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Best Gaming TV 2025: Samsung S90F QD-OLED Features & Performance [2025]

The Samsung S90F QD-OLED dominates gaming TVs with 144Hz support, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and exceptional contrast. See why gamers choose it and where to buy at...

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Best Gaming TV 2025: Samsung S90F QD-OLED Features & Performance [2025]
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The Ultimate Gaming TV Guide: Why the Samsung S90F QD-OLED Rules in 2025

There's a moment every gamer knows. You're hunting in your favorite RPG, the environment is pitch black except for that distant campfire, and suddenly you notice the darkness doesn't look quite right on your TV. It's too gray. It's muddy. The contrast falls flat. That's when you realize: your screen isn't built for gaming.

Most televisions come from the factory optimized for watching Netflix and sports. They're bright, they're colorful, and they're fine for casual viewing. But gaming demands something different. You need a screen that understands input lag, variable refresh rates, and the specific way games render light and shadow. You need a TV that's built for performance, not just aesthetics.

That's where the Samsung S90F QD-OLED enters the picture. This isn't just another premium television. It's a gaming display masquerading as a living room centerpiece. It combines the cutting-edge OLED technology that's dominated high-end TVs for years with features specifically engineered for console and PC gaming. The result? A screen that delivers competitive advantages on one hand and movie-theater image quality on the other.

When we talk about the "best gaming TV," we're not just throwing around marketing speak. We're talking about a display that has been tested, measured, and validated by people who understand what gamers actually need. The S90F delivers on multiple fronts: contrast that makes darker games look genuinely cinematic, response times that keep competitive players competitive, and ecosystem integration that makes it feel less like a TV and more like a gaming command center.

Right now, if you're on the market for a premium gaming display, the S90F is sitting at its lowest price in months. That $100 discount might not sound massive, but when you're shopping at the premium tier where the S90F lives, every dollar counts. More importantly, it signals that now might be the perfect moment to upgrade if you've been on the fence.

In this guide, we're going to break down exactly what makes the S90F such a compelling choice for gamers, how its specific features translate into better gameplay, and what you should know before pulling the trigger on this investment.

TL; DR

  • OLED contrast is unmatched: True blacks and exceptional dark-scene detail make games look stunning
  • Four HDMI 2.1 ports: No cable swapping between consoles or between console and PC
  • Up to 144 Hz at 4K: PC gamers get extreme smoothness; console gamers get 120 Hz option
  • Gaming-specific features: Samsung Gaming Hub, optimized input lag, and genre-specific settings
  • Premium QD-OLED panel: Superior brightness and color accuracy compared to standard OLED
  • Current pricing: 65-inch model at
    1,298,downfrom1,298, down from
    1,398 list price

TL; DR - visual representation
TL; DR - visual representation

Price Trend of S90F OLED TV
Price Trend of S90F OLED TV

The S90F OLED TV has seen a gradual price reduction since launch, with potential for further discounts around Black Friday. Estimated data.

Understanding the OLED Advantage for Gaming

OLED technology is fundamentally different from the LCD panels that dominated TVs for decades. Instead of using a backlight to illuminate a screen, OLED displays create their own light at the pixel level. Each pixel is a tiny light source that can turn on or off independently.

For gaming, this matters enormously. When your RPG character walks into a dark cave, the black areas of your screen don't just get dimmer. The pixels actually turn off. They emit zero light. This creates contrast ratios that are theoretically infinite because true black is literally no light at all. That $500 LCD TV sitting in the corner of someone's living room? It's still outputting light in those black areas, just dimmer light. The blacks are still grayish.

But here's where it gets interesting. For years, OLED TVs had a specific weakness: they weren't quite bright enough for bright games or bright rooms. This meant that daytime scenes, well-lit areas, and high-brightness content didn't pop quite the same way. Samsung's QD-OLED technology addresses this directly.

QD-OLED stands for Quantum Dot OLED. It combines OLED's pixel-level control with quantum dot technology that boosts brightness without sacrificing the incredible contrast. The result is an OLED panel that stays true to its color values even in bright scenes, while also hitting brightness levels that rival high-end LCD TVs. For gamers who play across different lighting conditions and game types, this is game-changing.

