One-minute review
Flagship TVs with eye-popping specs are all nicely and good, however what we actually need is an inexpensive TV at a screen-size that fits us, and that will get on with the fundamentals of Being A Television in a approach that’s spectacular.
Samsung understands this – which is why the AU7100 vary exists.
The checklist of positives is intensive right here, and it runs from construct high quality and design, by means of ergonomics and good TV, all the best way to 4K image high quality. In each respect, the AU7100 completely nails these necessities in a approach that makes the asking worth appear slightly beneficiant. And the place it’s much less spectacular – with sound high quality and its capacity (or in any other case) to upscale older content material, largely – nicely, it’s no worse than some different designs that price fairly a bit more cash.
So so long as you recognize the scale of display screen you require, and also you’ve set a finances that’s modest however not unrealistically so, Samsung will promote you an AU7100 that may preserve you happy for fairly a number of years.
Price and availability
The Samsung AU7100 is on sale now within the UK – with the AU7000 being the closest US equal.
The 43-inch variant we’re testing right here prices £449, although it’s obtainable in quite a few display screen sizes: a 50-inch model prices £549, and there’s additionally 55-inch (£599), 58-inch (£TBC), 65-inch (£799), 70-inch (£899), 75-inch (£999 ordinarily, though on the time of writing it’s obtainable fro Samsung UK with £100 off that worth), and a whopping 85in mannequin (£1,799).
So should you can’t discover an appropriately sized AU7100 in that line-up, the elemental downside lies with you slightly than with Samsung.
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It’s not unusual for Samsung to develop particular mannequin variants for particular territories, and that appears to be the case right here. Although there are Samsung fashions for each the American and Australian market that seem fairly just like the AU7100, they’re not precisely the identical. Having mentioned that, although, the very least American or Australian prospects can anticipate from the AU7100-ish mannequin obtainable to them is that it is going to be extraordinarily competitively priced.
Design
- Remarkably slim bezel
- Feet are fairly huge aside
- 6cm deep
Even the costliest TVs are inclined to play it secure design-wise, so nobody ought to actually expect any out-there design prospers the place a mainstream mannequin just like the AU7100 is anxious. And positive sufficient, there aren’t any - which is undoubtedly a very good factor.
It’s a discreet looker, the AU7100, with next-to-no bezel across the high and sides of the display screen. The bezel throughout the underside, which carries somewhat central ‘Samsung’ emblem, isn’t a lot greater. And should you’re not wall-mounting your AU7100, its easy plastic push-and-click boomerang toes proceed the minimalist vibe. Mind you, they’re fairly far aside - so even a display screen as comparatively titchy because the 43-inch mannequin we’re testing right here wants a fairly huge floor to face on.
As you may anticipate with a TV designed to hit a fairly small efficiency/worth candy spot, the Samsung is sufficiently slightly than lavishly specified. Three HDMI inputs (all of which supply the Auto Low Latency Mode facet of the HDMI 2.1 specification), a USB enter, Ethernet socket, an RF aerial binding put up and a CI slot account for bodily inputs, whereas built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 deal with wi-fi connectivity. There’s a digital optical output for legacy soundbars, and one of many HDMI sockets is eARC-enabled for a extra trendy equal.
The AU7100 is a part of Samsung’s Crystal UHD vary of screens, and as such it’s a 4K LCD/LED gadget with backlighting organized across the edges of the display screen. Picture high quality is ruled by the corporate’s Crystal Processor 4K processing engine. As far as HDR goes, nicely, it’s Samsung enterprise as typical - which implies HLG, HDR10 and HDR10+ dynamic metadata, however not a sniff of Dolby Vision. Samsung has managed to incorporate ‘Filmmaker Mode’ as one of many AU7100’s image presets and the warning that flashes up relating to elevated energy consumption ought to this mode be chosen by no means fails to amuse, given how dim the ensuing pictures are.
Smart TV (Tizen)
- Ships with two distant controls
- Excellent Tizen-based interface
- Voice-control potentialities
The Tizen-based good TV interface Samsung has been persisting with for the final nonetheless a few years is so intrinsically appropriate that it solely wants essentially the most minor refreshes to maintain it aggressive. So whereas the AU7100 isn’t the one inexpensive little TV to be outfitted with an easy-to-use and complete good TV portal, it’s nonetheless one of many best possible round.
As has recently been Samsung’s wont, the AU7100 is provided with a few distant management handsets with which to navigate the interface, pursue the set-up menus and what-have-you. One is (and there’s no two methods about it) an disagreeable, cheap-feeling, overburdened handset of confusion, whereas the is a a lot nicer, far more minimal ‘just the basics’ different.
There’s no built-in voice management right here, but when your Samsung is on a typical community it may be managed utilizing both an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant good speaker. Or there’s Samsung’s proprietary Smart Things management app, which is as secure and helpful right here as it's for each different Samsung TV.
