Tag: News

• Homebuyers pay for things beyond the purchase price of their properties — and those can add up.
• Unexpected homebuying costs include loan origination fees and property taxes.
• Home-services firm Frontdoor listed the states with the highest unexpected homebuying costs.

Buying a house is hard enough these days.

In the US, purchasing a home comes with additional fees and costs, which means you might have to pay more than you initially budgeted — and in some states, a lot more.

A report by home-services company Frontdoor identified the states that shackle buyers purchasing a median-priced property with the highest unexpected costs.

Unless you're buying in cash, mortgage payments and a down payment are routine. However, other expenses — including appraisal costs, loan origination fees, and property taxes — crop up early in the home-buying journey.

When prices of homes alone are so high, these additional costs — which can total from about $11,000 to almost $18,000 — can further burden and frustrate homebuyers.

Frontdoor used data from for-sale-by-owner site Houzeo to pinpoint the cost of 20 common additional charges for homebuyers in each state.

Here are the 10 states where homebuyers spend the most on unexpected property fees.

10. Washington

Unexpected fees: $11,400.60

Median home price: $526,633

9. New York

Unexpected fees: $12,303.95

Median home price: $658,333

8. New Jersey

Unexpected fees: $12,362.75

Median home price: $433,333

7. Massachusetts

Unexpected fees: $12,535.50

Median home price: $528,333

6. New Hampshire

Unexpected fees: $13,480.89

Median home price: $423,333

5. Vermont

Unexpected fees: $13,719.87

Median home price: $327,672

4. Delaware

Unexpected fees: $13,934.88

Median home price: $326,483

3. Maryland

Unexpected fees: $14,614.46

Median home price: $358,600

2. California

Unexpected fees: $14,693.55

Median home price: $673,333

1. Hawaii

Unexpected fees: $17,966.04

Median home price: $706,508

• Reddit beat expectations for its first financial quarter as a publicly traded company.
• Strong revenue growth and record user traffic sent the stock price up 16% in after-hours trading.
• R&D expenses were up four times compared to last year.

Reddit just delivered a big first quarter as a newly public company.

The social media platform beat analyst expectations Tuesday when it reported revenue of $243 million, up 48% from the same period last year. The company also boasted a record 82.7 million daily active users, up 37% from the year before.

"It was a strong start to the year and a milestone quarter for Reddit and our communities as we debuted as a public company," co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman said in a statement. "We see this as the beginning of a new chapter as we work towards building the next generation of Reddit."

While still not yet profitable, the net loss of $8.19 a share was below the $8.75 a share loss that investors were bracing for.

Meanwhile, research and development costs soared by 300% year-over-year as the company beefs up its AI-related revenue and advertising strategy.

This story will be updated following the earnings call at 5 p.m ET.

• Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt said the US is "way ahead of China" in AI development.
• Schmidt cited chip shortages and more English language material to train AI models.
• He also said China's reduced funding and focus on for-profit apps are barriers to its advancement.

Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt thinks the US is "way ahead of China" when it comes to AI.

"In the case of artificial intelligence, we are well ahead, two or three years probably of China, which in my world is an eternity," Schmidt said in an interview with Bloomberg on Tuesday. "I think we're in pretty good shape."

Schmidt served as Google's CEO from 2001 until 2011 and remained its chairman until 2015. Following his departure, Schmidt has invested in various AI companies, including Anthropic. He also became the chairman of the Department of Defense's Innovation Board in 2016 and chaired the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence for three years.

Schmidt said the US stands to be the clear winner in the AI race — as long as it doesn't screw up its lead. Since China is focused on dominating certain industries, the US needs to compete with them and win, he added.

At the start of 2024, China had approved over 40 AI models in a six-month period, including 14 new Large Language Models approved for public use in a week span. Baidu, a search engine giant referred to as "China's Google," is leading the pack.

Schmidt talked about four factors that contributed to his view that China is behind in the AI arms race.

Chip shortages

Schmidt said China is "struggling because of chips" and shortages.

In a separate interview with CNBC on Tuesday, Schmidt said China has been set back by the Trump and Biden administrations restricting access to high-speed chips, particularly Nvidia chips.

"They're certainly angry about that," Schmidt said.

The chips serve as a crucial component in the effort to scale AI. The tech-related tensions between the US and China have resulted in a push from the government to produce semiconductors in the US. In November 2023, the US Department of Commerce implemented the Advanced Computing Chips Rule making it harder for China to import advanced AI chips from American manufacturers.

The Biden administration most recently considered imposing sanctions on several Chinese semiconductor firms linked to Huawei in March.

Schmidt thinks there's less Chinese material to train AI models with

Schmidt also said in the CNBC interview that there's not as much Chinese material available to train large language models. Since English dominates the internet, research papers, and books that large language models train on, he believes English provides a larger pool of information to learn from.

"That's why English is so strong in these large language models," Schmidt said.

Additionally, most training data is in English, he said, which could lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations in other languages.

Reduced funding

Schmidt said that China is also facing a huge reduction in foreign investment and at-risk venture capital. Meanwhile, the US has exploded in these areas, he said.

China has been on the economic decline for the last couple of years and it continues to face deflation problems.

In November 2023, it suffered its first investment deficit as US tensions rose and Western countries leaned away from business involvement.

Focusing on the wrong areas

The former Google CEO said that China is focused on building for-profit application companies which may ultimately be successful. But they're not platform-focused, he argued.

"Three or four of the top apps in America are, in fact, of Chinese origin," Schmidt said. "But at the moment, the leadership is US."

While apps like TikTok may be successful, some industry experts think that China is lagging behind in foundational AI models, according to a report from CNBC.

"We should be very proud to be here," Schmidt said. "America has invented this future and this particular future, the one which is AI and quantum and the other technologies, that people are talking about. We have a shot of actually dominating the world for the next 10 or 20 years if we do it right."

• Calli Nguyen, 24, was fired from her job as a director of digital marketing after less than a week.
• Nguyen highlights the importance of mental health and employee respect in the workplace.
• She emphasizes Gen Z's unwillingness to settle for toxic work environments.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Calli Nguyen, a 24-year-old social media marketer from Baton Rouge, LA, about getting fired after less than one week of work. It's been edited for length and clarity.

Before I started as the director of digital marketing for a medical spa, I gave my boss the benefit of the doubt because I just wanted a job. What could go wrong?

Turns out, everything.

While I've worked many jobs, this director role was my first paid full-time position in digital marketing. I rationalized that maybe I was going through a learning curve; or that I just had the jitters. But on the third day of work, when I left my desk for a quick mental health break, I was fired on the spot. To be fair, I saw the red flags but ignored them.

I read the negative Glassdoor and Google reviews left by former clients and employees. One review said that five employees quit within two weeks. The review underscored that employers should not mistreat their employees regardless of their age. Also, before I even started the job, I agreed to change my role from client care coordinator to director of digital marketing without changing my hourly pay of $16. Yet, immediately after I was fired, I felt like a failure.

I now feel that getting fired after less than a week of employment was a blessing in disguise. The experience taught me that not every opportunity is a good opportunity. But more importantly, protecting my mental health and having employers see the value in me is more important than earning money.

