- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- Competing TVs
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- Contrast and black detail
- HDR effect quality
- Factory color reproduction
- Color reproduction after calibration
- Smoothness of tonal transitions
- Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
- Blur and motion smoothness
- Console compatibility and gaming features
- Input lag
- Compatibility with PC
- Viewing angles
- TV efficiency during daytime
- TV features
- Apps
- Playing files from USB
- Sound
- Details about the matrix
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Panel type: QD-OLED Refresh rate: 120Hz Brand: SAMSUNG Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Tizen Model year: 2025
There are models that we look at with admiration and a slight raise of the eyebrow. And that's exactly what the Samsung S85F in the 55-inch version is like. You might ask us, “but how, why?”. Don’t get us wrong, we like when manufacturers surprise us, but in this case, the surprise is at least double. Because for some reason, Samsung decided that in its theoretically lower OLED model, positioned in the hierarchy below the S90F, it would use… its own QD-OLED panel.
Sounds like a recipe for success? Perhaps. Or maybe it’s just a gimmick that doesn’t deliver the expected results in practice. After all, QD-OLED is a technology usually found in top models, and here it appears in a television positioned almost in the budget segment. What effects did that produce? We invite you to our original test!
SAMSUNG S85F - Our verdict
8.0
Overall rating
The Samsung S85F with a QD-OLED panel is capable of surprising – and in a very positive way. Even before the tests, we did not think that in the case of TVs often referred to in the context of "panel lotteries", one could come across something that would benefit the user. Yet, in this case, particularly with the 55-inch version, it has fully succeeded. The QD-OLED panel, as expected from organic technology, offers near-perfect blacks and contrast in cinematic conditions. However, the difference lies in the way the colours are rendered – here it is simply exceptional. The colour gamut coverage is impressive, and after a slight calibration, the colours become almost exemplary. Motion fluidity is also at a very high level. The 120 Hz panel handles both sports and action films excellently. And if someone plans to connect a console to the S85F, they will receive a full set of advantages: low input lag, variable refresh rate, Game Bar, and full HDMI 2.1 support. In everyday use, we were supported by the Tizen system – closed, but extremely polished. It responds quickly, offers a rich selection of apps, and features like AirPlay and voice control make it hard to find anything more complete in this category. True, the S85F is not without its flaws. However, the balance of pros and cons is exceptionally favourable here. One could even get the impression that it is one of the best TVs in its price segment.
Advantages
Outstanding black levels and contrast
Amazing colour palette coverage thanks to the QD-OLED panel
Great picture quality in SDR and HDR content
High colour accuracy after calibration
Very good motion smoothness – 120 Hz OLED panel
Rich set of features for gamers: VRR, Game Bar, low input lag
4 HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps bandwidth
Advanced and smoothly operating Tizen system
Solar Remote with multiple capabilities
Disadvantages
No USB recording function and PiP
No Dolby Vision
Slight cherry black under very strong external light (not visible when watching in cinema conditions)
No HGiG function*
* This function disappeared with software update 1110.7 – we are monitoring this situation closely.
Movies and series in UHD quality8.3
Classic TV, YouTube9.0
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)8.8
Gaming on console9.3
TV as a computer monitor7.6
Watching in bright light5.1
Utility functions7.1
Apps8.7
Sound quality7.2
Complete the survey to find out what fits your preferences
SAMSUNG S85F - Competing TVs in this price range
SAMSUNG S85F - TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Other inputs: Toslink (Optical audio) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: Good
Stand type: Legs
Kolor ramki: Graphite
- Regulacja podstawy: stand-Base Adjustment
- Montaż na płasko: Nie
- Akcesoria: accessories-Stand
At first glance, the Samsung S85F looks like its older brother, the S85D. It’s one of the more interesting approaches to OLED TV design, with the manufacturer moving away from the ubiquitous trend of flat-as-a-board designs with a “rear end.” Instead, we get a “rounded design” that manages to catch the eye. Looking at the S85F from the side, you might get the impression that it’s a solid piece, rather than a set made up of a panel and a back cover. Of course, this isn’t a premium segment – just a glance at the plastic feet, which unfortunately can spoil the whole effect. Fortunately, they can be adjusted in two widths, making it easier to fit the TV to your living room furniture. Sounds like a compromise? Perhaps, but it’s definitely sensible.
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SAMSUNG S85F - Contrast and black detail
10/10
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
Samsung S85F in the 55-inch version has something special – it features a QD-OLED panel. This might sound quite surprising, but that's the fact, at least in Poland. So the question arises: is the difference compared to last year's S85D with a WOLED panel even noticeable? Yes, although in this specific test – black levels and contrast – it practically makes no difference.
