Criteria for choosing an Ultra HD TV device?
To begin with, Ultra HD is the latest digital image format with the highest image clarity. And 4K is a type of UHD (there is also 8K).
By purchasing a model in this format, you provide yourself with better detail, color reproduction and better perception of what is being reproduced on the screen.
But purchasing a 4K device does not mean getting high-quality viewing. Different brands of televisions of a similar format give different effects. Various device criteria need to be taken into account.
Diagonal
4K format models with a large diagonal cost from several hundred thousand. But there are also more modest options - 32-40 inches. However, you won’t be able to see the expected effect and it’s not advisable to take UHD with a small screen.
Matrix type
There are several types of matrices:
- IPS (In Plane Switching) - “switching in one plane”. Advantages: viewing angle of 180⁰, realistic color presentation, high color contrast with rich black.
- VA – “vertical alignment”. It has the following characteristics: slower response time, increased contrast with greater black depth, viewing angle smaller than IPS. A vertical view “exposes” the whiteness of the image on the display.
- OLED matrix is typical for high-end devices. Their peculiarity is that the matrix contains a carbon-based substance. Thanks to this, the TV emits its own backlight. It has high quality, rich, bright color rendering, pixel switching in a fraction of seconds, and a wide viewing angle.
- Currently, only Samsung TVs are produced with this type of matrix. QLED is almost identical to LED, but with improved color rendering and a larger viewing angle. This is facilitated by new metal nanofilters based on quantum dots. As it is, QLED is nothing more than a marketing ploy.
HDR and HDMI 2.0 support
An observant buyer will notice that 4K TVs are labeled as HDR or HDMI 2.0.
HDR significantly improves contrast and color reproduction.
That is, the bright areas of the image become even brighter, the color palette expands due to the saturation of red, blue and green colors, as well as due to their various combinations. The picture becomes more realistic.
HDMI 2.0 is the interface required to view images in 4K Ultra HD format in full. It provides 4K video transmission at 60 frames per second.
Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 65 T2S 65″
Price: from 54,900 rubles.
Pros:
- high-quality sound;
- bright picture with rich colors;
- attractive appearance;
- reliable VA matrix;
- large diagonal.
Minuses:
- there are problems with connection speed;
- inconvenient control panel;
- stripped down version of the software.
TV 60 Hz on the Android TV operating system. The main functionality of the platform has been preserved, but the lack of a traditional store and Google service can cause a lot of trouble.
2 GB RAM is responsible for performance, and a 16 GB drive is provided for storing program data.
Sony KD-43XH8096 42.5″
Price: from 59,990 rubles.
Pros:
- good image quality;
- well-thought-out operating system;
- clear controls;
- ability to install applications.
Cons: There are some glares at the edges of the screen.
A relatively small model with a diagonal of 42.5 inches and full 4K resolution. Smart TV runs Android, so there should be no problems getting used to the interface.
There are two 10W speakers with surround sound and automatic volume leveling.
Philips 58PUS8505 58″
Price: from 59,900 rubles.
Pros:
- rich colors;
- brightness reserve;
- durable stand;
- deep black without highlights.
Cons: not very convenient menu.
Full-fledged Android TV with 4K UHD resolution and support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision technologies. Equipped with all the necessary interfaces for connecting additional devices and connecting to wireless networks.
Voice control is available. Supplied with a stand, but can be wall mounted using a VESA mount if desired.
The best 4K TV models
10. Erisson 75ULEA99T2 Smart
A fairly well-known and popular brand among Russian consumers, which, first of all, has an optimal price-quality ratio. The diagonal size of the TV allows it to be installed in small and medium-sized rooms. The viewing angles are wide – about 170 degrees, so even with a serious deviation from the straight viewing line, the image will not begin to distort. The screen size is 74.5 inches, which in terms of centimeters gives almost 190. The appearance is quite interesting and stylish, which allows this product to optimally fit into the interior of any living room or bedroom, regardless of the style in which it is made. The image is of excellent quality, all details are clearly visible even during fairly fast scenes.
The model has a Smart TV function, which allows you to watch any program at the most convenient moment. The TV is additionally equipped with a Wi-Fi module, providing Internet access to the most popular sites. In addition, there is support for the DVB-T2 standard, thanks to which you can view absolutely any channels with very high image quality, and you do not have to additionally purchase a special set-top box. In terms of connectors, everything is also pretty good: there are three USB inputs, with their help you can connect a standard flash drive or an external hard drive. The presence of several HDMI inputs allows you to use this TV as a full-fledged gaming monitor; you can also connect all modern game consoles, media players and other devices to it.