My boss refused to take my advice

I didn't think it was a big deal that my former boss wanted me to switch gears to social media marketing after I applied on Indeed for an office coordinator role. Afterall, I did list my social media marketing skills on my résumé.

After I accepted the new role over the phone with her general manager, I looked forward to honing in on my creative skills while helping a small, independent business grow and gain more customers. But how can I help someone who refuses to listen to my advice?

My boss wanted her social media marketing to look a certain way: showcasing stock photos of attractive women with outdated fonts.

I showed her the analytics on the low-performing social media posts and that I knew how to update her online presence to gain more customers, but she refused to absorb anything I had to say. So I followed her creative lead — until I became overwhelmed by her demands.

I was shocked to find out that my boss wanted more from me than what I produced

On my third day, I started a project to build posts for the company's social media accounts and research her competitors' special offers. I presented everything she asked for. While she seemed happy with my social posts and the offers that I found, she needed more from me.

Without warning, she asked which products the other medical spas used. I spiraled into a tailspin.

I didn't know anything about specific products in the medical spa industry. I didn't even know what she wanted me to research. She never brought up my level of product knowledge in our initial interview, nor did anyone ask me to find out about the competitors' products when explaining the project to me.

She said I should've known to research the different products used by our competitors. Then, she launched into a list of other deliverables that I should've done. After a few minutes of her feedback, I felt overwhelmed.

Mental health and respect at work are mandatory

I stood up and told her I needed to take a break. So, I walked toward the front door.

She tried stopping me. I didn't give in. I already vowed to never let anyone disrespect me at work. I said, "Ma'am, respectfully, I need to step outside and take a breather. I'll be back in a few minutes."

She fired me, saying that I wasn't going to work out for her. I thought to myself, "Oh, awesome," as I tried to keep my demeanor professional. I was so pissed off.

To be fair, I wanted to quit, so she got me before I got her. As I approached the front desk, I looked at the general manager and trainer and told them that I was fired. The general manager offered me a recommendation letter despite all the drama.

I said goodbye to my coworkers after 2.5 days

I felt like a failure after two days and about six hours of work on day three. I said goodbye to my coworkers and told them that I was fired as I walked out the door for the last time. But I really felt depressed too.

I texted "9-1-1" to my mom while she was at work and started sobbing on the phone with her in the parking lot. I kept apologizing to her for being a failure, even though I knew I worked in a toxic environment.

Afterward, I spent a month in bed while working remotely for another company.

I've been in the workforce since I was about 16 or 17 years old and have worked with various age groups. That said, some Gen Z workers are lazy and unreliable, and I've seen the TikToks that say that Gen Z is rude, too. At the same time, we want what everyone else wants: for our employers to value us, to enjoy our jobs and work environment, and to receive proper training so that we'll thrive.

Gen Z knows that there's somewhere better for us

While the older generations might have put up with toxic work environments, we're speaking up for ourselves and not settling.

I'm more than happy to receive constructive criticism, as long as the feedback does not cross the line into degradation and disrespect. The workforce continuously changes, and employers must be open to flexibility, growth, and change.

Gen Z knows that there's somewhere better for us if we don't get what we want out of a job — that's why I'm working at a reputable advertising agency that respects me, advocates for mental health, and cultivates a fun and enjoyable work environment.

As an employee, it's not on me if a boss doesn't want to learn or be flexible. I can't help a boss to grow, and I can't grow in a toxic environment, right?

If you're a Gen Z worker and want to share your story, email Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.

Updated May 7, 2024 — An earlier version of this story did not clarify that the director role was Calli Nguyen's first paid full-time digital marketing job, not her first time working in digital marketing.

• About half of the North Korean missiles fired by Russia at Ukraine have failed, a Ukrainian official said.
• The missiles that failed flew off course and exploded in midair.
• Ukraine's top prosecutor told Reuters they're investigating missile debris. 

About half of the North Korean missiles Russia has fired at Ukraine have failed, Ukraine's top prosecutor said, per new reporting.

The high reported failure rate raises questions about the quality of North Korean-provided munitions and comes after months of concern about how an arms deal between the two countries could influence the war in Ukraine and North Korea's own efforts to improve its military capabilities.

State prosecutors have been examining the debris of 21 out of 50 North Korean missiles fired at Ukraine by Russia between December and February. About half of the missiles "lost their programmed trajectories and exploded in the air," Ukraine's top prosecutor Andriy Kostin told Reuters, noting that debris was not collected for these weapons.

This falls in line with previous assessments from Ukraine. Back in March, Yuriy Belousov, head of the war crimes department of Ukraine's office of the prosecutor general, said North Korean ballistic missiles were "very low" quality, boasting an accuracy rate of only around 20 percent.

Beyond the missiles, North Korean rockets have also been called into question. Last summer, the Ukrainians got their hands on North Korean rockets that troops characterized as "very unreliable," noting they sometimes "do crazy things." They said it wasn't odd for them to misfire or explode.

The reported problems add to suspicions about weaknesses in North Korea's stockpiles, as sanctions and dated production capabilities impact the quality of missiles and other munitions. The battlefield intelligence Pyongyang may be receiving about the performance and capabilities of its weapon systems could be invaluable though.

When North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September 2023 for a summit on a potential arms deal, officials and experts expressed concerns that such a partnership could be mutually beneficial. The concern was that Putin would get more ammo for his war in Ukraine, and North Korea would get field testing of its weapons to improve the quality of the country's munitions.

In November 2023, South Korean lawmakers estimated a million North Korean shells had been sent to Russia, beating out the European Union's collective aid to Ukraine since Moscow's forces invaded. In addition to shells, North Korea has also sent rockets and ballistic missiles to Russia as well, helping sustain it as Ukraine struggled to do the same.

One of the North Korean missiles sent to Russia appears to be KN-23s, known in North Korea as the short-range Hwasong 11. Hwasong 11s resemble Russian Iskander-M missiles and boast a range of around 430 miles.

Ukrainian officials and experts have identified fragments of the Hwasong 11 in the aftermath of several attacks, including one in early January and one in early February, both in Kharkiv. Kostin told Reuters the last recorded use of the weapon was February 27.

Along with Kharkiv, other cities, such as Kyiv, and regions, such as Donetsk and Kirovohrad, have been the targets of missile strikes. Since December 30, the attacks have killed 24 people and wounded 115, damaging various residential areas.

• Trump is currently on trial over hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.
• He faces 34 counts of falsifying business records and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
• This timeline outlines Trump's three marriages, rumored affairs, and sexual misconduct accusations.

Donald Trump has been married to or dating one of his three wives since the 1970s, with only a few breaks in between.

Then a young real estate developer, he married his first wife, Ivana Trump, in 1977.

Ivana is the mother of Donald Jr., Ivanka (whose actual name is Ivana Marie), and Eric Trump. Ivana also worked to develop the Trump Organization as vice president of interior design.

Trump's reputation was tied to his "playboy" image, which came with rumors of affairs. According to one report, Trump tried to get Playboy magazine to run a "Girls of Trump" spread featuring his employees.

"He even tried to get Playboy to do a spread called 'The Girls of Trump,' wooing his most shapely staffers, including a former beauty queen secretary, into posing for the magazine with a sliding scale of offers on everything from full nude to breast to 'wet-lip' shots," Wayne Barrett wrote in his 1991 book "Trump, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Deals, The Downfall, The Reinvention." 

