Samsung RU8000 4K UHD TV review: A good-enough smart TV, but not one that’s keeping up with the times

Samsung’s $800, 55-inch RU8000 is an efficient 4K UHD TV. It has a skinny design, a top-notch person interface, and an aesthetic distant. Two years in the past, it could’ve dominated the decrease mid-range class. In 2019, its picture seems to be flat when in comparison with such lower-priced TVs as the lately reviewed Hisense H8F. Hisense’s TV delivers a lot increased peak brightness, higher coloration, and a person expertise that’s virtually nearly as good—for lots of much less.

Design and specs

The RU8000 is a 4K UHD LED-backlit, LCD TV. I examined the 55-inch class (54.6 inches measured diagonally), which at 42.1 kilos (43 kilos together with the toes) is mild sufficient {that a} robust particular person can simply wrangle it (simply watch out not to squeeze the display screen). Employing two individuals for the process will reduce the probability of injury. 

The physique of the RU8000 is a mere 2.three inches at its thickest level, and the toes are about 9.three inches deep, so the TV will stand up on a relative shallow perch. There are bolt holes for a 200mm VESA mount for those who favor your TV on the wall, although solely cradle sorts have been proven as equipment on the RU8000’s webpage after I appeared.

The port choice consists of 4 HDMI 2.0, two USB 2.0, coax, optical audio output, and ethernet—all situated in a recess on the again of the TV. Do your hookups earlier than you mount the TV if it’ll reside in an inconvenient location. 

At the time of this writing, Samsung’s web site supplied the 49-inch model of the RU8000 for $650, the 55-inch mannequin I examined for $800, the 65-inch for $1,100, the 75-inch for $1,800, and the 82-inch for $2,600. Those have been discounted costs, although I’ve but to see a reduction on Samsung’s website retreat to the full producer’s urged retail.

Interface and distant

The RU8000 sports activities the similar Smart Hub interface that every one the higher Samsung TV’s characteristic. It’s properly laid out and usually environment friendly, although it might use some work when it comes to remembering the place you left off (as can many). It does mechanically acknowledge hooked up elements and names them appropriately in the event that they’re Samsung branded. There’s additionally a pleasant media information, assist for Samsung’s Bixby digital assistant, fashionable apps equivalent to Netflix and YouTube, and the different traditional software program perquisites. Screen mirroring from a smart machine can be supported.

The distant is common, and principally the similar slick, minimalist design that ships with the firm’s pricier TVs. The solely distinction is the three shortcut/promoting buttons for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu that reside instantly under the quantity and channel rockers. They’re useful for those who use these companies, I suppose, but they’re ineffective for those who don’t. I’d have most well-liked devoted transport (play, fast-forward, and so on.) controls, as utilizing the on-screen transport controls whereas enjoying motion pictures, whereas not terribly troublesome, is far much less environment friendly.

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