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Panel type: LCD VA (wide viewing angle) Refresh rate: 240Hz Brand: SAMSUNG Resolution: 7680x4320 System: Tizen Model year: 2025
Samsung QN990F is absolute top of the top in the Koreans' offering for 2025. You don't have to look far for evidence – just the price alone is jaw-dropping, and on top of that, we have several features that you won't find in any other TV in the world. The wireless One Connect module, the first matte screen ever in an 8K TV, and a design that can easily be called one of the best on the market. This is a television that immediately stands out from the competition. We decided to test it according to our testing procedures. Here is the review of the world's first wireless 8K TV!
7.6
Overall rating
The Samsung QN990F is a television that makes an enormous impression from the very first moment. It is probably one of the most beautiful models on the market – ultra-thin, with an almost invisible frame and a base that gives the impression that the screen is hovering above the table. Additionally, there is the futuristic Wiraless One Connect module, this time in a wireless version, which helps to reduce the number of cables in the living room and gives the whole setup a modern character. But it doesn’t end with design. The QN990F also boasts powerful specifications. The Mini-LED with over a thousand dimming zones can generate contrast that at times approaches OLED levels. Moreover, it features very high HDR brightness and a new matte panel that effectively eliminates reflections. And when we add great motion fluidity with a refresh rate reaching up to 240 Hz in 4K, we have a set of features that truly impress. Samsung hasn’t forgotten about gamers either – we have Game Bar, VRR, ALLM, five HDMI 2.1 ports, and phenomenal input lag at the level of 10–15 ms (when connected via micro HDMI).
And this is where we get to the heart of the matter. While the QN990F impresses on paper and in many tests, in practice some solutions still require refinement. The wireless One Connect module raises the input lag to unacceptable levels for gamers, the Mini-LED can struggle in difficult scenes with a lot of details, and the lack of Dolby Vision or DTS:X serves as a reminder that Samsung is stubbornly pursuing its own path, sometimes at the user's expense. Despite this, the QN990F is a television that demonstrates the direction of industry development. It is not a model for everyone – but for those who love gadgets, technological innovations, and want a screen in their living room that looks like it’s from the future. However, if someone is solely looking for the best picture quality, even within Samsung's portfolio, they will find models that perform significantly better – perhaps without 8K, but with more refined contrast or colors. Because 8K still remains a technology that looks firmly towards the future and the QN990F shows what televisions of tomorrow can look like. But are we – the viewers – already ready to pay such a high price for this vision and accept the compromises that come with it?
Amazing Design
Wireless module Wiraless One Connect
Very good black
High brightness
Matte panel very well suppresses reflections
Good viewing angles
The fastest television in the world - 4K@240Hz and 8K@120Hz refresh rates great for sports
Many features for gamers: HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, HGiG, Gamebar
Very fast and intuitive Tizen OS operating system
Very high price
Local dimming algorithms could be better refined
Missing Dolby Vision and DTS:X
High input lag delays with wireless connection to Wireless One Connect
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.6
Classic TV, YouTube
7.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
7.5
Gaming on console
9.2
TV as a computer monitor
7.9
Watching in bright light
5.2
Utility functions
7.5
Apps
8.7
Sound quality
7.9
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HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 5 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: Central
Kolor ramki: Silver
The Samsung QN990F immediately shows that it is equipment from another league. Upon taking it out of the box, it is clear that we are dealing with a television that has been perfected in every detail. The entire body is ultra-slim, and the bezels are so narrow that we hardly notice them. It looks truly modern and gives off the impression of something exceptional. However, the biggest impact comes from the way Samsung has solved the issue of connections. The set includes two modules. The first is the classic One Connect, with a silver cable that acts as the receiver. The second is something completely new: a wireless module to which we connect all cables. The only exception is an additional micro HDMI, cleverly hidden at the back of the housing. Honestly, we feel this is somewhat of an untapped opportunity – if only the power cable could be left, it would be the first completely wireless television in the world. But still, the effect is amazing and makes a huge impression, especially on those who love technological innovations. The stand also cannot be overlooked. It is massive and stable, while still looking light and modern. The back panel, made of glass, gives the impression that the television is floating above the table rather than sitting on it. This is a minor detail, but exactly the kind that builds a sense of interacting with super-premium equipment. It's hard to find someone who wouldn't like the look of the QN990F. It is one of those televisions that draws attention even before you manage to turn it on.
