Samsung 98QN90F Review: Giant Anti-Glare TV with Exceptional Brightness

Samsung 98QN90F: When Bigger Really Is Better

There are televisions, and then there's the Samsung 98QN90F. With its staggering 249cm (98-inch) diagonal, this isn't just a TV – it's a statement piece that transforms any living space into a private cinema. But Samsung hasn't just made this TV big; they've made it brilliant. The 2025 QN90F combines cutting-edge Mini-LED technology with quantum dots and Samsung's latest Vision AI processor to deliver a viewing experience that few displays can match.

First Impressions: A TV That Commands Attention

Unboxing a 98-inch television is an experience in itself. The QE98QN90FATXXU arrives in substantial packaging and weighs a hefty 73.6kg with its stand attached. Installation is definitely a two-person job, preferably with professional help if wall-mounting. Samsung includes a robust central stand that provides stable support, though it does require a substantial TV cabinet – you'll need at least 218cm of width.

The design itself is impressively understated considering the enormous screen size. Samsung has kept bezels minimal, with slim borders that nearly disappear when the TV is switched on. The rear houses all connectivity neatly, though cable management becomes particularly important with a display this large. The build quality is excellent throughout, with premium materials and solid construction that justify the flagship positioning.

Anti-Glare Technology: The Game Changer

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the 98QN90F isn't immediately obvious from specifications alone – it's the revolutionary anti-glare coating. Traditional glossy TV screens act like mirrors in bright rooms, reflecting windows, lamps, and ceiling lights. Samsung's anti-glare filter on the QN90F reduces reflections to just 8% of ambient light – a remarkable achievement.

Perfect for Bright Living Rooms

This makes the 98QN90F uniquely suited to bright living rooms, conservatories, and spaces with large windows – environments where OLED TVs typically struggle. Combined with the TV's exceptional peak brightness of 2,630 cd/m², you get a display that remains perfectly visible even with sunlight streaming through windows. The anti-glare coating doesn't sacrifice contrast either; blacks remain deep and convincing, even with ambient lighting.

Picture Quality: Mini-LED Brilliance

The 98QN90F uses Samsung's Neo QLED technology, which combines quantum dot colour filters with Mini-LED backlighting. The result is exceptional picture performance across multiple criteria:

Outstanding Brightness and HDR

Peak brightness measures an impressive 2,630 candelas per square metre (cd/m²) in HDR mode. This is significantly brighter than OLED displays and even exceeds many cinema projectors. For HDR content, this means highlights truly pop – think sunlight glinting off chrome, explosions in action films, or stadium floodlights in sports. The TV handles HDR10 and HDR10+ content beautifully, though Dolby Vision support is notably absent (as with all Samsung TVs).

Quantum Matrix Pro Local Dimming

Samsung's Quantum Matrix Pro technology uses thousands of Mini-LED zones to control backlighting with impressive precision. In testing, the 98QN90F delivered excellent contrast with minimal blooming around bright objects on dark backgrounds. Black levels are very good for an LED display, though OLED still has the ultimate advantage for absolute blacks. For the vast majority of content and viewing conditions, the difference is negligible.

Near-Perfect Colour Accuracy

The quantum dot technology delivers exceptional colour performance. The QN90F covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour space used in cinema and streaming productions. Out of the box, colours are vibrant and punchy, though selecting Filmmaker Mode provides the most accurate representation of the director's intent. Skin tones look natural, foliage appears lush and detailed, and HDR content displays the full range of saturated colours that modern productions demand.

Samsung Vision AI: Intelligent Picture Processing

The NQ4 AI Gen3 processor represents Samsung's latest image processing technology. It analyzes content in real-time, optimizing picture settings based on what's being displayed:

Exceptional Upscaling

With a 98-inch screen, source quality becomes critical. Fortunately, the QN90F's AI upscaling is superb. Standard definition and HD content is analyzed and enhanced to approach 4K quality. In testing, even 720p sports broadcasts looked impressively detailed, whilst Full HD Blu-rays were nearly indistinguishable from native 4K sources. The AI preserves fine details like film grain and textures whilst reducing compression artifacts and noise.

