnson's politics and their belief that Democrats should have asked for more in exchange for their votes.
"I'm not going to support MTG's silliness, but I don't want to support the most homophobic speaker in American history," Democratic Rep. Mark Pocan previously told BI, referencing Johnson's opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.
It remains unclear whether Greene will continue to force votes on ousting Johnson.
Here are the 11 House Republicans who voted to advance the effort to oust Johnson:
Donald Trump is on cruise control to formally win the GOP presidential nomination in Milwaukee.
But ex-UN Ambassador Nikki Haley continues to rack up votes despite her March exit from the primary.
Across the country, there's been a notable bloc of GOP primary voters who aren't backing Trump.
Indiana, which catapulted the political careers of conservatives like former vice presidents Mike Pence and Dan Quayle, is one of the most Republican states in the country.
Since 1940, the state has voted for the Republican presidential nominee in every election except for 1964 and 2008. And former President Donald Trump is virtually assured of winning the state this November, as he also did in 2016 and 2020.
But an interesting thing happened on Tuesday: Trump won the GOP presidential primary, but former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley still won over 20 percent of the vote, despite her March exit from the race.
Similar to results in states like Virginia and North Carolina, Trump performed strongly in Indiana's rural counties. However, the former president still has a suburban problem, as evidenced by his numbers in the Indianapolis area, with many moderates and GOP-leaning independents continuing to be leery of his 2024 candidacy.
In Marion County — which is consolidated with Indianapolis and is the most populous jurisdiction in the state with more than 965,000 residents — Trump only beat Haley by 30 points (65 percent to 35 percent).
That's a significant drop-off from Trump's nearly 57-point statewide margin, and it's especially notable since the former president has been the presumptive nominee for weeks.
And in suburban Hamilton County, a longtime GOP stronghold which has seen its Democratic vote share soar in recent years, Trump only won by 32 points (66 percent to 34 percent).
In the general election, Biden is favored to win Marion, a county that he carried by a 63 percent to 34 percent margin over Trump in 2020. Meanwhile, Hamilton County will be more of a battleground, as Trump only won it by seven points (52 percent to 45 percent) that year.
So while Trump might see the Indiana victory as a mere formality ahead of the RNC convention in Milwaukee, the national suburban trend is a glaring sign for the former president in an election where the margins are expected to be close in the key battleground states.
While Indiana may be safely Republican in November, suburban voters in Hamilton County will likely vote in a similar manner to other marginally-Republican and swing jurisdictions that will decide the election.
Trump has sought to tout his economic message to these sorts of voters, an area where he has found success in poll after poll. But many suburban voters are also concerned about issues like the preservation of democracy, abortion rights, and environmental policy, which all strongly favor Biden.
A group of women demonstrate against the Vietnam War on the campus of University of California Berkeley.
Ted Streshinsky/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
Demonstrations against Israel's war in Gaza have rocked college campuses across the US.
Over 2,500 arrests have been made as police and university administrators crack down on protesters.
The widespread activism bears similarities to past student movements — but also key differences.
Waves of protests against the seven-month Israel-Hamas war are roilingcollege campuses across the US, with studentssetting up encampments on central quads and taking over academic halls.
The recent spread of student activism has led some to compare it to major student movements over the Vietnam War and South African apartheid.
While the recent demonstrations are still ongoing after several weeks, they are still far from the scale and disorder of movements in recentdecades.
Protesting Israel's war in Gaza
Students gather on the campus of Wayne State University to protest Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden administration's support for Israel during her visit to Detroit.
Adam J. Dewey/Anadolu via Getty Images
On April 17, Columbia University's president, Nemat Shafik, was called before Congress after Republican lawmakers accused her of failing to address concerns of antisemitism on the school's campus.
The same day, hundreds of Columbia students occupied the South Lawn to set up an encampment on campus, dubbed the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment," demanding that school administrators divest from businesses and investments in Israel and calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
The following day, New York City police descended upon the encampment, arresting more than 100 protesters, including Rep. Ilhan Omar's daughter.
The arrests sparked similar demonstrations at dozens of colleges and universities nationwide, including the University of Texas Austin, the University of Southern California, and the University of Chicago.
More than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 80,000 injured in the Gaza Strip, according to an assessment by the United Nations. The UN report called the level of casualties "unprecedented and still mounting" in the seven months since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7.
Experts say the devastation in Gaza left behind by the Israeli military is among the deadliest and most destructive in modern history, The Associated Press reported.
"We haven't seen anything like this since 1945, since the Second World War — that intensity in such a short time, and the massive scale of destruction," Abdallah Al Dardari, regional director for Arab states at the UN Development Programme, said at a press conference.
Student takeovers and canceled graduations
Student protesters lock arms at the entrance to Hamilton Hall on the campus of Columbia University in New York City.
They refused to leave until Columbia met their demands to divest from companies that do business with Israel, provide financial transparency on its holdings, and promise amnesty for protesters.
NYPD officers carrying riot shields stormed the building, detaining dozens of protesters and clearing out the encampment.
The academic building has a decades-long history of student occupation during demonstrations over the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement.
Last week, protests at the University of California, Los Angeles, reached a breaking point after counterprotesters attacked a pro-Palestinian encampment with pepper spray and fireworks, prompting university administrators to call in law enforcement. After a tense, hourslong standoff, police in riot gear breached the encampment around 3 a.m. on May 2 and arrested more than 130 demonstrators.
As tensions continue to escalate between student protesters, law enforcement, and school administrators, US colleges and universities brace for a turbulent conclusion to the school year, moving in-person classes to hybrid or online and increasing security measures at graduation.
The move comes after the University of Southern California also canceled its main graduation ceremony following backlash for canceling the commencement speech of its valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, who is Muslim and pro-Palestinian.
Protesting US involvement in the Vietnam War
View of the large crowd that had gathered in front of the State House, at Boston Common, to protest the Kent State University shootings.
Spencer Grant/Getty Images
While the recent Gaza protests drew inspiration from past student movements, there are also key differences between them, especially in historical context, size, and level of disruption.
Five years after the US had entered the war in Vietnam, President Richard Nixon ordered US troops to invade northern Cambodia in 1970, expanding the US' already controversial role in the Vietnam War.
Anti-war sentiment on college campuses had already been brewing years before the invasion of Cambodia, but for many, it was the final straw. More than a million students from nearly 900 college campuses across the US participated in anti-war protests, boycotting classes, attacking ROTC facilities, and seizing academic buildings.
By 1968, Students for a Democratic Society, a radical student activist organization in the US, had grown to more than 100,000 members nationwide, according to the Bill of Rights Institute.
Student protesters at elite universities like Harvard, Yale, and Columbia condemned the expansion of the war, the draft, and the Nixon administration. In addition to campus protests, thousands of students held hunger strikes, teach-ins, and class walk-outs.
Peace movement turned deadly
Ohio National Guard moves in on rioting students at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
Associated Press
The student protests at Kent State University in Ohio became a flashpoint of anti-war student protests. The day after Nixon announced the Cambodian campaign, hundreds of students gathered to denounce the war and clashed with local law enforcement.
The Ohio National Guard was mobilized to the campus the next day to quell the disorder, but by the time they arrived, protesters had set fire to the school's ROTC building.
