Samsung QN90F: Specs
Price: $1,599
Screen size: 65 inches
Model: Samsung QN65QN90FAFXZA
Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Refresh rate: 120Hz native (up to 165Hz)
Ports: 4x HDMI 2.1
Audio: 60W 4.2.2 Channel
Smart TV software: Tizen OS
Size (without stand): 56.9 x 32.6 x 1.1 inches
Weight (without stand): 53.4 pounds
The Samsung QN90F is the most expensive 4K LCD model Samsung plans on releasing in 2025, but it comes with a robust blend of advanced features, like surprising new ones in its bespoke Daily Board, as well as exciting advantages over competing sets.
One such advantage is its matte anti-glare coating. The QN90F mirrors Samsung’s flagship OLED TV in this way, offering some of the best bright-room performance and direct light mitigation you’ll get in a Mini-LED TV. It also boasts incredible black levels, leading to seriously stunning contrast.
The Samsung QN90F offers a refreshing mix of features and design considerations that make it a compelling Mini-LED TV. However, are these advantageous enough to make it one of the best TVs of the year? Here are my thoughts after a full week of testing.
Samsung QN90F Mini-LED TV review: Price and release date
The Samsung QN90F is the flagship model in Samsung’s 2025 4K QLED TV lineup, which launched in April. It sits above other QLED sets, like the QN85F and QN70F, offering the most premium range of features and performance for Samsung’s 4K LCD line. However, it is outclassed by Samsung’s two 8K Mini-LED models, the QN99F and QN900F.
The Samsung QN90F Mini-LED TV is available for purchase in the following sizes:
- Samsung QN43QN90FAFXZA (43-inch): $1,299 | Sale: $899
- Samsung QN50QN90FAFXZA (50-inch): $1,499 | Sale: $1,199
- Samsung QN55QN90FAFXZA (55-inch): $1,799 | Sale: $1,399
- Samsung QN65QN90FAFXZA (65-inch): $2,499 | Sale: $1,599
- Samsung QN75QN90FAFXZA (75-inch): $2,999 | Sale: $1,999
- Samsung QN85QN90FAFXZA (85-inch): $4,499 | Sale: $2,299
- Samsung QN65QN90FAFXZA (98-inch): $14,999 | Sale: $12,999
- Samsung QN65QN90FAFXZA (115-inch): $26,999
We reviewed the Samsung QN90F in its 55-inch configuration, but our lab tests were performed on the 65-inch model. You can expect several differences across sizes, with the 43-inch and 50-inch sizes equipped with a smaller speaker system and fewer dimming zones versus the larger sizes. The 115-inch version also only offers 144Hz VRR, not 165Hz like its smaller sizes.
The Samsung QN90F is similarly priced with competing flagship Mini-LED TVs. At the time of writing, the 65-inch model is marked down to $1,497 on Amazon, putting it in direct contention with the TCL QM8K. Normally, it would be similarly priced to the Hisense U8QG; however, Hisense has the U8QG currently discounted to $1,097.
Mini-LED TVs aren’t the only sets the QN90F is competing with, as it also faces the LG C5 OLED. Arguably one of the best OLED TVs, the 65-inch LG C5 is $100 cheaper than the QN90F at the time of writing, and it could drop even further during Black Friday sales.
Samsung QN90F Mini-LED TV review: Design
Taking a page from the best Samsung TVs, the QN90F is built particularly slim for an LCD set. It measures just 1.1 inches deep without the stand and features some of the thinnest bezels, giving it a framed look that’s perfect for wall mounting.
If you’re not keen on using the 200 x 200mm VESA mounting configuration, the included stand is more than adequate. It is made of both plastic and metal, offering a nice balance between sturdy construction and simple installation. All you need is a screwdriver to attach the stand; otherwise, no tools are needed.
One of the most exciting features of the QN90F is its anti-glare coating, mirroring the Samsung S95F OLED TV. The matte finish not only makes it look like a painting, but it also combats reflections very well. It’s one of my favorite aspects of the QN90F, because glare was such a big problem on the Hisense U8QG.
One of the newest features the Samsung QN90F offers is an automatic standby mode with widgets, called Daily Board. It essentially turns the TV on in a low-power state whenever you walk near it. The feature can be enabled in the setup stage, so if you don’t want it, it’s easy to ignore, but I found it rather irritating and distracting, as the TV would often turn on even if I was sitting further away from the screen.
Over time, I’m sure the feature will be improved, and additional functionality could be added to it, but in its current state, it feels sort of half-baked. I think it could be a gateway to a future where TVs don’t rely on remotes, but right now it’s still too early.