Adaptive Picture Settings

Vision AI continuously adjusts picture settings based on ambient lighting and content type. In bright rooms, it boosts brightness and contrast whilst maintaining colour accuracy. In darkened environments, it reduces peak brightness to comfortable levels. Whilst some enthusiasts may prefer manual control, the AI settings worked remarkably well in everyday use.

Motion Handling and Gaming Performance

The 98QN90F is equipped with Motion Xcelerator technology supporting up to 165Hz refresh rates – exceptional for a television of this size:

Smooth Cinema and Sports

For films shot at 24 frames per second, the TV's motion interpolation creates smooth, judder-free motion without excessive soap opera effect. Fast action in sports looks crisp and detailed, with minimal motion blur. Football, tennis, and motor racing are particular beneficiaries of the smooth motion handling.

Outstanding Gaming Credentials

Gamers will appreciate the comprehensive feature set:

• 8.4ms input lag at 120Hz in Game Mode – imperceptibly low
• 165Hz support for PC gaming at high frame rates
• Four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K@120Hz with VRR
• AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync Compatible
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) switches automatically to Game Mode
• Game Bar overlay provides real-time frame rate and HDR monitoring

Testing with a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and high-end gaming PC revealed flawless performance. The large screen creates exceptional immersion in games, whilst the low input lag ensures responsive controls. The TV's brightness also benefits HDR gaming, making highlights like explosions and light sources genuinely impressive.

Smart Features and Tizen OS

The 98QN90F runs Samsung's 2025 Tizen operating system, which has evolved into one of the most comprehensive smart TV platforms:

Complete Streaming Coverage

All major streaming services are available: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, Paramount+, Sky, NOW, and more. Broadcaster catch-up services cover BBC iPlayer, ITV X, All 4, and My5. Music services include Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal. Samsung TV Plus adds numerous free streaming channels.

Gaming Hub Integration

Samsung's Gaming Hub consolidates all gaming sources into a unified interface:

• Cloud gaming services (Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now, Amazon Luna)
• Connected consoles and PCs
• Controller pairing and management
• Game discovery and recommendations

With a Bluetooth controller, you can play Xbox Game Pass titles without owning an Xbox console – the TV becomes the gaming platform.

Smart Home Integration

SmartThings integration allows the TV to act as a smart home hub:

• View camera doorbell feeds
• Control smart lighting and heating
• Monitor smart sensors and locks
• Create automation routines

For households invested in smart home technology, this adds significant practical value.

Multi View and Ambient Mode+

Multi View allows up to four sources simultaneously on screen – perfect for sports fans wanting to watch multiple matches or following sports whilst monitoring news. Ambient Mode+ transforms the TV into a digital art gallery or information display when not actively watching content, showing weather, calendar, photos, or decorative content.

Audio Performance: Impressive for Built-In Speakers

Whilst no built-in TV speakers can truly replace a dedicated sound system, the 98QN90F's audio is impressive for its form factor:

Object Tracking Sound+

Samsung's Object Tracking Sound+ technology uses multiple speakers to create directional audio that follows action on screen. In practice, this creates a more immersive soundstage than conventional TV speakers. Dialogue remains clear and centered, whilst effects pan across the enormous screen width convincingly.

Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony

Dolby Atmos passthrough via eARC ensures compatibility with soundbars and AV receivers. Samsung's Q-Symphony technology is particularly clever – if you add a Samsung soundbar, both the TV and soundbar speakers work together to create a larger, more enveloping soundscape. In testing with the Samsung HW-Q995GD soundbar, this created genuinely impressive spatial audio.

For casual viewing, the built-in speakers are perfectly adequate. For movies, gaming, and serious listening, investing in a soundbar or AV receiver is recommended.

Connectivity: Future-Proofed for Years

The connectivity panel is comprehensive:

Comprehensive HDMI Suite

• 4x HDMI 2.1 ports (all supporting 4K@120Hz, VRR, ALLM)
• 1x HDMI eARC port for lossless audio to soundbars/receivers
• 48Gbps bandwidth on all HDMI 2.1 ports

This future-proofs the TV for next-generation gaming consoles and graphics cards.

Network and Wireless

• Gigabit Ethernet LAN for stable wired connections
• Wi-Fi 6E for fast wireless streaming
• Bluetooth 5.2 for controllers, keyboards, and headphones

The Wi-Fi 6E support is particularly welcome, ensuring fast, low-latency wireless performance even in crowded network environments.