A major protest was scheduled for May 4, 1970, and about 100 Guardsmen armed with military rifles were stationed to crack down on the demonstration. The event was initially peaceful, but after Ohio National Guard General Robert Canterbury ordered them to disperse, protesters began throwing rocks and shouting at the soldiers.
The Guardsmen fired tear gas in a bid to disperse the crowd of protesters but were eventually cornered against the enclosed football field nearby. In the span of 13 seconds, witnesses said the Guardsmen fired nearly 70 shots into the crowd. Four students were killed, and nine were injured.
In a settlement with injured students and their families, the Ohio National Guard said some of the soldiers feared for their lives, and "hindsight suggests that another method would have resolved the confrontation."
Less than two weeks after the Kent State shootings, students gathered at Jackson State College, a historically Black university in Mississippi, to protest a number of issues including the Vietnam War and racial discrimination. The demonstration escalated as student protesters and passersby threw rocks and bricks at responding law enforcement, and a civilian set a dump truck on fire.
In 30 seconds, police discharged over 150 rounds at the crowd of protesters, killing two people — Jackson State junior Phillip L. Gibbs and high school senior James Earl Green. Twelve others were injured.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, whose daughter was arrested during the Gaza protests at Columbia, recalled the Kent State shootings on the 54th anniversary of the tragedy.
"We can't silence those expressing dissent, no matter how uncomfortable their protests may be to those in power," Omar wrote in a social media post.
'Biden's Vietnam'
US President Joe Biden speaks from the Roosevelt Room of the White House about the ongoing protests on US college campuses.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
US President Joe Biden addressed the ongoing student protests last week, saying they "put to the test two fundamental American principles": the freedom of speech and the rule of law.
"Dissent is essential to democracy," Biden said in his Thursday remarks. "But dissent must never lead to disorder or to denying the rights of others so students can finish the semester and their college education."
"There's the right to protest but not the right to cause chaos," the president added.
Several thousand students jam into Sproul Plaza on the University of California Berkeley campus protesting the university's business ties with apartheid South Africa.
Paul Sakuma/AP
While the Vietnam War and now Israel's war in Gaza have left Americans divided on the US involvement in both, the anti-apartheid movement in the 1980s was less polarizing in comparison.
In the 1970s, progressives in Western democracies openly denounced South Africa's oppressive system of racial segregation under its apartheid regime. However, given South Africa's strategic and economic importance to Western powers, world leaders hesitated to completely sever ties with South Africa, sparking anti-apartheid demonstrations at a grassroots level.
In the US, student protesters pressured administrators to divest from businesses that supported the South African apartheid by boycotting classes and organizing marches and rallies. They occupied campus buildings, including Columbia's Hamilton Hall in 1985, where 150 students occupied and renamed it "Mandela Hall" after apartheid opposition leader Nelson Mandela.
Divestment from campus to Congress
Yale University seniors hold up signs urging the university to divest from South Africa during their graduation ceremony in New Haven, Connecticut.
Bob Child/AP
As a result of community-driven efforts on US college campuses, 155 universities eventually divested from companies with ties to South Africa. The US government followed suit in 1986 when Congress imposed sanctions on South Africa and enacted a divestment policy.
But public opinion on the Israel-Hamas conflict is not as aligned as it was on apartheid four decades ago, according to Pedro Noguera, who led student anti-apartheid protests at the University of California, Berkeley, in the 1980s.
"It's really different because there was never a pro-apartheid group we had to contend with," Noguera, now a dean at the University of Southern California, told NPR in an interview. "There is a pro-Israel group, a pro-Zionist group. There are many Jewish faculty and students who see the protest as being antisemitic."
"I don't see it that way, and I know many Jewish friends and colleagues who don't see it that way," he continued. "The other thing that was different is this group — the ones that have been building these encampments — don't seem to be doing a lot of educating and organizing. And so they're pretty small, and that makes them more easily isolated."
Protesting against racial discrimination and segregation
Sixty Black students marched through the Kansas University campus in protest of a Big Eight student resolution against civil rights sit-in demonstrations.
The civil-rights movement, which lasted from the late 1940s to the late 1960s, was characterized by historic nonviolent demonstrations that ultimately led to the enactment of federal laws guaranteeing equal rights for Black Americans.
On college campuses, students demanded racial equity in practices throughout the university, including fair admissions practices, more people of color among faculty, and a diverse curriculum.
Integrated groups of Black and white protesters took over segregated lunch counters and "whites only" cafeterias. Law enforcement was called to respond to the sit-ins but couldn't detain the protesters since they remained peaceful.
Seizing Hamilton Hall
Civil rights leader H. Rap Brown converses with the crowd outside the student-occupied Hamilton Hall on the Columbia University campus in New York.
Associated Press
During a demonstration at Columbia University in April 1968, students occupied Hamilton Hall in protest of the Vietnam War and the university's plans to build a gym in a park that borders Harlem, mockingly referred to as "Gym Crow."
More than 80 Black protesters remained in the building and refused to negotiate with university administrators, transforming the building into living quarters and renaming it the "Malcolm X Liberation College."
A week later, nearly 1,000 police officers arrived on Columbia's campus to disperse the demonstrations. The 86 protesters occupying Hamilton Hall peacefully surrendered, but others violently clashed with officers trying to clear out buildings.
More than 700 arrests were made — one of the largest mass detentions in New York City history.
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The best Samsung TVs include OLED, QLED, and LED displays across all budgets.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
If you're shopping for a new TV, Samsung should be among the top brands you look at. The company is one of the most popular display manufacturers, and the best Samsung TVs deliver an excellent balance between picture quality and smart features.
To help narrow your search, we've rounded up the best Samsung TVs you can buy right now. Our top pick is the Samsung S90C, which uses an OLED panel with quantum dots to deliver high contrast and bright colors. Meanwhile, shoppers looking for a budget-friendly display should consider the Samsung CU7000. It can't match the image quality of the company's pricier sets, but it offers a reliable smart TV experience without breaking the bank.
Our guide to the best Samsung TVs also has picks for buyers who prefer QLED models, glare-free screens, or 8K displays. We selected our top recommendation based on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by more than a decade's worth of experience covering home entertainment products.
Note: All Samsung TVs we recommend are available in multiple sizes. Most stores let you select different sizes from each model's listing page. Performance may vary slightly depending on the size you choose.
Our top picks for the best Samsung TVs
Best overall: Samsung S90C OLED 4K TV – See at Amazon
Best budget model: Samsung CU7000 Crystal LED 4K TV – See at B&H Photo
Best high-end QLED: Samsung QN90C Neo QLED 4K TV – See at Amazon
Best glare-free screen: Samsung S95D OLED 4K TV – See at Amazon
Best for your wall: Samsung LS03D Frame QLED 4K TV – See at Amazon
Best 8K display: Samsung QN900C Neo QLED 8K TV – See at Amazon
Best overall
The S90C is the best Samsung TV you can buy for the money. In fact, we think it's the best TV you can snag right now from any brand. The display uses an OLED panel with an infinite contrast ratio and quantum dots for better color performance than similarly priced models from LG and Sony. It also boasts a high 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC to enable smooth gameplay.
Like all Samsung TVs, the display supports the HDR10 and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats, and it looks stunning when playing compatible movies and TV shows. Highlights sparkle from the screen, and the S90C produces deeper, more precise black levels than any of Samsung's QLED models. It also has better viewing angles than a QLED, so you can sit to the side of the TV without seeing any major loss in image quality.