Barrett continued: "It was all part of the rakish ethos of phony glamour that he consciously fostered, even to the extent of concealing from public view a very efficient secretary with a pimplish facial condition."

At least 26 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct, with allegations stretching back to the 1970s and running through 2016.

Several women have come forward with allegations of sexual assault or sexual impropriety against Trump in recent years.

Jessica Leeds told The New York Times in 2016 that Trump "grabbed her breasts and tried to put his hand up her skirt" when the pair were seated next to each other on a flight in the early 1980s, when Trump was married to Ivana.

"He was like an octopus," Leeds told The Times. "His hands were everywhere."

In 2019, columnist E. Jean Carroll accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s. She's suing him for defamation and battery. The trial is scheduled to begin April 25.

Trump has denied the allegations against him.

Trump's marriage to Ivana fell apart when he began an affair with the model Marla Maples, which dominated the tabloids in the early 1990s.

Ivana and Trump divorced in 1991, after months of headlines about Trump's affair with Maples.

"The children are all wrecks," Ivana told gossip columnist Liz Smith. "Ivanka now comes home from school crying, 'Mommy, does it mean I'm not going to be Ivanka Trump anymore?' Little Eric asks me, 'Is it true you are going away and not coming back?'"

Ivana died at the age of 73 in 2022.

Maples and Trump were married in 1993, soon after the birth of their daughter, Tiffany. In 1997, the pair announced plans to divorce.

Trump wasn't single for long. In 1998, he met model Melania Knauss. The pair married in January 2005.

Melania and Trump dated on and off in the years before they got married.

In September 2005, Trump was caught on tape telling "Access Hollywood" host Billy Bush that he was able to "grab" women "by the p—y" because "when you're a star they let you do it."

The tape was published by the Washington Post just before the 2016 presidential election, at which time Trump called his commentary "locker room banter."

Melania gave birth to the couple's only son, Barron, in March 2006.

Adult film star Stormy Daniels alleged that she and Trump had a sexual encounter just four months later, in July 2006.

In January 2018, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump's personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, had facilitated a $130,000 payment to Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, shortly before the 2016 election.

In August 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight federal crimes, including making an illegal campaign contribution on the same day he facilitated the payment to Daniels.

Fast-forward five years, and a New York grand jury has voted to indict Trump, capping the Manhattan district attorney's office yearslong investigation into Trump's personal and business finances. The charges are likely linked to the $130,000 payment to Daniels.

Trump continues to deny having ever had an affair with Daniels.

Playboy model Karen McDougal alleged that she started an affair with Trump even closer to the birth of Barron in June 2006.

In February 2018, The New Yorker published an investigation into McDougal's alleged affair, which she said continued for months.

American Media, a media company that owns the National Enquirer and has close ties to Trump, bought the exclusive rights to McDougal's story, The Wall Street Journal reported in 2016.

But the company didn't run any pieces on the story — something The New Yorker noted was a tactic some media outlets commonly used to kill a story.

The White House claimed the incidents the document outlined did not happen, with a spokesperson telling The New Yorker, "The President says he never had a relationship with McDougal."

A number of women have also alleged that Trump sexually harassed or assaulted them during his relationship and marriage to Melania.

In 2016, People's Natasha Stoynoff alleged that Trump pushed her against a wall and "shoved" his tongue "down her throat" when she went to Mar-a-Lago to interview him and the very-pregnant Melania in December 2005.

Miss USA and Miss Universe contestants said that Trump harassed and assaulted them in 2006, inspecting them before the pageants and grabbing them without consent.

Summer Zervos, a former contestant on "The Apprentice," said Trump "very aggressively" kissed her, groped her breasts, and began "thrusting" his genitals at her in a 2007 meeting at The Beverly Hills Hotel.

Trump has denied all of these allegations.

Melania has stayed by Trump's side throughout the repeated allegations that he cheated on her throughout their relationship, including when she was pregnant and soon after Barron's birth.

When she was first lady, Melania seemed to disappear from public view when Trump's alleged affairs made headlines.

In February 2018, she eschewed the traditional walk with the president across the White House's South Lawn to Marine One after The New Yorker published its report on the McDougal affair.

Melania also largely disappeared from public engagements with her husband after the Daniels news broke in January 2018.

When a New York grand jury made history in voting to indict Trump in March 2023, Daniels offered a two-word response to the news.

She quote-tweeted a Twitter user arguing that Trump's indictment should not be cause for celebration but should instead be allowed to play out in the justice system.

"Thank you," Daniels wrote.

—Stormy Daniels (@StormyDaniels) March 30, 2023

//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

In a Truth Social post after the news broke, Trump called his indictment "AN ATTACK ON OUR COUNTRY THE LIKES OF WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE."

While he raged about the indictment online, guests at Trump's private Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida said they saw him and Melania "smiling and greeting guests."

The former president surrendered to the Manhattan district attorney's office.

When asked if Trump plans to fight the case all the way to trial, Trump attorney Joe Tacopina said, "For sure, if it's not dismissed beforehand."

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, Trump surrendered into the custody of the Manhattan district attorney's office.

Trump remained under arrest until mid-afternoon, and then entered a plea of "not guilty."

 

Trump's trial in Manhattan federal court began Monday, April 15, 2024.

Stormy Daniels took the stand on May 7, 2024, and said she was scared and ashamed after her night with Trump in 2006.

In her testimony, Daniels described meeting Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe in July 2006. She said she accepted a dinner invitation from Trump and went to his hotel suite.

Daniels testified that Trump's wife, Melania, came up in the conversation but that Trump said, "'Oh, don't worry about that. We don't even sleep in the same room."

She said that after they had sex she quickly left and was ashamed.

Daniels said she and Trump kept in touch, testifying he would call her and that they occasionally met in person. She said at one meeting in Los Angeles he introduced her to his "friend" Karen, who she later learned was Playboy model Karen McDougal, who has also alleged she had an affair with Trump.

Trump has maintained he did not have an affair with Daniels or McDougal.

Editor's note: This story was first published in March 2018 and has been updated to reflect recent developments.

• Generative AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity in connected networks.
• Companies that don't adopt AI risk falling behind in cybersecurity, IT experts warn.
• This article is part of "5G and Connectivity Playbook," a series exploring some of our time's most important tech innovations.

Generative AI has become a double-edged sword for the security of connected networks.

On one hand, generative AI can speed up cybersecurity problems, making it easier and cheaper for bad actors to conduct identity attacks. For example, it can be used to design sophisticated phishing campaigns by generating audio, images, or videos to create fake identities.

While hackers exploit AI technologies, companies are adopting AI as a defense tool. As the number of connected devices on 5G networks increases, generative AI in security operations will become more crucial, David Cooper, a global lead for Accenture Security, said.

"What used to take a human being two hours, now there's an AI solution to do it in much faster time," Cooper said. "We're able to respond faster, we're able to catch up to the bad guys faster with interesting transformational technology. We're able to move so much faster and do more with limited resources."

