Our verdict
The Samsung S85H is a 65-inch OLED TV: each pixel makes its own light and can switch fully off, so dark scenes look properly black and colours stand out. Films look rich and detailed, and people sitting away from the centre still see a strong picture. It has four HDMI ports that handle 4K at 120Hz, so consoles get smooth, responsive games. Independent reviewers found it competes well above what you might expect of an entry OLED. It is not the brightest, its 20W 2-channel speakers are ordinary and the standard picture can need a quick adjustment. At our 24 September check the 65-inch S85H cost £2,069 and the S90H was £70 less. Compare the S90H first unless the gap grows.
Buy it if
- You mainly watch films and TV in the evening
- Your family sits across a wide room
- You find the 65-inch model at a meaningful discount
Skip it if
- Sunlight regularly falls directly on the screen
- The S90H costs the same or less
- You expect powerful sound without adding a soundbar
How it would fit your home
Films after dark
Deep blacks and rich colour are the S85H's natural strength.
A wide family sofa
The picture holds up well for people who are not sitting directly in front of the screen.
A very sunny room
This is the weaker fit. The S90H's reflection control or a brighter TV will be easier to watch.
The details, in plain English
Films and streaming
Tom's Guide found films detailed and colourful, with black areas that look properly dark rather than grey. What Hi-Fi? also judged it a strong entry point into premium picture quality. The most faithful film setting gives a warm, natural result in a dim room, though you may want a brighter setting in the day. Samsung lists HDR10+ for HDR films, which lets bright and dark parts of a scene keep detail together.
Apps and BBC iPlayer
The S85H uses Samsung's Tizen software. BBC iPlayer was not available at launch on Samsung's 2026 TVs. On 18 September 2026 Samsung added it to selected models, including the 65-inch S90H, but the 65-inch S85H (QE65S85HAEXXU) was not on that list. That may change with an update, so confirm the current position with Samsung or the retailer if iPlayer matters to you.
Sport and bright rooms
It is bright enough for normal daytime viewing and makes a football pitch easy to follow. A special football setting boosts the grass, shirts and crowd sound, but Tom's Guide found the colour too vivid for regular use. Samsung lists an anti-reflection coating, yet strong sunlight remains a better match for the S90H or a brighter TV.
Games and sound
Four HDMI ports support 4K at 120Hz, which is the fastest mode a PS5 or Xbox Series X uses. The panel runs at 100Hz natively with VRR up to 120Hz, plus G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium. Speakers are 20W in a 2-channel setup with Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony, so a compatible Samsung soundbar can play alongside them.
Setup and furniture
The screen is extremely thin and feels delicate when lifted, so two people should assemble it and take care not to flex it. The two feet sit closer to the centre than on many TVs, which helps if your TV unit is not very wide. Once installed, the narrow frame keeps attention on the picture.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- OLED picture: rich colour and properly dark blacks in films
- The picture stays convincing from seats at the side
- Four HDMI ports at 4K 120Hz: smooth, responsive games on every input
- G-Sync Compatible and FreeSync Premium support to stop tearing in games
- The feet can sit closer together, so it fits a narrower TV unit
What to watch out for
- Bright rooms expose its lower light output
- The most natural picture setting may need a small adjustment
- 20W 2-channel speakers are ordinary rather than cinematic
- The thin screen needs two people and careful handling during setup
- BBC iPlayer: Samsung added the app to selected 2026 TVs on 18 September 2026, but the 65-inch S85H (QE65S85HAEXXU) was not on its list, so check before buying if you rely on it
The S85H is one of the stronger entry-level OLED TVs, but the market around it is crowded. The S90H improves reflections and sound. Choose the S85H when its selling price creates a clear gap to the S90H.
Make the Samsung S85H easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: 20W 2-channel speakers are ordinary rather than cinematic
Sonos Beam (Gen 2) Reviewed by us
A reviewed dialogue-focused soundbar can address the named weak built-in sound. Judge voices at your normal volume and include its cost before choosing the TV.
Check first: No separate bass box included; use compatible TV ARC/eARC or the manufacturer’s optical adapter. Confirm the TV’s exact outputs and plan the occupied HDMI socket.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Samsung S85H (65-inch) (this one) | An enjoyable first OLED, but wait for a wider price gap to the S90H before buying | £2,06965 inches, Price recorded 24 Sept 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung S90H (65-inch) | An excellent all-round OLED TV for bright rooms and gaming, and an easy choice while it costs about the same as the S85H | £1,99965 inches, Price recorded 24 Sept 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung R85H (65-inch) | A fascinating first-generation Micro RGB TV that cautious buyers should not buy on claims alone, at least until independent measurements of the 65-inch model arrive. | £2,399RRP · 65 inches, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Samsung QN90F Neo QLED (65-inch) | The best high-end choice for bright, mixed-use family rooms, as long as dark-room film quality is not your first priority. | £2,499RRP · 65 inches, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
Not sure it is the right one for you?
We email three options and one clear recommendation, around your budget and home, within three working days.
Worth reading next
Where our findings come from
We compared independent reviews from Tom's Guide and What Hi-Fi?. Tom's Guide supplied direct viewing, gaming and standardised test results, and What Hi-Fi? gave a second specialist opinion. Samsung UK's page confirms the exact 65-inch model and its specifications. We did not test the TV ourselves.