For years, I found myself increasingly frustrated with my aging television, which struggled to deliver the vibrant, crisp visuals and immersive sound that modern content demands. The lack of true blacks and the washed-out colors truly diminished the experience of watching my favorite movies and playing games. This wasn’t just a minor annoyance; it meant missing out on the full artistic intent of filmmakers and game developers, leaving me with a less-than-stellar home entertainment setup that desperately needed an upgrade.
Before diving into a significant investment like a new television, it’s crucial to understand what problems a premium display aims to solve. For many, it’s about escaping the limitations of older technology – flat, lifeless images, poor contrast, motion blur, and tinny audio. A high-quality television transforms your living space into a cinematic haven or a vibrant gaming arena. The ideal customer for a product in this category is someone who prioritizes visual fidelity, enjoys diverse content from movies and sports to high-end gaming, and appreciates seamless smart features. Conversely, if you’re a casual viewer who only watches occasional news or doesn’t care much about picture nuances, a top-tier OLED might be overkill. A more budget-friendly LED or QLED TV could serve your needs perfectly without the premium price tag. Before buying, consider factors like screen size relative to your viewing distance, the display technology (OLED, QLED, LED), refresh rate for smooth motion, smart TV operating system, and connectivity options for your devices. Don’t forget audio capabilities, even if you plan to use an external sound system, as integrated speakers are still important for everyday viewing.
- OLED TECHNOLOGY: Discover pure blacks, bright whites and Pantone-validated color; Combined with detail and brightness, this pixel-packed screen gives you a...
- OLED HDR+: Enjoy powerful brightness and rich contrast; Your TV analyzes each scene to boost brightness and improve image clarity¹
- MOTION XCELERATOR 144Hz: Play games and content with ultra-smooth motion and virtually no lag or blur; Get uninterrupted action with crisp visuals rendered...
Introducing the Samsung 65-Inch S90D OLED TV
After much anticipation, the Samsung 65-Inch Class OLED 4K S90D Series HDR+ Smart TV arrived, promising an unparalleled viewing experience. This cutting-edge television combines Samsung’s renowned display expertise with the profound advantages of OLED technology. At its core, the QN65S90D pledges pure blacks, dazzling whites, and an explosion of accurate, Pantone-validated colors, all driven by an advanced AI processor. Out of the box, you get the TV itself, a user manual, a power cable, and Samsung’s signature solar-charging remote. Compared to its predecessors, like previous S90C models, the 2024 S90D notably features the NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor, signaling a significant leap in AI-driven picture enhancement and overall performance. While Samsung remains a market leader, the S90D stands out for those seeking a vibrant, bright OLED experience that excels in both movies and gaming, bridging the gap between traditional OLEDs and Samsung’s QD-OLED prowess. It’s perfectly suited for cinephiles, avid gamers, and anyone demanding the absolute best in visual and audio immersion, while perhaps being less ideal for those on a strict budget.
Pros:
* Stunning OLED picture quality with true blacks and vibrant colors.
* Exceptional motion handling, ideal for gaming (144Hz refresh rate).
* Advanced AI processing for superior 4K upscaling.
* Immersive Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Lite.
* Feature-rich and user-friendly Samsung Tizen OS with Gaming Hub.
Cons:
* Can generate noticeable heat, especially in smaller rooms.
* The solar-charging remote can be inconvenient if not exposed to enough light.
* Premium price point, placing it out of reach for some budgets.
* Samsung’s customer support experience can be inconsistent for some users.
- SELF-LIT PIXELS: LG's signature OLED technology creates an incredible watching experience and stellar picture quality illuminated with over 8 million...
- OLED TECHNOLOGY: Discover pure blacks, bright whites and Pantone-validated color; Combined with detail and brightness, this pixel-packed screen gives you a...
- POWERS DRAMATICALLY CLEAR COLOR AND SOUND: Enjoy your movies and shows in stunning 4K, regardless of the source resolution. Plus, get the most out of what...