Business Insider spoke with several cybersecurity professionals who attended the annual RSA conference this week in San Francisco about how generative AI is increasingly used in cybersecurity for 5G devices and networks. They said that while 5G networks have higher security standards, attacks could still come from identity breaches of accounts or devices connected to those networks.

"If you can stay ahead of the risks you perceive when you implement 5G solutions, you're going to be in good shape," said Shaun McAlmont, the president and CEO of the cybersecurity-awareness-training company Ninjio.

Accelerating cybersecurity

Generative AI can speed up more routine security processes and free up resources, helping cybersecurity professionals increase productivity and make decisions faster. Things like the design and architecture of a 5G application, generating code samples, conducting tests, and speeding up authentication can be automated. It can also prevent attacks by helping to configure and manage networks.

"There's a distinct benefit for organizations where we may leverage AI for improving network quality, improving security, and network healing," Chris Novak, the senior director of cybersecurity consulting at Verizon Business, said. "There are opportunities for AI to help us analyze network traffic flows in real time, recognize where there is an issue, and ensure little to no impact to network users."

AI can also help 5G users monitor their security and ensure that the services they connect to have the appropriate certifications and authorizations for transferring data.

Large language models can help mitigate security threats by identifying suspicious patterns in traffic and unusual attempts to enter the network. Because AI can process an enormous amount of data about malicious threats, it can help isolate them before they spread further. Additionally, it can triage malware and other threats, making sense of complex attack-path data and automating threat responses.

Edge-protection tools powered by AI can be a "first layer of defense" that can deal with mass data, David Aviv, the chief technology officer at Radware, said.

"Competitors that didn't adopt those machine-learning technologies have gotten left behind," said Steve Wilson, the chief product officer at Exabeam, a network security company.

5G to strengthen AI

5G can also boost the capabilities of AI applications themselves. With 5G, AI can do more computation and sensor analysis on the edge, meaning the computation is closer to the data source.

"The combination of AI and 5G will make it inevitable that we will be using machines for tasks that are currently performed by humans," said Ev Kontsevoy, the cofounder and CEO of Teleport, an identity access and management software company.

It's becoming increasingly important for companies to apply AI to their cybersecurity practices because humans won't be able to keep up, Rohit Ghai, the CEO of RSA, said.

"Any 5G network is very very dynamic," Ghai said. "It's changing all the time. Human approaches to securing that are not able to keep up with the dynamic nature of the network."

Now that mobile and Internet of Things devices have become more ubiquitous, they're using even more data, which generative AI can help filter and secure.

"We're going to be required to collect an order of magnitude more data from more devices and provide really quick analysis on that," Wilson said.

• Three Space Force Guardians earned their spurs after finishing a series of rigorous combat tests.
• They completed the Army Cavalry Spur Ride, becoming the US military's first 'space cowboys.'
• The officers said the challenges were vastly different than their day jobs at military bases.

After being covered in dust, sweat, dirt, and blood, three officers emerged from the West Texas desert last week and were given their spurs and Stetson cowboy hats by the Army, becoming the first-ever "space cowboys."

The three Space Force Guardians traveled to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, to complete an Army Cavalry Spur Ride, a series of arduous combat tests and physical training exercises in which service members often ruck-march in between challenges — the first members of the military's newest and smallest service to do so.

Space Force Capt. Bradley Evans, an engineer at White Sands Missile Range who took part in the Spur Ride, told Military.com that all of the Guardians who participated completed the challenges, though some Army soldiers didn't make it through.

"Being in the Space Force, we certainly received a lot more attention from the cadre than some of the soldiers did, which made it quite a good challenge for us," Evans said. "I think there was an expectation by some that we wouldn't make it, and so pushing back against that expectation and performing was a powerful driver."

Earning your spurs is a long-standing tradition that dates back to the early days of the Army cavalry when new soldiers had to prove their skills in swordsmanship and horseback riding. Even though the US military is changing, including the addition of the Space Force and its Guardians, those traditions are still upheld through rigorous physical challenges and training.

Guardians are often deployed in place, meaning they're at military installations in front of a computer and not typically put into austere and deadly conditions. As a result, the service has placed a different focus on routine physical training. It has announced plans to use wearable fitness technology and take a more holistic approach to keeping its service members in shape compared to the other branches.

All of the Space Force officers who participated in the Spur Ride, including 1st Lt. Jordan Savage, an acquisitions officer at Space Systems Command in Los Angeles, told Military.com that the physical challenge was vastly different from their day jobs.

"My Garmin captured us doing about 37 miles of rucking. We had a 60-pound ruck that we were with the whole time that had all of our gear that was necessary for the Spur Ride and, on top of that, we had minimal sleep," Savage said. "So, all those things are not what we experienced in our day-to-day life as acquisitions [officers] or engineers here."

Some of the Army soldiers who participated in the Spur Ride had never met someone in the Space Force before and quickly recognized cultural differences between the service branches.

"So many soldiers had questions because the Space Force is still so new, and they just want to know, 'Hey, what do you guys do?'" 1st Lt. Jackson Jennings, a Space Force developmental engineer, told Military.com. "So, I tell them about my day-to-day life, and they're just kind of dumbfounded that we don't have mandatory PT three times a week or we have to form up and stuff like that."

Their presence also led to some extra attention during the challenges, with many soldiers reportedly calling them "space cowboys" as they rucked from one painful activity to the next.

"Let's just say they showed us some extra love for being space cowboys," Savage said.

Participating in and completing the Army Cavalry Spur Ride marks the latest frontier that the Space Force's men and women have conquered.

Last month, two Space Force Guardians became the first in the service to graduate from the Army's Drill Instructor Academy at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.

Last year, Space Force Guardian Capt. Dan Reynolds graduated from Ranger School — a two-month course filled with grueling physical training and exercises designed to educate participants on elite squad and platoon tactics. The achievement not only was a first for the service, it bucked criticism and stereotypes that Guardians aren't as active as other military service branches.

The three Space Force Guardians who participated in the Spur Ride told Military.com that they hope their peers will look for other opportunities to train with the other branches and push themselves.

"I would say, whether it's this challenge or other challenges out there, there's a great need for Guardians to push themselves, particularly in the physical aspect," Evans told Military.com. "It's not only just generally healthy, but doing this event is going to help me in my regular job when I'm just pushing forward and trying to get something done. … Something about rucking 30 miles, and just thinking one more step, applies very well to being on a 12-hour shift."

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The best OLED TVs offer the most impressive picture quality you can get. And though OLED models tend to be pricier than other displays, there's no substitute for an OLED if you want high-end image performance with true black levels, an infinite contrast ratio, and wide viewing angles.

Based on a combination of hands-on testing and over a decade's experience covering home entertainment products, we've selected the best OLED TVs you can buy. We recommend the Samsung S90C as our best overall pick. It's the most affordable OLED with quantum dots, which enables it to deliver impressive color performance. But if you're willing to pay top dollar, the Sony A95L offers a more accurate image with a brighter picture and better upscaling. 

Below, you can find all our picks for the best OLED TV, including models geared toward budget shoppers and buyers with lights that cause glare. All our recommendations are available in multiple screen sizes, so be sure to select the size that fits your needs from each retailer's site before making a purchase.

