Samsung S90H OLED Series 55"

The Samsung S90H is a gaming-first OLED with a 165Hz panel, VRR, and top-tier HDR. Picture quality processing is mediocre for an OLED, and audio is just okay. Worth it for gamers, but movie fans should look at LG or Sony.

Gaming is where this thing shines. The 165Hz refresh rate with VRR and ALLM puts it in the 90th percentile for gaming, and Motion Xcelerator keeps fast scenes smooth without tearing. HDR performance is a standout too, landing in the 92nd percentile thanks to HDR10+ Adaptive and Auto HDR Remastering Pro. But the overall picture quality score is underwhelming at 36th percentile, which suggests Samsung's processing isn't squeezing the most out of that OLED panel. The 40W built-in audio is fine for casual viewing but won't impress anyone. Connectivity is strong with Wi-Fi 7 and four HDMI 2.1 ports, though the 79th percentile ranking means it's good, not class-leading.

The LG OLED evo C5 is the obvious rival, and it typically edges out Samsung in picture processing and out-of-box accuracy. The Sony BRAVIA 8 K65XR80 brings better upscaling and motion handling if you watch a lot of non-4K content. The TCL QM8K and Hisense U8 are cheaper mini-LED options that get brighter, though they can't match OLED's perfect blacks. The Roku Pro Series is the budget pick, but it's not in the same league for gaming. Samsung's S90H wins on raw gaming specs and HDR punch, but loses ground on overall picture refinement.

At $1,200 USD, the S90H sits in a competitive spot for a 55-inch OLED. You're getting a 165Hz panel with excellent HDR and gaming chops, which is a solid deal on paper. But the mediocre picture quality score and underwhelming audio mean you might need to spend extra on a soundbar to get the full experience. Compared to the LG C5 or Sony BRAVIA 8, Samsung isn't giving you a clear price advantage here. It's not a bad value, but it's not a steal either.

The Samsung S90H is a 55-inch OLED that leans hard into gaming and smart features. You get a 165Hz panel, VRR, ALLM, and four HDMI 2.1 ports, plus Wi-Fi 7 for future-proofed streaming. The OLED HDR+ with glare-free coating is a nice touch if your room gets bright.

But the picture quality score lands at a mediocre 36th percentile, which is odd for an OLED. The panel itself is solid, but Samsung's processing and out-of-box tuning seem to hold it back compared to rivals. Audio is also middle of the pack at 47th percentile, so plan on a soundbar.

Skip this if you're a cinephile who prioritizes accurate, refined picture quality. The 36th percentile picture score means you'll get better movie performance from the LG C5 or Sony BRAVIA 8 at a similar price. Also skip it if you need great built-in audio, because the 40W speakers won't fill a large room.

Buy this if you're a gamer who wants a 165Hz OLED with excellent HDR and future-proof connectivity. The S90H delivers where it counts for fast-paced content. But if you're mostly watching movies or streaming in a dark room, the LG C5 or Sony BRAVIA 8 will likely give you better picture quality for similar money.