QUICK TIP: If you play in a bright room or enjoy daytime-heavy games, the QD-OLED brightness boost matters more than it might initially seem. Test brightness before buying if possible.

The practical gaming benefit is straightforward. Imagine you're playing Baldur's Gate 3. You've got the dramatic dark tavern scene where contrast matters, and then you cut to an outdoor marketplace with bright sunlight. A standard OLED TV handles the dark scene flawlessly but can't quite nail the bright outdoor lighting. The QD-OLED keeps both scenes looking perfect. Your eyes don't have to adjust. The screen doesn't have to compromise.

Color accuracy gets a boost too. When a pixel on a standard OLED gets dimmer to create a subtle color shade, it sometimes loses saturation accuracy. QD-OLED maintains color precision across the entire brightness range. In practical terms, that means a forest scene looks consistently green whether the trees are in shadow or sunlight.

DID YOU KNOW: OLED TVs can achieve contrast ratios of 1,000,000:1 or higher, compared to typical LCD TVs at 1,000:1 or less. That's a 1,000-fold difference in contrast capability.

Understanding the OLED Advantage for Gaming - visual representation
Understanding the OLED Advantage for Gaming - visual representation

Key Features of Samsung S90F QD-OLED for Gaming
Key Features of Samsung S90F QD-OLED for Gaming

The Samsung S90F QD-OLED excels in contrast and response time, making it ideal for gaming. Estimated data based on typical gaming TV features.

The Four HDMI 2.1 Ports: Why This Matters More Than It Sounds

On paper, "four HDMI 2.1 ports" sounds like a specification that belongs on a tech sheet, not in a gamer's buying decision. But this single feature actually unlocks massive convenience.

Here's the scenario every multi-platform gamer knows: You've got a PlayStation 5, an Xbox Series X, and a PC. Maybe a Nintendo Switch somewhere. Your current TV probably has four HDMI ports, but only one or two support HDMI 2.1, the newer standard required for 4K at 120 Hz gaming. This forces a choice: which console gets the premium port? Which one loses out on the higher refresh rates?

The S90F eliminates this entirely. All four ports are HDMI 2.1 certified. That means you can have your PlayStation 5 in one port running at 4K 120 Hz, your Xbox Series X in another at the same specs, your PC in a third, and your Switch or streaming device in the fourth. No cables to swap. No compromise on any device.

Now, you might think, "I don't have all these consoles." But consider the future. Gaming hardware gets replaced every five to seven years. If you buy a TV, you're looking at using it for seven to ten years. The S90F future-proofs you against the scenario where gaming devices multiply.

Even if you only have one console and a PC, having all four ports be HDMI 2.1 means you can use different ports for different purposes without worrying about specs. Your old streaming devices, your sound bar pass-through, your retro gaming setup, they all get equal footing without technical limitations.

QUICK TIP: Before buying any gaming TV, count the HDMI 2.1 ports and confirm they all support 4K 120 Hz. Not all HDMI 2.1 implementations are equal, and some TVs have only one or two fully featured ports.

The Four HDMI 2.1 Ports: Why This Matters More Than It Sounds - visual representation
The Four HDMI 2.1 Ports: Why This Matters More Than It Sounds - visual representation

Input Lag, Response Time, and Competitive Performance

Competitive gamers care about milliseconds. A player in a ranked match might lose a gunfight because their screen took 50 milliseconds to show the incoming enemy instead of 40 milliseconds. Over thousands of rounds, that latency adds up to losses.

Input lag is the delay between the moment you press a button and the moment the TV displays the result on screen. Response time is how fast the TV switches from one color to another. Both matter for gaming, and both are where the S90F excels.

The S90F has input lag measured in single-digit milliseconds, depending on the specific input mode and display settings. That's on par with gaming monitors designed explicitly for competition. The response time is similarly impressive, with pixel transitions happening in under 1 millisecond in most cases.

Why does this work out when TVs are traditionally much slower than gaming monitors? A few reasons. First, the S90F has a dedicated gaming mode that disables post-processing that typically adds latency. Image enhancers, motion smoothing, and upscaling all add visual benefits for movies but penalize gaming. The gaming mode turns that off.

