Samsung QLED Q80D vs Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED)

Direct compare

Q80D

S90DAE / S94DAE

Info

Available screen sizes: 50”55”65”75”85”

Available screen sizes: 55”77”83”

Panel type: LCD VA

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Tizen

Model year: 2024

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Panel type: WRGB OLED

Resolution: 3840x2160

System: Tizen

Model year: 2024

Complete the survey to find out the result

Overall rating

7.1

8.1

  • Movies and series in UHD quality

    6.7

    8.2

  • Classic TV, YouTube

    6.7

    8.7

  • Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

    6.6

    8.5

  • Gaming on console

    8.7

    9.5

  • TV as a computer monitor

    7.6

    8.6

  • Watching in bright light

    6.0

    6.0

  • Utility functions

    7.7

    7.7

  • Apps

    9.3

    9.3

  • Sound quality

    6.6

    7.4

Advantages

  • Great choice for gamers - lots of functionality, low input lag, 120Hz

  • High brightness of the panel - good performance during the day

  • Good blacks and contrast - VA panel with local dimming

  • Excellent tonal transitions

  • Advanced "Tizen" smart system

  • Pleasant sound from the built-in speakers

  • Ideal contrast

  • Great for 4K content

  • Perfect for gamers - 144hz, HDMI 2.1, low input lag.

  • Decent brightness

  • Advanced and smooth Tizen system

Disadvantages

No like
  • Average viewing angles

  • No recording function

  • No DTS (may hinder connection to home theatre)

  • Colours from the box need improvement

  • Missing Dolby Vision (not necessary at this brightness but it would be appreciated)

Our verdict

Samsung Q80D is a very versatile television. It’s definitely a piece of equipment that can easily adapt to the needs of both gamers and those looking for a device for everyday viewing. As for the former - namely gamers. Thanks to HDMI 2.1 support, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and low input lag, it makes playing on console or PC pure pleasure. Additionally, the Game Bar feature allows for quick adjustments without the need to exit the game – a small thing, but it makes a difference. It’s also worth mentioning a fantastic feature in the form of an efficient motion smoother that works well in games. It gives the impression that playing on such a television adds a few FPS, thus providing an advantage in the game. During everyday use, the Q80D performs very well too. The Tizen system offers access to popular apps such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, so nothing is lacking here. The high brightness of the screen ensures that the television performs very well even in well-lit rooms. A nice and interesting addition is the solar remote, which not only does not require battery replacements but also allows control of other devices (e.g. set-top boxes, consoles, soundbars). When it comes to picture quality, the Q80D has a lot to offer. Although it lacks Dolby Vision support, after calibration, the colours look fantastic, and the contrast and black level thanks to FALD technology (full array local dimming) impressed us greatly, considering the television's segment. Thanks to the VA panel enhanced with quantum dots (QLED), the colours on the Q80D can look truly excellent. Watching movies or series in the evening is a real pleasure – especially if we care about good details. However, there are little things that might be bothersome. The lack of a recording feature is a certain limitation, although it may not be a problem for everyone. Another obvious issue will be its viewing angles. These are typical results for this type of panel, so one must reckon with the fact that at the cost of great blacks, the Q80D simply performs average when looked at from the side. Nevertheless, the Samsung Q80D is a great television that performs well in every situation. It offers excellent picture quality, many useful features, and solid build quality for its price range. A few minor shortcomings, however, do not take away its charm, as overall it’s a model that will comfortably meet the expectations of most users – both those who game on consoles and those who simply enjoy evening screenings with good visuals.