Advantages:
- Excellent image quality;
- Small thickness and weight of the product;
- Sufficient number of connectors for external devices;
- Long service life;
- Wide viewing angles;
- Reasonable price.
Flaws:
- The Wi-Fi module is rather weak, it is advisable to place the TV close to the router.
Erisson 75ULEA99T2 Smart
LG 43UK6300
It has a fairly simple design: the body is made entirely of plastic materials, the frames are not too narrow, but not very wide either. No distinctive elements that distinguish this model from the standard range of televisions of similar resolution can be found externally. The thickness of the model is about 8 cm, but the weight is small, so if necessary, the device can even be hung on a wall made of plasterboard. You should watch it at a distance of 1.6 to 2.7 m - this way you can get maximum pleasure from image clarity and sound quality. The diagonal of the device is 43 inches - quite suitable for medium and small rooms. The picture quality is made as high as possible through the use of the latest 4K Active HDR technology. With its help, the manufacturer managed to achieve a very realistic image, all colors are quite bright and rich. On such a TV it will be very comfortable to watch documentaries about nature or just play games.
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Contrast is good and even during dark scenes everything looks quite clear. There are several modes for this parameter, which allows you to choose the optimal one for a specific purpose; there is also dynamic contrast, which will automatically adjust to the image. The image refresh rate is 50 Hz, and when playing dynamic scenes it can independently increase up to 100 Hz. The model has a semi-glossy screen, so no glare will be noticeable, and direct reflections will not be visible at all. The TV has artificial intelligence, which makes it easier to use this gadget. All the main additional features are also provided here - a Wi-Fi module, an Ethernet connector that provides a wired Internet connection. This allows you to achieve stable loading of movies or ordinary videos when watching online.
Advantages:
- Quite a decent price;
- Sound quality is provided by two stereo speakers with a power of 10 W each;
- A large number of different connectors;
- Stable operating system;
- The ability to view a decent number of channels without connecting a set-top box.
Flaws:
- The model turned out to be quite thick;
- The ergonomics of the remote control are not well thought out.
LG 43UK6300
Sony KD-43XF7005
Another TV, the design of which is characterized as quite mediocre, but the device’s display is made with Direct LED backlighting. The case is quite thin, especially if we consider it within the framework of fairly budget designs. It widens somewhat towards the bottom. The frame that frames the screen from the outside is about 25 mm wide. It has a brushed aluminum finish on the front, which adds some appeal to the model. Users claim that the assembly is of fairly high quality, all external elements fit tightly together, there are no backlashes or extraneous creaks, or other sounds are heard. The power supply here is external, so you should first think about where it can be hidden. The design has legs made in the shape of the letter Y, and at the back they have special recesses into which cables can be laid.
A unique shell developed by the manufacturer is used as a Smart TV platform. On the main screen you can find access to applications, a list of programs loaded into the model’s memory, recordings, a media player and settings. Everything works smoothly, there are no slowdowns or delays here. There are not too many standard applications here, but the main streaming services are present. These include Youtube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, all of which are capable of HDR. The media player is able to cope with any formats. The image is processed quite efficiently, the viewing angles are decent, largely thanks to the installed IPS matrix, so you can sit in front of the TV as comfortably as possible. The image transmission latency is only about 18 ms, which makes it possible to use the TV as a gaming monitor. The stereo system includes two speakers, each with a power of 10 watts.
Advantages:
- Provides high image quality for its price;
- Very easy to use remote control;
- Quite a long power cable - can be installed at a considerable distance from the outlet;
- Excellent color reproduction, almost impossible to distinguish from natural ones.
Flaws:
- The legs are a little flimsy - you shouldn’t rock them or even just touch the standing TV.
Sony KD-43XF7005
Thomson T55USL5210
The diagonal of this TV is 54.6 inches or 139 cm, the viewing angles are quite wide - 178 degrees, and there is LED backlighting around the perimeter. The image refresh rate is 59 Hz. Among the connectors for connecting external devices you can find 3 HDMI sockets and 2 for USB, there is a Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth, through which contact with the remote control occurs, as well as a connector for an Ethernet cable. The aspect ratio is 16:9 - a traditional option for a TV of this format and resolution. The TV, thanks to the backlight, is quite thin, but there are still minor highlights at the edges of the display. The stereo system has a total power of 16 W: it is formed thanks to two speakers located on the sides, each of them 8 W. To make the sound as voluminous as possible, special processing of the output signal is used.
