- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- Competing TVs
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- Contrast and black detail
- HDR effect quality
- Factory color reproduction
- Color reproduction after calibration
- Smoothness of tonal transitions
- Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
- Blur and motion smoothness
- Console compatibility and gaming features
- Input lag
- Compatibility with PC
- Viewing angles
- Daytime performance
- TV features
- Apps
- Playing files from USB
- Sound
- Panel details
Samsung S85F (WOLED) Review
S85F / FAU / FAE
Available screen sizes:
Diagonal with a different matrix:
Complete the survey to find out the result
Panel type: WRGB OLED Refresh rate: 120Hz Brand: SAMSUNG Resolution: 3840x2160 System: Tizen Model year: 2025
The Samsung S85F model is a real puzzle in the OLED TV market. While the 55-inch variant (QD-OLED) has gained attention thanks to its proprietary quantum dot technology, the other sizes – 65, 77, and 83 inches – use a WOLED panel supplied by LG Display. This raises the question that every potential buyer must ask themselves: is the S85F one model or two different machines? You'll find out in this review!
SAMSUNG S85F - Our verdict
7.7
Overall rating
The Samsung S85F in the tested version with a WOLED panel is a television that should primarily be evaluated through the lens of its price. As expected from organic technology, it offers perfect, almost ideal black and infinite contrast in cinematic conditions. This feature alone will impress most buyers, especially those transitioning from any LCD television. However, it cannot be denied that in a direct comparison with the 55-inch QD-OLED variant, the WOLED version shows some weaknesses. It is slightly darker, especially in bright full-screen scenes, and offers noticeably worse viewing angles. Nevertheless, the rest of its advantages remain intact. Motion fluidity is at a high level – the 120 Hz panel handles both sports and action movies excellently. And if someone plans to connect a console to the S85F, they will receive a complete set of advantages: low input lag, variable refresh rate, Game Bar, and full HDMI 2.1 support. In everyday use, we were assisted by the Tizen system – closed but extremely refined. It reacts quickly, offers a rich selection of applications, and add-ons like AirPlay and voice control make it hard to find something more complete in this category. Indeed, the S85F in the WOLED version is not a perfect television and yields to its sibling with a QD-OLED panel. However, its greatest weapon is its absurdly low price. The cost of purchase is almost laughable in relation to the capabilities offered. It is still a great and, most importantly, affordable OLED that will be one of the best and most cost-effective televisions on the market for a vast number of users.
Advantages
Remarkable black and contrast
Great picture in SDR and HDR content after calibration
Very good motion smoothness – 120 Hz OLED panel
Rich set of features for gamers: VRR, Game Bar, low input lag
4 HDMI 2.1 ports with full 48 Gbps bandwidth
Advanced and smoothly operating Tizen system
Solar Remote with multiple features
Disadvantages
No USB recording function and PiP
No Dolby Vision
No HGiG function*
Worse viewing angles, color gamut coverage, and lower brightness than the variant with the QD-OLED panel
*This function disappeared with the software update 1110.7 – we are monitoring this situation continuously.
Movies and series in UHD quality7.9
Classic TV, YouTube8.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)8.5
Gaming on console8.7
TV as a computer monitor7.6
Watching in bright light5.3
Utility functions7.3
Apps8.7
Sound quality7.2
Complete the survey to find out what fits your preferences
SAMSUNG S85F - Competing TVs in this price range
SAMSUNG S85F - TV appearance
HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Other inputs: Toslink (Optical audio) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
Build quality: BuildQuality-Good
Stand type: Legs
Bezel color: Graphite
Stand: Base adjustment
Flat design: No
Accessories: Stand
When we look at the Samsung S85F, we immediately see that stylistically we are sticking to a tried-and-true path – it looks practically the same as the previous model S85D. Interestingly, the designers departed from market trends and did not make it a typical OLED, meaning that super-thin panel that suddenly has a bulge at the back for the electronics. Instead, the S85F has a cohesive, rounded shape – it is like a single, smooth block, which looks neat and modern from the side. While we are aware that this is not a high-end model, we believe it doesn't look cheap. The only thing that immediately reveals its lower position in the OLED TV series is the plastic feet. We may not consider them the height of elegance, but Samsung ensured that they are practical. We can mount them in two different widths, making it easier to fit this television on a narrow shelf. It’s a well-thought-out compromise.