Samsung QN90F Mini-LED TV review: Ports
At the rear of the TV, located on the left side, you’ll find an array of ports. Mirroring other flagship Mini-LED and OLED TVs, the QN90F comes loaded with four HDMI 2.1 ports, making it one of the best gaming TVs of the year. These ports not only offer 4K/120Hz for console gamers, but also support up to 165Hz speeds for PC players.
The QN90F also includes two USB-A ports, an optical digital output, a LAN port, and an RF connection. Additional wireless connectivity is also supported, including Bluetooth version 5.3 and Wi-Fi 5. While this spec is fine for most people, the Hisense U8QG is equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, offering a slight improvement in speed over the Samsung model.
Samsung QN90F Mini-LED TV review: Performance
If there’s one thing the Samsung QN90F excels at, it’s bright room performance. The matte anti-glare coating built into the screen works wonders and is aided by its rather high brightness. Admittedly, the QN90F might not match the same luminance as the QM8K or U8QG, but it performs better than either in sunnier environments.
Brightness isn’t its only strength — it also offers incredible contrast for a Mini-LED TV. Black levels and shadows are lifelike, expressed best in evening shots of “Sinners” and “Weapons.”
Another standout surprise was the minimal amount of blooming I noticed, particularly when subtitles were presented in darker scenes or in bright highlights. This is owed to Samsung’s incredible precision dimming.
While it’s not something I’ve seen Samsung TVs praised for often in the past, I was also pleasantly surprised by the upscaling potential on the QN90F. Sports broadcasts in 1080p, like NHL games, were uplifted with minimal artefacting or downgrades. It also helps that you don’t lose picture quality while watching off-axis.
So, where does it fall in picture performance? The QN90F has excellent color accuracy, but its color coverage doesn’t match many of its rivals, specifically in HDR. It doesn’t help that the QN90F is also without Dolby Vision support, so a large catalog of movies won’t get the benefit of improved colors and contrasts using the format.
Overall, while colors still look vibrant in animated content, especially the likes of season three of “Star Wars Visions,” other content featured muted colors that were less saturated, like “Superman” and “Dune 2.” You can regain some of that color vibrancy by switching to the Vivid picture mode, but that comes at the cost of color accuracy.
Ultimately, the QN90F stands out from other Mini-LED TVs with excellent glare mitigation and off-axis viewing, which is a major plus. The muted colors in certain movies are concerning, but I think most people won’t notice this drawback.
How we test TVs
We follow a standard testing protocol for every TV we review at Tom’s Guide. Our benchmarks include a series of technical and subject tests designed to rate the set’s performance.
For our technical tests, we use a Jeti spectraval 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer, a Klein K10-A colorimeter, a Murideo 8K-SIX-G Metal pattern generator, and Portrait Displays’ Calman TV-calibration software to take measurements. We also use a Leo Bodnar 4K Input Lag Tester for determining the TV’s gaming prowess.
Samsung QN90F Mini-LED TV review: Test results
The Samsung QN90F outperforms its competitors in some metrics, but is outclassed in others. Here’s how it fares against similarly-priced flagship Mini-LED TVs, including LG’s QNED92, TCL’s QM8K, and the Hisense U8QG.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Samsung QN90F |
LG QNED92 |
TCL QM8K |
Hisense U8QG |
|
SDR Brightness (10%, in nits) |
228 |
692 |
249 |
2,908 |
|
Delta-E (lower is better) |
1.8 |
1.5 |
2.7 |
2.4 |
|
Rec. 709 Gamut Coverage |
99.15% |
97.79% |
99.03% |
99.30% |
|
HDR Brightness (10%, in nits) |
2,109 |
1,248 |
3,332 |
3,685 |
|
UHDA-P3 Gamut Coverage |
93.32% |
95.57% |
97.28% |
97.53% |
|
Rec. 2020 Gamut Coverage |
77.44% |
77.42% |
80.11% |
83.98% |
|
Input latency (in milliseconds) |
9.5 |
13.3 |
13 |
9.7 |
The Samsung QN90F won’t blow you away with its lab test results. In fact, it offers the lowest HDR color coverage and brightness of the bunch, which is surprising given its real-world performance.
On paper, the Hisense U8QG boasts the highest brightness metrics in our tests, hitting an astronomical high of 3,685 nits in HDR in a 10% window. The QN90F doesn’t come close, barely hitting over 2,000 nits. The TCL QM8K similarly outclasses the Samsung model, but neither TV offers the most robust anti-reflective measures for bright room viewing.