The S90C is the best Samsung TV for the money thanks to its QD-OLED panel with excellent color and contrast.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
But while the S90C is fairly bright for an OLED, at a peak of about 1,000 nits, it still can't match the 2,000-nit peak of Samsung's top QLEDs, like the QN90C. However, since the S90C's pixel-level dimming enables much better contrast control than a QLED's backlight, we think this dip in brightness is a more than acceptable tradeoff.
Buyers should be aware that Samsung now sells a new 2024 version of this TV, called the S90D. We'll be testing the S90D soon, but upgrades are expected to be subtle. Since the new model is significantly more expensive, we think the cheaper S90C remains a better value while supplies last.
Note: Samsung's 83-inch S90C does not feature quantum dots, so its screen can't match the color performance of smaller sizes.
Best budget model
Samsung excels at high-end TVs, but its entry-level offerings tend to be a bit overpriced for what you get. At least compared to value-friendly options from TCL, Hisense, and Vizio. Though you can get more bang for your buck from one of those companies, the CU7000 is a solid budget pick for anyone set on sticking with the Samsung brand.
The CU7000 uses a regular LCD panel with an edge-lit LED backlight, and it's missing all the step-up picture quality features you'd find on QLED and OLED models. This means the TV can't produce a wide color gamut, and black levels won't be as deep or uniform across the screen. The display is also one of the dimmest options in Samsung's lineup. It technically supports HDR10 and HDR10+ processing, but it's incapable of showing off the true benefits of those formats.
On the plus side, the TV does support full 4K resolution for a sharp, clean image, and it plays standard dynamic range content in high definition just fine, so HD cable channels and all of the best live TV streaming services will look exactly like they're supposed to. Viewing angles are mediocre, however, so you'll want to sit at the center of the screen to get the best image.
This is a fine entry-level display for casual viewers who just want a capable smart TV and don't care about paying extra for better picture quality. But keep in mind, if you're willing to venture outside Samsung's lineup, you can find TVs with better contrast and color performance, like the Hisense U6K, for just a bit more money.
Best high-end QLED
Though we favor Samsung's OLED TVs for their superior contrast, the brand's high-end QLEDs are still impressive premium displays, especially if you need an extra-bright screen in your living room. Samsung's QN90C is easily one of the best QLED TVs on the market, offering a solid step up from the cheaper QN85C and a brighter alternative to Samsung's OLEDs.
Part of Samsung's "Neo QLED" series, the QN90C uses quantum dots for expanded color, along with a Mini LED backlight. In conjunction with full-array local dimming, the TV's Mini LEDs enable it to produce deep black levels with better contrast and brightness control than a typical QLED TV.
However, the QN90C's dimming still isn't as precise as an OLED, so some minor blooming (small halos around bright objects) could appear in certain scenes, particularly sequences with objects like candles. But, compared to cheaper QLEDs, the QN90C gets remarkably close to OLED-level contrast while delivering around 2,000 nits of peak brightness, nearly double what the S90C offers.
If you don't want one of Samsung's OLED TVs, the QN90C is an excellent QLED alternative. It's best for people who want an especially bright display and never want to think twice about burn-in.
Buyers should note that Samsung does sell a 2024 edition of this TV, called the QN90D. This model delivered similarly impressive performance during our testing. But it costs a lot more, and its improvements are minimal, so the cheaper QN90C remains a better buy.
Best glare-free screen
Samsung's S95D OLED boasts a new matte screen that significantly reduces glare and reflections in rooms with ambient light. The only other notable TVs with matte screens right now are Samsung's Frame and Hisense's upcoming Canvas TV, but neither of those models can match the S95D's high-end picture performance.
During our testing, the screen filter lived up to its claims, nearly cutting down glare entirely. This makes the S95D uniquely suited for bright rooms with lots of lights or windows where distracting reflections can be a problem.
However, the glare-free coating does cause black levels to look slightly elevated in a bright room, causing the image to lose some of the inkiness that OLEDs are known for. Black levels are still perfect in a dark room, but perceived contrast does take a hit when watching dim scenes with the lights on.
The Samsung S95D's matte screen can prevent glare and reflections better than any other TV we've seen.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
In addition to its impressive reflection handling, the S95D is the brightest OLED TV we've ever tested. We measured a peak of around 1,700 nits, about 700 nits more than the cheaper S90C. That's a notable increase, and it can make specular highlights and colors pop with a bit more intensity. However, we think the S90C's brightness capabilities are still great for most use cases, and that model remains a better overall value for most needs.
Like the S90C, the S95D supports up to a 144Hz refresh to get incredibly smooth gameplay when hooked to a PC. The S95D has a slightly more high-end design than the cheaper S90 series, using a separate One Connect Box to house all its HDMI ports. This gives it a uniformly thin profile of just 0.4 inches all the way down.
Buyers should note that you can still buy the 2023 version of this TV, called the S95C, for a lot less money. But that model can't get as bright and doesn't have the S95D's matte screen. If you're specifically looking for a high-end, glare-free experience, the S95D is the best Samsung TV to get.
Samsung's Frame TV is an excellent choice for anyone planning to wall mount their display. The unique TV is built to look like a piece of art hanging in your living room.
The Frame has a black border by default, but you can pay extra to get different bezel colors for the exact picture-frame look you want. Options include white, brown, teak, red, beige, and more. The add-on bezels magnetically snap onto the display for simple installation.
Like Samsung's S95 series OLEDs, the Frame TV uses an external One Connect Box to house its video ports, which enables the panel to maintain a one-inch profile from top to bottom. When paired with the included slim-fit wall mount, the TV can be hung flush on your wall, just like a framed work of art.
The Frame looks best mounted on a wall, but it can still be placed on a traditional stand.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
The display uses a matte finish that's similar but not identical to the one used on the S95D. This finish helps prevent reflections and gives the screen a more canvas-like appearance. When you're not watching TV, you can have it enter "Art Mode," which will cycle through various paintings and photographs you can pull from Samsung's Art Store (subscription required) or a USB drive. A built-in motion sensor can even toggle the Art Mode to activate when people are in the room.
While the Frame's unique design is its main selling point, the TV also benefits from using a QLED panel, albeit without all the bells and whistles that Samsung's best QLEDs have. The Frame can't hit the same peak brightness levels as our high-end picks, and it lacks local dimming for precise contrast control.
We don't recommend this TV for anyone focused on picture quality, but it still delivers a nice enough image for casual viewing. The Frame is really geared toward people who want the best Samsung TV that can double as an attractive design piece to hang in a living room, and in that sense, it excels.
This new 2024 version of the Frame isn't a major upgrade over the previous model, but it's sold for around the same price as the older set. If you can find the 2022 Frame model on sale for less money, it's still a good buy, but when they're around the same price, we recommend snagging this latest edition.
Note: The 32-inch Frame TV features a Full-HD 1080p screen rather than a 4K panel.
Best 8K display
The QN900 series is the pinnacle of Samsung's QLED TV lineup. It's an 8K TV, which means it boasts four times the total number of pixels as a 4K display, and it uses the company's most advanced Mini LED backlight system. The results are undeniably impressive, even if we still think 8K resolution is unnecessary for most people.
