Samsung 55AU7700: Review, Specs, And Best Deals

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Samsung 55AU7700: Review, Specs, and Best Deals

Hey guys! Today, we’re diving deep into the Samsung 55AU7700, a popular choice in the world of 55-inch TVs. If you're thinking about upgrading your home entertainment setup, or you're just curious about what this model has to offer, you’re in the right place. We’ll cover everything from its picture quality and design to its smart features and overall performance. Let's get started!

First Impressions and Design

The Samsung 55AU7700 makes a solid first impression with its sleek and minimalist design. The bezels are slim, which means you get more screen and fewer distractions. This is especially great if you're planning to binge-watch your favorite shows or get immersed in a video game. The TV is lightweight, making it easy to handle during setup, whether you decide to mount it on the wall or place it on a stand. Speaking of the stand, it’s sturdy and keeps the TV stable, so you don't have to worry about wobbling. The overall build quality feels pretty good for its price range; it doesn't feel cheap or flimsy. The back panel is clean and organized, with neatly arranged ports for all your devices.

When it comes to aesthetics, this TV blends seamlessly into any living room. Its understated elegance means it won't clash with your existing decor, and its modern look adds a touch of sophistication. Whether your style is contemporary or classic, the Samsung 55AU7700 is designed to fit right in. The slim profile also means it doesn't take up too much space, which is a bonus if you're working with a smaller room. The attention to detail in the design shows that Samsung really thought about how this TV would look in a real-world setting. It’s not just about functionality; it’s about creating a visually pleasing experience from the moment you set it up. The materials used are also fingerprint-resistant, so you won't be constantly wiping it down to keep it looking pristine. Overall, the design is a major plus for the Samsung 55AU7700, offering a blend of form and function that’s hard to beat.

Picture Quality: What to Expect

Now, let's talk about the most important part: picture quality. The Samsung 55AU7700 boasts a Crystal Display, which promises vibrant colors and impressive clarity. And for the most part, it delivers! The colors are indeed rich and lively, making everything from nature documentaries to animated movies pop off the screen. The contrast is also decent, providing deep blacks and bright whites, which adds depth to the image. However, it’s not perfect. The TV struggles a bit in very dark scenes, where you might notice some black crush, meaning some details get lost in the shadows.

The 4K resolution is where this TV shines. Everything looks sharp and detailed, especially when you're watching content that's actually in 4K. The upscaling is also pretty good, so even if you're watching older content, it still looks better than you'd expect. The viewing angles are decent too, meaning you don't have to be sitting directly in front of the TV to get a good picture. However, the colors do start to wash out a bit as you move further to the side, so it's best to be relatively centered for the optimal viewing experience. Motion handling is another area where the Samsung 55AU7700 performs well. Fast-paced action scenes and sports events look smooth and fluid, without too much motion blur. This is thanks to Samsung's Motion Xcelerator technology, which helps to reduce blur and judder. Overall, the picture quality is impressive for its price range, offering a vibrant and detailed viewing experience that's sure to please most viewers.

Smart Features and Performance

The Samsung 55AU7700 runs on Samsung's Tizen operating system, which is known for being user-friendly and responsive. Navigating through the menus is a breeze, and finding your favorite apps is super easy. The TV comes with all the popular streaming services pre-installed, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu. Plus, there are tons of other apps available in the Samsung app store, so you're sure to find something that suits your taste. The built-in Wi-Fi is reliable, so you can stream content without any annoying buffering issues. The TV also supports voice control via Bixby, Samsung's voice assistant. You can use voice commands to change channels, adjust the volume, search for content, and more. It's not as polished as Google Assistant or Alexa, but it's still a handy feature to have.

Another great feature is the ability to mirror your smartphone screen to the TV. This is perfect for sharing photos and videos with friends and family, or for playing mobile games on a bigger screen. The TV also supports Apple AirPlay 2, so you can easily stream content from your iPhone or iPad. The remote control is simple and intuitive, with dedicated buttons for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Samsung's app store. It's comfortable to hold and easy to use, even in the dark. Overall, the smart features and performance of the Samsung 55AU7700 are excellent. The Tizen operating system is fast and responsive, and the built-in Wi-Fi and voice control add extra convenience. Whether you're a casual streamer or a tech-savvy user, you'll find plenty to love about this TV's smart capabilities.

Audio Quality: Is It Good Enough?

