Samsung CU71A0: 43 Inch Samsung - Review 🏆

The Samsung 43 Inch CU71A0 4K UHD HDR Smart TV (2023) is Samsung's latest mid-range 4K LED TV aimed at buyers looking for a balance of performance, features and affordability. As part of Samsung's 2023 TV lineup, the CU71A0 series offers premium design and display quality along with smart capabilities and gaming performance.

Key features of this 43-inch model include:

• 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) resolution
• High dynamic range (HDR10, HDR10+, HLG) support
• Crystal 4K processor for upscaling and image processing
• Object Tracking Sound (OTS) audio
• Smart TV platform with apps, streaming services and voice assistants
• Gaming hub with cloud gaming support
• Sleek, minimalist design with three-side boundless display

With its combination of sharp 4K visuals, HDR color and contrast, smooth smart TV experience and gaming integration in an attractive slim design, the Samsung CU71A0 aims to deliver an immersive viewing experience at a competitive price point. This review will take a deeper look at the various features and performance of this 2023 4K LED TV model.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung 43 Inch CU71A0 sports an attractive, minimalist design with incredibly thin bezels around the display. At just 43 inches, it's a great size for smaller rooms and apartments where space is limited. Despite the compact 43-inch screen size, the TV still delivers a premium, high-end aesthetic.

The screen has slim bezels on three sides and a slightly thicker chin on the bottom. This creates a sleek, modern look and allows the picture to take center stage. The bezels measure just 0.35 inches thick, so they don't distract from the viewing experience.

The TV has an appealing central stand design with a rectangular foot that provides sturdy support. The stand measures 22.1 x 7.4 inches, giving the TV a stable base. The stand is finished in a dark silver color that blends nicely with most decors.

In terms of dimensions, the TV measures 38.1 x 22.1 x 2.4 inches without the stand. It has a fairly slim profile that won't protrude far from the wall if wall-mounted. The total depth increases to 6.7 inches with the stand attached.

Despite the large screen, the TV remains surprisingly lightweight at just 15.4 pounds without the stand. This makes it easy to lift and move around. The stand adds an extra 5.5 pounds for a total weight of 20.9 pounds. Still, it's one of the lightest 43-inch TVs around.

Overall, the design is modern and minimalist with slim bezels surrounding the screen and a sturdy central stand. The dimensions are compact enough for small spaces, while still delivering premium aesthetics.

Display Quality

The Samsung 43 Inch CU71A0 4K UHD HDR Smart TV boasts an impressive display that delivers a cinema-like viewing experience in your home. It has a 4K UHD resolution with 3840 x 2160 pixels, providing four times the detail of Full HD for extra clarity and sharpness. Even fast-moving action scenes appear smooth and fluid thanks to the Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ feature.

With support for HDR10+ and HLG, this Samsung TV can display a wider range of colors and contrast for more realistic, true-to-life images. It achieves up to 1000 nits peak brightness for stunning highlights, while still reproducing deep blacks thanks to the high native contrast ratio. The anti-reflection screen coating also minimizes glare so you can enjoy clear views even in bright rooms.

The 178° ultra wide viewing angle allows everyone to enjoy the same vivid picture quality regardless of their seating position. So whether you're watching alone or with family and friends, the Samsung CU71A0's display delivers an immersive viewing experience from any angle.

Audio Quality

The Samsung 43 Inch CU71A0 comes with impressive audio quality thanks to its Object Tracking Sound (OTS) technology. It has a 2.2 channel speaker setup with 20W total output power. The speakers are strategically placed to deliver a cinematic sound experience.

The OTS system uses multiple speakers to precisely track moving objects on the screen and localize sounds coming from different directions. This creates a more immersive audio effect, especially for action scenes and sports. You can hear sounds clearly from various points on the screen.

For audio formats, it supports Dolby Digital Plus which provides rich and immersive surround sound. The Adaptive Sound feature automatically adjusts audio settings based on what you're watching to optimize sound quality.

Dialogue is crisp and clear, while sound effects and background scores have depth and detail. The bass response is decent for inbuilt TV speakers. At high volumes, there is minimal distortion. Overall, the speaker system delivers an impressive audio performance considering the slim form factor of the TV.

Smart TV Features

The Samsung 43 Inch CU71A0 comes with Samsung's own Tizen operating system, which provides a smooth and intuitive smart TV experience. Tizen OS gives you access to a wide variety of streaming apps and services.

Some of the key apps pre-installed include Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, YouTube, Spotify and BBC iPlayer. Tizen also has an app store where you can download additional apps if needed.

For voice controls, the TV is compatible with Bixby, Samsung's own voice assistant. You can use Bixby to launch apps, search for content, control TV settings and more with your voice. Bixby understands natural language commands and works quite well.

