Samsung S90F Review: QD-OLED Value That Still Holds Up in 2026

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The Samsung S90F is the middle child of Samsung’s 2025 organic light-emitting diode (OLED) lineup, and it has become one of the most recommended TVs of the past two years. It pairs near-perfect contrast with a 144Hz gaming mode, four High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 2.1 ports, and prices that have fallen a long way since launch. This Samsung S90F review explains which panel you get at each size, how it performs according to major reviewers, what changed with its 2026 successor, and which competing OLED and Mini light-emitting diode (Mini LED) TVs on Amazon deserve a look before you buy.

Quick verdict: The S90F delivers excellent contrast, accurate color, and low input lag, and the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch models use Samsung’s vivid quantum dot OLED (QD-OLED) panels. It skips Dolby Vision and has a glossy, reflective screen, but now that the 2026 S90H has arrived, the S90F sells at clearance prices that make it one of the best OLED values available. Check the Samsung S90F price on Amazon.

Samsung S90F at a glance

SpecSamsung S90F
Model year2025 (succeeded by the S90H in 2026)
Sizes42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches
Panel typeQD-OLED on the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch models; white OLED (WOLED) from LG Display on the 42-, 48-, and 83-inch models
Resolution and refresh rate4K, 120Hz native, up to 144Hz with variable refresh rate (VRR)
High dynamic range (HDR) formatsHDR10, HDR10+, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG); no Dolby Vision
Gaming featuresAMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Samsung Gaming Hub
PortsFour HDMI 2.1 ports (one with enhanced Audio Return Channel, or eARC), two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, Ethernet, and optical audio out
WirelessWi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3
Smart platformSamsung Tizen with Gaming Hub, SmartThings, and Bixby or Alexa voice control
Speakers40-watt 2.1-channel system with Dolby Atmos
Broadcast tunerStandard tuner; no Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 NextGen TV support
Launch price (65-inch)$2,499; recent sale prices have dipped to roughly $1,100 to $1,300

Specs come from Tom’s Guide’s S90F review, StereoNET’s review, OLED-Info, and SamMobile’s launch price report. Prices change often, so check the current listing before you buy.

Which panel do you get? QD-OLED vs. WOLED by size

This is the most important detail the S90F’s marketing doesn’t spell out. Samsung builds the S90F with two different OLED technologies depending on screen size:

  • 55, 65, and 77 inches: Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panels, which use a quantum dot layer to produce brighter, more saturated colors and better color volume.
  • 42, 48, and 83 inches: LG Display’s WOLED panels, the same basic technology found in LG’s C-series TVs. Tom’s Guide notes that the 42- and 48-inch models also run dimmer than the larger sizes.

Samsung has also mixed panel suppliers within a single size in some regions, which buyers call the “panel lottery.” European reviewers report that a model number ending in “T” indicates QD-OLED, while one ending in “E” indicates WOLED. Samsung says both deliver a premium experience, but if you specifically want QD-OLED, buy the 55-, 65-, or 77-inch model and check the full model code on the box or retailer listing.

Design and setup

The S90F has a very thin panel and a slim pedestal stand on most sizes, so it fits on narrower media consoles than TVs with feet at each corner. It works with standard Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) wall mounts, and our guide to the best TV wall mounts for 65-inch TVs covers brackets that suit the 65-inch model. Unlike Samsung’s flagship S95F, the S90F uses a glossy screen instead of an anti-glare matte finish, which matters if your room gets direct sunlight.

Out of the box, Tom’s Guide recommends switching to Filmmaker Mode or Movie mode, since the Standard preset pushes color and motion processing. Spending 15 minutes on picture settings pays off with this TV.

Picture quality

OLED TVs light each pixel individually, so they can turn pixels fully off for true black and essentially infinite contrast. That’s a different approach from liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs, which rely on a backlight and local dimming to darken parts of the image. In Tom’s Guide’s S90F review, the 65-inch S90F showed near-perfect contrast, strong off-axis viewing, and outstanding color accuracy, with a Delta E (color error) score of 1.1, where lower is better and anything under 3 is hard to see.