Second, OLED technology inherently has faster response times than LCD because the pixels create their own light and can switch between on and off states more quickly. There's no liquid crystal matrix that needs time to physically rotate.

Third, Samsung engineered the panel's drive electronics specifically with gaming in mind. The timing of how power is applied to each pixel is optimized for responsiveness.

The practical impact? If you're playing competitive shooters, you get millisecond-level response that keeps you in the fight. For single-player games, the responsiveness makes camera pans smooth and aiming feel crisp. Menus respond instantly to controller input.

DID YOU KNOW: Professional esports tournaments often use gaming monitors with 1ms response times, while high-end gaming TVs typically sit at 3-6ms response time. The S90F bridges this gap significantly, making it viable for competitive play.

Input Lag, Response Time, and Competitive Performance - visual representation
Input Lag, Response Time, and Competitive Performance - visual representation

Comparison of Gaming TVs: S90F vs. Competitors
Comparison of Gaming TVs: S90F vs. Competitors

The S90F excels in contrast and brightness, making it a top choice among gaming TVs. Estimated data based on typical features.

Samsung Gaming Hub: The Software Layer That Ties It Together

Hardware only tells half the story. The S90F's operating system includes Samsung Gaming Hub, a curated interface layer built specifically for gamers.

Gaming Hub provides quick access to cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass, PlayStation Plus Premium, and various streaming platforms. For some players, this is game-changing. You can jump into a cloud-streamed game without booting a console or PC. The latency is acceptable for most games, and for single-player titles, it's perfectly fine.

Beyond the cloud integration, Gaming Hub includes a dedicated gaming dashboard that lets you adjust TV settings without digging through menus. The Gaming Bar is particularly clever. It appears as a quick-access panel that lets you switch between gaming profiles optimized for different genres.

These profiles are worth explaining. A racing game profile optimizes for smooth motion and response time, slightly boosting color saturation for more vivid track environments. An RPG profile prioritizes shadow detail and color accuracy, letting you see everything in dark dungeons. A competitive shooter profile minimizes latency and locks in response time settings.

You might think, "Can't I just change settings myself?" You absolutely can. But the Gaming Bar profiles are pre-optimized by people who understand both TV technology and game design. It's the difference between adjusting equalizer sliders on a stereo yourself versus using a preset that an audio engineer tuned.

The hub also provides quick statistics if you connect a compatible gaming device. It'll show you refresh rate, resolution, and HDR status for your current game, so you know exactly what your hardware is pushing to the display.

QUICK TIP: Even if you don't use cloud gaming, spend time with the Gaming Bar profiles. The genre-specific optimizations often improve gameplay quality noticeably without requiring manual tweaking.

Samsung Gaming Hub: The Software Layer That Ties It Together - visual representation
Samsung Gaming Hub: The Software Layer That Ties It Together - visual representation

HDR Implementation: Where Movies and Games Converge

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is one of those terms that gets thrown around but often misunderstood. In simple terms, HDR means the TV can display a wider range of brightness levels and colors simultaneously in a single frame.

Think of it like the difference between a painting that's either in full daylight or full shadow, versus a painting lit with careful studio lighting that shows detail in both the bright and dark areas at once. HDR brings that studio lighting to your screen.

The S90F supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG standards. That's not just a collection of acronyms. HDR10 is the baseline, the standard you'll encounter on all major streaming services and many games. HDR10+ is an enhanced version that provides more dynamic tone mapping, meaning the TV can adjust the brightness range on a scene-by-scene basis rather than locking in one brightness curve for the whole movie or game.

For gaming specifically, HDR transforms how games look. A well-mastered game in HDR can make a dramatic difference. The dark shadows in a noir scene don't just look black; they show the texture and detail of the shadow, the grain of a wall, the subtle reflections. The bright areas don't blow out into featureless whites; they maintain detail and color.

But here's the catch that most reviews gloss over: not all games are equally good at HDR. Some games are masterfully optimized for it. Others feel like HDR was added as an afterthought. The S90F handles all of them well, but the quality of the underlying game content matters.

Movies, particularly recent Hollywood blockbusters and streaming originals, are almost universally well-done in HDR. If you split your time between gaming and movies, the S90F's HDR excellence means you get best-in-class performance for both.

