Compare: Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) vs Sony X85L

The SAMSUNG S90D, also known as the S94D, is a device that has repeatedly pleasantly surprised us during our tests. It is worth mentioning that depending on the chosen size, the differences may concern the OLED panel used. However, regardless of which variant we encounter, one can count on excellent black levels and HDR effects, which, thanks to high brightness, make a huge impression. This is one of those TVs that really can elevate home viewing to a cinematic level. While testing films and series, we immediately noticed the great colour reproduction and depth of black. Dark scenes, which can be problematic on other screens, are full of detail and immersive here. Although the factory colour settings could be a bit better, after calibration the picture gained clarity, and the television showed what it is truly capable of. In terms of everyday use, we noticed that the wide viewing angles allow comfortable viewing even from less central positions. The Tizen operating system appealed to us – it is clear, fast, and offers access to the most popular applications. AirPlay works flawlessly, which was a nice addition during our tests. And what about picture fluidity?... The 144 Hz panel performs excellently. While watching sports, the image was smooth, with no hint of motion blur. Matches and races felt as if we were really in the stands. We also couldn't overlook the gaming tests. Low input lag and HDMI 2.1 support make the S90D/S94D an excellent 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 television that combines excellent picture quality with modern features and versatility. Whether we are watching films, playing on a console, or simply using applications, this model impresses. In its price range, it is truly a strong contender.

Sony X85L is a model from 2023 that will be continued in the offering for 2024 by the Japanese manufacturer. Its greatest advantage is the Google TV system. It currently provides the largest access to applications, so we need not worry that one of our favourite applications will be missing. The intuitive interface and voice control feature using Google Assistant make daily use of the television comfortable and modern. As for picture quality, Sony X85L performs well. Thanks to local dimming (albeit with a very average number of zones), black levels look quite decent. Additionally, its fairly high brightness allows for comfortable television viewing during the day, even in well-lit rooms. Furthermore, the television offers a programme recording function with built-in tuners, which is a great convenience for those wanting to control what and when they watch. In terms of motion smoothness, X85L does not disappoint either. The 120 Hz panel and Motionflow system ensure smooth display of dynamic scenes, satisfying both movie enthusiasts and sports fans. The television is also equipped with a range of features for gamers, including VRR, Game Bar and G-Sync support, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. Of course, the television is not without its faults. The lack of HGiG support and high input lag in Dolby Vision mode can be disappointing for more demanding gamers. Additionally, the compromise between font readability and image smoothness when connected to a PC may not appeal to everyone. Nevertheless, Sony X85L is a decent piece of equipment that is particularly worth attention if it can be purchased on promotion.

Samsung S90D, thanks to the OLED matrix used, offers infinite contrast, which is one of its greatest advantages. OLED matrices are characterised by the fact that each pixel emits its own light, allowing for deep blacks and excellent detail reproduction in dark scenes. Unlike 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 achieving a very high level of contrast, making the images more dynamic and realistic. In the scene from "Oblivion," the Samsung S90D brilliantly showcases the high light effect of the lantern, highlighting the intensity and details in the bright parts of the image. Conversely, in the film "Sicario 2," you can clearly see the separation of the helicopter lights from the dark background. A surprising aspect of the S90D model is that Samsung, after years of disputes, decided to use organic matrices manufactured by LG, in versions with "DAE" at the end of the name. Is that a bad thing? No! In terms of contrast, both WOLED and QD-OLED matrices offer the same, which is perfect black.

The Sony X85L television is equipped with a VA panel, which in itself offers quite good contrast. Additionally, this model features local dimming technology – in the 55-inch version, it encompasses 24 zones. Although this number is not impressive, it naturally increases with the size of the television. The contrast in the X85L is good, though not the best, especially in comparison to other televisions also equipped with advanced local dimming technology. Results at a level of 8000:1 are satisfactory, but appear average in the context of competition. In some cases, such as the third scene from the film Arrival, the contrast is promising and performs fairly well. This is thanks to the very good dimming algorithm that Sony has employed in its televisions for years. Unfortunately, due to the limited number of local dimming zones, the television struggles with noticeable blooming, which can be observed, for example, in scenes with the helicopter from the film Sicario 2.

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

The Sony X85L television offers solid HDR performance with a brightness level of 750 nits, which is sufficient to enjoy vivid effects. In scenes of moderate difficulty, such as the first, third, or fifth test scenes, a brightness of around 600 nits allows one to fully experience the HDR effect. Unfortunately, in more demanding segments, like the scene from the film Sicario 2, the television reveals its limitations. Drops in brightness to 250 nits cause the HDR effect to lose its impressive quality, resembling rather ordinary SDR. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting the very good coverage of the DCI-P3 colour palette at 95%, which definitely deserves praise and positively impacts the overall image quality.

