Samsung QN990F Review

Complete the survey to find out the result

This TV was tested by:

Maciej Koper

Paweł Koper

Last updated::

8/27/2025 8:51:52 AM

Samsung QN990F is the absolute top of the top in the Koreans' offering for 2025. You don't have to look long for evidence – just the price alone is jaw-dropping, and on top of that, we have several features that you won’t find in any other television in the world. The wireless One Connect module, the first matte display in an 8K television, and a design that can easily be called one of the best on the market. This is a television that immediately stands out from the competition. We decided to evaluate it according to our testing procedures. Here is the review of the world's first wireless 8K television!

SAMSUNG QN990F - Our verdict

7.6

Overall rating

Samsung QN990F is a television that makes a huge impression from the very first moment. It's probably one of the most beautiful models on the market – ultra-slim, with an almost invisible frame and a stand that makes it look like the screen is levitating above the table. On top of that, there's the futuristic Wiraless One Connect module, this time in a wireless version, which helps to reduce the number of cables in the living room and gives the whole setup a modern character. But it doesn't stop at design. The QN990F also boasts a powerful specification. Mini-LED with over a thousand dimming zones can generate contrast that occasionally rivals that of OLEDs. "Additionally, there's very high HDR brightness and a new matte screen that effectively eliminates reflections. And when we add excellent motion smoothness with a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz in 4K, we have a set of features that truly impress. Samsung hasn't forgotten about gamers – we have Game Bar, VRR, ALLM, five HDMI 2.1 ports, and phenomenal input lag at the level of 10–15 ms (when connected via micro HDMI).

And this is where we get to the crux of the matter. Because while the QN990F impresses on paper and in many tests, in practice, some solutions still require fine-tuning. The wireless One Connect module raises input lag to unacceptable levels for gamers, Mini-LED can struggle in challenging scenes with a lot of detail, and the lack of Dolby Vision or DTS:X reminds us that Samsung is stubbornly following its own path, sometimes at the expense of the user. Despite this, the QN990F is a television that shows the direction of industry development. It's not a model for everyone – but for those who love gadgets, technological innovations, and want a screen in their living room that looks like it's from the future. However, if someone is looking solely for the best picture quality, they will even find models within Samsung's portfolio that perform significantly better – maybe without 8K, but with more refined contrast or colours. Because 8K still remains a technology that looks firmly towards the future and QN990F shows what televisions of tomorrow might look like. But are we – the viewers – ready to pay such a high price for this vision and accept the compromises that come with it?

Advantages

Amazing Design
Wireless module Wiraless One Connect
Great black
High brightness
Matte display effectively reduces reflections
Good viewing angles
The fastest TV in the world - refresh rate 4K@240Hz and 8K@120Hz great for sports
Many features for gamers: HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, HGiG, Gamebar
Very fast and intuitive operating system Tizen OS

Disadvantages

Very high price
Local dimming algorithms could be better refined
Missing Dolby Vision and DTS:X
High input lag with wireless connection using Wiraless One Connect

Movies and series in UHD quality

7.7
Classic TV, YouTube

7.7
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

7.6
Gaming on console

9.2
TV as a computer monitor

7.9
Watching in bright light

5.2
Utility functions

7.5
Apps

8.7
Sound quality

7.9

SAMSUNG QN990F - Competing TVs in this price range

7.7

TCL C8K 98”

A$3 997.00

Go to review

7.1

TCL C6K 98”

Check price

Go to review

7.2

Hisense U7Q 100”

Check price

Go to review

6.6

TCL C655 / C69B 98' 98”

Check price

Go to review

7.2

TCL MQLED85 / C765 98”

Check price

Go to review

7.7

Sony X90L 98”

Check price

Go to review

7.8

Review Samsung Neo QLED QN90D / QN92D Main photo

Samsung Neo QLED QN90D / QN92D 98”

Check price

Go to review

7.0

Hisense E7NQ PRO 100”

Check price

Go to review

7.6

TCL C855 98”

Check price

Go to review

SAMSUNG QN990F - TV appearance

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

Build quality: Super Premium

Stand type: Central

Kolor ramki: Silver

Review Samsung QN990F Appearance of the TV

Regulacja podstawy: stand-Fixed
Montaż na płasko: Yes
Akcesoria: accessories-Stand, accessories-OneConnect Box

