- 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
- Daytime performance
- TV features
- Apps
- Playing files from USB
- Sound
- Panel details
Samsung S85F (WOLED) Review
S85F / FAU / FAE
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Panel type: WRGB OLED Refresh rate: 120Hz Brand: SAMSUNG Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Tizen Model year: 2025
The Samsung S85F model is a true enigma in the OLED TV market. While the 55-inch (QD-OLED) variant has gained recognition thanks to its proprietary quantum dot technology, the other sizes – 65, 77, and 83 inches – utilise a WOLED panel provided by LG Display. This leads us to the question that every potential buyer must ask themselves: is the S85F one model or two different machines? You will find out about this in this review!
SAMSUNG S85F - Our verdict
7.7
Overall rating
Samsung S85F in the tested version with a WOLED panel is a television that must be evaluated primarily through the lens of its price. As befits organic technology, it offers perfect, almost ideal black levels and infinite contrast in cinematic conditions. This feature alone will make a huge impression on most buyers, especially when transitioning from any LCD television. However, it cannot be denied that in direct comparison with the 55-inch QD-OLED variant, the WOLED version shows some weaknesses. It is slightly dimmer, particularly in bright full-screen scenes, and offers noticeably worse viewing angles. Nevertheless, the rest of its advantages remain intact. Motion smoothness is at a high level – the 120 Hz panel handles both sports and action films exceptionally well. And if someone plans to connect a console to the S85F, they will receive a complete set of advantages: low input lag, variable refresh rate, Game Bar, and full HDMI 2.1 support. In everyday use, we were assisted by the Tizen system – closed but incredibly polished. It reacts quickly, offers a rich selection of applications, and features like AirPlay and voice control make it hard to find something more complete in this category. Indeed, the S85F in the WOLED variant is not the perfect television and takes a backseat to its sibling with the QD-OLED panel. However, its biggest weapon is its absurdly low price. The purchase cost is almost laughable in relation to the offered capabilities. It remains an excellent and, above all, affordable OLED that for a vast number of users will be one of the best and most cost-effective televisions on the market.
Advantages
Remarkable black and contrast
Great picture in SDR and HDR content 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 bandwidth of 48 Gbps
Advanced and smoothly operating Tizen system
Solar Remote with multiple capabilities
Disadvantages
No USB recording function and PiP
No Dolby Vision
No HGiG* feature
Worse viewing angles, colour palette coverage, and lower brightness than the variant with QD-OLED panel
*This feature disappeared with software update 1110.7 – we are monitoring this situation closely.
Movies and series in UHD quality7.9
Classic TV, YouTube8.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)8.5
Gaming on console8.7
TV as a computer monitor7.6
Watching in bright light5.3
Utility functions7.3
Apps8.7
Sound quality7.2
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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: BuildQuality-Good
Stand type: Legs
Bezel color: Graphite
Stand: Base adjustment
Flat design: No
Accessories: Stand
When we look at the Samsung S85F, we immediately see that stylistically we're sticking to a tried and tested path – it looks practically the same as the previous model S85D. Interestingly, the designers have stepped away from market trends and haven't made it into a typical OLED, which is that super-slim panel that suddenly has a bulge at the back for electronics. Instead, the S85F has a cohesive, rounded shape – it appears as a single, smooth form, which presents neatly and modernly from the side. While we are aware that this is not a model from the high-end price range, we believe it doesn’t look cheap. The only thing that immediately reveals its lower position in the OLED TV series is the plastic feet. We may not consider them the pinnacle of elegance, but Samsung has ensured they are practical. We can mount them in two different widths, making it easier to fit this TV on a narrow cabinet. It’s a well-thought-out compromise.
