At the opposite end, white tones are respectably white, nice and clean, and equally information-rich. The BU8500 can’t quite get down to ‘true’ black, but the dark tones it does generate are very deep indeed, but retain a lot of detail and variation within them. With one or two minor caveats, the Samsung BU8500 performs very well relative to its asking price.Ĭontrasts, for example, are quite strong. Getting a picture balance you’re happy with from the Samsung BU8500 is just a bit fiddlier than it should be, especially given the relative lack of set-up options available here – but perseverance will be well-rewarded. Getting a convincing color balance takes time.(Image credit: Future) Samsung BU8500 review: Picture quality The Samsung BU8500's even backlight and contrast is a big part of its picture success.
All the UK catch-up services, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Disney+ constitute the headlines, of course, but if Hipstr or KetchupTV (for instance) are more to your taste then dive right in. It’s as clean and logical as ever here (although it’s less responsive here than in other applications), and features a quite extensive selection of top-tier apps. Whichever method you decide to employ, though, you’ll be navigating a slightly stripped-back version of Samsung’s Tizen-based Smart TV interface. There’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant is built in, and there’s also Bixby voice-control (presumably for Samsung employees). The other, though, is a far swankier handset that features the bare minimum of controls, is far nicer in the hand, and is solar-powered. One is the sort of small, hard and overburdened remote control we’re all used to seeing accompanying a mainstream TV – too many buttons, almost all of them too small, and all unpleasant to the touch. Wireless alternatives run to Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi.Īs far as controlling the screen goes, the BU8500 is compatible with Samsung’s SmartThings control app, and also ships with a couple of remote control handsets. Other physical inputs include an Ethernet socket, a couple of USBs and an aerial binding post for use with the onboard RF tuner, and there’s also a digital optical output. One of the HDMI ports is eARC-enabled for use with a soundbar. The BU8500 features three HDMI 2.0 inputs – there’s compatibility with the ALLM and HGiG aspects of next-gen games console specification, but there's no support for AMD FreeSync, which is a step backwards from last year's Samsung AU9000. This means the TV’s speakers can actually join in when a compatible Samsung soundbar is connected for an even bigger sound. Sound is delivered by a two-channel driver arrangement driven by 20 watts of power - Samsung has included the ‘Lite’ version of its ‘Object Tracking’ audio arrangement here, and the BU8500 is also ‘Q Symphony’-compatible. This is a 4K LED screen, powered by Samsung’s ‘Crystal 4K’ processor and with support for HLG and HDR10+ standards of HDR (we’re used to Samsung refusing to offer support for Dolby Vision, but it never stops being galling). (Image credit: Future) Samsung BU8500 review: Features The Samsung BU8500's ports are largely easy to access. This is right in line with how the Samsung AU9000 from 2021 was priced at launch, and will keep this model competitive with with 2022's affordable models from the likes of Hisense and TCL. The 43-inch model is officially priced at £599, the 50-inch costs £699, the 55-inch costs £799, the 65-inch costs £1,099, and the 75-inch costs £1,499. The BU8500 comes in a range of sizes, from 43 inches up to 75 inches. What we can be certain of, though, is that both the United States and Australia will be getting a range of competitively priced, competitively specified Samsung 4K LED TVs that are more than a little reminiscent of the BU8500 series. Many countries receive market-specific variations of television, of course, due to differences in broadcast standards and so on – so at present there’s no confirmation of what the equivalent Samsung screen will be in other territories. The Samsung BU8500 is on sale now, though at the time of writing this particular model is available in Europe and some other countries, but hasn't been announced for North America or Australia (though it is available in New Zealand). US launch unknown at the time of writing.Samsung BU8500 review: Price and release date It's absolutely one of the best Samsung TVs available today for those on a budget. So not for the first time (and almost certainly not for the last), Samsung has managed to hit a price-point without too many obvious compromises.