Samsung QD-OLED S90D / S94D vs Sony X75WL

In the HDR effect quality category, Samsung S90D achieves remarkable results. On the luminance chart up to 10% window, the TV exceeds the magical threshold of 1000 nits, which is an impressive outcome. However, in the film scenes we tested, these values were slightly lower. Additionally, in the case of a scene with fullscreen sunlight glare, brightness drops to around 500 nits, but it still remains at a very good level. It is worth mentioning that this model stands out with very high colour gamut coverage, thanks to the QD-OLED panel used, which gives it an advantage over TVs with WOLED panels that cannot achieve such a wide spectrum of colours.

The luminance chart for the X75WL Sony television showed a maximum value of 350 nits, which unfortunately is not an impressive result. The television does not surprise with its brightness, and all the HDR scenes we tested lacked depth and the appropriate lighting effect that should accompany HDR content. Additionally, the tragic coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette makes it difficult for the television to reproduce rich colours, which significantly affects the overall viewing experience of HDR content. The lack of adequate brightness and poor colour coverage means that HDR effects are very limited in this model.

Samsung 65 S90D with a QD-OLED panel has been tested in Filmmaker mode, which the manufacturer has been using for years to provide the best possible picture settings. In this mode, the TV offers a fairly decent image but with some shortcomings worth noting. In terms of white balance in HD content, viewers may notice a dominance of the red color. This effect can lead to the impression that certain skin tones appear unnatural and the overall scene will be too warm, which in turn can affect immersion in the watched material. In scenes where subtle differences in color are crucial, these distortions can be particularly noticeable. Similar sensations may also occur in 4K HDR content. Changes in white balance in this case can be analogous, with a noticeably smaller deviation in red color. This can also cause certain details and colors to not be fully represented, making the image lose its naturalness.

When it comes to contrast, the gamma presents quite well, however, some errors are still noticeable. Gamma values are below the reference level of 2.4, which can result in bright areas of the image being washed out and dark areas lacking detail. This limitation can cause some scenes to lack depth and detail, which in turn affects the overall presentation quality. On the other hand, the EOTF curve related to contrast in 4K HDR content performs really well, showing that the TV can effectively convey differences in brightness. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that these values are slightly below the ideal level on the graph, indicating the need for further optimization in this regard.

Samsung S90D in Filmmaker mode offers solid color reproduction, but requires some adjustments to fully realise the potential of the TV, especially in the context of different types of content.

Colour reproduction tests for the model Sony X75WL are conducted in film mode, which offers the best picture settings but also has its flaws. The biggest issue with the X75WL Sony is the white balance – for both HD and 4K HDR content – which is characterised by a dominance of blue. As a result, the entire image feels too cool. The colour checker confirms these errors, showing that colours lean towards cooler shades. Regarding brightness characteristics, the contrast gamma is at quite a decent level; however, the same cannot be said for the EOTF curve. There are significant issues with maintaining the appropriate brightness – the image is either too bright or too dim, which affects the visual perception of the content.

After calibrating the TV, the Samsung S90D in film mode gains quality more than one might expect. The white balance for HD and 4K HDR content has been adjusted to near perfection. Although minor shortcomings can be noticed, they are subtle enough that they don’t significantly impact the overall picture quality. The colours have become more harmonised, aiding in the natural reproduction of details, particularly in scenes that require precise colour representation. It is worth noting that this model, in this size, uses a QD-OLED panel which offers broader colour gamut coverage compared to other sizes of this model that are equipped with a WOLED panel.

The contrast has also significantly improved. After calibration, the gamma graph is much closer to the expected line, providing a better balance between light and dark tones in the picture. The EOTF curve, which before calibration indicated issues with overexposed scenes, now shows significantly better results. This effect allows for the retention of more details in the bright areas of the image, especially in HDR materials.

X75WL Sony is one of those cases where image calibration may not be heavily spectacular, but it provides a very good improvement in colour perception. The white balance, both for HD and 4K materials, has been significantly improved – we no longer have a strong dominance of cooler shades. The gamma curve also appears more stable, which translates to better image quality. However, the biggest issue remains the EOTF curve, which is responsible for brightness in 4K materials. Due to the technological limitations of the television (IPS panel and lack of local dimming technology), it's hard to talk about significant improvement, as we can't squeeze more out of this model. Despite these limitations, the tonality of the image has been significantly improved.