Unpacking the Features and Their Benefits
Having lived with the Samsung 65-Inch Class OLED 4K S90D Series HDR+ Smart TV for an extended period, I can confidently delve into the features that truly make it shine and how they’ve transformed my daily viewing.
OLED Technology: The Foundation of Visual Brilliance
The heart of the Samsung S90D is its OLED display technology. Unlike traditional LED TVs that use a backlight, each pixel in an OLED screen emits its own light. This fundamental difference allows for individual pixel control, meaning when a pixel needs to be black, it simply turns off completely. The performance difference is staggering: pure blacks are not just “dark gray” but truly inky, infinite blackness. This creates an unparalleled contrast, making bright objects pop with incredible vibrancy. Movies with dark scenes, like intense thrillers or cosmic sci-fi, are delivered with a depth and realism that was previously unimaginable on my old TV. Shadows contain detail that was once lost, and bright highlights stand out with breathtaking intensity. It’s not just about contrast; the self-emissive pixels also contribute to incredibly wide viewing angles, ensuring that the picture remains consistent and vibrant no matter where you’re sitting in the room.
OLED HDR+ and Pantone Validation: Brightness Meets Color Accuracy
Building on the foundation of OLED, the S90D leverages OLED HDR+ to elevate brightness and richness. This technology actively analyzes each scene, dynamically boosting brightness in highlights and enhancing image clarity. The result is a more powerful and impactful HDR experience. What truly sets this particular OLED apart is its Pantone Validation. For someone who appreciates true-to-life colors, this feature is a revelation. It means that the colors you see on screen are validated by Pantone, the global authority on color, ensuring that every hue, tint, and skin tone is rendered with incredible accuracy, just as the creators intended. Watching documentaries about nature or art, the colors feel astonishingly real, almost as if you’re looking through a window rather than at a screen. This combination of powerful brightness and precise color fidelity makes for a truly immersive and visually authentic picture.
NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor and 4K AI Upscaling: The Brain Behind the Beauty
The NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor is the unsung hero powering the Samsung S90D‘s exceptional picture quality. This AI-powered chip, utilizing 20 specialized neural networks, is constantly working behind the scenes to optimize every aspect of the image. Its most impactful function for daily viewing is 4K AI Upscaling. Most content we consume isn’t natively 4K, whether it’s older Blu-rays, streaming HD movies, or live television. The processor intelligently transforms this content into incredibly sharp, near-4K resolution. I’ve been genuinely impressed by how well it cleans up and enhances lower-resolution sources, adding detail and clarity that simply wasn’t there before. Even watching classic shows, the picture feels fresh and invigorated, bridging the gap between past and present media without significant compromise. This capability alone makes all your existing content look better than ever before.
Motion Xcelerator 144Hz and Samsung Gaming Hub: A Gamer’s Dream
As an avid gamer, the Motion Xcelerator 144Hz feature was a major draw, and it absolutely delivers. This TV offers ultra-smooth motion, virtually eliminating lag and blur, which is paramount for fast-paced action or competitive gaming. Getting crisp visuals rendered at top speeds means every quick turn, every precise shot, and every fluid movement is displayed flawlessly. Paired with the Samsung Gaming Hub, this TV becomes a powerhouse entertainment device without even needing a console. The Gaming Hub is a brilliant innovation, allowing you to stream your favorite games directly from the cloud (e.g., Xbox Game Pass Ultimate) – no console required. This console-free gaming experience is incredibly convenient and a huge value add. I’ve spent countless hours enjoying graphically intensive titles with stunning fluidity and vibrant visuals, often forgetting I’m not even playing on a dedicated console. The low input lag and high refresh rate make for an incredibly responsive and enjoyable gaming session every time.
