- 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 OLED S95H (S99H) (QD-OLED) Review
S99H / S95H
Available screen sizes:
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Panel type: QD-OLED Refresh rate: 165Hz Brand: SAMSUNG Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Tizen Model year: 2026
The Samsung S99H (known in the United States as the S95H) is one of the most distinctive premium OLED TVs, mainly because of its looks — the wide metal bezel definitely makes it stand out from the competition and will likely be quite divisive among users. What's more important to us, though, is what the TV can do in everyday viewing. So we check whether the latest QD-OLED panel has allowed Samsung to create one of the best TVs of 2026.
SAMSUNG S99H - Our verdict
9.0
Overall rating
The Samsung S99H is probably the best OLED TV we’ve tested so far, and certainly the best Samsung OLED in years. In terms of picture quality it’s really hard to find a weak point. Black levels are perfect, as you’d expect from an OLED panel, and HDR performance impresses with brightness and color saturation. Using a QD-OLED panel delivers an image that in many scenes looks almost reference-grade. Practically every parameter related to display quality is excellent. It’s also hard to deny that the S99H is simply a pleasure to use day to day. Tizen runs quickly, has access to all the major apps, and is covered by seven years of update support. On top of that are brilliant gaming features, which translated into one of the highest scores in that category on our site. The S99H will therefore perform well in virtually any situation — whether we’re watching movies in the evening, watching regular TV in a bright living room, or spending several hours on a console.
So is it a perfect TV? Not entirely. The most controversial aspect is, of course, the design. The unique look with a wide bezel means this TV will either be loved immediately or completely rejected, and that’s purely subjective. We can, however, assess the equipment, and in that respect Samsung left something to be desired. In a model designed primarily for wall mounting there’s no dedicated wall bracket, nor a One Connect module. Samsung does allow you to buy its wireless version, the Wireless One Connect, but for a product at this price point both items should, in our opinion, be included.
These aren’t, however, flaws that should rule out this model. The Samsung S99H stands above all on its picture, and it is simply phenomenal. If you like the way it looks and are after the best possible TV, it’s hard to find a better choice today. Right now the Samsung S99H is the frontrunner for best TV of 2026.
Advantages
Perfect OLED black
Reference-quality HDR picture (after calibration)
Very high brightness (over 2800 nits in HDR!)
Rich, well-saturated QD-OLED colors
Excellent reflection suppression (matte coating)
Very good motion handling (no smearing, refresh rate up to 165 Hz)
Fantastic for gamers (4x HDMI 2.1, low input lag, Game Motion Plus)
Fast Tizen OS with 7 years of support
Excellent viewing angles
High build quality
Disadvantages
No wall mount or One Connect included
Black takes on a cherry tint in strong light (a characteristic of QD-OLED panels)
No DTS:X (for Blu-ray fans)
Unconventional design 😉
Movies and series in UHD quality9.7
Classic TV, YouTube9.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)9.0
Gaming on console9.9
TV as a computer monitor8.8
Watching in bright light8.0
Utility functions7.8
Apps9.3
Sound quality8.7
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SAMSUNG S99H - Competing TVs in this price range
SAMSUNG S99H - TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 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: Legs
Bezel color: Silver
Stand: Fixed
Flat design: Yes
Accessories: Stand
Samsung S99H definitely doesn't look like another boring OLED on the market. That's mainly thanks to the wide metal frame around the screen. In photos it looks rather hefty, but in person it makes a great impression. It's very solidly made, and when the TV is hung on the wall it creates a nice effect, with the screen appearing to float slightly above the frame's edge. We really like this style and it helps the TV stand out from the crowd, though we know it's a distinctive design. All the more so because the frame can't be removed or swapped for a different one. Speaking of wall mounting, we should mention a rather puzzling decision by Samsung. The package does not include the dedicated wall mount (model WMN-B50EB/XC) and you have to buy it separately. For a TV designed to resemble a picture, we think that's poorly thought out. You can assume that the vast majority of people choosing the S99H because of its looks will want to hang it on the wall right away. Instead, the box contains standard feet. They do the job, but they feel quite plastic and simply don't match the rest of the construction. We'd treat them more as a temporary solution than the intended way to set up such a TV. The chassis itself is very slim, and the back has space for all the ports plus cable guides to help keep wires tidy. Unfortunately, the One Connect module, known from some of Samsung's higher-end models, is missing. You can buy its wireless version, the Wireless One Connect, which reduces the number of cables running directly to the screen. But again, that's another extra expense. In terms of build quality, the Samsung S99H definitely looks like a top-tier device. It's just a shame that for such an expensive TV the manufacturer didn't include either the wall mount or the One Connect module, especially since both elements would perfectly suit the overall concept of this model.