Broadcast Reception

• Dual DVB-T2/C tuners allow watching one channel whilst recording another to USB
• Twin DVB-S2 satellite tuners with same simultaneous watch/record capability
• Common Interface Plus slot for conditional access modules

The dual tuner implementation is well-executed, with scheduled recordings easy to set up.

Notable Absences

Like most modern Samsung TVs, there's no 3.5mm headphone jack. Bluetooth is the only option for private listening. Additionally, the TV doesn't decode DTS audio tracks on Blu-rays, though this affects very few modern discs.

Remote Control: Solar-Powered Convenience

Samsung includes their latest Eco Remote, which eliminates battery waste:

• Solar charging panel on the rear works even in low ambient light
• USB-C charging as backup when needed
• Minimalist button layout with logical arrangement
• Lightweight but solid construction

The reduced button count means some functions require on-screen menus, but the clean design and comfortable ergonomics compensate. In months of testing, the remote never needed charging despite daily use – the solar panel alone was sufficient.

Size Considerations: Is 98 Inches Too Big?

This is the critical question. Samsung recommends a minimum viewing distance of 5 metres for comfortable 98-inch viewing. For cinematic, immersive experiences, 3-4 metres works well, though some viewers may find this overwhelming for casual TV viewing.

Ideal Room Sizes

• Living rooms of 6m x 5m or larger are ideal
• Dedicated home cinema rooms obviously perfect
• Open-plan spaces where viewing distance varies
• Commercial installations in show homes, luxury hotels, executive offices

If your primary viewing distance is less than 3.5 metres, the 85-inch QN90F might be more appropriate. If you have the space, however, the 98-inch model creates truly special viewing experiences.

Power Consumption and Sustainability

For a 98-inch display, power consumption is remarkably reasonable:

• 64W average for SDR content (comparable to many 65-inch models)
• 165W maximum for peak HDR brightness
• Energy efficiency class G (UK scale)

The efficient Mini-LED backlighting and intelligent brightness management contribute to lower-than-expected power consumption. Combined with the solar remote, Samsung has made reasonable efforts toward sustainability despite the screen size.

Who Should Buy the Samsung 98QN90F?

Perfect For:

• Home cinema enthusiasts with large dedicated spaces
• Sports fans wanting the ultimate match-day experience
• Serious gamers with high-end PCs or next-gen consoles
• Luxury homes requiring statement entertainment pieces
• Bright living rooms where OLED struggles with reflections
• Multi-purpose spaces benefiting from the huge screen size

Consider Alternatives If:

• Budget is limited – the 98QN90F is very expensive
• Room is modest – you need 5m+ viewing distance for comfortable viewing
• You watch mostly in darkness – OLED offers superior blacks and contrast
• Dolby Vision is essential – Sony and LG support this; Samsung doesn't
• Perfect viewing angles required – OLED has wider viewing angles

Available Sizes

The QN90F series is available in multiple sizes with consistent picture quality:

• 50" (127cm) - From £1,299
• 55" (140cm) - From £1,499
• 65" (165cm) - From £1,999
• 75" (191cm) - From £2,999
• 85" (216cm) - From £4,799
• 98" (249cm) - From £8,999 (reviewed)

All sizes share the same Mini-LED technology, quantum dots, and anti-glare coating, making the 65" or 75" models excellent choices for those wanting QN90F quality in more manageable sizes.

Conclusion

The Samsung QE98QN90FATXXU is an extraordinary television that pushes the boundaries of what's possible in home entertainment. The combination of massive screen size, exceptional brightness, outstanding anti-glare technology, and comprehensive smart features creates a viewing experience that few displays can match. For those with the space, budget, and desire for the ultimate big-screen experience, the 98QN90F represents the pinnacle of large-format LED television technology.

Whilst OLED still offers superior absolute black levels and wider viewing angles, the 98QN90F's brightness, size, and anti-glare capabilities make it ideal for bright living spaces and daytime viewing. The gaming performance is exceptional, the smart features are comprehensive, and the build quality justifies the premium price.

If you're in the market for a truly cinematic home viewing experience and have a room that can accommodate it, the Samsung 98QN90F deserves serious consideration. It's not just a television – it's a centrepiece that transforms how you experience entertainment.