In terms of its capabilities, this model is comparable to a personal computer. The product copes excellently with browsing the Internet, all games are shown in very high quality, the delay is minimal. Online video plays clearly. The basis of the operating system here is Linux, and quite a large number of both paid and free applications have been developed for it. There is a Time Shift function, thanks to which you can stop the playback of the broadcast at almost any time and record it on external media so that you can watch it later at a convenient time. The case here is made of plastic, painted black, and there is a designer silver stripe on the front panel.
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Advantages:
- The TV can be controlled using a tablet or smartphone;
- The operating system is highly stable;
- It is possible to stop playback and record the program;
- Excellent quality of manufacture and assembly of the model;
- Long service life.
Flaws:
- Slight bleed may appear around the edges of the screen, especially during dark scenes.
Thomson T55USL5210
Philips 55PUS6412
This TV can be found on sale in several versions - with a diagonal of 43, 49, 55 and 65 inches, respectively, if necessary, the user will be able to choose the optimal model for the dimensions of the room where the structure is planned to be installed. There is innovative Ambilight lighting around the perimeter, which completely eliminates the occurrence of various kinds of flare and other minor image defects. The television panel itself is not very thin, unlike quite expensive models, but it is characterized by high performance and an optimal price-quality ratio. The front elements have a silver finish, the back panel is pure black. The backlight here is neat, has small overall dimensions and excellent stability.
The originality of the backlight system also lies in the fact that it can be customized according to your own preferences. The TV runs on the latest generation Android operating system and also has Pixel Plus Ultra HD image technology. Largely thanks to it, it is possible to optimize the image depending on the content. Even at maximum brightness, black and white tones look quite natural. The TV has an IPS matrix with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. There is a gaming image mode, which allows you to use the TV as a full-fledged gaming monitor, and the time delay in receiving the signal is not too high - around 15 ms.
Advantages:
- High quality of display and sound;
- Stable operation of the operating system;
- Very convenient keyboard on the control panel;
- There is a game mode.
Flaws:
- Not all satellites can be found, which is why the number of channels may be slightly limited.
Philips 55PUS6412
LG OLED55B7V
This line was developed and launched into wide sales back in 2017, but to this day it remains very popular among users who pay special attention to high quality image and sound. With the help of the most modern technologies used here, it is possible to obtain natural black and white colors and a good degree of picture saturation. The viewing angles are very wide, which makes the device optimal for use in rooms of various sizes. The diagonal of the product is 55 inches, there is support for any HDR standard, so you can watch videos in the highest quality, regardless of the source of the signal. The sound here is decoded using Dolby Atmos technology. All sounds are rich and refined.
The TV has a rather thin body, which will widen slightly towards the bottom. There are quite a lot of interfaces here, so if necessary, you can connect almost any external device. There are several USB connectors, two HDMI jacks, support for the WiDi function, and even a fairly powerful gaming personal computer can be connected if desired.
Advantages:
- Excellent picture quality;
- The use of the HDR format has been carefully thought out;
- Excellent sound;
- Quite stylish appearance;
- Reasonable price for its characteristics.
Flaws:
- After some time of active use, the TV operating system may begin to slow down a little.
LG OLED55B7V
Samsung QE49Q6FNA
Despite the fact that this model belongs to a fairly budget segment of products from this manufacturer, almost all modern technologies developed by Samsung engineers are reflected here. This TV has excellent capabilities in viewing content in 4K resolution or with HDR10 support. The color gamut displayed on the display is quite wide. If necessary, you can find several options with different diagonals, which allows you to select the optimal size of the device for the conditions of a particular room. All image colors are transmitted using Quantum Dot technology, the operation of which is based on semiconductor crystalline particles. This allows you to reliably protect the matrix from burning.
There is an Ambient mode that allows you to use the TV in the background. With it, you can play news, view reports, news headlines, weather, and so on. All software looks original and new. If desired, the user can download the SmartThings application to a tablet or smartphone, which makes using the TV easier. Everything shown on the display of a mobile device can be displayed on the screen of this gadget. There are enough different kinds of ports here for normal use of the TV - there are two slots for USB 2.0 flash drives, four HDMI outputs, an input for receiving a satellite signal, Ethernet, and so on. The sound is quite decent, you can even listen to music in very high quality, which will appeal to music lovers.
