Samsung QN90F TV Review: A Strong Contender in QLED Technology
The Samsung QN90F television has earned praise for its impressive picture and sound quality, making it a compelling choice for consumers seeking a high-end viewing experience. Tested over a week at the ZDNET lab in Louisville, this model demonstrated its capabilities in real-world conditions, diverging from the often idealized showroom displays.
Performance and Features
The QN90F excels in delivering vibrant visuals and robust audio performance, positioning itself as an attractive alternative to the more expensive S95F OLED. During testing, the QN90F provided nearly equivalent color depth and detail while offering slightly superior object-tracking sound. For those who prioritize value, the QN90F stands out, particularly as it lacks some features unique to the OLED model, such as the OneConnect box.
In a series of tests that included streaming content and gaming, the QN90F showcased its capabilities effectively. Collaborating with lab engineers, the television underwent Calman verification tests, which measured its ability to accurately reproduce images in both RGB and black-and-white formats. The results indicated that while the QN90F leans towards warmer tones—potentially leading to oversaturation in certain scenes—it also presented deep blacks and sharp details that enhance overall image quality.
Audio and Gaming Experience
One of the standout features of the QN90F is its audio quality. The television’s design allows for fuller sound, giving it an edge over the thinner S95F, which struggled to provide a similarly rich listening experience. During tests with various media, including musicals and video game soundtracks, the QN90F consistently delivered superior sound quality.
In terms of gaming, the QN90F includes a dedicated dashboard that allows adjustments for input latency, refresh rates, and picture modes tailored to different genres. While input latency proved satisfactory for most action games—such as Ghost of Tsushima and Judgement—rhythm and platforming games revealed a slight delay, which could be frustrating for serious gamers, particularly during speedruns.
Despite its many strengths, the QN90F is not without drawbacks. The initial setup process can be cumbersome, with numerous privacy policies and license agreements to navigate before reaching the home screen. Additionally, the television offers limited advanced picture settings, restricting users to four predefined modes: standard, movie, filmmaker, and AI-assisted. This lack of customization could deter those looking for a tailored viewing experience.
Overall, the Samsung QN90F presents a compelling option for those in search of a high-quality TV without the premium price tag of OLED models. With its warmer picture profile and strong audio performance, the QN90F enhances the viewing experience, particularly for classic films like Casablanca. While it may not be perfect for all gaming scenarios, its value proposition remains strong, especially during promotional sales.
