While flagship TVs often captivate us with their cutting-edge technology and impressive features, the truth is that the majority of consumers look for more affordable options when shopping for a new television. In this realm, Samsung has distinguished itself by offering a range of thoughtful mid-range models that deliver exceptional performance, sometimes even rivaling their flagship counterparts. Recognizing the significance of realistic pricing, Samsung has managed to strike a delicate balance between quality and affordability, making their televisions highly appealing to the mainstream market. By focusing on providing value without compromising on key features and performance, Samsung has successfully positioned itself as a brand that caters to the needs and budgets of a wide range of consumers. Whether it’s offering vibrant and detailed picture quality, user-friendly interfaces, or a host of smart features, Samsung’s mid-range TVs prove that you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a satisfying viewing experience.
Design and Build
The AU7100 range from Samsung offers a variety of screen sizes to cater to different consumer preferences. In addition to the 43-inch version, you can find alternatives in sizes ranging from 50 inches to 85 inches. Despite the differences in dimensions, all models within the range share the same design and build approach.
When it comes to build quality, you can rest assured that Samsung maintains its reputation for delivering well-constructed televisions. It’s been quite some time since we encountered a Samsung TV that appeared poorly made. While the materials used may not be the most luxurious, such as the plastic boomerang feet, the AU7100 exhibits flawless finishing and durability.
In terms of design, the AU7100 doesn’t introduce significant changes. Samsung may claim that it is “bezel-less,” but that statement isn’t entirely accurate. However, the bezels are relatively minimal, which is a nice touch. The feet provide enough space below the screen to accommodate a soundbar, demonstrating a practical consideration. It’s worth noting that the feet are positioned quite far apart. If you don’t plan to wall-mount your new TV (given its depth of nearly 6cm, it may not be the most wall-friendly option), ensure that the surface you intend to place it on is wide enough to accommodate the feet comfortably.
Interface
It’s not often that you associate the term “above and beyond” with an aggressively affordable television, but Samsung defies expectations by including not just one, but two remote controls with the AU7100. Why? To offer you a choice between a full-function remote that may feel a bit cheap and crowded with numerous buttons, or a more streamlined alternative that focuses on essential functions.
While the TV itself does not feature integrated voice control, if you connect the AU7100 to a compatible network, you can control it using an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant smart speaker. Additionally, Samsung provides the “Smart Things” control app, which offers a clean and stable interface, covering all the essential features and functions one would reasonably expect.
Regardless of your chosen method of control, the AU7100 operates on a slightly simplified version of the Tizen-based system that has proven to be highly user-friendly and successful over the years. These days, it’s rare to find a TV without a decent user interface, but Samsung’s interface remains one of the most accomplished in the industry.
Picture quality
The UE43AU7100, while not without its minor flaws, delivers a picture performance that far outweighs these shortcomings. As expected, the screen excels when provided with native 4K content, particularly when coupled with HDR10+ dynamic metadata. The ideal showcase for the AU7100’s capabilities is a 4K HDR10+ Blu-ray disc, such as Sam Mendes’ “1917,” and the results are highly satisfying.
Impressive detail levels are a standout feature, capturing the textures of uniforms and the nuances of complexion to enhance the realism of the images. The AU7100 manages to convey plenty of information in black tones, despite struggling to achieve true black and settling for deep grey instead.
This characteristic extends to the opposite end of the spectrum as well. While not excessively bright, the AU7100 delivers well-differentiated white tones with substantial detail, creating decent nuance and contrast against the black tones. The color palette offers extensive variation, capable of vibrant pops when required, but also exhibiting subtlety and nuance due to its wide-ranging tonal and shading capabilities. Picture quality remains consistently strong across different aspects. Motion is confidently handled, aided by the intuitive setup menus of Samsung. Edge definition is smooth and convincing, and picture noise is effectively minimized, even in dark and static scenes.
For those primarily consuming 4K content, there is little to complain about. Even when upscaling 1080p content, the AU7100 performs admirably, with only a slight loss of fine detail and some reduction in black tone insight. Overall, it still delivers highly watchable images.
However, when it comes to content below Full HD resolution, the AU7100 struggles. Images appear edgy and overly smooth simultaneously, accompanied by noticeable picture noise. On-screen movement appears unnatural, and depth of field suffers as well. If you frequently watch daytime TV or content below Full HD, there are similarly affordable alternatives available that may be more forgiving in these circumstances.
Sound
While the 43AU7100 performs admirably in the picture department, its audio capabilities are not as impressive. However, it still manages to deliver satisfactory sound without compromising the overall sense of consistency that makes it an engaging viewing experience.
One of its notable audio limitations is its lack of volume range, and the sound doesn’t project far beyond the TV’s body. As a result, the soundstage feels somewhat confined, lacking the headroom necessary to escalate during intense action scenes. Additionally, it doesn’t fill the room or deliver impactful and dynamic audio.
The level of detail is also somewhat subdued. Nonetheless, none of the drivers suffer from distortion, buzzing, or crackling interference. Moreover, the overall sound profile possesses a slightly richer and more substantial tone, especially when the Amplify sound option is activated, surpassing what many rival budget TVs offer.
Features
The AU7100 utilizes Samsung’s latest Eden system for its smart features. Based on the Tizen mobile platform, Eden impresses with its extensive app selection, compact yet easily readable interface, and smooth performance even on a lower-end television like this.