Picture efficiency
- Enjoyable and convincing 4K pictures
- Far from the worst gaming monitor round
- Can make upscaling look a chore
It’s essential to maintain worth uppermost in your thoughts when contemplating the pictures the Samsung AU7100 is able to delivering. No, this isn’t the brightest display screen round and no, the ability of its upscaling isn’t going to idiot you into pondering you’re watching native 4K content material while you’re not. But does it symbolize worth for cash? Oh, most actually.
With some top-of-the-shop content material on board (and Scorsese’s The Irishman by way of Netflix stays a revealing watch, even when the Samsung can’t deal with the Dolby Vision component), the AU7100 proves a composed, detailed watch with loads of pertinent observations to makes relating to skin-tone, skin-texture and the final facial situation of the movie’s aged solid. Colours are subtlety differentiated, with loads of variation obtainable the place shadows, patterns and textures are involved.
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This is true of black tones and white tones too, despite the fact that the Samsung isn’t all that vivid and struggles to ship true black - there’s nonetheless loads of element revealed inside these tones, and consequently a reasonably satisfying impression of distinction. And the stability the AU7100 strikes the place colors and contrasts are involved is satisfying in nearly each circumstance, with the Samsung in a position to deal with the nuances of lighting with actual talent.
Edge definition is clear, and with native 4K pictures picture-noise is little greater than a hearsay. Motion is dealt with with actual assurance, too. If you need an inexpensive TV to benefit from your 4K content material, the Samsung AU7100 must be excessive in your shortlist.
Upscaling a 1080p Blu-ray disc of Oshi’s Ghost within the Shell takes the Samsung out of its consolation zone, however not too far. The color palette stays intensive and (as is acceptable for this content material) approaching lurid, whereas element ranges stay respectably excessive. The AU7100’s facility with black tones is uncovered right here, although - they’re pretty uniform and lack variation.
Picture noise is stored beneath management, although, and edges are nonetheless confidently described. Motion, too, will stay easy and convincing - simply as quickly as you’ve dived into the set-up menus and finessed the ‘Judder Reduction’ and ‘LED Clear Motion’ settings.
Anything much less information-rich than this may look considerably tough, although. Picture noise positive aspects confidence, edges get somewhat, nicely, edgy and on-screen motion begins to look hesitant and unnatural. Fans of classic daytime TV broadcasts already know they will look antiquated, however the AU7100 proves much less tolerant of them (or much less succesful with them) than another ‘affordable’ options.
It’s a fairly achieved gamer’s monitor, although, despite the fact that next-gen console house owners are more likely to hunt down one thing with extra HDMI 2.1 capacity than this. Put enter lag is respectably low, and with a high-quality sport on board all the good things round color, movement and element carries over intact.
Audio efficiency
- Stereo sound and 20 watts of energy
- Composed and fairly distinct audio high quality
- Will work with Samsung’s ‘Q Symphony’ soundbars
As is all too predictable with a TV of this worth, the AU7100 contains a fairly prosaic audio system. Two full-range drivers, powered by a complete of 20 watts, isn’t going to blow anybody’s socks off - however in equity the Samsung is much from the poorest-sounding TV round. It’s a fairly distinct pay attention, with the type of midrange constancy that makes voices characterful and dialogue simple to observe.
It virtually goes with out saying that there’s little by means of low-frequency presence right here, however even should you determine to seek out out what these 20 watts are able to the AU7100 stays a composed pay attention.
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‘Q Symphony Lite’ is obtainable right here - so while you determine a brand new soundbar to accompany your AU7100 is mainly important, take a look at Samsung’s ‘Q Symphony’ vary. These enable the tv’s audio system to hitch in with, slightly than be overridden by, the soundbar - and fuller, wider sound must be the end result.
Should I purchase the Samsung AU7100 Crystal UHD TV?
Buy it if...
You like being in management
Voice management? Or the management app? Or the distant management? Or the different distant management? Take your choose, the Samsung AU7100 presents every one.
You want high-quality content material
It’s no large shock, however this specific Samsung TV does by far its greatest work with native 4K stuff, making it nice for folk who subscribe to UHD streaming companies.
You’re ready to purchase a soundbar
The AU7100 isn’t the worst-sounding TV round, however it might positively do with some sonic help from a second speaker.
Don't purchase it if...
You’re anticipating across-the-board excellence
Have you seen the worth of this TV? You can’t anticipate the moon and stars on this finances.
You get pleasure from daytime TV reruns
The Samsung isn’t essentially the most achieved upscaler round, which implies sub-HD TV reveals aren't more likely to look nice on it.
You have a next-gen video games console
You want a monitor with extra HDMI 2.1 chops than this.
- Looking for extra examples of nice small-screen TVs? Check out our information to the very best 40-inch TVs
