Samsung QN90F (65QN90FAU) Review: The King of Bright-Room Viewing

The television market is a perpetual battle for supremacy, a technological arms race where a single innovation can redraw the battle lines. For years, the debate has centered on the fundamental trade-off between the absolute blacks of OLED and the searing brightness of premium LCDs. With its Neo QLED line, Samsung has not just joined this conversation; it has fundamentally changed it.

The Samsung QN90F (65QN90FAU) represents the culmination of this effort, a television designed to take on the best of the best, not by mimicking its rivals, but by perfecting its own philosophy. It is a stunning display of engineering prowess, combining revolutionary backlighting, advanced AI, and a suite of features that make it a compelling choice for everything from cinematic blockbusters to competitive gaming. In this exhaustive review, we will delve into every facet of the QN90F to determine if it truly deserves the crown as the king of Mini LED televisions.

Design, Aesthetics, and the Pursuit of Minimalism

The first thing that strikes you about the QN90F is its design. Samsung has long been a master of TV aesthetics, and the Neo QLED line is no exception. The television boasts a "NeoSlim" profile, which is a significant achievement considering the complex backlighting system it houses. Unlike older LCD TVs that could be chunky and unwieldy, the QN90F is remarkably svelte, with a sleek, minimalist chassis that hugs the wall when mounted. The four-sided bezel-less design is a triumph of modern engineering, ensuring that the picture, and nothing but the picture, dominates your field of view. The titanium black finish is understated and premium, lending the TV an air of sophistication.

For those not wall-mounting, the TV rests on a uniquely styled "Sharp Neck Hexagon" stand. This central pedestal is both sturdy and stylish, providing excellent stability and a clean, modern look. Thoughtful cable management channels are integrated into the stand and the rear of the TV, ensuring that unsightly wires are kept out of sight, contributing to a clean and uncluttered setup. The remote is also a piece of modern design, powered by a solar cell on the back, eliminating the need for disposable batteries—a small but impactful step towards sustainability.

Unpacking the Technology: Neo QLED and Quantum Matrix Technology+

To understand the QN90F, you must first understand the core of its technology. "Neo QLED" is Samsung’s marketing term for a TV that uses Quantum Dots and a Mini LED backlight. The "Neo" refers to the revolutionary use of Quantum Mini LEDs, which are a staggering 1/40th the size of conventional LEDs. This means Samsung can pack tens of thousands of these tiny lights behind the panel, creating an incredibly dense and precise backlight array.

This array is meticulously controlled by what Samsung calls "Quantum Matrix Technology+." This system is the brain that manages the Mini LEDs, allowing for ultra-fine, granular light control. In a traditional full-array local dimming (FALD) TV, there might be a few hundred dimming zones. The QN90F, by contrast, has thousands. This exponential increase in dimming zones allows the TV to achieve a level of black uniformity and contrast that was once exclusive to OLED displays. When a scene requires a pitch-black background with a single bright object, the TV can turn off the LEDs in that specific area, resulting in true, deep blacks with minimal light bleed or "blooming."

The Quantum Dot layer is the final piece of the puzzle. These microscopic particles emit incredibly pure, vibrant colors when hit by the light from the Mini LEDs. The result is a color volume that is certified to be 100% of the DCI-P3 color space, meaning the TV can reproduce a massive range of colors with stunning accuracy and saturation at any brightness level. This combination of Quantum Mini LEDs and Quantum Dots is what gives Neo QLED its signature vibrant, punchy, and intensely bright picture.

Picture Performance: A Canvas of Light and Color

This is where the QN90F truly justifies its flagship status. The TV’s picture quality is nothing short of breathtaking, and its performance in a wide range of lighting conditions is unparalleled. Its peak brightness is simply phenomenal, allowing HDR highlights to pop with a blinding intensity that OLED, for all its strengths, cannot match. This brightness is not just for spectacle; it’s a crucial component for real-world viewing. Watching a movie in a sun-drenched living room is no longer a struggle against screen glare. Samsung’s "Glare Free" screen, a special matte-like coating, is a revolutionary feature that almost completely eliminates reflections, making the TV a perfect choice for rooms with large windows or strong overhead lighting.

For HDR content, the QN90F is an absolute powerhouse. It supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. While the lack of Dolby Vision support may be a sticking point for some, Samsung's HDR10+ Adaptive, combined with its class-leading brightness and Quantum Matrix Technology+, ensures a dynamic and impactful HDR experience. The TV renders deep shadows with surprising detail and bright skies with brilliant clarity. The light bloom that is a typical Achilles' heel for LCD TVs is almost entirely absent, or at least so well-controlled as to be negligible in most viewing scenarios. In dark scenes, the blacks are incredibly deep, lending a cinematic quality to movies and shows. The TV’s processor, the Neural Quantum Processor 4K, is the final layer of this picture perfection. Powered by a staggering 128 AI neural networks, this chip is constantly working in the background to optimize every frame. Its "4K AI Upscaling Pro" feature is particularly effective, breathing new life into standard HD content by sharpening details, reducing noise, and adding a level of depth that makes it look closer to native 4K. The processor can also intelligently apply HDR-like tone mapping to SDR content, giving older films and TV shows a welcome boost in dynamism.