Samsung QN990F already showcases from the outset that it's equipment from another league. Right out of the box, it's clear that we are dealing with a television that has been refined to perfection. The entire structure is ultra-slim, and the bezels are so narrow that we hardly notice them. It looks really modern and gives the impression of something exceptional. However, what impresses the most is the way Samsung has addressed the issue of connections. The set includes two modules. The first is the classic One Connect, with a silver cable that acts as a receiver. The second is something completely new: a wireless module to which we connect all the cables. The only exception is the additional micro HDMI, cleverly hidden at the back of the casing. To be honest, we feel it's a bit of a missed opportunity—if only the power cable could be left, it would be the world's first completely wireless television. But still, the effect is amazing and makes a huge impression, especially on those who love technological innovations. We also can't overlook the stand. It's massive and stable, yet looks light and modern. The rear panel made of glass gives the impression that the television is floating above the table, rather than sitting on it. It's a small detail, but exactly the kind that creates the feeling that we are engaging with super premium equipment. It's hard to find someone who wouldn't appreciate the look of the QN990F. This is one of those televisions that draws attention even before you manage to turn it on.

Buy in the best price

Select size:

Samsung QN990F (paid link)

SAMSUNG QN990F - Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

7.6/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1344 (28 x 48)

Review Samsung QN990F Contrast and black detail

Result

∞:1

Result

89,250:1

Result

28,200:1

Result

12,100:1

Result

2,050:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

QN990F is the top representative of the Neo QLED series, so it had to feature Mini-LED technology. The 65-inch unit we tested received a VA panel and as many as 1344 local dimming zones, which looks really impressive on paper. In practice, this can provide a level of contrast that is close to ideal. In less demanding scenes, such as in the film Oblivion, the QN990F performed on par with OLED televisions – the blacks were practically infinite, and the picture looked stunning. However, it wasn't always so rosy. Or perhaps black and white? Like every Mini-LED, the QN990F has its limitations, and in more challenging sequences, it can leave mixed impressions. Where there is a vast amount of fine detail on the screen, the algorithms controlling the zones simply got confused. The contrast dropped, and a noticeable glow appeared around bright elements – the so-called halo effect. Additionally, in films recorded in a 21:9 (2.35:1) format, we noticed that the QN990F was unable to perfectly dim the pitch-black film bars, leaving a silver/blue haze on them. One could say that Samsung in this model prioritized the visibility of details over the perfect depth of black. On one hand, this yields very good results in several scenes, but on the other hand, in a television of this class, we expected the local dimming issue to be refined even further. The end result is simply "okay," and at this price point, we would expect something more than just a satisfactory outcome.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

SAMSUNG QN990F - HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

6.6/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 91.1%, Bt.2020: 67.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Samsung QN990F Brightness measurement

Result

802 nit

Result

689 nit

Result

1076 nit

Result

577 nit

Result

735 nit

Samsung QN990F is one of the bright televisions, and this is immediately apparent in tests. In measurements, it achieved around 1300 nits, which in practice allows you to enjoy films as their creators intended. Bright scenes have the right strength, lights shine, and the impression is truly cinematic. In standard test patterns, sequences number 1, 3, and 5 performed the best – there, brightness remained around 800-1000 nits, and the image looked very natural. In more difficult segments, it could dip to around 600 nits, but the level was still sufficient for details to be clearly visible. However, it should be added that with such highly contrasted shots, the halo effect returns – the same one we mentioned regarding blacks. Bright elements can leave a glow on dark backgrounds, and this is immediately noticeable. As we are dealing with a QLED, the colour palette is expanded, and the colours present themselves impressively. The problem is that with such a flagship model, we expected better numbers. 91% coverage of DCI-P3 and about 67% BT.2020 are results that can be considered solid but not outstanding. This gives an image that is vibrant and appealing; however, the competition in this and lower price ranges can show even more.

