The Samsung S90D is a premium OLED television series, ranking just below the flagship Samsung S95D OLED model. It features the advanced Samsung Neo Quantum 4K AI Gen 2 processor, which enhances performance and elevates picture quality. While it retains the same functionalities as its predecessor, the Samsung S90C, it introduces a new feature.
This new feature is the Auto AI mode, which leverages artificial intelligence to automatically optimize picture settings based on the gaming genre. The TV is offered in six different sizes: 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches. Notably, the 42, 48, and 83-inch variants utilize only WOLED panels.
In terms of specifications and overall picture quality, QD-OLED panels generally outperform WOLED panels. Consequently, this aspect may not meet the expectations of some consumers.
The Samsung S90D is an exclusive 4K OLED TV, combining the best of QLED and OLED technologies to give you picture quality you have to see to believe.
Design
The Samsung QE65S90D shares a striking resemblance to its predecessor, the S90C, featuring the same LaserSlim design, 0.7cm bezels, and an ultra-slim profile. Its Simple Plus Blade stand consists of two legs that attach without screws, reinforced by a metal plate that fits into the top. This stand offers robust support and allows sufficient space for a soundbar to be placed in front without obstructing the screen.
For those preferring a wall-mounted setup, the S90D is compatible with a standard 300 x 200mm VESA bracket or Samsung’s optional Slim Fit support. The input ports are positioned on the right side of the TV, with some oriented sideways and others facing downward. As is common with many TVs, accessing these inputs can be challenging when the unit is mounted with a fixed bracket.
The TM2360E remote operates on solar power. While it has a minimalistic design with fewer buttons, it includes essential controls for basic functions. Additionally, there are direct access buttons for popular streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and Samsung TV Plus.
Samsung S90D is available in Graphite Black finish.
Image quality
The Samsung 65S90D TV boasts an exceptional contrast ratio, nearly limitless in its capabilities. With self-illuminating pixels, this OLED television can produce strikingly bright highlights alongside deep blacks, resulting in a stunning visual experience, particularly in dimly lit environments. Additionally, it effectively eliminates blurring of bright objects. The S90D features a mesh filter that significantly reduces the impact of ambient light.
In HDR mode, the peak brightness of the Samsung S90D reaches just under 1,200 nits, which is commendable and contributes to its impressive HDR performance. However, it is worth noting that larger bright scenes tend to appear dimmer compared to smaller bright areas due to the TV’s stringent Automatic Static Brightness Limiter (ASBL). Fortunately, this effect is generally subtle when viewing typical content.
In standard content mode, the Samsung S90D series achieves a peak brightness of 500 nits, which is satisfactory. The PQ EOTF tracking is notably precise, ensuring that most content is rendered at appropriate brightness levels. While darker regions and midtones may appear slightly brighter than intended, there is a minor decrease in brightness beyond 600 nits, which helps maintain highlight detail.
Regarding color performance, the S90D excels with a remarkably wide color gamut. It accurately reproduces the complete spectrum of colors within the DCI-P3 color space, commonly utilized in HDR content. Overall, the color accuracy is impressive, although the coverage of the Rec. 2020 color space is somewhat limited at 85%. Nonetheless, only a few highly saturated colors show noticeable discrepancies in their display.
The Samsung S90D offers an exceptionally wide viewing angle that maintains its quality from nearly any position, making it an excellent option for group viewing. Its handling of HDR gradients is also impressive, with minimal banding present in colors, only slightly noticeable in dark green when specifically searched for.
Unlike QLED TVs, OLED can reproduce pure black, because here you only have to turn off the right pixels to get pitch black.
Additionally, the Samsung S90D excels at upscaling lower-resolution content, such as DVDs or streaming videos. While details are generally sharp, small text in tightly packed formats may be challenging to read. Furthermore, the TV’s distinctive subpixel arrangement renders it less suitable for use as a computer monitor.
Motion and Game Processing
The S90D series features an impressive response time of just 1.5ms, resulting in exceptionally sharp images with minimal motion blur for fast-moving objects. However, due to the characteristics of OLED’s sample-and-hold technology, some persistent blurring can be observed when gaming at 60Hz, although this issue diminishes significantly at higher refresh rates.
An optional black frame insertion (BFI) feature is available to mitigate the constant blurring associated with the TV’s rapid response time. Additionally, the TV incorporates motion interpolation to enhance clarity during motion, effectively smoothing out slower scenes, though some artifacts may still be present.
The S90D supports various forms of variable refresh rate (VRR) to minimize screen tearing, including HDMI Forum VRR and FreeSync Premium Pro, with a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz. In Game Mode, the output lag for 1080p images is around 10ms. However, it is important to note that Dolby Vision is not supported, which means Dolby Vision gaming is not an option.
To further bolster the gaming experience, Samsung’s Game Bar acts as a central hub for accessing essential settings and a range of customization options. The new AI Auto Game mode is particularly beneficial, as it automatically adjusts the TV’s settings based on the specific game being played.
Smart TV
The Samsung S90D operates on the latest Tizen 2024 operating system, recognized for its aesthetic appeal, user-friendliness, and responsiveness. The home screen has undergone some modifications, with the most notable change being the introduction of three new tabs at the top: For You, Live, and Apps.
The For You tab is customized to reflect your viewing preferences, showcasing recently watched content, personalized recommendations, frequently used apps, and additional suggestions based on your viewing history. This enhancement offers a more tailored experience compared to previous iterations, allowing for quick access to captivating content.
The Live tab features pertinent content along with the Electronic Program Guide (EPG). The EPG is well-organized, displaying channels, schedules, details, and easily recognizable thumbnail images. Lastly, the Apps tab facilitates straightforward navigation to the various applications within the Samsung ecosystem.
The S90D has built-in DVB-T2, DVB-C and DVB-S2 tuners for razor-sharp and noise-free digital TV (incl. HDTV) via both antenna, cable TV and satellite (Canal Digital).
Sound
The Samsung S90D offers remarkable sound quality, even with its slim profile and downward-firing speakers. The mids and highs are well-balanced, complemented by a robust bass response. Its 40W 2.1-channel system can reach high volumes without distortion, providing a strong front soundstage and realistic stereo effects.
Additionally, the integrated Dolby Atmos decoder and the capability to transmit Atmos via ARC enhance the audio experience. However, the absence of dedicated height channels results in a less immersive experience compared to the S95D. Nevertheless, psychoacoustic processing enhances the soundstage’s dimensionality, enriching the height, width, and depth when using Dolby Atmos content.
Samsung S90D Connections
Connections
The TV features four HDMI inputs: two located on the side and two on the bottom, all of which are compatible with 4K/144Hz, VRR, and ALLM, with HDMI 3 additionally offering eARC support. On the side, there are two USB 2.0 ports, while the bottom includes sockets for terrestrial and satellite antennas, an optical digital output, a CI (common interface) slot, and an Ethernet port. It also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Conclusion
The Samsung S90D stands out as an excellent 4K television and offers an affordable entry point into the world of QD OLED technology. It delivers deep blacks, vibrant highlights, and remarkable HDR performance, all rendered with precision. The picture quality is notably accurate, and the wider color spectrum is beautifully represented. While the S95D may offer superior features, the S90D remains a commendable option for those on a budget.
