SAMSUNG S90F (WOLED) vs LG QNED93A / QNED90A

Does the S90F handle not only black, but also bright parts of the image? Definitely yes. Tales of OLEDs as “dark screens” can slowly be regarded as a myth. The Samsung S90F, like the LG C5 based on a very similar panel, achieves brightness exceeding 1000 nits. This is a value entirely sufficient to enjoy impressive and dynamic HDR imagery – both in films and series. Most of the scenes we tested look superb, with well-defined highlights and high contrast. Of course, OLED technology still has its limitations – in very bright, full-screen sequences, such as the test pattern from the film The Meg (picture 5), the television may noticeably dim the image. However, it should be emphasized that such scenes are rare. It can be considered that the HDR effect is good enough that even mid-range OLED models like the S90F can provide a cinematic experience in the home living room.

Although the number of local dimming zones in the LG QNED93A has not directly translated to noticeably better contrast, it is hard to deny one thing about this model – it is brighter than its predecessor. In synthetic tests, we recorded values around 1400-1500 nits, and more importantly, these results are reflected in real film scenes. In full-screen sequences flooded with white or bright lights, the screen could maintain high luminance, which created a truly decent amazing HDR effect. Unfortunately, where the television could showcase true class, that is in scenes requiring precision, all the magic dissipates. The dimming algorithms, which we mentioned earlier, operate so aggressively that small bright objects – such as distant lights, stars, or the moon – can almost completely disappear. A glance at the test scenes from the film Pan or Sicario 2 (screens 2 and 4) shows how subtle details are dimmed to the limits of their visibility. It's a pity, as a greater number of zones could theoretically have led to significantly better results. Fortunately, there are also strengths. The QNED93A performs well in terms of colour gamut coverage, achieving around 96% of the DCI-P3 standard. As a result, colours in films appear vivid and full, and the picture does not lose intensity even in more demanding scenes. Therefore, one could say that the HDR in this model is solid, although the underdeveloped local dimming algorithms hinder its full potential.

The Samsung S90F, like most modern televisions, offers many picture modes, but – in line with our testing tradition – we assessed it in the best one, which is the Filmmaker mode. This way, the image looks significantly more natural than in the default, often oversaturated settings. It was neither overly saturated nor artificially muted – just closer to what should be seen. Of course, "more correct" does not mean "ideal". Unfortunately, our S90F unit had considerable issues with white balance, especially in the blue range, resulting in a slightly yellowish filter being applied to most scenes. Someone might say it looks more "cinematic" – because it is warmer – but let's not kid ourselves, George Lucas did not film Star Wars in sepia 😉 (you will find the comparison with the scene as always below).

Additionally, in HDR materials, there was a noticeable issue with brightness management. The EOTF curve showed a clear "spike" in brightness – the television brightened the image more than it should have, which made some effects look overly intense and diverged from the reference. Fortunately, some of these problems can be eliminated through professional calibration – you will read about its effects later in the review.

In filmmaker mode, the colour reproduction on the QNED93A was relatively accurate, although there were some reservations. In SDR content, the white balance was shifted towards warmer tones, which gave the screen a slight yellowish tint overall. The gamma, in turn, led to a slight brightness increase, making the image appear somewhat less natural, especially in scenes requiring precise shading (this is clearly visible in the comparison photo). This is not a problem that immediately stands out to every viewer, but more discerning individuals may feel that the image deviates from the aesthetics intended by the filmmakers. In HDR materials, the situation was somewhat different. The white balance, in this case, was quite good, ensuring that the whites neither leaned towards pink nor unwanted green hues. However, managing brightness turned out to be an issue. An analysis of the EOTF curve revealed that at certain moments, the television could be noticeably too dark where it shouldn't be, losing some detail and lowering the realism of the scenes. This spoiled the reception of HDR effects, which were theoretically supposed to make the biggest impression. For this reason, we decided to carry out calibration.

After calibration, we managed to eliminate practically all the previously mentioned errors. Older films in SDR quality finally look as they should – without the sepia effect or artificial aging of the image. The atmosphere of the classics returns to its rightful place (you’re welcome, Star Wars fans), and the colours no longer resemble an Instagram filter.

One of the key changes was also the improvement of brightness characteristics in HDR content. We managed to control the EOTF curve in almost a reference manner. Yes, the most demanding users may spot minimal deviations in brightness, but honestly – most viewers won’t even notice that. And it's no wonder, because the vast majority of errors are below a ΔE value of 3, which is below the threshold of visibility. After calibration, the S90F (WOLED) truly becomes an excellent display – one that provides nearly perfect picture quality.

After professional calibration, the Filmmaker mode on the QNED93A has improved primarily in areas that matter most on a daily basis. We managed to correct the white balance and eliminate the yellowish tint in SDR content, which is what we watch most often – television, streaming services, or standard quality films. As a result, the colours look natural and pleasant, making the overall experience much more comfortable. We also made adjustments in HDR mode, but here the biggest issue turned out to be the EOTF curve. Although LG offers some flexibility in the settings, the television still manages brightness on its own terms. It is evident that the local dimming algorithms are not fully refined and can ruin the viewing experience by darkening parts of the image at inappropriate times. Nevertheless, it is worth opting for calibration of this model, especially the mode intended for everyday viewing.