Tom’s Guide measured 100% coverage of the Digital Cinema Initiatives P3 (DCI-P3) color space and 89% of the wider International Telecommunication Union Recommendation 2020 (Rec. 2020) space. The reviewer called the S90F a mid-range OLED that “punches well above its value sticker price.” StereoNET gave the 65-inch model an 8.5 out of 10 and called it “clearly an outstanding choice” for anyone who wants premium OLED performance without flagship pricing.

Brightness and HDR

Brightness measurements vary by test method. Tom’s Guide recorded about 1,155 nits in HDR and 520 nits in standard dynamic range (SDR) on a 10% window, while StereoNET measured up to 1,900 nits on a small 2% window in HDR. Either way, the S90F gets bright enough for punchy highlights in most living rooms. It’s roughly on par with the LG C5, not clearly brighter, as some earlier coverage suggested.

The S90F supports HDR10+ with dynamic metadata but not Dolby Vision, which Samsung still refuses to license. Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ fall back to HDR10 or HDR10+ on Samsung TVs, and most viewers won’t notice a dramatic difference. If you own a large Dolby Vision Blu-ray collection, though, an LG or Sony OLED makes more sense.

Gaming performance

Gaming is where the S90F earns its reputation. Tom’s Guide named it the best TV for gaming in its latest best TVs guide, and its testing measured input lag of just 9.1 milliseconds. All four HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1 features, so you can connect a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series X, and a gaming personal computer (PC) at 4K and 120Hz without swapping cables. PC gamers can push the panel to 144Hz with VRR, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro keeps fast action smooth and tear-free.

Samsung Gaming Hub adds cloud gaming services such as Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now without a console. For more options, see our guide to the best gaming TVs for PlayStation 5 and Xbox.

Smart features and sound

Tizen runs smoothly and includes every major streaming app, plus Samsung TV Plus free channels, SmartThings smart home controls, and a solar-charging remote. Tom’s Guide noted a few quirks, such as Samsung TV Plus always occupying the first slot on the home screen. Samsung has also promised seven years of Tizen updates for its recent TVs, which helps the S90F age well.

The built-in 40-watt 2.1-channel speakers handle casual TV, but Tom’s Guide found limited bass, occasionally hard-to-hear dialogue, and distortion at high volume. Plan on a soundbar. Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature lets a compatible Samsung soundbar use the TV’s speakers together with its own. Browse Samsung Q-Series soundbars on Amazon.

Samsung S90F vs. S90H: has a successor launched?

Yes. Samsung released the S90H in spring 2026. According to T3’s S90H review, it raises the refresh rate to 165Hz, adds Samsung’s Glare Free anti-reflection filter, supports the new HDR10+ Advanced format, and adds NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility. It still lacks Dolby Vision. Reports differ on panels: T3 and OLED-Info say the S90H uses WOLED panels across its range, while some U.S. retailers list QD-OLED for the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch sizes, so check the listing if panel type matters to you. T3 also measured narrower color coverage than the S90F in Filmmaker Mode.

Price is the deciding factor. SlashGear reported the 65-inch S90H on sale for $1,499.99 in October 2026, down from $2,699.99, while the 65-inch S90F has sold for a few hundred dollars less. If you want the anti-glare screen and 165Hz, buy the S90H. If you want QD-OLED color at the lowest price, grab the S90F while stock lasts.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Near-perfect contrast and excellent color accuracy
  • Vivid QD-OLED panels on the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch sizes
  • Low 9.1-millisecond input lag and four HDMI 2.1 ports
  • 144Hz VRR support for PC gaming
  • Large discounts now that the S90H has launched

