Samsung S85F QN77S85FAEXZA 76.6"

The Samsung S85F 77-inch OLED delivers jaw-dropping contrast and excellent gaming performance in a sleek package. Its weak point is HDR brightness, and the built-in speakers are forgettable. Pricing varies wildly, but at around $1,800 from major retailers, it's a solid value. Recommended for movie lovers who can control ambient light.

Samsung's S85F series slots in as the company's more affordable OLED offering, and the 77-inch model is the one that catches the eye. At this size, you're getting a massive canvas of self-illuminating pixels with that signature OLED contrast, without the eye-watering price of Samsung's flagship QD-OLEDs. It's aimed at movie buffs and console gamers who want a big, beautiful display for a dedicated home theater or living room with some light control.

The thing that sets the S85F apart is its Pantone-validated color accuracy, which is rare in this price bracket. That means out of the box, skin tones and nature scenes look natural, not artificially pumped. It's also a capable gaming TV, with a 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, and auto low-latency mode. If you've got a PS5 or Xbox Series X, you'll be in good shape.

But like any TV that hits a certain price point, there are corners cut. The built-in audio is a weak 20W 2.0ch system, and HDR peak brightness isn't going to challenge the best OLEDs. And despite its many strengths, we saw a troubling spread in pricing from $1,008 all the way up to $32,000, so you really need to shop smart.

Our display benchmarks put the S85F right near the top of the charts. The contrast is effectively infinite, as you'd expect from OLED, and color coverage is excellent. It earned a 97th percentile display score, meaning only a handful of TVs we've tested can beat it in overall panel quality. Watching films in a dark room is a treat. Shadows stay detailed and blacks are truly black, giving images a sense of depth that cheaper LED sets can't touch.

Gaming performance is a highlight too. With a 120Hz panel and FreeSync Premium support, it's buttery smooth. Our testing shows it's in the 85th percentile for gaming, a strong result. Input lag is low, and the Game Bar interface makes tweaking settings easy. However, that HDR score landed in the 34th percentile, which stings. It doesn't get bright enough to make HDR highlights pop the way they should in games like Horizon Forbidden West. It's by no means bad, but if you're upgrading specifically for HDR fireworks, you might be left wanting. And the 20W speakers, while supporting Dolby Atmos, sound thin and strained; this TV is begging for a soundbar.

The price situation with the S85F is a rollercoaster. Over the past month, our price tracking saw it listed anywhere from $1,008 to an absurd $32,000. The low end is almost certainly from unverified marketplace sellers, so approach with caution. At reputable retailers like Best Buy, you're likely looking at around $1,800 to $2,200, which is reasonable for a 77-inch OLED. For perspective, the LG C5 in the same size often sells for a few hundred more, and the Sony BRAVIA 5 can run even higher. If you can snag the S85F under $1,800, you're getting an incredible picture for the money. Just make sure to check the seller's return policy.

Stacked against the LG C5, the Samsung holds its own in gaming thanks to FreeSync Premium, but the LG's brighter panel and Dolby Vision support give it an edge for HDR content. On the other hand, Samsung's Pantone validation and One UI smart interface might sway you if you're already in the Samsung ecosystem. Sony's BRAVIA 5 is the motion handling champ and has superior upscaling, but you'll pay a premium for it. If you're considering mini-LED alternatives, the TCL QM8K and Hisense U7 offer higher peak brightness for a lot less cash, but you give up those perfect blacks and viewing angles.

The gaming story is a mixed bag. While the S85F sports four HDMI 2.1 ports (all capable of 4K 120Hz), the lack of Dolby Vision for gaming and lower HDR brightness mean that some next-gen titles won't look as impactful as they do on an LG C5. However, if you're primarily a PC gamer with an AMD GPU, FreeSync Premium is a tangible advantage. For mixed-use families, the Tizen interface is quick and the smart home integration with SmartThings is a nice bonus you don't get with LG's webOS.

Skip the S85F if your living room is flooded with sunlight or you regularly watch TV with the blinds open. Its anti-glare performance isn't strong enough, and the relatively low peak brightness makes HDR content look flat in bright spaces. You'd be better served by a mini-LED like the TCL QM8K, which can punch through ambient light. Also, if you're an audio purist who refuses to buy a soundbar, look elsewhere. The 20-watt speakers will disappoint even for casual music listening. The LG C5 or a Sony BRAVIA 5 also offer better built-in audio options.

If you crave a giant OLED screen and mostly watch movies in a light-controlled room, the S85F is a fantastic buy. The picture quality is drop-dead gorgeous, and those inky blacks make every scene feel more cinematic. Pair it with even a modest soundbar, and you've got a home theater setup that will impress for years. And at the prices we see from reputable sellers, it's one of the more affordable ways to get into a 77-inch OLED.

For serious HDR enthusiasts or mixed-use living rooms with lots of windows, we'd steer you elsewhere. The lack of punchy highlights means you're not getting the full impact of modern HDR content. In that scenario, look toward LG's C5 if your budget can stretch, or drop down to a high-quality mini-LED like the TCL QM8K which will fight glare better and deliver more vivid specular highlights. But for the right user, the S85F is a gem.