Select size:
7.6/10
Local dimming function: Yes, number of zones: 1344 (28 x 48)
Result
∞:1
Result
89,250:1
Result
28,200:1
Result
12,100:1
Result
2,050:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
QN990F is the highest representative of the Neo QLED series, so it couldn't lack Mini-LED technology. The 65-inch specimen we tested features a VA panel and as many as 1344 local dimming zones, which already looks really impressive on paper. In practice, it can provide a contrast effect close to ideal. In less demanding scenes, such as in the film Oblivion, the QN990F did not fall behind OLED TVs – the blacks were virtually infinite, and the picture looked fantastic. However, it wasn't always so rosy. Or maybe black and white? Like every Mini-LED, the QN990F has its limitations, and in more challenging sequences, it can leave mixed impressions. Where there is a huge amount of fine details on the screen, the algorithms controlling the zones simply got lost. The contrast dropped, and a clear halo effect appeared around bright elements. Additionally, in films recorded in the 21:9 (2.35:1) format, we noticed that the QN990F is unable to perfectly dim the pitch-black letterbox, leaving a silver/navy blue glow on them. One could say that Samsung in this model focused more on the visibility of details than on the perfect depth of black. On the one hand, this gives very good results in several scenes; on the other hand, in a TV of this class, we expected that the local dimming would be refined even further. The final effect is simply "okay," and at this price level, we would expect something more than just a satisfactory result.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
6.6/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 91.1%, Bt.2020: 67.0%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
802 nit
Result
689 nit
Result
1076 nit
Result
577 nit
Result
735 nit
The Samsung QN990F belongs to the bright televisions and this is immediately evident in the tests. In measurements, it achieved around 1300 nits, which in practice allows you to enjoy movies as their creators intended. Bright scenes have the right impact, lights shine, and the feeling is truly cinematic. In standard test patterns, sequences number 1, 3, and 5 performed the best – there the brightness remained around 800-1000 nits, and the image looked very natural. In more challenging segments, it could drop to about 600 nits, but still the level remained sufficient for details to be well visible. However, it should be added that with such highly contrasted shots, the halo effect returns – the same one we mentioned regarding the blacks. Bright elements can leave a glow on dark backgrounds, and this is immediately noticeable. Since we are dealing with a QLED, the color palette is expanded and the colors look impressive. The problem is that with such a flagship model, we expected better numbers. 91% coverage of DCI-P3 and about 67% BT.2020 are results that can be considered solid, but not outstanding. This results in a vibrant and attractive picture; however, competition in this and lower price segments can show even more.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
Testing the QN990F on the most demanding films, we got an image that could amaze, but at times left us feeling a bit unsatisfied. In the movie scenes, we managed to extract quite a few details in the shadows, although it was clear that the darker elements were slightly boosted. This was even more evident in Billy Lynn, where the image at times looked as if the television was not using dimming zones at all – the blacks were significantly brightened, and the brightest parts were washed out. In Blade Runner, the effect was better, but even so, the dark elements seemed shallow, almost as if the contrast was limited to very low values as it was when we examined contrast. On the other hand, bright scenes are effortlessly handled by the QN990F. Tone mapping works really well, and in the movie The Meg, the television performed exceptionally – especially in the opening shots with rocks and the drilling platform. Here, there was no visible artificial boosting of dark elements, and the image looked very natural, even compared to a reference OLED. The King also performed well, although the HDR effect in sunlight didn't have as much impact. Colors generally appear attractive, but some limitations are apparent. The skin tones of the characters and certain shots can appear slightly red, and with the most intense colors, there are shortages in saturation.
