Samsung S90F QD-OLED Review: Flagship Performance for Less

Samsung S90F QD-OLED TV Review: Refined Performance Without the Flagship Price

The moment the Samsung S90F hummed to life in my dimly lit living room, the wall behind it effectively disappeared. I was watching a high-bitrate 4K render of a deep-sea documentary, and the transition from the pitch-black shadows of the ocean floor to the neon-electric glow of a bioluminescent jellyfish was jarring in the best way possible. There was no greyish haze, no light bleeding into the black bars at the top of the screen—just pure, surgical precision.

This is the power of QD-OLED technology. While many TVs claim to offer a cinema-like experience, the S90F actually delivers on that promise without requiring you to take out a second mortgage. It sits in that elusive sweet spot of the market: it’s significantly more advanced than your standard 4K LED, yet it manages to undercut the price of the ultra-premium flagships that often cost thousands more.

A New Standard for the Midrange

To understand why the S90F is making waves, you have to look at its peers. For years, the LG C-series—currently represented by the LG C4—has been the gold standard for anyone wanting a high-end OLED. Sony’s A80L is another heavy hitter in this weight class. However, Samsung’s S90F uses a QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED) panel that gives it a distinct edge in two areas: brightness and color volume.

While traditional OLEDs can sometimes struggle in rooms with a bit of daylight, the S90F punches through the glare with much higher peak brightness. When you combine that with the Quantum Dot layer, the colors don’t just look accurate; they look saturated and alive. In side-by-side comparisons with the LG C4, you’ll notice that while the LG offers incredible processing and support for Dolby Vision, the Samsung S90F feels more vibrant and punchy, especially during bright HDR scenes. It’s a more visceral, energetic image that immediately grabs your attention.

Designed to be Noticed

If you are considering the S90F as a gift—perhaps for a milestone anniversary or a major housewarming—the physical design is going to do half the work for you. Samsung calls this their LaserSlim design, and it’s not just marketing fluff. The panel itself is impossibly thin, roughly the width of a few credit cards stacked together.

The bezels are virtually non-existent, giving the TV a floating-picture effect that looks stunning even when it’s turned off. The stand is minimalist and sturdy, though it’s also high enough to accommodate most slim soundbars without blocking the bottom of the screen. It’s a piece of technology that looks like a high-end furniture installation, which is a major factor when you’re trying to provide that wow factor for a loved one.

The Living Room Experience: Setup and Use

The premium feel extends to the setup process. From the moment you pull it out of the box, the S90F feels intuitive. You can set it up using the SmartThings app on your phone, which handles the Wi-Fi connection and app sign-ins in a matter of minutes.

One of my favorite small touches is the SolarCell Remote. It’s a slim, minimalist wand that doesn't use disposable batteries. Instead, it has a small solar panel on the back that charges via indoor light or USB-C. It’s a thoughtful, eco-friendly detail that saves the recipient the future headache of hunting for AAs in the middle of a movie night.

The Tizen smart platform is the brain of the operation. It’s snappy and responsive, providing quick access to every major streaming service. While I’ve found that some users prefer the simplicity of a Roku interface, Samsung’s latest update has cleaned up the clutter significantly. It even includes the Samsung Gaming Hub, allowing you to stream high-end video games via Xbox Game Pass or NVIDIA GeForce Now directly on the TV—no console required.

Addressing the OLED Elephant in the Room

We can’t talk about OLED without mentioning the two most common concerns: burn-in and brightness.

Burn-in—permanent ghost images left by static elements like news tickers—is a much smaller risk today than it was five years ago. Samsung has baked in several preventative measures, including pixel shifting and automatic logo dimming. Unless you are leaving a 24-hour news channel on every single day for years, you likely won't ever encounter an issue.

Regarding brightness, while the S90F is a champion among OLEDs, it still won't beat a high-end Mini-LED (like Samsung’s own Neo QLED line) in a sun-drenched sunroom with floor-to-ceiling windows. However, for 90% of living rooms, the S90F is more than bright enough to maintain a clear, vibrant picture during the day, and it absolutely transforms into a masterpiece once the sun goes down.

Who Should Pull the Trigger?

The S90F is a rare product that satisfies several different types of buyers simultaneously.

For the Cinephile: You get the deep blacks and infinite contrast that make movies feel like a theatrical experience. The motion handling is smooth and natural, preserving the cinematic look without the dreaded soap opera effect.

For the Gamer: This is arguably one of the best gaming displays on the market. With a 144Hz refresh rate, four HDMI 2.1 ports (perfect for PS5 and Xbox Series X), and incredibly low input lag, it’s a competitive powerhouse that makes every game look like a blockbuster.

For the Gift-Giver: You’re giving the gift of a centerpiece. Its sleek profile and stunning visual performance make it feel significantly more expensive than its price tag suggests. It’s a gift that will be used and appreciated every single day.

Final Verdict

The Samsung S90F QD-OLED isn't just a great TV for the price; it’s a great TV, period. By focusing on what actually matters—picture depth, color accuracy, and a design that enhances the room—Samsung has created a product that feels refined from every angle.

It successfully bridges the gap between the budget-conscious and the enthusiast. You aren't sacrificing quality to save money here; you’re simply making a smarter choice. Whether you’re upgrading your own setup or looking to seriously impress someone else, the S90F stands as a testament to how far display technology has come. It’s a brilliant, vibrant, and deeply impressive piece of tech that earns its spot in any home.