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 a bit too warm, and users who switched from Standard mode may experience a slight shock. It is worth noting that this situation 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 exhibits drops in blue colour, making colours warmer than they should be. In practice, this means that some 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 graph indicates slight fluctuations, resulting in a minimally darker image, especially in shadows. This can affect less defined details in darker scenes. Conversely, in 4K HDR materials, the EOTF curve is above the recommended line, leading to overly bright displays in certain parts of the image, which can cause clipping in the brightest areas. Overall, Samsung S90D presents a solid picture right out of the box, but for the best effects, especially with more demanding content, additional calibration is recommended.

The television Sony X85L was tested in IMAX Enhanced mode, which, although associated with world-class cinema, does not guarantee an image that aligns with the director's intention. The main problem is the white balance – there is a noticeable strong dominance of blue colour and significant shortcomings in red. As a result, the picture becomes unnaturally cool and looks artificial. Errors in colour reproduction were confirmed by the Colour Checker test, which showed considerable discrepancies – the colours were "scattered" like shots from a rifle, and only a few samples hit the target values. This clearly demonstrates that the accuracy of colour reproduction leaves much to be desired.

The brightness of the image is one of the positive features of the television. The gamma for HD content is at an acceptable level, although there are minor errors, but generally it is quite good. However, the characteristic of brightness for 4K materials remains a problem, controlled by the EOTF curve. It is evident here that very small, bright elements of the image are too dim, which is the result of the limited number of backlighting zones due to the design of the television.

After calibration, the Samsung S90D television in movie mode looks even better than one might have expected. The white balance, for both HD and 4K HDR content, has been improved almost to perfection. Although minor flaws can still be noticed, they are minimal enough not to significantly affect the picture quality. The colours are more balanced, which translates to a natural reproduction of details, especially in scenes requiring 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 the 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.

Contrast has also seen significant improvement. The gamma graph post-calibration is much closer to the expected line, providing better balance between bright and dark areas of the image. The EOTF curve, which prior to calibration showed issues with overexposed scenes, now presents better results. This effect allows for greater detail retention in bright parts of the image, especially in HDR materials.

Thanks to the application of calibration tools offered by Sony X85L, the image quality has been significantly improved. After calibration, the white balance for HD content is much more stable, making colours appear more natural and enhancing the authenticity of the image. Although it is not perfect, these changes allow viewers to enjoy a more realistic colour reproduction, eliminating the previous cool tone. The gamma, which was already decent, has been adjusted to an even better version. As a result, tonal transitions and brightness are more consistent, positively affecting the depth and detail of the image.

As for 4K content, despite efforts, the white balance still struggles with a lack of red, which can lead to overly warm colours in some scenes. Synthetic tests showed that the EOTF curve in HDR is quite stable, with a slight enhancement in mid-bright scenes. However, in actual film material, the television can still be too bright with fine, light details, which is a result of the limitations of large local dimming technology.

Nevertheless, calibration has brought significant benefits, particularly in terms of colour accuracy, improving the overall image quality and providing a more natural and cohesive directorial vision.

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

The fluidity of tonal transitions in Sony X85L is at a good level – the gradation of colours is smooth, even in more demanding areas, which makes the perception of scenes positive and natural. The biggest issues arise around shadows, where subtle colour joins may be visible. Despite this, the television performs well enough that most viewers should not notice these minor imperfections.

Television S90D performs very well at smoothing tonal transitions. Thanks to the applied technology, the transitions between colours are more fluid and natural. There is also the option to use noise reduction, which further smooths tonal transitions, which can be useful in certain situations. However, it is worth remembering that enabling noise reduction can also lead to the smoothing of desirable film grain, which in turn could reduce the cinematic atmosphere of the image. For this reason, caution is advised when using this feature, as it is better to leave the natural grain that adds character and authenticity to the viewed content.

Samsung, as always, does not disappoint and excels in the area of scaling images from lower resolutions. The S90D Samsung television effectively processes lower resolutions, as can be 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-rendered, showing no significant jaggedness, which could diminish the image quality. Thanks to effective scaling, even materials in lower resolution present attractively on the screen, pleasing users who prefer various sources of content such as regular antenna/cable television.

In terms of smoothing tonal transitions, the Sony X85L television does not offer any dedicated enhancement options, which is a certain drawback. On the other hand, the image scaling performs quite well – the television adds a bit of artificial sharpness, which may make details such as tree branches more pronounced, although sometimes with noticeable jagged edges. This type of effect may appeal to some viewers who prefer a more detailed image.

