Samsung CU71A0: 50 Inch Samsung - Review 🏆

The Samsung 50 Inch CU71A0 4K UHD HDR Smart TV (2023) is one of Samsung's latest mid-range 4K TV offerings. This 50-inch TV features an ultra-high 4K resolution panel with support for HDR content. Some of the key specifications include:

• Screen Size: 50-inches
• Display Type: LED
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K UHD
• High Dynamic Range support: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
• Refresh Rate: 60Hz
• Smart TV platform: Samsung Tizen
• Processor: Crystal 4K
• Built-in Speakers: 20W Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos
• Gaming Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, Game Bar

The CU71A0 line sits below Samsung's premium QLED TVs and is positioned as a great option for buyers looking for a mid-range 4K smart TV with strong picture quality and features. In this review, we'll take a deeper look at what this 2023 model offers.

Design

The Samsung 50-inch CU71A0 4K UHD HDR Smart TV has an elegant and minimalist design. The TV has incredibly slim bezels, giving it a nearly borderless appearance when viewed head-on. The rear of the TV is made of high-quality plastic that feels sturdy yet remains lightweight at just over 13kg without the stand.

The stand has a unique elongated curved shape with a central support that provides stability while taking up minimal space. Assembly of the stand is straightforward with the included instructions. Overall, the build quality feels premium and reliable.

The TV has a slim profile, measuring just 27.7mm thick, contributing to its modern aesthetic. Cable management is tidy with a removable panel at the back revealing inputs and clips to hold wires in place. The rear panel has a matte brushed finish that resists fingerprints.

In terms of colors, the TV comes in Dark Iron Black which gives it an understated yet sophisticated look. The minimalist style and slender form factor allow the CU71A0 to blend seamlessly into any living room or home theater setup.

Display Quality

The Samsung 50-inch CU71A0 4K UHD HDR Smart TV features an impressive display that delivers an immersive viewing experience. It has a 4K Ultra HD resolution, providing over 8 million pixels for stunning clarity and fine details. Even up close, images remain sharp and defined.

For high dynamic range (HDR), this TV supports HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision formats. This results in a wider range and more accurate colors, with deep blacks and bright highlights. Scenes appear more true to life with enhanced contrast.

With a peak brightness of 500 nits, the CU71A0 can make colors pop and highlights gleam. The high brightness allows the TV to combat glare in bright rooms. It has a native contrast ratio of 4000:1 for inky blacks next to vibrant whites.

The TV covers over a billion colors with 100% Color Volume with Quantum Dot technology. Colors are rich and nuanced, free from banding or dullness. PurColor adjusts color temperature to recreate the director's intent and avoid oversaturation. Overall, the display delivers realistic and nuanced colors with excellent contrast and clarity.

Sound Quality

The Samsung 50 Inch CU71A0 comes with impressive sound quality thanks to its Object Tracking Sound technology. This uses multiple speakers located throughout the TV to deliver a dynamic 3D audio experience.

Specifically, there are 4 speakers built into the TV with a total audio power output of 20W. The two main drivers are located towards the bottom while two other speakers are positioned higher up to create a wider soundstage. This allows the TV to produce sound that seems to follow the action on screen.

For sound formats, the CU71A0 supports Dolby Digital Plus which provides immersive surround sound for movies and shows. The TV can decode Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks and has several sound modes to optimize the audio, such as Adaptive Sound+ which automatically adjusts levels based on the content.

Overall, with multiple speaker drivers, Dolby sound processing, and Object Tracking Sound, the CU71A0 delivers an impressive audio experience for a slim TV design. The sound has width, separation and seems to come at you from different directions for a cinematic effect.

Smart TV Features

The Samsung 50 Inch CU71A0 4K UHD HDR Smart TV comes with Samsung's own Tizen operating system. It's powered by a Crystal 4K Processor which enables fast streaming, browsing, and navigation.

For apps and services, Tizen provides access to popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV, and more. There's also Samsung TV Plus which offers over 100 free streaming TV channels. Voice assistants are built-in too - you can use Bixby, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant to control the TV with your voice.

The 2022 Tizen platform is smooth and responsive. The Crystal 4K Processor ensures quick launch times for apps and swift navigation. Streaming movies and shows in 4K HDR is an absolute pleasure with no lag or buffering issues.

Overall, the smart capabilities of the CU71A0 allow you to enjoy endless entertainment options and control the TV conveniently using your voice. With quick performance and wide app support, it delivers a stellar smart TV experience.