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SAMSUNG S99H - Contrast and black detail
10/10
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
As befits an OLED TV, the Samsung S99H delivers perfect black and virtually infinite contrast. Each pixel can turn off independently, so bright elements don’t cause any blooming and blacks remain black even in the most challenging scenes. The image is therefore very dimensional and looks great in movies, TV shows, and games. Compared with Mini LED LCD TVs, the advantage is especially noticeable in dark shots with small bright details. Subtitles, stars, headlights, and tiny light sources retain full clarity and don’t blend into the background. There’s also none of the halo typical of local dimming nor the dimming of bright elements just to preserve deep blacks. Importantly, in this regard it doesn’t matter whether the panel is QD-OLED or Tandem WOLED. In both cases we can count on the same basic benefits of organic technology: perfect control of every pixel and excellent contrast regardless of the scene.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
SAMSUNG S99H - HDR effect quality
9.4/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
2837 nit
Result
2795 nit
Result
2592 nit
Result
2811 nit
Result
2271 nit
When it comes to brightness alone, the S99H is an astronomically bright TV. Its peak brightness in movie scenes can exceed 2800 nits! Regardless of the scene, you can count on powerful HDR effects that practically blind you, and that's exactly what we expect from a top-tier screen. It's inherent to OLED panels that in very bright, full-screen shots they won't sustain as high a brightness as they do with small highlights, but the results are still excellent. In a bright scene from the film The Meg, the sun still exceeded 2200 nits. That means the S99H was able to maintain higher brightness than most Mini LED screens on the market. In terms of brightness, the S99H is currently the best OLED TV we've tested.
Color gamut coverage
The S99H also handles color exceptionally well, which is a direct result of the QD-OLED panel used here. Regardless of the test scenario, whether synthetic test patterns or measurements with film material in the background, the results stayed at a very high level. The S99H easily covers almost 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut, and for the most demanding color space it reaches nearly 90% of BT.2020. That's top-tier performance on the market. These results match what we saw in the new SQD-Mini-LED screens, and in real movie scenes they even outperform RGB Mini LED displays.
BT.2020 color gamut coverage and primary color luminance
| Data set | BT.2020 | P3 | R | G | B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synthetic patterns | 89.0% | 99.9% | 65% | 81% | 79% |
| Film measurements | 89.1% | 99.9% | 66% | 83% | 81% |
BT.2020 BT.2020 and P3 – average color gamut coverage (percent of the target gamut).
R, G, B – average primary color luminance relative to target (percent).
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
Measurements and dry numbers are one thing, but ultimately what matters is what we actually see on the screen. For that reason we subjected the Samsung S99H to a full-scale test and analyzed its behavior on vivid, demanding film scenes. The result? Needless to say... they simply look sensational. Regardless of the characteristics of the material being played, whether we're tackling productions mastered for extremely high peak brightness or the far more common titles mastered to 1000 nits, the TV delivers an almost reference-grade reproduction. The image's tonality is nearly flawless, with no distortion of the director's intent or artificial boosting of the picture. Even the smallest micro-nuance in the deepest shadows and the brightest parts of the frame remains perfectly readable and is presented to the viewer with the utmost precision. The S99H doesn't clip highlights, doesn't lose fine detail in dark areas, and conveys the source material's dynamics superbly. So if someone is looking for the best possible HDR picture, the Samsung S99H is the answer.
