Samsung's midrange S90F QD-OLED television has received high marks for its performance in a detailed Wired review. The set excels in contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles, though it lacks the dazzle of flagship models. Priced lower after recent discounts, it appeals to those seeking quality without premium costs.
The Samsung S90F QD-OLED TV stands out as an "unequivocally excellent" midrange option, according to a Wired review after weeks of testing. Reviewers noted its deep contrast, naturalistic quantum dot colors, and precise processing that enhances clarity in high-quality content. While it doesn't match the excitement of top-tier sets like the Samsung S95F or LG G5, the S90F delivers a "comprehensively phenomenal viewing experience," particularly now that its price has fallen by several hundred dollars.
Design-wise, the TV features a simple faux pedestal stand with dual legs and a plastic cover, easy to assemble without tools. It lacks the advanced anti-glare coating found on pricier models but handles reflections well. Quantum dot technology enhances colors in the 55-inch, 65-inch, and 77-inch sizes, though larger models use standard WOLED panels. Connectivity includes four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting variable refresh rates up to 144 Hz, ideal for gaming, and a compact solar- or USB-C-charged remote.
The Tizen operating system impressed with swift setup and reliable streaming, a improvement over past versions. However, it pushes Samsung TV Plus ads on startup, auto-scans for over-the-air channels without easy rescanning, and lacks ATSC 3.0 support. HDMI CEC functionality can be inconsistent, occasionally activating devices unexpectedly. The Game Hub supports cloud gaming services, and picture modes like Filmmaker offer near-perfect accuracy for SDR and HDR content, though it skips Dolby Vision in favor of HDR10 and HDR10+.
In performance tests, the S90F achieved over 1,000 nits peak brightness, sufficient for streaming but muted in the brightest Blu-ray scenes compared to LEDs hitting 4,000-5,000 nits. It shone in off-axis viewing with no color or brightness loss, surpassing many LEDs and even some OLEDs. Content like Disney's Skeleton Crew and Netflix's Our Planet highlighted its cinematic strengths in shadows and natural scenes. For videophiles, upgrading from older OLEDs might warrant a flagship, but the S90F provides confident mid-tier quality.