HDR luminance chart:
Luminancja HDR
Luminance of RGB colors
One of the things that can be a drawback in the QN990F is the way it handles details. When using HDR10, sometimes you can see that the television doesn't fully grasp the brightest or darkest parts on the screen. A good example is the test pattern with horses – in HDR10, there were noticeably fewer details, and the overall picture looked less natural than it should have. Fortunately, Samsung supports dynamic metadata in the HDR10+ format. Thanks to this dynamic format, the television adjusts to each scene individually, and the image immediately gains in detail. This is particularly evident where contrasts are greatest – details are not lost, and everything looks closer to what the director actually wanted to show. Of course, one can lament that Dolby Vision is missing here, which is the most popular dynamic HDR format. On the other hand, HDR10+ is gaining more popularity year by year. Movies in this format are no longer a curiosity and are becoming something you can encounter on platforms like Netflix, which significantly changes the situation.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: HDR10+
7/10
We tested the QN990F in Filmmaker mode, which is the best available right out of the box. Right from the start, we noticed several significant errors. The biggest issue was with white balance. Due to too little blue and also incorrect proportions between red and blue, the image – especially in scenes with a lot of white – appeared too yellow and at times even orange. On the Color Checker palette, these errors didn't look dramatic as they hovered around a value of 4, but in everyday viewing, especially with strong whites, they were most noticeable. We also noticed issues with brightness management – the television had difficulty maintaining details in the smallest parts of the image, mainly due to the way it controls the backlight zones. Fortunately, Samsung offers a lot of room for adjustment when it comes to setting corrections. We know that with proper calibration, you can definitely get a lot more out of this screen.
8.5/10
After performing calibration, we managed to bring the white balance into order and eliminate the previous deficiencies in blue tones. As a result, the image no longer appeared as if it had a slightly yellowish filter – whites are cleaner, and the overall presentation looks much more natural. We also managed to some extent to tame the brightness characteristic in HDR content. The television now handles maintaining details in blacks significantly better and does not lose them as much as before. However, when we look at the EOTF curve and how the QN990F reproduces brightness in films, it is evident that it still tends to emphasize details in dark scenes more strongly. This is a characteristic feature of Mini-LED technology, and more specifically, how it is managed by the QN990F, which is practically impossible to completely eliminate. Nevertheless, after calibration, the image looks much more natural, primarily due to the correct exposure of white light. The final effect is definitely more pleasant to receive and closer to what we expect from a flagship television.
9.2/10
In terms of fluidity in tonal transitions, the QN990F shows class. It's one of the best results we've seen so far. In most scenes, there are no visible color banding or typical stepping – the transitions are smooth and natural, and the image feels incredibly cohesive. Of course, as with practically every television, in very dark shots, some gradation issues can be noticed. Stepping can be noticeable there, but this is a typical phenomenon and should not affect the assessment of the QN990F itself. Against the competition, it looks really very good, and the impression from viewing is simply excellent, ensuring that nothing will distract our sight.
6.9/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The QN990F deserves the highest praise for its upscaling. The processor responsible for "pulling up" classic TV to 8K resolution performs quite well. While watching content in a 576p signal, we had no illusions that we would suddenly see a marketing-style miracle where the image magically transforms into crystal-clear 8K. Nevertheless, the final effect was surprisingly good; the image looked clean and clear. It's just unfortunate that the TV, like most Samsung models, has an overscan issue, which slightly cuts off the edges of the screen on the left side.
Regarding image processing, Samsung provides a feature called "noise reduction," which in theory should improve tonal transitions in older materials, where they are usually more noticeable. Unfortunately, we felt quite disappointed here. The feature works poorly – it struggles with unwanted bands and can even introduce its own artifacts. On the plus side, the TV does not eliminate film grain when using this feature, but in practice, that's little consolation since the noise reduction itself proves to be practically useless.
