Samsung Neo QLED QN90F 43" 42.5" 2025 Review

The Samsung QN90F 43" is a brilliant but pricey gaming specialist. Its Mini-LED screen is incredibly bright and its 120Hz/HDMI 2.1 gaming features are top-tier. Only buy it if you need a premium, small-screen display for your PS5 or PC.

The Samsung QN90F 43" is a small-screen powerhouse built for gamers and bright rooms. It packs the high-end Mini-LED tech and 120Hz gaming features from Samsung's bigger, pricier models into a 43-inch package, which is pretty rare.

It's basically a premium gaming monitor that also happens to be a full-fledged smart TV. With four HDMI 2.1 ports and FreeSync Premium Pro, it's ready for your PS5 or Xbox Series X right out of the box. The Tizen smart platform is slick and fast, too.

This TV is a beast for gaming, landing in the 98th percentile in our database. The 120Hz native refresh rate, VRR, and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) make everything feel super responsive. The Mini-LED backlight gives it crazy brightness, which is great for HDR games and fighting glare. The catch? Our data shows its overall picture quality score is only in the 43rd percentile, which suggests that while it's bright, its color accuracy or black levels might not be as refined as some competitors. The built-in audio is just okay, sitting at the 71st percentile, so you'll probably want a soundbar.

Look, at nearly a grand for a 43-inch TV, this isn't a value pick. You're paying a premium for the Mini-LED tech and the top-tier gaming features in a smaller size. If you just want a decent 4K TV for your bedroom, there are way cheaper options. But if you specifically need a super-bright, high-refresh-rate display for a PC or console gaming setup where a 43-inch screen is the perfect fit, the price starts to make more sense. It's a niche product with a niche price tag.

Compared to other small high-end displays, it's in a league of its own for brightness. An LG OLED like the G5 will destroy it in contrast and picture quality for movies, but can't match its peak brightness and isn't as worry-free for static HUDs. The Sony BRAVIA 5 might have better image processing, but good luck finding a 43-inch model. Against more budget Mini-LED options like the Hisense U6 series, the Samsung has a much more robust gaming feature set and a better smart OS, but you're paying for it. The Roku Pro Series is a compelling alternative if you love the Roku platform.

Skip this TV if you're a home theater purist who watches movies in a dark room. An OLED will give you better contrast and picture quality for less money. Also, if you're on a tight budget or just need a basic TV for a spare room, there are countless better-value 43-inch options that don't cost $900.

Buy this TV if you're a serious gamer setting up a desk or small room battlestation and your top priorities are max brightness, smooth 120Hz gameplay, and future-proof HDMI 2.1 ports. It's one of the few premium-tier displays that comes in this convenient, monitor-like size. For anyone else, especially movie buffs or people just looking for a great all-around picture, your money is better spent on a larger screen or a different technology.