Gaming Features

The Samsung CU71A0 comes with Samsung's Gaming Hub, making it easy to access and play cloud games without any additional hardware. You can instantly play games like Xbox, Google Stadia, Utomik, and more directly on the TV.

Gamers will appreciate the TV's low input lag and fast response time. Input lag measures how long it takes for a command from your controller to appear on screen, and the CU71A0 has an impressively low input lag of just 5.8ms in Game Mode. This responsiveness gives you a competitive edge in fast-paced multiplayer games.

In terms of refresh rate, the CU71A0 supports up to 60Hz at 4K resolution. While 120Hz would be ideal for gaming, 60Hz is still smooth and responsive for most gamers.

Variable refresh rate (VRR) support helps eliminate screen tearing and stuttering by syncing the TV's refresh rate with the frame rate output of your console or PC. This results in a smoother, tear-free gaming experience. The CU71A0 is compatible with both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync, covering all major gaming platforms.

With its low input lag, 60Hz refresh rate, and VRR support, the Samsung CU71A0 delivers a great gaming experience. The addition of Samsung's Gaming Hub makes playing the latest cloud games easier than ever.

Connectivity

The Samsung 50 Inch CU71A0 4K UHD HDR Smart TV (2023) offers a robust selection of connectivity options. It has 3 HDMI ports, with HDMI 2.1 support on one port for high bandwidth connections like 4K/120Hz gaming. There is also an optical digital audio output, Ethernet port, and 2 USB ports, one of which is USB 3.0.

For wireless connectivity, the TV has built-in WiFi supporting 802.11ac standards. It also has Bluetooth 4.2 support for connecting wireless peripherals like headphones or speakers. Pairing Bluetooth devices is quick and easy using the TV's settings.

The abundance of connectivity options makes it simple to connect various devices like gaming consoles, soundbars, streaming sticks, and more. Gamers will appreciate the HDMI 2.1 support for 4K gaming at up to 120Hz refresh rates when paired with a compatible GPU. The WiFi and Ethernet provide flexible options for streaming over-the-top content. Overall, connectivity is a strong suit for this TV.

Remote Control

The Samsung CU71A0 comes with Samsung's SolarCell remote, which has a sleek and minimalist design. The remote is made of recycled plastic and charges itself from indoor light, so no batteries are required.

The remote has all the usual buttons like power, volume, channel change, input selection, and quick access buttons for popular streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. The minimalist design keeps the button clutter to a minimum.

For smart features, the remote has a built-in microphone that allows voice control through Bixby. You can use voice commands to launch apps, search for content, control playback, and more. The remote also supports motion control, allowing you to navigate the interface by moving and pointing the remote.

Overall, the SolarCell remote delivers an eco-friendly and intuitive smart TV control experience without the need for batteries. The voice and motion control features make it easy to interact with the Samsung smart TV platform hands-free.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Beautiful 4K UHD resolution with support for HDR content
• Large 50-inch screen great for immersive viewing
• Crystal 4K Processor provides excellent upscaling for non-4K content
• Impressive sound with Object Tracking Sound
• Gaming Hub for accessing cloud gaming services
• Voice assistants like Bixby and Alexa built-in
• Sleek, minimalist design that looks great in any living room

Cons

• Only 60Hz refresh rate, not ideal for fast-paced gaming
• Limited number of HDMI ports (3)
• Some reports of backlight issues or screen uniformity problems
• Smart Hub interface can feel a bit sluggish at times
• No support for Dolby Vision HDR format

Conclusion

Overall, the Samsung 50 Inch CU71A0 4K UHD HDR Smart TV (2023) is an excellent option for those looking for a high-quality 4K TV with great features. The sleek, minimalist design will look great in any living room. The Crystal 4K Processor delivers stunning 4K picture quality, while Quantum HDR brings out vivid colors and deep blacks. The anti-glare screen minimizes reflections for clearer viewing.

For audio, Object Tracking Sound uses multiple speakers to deliver realistic 3D audio that seems to follow the action on screen. The TV also supports Dolby Atmos for immersive surround sound. Gamers will appreciate the new Gaming Hub for accessing cloud gaming services, as well as Auto Low Latency Mode and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for smooth, responsive gameplay.

The Tizen smart platform provides access to all the popular streaming apps and services. Connectivity options include 4 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth, and WiFi. The solar-powered remote is an eco-friendly touch.

Overall, the CU71A0 delivers stellar 4K picture quality, great sound, smooth gaming performance, and smart features - all in an elegant design. If you're looking for a premium 4K TV that excels across the board, the Samsung CU71A0 is easy to highly recommend.