HDR Implementation: Where Movies and Games Converge - visual representation
HDR Implementation: Where Movies and Games Converge - visual representation

Key Features of Samsung S90F QD-OLED
Key Features of Samsung S90F QD-OLED

The Samsung S90F QD-OLED excels in gaming-specific features and responsiveness, making it a top choice for serious gamers (Estimated data).

144 Hz at 4K for PC Gaming: A Game-Changer for High-Refresh Enthusiasts

Console gamers are accustomed to 60 Hz or 120 Hz displays. PC gamers pushing high-end graphics cards? They're used to 144 Hz, 165 Hz, or even 240 Hz monitors. But those are usually small, expensive monitors. Getting 144 Hz at 4K resolution on a 65-inch display has been nearly impossible in the gaming world until recently.

The S90F can achieve 144 Hz at 4K through HDMI 2.1 connection when paired with a capable graphics card. This is specific to PC. Consoles max out at 120 Hz because that's the limit of their hardware architecture. But if you're running an RTX 4080, RTX 4090, or high-end AMD GPU, and you're willing to dial back some graphical settings to maintain frame rates, 144 Hz at 4K is an option.

This is borderline wild for the gaming TV market. You get the cinematic size and immersive experience of a 65-inch television combined with the responsiveness and smoothness of a hardcore gaming monitor. It's not for everyone. You need the GPU power to back it up, and you need to prioritize frame rate over maximum graphical fidelity. But for players who value that combination, it's a game-changer.

QUICK TIP: To achieve consistent 144 Hz at 4K, you'll typically need to reduce graphics settings to high or medium rather than ultra. The tradeoff is worth it if you value smoothness and response time over absolute visual quality.

The practical experience of 144 Hz gaming on a 65-inch screen is surreal if you're accustomed to gaming monitors. Camera movement feels buttery smooth. Panning feels responsive. Aiming in first-person shooters becomes almost meditative because the screen follows your input so precisely.

Console players shouldn't feel left out. The 120 Hz option on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X is already excellent, and the S90F executes it flawlessly. The jump from 60 Hz to 120 Hz is more significant than the jump from 120 Hz to 144 Hz anyway. If you're coming from an older TV, you'll notice the performance difference immediately.

144 Hz at 4K for PC Gaming: A Game-Changer for High-Refresh Enthusiasts - visual representation
144 Hz at 4K for PC Gaming: A Game-Changer for High-Refresh Enthusiasts - visual representation

Color Accuracy and Gamut: Paint the Picture You Were Meant to See

Games are created on color-accurate monitors by artists and designers. When you play on a TV that shifts colors, you're seeing a different picture than the creator intended.

The S90F covers over 98% of the DCI-P3 color gamut right out of the box. DCI-P3 is the color space used in digital cinema, and it's significantly wider than standard sRGB or Rec.709. This means the S90F can display colors that other TVs simply can't reproduce.

For games, this translates to more vibrant, more accurate colors across the board. Foliage looks properly green. Skin tones appear natural. The sun on a beach looks like it has genuine warmth rather than feeling artificially saturated.

Samsung also factory-calibrated the S90F across the color spectrum, meaning you don't need to hunt through settings or hire a professional calibrator to get accurate colors. Out of the box, it's ready to perform.

That said, individual preferences matter. Some players prefer punchier, more saturated colors. The S90F can do that if you adjust the color settings, but the default mode prioritizes accuracy over saturation. If you're coming from an older TV that was over-saturated, the S90F might initially feel slightly desaturated until your eyes adjust to accuracy.

DID YOU KNOW: Professional game developers use monitors covering at least 99% of Adobe RGB or DCI-P3 color gamut. The S90F's 98% DCI-P3 coverage is very close to professional standards, meaning you're seeing nearly what the developers intended.

Color Accuracy and Gamut: Paint the Picture You Were Meant to See - visual representation
Color Accuracy and Gamut: Paint the Picture You Were Meant to See - visual representation

Key Features of OLED Gaming Monitors
Key Features of OLED Gaming Monitors

OLED gaming monitors excel in contrast and panel quality, with high ratings in refresh rate and HDMI connectivity. Estimated data based on feature descriptions.

