Samsung CU8000 Review: Is This 4K Crystal UHD TV the Full Feature Package You Need?

KeyGood5298

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First Impressions​

The Samsung CU8000 TV looks very good for an entry-level model. It has the same feet as 2021sSamsung AU8000; theyre on the bigger side, but they sit flat against the table. The TV looks slim, with thin bezels and a premium look.
The back of the TV is plastic and has etched horizontal lines that are nearly identical to theSamsung AU8000. The Samsung CU8000 offers little in terms of cable management, but you can run cables through cable channels on the back of the TV and then through asmall clipset on the back of the feet. The input ports are placed within a cutout on the back of the TV, and one port is directly on the back panel, making them very hard to reach if the TV is wall-mounted. For that reason, if you want to wall-mount this TV, a mounting arm is recommended.
The Samsung CU8000 has okay build quality. Its made entirely of plastic, which feels good but looks a bit generic. However, the TV has a large amount of wobble; if you shake one corner of the TV, the whole panel wobbles. The back panel of the TV also feels loose, almost as if it isnt properly attached to the TV. Overall, a downgrade from theSamsung AU8000.

Introduce​

Parameter
Samsung CU8000​
Picture​
SamsungCU8000.jpg
Reference Price​
$387.99​
Model Year​
2023​
Specific Uses​
Home Viewing​
Built-In Media​
User Manual, E-Manual,Power Cable​
Highlight
Display Size: 43 inches
Resolution: 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Smart TV Platform: Tizen
Streaming Services: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+
Wi-Fi: Built-in
Connectivity: 3 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth
Remote Control: SolarCell
Key Technologies: Dynamic Crystal Color, 4K upscaling, HDR support, virtual surround sound, AirSlim design

System​

Parameter
Samsung CU8000​
Operating System​
Tizen​
Internet Applications​
Apple TV+, Samsung TV Plus, Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, Xbox, Nvidia GeForce NOW, ESPN and Max​
Remote Control​
SolarCell​
Controller Type​
Remote Control​
Control Method​
Remote​
System Experience
The Samsung CU8000 features the 2023 version of Tizen OS, providing a user-friendly interface with improved functionality, including MultiView. While it has reduced animations compared to higher-end models, it remains easy to navigate. However, the presence of ads on the home screen, which cannot be disabled, may detract from the experience. The TV also benefits from a robust app store that offers a wide selection of major streaming services, enhancing its entertainment capabilities. Overall, the CU8000 delivers a solid performance with a focus on usability and a diverse app ecosystem.

Display​

Parameter
Samsung CU8000​
Aspect Ratio​
16:9​
Display Technology​
LED​
Screen Finish​
Flat​
Has Color Screen​
Yes​
Resolution​
4K​
Refresh Rate​
60 Hz​
Backlight Technology​
LED​
Backlight Setting​
UHD Dimming​
Backlight Configuration​
Edge-Lit​
Picture Enhancement​
Dynamic Crystal Color, HDR, Motion Xcelerator​
Motion Enhancement​
Motion Xcelerator​
Viewing Experience
The Samsung CU8000 presents a mixed overall impression. While it delivers a vibrant color gamut with excellent coverage of the DCI-P3 color space, its contrast ratio is inadequate, leading to washed-out blacks and a lack of local dimming. This affects the viewing experience, especially in dark scenes where uniformity issues become apparent. The gray uniformity is decent but marred by noticeable patchiness, and black uniformity suffers from clouding. The viewing angles are poor, causing color saturation and accuracy to diminish off-center, making it less suitable for wide seating arrangements. Additionally, while its reflection handling is decent, the TV's lower brightness limits its performance in well-lit environments. Overall, the CU8000 has strengths in color performance but falls short in contrast and viewing flexibility.