The TV also supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. So if you already have an Echo or Google Home device, you can control certain aspects of the TV through those voice assistants.

Overall, the smart TV features and Tizen OS provide an excellent connected experience through the range of apps, voice control options and intuitive interface.

Connectivity

The Samsung 43 Inch CU71A0 4K UHD HDR Smart TV offers ample connectivity options for most users' needs. It has 3 HDMI ports, with HDMI 2.1 support on one port for 4K 120Hz gaming and variable refresh rates. The other 2 HDMI ports are 2.0, still supporting 4K 60Hz.

For USB, there are 2 ports - one USB 3.0 for fast data transfers and one USB 2.0. The USB ports allow you to connect external storage drives to play media files, or plug in peripherals like keyboards.

For wireless connectivity, the TV has built-in WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. The WiFi provides fast and stable internet connectivity, while Bluetooth allows you to pair wireless speakers, headphones, game controllers and more.

Other connections include an RF input for antenna or cable TV, an Ethernet port, digital audio output, and a CI+ slot for pay TV access cards. All in all, the port selection covers everything most people require in their living room entertainment setup.

Gaming Performance

The Samsung CU71A0 is an excellent choice for gaming thanks to the new Gaming Hub and impressive performance specs. The Gaming Hub provides quick access to services like Xbox, NVIDIA GeForce Now, Google Stadia, and Utomik without needing extra devices.

Input lag is very low at around 10ms, which is perfect for fast-paced competitive gaming. The TV also has Auto Low Latency Mode which automatically switches to game mode when a console is connected. Response time is decent at 13ms for fast motion clarity.

Gaming features include FreeSync Premium Pro for smooth variable refresh rates with compatible devices, as well as 4K 120Hz support. HDR10+ gaming boosts contrast and color for a more immersive experience. There are also gaming picture settings to optimize visuals.

Overall, the Samsung 43 Inch CU71A0 delivers an extremely responsive and low-lag gaming experience thanks to optimized gaming modes and premium gaming features. The new Gaming Hub makes accessing cloud gaming services easier than ever.

Remote Control

The Samsung CU71A0 comes with Samsung's standard minimalist One Remote control. It has a very sleek and ergonomic design that fits nicely in the hand.

The remote is made of plastic but has a premium brushed metal finish on the top and bottom. It is quite lightweight and measures only 4.9 x 1.6 x 0.3 inches.

In terms of buttons, you get only the essential ones like power, volume, channel rocker, home, playback controls, etc. The buttons have a nice clicky feedback and are well spaced out.

There is a built-in microphone on the remote to give voice commands. You can ask Bixby to search for content, change settings, get recommendations, etc. It worked quite reliably in my testing.

The remote can also be used as a universal remote and control various other devices connected to the TV.

Overall, the remote is functional, minimalistic and gets the job done. The voice control integration is a nice addition. Some users may prefer a remote with more buttons for quick access, but the streamlined approach works well for most.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Stunning 4K UHD resolution with support for HDR10+ for excellent picture quality
• Crystal 4K Processor provides powerful upscaling and great clarity
• Impressive audio with Object Tracking Sound and Dolby Atmos
• Intuitive Tizen operating system with access to many streaming apps
• Low input lag and Auto Game Mode for smooth gaming performance
• Sleek, slim design that looks great in any living room

Cons

• Only 60Hz refresh rate, not ideal for fast-paced gaming
• Limited viewing angles compared to IPS or OLED panels
• Lacks next-gen gaming features like VRR and ALLM
• Only 2 HDMI ports limits connectivity options
• Mediocre black levels due to edge-lit LED backlight
• Smart remote lacks microphone for voice commands

Conclusion

The Samsung 43 Inch CU71A0 4K UHD HDR Smart TV (2023) is an excellent mid-range 4K TV that offers strong overall performance for the price. With its sleek design, vivid 4K picture quality, robust smart TV platform, and solid audio, it's a great option for those wanting an affordable 4K TV from a top-tier brand like Samsung.

The CU71A0 delivers deep blacks, accurate colors, good brightness and contrast for impactful HDR, and decent upscaling of HD content. Gaming connectivity is also solid with low input lag and VRR support. The smart TV platform is intuitive and has plenty of streaming apps and services. The onboard audio gets reasonably loud and supports object tracking sound.

For the price, there are very few negatives. The VA panel viewing angles could be better, and the lack of local dimming means contrast isn't as good as higher-end models. There's also no Dolby Vision support. But overall, these are small tradeoffs considering the price.

In summary, the Samsung CU71A0 4K smart TV hits a sweet spot between price and performance, offering an excellent viewing experience and great smart features. For buyers wanting a future-proof 4K TV on a budget, it's easy to highly recommend the Samsung CU71A0. The combination of beautiful 4K picture, robust smart platform, and sleek design make this a great choice for both movies and gaming.