Michał Stekla
On the esteemed portal Rtings.com, which features TV tests (and more), the first full review of the Samsung S85F television has just been published. This model is intended to fill the gap between the OLEDs from the S90 series and the NeoQLED series, but… we already know that it looks particularly appealing in the USA. Why?
Version 55 and 65 inches available on the American market are equipped with a QD-OLED panel – yes, you read that right, it's the flagship panel in a lower-priced model. It's the same construction that we find in higher models, such as Samsung S90D and S95D. A surprise? Absolutely, because until now, QD-OLED technology was reserved exclusively for more expensive televisions.
From the outside, the S85F doesn't attract much attention – the design is simple and maintains the rounded shapes known from its predecessor, the S85D model. But what's most important is hidden inside. Tests show that the S85F with a QD-OLED panel offers very high picture quality – not only in terms of contrast but also in colour reproduction and viewing angles.
Premium picture in a budget edition.
Samsung S85F is a television that has simply performed very well in testing. Coverage of the DCI-P3 palette reaching nearly 99% and BT.2020 at around 82% are values that make an incredible impression in this class of device. And it is this excellent colour coverage that translates to very smooth tonal transitions, which are hard to find even in more expensive models from competitors. Of course, as is the case with QD-OLEDs, one must consider the slightly weaker blacks in bright rooms. In such conditions, the screen can resemble cherry colour more than deep black. But during evening viewing – where it matters most – the blacks are already at the level of classic televisions with WOLED panels.
S85F also performs well as a gaming television – we have a complete set of features: VRR, ALLM, full 4K/120 Hz, and very low input lag. You can easily connect a console or PC and fully utilise the screen’s capabilities.
If there’s something to critique, it’s definitely the initial price. For a new model – it’s not cheap. But it must be acknowledged that it launches at a lower price than last year’s OLEDs, so with a significant drop in prices over the year (which is nearly as certain as banking for Samsung televisions), the S85F could become one of the more interesting choices in its segment.
Not for a Europeans QD-OLED... but it's still OLED.
WOLED is a technology that offers almost identical results to QD-OLED panels in terms of contrast. For many users, the differences may even be negligible in everyday use. However, it's hard to overlook the fact that with the S85F we once again have to deal with a "panel lottery" – depending on the market or size, the television may offer a completely different level of picture quality...
As consumers on the Old Continent, we may feel like second-class customers. Therefore, before you decide to purchase this model, it's worth holding off for a moment and waiting for our first tests. It's the only way to be sure of what kind of panel you are actually buying.