Audio​

Parameter
Samsung CU8000​
Audio Channels​
2​
Audio Output​
Surround​
Audio Input​
USB, Optical, HDMI
Speaker Description​
Object Tracking Sound Lite and Q-Symphony compatible speakers​
Audio Experience
Overall Impression: The TV offers a decent audio experience with a well-balanced sound at moderate volume levels, making it suitable for quiet environments. However, it lacks strong bass and struggles to maintain sound quality at higher volumes, which may limit its effectiveness in louder settings. While there is notable improvement in distortion performance compared to previous models, the overall audio capabilities may not satisfy those seeking a robust sound experience.

Features​

Parameter
Samsung CU8000​
Video Encoding​
HEVC (H.265)​
Compatible Devices​
Laptop, Gaming Console, Tablet, Headphone, Smartphone, Speaker​
Water Resistance​
Not Water Resistant​
Tuner Type​
ATSC​
D x W x H​
7.7"D x 38"W x 32.6"H​
Mount Standard​
100 x 100 mm​
Voltage​
120​
Power Consumption​
70 Watts​
Other Features​
Contrast Enhancer; HDR; Motion Xcelerator; Works with Google Assistant and Alexa, Dynamic Crystal Color; Crystal Processor with 4K Upscaling; AirSlim Design​
Motion Smoothing
Overall Impression:

The TV demonstrates effective low-quality content smoothing, significantly improving upon the performance of its predecessors. However, it suffers from a poor response time, resulting in noticeable motion blur and ghosting during fast-paced scenes, making it less suitable for action-oriented content. Additionally, the use of pulse width modulation for backlight dimming introduces flicker that may be bothersome to sensitive users, though it is generally not noticeable to the majority. While it offers some interpolation capabilities for smoother playback, the drawbacks in handling high-motion content can lead to visual artifacts. Overall, the TV has strengths in content smoothing but falls short in motion performance and user comfort regarding flicker.

Connectivity​

Parameter
Samsung CU8000​
Connectivity Technology​
Wi-Fi​
Wireless Technology​
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi​
Usb Ports​
2​
USB2.0 Ports​
2​
HDMI Ports​
3​
Connector Type​
USB, HDMI
Signal Format​
digital​
Sharing Direction​
TV to Mobile​
Hardware Interface​
Bluetooth, USB, HDMI
Connecting TV
The Samsung CU8000 TV delivers an impressive performance for gamers, particularly due to its remarkably low input lag in Game Mode, allowing for an enhanced gaming experience. The Auto Low Latency Mode provides seamless switching to Game Mode when a game console is detected, ensuring optimal input responsiveness. However, it's important to note that to achieve the best performance, users must keep Game Mode enabled, as input lag increases significantly outside of this setting.

The TV features a 60Hz panel, which limits it to 4k @ 60Hz for most sizes, while the larger 85-inch variant stands out with support for 4k @ 120Hz and VRR, benefiting high-end gaming setups. Although the smaller models are restricted to HDMI 2.0 bandwidth, they still feature eARC for improved audio passthrough, albeit with the drawback of not supporting DTS, which may disappoint some users who rely on this audio format for DVDs and Blu-rays. Overall, the Samsung CU8000 is a solid choice for gamers seeking low input lag and automatic mode switching, but it has limitations in audio format support and bandwidth for smaller sizes.

User Feedback​

Pros:
• Good picture quality that is satisfactory for basic viewing needs
• Smart features work well, especially with Samsung devices
• Large screen size provides an immersive viewing experience
• Sturdy design, particularly when wall-mounted
• Affordable price point for entry-level consumers

Cons:
• Frequent Wi-Fi disconnections requiring soft resets
• Slow navigation and startup issues
• Limited smart features due to being a lower-end model
• Inability to support basic functions like Live TV via antenna
• Overall performance does not meet expectations compared to higher-end models

Overall Impression:
While the TV offers decent picture quality and smart features for the price, the frequent connectivity issues and slow performance significantly detract from the user experience. It's advisable to consider investing a bit more for a higher quality Samsung model or exploring other brands if reliability is a priority.
 
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