Buying a new television is a confusing process so our buying guide will help you choose the best Samsung TV for your budget and needs - from budget Crystal UHD models to next-gen Neo QLED.
If you are set on buying a Samsung TV then you’ve come to the right place as we take you through all the options for 2021. And you’d be making a wise choice with Samsung being understandably one of the world’s most popular TV brands thanks to the high-quality design, picture quality, specs and features.
The words ‘Smart TV’ don’t mean much these days as all models come with Wi-Fi and a Tizen OS user interface with various apps. It’s something Samsung does very well with an easy-to-use experience complete with popular streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and BT Sport built-in (subscriptions may be required).
Before we start, it’s a good idea to have an idea of the size of TV you want – especially if it needs to fit in an alcove or similar – as well as how much you want to spend.
We’ll run through all of Samsung’s different ranges starting with the cheapest explaining the key specs and features you need to know about each as well as whether you might be better off getting a 2020 model instead.
We review as many Samsung TVs as possible from the huge range and you can find the top ones in our best TV chart or the best budget TV chart.
Samsung AU – Crystal UHD
- From £499/$429
- 4K HDR
- LCD LED
- 43-85in
- View at Samsung
They won’t pop up front and center of the Samsung site when you browse TVs as the firm would rather you spend more, but Samsung has a range of affordable sets to choose from. They are more on the simple side of things but still perfectly good for basic tasks such as streaming.
They’re all 4K resolution and support HDR (high dynamic range) which promises better colour, but be aware that budget sets don’t tend to have good enough brightness to make the most of it. Crystal UHD is just the name for Samsung's entry-level LCD LED TVs.
Note that the AU models are new for 2021 while TU ones are from 2020. The range starts with the AU7100 and the higher the number, the further up the range you go.
Best for: Getting a 4K smart TV on a tight budget.
Models to choose from:
- AU7100
- AU7110
- AU8000
- AU9007
- AU9000
Compared to the 2020 TU models, the new AU sets come with a few small upgrades like a new processor, more HDMI ports and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), but much of what you get is the same so if you see a good price on a model like the TU7100 then you could be getting a bargain.
- From £749/$599
- 4K HDR
- QLED
- HDMI 2.1 with 120Hz
- 43-85in
- View at Samsung
While Samsung doesn’t make OLED TVs like other big names (the likes of LG, Sony and Philips), it offers QLED instead. The Q stands for Quantum dot and uses similar technology to offer a brighter and more colourful picture.
The key difference between QLED and OLED is that the quantum dot LEDs are not self-illuminating and are not susceptible to screen burn. This is where the screen shows a ghost image of something the pixels have displayed a lot like a broadcaster's logo.
The QLED technology also means you can buy sets in smaller sizes than OLED with Samsung offering TVs from 43in. Some of Samsung’s lifestyle models also use QLED but we’ll cover those later.
Note that as you go up the QLED range, you’ll upgrade from the Crystal Processor 4K and Quantum HDR on the 60A up to the Quantum Processor 4K and Quantum HDR 1500 for better automatic adjustments, upscaling and brightness.
Once you get to the Q70A, you benefit from a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and the HDMI 2.1 port needed to utilise it. This mean you can play consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X at 4K/120fps.
Best for: Picture quality and sleek design without breaking the bank - likely the best value for money for most people.
Models to choose from:
- Q60A
- Q65A
- Q70A
- Q80A
As the 2021 models are largely similar to last year’s with no major upgrades it’s worth checking the prices of 2020 models such as the Q70T and Q80T - which still have 120Hz and the latter has local dimming - with retailers discounting them now the new models have arrived.
Samsung Neo QLED – Mini-LED
- From £1,799/$1,599
- 4K or 8K
- Neo QLED
- HDMI 2.1 with 120Hz
- 50-85in
Neo QLED is new for 2021 and the closest technology Samsung offers to OLED. Much smaller LEDs compared to normal mean lots more can be put behind the screen. Sectioned into many more dimming zones, more accurate control over the lighting improves contrast while reducing unwanted effects like blooming - see what is Mini-LED to find out more.