Our top picks for the best OLED TVs 

Best overall: Samsung S90C 4K TV – See at Amazon

Best high-end: Sony A95L 4K TV – See at Amazon

Best on a budget: LG B3 4K TV – See at Amazon

Best midrange: LG C3 4K TV – See at Amazon

Best anti-glare screen: Samsung S95D 4K TV – See at Amazon

Best for your wall: LG G3 4K TV – See at Amazon

Best overall

Samsung's S90C is the best OLED TV there is for the money. In fact, it's our pick for the best TV overall. Thanks to its quantum dot technology, the S90C can produce a brighter image with better color performance than typical OLEDs. And it costs less than direct competitors from LG and Sony.

Like all OLED TVs, the S90C has deep black levels, wide viewing angles, and an infinite contrast ratio. But this model stands out in its price range thanks to its exceptional brightness, color range, and color volume. The S90C has a peak brightness of around 1,000 nits, a nice step up from the 800-nit max of other similarly priced OLEDs. 

The TV also maintains vivid colors across high brightness levels better than LG's OLEDs. This means that high dynamic range (HDR) content really pops. HDR10 and HDR10+ videos look stunning through streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs. On the downside, it's disappointing that Samsung still doesn't support Dolby Vision, a popular HDR format. However, we don't consider that a dealbreaker. Check out our HDR guide for details on how Dolby Vision stacks up to other HDR formats.

Smart TV capabilities are also solid but not the smoothest we've seen. A cool Gaming Hub lets you use services like Xbox Game Pass to stream games without a console, a feature you won't find on Sony and LG TVs. And you can game at up to 144Hz when paired with a computer. These perks help cement the S90C as the best OLED TV for gaming, in addition to being our top pick overall. 

Samsung does sell a 2024 version of this set, called the S90D, that can get a little brighter. However, the S90D is much more expensive, so we think this 2023 model is the better buy. Likewise, though there are better-looking OLED TVs on the market, they all cost considerably more than the S90C, and their upgrades in picture performance are subtle. When it comes to overall bang for your buck, the S90C is simply unmatched. 

Read our Samsung S90C OLED 4K TV review.

Check out our guide to the best Samsung TVs.

Note: The 83-inch S90C does not use quantum dots, so that size can't offer the same color performance as smaller models.

Best high-end

Sony's OLED TVs are known for their high-end picture processing, which enables them to deliver the most accurate image on the market. The A95L is the company's latest and greatest model, and it's the best OLED TV you can buy for a premium home theater experience.  

Like most of Samsung's competing OLED TVs, the A95L uses quantum dots to achieve a brighter, more colorful image than a typical OLED screen. And the A95L is one of the brightest OLEDs we've tested. We measured a max of about 1,500 nits. That's 500 nits higher than this model's predecessor, the A95K 4K TV, and about even with LG G series TVs. This leads to more realistic contrast and details in specular highlights when watching HDR content graded for peaks over 1,000 nits. 

However, Samsung's brand-new S95D OLED can get even brighter, with a peak of about 1,700 nits. But unlike Samsung's OLEDs, the A95L supports Dolby Vision, so it can more precisely render HDR images on a scene-by-scene basis. On top of all that, the A95L uses Sony's proprietary image processing to better optimize its picture and upscale lower-quality content. This means you'll get a cleaner, smoother image with fewer artifacts. So, while the S95D is the new OLED champ for brightness, the A95L's overall image quality is still better. 

The A95L also features a premium design with a slim screen and convenient stand that can be set up in one of two modes: high or low profile. High profile gives you enough space to fit a soundbar in front, while low profile allows the display to sit flush on your entertainment console. A backlit Google Assistant voice remote is also included, and the A95L even comes with a webcam for video calls and gesture controls. 

On the downside, the TV only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, which max out at 120Hz instead of the 144Hz support you get on Samsung OLEDs. But as far as high-end TVs go, they really don't get any better than the A95L. If budget isn't a concern and you want the absolute best image quality you can get, the A95L is the best OLED TV to buy.

Best on a budget

The LG B3 is one of the most affordable OLED TVs there is. Though it lacks the brightness capabilities and improved processing you'd get on LG's more expensive C- and G-Series TVs, it still provides all of the contrast, black level, and viewing angle benefits that OLEDs are known for.

At a max of about 600-700 nits, the B3 can deliver solid but not fantastic brightness. Though extreme highlights won't pop with the same intensity you'd see on pricier sets, the TV's pixel-level contrast still delivers better overall HDR performance than any QLED display. However, the B3's dimmer image does make this model less ideal for living rooms that let in a lot of light.

Despite its lower price, the B3 still packs in HDMI 2.1 support and a 120Hz panel. This means it can support advanced gaming features like variable refresh rate (VRR) and a 120 frames-per-second mode on compatible titles. 

LG does sell a new 2024 version of this TV, called the B4, but its launch price is much higher than the B3 sells for. We expect the B4 to come down in price as the year goes on, but for now, the B3 remains the best OLED TV to buy on a budget.

Best midrange

The LG C3 is an excellent all-around 4K display. It isn't the absolute best OLED TV on the market, but it provides impressive performance in its class. It's also available in more screen sizes than most OLEDs, so buyers with different space and budget needs have plenty of options.  

Picture quality is on par with similar midrange OLEDs, but at a peak of about 800 nits, the C3 lacks the extra brightness that LG's premium G-Series TVs provide. It also can't match the color volume of OLED TVs with quantum dots, like the Samsung S90 and S95 series or the Sony A95L. 

But while HDR highlights might not shine quite as intensely, image performance is still exceptional. And unlike Samsung OLEDs, the C3 supports the Dolby Vision format, which can provide the TV with more guidance on properly displaying high dynamic range videos.

The C3 uses LG's webOS smart TV platform, and the interface works well. The Magic Remote lets you navigate using traditional directional buttons or by pointing the remote at the screen to move a cursor. The TV also supports 120Hz gaming with a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC, but it doesn't support 144Hz. 

We still recommend our top pick, the Samsung S90C, over the C3 for most people since Samsung's TV is brighter and delivers better color for about the same price. But the C3 is a fantastic midrange OLED alternative for anyone who prefers LG's smart TV platform, wants Dolby Vision support, or is shopping for a smaller size screen.

It should also be noted that a 2024 version of this TV, called the LG C4, is now rolling out to stores. We got a hands-on look at the TV, and while it delivers a marginal bump in brightness, it currently costs a lot more than the C3. As long as the C3 remains available for less money, we consider it the better buy.

Best anti-glare screen

Many OLED TVs claim to have anti-reflective screen filters, but the Samsung S95D's glare-free coating is in a class of its own. The S95D is the only OLED you can buy that uses a matte screen instead of a glossy screen. This feature enables it to nearly eliminate glare and reflections, which can be problematic in rooms with many windows and indoor lights. 

Every other OLED TV on the market can cause a mirror-like effect when hit with light from certain angles, but the S95D is free from this issue. During our testing in a bright room, we saw no troublesome reflections, making this set a game changer for buyers who want an OLED free from glare. 

