Samsung S90FA QN65S90FAFXZA 65 Inch 65" 2025 Review
The Samsung S90FA OLED TV offers serious gaming performance and fantastic sound at a mid-range price, but is that enough to overlook its middling HDR scores?
The 30-Second Version
The 2025 Samsung S90FA 65-inch OLED TV is a strong mid-range pick, especially for gamers. It offers a 120Hz OLED panel with VRR support and surprisingly great audio, all for around $1,500. Just know that its HDR performance isn't class-leading, and it's not the best for very bright rooms.
Overview
If you're hunting for a 65-inch OLED TV that punches above its weight, the 2025 Samsung S90FA deserves a hard look. It's a 4K set that leans heavily on AI to upscale content, and it's built with gamers in mind thanks to its 120Hz panel and a suite of features like VRR and Auto Low Latency Mode. At around $1,500, it's positioned as a compelling mid-range option, sitting between budget LED models and the absolute top-tier OLEDs. For movie nights, sports, and especially gaming, this TV has the specs to make a case for itself, though our data suggests its performance isn't uniform across the board.
Performance
Our benchmark scores tell a clear story about where this TV shines and where it might fall short. It scores highest for sports (74/100) and gaming (72.1/100), which makes sense given its fast refresh rate and processing. For movies, it's a bit lower at 65.4/100. The percentile rankings are even more revealing: its audio lands in the 91st percentile, which is fantastic for built-in TV speakers, and the display hits the 90th percentile. The gaming score is a solid 74th percentile, meaning it's faster than most TVs out there. However, the picture quality score is a more modest 43rd percentile. In practice, that means the AI upscaling is doing a lot of heavy lifting, and native 4K HDR content might not pop with the same intensity as on some competing sets. But for the price, that 120Hz smoothness in games is a real treat.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent audio quality for a TV, landing in the 91st percentile. 95th
- High 120Hz refresh rate and gaming features (VRR, ALLM) make it a strong choice for console and PC gaming. 90th
- AI upscaling does a good job making HD content look sharper on the 4K panel. 85th
- Solid all-around connectivity with four HDMI ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. 78th
- The OLED panel delivers deep blacks and strong contrast, as expected.
Cons
- Picture quality scores are middling (43rd percentile), suggesting HDR performance isn't class-leading.
- Smart TV platform (Tizen) scores lower (64th percentile) than some competitors like Roku or Google TV.
- Not the best choice for bright rooms or outdoor use, scoring very low (39.7/100) in that category.
- The included 'Austere' HDMI cable marketing is a bit over the top for a standard accessory.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Size | 65" |
| Resolution | 3840 (4K UHD) |
| Panel Type | OLED |
| Backlight | OLED TV |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Year | 2025 |
HDR
| HDR Formats | HDR |
| Dolby Vision | No |
| HDR10+ | No |
| HLG | No |
Gaming
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| VRR | VRR |
Smart TV
| Platform | Tizen |
Audio
| Speaker Config | 2.1 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
| Surround Sound | Yes |
| eARC | Yes |
Connectivity
| HDMI Ports | 4 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Ethernet | Yes |
| Optical Audio | Yes |
| VESA Mount | 300x200 |
Power & Size
| Energy Star | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At $1,515, the Samsung S90FA sits in a sweet spot. It's significantly cheaper than flagship OLEDs from LG or Sony's high-end models, but it offers core OLED benefits and serious gaming chops you won't find on a budget LED TV. You're paying for that 120Hz OLED panel and great sound, while accepting that the HDR performance and smart system aren't the absolute best. If pure picture quality is your top priority, you might look elsewhere. But if you want a great all-around TV that's especially good for games, this price is very competitive.
vs Competition
You've got options. The LG OLED evo AI G5 is the direct OLED competitor, and it typically has slightly better out-of-the-box color accuracy and a more praised smart OS (webOS), but it often costs more. The Sony BRAVIA 5 uses Mini-LED, not OLED, so it can get much brighter, which is great for HDR movies and sunny rooms, but it won't have the perfect blacks of the Samsung. The Hisense U6 series is a budget Mini-LED option; it'll be brighter than this Samsung for less money, but you'll lose the OLED contrast, the 120Hz gaming smoothness, and the great built-in audio. The Samsung Neo QLED QN90F is another Samsung, but it's a brighter, more premium LCD model. It's better for bright rooms, but again, you're trading away those perfect OLED blacks.
| Spec | Samsung S90FA QN65S90FAFXZA 65 Inch 65" | 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 | 65 | 98 | 77 | 75 | 85 | 65 |
| Resolution | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 3840x2160 | 4K (2160p) | 3840x2160 |
| Panel Type | OLED | 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 S90FA QN65S90FAFXZA 65 Inch 65" | 50.9 | 94.9 | 54.4 | 85.1 | 89.8 | 78.4 | 57.2 | 43.1 |
| Sony Bravia K98XR50 98" LED Compare | 92.8 | 73.7 | 91.5 | 95.3 | 75.2 | 97.2 | 99.5 | 86.2 |
| 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 | 69 | 97.2 | 97.6 | 97.3 |
| TCL QD Mini LED - QM6K 85" Class QM6K Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 98.6 | 98.5 | 37.3 | 96 | 94.3 | 86.2 |
| Roku Mini-LED QLED 4K - Pro 65" Class Pro Series Compare | 96.5 | 90.4 | 92.5 | 97.5 | 62.2 | 99 | 98.8 | 86.2 |
Common Questions
Q: Is the Samsung S90FA good for gaming?
Yes, it's one of its best features. With a 120Hz refresh rate, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), it's an excellent TV for PS5, Xbox Series X, and gaming PCs.
Q: How does the Samsung S90FA compare to an LG OLED?
The Samsung S90FA is often priced lower than comparable LG OLED evo models. The LG might have slightly better out-of-the-box picture accuracy and a different smart TV interface (webOS), but the Samsung counters with stronger built-in audio and very similar gaming features.
Q: Do I need a soundbar with this TV?
Probably not for everyday use. Our data shows its audio scores in the 91st percentile, which is exceptional for TV speakers. It supports Dolby Atmos and has a 2.1-channel system that provides clear dialogue and decent bass.
Q: Is this TV good for a bright room?
It's not ideal. Its score for outdoor/bright room viewing is quite low (39.7/100). OLEDs can struggle with reflections and peak brightness compared to high-end LED TVs. For a very sunny living room, consider a bright Mini-LED TV like the Sony BRAVIA 5 or Samsung's own Neo QLED series instead.
Who Should Skip This
Skip this TV if your primary use is watching movies in a dedicated home theater and you demand the absolute highest HDR brightness and impact—save for a higher-end OLED or a flagship Mini-LED. Also, avoid it if the TV will go in a very bright, sun-drenched room, as it won't get bright enough to combat glare effectively. In that case, look at the Sony BRAVIA 5 or a Samsung Neo QLED. And if you hate the Tizen smart TV interface, a TV with Roku or Google TV built-in might be a better fit.
Verdict
So, should you buy the Samsung S90FA? If you're a gamer who wants an OLED and doesn't want to spend over $2,000, this is a very easy yes. The 120Hz support and gaming features are the main attraction here, and the excellent audio is a huge bonus. If you're a movie purist who watches in a dark room and wants the absolute best HDR impact, you might be slightly disappointed and should consider saving up for a higher-tier OLED or a bright Mini-LED. But for most people wanting a great-looking 65-inch TV that excels at games and everyday viewing, the S90FA delivers a lot for the money.