Samsung DU8900F 98” Class Series Crystal 97.5" 2025 Review

The Samsung 98-inch DU8900F Crystal UHD TV is all about size for the money. It offers a massive 4K 120Hz panel for gaming and movies at a surprisingly low cost, but you compromise on peak picture quality and sound. It's a solid pick for a dedicated home theater where scale is the main goal.

If you're hunting for a truly massive 4K TV without a truly massive price tag, the 98-inch Samsung DU8900F is a screen that makes a statement. For around $1600, you're getting a 97.5-inch panel with a 120Hz refresh rate for gaming, HDR10+ support, and Samsung's Tizen smart platform. It's designed to be a value giant, focusing on delivering a huge picture for movies, sports, and gaming at a cost that undercuts most other screens this size. The big question is whether the picture quality holds up when you stretch a 4K panel this far, and that's what we're here to figure out.

Our benchmark data shows this TV lands in a solid middle ground for its class. Its gaming performance is its strongest suit, sitting in the 74th percentile. That 120Hz panel and the Motion Xcelerator Turbo feature do a decent job keeping fast action clear, though it's not the absolute fastest response you can get. For picture quality, it's in the 43rd percentile. The Crystal Processor 4K does a good job upscaling HD content, and the Mega Contrast feature helps with depth, but don't expect the inky blacks or peak brightness of a high-end Mini-LED or OLED. The HDR performance (58th percentile) is fine for the price, but it won't deliver the eye-popping highlights of more expensive sets.

At $1600, the value proposition is simple: size. You are paying for square inches of screen above all else. For that money, you could get a much higher-performing 65-inch or 75-inch OLED or high-end Mini-LED TV from LG, Sony, or even Samsung's own Neo QLED line. But if your primary goal is to fill a wall with a big, decent 4K image for movie nights and casual gaming, and a 75-inch screen just won't cut it, this Samsung makes a compelling case where few others compete on price.

This TV exists in a weird space. It's not competing directly on picture quality with the Sony BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED or the LG C5 OLED, which will both demolish it in contrast and HDR for similar or less money, albeit on smaller screens. Its real competition is other value-focused giants. The Hisense U6 Series Mini-LED offers better local dimming and often a better price per inch on slightly smaller screens. Even Samsung's own QN800D 8K Neo QLED is in a different league for performance (and price). The Roku Pro Series is a sharper competitor for smart features and value. So, you're trading peak performance for sheer scale. If you want the best picture, get a smaller OLED. If you want the biggest picture for your buck, this is a contender.

Skip this TV if you're a videophile or want the absolute best picture quality for your money. Anyone who values deep blacks, bright HDR highlights, or accurate colors should look at a smaller OLED or high-end Mini-LED TV instead. Also, avoid it if you have a very bright room, as its contrast won't hold up well, or if you don't have the space to sit far enough back—this isn't a TV for a small apartment. For those folks, an 85-inch Sony BRAVIA 5 or a 77-inch LG OLED would be a better fit.

Should you buy the Samsung 98-inch DU8900F? Yes, but only if your top priority is screen size on a budget. It's a good TV, not a great one. The 120Hz gaming is a legit perk, and the smart features work well. But the average picture quality and weak speakers mean it needs a dark room and a separate sound system to really shine. For most people, a higher-quality 75-inch or 85-inch TV will provide a better overall experience. But if you have a massive wall to fill and a firm budget, this Samsung delivers a huge, serviceable image that few others can match at this price point. Just manage your expectations on contrast and brightness.