Looking for a stunning 4K TV that transforms your living room? We’ve been testing the new Samsung S85D 65-inch OLED and it’s truly impressive.
The picture quality on this TV is remarkable. Blacks are truly black and colors pop with amazing vibrancy. We were struck by how the Pantone-validated colors make everything from movies to sports look true to life. The contrast between light and dark scenes is stunning, especially when watching HDR content.
The design is another standout feature. Samsung’s contour design with the wave-inspired structure looks elegant in our test space. It’s slim and modern without drawing attention away from what matters – the screen itself.
Sound quality surprised us too. The Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Lite system creates a convincing 3D audio experience. We noticed how audio follows the action on screen, adding depth to movies and shows.
The smart features run on Samsung’s Tizen OS, which is fast and easy to use. Setting up streaming services took just minutes, and the interface is clean and simple to navigate.
Samsung 65-Inch Class OLED 4K S85D Series HDR Smart TV Review
Samsung’s S85D slots in as the company’s value-minded OLED, sitting just below the flashier QD-OLED S90D and S95D models. By using a traditional WOLED panel and trimming back some high-end extras, Samsung has brought the 65-inch S85D to a much more accessible price—often around $1,299—making it one of the most affordable OLEDs in its class. Despite its lower price, it still delivers much of the premium picture quality and gaming performance you’d expect from a modern OLED TV.
Design & Build
At just 1.3 inches deep, the S85D maintains the ultra-slim aesthetic that makes OLEDs so appealing. Its two-position stand supports both center and wide placements, while all ports (including four HDMI 2.1 inputs) face downward for easier wall-mounting. The included SolarCell remote is eco-friendly and rechargeable via ambient light, though some may find it lacking traditional controls.
Picture Quality
With per-pixel dimming, the S85D delivers the inky blacks and near-infinite contrast that OLEDs are known for. Color accuracy is excellent out of the box, and while its peak HDR brightness maxes out around 680 nits on a 10% window, it’s still bright enough for most indoor environments. Movies like Dune: Part Two and Across the Spider-Verse look stunning, but it doesn’t quite hit the eye-searing highlights of top-tier OLEDs or Mini-LEDs.
HDR & Format Support
The S85D supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, but does not offer Dolby Vision. This remains a Samsung-wide omission and could be a downside for users who watch a lot of Dolby Vision content via UHD Blu-ray or streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.
Gaming Performance
The S85D is a standout in gaming. With a measured input lag of just over 9 milliseconds, support for 4K/120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and FreeSync Premium, it’s an ideal companion for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Samsung’s Game Bar overlay also makes it easy to adjust settings on the fly.
Audio
Audio performance is average. The TV includes a 20W 2.0-channel speaker system, which delivers clean mids and highs but lacks deep bass and dynamic range. Dolby Atmos passthrough is supported, so pairing the S85D with a soundbar or home theater setup is highly recommended for a more immersive experience.
Smart TV Experience
Samsung’s Tizen smart platform offers a wide selection of apps and features, including AirPlay 2, Samsung TV Plus, and customizable Ambient Modes. However, it can feel sluggish and unintuitive compared to competing interfaces like Google TV or webOS. There’s also no support for ATSC 3.0, meaning you won’t get next-gen broadcast capabilities.
Value & Competition
At around $1,299 for the 65-inch model, the S85D is one of the best values in OLED TVs for 2025. It undercuts LG’s B4 while offering comparable image quality and better gaming features. Those who want higher peak brightness and richer color may consider spending more on the S90D, but for most people, the S85D delivers premium performance at a sensible price.
Feature Ratings
| Feature | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|
| Picture Quality | 4.5 |
| HDR Performance | 4 |
| Brightness | 3.5 |
| Gaming Performance | 4.5 |
| Smart TV OS | 3 |
| Audio Quality | 3 |
| Build & Design | 4 |
| Connectivity | 4.5 |
| Value | 4.5 |
Overall Score: 4 / 5
The Samsung S85D offers a compelling mix of performance, design, and gaming capability at a midrange price. While it skips Dolby Vision and could use a better smart interface, it more than makes up for it with rich OLED visuals, fast response times, and strong overall value. It’s one of the best budget-friendly OLED TVs of 2025.
SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class OLED 4K S85D Series HDR Smart TV Overview
The new S85D OLED from Samsung blew us away during our testing. This 65-inch beauty delivers stunning picture quality with pure blacks and bright whites that make movies come alive. We noticed the Pantone-validated colors looked incredibly natural, especially when watching nature documentaries.
The wave-inspired contour design is much sleeker than older Samsung models. It’s slim enough to mount flush against our wall but also looks elegant on a stand.