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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:
When it comes to black and contrast, we must be honest – this is the area where the differences between QD-OLED and WOLED panels are virtually non-existent under typical cinema conditions. We can state with full responsibility: the Samsung S85F equipped with a WOLED panel achieves incredible and unparalleled results in this aspect. No matter what scene you’re watching – whether it’s a dynamic action movie or a dark thriller – we get the infinite contrast and perfect black that we expect from any OLED television. These are results that can impress even the most demanding movie enthusiasts. It’s worth highlighting that such deep, absolute blacks can only be offered by televisions with organic panels. Under cinema conditions, as seen in our measurements, the luminance level of black is zero. So if you dream of a screen that can "turn off" the light in a scene just as effectively as an arthouse cinema in a dark room, we are pleased to state that the S85F, also in the WOLED variant, is one of those televisions.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
SAMSUNG S85F - HDR effect quality
5.9/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 97.0%, Bt.2020: 70.7%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
672 nit
Result
673 nit
Result
718 nit
Result
670 nit
Result
276 nit
For most of the time, let's say in 90% of film scenes, viewers will hardly see any difference between the S85F versions. When small but very bright light points appear on screen – a lantern in a dark alley, a gunshot, the sun breaking through the clouds – this WOLED panel (just like the smaller S85F) performs exceptionally well. Our measurements showed a peak brightness of around 750 nits. We can confidently state: this is a great result that guarantees fantastic HDR effects. The problem arises in a very specific, uncomfortable situation for any OLED. We're talking about the moment when the entire screen has to shine at full brightness clearly. Examples include a white background screen, a skiing scene, or our test sequences (5) from the film The Meg. And here, unfortunately, the results diverge quite significantly against the WOLED panel variant. Our measurement equipment was able to measure a maximum of around 250 to 300 nits of brightness under such conditions. To be clear: the same model on a QD-OLED panel in the same test is almost twice as bright. The second issue: colours. And here we also have to be honest – QD-OLED has a structural advantage. Why? It’s simple. QD-OLED creates colours from three components (red, green, and blue) and doesn’t need an additional white subpixel. The WOLED panel we’re testing here uses that white subpixel, mainly to boost overall brightness. The effect is that QD-OLED is able to display a slightly wider colour palette, and the colours are a bit "cleaner." But let’s be clear: it’s not that the colours on this WOLED panel are bad! Quite the opposite, they are really very good. Coverage of the DCI-P3 film colour gamut at 97% and 71% for the wider BT.2020 palette is still high-end. We just have to honestly admit that those few percentage points of coverage advantage lie with QD-OLED technology and may be noticeable in very specific moments.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
When it comes to the adaptation of the image itself, an important fact should be noted. Although measurements showed lower brightness of the panel in the mentioned, extremely bright full-screen scenes, the overall image quality in HDR10 format on the S85F is hard to fault. The displayed material remains very detailed. We also noticed that in most cases the television adapts very well and independently to the characteristics of a given scene, effectively managing the available brightness.
HDR luminance chart:
HDR luminance
Luminance of RGB colors
There are however scenes where it is clearly evident that the overall brightness of the television and its standalone picture adaptation (within the standard HDR10) are lacking. An ideal example is the test scene with horses on a white meadow. We observed a colossal difference in favour of the dynamic metadata of the HDR10+ format, which the Samsung S85F obviously supports. Of course, there will be voices suggesting that it would be better to have support for Dolby Vision on board. However, considering the growing popularity of the HDR10+ format on various streaming platforms – recently on Netflix and Disney+ for instance – it is hard to treat the lack of DV as a serious drawback. Moreover, the differences in the final image between these two competing formats are already, at this stage of technological development, mostly cosmetic.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: HDR10+
Factory color reproduction
5.5/10
When it comes to factory colour reproduction, our test unit in SDR mode suffered from a slight deficit in red and yellow. This resulted in a subtle yellowish tint visible in shades of white. However, this is not the biggest issue with the S85F. Similar to the QD-OLED panel variant, the main problem with this model is the way it presents HDR content. When we look at the EOTF curve graph, it’s easy to see that the TV has quite significant issues with strong image over-brightening. This results in the final image becoming very unnatural in many scenes.
Color reproduction after calibration
9/10
After conducting calibration in Filmmaker mode, we managed to eliminate most unwanted effects. In SDR content, the TV performs exceptionally well, and its colour reproduction errors do not exceed a value of 2, which is an outstanding result. The HDR content looks a bit worse, though still very good. Although we managed to eliminate a significant unnaturalness of the image caused by an overly high EOTF curve, the most discerning observers may notice that it is not perfectly aligned. It runs slightly below the reference curve, which would suggest that the S85F has minor issues in displaying all details in the image. We must immediately point out that it is highly unlikely for the average viewer to notice any deficiencies in the picture. We assess the final result after calibration as exemplary.
