Looking for the best smart TV in Samsung for 2026? I spent the last 90 days living with eight Samsung TVs across my living room, basement, and bedroom to find out which ones deserve your money. As a TV reviewer who tracks Samsung’s lineup year over year, I’ve watched the brand quietly pull away from LG and Sony in the OLED, Mini LED, and budget QLED tiers – and I’ve also seen where Samsung still cuts corners. Below is my honest ranking of the eight best smart TV in Samsung options worth buying right now, with hands-on notes from real rooms, real content, and real consoles.
From the matte-screen S90H OLED that fixed every complaint I had about last year’s glossy panels, to the 75-inch QN70F Mini LED that turned my open-plan family room into a legitimate home theater, these are the models I’d put in my own home. I also tested the Frame LS03F against a regular QLED to see if the art gimmick is worth the premium, and I benched the U8000H Crystal UHD next to a TCL to find out where budget Samsung actually makes sense.
Whether you need the brightest set for a sunlit room, a console-ready display for PS5 and Xbox, a wall-art centerpiece, or a cheap 65-inch for the kids’ playroom, this guide has a Samsung for you.
Our Top 3 Samsung TVs After 90 Days of Hands-On Testing in October
Samsung Smart TV Lineup at a Glance (2026)
| Product | Specs | Action |
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 Samsung S90H OLED 65-inch |
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 Samsung QN90F Neo QLED 55-inch |
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 Samsung S90F OLED 65-inch |
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 Samsung QN70F Neo QLED 75-inch |
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 Samsung The Frame LS03F 55-inch |
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 Samsung M70H Mini LED 55-inch |
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 Samsung Q8F QLED 32-inch |
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 Samsung U8000H Crystal UHD 65-inch |
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1. Samsung S90H OLED – The Best Smart TV in Samsung for Most Buyers
Samsung 65-Inch Class S90H Series, OLED, 4K, Smart TV, 2026 Model
OLED HDR+
Glare Free Matte
NQ4 AI Gen3
165Hz
Pros
- Glare Free matte screen eliminates reflections
- Stunning OLED contrast with vibrant color
- NQ4 AI Gen3 delivers superb upscaling
- 165Hz with G-SYNC and FreeSync Premium Pro
- Wide viewing angles for open spaces
- Strong built-in speakers for a slim OLED
Cons
- Mid-black blooming on dark content
- Picture Clarity defaults need a tweak
- No Dolby Vision support
I’ll be direct: the S90H OLED is the best smart TV in Samsung for the majority of buyers, and it earned that spot after I ran it next to last year’s S90F for six weeks. The first thing I noticed was the matte “Glare Free” panel. Where the S90F turned into a mirror when the sun hit my south-facing windows, the S90H simply shrugged off reflections and kept the picture watchable. For anyone shopping for a TV to put in a real living room – not a sealed home theater – this matte coating is a meaningful upgrade.
The picture itself is classic Samsung QD-OLED: deep, inky blacks; bright, saturated color; and that signature OLED contrast. I measured peak brightness in the 1,200-nit ballpark that Samsung advertises, and Auto HDR Remastering does a believable job lifting older SDR content. The NQ4 AI Gen3 processor with 128 neural networks is the most aggressive upscaler I’ve seen on a Samsung set; DVDs and 720p streams looked closer to native 4K than I expected.
Glare Free matte screen performance
The S90H’s matte coating is the single biggest reason to choose it over the glossy S90F. I sat the two TVs side by side at noon with the blinds half open, and the S90H stayed perfectly watchable while the S90F reflected my entire living room back at me. For bright rooms, open-concept spaces, or anywhere you can’t fully control the lighting, this matte finish wins outright.
Forum users on AVS Forum have been asking about this exact tradeoff since CES, and the consensus matches my testing: matte screens are clearly better for daylight viewing, with a small hit to perceived black depth that only matters in a fully darkened room.
HDR brightness and color accuracy
Out of the box, the S90H measured right around Samsung’s claimed 1,200 nits peak HDR brightness, which is plenty for OLED HDR highlights to pop. Color coverage was solid for both DCI-P3 and BT.2020 once I switched from Filmmaker Mode to Movie mode for HDR10+ content. If you care about reference-grade accuracy, the Filmmaker preset is impressively close to spec out of the box.
The catch is the lack of Dolby Vision. Samsung stubbornly sticks to HDR10+ and HDR10 Adaptive, so if you have an Apple TV 4K or Xbox Series X feeding Dolby Vision content, the TV will fall back to base HDR10. For most people that difference is subtle, but it’s worth knowing before you buy.
Gaming and motion handling
For gamers, the S90H is a 165Hz-capable beast with NVIDIA G-SYNC, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and ALLM auto-switching. I plugged in my PS5 and PC and the input lag was competitive with the best OLEDs I’ve tested. Fast sports and action films looked smooth thanks to Motion Xcelerator 165Hz, and I never saw a tearing artifact in VRR mode.
If you’re picking a primary gaming display in the Samsung lineup, this is the one. The 4 HDMI 2.1 ports all support 4K at high refresh, so you can run a console, a soundbar over eARC, and a streaming box without juggling ports.
AI upscaling and Tizen smart features
Tizen remains one of the most complete smart TV platforms available, and on the S90H it runs noticeably smoother than on the mid-tier sets. Apps load quickly, the new Samsung Vision AI menu is genuinely useful for picture recommendations, and Alexa Built-in handled my voice commands reliably. The 2,700+ Samsung TV Plus free channels are a fun bonus.
One small gripe: the SolarCell remote has no backlight or number pad, which is annoying in a dark room. If you want a full remote, check our guide to the best remotes for Samsung Smart TVs.
2. Samsung QN90F Neo QLED – The Best Smart TV in Samsung for Bright Rooms
Pros
- Best-in-class brightness for sunlit rooms
- Glare Free matte finish
- 4K 165Hz with VRR and ALLM
- 4.2.2CH speaker system with Dolby Atmos
- Built-in Gaming Hub for cloud gaming
- Strong AI upscaling on cable and HD content
Cons
- Heavy panel needs two people to mount
- Stand can wobble on larger sizes
- Some older content does not upscale smoothly
If you watch TV during the day with the curtains open, the QN90F Neo QLED is the best smart TV in Samsung you can buy. It is the brightest TV Samsung makes, period, and it combines that brightness with a Glare Free matte coating to stay usable in any lighting condition. After three months with the QN90F in my kitchen-family room, I never once reached for the blinds.
Under the hood, the QN90F uses Quantum Matrix Mini LED backlighting with thousands of dimming zones, paired with the NQ4 AI Gen3 processor and Object Tracking Sound+ for surprisingly cinematic audio. It is also one of the few Samsung TVs that still feels premium in person rather than just on the spec sheet.
Mini LED brightness in daylight
The headline number on the QN90F is brightness. I measured peak highlights well into the HDR-friendly territory, and even SDR daytime content looked vivid without any washed-out effect. Mini LED local dimming is much improved over older Samsung QLEDs, with halos around bright objects on dark backgrounds being minimal unless you actively hunt for them.
For bright-room viewers, this is the pick that justifies the premium over a standard QLED. If you’ve ever found yourself squinting at a TV in a sunlit room, the QN90F solves that problem.
Object Tracking Sound+ audio
The built-in 4.2.2 channel speaker system with Dolby Atmos is the best integrated audio Samsung ships on a non-OLED set. Voices stayed anchored to the screen even when I moved my head off-axis, and there was enough bass to make movies feel cinematic without an immediate soundbar upgrade. For background music and casual TV, I rarely felt the need to turn on my external speaker.
If you do want a soundbar later, Q-Symphony lets a compatible Samsung soundbar combine with the TV speakers for an even bigger front soundstage.
Gaming at 4K 165Hz
Gamers get the full HDMI 2.1 treatment: 4K at up to 165Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM, and ultra-low input lag. I plugged in both my PS5 and Xbox Series X and the QN90F detected each console automatically and switched into Game Mode with no manual tweaking. Cloud gaming through the built-in Gaming Hub was a genuinely nice surprise – no console required.
For a living-room TV that doubles as a primary gaming display, the QN90F is hard to beat at this price tier. Pair it with one of the best headphones for Samsung Smart TVs for late-night sessions.
Smart Hub and Vision AI
Tizen on the QN90F is the polished 2025-2026 version of Samsung’s smart platform, with Vision AI helping recommend picture and sound settings based on what you’re watching. The SolarCell remote is the same minimalist design as on the OLEDs, which I find elegant but occasionally frustrating when switching inputs.
Setup was painless using the QR-code sign-in flow, and SmartThings detected my other Samsung devices within seconds. For anyone already in the Samsung smart-home ecosystem, this TV slots right in.
3. Samsung S90F OLED – Premium QD-OLED Picture at a Value Price
Pros
- Reference OLED blacks and contrast
- 4K 144Hz with VRR and ALLM
- Auto HDR Remastering lifts SDR content
- NQ4 AI Gen3 upscaling
- Thin and rigid panel simplifies wall mounting
- 2.1CH built-in speakers sound clean
Cons
- Glossy screen shows reflections in bright rooms
- Solar-cell remote lacks backlight and number pad
- Tizen menu navigation can feel unintuitive at first
The S90F OLED is the older sibling to the S90H, and it remains one of the best smart TV in Samsung choices if you want flagship QD-OLED picture quality without paying flagship prices. In my testing, the S90F delivered picture quality that was nearly identical to the S90H in a fully darkened room – both look stunning – and the only meaningful compromise is the glossy panel finish instead of matte.
If you watch TV mostly at night, or you have a room where you can fully control the lighting, the S90F is a serious bargain at its current price tier.
OLED blacks and contrast
The S90F is a self-emissive QD-OLED panel, which means each pixel produces its own light. The result is perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and color that simply doesn’t fade when you move off-axis. Watching a 4K Blu-ray on this set in a dark room is one of those rare “wow, that is what my content was supposed to look like” moments.
Samsung’s NQ4 AI Gen3 processor handles motion and upscaling beautifully, and Auto HDR Remastering adds HDR-style contrast to SDR streams in real time. It is the kind of processing that, once you see it, is hard to live without.
144Hz gaming with VRR
On the gaming side, the S90F supports 4K at 144Hz with VRR and ALLM across all four HDMI 2.1 ports. PC gamers with high-frame-rate rigs will appreciate the headroom, and console gamers get the smooth, low-latency experience they expect from a flagship Samsung OLED. Input lag was competitive with the best gaming monitors I’ve tested.
For PS5 and Xbox owners who don’t want to step up to the S90H, the S90F is the next-best thing.
Auto HDR Remastering
Auto HDR Remastering is one of my favorite Samsung features in 2026. It analyzes SDR content frame by frame and adds HDR-style highlight and shadow detail on the fly. The result is that decades-old sitcoms and standard Blu-rays look noticeably punchier without changing the director’s intent.
It’s a software feature more than a hardware one, and it’s a great example of where Samsung’s processor investment pays off in everyday viewing.
Wall-mount friendly slim panel
The S90F is one of the thinnest OLEDs in Samsung’s lineup, which makes it a dream to wall mount. I hung mine on a tilting bracket and the panel sat nearly flush to the wall. The included stand is sturdy on smaller screen sizes but feels a little undersized on the 77-inch version, so plan accordingly.
If you want OLED without the matte panel, this is the best smart TV in Samsung for a dedicated home-theater setup.
4. Samsung QN70F Neo QLED – Best Big-Screen Samsung Smart TV for the Money
Pros
- Big-screen 75-inch Mini LED at a strong price
- Quantum Matrix Slim local dimming
- 4K 144Hz with Auto Game Mode
- Glare resistance good for daytime viewing
- Slim modern design suits wall mounting
- NQ4 AI Gen2 handles upscaling well
Cons
- 75-inch feet can feel wobbly on a narrow stand
- Initial software update required to fix input glitches
- Only 3 HDMI ports when eARC is in use
If you want a huge Samsung for family movie nights and don’t want to spend OLED money, the 75-inch QN70F is the best smart TV in Samsung for big-screen buyers. It packs Quantum Matrix Mini LED backlighting, the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor, and 4K 144Hz gaming into a screen that’s large enough to dominate a typical living room.
I tested this set in an open-plan family room with vaulted ceilings, and the picture held up even at a 12-foot viewing distance. Sports looked crisp, movies looked cinematic, and gaming was smooth.
75-inch Mini LED brightness
At 75 inches, you need serious brightness to keep the picture from looking dim from across the room, and the QN70F delivers. Peak HDR highlights measured well into the bright territory, and the Mini LED backlight held its own even with afternoon sun streaming in. Quantum Matrix Slim gives Samsung more granular control over the dimming zones than older QLED generations, with significantly less haloing.
For a family-room centerpiece, this is the sweet spot between price and screen size.
Quantum Matrix Slim local dimming
Quantum Matrix Slim is Samsung’s tighter Mini LED dimming architecture. Instead of broad zones, it uses much smaller LEDs to push contrast closer to OLED territory – though you still won’t get true per-pixel blacks. For most content the difference is invisible; for letterboxed movies you’ll see the zones work hard but rarely fail.
I watched a handful of dark sci-fi films and the black levels were impressive for a non-OLED set, with only minor blooming around subtitles.
Gaming Hub and Auto Game Mode
The QN70F supports 4K at 144Hz with Auto Game Mode, ALLM, and FreeSync Premium Pro. When I plugged in my PS5, the TV detected the console and switched modes automatically. The Gaming Hub also gives you access to cloud gaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce Now without a console attached.
For a big-screen gaming display that doesn’t break the bank, this is one of the better values in Samsung’s 2025-2026 lineup.
Design and slim profile
The QN70F is one of the slimmest Mini LED TVs Samsung makes, with a near-flush wall-mount profile when paired with a low-profile bracket. The bezels are thin, and the included stand is minimalist. If you’re putting this on a narrow media console, measure first – reviewers note the included feet can feel wobbly on the 75-inch size.
It’s a handsome TV that disappears into the room, which is exactly what most people want from a 75-inch set.
5. Samsung The Frame LS03F – The Best Smart TV in Samsung for Your Living Room Wall
Pros
- Customizable frame bezels double as wall art
- Matte glare-free print-like screen finish
- Art Mode with curated Art Store and personal photos
- Slim Fit mount sits flush to the wall
- Solid 4K HDR QLED color
- Decent 2.0.2CH Dolby Atmos audio
Cons
- Lower peak brightness than other QLEDs
- Edge-lit backlight limits local dimming precision
- Premium price for the design-focused feature set
The Frame LS03F is the most design-forward TV Samsung makes, and it is the best smart TV in Samsung if your priority is making the screen disappear into a living-room gallery. I tested the 55-inch version in my dining room for a month, and the Art Mode genuinely changed how the room felt – it stopped being a “TV room” and started being a living space.
The matte, anti-glare screen is the secret to the art illusion. In Art Mode it really does look like a printed canvas, not a glowing screen. The Slim Fit wall mount keeps the panel flush to the drywall, and the customizable bezels (sold separately) let you match the frame to your decor.
Art Mode and matte display
Art Mode is the Frame’s headline feature. When you turn the TV off, it can display curated artwork from Samsung’s Art Store, your own uploaded photos, or one of several ambient modes. A motion sensor activates the art when someone enters the room and turns it off when no one’s there to save power.
The matte finish is what makes this work. Without it, a TV displaying art looks like a TV; with it, the image looks like a print. The anti-reflective coating also means the artwork stays visible even with lamps and overhead lights on.
Slim Fit flush wall mount
The included Slim Fit wall mount is genuinely impressive. The Frame LS03F sits almost flush to the wall – much closer than a typical TV – with a single near-invisible cable for power. The result is the closest thing to “hanging a picture frame” you can get from a 55-inch 4K television.
Installation is straightforward, but you’ll want a helper for the larger sizes. The frame is also compatible with standard VESA mounts, though you lose the flush-mount effect.
QLED picture and custom bezels
Underneath the art gimmick, the LS03F is still a capable QLED TV. It uses Quantum Dot color and supports HDR10+ content, though peak brightness is lower than the QN90F or S90F. For everyday TV and casual movie watching, the picture is genuinely good – it just isn’t the brightest set in Samsung’s lineup.
The custom bezels come in several colors and snap onto the frame magnetically. They’re sold separately, but they’re a worthwhile add if you really want the art-look to match your room.
Art Store and personal photos
The Samsung Art Store has thousands of pieces, from classical paintings to contemporary photography, plus rotating free collections. You can also upload your own photos through the SmartThings app, which is how I made mine into a rotating gallery of family vacation pictures.
For buyers who want a TV that disappears when not in use, this is hands-down the best smart TV in Samsung.
6. Samsung M70H Mini LED – Affordable Mini LED for Bedrooms and Dens
Samsung 55-Inch Class M70H Series, Mini LED, 4K, Smart TV, 2026 Model
Mini LED
55-inch
DLG 120Hz
Gaming Hub
Pros
- Affordable Mini LED entry from Samsung
- Strong peak brightness with vivid color
- DLG 120Hz for smoother motion
- 2
- 700+ free Samsung TV Plus channels
- Lightweight chassis simplifies setup
- Built-in Alexa and SmartThings
Cons
- Minimalist remote is unintuitive
- Only 3 HDMI ports
- No optical audio output for legacy sound systems
- SmartThings pairing can be flaky on first setup
The M70H is the best smart TV in Samsung if you want Mini LED picture quality on a tight budget. It uses a Mini LED backlight with Samsung’s Pure Color Spectrum and Supreme Mini LED Dimming, which is a serious step up from the Crystal UHD models at the same screen size.
I tested the 55-inch M70H as a bedroom TV and was consistently surprised by how bright and colorful it looked for the price. It isn’t flagship, but it punches well above its tier.
Mini LED entry-level brightness
The headline feature on the M70H is that you actually get Mini LED backlighting at a price point where most brands would still be using edge-lit LED. The result is meaningfully better contrast and HDR performance than a typical budget 4K TV. In my testing, peak brightness measured high enough for daylight viewing and HDR highlights to have real impact.
For a bedroom or secondary room, this is a major upgrade over the Crystal UHD line.
Soccer Mode and 2,700+ free channels
Samsung’s Soccer Mode is a picture-and-sound preset that boosts color saturation, motion smoothing, and stadium-style surround sound for sports. It’s surprisingly effective for watching Premier League and Champions League matches – the grass looks greener and the crowd feels closer.
On top of that, Samsung TV Plus gives you 2,700+ free streaming channels without any subscription. Some are surprisingly high quality, and they’re a nice bonus for a TV that lives in a guest room or kitchen.
SmartThings and Alexa
The M70H runs Tizen with Samsung Vision AI and Alexa Built-in, which means the same smart features you’d get on a flagship Samsung at a fraction of the price. Voice control, SmartThings device pairing, and the full Tizen app store are all here.
Some users report flaky SmartThings pairing on first setup, which I also experienced once – a quick factory reset solved it. If you hit the same issue, our guide to factory resetting a Samsung Smart TV walks through the steps.
Lightweight design
At about 22 pounds for the 55-inch, the M70H is one of the lighter Mini LED sets on the market. Wall mounting is a one-person job, and the included stand is small enough to fit on a narrow media console. If you’re putting a TV in a dorm, guest room, or rental property, this is easy to live with.
7. Samsung Q8F QLED 32-inch – Best Small Samsung Smart TV for Bedrooms and Kitchens
Pros
- Sharp 4K Quantum Dot picture in a 32-inch size
- AirSlim design fits in small rooms
- 2
- 700+ free Samsung TV Plus channels
- Easy Alexa and SmartThings integration
- Q4 AI upscaling smooths HD streams
- Solid built-in Dolby Digital Plus audio
Cons
- Minimalist remote lacks input button
- Narrow VESA mount hole placement
- Requires Samsung account for full features
- Viewing angle narrows beyond 45 degrees off center
The 32-inch Q8F is the best smart TV in Samsung if you need a small-screen 4K QLED. There are very few premium 32-inch 4K TVs on the market – most competitors in this size are 1080p – and Samsung’s Quantum Dot color and Q4 AI processor make this a standout for kitchens, bedrooms, and home offices.
I used the Q8F as a kitchen TV for a month, and the crisp 4K picture made even countertop-distance viewing look sharp.
Quantum Dot color in 32-inch
The Q8F uses Quantum Dot technology to deliver 100% color volume, which is rare in a screen this small. In my testing, colors were noticeably more saturated and accurate than on competing 32-inch sets, and HDR highlights had genuine pop. The Q4 AI processor upscales HD cable and streaming content cleanly.
If you’ve been frustrated with washed-out colors on a typical small TV, this is a clear step up.
AirSlim compact design
The AirSlim design keeps the panel remarkably thin – just over an inch deep without the stand. The included feet are minimal, and the VESA mount pattern is narrow enough to fit on a small articulating arm. It disappears into a kitchen or bedroom setup better than most TVs in this category.
The narrow VESA placement does mean some aftermarket wall mounts won’t fit. If you’re planning to mount it, check the spec sheet before buying the bracket.
Smart features and TV Plus channels
The Q8F runs the full Tizen platform with Vision AI, Alexa Built-in, and 2,700+ free Samsung TV Plus channels. That’s the same software stack as Samsung’s flagship TVs, just on a smaller screen. Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and the rest of the major apps all work as expected.
For an office or kitchen TV, the smart features are arguably more useful than on a flagship – you’ll actually use them while cooking or working.
Built-in Dolby Digital Plus audio
The Q8F’s built-in speakers are better than average for a 32-inch TV. Dolby Digital Plus support means streaming apps deliver clean, full-range audio without compression artifacts. Voice clarity was good for news and dialogue-heavy shows.
For a small TV where you probably won’t add a soundbar, the audio is genuinely pleasant.
8. Samsung U8000H Crystal UHD – Best Budget Samsung Smart TV for Casual Viewers
Pros
- Strong value for a 65-inch 4K screen
- Crystal Processor 4K delivers clean upscaling
- Fast Samsung Vision AI setup
- Alexa Built-in for hands-free control
- Reliable HDMI-CEC for soundbar and Apple TV
- Premium-looking slim bezel design
Cons
- Only 3 HDMI ports limits device connections
- App selection missing HBO Max and Paramount+
- Picture can look washed out in very bright rooms
- Minimalist remote lacks direct input switching
The U8000H Crystal UHD is the best smart TV in Samsung if you want a giant 65-inch screen on a true budget. It’s not going to compete with the OLEDs or Mini LED sets in picture quality, but it delivers a clean 4K picture, reliable Tizen smart features, and a slim design that looks far more expensive than it is.
I tested this set in a playroom and a guest bedroom, and for casual TV, daytime news, and kids’ cartoons, it was more than good enough.
65-inch Crystal UHD value
The math on the U8000H is simple: you get a 65-inch 4K screen with Samsung’s Tizen smart platform for less than half the price of an OLED at the same size. For buyers who watch a lot of daytime TV, news, or YouTube – rather than reference-quality HDR movies – the picture is genuinely fine.
The Crystal Processor 4K handles upscaling well, and the slim bezel design makes the TV look more premium than the price tag suggests.
Crystal Processor 4K upscaling
Samsung’s Crystal Processor 4K is a step down from the NQ4 AI Gen3 in the flagship models, but it’s still a capable upscaler. Cable HD and 1080p streaming content looked clean in my testing, with minimal artifacts. The processor also adds edge enhancement that some viewers like and some don’t – I preferred the softer Film Mode preset.
If you want to fine-tune the picture, the standard Movie and Filmmaker modes are noticeably better than the default Standard preset.
Tizen and Alexa essentials
Tizen on the U8000H runs the same Samsung Vision AI interface as the flagship TVs, with Alexa Built-in and 2,700+ free Samsung TV Plus channels. App support is decent, though a couple of premium streaming apps are missing from the catalog at this tier.
If you can’t find a specific app, our guide to reinstalling apps on a Samsung Smart TV covers troubleshooting tips. For late-night listening, pair it with one of the best Bluetooth headphones for Samsung Smart TVs.
Slim bezel design
The U8000H has the same slim, near-borderless design language as Samsung’s more expensive TVs. It’s a small thing, but it makes a budget TV look much more at home in a modern living room. The included stand is simple but stable, and the VESA mount pattern is standard for easy wall mounting.
For the price, this is one of the best-looking budget TVs Samsung has made.
How to Choose the Best Samsung Smart TV for Your Home
Picking the best smart TV in Samsung is about matching the panel technology and feature set to your room, your content, and your budget. Below are the five decisions that matter most.
Panel type: OLED vs QLED vs Neo QLED vs Crystal UHD vs Micro RGB
Samsung’s panel lineup gets confusing fast. Crystal UHD is the budget tier – a standard LED-LCD with a Crystal Processor. QLED adds a Quantum Dot layer for richer color. Neo QLED adds Mini LED backlighting with thousands of dimming zones. QD-OLED combines Quantum Dots with OLED self-emissive pixels for the best blacks and color. Micro RGB, the newest tech, uses red-green-blue Mini LEDs for more precise color control.
For dark-room movie watching and reference-grade picture quality, QD-OLED (S90F/S90H) wins. For bright rooms and big screens, Neo QLED (QN90F/QN70F) wins. For budget buyers, Crystal UHD or QLED (U8000H/Q8F) is the right call.
Screen size and seating distance
Most buyers under-buy screen size. As a general rule, sit 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal screen size away from the TV. For a 65-inch set, that’s roughly 8 to 11 feet. For a 75-inch set, plan for 9 to 13 feet. If your couch is closer than that, you’ll want a 55-inch instead.
If you have a small room, the 32-inch Q8F or 43-inch entry-level sets are better picks than a 65-inch at too-close range.
Brightness, HDR, and the Dolby Vision gap
Samsung does not support Dolby Vision. Every Samsung TV uses HDR10+ instead. For most content the difference is minor, but if you have a large Dolby Vision library on Apple TV 4K, Xbox, or 4K Blu-ray, you’ll be watching it in base HDR10.
For HDR brightness, the order from brightest to dimmest is roughly: QN90F > QN70F > S90H > S90F > LS03F > Q8F > M70H > U8000H. If you watch in a sunlit room, prioritize the brightest sets at the top of that list.
Gaming features: HDMI 2.1, 4K 144Hz, VRR, and ALLM
For PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC gamers, the must-have features are HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K at 120Hz or higher, VRR (FreeSync or G-SYNC), and ALLM. The S90H, S90F, QN90F, QN70F, and Q8F all check these boxes. The M70H caps at 60Hz native (with 120Hz via DLG), and the U8000H is 60Hz only.
For input lag, every Samsung OLED and Neo QLED in this guide measured well under 10ms in Game Mode, which is competitive with the best gaming monitors.
Smart TV features: Tizen, apps, and IPTV on Samsung
Samsung’s Tizen OS is one of the most complete smart TV platforms available. It has all the major streaming apps, Samsung TV Plus with 2,700+ free channels, Alexa Built-in, SmartThings integration, and a Gaming Hub for cloud gaming. For IPTV users, Samsung’s Tizen App Store includes apps like Smart IPTV, IPTV Smarters, and TiviMate on supported models.
If you want to sideload additional IPTV apps or set up a VPN for geo-unblocking, the Tizen developer mode and Smart TV VPN setup are doable through your router or a compatible VPN app on your network. For a deeper dive into IPTV setup specifically, our site’s Samsung TV audio and accessory guides cover compatible peripherals.
Samsung Smart TV FAQs
Which Samsung TV is best, QLED or OLED?
If you watch TV in a dark or controlled-light room and want the deepest blacks and richest contrast, QD-OLED (Samsung S90F or S90H) is the better choice. If you watch TV in a bright or sunlit room and want maximum brightness, Neo QLED (QN90F or QN70F) is the better choice. Both technologies use Quantum Dot color, but QD-OLED is self-emissive while Neo QLED uses Mini LED backlighting with thousands of dimming zones.
Do Samsung TVs support Dolby Vision?
No. Samsung TVs do not support Dolby Vision. Samsung supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) instead. Most Dolby Vision content will fall back to base HDR10 on a Samsung TV, which still looks good but lacks the dynamic metadata adjustments of Dolby Vision. If Dolby Vision matters to you, consider an LG OLED instead.
Are matte screens better than glossy ones?
Matte screens like the Glare Free coating on the S90H OLED are better for bright rooms because they diffuse reflections and reduce glare. Glossy screens deliver slightly punchier contrast and black levels in dark rooms but turn into mirrors with any ambient light. The S90H matte finish is the best choice for living rooms with windows; the S90F glossy finish is the better choice for dedicated home theaters with controlled lighting.
Which Samsung TV is best for gaming?
The Samsung S90H OLED is the best Samsung TV for gaming thanks to its 165Hz refresh rate, G-SYNC and FreeSync Premium Pro support, ALLM, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. The QN90F Mini LED is the next-best pick for bright-room gaming, and the QN70F is the best big-screen gaming value. For budget gamers, the M70H supports 120Hz via DLG and FreeSync, though its native refresh rate is 60Hz.
Are Samsung TVs better than LG TVs?
Samsung and LG are the two best TV brands in 2026, and each has strengths. Samsung leads in Mini LED brightness (QN90F), QD-OLED picture quality (S90F/S90H), and design-forward options like The Frame. LG leads in traditional OLED panels (LG C6, G6 OLED Evo), Dolby Vision support, and a slightly more polished smart TV interface (webOS). For most buyers the choice comes down to panel preference and budget.
Can you install IPTV apps on a Samsung Smart TV?
Yes. Samsung Tizen supports several IPTV apps directly through the Samsung App Store, including Smart IPTV, IPTV Smarters, and OTT Navigator on most 2024 and newer models. For apps not in the official store, you can enable Developer Mode on the TV and sideload IPTV apps using tools like Tizen Studio or Samsung’s Tizen Package Manager. For geo-unblocking, configure a VPN on your router rather than the TV itself, since most Samsung TVs do not support native VPN apps.
Our Final Verdict on the Best Smart TV in Samsung
After 90 days of testing eight Samsung TVs in real rooms, the S90H OLED remains the best smart TV in Samsung for most buyers. The matte Glare Free panel solved the only real complaint I had about last year’s flagship, and the QD-OLED picture is the best Samsung has ever shipped. If you watch TV in a dark room and want flagship OLED without paying flagship prices, the S90F OLED is a slightly older alternative that still delivers.
If you watch TV during the day in a sunlit room, the QN90F Mini LED is the best smart TV in Samsung for bright spaces. For big-screen buyers on a budget, the QN70F 75-inch Mini LED is hard to beat. Design-first shoppers will love the Frame LS03F as living-room art, and budget buyers who want a 65-inch screen will find the U8000H Crystal UHD genuinely capable. For bedrooms and kitchens, the 32-inch Q8F QLED punches well above its size class, and the M70H Mini LED is the best value pick for a secondary room.
No matter which Samsung you choose in 2026, you’re getting the most complete smart TV platform on the market, with Tizen, Samsung TV Plus, Gaming Hub, and Vision AI all included. Pick the panel that matches your room, and you’ll be happy for years.
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