Samsung S90C QN77S90C 77"

The Samsung S90C is a 77-inch OLED with excellent gaming features, including 120Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, and ALLM. Picture quality is solid but not class-leading, with HDR performance that falls behind newer OLEDs and mini-LEDs. At $2,498, it's expensive for a 2023 model, and the LG G3 or TCL QM8K offer better value. Buy it for gaming and the thin design, not for the best possible picture.

Let's talk gaming first, because that's where this TV really shines. The 120Hz native refresh rate is the headline, but the Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro can push up to 144Hz with a compatible PC. That's a big deal if you're hooking up a gaming rig. FreeSync Premium Pro means variable refresh rate works smoothly, so you won't get screen tearing when frame rates dip. And ALLM means the TV automatically switches to low-latency game mode when it detects a console. In our database, gaming performance lands in the 76th percentile, which is well above average. Not the absolute best, but strong enough that most gamers won't feel like they're missing anything.

The picture quality story is a bit more complicated. The Neural Quantum Processor 4K does solid upscaling work, taking HD content and sharpening it up to 4K. That's useful because most streaming content still isn't native 4K. But the picture quality percentile sits at 36th, which is mediocre. That's not a typo. The S90C is a good OLED, but it's not a great one by 2024 standards. The HDR performance is even lower at the 34th percentile. Quantum HDR OLED does fine with bright highlights, but it doesn't have the same peak brightness as newer QD-OLED panels or high-end mini-LED sets. In a bright room, you'll notice it struggles a bit compared to something like the Sony BRAVIA 9.

The most direct comparison is the LG OLED evo G3. Both are OLED, both are 2023 models, both target the premium market. But the G3 has a brighter panel and better HDR handling, which shows up in real-world viewing. The S90C counters with better gaming features and a thinner design. If you're a gamer, the Samsung makes a strong case. If you're a movie buff, the LG probably wins.

The Sony BRAVIA 9 K85XR90 is another interesting alternative. It's a mini-LED TV, not OLED, but Sony's processing is legendary. The BRAVIA 9 gets much brighter than the S90C and handles motion better. It's also more expensive, but if you watch a lot of sports or bright-room content, it's worth considering. The TCL QM8K is the value play. It's a 75-inch mini-LED that costs less than the S90C and delivers better HDR brightness. You lose the perfect blacks of OLED, but you gain a lot of punch. For most people, the TCL is the smarter buy.

Here's where things get tricky. At $2,498, the S90C is not a budget TV. It's in the 18th percentile for affordability, which means it's more expensive than 82% of OLED TVs in our database. That's a tough pill to swallow for a 2023 model. You're paying a premium for the Samsung name and the 77-inch size, but you're not getting the best picture quality in that price range.

Compare that to the LG OLED evo G3, which is a direct competitor. The G3 has better brightness and better HDR performance, and it's often available at a similar or lower price. Or the TCL QM8K, which uses mini-LED instead of OLED but delivers much higher peak brightness for less money. The S90C's value proposition really depends on how much you care about the Samsung ecosystem, the thin design, and the gaming features. If those matter to you, it's defensible. If you just want the best picture for your dollar, there are better options.

The Samsung S90C is one of those TVs that makes you remember why OLED got so much hype in the first place. It's a 77-inch panel with self-illuminating pixels, which means when a scene goes dark, it goes properly dark. No backlight bleed, no grayish blacks. Just pure black next to bright, punchy highlights. And at this size, that contrast does a lot of heavy lifting for immersion.

Samsung is positioning this as a do-everything set. It's got the gaming chops with a 120Hz panel, FreeSync Premium Pro, and ALLM. It's got the movie cred with Quantum HDR OLED and Pantone validation. And it's got the thinness thing down to an art form with the LaserSlim design, which is about 4mm deep. That's thinner than most smartphones.

But here's the thing. This is a 2023 model, and the market has moved fast. The S90C sits in a weird spot where it's not the newest OLED on the block, but it's also not cheap. At $2,498, it's asking for a serious commitment. So the question is whether the picture quality and gaming performance justify the price when there are newer, sometimes cheaper options nipping at its heels.

If you watch a lot of HDR content in a bright room, skip the S90C. The HDR performance is in the 34th percentile, which means it struggles to deliver the punchy highlights that HDR is supposed to provide. A bright mini-LED like the TCL QM8K or Sony BRAVIA 9 will serve you much better. The S90C's peak brightness just isn't enough to overcome ambient light.

Also skip it if you're a movie purist who wants the best possible picture quality. The S90C's picture quality is mediocre for an OLED, and the lack of Dolby Vision is a real limitation. The LG G3 is a better choice for cinephiles, with better brightness, better HDR, and Dolby Vision support. You'll get more out of your 4K Blu-rays and streaming content on the LG.

If you're a gamer who wants a big OLED with all the gaming bells and whistles, the S90C is a solid choice. The 120Hz panel, FreeSync Premium Pro, and low input lag make it a great companion for a PS5, Xbox Series X, or gaming PC. The 77-inch size is immersive, and the thin design looks fantastic on a wall. You'll be happy with it.

But if you're primarily a movie watcher or you care about getting the best picture quality for your money, I'd steer you elsewhere. The S90C's HDR performance is underwhelming for the price, and the lack of Dolby Vision is a real limitation. The LG G3 or even a high-end mini-LED like the TCL QM8K will give you a better viewing experience for less money. The S90C is a good TV, but it's not the best value in its class.