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

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

Testing the QN990F with the most demanding films, we got an image that could dazzle but also left us feeling a bit unsatisfied at times. In scenes from the films, a lot of detail was drawn out in the shadows, although it was evident that the darker elements were slightly boosted. This was even more apparent in Billy Lynn, where at times the picture looked as if the television wasn’t using dimming zones at all – the black was significantly brightened, and the brightest fragments appeared washed out. In Blade Runner, the effect was better, but still, the dark elements seemed shallow, as if the contrast was limited to very low values as we observed when testing contrast. On the other hand, bright scenes are handled effortlessly by the QN990F. The tone mapping works really well, and in the film The Meg, the television performed exceptionally – especially in the opening shots with rocks and the drilling platform. Here there was no sign of artificial boosting of dark elements, and the image looked very natural, even compared to a reference OLED. The Man also performed well, although the HDR effect in bright sunlight didn’t have as much impact. Overall, the colours appear attractive, but certain limitations are noticeable. The skin tones of the characters and some shots tend to lean slightly red, and in the most intense colours, there are issues with saturation.

HDR luminance chart:

Luminancja HDR

Luminance of RGB colors

One of the things that can be a bit of a nuisance in the QN990F is how it handles details. Using HDR10, it’s sometimes evident that the TV struggles with the brightest or darkest parts of the screen. A good example is the test card with horses – in HDR10, there were noticeably fewer details, and the overall image looked less natural than it should have. Fortunately, Samsung supports dynamic metadata in the HDR10+ format. Thanks to this dynamic format, the TV adjusts to each scene individually, and the image immediately gains in detail. This is particularly noticeable where the contrasts are greatest – details are not lost, and everything looks closer to what the director actually intended to show. Of course, one might lament the absence of Dolby Vision, the most popular dynamic HDR format. On the other hand, HDR10+ is gaining more popularity year by year. Movies in this format are becoming less of a curiosity and more of something you can find even on Netflix, which significantly changes the landscape.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: HDR10+

SAMSUNG QN990F - Smoothness of tonal transitions

9.2/10

In terms of tonal transition fluidity, the QN990F shows class. It is one of the best results we have seen so far. In most scenes, there is no question of visible colour banding or typical stair-stepping – the transitions are smooth and natural, and the image gives an impression of being incredibly coherent. Of course, as with practically every television, some issues with gradation can be observed in very dark shots. Banding can be noticeable there, but this is a typical phenomenon and should not affect the evaluation of the QN990F itself. Compared to the competition, it looks really very good, and the experience of viewing is simply excellent, and you can be sure that nothing will distract us from our sight.

Review Samsung QN990F Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

6.9/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The QN990F deserves the highest praise for its upscaling capabilities. The processor responsible for 'lifting' classic TV to 8K resolution does a really decent job. Watching footage in 576p, we had no illusions that we would suddenly see a miraculous transformation like in an advertisement, where the image magically turns into crystal-clear 8K. Nevertheless, the final effect was surprisingly good; the picture looked clean and sharp. It's just a shame that the TV, like most Samsung models, has an overscan issue, which slightly cuts off the edges of the screen from the left side.

When it comes to image processing, Samsung offers a feature called "noise reduction," which in theory should improve tonal transitions in older materials, where they are usually more noticeable. Unfortunately, here we felt quite disappointed. The feature performs poorly – it struggles with unwanted banding and can even introduce its own artifacts. On the plus side, it’s worth noting that the TV doesn’t remove film grain when using this feature, but in practice, that’s a poor consolation when the noise reduction itself turns out to be practically useless.

SAMSUNG QN990F - Blur and motion smoothness

7.9/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 240Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)

BFI function 120Hz: Yes, 240Hz (double contours)

Brightness drop with BFI: 76%

Review Samsung QN990F Blur and motion smoothness

QN990F can easily be called one of the fastest TVs in the world. In 4K mode, it can display images at a frequency of up to 240 Hz, which until now was more associated with gaming monitors than with living room TVs. However, in everyday viewing, what's more important is how it handles an 8K signal at 120 Hz – and it performs very well here too. Motion remains smooth, and the TV handles even the most demanding content without breaking a sweat. Additionally, there's the motion smoother, or "Image Clarity." Thanks to this, you can adjust the picture to your preferences – leave it slightly cinematic with a bit of judder or switch to maximum smoothness, which works brilliantly for things like sports broadcasts.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Blur (BFI function enabled):

Smużenie (4K@240Hz):

The most surprising thing is how well the QN990F handles motion blur. In LCD TVs with VA panels, characteristic blurring is usually noticeable during fast movements, but here the effect is surprisingly minimal. In practice, it looks like Samsung has managed to come remarkably close to the level of OLEDs, which have been considered the benchmark in this category for years.