It’s also said to be the closest you get to the punchy colour offered by OLED without getting OLED downsides like screen burn. You’ll also benefit from Quantum HDR 1500 for bright HDR performance with support for HDR10+ and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma).
All these QN models come with HDMI 2.1 ports with 120Hz support. You’ll also get Samsung’s new solar-powered Eco Remote which charges by light or USB-C.
Best for: Flagship design and next-generation technology to rival OLED.
- QN85A
- QN90A
- QN94A
- QN95A
- QN800A (8K)
- QN900A (8K)
Samsung Lifestyle TVs
If a conventional TV doesn’t float your boat then Samsung has a range of more unusual designs on offer under its ‘Lifestyle’ series. While the technology might not be as impressive as Mini-LED, the designs do all sorts from pretending to be a piece of art in a frame to rotating into a portrait orientation.
Let’s take a look at them individually:
The Frame 2021
- From £599/$999
- Full HD or 4K
- QLED
- 32-75in
- View at Samsung
With a choice of various bezels (modern or classic styles in five colours), The Frame is designed to go on your wall and look like a hung piece of art. With Art Mode (requires subscription), the display shows over 1,200 pieces of art while you’re not using it.
It uses Samsung’s QLED technology for a high-quality picture and starts at a very reasonable £599 if you’re ok with Full HD and 32in. Otherwise, the 4K model ranges from 43-75in and starts at £999.
With these reasonable prices, there’s no big advantage to getting the older 2020 model unless you’re happy with the black bezel and find a particularly good sale price.
The Serif (2020)
- From £899/$999
- 4K
- QLED
- 43-55in
- View at Samsung
The Serif is a floor-standing TV (although can be used without legs) that’s designed to be seen from different angles thanks to its ‘I’ design - available in Cloud White or Cotton Blue.
It uses QLED technology and offers 4K resolution but only comes in three sizes. It has an NFC chip so you can quickly stream music from your phone by tapping it on the TV’s frame.
Note that this is the 2020 model as Samsung is yet to update The Serif for 2021.
Best for: Making a statement.
The Serif (2020)
- £1,299/$1,899
- 4K
- QLED
- 43in
- View at Samsung
The Sero is Samsung’s rotating TV so you can use it like normal, but it can move into a portrait position at the touch of a button thanks to a motorised mechanism. It’s designed with phone apps in mind, whether it’s Instagram, TikTok or otherwise.
It’s only available in one size and as per The Sero, is the 2020 model.
Best for: Mirroring your phone in portrait mode.
The Terrace 2021
- UK Price TBC
- From $3,619
- 4K
- QLED
- 55-75in
- View at Samsung
Want a TV to put outside permanently? Well, The Terrace is designed for this exact job with IP55 weather-resistance much like other gadgets such as phones or smartwatches. As it’s designed to be outdoors, The Terrace also has an anti-reflection coating on the screen.
It’s available in three sizes, offers 4K resolution with QLED technology and while prices are still TBC, we expect it to range from around £3,499 to £6,499.
Best for: Outdoor viewing.
Samsung Micro-LED
Samsung promises a stunning lifelike picture with amazing colour accuracy. The important thing here is that it’s coming in a single panel 110in size. However, it will likely cost tens of thousands.
Where To Buy Samsung TVs
The obvious place to buy Samsung TVs is from the official store. It’s not the best site to browse but you get options for finance, free delivery, free returns and optional things like demo and setup.
One of the best reasons to buy from Samsung directly is various offers such as cashback or discounts on other products like a soundbar if you buy them together.
Of course, you can buy from many retailers in the UK although they are unlikely to stock all Samsung models. You can buy Samsung TVs from Amazon, John Lewis, AO, Argos, Currys PC World and more.
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