Let's be real, the audio quality on most TVs isn't amazing, and the Samsung 55AU7700 is no exception. The built-in speakers are decent enough for casual viewing, but they lack the punch and depth that you'd get from a dedicated sound system. The sound is clear and intelligible, so you won't have any trouble understanding dialogue, but the bass is weak, and the overall soundstage is narrow. If you're serious about your audio, you'll definitely want to invest in a soundbar or a surround sound system. Luckily, the TV has an HDMI ARC port, which makes it easy to connect a soundbar and control it with the TV's remote. The TV also supports Bluetooth audio, so you can wirelessly connect headphones or speakers.

However, the Samsung 55AU7700 does have a few audio-enhancing features that are worth mentioning. Adaptive Sound analyzes the audio content and optimizes the sound settings for the best possible listening experience. This can make a noticeable difference, especially when you're watching movies or TV shows with a lot of dynamic range. The TV also has a Q-Symphony feature, which allows you to combine the TV's speakers with a compatible Samsung soundbar for a more immersive sound experience. While the built-in speakers are adequate for everyday use, they're not going to blow you away. If you want truly cinematic sound, you'll need to upgrade to a dedicated audio system. But for casual viewers who don't want to spend extra money on audio equipment, the Samsung 55AU7700's sound quality is good enough to get by.

Connectivity: Ports and Options

Connectivity is key, and the Samsung 55AU7700 has you covered. It comes with three HDMI ports, which is enough for most people. One of the HDMI ports supports ARC (Audio Return Channel), which allows you to easily connect a soundbar or AV receiver. There's also a USB port for connecting external storage devices, like a USB drive or an external hard drive. This is great for playing media files directly on the TV. The TV also has an Ethernet port for a wired internet connection, which can be more reliable than Wi-Fi. For older devices, there's a composite input, but it's getting less and less common to see those these days. The TV also has a digital audio output (optical), which you can use to connect to a soundbar or AV receiver.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the Samsung 55AU7700 supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), which is fast and reliable. It also supports Bluetooth 4.2, which allows you to connect wireless headphones, speakers, and other Bluetooth devices. The TV also supports HDMI-CEC, which allows you to control other devices connected to the TV with the TV's remote. For example, you can control your Blu-ray player or your soundbar with the TV's remote. Overall, the connectivity options on the Samsung 55AU7700 are comprehensive and should meet the needs of most users. Whether you need to connect a game console, a Blu-ray player, a soundbar, or an external hard drive, this TV has you covered. The inclusion of both wired and wireless connectivity options ensures that you can connect to the internet in the way that works best for you.

Gaming Performance

Gamers, listen up! The Samsung 55AU7700 is a decent option for gaming, but it's not the best. It has a relatively low input lag, which means there's minimal delay between your actions on the controller and what you see on the screen. This is crucial for fast-paced games where every millisecond counts. The TV also supports Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically switches the TV to game mode when you start playing a game. This reduces input lag even further and optimizes the picture settings for gaming. However, the TV doesn't support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technologies like AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-Sync. This means you might experience some screen tearing or stuttering if your game's frame rate doesn't match the TV's refresh rate.

The picture quality is good for gaming, with vibrant colors and sharp details. However, the lack of local dimming means the contrast isn't as good as on some other TVs, so dark scenes might look a bit washed out. The motion handling is decent, but not perfect. Fast-paced action games might exhibit some motion blur, but it's not too distracting. Overall, the Samsung 55AU7700 is a decent option for casual gaming, but serious gamers might want to look for a TV with VRR support and better contrast. The low input lag and ALLM support are definitely pluses, but the lack of VRR is a significant drawback. If you're not too picky about image quality and you mostly play single-player games, the Samsung 55AU7700 should be fine. But if you're a competitive gamer who demands the best possible performance, you'll want to consider a different TV.

Pros and Cons

To sum it all up, let's take a look at the pros and cons of the Samsung 55AU7700:

Pros:

  • Sleek and modern design
  • Vibrant picture quality with Crystal Display
  • User-friendly Tizen operating system
  • Low input lag for gaming
  • Affordable price

Cons:

  • Mediocre audio quality
  • No local dimming
  • No VRR support
  • Limited viewing angles
  • Black crush in dark scenes

Final Verdict

The Samsung 55AU7700 is a solid 4K TV that offers a good balance of features and performance for its price. It's perfect for casual viewers who want a TV with a nice picture, a user-friendly interface, and a sleek design. However, it's not the best option for serious gamers or audiophiles who demand the best possible performance. The lack of VRR support and mediocre audio quality are significant drawbacks, but the affordable price makes it a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers. If you're looking for a TV that offers great value for money, the Samsung 55AU7700 is definitely worth considering. Just be sure to pair it with a good soundbar to enhance your audio experience!