During our testing, the QN900C peaked at nearly 2,300 nits in Filmmaker Mode, making it one of Samsung's brightest TVs. High dynamic range highlights sparkle, allowing HDR content that's graded with peaks beyond 1,000 nits to come through with extra punch.
The TV's local dimming also works exceptionally well to keep black levels deep with minimal blooming. Samsung's OLED models still have an edge here, but the QN900C comes closer to OLED quality in a dark room than any of Samsung's other QLED TVs. Viewing angles are also great for an LCD-based display, with only small shifts in color and contrast when viewing from the side.
Samsung's QN900C is an incredible 8K TV, but we still think most buyers are better off with a cheaper 4K set.
Steven Cohen/Insider
But while the TV's 8K resolution means it has the potential to provide a sharper image than even the best 4K TVs, there really isn't any 8K content to play. Outside a few YouTube videos, any movies or shows you can watch right now are limited to 4K or HD resolution. This means the TV will simply upscale these videos to 8K. The QN900's upscaling looks good, but we don't think the resolution bump is worth the extra money to most people.
The perks of 8K resolution are particularly hard to see on displays that are 65 inches or smaller. Instead, 8K benefits are more noticeable on sizes 75 inches and up since 8K's higher pixel density can give images a cleaner appearance on larger screens.
The QN900C is one of the best-looking QLED TVs that Samsung offers, but it's not a huge leap over much cheaper 4K QLEDs like the QN90C. And despite having a lower resolution, we think Samsung's OLED TVs provide better overall picture quality thanks to their superior contrast. However, if you're set on purchasing an 8K TV, this is the Samsung model to get.
A new 2024 edition of this TV, called the QN900D, is available now, too. It also performed great during our tests but delivered very similar performance. Since the QN900C is often on sale for much less than the newer model, we still recommend the QN900C as the better buy.
How we test Samsung TVs
We evaluate TVs in various lighting conditions using curated demo material and test patterns.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Our picks for the best Samsung TVs are based on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by a decade's worth of expertise covering the home entertainment market. Testing consists of several key evaluation points that we use to judge a TV's overall performance and value, including high dynamic range (HDR) quality, brightness, color gamut coverage, contrast, local dimming performance (if applicable), viewing angles, navigation speed, design, and price.
When measuring a TV's brightness and evaluating other technical picture quality attributes, we use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter with test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc.
However, test patterns only show one part of the equation, so we rely on real-world content to see how a TV looks when watching typical programs in bright and dark rooms. Our demo material is selected to feature scenes that show off black levels, highlights, color fidelity, and fine details with 4K Ultra HD, high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) material. We also use various sources, including streaming services, cable channels, and a 4K Blu-ray player.
General usability and design are also considered. We get a feel for living with a TV for a few weeks while using its basic functions and smart TV features. If a TV has slow navigation or is missing key functions, that impacts our assessment, but we place expectations for each model within the context of its price range.
Samsung TV FAQs
The S95D OLED is Samsung's new flagship TV for 2024.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Are Samsung's 2024 TVs worth it?
Samsung's new line of 2024 TV models is now available to purchase. However, the company's 2023 TVs will remain available as long as stock lasts.
In many cases, Samsung's 2024 TVs only offer minor performance improvements, and most new sets cost much more than their 2023 counterparts. With that in mind, many 2023 TV models still offer the best value for your dollar.
However, there are two notable exceptions. The first is the 2024 Frame TV, which is already selling for the same price as the older Frame TV. If you can find the older model on sale for less, it remains a better buy, but when they're the same price, grab the 2024 edition.
The other exception is the new 2024 S95D OLED, our pick for the best Samsung TV with a glare-free screen. Out of all of Samsung's 2024 TVs, the S95D offers the biggest upgrade over its 2023 counterpart, with a 30% increase in brightness and a new glare-free screen that nearly eliminates reflections. That said, the S95D costs about $1,000 more than the 2023 S95C, which is a big price difference. So, if the glare-free feature isn't a key selling point for you, the S95C remains the better value.
What kind of TVs does Samsung make?
Samsung's TV lineup can be best broken down into three categories: OLED, QLED, and Crystal UHD.
Samsung's OLED TVs use organic light-emitting diode panels capable of self-illuminating pixels. This means they don't need a backlight and can produce perfect black levels and an infinite contrast ratio. Most Samsung OLEDs also use quantum dots, which gives them an expanded color range. On the downside, in extreme cases, OLED TVs are technically susceptible to burn-in, and even the best models can't get quite as bright as top QLED TVs.
Samsung's QLED TVs use LCD (liquid crystal display) panels with LED backlights and quantum dots. They can't produce the pixel-level contrast and deep black levels of an OLED, but the best models can get brighter, and there's no risk of burn-in. Top Samsung QLEDs, branded as Neo QLED, also incorporate Mini LEDs with full-array local dimming, which enables them to get a lot closer to the contrast performance of an OLED.
For more details on how OLED and QLED TVs stack up, check out our full QLED vs. OLED comparison.
Finally, Samsung's Crystal UHD TVs use entry-level LCD panels with LED backlights. These displays lack the color, brightness, and contrast capabilities of Samsung's OLED and QLED sets. This series is meant for casual buyers who just want a basic smart TV and don't care about advanced picture quality.
All of Samsung's different displays are available in multiple sizes, often ranging from as small as 32 inches to as large as 98 inches. For recommendations at various screen sizes, check out our size-specific guides:
You can still find some older Samsung HDTVs in stock at several retailers, particularly in smaller screen sizes, but the company only has one notable HDTV model in its current lineup: the 32-inch Frame TV.
HDTVs in 32-inch screen sizes and smaller can still offer decent value for buyers who just want a cheap, compact TV for casual viewing. However, given how affordable entry-level 4K TVs have become, we recommend avoiding HDTV models larger than 32 inches.
Are Samsung TVs better than LG TVs?
Samsung and LG both make some of our favorite TVs, and it's difficult to say that one brand is better than the other. Instead, they both have pros and cons depending on your needs and which specific TV models you're looking at.
Regarding LCD-based models, the best Samsung TVs are branded as QLED, while LG's are branded as QNED. There are some differences in the panel technology each uses, but they're similar in overall capabilities. Samsung's high-end QLEDs, however, have traditionally had an edge over LG's best QNEDs thanks to their higher brightness and better local dimming performance. But that could change with the release of LG's 2024 QNED 90T, which impressed us with its improvements in contrast control during an early hands-on look.
Both companies also sell some of the best OLED TVs, and it's here where the competition gets tougher. Most of Samsung's OLEDs use quantum dots, which gives them an edge in color performance over LG's OLEDs. But LG's top OLEDs, the G3 and G4, use Micro Lens Array technology to boost peak brightness. LG also has more OLED models and sizes, with options for more budgets.
And no matter what type of TV you get, it's important to remember that LG's mid- and high-end TVs support Dolby Vision, while Samsung's support the competing HDR10+ format. Both high dynamic range formats offer similar capabilities, with scene-by-scene guidance for displaying contrast and color, but Dolby Vision is used on more streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs.
What smart TV interface does Samsung use?
Samsung uses a proprietary smart TV interface built using the Tizen operating system (OS). Unlike other interfaces such as Roku OS, Android TV, Fire TV, or Google TV, you won't find Samsung's Tizen platform on other smart TV models or streaming devices.
For many years, Samsung's Tizen OS featured a pop-up screen that displayed apps across a horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen, but Samsung updated its interface in 2022. Now, Samsung smart TVs use a full-screen homepage that organizes your favorite services and presents you with content recommendations. There's also a Gaming Hub section that lets you access cloud services like Xbox Game Pass, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna.
Samsung's smart TV interface works well across its lineup of TVs and offers access to all of the best streaming services, but it's not the smoothest OS we've used. Even high-end models, like the QN90C and S90C, are prone to hiccups and slight lag when navigating menus and content libraries.
Most buyers should be satisfied with Samsung's smart TV performance, and no major services or features are missing. But if you prefer a different interface with slightly snappier navigation, we recommend checking out our guide to the best streaming devices for other options.
Are Samsung TVs prone to burn-in?
Samsung's QLED and Crystal UHD TVs are not susceptible to burn-in, but the company's OLED models can experience this issue in extreme cases. Burn-in occurs if a static image is left on an OLED screen for hours on end — the CNN or ESPN logo in the corner, for example — which can cause a faint, ghostly image to get stuck on the screen.
Though Samsung OLED buyers should be aware of this risk, OLED TVs have built-in measures to prevent burn-in, including automatic pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers. Publications like Rtings have done long-term tests with many OLED TVs, including Samsung's models, and while results do show that burn-in is possible, the tests show that people with regular viewing habits don't need to worry about it.
As long as you don't plan on watching CNN all day long, burn-in shouldn't be a factor when deciding whether to buy an OLED TV. But if you tend to watch just one cable channel for several hours daily, you're better off getting one of Samsung's QLED or Crystal UHD models so you don't have to think twice about burn-in.
Do Samsung TVs support Dolby Vision?
Even the best Samsung TVs are missing Dolby Vision support. However, Samsung TVs do support a similar format called HDR10+. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are both dynamic metadata high dynamic range formats. This means that compatible movies and shows can include specific instructions for how your TV should handle HDR contrast and color on a scene-by-scene basis.
This is in contrast to the standard HDR10 format, a static metadata format that can only include one set of instructions for an entire video rather than scene-by-scene details. In practice, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ can deliver a more refined HDR experience with video quality that better matches the specific capabilities of your TV. However, these benefits over standard HDR10 are often very subtle.
Though Dolby Vision and HDR10+ both offer similar capabilities, Dolby Vision is supported on more streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs, which makes it the more desirable of the two formats.
Check out our HDR guide for more information about how these formats stack up.
Best overall: Samsung S90C
The S90C is the best Samsung TV for the money thanks to its QD-OLED panel with excellent color and contrast.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Pros: OLED with quantum dots for rich colors and infinite contrast ratio, wide viewing angles, 144Hz refresh rate for PC gaming
Cons: Not as bright as QLED TVs, risk of burn-in in extreme cases
The S90C is the best Samsung TV you can buy for the money. In fact, we think it's the best TV value you can snag right now from any brand. The display uses an OLED panel with an infinite contrast ratio and quantum dots for better color performance than direct competitors from LG and Sony. It also boasts a high 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC.
Like all Samsung 4K TVs, the display supports the HDR10 and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats, and it looks stunning when playing compatible movies and TV shows. Highlights sparkle from the screen, and the S90C produces deeper, more precise black levels than any of Samsung's QLED TVs.
And though Samsung's high-end QLEDs also have solid viewing angles, the S90C's OLED screen is even better. You can sit far off to the side of the TV without seeing any major loss in image quality. But while the S90C is bright for an OLED, at a peak of about 1,000 nits, it still can't match the 2,000-nit peak of Samsung's top QLEDs, like the QN90C.
However, since the S90C's pixel-level dimming enables much better contrast control than a QLED's backlight, we think this dip in brightness is a more than acceptable tradeoff.
*Samsung's 83-inch S90C does not feature quantum dots, so its screen is not expected to match the color performance of smaller sizes.
Best budget: Samsung CU7000
The Samsung CU7000 is a budget TV geared toward buyers who just want a basic display without advanced picture quality.
Target
Pros: Affordable, tons of screen size options
Cons: Lacks wide color support, contrast suffers without local dimming, mediocre viewing angles, 60Hz screen can't support high frame gaming modes
Samsung excels at high-end TVs, but its entry-level offerings tend to be a bit overpriced for what you get. At least compared to value-friendly options from TCL, Hisense, and Vizio. Though you can get more bang for your buck from one of those companies, the CU7000 is a solid budget pick for anyone who's set on sticking with the Samsung brand.
The CU7000 uses a regular LCD panel with an edge-lit LED backlight, and it's missing all the step-up picture quality features you'd find on QLED and OLED models. This means the TV isn't capable of a wide color gamut, and black levels won't be as deep or uniform across the screen. The display is also one of the dimmest options in Samsung's lineup. It technically supports HDR10 and HDR10+ processing, but it's just not capable of showing off the true benefits of those formats.
On the plus side, the TV does support full 4K resolution for a sharp, clean image, and it plays standard dynamic range content in high definition just fine, so HD cable channels and all of the best live TV streaming services will look exactly like they're supposed to. Viewing angles are mediocre, however, so you'll want to sit at the center of the screen to get the best image.
This is a fine entry-level display for casual viewers who just want a capable smart TV and don't care about paying extra for better picture quality. But keep in mind, if you're willing to venture outside Samsung's lineup, you can find TVs with better contrast and color performance, like the Hisense U6K, for just a bit more money.
Best midrange QLED: Samsung QN85C
Samsung's QN85C is the brand's most affordable QLED model with a Mini LED backlight.
Samsung
Pros: Good HDR performance, Mini LED backlight for great contrast, solid viewing angles for a QLED, no risk for burn-in
Cons: Not as bright as Samsung's top TVs, contrast not as precise as an OLED
The QN85C is an excellent QLED TV for anyone who wants to spend less than $1,500 on a 65-inch set. Though brightness and color volume aren't quite as impressive as Samsung's more expensive QN90C, the QN85C is still part of the company's "Neo QLED" lineup. The Neo QLED branding means that the TV boasts quantum dots for expanded colors and a Mini LED backlight for better contrast control than a typical QLED.
This upper-midrange set is ideal for buyers who want to save a little cash without sacrificing HDR quality. Samsung's S95C and QN90C can both get brighter, but make no mistake, this model is no slouch. You still get about 1,000 nits of peak brightness, which is the standard that a lot of HDR content is designed for, and is enough to deliver a punchy image in a living room that lets in a lot of light.
Contrast and black levels are strong, but the TV's local dimming performance can't match the pixel-level precision of an OLED TV. On the plus side, the TV has solid viewing angles, which isn't something you see in a lot of QLED models from other brands.
However, if you don't mind a narrower viewing angle, you can get more bang for your buck with cheaper Mini LED TVs from other companies, like the Hisense U7K. But the QN85C is the most affordable Mini LED TV that Samsung sells. The next step down in Samsung's lineup, the Q80C, uses a regular LED backlight and has far fewer dimming zones, which leads to less impressive contrast and lower brightness. When it comes to midrange QLEDs, the QN85C is the Samsung model to get.
Best high-end QLED: Samsung QN90C
The Samsung QN90C is one of the brand's top Neo QLED models.