HDR luminance chart:
Is it possible to squeeze even more out of HDR on the S99H? Theoretically yes, thanks to support for dynamic metadata in HDR10+, where the TV receives precise frame-by-frame instructions about how to behave when displaying a given scene. In practice, however, it looks very different. Good factory tone mapping (when set to static mode) and powerful, extremely high peak brightness mean that the difference between basic HDR10 and dynamic HDR10+ is almost unnoticeable. This is clearly shown by the comparison of the horse shot. Both scenes retain virtually identical amounts of detail, in both the brightest and darkest areas. Therefore, the lack of Dolby Vision support on the S99H is hard to call a real drawback. This TV simply doesn't need it to show its full capabilities in movies.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: HDR10+
Factory color reproduction
7.5/10
Samsung offers a whole host of picture modes and features, but as usual we recommend choosing Filmmaker Mode, especially if you want the most faithful rendering of the creators' intent. Out of the box the TV is tuned very well, though it has minor shortcomings. This mainly concerns a slight drift in white balance in SDR content and a slightly low gamma. As a result, in a darker room the image can be a bit too bright relative to the reference gamma of 2.4, which is the standard for watching films with the lights off. These are of course small issues, since overall color reproduction remains very good and the errors in ColorChecker measurements are small. However, we know that from a screen of the S99H's class you can and should expect even more, so we had it professionally calibrated.
Color reproduction after calibration
9.6/10
After professional calibration, FILMMAKER mode looks virtually perfect. Because Samsung offers a rich set of advanced calibration features, we were able to tune the colors to an almost perfect level. Most importantly, we were able to even out the white balance and the gamma curve, which resulted in noticeably better contrast and a more natural image dimensionality. With a profile prepared like this, there's really nothing to nitpick or call a flaw. After calibration, the S99H is capable of delivering an essentially reference-quality image.
SAMSUNG S99H - Smoothness of tonal transitions
9.6/10
The smoothness of tonal transitions on the Samsung S99H looks very good. It performs best in bright scenes, where successive shades blend very smoothly with no visible banding. It's also good in darker scenes, though you can occasionally spot minor imperfections. In everyday viewing they are practically unnoticeable. It's worth adding that this is one of the strengths of QD-OLED panels. Compared with WOLED panels, they handle near-black transitions much better, while competing panels from LG Display more often exhibit posterization and uneven tone gradation.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
7.5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The proprietary Samsung NQ4 Gen3 processor handles upscaling and digital image processing. It does a very good job scaling lower-resolution material to 4K. The picture is sharp but doesn't look artificial or overly sharpened. The only fairly specific drawback appears with very old footage shot at 480p or lower. In those cases the TV can slightly crop the edges of the image.
The processor also copes quite well with artifacts visible in low-bitrate material, for example heavily compressed YouTube videos. The noise reduction feature effectively smooths the image and reduces posterization, but it works rather aggressively. It can remove not only unwanted artifacts but also some fine details and even natural film grain. We, wanting to preserve maximum fidelity to the source material, chose not to use it. However, if someone values a clean, as-smooth-as-possible image over keeping every detail, it can be useful.
SAMSUNG S99H - Blur and motion smoothness
8.5/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 165Hz
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%
Another major advantage of OLED panels is excellent motion reproduction. Thanks to the pixels' near instant response time, the Samsung S99H practically produces no smearing. Fast-moving objects don't show noticeable halos or trailing artifacts, so the TV performs very well for both watching sports and gaming. One quirk of OLED screens compared with LCDs is how they render low frame rate material. With very slow camera movement the image can appear noticeably more stuttery. This can be quite effectively mitigated using a frame interpolation system. Samsung lets you adjust judder reduction and blur reduction separately, making it easy to find a compromise between smoother motion and preserving the cinematic character of the content.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Image flickers in this mode
Blur (4K@165Hz):
The settings also include a BFI feature called "Clear LED Motion" that works with content displayed up to 60 Hz. It improves motion clarity by inserting black frames, but the screen then starts to flicker quite noticeably. For that reason, we wouldn't recommend using it every day. Interestingly, it also supports refresh rates up to 165 Hz when connected to a PC. It may not be a feature everyone needs, but for people planning to use the S99H as a large screen for PC gaming, it's a very welcome addition.