Regardless of the scene, the S85F presents infinite contrast and perfect blacks that we expect from any OLED. These results can impress even the most demanding film enthusiasts. It's worth remembering that only TVs with organic panels can provide such deep blacks – and it doesn't matter whether it's WOLED or QD-OLED. So if you dream of a screen that can 'turn off' the light in a scene just as effectively as a boutique cinema in a dark room, the S85F is one of those TVs.
SAMSUNG S85F - HDR effect quality
6.2/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 100.0%, Bt.2020: 86.2%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
666 nit
Result
703 nit
Result
742 nit
Result
732 nit
Result
433 nit
As an OLED, the Samsung S85F can shine – literally. In favourable conditions, it can generate brightness exceeding 750 nits. This is significant because most films are created with displays aiming for around 1000 nits. In practice, this means that in scenes with moderately large, bright elements, the picture can look absolutely stunning. However, it's not always so rosy. When an enormous amount of light appears on the screen – whether it's an expansive, bright background or an entire frame filled with white – the S85F must tone it down. Brightness can drop by even four times in such scenes. This limitation is well-known to anyone familiar with OLEDs in this price segment, so we don't view it as a particular fail. However, something that deserves praise is what sets this model apart from the competition – colour gamut coverage. Thanks to the QD-OLED panel, our colour meter indicated values exceeding 100% coverage of DCI-P3 and an impressive 86% for the ultra-wide BT.2020 palette. Such results are hard to find even in televisions that cost several times more.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
As with all our tests, we compared the S85F to the absolute top of screens available on the market. And you know what? This TV didn’t hang its head at all. On the contrary – it stood proudly alongside the best and looked like it had belonged there all along. In typical film materials designed for displays that reach around 1000 nits, Samsung hardly lags behind at any point during the viewing. The colours are as they should be, light effects look correct, and the amount of detail can embarrass more than one flagship TV. Does it have weak points? Yes, sometimes – in very bright scenes – it can lose a bit of detail in the brightest parts. But that’s rather rare, unless you’re fans of materials on Bluray discs. Perhaps a solid implementation of the feature responsible for dynamic tone mapping would improve this, but… here lies the problem. In the S85F, it works in a rather imprecise manner, and besides, it unnecessarily brightens most scenes. So without hesitation, we say – better not to switch it on. Still, we rate the overall experience in cinema conditions very positively. So much so that you stop thinking about tests and just start watching. Applause for the S85F.
HDR luminance chart:
Luminancja HDR
Luminance of RGB colors
And indeed – if we look at how the S85F handles very bright, almost completely white scenes recorded with static HDR10 metadata, it’s hard to shake the feeling that this isn't its strongest suit. The picture at such moments looks as if the TV is a bit unsure how to tackle all that whiteness.
Fortunately, Samsung has equipped this model with support for dynamic metadata in the form of HDR10+. We could complain that it’s not the more popular Dolby Vision, but the truth is that HDR10+ is becoming increasingly popular year by year (it recently made its way to Netflix), so it’s hard to consider this a real drawback. What’s most important, however, is that thanks to dynamic metadata – regardless of whether we’re talking about Dolby Vision or HDR10+ – the perception of the same scene becomes entirely different: more enjoyable, richer in detail, and simply closer to what the filmmaker intended to show us.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: HDR10+
Factory color reproduction
5.5/10
Samsung, as befits a manufacturer with ambitions, has equipped the S85F with a mode called Filmmaker. Its task is simple: to make the colours on the newly purchased television as faithful as possible to what the director intended to show us. Sounds great… but, as is often the case, a theory that sounds wonderful doesn’t always translate into perfect practice.
In the tested unit, it quickly became apparent that the image – due to an excess of blue and red – looked as if someone had gone a bit overboard with the saturation. As a result, there were quite significant colour errors, particularly in 4K content. On top of that, there was an issue with brightness – the S85F could brighten most scenes more than it should, stripping them of the intended mood.
Fortunately, Samsung televisions, including the S85F, offer an impressive number of settings for advanced calibrators. This means that we could see what this panel is really capable of when it gets into the right hands.
Color reproduction after calibration
9.3/10
Thanks to the huge number of settings in the menu, we managed to bring the S85F almost to perfection. White balance in SDR content? Literally perfect – deviations do not exceed a value of "1". So we can confidently say that in materials with not too high dynamics, we have an image that's close to reference.
