Unveiling the Samsung S85H: Your Gateway to Brilliant Entertainment
Introducing Samsung's Latest OLED Television
The S85H series marks Samsung's venture into the entry-level OLED market for 2026. This model, equipped with a WOLED panel, is distinct from its more luminous QD-OLED siblings like the S93H, S90H, S95H, and the flagship S99H. Its core mission is to deliver a consistent and reliable OLED experience, powered by Samsung's continuously evolving image processing technology, focusing on practical value and ease of use rather than extreme brightness or lavish aesthetics. This raises the question: is the S85H the most judicious purchase among Samsung's diverse OLED range?
Exploring the Cost-Effectiveness of the S85H
The 65-inch variant of the S85H is priced at £1,999 in the UK and $1,899 in the US, with an approximate AUD $2,765 in Australia. This pricing places it at a higher tier than its primary competitor, the LG C6, suggesting potential future price adjustments. However, its comprehensive feature set aims to justify its current market position.
The Sleek Aesthetics and Intuitive Design
Samsung's "Contour Design" for the S85H denotes a subtly curved rear panel, though from the front, it presents a classic OLED profile with minimal bezel in Graphite Black. The pedestal feet offer flexible placement options, accommodating various AV setups without the need for tools. The build quality is robust and refined. The package includes two remote controls: a traditional one and Samsung's innovative SolarCell Remote, which charges via ambient light. While many may prefer the conventional remote's tactile buttons, the SolarCell offers an eco-friendly alternative.
Comprehensive Connectivity Options
Despite not being a flagship model, the S85H boasts extensive connectivity. All four HDMI inputs support 4K 120Hz, making it ideal for gamers with multiple consoles. One HDMI port also features eARC for soundbar or AV receiver integration. Additional physical ports include two USB-A, Ethernet, and an optical digital audio output. Wireless capabilities are robust, offering Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Advanced Features for an Enhanced Viewing Experience
At the heart of the S85H is Samsung's NQ4 AI Gen2 processor, featuring 20 neural networks for real-time picture and sound optimization, boasting improved graphics performance and CPU speed. This advanced processing enhances HD content upscaling, delivering detailed images without excessive sharpening. Samsung's Auto HDR Remastering thoughtfully elevates Standard Dynamic Range content to a pseudo-HDR, adding visual impact. AI Colour Booster Pro adjusts colors dynamically, while Real Depth Enhancer subtly improves image depth. The television also holds Pantone Validation, ensuring accurate color and skin tone reproduction. HDR support includes HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, and HDR10+ Gaming, though Dolby Vision is absent, a common characteristic of Samsung TVs. The Tizen smart TV OS is a highlight, offering a rich array of features and access to popular streaming and catch-up services, with BBC iPlayer available in the app store.
Uncompromised Visual Fidelity
The S85H excels in picture quality by achieving a harmonious balance of color, contrast, motion, and detail, resulting in a consistently enjoyable viewing experience. Its HDR performance, while not as bright as QD-OLED models, remains impactful, with peak specular highlights reaching 967 nits in Dynamic mode. The panel's ability to render deep blacks and nuanced shadows is particularly evident in dark scenes, preserving detail without crushing blacks. Color reproduction is accurate and vibrant, with AI Colour Booster Pro preventing over-saturation and ensuring natural skin tones. Motion handling is exceptional, making it perfect for sports. The AI Picture option intelligently adjusts settings based on content and viewing conditions, enhancing contrast and color without being overbearing. Standard mode is generally recommended for most viewing.
Sound Quality: A Modest Offering
The S85H features a standard 2.0-channel downward-firing speaker system with 2 x 10W amplification. While dialogue is clear and Object Tracking Sound Lite provides a subtle sense of movement, bass performance is limited, lacking impact for explosions and orchestral scores. Dolby Atmos pass-through is available for compatible sound systems, and AI Sound Pro processing helps improve dialogue clarity. For a more robust audio experience, pairing with a Q-Symphony-compatible Samsung soundbar or an external AV receiver is recommended.
An Exceptional Platform for Gamers
The S85H is a stellar choice for gaming, offering a comprehensive suite of features. All four HDMI 2.1 inputs support 4K 120Hz, providing a significant advantage over competitors. It includes Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, AMD FreeSync Premium, and NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility for tear-free gameplay. HGiG HDR ensures games display as intended by developers. The pop-up Game Bar provides crucial information without interrupting gameplay. With an input lag of just 9.4ms (1080p/60) in Game Mode, responsiveness is outstanding. The Samsung Gaming Hub further enhances the experience, offering access to cloud gaming platforms without needing a console.