Digital Image Processing in the S90F:

Fortunately, Samsung, as in most of its models, effectively manages the unwanted posterisation effect in the S90F. The feature responsible for this aspect is noise reduction, which does a decent job of smoothing tonal transitions and eliminating unnatural colour connections – of course, within its limitations. Unfortunately, it operates rather aggressively, so using it comes with compromises. In addition to improving gradation, it can also remove film grain or gently soften facial features. In this case, the choice is yours – do you prefer a more "clean" image, or do you want to preserve the original texture of the material?

Image Scaling in the S90F:

In this year's model, Samsung implemented its own AI processor – NQ4 Gen3, which does quite well with upscaling. In our test scenes, the television effectively "pulled up" lower quality towards artificial 4K – the image was more pleasant to view, and the differences in sharpness between native and scaled content were minimal. Unfortunately, behind all this AI marketing facade lies a certain shortcoming. The S90F struggles with overscan. If you reach for truly archival materials – e.g. a VHS tape of your parents' wedding – you must expect that the lower part of the image may be cut off. The image adaptation function to resolution simply does not work here as it should.

The LG QNED93A proves to be a very solid television for everyday use. Its image processor handles scaling extremely well, which means even older films or terrestrial television benefit from increased sharpness and detail. During the screening of "The Godfather," it is clearly visible how upscaling retrieves additional details from the image – the faces of the characters and the texture of their clothing appear much clearer than in the original material.

The digital image processing also deserves praise. The television is equipped with a function for reducing unwanted colour banding and screen irregularities. It works best in the "Medium" setting – subtly smoothing tonal transitions without excessively interfering with the image. As a result, the natural film grain is preserved, and the screen does not appear artificially smooth. It is possible that in some scenes slight colour banding can still be observed, but in practice, the effect is more beneficial than with a stronger intervention from the algorithm.

The S90F really handles motion excellently – after all, it’s an OLED with a 144 Hz panel, so sports and games look absolutely stunning on it. The image is fluid, clear, and there’s no room for any ghosting or blurring that sometimes plagues cheaper LCDs.

The television is also equipped with motion smoothness settings, allowing you to customise everything to your preference. We have motion blur reduction and judder reduction – you can set it so that the image is super smooth (even to that soap opera effect), or more cinematic, with the classic 24-frame 'choppiness'. The choice is yours; Samsung doesn’t impose anything.

The LG QNED93A is equipped with a 144 Hz panel. This is primarily a nod to gamers, but the fact that higher refresh rates are increasingly making their way into televisions can be viewed positively. In everyday viewing, 120 Hz remains key, and in this respect, the QNED93A performs well. The manufacturer also provides the option to adjust the picture using the TruMotion system – the De-Judder and De-Blur sliders allow you to choose between a cinematic motion character with visible frames and a complete smoothing with theatrical motion.

When it comes to gaming features – the S90F has absolutely nothing to fault. Aside from the lack of Dolby Vision, which is already the norm for Samsung. The television operates at 144 Hz, has four HDMI 2.1 ports, so you can easily connect more than one console or PC. Onboard, we also find the Game Bar – a practical tool that allows you to quickly glance at picture settings, VRR status, ALLM mode, and other useful options. Game Motion Plus also deserves a mention – Samsung's proprietary motion enhancer that is the only one truly functioning sensibly in games. The image appears smoother, but without any artificial effects or slowdowns.

It is also worth mentioning the HGiG feature, which – much to our slight surprise – works correctly. We're mentioning this because Samsung clearly broke something in one of the last updates, and in some models, the option responsible for HGiG simply... disappears from the menu. Setting it up becomes practically impossible. Fortunately, our S90F unit did not have this issue, but the situation is dynamic, so it's worth keeping this in mind and regularly checking for updates and information from the manufacturer.

LG QNED93A is a television that has undoubtedly been prepared with gamers in mind. Right from the outset, we get a complete set – all four HDMI ports operate in standard 2.1, so regardless of whether we connect a console, PC or amplifier, we can be assured of full compatibility. This is important, as many manufacturers still limit themselves to two ports, and here nothing hinders the entire equipment from having maximum capabilities. There is also an automatic game mode (ALLM), which automatically switches the television to the appropriate settings when the console is turned on, as well as variable refresh rate (VRR). This ensures the picture doesn't stutter or jerk, even when the frame rate drops – whether in dynamic shooters or during races.

The 144 Hz panel gives an additional advantage in computer games. While 120 Hz is sufficient for consoles, in the case of PCs, the QNED93A allows for even more – every movement, every glance to the side is refreshed faster, and this makes a difference, especially in e-sports. The manufacturer also considered HDR in gaming – the television supports the HGiG mode, which are guidelines to ensure that the lighting effects are exactly as the game developers intended. To top it off, we get Game Bar – a special information bar that appears on the screen, showing parameters in real-time. You can monitor the frame rate, active VRR functions, or the level of input lag. This solution is useful not only for settings enthusiasts but for anyone who wants to quickly check what mode the television is operating in and whether everything is working as it should.