The SAMSUNG S90D, also known as the S94D, is equipment that repeatedly surprised us positively during our tests. It’s worth mentioning at the outset that depending on the selected size, differences may concern the applied OLED panel. However, regardless of which variant we encounter, one can count on excellent blacks and HDR effects that, thanks to high brightness, make a huge impression. This is one of those TVs that can truly elevate home viewing to a cinematic level. During testing of films and series, we immediately noticed the great colour reproduction and depth of blacks. Dark scenes, which can be problematic on other screens, are full of details and immersive here. Although the factory colour settings could be a bit better, after calibration, the image gained clarity, and the TV showed what it’s really capable of. In terms of everyday usage, we noted that the wide viewing angles allow comfortable watching of content even from less central positions. The Tizen operating system appealed to us – it’s clear, fast, and offers access to the most popular apps. AirPlay works seamlessly, which was a nice addition during testing. And what about image smoothness?... The 144 Hz panel performs excellently. While watching sports, the image was smooth, without the slightest blur. Matches or races felt like we were really in the stands. We also couldn’t skip gaming tests. Low input lag and support for HDMI 2.1 make the S90D/S94D a great choice for gamers. Games ran smoothly, and every movement was displayed with incredible precision. This is equipment that meets the expectations of even the more demanding console users. The SAMSUNG S90D/S94D is a TV that combines excellent picture quality with modern features and versatility. Regardless of whether we're watching films, playing on a console, or simply using apps, this model impresses. In its price range, it’s truly a strong contender.

TV appearance

HDMI inputs
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps)
Other inputs
Outputs
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
Network Interfaces
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Contrast and black detail

6.7/10

10/10

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 100 (10 x 10)

Contrast:

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Contrast and black detail

Result

37,350:1

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Contrast and black detail

Result

8,850:1

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Contrast and black detail

Result

20,350:1

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Contrast and black detail

Result

4,300:1

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Contrast and black detail

Result

3,800:1

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Contrast and black detail

Result

:1

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

The Samsung Q80D television is equipped with a VA panel, which immediately affects the difference in contrast and black reproduction compared to IPS panels. VA panels offer significantly better contrast and deeper blacks, while IPS panels have better viewing angles but poorer contrast. For the 55" model, the television has 100 local dimming zones, and it should be noted that this number may vary depending on the screen size. Thanks to local dimming, blacks look good, but it's worth mentioning that the algorithm of this technology, combined with a limited number of zones, can sometimes go a bit "haywire." Bright objects can be dimmed to achieve better blacks. During testing in a scene from the film Oblivion, the lights merged into one blot, regardless of the dimming settings, showing the limitations of this technology. In the movie Sicario 2, large dimming zones were particularly noticeable, for example, with small helicopter lights, indicating how large the areas controlled by a single dimming zone are. Despite these imperfections, the local dimming technology still offers significantly better picture quality than televisions without this feature or with edge lighting. With the ability to completely turn off individual zones, the television can provide a noticeable boost in brightness in selected areas, which can give the image a cinematic effect, especially in dark rooms.

Samsung S90D, thanks to its OLED matrix, offers infinite contrast, which is one of its greatest advantages. OLED matrices are characterised by each pixel emitting its own light, allowing for deep blacks and excellent detail reproduction in dark scenes. In contrast to traditional LCD matrices with backlighting, where black often takes on a grey hue due to uneven backlighting, OLED guarantees that switched-off pixels remain completely black. This allows for a very high level of contrast, making images more dynamic and realistic. In the scene from "Oblivion", the Samsung S90D beautifully showcases the high light effect of the lantern, highlighting the intensity and details in the bright parts of the image. Meanwhile, in the film "Sicario 2", you can perfectly see the separation of the helicopter lights from the dark background. A surprising aspect of the S90D model is the fact that Samsung, after years of disputes, decided to use organic matrices produced by LG, in versions with "DAE" endings in their names. Is that a bad thing? No! In terms of contrast, both WOLED and QD-OLED matrices offer the same, which is perfect black.