Buy at the best price
Select size:
SAMSUNG S85F - Contrast and black detail
10/10
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Result
∞:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
When it comes to black levels and contrast, we must be honest – this is the area where the differences between QD-OLED and WOLED panels are virtually nonexistent under typical cinematic conditions. We can confirm with full responsibility: the Samsung S85F equipped with a WOLED panel achieves incredible and unmatched results in this regard. Regardless of the scene being watched – whether it's a dynamic action movie or a dark thriller – we get infinite contrast and perfect black levels that we expect from any OLED television. These are results that can impress even the most demanding cinema lovers. It is worth emphasizing that such deep, absolute black can only be offered by televisions with organic panels. In film conditions, as we see in our measurements, the luminance level of black is zero. So, if you dream of a screen that can "turn off" the light in a scene just as effectively as an art-house cinema in a dark room, we are pleased to state that the S85F, also in the WOLED variant, is one of those televisions.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
SAMSUNG S85F - HDR effect quality
5.9/10
Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 97.0%, Bt.2020: 70.7%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
Result
672 nit
Result
673 nit
Result
718 nit
Result
670 nit
Result
276 nit
For most of the time, let's say in 90% of film scenes, viewers won't see practically any difference between the S85F versions. When small but very strong light points appear on the screen – a lantern in a dark alley, a gunshot, the sun breaking through the clouds – this WOLED panel (like the smaller S85F) performs wonderfully. Our measurements showed peak brightness at around 750 nits. We can confidently state: this is an excellent result that guarantees fantastic HDR effects. The problem arises in a very specific, uncomfortable situation for any OLED. We're talking about the moment when the entire screen has to shine at full power brightly. Examples include a slide with a white background, a ski jump scene, or our test sequences (5) from the movie The Meg. And here, unfortunately, the results diverge quite significantly to the detriment of the WOLED panel variant. Our measurement equipment was able to measure a maximum of about 250 to 300 nits of brightness in such conditions. Just to be clear: the same model on a QD-OLED panel in the same test is almost twice as bright. The second issue: colors. And here we also have to be honest – QD-OLED has a design advantage. Why? It’s simple. QD-OLED creates colors from three components (red, green, and blue) and does not need an additional white subpixel. The WOLED panel we are testing uses this white subpixel mainly to boost overall brightness. The effect is that QD-OLED is able to show a slightly wider color palette, and the colors are a bit "cleaner." But let’s be clear: it’s not that the colors on this WOLED panel are bad! On the contrary, they are actually very good. Coverage of the DCI-P3 film palette at 97% and 71% for the wider BT.2020 palette is still a high standard. We just have to honestly admit that this few percent advantage in color coverage is on the side of QD-OLED technology and may be noticeable in very specific moments.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
When it comes to the adaptation of the image itself, it is important to note a significant fact. Although measurements showed lower brightness of the panel in the mentioned, extremely bright full-screen shots, the overall image quality in HDR10 format on the S85F is difficult to seriously criticize. The displayed material remains very detailed. We also noticed that in most cases, the television adapts very well and independently to the characteristics of a given scene, effectively managing the available brightness.
