Samsung UE43RU7020KXXU - 43" UHD 4K Smart TV

Product Information

None of this is a surprise, given the price of the TV, but you should be aware of the sort of sound you can expect. Conversations can be unclear and details feel more formless. The battle scene above loses a sense of immediacy and dynamism, so we settle for sacrificing the big hits with Optimised. Verdict

With TVs getting slimmer and built-in speakers getting smaller, choosing the right sound system is more important than ever. Soundbars enhance your TV’s sound quality and add that extra audio punch to all your movies, games and TV programmes. More affordable and easier to set up than a full size speaker system, they don’t compromise on quality either. The upscaling is still impressive, though. Even in dark scenes and scenes with lots of motion, there’s no point at which we really feel like we’re watching something inferior. The detail levels are a little lower but the upscaling never slips into blurs.

The remote control, it turns out, isn’t the only way the Samsung gives away its position in the model hierarchy. It’s fitted with two full-range drivers, each in receipt of ten watts of power - but while there’s no doubting the clarity of the the 7020’s audio delivery, in most meaningful ways it’s impoverished.

Flat and thin’ might be good news in a pizza base but it makes for an uncomfortable listening experience. Other TVs to consider One one hand, the UE43RU7020 has by far and away the best interface of any nominal rival. Samsung’s Tizen-based smart TV interface is similar to that incorporated into its flagship QLED TVs costing ten times this amount, and consequently it’s impeccable. On the other hand, – and it’s a big hand, the sort of hand that’s admired in goalkeepers – the brilliant OS is navigated using a remote control of such unyielding unpleasantness that it virtually takes your breath away. The remote handset is small, feels cheap, and features way too many buttons – the majority of which are too small to be operated with any confidence.In the simplest terms, you should buy the UE43RU7020 because it’s a small, affordable 4K HDR TV masquerading as a larger, more expensive one. Think long and hard about how you’re going to route the TV’s sound, be aware that the Eco picture mode is much more trouble than it’s worth, and you really can’t go far wrong. Obviously there are a number of viewing modes available here, all offering colour- and contrast-balance variations on “neutral”. The two most notable are Eco (which will be discussed in more detail in the Performance section of this review) and Game. Note that the Q60C is basically the same as its predecessor, the Samsung Q60/Q60B QLED, so get the cheapest one when shopping.

The 10W powered two-speaker set-up is Samsung’s 7 series standard. Both speakers are in the middle of the panel’s rear. We’re not expecting much in the way of a soundstage and we don’t get much of one either. If you want something cheaper than the Samsung QN90C/QN90CD QLED without sacrificing too much, the Sony KD-43X85K is the best 43-inch TV in the mid-range category. While its picture quality isn't nearly as good as the Samsung or the LG C3 OLED, it has many of the same gaming features, like HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on two of its ports. This is great if you want to take full advantage of the PS5, Xbox Series X, or a beefy PC gaming rig, as it supports 4k @ 120Hz. Sony TVs are also known to have good processing features, and this one is no exception, as the accuracy before calibration is fantastic, and upscaled content looks great. Gaming: with this smart feature, play world famous streaming & PC games on your TV with cloud gaming services.* Fear not, though – you shouldn’t have bought a different TV, not if this is the sort of money you have to spend. Select the channel you want to watch, set your preferred volume level, set the remote control to one side and revel in the Samsung’s numerous picture-making attributes.The Sony X80K is a lower-end version of the Sony X85K, but it isn't worth getting despite the lower price because it has worse picture quality and doesn't have gaming features. The numerous skin tones and textures in evidence during the BBC’s Question Time are all dealt with skilfully; there’s plenty of detail revealed, good colour consistency and very acceptable contrasts. It’s a similar story where the more testing The NFL Show is concerned. The best upper mid-range 43-inch TV we've tested is the Samsung QN43QN90CAFXZA. It's an impressive TV overall, andthesmaller 43-inchsize offers a few extra features for PC gamers, including a higher 144Hz refresh rate on all four of its HDMI 2.1 bandwidth ports. This allows for smoother motion handling than comparable 120Hz displays. It delivers an impressive gaming experience but has a noticeably slower response time than the LG C3 OLED, so you'll see more blur and ghosting around fast-moving objects if you plan on playing fast-paced games. HDR content looks excellent on this TV thanks to the near-infinite contrast of its OLED panel, and its color gamut displays a wide range of colors, so content looks vibrant. Its nearly instantaneous response time makes it great for gaming, resulting in crystal-clear motion with no distracting blur or ghosting behind fast-moving objects. It supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on all four of its HDMI ports, allowing for 4k @ 120Hz gaming, and it also supports all Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technologies, meaning you can take full advantage of the PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or a PC with a recent graphics card. On paper, it’s the Samsung’s unremarkable size and price that’s the most remarkable thing about it. 4K HDR TVs such as this are few and far between – so does the 7020 do enough to make you wonder if it’s worth spending more?

If you’ve been hunting for a fairly affordable 43-inch 4K TV, you know you’re not exactly spoiled for choice – and if you want one from a brand with a bit of recent profile and traction, your selection is narrowed down even further. UHD Dimming: adjusts tone, brightness, and sharpness independently for brilliantly accurate contrast, shadow detail, and colour. All of the above holds true in every picture mode setting bar Eco. As far as the RU7020 is concerned, Eco is shorthand for “the ruination of your HDR picture quality”. The Samsung is terribly uncertain of itself with this mode engaged, hunting between HDR brightness levels anxiously and restlessly. Our advise is that you leave it well alone. Although most manufacturers and buyers focus on larger TVs, there's still a lot of interest in smaller models for people looking for the best 43-inch 4k TV. There aren't as many options in this size as in the larger ones,but some premium models and cheaper TVs are still available. It's easier to look for a 42 or 43-inch TVthan a 40-inch one, as the formersaremuch more common, so you'll have more choice if you can fit a 42 or 43-inch model in your entertainment center. There are also some 42-inch OLEDs coming out, which will further expand the selection in that size category.Its built-in Tizen OS interface is very easy to use and has many streaming apps, so you can easily find your favorite content. The mic in the remote gives you access to Google Assistant, Bixby, and Alexa, so you can choose the voice assistant you prefer. One of the downsides of this TV is that while it displays a wide range of colors in HDR, its HDR peak brightness is just okay, so it doesn't deliver the best HDR experience, but that's what you have to expect for a TV in this price range. And if you’re looking to elevate your viewing experience with cable management, then why not take a look at our wall mounts and TV stands. The best 42-inch TV we've tested is the LG OLED42C3PUA. It's a fantastic TV that looks amazing in a dark room but is also capable enough in a brighter environment. It delivers superb picture quality thanks to its near-infinite contrast ratio and has an excellent selection of additional features. Its built-in LG webOS interface has a massive selection of streaming apps, making it a great choice for a dorm or other small space. It's also great for watching movies with good image processing features, like Dolby Vision and DTS advanced video and audio format support.