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In the ever-evolving world of premium televisions, Samsung has established itself as a leader with two distinctly different high-end options: the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and the Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV. While both represent the pinnacle of display technology, they take fundamentally different approaches to delivering an exceptional viewing experience. Let's dive deep into what makes each of these TVs special and which might be the better fit for your specific needs and viewing habits.
Before we compare these two models specifically, it's worth understanding the current state of premium TV technology. High-end televisions in 2025 focus on several key factors: display technology (how the screen produces an image), resolution (how many pixels make up that image), processing power (how the TV enhances content), and smart features (what the TV can do beyond displaying video).
The S90F OLED and QN900D Neo QLED represent two different philosophies in premium display technology. One focuses on perfect contrast and viewing angles, while the other emphasizes brightness and resolution. Both have their place, and neither is universally "better" - they simply excel in different scenarios.
The Samsung S90F OLED ($2,499.99) uses organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology, where each pixel creates its own light. This means when a pixel needs to display black, it simply turns off completely.
When Samsung released the S90F in early 2025, it marked a significant improvement over previous OLED models with enhanced brightness capabilities and better burn-in prevention. The key advantage of OLED remains its ability to produce perfect blacks since each pixel functions independently.
I've spent considerable time with OLED displays, and the "infinite contrast" isn't just marketing speak—it creates a three-dimensional appearance that makes images seem to leap off the screen, especially in darker environments like a home theater. This pixel-level control also means perfect uniformity across the screen.
The Samsung QN900D Neo QLED ($3,299.00), released in mid-2024, uses a completely different approach. It combines mini LED backlighting (thousands of tiny LEDs behind the screen) with quantum dots (special nanoparticles that enhance color).
This technology allows the QN900D to achieve extraordinary brightness levels that OLED simply cannot match. The mini LEDs are arranged in thousands of dimming zones that can be controlled independently, giving much better contrast than traditional LED TVs, though not quite matching OLED's perfect blacks.
Having tested the QN900D in both bright and dark environments, I can confirm its brightness advantage isn't just noticeable—it's dramatic. In rooms with lots of natural light, the Neo QLED maintains punchy, vibrant images where OLED displays can look somewhat muted.
The S90F OLED delivers what videophiles call "infinite contrast"—the ability to display perfect black alongside bright highlights on the same screen. This creates an impressive sense of depth and realism, particularly noticeable in dark scenes from movies like "Dune" or "The Batman."
The QN900D Neo QLED uses its Quantum Matrix Technology Pro with thousands of dimming zones to approach OLED-like contrast. In most content, it does an excellent job, but you might notice some subtle "blooming" (light bleeding around bright objects on dark backgrounds) that you'd never see on an OLED.
For dedicated home theater use in controlled lighting, the OLED's perfect blacks create a more immersive experience for film content. However, the Neo QLED's contrast is still impressive and might be the better overall choice if your viewing area has significant ambient light.
This is where the QN900D Neo QLED clearly pulls ahead. With peak brightness levels around 2,000-3,000 nits (a measurement of light output), it delivers stunning highlights in HDR content. Scenes featuring sunlight, fire, or explosions have a realistic intensity that creates genuine visual impact.
The S90F OLED, while brighter than previous generation OLEDs, tops out around 1,000-1,500 nits. This is still bright enough for impressive HDR, but doesn't have quite the same "wow factor" in very bright scenes.
For HDR content like "Planet Earth" or Marvel movies with lots of bright, colorful scenes, the Neo QLED's extra brightness creates a more dramatic viewing experience. The difference is most noticeable in rooms with ambient light, where the Neo QLED can "punch through" while the OLED might look comparatively muted.
Both TVs offer exceptional color performance, though they achieve it differently.
The S90F OLED provides consistent color volume regardless of brightness level, meaning colors look equally rich in dark and bright scenes. Its color accuracy out of the box is typically excellent, requiring minimal calibration.
The QN900D Neo QLED uses quantum dots to deliver vibrant colors, particularly at high brightness levels. Its color volume actually increases with brightness, making daylight scenes especially vivid. Some viewers might find this slightly less accurate but more visually impactful.
In my experience testing both displays with the same content, the OLED tends to look more natural, while the Neo QLED produces more "pop" in colorful scenes. Both can display the wide color gamut needed for HDR content, covering nearly 100% of the DCI-P3 color space used in digital cinema.