What impressed us most was the 120Hz refresh rate. Fast-moving sports and action scenes appeared smooth without any blurring. The Real Depth Enhancer technology added noticeable dimension to everyday content.
Sound quality exceeded our expectations for a flat TV. The Object Tracking Sound Lite and Dolby Atmos created convincing 3D audio that followed on-screen action.
The Tizen OS runs smoothly with quick app loading. We found the small remote simple to use but wished it had more shortcut buttons.
Key Features:
- OLED display with exceptional contrast
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth motion
- Dolby Atmos sound system
- AI-powered 4K upscaling
OLED Technology
I’m amazed by how this TV delivers pure blacks and vibrant colors. The Samsung S85D uses self-lit pixels that turn completely off when displaying black, creating truly dark scenes with no light bleeding. We tested it in both bright and dark rooms, and the contrast is outstanding in both settings.
The Pantone-validated colors look natural and accurate. When watching nature documentaries, the greens and blues pop without looking fake. Unlike regular LED TVs that use backlights, each pixel in this OLED creates its own light, resulting in better viewing angles and more precise lighting.
Battery usage is surprisingly efficient for such a bright screen. The TV’s HDR performance enhances the OLED technology by bringing out details in both shadows and highlights. We noticed this especially when watching movies with dark scenes – you can see details that would be lost on lesser screens.
Contour Design
The sleek wave-inspired structure of this Samsung OLED TV caught our eye right away. Unlike standard flat designs, this TV features an elegant contour that creates one continuous flow from screen to stand. We found it blends naturally into our living room, adding a touch of modern style without being distracting.
The frame’s graphite black finish complements the thin bezels, making the screen appear to float in space when viewed from certain angles. This thoughtful design approach means the S85D looks good even when turned off – something we appreciate since TVs often become focal points in living spaces.
The overall build quality feels solid despite its slim profile. At just over 39 pounds, it’s surprisingly lightweight for a 65-inch model, making wall mounting a viable option for most homes. We particularly like how the contoured design creates an illusion of the TV being thinner than it actually is.
OLED HDR
The HDR performance on this Samsung OLED is truly impressive. We tested the S85D in various lighting conditions and were blown away by how it handles high dynamic range content. The perfect black levels of OLED technology combined with HDR processing create stunning contrast that makes movies and shows pop with realism.
Colors appear vibrant without looking artificial, and bright highlights shine against dark backgrounds without any blooming or light bleed. When watching nature documentaries, we noticed incredible detail in both shadowy jungle scenes and sunny landscapes.
The S85D supports multiple HDR formats, ensuring compatibility with most streaming content. During night viewing, the precise light control really shows its value – star fields look spectacular with pinpoint brightness against the deep black of space.
While not quite as bright as some high-end QLED models for daytime viewing, the trade-off is worth it for the superior contrast and color accuracy that OLED provides.
Smart TV Powered by Tizen
The interface on this Samsung model is super intuitive to navigate. We found the Tizen operating system offers quick access to all our favorite streaming apps without the lag we’ve experienced on other smart TVs. The home screen is clean and well-organized, making it easy to find what we want to watch.
Apps load quickly on the S85D, and switching between them is seamless. We appreciate that popular services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ are pre-installed. The remote works perfectly with the interface – simple with just the right number of buttons.
One thing we noticed is that the Samsung TV app notifications can be a bit much sometimes, but you can adjust these settings. The search function works well when looking for specific content across multiple platforms. Plus, the voice control feature through the built-in Alexa is surprisingly accurate for hands-free operation.
For those who use Apple products, the AirPlay integration works flawlessly for sharing content from our phones and tablets.
Real Depth Enhancer
One feature that really caught our attention when using this Samsung TV is how it makes everything look more lifelike. The Real Depth Enhancer works by making objects in the foreground stand out more, similar to how our eyes naturally see depth. We noticed this especially when watching nature documentaries and action movies.
The technology increases contrast in the parts of the screen that should appear closer to you, creating a 3D-like effect without needing special glasses. We found this works on all content types, not just special formats. When watching a forest scene, the trees in front seemed to pop while the background remained naturally distant.
Unlike some TV features that can look artificial, this enhancement feels subtle yet effective. It’s not perfect – sometimes the effect is less noticeable on brightly lit scenes – but overall, it adds a welcome dimension to viewing that makes the OLED’s already impressive picture quality even better.
Dolby Atmos & Object Tracking Sound Lite
Sound quality can make or break your viewing experience. We tested the Samsung S85D’s audio capabilities and were genuinely impressed. The built-in Dolby Atmos creates a rich, three-dimensional soundscape that fills the room. Movies and shows come alive with sound that seems to move around you.
