Samsung QN42S90DAEXZA S90D TVS90D 42" Smart 41.5" Review
The Samsung S90D is a 42-inch OLED TV built for gamers. It's got smooth 120Hz action and handy gaming features, but its picture processing and audio are surprisingly average.
The 30-Second Version
A good, not great, 42-inch OLED gaming TV. Gaming features are strong, but picture processing and audio are weak spots. Worth a buy around $820, but not at $1000.
Overview
The Samsung S90D is a 42-inch OLED TV that's built for gamers and streamers who want a smaller, high-performance screen. It's got all the OLED basics covered with deep blacks and bright whites, plus a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth motion.
Samsung packs in its Gaming Hub and Game Bar features, aiming to make this a one-stop shop for console and cloud gaming. The 4K AI upscaling and Real Depth Enhancer promise to sharpen up lower-res content and add some pop to the picture.
Performance
For gaming, this TV is solid. The 120Hz panel and Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ keep things fluid, and our data puts its gaming performance in the 74th percentile. That means it's better than most, but not the absolute top tier. The picture quality score is a bit of a letdown at the 43rd percentile, which suggests the processing might not be as refined as some competitors. And the audio lands in the 31st percentile, so you'll definitely want a soundbar.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- OLED delivers perfect blacks and great contrast. 77th
- 120Hz refresh rate is smooth for gaming. 72th
- Gaming Hub is a handy all-in-one game launcher. 66th
- Compact 42-inch size fits well on a desk or in a small room.
Cons
- Picture quality processing scores surprisingly low. 20th
- Built-in audio is weak and needs an upgrade. 28th
- The Tizen smart platform feels a bit cluttered.
- HDR performance is just average for the class.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 42" |
| Resolution | 3840 (4K UHD) |
| Panel Type | OLED |
HDR
| HDR Formats | HDR 10+ |
Gaming
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Smart TV
| Platform | Tizen |
| Voice Assistant | Bixby |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 4 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
Value & Pricing
Prices are all over the place, from $820 to $1000. At the lower end of that range, it's a decent deal for an OLED gaming monitor alternative. But if you're paying a grand, you're probably overpaying. Shop around hard for that $820 price tag.
vs Competition
Compared to LG's OLED evo models, the S90D often has slightly less accurate color out of the box but more aggressive gaming features. Against a Hisense U6 Mini-LED, you're trading the OLED's perfect contrast for the Hisense's much higher peak brightness, which is better for bright rooms. The Sony BRAVIA line typically beats it on overall picture processing and upscaling, but you'll pay more for a Sony.
| Spec | Samsung QN42S90DAEXZA S90D TVS90D 42" Smart 41.5" | Sony BRAVIA 8 Sony - 77" Class BRAVIA 8 OLED 4K UHD Smart Google | 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 | 42 | 77 | 77 | 75 | 85 | 65 |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 4K (2160p) | 3840x2160 |
| Panel Type | OLED | OLED | OLED | MiniLED | MiniLED | MiniLED |
| Refresh Rate | 120 | 120 | 120 | 144 | 144 | 120 |
| Hdr | HDR 10+ | 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 | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Dolby Atmos | - | true | 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 QN42S90DAEXZA S90D TVS90D 42" Smart 41.5" | 50.8 | 27.6 | 77 | 72 | 65.7 | 57.3 | 19.5 | 43.1 |
| Sony BRAVIA 8 77" Class Compare | 92.8 | 95.4 | 95.9 | 95.3 | 95.6 | 97.1 | 94.3 | 43.1 |
| LG OLED evo - C5 series 77" Class C5 Series Compare | 92.8 | 90.4 | 95.3 | 99.9 | 95.6 | 98.6 | 99.5 | 43.1 |
| Hisense U65QF Mini-LED 75" Class U6 Series MiniLED Compare | 98.8 | 90.4 | 93.8 | 96.6 | 68.9 | 97.1 | 97.6 | 97.3 |
| TCL QD Mini LED - QM6K 85" Class QM6K Series Compare | 96.4 | 90.4 | 98.5 | 98.5 | 37.4 | 96 | 94.3 | 86.2 |
| Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro 65" Class Pro Series Compare | 96.4 | 90.4 | 92.5 | 97.5 | 62.2 | 98.9 | 98.8 | 86.2 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the Samsung S90D good for next-gen consoles?
Yes, the 120Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 ports make it ready for PS5 and Xbox Series X features like VRR, so you're covered for smooth gaming.
Q: How is the S90D for watching movies?
The OLED contrast is excellent for dark scenes, but its middling picture quality score means movies might not look as refined as on a Sony or high-end LG OLED.
Q: Can I use this as a PC monitor?
The 42-inch size and OLED response times make it a compelling, if large, monitor alternative. Just be mindful of potential burn-in with static desktop elements.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this if movie quality is your top priority. TVs like the Sony BRAVIA or LG G-series simply process film content better. Also, avoid it if you need loud, room-filling sound without extra speakers—the built-in audio won't cut it.
Verdict
Buy this if you want a 42-inch OLED primarily for gaming in a darkish room and you find it for under $900. It's a great size for a desk setup or a small apartment. Just plan to budget for a soundbar right away.