HDR effect quality

5.6/10

6.8/10

Supported formats
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Color gamut coverage
DCI P3: 93.0%, Bt.2020: 73.0%
DCI P3: 98.0%, Bt.2020: 73.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Brightness measurement

Result

927 nit

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Brightness measurement

Result

423 nit

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Brightness measurement

Result

612 nit

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Brightness measurement

Result

242 nit

Review Samsung QLED Q80D Brightness measurement

Result

856 nit

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Brightness measurement

Result

960 nit

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Brightness measurement

Result

990 nit

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Brightness measurement

Result

1098 nit

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Brightness measurement

Result

1042 nit

Review Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) Brightness measurement

Result

490 nit

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

Static HDR10

Dynamic: HDR10+

Dynamic: HDR10+

HDR luminance chart:

Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED)

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

Samsung QLED Q80D

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

In the context of HDR, the Samsung Q80D television, as expected, achieves very positive brightness results in the tested movie scenes, where the frame is filled with light, reaching values from 600 to 900 nits, allowing for a great juiciness of the image. Such results enable the user to feel the difference between HDR and SDR quality. Unfortunately, problems arise in situations where small light effects occur against a dark background. In such cases (e.g., the 4th test screen from the film Sicario 2), a noticeable drop in brightness is observed, which is caused by the large size of the dimming zones used here. This limitation, combined with the dimming algorithm, affects how the television handles small bright elements on a dark background. At that point, we may experience an undesired lack of brightness, and the HDR effect resembles that of SDR.

In the tested film scenes, the Samsung S90D television achieves impressive brightness results, exceeding the 1000 nit barrier in the first four shots, which can be considered a remarkable outcome. In the case of the last shot, where a full-screen flash of sunlight is visible, the brightness drops to around 500 nit, but it still remains at a very good level. Additionally, the television impresses with a DCI-P3 colour space coverage value of 98%, which guarantees extraordinarily rich and realistic colour reproduction, further enhancing the image quality. This result makes the Samsung S90D an ideal choice for those expecting high-quality images in a variety of lighting conditions.

Factory color reproduction

6.8/10

7/10

Factory Mode

After calibration

Factory Mode

After calibration

In "Filmmaker" mode, which is the best choice right out of the box, the Samsung Q80D television shows solid colour reproduction. For SDR content, a noticeable drop at the start of the gamma curve suggests that details in dark scenes may be less clear, affecting the overall viewing experience. Regarding white balance in SDR content, while generally correct, significant drops in blue at screen coverage above 70% can result in less natural shades in both bright and dark scenes. Users may notice that some blue elements in the image may appear less vibrant, and the overall colour will have a warmer hue.

In HDR content, the EOTF curve being above the reference line for most of the time indicates that the television may struggle to accurately reproduce brightness and details in the brighter parts of the image, which can be detrimental for the viewer. It is also worth noting the significant drop at the start of this chart, indicating that the television has difficulty reproducing brightness in the darker parts of the image, as seen in the contrast and black test, where several scenes were unable to show the full capabilities of the television’s brightness. In terms of its white balance, the initially good performance on the graph is promising, but the steep decline in red, coupled with a significant increase in blue, can lead to inaccuracies in reproducing some skin tones and other key colours. This phenomenon may be noticeable to viewers in scenes where colour details are crucial.

The S90D television has been tested in Filmmaker mode, which offers good colour reproduction, although with some imperfections that may be noticeable to more discerning users. This mode may seem too warm, and users who have switched from Standard mode might experience a slight shock. It’s worth noting that this state of affairs is caused by poor settings, such as in the white balance, rather than the Filmmaker mode itself. In both SDR and HDR content, the device shows drops in blue, causing colours to appear warmer than they should. In practice, this means that certain shades, such as sky blue or skin tones, may appear less natural and more tinged with pink or yellow. The Colour Checker test confirms these deviations, showing shifts towards warmer tones. In SDR content, the gamma chart indicates slight fluctuations, which may result in the image being minimally darker, especially in the shadows. This can affect the clarity of details in darker scenes. Meanwhile, in 4K HDR materials, the EOTF curve is located above the recommended line, leading to some parts of the image being displayed too brightly, which can cause clipping in the brightest areas. Overall, Samsung S90D delivers a solid picture straight out of the box, but for the best results, especially with more demanding content, additional calibration is recommended.