Here's where we find the most obvious on-paper difference: the S90F features 4K resolution (3,840 × 2,160 pixels), while the QN900D offers 8K resolution (7,680 × 4,320 pixels)—four times as many pixels.
However, resolution alone doesn't tell the whole story. Native 8K content remains extremely rare in 2025, so both TVs rely heavily on their AI upscaling capabilities:
The difference in upscaling quality is noticeable but not dramatic at typical viewing distances. The QN900D does show more fine detail when displaying high-quality 4K content converted to 8K, but you need to sit relatively close to a 65" screen to appreciate this difference.
For most living room setups where viewers sit 7-10 feet from the screen, the resolution difference isn't the deciding factor it might seem on paper. However, in a dedicated home theater where you might sit closer to a large screen, the 8K advantage becomes more meaningful.
If you have a wide seating arrangement or people often watch TV from off to the side, the S90F OLED has a clear advantage. OLED technology maintains consistent picture quality, contrast, and colors even when viewed from extreme angles.
The QN900D Neo QLED features Samsung's Ultra Viewing Angle technology, which improves off-angle viewing compared to traditional LED TVs. It's quite good but still shows more color shifting and contrast reduction at extreme angles than the OLED.
Modern premium TVs need to satisfy not just movie lovers but also gamers, and both of these models offer impressive gaming credentials.
The S90F OLED offers near-instantaneous pixel response time (around 0.1ms), meaning virtually no motion blur in fast-moving games. This makes it exceptional for fast-paced titles where clarity during motion is crucial.
The QN900D Neo QLED has excellent response time by LED standards, but simply cannot match OLED in this regard. However, its extremely low input lag of around 5ms in game mode means both TVs feel equally responsive to controller inputs.
Both TVs support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology, which synchronizes the TV's refresh rate with a game console or PC's output for smoother gameplay without screen tearing.
The S90F OLED supports refresh rates up to 144Hz, while the QN900D Neo QLED can handle up to 240Hz at 4K resolution and 60Hz at 8K. For competitive gamers playing at 4K resolution, the Neo QLED's higher refresh rate capability could be advantageous, though you'll need a very powerful PC to take advantage of those extra frames.
Both TVs support AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and NVIDIA G-SYNC, making them compatible with virtually all gaming systems that utilize VRR.
Both TVs feature Samsung's Game Bar, which provides quick access to gaming-related settings, and Game Motion Plus for smoother motion without adding significant input lag.
One consideration for serious gamers is burn-in risk. The S90F OLED has significantly improved burn-in prevention compared to earlier OLED models, but static elements like game HUDs (heads-up displays) displayed for hundreds of hours could potentially cause image retention over time. The QN900D Neo QLED has no risk of burn-in, making it potentially more durable for heavy gaming use with static elements.
Both TVs run on Samsung's Tizen operating system, offering a similar suite of streaming apps, voice assistant integration, and smart home control features. The interfaces are nearly identical, though the QN900D's more powerful processor makes navigation feel slightly more responsive.
When it comes to audio, the QN900D Neo QLED has the edge with its 90W 6.2.4 channel speaker system compared to the S90F's less powerful audio setup. Both TVs feature Object Tracking Sound technology, which attempts to make audio appear to come from the correct part of the screen, and Q-Symphony, which allows the TV speakers to work in harmony with compatible Samsung soundbars.
That said, for a truly immersive home theater experience, I'd recommend pairing either TV with a dedicated sound system or soundbar, as even the QN900D's impressive built-in speakers can't match a proper external audio setup.
When investing in a premium TV, longevity is an important consideration.
The QN900D Neo QLED has two main advantages here: its 8K resolution provides some future-proofing as more 8K content eventually becomes available, and its LED technology has no risk of burn-in, potentially giving it a longer usable lifespan depending on your viewing habits.
The S90F OLED carries some burn-in risk, though Samsung has implemented various technologies to mitigate this, including pixel shifting and logo detection that automatically dims static elements. For most viewers who watch varied content, burn-in shouldn't be a major concern, but it's something to consider if you frequently watch content with static elements like news channels with persistent logos or play the same video game for hundreds of hours.
At $2,499.99, the S90F OLED represents excellent value in the premium TV market. It delivers perfect blacks, infinite contrast, wide viewing angles, and exceptional gaming performance at a price point that, while certainly not cheap, is reasonable for the technology.