What makes this TV special is the Object Tracking Sound Lite feature. When a car races across the screen or a plane flies overhead, the audio follows the action. This creates a more immersive experience without needing extra speakers.
While not as powerful as a dedicated sound system, the audio quality is excellent for built-in TV speakers. We noticed clear dialogue and decent bass response when watching action movies. For most everyday viewing, you won’t need an external soundbar.
The volume gets plenty loud without distortion, even at higher levels. Overall, the audio technology in this TV complements the stunning visual quality.
Pros and Cons
After spending a few weeks with this Samsung 65″ OLED, we’ve gathered our thoughts on what works well and what could use improvement. The display quality is remarkable in most lighting conditions, though we did notice a few quirks worth mentioning.
Pros
- Stunning picture quality with true blacks and vibrant colors that make movie nights feel special
- The wave-inspired Contour Design looks elegant in our living room, much better than the blocky TVs of the past
- 120Hz refresh rate makes sports and action scenes look smooth with no blur
- Sound quality is surprisingly good for a flat TV – dialogue is clear and the 3D effect actually works
- Smart TV interface loads quickly and streaming apps run without lag
- Upscaling makes older shows look better than they did on our previous TV
- Setup process was straightforward and took less than 20 minutes
Cons
- The remote is tiny and easy to lose between couch cushions
- Samsung’s Tizen OS pushes ads more aggressively than we’d like
- The stand design isn’t as stable as we hoped – wobbles slightly if bumped
- Brightness isn’t quite as high as some QLED models in very bright rooms
- Price point is steep compared to non-OLED options with similar features
- Some settings are buried in menus that take several clicks to access
- The reflective screen can be distracting during daytime viewing with windows behind you
We found the Samsung OLED delivers exceptional value despite these minor drawbacks, especially for movie enthusiasts and gamers who’ll appreciate the premium picture quality.
Pantone Validated Color
The display’s color accuracy really impressed us during testing. Samsung has equipped this OLED with Pantone validation, ensuring that colors appear exactly as they should. We noticed this most when watching nature documentaries, where the greens and blues looked true-to-life rather than artificially enhanced.
What does this mean for you? When you’re watching movies or looking at photos, the colors you see are much closer to what directors and photographers intended. This is a big upgrade from TVs that oversaturate colors to seem more impressive in store displays.
The S85D maintains this color accuracy even at different viewing angles, which we found helpful when watching with family spread across the room. However, we did notice that the Pantone validation works best in a dimly lit room – bright sunlight can still wash out some of the color precision.
4K AI Upscaling
The upscaling technology on this Samsung OLED is truly impressive. When we watched older movies and TV shows, the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor transformed regular HD content into something that looks much closer to 4K quality. The difference is noticeable right away. Shows from streaming services that aren’t native 4K get a serious boost in clarity.
We noticed the upscaling works best with good source material. Sports broadcasts look sharper with more visible details in uniforms and crowd scenes. Even our old home videos looked better than expected when played through the TV.
The Samsung doesn’t simply stretch the picture – it uses AI with 20 specialized networks to analyze what’s on screen and enhance it intelligently. This means sharper edges and less blurriness when compared to standard upscaling. While not perfect (no upscaling ever is), it’s among the best we’ve tested in this price range.
Customer Reviews
We found that real users of this Samsung OLED have a lot to say about their experiences. Most owners praise the stunning picture quality, with many mentioning they had to adjust the brightness settings to their personal preferences. The Tizen operating system received particularly high marks from former Sony TV owners who found it more intuitive.
The slim remote control resembles a FireStick remote and seems to work well for most users. Setup is generally straightforward, though having your phone ready during installation makes the process smoother.
Not all experiences were perfect. Some customers received damaged units during shipping, and one reviewer mentioned getting a complete “lemon” that wouldn’t function properly. Another user mentioned that the Samsung TV app was a bit too aggressive for their taste, though they still loved the hardware.
Overall, with a 4.3-star rating from 119 reviewers, most customers seem very satisfied with their purchase, often calling the picture quality “outstanding” compared to other TVs.
Conclusion
After spending time with the Samsung OLED 4K S85D, we’re impressed with its overall performance. The display quality is stunning, bringing movies and shows to life with deep blacks and vibrant colors. While the Tizen operating system works well for most tasks, the Samsung TV app can be a bit pushy with notifications and recommendations.
Setup was straightforward, though having your phone ready during this process is helpful. The small remote is functional and easy to use once you get used to it. We appreciate the picture adjustment options that let us customize the viewing experience to our preferences.