However, there is a drawback to the S95D's anti-glare screen: it hurts black-level performance in a bright room. So, while you no longer have to deal with reflections, the S95D's black levels take on a more gray and hazy look instead of the deep and inky quality you'd see on any other OLED in this guide. Thankfully, this isn't an issue when viewing the TV with the lights off, so the S95D still offers all the contrast and black-level benefits OLEDs are known for in a dark home theater setting. 

In addition to its anti-glare screen, the S95D is the brightest OLED we've ever tested, with a peak of around 1,700 nits. This helps the display deliver exceptional HDR performance. That said, we think Sony's A95L still has an edge in overall image quality thanks to its superior picture processing. 

The S95D has all the other bells and whistles you should expect from a flagship Samsung TV, including support for a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth PC gaming. And unlike the cheaper S90 series, the S95D has a uniformly thin design with a One Connect Box to house all its video ports. 

Buyers should note that Samsung still sells the 2023 version of this TV, called the S95C, for significantly less money. That model offers a virtually identical design and similar picture quality, but it does not have the S95D's glare-free screen. So, while the S95C remains a better value for most needs, it can't minimize reflections as well as the S95D.

Ultimately, the S95D's matte screen is a divisive feature with clear pros and cons. For most buyers, we recommend sticking with a traditional glossy TV since you get better black levels. But if you need an OLED uniquely suited for combating glare and reflections, this is the model to get. 

Read our Samsung S95D 4K TV review.

Best for your wall

LG's G3 is an excellent TV for anyone who wants a high-end OLED that looks particularly great hanging on your wall. This is one of LG's flagship models, and it delivers image quality that's nearly on par with Sony's A95L, along with an elegant "Gallery" design.

The TV's build enables it to hang on your wall with virtually no gap, and it includes a flush wall mount to handle the job. It also manages to keep all of its ports within its panel, so there's no need for a separate box as you get with Samsung's S95 sr.

Thanks to its LG OLED Evo panel, the G3 offers high-end picture performance. It's the first OLED to use MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology to help boost its maximum brightness, and the results are impressive. During our tests, we measured a peak of about 1,470 nits using the TV's most accurate HDR mode, which puts it nearly neck-and-neck with Sony's A95L.

However, the G3 doesn't use quantum dots, so its color volume isn't as high as you'd get on the A95L or one of Samsung's OLED TVs. Its picture processing isn't quite as accurate as Sony's either, but the differences are subtle.

Though we think the A95L edges out the G3 in overall picture performance, the G3 is a close runner-up and is often on sale for a lot less than Sony's TV. Coupled with its stylish "Gallery" design, this makes the G3 a great high-end OLED alternative, especially if you're wall-mounting your set.

But while the G3 looks fantastic on a wall, it's less suited for placing on an entertainment console. The G3 doesn't include a traditional stand, so you must purchase one separately, which adds to the cost. The display also leans back slightly when attached to LG's official stand, which gives it a somewhat awkward look. 

If you're willing to spend more money, there's also the new 2024 LG G4 to consider. Unlike the G3, the 65- and 55-inch G4s now come with a stand, and the display does not lean back. However, the G4 only offers a minor upgrade in color and brightness performance, so the G3 is still the better buy for wall mounting. 

How we test OLED TVs

To test the best OLED TVs, we evaluate several factors, including peak brightness, high dynamic range (HDR) performance, smart TV features, navigation speed, and value. 

To measure the brightness of a TV's panel, we use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter with the Spears & UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray's test patterns. We also use this disc's patterns to evaluate other objective display qualities.

However, test patterns can only reveal so much, so we also use real-world content to get a better sense of how an OLED actually looks when watching regular TV. We use the same assortment of demo movies and shows on each display to help test each OLED's overall image performance, with a specific focus on scenes that showcase shadow detail, specular highlights, color fidelity, and sharpness with native 4K, high-definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) content through Blu-ray players, cable TV, and all the best streaming services. We also evaluate TVs in various lighting conditions to see how an OLED performs in bright and dark rooms. 

OLED TV FAQs

Should you buy a 2024 OLED TV?

LG, Sony, and Samsung have started to release their new lineup of 2024 OLED TVs. That said, 2023 TV models will remain available throughout the year until stock runs out.

Though some exceptions exist, performance improvements are subtle for most OLED models that received updated iterations for 2024. Likewise, 2023 models remain cheaper than their 2024 counterparts. In most cases, we think 2023 OLED TVs continue to offer the best value right now. 

What is an OLED TV?

OLED stands for "organic light-emitting diode." Instead of using a traditional LCD panel with a backlight, like those found on QLED and LED TVs, OLED TVs are self-illuminating. This means that each pixel on an OLED can emit its own light or turn off completely, enabling an infinite contrast ratio. Because of this high contrast performance, OLED displays are among the best 4K TVs you can buy. 

Though there are a few different types of OLED panels, they all share the same key benefits of pixel-level contrast and wide viewing angles. Some OLED subtypes, however, have extra perks that make them even more desirable. 

QD-OLED panels, for instance, have the added benefit of quantum dot technology, which enables them to produce an even wider and brighter range of colors. Sony and Samsung use QD-OLED panels in their top TVs, like the S90C, S95D, and A95L. 

Though LG doesn't use QD-OLED, it does use another advanced OLED panel tech called MLA OLED. MLA stands for Micro Lens Array, and OLEDs with this feature employ a layer of tiny convex lenses to boost their brightness capabilities. The LG G3 is the first consumer OLED to use MLA tech.

You can learn more about how OLEDs stack up against QLEDs in our full QLED vs. OLED comparison. 

Should OLED TV buyers worry about burn-in?

Even the best OLED TVs are technically susceptible to an issue known as burn-in. If you leave a static image on an OLED TV for an extended period — a news station's chyron bar, for example — a faint after-image can get stuck on the screen.

Though it sounds alarming, burn-in is not a new phenomenon. Many past TV technologies, including plasma and CRT displays, have also been prone to this issue. While OLED buyers should be mindful of this risk, OLED TVs have built-in measures to combat burn-in, including automatic pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers. 

Publications like Rtings have done long-term tests with many OLED TV models, and while the results do show that burn-in is possible in extreme use cases, the tests show that it shouldn't be a problem for people with regular viewing habits. 

I've owned an LG CX OLED TV for over two years, and the screen shows no burn-in. In my experience, as long as you don't plan on watching the same cable news channel all day, burn-in shouldn't be a deciding factor when choosing whether to get an OLED TV. 

What size OLED TVs can you buy?

OLED TVs are sold in various screen sizes ranging from 42 to 97 inches.

The most commonly available options are 55, 65, and 77 inches. QD-OLED and standard OLED panels are both manufactured at those sizes. 

A few OLED models are also available in larger 83- and even 97-inch options. However, OLED panels with quantum dots are not currently manufactured at those sizes. 

LG, Sony, and Samsung also sell 48- and 42-inch OLED TVs, but only for a limited assortment of their models, and, once again, these options do not include QD-OLED panels. 

Some 4K OLED displays smaller than 42 inches are also available, but these sizes are limited to PC monitors, like the 32-inch Alienware AW3225QF.

For OLED TV recommendations specific to certain screen sizes, check out our size-specific guides:

• Best 85-inch TVs
• Best 75-inch TVs
• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs.
• Best 50-inch TVs

Should you buy a soundbar to pair with an OLED TV?

