Samsung S90D Series QN83S90DAEXZA 82.5"

The Samsung S90D Series QN83S90DAEXZA is an 82.5-inch 4K OLED TV with excellent smart features and solid gaming performance. But its picture quality scores in the 36th percentile, which is mediocre for a TV priced between $2,998 and $3,135. Unless you need the huge screen and Samsung ecosystem, the LG C5 or Sony A95L offer better picture quality for similar money.

The S90D's gaming performance is solid. The 120Hz panel, HDMI 2.1, and FreeSync Premium support mean smooth frame rates and low input lag for PS5, Xbox Series X, or a gaming PC. Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ helps keep fast action crisp. In our database, gaming scores land in the 75th percentile, which is well above average but not class-leading. You'll be happy gaming on this thing, but hardcore competitive players might notice it's not the absolute fastest panel we've tested.

Picture quality is where things get interesting. The OLED panel delivers those perfect blacks and Pantone-validated color, and the Real Depth Enhancer does add a sense of dimension. But the overall picture quality score sits at the 36th percentile, which is mediocre for a TV in this price bracket. HDR performance is middle of the pack at the 48th percentile. The 4K AI upscaling is genuinely good, and the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor handles motion and scene-by-scene adjustments well. But if you're expecting best-in-class HDR brightness or color accuracy, you might be underwhelmed. The display itself ranks at the 59th percentile, so it's about average for OLEDs in our database.

Against the LG C5 Series OLED55C5PUA, the S90D has a size advantage at 82.5 inches versus 55, but the LG typically delivers better picture quality and HDR performance. The Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L is closer in size at 77 inches and is widely considered one of the best OLEDs for picture accuracy and processing. Sony's cognitive processor tends to beat Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen2 for real-world content, especially upscaling and motion handling.

The TCL QM8K Series 75QM8K and Hisense U8 Series 65U8QG are mini-LED TVs that can't match OLED's perfect blacks, but they get significantly brighter and cost less. If you watch a lot of HDR content in a bright room, those might actually be better choices. The Roku Pro Series 75R8C5 is a budget-friendly option with a simpler smart platform, but it can't compete on picture quality or gaming features.

At $2,998 to $3,135, the S90D is priced like a flagship OLED but doesn't deliver flagship picture quality. The LG C5 Series and Sony BRAVIA XR XR77A95L are both strong alternatives in this range, and both tend to score higher on picture quality in our database. The TCL QM8K and Hisense U8 Series offer mini-LED options that can get brighter for less money, though you lose the OLED blacks. If you're paying this much, you should expect top-tier picture performance, and the S90D's 36th percentile picture quality score makes that a tough sell.

The Samsung S90D Series QN83S90DAEXZA is a massive 82.5-inch 4K OLED TV that sits in the premium tier of Samsung's lineup. It's aimed at people who want a huge screen with the deep blacks and rich contrast that OLED is known for, plus Samsung's gaming chops and smart home integration. Prices in our database run from $2,998 to $3,135, so this is a serious investment, not a casual upgrade.

If you're searching for a big-screen OLED for a bright living room or a dedicated home theater, the S90D answers a lot of those questions right out of the box. It packs the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor, Motion Xcelerator Turbo+, and a 120Hz panel with FreeSync Premium. The smart features are a strong point too, with Tizen, Alexa, Bixby, SmartThings, and Apple AirPlay all built in.

But the data tells a more nuanced story. While the smart platform ranks in the 94th percentile and audio in the 88th, picture quality lands at just the 36th percentile. That's a surprising gap for a TV at this price. We'll dig into what that means in practice below.

Skip the S90D if picture quality is your top priority. At this price, the LG C5 or Sony A95L deliver noticeably better image quality and HDR performance. If you watch a lot of content in a bright room, a mini-LED TV like the TCL QM8K or Hisense U8 will get brighter and cost less. And if you're planning to use this outdoors or in a sunroom, the 41.5/100 outdoor score makes it a poor fit. This TV is best for Samsung ecosystem fans who want a huge OLED screen and don't mind paying a premium for smart features over raw picture quality.

Should you buy the Samsung S90D? If you want a massive OLED screen and you're already invested in Samsung's smart home ecosystem, it's a decent choice. The smart features are genuinely excellent, the audio is strong for built-in speakers, and gaming performance is solid. But the picture quality just doesn't justify the price tag. At this price point, you should be getting one of the best OLED panels on the market, and the S90D's 36th percentile picture quality score says otherwise.

If you can find it on sale for significantly less than $2,998, it becomes more interesting. But at full price, the LG C5 or Sony A95L are better ways to spend your money if picture quality is your priority. The S90D is a good TV, but it's not a great value.