Are you about to buy a Samsung smart TV? Then stop for a moment and take 5 minutes of your time to read our buying guide, which will clear your mind about which model to trust.
In the latest update, we replaced some Samsung smart TVs 2022 with the new 2023 models, which have recently arrived in Italy. In particular, we have replaced the Neo QLED proposal and the QD OLED. The latest generation models boast higher peak brightness and a number of optimizations that improve the image. We also point out the addition of a model with an 8K panel, also from 2023, absent in the previous update. At the time of our writing, the new smart TVs are only available on the official Samsung store.
Samsung smart TVs are undoubtedly among the best televisions on the market, present in many Italian homes. Today it is truly impossible to give up the TV, to the point that one always tries to bring home the latest model, despite the longevity of a smart TV is usually very high. What drives people to change their model to one of the latest arrivals on the market is the advancement of technology, which causes the panels to improve from year to year. Today we have reached a point where the panels offer breathtaking image quality, yet there still seem to be signs that the quality can be improved further.
Over the years, Samsung smart TVs have evolved with numerous technologies (such as the main television manufacturers), but this has put the inexperienced buyer in difficulty, who is forced to inquire ( often finding very superficial information) or ask for advice on which model could be right for you, in most cases receiving wrong suggestions. Our buying guide aims not only to highlight the best Samsung smart TVs, but also to explain in simple words how to understand if you are dealing with a valid model or not. In fact, the price does not always justify the quality, therefore try to keep in mind what we are about to report.
Having said that, we are ready to go into detail, reminding you that what we will tell you will be an extract of the main characteristics of each model, and that next to each one you will find a link that will take you to the manufacturer's page or to an online shop where you will find more information. Even before this, however, you will find the factors you should consider to be sure of buying a valid model capable of satisfying your needs.
What panels do Samsung smart TVs use?
When you buy a Samsung smart TV (but this also applies to other brands) you must first of all find out what technology the panel is based on. At present, Samsung produces LCD, QLED, Neo QLED and QD-OLED panels. Although the first three are different, all are based on the classic LED backlight, while QD-OLED is based on a completely different and much more advanced technology. As you will have understood, each one has different characteristics, which you should know so that you can buy the most suitable model for you.
LED
LED panels are the most traditional and are implemented in smart TVs Samsung entry-level . The technology is based on small diodes that change color and intensity based on the incoming image. This type of panel ensures high brightness, allowing you to watch TV programs well even with a lot of light in the room, but it is not the best in terms of color accuracy, especially in low light conditions. In fact, with a simple LED panel, you will notice a bad uniformity of the backlight, which will result in shallow blacks, to be reproduced even with grayish tones, ruining the viewing experience. They also don't enjoy short response times, so they aren't ideal for gaming where, you know, you need a panel that can keep up with various player inputs. In short, we are talking about ideal panels for those who want to spend little or for those who do not have great expectations in terms of vision quality.
Quantum Dot (QLED)
Quantum Dots, more commonly known like QLED, they are slightly more advanced panels. They are still based on the classic LED backlight technology, but reproduce more colors than traditional LEDs. Although any QLED is better than LED, it is worth noting that not all models reproduce images in the same way, as a lot also depends on the quality of the QLED itself. The prices of Samsung QLED smart TVs, in fact, vary a lot according to the series to which a specific model belongs. Usually we start from a minimum of €400 and can even reach more than €1,000 (for the same diagonal) depending on how the manufacturer uses this technology, the difference of which is mainly Local Dimming, i.e. the backlight areas of the panel. In practice, Local Dimming allows the smart TV to better manage not only the general lighting, but also the way in which dark scenes are reproduced, limiting the grayish effect typical of LED panels and, consequently, having an experience of optimal vision in the evening. Unlike traditional panels, QLEDs boast good response times and, in some cases, comparable to those of the best gaming monitors, allowing those who want to connect the TV to their console or PC to do so without compromising.
Neo QLED
Neo QLED panels are an evolution of QLED and take image quality to the next level, as well as prices. In fact, to buy a Samsung smart TV with this panel, you need at least 700 euros, although a lot obviously depends on the diagonal of the panel. Compared to QLED, Neo QLED TVs boast high-level Local Dimming, made up of many backlight zones, each powered independently. This means that the image quality is at the forefront, with peaks of brightness and contrasts that will make you fully appreciate your multimedia content. The blacks will be almost absolute, so it will be very difficult to see the two classic upper and lower stripes present in some movies and TV series.