Interestingly, the LG model has the best color accuracy, sporting a Delta-E score of 1.5. The Samsung QN90F comes second, and that really panned out in my real-world testing — colors looked natural, if slightly muted. One thing the Samsung model does offer is some of the best gaming performance with its 9.5ms of input latency, which is perfect for PC gamers.
Sure, it might not boast better performance metrics than its rivals, but in everyday viewing scenarios, you probably won’t even notice these discrepancies.
Samsung QN90F Mini-LED TV review: Audio
The Samsung QN90F’s audio performance is fine, but it’s nothing to write home about. It gets the job done in most scenarios, but if you want a broader and fuller sound stage, you’ll want one of the best soundbars and a subwoofer to give you expert immersion.
Dolby Atmos support helps in some scenarios, but the 60W 4.2.2-channel system simply doesn’t have enough power. Action scenes feel less immersive, and dialogue is particularly hard to hear in certain scenes. I noticed this most in “Superman,” with Clark Kent’s pivotal monologue closer to the end of the film, feeling less punchy under the louder music.
Samsung does have some ways of amplifying TV audio, especially if you’re using one of its Q-Symphony soundbars, allowing you to make use of the speakers in tandem with the sound system. It also has several AI audio features, like Adaptive Sound Pro and Object Tracking Sound Pro+, which can be useful to some users, but aren’t recommended.
In short, what’s here is average at best, and feels very middling for the sticker price.
Samsung QN90F Mini-LED TV review: Interface and apps
Samsung’s smart platform, Tizen OS, has seen major improvements over the last year, but there are still some mishaps Samsung needs to address. The best part about the interface is its slew of free channels through Samsung TV Plus.
Samsung’s interface also has access to several cloud gaming services, like Xbox Game Pass and Amazon Luna. It’s a nice addition for those who need it beyond simply diving into the best streaming services, but if you do end up using them, I recommend hard-wiring the TV via Ethernet.
One major issue with the updated interface is the Now Playing carousel, which gets bombarded with Samsung TV Plus content. I mentioned this in my Samsung S90F review, and there are ways of disabling the function, but it would be much better if Samsung simply disabled audio playback so Samsung TV Plus doesn’t loudly start playing right when you turn the TV on. It’s not a dealbreaker, but definitely something to consider.
Overall, Tizen OS is generally fine and does offer a set number of upgrades over Roku and Google TV, despite those platforms having simpler navigation and improved stability. However, I do like the zoomed-in look and highlighted apps, which have changed on the 2025 version.
Samsung QN90F Mini-LED TV review: Remote
Samsung TVs offer some of the best remotes in the market, right next to Roku. The QN90F’s remote is small, lightweight, and is equipped with all the quick access buttons you might need to your favorite apps, including YouTube, Prime Video, Netflix, and Samsung TV Plus. It’s also solar powered, so you never have to worry about charging it or changing the batteries.
Samsung added a new button to its 2025 models that brings up all things Vision AI. Think of it like a full AI assistant, offering a wide range of features. You can ask the AI companion practically anything, and it’s built on Microsoft Copilot, so it has some neat functionality.
Practical? Not exactly, but it’s a nice addition for those who might want it.
I think if Samsung wanted to add anything to its remote to make it stand out even more, it would be backlit buttons. These aren’t a must, but other major competitors, including Hisense and Roku, offer backlit buttons on their remotes, so Samsung should follow suit.
Samsung QN90F Mini-LED TV review: Verdict
The Samsung QN90F offers some of the best contrast and black levels for a Mini-LED set, and is probably the best option in this category for a bright room, thanks to its stellar anti-reflective coating.
The QN90F also offers serious gaming performance. It matches the Hisense U8QG with a refresh rate up to 165Hz and also excels with a 9.5ms input latency, making it one of the best gaming TVs. You also get the added benefit of cloud gaming access via Tizen OS.
Despite this, it is up against some truly stunning Mini-LED TVs from TCL and Hisense, as well as the award-winning LG C5 OLED that can be found for $100 less. Each of these competing models not only offers Dolby Vision but also better color performance. The improvements these TVs offer in brightness and color volume might be imperceptible to most, but they’re hard to ignore, especially considering the QN90F’s sticker price.
However, if you’re willing to sacrifice Dolby Vision and pay a little more for improved bright room performance, the QN90F serves as a good investment. It might not hit the same performance metrics offered by cheaper models, but it’s still a great TV for folks with bright living rooms thanks to its incredible black levels, gaming features, and upscaling for sports.