Samsung S85FA QN83S85FAEXZA 83 Inch 83" 2025 Review

This 83-inch Samsung OLED scores in the 95th percentile for display tech, offering massive size and perfect blacks. But its overall picture quality sits in a weak 43rd percentile, suggesting trade-offs in processing and HDR punch. It's a great value for a giant OLED screen, but not the best overall picture you can buy.

The Samsung S85FA is an 83-inch OLED that lands in the 95th percentile for display performance. That's top-tier territory, and it's paired with a 120Hz refresh rate for gaming and solid Dolby Atmos audio in the 84th percentile. For just over $2600, you're getting a massive screen with the deep blacks and infinite contrast only OLED can deliver.

Our scoring shows it's best for sports (74.5/100) and gaming (72.6/100), thanks to that fast panel and Samsung's processing. But its overall picture quality score sits in a surprisingly low 43rd percentile, which hints at some trade-offs we'll dig into. It's a big, beautiful screen that makes a statement, but the numbers suggest the story isn't all perfect.

Let's start with the headline: that 95th percentile display ranking. This is an 83-inch 4K OLED panel, so you're getting perfect blacks, per-pixel lighting, and viewing angles that put most LCDs to shame. The 120Hz refresh rate and VRR support put gaming performance in the 74th percentile, making it a solid, if not class-leading, choice for console or PC play. Audio, at the 84th percentile with Dolby Atmos, is genuinely impressive for built-in TV speakers.

Now, the wrinkle. The overall picture quality score is in the 43rd percentile, and HDR performance is at the 59th. For an OLED, those are low. This suggests that while the panel tech is excellent, Samsung's processing and peak brightness might not be keeping up with the competition, especially in HDR scenes that demand punch. It's fast and fluid, but may not be the absolute brightest or most detailed picture in its class.

At $2615 for an 83-inch OLED, the value proposition is mostly about size. You're getting a lot of screen for your money compared to other giant OLEDs. However, that 43rd percentile picture quality score is a red flag. It means you might be trading some pure picture fidelity for that expansive canvas. If your priority is the biggest possible OLED screen on a budget, this works. If your priority is the absolute best HDR pop and processing, your money might go further with a smaller, higher-performing model from another brand.

Stacked up, the Sony BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED will almost certainly beat it on HDR brightness and processing, but you lose the perfect blacks of OLED. The LG OLED evo AI G5, while smaller at 77 inches, typically dominates in OLED picture quality and gaming features, likely explaining this Samsung's lower scores. The Samsung Neo QLED QN800D is an 8K mini-LED; it'll be brighter for HDR but lacks OLED's contrast. For pure, immersive size in a dark room, this Samsung has a niche. For the best all-around picture in a premium TV, the data points to LG or Sony as the more complete packages.

Skip this TV if you're a videophile chasing the best possible HDR performance. Its 59th percentile HDR score is a major tell. Also, if you watch in a very bright room, an OLED's lower peak brightness might be an issue, and this model's scores don't suggest it's an exception. Finally, if you prioritize a slick, fast smart TV interface, look elsewhere; its 64th percentile smart score is behind the competition.

We can recommend the Samsung S85FA if your main goal is to get the largest possible OLED screen for around $2600. The 95th percentile display tech and great audio make for a fantastic movie and sports experience in a dark room. But we can't ignore the data: its 43rd percentile picture quality and 59th percentile HDR scores are real compromises. If you're a videophile who values peak performance over sheer inches, look at the 77-inch LG G5 or a high-end Sony. This Samsung is for the size-obsessed who still want OLED's goodness, even if it's not the sharpest tool in the shed.