Samsung UE48JU7000 review

While Samsung has more exotic panels higher up its range, principally the JS8500 and JS9000 series, the flat JU7000 (reviewed here in 48-inch guise, but also available in 55-,60-, 65- and 85-inches) is actually its high street hero product. Impressively equipped and capable of super pictures, it puts forward a great case for not spending more. Here’s our Samsung UE48JU7000 review.

Samsung UE48JU7000 review: Price and design

Cosmetically, the set is distinguished by a bar pedestal which sits forward of the screen itself. The thin bezel is edged with a dark grey trim that’s sombre but classy. It’s not, however, a particularly slim set. The Samsung UE48JU7000 price is £1,200 but you can pick it up at Amazon at less than a grand and a little over at John Lewis.

Samsung UE48JU7000 review: Features

Interestingly, the JU7000 continues Samsung’s policy of using an outboard interface box. While smaller than first gen One Connect boxes, it none the less offers four HDMI inputs, all HDCP 2.2 compatible, optical digital audio output and two USBs.

The box connects to the set via a single bus cable. On the TV is a third USB, plus Ethernet and mini-jacks for component and SCART (adaptors supplied). Wi-Fi is dual band, there’s also provision for Wi-Fi Direct.

The set has two satellite tuners (generic not Freesat) and twin Freeview HD. Included are two remotes, a standard IR job and a Bluetooth alternative.

Samsung has made some big changes to its connected offering, all for the better. The new Tizen smart platform is pleasingly minimalist, presenting itself at the bottom of the screen. It opens to reveal Featured apps and recent activity. Jumping around these is a breeze, thanks to a sprightly onboard processor.

Samsung UE48JU7000 review: Performance and content

Key attractions include BBC iPlayer, All4, Wuaki.TV, ITV Player, Plex, YouTube, and Viewster. Both Netflix and Amazon clients are 4K capable, confirming an HEVC decoder.

Multimedia playback is strong. Using the My Content mode, you can explore folders within a thumbnail browsing environment. File compatibility is good, with (most) of our sample MKVs playing, along with a good assortment of music codecs – MP3, AAC, APE, OGG Vorbis, FLAC, AAC, WAV,WMA – but not DSD.

Picture quality is outstanding with vibrant colour performance courtesy of the brand’s PurColor image processing. High contrast and good black level performance with subtle shadow detail add to its engrossing images.

There’s actually just a quartet for picture presets (Dynamic, Standard, Natural and Movie), but you can go off piste with some deep dive tweaks, most notably variable Dynamic Contrast (High, Medium, Low, Off) and Auto Motion Plus, which handles blur and judder.

4K content looks fabulous – Marco Polo (Netflix), a go-to-show for fine detail and texture, doesn’t disappoint. Traditional hi-def fairs well too. Interstellar (Blu-ray) looks wonderfully cinematic. It’s all too easy to lose the celluloid feel on an LED backlit set, but switch off Auto Motion Plus and the film plays beautifully.

The screen also sounds surprisingly full bodied – a benefit of its aforementioned girth. You’ll not need to upgrade to a soundbar anytime soon. The set is Active 3D compatible, although glasses are an optional extra.