HDR luminance chart:
HDR luminance
Luminance of RGB colors
There are, however, scenes where it is clearly visible that the overall brightness of the television and its independent image adaptation (within standard HDR10) are lacking. A perfect example is the test scene with horses in a white meadow. We observed a colossal difference in favor of the dynamic metadata of the HDR10+ format, which the Samsung S85F obviously supports. Of course, there will be voices suggesting that it would be better to have support for Dolby Vision on board. However, considering the growing popularity of the HDR10+ format on various streaming platforms – recently for instance on Netflix and Disney+ – it is hard to treat the lack of DV as a serious drawback. Moreover, the differences in the final image between these two competing formats are already at this stage of technology development mostly cosmetic.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: HDR10+
Factory color reproduction
5.5/10
When it comes to factory color reproduction, our test sample in SDR mode suffered from a slight deficiency in red and yellow color. This resulted in a subtle yellowish tint visible in the shades of white. However, this is not the biggest problem with the S85F. Similar to the QD-OLED panel variant, the biggest issue with this model is the way it presents HDR content. When we look at the EOTF curve graph, it is easy to see that the television has quite significant problems with overly brightening the image. This causes the final picture in many scenes to become very unnatural.
Color reproduction after calibration
9/10
After calibrating in Filmmaker mode, we managed to eliminate most of the unwanted effects. In SDR content, the television performs exemplary, and its color reproduction errors do not exceed a value of 2, which is an excellent result. A bit worse, although still very good, are the HDR quality contents. While we were able to eliminate a significant unnaturalness in the image caused by too high a positioning of the EOTF curve, the most discerning observers may notice that it is not perfectly aligned. It runs slightly below the reference curve, which would suggest that the S85F has slight issues showing all the details in the image. We must point out right away that it is highly unlikely that an average viewer would notice any shortcomings in the image. The final effect after calibration is rated as exemplary.
SAMSUNG S85F - Smoothness of tonal transitions
7.3/10
Another issue with the S85F version featuring a WOLED panel, noticeable compared to the QD-OLED variant, is the quality of smoothness in tonal transitions. In very bright moments, it is evident that the blending of colors is not perfect and can sometimes be spotted with the naked eye. Although the overall quality of gradients is still good, certain issues with the panel produced by LG Displays are visible here, which are not as apparent in competing panels (QD-OLED).
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
7.5/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
The processing of tonal transitions (gradients) in the S85F is at a high level. The television effectively handles posterization (the "stepping" effect of colors), even with heavily compressed materials, such as from streaming services. However, using this feature requires making a certain compromise. We noticed that the noise reduction algorithm is quite aggressive – even at the lowest setting, it can eliminate natural film grain, which for many viewers is part of the film's aesthetics. The "Standard" setting seems to be the golden mean, not causing visible loss of important details, so we can recommend it. However, we advise against using the "High" level, which removes not only noise but also desired details, such as texture or structure of objects on the screen.
The scaling (upscaling) process of lower resolution content works very well in the S85F. The image is sharp and clear. The only minor imperfection we observed is occasional, slight aliasing on the edges. The television also still exhibits characteristics typical of this manufacturer, such as active "overscan" (slight magnification of the image). This should be kept in mind, especially when watching older materials, as it may result in a minimal cropping of the original frame.
SAMSUNG S85F - Blur and motion smoothness
8.5/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 120Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: Yes
BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)
BFI function 120Hz: No
Brightness drop with BFI: 50%
The S85F is a model with impressive speed. The use of a 120 Hz OLED panel ensures that dynamic scenes, both in games and during sports broadcasts, meet expectations: smoothly, sharply, and without loss of clarity. A key role here is played by the instantaneous pixel response time, which is a natural advantage of OLED technology. Transitions between frames are instantaneous, and the image remains clear even during the fastest camera movements. Moving objects, like a ball on the field or a car in a chase scene, are clear and devoid of the characteristic motion blur typical of LCD panels (the so-called "tail").
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Blur (BFI function enabled):
Image flickers in this mode
This is exactly the level of fluidity we expect from a high-end OLED television – with no compromises in motion reproduction. At maximum refresh rates, there is no blurring, so the optional BFI (Black Frame Insertion) feature can be considered more of a curiosity. When enabled, the image unfortunately starts to flicker, and its operation is limited to 60 Hz.
