Samsung S90D / S94D 48" (WRGB OLED)

S90D / S94D

Available screen sizes: 48”

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Panel technology: WRGB OLED | Brand: SAMSUNG | Resolution: 3840x2160 | Operating system: Tizen | Model year: 2024

Our verdict

7.9

Overall rating

Samsung OLED 48 S90D or S94D is the smallest model in this series and we had the opportunity to check out what it can do. At first glance, it’s clear that it handles details in dark scenes excellently, as expected from an OLED. It’s worth mentioning that the 48-inch version differs from the larger models. The brightness is slightly lower, and the panel has a satin finish instead of a glossy one. During the day, this may affect image perception. However, regardless of the variant, OLED always makes an impression. The black depth is incredible and the contrast makes even the most demanding scenes look cinematic. When it comes to high-quality materials, this TV literally shines – bright elements in dark frames literally jump off the screen. The factory colour settings could be better, but after calibration, the TV reveals its full potential. While watching from different spots in the room, we noticed that the wide viewing angles work well – the image remains sharp and full of details, even when viewed from the side. The Tizen system proved to be user-friendly – apps like Netflix and Prime Video were at our fingertips. A few less popular apps are missing, which could be a downside, but it wasn’t an issue for us. The interface itself operated smoothly, with no stutters. When watching sports and dynamic films, the TV showed what it’s capable of. The 144 Hz panel eliminates motion blur, and fast actions are displayed smoothly and without interruptions. What is gaming on this TV like? It’s simply pure enjoyment. Low input lag and support for 144 Hz made every gaming session responsive and fluid, whether we were playing dynamic FPS titles or more laid-back strategy games. Samsung OLED 48' S90D/S94D is a great choice for those looking for a smaller TV with excellent picture quality and extra features for gamers. It’s not without compromises, but in everyday use, it performs really well. For us, it’s a compact device that proves that size doesn’t always matter.

Advantages

Perfect black
Great for 4K HDR content
Excellent for gamers - 144hz, HDMI 2.1, low input lag.
Advanced and smooth Tizen system
Multifunctional solar remote

Disadvantages

Worse brightness than larger counterparts
Missing Dolby Vision and DTS:X

Movies and series in UHD quality

7.9
Classic TV, YouTube

8.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)

8.4
Gaming on console

9.4
TV as a computer monitor

8.6
Watching in bright light

5.1
Utility functions

7.7
Apps

9.3
Sound quality

6.8

Competing TVs in this price range

8.3

LG OLED C4 48”

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7.8

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7.6

Philips OLED809/819 48”

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7.3

Philips OLED769 48”

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7.1

Samsung QLED Q80D 50”

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6.9

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LG QNED87T6B 50”

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Hisense U6NQ 50”

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TV appearance

HDMI inputs: 0 x HDMI 2.0, 4 x HDMI 2.1 (48Gbps) Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps

Review Samsung S90D / S94D 48" (WRGB OLED) Appearance of the TV

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Contrast and black detail

Viewing mode Game mode

10/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Review Samsung S90D / S94D 48" (WRGB OLED) Contrast and black detail

Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

∞:1

Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).

Result

∞:1

Visibility of details in the lights:

Samsung OLED 48 S90D stands out thanks to the use of an OLED panel, which provides an extremely high contrast, one of its key advantages. OLED technology allows each pixel to emit light independently, resulting in perfectly deep blacks and excellent visibility of details even in the darkest scenes. Unlike traditional LCD screens with backlighting, where black can appear washed out and greyish due to uneven backlighting, OLED ensures that pixels are completely turned off in areas where black should appear. This achieves an impressive level of contrast, making images more vibrant and realistic. An example can be seen in a scene from the film "Oblivion," where the S90D television superbly captures the intense light of the lamp, highlighting details in the bright areas of the image. Meanwhile, in "Sicario 2," the OLED panel accurately reproduces the helicopter lights against a dark background.

Halo effect and black detail visibility:

HDR effect quality

Viewing mode Game mode

6.2/10

Viewing mode Game mode

Supported formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 97.0%, Bt.2020: 73.0%

Luminance measurements in HDR:

Review Samsung S90D / S94D 48" (WRGB OLED) Brightness measurement

The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

788 nit

The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).

Result

807 nit

The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).

Result

851 nit

The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).

Result

838 nit

The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).

