Samsung OLED 4K - S85 55” Class S85D Series 55" 2024 Review

This TV excels at gaming (91st percentile) and smart features (98th percentile), but its picture quality is just average for the class (47th percentile). At $1,615, it's a fantastic all-rounder for gamers and streamers who want an OLED with every modern port and a slick interface, but not the absolute best movie-watching experience.

The Samsung S85D OLED is a TV that knows its audience. It lands in the 91st percentile for gaming, which means it's faster than nearly nine out of ten TVs in our database. That's thanks to its 120Hz panel, HDMI 2.1 ports, and FreeSync Premium. And it's not just for gamers. Its smart platform sits in the 98th percentile, making it one of the most connected and feature-rich TVs you can buy right out of the box.

But there's a catch. For all its strengths in gaming and smarts, its picture quality score sits at the 47th percentile. That's a middle-of-the-pack result for a premium OLED. It's still a great picture, mind you, but it's not the absolute best in class. So you're getting a TV that's exceptionally tuned for modern streaming and gaming, with a picture that's very good, but not class-leading.

Let's talk numbers. That 91st percentile gaming score isn't just a badge. It translates to a 120Hz refresh rate, low input lag, and FreeSync Premium support, which is a killer combo for PC or console gaming. Its connectivity is even better, hitting the 96th percentile with four HDMI ports (two of which are full HDMI 2.1), dual USB, and built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. You're not going to run out of ports.

The audio is another high point, landing in the 93rd percentile. The built-in Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Lite system is surprisingly capable for a TV this thin. It won't replace a dedicated soundbar, but it's a huge step up from basic TV speakers. The NQ4 AI Gen2 processor handles the 4K AI upscaling and the overall smart TV experience, which, again, is in the top 2% of all TVs we track.

At around $1,615, the Samsung S85D sits in a competitive spot. You're paying a premium for the OLED panel and Samsung's feature set, but you're getting a lot for that money. Compared to an LG C-series OLED, you're trading a bit of pure picture refinement for a smarter, more gaming-focused experience. It's a value proposition built on features and ecosystem, not just raw panel performance. If you're deep into the Samsung or Tizen ecosystem with SmartThings and other devices, that 98th percentile smart score starts to feel like a bargain.

Stacked against its peers, the S85D carves out a specific niche. The LG C5 OLED will likely have a slight edge in pure picture quality and processing, making it the better choice for dedicated home theater fans. The Hisense U6 and TCL QM8, as Mini-LED TVs, will get much brighter, which is great for bright rooms, but they can't match the OLED's perfect black levels. The Sony BRAVIA 9 is in another league (and price bracket) entirely for picture quality. So the Samsung's win is in the total package: you get very good OLED picture, combined with best-in-class smart features and top-tier gaming specs. It's the all-rounder for someone who games, streams everything, and wants a slick interface.

Skip this TV if your primary goal is achieving the absolute best possible picture quality for movie watching. With a picture quality score in the 47th percentile, there are other OLEDs in this price range that prioritize pure image fidelity over smart features and gaming specs. Also, if you need a TV for an extremely bright room and maximum brightness is your top concern, a high-end Mini-LED model like the TCL QM8 might be a better fit, as OLEDs, while improved, still can't match peak Mini-LED brightness.

We'd recommend the Samsung S85D OLED if your priorities are gaming performance and a seamless smart TV experience. The data is clear: it's a top 10% performer in those key areas. If you're a movie buff who values the absolute best possible picture quality above all else, and you're willing to trade some smart features for it, look at the LG C5 or step up to a Sony. But for the person who wants a beautiful OLED screen that also happens to be the best-connected, most gaming-ready TV in the room, this Samsung is a compelling, data-backed choice.