Cons

  • No Dolby Vision support
  • Glossy screen reflects light in bright rooms
  • Panel type varies by size, and possibly by region
  • Weak built-in speakers
  • No ATSC 3.0 tuner

Samsung S90F vs. other OLED and Mini LED TVs

Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the S90F alongside its biggest rivals from LG, Sony, Samsung, and TCL. Here’s how they compare:

Compare similar OLED TVs on Amazon

TVPanelMax refresh rateDolby VisionBest forShop
Samsung S90F (2025)QD-OLED (55, 65, 77 inches)144HzNoOLED value and gamingCheck price
Samsung S90H (2026)OLED with Glare Free filter165HzNoBrighter rooms and newest featuresCheck price
LG C6 (2026)WOLED165HzYesDolby Vision fans and gamersCheck price
Sony Bravia 8 IIQD-OLED120HzYesMovie lovers who want Sony processingCheck price
Samsung S85F (2025)OLED (panel varies by size)120HzNoCheapest Samsung OLEDCheck price
Samsung S95F (2025)QD-OLED with Glare Free filter165HzNoThe best Samsung pictureCheck price
TCL QM8K / QM8LMini LED144HzQM8K: yesBright rooms on a budgetCheck price
  • LG C6: LG’s 2026 C-series adds a 165Hz panel and keeps Dolby Vision, and the 65-inch dropped to $1,599 in September 2026, according to Techlicious. Its predecessor, the LG C5, remains a good buy on clearance. See the LG C6 on Amazon.
  • Sony Bravia 8 II: It uses a QD-OLED panel like the S90F, adds Dolby Vision and Sony’s excellent motion processing, and runs Google TV, but it costs much more, with the 65-inch selling for about $2,150 to $2,500 in October 2026. See the Bravia 8 II on Amazon.
  • Samsung S85F and S95F: The S85F costs less but has only a 120Hz panel, while the S95F adds a brighter fourth-generation QD-OLED panel and an anti-glare matte screen for a big price premium. See the S95F on Amazon.
  • TCL QM8K and QM8L: If your room gets lots of daylight, a Mini LED TV like TCL’s 2025 QM8K or 2026 QM8L delivers far more brightness than any OLED, though with less perfect blacks. Learn more in our explainer on how local dimming works. See the TCL QM8L on Amazon.

If you prefer to stay with Samsung but want a cheaper LCD option for a bright room, read our Samsung Q8F review.

Who should buy the Samsung S90F?

Buy the S90F if you want OLED contrast for movies and gaming, you plan to buy the 55-, 65-, or 77-inch size for QD-OLED color, and you watch mostly in the evening or in a room with controllable light. It’s especially strong for console and PC gamers.

Skip it if you need Dolby Vision, if your TV faces bright windows (consider the S90H, S95F, or a Mini LED TV instead), or if you want the newest model with the longest remaining support window.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Samsung S90F QD-OLED or WOLED?

Both, depending on size. The 55-, 65-, and 77-inch models use QD-OLED panels, while the 42-, 48-, and 83-inch models use WOLED panels from LG Display.

Does the Samsung S90F support Dolby Vision?

No. It supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. Samsung doesn’t support Dolby Vision on any of its TVs, including the 2026 models.

Is the Samsung S90F good for gaming?

Yes. It offers 9.1 milliseconds of input lag in Tom’s Guide’s testing, four HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K at 120Hz for consoles, and up to 144Hz for PCs, along with FreeSync Premium Pro.

Should I buy the S90F or the newer S90H?

Buy the S90F if you want the best price and QD-OLED color. Choose the S90H if you want a 165Hz panel and an anti-glare screen and don’t mind paying more.

Final verdict

The Samsung S90F remains one of the smartest OLED purchases you can make in 2026. Its QD-OLED panels in the most popular sizes, accurate color, and excellent gaming performance hold up well against newer TVs, and its falling price makes it an even better value. Just pick the right size for the panel you want and budget for a soundbar. Check the current Samsung S90F price on Amazon.

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