Samsung QN90F QN43QN90FAFXZA 43 Inch Neo 43" 2025 Review
The Samsung QN90F packs impressive sound and smooth gaming into a 43-inch frame, but its middling picture quality makes the $898 price tag hard to justify.
The 30-Second Version
The Samsung QN90F is a solid 43-inch TV with great sound and smooth gaming, but its picture quality is just okay for the price. Its audio scores in the 84th percentile, which is fantastic. Worth considering for small spaces if sound is a priority, but shop around if picture is king.
Overview
The Samsung QN90F is a 43-inch Neo QLED TV that's trying to be a jack-of-all-trades for smaller spaces. It packs Samsung's AI upscaling, a 120Hz panel for gaming, and Dolby Atmos sound into a compact frame.
Our data shows it's best for sports and gaming, scoring in the low 60s out of 100 for those uses. It's clearly not built for the outdoors, which is its weakest area by a long shot. For a bedroom, office, or small living room, it's a solid contender.
Performance
Performance is a mixed bag. The audio punches above its weight, landing in the 84th percentile, so movies and shows sound great. Gaming performance is also strong at the 74th percentile, thanks to that 120Hz refresh rate. The picture quality, however, is a bit of a letdown, sitting in the 43rd percentile. The AI upscaling helps with lower-res content, but it's not the brightest or most vibrant panel in its class.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Audio quality is genuinely impressive for a TV this size. 78th
- The 120Hz panel makes gaming feel smooth and responsive. 78th
- Connectivity is excellent with four HDMI ports and solid wireless options. 72th
- The Tizen smart platform is reliable and easy to use.
Cons
- Overall picture quality is just average for the price.
- HDR performance is middling, landing in the 57th percentile.
- It's not very bright, so it struggles in well-lit rooms.
- The bundled mount is generic and doesn't add much value.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 43" |
| Resolution | 3840 (4K UHD) |
| Panel Type | Neo QLED |
| Backlight | Neo QLED TV |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Year | 2025 |
HDR
| HDR Formats | HDR |
| Dolby Vision | No |
| HDR10+ | No |
| HLG | No |
Gaming
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Smart TV
| Platform | Tizen |
Audio
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| Surround Sound | Yes |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 4 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Optical Audio | Yes |
| VESA Mount | 200x200 |
Power & Size
| Energy Star | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At $898, the value proposition is tricky. You're paying a premium for the Samsung brand and that excellent audio system. If sound is a top priority in a smaller TV, it might be worth it. But if your main focus is pure picture quality for the money, there are better options that deliver more pop for your dollar.
vs Competition
Compared to the competition, it's a game of trade-offs. The Hisense U6 series offers better picture quality for less money, but its smart TV software isn't as polished. The Roku Pro Series is a strong all-rounder with a fantastic interface. This Samsung's ace is its audio and gaming features. If you want a great-sounding, gaming-ready TV for a small room and don't mind paying a bit extra, it's a fit. If you just want the best picture, look at the Hisense or step up to a Sony.
| Spec | Samsung QN90F QN43QN90FAFXZA 43 Inch Neo 43" | Sony Bravia Sony BRAVIA 5 98" 4K HDR Smart Mini-LED TV | LG OLED evo - C5 series LG - 77" Class C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K UHD Smart | Hisense U65QF Mini-LED Hisense - 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED QLED UHD 4K | TCL QD Mini LED - QM6K TCL - 85" Class QM6K Series 4K UHD HDR QD Mini LED | Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro Roku - 65" Class Pro Series 4K QLED Mini-LED Smart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 43 | 98 | 77 | 75 | 85 | 65 |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 4K (2160p) | 3840x2160 |
| Panel Type | Neo QLED | MiniLED | OLED | MiniLED | MiniLED | MiniLED |
| Refresh Rate | 120 | 120 | 120 | 144 | 144 | 120 |
| Hdr | HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG |
| Smart Platform | Tizen | Google TV | webOS | Fire TV | Google TV | Roku TV |
| Dolby Vision | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Dolby Atmos | true | false | true | true | true | true |
| Hdmi Version | - | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Hdr | Audio | Smart | Gaming | Display | Connectivity | Social Proof | Picture Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung QN90F QN43QN90FAFXZA 43 Inch Neo 43" | 50.9 | 77.6 | 54.4 | 72 | 64 | 78.2 | 57.2 | 43 |
| Sony Bravia K98XR50 98" LED Compare | 92.9 | 73.7 | 91.5 | 95.1 | 75.3 | 97.2 | 99.5 | 86.1 |
| LG OLED evo - C5 series 77" Class C5 Series Compare | 92.9 | 90.4 | 95.3 | 99.9 | 95.6 | 98.6 | 99.5 | 43 |
| Hisense U65QF Mini-LED 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED Compare | 98.8 | 90.4 | 93.8 | 96.6 | 69 | 97.2 | 97.6 | 97.1 |
| TCL QD Mini LED - QM6K 85" Class QM6K Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 98.6 | 98.4 | 37.3 | 96 | 94.3 | 86.1 |
| Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro 65" Class Pro Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 92.5 | 97.4 | 62.3 | 99 | 98.8 | 86.1 |
Common Questions
Q: Is this TV good for next-gen gaming with a PS5 or Xbox Series X?
Yes, the 120Hz refresh rate and low input lag make it a good match for smooth gaming, though its HDR performance is only average.
Q: How is the smart TV interface?
It uses Samsung's Tizen OS, which is fast, reliable, and has all the major streaming apps. It scores in the 64th percentile for smart features in our database.
Q: Does it come with the wall mount shown in the listing?
The listing bundles a generic Walts TV tilt mount, but it's a separate accessory. The TV itself has a standard 200x200 VESA pattern for your own mount.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if you're a cinephile chasing the absolute best picture quality. Its score in the 43rd percentile for picture means it's beaten by cheaper models from brands like Hisense. Also, if your room is very bright, look for a TV with higher peak brightness, as this one can struggle with glare.
Verdict
Buy this if you need a compact, gaming-friendly TV with surprisingly good sound for a bedroom, office, or dorm. The audio and connectivity are its standout features. It's a good, not great, all-purpose screen for smaller spaces where you can't fit a bigger model.