For the price, this TV offers excellent value compared to similar OLED models. While not perfect, the S85D strikes a good balance between premium features and cost. If you’re in the market for a high-quality 65-inch OLED TV that won’t break the bank, this Samsung model is worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
After spending several weeks with the new Samsung S85D OLED TV, we’ve collected answers to the most common questions we receive from readers. This 2024 model has impressed us with its performance, though it comes with a few considerations worth noting. Here’s what potential buyers typically want to know before making their decision.
What are the key features of the Samsung S85D 65-Inch OLED 4K Smart TV?
The S85D offers several standout features that caught our attention:
- OLED Technology with pure blacks, bright whites, and Pantone-validated colors
- Contour Design with a wave-inspired structure that looks elegant in any room
- Motion Xcelerator 120Hz for smooth action with crisp visuals at 120 frames per second
- Real Depth Enhancer that increases foreground contrast for better depth perception
- Dolby Atmos & Object Tracking Sound Lite providing 3D surround sound
- NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor that powers the 4K upscaling and smart features
- Multi View capability allowing you to watch up to 2 videos simultaneously
At just 39.2 pounds with a slim profile (10.4″ depth), we found it surprisingly easy to mount and set up.
How does the Samsung S85D compare in performance and quality to the S90D model?
The S85D sits just below the S90D in Samsung’s 2024 OLED lineup. In our testing, we noticed these key differences:
- The S90D offers slightly better brightness levels, which matters in very bright rooms
- The S90D includes Samsung’s Anti-Reflection technology, while the S85D doesn’t
- The S90D features the more advanced NQ4 AI Gen3 processor (vs Gen2 in the S85D)
- Motion handling is comparable between both models with the same 120Hz refresh rate
For most viewers, the S85D delivers nearly identical picture quality at a better price point. We only recommend stepping up to the S90D if you have a particularly bright viewing environment or need the advanced anti-reflection properties.
What advancements does the S85D model offer over the previous S84D series?
The S85D brings several improvements over last year’s S84D:
- Enhanced Processing with the newer NQ4 AI Gen2 chip for better upscaling
- Improved Color Accuracy with the new Pantone validation
- Better Sound with refined Object Tracking Sound Lite technology
- More Intuitive Smart Hub with the latest Tizen OS updates
- Enhanced Gaming Features with more comprehensive support for game modes
We particularly noticed better black level consistency and improved color volume compared to the previous generation, making HDR content especially impressive.
Can you highlight the HDR capabilities of the Samsung S85D OLED 4K TV?
The HDR performance on the S85D impressed us with:
- OLED HDR technology providing excellent pixel-level brightness control
- Strong peak brightness for an OLED panel, making highlights pop in HDR content
- Perfect black levels creating exceptional contrast for HDR movies
- Wide color gamut coverage, reproducing the expanded color range in HDR content
- Support for HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG formats (note: no Dolby Vision support)
In our testing, HDR movies showed excellent specular highlights and shadow detail. The panel’s ability to go completely black alongside bright highlights creates that “wow factor” HDR is known for.
What are the smart features integrated into the Samsung 65-Inch Class S85D Series TV?
The S85D comes loaded with Samsung’s latest smart features:
- Tizen OS with an intuitive, customizable interface
- Samsung SmartThings compatibility for controlling your smart home
- Built-in Alexa for voice commands
- Apple AirPlay 2 support for streaming from Apple devices
- Samsung Daily+ for personalized content recommendations
- Multi-device experience allowing content sharing between TV and mobile
- Ambient Mode that displays artwork or information when not in use
- Workspace that lets you connect to a PC or use productivity apps
We found the smart system responsive and well-organized, though the initial setup requires creating a Samsung account for full functionality.
What is the price range for the Samsung S85D OLED 4K Smart TV, and is it cost-effective compared to its competitors?
The 65-inch Samsung S85D typically sells between $1,800-$2,300, depending on sales and promotions. When comparing value:
| Aspect | S85D Value Assessment |
|---|---|
| Picture Quality | Excellent value compared to similarly priced OLED TVs |
| Smart Features | More comprehensive than many competitors |
| Audio Quality | Better than average without needing a soundbar |
| Design | Premium look that exceeds its price point |
| Longevity | Samsung’s track record suggests good durability |
We believe the S85D hits a sweet spot in Samsung’s lineup, offering nearly all the premium features of higher-end models at a more reasonable price. Compared to competitors like LG’s C-series OLEDs, the S85D offers comparable picture quality with some unique features like Object Tracking Sound and the Tizen smart platform.
