Stuff - UK (2020-02)

VERSUS AFFORDABLE TVs

What’s the story?

A 43in screen size might

seem diminutive in this age

of excess, but it’s the right

size for those who don’t want

their TV to take over the entire

room. This is also the most

affordable 4K set Samsung

builds, acting as a tempting

gateway drug into pin-sharp

image quality. Yes, the frame

is a bit plasticky, but it is

compatible with the HDR10+

standard and has one of the

fastest response times out

there for 4K gamers.

Is it any good?

As a TV for the real world

where most content will be

upscaled, this is a capable

performer. Inevitably native

4K is even more enjoyable,

with convincing colours,

Stuff says +++++

Way better than its place in

the Samsung pecking order

might suggest

Samsung UE43RU7020

vibrant but not unnatural

shades, and sky-high levels

of detail.

For 4K gamers, nothing

comes close to Samsung’s

10ms response time. The

remote is shockingly bad and

the sound quality isn’t much

better, but the Tizen-based

OS is the same as that

found in its QLED TVs.

Sure, there are compromises

here, but this Samsung’s

picture-processing skills

massively outweigh the

drawbacks, especially if

you’re on a tight budget.

Price £299 / stuff.tv/RU7020

What’s the story?
Panasonic has managed to
pull a 50in 4K HDR LED rabbit
out of the hat marked ‘TVs
under £500’ by ditching
some of the styling flourishes
found in its more expensive
models. Don’t expect many
shiny metals here, but the set
itself is slim and handsome
enough when hung on a
wall. Best of all, its ability
to upscale 1080p content
is very respectable and its
bold user interface is simple
but packed with features.

Is it any good?
The TX-50GX700 has better
features than a flagship TV of
four years ago. It has support
for the HDR standards HLG,
HDR10 and HDR10+, and
although it goes without

Stuff says +++++

It’s not perfect, but then it

is very affordable and very

nicely put together

Panasonic TX-50GX700

Dolby Vision HDR, that’s the

most significant omission

from its spec sheet.

The slimline design, LED

backlighting and 4K Studio

Colour picture-processing

engine are just a few

highlights; and while

the sound quality doesn’t

quite match up to the TV’s

excellent picture whether

upscaling or showing native

4K content, those wanting

bang for their buck will get

just that. Plus the low price

frees up a bit of dosh to

splash out on a soundbar.

Price £499 / stuff.tv/GX700

BEST

FOR

SMARTS

BEST

FOR

GAMING