Samsung’s 2026 S85H OLED is the company’s cheapest OLED TV yet, starting at $1,199 for the new 48-inch model. But what sets it apart for gamers — particularly PC users — is the full complement of four 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 ports, each capable of 4K at 120Hz with VRR and ALLM. That’s a rarity among entry-level TVs and makes the S85H a serious contender as a big-screen gaming display, even if a few trade-offs in picture processing and audio require a little extra investment.

Connectivity: Four HDMI 2.1 Ports at This Price Is Unheard Of

According to Samsung’s official specifications, the S85H includes four HDMI 2.1 ports, all running at 48Gbps — no cut-down 40Gbps or dual-use bandwidth here. They support 4K at 120Hz with variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM), and enhanced audio return channel (eARC). For PC hobbyists, that means you can connect a GeForce RTX 40-series or Radeon RX 7000-series GPU directly and push a full 4K 120Hz signal without chroma subsampling, while still having ports left over for an Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5, and a soundbar.

Wi-Fi 6E also makes its way into Samsung’s entry OLED for the first time, future-proofing it for wireless game streaming or high-bitrate media servers — though it only matters if your network gear supports the standard. Notably absent is Dolby Vision, including Dolby Vision Gaming. Samsung sticks to HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. For Windows, Xbox, and PlayStation, HDR10 remains the baseline, so you won’t lose HDR in games; streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video map to HDR10 on this set, but you will miss the dynamic metadata optimizations Dolby Vision provides on compatible content.

Picture Quality: Punchy, but Calibration Is a Must

What Hi-Fi? reviewed the 55-inch QE55S85H and found that out of the box, its Eco mode sharpens, oversmooths, and oversaturates the image aggressively — reds in particular look fluorescent. Switching to Filmmaker Mode, setting color temperature to Warm 1, and enabling Active Dynamic Tone Mapping brought the picture much closer to reference, though reds and blues still push a bit harder than on competing LG OLEDs.

The panel itself — likely one of LG Display’s newer OLED SE panels designed to cut costs while boosting brightness — delivers genuine OLED contrast: perfect blacks and a startling sense of depth. In stress tests with Pan, a 4,000-nit mastered Blu-ray, the S85H revealed more highlight detail and color nuance than the cheaper LG B6, avoiding the flat white clipping that budget OLEDs often suffer. However, the S85H’s tone mapping can be overzealous. On the Sinners disc, minor black crush crept in, swallowing shadow detail on faces. In bright scenes, the TV occasionally lifts highlights unnaturally, flattening skin tones and making actors look like they’re under stage lights rather than in dimly lit rooms.

Samsung leaves its Glare Free coating and Quantum Dot color technology to the pricier S90H and S99H models. The S85H performs best in a controlled or dimly lit room; heavy ambient light will show reflections and wash out the picture.

Audio: You’ll Need a Soundbar

The S85H’s built-in audio is its weakest link. It uses a 2.0-channel, 20-watt speaker system that What Hi-Fi? described as lacking any real bass or impact. Dialogue separation and directional effects are adequate, but engine roars, explosions, and even crowd noise lack weight. During the Civil War test disc, gunfire overpowered explosions entirely. For a TV that’s otherwise built for immersive gaming and cinematic experiences, the audio feels like an afterthought.

Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature allows compatible Samsung soundbars to combine with the TV’s speakers, but eARC means you aren’t locked into that ecosystem. A basic eARC soundbar — something like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) or a Samsung HW-B650 — should be considered a mandatory part of the total cost.

What It Means for Windows Users and PC Gamers

For anyone thinking of using the S85H as a massive PC monitor, the four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 ports are a game-changer. Many competing TVs at this price offer only two or limit bandwidth. You can set the S85H as a primary display for your desktop, enjoy G-Sync or FreeSync VRR (compatibility may require manual confirmation, but Samsung’s general VRR implementation works with recent NVIDIA and AMD cards), and switch between inputs without swapping cables.

Windows Auto HDR and most PC games rely on HDR10, so the lack of Dolby Vision isn’t a practical handicap. You’ll want to adjust the TV’s settings: label the input as “PC” in the source menu to ensure 4:4:4 chroma and low input lag; set the GPU to output RGB Full if using a PC; and stick to Filmmaker Mode with Warm 1 and Active Dynamic Tone Mapping for the most accurate HDR. For SDR content, Windows scaling at 4K on a 48-inch screen makes text comfortably readable at 150%.

That said, the S85H’s slightly aggressive HDR tone mapping might lift near-white details too much in desktop HDR modes, and the set’s reflections mean a dark room is preferable. It’s not a productivity monitor, but as a gaming display it’s exceptionally well-equipped.

How Samsung’s Entry-Level OLED Got Here

Samsung’s OLED journey has been split: its high-end QD-OLED models like the S90H and S99H use quantum dot layers for brighter, purer colors. The S85 series, introduced in 2025, marks Samsung’s move into budget-friendly territory — likely using WOLED panels sourced from LG Display to hit lower price points. The 2026 S85H keeps the same NQ4 AI Gen2 processor as its predecessor, missing out on the Gen3 silicon’s more accurate tone mapping and upscaling found in the step-up models.

The result is a TV that inherits OLED’s core strengths — infinite contrast, rapid response times, wide viewing angles — at a price only a few hundred dollars above premium LCDs. But it also inherits the cost-cutting compromises: no anti-glare, no quantum dots, and a budget processor that can’t quite tame the panel’s brightness into a consistently refined image.

Action Plan: What to Do If You’re Considering This TV

  1. Calibrate immediately. Switch to Filmmaker Mode, set Color Temperature to Warm 1, and enable Active Dynamic Tone Mapping. This tames the out-of-box inaccuracies and unlocks the TV’s best picture.
  2. Budget for a soundbar. Allocate at least $200–$300 for an eARC-enabled soundbar. The built-in speakers are inadequate for movies and gaming.
  3. Watch for price drops. The LG B6, a direct competitor, has already fallen to $899 for the 55-inch in some markets. Samsung’s pricing will likely adjust rapidly. If you don’t need the extra HDMI ports, the B6 may be a better value, but the S85H’s connectivity advantage is substantial for multi-device setups.
  4. Consider stepping up if the price gap narrows. The S90H offers superior processing, more natural colors, and better HDR control. If you can find it for only $200–$300 more, the upgrade is worth it for film enthusiasts.
  5. Use a 48-inch model for desktop gaming. The smaller size makes pixel density more forgiving and fits better on desks, while still giving you four uncompromised HDMI 2.1 inputs.

Outlook: The Future of Budget OLED Gaming

Samsung’s strategy of peppering its entry-level OLED with flagship connectivity — something traditionally reserved for high-end sets — signals a welcome shift. As OLED production ramps and panel costs fall, we can expect more manufacturers to follow suit. Prices on the S85H will likely drop sharply within months, closing the gap with the LG B6 while retaining the HDMI 2.1 advantage. For PC and console gamers who want a big, responsive, contrast-rich screen without selling a kidney, the S85H is already a compelling baseline. Add a soundbar, wait for a sale, and you’ll have a gaming display that punches well above its price tag.