The Samsung S90F OLED represents a sweet spot in the 2025 OLED television market, delivering near-flagship picture quality at a mid-range position. This display leverages Quantum Dot OLED technology in select models to achieve exceptional color volume, covering 100% of the UHDA-P3 gamut and an impressive 89% of the Rec2020 color space. With four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 inputs supporting 4K at 144Hz, the S90F caters equally to cinephiles and gamers . The television features Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen3 processor, which powers upscaling and processing duties while running the mature Tizen operating system. While it lacks Dolby Vision support and anti-glare technology found on the flagship S95F, the S90F compensates with strong HDR brightness reaching 1,162 nits and remarkable contrast. Available in six sizes from 42 to 83 inches, the display uses different panel technologies depending on size and region, with larger models featuring QD-OLED panels and smaller variants using WOLED technology.^[1][2][3]

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung S90F presents a refined industrial design that balances aesthetics with practical functionality . The television features slim bezels and a 39mm depth profile that enables flush wall mounting, maintaining visual discreteness whether on a stand or mounted . The central pedestal stand deserves particular mention for its intelligent engineering, incorporating a screw-free assembly that takes under 60 seconds to complete . This stand positions the display slightly higher than competing 48-inch OLEDs, creating clearance for compact soundbars without obstructing screen content . Cable management receives thoughtful consideration through integrated gaps in the pedestal's structure, allowing clean routing of connections .

Samsung includes two remote control options with the S90F, acknowledging different user preferences . The traditional remote features comprehensive manual controls familiar to long-time television users, while the modern variant incorporates USB charging with a rear solar panel for extended battery life . The contemporary remote lacks backlighting, which presents minor inconvenience during dark room viewing . Overall build quality feels premium despite the mid-range positioning, with solid materials and precise assembly throughout.

Performance in Real Use

The S90F's performance profile shifts dramatically depending on size and region due to panel variations. The 65-inch, 77-inch, and 83-inch models in select markets feature Quantum Dot OLED panels that deliver the display's signature color performance, while 42-inch, 48-inch, and 55-inch variants utilize WOLED technology more similar to LG's offerings. This panel lottery creates meaningful performance differences, though both panel types receive praise from reviewers.^[3][4]

QD-OLED equipped models achieve exceptional color coverage, measuring 100% of the UHDA-P3 color gamut and 89.03% of the expansive Rec2020 space in laboratory testing. These figures surpass competing OLEDs in the same category, with only premium models from Sony reaching similar levels. Expert Reviews confirms the QD-OLED technology delivers "visibly more saturated HDR colour gamut than not only its predecessor, but also every other OLED TV in its class". This color volume advantage manifests in vibrant, saturated images that maintain intensity even during bright HDR scenes.^[4][2]

HDR performance emerges as a particular strength, with measured peak brightness reaching 1,162 nits in small window testing. This figure represents meaningful improvement over the previous S90D generation and compares favorably to competitors like the LG C5, which achieves 1,179 nits. RTINGS notes "highlights really pop out in dark and moderately lit scenes" while acknowledging the television dims during full-screen bright content, which remains typical for OLED technology. The combination of peak brightness and perfect OLED blacks creates remarkable contrast that reviewers consistently highlight.^[2][1]

SDR brightness measures 520 nits, substantially higher than competing OLEDs including the LG C5 at 344 nits and LG B5 at 241 nits. This elevated SDR output improves daytime viewing comfort in moderately lit rooms. Tom's Guide reports managing daytime viewing without issues despite lacking dedicated anti-glare coating . However, RTINGS cautions that bright ambient lighting raises the panel's black levels to charcoal gray, "softening contrast and sapping some of the TV's signature OLED wow factor". Users in exceptionally bright viewing environments may find the flagship S95F's anti-glare technology worth the premium.^[2][1]

Ease of Use

The S90F runs Samsung's mature Tizen operating system with 2025 enhancements emphasizing artificial intelligence integration. The interface provides straightforward navigation with comprehensive app support including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, BBC iPlayer, and specialty services like Shudder and Crunchyroll . Samsung Vision AI attempts to learn viewing habits and curate personalized content recommendations across installed applications, functioning similarly to Google TV's aggregated recommendation system .^[5]

Initial picture quality requires adjustment for optimal results . What Hi-Fi found the default picture mode "blow-your-socks-off" but ultimately too aggressive, with oversaturated reds and artificial highlight rendering . Switching to Filmmaker mode with judicious disabling of processing features yields more natural results, though this requires user intervention and knowledge . The television's color accuracy improves substantially in calibrated modes, measuring excellent Delta-E of 1.1 in proper configuration.^[2]

Gaming features receive dedicated interface elements through Samsung's Gaming Hub and pop-up Game Bar . These tools provide quick access to picture settings, input information, and gaming-specific adjustments without navigating deep menu structures . The television supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and generic VRR through all four HDMI 2.1 inputs, though activating these features may require manual menu navigation rather than automatic detection.^[3][1]

Reliability and Long-term Ownership

OLED technology inherently carries burn-in risk with static content, though Samsung implements pixel shift and screen saver technologies to mitigate this concern. The S90F's increased brightness compared to previous generations theoretically increases burn-in risk marginally, though real-world evidence remains limited given the television's recent release. Reviewers note excellent gray uniformity with no dirty screen effect, suggesting quality panel manufacturing and screening.^[1]