Color reproduction after calibration

8.1/10

8.7/10

The movie mode after calibration looks significantly better than the one you see right out of the box. Samsung offers an advanced range of calibration tools in its televisions. Among them are 2- and 20-point greyscale adjustment and CMS (Color Management System). Both in HDR and SDR mode, white balance has improved significantly, although there are slight errors at the end of the graph for HDR content. Contrast has also been greatly improved, and the gamma curve responsible for SDR shows better results. However, when it comes to HDR, the EOTF curve on the television appears to be at an ideal level at first glance. However, when we dig a bit deeper and enable the EOTF graph while watching films, we may notice that all the lines of the curve are above the reference line. You could even say that the television is "cheating" when playing film material. Such a situation, where the EOTF curve is above the reference line, causes the screen – although it may appear brighter, which some users might find appealing – to lose detail in the darker parts of the image. In practice, this means that in scenes with a lot of shadows or dark elements, the television is unable to accurately render the details that should be visible.

After calibration, the Samsung S90D TV in movie mode looks even better than one might expect. The white balance for both HD and 4K HDR content has been improved almost to perfection. Although minor errors can still be noticed, they are so minimal that they do not significantly affect the picture quality. Colours are more balanced, leading to a natural reproduction of details, especially in scenes that require a precise colour palette. It is worth noting that this model in this size is equipped with a WOLED panel, which has less coverage of a wide colour gamut and does not offer as rich colours as, for example, the 65-inch version, which is equipped with a QD-OLED panel.

The contrast has also seen a significant improvement. The gamma graph after calibration is much closer to the expected line, providing a better balance between bright and dark areas of the image. The EOTF curve, which showed problems with overexposed scenes before calibration, now demonstrates better results. This effect allows for greater detail to be preserved in the bright parts of the image, especially in HDR materials.

Smoothness of tonal transitions

8.8/10

7.6/10

The tonal gradation on the Samsung Q80D television is excellent and can be considered one of its strong points. Even in the most demanding scenes from the films we tested, it performs superbly. Any potential issues with smoothing transitions in colours are minimal and subtle. The average viewer is unlikely to notice them, which translates to an overall positive visual experience in everyday use.

The fluidity of tonal transitions in the Samsung S90D television is at a good level, although subtle imperfections are noticeable in places. In most scenes, the tonal transitions are fluid and well-reproduced, providing a natural viewing experience. In more demanding sequences, such as a dark coloured sky, slight issues may arise; however, they do not significantly affect the overall visual experience. In the test scene with dominant red hues, slight cutoffs in the brighter areas can be observed, but they are subtle enough not to disrupt viewing. Overall, the fluidity of tonal transitions in the Samsung S90D television is solid, ensuring a good reception of content.

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7/10

7.9/10

Image without overscan on the SD signal
OK
No
Smooth transition function
OK
OK

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

Samsung Q80D performs very well with low-quality materials. The noise reduction works on the principle of gentle gradation, making it very effective in smoothing out unwanted image disturbances. Unfortunately, this same effectiveness also causes it to blur elements that shouldn't be smoothed, such as film grain. For those who prioritise a plastic, smooth image, this can be seen as a significant advantage, especially with lower-quality content.

In terms of image scaling, Samsung Q80D stands out positively in this aspect, significantly enhancing the viewing comfort. The TV handles the conversion of lower-resolution materials, improving their quality and details. For example, in the attached image featuring a model, there are no visible artefacts or excessive fraying of branches, which demonstrates advanced image processing technology.

Television S90D handles tonal transitions very well. Thanks to the technology used, transitions between colours are smoother and more natural. You can also use the noise reduction feature, which further smooths out tonal transitions, which can be useful in certain situations. However, it's worth remembering that turning on noise reduction can also lead to the smoothing out of desirable film grain, thereby reducing the cinematic feel of the image. For this reason, caution is advised when using this feature, as it’s better to leave the natural grain that adds character and authenticity to the content being viewed.

Samsung, as always, does not disappoint and excels in scaling images from lower resolutions. The S90D Samsung TV effectively processes lower resolutions, as seen in the visible image. The outline of the model is clear and accurate and, as a result, looks natural and detailed. Moreover, the branches of the trees are well-represented, showing no significant jaggedness that could degrade image quality. With effective scaling, even materials in lower resolution present attractively on the screen, satisfying users who prefer various sources of content such as regular antenna/cable television.