The QN900D Neo QLED commands a higher price at $3,299.00 (about $800 more), justifying this premium with its 8K resolution, significantly higher brightness, and slightly better gaming refresh rates. Whether this price difference is justified depends entirely on your specific needs and viewing environment.
After spending extensive time with both displays, I've developed a fairly straightforward way to help people choose between these two exceptional TVs.
The OLED is particularly well-suited for dedicated home theater environments where lighting can be controlled. The deep, perfect blacks create an immersive cinematic experience that's hard to beat, especially for movie enthusiasts who appreciate accurate image reproduction.
The Neo QLED shines (literally) in bright environments where its exceptional light output allows it to maintain vibrant, high-contrast images even with significant ambient light. Its 8K resolution, while perhaps ahead of its time content-wise, does provide noticeable benefits with high-quality upscaled content when viewed up close.
Both the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and the Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV represent the cutting edge of display technology, just with different strengths and weaknesses. Neither is objectively "better" in all situations—they're designed to excel in different viewing environments.
For my personal home theater setup in a basement with controlled lighting, I'd likely choose the OLED for its perfect blacks and more natural image, as I watch mostly films and play games where the infinite contrast would enhance the experience. However, for a bright living room with lots of daytime viewing, I'd probably opt for the Neo QLED's superior brightness and HDR impact.
The good news is that whichever you choose, you'll be getting one of the best TVs available on the market today. Both the S90F OLED and QN900D Neo QLED deliver exceptional picture quality that will transform your viewing experience for years to come. The decision ultimately comes down to your specific viewing environment, content preferences, and how the price difference affects your budget.
| Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 | Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV |
|---|---|
| Display Technology - Determines fundamental image characteristics | |
| OLED with self-illuminating pixels | Neo QLED with Mini LED backlighting and quantum dots |
| Resolution - Affects detail and clarity | |
| 4K (3840 x 2160) | 8K (7680 x 4320) - 4x more pixels than 4K |
| Price - Value consideration | |
| $2,499.99 | $3,299.00 ($800 premium for 8K and brightness) |
| Processor - Powers picture enhancement and smart features | |
| NQ4 AI Gen3 with 128 neural networks | NQ8 AI Gen3 with 512 neural networks |
| Contrast - Critical for image depth and realism | |
| Perfect blacks with infinite contrast ratio | Excellent contrast with thousands of dimming zones, but can show slight blooming |
| Peak Brightness - Determines HDR impact and performance in bright rooms | |
| 1,000-1,500 nits (good for dark/dim rooms) | 2,000-3,000 nits (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Viewing Angles - Important for wide seating arrangements | |
| Excellent - maintains picture quality at extreme angles | Good with Ultra Viewing Angle technology, but shows more degradation than OLED |
| Gaming Refresh Rate - Higher rates mean smoother motion | |
| Up to 144Hz in 4K | Up to 240Hz in 4K or 60Hz in 8K |
| Response Time - Affects motion clarity and blur | |
| Near-instantaneous (0.1ms) | Very good but not as fast as OLED |
| Burn-in Risk - Consider for static content (news, games) | |
| Slight risk with extended static content display | No risk of burn-in |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| Good integrated audio | Superior 90W 6.2.4 channel speaker system |
| Smart Features - User experience and capabilities | |
| Tizen OS with Smart Hub, Gaming Hub, and AI features | Same Tizen OS but with faster response due to more powerful processor |
| Best Use Case - Which viewing environment suits each TV | |
| Ideal for dedicated home theaters, dim rooms, and film enthusiasts | Perfect for bright living rooms, daytime viewing, and future-proofing with 8K |
For watching movies, especially in a home theater setting, the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 generally provides a more cinematic experience due to its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio. This makes dark scenes in movies look more realistic and immersive. However, if you watch movies in a bright room, the Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV might be preferable due to its higher brightness levels. Both TVs offer excellent color reproduction, but the S90F OLED typically provides a more authentic movie-watching experience in controlled lighting.
Whether 8K resolution is worth the price premium depends on your viewing habits and distance from the screen. The Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV offers four times the resolution of the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025, but at typical viewing distances (7-10 feet for a 65" TV), many viewers won't notice a significant difference. Additionally, native 8K content is still limited in 2025. However, the QN900D does feature superior upscaling technology that improves even 4K content. If you sit closer to your TV or want maximum future-proofing, 8K might be worth considering, but for most viewers, the 4K resolution of the S90F OLED is more than sufficient.