SAMSUNG S85F - Console compatibility and gaming features
7.8/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
48 - 120Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
No
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
No
- 1080p@120Hz:
Yes
- 1440p@120Hz:
Yes
- 4K@120Hz:
Yes
- Game bar:
Yes
85F has practically everything on board to become the ultimate screen for gaming. It features four full HDMI 2.1 ports with a bandwidth of 48 Gb/s, support for VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Additionally, it includes a super-detailed Game Bar that clearly displays all key parameters. However, the true gem is the Game Motion Plus feature. This motion smoother dedicated to games makes animations more pleasant to the eyes while only slightly increasing input lag. This is a rare and well-functioning combination, deserving of high praise for Samsung.
And now comes the moment when we have to complain a bit. The absence of Dolby Vision in Samsung TVs has become standard, so there's no use hoping (unless something changes in the future). Unfortunately, it's much harder to explain the disappearance of support for HGiG after one of the software updates. HGiG (HDR Gaming Interest Group) is a crucial mode that allows for precise brightness representation in HDR games, according to the developers' intent. Without it, HDR calibration on the console becomes less precise, which can result in images that are too dark in the shadows or overly bright in the highlights. Perhaps Samsung will fix this in the next update – we have high hopes for that. Because if HGiG returns, S85F will become an almost perfect gaming TV.
SAMSUNG S85F - Input lag
10/10
In this category, the S85F shows its true claws. The values measured by us – 5 ms at 120 Hz content and around 10 ms at 60 Hz – are results that can be described in one word in the world of televisions: phenomenal. This means that the response to a player's movements is practically instantaneous. Pressing a button on the controller results in action on the screen without any noticeable delay. In dynamic games, where a fraction of a second determines victory or loss, such values make a huge difference. There is no question of a nervous "waiting" for the picture to catch up with our commands. The S85F gives a sense of full control – and that is how it should be in equipment aspiring to be the ideal screen for gamers.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 10 ms | 2160p60: 10 ms | |
| 1080p120: 5 ms | 2160p120: 5 ms | |
| 2160p60: 10 ms | ||
| 2160p120: 5 ms |
SAMSUNG S85F - Compatibility with PC
7.6/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 5ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: RWGB
Max refresh rate: 120Hz
G-Sync: Yes
And what about connecting to a computer? We are quick to answer: the S85F performs excellently in this role. The combination of instant input lag and a 120 Hz panel is a recipe for successful gaming on a PC. Both fast-paced shooters and more tranquil RPG titles benefit from the instant response and fluidity of the animations, which can draw you in for long hours. Of course, it’s not perfect. We must mention the specific construction of the WOLED panel. It consists of four subpixels (WRGB), which is a different structure than the classic RGB known from monitors. As a result, if we sit very close to the screen, we may notice that the fonts are not as perfectly sharp as we would wish. However, this is not a big issue and should not hinder everyday use, especially since the television correctly supports a chroma 4:4:4 signal.
SAMSUNG S85F - Viewing angles
7.5/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 29%
As is typical for OLED technology, the viewing angles on the S85F are very good. The picture retains its properties even when viewed from the side, which is a clear advantage over most LCD TVs. However, we must point out that it does not reach the level known from QD-OLED panels. In the case of the tested WOLED panel, with a significant deviation from the screen's axis, a slight drop in brightness and a slight change in white tones can be observed. QD-OLED remains unparalleled in this regard, offering an almost perfect picture regardless of where you are viewing it from.
SAMSUNG S85F - Daytime performance
5.3/10
Panel finish: Satin
Reflection suppression: Decent
Black levels during daytime: Very Good
We must state clearly that working in a brightly lit room is not the strong suit of the S85F. We are dealing with a somewhat moderately bright OLED panel here. Our measurements have shown that the average brightness of the screen in "TV" mode hovers around 300 nits. For some users, this may be too low, especially in rooms with a lot of daylight. Of course, this TV is perfect for moderately bright living rooms. However, it is not a model we would recommend for exceptionally bright, sun-drenched interiors. This issue is compounded by the anti-reflective coating applied. We noticed that it does not suppress reflections from the surroundings as well as the variant with a QD-OLED panel does, especially when direct sunlight hits the screen.