Consumer feedback regarding reliability remains limited due to the television's 2025 release timeframe. Early adopter reports focus predominantly on picture quality satisfaction rather than technical issues. The Tizen operating system benefits from Samsung's years of refinement and receives regular updates, providing reasonable expectation of long-term software support .^[7][8][6]

The S90F's four HDMI 2.1 inputs provide meaningful future-proofing for users with multiple gaming consoles or PC connections . This connectivity represents a rare feature outside LG's lineup and accommodates PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and gaming PC simultaneous connection without cable swapping . Support for 4K at 144Hz extends beyond current console capabilities, positioning the television for potential mid-generation console refreshes or PC gaming use cases.^[2][1]

Use Cases

The S90F excels in dedicated home theater environments where lighting control enables the OLED panel to deliver its full performance envelope. RTINGS emphasizes the television "truly shines in a dark, cinema-like setup" where "its OLED panel delivers inky blacks with zero blooming, while colors stay vibrant and rich". Film enthusiasts benefit from comprehensive HDR10+ support with adaptive tone mapping, though the lack of Dolby Vision represents a notable omission for viewers heavily invested in that ecosystem.^[1]

Gaming represents perhaps the S90F's strongest use case, with Tom's Guide declaring it offers "some of the best color coverage and accuracy in a mid-range OLED TV" combined with stellar gaming specifications . Ultra-low 9.1ms input lag matches competitive gaming monitors while maintaining exceptional image quality. Consumer reviews consistently praise gaming performance, with one Best Buy reviewer noting "gaming on it has also been super smooth and didn't notice any considerable increase in input lag". The 4K/144Hz support specifically targets PC gamers with high-end graphics cards, though PS5 and Xbox Series X users benefit from the 4K/120Hz capability.^[8][2][1]

Sports viewing benefits from the S90F's motion handling characteristics, with near-instantaneous pixel response times eliminating blur behind fast action. One consumer reviewer highlights "the picture quality and lack of motion blur for live sports is top shelf". The elevated SDR brightness assists with daytime sports viewing in rooms with ambient light, though very bright environments still challenge the glossy screen.^[7][2][1]

Content upscaling through the NQ4 AI Gen3 processor delivers strong results with lower resolution sources. RTINGS confirms the television "does a great job upscaling low-resolution content like DVDs or cable TV channels". What Hi-Fi concurs, noting "the TV offers one of the best upscaled pictures we have seen in quite a while" when testing with SDR Blu-ray content . This capability proves valuable for viewers with extensive libraries of older content or who watch broadcast television.^[1]

The S90F's size range from 42 to 83 inches accommodates diverse room sizes and viewing distances. The 48-inch variant specifically targets bedroom use or smaller living spaces where larger displays overwhelm the environment . What Hi-Fi characterizes the 48-inch model as "interesting to any serious home cinema fan short on space – or, indeed, one who simply doesn't want their TV to be the main focal point of the room" . Conversely, the 77-inch and 83-inch variants suit dedicated theater rooms or large open-plan living areas.^[3]

Long-term Ownership Feedback

Early adopter feedback skews overwhelmingly positive, with Best Buy reviews aggregating to 5-star ratings across multiple size variants. One 77-inch owner reports "I now find myself watching TV more often - and sometimes admiring the picture instead of the content". Another consumer comparing the S90F directly to their previous S90D notes "the S90F was a much bigger upgrade from the S90D that I anticipated" with "significantly better" daytime performance and improved HDR impact.^[7][6][8]

The built-in audio system emerges as the most consistent criticism across professional and consumer reviews . What Hi-Fi bluntly states "you'll want a soundbar to do justice to any movie" after finding the speakers "very weak" even at maximum volume . The 60-watt 2.1.2 Dolby Atmos system technically supports spatial audio but lacks the power and fidelity to deliver meaningful impact . StereoNet diplomatically suggests "cinephiles should still look to an external audio upgrade" while noting full compatibility with Samsung's Q-Symphony soundbars. This represents expected performance for thin OLED displays but requires budget consideration for proper audio solutions.^[10]

Smart home integration receives positive feedback from users invested in Samsung's ecosystem. One Best Buy reviewer emphasizes "we have multiple SmartThings in our home and the TV works well as a hub". The AI features generate mixed reactions, with some users finding the automatic adjustments beneficial while others express uncertainty about the value proposition. The learning curve for Samsung's AI systems appears modest, with most users adapting quickly to the automated picture optimization.^[7][6]

The remote control design prompts occasional comments, with one consumer noting the "volume/mute combo button may take a little getting used to". Another reviewer characterizes the remote as "one of the worst I ever seen" though this represents a minority opinion. The compact modern remote's lack of backlighting proves more consistently problematic during dark room viewing .^[6][8]

Overall satisfaction metrics suggest strong value perception, with consumers repeatedly emphasizing the performance-to-cost ratio. Tom's Guide's testing concludes "if you're on the hunt for a TV upgrade, one that offers some of the best color coverage and accuracy in a mid-range OLED TV, this is the model I'd recommend" . This sentiment echoes across professional and consumer feedback, positioning the S90F as a compelling option for viewers seeking OLED technology without flagship expenditure.^[8][6][2]