In Samsung’s 4K OLED lineup, the Samsung S85F (2025) steps in as the new entry-level OLED model. It sits below the Samsung S90F, which supports 4K 144 Hz for high-end gaming performance. The Samsung S85D (2024) previously held this same position and is still widely available, often at attractive discounts.
Both TVs share Samsung’s essential strengths: 4K 120 Hz, HDMI 2.1 across all ports, VRR, ALLM, Dolby Atmos, and Tizen smart TV features. However, the S85F introduces improvements in color volume, HDR brightness, and software longevity, making this comparison especially relevant for buyers choosing between a discounted 2024 model and the newer 2025 release.
Samsung S85F (2025) Short Overview
The Samsung S85F is Samsung’s 2025 entry-level OLED, but it performs closer to a mid-range model in many areas. The 55-inch and 65-inch models use a QD-OLED panel, offering noticeably richer color saturation and stronger HDR highlights. The 77-inch and 83-inch versions use WOLED panels but still benefit from Samsung’s OLED processing and smart platform upgrades.
The S85F runs on Samsung’s NQ4 AI Gen2 processor with improved 4K upscaling, refined HDR tone mapping, and AI-assisted enhancements. It also introduces the new 2025 One UI Tizen / Vision AI platform, which offers smoother navigation, updated menus, and a longer support lifespan for software updates.
Peak HDR brightness is higher than the S85D, usually in the mid-700 cd/m² range on small highlights. Combined with OLED’s perfect blacks, this results in a more dynamic HDR picture. The S85F also reaches a wide DCI-P3 color volume of around 98%, especially in its QD-OLED sizes, allowing it to preserve vivid colors even in bright HDR scenes.
Gamers will appreciate four HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K 120 Hz, VRR, ALLM, FreeSync/G-SYNC compatibility, and very low input lag. Audio includes Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound Lite, and Q-Symphony when paired with Samsung soundbars.
| Samsung S85F Prices | |
| 83-inch (QN83S85FAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 77-inch (QN77S85FAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (QN65S85FAFXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 55-inch (QN55S85FAFXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
Samsung S85D (2024) Short Overview
The Samsung S85D was Samsung’s entry OLED for 2024 and remains a capable performer, especially at discounted prices. It uses a WOLED panel across all sizes, delivering excellent contrast, deep blacks, and uniformity for dark-room viewing.
It shares the same NQ4 AI Gen2 processor as the S85F, offering solid 4K upscaling and good HDR accuracy. The TV runs on Tizen OS 2024, which is still smooth and reliable, though naturally one year behind in software support and UI refinements.
HDR brightness is typically in the high-500 to low-600 cd/m² range, which is respectable for OLED but lower than the newer S85F. Its DCI-P3 color volume sits around 95%, meaning colors look rich but do not maintain their saturation at higher brightness levels as well as the S85F.
A key advantage of the S85D is its deep black retention in bright rooms. The WOLED panel tends to preserve darker blacks under strong ambient lighting better than the S85F’s QD-OLED sizes, making it a good fit for daytime or sunlit environments.
Gaming remains excellent with 4K 120 Hz, VRR, ALLM, and low input lag. Audio includes 20 W 2.0-channel speakers, Dolby Atmos, OTS Lite, and Q-Symphony.
| Samsung S85D Prices | |
| 83-inch (QN83S85DAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 77-inch (QN77S85DAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (QN65S85DAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 55-inch (QN55S85DAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
Samsung S85F vs Samsung S85D Specs Comparison Table
Below is a side-by-side specs summary so you can quickly see how both models compare.
| Feature | Samsung S85F (2025) | Samsung S85D (2024) | ||||||||
| Screen Size Options | 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | ||||||||
| Position in Lineup | 2025 entry-level OLED | 2024 entry-level OLED | ||||||||
| Panel Type | QD-OLED (55/65), WOLED (77/83) | WOLED (all sizes) | ||||||||
| Processor | NQ4 AI Gen2 | NQ4 AI Gen2 | ||||||||
| Refresh Rate | 4K 120 Hz | 4K 120 Hz | ||||||||
| HDMI Ports | 4× HDMI 2.1 (with eARC) | 4× HDMI 2.1 (with eARC) | ||||||||
| Peak HDR Brightness | ~700–750 cd/m² | ~550–600 cd/m² | ||||||||
| Bright-Room Black Levels | Brighter and more vibrant, but blacks may lift slightly | Better black retention in bright rooms | ||||||||
| DCI-P3 Color Volume | ~98% (QD-OLED sizes) | ~95% | ||||||||
| HDR Formats | HDR10+, HLG | HDR10+, HLG | ||||||||
| Gaming Features | 4K 120 Hz, VRR, ALLM, FreeSync/G-SYNC | 4K 120 Hz, VRR, ALLM, FreeSync/G-SYNC | ||||||||
| Smart Platform | Tizen OS 2025 (One UI / Vision AI) | Tizen OS 2024 | ||||||||
| Audio | 20 W, Dolby Atmos, OTS Lite, Q-Symphony | 20 W, Dolby Atmos, OTS Lite, Q-Symphony | ||||||||
| Typical Pricing | Higher | Lower / often heavily discounted | ||||||||
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The Differences Between Samsung S85F and Samsung S85D
- Color Volume
The S85F delivers a higher DCI-P3 color volume (around 98%) compared to the S85D’s roughly 95%. This means the S85F maintains more vivid and saturated colors at higher brightness levels, especially in HDR movies and games.
- HDR Brightness
HDR highlights are noticeably brighter on the S85F, often reaching the mid-700 cd/m² range. The S85D’s HDR brightness generally sits in the 500–600 cd/m² range, making it less impactful for bright specular details.
- Panel Technology by Size
The S85F’s QD-OLED panel in the 55″ and 65″ sizes is a major upgrade, offering richer colors and stronger HDR. The S85D uses WOLED in every size, so it cannot match the QD-OLED performance of the S85F in these mid-size models.
- Bright-Room Behavior
The S85D actually performs better in very bright rooms when it comes to black level retention, as WOLED handles ambient light differently. The S85F looks more vibrant overall but may show slightly raised blacks under strong lighting.
- Software Platform
The S85F introduces Tizen OS 2025 / One UI, which provides smoother navigation, a more polished interface, and longer-term software support. The S85D uses Tizen OS 2024, which is still solid but a year behind in updates.
Is Samsung S85F a Better Choice?
For most buyers, the Samsung S85F is the better overall choice. Thanks to its brighter HDR performance, wider color volume, and QD-OLED panel in the 55-inch and 65-inch sizes, it delivers a more vibrant and modern HDR experience. The updated Tizen OS 2025 platform also gives it longer-lasting value and smoother overall usability. If you primarily watch in a dim or moderately lit room, and you care about HDR performance and gaming, the S85F is the stronger, more future-proof option.
| Samsung S85F Prices | |
| 83-inch (QN83S85FAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 77-inch (QN77S85FAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (QN65S85FAFXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 55-inch (QN55S85FAFXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
However, the Samsung S85D is still a smart buy in the right scenario. If you can find it at a significant discount, watch a lot of content in a bright room where deeper blacks matter more than peak brightness, or simply want solid OLED performance without paying extra for the newest model, the S85D remains an excellent value. It still delivers OLED contrast, very good color, 4K 120 Hz with full HDMI 2.1, and a smooth Tizen OS experience—making it a strong alternative when price is the top priority.
| Samsung S85D Prices | |
| 83-inch (QN83S85DAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 77-inch (QN77S85DAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 65-inch (QN65S85DAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |
| 55-inch (QN55S85DAEXZA) | Check Today’s Price (Amazon.com)… |