7.9/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 240Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz: Yes, 240Hz (double contours)
Brightness drop with BFI: 76%
The QN990F can easily be called one of the fastest televisions in the world. In 4K mode, it can display images at a frequency of up to 240 Hz, which until now has been more associated with gaming monitors than with televisions in the living room. However, in everyday viewing, what matters more is how it handles 8K signals at 120 Hz – and it performs very well here too. Motion remains smooth, and the television manages without a hitch even with the most demanding content. Additionally, there is a motion smoother, called "Picture Clarity." With it, you can adjust the image to your own preferences – leave a slight cinematic stutter or switch to maximum smoothness, which works great, for instance, in sports broadcasts.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Smużenie (4K@240Hz):
The most surprising thing is how the QN990F handles motion blur. In LCD TVs with VA panels, characteristic blurring is usually noticeable during fast movements, but here the effect is surprisingly minimal. In practice, it looks like Samsung has managed to come remarkably close to the level of OLEDs, which have been considered the benchmark in this category for years.
9.6/10
It must be said directly – the QN990F is one of those TVs that screams it was designed with gamers in mind. Samsung has been developing its gaming solutions for years, but here we have a true package. Sure, the lack of Dolby Vision support in games is a downside that will always come up in discussions. However, apart from that, the list of features is truly impressive. To start, we have Game Bar – a handy menu that allows you to quickly check and change game-related settings. You can see, for example, VRR is turned on, the frame rate, or the aspect ratio settings. It's like a small "dashboard," allowing you not to dig deep into the menu to make adjustments. Speaking of VRR: yes, variable refresh rate is present here and works flawlessly. Additionally, there's ALLM, which automatically switches the TV to game mode as soon as the console is turned on. These may seem like small details, but together they make using the QN990F simply convenient and hassle-free.
However, the number of ports makes the biggest impression. Four wireless HDMI 2.1 ports are already great news because you don't have to choose whether to connect the console, the receiver, or maybe even the PC. There's plenty of room here for everything. And if we add an additional micro HDMI (which we recommend connecting directly to consoles), hidden in the housing, we practically have five inputs in full 2.1 standard. Add to that support for high refresh rates – 120 Hz in 8K or even 240 Hz in 4K – and we get a TV that not only keeps up with the new consoles but also feels ready for consoles that are yet to come.
9.9/10
If we look at the table with input lag results, the QN990F performs phenomenally – within 10–15 ms, which is practically on par with gaming monitors. But there are a few caveats. First and foremost, the measurements taken on an additional micro HDMI, which Samsung cleverly hid in the television housing, show the full potential. At that point, the image responds instantaneously, and gaming is pure pleasure. The problem starts when we connect the console to the wireless One Connect module. Here, input lag jumps – the measuring device showed values higher by as much as 20 ms for the first 1-2 seconds before the delay stabilized around 40 ms. That’s already a level that is noticeable in faster games. Interestingly, the module was placed nearby, at a distance of 2–3 meters, so the signal didn’t have any challenging conditions. It’s not hard to imagine that if we hide it, for instance, behind a couch at a distance of 6–10 meters, input lag could exceed 100-150 ms. And those values are completely unacceptable for gaming.
Input lag measurements for Wireless One Connect from a distance of 2-3m look as follows:
SDR | Input lag | HDR | Input lag |
---|---|---|---|
1080p60 | 39 ms | ||
1080p120 | 25 ms | ||
2160p60 | 39 ms | 2160p60 | 39 ms |
2160p120 | 26 ms | 2160p120 | 26 ms |
4320p60 | 43 ms | 4320p60 | 43 ms |
SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
---|---|---|
1080p60: 15 ms | 2160p60: 13 ms | |
1080p120: 9 ms | 2160p120: 10 ms | |
2160p60: 13 ms | 4320p60: 17 ms | |
2160p120: 10 ms |
7.9/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Average
Readability of dark text and shapes: Average
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 10ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: BGR
Max refresh rate: 240Hz
G-Sync: Yes
QN990F can be impressive when we connect a computer for gaming. The panel with a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz, support for G-Sync, and a really decent input lag make the TV act like a gigantic gaming monitor. For gaming, it's a dream setup, and the responsiveness here is at a level that is practically unheard of in regular TVs.