The 65-inch Sweet Spot: Size, Distance, and Immersion

Samsung sells the S90F in multiple sizes: 55 inches, 65 inches, 77 inches, and 83 inches. Each has tradeoffs, but the 65-inch model represents a fascinating inflection point.

Size matters for immersion. The bigger the screen, the more of your visual field it occupies, and the more immersive the experience becomes. But size also depends on viewing distance. Sit too close to a small TV, and you can see individual pixels. Sit too far from a large TV, and you lose detail and impact.

For most living room setups, 65 inches works out perfectly. If you're sitting 8 to 10 feet from the screen, which is typical for a living room viewing distance, the 65-inch S90F fills your vision without requiring extreme head movement. You can see the entire game world without turning your head.

The 55-inch model is better for smaller rooms or desks. It's the "apartment gamer" size. The 77-inch and 83-inch models are for dedicated gaming rooms or very large living spaces where you can sit 12 feet or further back.

The 65-inch also hits a sweet spot on price. It's expensive, but not devastatingly so. The jump from 65 to 77 inches is a significant price increase without a proportional gain in visual experience if your room viewing distance doesn't warrant it.

The 65-inch Sweet Spot: Size, Distance, and Immersion - visual representation
The 65-inch Sweet Spot: Size, Distance, and Immersion - visual representation

Glare Reduction: Gaming in Your Actual Living Room

This is a feature most reviews mention in passing, but it matters more than you'd think. Gaming happens during the day sometimes. You're not always in a dark room with blackout curtains. You might game on a Saturday afternoon with sunlight streaming through your windows.

OLED TVs have historically struggled with glare because the screen is flat glass. Bright light bounces off it just like any other glass. The S90F includes an anti-glare coating that reduces reflections significantly without darkening the image or adding a grainy texture.

For daytime gaming, this means you're not fighting reflections of your ceiling light or the window behind the TV. The image quality holds up under ambient light conditions better than competitive options.

This isn't a replacement for proper lighting design. A room with bright windows behind or to the side of your TV will still cause some glare issues. But the S90F's anti-glare treatment handles typical living room ambient light gracefully.

QUICK TIP: Position your TV to minimize light sources directly behind it or to its sides. Even with anti-glare coating, a light source at a 45-degree angle to the screen will create some reflection.

Glare Reduction: Gaming in Your Actual Living Room - visual representation
Glare Reduction: Gaming in Your Actual Living Room - visual representation

OLED vs QD-OLED vs LCD for Gaming
OLED vs QD-OLED vs LCD for Gaming

QD-OLED displays offer superior brightness and maintain excellent contrast and color accuracy, making them ideal for varied gaming environments. Estimated data based on typical performance.

Motion Handling: Smooth Camera Pans Without Judder

When a camera pans across a landscape, it should feel smooth. Some TVs introduce a stuttering effect called judder, especially at 24fps content or certain frame rates that don't align with the TV's refresh rate.

The S90F handles motion exceptionally well. The display natively supports variable refresh rate through AMD FreeSync, which matches the TV's refresh rate to your graphics output on the fly. If your PC is outputting 97fps, the TV refreshes at 97fps. If it's 143fps, the TV matches. This eliminates tearing, a visual artifact where the screen shows multiple frames at once.

For console gaming, NVIDIA G-Sync isn't supported, but that's a limitation of the console hardware, not the TV. PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X games don't generate the variable frame rates that G-Sync would address anyway.

In practical gameplay, the result is that camera movement feels liquid smooth. Fast-action games don't tear. Slower-paced games don't stutter. The motion feels native to the content.

Motion Handling: Smooth Camera Pans Without Judder - visual representation
Motion Handling: Smooth Camera Pans Without Judder - visual representation

Build Quality and Longevity Considerations

OLED TVs have a reputation issue when it comes to longevity. Early OLED technology suffered from burn-in, where static images displayed for prolonged periods would permanently imprint on the screen.

Modern OLED TVs, including the S90F, have addressed this through several mechanisms. The pixel brightness is managed dynamically so that no single pixel stays at maximum brightness for extended periods. There's automatic brightness adjustment. Many games that would stay static now have movement that keeps the display shifting.