Samsung S90D TV is equipped with a 120 Hz panel, with the possibility of "overclocking" to 144 Hz with the appropriate PC configuration, providing exceptional motion fluidity. Samsung has been offering a variety of sharpness settings on a ten-point scale for years, allowing users to adjust the display to their preferences. In the UFO test, thanks to the use of an OLED panel, there's no sign of any smearing. 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 picture is extremely sharp and detailed, even during fast actions, making the S90D TV an ideal choice for gamers and sports enthusiasts.

Sony X85L, equipped with a 120 Hz panel, will meet the expectations of a wide range of users – from sports and gaming fans to movie enthusiasts. Movie buffs will certainly appreciate the presence of one of the best motion smoothing systems, known as Motionflow. This system offers adjustment through sliders for smoothness and clarity – smoothness is responsible for motion fluidity, eliminating judder, while clarity improves the sharpness of fast scenes, reducing blur.

The Samsung S90D TV 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 affecting 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 to parameters such as changing the TV's screen aspect ratio, which can be useful in various games and types of gameplay. Users can easily customise their preferences, making the use of the TV during gaming even more convenient and enjoyable. As for PC users, the TV pleasantly surprises. When connected to a computer, the panel is capable of achieving a refresh rate of 144Hz, and users of Nvidia or AMD graphics cards can enjoy features such as G-Sync and FreeSync. It should be noted, however, that the TV does not support Dolby Vision, which may be a drawback - but it's worth bearing in mind that Dolby Vision is not as popular for games as it is for films. Nevertheless, the S90D TV still offers excellent features for gamers, making it a great choice for gaming enthusiasts who seek top-notch picture quality and modern technological solutions.

Sony X85L offers a quite solid set of features for gamers, making it an attractive choice for gaming enthusiasts. First and foremost, the television has a 120 Hz panel, which translates to smooth and dynamic image display, ideal for both fast-paced action games and more demanding sports titles. It is equipped with two HDMI 2.1 ports with full bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, allowing for the full utilisation of next-generation consoles. Additionally, Sony X85L supports VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) technology, which helps reduce stuttering and artifacts during gameplay, providing a smooth experience. The television also supports G-Sync, which is particularly beneficial for gamers using NVIDIA graphics cards, allowing for the synchronisation of the screen refresh rate with GPU performance, eliminating screen tearing. It is worth mentioning the Game Bar feature, which facilitates quick access to the most important gaming-related settings, such as VRR, brightness levels, and display modes, which is convenient and useful during gameplay.

However, there are certain limitations. The television does not support HGiG, which may be a downside for some gamers, as HGiG optimises HDR effect rendering in games, providing a more authentic visual experience. Additionally, while the Dolby Vision mode is available, it is not practical for gaming due to the very high input lag.

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

Generally speaking, the input lag on the Sony X85L is very good, which is crucial for smooth gameplay and quick reactions in games. In standard modes, especially when using HDMI 2.1 and playing at a resolution of 4K at 120 Hz, the input lag is minimal.

Unfortunately, the Dolby Vision mode is an exception to this rule. In this case, the input lag reaches as much as 95 ms. Such a high level of delay makes the Dolby Vision mode virtually unplayable, as the responses to commands are noticeably delayed.

The Samsung S90D television works perfectly with a PC. The fonts are clearly visible, making it easier to read text and use applications. Additionally, it supports chroma 4:4:4 at 4K resolution and a refresh rate of 144 Hz, which ensures full colour reproduction and sharp image quality. It is worth mentioning that the input lag of only 5 ms is extremely advantageous, particularly for gamers and professionals working with graphics. With such low latency, using the television as a monitor becomes a pleasure, allowing for comfortable and responsive work. The Samsung S90D television is an excellent choice for users seeking performance and quality in everyday computer use.

The collaboration of the television Sony X85L with a PC is a bit of a balance between image quality and user comfort. If we want to use the television for work, where clear fonts matter, we need to set the refresh rate to 60 Hz. In this mode, the text looks good and doesn't strain the eyes, which is crucial if we intend to spend a longer time in front of the screen.

On the other hand, if the television is to be used for gaming, where we can take full advantage of its capabilities at 120 Hz, we must bear in mind that the readability of fonts noticeably decreases. The image becomes less sharp, and the text harder to read, which can be frustrating. In short – Sony X85L will perform well for occasional connections to a computer, but if we need it on a daily basis for work and gaming, this compromise may not appeal to everyone.

