At CES 2024, we got our first glimpse of Samsung's 2024 OLED TV lineup including the S90D, which is the brand's mid-range 2024 QD-OLED TV. So far we know that there are new sizes for the S90D that don't use a QD-OLED panel (more on this below), the QD-OLED models claim to have higher brightness and that the S90D carries a lot of the same features as the Samsung S90C, its predecessor.
The Samsung S90C was our top pick for not only the best TV of 2023, but the best OLED TV. The mid-range OLED also won the 'TV of the Year' in our TechRadar Choice Awards 2023 in which we called it "the ultimate mix of picture quality and performance". Although the Samsung S95C that also came out in 2023 is, objectively, a better TV, the price of the S90C makes it a much more realistic choice for most people.
Can the new Samsung S90D improve on last year's offering? Below, we discuss all the info that Samsung has revealed about the set, our in-person impressions and how it compared to not only the more premium Samsung S95D but also the recently revealed Samsung S85D, an entry-level OLED TV from Samsung that uses traditional W-OLED panels.
Samsung S90D: Release date and pricing
While we've had a lot of information about some of the specs of the Samsung S90D, there has still been no official confirmation on a release date, region availability and pricing for it. However, we can speculate on this based on the Samsung S90C from last year.
Firstly, the Samsung S90C range came out a little later than the more high-end Samsung S95C last year. The smaller sizes of the set landed in May 2023, while the larger 83-incher came out in July 2023. It makes sense then that the Samsung S90D will be available sometime in mid 2024.
The Samsung S90C comes in three sizes, 55-, 65- and 77-inches. There's also an 83-inch version, but that has a regular OLED panel rather than a QD-LED panel, like the smaller versions, and isn't available in the UK or Australia. Here's how much those different sizes cost:
- 55-inch: $1,599 / £1,799 / $3,299AU
- 65-inch: $2,099 / £2,499 / AU$4,299
- 77-inch: $3,199 / £3,599 / AU$6,799
- 83-inch: $5,399
The S90C was priced to offer a more affordable way for people to own Samsung’s exciting new QD-OLED TV technology, and it's noticeably cheaper than the S95C, which costs $2,499 / £2,399 / AU$3,999 for the 55-inch. So we'd expect the Samsung S90D to have a similar pricing structure to last year and to come in at a lower price than the upcoming S95D.
When it comes to the S90D's two new sizes, the 42- and 48-inch, it's tough to say what sort of prices they'll be. We obviously expect them to be cheaper but by how much is the question, as these smaller sizes use regular W-OLED panels as opposed to QD-OLED panels. But from what we've seen with the 83-inch S90C from last year, this didn't seem to make a difference on pricing.
Samsung S90D: All the confirmed features and specs
Compared with last year's S90C, Samsung says that the S90D QD-OLED models are 20% brighter. Now I say QD-OLED models because the Samsung S90D is available with a QD-OLED panel in its 55-, 65- and 77-inch sizes, the same as the S90C. But Samsung made a surprise announcement at CES.
Samsung revealed that the S90D would also come in two new smaller sizes: a 42- and 48-inch. The catch with these models, however, is that they use the standard W-OLED panels developed by LG that you'll find in TVs from LG, Sony, Panasonic, Philips and more, rather than the QD-OLED panels. Why Samsung has done this whilst also announcing a new range called the S85D, an entry-level model that also uses a W-OLED panels, and not just combined the two is unclear at the moment.
These W-OLED panels, when they're not paired with micro lens array (MLA) or other brightness boosting tech, are significantly dimmer than QD-OLED panels. For example, the S90C QD-OLED had a peak brightness of 1,100 nits compared to the W-OLED LG C3 which had a peak brightness of 800 nits.
For those considering the largest size 83-inch S90D, the story is the same as last year as well: the S90D 83-inch will also use a W-OLED panel rather than a QD-OLED panel.
It's also worth noting that the Samsung S90D also won't feature the new OLED Glare Free anti-reflection screen introduced this year, which is reserved for the flagship Samsung S95D.
Other than the increased brightness and smaller sized models, the S90D has carried across many of the same features from the S90C, which isn't a bad thing, For gaming, it still comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports, supports 144Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium and more.
There is however a new feature on the Samsung Game Bar called Auto AI mode, which uses AI technology to analyze what genre of game you're playing and to adapt settings such as picture and motion accordingly for the best experience.
The Samsung S90D also supports HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG HDR formats but, once again like all Samsung TVs, does not support Dolby Vision, which means you'll have to look elsewhere if this is a format you're after.
All that said, when we did see the S90D in person at CES, we were still suitably impressed with its vivid, coloful picture that carries over from the S90C and can't wait to get our hands on it when we can for a proper test.
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