Additionally, Samsung includes a five-year manufacturer warranty on the S90F. That's longer than most TVs and suggests confidence in the technology.

Burn-in is still theoretically possible if you leave a static image on the screen for many hours daily. A gaming HUD that never moves, left on screen for 12 hours a day, could eventually cause issues. But for normal use, where you're playing different games with different visuals, the risk is minimal.

The physical build quality is premium throughout. The stand is solid. The bezels are minimal. The back panel is well-designed for cable management. If you're planning to wall-mount, the VESA compatibility is standard and straightforward.

Build Quality and Longevity Considerations - visual representation
Build Quality and Longevity Considerations - visual representation

Comparing the S90F to Other Gaming TV Options

The S90F isn't the only gaming TV on the market, though it's a top choice. Other notable options include the LG C4 OLED, which offers similar performance with a slightly different software ecosystem, and the Sony K-series TVs, which prioritize motion handling and sports content.

Against LCD gaming TVs from brands like TCL or Hisense, the S90F's OLED contrast is a generational leap. Those TVs are excellent value at their price points, but the blacks on an LCD TV will never match true OLED blacks.

The S90F vs. LG C4 is the more interesting comparison. Both are premium OLED gaming TVs. Both support 144 Hz at 4K through HDMI 2.1. Both have excellent gaming features. The differences are subtle. The S90F's QD-OLED panel is slightly brighter. The LG C4's software is slightly more refined. For most gamers, either would be an excellent choice. The S90F's current pricing advantage makes it particularly compelling right now.

Comparing the S90F to Other Gaming TV Options - visual representation
Comparing the S90F to Other Gaming TV Options - visual representation

The Pricing Situation and When to Buy

The S90F originally launched at a $1,398 list price for the 65-inch model. That's typical for premium OLED TVs. Over the months following launch, the price gradually dropped as stock levels normalized and newer models entered the market.

Currently, it's sitting at

1,298,representinga1,298, representing a
100 discount from list price. That's approximately a 7% reduction, which is meaningful but not revolutionary.

Here's where context matters. TV pricing is seasonal. Prices tend to drop in early spring and again in late fall approaching Black Friday. Summer is typically the worst time to buy TVs because demand is lower and retailers aren't incentivizing purchases. If you're reading this in summer, the current pricing is actually quite good. If you're reading this in October or November, you might see better deals.

That said, the S90F is a mature product now. It launched in 2023. Samsung has newer models available, though those haven't been around long enough for reliable pricing data. The S90F will likely continue to see gradual price reductions as remaining stock clears.

If you need a gaming TV right now and can't wait for Black Friday, the current pricing is reasonable. If you can wait, Black Friday typically brings 15-20% discounts on last-year's models. But those discounts aren't guaranteed, and supply is limited.

DID YOU KNOW: OLED TV prices have dropped over 40% in the past five years as manufacturing efficiency improved and competition intensified. The S90F's $1,298 current price is cheaper than flagship OLED TVs cost in 2020.

The Pricing Situation and When to Buy - visual representation
The Pricing Situation and When to Buy - visual representation

Installation, Wall Mounting, and Space Considerations

The S90F ships with a stand that's sleek and minimalist. If you want to wall-mount, that's straightforward. The TV has VESA mounting holes that work with standard wall mount brackets rated for the TV's weight, around 55-60 pounds depending on size.

Wall mounting does introduce one consideration: the TV becomes harder to service if something fails after the warranty expires. Standing displays are more easily replaced or repaired. But for most users who plan to keep the TV for 7-10 years, this isn't a major concern.

Don't underestimate cable management. With four HDMI 2.1 ports, you'll likely have multiple cables running into the back of the TV. Spend time organizing these. Use cable clips or a cable management box. It's not complicated, but it makes a difference in appearance and preventing accidental disconnections.

Ventilation is another consideration. TVs generate heat, and they need air circulation around the back and sides. If you're wall-mounting in a tight entertainment center with heavy surrounding furniture, ensure there's clearance for airflow. Most modern TVs shut down if they overheat, so this is more about avoiding nuisances than real danger.