The viewing angles on the Samsung S90D television, thanks to OLED technology, are unparalleled. OLED offers excellent colour and contrast reproduction, even at wide viewing angles, ensuring that the image remains sharp 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 image quality from various angles, but under standard conditions, OLED remains the leader in terms of viewing angles, providing users with exceptional visual experiences.

The viewing angles on the Sony X85L, as is often the case with VA panels, are not the best. The picture looks great when viewed directly, but as soon as you move to the side, you notice that the colours lose intensity and the contrast significantly weakens. This can be an issue if the television is meant for viewing in larger groups, where viewers are seated at different angles. For those who usually watch solo or from one central spot, this won’t be a major downside, but when watching from the side, the picture quality unfortunately declines.

When watching during the day, the Samsung S90D performs very well, achieving an average brightness level of around 400 nits, which is a very good result for OLED technology. Despite the glossy display, the suppression of reflections is at a decent level, allowing for comfortable viewing even in bright rooms. The only noticeable drawback 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.

The performance of the television Sony X85L during the day is quite decent. Its satin screen coating handles light reflection moderately well, meaning that in bright rooms there can be some glare, but it is not bothersome enough to significantly interfere. The brightness in SDR mode at 570 nits is sufficient for comfortable TV viewing during the day, even with natural light coming in through the windows. This ensures that colours remain vivid and the picture is clearly visible, making the television suitable for everyday use.

The Samsung S90 television offers a range of features that significantly enhance user comfort and make it an ideal device for home entertainment. The Tizen system, upon which this model is based, is a modern and advanced platform that provides users with an intuitive and smooth experience. Thanks to the user-friendly interface, navigating through applications and settings is quick and intuitive, making it easier for even those less familiar with technology 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 novelty for 2024 is also the availability of voice search in Polish. It's 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, which means we don't have to use multiple remotes. Additionally, the television supports AirPlay, allowing 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 enables the personalization of user experiences. 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 wanting to archive favourite programmes or films. Despite this, the Samsung S90D offers many advanced features and technologies that make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality entertainment in their home.

Sony X85L runs on the Google TV system, which is a substantial advantage for many users. The television offers wide access to applications, and using streaming platforms is smooth and user-friendly. The interface is intuitive and easy to master, allowing quick switching between applications and searching for favourite content. Google TV allows for personalisation of the home screen, enabling each user to tailor it to their preferences. The Google Assistant further enriches the experience by offering voice control and quick changes to settings or searching for films without the need for a remote.

In terms of user features, Sony X85L offers many useful options. The television has the capability to record programmes, which is a significant convenience for those wanting to watch their favourite content at any time. AirPlay support allows for seamless content streaming from Apple devices, which iPhone and iPad owners will appreciate. Additionally, thanks to the built-in Bluetooth, various devices such as headphones or keyboards can be connected. However, one of the shortcomings is the PiP (picture-in-picture) function, which may disappoint users who prefer multitasking on screen.

The design of the Sony X85L television, while perhaps not among the thinnest, is solid and elegant. The metal stand with adjustable feet is one of its stronger points, allowing the height and width of the television to be adapted to various furniture and spaces. This practical solution enhances the interior and adds a modern character to it.

Samsung S90D is equipped with a built-in 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 photo formats, the television handles many of them well, however, one of the few drawbacks is the inability to play the popular PNG format. Nevertheless, the overall file playback capabilities of the S90D are outstanding.

Sony X85L easily handles playback of most popular file formats from USB, which is a big plus for those who often access external content. However, it should be mentioned that there is a small downside – the built-in player does not allow for changing the font colour in subtitles, which may be troublesome for some. Fortunately, thanks to the extensive Google TV system, users have a wide range of options. Alternative media players can be easily installed, offering more personalisation options.

The Samsung S90D television 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 system with a power of 60 W. If the silver colour of the S94D casing is not a hindrance, and the price difference between these models is minor, it is worth considering the version with the number "4" at the end. Although the television does not support the DTS format, it offers other audio technologies such as Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus. However, to fully enjoy spatial sound, it is worth considering connecting an external audio system.

The sound in Sony X85L is good – it is clear across the entire range, allowing enjoyment of both dialogues and music. The bass, though light, is noticeable and adds some depth to the overall sound. However, it should be emphasised that this is a subjective assessment – some may find such a sound profile satisfying, while others might need additional audio equipment to fully experience stronger tones and a more spacious sound.

Samsung OLED S90D / S94D (WRGB OLED) vs Sony X85L

Advantages

Disadvantages

Our verdict

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

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound