Samsung 77-Inch S84D OLED TV: A Deep Dive Review
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The Samsung 77-inch S84D OLED Smart TV, currently available at a significantly reduced price of $1,599.99 at Best Buy (a discount of $1,700 from its original $3,299 price tag), presents a compelling proposition for consumers seeking a large-screen OLED experience. This review delves deeper into its features, performance, and overall value, considering its strengths and weaknesses within the broader context of the high-end television market.
The S84D's core selling point is its utilization of OLED technology, renowned for its self-emissive pixels. This translates to exceptional contrast ratios, with inky blacks and vibrant highlights. Unlike LCD TVs relying on local dimming to achieve similar contrast, OLED avoids the "blooming" effect where bright areas bleed into darker regions, leading to a more natural and immersive viewing experience. This is particularly beneficial for dark room viewing and content with high dynamic range (HDR).
However, the S84D's HDR performance, while decent, isn't class-leading. The aggressive Automatic Brightness Limiter (ABL) can dim bright scenes, impacting peak brightness. This limitation is further amplified in Game Mode, potentially affecting HDR gaming performance. This is a common issue with many OLED TVs attempting to balance brightness and power consumption. Industry experts, like those at Rtings.com, consistently highlight the trade-offs inherent in OLED brightness management, noting that while blacks are unparalleled, peak brightness can be limited compared to some competing technologies like mini-LED.
Despite the HDR brightness limitations, the S84D boasts strong gaming capabilities. Support for 4K at 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and incredibly low input lag makes it an ideal companion for the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and high-end gaming PCs. While the absence of Dolby Vision support might disappoint some HDR enthusiasts, its performance with other HDR formats remains commendable. The near-instantaneous response time ensures crisp motion with minimal blur, a significant advantage for fast-paced games.
Beyond gaming, the S84D excels in upscaling lower-resolution content, enhancing the viewing experience of older DVDs and lower-quality streams. Its wide viewing angles make it suitable for group viewing, and its effective reflection handling minimizes glare even in brightly lit rooms. This is a crucial consideration for consumers who don't always have dedicated home theatre environments. Many experts recommend considering ambient light conditions when choosing a TV, as this significantly affects perceived image quality.
The TV runs on the 2024 version of Tizen OS, known for its intuitive interface and wide app selection. Casting from mobile devices and USB playback are also readily available. Integration with Bixby and Alexa voice assistants, controlled via a remote with a built-in microphone, enhances usability.
However, the S84D's audio performance is a noticeable drawback. While dialogue clarity is acceptable at moderate volumes, the audio quality deteriorates at higher volumes, with a lack of bass impacting the overall immersive experience. This is a common criticism of thin-profile TVs where space for larger, more powerful speakers is limited. Consideration of an external soundbar or home theatre system is strongly recommended to augment the audio performance for an optimal viewing experience.
In conclusion, the Samsung 77-inch S84D OLED Smart TV offers a compelling mix of features at a reduced price. Its exceptional contrast, gaming prowess, and user-friendly interface are significant positives. However, potential buyers should be mindful of its HDR brightness limitations and relatively weak built-in audio. Weighing these aspects against the considerable price reduction and the overall viewing experience will help determine if the S84D aligns with individual needs and expectations within the competitive landscape of high-end televisions. The significant discount makes it an attractive option, but thorough consideration of its limitations is crucial before purchasing.
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