Best Buy
Pros: Brighter than OLED models, Mini LED panel with full-array local dimming, no burn-in risk
Cons: Contrast can't match an OLED, some blooming visible
Though we favor OLED TV tech for its superior contrast, QLEDs are still great TVs, especially if you need a bright screen in your living room. Samsung's QN90C is easily one of the best QLED TVs on the market, and it offers a solid step up from the QN85C.
Part of Samsung's "Neo QLED" series, the QN90C uses quantum dots for expanded color and a Mini LED backlight. In conjunction with full-array local dimming, the TV's Mini LEDs enable it to produce deep black levels with better contrast and brightness control than regular QLED TVs.
The QN90C's dimming still isn't as precise as an OLED like the S90C, so you might see some minor blooming (small halos around bright objects) in certain scenes. But, compared to cheaper QLEDs, the QN90C gets remarkably close to OLED-level contrast while delivering nearly double the peak brightness of the S90C and QN85C.
The TV's high brightness capabilities make it an especially good choice for living rooms that let in a lot of ambient light. It also handles glare well, and unlike last year's QN90B, this model isn't prone to streaking rainbow reflections when light hits the screen at certain angles. And the QN90C has some of the best off-axis image quality you'll find on a TV of this type.
If you don't want one of Samsung's OLED TVs, the QN90C is an excellent QLED alternative for people who need an extra-bright display and never want to think twice about burn-in.
Best high-end OLED: Samsung S95C
The S95C is delivers the best overall picture quality of any Samsung TV right now.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Pros: Samsung's brightest OLED, 144Hz panel for high frame rate PC gaming, thin design with One Connect Box
Cons: Pricey compared to the similar S90C, risk of burn-in in extreme cases
When it comes to the best image performance you can buy, the S95C is the current king of Samsung's 4K TV lineup. It takes everything we love about the S90C, pumps up the brightness, and packs it all in a thin, flat design. But given its high-end performance, it also comes at an equally high price.
Using Samsung's second-gen QD-OLED panel, the S95C manages to deliver a 30% increase in peak brightness over the S90C, with a max of about 1,360 nits. This can make specular highlights and colors pop with a bit more intensity while still offering perfect black levels.
Like the S90c, the TV also supports a 144Hz refresh rate versus the 120Hz rate you'll find on typical high-end displays from other brands. This means you can connect a computer to get incredibly smooth gameplay, so long as your PC is powerful enough to output 144 frames per second.
But unlike the S90C, the S95C has a uniformly slim profile. Though the S90C is technically slimmer at its thinnest point, that TV protrudes toward the bottom to accommodate all its video ports. The S95C, however, uses a separate One Connect Box to house all of its HDMI ports so that the panel can maintain a profile of just 0.4 inches all the way down.
Though we think the cheaper S90C is still a better overall value, the S95C is the best pick for buyers who want high-end OLED performance and a premium design but don't mind paying top dollar to get them.
Samsung's Frame TV has a matte screen and an art-frame border that make it a wonderful design piece.
Samsung
Pros: Unique art-frame design with matte-finish screen, hangs flush on wall, quantum dots for wide color support, customizable bezel options
Cons: Brightness and contrast can't match Neo QLED and OLED TVs
Samsung's Frame TV is an excellent choice for anyone planning to wall mount their display. The unique TV is built to look like a piece of art hanging in your living room.
The Frame comes with a black border by default, but you can pay extra to get different bezel colors for the exact picture-frame look you want. Options include white, brown, teak, red, beige, and more. The add-on bezels magnetically snap onto the display for simple installation.
Like Samsung's S95C OLED, the Frame TV uses an external One Connect Box to house its video ports, which enables the panel to maintain a 1-inch profile from top to bottom. When paired with the included slim-fit wall mount, the TV can be hung flush on your wall, just like a framed work of art.
The display itself uses a matte finish, which prevents reflections and helps give the screen a more canvas-like appearance. When you're not watching TV, you can have it enter "Art Mode," which will cycle through various paintings and photographs that you can pull from Samsung's Art Store (subscription required) or from a USB drive. A built-in motion sensor can even toggle the Art Mode only to activate when people are in the room.
While the Frame's unique design is its main selling point, the TV also benefits from using a QLED panel, albeit without all the bells and whistles that Samsung's best QLEDs have. The Frame can't hit the same peak brightness levels as our high-end picks, and it lacks local dimming for precise contrast control, but it does have wide color support.
We don't recommend this TV for anyone focused on the best picture quality, but it still delivers a nice enough image for casual HDR viewing. The Frame is really geared toward people who want the best Samsung TV that can double as an attractive design piece hanging in their living room, and in that sense, it excels.
*The 32-inch Frame TV features a Full-HD 1080p screen rather than a 4K panel.
Best 8K: Samsung QN900C
Samsung's QN900C is an incredible 8K TV, but we still think most buyers are better off with a cheaper 4K set.
Steven Cohen/Insider
Pros: 8K resolution provides high pixel density for large screens, one of Samsung's brightest TVs, great local dimming performance with Mini LEDs
Cons: 8K content is virtually nonexistent, the benefits of 8K versus 4K are subtle
The QN900C is the absolute cream of the crop of Samsung's QLED TV lineup. It's an 8K TV, which means it boasts four times the total number of pixels as a 4K display, and it uses the company's most advanced Mini LED backlight system. The results are undeniably impressive, even if we still think 8K resolution is unnecessary for most people.
During our testing, the QN900C peaked at nearly 2,300 nits in Filmmaker Mode, making it one of the brightest TVs on the market from any brand. High dynamic range highlights really sparkle, allowing HDR content that's graded with peaks beyond 1,000 nits to come through with extra punch.
The TV's local dimming also works exceptionally well to keep black levels deep with minimal blooming. Samsung's OLED models still have an edge here, but the QN900C comes closer to OLED quality in a dark room than any of Samsung's other QLED TVs. Viewing angles are also great for an LCD-based display, with only small shifts in color and contrast when viewing from the side.
But while the TV's 8K resolution means it has the potential to provide a sharper image than even the best 4K TVs, there really isn't any 8K content to play. Outside a few YouTube videos, any movies or shows you can watch right now are limited to 4K or HD resolution. This means the TV will simply upscale these videos to 8K. The QN900's upscaling does look good, but we just don't think the resolution bump is worth the extra money to most people.
The perks of 8K resolution are particularly hard to see on a 65-inch model, which is why we don't recommend any 8K TVs in our guides to the best 65-inch TVs or best 55-inch TVs. 8K benefits are more noticeable on sizes 75 inches and up since 8K's higher pixel density can give images a cleaner appearance on larger screens.
The QN900C is the best-looking QLED TV that Samsung has on offer right now, but it's not a huge leap over much cheaper 4K models like the QN90C. And despite having 4K resolution, we think Samsung's OLED TVs provide better overall picture quality thanks to their superior contrast. However, if you're really set on buying an 8K TV, this is the Samsung model to get.
How we test Samsung TVs
Samsung TVs use the Tizen smart TV platform with access to tons of apps.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Our picks for the best Samsung TVs are based on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by a decade's worth of expertise covering the home entertainment market. Testing consists of several key evaluation points that we use to judge a TV's overall performance and value, including high dynamic range (HDR) quality, brightness, color gamut coverage, contrast, local dimming performance (if applicable), viewing angles, navigation speed, design, and price.
