Although Samsung TVs are great out of the box, there are plenty of settings you’ll want to tweak for the best possible experience. Whether it’s amplifying sound or increasing gaming functionality, these few adjustments make all the difference.
As a TV tester and reviewer, I know just where to look. I’ve used countless Samsung TVs, and while they might be some of the best TVs in the market, there are plenty of ways to make them even better in just under five minutes.
Listed below are four of the major tweaks I recommend changing right after unboxing your new Samsung TV. These will help amplify the experience and give you further control over picture and audio quality in a wide range of use cases. Check out the full list below.
1. Improve audio in just one click
AI Sound Pro is a feature found on practically every newer Samsung TV model, offering enhanced audio playback. It’s a handy feature if you’re not already pairing your Samsung TV with one of the best soundbars, boosting action sequences and cleaning dialogue for better immersion.
There are two main ways you can enable AI Sound Pro. The first involves using the quick settings, which can be accessed by pressing the cog wheel on your remote. Scroll to “Sound Mode,” and set it to Amplify.
The Second method is going into the All Settings menu. Navigate to the Sound settings and choose “Sound Mode,” and change it from Standard to Amplify.
This minor tweak will greatly enhance your TV’s audio. It’s a nice way of saving money on a more lavish home cinema upgrade. However, I do recommend buying a solid soundbar or AV receiver setup for the best immersion.
2. Get your game on with Game Mode
Game Mode is one of the best ways to enhance visuals and performance for your PS5 or PC on a Samsung TV. The mode gives you access to a wide swath of settings tweaks and sometimes enables VRR, too. But, not every Samsung TV offers Game Mode enabled right out of the box.
You can either use the Quick Settings tab or the main Settings menu to get started. Heed to Connections, then click on Game Mode. There are several different settings you can tweak here, but the main option we want right now is to change Game Mode to either On or Automatic.
”On” is best if you’re primarily playing video games on your Samsung TV, while “Automatic” only enables the Game Mode menu pop up when a game is active. I typically like keep Game Mode On as opposed to Automatic, but pick whichever you prefer.
Samsung’s Game Mode is home to tons of awesome gaming tweaks, such as AI Auto Game Mode, Blur Reduction, and Mini-map detection. I would also make sure that full VRR and 4K/120Hz mode is enabled within the Game Bar, particularly if you’re playing on PS5 or Xbox Series X.
3. Turn your TV into a Frame TV with aesthetic backdrops
Samsung’s The Frame and Frame Pro are two beloved pieces of display technology that can turn your home entertainment setup into an art museum. But, not everyone is looking to buy into the Frame concept, with its adjustable frames and performance adjustments.
Fortunately, any Samsung TV can be turned into a beautiful backdrop if you’re needing something a little less active than a sports broadcast or YouTube video. This can be found within the Ambient section, allowing you to set special wallpapers and dynamic designs that spruce up your living room when you’re not using the screen.
Ambient mode can be found on the left-hand tab on the Home Screen, right above the Game menu. Accessing Ambient Mode allows you to change the backdrop on your TV to suit your mood, offering a variety of art and photos that give your home entertainment setup a vibrant upgrade.
4. Enhance the picture quality on your Samsung TV with Intelligent Mode
To get enhanced picture quality without doing a full TV calibration, which can cost several hundred dollars, Intelligent Mode is a worthy alternative. Intelligent Mode essentially uses your TV’s sensor with a built-in AI algorithm to enhance picture quality by adjusting brightness, color and more to your home setup.
To enable Intelligent Mode, head to All Settings and click on General. Intelligent Mode should be at the top of the page. Enabling it will ensure you get the best picture quality no matter what time of day you’re watching.
It’s a handy setting that can boost picture quality without the hassle of adjusting every setting. There are a variety of tweaks you can make within Intelligent Mode, including Adaptive Picture, which enhances brightness and contrast, AI Customization for sharpness and detail, plus a handy Volume setting that keeps audio at a stable decibel for less-intrusive ads.
With some fine tuning across its various internal settings, Intelligent Mode can dramatically improve TV performance, making it a no brainer to include on this list.
Now that you know all about the 4 Samsung TV settings to boost its performance, why not check dive into our other useful TV guides?
Check out 5 ways to stop your smart TV from buffering and how to stop those annoying privacy pop-ups. And if you're tired of hard-to-hear dialogue on your TV, here's how to fix it once and for all.
More from Tom's Guide
- 5 tips to get the best reception from a TV antenna
- Here's how to reset a Samsung TV
- What size TV should you buy?
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.

Ryan Epps is a Staff Writer under the TV/AV section at Tom's Guide focusing on TVs and projectors. When not researching PHOLEDs and writing about the next major innovation in the projector space, he's consuming random anime from the 90's, playing Dark Souls 3 again, or reading yet another Haruki Murakami novel.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