Real Depth Enhancer and Ultra Viewing Angle: Immersive Realism
The Real Depth Enhancer is another subtle yet powerful feature that significantly contributes to the overall viewing experience. This technology mimics how the human eye processes depth by increasing foreground contrast, making images on screen appear more three-dimensional and lifelike. Whether watching a documentary or a dramatic film, the sense of depth and dimension adds a layer of realism that pulls you further into the content. Furthermore, the Ultra Viewing Angle ensures that picture quality doesn’t degrade, and colors don’t wash out, even when viewed from extreme angles. This is a huge benefit in a family living room setting where not everyone can sit directly in front of the TV. From the kitchen, or off to the side on the couch, the vibrant colors and clarity remain consistent, eliminating the frustration of a ‘sweet spot’ for viewing.
Dolby Atmos & Object Tracking Sound Lite / Active Voice Amplifier Pro: Sound That Moves You
While often recommending external audio systems for the ultimate sound experience, the integrated audio of the Samsung S90D is genuinely impressive for a TV. With built-in Dolby Atmos, the TV creates 3D surround sound that virtually follows the movement on screen, thanks to its clever virtual top channel audio. You can truly “hear” a helicopter flying overhead or a car speeding across the screen. Object Tracking Sound Lite, while not as advanced as full OTS, still manages to make voices clear and effects localized. The Active Voice Amplifier Pro is another excellent addition, intelligently boosting dialogue so that it never gets lost amidst background noise or action sequences. Even without a soundbar, the audio presence and volume are remarkable, and it even manages to produce a surprising amount of bass for a TV. This means you’re getting a truly cinematic experience right out of the box, with sound that complements the stunning visuals.
Samsung Tizen OS and Smart Features: Seamless Control and Content
The Samsung Tizen OS is the intuitive brain of this Smart TV. It’s a highly customizable and user-friendly platform that makes accessing your favorite streaming services, apps, and even smart home devices incredibly easy. Streaming popular shows on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, or Disney+ is seamless, and navigating through the various menus is simple to learn. The inclusion of Alexa built-in offers hands-free control, making it convenient to switch inputs, search for content, or even control other smart home devices. The Smart TV Hub is well-organized, presenting all your must-have apps and streaming services just a few clicks away. I’ve found it to be fast, responsive, and generally free from annoying pop-up ads or privacy concerns, allowing for an uninterrupted and pleasant user experience.
Voices from Other Users: Social Proof
Having scoured various online forums and marketplaces, it’s clear that the overwhelmingly positive sentiment for the Samsung S90D is shared by many. Users consistently praise its “jaw-dropping picture quality,” highlighting the deep, inky blacks and vibrant, accurate colors as transformative for movie watching. Many gamers laud the high refresh rate and the seamless integration with the Gaming Hub, calling it a “game-changer” for console-free play. The impressive integrated sound with Dolby Atmos also receives frequent mentions for its clarity and immersive qualities. While a few isolated reports mentioned initial product defects or minor gripes about the remote’s solar charging or heat output in certain conditions, these appear to be exceptions, with most users expressing immense satisfaction and describing the TV as a significant upgrade that far exceeds expectations.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
In conclusion, if you’re experiencing the frustration of a dated home entertainment setup – washed-out colors, poor contrast, and uninspired sound – upgrading to a truly premium display like the Samsung 65-Inch Class OLED 4K S90D Series HDR+ Smart TV is not just an indulgence, but a necessary step to unlock the full potential of today’s content. The complications of not addressing this problem range from a continually diluted viewing experience to simply not getting the most out of your expensive streaming subscriptions or gaming consoles.
The Samsung S90D is an excellent fit to solve these problems for several compelling reasons. Firstly, its OLED technology, combined with OLED HDR+ and Pantone validation, delivers an incredibly accurate and vibrant picture with true blacks that elevate every scene. Secondly, the NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor and Motion Xcelerator 144Hz ensure not just stunning 4K visuals, but also incredibly smooth performance for both films and high-speed gaming. Finally, the intelligent Samsung Tizen OS and integrated Dolby Atmos sound system provide a seamless, immersive, and truly smart entertainment hub right out of the box. For anyone ready to truly transform their viewing experience, I wholeheartedly recommend this TV. To explore its features further and make it your own, click here to check the product out.
Last update on 2025-08-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API