In HDR content, minor issues appeared, but they don't have much significance in practice – most errors fall below the threshold of perception, which is a value of "3". We also managed to tame the S85F when it comes to brightness management – the EOTF curve, even in films, holds nearly perfect straight line. This is one of those cases where after calibration, you can comfortably forget about the settings and simply watch movies and series at the highest level.
SAMSUNG S85F - Smoothness of tonal transitions
7.9/10
Thanks to the QD-OLED panel, colour blending on the S85F is really very good. It's particularly worth noting how it performs in the darkest, most demanding scenes – where most TVs start to struggle, this model operates almost perfectly.
Interestingly, a slight stumble can be noticed in those easier, brighter shots. There is minimal colour banding, but it's so subtle that it's hard to believe it would genuinely bother anyone during viewing.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
7/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The tone transition smoothing function in the S85F works really effectively – it can completely eliminate the problem of visible banding in very poor quality material, such as from YouTube. Unfortunately, even the lowest level of this option comes with compromises. The noise reduction is so aggressive that it can smooth out film grain, which many of us consider to be an element of the cinematic atmosphere. At the “Standard” level, we didn’t notice this function removing anything significant from the image, so we can recommend this setting. On the other hand, the “High” level is a different story – it can smooth out not just noise, but also small, desirable details like, for example, the texture of objects.
When it comes to image scaling, the S85F performs very well. The material looks sharp, and the only slight imperfection is the barely noticeable aliasing of edges. And there’s the ongoing issue with Samsung televisions – overscan. This can cause some scenes to be slightly cropped, which is worth noting when watching very old content.
SAMSUNG S85F - Blur and motion smoothness
8.5/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 120Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz: No
Brightness drop with BFI: 47%
S85F is an incredibly fast television – and that’s not just empty hype. Thanks to the 120 Hz OLED panel, dynamic scenes, whether in games or while watching a live match, look just as they should – smooth, sharp, and without the feeling that something is "slipping" out of frame. The lightning-fast pixel response time, typical of OLEDs, plays a big role here. Transitions between frames are virtually instantaneous, and the image remains clear even during the fastest camera movements. A ball flying across half the field? A car speeding in a chase scene? Everything here is clear and free of the typical "trail" associated with LCDs.
This is exactly what we expect from a good OLED – zero compromises when it comes to motion smoothness. The S85F gives the impression that regardless of the pace of action, we can focus on what’s happening on the screen, rather than on the imperfections of the image.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Image flickers in this mode
Smużenie (4K@60Hz Game Motion Plus):
As we mentioned above – at maximum refresh rates, there's no issue with motion blur, so the BFI feature can be seen more as a curiosity. When it's activated, the image unfortunately flickers, and it only works at 60 Hz. However, we will show you something for the first time on our website – the absence of motion blur in Game Motion Plus mode, which we often praise about Samsung. Just as a reminder – this interpolator works at a maximum of 60 frames, but the image then gives the impression of having at least a dozen more. The effect is really pleasant and worth checking out.
SAMSUNG S85F - Console compatibility and gaming features
8.2/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 120Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
No
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
No
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
Yes
- 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
Yes
S85F has practically everything on board to become the dream screen for gaming. Four full HDMI 2.1 ports with a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, support for VRR, ALLM, a super-detailed Game Bar that clearly shows all parameters – plus a gem in the form of Game Motion Plus. This motion smoother makes animation in games more enjoyable, while input lag increases slightly. It's a rare combination, and that’s a big plus for Samsung.
Perhaps Samsung will fix this in the next update – and we have high hopes for that. Because if HGiG comes back, the S85F will become nearly the perfect TV for gamers.
SAMSUNG S85F - Input lag
10/10
Here, dear gamers, the S85F shows its claws. 5 ms with 120 Hz content and around 10 ms with 60 Hz are results that can be described in one word in the world of televisions – phenomenal. This means that the response to our movements is practically instantaneous. We press the button, and the action on the screen happens without any delay, as if the television can read our thoughts. In dynamic games, where a fraction of a second can decide victory or defeat, such values make a huge difference. There's no question of a nervous "wait" for the image to catch up with our movements. The S85F gives us the feeling that everything is under our complete control – and that's how it should be in equipment that aspires to be the ideal screen for a gamer.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 10 ms | 2160p60: 10 ms | |
| 1080p120: 5 ms | 2160p120: 5 ms | |
| 2160p60: 10 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 5 ms |
SAMSUNG S85F - Compatibility with PC
7.6/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 5ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: RGB
Max refresh rate: 120Hz
G-Sync: Yes
If you're planning to connect the S85F to a computer, we have good news – this television is perfect for that. Low input lag and a 120 Hz panel make gaming on PC a pure pleasure. Whether we're talking about dynamic shooters or more relaxed RPGs, the response is instantaneous, and the smoothness of the animation can draw you in for hours on end.