Panel brightness
Average luminance SDR
Samsung S85F (WOLED): 305 cd/m2
SAMSUNG S85F - TV features
7.3/10
System: Tizen
System performance: Good
- HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 48Gbps
- Other inputs: Toslink (Optical audio)
- Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI)
- Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
- TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Classic features:
- Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
- Recording programming: No
- Picture in Picture (PiP): No
- RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
- Backlit remote control: No
- Teletext: Yes
- Audio only mode: Yes
- Bluetooth headphones support: Yes
- Simultaneous Bluetooth headphones & TV audio: Yes
Smart features:
- AirPlay: Yes
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
- Voice search: Yes
- Voice search in native language: Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Classic TV Features S85F
The S85F was not really designed with fans of classic television in mind. We won’t find the PiP (Picture-in-Picture) feature here (which is a bit surprising since Samsung usually offers it) or the ability to record programs to USB from built-in tuners. Fortunately, the basics are there – teletext and a clear channel guide – so it's perfectly adequate for ordinary, everyday viewing. The included remote, although simple and lacking a numeric keypad at first glance, allows for control of multiple devices. This means that when connecting, for example, a Canal+ decoder, you don’t need to have two remotes on the table – just the one from the TV is entirely sufficient.
SmartTV S85F: Tizen
The smart part is a completely different story. Tizen is one of the most advanced operating systems in televisions. It runs smoothly, supports all popular internet features – from screen mirroring, through AirPlay, to voice search. The strongest aspect of Tizen is its integration with the SmartThings app, which can serve as a control center for the entire home. Of course, like any closed system, Tizen has its limitations – such as a smaller app library compared to GoogleTV. However, looking at the current list of available applications, it’s hard to point out anything that might actually be missing.
Sound connection options
HDMI audio:
Other audio outputs:
- Toslink: Yes
Wireless audio:
- Bluetooth: Yes
- Samsung Q-Symphony (Speaker extension): Yes
Obsługiwane formaty audio:
- Dolby Digital Plus 7.1: Yes
- Dolby True HD 7.1: No
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC): Yes
- Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD: No
- DTS:X in DTS-HD MA: No
- DTS-HD Master Audio: No
Ułatwienia dla seniorów
- Numeric keyboard on TV: No
- Font size adjustment: Yes
- Audio description: Yes
SAMSUNG S85F - Apps
8.7/10
SAMSUNG S85F - Playing files from USB
9.1/10
| Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
|---|---|
| 4 Mpix | JPEG |
| 6 Mpix | HEIC |
| 8 Mpix | PNG |
| 10 Mpix | GIF |
| 12 Mpix | WebP |
| 16 Mpix | TIFF |
| 20 Mpix | BMP |
| 24 Mpix | SVG |
| 28 Mpix | |
| 32 Mpix |
The built-in media player in the S85F performs excellently – practically everything you put on a USB drive or disk will be played without the slightest issue. Small gaps only appear in the support for some less popular photo formats, but for the vast majority of you, this will be more than sufficient. So it can be confidently said that the built-in player is more than solid for home use.
SAMSUNG S85F - Sound
7.2/10
80dB
Maximum volume
Supported codecs
(TV speakers)
Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Dolby True HD 7.1
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
DTS-HD Master Audio
Built-in speakers with a power of 20 W on paper may not impress much, but in practice, the S85F can surprise. It sounds really pleasant, and at times you can even catch a subtle bass, which is not at all obvious in this class of speakers. The TV does not support the DTS format, which unfortunately has become a standard for most manufacturers by 2025. A nice surprise, however, is the support for Dolby Atmos. Of course, talking about "spatial" sound with two speakers placed at the bottom of the enclosure would be a bit of an exaggeration, but it's good that Samsung offers such a feature in this model at all.
Acoustic Measurements
No acoustic data
SAMSUNG S85F - Panel details
Software version during testing: T-PTMFDEUC-0090-1110.7
Panel uniformity and thermal imaging:
Founder and originator of the "ChooseTV" portal
Journalist, reviewer, and columnist for the "ChooseTV" portal
