Samsung continues the "matrix lottery" policy

Samsung is once again creating confusion in its OLED television segment. According to information available online, the S95F series, regarded as Samsung's flagship OLED model for 2025, will be available with both QD-OLED and WOLED panels. This means that potential buyers will need to pay special attention to model designations to ensure they know which panel technology they are actually receiving.

The matrix lottery continues - what do the letters in the model name mean?

Similar to the S90D model, Samsung uses different designations for televisions with QD-OLED and WOLED panels depending on the market. For the S95F model:

• In the USA:

  • "FAE" means WOLED panel

  • "FAF" means QD-OLED panel

• In Europe:

  • "FAE" means WOLED

  • "FAT" means QD-OLED

It turns out that without a thorough check of the model code, buying a television can be a lottery, especially for those looking for specific technology.

Models S95F and their matrices

S95F – the first 83-inch model with a matte display

One of the most interesting aspects of the new series is the introduction of the 83S95F model, marking the first-ever 83-inch version of Samsung's flagship OLED with a matte display. Previously, the largest available size was 77 inches. Importantly, this version does not use Samsung's QD-OLED panel but rather a WOLED panel supplied by LG Display. The question remains whether it will feature the new Primary RGB Tandem configuration like the LG G5, or if it will use older generations of WOLED panels?

The first 42-inch OLEDs from Samsung

Equally surprising is Samsung's introduction of the first-ever 42-inch OLED models. For the S90F series, the 42S90F model and its 48-inch counterpart will exclusively utilise WOLED panels. Thus, Samsung enters the market for the smallest OLED televisions, which could pose direct competition to LG's popular models from the C series in these sizes.

Model S90F and its matrices

Interestingly, according to leaks from DisplaySpecification, the model 65S90F is expected to be equipped with a WOLED panel, which suggests that no size from the S90F series will receive a panel manufactured by Samsung Display in the UK.

What's new in Samsung OLED televisions for 2025?

Samsung is introducing several technological innovations, regardless of the type of panel:

• VRR up to 165Hz and Motion Xcelerator 165

• AI 4K Upscaling Pro, Auto HDR Remastering Pro

• Smart Calibration and HDR Brightness Optimization, although based on our previous experiences, these are more marketing additions than genuinely useful features.

• A new remote control with a dedicated AI button and an improved Tizen OS system

• And, of course, new advanced AI features.

Both QD-OLED and WOLED models are advertised as capable of achieving 4000 nits peak brightness, though in practice, this will require independent testing. However, this would mean that the 83S95F would be using an RGB Tandem panel.

Is this a good decision by Samsung?

For consumers, the Samsung S95F may pose a challenge when purchasing. The introduction of mixed panels in the same series can lead to misunderstandings, especially when two televisions with the same name differ not only in image quality but also potentially in durability and display characteristics. For those who consciously choose QD-OLED or WOLED technology, Samsung necessitates extra caution when buying. We hope to thoroughly check for you all possible variants of Samsung's OLEDs this year.