Aside from the QLED series made up of the Q7, Q8 and Q9, and the classic The Frame, Samsung‘s 2017 Tizen-powered Smart TV lineup also includes the MU models which come with 4K and Full HD LCD panels. The MU series is available in a variety of flat and curved screens and their sizes range from 32 inches to 88 inches. The MU series also differ in the features available across the lineup. The models are growing in number, such that they can become confusing but we bring you all the important details of the various Samsung 2017 Smart TV product lineup released so far.
Samsung QLED models
Samsung unveiled the QLED Smart TV models at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2017) in Las Vegas. The TV comes in a number of models which are available in 65-inch and 55-inch models respectively. The company recently added a 75-inch version of the Q7 and Q8. All models of Samsung’s Quantum Dot LED TVs utilises Quantum Dot (QD) technology to produce greater brightness, thus leading to greater colour volume (a full-colour gamut) that produces deep, dark blacks. Quantum Dot also provides the needed brightness that enhances the overall colour production and viewing experience. This isn’t the first time Sammy is utilising quantum dots, it featured in the tech giant’s 2016 SUHD TVs but the QLED is an advanced form of quantum dots with a metal shell which Samsung claims can deliver improved brightness, colour and contrast, as well as better viewing angles.
They are, Samsung claims, the first of the company’s TVs to achieve 100% colour volume, and are capable of 1500 to 2000 nits brightness – well over the Ultra HD Premium specification’s 1000-nit minimum standard for LCD TVs, and three or four times the figure required for OLED TVs. Of course, the QLED TVs are 4K and HDR (High Dynamic Range) compatible.
Samsung 2017 QLEDs will be supporting the standard HDR10 and broadcast HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) formats, although it won’t be supporting Dolby Vision HDR. Instead, Samsung is building its own HDR format with dynamic metadata – named HDR10 Plus – with Amazon Video signed on as the first content provider to support this HDR format.
The QLED models come with a transparent 5m cable which has a maximum 75GB/s transfer speed. To assist with cable management, the flagships QLED TVs will connect to an external connections box via a transparent and ultra thin fibre optic cable which looks invisible.
There are two types of stands – the gyratory ‘Gravity’ stand, and the easel-inspired ‘Studio’ – are available. The TV can also be mounted on the wall using a ‘no-gap’ wall mount, which positions your TV flush against a wall.
The QLED and all other 2017 Smart TVs are powered by Samsung’s Tizen operating system which delivers arguably the best user experience. This year, the Tizen OS features an even cleaner interface and new personalised services due to upgrades in the operating system. The TV also comes with a new model of the One Remote which is similar to last year’s smart wand but is in silver colour and flat. The remote prioritises voice command controls, while there is also a Smart View app which mirrors the TV’s controls for simple navigation.
Q9
The Q9 is part of the QLED series, this year’s Samsung flagship TV. It features a flat edge-lit LCD panel with quantum dot technology. It supports 4K video and HDR content. The package comes with a remote control, a Connect Box and ‘invisible connection’ cable, four HDMI ports, 3 USB ports. Users also get the choice of gravity or studio stand and no-gap wall mount. The Smart TV is available in two models;
- QE88Q9F – £17,800
- QE65Q9F – £490
Q8
Unlike the Q9, the Q8 is curved but all other features are similar with the Q9.
- QE75Q8C – £5800
- QE65Q8C – £3800
- QE55Q8C – £3000
Q7
Q7 is a blend of both curved and flat shaped models. While the Q7F variants are flat, the Q7C are curved. It incorporates the same LCD plus quantum dot technology as the rest. The Q7 is also available for pre-order at samsung.com
- QE65Q7C – £3300
- QE55Q7C – £2500
- QE49Q7C – £2200
- QE75Q7F – £5000
- QE65Q7F – £3100
- QE55Q7F – £2300
- QE49Q7F – £2000
Samsung MU TV series
The Samsung MU series is the direct successor of 2016’s KS series. It is a lineup of 4K LCD and Full HD sporting TV for 2017. The MU range features screen sizes ranging from 4- inches to 82 inches both in curved and flat variants. The MU series features more affordable price tags than the high-end QLED Smart TVs.
As stated, the MU range comes in both 4K and Full HD variants. All the 4K TVs support the HDR10 and HLG variants of HDR, plus smart TV apps like Netflix and Amazon. They also use the same One Remote control as Samsung’s 2016 TVs.
Samsung’s Tizen OS is the platform on which its Smart TV hub run. Except for the lowest M5000 and M4000 HD ranges, all other models run on the Tizen OS.
MU9000 – 65in, 55in, 49in
The MU9000 sports a curved shape and has a 4K resolution and comes with HDR 1000 for incredibly enhanced contrast. It is available in 49 inches, 55 inches and 65 inches.
- UE49MU9000 – £1700
- UE55MU9000 – £2000
- UE65MU9000 – £2500
MU8000 – 75in, 65in, 55in, 49in
The MU8000 is almost similar to the MU9000 except that it has a flat shape. The features and configurations are entirely the same but the MU8000 is available in 49-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch models.
- UE49MU8000 – £1500
- UE55MU8000 – £1700
- UE65MU8000 – £2300
- UE75MU8000 – £4000
MU7000 – 82in, 65in, 55in, 49in
The MU7000 comes in 82 inches, 65 inches, 55 inches and 49 inches and is a flat TV.
- UE49MU7000 – £1300
- UE55MU7000 – £1500
- UE65MU7000 – £2000
- UE82MU7000 – £4500
MU6500 – 78in, 65in, 55in, 49in
The MU6500 is curved and available in 78-inch, 65-inch, 55-inch and 49-inch versions and supports HDR Pro instead of HDR 1000. The number of HDMI ports and USB slots is also reduced.
- UE49MU6500 – £850
- UE55MU6500 – £1100
- UE65MU6500 – £1800
MU6400 – 65in, 55in, 49in, 40in
- Flat
- 4K
- HDR Pro
- Smart TV
- One Remote
- HDMI x3
- USB x2
MU6200 – 65in, 55in, 49in
- Curved
- 4K
- HDR Pro
- Smart TV
- One Remote
- HDMI x3
- USB x2
MU6100 – 75in, 65in, 55in, 50in, 43in, 40in
- Flat
- 4K
- HDR Pro
- Smart TV
- One Remote
- Full HD LCD
M6300 – 55in, 49in
M5500 – 55in, 49in, 43in, 32in
- Full HD
- Smart TV
- One Remote
M5000 – 49in, 40in, 32in
M4000 – 32in
- Full HD/HD
The Frame
The Frame isn’t just a smart TV but also a piece of artwork. The Frame is available in 55-inch and 65-inch UHD display models. All models feature bezels around the displays that make them look like picture frames. Indeed, the Smart TV serves as a frame for artwork when it’s not in use by automatically switching on to an art mode where different artworks are displayed.
The Frame also comes with a motion sensor which detects people’s movement and then turns the TV into power-saving mode when there is no one in the room. The TV automatically turns back on when someone enters the room. You also get the No Gap Wall-mount and Invisible Connection found on all the other Smart TV models. Samsung is already rolling out the sleek Smart TV in several regions gradually.
