Samsung continues to raise the bar in OLED innovation with the 2024 S90D Series, and the 65-inch model stands out as a premium option for cinephiles, gamers, and design-conscious users alike. It blends rich OLED visuals with Samsung’s smart ecosystem and advanced processing tech, positioning itself as a strong alternative to LG’s OLEDs and Sony’s Bravia line.
Specifications Overview
- Display Type: OLED (QD-OLED panel)
- Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160)
- HDR Support: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (no Dolby Vision)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz native (for compatible PC and gaming content)
- Processor: Samsung Neural Quantum Processor 4K
- Smart Platform: Tizen OS
- Audio: 4.2.2 channel, Dolby Atmos support, Object Tracking Sound Lite
- HDMI Ports: 4 (All HDMI 2.1)
- Gaming Features: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Game Motion Plus, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), VRR, 144Hz PC support
- Voice Assistants: Bixby, Alexa built-in, Google Assistant-compatible
- Design: Ultra-slim profile, nearly bezel-less
- Remote: SolarCell remote (USB-C charging optional)
Design and Build Quality
Right out of the box, the S90D makes a strong impression with its minimalist, ultra-slim profile and clean metallic finish. The bezels are virtually invisible, giving the display a floating effect when wall-mounted. Samsung includes a sturdy center-mounted stand, which looks premium and fits well on narrower TV consoles.
Cable management is subtly built into the stand’s rear column, and the overall design feels clean and intentional. This is a display meant to blend into modern interiors without drawing unnecessary attention—until it’s turned on.
Picture Quality – Outstanding in Every Way
Brightness and Contrast
Samsung’s QD-OLED panel technology delivers exceptional contrast with perfect blacks, as each pixel can be turned off individually. Compared to WOLED panels, the QD-OLED delivers higher peak brightness, especially noticeable in HDR content. This makes HDR10+ content on Amazon Prime and YouTube feel genuinely immersive, even in rooms with ambient daylight.
Real-world use showed zero blooming or haloing around bright objects—stars in space scenes, for instance, were pin-sharp without any smearing.
Color Accuracy and Viewing Angles
The S90D shines in color vibrancy. Thanks to quantum dot filtering, colors are richer and more saturated than traditional OLEDs, without over-pushing them. Skin tones in Netflix dramas feel natural, and animated content is extremely punchy.
Viewing angles are excellent. Even when sitting at the extreme sides of the couch, the picture doesn’t wash out, making it a great TV for wide living rooms or movie nights with friends.
Gaming Performance – A Dream for Console and PC Gamers
With four full HDMI 2.1 ports, the S90D is built for next-gen gaming. It supports 4K at 144Hz for PCs and 4K at 120Hz for consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Gaming Mode activates automatically, dropping input lag to nearly unnoticeable levels.
Testing with Spider-Man 2 on PS5, the visuals were buttery smooth, responsive, and stunning. HDR rendered cityscapes with depth and realism, and fast-paced action didn’t blur, thanks to Samsung’s top-tier motion processing and VRR support.
Samsung’s Game Bar 3.0 is a nice touch—it lets you quickly tweak settings like FPS, latency, and display type mid-game without leaving your session.
Smart TV Features – Tizen OS Gets Smarter
Samsung’s Tizen OS continues to be one of the most stable and responsive smart platforms available. Boot-up is quick, and app switching feels instant. All major streaming apps—Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, and YouTube—run flawlessly and support HDR playback.
The new 2024 UI has improved layout customization and Samsung Gaming Hub, which supports cloud gaming via Xbox Game Pass and NVIDIA GeForce NOW. You can game without a console, though performance depends heavily on your internet speed.
Voice control via Alexa or Bixby works well, and the SolarCell remote means you’ll rarely worry about changing batteries—it charges via sunlight or USB-C.
Audio Performance – Better Than Expected for a Slim TV
The S90D’s built-in 4.2.2 channel speakers support Dolby Atmos, and Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound Lite creates a fairly immersive soundstage. Dialogues are clear, and there’s decent separation during action sequences.
While it doesn’t match a dedicated soundbar, the TV’s speakers are surprisingly capable for casual viewing. Pairing it with Samsung’s Q-Symphony soundbars unlocks a more robust and spatial experience without replacing the TV’s own speakers.
Real-World User Experience
After a few weeks of using the S90D daily, the overall experience is consistently smooth and premium. Whether watching sports in bright conditions, binging on K-dramas, or gaming late at night, the performance remains top-notch.
Setup is easy with the SmartThings app, and firmware updates are regularly pushed for new features or improvements. In our testing, no major bugs or crashes were encountered, and the panel uniformity showed no signs of banding or dead pixels.
Gamers, movie lovers, and families alike will appreciate how well-rounded this TV is, offering high-end specs without the ultra-premium price tag of the S95D or Sony A95L.
Pros
- Excellent OLED picture quality with perfect blacks and high brightness
- 144Hz refresh rate and full HDMI 2.1 support for elite gaming performance
- Impressive color accuracy and wide viewing angles
- Smart, responsive Tizen OS with wide app support
- Premium design and build with minimal bezels
- Solar-powered remote and eco-friendly packaging
- Better-than-average sound for an ultra-slim TV
Cons
- No Dolby Vision support (still a Samsung omission)
- Sound quality, while decent, benefits greatly from a soundbar
- Limited availability of 144Hz content outside PC gaming
- Tizen UI still has some ad-based tiles in the home screen
Final Verdict
The Samsung 65″ S90D OLED is a superb all-around performer for anyone wanting flagship-level visuals without going all-in on the absolute top-tier models. It delivers vivid colors, true blacks, fast gaming response, and a beautifully thin design that elevates any room it’s in.
While the lack of Dolby Vision may be a dealbreaker for some, the combination of HDR10+ performance, 144Hz refresh rate, and intuitive smart features makes this a standout option in the OLED space in 2024.