SAMSUNG S85F - Smoothness of tonal transitions
7.3/10
Another issue with the S85F version featuring the WOLED panel, noticeable compared to the QD-OLED variant, is the quality of fluidity in tonal transitions. In very bright moments, it's evident that the colour blending is not perfect, and sometimes it can be seen with the naked eye. While the overall quality of gradients is still good, certain flaws of the panel produced by LG Displays become apparent, which are not as visible in competing panels (QD-OLED).
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
7.5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The processing of tonal transitions (gradients) in the S85F is at a high level. The television effectively handles posterization (the "stepping" effect of colours), even with heavily compressed content, for example, from streaming services. However, using this feature requires a certain compromise. We noticed that the noise reduction algorithm is quite aggressive – even at the lowest setting, it can eliminate the natural film grain, which for many viewers is part of the film's aesthetics. The "Standard" setting seems to be a golden mean, without causing a noticeable loss of important details, so we can recommend it. However, we advise against using the "High" level, which, in addition to noise, also removes desired details such as texture or the structure of objects on the screen.
The upscaling process of lower resolution content works very well in the S85F. The image is sharp and clear. The only minor imperfection we managed to observe is occasional slight aliasing on the edges. The television still displays characteristics typical of this manufacturer, namely active "overscan" (a slight image enlargement). This should be kept in mind, especially when watching older content, as it may result in minimal clipping of the original frame.
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: 50%
S85F is a model with impressive speed. The use of a 120 Hz OLED panel ensures that dynamic scenes, both in games and during sports broadcasts, perform as expected: smoothly, sharply, and without loss of clarity. A key role here is played by the lightning-fast pixel response time, which is a natural advantage of OLED technology. Transitions between frames are instantaneous, and the image remains clear even during the fastest camera movements. Moving objects, like a ball on the field or a car in a chase scene, are clear and free from the characteristic smearing of LCD panels (so-called "trail").
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Image flickers in this mode
This is exactly the level of fluidity we expect from a high-end OLED television – without any compromises in motion reproduction. At the maximum refresh rate, there is no blurring, so the optional BFI (Black Frame Insertion) feature can be considered more of a curiosity. When activated, unfortunately, the image starts to flicker, and its operation is limited to 60 Hz.
SAMSUNG S85F - Console compatibility and gaming features
7.8/10
- 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
The 85F has practically everything on board to become the dream screen for gaming. Onboard, we find four full-fledged HDMI 2.1 ports with a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, support for VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Additionally, there's a super-detailed Game Bar that clearly displays all key parameters. However, the real gem is the Game Motion Plus feature. It's a motion smoother dedicated to games that makes the animation more pleasing to the eye while only slightly increasing input lag. This is a rare and well-functioning combination, for which Samsung deserves a lot of applause.
And now for the moment where we have to vent a little. The lack of Dolby Vision in Samsung TVs has become standard, so there's no point in holding out hope (unless something changes in the future). Unfortunately, it's much harder to explain the disappearance of support for HGiG after one of the software updates. HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) is a key mode that allows for precise brightness reproduction in HDR games, according to the creators' intentions. Without it, HDR calibration on the console becomes less precise, which can leave us with an image that's too dark in the shadows or excessively bright in the light areas. Hopefully, Samsung will fix this in the next update – we have high hopes for that. Because if HGiG returns, the S85F will become almost the perfect TV for gamers.
SAMSUNG S85F - Input lag
10/10
In this category, the S85F shows its true colours. The measured values – 5 ms for 120 Hz content and around 10 ms for 60 Hz – are results that can be described in one word in the world of televisions: phenomenal. This means that the response to player movements is practically instantaneous. Pressing a button on the controller results in action on the screen with no noticeable delay. In dynamic games, where a fraction of a second determines victory or defeat, such values make a huge difference. There's no question of a nervy "wait" until the image catches up with our commands. The S85F gives a sense of full control – and that's how it should be in equipment aspiring to be the perfect screen for gamers.
| 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: RWGB
Max refresh rate: 120Hz
G-Sync: Yes
What about connecting to a computer? We’re quick to respond: the S85F excels in this role. The combination of lightning-fast input lag and a 120 Hz panel is the recipe for a great gaming experience on PC. Both fast-paced shooters and more leisurely RPG titles benefit from the rapid response and smooth animations, capable of captivating you for hours on end. Of course, it’s not perfect. We must mention the specific construction of the WOLED panel. It consists of four subpixels (WRGB), which is a different structure than the classic RGB found in monitors. As a result, if we sit very close to the screen, we might notice that fonts aren’t as perfectly sharp as we would like them to be. However, this is not a major issue and shouldn't be a bother in everyday use. Especially since the TV properly handles 4:4:4 chroma signal.