The Ultimate Gaming Hub: Unleash the Power of 165Hz

In the world of gaming, refresh rate is everything. A high refresh rate translates to smoother motion, reduced blur, and a more responsive feel. The QN90F takes this to an extreme with its native 120Hz panel that is capable of a staggering 165Hz Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) with a PC connection. This is a game-changer for competitive PC gamers who demand the fastest, most fluid motion possible.

The TV is equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports, a non-negotiable feature for serious gamers. These ports support a full 4K signal at up to 165Hz, with features like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). ALLM automatically detects when a console or PC is connected and switches the TV to its low-input-lag gaming mode, ensuring a near-instantaneous response time. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support further ensures a stutter-free and tear-free gaming experience, even during the most demanding action sequences.

Samsung’s dedicated "Game Hub" and "Game Bar" UI are a joy to use. The Game Bar provides an on-screen overlay that gives you real-time information on your frame rate, input lag, and refresh rate, along with quick access to key settings. The TV also offers unique gaming-centric features like "Super Ultra Wide Game View" for a more immersive field of view and "Mini Map Zoom" for a closer look at crucial on-screen information. The QN90F is not just a TV that can game; it’s a dedicated gaming monitor in a TV’s body.

Audio Performance: A Sound that Moves with the Action

Picture quality is only half of the cinematic experience, and Samsung has made significant strides in audio with the QN90F. The TV is equipped with a 4.2.2-channel, 60-watt speaker array, a notable upgrade from the standard 2.0-channel setups found on many other TVs. This built-in speaker system is surprisingly capable, delivering clear dialogue and a respectable soundstage.

The real magic, however, lies in Samsung's Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+) technology. This feature uses a series of speakers strategically placed on the TV to create a sense of sound coming from the object's relative location on the screen. If a car drives from left to right, you will hear the audio track that movement. This creates a much more immersive and three-dimensional sound experience, even without an external sound system.

The QN90F also supports Dolby Atmos, allowing it to process and reproduce height and surround information from compatible content. When combined with a Samsung Q-Symphony-compatible soundbar, the TV's built-in speakers work in perfect harmony with the soundbar's drivers, creating a more expansive and enveloping soundstage. While an audiophile will always recommend a full home theater system, the QN90F’s built-in audio is more than capable for everyday use and is one of the best you’ll find in this class.

The Tizen OS: A Smart Hub that's Always Evolving

The smart TV experience is powered by Samsung’s proprietary Tizen OS. For years, Tizen has been praised for its speed and simplicity, and the latest iteration with One UI continues this trend. The interface is clean and uncluttered, with a logical layout that makes it easy to find your favorite apps and content. The app selection is vast, with every major streaming service available, along with niche apps and Samsung's own free ad-supported streaming service, Samsung TV Plus.

The Magic Remote is a standout feature, combining traditional button controls with an air-mouse functionality that makes navigating the interface a breeze. Voice commands via the integrated microphone are responsive and reliable. The TV also integrates with a wide range of smart home devices through the built-in SmartThings Hub, allowing you to control lights, thermostats, and other IoT devices directly from your TV screen. The platform is also protected by Samsung Knox Security, providing multi-layered protection for your personal data.

While the Tizen OS is excellent, it is not without its quirks. Some users may find that certain menu settings are buried a layer or two deeper than necessary, and the lack of a dedicated input button on the remote can be a minor frustration. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise polished and powerful smart platform.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional Brightness and Glare Control: The QN90F is a powerhouse in brightly lit rooms, and its "Glare Free" screen is a revolutionary feature that virtually eliminates reflections.

• Stunning Picture Quality: The Quantum Matrix Technology+ and Mini LED backlight deliver incredible contrast, deep blacks, and minimal blooming, pushing the limits of LCD technology.

• Best-in-Class Gaming: The native 120Hz refresh rate with 165Hz VRR support, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and a comprehensive suite of gaming features make it one of the best TVs for gamers on the market.

• Powerful AI Processing: The Neural Quantum Processor 4K delivers excellent upscaling, motion handling, and intelligent picture optimization.

• Advanced Audio: The 4.2.2-channel speaker system and Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+) technology provide a surprisingly immersive and dynamic audio experience.

Cons

• No Dolby Vision Support: Samsung continues to omit Dolby Vision in favor of its own HDR10+ standard, which may be a deal-breaker for some content creators and consumers.

• Tizen OS Quirks: While Tizen is generally fast and user-friendly, some menu settings can be difficult to find, and the lack of a dedicated input button on the remote can be frustrating.

• Still an LCD: Despite its incredible performance, the QN90F cannot achieve the truly infinite contrast or pixel-level black uniformity of an OLED, and some minor blooming is still possible in certain scenarios.

The Final Verdict

The Samsung QN90F (65QN90FAU) is not just a TV; it's a statement. It is the best of what Mini LED technology has to offer, delivering a truly premium experience that challenges the dominance of OLED in a meaningful way. It is a television that excels in all of the areas that matter most: picture quality, gaming performance, and smart features.

For those who watch a lot of content in a bright room, enjoy fast-paced sports, or are serious about next-gen gaming, the QN90F is, without question, the best TV you can buy. While the lack of Dolby Vision and the minor light bloom are valid considerations, they are easily outweighed by the TV's sheer performance and versatility. Samsung has not just refined its Neo QLED technology; it has perfected it. The QN90F is a triumph of engineering and a testament to the fact that the future of television is not a single path, but a world of vibrant, brilliant, and compelling choices.