When measuring a TV's brightness and evaluating other technical picture quality attributes, we use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter with test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc.
However, test patterns only show one part of the equation, so we rely on real-world content to see how a TV looks when watching typical programs. Our demo material is selected to feature scenes that show off black levels, highlights, color fidelity, and fine details with 4K Ultra HD, high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) material. We also use a mix of sources, including streaming services, cable channels, and a 4K Blu-ray player.
General usability and design are also considered so we get a feel for what it's like to live with a TV for a few weeks while using all of its basic functions and smart TV features. If a TV has slow navigation or is missing key functions, that impacts our assessment, but we place expectations for each model within the context of its price range.
Samsung TV FAQs
Samsung sells OLED (pictured above), QLED, and Crystal UHD (LED) TV models.
Steven Cohen/Insider
When will Samsung's 2024 TVs be released?
Samsung revealed its 2024 TV models at the CES trade show in January. However, the company has not confirmed the exact pricing or release dates of each model just yet. But new TVs typically start rolling out to stores in the late spring of every year, so that's when we expect 2024 Samsung TVs to launch.
Samsung's 2023 TV models will also remain available throughout the year as long as stock lasts. Though the 2024 models will offer some performance improvements, they will likely cost quite a bit more than what Samsung's 2023 TVs are currently selling for. With that in mind, we still recommend picking up a 2023 TV to get the best value for your dollar.
What kind of TVs does Samsung make?
Samsung's TV lineup can be best broken down into three categories: OLED, QLED, and Crystal UHD.
Samsung's OLED TVs use organic light-emitting diode panels that are capable of self-illuminating pixels. This means that they don't need a backlight and can produce perfect black levels and an infinite contrast ratio. Most Samsung OLEDs also use quantum dots, which gives them an expanded color range. On the downside, in extreme cases, OLED TVs are technically susceptible to burn-in, and even the best models can't get quite as bright as top QLED TVs.
Samsung's QLED TVs use LCD (liquid crystal display) panels with LED backlights and quantum dots. They can't produce the pixel-level contrast and deep black levels of an OLED, but the best models can get brighter, and there's no risk of burn-in. Top Samsung QLEDs, branded as Neo QLED, also incorporate Mini LEDs with full-array local dimming, which enables them to get a lot closer to the contrast performance of an OLED.
Finally, Samsung's Crystal UHD TVs use entry-level LCD panels with LED backlights. These displays lack the color, brightness, and contrast capabilities found on Samsung's OLED and QLED sets. This series is meant for casual buyers who just want a basic smart TV and don't care about advanced picture quality.
Does Samsung still sell HDTVs?
You can still find some older Samsung HDTVs in stock at several retailers, particularly in smaller screen sizes, but the company only has one notable HDTV model in its current lineup: the 32-inch Frame TV.
HDTVs in 32-inch screen sizes and smaller can still offer decent value for buyers who just want a cheap, compact TV for casual viewing. However, given how affordable entry-level 4K TVs have become, we recommend avoiding HDTV models larger than 32 inches.
Are Samsung TVs better than LG TVs?
Samsung and LG both make some of our favorite TVs, and it's difficult to say that one brand is actually better than the other. Instead, they both have key pros and cons depending on your needs and which specific TV models you're looking at.
When it comes to LCD-based models, the best Samsung TVs are branded as QLED, while LG's are branded as QNED. There are some differences in the panel technology each uses, but they're similar in overall capabilities. Samsung's high-end QLEDs, however, have an edge over LG's best QNEDs thanks to their higher brightness and better local dimming performance.
Both companies also sell some of the best OLED TV models, and it's here where the competition gets tougher. Most of Samsung's OLEDs use quantum dots, which gives them an edge in color performance over LG's OLEDs. But LG's top OLED, the G3, uses Micro Lens Array technology to boost peak brightness. LG also has more OLED models and sizes to choose from, with options for more budgets.
And no matter what type of TV you get, it's important to remember that LG's mid- and high-end TVs support Dolby Vision, while Samsung's support the competing HDR10+ format. Both high dynamic range formats offer similar capabilities, with scene-by-scene control over contrast and color, but Dolby Vision is used on more streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs.
What smart TV interface does Samsung use?
Samsung uses a proprietary smart TV interface that's built using the Tizen operating system (OS). Unlike other interfaces such as Roku OS, Android TV, Fire TV, or Google TV, you won't find Samsung's Tizen platform on any other smart TV models or streaming devices.
For many years, Samsung's Tizen OS featured a pop-up screen that displayed apps across a horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen, but Samsung updated its interface in 2022. Now, Samsung smart TVs use a full-screen homepage that organizes your favorite services and presents you with content recommendations. There's also a Gaming Hub section that lets you access cloud services like Xbox Game Pass, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna.
Samsung's smart TV interface works well across its lineup of TVs and offers access to all of the best streaming services, but it's not the smoothest OS we've used. Even high-end models, like the QN90C and S90C, are prone to some hiccups and slight lag here and there when navigating through menus and content libraries.
Most buyers should be satisfied with Samsung's smart TV performance, and there are no major services or features missing. But if you prefer a different interface with slightly snappier navigation, we recommend checking out our guide to the best streaming devices for other options.
Are Samsung TVs prone to burn-in?
Samsung's QLED and Crystal UHD TVs are not susceptible to burn-in, but the company's OLED models can experience this issue in extreme cases. Burn-in occurs if a static image is left on an OLED screen for hours on end — the CNN or ESPN logo in the corner, for example — which can cause a faint, ghostly image to get stuck on the screen.
Though Samsung OLED buyers should be aware of this risk, OLED TVs have built-in measures to prevent burn-in, including automatic pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers. Publications like Rtings have done long-term tests with many OLED TVs, including Samsung's models, and while results do show that burn-in is possible, the tests show that people with regular viewing habits don't need to worry about it.
As long as you don't plan on watching CNN all day long, burn-in shouldn't be a factor when deciding whether to buy an OLED TV. But if you're someone who tends to watch just one cable channel for several hours every day, you're better off getting one of Samsung's QLED or Crystal UHD models so you don't have to think twice about burn-in.
Do Samsung TVs support Dolby Vision?
Even the best Samsung TVs are missing Dolby Vision support. However, Samsung TVs do support a similar format called HDR10+. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are both dynamic metadata high dynamic range formats. This means that compatible movies and shows can include specific instructions for how your TV should handle HDR contrast and color on a scene-by-scene basis.
This is in contrast to the standard HDR10 format, which is a static metadata format that can only include one set of instructions for an entire video rather than scene-by-scene details. In practice, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ can deliver a more refined HDR experience with video quality that better matches the specific capabilities of your TV.
Though Dolby Vision and HDR10+ both offer similar capabilities, Dolby Vision is supported on more streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs, which makes it the more desirable of the two formats.
Morgans thinks that this biotech giant would be a great option this month. Especially given its attractive valuation and strong earnings per share growth outlook. It said:
While shares have struggled of late, we continue to view CSL as a key portfolio holding and sector pick, offering double-digit recovery in earnings growth as plasma collections increase, new products get approved and influenza vaccine uptake increases around ongoing concerns about respiratory viruses, with shares trading at 25x, a substantial discount (20%) to its long-term average.