Unfortunately, the situation looks much worse for regular PC work. That's a pity, because the 8K resolution theoretically has enormous potential – you can place even a 65-inch screen on your desk and sit close to it, taking advantage of the massive pixel density. However, in practice, the magic fades. Despite the correct implementation of chroma 4:4:4, which should guarantee sharp fonts, the readability on the QN990F is not ideal. The letters have slight edge issues, and longer work with text is simply not comfortable. It's a shame because gamers really have significant potential here, and the capabilities in games are great. However, this TV is not really suitable for everyday office work.
6/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 57%
Samsung has implemented a viewing angle enhancement coating in the QN990F and it actually does its job. We feel that this year it works a bit weaker than in last year's models, but nonetheless the effect is still impressive. For a VA panel, the viewing angles are really very good – good enough to compare them with what televisions with IPS panels offer. This means that even when watching from the side, we do not noticeably lose either contrast or colors.
5.2/10
Matrix coating: Matte
Reflection suppression: Very Good
Black levels during daytime: Average
One of the biggest innovations in this year's Neo QLED 8K TVs are the matte screens. Yes, you read that right – Samsung has used a matte coating in its flagship model, and we must admit that the effect is truly impressive. Reflections practically disappear, the screen doesn't turn into a mirror, and watching in a bright living room suddenly becomes much more enjoyable. Of course, there’s no rose without thorns. The matte coating makes blacks appear a bit washed out during the day, and colors lose some of their vibrancy. It’s a compromise – either we fight reflections, or we keep the maximum color depth.
When it comes to brightness, the QN990F is not a record-breaker. In TV mode, it achieves around 370-400 nits, which is fine for everyday TV watching, but in very bright, sunlit rooms, it may prove inadequate to completely "break through" the light coming into the room.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
Samsung QN990F: 363 cd/m2
7.5/10
System: Tizen
System performance: Very Good
Even though the QN990F looks like a television from the future, if someone simply wants to watch regular TV - it can be done quite comfortably. On board, we have several practical additions, such as PiP, which allows for watching two sources simultaneously. There's no need to even mention Bluetooth, as that's already a standard. However, the entire idea of wireless operation is particularly noteworthy. The One Connect module can be placed in a different location than the TV itself, which is a significant convenience for people who frequently switch devices. Of course, it still needs to be plugged into a power source, so it's not a completely cable-free solution, but it's hard not to see this as a showcase of Samsung's strength – a glimpse of what future televisions could look like.
When it comes to the system, Samsung opted for its proprietary Tizen, which, despite being a closed ecosystem – operates extremely smoothly. It's one of the fastest, if not the fastest operating systems in televisions, and it's also very intuitive. All the classic smart features are present: AirPlay, screen mirroring, voice search in multiple languages, or quick access to the most important streaming applications. There may be a few niche programs missing, but the vast majority of users will find everything they need here.
8.7/10
9.1/10
Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
---|---|
The QN990F handles playback of files from USB practically flawlessly. Movies, music, photos – most popular formats work without the slightest problems, and there’s no need to fiddle with additional players or devices. Only with less common picture formats can limitations arise. It's a pity that despite the manufacturer's claims, real support for HEIC files is lacking. The television recognizes them in the media browser, but in practice, it cannot open them.
7.9/10
-
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
The QN990F can play really nicely. Considering such a slim design, the sound is surprisingly clear and detailed, so one can be satisfied for daily movie watching or gaming. Unfortunately, as is often the case with Samsung's ultra-thin TVs, it lacks bass - and you can feel it right away. Action scenes or stronger effects do not have the depth that a decent soundbar or home theater system would provide. However, it is worth noting the support for Dolby Atmos. This is currently the most popular surround sound codec in films and provides a much greater sense of immersion in the action. Unfortunately, as always with Samsung, support for DTS:X is missing. This format is indeed appearing less frequently in new productions, but it is still valued by fans of physical Blu-ray media.
Acoustic Measurements
No acoustic data
Software version during testing: T-RSPFDEUC-0090-1050.6 E2500007, BT-S
Panel uniformity:
Backlight Type: Mini-LED QLED
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Journalist, reviewer, and columnist for the "ChooseTV" portal
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