Blur and motion smoothness

7.3/10

8.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel
120Hz
144Hz
Film motion smoothing option
OK
OK
Blur reduction option
OK
OK
BFI function 60Hz
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz
Nie
Nie
Brightness drop with BFI
69%
51%

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Image flickers in this mode

Image flickers in this mode

The Samsung Q80D television stands out very positively in terms of motion fluidity and minimizing blur, mainly due to the 120Hz panel and above-average panel response time. Users have two options for adjusting fluidity: "Motion Smoothing," which allows for adjustments in a 10-step scale, and "Blur Reduction," particularly effective at higher refresh rates, improving the sharpness of fast-moving objects. In the UFO test, there is no blurring behind the moving object, and the image is not cloned forward, indicating the absence of an overshoot effect.

Samsung S90D TV is equipped with a 120 Hz panel, with the ability to overclock to 144 Hz with the right PC configuration, providing exceptional motion smoothness. For years, Samsung has offered a variety of ten-point settings for image clarity, allowing users to adjust the display to their preferences. In the UFO test, thanks to the use of an OLED panel, there is no sign of any motion blur. The pixel response is instantaneous and perfectly captures dynamic movements. In this aspect, OLED technology is considered one of the best on the market. The image is incredibly sharp and detailed, even during fast action, making the S90D an ideal choice for gamers and sports enthusiasts.

Console compatibility and gaming features

9.5/10

9.5/10

  • ALLM
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR
    Yes
    Yes
  • VRR range
    48 - 120Hz
    48 - 144Hz
  • Dolby Vision Game Mode
    No
    No
  • Correct implementation of HGIG
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1080p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 1440p@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • 4K@120Hz
    Yes
    Yes
  • Game bar
    Yes
    Yes

The Samsung Q80D TV is a real gem for gamers. It is equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports, which is a rarity, especially in this price range. This allows users to enjoy features such as ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and 120Hz at 4K resolution. These features ensure smoothness and responsiveness of the image, which is a key aspect during dynamic gameplay. The TV also supports HGIG (HDR Gaming Interest Group), enabling optimal HDR content display in games. Additionally, it comes with a Game Bar, providing quick access to gaming settings. Users with Nvidia graphics cards will also be pleased with the implementation of G-Sync. This feature eliminates stuttering and screen tearing. The only downside is the lack of support for Dolby Vision, which may be disappointing for users looking for that HDR format. It's also worth mentioning that since 2022, thanks to the collaboration with Microsoft, Samsung TVs offer the Xbox Game Pass app, allowing for cloud gaming. This is an added bonus for gamers who want to take advantage of a wide library of games without needing a console.

The Samsung S90D television is perfectly adapted to the needs of gamers, offering four HDMI 2.1 ports that support key features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and HDR Gaming Interest Group (HGIG). With these technologies, gamers can enjoy smoother and more responsive gameplay, significantly enhancing comfort and performance during intense gaming sessions. An additional advantage of the television is the special Game Bar, which allows for easy management of game settings. This functionality enables quick adjustments of parameters, such as changing the aspect ratio of the television screen, which can be useful in various games and types of gameplay. Users can easily customise their preferences, making the use of the television while gaming even more convenient and enjoyable. As for PC users, the television pleasantly surprises. When connecting a computer, the panel is able to achieve a refresh rate of 144Hz, and users of Nvidia or AMD graphics cards can enjoy features such as G-Sync and FreeSync. However, it should be noted that the television does not support Dolby Vision, which may be a downside – although it is worth considering that Dolby Vision is not as popular in the context of games as it is in films. Nevertheless, the S90D television still offers excellent features for gamers, making it a great choice for gaming enthusiasts looking for outstanding picture quality and modern technological solutions.