The best OLED TVs all include built-in speakers, but they typically offer mediocre sound quality and lack bass response. If you're unhappy with your TV's audio performance, we recommend buying a separate soundbar. 

Check out our guides to the best soundbars, best budget soundbars, and best Dolby Atmos soundbars to see our top picks. Dolby Atmos is a spatial audio format that can spread sound effects around your room with simulated overhead audio, so soundbars with this feature tend to offer the most immersive performance. 

Best overall

Samsung's S90C is the best OLED TV there is for the money. In fact, it's our pick for the best TV overall. Thanks to its quantum dot technology, the S90C can produce a brighter image with better color performance than typical OLEDs. And it costs less than its direct competitors from LG and Sony.

Like all OLED TVs, the S90C has deep black levels, wide viewing angles, and an infinite contrast ratio. But this model stands out in its price range thanks to its exceptional brightness, color range, and color volume. The S90C has a peak brightness of around 1,000 nits, which is a nice step up from the 800-nit max of other similarly priced OLEDs. 

Even better, the TV can maintain vivid colors across different brightness levels better than LG OLEDs, including the high-end G3. This means that high dynamic range (HDR) content really pops. HDR10 and HDR10+ videos look stunning through streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs. On the downside, it's disappointing that Samsung still doesn't support Dolby Vision.

Smart TV capabilities are also solid but not the smoothest we've seen. There's also a cool Gaming Hub that lets you use services like Xbox Game Pass to stream games without a console. And you can game at up to 144Hz when paired with a computer. 

Though there are better-looking OLED TVs, they cost a lot more than the S90C. When it comes to overall value, the S90C is simply unmatched. 

Read our Samsung S90C OLED 4K TV review.

*The 83-inch S90C does not use quantum dots, so that size is not expected to offer the same color performance as smaller models.

Best high-end

Sony's OLED TVs are known for their high-end picture processing, which enables them to deliver the most accurate image on the market. The A95L is the company's latest and greatest model, and it's the best OLED TV you can buy for a premium home theater experience.  

Like Samsung's OLED TVs, the A95L uses quantum dots to achieve a brighter, more colorful image than a typical OLED screen. And the A95L is the brightest OLED we've ever tested. We measured a max of about 1,500 nits with the TV in its most accurate HDR preset. That's about 500 nits higher than last year's already impressive A95K 4K TV and ever-so-slightly higher than LG's G3. This leads to more realistic contrast and details in specular highlights when watching HDR content that's graded for peaks over 1,000 nits. 

And unlike Samsung's OLEDs, the A95L also supports Dolby Vision, so it can more precisely render HDR images on a scene-by-scene basis. On top of all that, the A95L makes use of Sony's proprietary image processing to optimize its picture and upscale lower-quality content better than most competing TVs. This means you'll get a cleaner, smoother image with fewer artifacts.

The A95L also features a premium design with a slim screen and convenient stand that can be set up in one of two modes: high or low profile. High profile gives you enough space to fit a soundbar in front, while low profile allows the display to sit flush on your entertainment console. A backlit Google Assistant voice remote is included as well, and the A95L even comes with a webcam for video calls and gesture controls. 

As far as high-end TVs go, they really don't get any better than the A95L. The difference in picture performance between this model and its less expensive direct competitors, like the LG G3 and Samsung S95C, isn't huge, but if budget isn't a concern and you want the absolute best image quality you can get, the A95L is the OLED TV to buy.

Best budget

The LG B3 is one of the most affordable OLED TVs you can buy. Though it lacks the brighter image and better processing you'd get on LG's more expensive C- and G-Series TVs, it still provides all of the contrast, black level, and viewing angle benefits that OLEDs are known for.

At a max of about 600-700 nits, the B3 can deliver solid but not fantastic brightness. Though extreme highlights won't pop with the same intensity you'd see on pricier sets, the TV's pixel-level contrast still delivers better overall HDR performance than any QLED display. However, the B3's dimmer image does make this model less ideal for living rooms that let in a lot of light.

Despite its lower price, the B3 still manages to pack in HDMI 2.1 support and a 120Hz panel. This means it can support advanced gaming features like variable refresh rate (VRR) and a 120 frames-per-second mode on compatible titles. 

However, if you're willing to sacrifice 120Hz support and go with a smaller screen, there is one other OLED TV that you can snag for even less money. Though no longer part of the company's current lineup, you can still occasionally find LG's even cheaper A2 OLED TV in stock at Best Buy. The 48-inch model is usually $550 to $600, which is fantastic. But keep in mind the A2 has a dimmer image than the B3, and it only has a 60Hz screen.

Best midrange

The LG C3 is an excellent all-around 4K display. It isn't the absolute best OLED TV on the market, but it provides impressive performance in its class. It's also available in a lot of screen sizes, so buyers with different space and budget needs have plenty of options to choose from.  

Picture quality is on par with most midrange OLEDs, but at a peak of about 800 nits, the C3 lacks the extra brightness that LG's premium G-Series TVs provide. It also can't match the color volume found on OLED TVs with quantum dots, like the Samsung S90C and S95C or the Sony A95L. 

But while HDR highlights might not shine quite as intensely, image performance is still exceptional. And unlike Samsung OLEDs, the C3 supports Dolby Vision to produce the most accurate high dynamic range image the TV is capable of. 

The C3 uses LG's webOS smart TV platform, and the interface works well enough. The Magic Remote lets you navigate using traditional directional buttons or by pointing the remote at the screen to move a cursor. The TV also supports 120Hz gaming when paired with a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC. 

Under most circumstances, we do recommend our top pick, the Samsung S90C, over the C3 for most people since Samsung's TV is brighter and delivers better color for about the same price. But the C3 is still a fantastic midrange OLED alternative for anyone who prefers LG's smart TV platform and wants Dolby Vision support.

Best for your wall

LG's G3 is an excellent TV for anyone who wants a high-end OLED that looks particularly great hanging on your wall. This is LG's current flagship model, and it delivers image quality that's nearly on par with Sony's A95L, along with an elegant "Gallery" design.

The TV's build enables it to hang on your wall with virtually no gap, and it includes a flush wall mount to handle the job. It also manages to keep all of its ports within its panel, so there's no need for a separate box as you get with Samsung's S95C.

Powered by LG's latest OLED Evo screen, the G3 offers high-end picture performance. It's the first OLED to use MLA (Micro Lens Array) technology to help boost its maximum brightness, and the results are impressive. During our tests, we measured a peak of about 1,470 nits using the TV's most accurate HDR preset, which puts it nearly neck-and-neck with Sony's A95L.

However, the G3 doesn't use quantum dots, so its color volume isn't as high as you'd get on the A95L or one of Samsung's OLED TVs. Its picture processing isn't quite as accurate as Sony's either, but the differences are subtle.

Though we think the A95L edges out the G3 when it comes to overall picture performance, the G3 is a close runner-up and is often on sale for a lot less than Sony's TV. Coupled with its stylish "Gallery" design, we think this makes the G3 a great high-end OLED alternative, especially if you're wall-mounting your set.