The broker has an add rating and $315.35 price target on CSL’s shares.
Another ASX 200 share that Morgans is tipping as a strong buy is sleep disorder treatment company ResMed.
Its analysts feel that concerns over weight loss drugs disrupting its market are unwarranted. As a result, it believe ResMed’s long-term growth outlook remains very positive. It said:
While weight loss drugs have grabbed headlines and investor attention, we see these products having little impact on the large, underserved sleep disorder breathing market, and do not view them as category killers. Although quarters are likely to remain volatile, nothing changes our view that the company remains well placed and uniquely positioned as it builds a patient-centric, connected-care digital platform that addresses the main pinch points across the healthcare value chain.
The broker has an add rating and $34.11 price target on its shares.
Washington H Soul Pattinson & Company Ltd (ASX: SOL)
A third ASX 200 share that is on Morgans’ best ideas list this month is investment house Soul Patts.
The broker likes the company due to its positive long term track record and diversified business. It explains:
SOL’s investment portfolio includes a diversified pool of assets ranging from listed equities (both large cap and emerging companies), private equity, property and structured yield. On a 20-year horizon, SOL’s annualised TSR is 12.5% vs the All Ords accumulation index of 9%. SOL has a 20-year history of increased dividend distributions, with a 20-year CAGR of c.8%. In our view, SOL’s management team continues to deliver both organic and inorganic growth over the long term. We continue to like the SOL story, particularly its track record of growing distributions.
Morgans has an add rating and $35.60 price target on the company’s shares.
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, ResMed, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
China's J-20 stealth fighter is probably not in the offing for the United Arab Emirates Air Force.
Wan Quan/Getty Images
The UAE is boosting ties with China's air force.
It could be a scheme to increase pressure to buy the US F-35 stealth fighter.
The UAE is pursuing a "balancing strategy" between Washington and Beijing, experts said.
The United Arab Emirates is expanding air force ties with China in what may be a scheme to brighten their dim prospects of acquiring F-35 Lightning II stealth jets from the United States. However, this developing cooperation will not likely result in Abu Dhabi ordering alternative fifth-generation fighters from Beijing.
Major General Saleh Mohammed bin Mejren Al Ameri, commander of the UAE's Joint Operations, met with the commander of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force on April 23 to promote closer air force cooperation.
The meeting occurred as the UAE's prospects for acquiring F-35s "may be getting slimmer," according to one analysis. Another even speculated Abu Dhabi may eventually seek China's premier stealth fighter: the fifth-generation J-20 Mighty Dragon.
The US approved a $19 billion deal to sell 50 F-35s and 18 MQ-4B drones to the UAE in January 2021. However, the deal hasn't materialized amid Washington's growing concern about China's central role in Emirati 5G infrastructure and suspicions that Beijing is establishing a military base there. On the other hand, Abu Dhabi has grown frustrated with American preconditions about the extent of its technical cooperation with China.
The UAE ordered 80 Dassault Rafales from France in December 2021. It has also bought 12 L-15 trainer jets from Beijing and participated in a joint air force training exercise in China for the first time in 2023. Such moves did little to assuage Washington's concerns about expanding defense ties between China and its Arab Gulf allies.
Nevertheless, Abu Dhabi's budding ties don't suggest it is replacing its Western military hardware with Chinese alternatives.
"The main factor to consider here is that, unlike US policymakers, the UAE doesn't see arms purchases from China as a zero-sum deal," Ahmed Aboudouh, associate fellow at Chatham House and head of the China Studies Unit at the Emirates Policy Center, told Business Insider. "Abu Dhabi's first choice would certainly be to acquire the F-35 sale over any Chinese equivalent."
Aboudouh noted that approaching China to discuss procuring advanced arms is driven by Washington's hesitance to provide Abu Dhabi with alternatives, which the UAE views as "crucial" based on "national security considerations and high regional volatility."
The UAE has ordered 80 Rafale multirole fighters from France's Dassault Aviation.
Fred Tanneau/Getty Images
Furthermore, Abu Dhabi wants its "balancing strategy" between Washington and Beijing to pay off.
Sebastien Roblin, a widely published military-aviation journalist, also sees Abu Dhabi's balancing act in play.
"The nature of the relationship with the Gulf states and the US is that they nurture secondary ties with China and Russia to create additional pressure on Washington to sell to them, as one might flirt with a third party to attract the jealous attention from a partner," Roblin told BI.
Both analysts see little significance in the L-15 acquisition and joint exercises.
"I still see the bilateral relations between the air forces as very superficial and symbolic," Aboudouh said. "Strategic depth in military partnerships takes time to build. I don't see this relationship developing into something similar to what the UAE Air Force has with France or even Russia anytime soon."
Roblin pointed out that while the L-15s are "respectable advanced trainers sold at a bargain unit price," they lack the benefit of "common systems" with the F-16 and Rafale jets, which Emirati fighter pilots will eventually graduate to fly. Furthermore, the Emirati air force fighter fleet is already large for such a small country, making it unlikely the L-15s will serve any combat role.
"So the sale, like the common exercises, serves as a warning signal to the US that the UAE may take its money elsewhere," Roblin said. "Of course, there's a risk of that backfiring and convincing Washington it can't be trusted with more advanced US hardware like the F-35 if ties with China grow too cozy."
Aboudouh believes it's "hard to predict" if the UAE might eventually acquire fifth-generation Chinese aircraft.
"The main factor at play here is the US vision for its military relations with the UAE," Aboudouh said. "In other words, at a time of extensive debate on a US-Saudi defense pact potentially signed soon, the UAE would be interested in a similar deal. Will the US, in turn, deem signing this deal with Abu Dhabi a strategic necessity to curb Abu Dhabi's expanding military cooperation with Beijing?"
Roblin also believes the "much-touted" Saudi defense pact could prove pivotal. If the deal is realized and leads to a Saudi F-35 sale, that could "indicate potential" for the UAE finally getting the fifth-generation American aircraft, too, provided it "locks out certain exchanges" with Beijing — such as Chinese radars and aircraft that could expose the F-35's stealth.
There is also the salient fact that China hasn't exported any stealth fighters and Beijing will not likely offer the J-20 for export. It will likely sell the export version of its lighter J-35, the FC-31, which Pakistan is reportedly interested in procuring, but those haven't entered operational service yet.
"The UAE also had a stake in Russia's Su-75 'export stealth fighter' pitched prior to 2022, but it doesn't seem appealing between risks of Western sanctions and Russian mass-production issues related to the war in Ukraine," Roblin said.
He suggested South Korea's KF-21 or Turkey's TF Kaan fighter projects could offer "less geopolitically fraught options" to the UAE. The Emirates is already reportedly interested in investing in the KF-21.
The UAE would probably not be interested in procuring advanced fourth-generation Chinese fighters either, especially given the enormous Rafale order it just signed.
Roblin also questioned why the UAE would buy jets like the J-10 and J-16 from China when it already has access to equivalent or superior Western jets like the F-15EX, F-16V, and, of course, the Rafale.
"Introducing such Chinese aircraft dependent on different weapons and communication ecosystems would be logistically senseless unless there was a broader project to convert to a Chinese fleet," Robin said.
"But I'm skeptical the UAE would go all-in in that direction."
