Anyone considering buying a premium quality TV these days has a big decision to make, and it’s not just the classic choice of whether to go with Sony (SNE) or Samsung (SSNLF).
The big question is whether to buy a big HDTV at a very affordable price, or spend extra to take the plunge with the latest technology: a 4K TV.
These 4K TVs (also referred to as UHD TVs or Ultra HD TVs) have four times the resolution of 1080p HDTVs — more than 8 million pixels compared to 2 million, which means a picture that’s unbelievably sharp, even up close and on a large panel.
Samsung has been a leader in the 4K TV market, and its Samsung UHD 55 set is positioned as one of the best in its class. Does this ultra HD TV warrant a $4,500 price tag?
Read our Samsung UHD 55 review to find out.
Samsung UHD 55 Ultra HD TV Review: 4K TV Looks Amazing
There’s no denying the fact that Ultra HD TV with its 8 million plus pixels looks amazing, especially on a big display. That’s why 4K TVs have been the eye candy at the past few Consumer Electronics Shows.
The Samsung UHD 55 Ultra HD TV (series 9000) consistently scores top marks in 4K TV reviews.
Anyone who sits down in front of this 4K TV will be blown away by the detail. That’s a given. But Samsung’s Ultra HD TV goes beyond merely impressing with the sheer number of pixels it can display.
The panel is exceptionally bright, and even its 3D performance is above average. Precision black local dimming brings near-plasma levels of contrast to dark content without blowing out other areas of the picture.
The built-in speakers should satisfy casual users (home theater buffs will want to stick with a separate receiver and speaker system), and its calibration tools and preset modes make for an ideal viewing experience whether watching movies, sports or playing video games.
Upscaling 1080p content is also very effective on the Samsung UHD 55 — something that’s important to consider given the next point.
Samsung UHD 55 Ultra HD TV Review: Lack of Content and Cheap Competition
One of the big challenges facing 4K TV adoption remains lack of content. There is currently no physical media standard for delivering the massive video files an Ultra HD TV needs in order to make the most of its display.
Unless you find a way to play content mastered at a resolution of 3840 x 2160 for your Samsung UHD 55 Ultra HD TV, the set is simply going to be upscaling from 1080p — in which case you may as well have saved your money and bought a regular HDTV.
Netflix (NFLX) was going to come to the rescue with 4K TV streaming, but the offerings so far have been slim. If you like House of Cards or Breaking Bad, you’ll be happy, but there’s not a whole lot available after that.
Then there’s Ultra HD TV’s other challenge: cost.
At the extreme, Samsung’s curved 105-inch UHD S9 Smart TV goes for $120,000.
You could buy a pair of base-level Tesla (TSLA) Model S cars for that money. The Samsung UHD 55 Ultra HD TV we tested is a little more reasonable at $4,499.99 but it’s going up against sets that cost a fraction as much from Chinese manufacturers.
For example, Amazon (AMZN) is selling a 55-inch 4K TV from Seiki for $699.99 with a one-year warranty and free shipping. You don’t get Samsung’s name on the front, the nice stand or the same extra features, but the picture quality is reportedly excellent.
Samsung UHD 55 Ultra HD TV Review: Specs
Samsung offers several different 55-inch Ultra HD TV options — the model reviewed is the UHD 4K LED 9000 Series Smart TV.
- 54.6-inch 4K slime LED backlit panel at 3840 x 2160 pixels
- Precision black local dimming
- 0.5-inch screen bezel
- Metal Arc stand (removable, VESA wall mount compatible)
- Full range downward firing speakers (2 x 15W and 2 x 20W)
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Samsung Smart Hub, voice control, gesture control, smart phone remote compatible
- Built-in web cam
- 3D support, 4 pairs of 3D Active glasses included
- 4 x HDMI, 3 x USB, 2 x Composite
- 49.0 x 28.3 x 1.5 inches, 52.0 pounds (including stand)
- MSRP $4,499.99
Samsung UHD 55 Ultra HD TV Review: Conclusion
This is a beautiful TV set with all the bells and whistles, including web browser, web cam, gesture controls, apps and that ultra HD TV resolution.
It may not be the biggest, but 55-inches is a sweet spot for many families; just the right size to provide a big screen picture without overwhelming the room. It also lacks the curved display that other 4K TVs have, but the flat panel is better for family viewing from multiple angles.
It’s expensive compared to Chinese competition, but the Samsung UHD 55 isn’t horribly out of line compared to similar sets from Sony and other premium manufacturers.
One of Samsung’s advantages over competing 4K TVs is the current state of changing standards.
Sony’s PlayStation 3 had an edge over many standalone Blu-ray players because the connected PS3 could be updated every time Blu-ray standards changed, ensuring it was always current. The Samsung UHD 55 can also be updated via a “One Connect Box” accessory that Samsung says make this TV “future proof.”
I’m not sure “future proof” means anything more than the next few years, but if you have $4,500 to shell out on a new TV, your time spent on the Samsung UHD 55 should be enjoyable enough.
As of this writing, Robert Martin did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.