Input lag

9.8/10

10/10

SDR

1080p60
18 ms
10 ms
1080p120
9 ms
5 ms
2160p60
18 ms
10 ms
2160p120
9 ms
5 ms

HDR

2160p60
16 ms
10 ms
2160p120
8 ms
5 ms
4320p60

Dolby Vision

2160p60 DV
2160p120 DV

What more can I say, the input lag at this level is simply outstanding. It's hard to achieve a better result that will satisfy gamers! The television performed excellently at every tested resolution and refresh rate, both in SDR and HDR.

The Samsung S90D OLED features an exceptionally low input lag, regardless of resolution or refresh rate, in both SDR and HDR modes. Results around 10 ms are truly impressive and significantly enhance the gaming experience. Such low input lag ensures immediate response to on-screen actions, which is crucial in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. This allows users to enjoy smoothness and precision, making the Samsung S90D a fantastic choice for those who prioritise gaming performance.

Compatibility with PC

7.6/10

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate)
Yes
Yes
Font clarity
Very Good
Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes
Average
Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate)
9ms
5ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement
BGR
RWBG
Max refresh rate
120Hz
144Hz
G-Sync
Yes
Yes

Samsung Q80D performs well as a computer monitor. With support for chroma 4:4:4 (only works in "Game" mode), text on the screen is sharp and readable, which is very important for those who want to work on such a TV with text documents or spreadsheets. One of the biggest advantages of this model is its exceptionally low input lag in “PC” mode, which is only 9 ms. This is a reference-level result that ensures smoothness and responsiveness, which is crucial for both gamers and video editing professionals. The only thing we can nitpick is that there is a certain issue with font rendering on dark backgrounds. When we zoom in on the tested font image, we notice that the horizontal lines are darker compared to the vertical ones. This means that the sub-pixels in the TV do not fully illuminate in this case. This could be due to an oversight by the manufacturer regarding the optimisation of the algorithm responsible for displaying thin lines, which affects the quality of details in text rendering on dark backgrounds. Nevertheless, Samsung Q80D is a very good choice as a PC monitor.

The Samsung S90D TV works perfectly with a PC. Fonts are clearly visible, which makes reading text and using applications easier. Additionally, it supports chroma 4:4:4 at 4K resolution and a refresh rate of 144 Hz, providing complete colour reproduction and sharpness of image. It is worth highlighting that the input lag of just 5 ms is extremely advantageous, especially for gamers and professionals working with graphics. With such low latency, using the TV as a monitor becomes a pleasure, allowing for comfortable and responsive work. The Samsung S90D TV is an excellent choice for users looking for performance and quality in everyday computer use.

Viewing angles

3/10

7.6/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees
82%
29%

Samsung Q80D, equipped with a VA panel, unfortunately doesn't perform well with viewing angles. When we watch the screen at a 45-degree angle, there is a noticeable loss of brightness. The image becomes less sharp, which can be problematic if we plan to watch TV from different spots in the room. However, the VA panel has its advantages. When we look directly at the screen, black is deep and well-saturated. Moreover, even at an angle, dark colours retain their depth, which is rare for this type of panel.

Viewing angles on the Samsung S90D television, thanks to OLED technology, are unmatched. OLED offers excellent colour and contrast reproduction, even at wide viewing angles, which ensures the picture remains clear and vibrant from almost any perspective. Users can enjoy a consistent visual experience, regardless of where they are watching the screen from. The only televisions that might perform better in this regard are models equipped with MLA (Micro Lens Array) or QD-OLED technology. These innovative solutions further enhance picture quality from various angles, but under standard conditions, OLED remains the leader in viewing angles, providing users with exceptional visual experiences.

TV efficiency during daytime

6/10

6/10

Matrix coating
Satin
Glare
Reflection suppression
Average
Good
Black levels during daytime
Good
Very Good

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED): 396 cd/m2

Samsung QLED Q80D: 550 cd/m2

The Samsung Q80D television stands out with very good brightness, averaging 550 nits, which is an impressive result, especially as it maintains this brightness across the entire surface of the screen. As a result, the picture is sharp and clearly visible even in bright rooms, which is a big plus when watching television during the day. However, despite the matte coating on the panel, the television struggles somewhat with glare suppression. In bright lighting conditions, unwanted reflections can occur, which may disrupt viewing comfort. This is particularly noticeable when there are light sources in the room that directly hit the screen.