SAMSUNG QN990F - Console compatibility and gaming features

9.6/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 240Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: No
Correct implementation of HGIG: Yes
1080p@120Hz: Yes
1440p@120Hz: Yes
4K@120Hz: Yes
Game bar: Yes

It has to be said straightforwardly – the QN990F is one of those televisions that scream they were designed with gamers in mind. Samsung has been developing its gaming solutions for years, but here we have a true package. Sure, it lacks Dolby Vision support in games, which is a downside that will always come up in discussions. However, aside from that, the list of features is truly impressive. To start, we have the Game Bar – a handy menu that allows you to quickly check and change game-related settings. You can see things like VRR enabled, frame rate, or aspect ratio settings there. It's like a little “dashboard” so you don’t have to dig deep into the menu to fix something. Since the word VRR was mentioned: yes, variable refresh rate is present here and works flawlessly. Plus, there's ALLM, which automatically switches the television to game mode as soon as the console is turned on. These may seem like small details, but together they make using the QN990F simply convenient and hassle-free.

However, the greatest impression comes from the number of ports. Four wireless HDMI 2.1 ports as standard is already great news, as there's no need to choose whether to connect the console, the receiver, or maybe even the PC. There's comfortably enough room for everything here. And if we add another micro HDMI (which we recommend connecting directly to the console), hidden within the casing, then in practice we have five inputs in full 2.1 standard. Let’s also add support for high refresh rates – 120 Hz in 8K or even 240 Hz in 4K – and we get a television that not only keeps up with the new consoles but also feels ready for consoles that aren’t even out yet.

SAMSUNG QN990F - Input lag

9.9/10

If we look at the table with input lag results, the QN990F performs phenomenally – in the range of 10–15 ms, which is practically on par with gaming monitors. But there are a few "buts". First of all, the measurements taken using an additional micro HDMI, which Samsung cleverly hid in the TV's casing, show its full capabilities. At that point, the image reacts instantly and gaming is pure pleasure. The problem starts when we connect the console to the wireless One Connect module. Here, input lag spikes – the measuring device showed values higher by even 20 ms for the first 1–2 seconds, before the delays stabilised at around 40 ms. That's a level which is noticeable in faster games. Interestingly, the module was sitting nearby, at a distance of 2–3 metres, so the signal did not have any difficult conditions. It's not hard to imagine that if we hide it, for example, behind a couch at a distance of 6–10 metres, input lag could exceed even 100-150 ms. And those are values that are completely unacceptable for gaming.

Input lag measurements for Wireless One Connect from a distance of 2-3m are as follows:

SDR	Input lag	HDR	Input lag
1080p60	39 ms
1080p120	25 ms
2160p60	39 ms	2160p60	39 ms
2160p120	26 ms	2160p120	26 ms
4320p60	43 ms	4320p60	43 ms

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 15 ms	2160p60: 13 ms
1080p120: 9 ms	2160p120: 10 ms
2160p60: 13 ms	4320p60: 17 ms
2160p120: 10 ms

SAMSUNG QN990F - Compatibility with PC

7.9/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Average

Readability of dark text and shapes: Average

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 10ms

Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR

Max refresh rate: 240Hz

G-Sync: Yes

Review Samsung QN990F Compatibility with PC

QN990F can impress when we connect a computer for gaming. The panel with a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz, support for G-Sync, and a really decent input lag make the TV function like a gigantic gaming monitor. For gaming, this setup is a dream come true, and the responsiveness here is at a level rarely seen in regular TVs.

Unfortunately, the situation is much worse for regular PC work. It’s a shame because the 8K resolution theoretically has huge potential - you can put even a 65-inch screen on your desk and sit close to the screen, taking advantage of the high pixel density. However, in practice, the magic fades. Despite proper implementation of chroma 4:4:4, which should guarantee sharp fonts, the readability on the QN990F is not perfect. The letters have slight edge issues, and prolonged work with text is simply not comfortable. It’s a shame, as gamers truly have a lot of room to play here, and the capabilities in games are excellent. However, this TV is not really suitable for everyday office work.