Advantages:
- Decent display diagonal;
- Quite loud speakers that will not produce background noise;
- Good level of brightness and clarity of the picture;
- It is possible to use absolutely all possible functions.
Flaws:
- The price is slightly higher than average.
Samsung QE49Q6FNA
Sony KD-49XF9005
This is one of the few fairly budget models in our review of the best 4K TVs, which is characterized by a very original appearance. First of all, users in reviews note the rather thin frames and the original shape of the legs. They are quite high, so there is quite a lot of free space under the TV where you can place a soundbar. The display around the entire perimeter has LED backlighting, equipped with a dynamic control function. The latter provides the most accurate automatic adjustment in different parts of the screen, due to which you can achieve good contrast in areas that have a similar color palette. This model’s arsenal includes the latest image scaling and correction functions – X-Reality Pro and X-Motion Clarity.
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The model is equipped with an Android-based operating system. The TV has built-in applications for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and the image is displayed in HDR format. There is an application store where you can choose the right program. The interface is quite convenient and carefully thought out. The same can be said about the remote control, which has an ergonomic shape, original appearance, and is also very easy to use. The sound is quite loud, there is progressive scanning, a full range of standard functions and connectors.
Advantages:
- Works very reliably and stably;
- All colors are energetic and well-developed;
- High contrast level;
- A wide range of standard applications and the ability to install additional programs.
Flaws:
- The menu is a little unclear; it will take some time to dig through it.
Sony KD-49XF9005
LG 86UK6750
One of the newest models in our rating, which was launched into wide sales just some six months ago - last summer. The case here is quite reliable, although it is made of plastic. There is no feeling that it is of poor quality and will begin to fall apart in a couple of months. The assembly is at a high quality level; only the latest materials were used for production. Some elements are made of profiled metal, which gives the design additional strength and style. The back panel is made exclusively in dark gray. The stand is U-shaped and offers excellent stability. The TV operates on the webOS operating system, which has a high response speed and does not slow down at all during operation.
The interface itself is very convenient, with the search function located directly on the main screen. The display has edge-lit LED backlighting using local dimming technology. There are quite a lot of picture settings here, and you can use them without fear - you can always return them to the “default” value. The sound quality is good, no background or extraneous inclusions were noticed, all noise is suppressed by a special system. The contrast and naturalness of the colors is excellent.
Advantages:
- Convenient and very clear interface;
- High quality workmanship;
- Beautiful appearance;
- Large diagonal;
- Acceptable sound.
Flaws:
- High price.
LG 86UK6750
Samsung QE75Q8CAM
The leader in the review of the best 4K TVs is this rather original model, which looks very expensive and modern. The screen is perfectly black when turned off, slightly curved, and has a matte finish that reliably protects it from various glares and other defects caused by direct sunlight. Metal edging, virtually no frames. The diagonal size is quite large, which allows you to install the TV in fairly spacious rooms. The stand has a thin leg, and the model itself is also very thin, although it has a significant weight of just over 20 kg. The remote control here is programmable, it is capable of controlling various third-party equipment connected to this device.
Here you can find 4 connectors for HDMI cables, an optical port, an Ethernet socket, three slots for flash drives and hard drives. All connections are made using a special receiver supplied with the model. On the TV panel itself there is only a shielded connector for connecting this receiver; the company’s engineers preferred to get rid of all other sockets and buttons. The sound is quite pleasant, despite the fact that the design is equipped with built-in speakers with a power of only 4.2 W each. The total power might not seem too large if it were not for the receiver, which is also additionally equipped with an equalizer.
Advantages:
- Very interesting and original design;
- The appearance allows you to organically fit into any interior;
- Quite loud and deep sound, despite the low power of the speakers;
- Original stable stand.
Flaws:
- Well, it's very expensive.
4 minutes about Samsung QLED TV. What it is?
Samsung QE75Q8CAM
Philips 43PUS7505 43″
Price: from 25,900 rubles.
Pros:
- availability;
- quick setup;
- connects easily to networks and maintains a stable connection;
- responsive controls.
Minuses:
- confusing menu;
- Poorly designed power saving mode.
An inexpensive TV with support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision for high-quality images with natural and rich colors. Smart runs on the SAPHI platform, which may seem very unusual compared to traditional OSs.
Two speakers with a total power of 20 W guarantee surround sound and can automatically equalize the volume.