Samsung S90F OLED TV Review: A Masterclass in Midrange Refinement
The Samsung S90F OLED TV delivers a comprehensively excellent viewing experience, focusing on refined picture quality, naturalistic colors, and superb processing rather than sheer spectacle. While it may lack the ultimate brightness of flagship models, its strengths in contrast, off-axis viewing, and ease of use make it a compelling choice for discerning viewers. This review explores the TV's performance, smart features, and overall value as a top-tier midrange option.
In the competitive landscape of premium televisions, the Samsung S90F OLED carves out a distinct niche. It doesn't rely on eye-searing brightness or flashy gimmicks to impress. Instead, it wins over viewers with a confident, nuanced, and highly refined performance that excels in the details. As a midrange model, it represents a sweet spot of quality, offering much of the OLED magic that makes the technology so desirable, packaged in a more accessible tier. For those seeking a television that prioritizes cinematic accuracy and everyday reliability over headline-grabbing specs, the S90F presents a formidable argument.
Design and Connectivity: Practical with a Premium Feel
The S90F's physical design is a study in contrasts. The panel itself is stunningly thin at the top—merely an eighth of an inch—giving it a sleek, modern appearance that looks premium on any media console. However, the pedestal stand feels like a concession to its midrange positioning. Comprising two legs and a plastic cover, it echoes the design of more budget-friendly sets and lacks the solidity of higher-end stands. On the positive side, assembly is tool-free and remarkably simple.
Connectivity is a strong suit. The TV offers a generous four HDMI 2.1 ports, two of which support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) at up to 144 Hz for high-performance gaming. While two ports are awkwardly tucked into a recessed cubby, having four total is an advantage over some competitors that offer only two. The inclusion of a compact, solar-powered remote with USB-C charging is a thoughtful touch that enhances daily convenience.
 panel for the 55-inch, 65-inch, and 77-inch sizes, which delivers vibrant yet naturalistic colors. The contrast is deep and nuanced, with perfect blacks free from the light bloom associated with LED TVs. While it doesn't reach the extreme peak brightness of the latest flagship OLEDs or high-end mini-LEDs—topping out at well over 1,000 nits for highlights—it provides more than enough punch for all streaming content and most high-dynamic-range (HDR) material.</p><h3>Accuracy and Processing</h3><p>In its Filmmaker Mode, the S90F achieves exceptional accuracy, faithfully reproducing content as intended by its creators. The image processing is top-class, rendering fine details with clarity and realism without introducing artificial sharpness. Shadow detail is particularly impressive, revealing information in dark scenes that lesser TVs would lose.</p><h3>A Standout Feature: Off-Axis Viewing</h3><p>One of the S90F's most remarkable achievements is its off-axis performance. You can view the screen from extreme angles with virtually no loss of color accuracy or brightness. This is a domain where even most other OLEDs struggle and where traditional LED TVs fail completely, making the S90F an ideal choice for wide seating arrangements.</p><figure><img src=)
The Smart Experience: Tizen Gets Better
Samsung's Tizen smart platform shows significant improvement on the S90F. Navigation is swift, and streaming apps launch without hiccups, representing a notable upgrade from previous iterations. The integrated Game Hub offers robust cloud gaming options and an accessible game bar for quick settings adjustments.
However, the software isn't without quirks. The TV aggressively promotes Samsung's ad-supported TV Plus service, which can be intrusive at startup until manually disabled in settings. The HDMI CEC implementation (called Anynet+) can be erratic, sometimes powering connected devices on its own. Additionally, the lack of support for Dolby Vision HDR and next-gen ATSC 3.0 broadcast channels are omissions that videophiles will note.
Who Should Buy the Samsung S90F?
The S90F occupies a compelling position in the market. It is not the TV for those chasing the absolute brightest highlights or the most aggressive, pop-forward picture. For that experience, stepping up to a flagship OLED or considering a high-brightness mini-LED QLED is advisable.
Instead, the S90F is perfect for the viewer who values a refined, accurate, and reliable cinematic experience. It's an excellent upgrade for someone moving from an older LED or a first-generation OLED, offering a substantial leap in quality. Its strengths in processing, color realism, and off-axis viewing make it a fantastic daily driver for mixed viewing—from streaming series and movies to casual gaming.
As noted in the WIRED review, the S90F "won me over with its accuracy and quality." It represents a confident and accomplished mid-tier OLED that focuses on excelling at the fundamentals of picture quality. When its price inevitably drops, its value proposition becomes even more enticing, solidifying its status as a top recommendation for anyone seeking premium OLED performance without the flagship price tag.