SAMSUNG QN990F - Viewing angles

6.5/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 57%

Samsung has applied a viewing angle enhancing coating in the QN990F and it actually works. We feel that this year it performs a bit worse than last year's models, but the effect is still impressive. For a VA panel, the viewing angles are really very good – to the point that they can be compared to what IPS panel TVs offer. This means that even when viewing from the side, we do not lose clarity or colour.

SAMSUNG QN990F - TV efficiency during daytime

5.2/10

Matrix coating: Matte

Reflection suppression: Very Good

Black levels during daytime: Average

One of the biggest innovations in this year's Neo QLED 8K TVs is the matte displays. Yes, you read that right – Samsung has implemented a matte finish in its flagship model, and we have to admit that the effect is truly impressive. Reflections practically vanish, the screen doesn’t turn into a mirror, and watching in a bright living room suddenly becomes much more enjoyable. Of course, every rose has its thorns. The matte finish means that black looks a bit washed out during the day, and colours lose some of their vibrancy. It’s a compromise – either we battle reflections, or we maintain maximum depth of colours.

As for brightness, the QN990F is not a record-breaker. In TV mode, it reaches around 370–400 nits, which is acceptable for everyday TV viewing, but in very bright, sunlit rooms, it may prove insufficient to completely "break through" the light coming into the room.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Samsung QN990F: 363 cd/m2

SAMSUNG QN990F - TV features

7.5/10

System: Tizen

System performance: Very Good

HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 5 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)

Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C

Classic features:

Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
Recording programming: No
Picture in Picture (PiP): Yes
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: No
Teletext: Yes
Audio only mode: Yes
Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes

Smart features:

AirPlay: Yes
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
Wyszukiwanie głosowe: Yes
Voice search in native language: Yes
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes

Classic Features and Connections

Even though the QN990F looks like a television from the future, if someone just wants to watch regular TV – it's possible to do so quite comfortably. Onboard, we have several practical additions, such as PiP, which allows viewing two sources simultaneously. There's no point even mentioning Bluetooth, as it's already standard. However, special attention should be given to the whole concept of wireless operation. The One Connect module can be placed in a different location than the television itself, which is a significant convenience for those who frequently switch devices. Of course, it still needs to be plugged in, so it’s not completely cable-free, but it’s hard not to see it as a display of Samsung's capabilities – a taste of what televisions of the future may look like.

Smart TV System: Tizen

As for the operating system, Samsung has opted for its proprietary Tizen, which, despite being a closed ecosystem, operates incredibly smoothly. It's one of the fastest, if not the fastest operating systems in televisions, and very intuitive at that. All classic smart features are in place: AirPlay, screen mirroring, voice search in multiple languages, and quick access to the most important streaming applications. There may be a few niche programmes missing, but the vast majority of users will find everything they need here.

SAMSUNG QN990F - Apps

8.7/10

SAMSUNG QN990F - Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

9.1/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

QN990F handles playback of files from USB practically without a hitch. Movies, music, photos – most popular formats work without the slightest issues and there's no need to fiddle with additional players or devices. Only with rarely encountered photo formats may limitations arise. It’s a pity that despite the manufacturer's claims, there is a lack of proper support for HEIC files. The TV detects them in the media browser, but in practice, it can't open them.

SAMSUNG QN990F - Sound

7.9/10

Maximum volume

Supported codecs

(TV speakers)

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

QN990F can really play nicely. For such a slim design, the sound is surprisingly clear and detailed, so one can be satisfied for everyday movie watching or gaming. Unfortunately, as is often the case with Samsung's ultra-thin TVs, there’s a lack of bass – and you notice it straight away. Action scenes or more intense effects don't have the depth that a decent soundbar or home theatre system would provide. On the positive side, it does support Dolby Atmos. This is currently the most popular surround sound codec in films and gives a much greater sense of immersion in the action. Unfortunately, as always with Samsung, there is a lack of support for DTS:X. This format is indeed appearing less frequently in new productions, but it is still valued by fans of physical Blu-ray media.

Acoustic Measurements

No acoustic data