Installation, Wall Mounting, and Space Considerations - visual representation
Installation, Wall Mounting, and Space Considerations - visual representation

Making the Final Decision: Is the S90F Right for Your Setup?

The S90F is right for you if you meet several criteria. First, you need to be willing to invest in a premium TV. This isn't a budget option. If you're trying to spend under $1,000, look elsewhere.

Second, gaming needs to be a significant part of your TV use. If you primarily watch TV shows and movies and game occasionally, the premium gaming features are wasted money. A good mid-range OLED or high-end LCD would serve you better.

Third, your viewing distance needs to support 65-plus inches. If you're in a small bedroom and sitting 4 feet from the screen, a 55-inch is more appropriate.

Fourth, you need multiple gaming devices or plan to have them in the future. If you're a "one console" gamer with no plans to change, the four HDMI 2.1 ports are less critical.

If you hit those criteria, the S90F is exceptional. It delivers on its promises. The gaming features actually work. The image quality is outstanding. The build quality is solid. And right now, it's available at a good price.

Making the Final Decision: Is the S90F Right for Your Setup? - visual representation
Making the Final Decision: Is the S90F Right for Your Setup? - visual representation

Future-Proofing Your Gaming Setup

Technology evolves quickly, but TV lifespan is measured in years, not months. The S90F will support gaming well into the next generation of consoles and GPUs.

The four HDMI 2.1 ports mean it can handle whatever the next generation of gaming hardware throws at it. The 144 Hz capability ensures even high-end future GPUs won't outpace it. The OLED technology has matured enough that we're unlikely to see revolutionary improvements in the next few years.

The biggest future consideration is software. Samsung will provide software updates and support for several years. The Gaming Hub will evolve with new cloud gaming services. These things matter for ongoing usability.

From a hardware perspective, the S90F is future-proof for gaming for at least the next seven to ten years. That's exceptional in a market where technology changes constantly.


Future-Proofing Your Gaming Setup - visual representation
Future-Proofing Your Gaming Setup - visual representation

FAQ

What makes the Samsung S90F different from other OLED TVs?

The S90F uses QD-OLED technology, which combines traditional OLED's pixel-level control with quantum dot brightness enhancements. This delivers superior brightness compared to standard OLED panels while maintaining perfect blacks. Additionally, it includes features specifically optimized for gaming, such as Samsung Gaming Hub, all four HDMI ports supporting HDMI 2.1 certification, and configurable gaming profiles that prioritize responsiveness and visual quality depending on game genre.

How does input lag affect gaming performance on the S90F?

Input lag is the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen. The S90F achieves single-digit millisecond input lag in gaming mode, comparable to dedicated gaming monitors. This responsiveness is critical for competitive games where milliseconds determine victory or defeat. The TV's OLED technology inherently enables faster response times than traditional LCD panels because pixels create their own light and can switch states more quickly without liquid crystal delays.

Can the S90F really reach 144 Hz at 4K, and what does this mean?

Yes, with a compatible PC graphics card connected via HDMI 2.1, the S90F can display 4K resolution at 144 frames per second. This is exceptionally rare for a television and rivals gaming monitor capabilities. Most games require reducing graphics settings to high or medium rather than ultra to maintain consistent frame rates at 144fps, but the resulting motion smoothness and responsiveness significantly enhance gameplay experience, particularly in fast-paced titles and competitive games.

How does the Samsung Gaming Hub enhance the gaming experience?

The Gaming Hub provides a dedicated gaming-focused interface with integrated access to cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Premium, allowing you to launch games without turning on a console. The Gaming Bar offers quick-access profiles optimized for different game genres, automatically adjusting TV settings for racing games, RPGs, or competitive shooters. While you can manually adjust settings, these pre-tuned profiles represent optimization done by engineers who understand both TV technology and gaming requirements.

What is QD-OLED, and why is it superior for gaming?

QD-OLED combines OLED's pixel-level light control with quantum dot technology that enhances brightness output. Standard OLED panels, while excellent at producing perfect blacks, sometimes struggle with peak brightness in brightly lit game scenes. QD-OLED addresses this weakness, delivering exceptional contrast alongside sufficient brightness for well-lit environments. This makes the S90F equally adept at dark dungeon sequences and bright outdoor scenes, with consistent color accuracy across the entire brightness range.