Although the notable absence of Freeview Play is worth mentioning, Samsung compensates by offering separate catch-up apps for all major terrestrial broadcasters in the UK. Additionally, the TV includes popular streaming services such as:
- Amazon Prime Video;
- Netflix;
- Now;
- YouTube;
- Rakuten;
- Apple TV;
- Disney+.
While the UE43AU7100 lacks built-in voice control functionality, it can be “linked” to an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device if you own one.
Samsung’s PurColor and Crystal Processor 4K work together to deliver a broader range of colors, aiming to eliminate banding issues. The processor also contributes to enhancing the upscaling of content below 4K resolution and features an adaptive sound system. This system automatically adjusts the TV’s audio profile based on the type of content being watched. It utilizes a Vertical Alignment LCD panel with edge LED lighting and a native 4K resolution. It supports HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+ for high dynamic range content. However, Dolby Vision is not supported, which is consistent with Samsung’s approach.
In terms of connectivity, there are three HDMI ports and one USB port available. The HDMI ports support the Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM), allowing the TV to switch into Game mode when connected to a compatible device. However, there is no support for 120Hz or Variable Refresh Rate. One of the HDMI ports supports eARC, enabling the transmission of lossless Dolby Atmos sound to compatible soundbars and AV receivers. Despite its expected limitations given its price, the UE43AU7100 offers an impressively balanced, consistent, and captivating picture quality.
One standout feature at this price range is its ability to achieve deep black levels. Dark elements within mixed light and dark scenes are accompanied by rich and deep black tones. Even in fully dark scenes, there is minimal presence of the grey or blue tint that often plagues affordable LCD TVs. Even the most challenging dark sequences in our collection of 4K Blu-ray movies appear convincing and cinematic. The remarkable black levels are achieved without the drawbacks commonly associated with budget televisions, such as flickering brightness levels or areas of uneven backlighting. There is a slight loss of subtle shadow detail. However, this does not result in hollow or artificial-looking dark scenes. On the contrary, the scenes retain a natural appearance and maintain a greater sense of depth than what is typically seen in TVs priced below £500. Moreover, the TV provides a specific shadow detail adjustment in its menus, allowing you to bring back some of the lost shadow detail. However, caution must be exercised with this adjustment, as it can potentially affect the TV’s black level performance negatively. It impresses with its good black levels, which are complemented by commendable color reproduction. Color blends are delivered with impressive subtlety and minimal banding issues. While the TV may not be exceptionally bright to create dazzling color volumes, there is a pleasing sense of natural vibrancy in sunlit HDR scenes, blue skies, and bustling city streets.
In the brightest parts of HDR pictures, the UE43AU7100 may slightly lose some subtle color shading, and there can be signs of slight color compression in dark HDR scenes. For example, during the scene in “It” where Georgie converses with Pennywise in the drain, Georgie’s face may appear slightly artificial and lacking in nuanced skin tones due to the TV’s limited range for rendering such details. However, these issues occur infrequently and are less distracting compared to flaws commonly found in other sub-£500 televisions.
There are competing TVs that offer more raw sharpness and apparent detail for both native 4K and upscaled HD images compared to the UE43AU7100. Nevertheless, the chosen level of sharpness on the UE43AU7100 feels deliberate, delivering an organic and immersive image. The TV handles motion well, especially with the Custom picture setting and a Judder reduction level of three or four, which minimizes artifacts around fast-moving objects. While the lack of 120Hz and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support may disappoint gamers, the Game mode on the UE43AU7100 boasts an impressively low input lag of 9.4ms. Despite not being the brightest TV in its class, the core picture quality is still satisfying for an enjoyable gaming experience.
Furthermore, the UE43AU7100 exhibits better tolerance for wide viewing angles compared to most budget LCD TVs, resulting in a picture performance that prioritizes immersion and consistency over flashy visuals. This balanced approach is highly commendable.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Screen type | LCD w/ edge LED backlight |
| Resolution | 4K |
| Operating system | Eden (Tizen) |
| HDR formats | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG |
| HDMI | x3 |
| 4K@120Hz | No |
| VRR | No |
| ALLM | Yes |
| ARC/eARC | eARC |
| Optical out | Yes |
| Dimensions w/o stand | 56 x 96 x 6cm |
Modern Alternatives of Samsung AU7100
When considering modern alternatives to the Samsung AU7100, there are several noteworthy options available:
- LG UN7000 series: This series offers similar picture quality and smart features to the AU7100. It boasts an intuitive interface and supports popular streaming services, providing a seamless user experience.
- Sony X750H: Known for its excellent upscaling capabilities and vibrant color reproduction, the X750H is a compelling alternative. It features a sleek design and a user-friendly interface, delivering a premium feel.
- TCL 4 Series: Offering great value for money, the TCL 4 Series is a budget-friendly alternative with good picture quality. It includes the built-in Roku streaming platform, providing a wide range of streaming options and an easy-to-navigate interface.
Conclusion
When looking for an entry-level TV, it’s essential to set realistic expectations. Fortunately, the Samsung AU7100 exceeds those expectations. Offering detailed and vibrant images, a sturdy build, and a smooth interface, the AU7100 provides exceptional value, particularly in the 43-inch version. As long as you’re not primarily watching vintage content and you understand that the sound quality may not match the picture quality, the AU7100 stands as one of the best choices for a practical and reliable TV experience.