Merih Demiral remained in the line-up after two strong performances in Europe and the league, but Gianluigi Buffon joined Paolo Maldini at the top of the league's all-time appearances chart with 647.
Juventus further on had a score to settle with the counterparts who on the final day of last season walked away 2-0 winners, and in fact won the corresponding fixture the season before too.
Within 19 minutes and with their first attack, Juve went ahead after Paulo Dybala volleyed home from the far side of the area following a cross from the left by Alex Sandro.
Samp drew level courtesy of Gianluca Caprari, who smashed home a loose ball inside the area ten minutes before the interval with Juve unable to clear their defensive lines.
Exactly a minute to halftime, Ronaldo put Juve back in front with a towering header from the far side after getting on the end of Sandro's inch-perfect delivery from the left.
The home side threatened to level for the second time in the match on 55 minutes, however Morten Thorsby fired against the side-netting after working an attempt from the right side.
Juve made a first change following the 69th minute after Aaron Ramsey came on for Higuain, as Maurizio Sarri looked to manage the tempo of the game.
Sampdoria finished with a man short after Caprari received a second yellow for a elbowing Demiral in added time, as Juve returned to the top of the table.