Result

372 nit

In the tested movie scenes, the Samsung OLED 48 S90D television achieves impressive brightness results, exceeding 800 nits in the first four shots, which can be considered a very good outcome. In the case of the last shot, where a full-screen burst of sunlight is visible, the brightness drops to around 400 nits but still remains at an acceptable level. However, it is worth noting that this model in larger sizes offers higher values, exceeding the "barrier" of 1000 nits. Additionally, speaking of the DCI-P3 colour space coverage value of 97% is an excellent result, which guarantees extremely rich and realistic colour reproduction, further enhancing the picture quality. However, once again it should be remembered that the panel in the 65' variant equipped with a QD-OLED panel will be even better in this aspect. For those hesitating about the size of the S90D model, it is worth noting that larger versions of this television offer a better HDR effect, and consequently, a higher score in our tests.

Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)

Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)

In demanding film scenes, such as in "Pan" and "Billy Lynn," the Samsung S90D television performs excellently. Although it has a dynamic tone mapping feature, it is recommended to set it to static mode, as in dynamic mode, the picture can appear brighter, leading to a loss of detail. Even with the dynamic mapping option turned off, the television handles high-quality content well, adapting to the metadata. In the film "Pan," mastered at 2800 nits, the colours are vibrant, and although the sun in the opening scene loses some of its hues, the overall impression remains excellent. In "Billy Lynn," lighting effects, such as fireworks, are rendered very precisely, with clear differentiation of colours, which sets this model apart from cheaper televisions that often blend such elements into one bright spot. The actors in the foreground also appear natural, further highlighting the excellent picture quality offered by this model.

HDR luminance chart:

Despite the dynamic tone mapping function being turned off, Samsung OLED 48 S90D performs very well for content recorded in static HDR10, improving the picture quality in the presented scene. Although the effects are generally positive, it is not without its flaws. For example, in the image on the right, where dynamic HDR10+ metadata has been used, you can notice greater detail against a bright background, such as blades of grass or a forest in the distance. This highlights how important the implementation of dynamic metadata is in a television and how it can enhance picture quality. It’s a shame that Samsung still does not support Dolby Vision in its televisions, which remains a more popular format than HDR10+.

Static HDR10

Dynamic: HDR10+

Smoothness of tonal transitions

7.6/10

The fluidity of tonal transitions on the Samsung OLED 48 S90D TV is at a good level, although subtle imperfections are visible in places. In most scenes, tonal transitions are smooth and well-reproduced, providing a natural viewing experience. In more demanding sequences, such as a dark coloured sky, slight issues may arise; however, they do not significantly impact the overall visual experience. In the test scene with dominant red hues, slight clipping of the brighter areas can be observed, but it is subtle enough not to interfere with viewing. Overall, the fluidity of tonal transitions on the S90D TV is solid, ensuring a good reception of content.

Review Samsung S90D / S94D 48" (WRGB OLED) Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

7.9/10

Smooth transition function

Image without overscan on the SD signal

The Samsung OLED 48 S90D television performs exceptionally well in smoothing tonal transitions. Thanks to the technology used, the transitions between colours are more fluid and natural. It is also possible to utilise the noise reduction feature, which further smooths tonal transitions, which can be useful in some situations. However, it's worth remembering that turning on noise reduction can also lead to the smoothing of desired film grain, which may reduce the cinematic feel of the picture. For this reason, caution is advised when using this feature, as it's better to leave the natural grain that adds character and authenticity to the content being viewed.

Samsung, as always, does not disappoint, and in terms of scaling images from lower resolutions, it performs excellently. The S90D OLED 48 Samsung television effectively processes lower resolutions, as seen in the visible photo. The outline of the model is clear and correct, making it look natural and detailed. Furthermore, the branches of the trees are well reproduced, showing no significant jaggedness that could detract from the image quality. Thanks to effective scaling, even lower resolution materials look attractive on the screen, satisfying users who prefer diverse content sources such as regular antenna/cable television.

Blur and motion smoothness

8.5/10

Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 144Hz

Film motion smoothing option: Yes

Blur reduction option: Yes

BFI function 60Hz: Yes, 60Hz (image flickers)

BFI function 120Hz: No

Brightness drop with BFI: 50%

The S90D television is equipped with a 120 Hz panel, with the ability to "overclock" to 144 Hz with the right PC configuration, providing exceptional motion smoothness. Samsung has been offering a variety of image clarity settings on a ten-point scale for years, allowing users to customise the display to their preferences. In the UFO test, thanks to the use of an OLED panel, there's no question of any ghosting. The response time of the pixels is instantaneous and perfectly captures dynamic movements. In this aspect, OLED technology is considered one of the best on the market. The picture is extremely sharp and detailed, even during fast action, making the S90D OLED 48 Samsung television the perfect choice for gamers and sports enthusiasts.

Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):

Console compatibility and gaming features

9.5/10

ALLM: Yes
VRR: Yes
VRR range: 48 - 144Hz
Dolby Vision Game Mode: No
Correct implementation of HGIG: Yes
1080p@120Hz: Yes
1440p@120Hz: Yes
4K@120Hz: Yes
Game bar: Yes

The Samsung OLED 48 S90D television is well-suited to the needs of gamers, offering four HDMI 2.1 ports that support features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and HGIG (HDR Gaming Interest Group). With these technologies, gamers can enjoy smoother gameplay and faster on-screen response, significantly enhancing comfort during long gaming sessions. Additionally, the Game Bar feature allows for easy adjustment of settings, such as aspect ratios, which can be particularly useful in different types of games. For PC users, the television offers an impressive refresh rate of 144Hz, and Nvidia and AMD graphics cards support G-Sync and FreeSync, further improving image smoothness. Although the lack of Dolby Vision support may be a drawback, it's worth noting that in gaming, this technology is not as widely used as in films. Nevertheless, the S90D still offers excellent features for gamers, making it a great choice for those seeking high-quality visuals and advanced gaming technologies.

Input lag

10/10

Samsung's OLED features an almost reference-level low input lag, regardless of resolution and refresh rate, in both SDR and HDR modes. Results around 10 ms are truly impressive and significantly enhance the gaming experience. Such a low input lag ensures immediate response to on-screen actions, which is crucial in fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. This allows users to enjoy smoothness and precision, making the S90D TV an excellent choice for those who prioritise gaming performance.

SDR	HDR	Dolby Vision
1080p60: 10 ms	2160p60: 10 ms
1080p120: 5 ms	2160p120: 5 ms
2160p60: 10 ms
2160p120: 5 ms

Compatibility with PC

8.6/10

Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes

Font clarity: Very Good

Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good

Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 5ms

Max refresh rate: 144Hz

G-Sync: Yes

The Samsung OLED 48 S90D TV works perfectly with a PC. Fonts are clearly visible, making it easier to read text and use applications. Additionally, it supports chroma 4:4:4 at 4K resolution and a refresh rate of 144 Hz, ensuring full colour reproduction and image sharpness. It's worth noting that the input lag of just 5 ms is extremely advantageous, particularly for gamers and professionals working with graphics. With such low latencies, using the TV as a monitor becomes a pleasure, allowing for comfortable and responsive work. The S90D TV is an excellent choice for users seeking performance and quality in everyday computer use.

Viewing angles

7.2/10

Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 28%

The viewing angles on the S90D television, thanks to OLED technology, are unmatched. OLED offers excellent colour and contrast reproduction, even at wide viewing angles, making the picture remain sharp and vibrant from almost any perspective. Users can enjoy a consistent visual experience, regardless of where they are watching the screen.

TV efficiency during daytime

5.1/10

Matrix coating: Satin

Reflection suppression: Good

Black levels during daytime: Good

While watching during the day, the Samsung OLED 48 S90D performs very well, achieving an average brightness of around 320 nits, which is a decent result for OLED technology in a 48-inch size. Thanks to the satin panel, reflection suppression is at a reasonable level, allowing for comfortable viewing even in bright rooms. The only noticeable downside of this technology, and not the television itself, is the brightness at 100% white screen fill. In such conditions, OLED may struggle to achieve extremely high brightness. Situations like this can be observed when we want to watch winter sports, e.g., ski jumping.

Matrix brightness

Average luminance SDR

Samsung S90D / S94D 48" (WRGB OLED): 320 cd/m2

Details about the matrix

Software version during testing: 1120

Subpixel Structure:

Panel uniformity:

TV features

7.7/10

System operacyjny: Tizen
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
Recording to USB (terrestrial TV): No
Recording programming: No
Picture in Picture (PiP): Yes
Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast): Yes
AirPlay: Yes
Voice search in native language: Yes
Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse: Yes
Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV: Yes
Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker: Yes
Audio only mode: Yes
RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen): RF
Backlit remote control: No
Teletext: Yes