However, though the G3 looks fantastic on a wall, it's less suited for placing on an entertainment console. The G3 doesn't include a traditional stand, so you have to purchase one separately, which adds to the cost. The display also leans back slightly when attached to LG's official stand, which gives it a somewhat awkward look. 

Best for gaming

The S95C is one of the best Samsung TVs you can buy, and it carries over everything we love about our top overall pick, the S90C, while pumping up the brightness and slimming down its design. To be clear, the cheaper S90C is an exceptional gaming TV in its own right, but the S95C delivers a slightly more premium experience for buyers willing to pay a bit more. 

Like the S90C, the S95C has a QD-OLED panel that can support VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and up to a 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a compatible PC. This enables ultra-smooth gameplay if you have a computer that can run games at 144fps. The TV also supports Samsung's Gaming Hub, which includes apps for cloud services like Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now so you can play high-end games without a console or PC. 

On top of that, the S95C delivers a higher peak brightness than the S90C. In our review, we measured around 1,360 nits versus the S90C's 1,000 nits. This results in punchier highlights while playing HDR games or movies and leads to better bright-room performance if you game in a living room that lets in a lot of ambient light. 

The S95C also has a more elegant design with a uniformly thin screen that houses all its ports in a separate One-Connect box. This could make it easier to plug in your gaming consoles and hide cables since you can move the box out of sight.

We still recommend the cheaper S90C for most gamers since it delivers most of the features you'd get on the S95C for less money. But the S95C earns its spot here as a premium alternative for gamers who want a high-end OLED TV that pairs perfectly with consoles, PCs, and cloud services. 

Read our Samsung S95C 4K TV review.

How we test OLED TVs

When we test the best OLED TVs we evaluate several factors, including peak brightness, high dynamic range (HDR) performance, smart TV features, navigation speed, and value. 

To measure the brightness of a TV's panel we use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter with the Spears & UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray's test patterns. We also use this disc's patterns to evaluate other objective display qualities.

Test patterns can only reveal so much, however, so we also use real-world content to get a better sense of how an OLED actually looks when watching regular TV. We use the same assortment of demo movies and shows on each display to help test each OLED's overall image performance, with a specific focus on scenes that showcase shadow detail, specular highlights, color fidelity, and sharpness with native 4K, high-definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) content through Blu-ray players, streaming services, and cable TV. 

OLED TV FAQs

When will 2024 OLED TV models be available?

Brands like LG and Samsung revealed their new lineup of 2024 OLED TVs at the CES trade show in January. Pricing and release dates have not been confirmed yet, but we expect new models to start rolling out to stores in late March.

That said, 2023 TV models will still be available throughout the year until stock runs out. Though there are always exceptions, year-to-year performance improvements tend to be subtle for most TVs that get updated iterations. And since 2023 models will likely be cheaper than their new 2024 counterparts, we think 2023 TVs will offer the best value while supplies last. 

What is an OLED TV?

OLED stands for "organic light-emitting diode." Instead of using a traditional LCD panel with a backlight, like those found on QLED and LED TVs, OLED TVs are self-illuminating. This means that each pixel on an OLED can emit its own light or turn off completely, enabling an infinite contrast ratio. Because of this incredible contrast performance, OLED displays are among the best 4K TVs you can buy.

Though there are a few different types of OLED panels, they all share the same key benefits of pixel-level contrast and wide viewing angles. Some OLED subtypes, however, have extra perks that make them even more desirable. 

QD-OLED panels, for instance, have the added benefit of quantum dot technology, which enables them to produce an even wider and brighter range of colors. Sony and Samsung both use QD-OLED panels in their top TVs, like the S90C, S95C, and A95L. 

Though LG doesn't use QD-OLED, it does use another advanced OLED panel tech called MLA OLED. MLA stands for Micro Lens Array, and OLEDs with this tech employ a layer of tiny convex lenses to boost their brightness capabilities. The LG G3 is the first consumer OLED to use MLA tech.

Should OLED TV buyers worry about burn-in?

Even the best OLED TVs are technically susceptible to an issue known as burn-in. If you leave a static image on an OLED TV for an extended period — a news station's chyron bar, for example — a faint after-image can get stuck on the screen.

Though it sounds alarming, burn-in is not a new phenomenon. Many past TV technologies, including plasma and CRT displays, have also been prone to this issue. While OLED buyers should be mindful of this risk, OLED TVs have built-in measures to combat burn-in, including automatic pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers. 

Publications like Rtings have done long-term tests with many OLED TV models, and while the results do show that burn-in is possible in extreme use cases, the tests show that it shouldn't be a problem for people with regular viewing habits. 

I've owned an LG CX OLED TV for over two years, and the screen shows no burn-in. In my experience, as long as you don't plan on watching the same cable news channel all day long, burn-in shouldn't be a deciding factor when choosing whether to get an OLED TV. 

What size OLED TVs can you buy?

OLED TVs are available in a variety of screen sizes ranging from 42 inches to 97 inches.

The most commonly available options are 55 and 65 inches. For TV recommendations specific to that size, check out our guides to the best 65-inch TVs and the best 55-inch TVs. High-end OLED models also tend to be available in larger 77-, 83-, and even 97-inch sizes. LG and Sony also sell smaller 48- and 42-inch OLED TVs, but only for select models. 

4K OLED displays smaller than 42 inches are also available, but these sizes are currently limited to PC monitors, like the 32-inch Alienware AW3225QF.

• After nearly four hours of direct testimony, Stormy Daniels was cross-examined by a Trump attorney.
• 'Am I correct that you hate Donald Trump?" lawyer Susan Necheles demanded. 
• Other questions suggested Daniels lied about sex with Trump and tried to extort him.

During a fiery cross-examination in the New York hush-money trial, porn star Stormy Daniels fought back against a defense lawyer's accusations that she has a vendetta against Donald Trump.

"Am I correct that you hate President Trump?" defense lawyer Susan Necheles demanded early in Tuesday afternoon's questioning.

Daniels looked directly at Necheles, her voice crisp as she answered.

"Correct," she said.

"And you want him to go to jail?" Necheles pursued.

"If he's found guilty, yes," Daniels snapped back.

The tense exchange came after nearly four hours of direct testimony, in which Daniels described the one-night-stand she says she had with the then-Apprentice star in 2006.

Necheles raised her voice as she confronted Daniels with a tweet in which Daniels called Trump an "orange turd"— and about a nearly half-billion dollars in legal fees she owes after unsuccessfully suing Trump for defamation.

"You didn't take any money out of your pocket to pay President Trump did you?" the lawyer asked, referring to more than $500,000 in legal fees Daniels owes Trump after losing the federal court case.

"You're choosing not to pay President Trump?" the lawyer demanded. "You have said publicly you're not going to pay President Trump?"

Daniels was asked about her tweets from 2022, in which the porn star said she'd go to jail before paying Trump. In one tweet, Daniels had vowed, "I'll never give that orange turd a dime."

"You call him names all the time!" Necheles shouted, in what was more an accusation than a question.

"Yes," Daniels answered quickly. "Because he made fun of me first."

"So one of you started it, but you continue it?" Necheles asked, her voice still loud.

"Correct," Daniels answered defiantly.

The cross-examination is expected to continue until court breaks for the day at 4:30 p.m.

This is a breaking story; please check back for developments.