How many HDMI 2.1 ports do I actually need, and why does the S90F have four?

HDMI 2.1 is required for 4K gaming at 120 Hz or higher on current and next-generation consoles and PCs. Having four fully-featured HDMI 2.1 ports eliminates the need to swap cables between devices, allowing simultaneous connection of PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, a gaming PC, and a streaming device without compromise. This future-proofs your setup against scenario where you own multiple gaming devices simultaneously.

What is HDR, and how does it improve gaming visuals?

HDR (High Dynamic Range) expands the range of brightness levels and colors a TV can display simultaneously, revealing detail in both dark shadows and bright highlights within the same scene. The S90F supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG standards, enabling it to display the full dynamic range intended by game developers. This means dark dungeon scenes show shadow texture and detail, while bright outdoor scenes maintain color accuracy in sunlit areas, creating more realistic and immersive game environments.

Is burn-in a realistic concern with the S90F?

Modern OLED TVs, including the S90F, have significantly reduced burn-in risk through dynamic brightness management, automatic pixel shift, and intelligent screen savers that activate during static content. While burn-in is theoretically possible if you display completely static images for many hours daily, normal gaming use with varied visuals poses minimal risk. Samsung's five-year manufacturer warranty demonstrates confidence in the technology, and most users experience zero burn-in issues under typical conditions.

Which size should I choose, and why is 65 inches recommended?

Size selection depends on viewing distance and room size. The 65-inch model is ideal for living rooms with 8-10 feet viewing distance, filling your visual field without requiring head movement while maintaining detailed image clarity. The 55-inch suits smaller rooms or desks, while 77-inch and 83-inch models work best in dedicated gaming spaces with 12+ feet viewing distance. The 65-inch represents an optimal balance of immersion, detail retention, and price.

What is AMD FreeSync, and how does it improve motion quality?

AMD FreeSync is variable refresh rate technology that synchronizes the TV's refresh rate to your graphics card's output frame rate in real time. If your GPU outputs 97 frames per second, the TV refreshes at 97fps. If it outputs 143fps, the TV matches. This eliminates tearing, a visual artifact where multiple frames display simultaneously. The result is smooth camera pans, responsive gameplay, and natural motion without stuttering or artifacts.


FAQ - visual representation
FAQ - visual representation

Making Your Purchase Decision

The Samsung S90F QD-OLED represents the intersection of gaming optimization and premium home entertainment. It's not the cheapest gaming TV available, but it's arguably the most well-rounded. The contrast, brightness, responsiveness, and gaming-specific features work together to create an environment where games look their best and perform their best.

The current pricing at $1,298 for the 65-inch model reflects a meaningful discount from launch pricing, positioning it well for serious gamers ready to invest in equipment that will perform excellently for the next seven to ten years. If you're gaming across multiple platforms, play in varied lighting conditions, and value both competitive responsiveness and visual fidelity, the S90F warrants serious consideration.

The decision ultimately comes down to whether the investment aligns with your gaming priorities. For casual gamers with budget constraints, other options exist. For dedicated gamers who treat their setup as a core part of the experience, the S90F delivers tangible advantages that translate into better gaming sessions, night after night.

Take time to view the S90F in person if possible. OLED panels need to be seen to be truly appreciated. The blacks, the contrast, the color accuracy, these things don't translate to specifications on a sheet. Once you see the difference in person, the investment makes sense.

Making Your Purchase Decision - visual representation
Making Your Purchase Decision - visual representation


Key Takeaways

  • QD-OLED technology combines perfect blacks with superior brightness, making it ideal for gaming across lighting conditions
  • Four HDMI 2.1 ports eliminate cable swapping between PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and gaming PCs
  • Supports 144Hz at 4K for high-end PCs and 120Hz for consoles, with single-digit millisecond input lag competitive for esports
  • Samsung Gaming Hub and optimized gaming profiles provide software support specifically engineered for gaming performance
  • Current
    1,298pricingrepresentsmeaningfuldiscountfrom1,298 pricing represents meaningful discount from
    1,398 launch price, best opportunity to upgrade in recent months

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