Review Samsung S90D / S94D 48" (WRGB OLED) TV features

The Samsung OLED 48 S90D television offers a range of features that significantly enhance user comfort and make it the ideal device for entertainment in the comfort of your home. The Tizen system, which this model is based on, is a modern and advanced platform that provides users with an intuitive and smooth experience. Thanks to its user-friendly interface, navigation through apps and settings is quick and intuitive, making it easier for even those less familiar with technology to use the television. Tizen supports a rich set of applications, including all popular streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video. A new feature for 2024 is also the availability of voice search in Polish. It's also worth noting the eco-friendly solar remote, which is not only environmentally friendly but also practical for everyday use. For example, the remote can control multiple devices connected to the television, so we don’t have to use multiple remotes. Additionally, the television supports AirPlay, enabling easy content streaming from Apple devices like the iPhone or iPad. The S90D OLED 48 also allows for the connection of various Bluetooth devices, such as mice, keyboards, or headphones, which increases its versatility and allows for personalised user experiences. As a result, users can easily adjust their settings to make the most of the television's capabilities. The only downside that can be pointed out is the lack of USB recording support. For some users, this may pose a limitation, especially in the case of wanting to archive their favourite shows or movies. Despite this, the S90D television offers many advanced features and technologies that make it an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality entertainment in their home.

Playing files from USB

Video Photos Audio

8.9/10

Video Photos Audio

Maximum photo resolution:	Supported photo formats:
4 Mpix	JPEG
6 Mpix	HEIC
8 Mpix	PNG
10 Mpix	GIF
12 Mpix	WebP
16 Mpix	TIFF
20 Mpix	BMP
24 Mpix	SVG
28 Mpix
32 Mpix

The Samsung S90D comes equipped with a built-in player that supports most popular video formats, allowing for convenient playback of films from various sources. The player also supports subtitles in Polish and enables users to customise the font colour, enhancing comfort while watching content with subtitles. In terms of photo formats, the television handles many of them, however, one of the few downsides is the lack of ability to play the popular PNG format. Nonetheless, the overall file playback capabilities of the S90D are outstanding.

Apps

9.3/10

Sound

6.8/10

Subjective sound quality

Dolby Digital Plus 7.1

Dolby True HD 7.1

Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)

Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD

DTS:X in DTS-HD MA

DTS-HD Master Audio

The Samsung OLED 48 S90D TV delivers good sound quality, with clear and balanced audio. The sound is crisp, and the bass is well-defined, enhancing the viewing experience. Even at maximum volume, the sound remains clear, although the TV itself isn't very loud.

Manufacturer marketing solutions:

AI Processor NQ4 Gen2 – An advanced processor supported by artificial intelligence that optimises both image and sound, adjusting them to the content displayed for the highest quality reception.
Motion Smoother 144 Hz – Dynamic refresh technology that ensures smooth motion and supports VRR gaming up to 4K at 144 Hz, guaranteeing sharpness of image and quick reactions during dynamic scenes.
Auto Game Mode (ALLM) – A feature that automatically optimises screen settings during gaming, minimising input lag and providing greater control and smooth gameplay.
FreeSync Premium – Image synchronisation technology that reduces tearing and stuttering, resulting in smoother and more responsive gameplay.
Anti-Reflective Coating – A special screen coating that minimises light reflections, allowing comfortable viewing of content even in bright rooms without distracting glare.
AI 4K Upscaling – Technology that uses artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of lower resolution materials to a level close to 4K, improving sharpness and detail of the image.
Tizen OS – An intuitive Smart TV operating system that provides access to a wide range of apps and streaming services, enabling content personalisation and easy navigation.

Samsung OLED 48 S90D – excellence in detail

Samsung OLED 48 S90D stands out not only for its exceptional picture quality but also for its elegant design that fits perfectly into any interior. Thanks to advanced OLED technology, this television offers deep blacks and vibrant colours, significantly enhancing viewing comfort. Additionally, Samsung QE48S94D is equipped with smart features that allow easy content management and settings personalisation. To learn more about comparisons with other models, it's worth checking TV tests that provide detailed information and ratings.

Samsung QE48S94D – a solution for the demanding

Samsung QE48S94D is a model that combines modern technology with unmatched functionality, meeting the expectations of even the most demanding users. Its advanced smart TV system allows for seamless use of various apps and streaming services, making it an ideal choice for multimedia enthusiasts. Furthermore, Samsung OLED 48 S90D features impressive brightness and contrast, providing exceptional visual experiences in any lighting conditions.

Samsung S90D / S94D 48" (WRGB OLED)

Our verdict

Advantages

Disadvantages

Competing TVs in this price range

TV appearance

Buy in the best price

Contrast and black detail

HDR effect quality

Factory color reproduction

Color reproduction after calibration

Smoothness of tonal transitions

Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions

Blur and motion smoothness

Console compatibility and gaming features

Input lag

Compatibility with PC

Viewing angles

TV efficiency during daytime

Details about the matrix

TV features

Playing files from USB

Apps

Sound

Samsung OLED 48 S90D – excellence in detail

Samsung QE48S94D – a solution for the demanding