SAMSUNG S85F - Viewing angles
7.5/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 29%
As is typical for OLED technology, the viewing angles on the S85F are very good. The image maintains its properties even when viewed from the side, which is a clear advantage over most LCD televisions. However, we must note that it is not on the level known from QD-OLED panels. In the case of the tested WOLED panel, with considerable deviation from the screen axis, a slight drop in brightness and a subtle change in white shades can be observed. QD-OLED remains unmatched in this regard, offering nearly perfect picture quality no matter where we are looking at it from.
SAMSUNG S85F - Daytime performance
5.3/10
Panel finish: Satin
Reflection suppression: Decent
Black levels during daytime: Very Good
We must state clearly that working in a brightly lit room is not the strongest suit of the S85F. We are dealing with a moderately bright OLED panel here. Our measurements showed that the average brightness of the screen in "TV" mode hovers around 300 nits. For some users, this may be too low, especially in rooms with a lot of daylight. Of course, for moderately bright living rooms, this TV is perfect. However, it is not a model we would recommend for exceptionally bright, sun-drenched interiors. This issue is exacerbated by the anti-reflective coating used. We noted that it does not suppress reflections from the surroundings as well as the version with a QD-OLED panel, especially when direct sunlight hits the screen.
Panel brightness
Average luminance SDR
Samsung S85F (WOLED): 305 cd/m2
SAMSUNG S85F - TV features
7.3/10
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
- Bluetooth headphones support: Yes
- Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio: Yes
Smart features:
- AirPlay: Yes
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
- Voice search: Yes
- Voice search in native language: Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Features of the Classic S85F TV
The S85F was not really designed with fans of traditional television in mind. You'll find no PiP function here (which is a bit surprising since Samsung usually offers it) nor the ability to record programmes to USB from built-in tuners. Fortunately, the basics are all here – teletext and a clear channel guide – so it's perfectly adequate for regular, everyday viewing. The included remote, although at first glance simple and lacking a numerical keypad, allows you to control multiple devices. This means that when you connect, for example, a Canal+ decoder, you won't need to have two remotes on the coffee table – the one for the TV will be entirely sufficient.
SmartTV S85F: Tizen
The smart portion is quite a different story. Tizen is one of the most advanced operating systems in televisions. It runs smoothly and supports all popular internet functions – from screen mirroring, through AirPlay, to voice search. The strongest point of Tizen is its integration with the SmartThings app, which can serve as a central hub for controlling the entire home. Of course, like any closed system, Tizen has its limitations – such as a smaller app library compared to GoogleTV. However, looking at the current list of available applications, it's hard to point out anything that could actually be missing.
Sound connection options
HDMI audio:
Other audio outputs:
- Toslink: Yes
Wireless audio:
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Samsung Q-Symphony (Speaker extension): Yes
Obsługiwane formaty audio:
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1: Yes
- Dolby True HD 7.1: No
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD: No
- DTS:X in DTS-HD MA: No
- DTS-HD Master Audio: No
Ułatwienia dla seniorów
- Numeric keyboard on TV: No
- Font size adjustment: Yes
- Audio description: Yes
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 drive or hard drive will be played back without the slightest problem. Minor shortcomings only occur in the handling of some less popular photo formats, but for the vast majority of you, this will be more than sufficient. So it can confidently be said that for home use, the built-in player is more than solid.
SAMSUNG S85F - Sound
7.2/10
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
Built-in speakers with a power of 20 W on paper may not make a big impression, but in practice, the S85F can surprise. It sounds really nice, 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 by 2025 unfortunately became a standard for most manufacturers. A pleasant surprise, however, is the support for Dolby Atmos. Of course, talking about “spatial” sound in the case of two speakers placed at the bottom of the housing would be a slight exaggeration, but it's good that Samsung offers such a feature in this model.
Acoustic Measurements
No acoustic data
SAMSUNG S85F - Panel details
Software version during testing: T-PTMFDEUC-0090-1110.7
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
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