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Spring has sprung, which means many of the best TVs of the year are just now reaching store shelves. Samsung, makers of some of the best OLED TVs you can buy, is busy rolling out its 2026 OLED lineup, including two of its top TVs of the year: the S90H and the S95H.
The S90H is a new, upgraded version of one of our favorite mid-range OLEDs of 2025, the Samsung S90F. Meanwhile, the S95H is an all-new version of the brand's sensational flagship model, the Samsung S95F.
Recently, I had the good fortune of going hands-on with both the S90H and the S95H at Samsung headquarters. We haven't formally tested either set yet, so the jury is still out on how they stack up when it comes to performance data. Nevertheless, while we don’t have formal test data on its performance just yet, I spent enough time with both to give you the scoop on how they stack up.
Samsung S90H vs S95H: specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Samsung S90H | Samsung S95H |
|---|---|---|
Sizes | 42", 48", 55", 65", 77", 83" | 55", 65", 77", 83" |
Ports | 4x HDMI 2.1 | 4x HDMI 2.1 |
Resolution | 3,840 x 2,160p | 3,840 x 2,160p |
Refresh rate | 165Hz | 165Hz |
HDR | HDR10, HDR10+, HDR10+ Advanced, HLG | HDR10, HDR10+, HDR10+ Advanced, HLG |
Smart TV software | Tizen OS | Tizen OS |
ATSC 3.0 support? | No | No |
Processor | NQ4 AI Gen3 | NQ4 AI Gen3 |
When sizing up these two sets on paper, they look remarkably similar. They're built around the same processor and run the same software suite.
And, like all Samsung TVs, neither the S90H nor the S95H supports Dolby Vision, the most popular HDR format. That said, both models are among the first Samsung TVs to arrive with HDR10+ Advanced, a royalty-free alternative to Dolby Vision. In 2026 and beyond, it will compete directly with Dolby Vision 2, another new HDR format.
Folks who are in the market for a smaller-sized OLED TV have a couple of extra options in the S90H. Like its predecessor, this mid-range OLED will be available in 42- and 28-inch sizes (though neither will come with quantum-dot color).
Samsung S90H vs S95H: design
When I spent some time with the Samsung S95H (seen above), it was wall-mounted in a living room-style staging area, in part to emphasize its newest design flourish: a metal frame that surrounds its picture. This is the primary design difference between the S90H and its higher-end sibling, since the S90H offers a standard, black-bezel display.
It's tough to see unless you're up close to the S95H's metal frame, but the design helps to make the picture pop. Rather than sitting within the frame from a recessed position, the S95H's OLED display sits above the frame, slightly lifting the picture. The brushed-metal material occasionally caught light, which some viewers may find distracting during daytime viewing.
I don't mind the look of the S95H's frame when the TV is mounted on a wall, but I must note that this frame is attached to the panel even if the TV isn't wall-mounted. I might eventually decide that the shimmering, brushed-metal frame looks less natural when the S95H is resting on a credenza or media console.
Like the last two flagship OLEDs that preceded it, the S95H's screen features Samsung's glare-free finish. But 2026 marks the first year that the S90 Series will also feature the brand's matte-style screen. As a result, both models do a bang-up job at blunting the impact of intense glare from windows or bright light sources.
This may or may not be good news depending on your preferences. In years past, I would have recommended the S90 Series for people who wanted a Samsung OLED with a glossy screen. It would seem as though the debate between matte or glossy OLED screens will continue this year.
Samsung S90H vs S95H: performance
Throughout my time with these TVs, colors appeared bright, voluminous and accurate on both sets.
We're still in the process of formally testing the both of these models to get a clear sense of various performance attributes (like peak brightness, color accuracy and color volume) so I can't say for certain how these sets stack up when it comes to picture quality. I can safely say, however, that the S95H is undoubtedly the better-performing OLED between the two.
Samsung claims that the S95H is "brighter than ever before," and I'm inclined to believe that claim. Last year, we clocked the S95F at just over 2,000 nits when measuring HDR highlight brightness, and I expect the S95H to exceed that measurement.
The S90H appears a touch brighter than its predecessor, the S90F, but I don't expect the jump in brightness to be very significant. Last year, the S90F topped out at around 1,200 nits of HDR highlight brightness, and while there are probably a marginal improvement this year, I wouldn't bet on a massive boost.
Throughout my time with these TVs, colors appeared bright, voluminous and accurate on both sets when in Samsung's Filmmaker mode, but the S95H's added brightness goes a long way towards justifying its added cost compared to the S90H. That said, I ought to stress just how impressive the S90H looks, even alongside its pricier counterpart.
From where I'm sitting, it's shaping up to be a similar story this year: Samsung's mid-range OLED will be an excellent, mid-range OLED for A/V enthusiasts who value picture quality, but the S95H will continue to be the preferred option among those shopping for the best possible performance.
Samsung S90H vs S95H: smart platform and features
Both of these TVs ship with Samsung's Tizen-based smart platform, and from what I've seen so far, this year's iteration is very similar to what we saw on 2025 Samsung TVs. I've had my fair share of issues with Samsung's software in the past, so I was happy to see some minor changes made to the Smart Hub user interface, like a quick menu at the top of the home page with key menu options.
Here's some good news for people who intend to save some money on the lower-end S90H: Both of these TVs support most of the same gaming features despite their gap in price. You'll get 4K gaming at 120Hz (and up to 165Hz) across all four of their HDMI 2.1 inputs, and there are plenty of extra gaming enhancements, too, like FreeSync Premium Pro and G-Sync compatibility. (The 42-inch S90H will support FreeSync Premium.)
Samsung S90H vs S95H: outlook
We won't have the final word on these TVs until we finish testing them. However, we can see how both of these sets compare when it comes to their debut pricing.
Size | Samsung S90H | Samsung S95H |
|---|---|---|
42-inch | $1,399 | N/A |
48-inch | $1,599 | N/A |
55-inch | $1,999 | $2,499 |
65-inch | $2,699 | $3,399 |
77-inch | $3,699 | $4,499 |
83-inch | $5,299 | $6,499 |
The S90H's smaller-sized options will surely be a popular pick among OLED TV-shoppers looking for something a bit more modest. But if you compare the cost of each series' 55- to 83-inch models, the S95H's eye-watering price immediately jumps out.
Just as the S90F was the more value-forward option between that set and the S95F, I fully expect the S90H to play the same role alongside the S95H. For some people, the S95H's performance related benefits — namely, its higher brightness — will be well worth the upcharge.
Other people will understandably feel more comfortable spending much less on the S90H. Make no mistake: Despite its limitations relative to the S95H, the S90H is a fantastic-looking OLED TV. Moreover, it's packed with a near-identical slate of features, which I suspect goes a long way towards softening a shopper's fear that they might be missing out on the flagship model.
In any event, one constant will carry over into 2026: Both the S90H and S95H will steadily fall in price the further we get into the year.
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