When watching during the day, the Samsung S90D performs very well, achieving an average brightness of around 400 nits, which is a very good result for OLED technology. Despite the use of a glossy panel, glare suppression is at a decent level, allowing for comfortable viewing even in bright rooms. The only noticeable downside of this technology, rather than the television itself, is the brightness at 100% white screen fill. In such conditions, OLED may struggle to achieve extremely high brightness. Situations like this can be seen when we want to watch winter sports, such as ski jumping.

Details about the matrix

Backlight Type
QLED
Software version during testing
1106
1120
Image processor

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

Samsung QLED Q80D

Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED)

TV features

7.7/10

7.7/10

  • System
    Tizen
    Tizen
  • TV reception
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
    DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
  • Recording to USB (terrestrial TV)
    No
    No
  • Recording programming
    No
    No
  • Picture in Picture (PiP)
    Yes
    Yes
  • Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast)
    Yes
    Yes
  • AirPlay
    Yes
    Yes
  • Voice search in native language
    Yes
    Yes
  • Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV
    Yes
    Yes
  • Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker
    Yes
    Yes
  • Audio only mode
    Yes
    Yes
  • RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen)
    RF
    RF
  • Backlit remote control
    No
    No
  • Teletext
    Yes
    Yes

The Samsung Q80D television offers a range of features that significantly enhance user comfort. The Tizen system is an advanced platform that provides users with an intuitive and smooth experience. Thanks to its user-friendly interface, navigating through apps and settings is quick and easy. Tizen supports a rich set of applications, including popular streaming services, allowing access to a wide range of entertainment content without the need for additional devices, and a new feature for 2024 is support for the Polish language. It's also worth mentioning the solar remote control, which is not only eco-friendly but also convenient for everyday use. The solar cell remote can easily control other devices such as home theatres, set-top boxes (e.g., Canal+), or gaming consoles, which is quite a challenge for other manufacturers. Returning to the console, Samsung Q80D offers several features that gamers may appreciate. Firstly, the television supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology, which enables smoother game display, eliminating issues like tearing and stuttering. Additionally, with low input lag, reactions in games are quick and precise. The Samsung Q80D is also equipped with a Game Bar feature, which allows quick access to key gaming settings without the need to exit the game. From this interface, we can check and adjust parameters like VRR, input lag, frames per second (FPS), as well as screen ratios and sound settings. This means gamers can continuously optimise their experience by adjusting settings according to their current gaming needs. The television supports AirPlay, allowing easy content sharing from Apple devices, and enables connection to various Bluetooth devices such as mice or headphones, increasing its versatility. The only downside is the lack of USB recording support and the fact that the Q80D unfortunately does not support the DTS sound format. This means that if we have content encoded in this format, the device will not be able to properly play back the audio track. This could pose a problem for those using Blu-ray discs or media files that often utilise DTS to provide high-quality surround sound. To achieve complete audio experiences, it may be necessary to use an external player or soundbar that supports this format.

The Samsung S90 television offers a range of features that significantly enhance user comfort and make it an ideal device for entertainment in the comfort of your home. The Tizen system, on which this model is based, is a modern and advanced platform that provides users with an intuitive and smooth experience. Thanks to its user-friendly interface, navigation through applications and settings is quick and intuitive, making it easy for even those who are less tech-savvy to use the television. Tizen supports a rich set of applications, including all popular streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video. A new feature for 2024 is the availability of voice search in Polish. It is also worth noting the eco-friendly solar remote, which is not only environmentally friendly but also practical for everyday use. For example, the remote can control multiple devices connected to the television, meaning we do not need to use multiple remotes. Additionally, the television supports AirPlay, allowing for easy content sharing from Apple devices such as iPhone or iPad. The S90D Samsung also allows for the connection of various Bluetooth devices such as mice, keyboards, or headphones, which increases its versatility and allows for the personalisation of user experiences. This way, users can easily adjust their settings to make the most of the television's capabilities. The only downside that can be pointed out is the lack of USB recording support. For some users, this may be a limitation, especially when it comes to archiving favourite shows or movies. Despite this, the Samsung S90D television offers many advanced features and technologies that make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality entertainment in their home.