QD-OLED
Until a few years ago, Samsung claimed that OLED technology was inferior to its QLED, but time proved it wrong, to the point that today Samsung has started producing OLED panels for its high-end televisions. As if that weren't enough, the Korean manufacturer has entered this sector with a straight leg, producing not the classic OLEDs, but the QD-OLEDs, or panels that combine QLED and OLED technology. In practical terms it means that the self-illuminating LEDs are added to the Quantum Dot filters. The result is a high-contrast picture and further refined color saturation, as well as higher maximum brightness. On the other hand, this technology could cause the LEDs to fail individually or to maintain a certain color even when the image varies, details which in any case will only be noticeable by a trained eye and by experts in the sector.
What resolution do Samsung smart TVs have?
With very rare exceptions, such as if you buy a small TV for the kitchen, modern Samsung smart TVs all boast 4K resolution, which has now become the standard for most of streaming content. Some high-end models even reach 8K, but the latter tend to be rejected by the public, since there is very little content made in 8K. Although this resolution does not make sense from this point of view, it actually brings benefits on image quality, thanks to the help of artificial intelligence and the power of the processor integrated into the smart TV. The chip, in fact, performs the upscaling which, in the case of an 8K panel, causes a low-resolution image to be upscaled even more, reaching precisely 8K rather than limited to 4K. Obviously don't expect miracles, but if you already play 4K content, a Samsung 8K smart TV can only further improve the already very high quality of 4K.
What formats does a Samsung smart TV support?< /h2> If we exclude the so-called kitchen TVs, usually with a diagonal not exceeding 32 inches, Samsung smart TVs support the main industry standards. Audio side, we find Dolby and Dolby Atmos, the latter especially in mid-range models onwards. Dolby Atmos, which you have surely heard of, ensures that the TV speakers take full advantage of the multi-channel Blu-Ray content and those of the main streaming platforms. On the video side, however, most Samsung smart TVs support the various HDR formats, with the exception of Dolby Vision, which is present on many competing TVs. A questionable choice that of Samsung, also because on the main streaming platforms the contents in Dolby Vision are more and more numerous. However, the HDR10 and HDR10+ formats, currently among the most used by content creators, are fully supported.
How is the audio of Samsung smart TVs?
From the point of From an audio point of view, Samsung smart TVs are comparable to many other televisions, since the physical limitations due to the thinness of the panel do not allow manufacturers to insert speakers of a certain level. In the most advanced models, manufacturers implement a series of devices, such as a dedicated woofer for bass, to ensure that the audio is at least discreet enough to be comparable to a small soundbar, but often the results are unconvincing. As you may have understood, low-quality audio is a universal problem with smart TVs, and that's why those who usually watch movies prefer to rely on a soundbar or, better yet, a multi-channel system. There are no problems with regards to the listening volume, given that Samsung smart TVs (but also those of other manufacturers) integrate speakers with a good dose of wattage, in order to involve even a large room well. That said, it's important that the right technologies are in place, allowing the TV to adjust volume and equalization based on the size of the room, the placement of the TV, and the type of content being played. For example, in a highly talked-about TV show, the smart TV should be able to self-adjust to settings that highlight people's voices, changing equalization as needed. Most modern Samsung smart TVs do this, so you can rest assured from this point of view.
What connections do Samsung smart TVs have?
If once you only needed the input for the antenna, today a smart TV cannot be without HDMI, USB ports and inputs such as Toslink, useful for those who want to easily add a complete audio system, such as one of the best soundbars for example. The HDMI ports, on the other hand, are used to connect devices that require a video signal and, to date, are mainly used to connect a game console. The USB ports allow you to insert a USB stick, playing movies and music directly from it. An Ethernet input must not be missing, which is essential to ensure that the smart TV takes advantage of the entire internet band and to obtain greater stability compared to Wi-Fi. The presence of Bluetooth is also important, so that you can connect a series of wireless devices, such as one of the best portable Bluetooth speakers.
What software do Samsung smart TVs use?
For its smart TVs, Samsung uses proprietary software Tizen . Developed in 2012, Tizen has evolved over time to become a solid and smooth operating system today. The initial configuration is very simple, as is moving through the menus, and obviously allows you to access YouTube, Prime Video, Netflix, Disney + and many other applications without the need to download them, as they are already pre-installed in the software. Tizen also boasts its own App Store, from which to download other interesting applications, including games, and allows you to mirror with simple and few steps. It is also worth mentioning the presence of Samsung TV Plus, which allows you to access thousands of movies and TV series for free, both live and in streaming. In short, Tizen is a complete software and puts all the audiovisual entertainment you need at the center, also allowing you to fully enjoy your TV.