For bright living rooms with lots of windows or ambient light, the Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV is significantly better. It can achieve 2-3 times the brightness of the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025, allowing it to overcome glare and maintain vibrant images even in sunlit rooms. While the S90F OLED performs admirably in moderate lighting, it can look relatively dim and washed out in very bright environments compared to the QN900D Neo QLED.
Both TVs excel for gaming but in different ways. The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 offers near-instantaneous response time (0.1ms), resulting in virtually no motion blur during fast-paced games. Meanwhile, the Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV supports higher refresh rates (up to 240Hz at 4K compared to 144Hz on the OLED) and has no risk of burn-in from static game elements like HUDs. Competitive gamers might prefer the QN900D for its higher refresh rates, while those focused on visual quality might prefer the S90F OLED for its perfect contrast and superior motion clarity.
The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 has significantly improved burn-in prevention technology compared to earlier OLED models, but the risk isn't completely eliminated. For most varied content viewing, burn-in shouldn't be a concern. However, if you frequently watch channels with static logos or play the same video game for hundreds of hours, there remains a small risk. The Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV uses different technology that is immune to burn-in, making it potentially more durable for displaying static content over long periods.
In terms of pure value, the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 priced at $2,499.99 offers exceptional picture quality and performance for approximately $800 less than the Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV at $3,299.00. For most viewers, the S90F OLED provides all the quality and features needed for an outstanding viewing experience. The QN900D justifies its higher price with 8K resolution, significantly higher brightness, and slightly better gaming capabilities, but these benefits may not be worth the premium for all buyers.
The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 has superior viewing angles that maintain consistent picture quality, contrast, and colors even when viewed from extreme side angles. While the Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV features Samsung's Ultra Viewing Angle technology, which improves off-angle viewing compared to traditional LED TVs, it still shows more color shifting and contrast reduction at extreme angles than the S90F OLED. For wide seating arrangements where people view from various positions, the OLED technology provides a more consistent experience for everyone.
For sports viewing, both TVs have strengths. The Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV excels in bright daytime viewing situations when many sporting events take place, and its higher peak brightness helps overcome ambient light. The Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 offers superior motion handling with less blur during fast movement, making it easier to follow quick action. If you primarily watch sports during the day in a bright room, the QN900D might be preferable, while evening sports viewers might appreciate the S90F OLED's motion clarity and contrast.
Both the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV run on Samsung's Tizen operating system with nearly identical smart features, including streaming app support, voice assistants, and smart home control. The main difference is that the QN900D has a more powerful processor that makes the interface feel slightly more responsive. Both TVs support Samsung's Gaming Hub for cloud gaming and offer similar AI-powered content recommendations. The smart experience is largely equivalent between the two models.
The Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV features a superior audio system with a 90W 6.2.4 channel speaker configuration compared to the less powerful audio setup in the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025. This results in fuller, more spacious sound with better bass response. Both TVs include Object Tracking Sound technology and Q-Symphony for integration with Samsung soundbars. However, for the best home theater experience, most users would benefit from adding an external sound system to either TV.
Both the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV represent cutting-edge technology that should remain relevant for many years. The QN900D potentially offers more future-proofing with its 8K resolution as more 8K content eventually becomes available. However, 4K will remain the standard resolution for most content for years to come, meaning the S90F OLED won't quickly become outdated. Both TVs support the latest HDMI 2.1 features and have powerful processors capable of handling future smart TV updates. The primary longevity concern for the S90F OLED would be potential burn-in after many years of use with static content.
For a dedicated home theater room with controlled lighting, the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 generally provides a more cinematic experience. Its perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio create a more immersive viewing experience for films, especially those with dark scenes. The Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV still performs excellently in a home theater setting and offers higher resolution, but the OLED's contrast advantage is particularly noticeable in dark viewing environments. For serious movie enthusiasts who can control their room lighting, the S90F OLED typically delivers a more authentic cinema-like experience.
Both the Samsung 65" S90F OLED 4K Vision AI Smart TV 2025 and Samsung QN900D Series 65" Neo QLED 8K Smart TV work equally well with external sound systems. They both feature HDMI eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) for high-quality audio passthrough to soundbars and receivers, supporting formats like Dolby Atmos. Both TVs also include Samsung's Q-Symphony technology, which allows compatible Samsung soundbars to work in harmony with the TV's built-in speakers rather than replacing them entirely. There's no significant difference between the S90F OLED and QN900D in terms of compatibility with external audio equipment.
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