The television handles tonal transitions excellently, allowing colours to flow smoothly into each other, creating a natural image. The built-in noise reduction feature can further enhance these transitions, which can be useful in certain situations. However, it is worth remembering that activating this option may lead to excessive smoothing of the desired film grain structure, which in turn can affect the authenticity and atmosphere of the image. Therefore, caution is recommended when using this feature to avoid losing the character and depth of the content.

The Samsung S90D model effectively processes materials in lower resolutions. This can be seen in the displayed image. The model's silhouette is clear and naturally reproduced, with details well preserved. Additionally, the branches of the trees are well-defined, showing no visible jagged edges that could degrade the quality of the image. Thanks to effective upscaling, even lower resolution materials look attractive on the screen, which will surely please users enjoying a variety of content sources, such as standard cable or antenna television.

In the case of low-quality tonal transitions, the Sony X75WL television performs poorly. The lack of any feature to improve tonal transitions results in noticeable imperfections in colour gradation. However, it can be noted that the digital processing is quite good – the image is displayed without overscan, and the overall presentation is relatively good thanks to the added slight sharpness, which some users may appreciate.

Samsung S90D TV, equipped with a refresh rate panel of 120 Hz, and in the appropriate PC configuration even 144 Hz, ensures excellent motion fluidity. Samsung focuses on a variety of image clarity settings on a ten-point scale, giving users the freedom to adjust the display to their own preferences. In UFO tests, the OLED panel shows its strengths, eliminating any blurring. The lightning-fast pixel response makes dynamic movements faithfully reproduced.

Similar results can be observed in other sizes of this model with a WOLED panel, which also offer excellent image fluidity. Organic technology, in this case, is considered one of the best on the market. The picture of Samsung S90D, regardless of the type of panel, is incredibly sharp and detailed, making this TV perfect for dynamic scenes, both during gaming and sports broadcasts. Additionally, its capabilities in terms of refresh rate and clarity ensure that every movement is smooth and natural, which will certainly satisfy even the most demanding users.

The X75WL Sony television features a 60 Hz panel, making it more suitable for watching movies than for fast-paced gaming. This model includes a motion smoother called Motionflow, which allows the user to adjust the picture on a 10-point scale. Smoothness adds intermediate frames, thus increasing motion fluidity, and the image becomes more theatrical while minimising the judder effect. Clarity reduces motion blur, which is especially useful during fast-paced scenes, such as sports or dynamic action in films. With this feature, the user can tailor the fluidity and sharpness of motion to their own preferences.

Television S90D is an excellent solution for gamers, offering a range of advanced features that elevate the gaming experience to a new level. Equipped with the HDMI 2.1 standard, the model supports modern technologies such as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Thanks to these solutions, the image is incredibly smooth, and the response to commands is instantaneous, which is crucial in dynamic titles. Additionally, the S90D supports HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) and G-Sync and FreeSync image synchronisation. This allows for a perfect connection with the Xbox, PlayStation, or PC, eliminating issues with tearing and stuttering. The built-in operating system offers the Xbox Game Pass app, providing access to a massive library of games directly from the television. This solution makes gaming even more convenient and accessible. The Game Bar feature provides quick access to important information, such as current settings, performance statistics, and the ability to adjust image options. This allows for on-the-fly modification of display parameters, which is incredibly useful during intense gameplay. Despite lacking support for Dolby Vision, Samsung S90D still delivers excellent HDR image quality, allowing for full utilisation of the potential of games and films. As a result, S90D represents a unique combination of modern technologies, excellent image quality, and intuitive features, perfect for any gaming enthusiast.

X75WL is not the best TV for gamers. It only has the ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) feature and a basic Game Bar, which are not sufficient to satisfy more demanding users. In this price range, one would expect support for features such as VRR or 120 Hz refresh rates – although in FULLHD, which are already standard – unfortunately, they are lacking here. This is a big downside for Sony, as the competition offers much more for gamers in a similar budget.