SAMSUNG S90D Series 65 Inches OLED 4K TV | HDR+ | Dolby Atmos Upscaling Review

View on Amazon: amzn.to/4db0GLC
The Samsung S90D Series 65-Inch OLED 4K TV combines OLED technology with Samsung's proprietary enhancements, aiming to deliver an impressive visual and audio experience. Positioned as one of Samsung’s premium models, this TV is designed for users seeking cutting-edge picture quality, rich audio, and smart features suitable for both everyday viewing and home theater setups.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung S90D features a sleek, ultra-thin design characteristic of OLED TVs, with minimal bezels that allow the screen to dominate attention. Its build quality is sturdy and sophisticated, befitting a high-end model. The thin profile makes it ideal for wall mounting or placement on a stylish stand without being bulky or intrusive. The overall aesthetic is modern and premium, ensuring it complements any living space.
Picture Quality
As an OLED TV, the S90D delivers exceptional picture quality with self-emissive pixels that can turn on or off individually. This technology allows for perfect black levels and infinite contrast ratios, significantly enhancing the viewing experience in dark scenes. OLED also excels in color accuracy and vividness, ensuring that both HDR content and regular 4K material appear stunning.
Samsung has included Quantum HDR+ in the S90D, which further enhances contrast and color detail in high-dynamic-range content. This feature improves the brightness and brings out finer details in both dark and bright scenes. The combination of OLED’s infinite contrast and HDR+ leads to a more immersive visual experience, especially in high-quality content like movies or series shot in HDR.
The Real Depth Enhancer is another standout feature. This is an AI-powered enhancement designed to add depth to images by sharpening the subject and slightly blurring the background. It works particularly well for nature documentaries, sports, and other content where a sense of depth can make the picture feel more immersive.
Motion Xcelerator technology ensures smooth motion handling, reducing motion blur and judder during fast-moving scenes, such as action films or sports broadcasts. This is particularly important for sports fans or gamers who rely on fast response times for a fluid viewing experience.
4K AI Upscaling
Samsung’s 4K AI Upscaling ensures that lower-resolution content is upgraded to near-4K quality. The advanced processor in the S90D leverages machine learning to fill in details and optimize textures, sharpness, and clarity. While this isn’t a substitute for native 4K content, it noticeably improves the viewing experience for standard HD and even older content.
Audio Performance
The Object Tracking Sound Lite (OTS Lite) system is designed to follow the action on screen, creating a more immersive audio experience. While this feature works well for most content, its implementation here is relatively basic compared to more advanced OTS systems found in higher-end Samsung models. The addition of Dolby Atmos adds another layer of depth to the audio experience, providing an enhanced surround sound effect, which is particularly noticeable in action scenes and cinematic content.
That said, due to the slim design of OLED TVs, the built-in speakers can only deliver so much bass and volume. For users who want a home theater-like experience, pairing the TV with a dedicated soundbar or speaker system is recommended.
Smart Features and Connectivity
Running on Samsung’s Tizen operating system, the S90D offers a user-friendly interface with quick access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. The integration of voice assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby allows for hands-free control of the TV and other smart home devices.
The S90D comes equipped with multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, making it suitable for next-generation gaming consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Features like Auto Game Mode reduce input lag for smoother gameplay, though it lacks some more advanced gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
Positive Points
OLED display provides perfect black levels and infinite contrast.
Quantum HDR+ enhances brightness and color detail in HDR content.
Real Depth Enhancer adds a sense of depth and immersion to images.
4K AI Upscaling improves lower-resolution content to near-4K quality.
Dolby Atmos enhances audio immersion.
Motion Xcelerator ensures smooth motion in fast-paced scenes.
Slim, modern design with minimal bezels fits well in any setting.
Built-in voice assistant support for smart home control.
Negative Points
Built-in speakers lack depth and bass; external speakers or a soundbar are recommended.
No Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for advanced gaming features.
OLED panels can be prone to burn-in over time, particularly if static images are displayed for extended periods.
Brightness levels may not match high-end LED or QLED TVs in very bright rooms.