SAMSUNG S99H - Console compatibility and gaming features
9.6/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 165Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
No
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
Yes
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
Yes
- 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
Yes
Samsung S99H is also an excellent TV for gamers. It offers almost every useful feature... well, maybe except the obvious lack of Dolby Vision for Xbox consoles. It's equipped with four fully functional HDMI 2.1 ports with the full 48 Gbps bandwidth. Thanks to that we can easily use frame-rate synchronization VRR and automatic low-latency mode (ALLM). This year Samsung also has no issues with proper HGiG support, so HDR setup on a console is quick and without unnecessary complications. Samsung is also known for interesting extras in its TVs. In the Game Bar menu you'll find options to add an on-screen crosshair, enlarge the mini-map, or change the aspect ratio of the displayed image (PC).
Particularly noteworthy is Samsung's feature: Game Motion Plus. It's Samsung's proprietary motion-smoothing system that uses interpolation to increase smoothness in games. Input lag then rises to around 40 to 50 ms (depending on the strength of the setting), which is an excellent result compared to the competition. The system makes gameplay noticeably smoother. So if someone has their eye on a demanding game (e.g., GTA 6 😉) that runs at only 30 frames per second on console, the S99H can display it much more smoothly than competing models.
SAMSUNG S99H - Input lag
10/10
Input lag is very low regardless of the chosen refresh rate. With a 120 Hz signal we measured about 5 ms, and at 60 Hz roughly 10 ms. After connecting a PC and setting it to 165 Hz the values were even lower. Response to controller or mouse movement is almost instantaneous, so in this respect the Samsung S99H is suitable even for very fast and demanding games.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 10 ms | 2160p60: 10 ms | |
| 1080p120: 5 ms | 2160p120: 5 ms | |
| 2160p60: 10 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 5 ms |
SAMSUNG S99H - Compatibility with PC
8.8/10
Chroma 444 (max. resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, max. refresh rate): 5ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: RGB (QD-OLED)
Max refresh rate: 165Hz
G-Sync: Yes
S99H also works very well as a large monitor connected to a computer. That’s mainly thanks to full support for frame synchronization, with both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and seamless compatibility with NVIDIA G-Sync. The TV also supports refresh rates up to 165 Hz, which is a nice bonus for PC gamers. The only specific trait of QD-OLED panels is the characteristic triangular subpixel arrangement. Because of that, the sharpness of very small text viewed up close isn’t ideal. However, given the S99H’s size, this TV is unlikely to sit directly on anyone’s desk. When working or gaming from more than a meter away, the issue stops mattering.
SAMSUNG S99H - Viewing angles
9.9/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 12%
The viewing angles on the S99H are simply outstanding, thanks to its QD-OLED panel. In this respect it's an absolute leader on the market. Even when looking at the screen from an extremely steep angle, the image remains perfectly readable and the drop in brightness or color saturation is negligible. This is a characteristic feature of QD-OLED panels and an advantage over traditional WOLED screens, which have slightly worse viewing angles.
SAMSUNG S99H - Daytime performance
8/10
Panel finish: Matte
Reflection suppression: Very Good
Black levels during daytime: Average
One of the key and most distinctive features of Samsung's OLEDs, including the tested S99H, is the matte screen coating. It's currently one of the best solutions on the market if you want to minimize reflections as effectively as possible. Whether the room has large windows or lamps are on, all light glare is very effectively diffused. However, there is a trade-off. Because of the matte finish and the characteristics of QD-OLED panels (which in bright surroundings can take on a slightly cherry tint), black levels lose some of their depth and richness during the day. It's worth noting, though, that this effect mainly occurs when very harsh light falls directly on the panel. Fortunately, the S99H is an extremely bright OLED TV, comparable in this regard to the best Mini LED screens on the market. Its average brightness for everyday SDR content reaches nearly 850–900 nits, so the TV will have no trouble even in a heavily sunlit living room.