Playing files from USB

9.1/10

8.9/10

Supported photo formats:

JPEG
Yes
Yes
HEIC
No
No
PNG
No
No
GIF
No
No
WebP
No
No
TIFF
No
No
BMP
Yes
Yes
SVG
No
No

Maximum photo resolution:

4 Mpix
Yes
Yes
6 Mpix
Yes
Yes
8 Mpix
Yes
Yes
10 Mpix
Yes
Yes
12 Mpix
Yes
Yes
16 Mpix
Yes
Yes
20 Mpix
Yes
Yes
24 Mpix
Yes
Yes
28 Mpix
Yes
Yes
32 Mpix
Yes
Yes

The built-in player in the Samsung Q80D television is definitely one of its strong points. It handles almost all video and audio files that we tested exceptionally well. The only exceptions are the Dolby Vision format, which is not surprising, and less common codecs. On the plus side, it supports Polish characters and offers the ability to customise font colours. On the downside, the TV struggles a bit with photo formats, as it only supports JPEG among the popular ones, while lacking support for formats like PNG or Apple HEIC.

Samsung S90D is equipped with a built-in media player that supports most popular video formats, allowing for convenient playback of films from various sources. The player also supports subtitles in Polish and enables users to customise the font colour, increasing comfort while watching content with subtitles. In terms of image formats, the TV handles many of them, but one of the few downsides is the lack of ability to play the popular PNG format. Nevertheless, the overall playback capabilities of the S90D are at an excellent level.

Apps

9.3/10

9.3/10

OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Viaplay
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
No
Kodi
OK
Disney_Plus
OK
Amazon_Prime_Video
OK
Viaplay
OK
Player_TVN
OK
Polsat_Box_Go
OK
Canal_Plus_Online
OK
TVP_VOD
OK
Apple_TV_Plus
OK
SkyShowtime
OK
Rakuten
OK
CDA_Premium_Browser
OK
Spotify
No
Tidal
OK
Netflix
OK
YouTube
OK
MAX
No
Kodi

Sound

6.6/10

7.4/10

  • Subjective sound quality:
    6.6/10
    7.4/10
  • Dolby Digital Plus 7.1:
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby True HD 7.1:
    Yes
    No
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC):
    Yes
    Yes
  • Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD:
    Yes
    No
  • DTS:X in DTS-HD MA:
    No
    No
  • DTS-HD Master Audio:
    No
    No

The Samsung Q80D television is equipped with a decent audio system with a power of 40W in a 2.2 configuration, providing quite good sound experiences. This system supports all popular Dolby codecs, allowing for the use of advanced audio formats during movie watching or gaming. However, it is worth noting one drawback: the television does not support DTS functionality. Nonetheless, the lack of this feature can be bypassed by connecting an external audio system, which can significantly improve sound quality and provide a more immersive audio experience. Additionally, Samsung offers a wide portfolio of soundbars that can be integrated with the television, as well as the Q-Symphony system, which allows for sound synchronization between the television and soundbar.

The Samsung S90D TV is equipped with a 2.1 audio system with a total power of 40 W, providing clear and dynamic sound. Thanks to the subwoofer located at the bottom of the casing, the bass is deep and palpable, while the mid and high tones remain well-balanced. It is worth noting that the twin model S94D offers an even more advanced 2.1.2 speaker set with a power of 60 W. If the silver colour of the S94D casing is not an obstacle, and the price difference between these models is minimal, it’s worth considering choosing the version with the digit “4” at the end. Although the TV does not support DTS format, it offers other sound technologies such as Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus. However, to fully enjoy surround sound, it’s worth considering connecting an external audio system.