Best Samsung TVs Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?'s guide to the best Samsung TVs you can buy in 2020.
Obviously it makes sense to shop around when buying a new TV. But if you've previously owned a Samsung and want to stick with what you know, there are some impressive screens out there.
From monster sets to more moderately-sized ones, from very affordable to very expensive, Samsung has sets to suit all tastes.
Before you lay down your cash, there are a few things to consider. 4K and HDR will improve the picture quality drastically, but only when fed compatible content, so check your source.
Samsung was also the first to sell 8K sets in the UK. While there's no 8K content currently available, they do upscale 4K content using Samsung's processing tech, and generally do it very well.
Then there's which size to go for. Measure where you'll put it and see which size set will suit you best. Bigger isn't always better - if it towers over your sofa, you might need to reconsider.
You should also check the small print for things such as the number of HDMI and USB sockets. While these details might seem relatively minor, they make all the difference when it comes to getting set up.
Now, on with the tellies...
This set uses Samsung's QLED technology, which is a rival to OLED. This particular set goes almost as dark as OLED, with very similar viewing angles, while having the edge when it comes to brightness. The result? A true challenger to OLED, the current industry standard for premium big-screen TVs.
Colours are brilliantly judged and the dark detail is second to none. The operating system is a real gem too, and comes with more apps than you can shake a remote control at. If you want to shun the OLED crowd, this is the set with which to do it.
Read the full Samsung QE55Q90R (55in) review
Read the full Samsung QE65Q90R (65in) review
The Samsung UE43RU7470 seems like impossibly good value. It ticks all the right tech boxes – 4K, HDR (including HDR10+), and peerless selection of streaming apps that includes the brilliant Apple TV and arguably the best user experience in the business. All of this wrapped up into a lifestyle-friendly 43 inches and priced at a wallet-friendly £429 on arrival.
To top it all off, the performance is excellent. A more premium (and therefore almost certainly bigger) TV will go even brighter than this, but the RU7470 is punchy in its own right and takes a much more sophisticated and subtle approach to colours and definition than you might expect. All told, it's a lovely TV to watch and to live with.
It’s worth noting that UE43RU7470 is a Currys exclusive, but that Samsung says its performance is identical to that of the UE43RU7400 and UE43RU7410, with the only differences between the three models being aesthetic. Having not tested all variants we can't vouch for that, but there's little reason to doubt Samsung's claim.
Read the full review: Samsung UE43RU7470
The Samsung UE49RU8000 is an example of the mid-range at its very best. This is a TV that offers most of the performance of the company’s excellent flagship 49in set with a significant discount. It is, in other words, a great buy.
In many ways, it has the look and connectivity of a flagship TV, with four HDMIs (one of which is ARC-enabled), two USBs, an optical output, aerial and satellite inputs, and an ethernet socket for those who prefer a wired connection to the built-in wi-fi. There's Bluetooth, too.
The streaming library includes Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV and Rakuten in 4K and HDR; BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 and Demand 5 for all of your catch-up needs; Plex and VLC for local streaming; and Spotify, Tidal and Deezer for music. Last but not least, there's the Apple TV app.
The picture delivers detailed, sharp and clearly defined edges that render each scene with excellent depth and solidity. Colours are vibrant but realistic, and there's plenty of punch, even if it can't match the flagship models (as you'd expect). For an affordable TV that still delivers great performance, this is a bit of a bargain.
Read the full review: Samsung UE49RU8000
The Q70R might appear a little way down Samsung's QLED range, but this is still one of the most premium and fully featured 49in TVs you can buy, thanks in no small part to OLEDs not available in sizes below 55in.
This is a very good TV, too. It doesn't have the wide viewing angles of the Q90R and it doesn't go quite as bright, but it does offer the punch, vibrancy and sharpness for which Samsung's QLEDs are renowned.
It also has the same operating system as every other 2019 Samsung QLED, which means it's a pleasure to use and is packed to the rafters with streaming apps, including the new Apple TV app. If you're limited to 49in but still want a premium TV, this is the model for you.
And, if you do have room for a much bigger TV, the 65in version of the Q70R is a doozy, too. It's an Award-winner, in fact.
Read the full Samsung QE49Q70R review
Read the full Samsung QE65Q70R review
The Samsung UE43RU7020 is the smallest size of the cheapest range of Samsung’s current TVs. If you are strapped for cash but still want to buy one of the latest flush of Samsung screens, then this is the one.
Black levels and detail are very good for a TV at this price – we're not talking OLED standards, but this is no hazy production – and there's good control of lighting. The 4K detail is good, too, and colours are natural if not quite of the richness Samsung is capable further up the food chain.
As a small, budget TV, the UE43RU7020 deserves to be taken seriously.
Read the full Samsung UE43RU7020 review
First, the bad news: this has fewer backlight dimming zones than Samsung's flagship QLED, the Q90R, and it isn't as bright. The good news? It's quite a bit cheaper. All of its connections are tidily placed in a separate box rather than built into the set itself, which helps it stay rather slim and elegant, while the user interface and remote control work like a dream.
Despite the compromises, the picture is surprisingly good, with an astonishing level of detail. If your budget can't stretch to the top model, this is a smart choice.
Read the full review: Samsung QE55Q85R
Admittedly, there still isn't really anything to watch in 8K, but that still doesn't stop this big Samsung set being a hugely exciting proposition. At least it's future-proofed for when the content does become available. In the meantime, the Q950R upscales everything you send it exceptionally well, to the extent that you're not made aware of any extra processing going on.
You're still paying a lot for a feature that you're not going to use any time soon, so we'd recommend sticking with the 4K Q90R for now, but if you simply must be at the bleeding edge, this is a strong option.
Read the full review: Samsung QE75Q950R
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