Of course, there’s no rose without thorns. Due to the diamond pixel layout in the QD-OLED panel, there is a slight "rainbow icon" effect, particularly noticeable when sitting close to the screen. Fortunately, this is more of a detail that most of you won’t mind in everyday use. Especially since, thanks to the proper implementation of 4:4:4 chroma, the readability of fonts is at a very good level – documents, websites, and text editors simply look as they should.
SAMSUNG S85F - Viewing angles
9.8/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 11%
Here, dear readers, the S85F reaches the absolute peak. The viewing angles are phenomenal – some of the best you can get in a TV today, and it’s thanks to the unique QD-OLED panel from Samsung Display. Of course, WOLED panels can also maintain a high level in this regard, but let’s not kid ourselves – what the QD-OLED shows in the S85F is even more impressive. Colours, contrast, and brightness remain practically unchanged even when viewing the screen from a very large angle. It’s the kind of television where you don’t have to fight for the “best spot on the couch” – everyone will see the picture in all its glory, no matter where they’re sitting.
SAMSUNG S85F - TV efficiency during daytime
5.1/10
Matrix coating: Glare
Reflection suppression: Good
Black levels during daytime: Average
We really liked the saying "no rose without thorns," and it fits perfectly with QD-OLED TVs. Especially when we look at their performance in highly lit conditions. As you may notice, under very intense light, the surface of the panel can take on a slightly cherry hue. The effect is subtle in the case of the S85F, but in extreme lighting conditions, black can appear a bit worse than in WOLED panels. But – and this "but" is key here – QD-OLED suppresses direct light reflections much better. This means that reflections will be less bothersome, and the picture will retain clarity even when something bright reflects on the screen. You win some, you lose some.
As for brightness, the S85F is a moderately bright OLED. It’s not a model designed for extremely sunny living rooms. If you plan to place it in a very bright room, we recommend considering blinds or placing it in a location that at least partially protects it from direct light.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
Samsung S85F OLED: 317 cd/m2
SAMSUNG S85F - TV features
7.1/10
System: Tizen
System performance: Good
- HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
- Other inputs: Toslink (Optical audio)
- 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): No
- 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
Features of the classic S85F television
The S85F was not really designed with fans of classic television in mind. We won’t find a PiP function here (which is somewhat surprising, as Samsung typically offers it) or the ability to record programs onto USB from the built-in tuners. Fortunately, the basics are there – teletext and a clear channel guide – so it’s more than sufficient for regular, everyday viewing. The included remote, although simple at first glance and lacking a numeric keypad, allows for control of multiple devices. This means that when connecting, for example, a Canal+ decoder, you don’t need two remotes on the table – the one for the television is quite enough.
SmartTV S85F: Tizen
The smart part is a completely different story. Tizen is one of the most comprehensive operating systems in televisions. It operates smoothly, supports all popular internet functions – from screen mirroring to AirPlay to voice search. The strongest point of Tizen is its integration with the SmartThings app, which can act as a control centre for the entire home. Of course, like any closed system, Tizen has its limitations – for instance, a smaller app library compared to GoogleTV. However, looking at the current list of available applications, it’s hard to point out anything that might actually be missing.
SAMSUNG S85F - Apps
8.7/10
SAMSUNG S85F - Playing files from USB
9.1/10
| 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 |
The built-in media player in the S85F performs excellently – practically everything you throw on a USB stick or hard drive will be played back without the slightest issue. Minor shortcomings only arise in the support of some less common photo formats, but for the vast majority of you, this will be more than sufficient. Therefore, it can be confidently stated that for home use, the built-in player is more than solid.
SAMSUNG S85F - Sound
7.2/10
7.2/10
Subjective sound quality
80dB
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
Supported codecs
(external HDMI eARC audio)
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
The built-in speakers rated at 20 W on paper may not seem impressive, but in practice, the S85F can be surprising. It sounds really pleasant, and at times you can even pick up a subtle bass, which is not a given in this class of speakers. The TV does not support the DTS format, which unfortunately became a standard for most manufacturers by 2025. A nice surprise is the support for Dolby Atmos. Of course, talking about "spatial" sound with two speakers located at the bottom of the casing would be a slight exaggeration, but it's good that Samsung offers such a feature in this model at all.
SAMSUNG S85F - Details about the matrix
Software version during testing: T-PTMFDEUC-0090-1110.7
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity:
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