Panel brightness
Samsung OLED S95H (S99H) (QD-OLED): 851 cd/m2
SAMSUNG S99H - TV features
7.8/10
System: Tizen
System performance: Very good
- HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 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): 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
Smart features: Tizen
The Tizen system runs on the S99H exceptionally quickly and stably. Wide support for wireless protocols deserves praise — it includes Apple AirPlay and the recently added support for Chromecast. It’s hard to fault Tizen today in terms of app availability. The catalog covers all the most popular streaming services and in that respect it is on par with Google TV.
Art Mode
The S99H is the first Samsung OLED TV to be equipped with a dedicated Art Mode, previously known mainly from The Frame series. That’s quite a surprise, because most TV makers using OLED panels generally advise against long-term display of static images. Here the feature is officially promoted, which suggests Samsung is confident in its panel’s resistance to permanent burn-in. Access to the full art library unfortunately requires a paid subscription. There is a simple workaround — favorite artworks or personal photos can be uploaded to the TV’s internal storage for free and set as a background in the dedicated app. It’s worth adding that the TV includes an ambient light sensor that adjusts screen brightness and color temperature so the displayed image closely mimics a real canvas or print.
Daily use and remote
All the classic TV functions on the S99H perform well, although the controls may not appeal to older users. That’s down to the minimalist remote, which lacks a traditional numeric keypad. The advantage of the solar-powered remote is its universal remote function — it can be easily paired and used to control virtually any device connected to the TV, e.g., satellite set-top boxes, consoles, and players.
Sound connection options
HDMI audio:
Other audio outputs:
- Toslink: Yes
Wireless audio:
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Samsung Q-Symphony (Speaker extension): Yes
Supported audio formats (external HDMI eARC audio):
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1: Yes
- Dolby True HD 7.1: Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD: Yes
- DTS:X in DTS-HD MA: No
- DTS-HD Master Audio: No
Senior accessibility
- Numeric keyboard on TV: No
- Font size adjustment: Yes
- Audio description: Yes
SAMSUNG S99H - Apps
9.3/10
SAMSUNG S99H - Playing files from USB
8.8/10
| 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 S99H's built-in media player runs smoothly and quickly. The TV handles most popular video and audio formats with ease, delivering smooth playback without stuttering. Only support for certain photo formats stored on removable media raises some concerns. The TV reacts rather oddly to files in Apple's HEIC format... although thumbnails in the browser display correctly, trying to open a photo at full size causes the interface to freeze. It looks like a software bug that Samsung will likely fix in one of the upcoming updates.
SAMSUNG S99H - Sound
8.7/10
95dB
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
For such a slim design, the Samsung S99H sounds surprisingly good. At first we were surprised that such a flat screen could produce such loud sound. Importantly, there's even some bass, of course keeping in mind that we're talking about built-in TV speakers, not a dedicated home theater. 😉 The TV easily handles decoding of Dolby Atmos and Samsung's proprietary Q-Symphony system. This lets us easily pair the display with a Samsung soundbar (or the new Studio-series speakers), so the built-in speakers play together with external audio. For everyday viewing and standard use, however, external audio equipment won't be needed right away. As is typical for Samsung, support for the DTS format is missing here. For people who use only streaming this may not be a big loss, but for fans of physical media and Blu-ray discs it will be a noticeable downside.
Sound Quality Test:
Acoustic Measurements
95dBC (Max)
75dBC
SAMSUNG S99H - Panel details
Software version during testing: 1204
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
Backlight Type: QD-OLED
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