43" TV options - Samsung/Philips/Other
Discussion
Having lived with a 40" LCD Samsung for the past ten years I've been on the hunt for Black Friday deals. I have absolutely no need for anything larger, but it seems 43 is the new 40 so I'm fine with that. I gave up on Sky/Virgin prior to the last house move so predominantly watch Netflix/Amazon Prime/iPlayer with very occasional 'live' tv and no gaming.
I've been considering what I'd need and due to the relatively small size and subsequent prices, I don't particular mind what I spend.
Reading a couple of other threads from here I thought I found the perfect option -
Philips 43PUS7334 - Ambilight and P5 Perfect Picture Engine at £419.
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertai...
However digging a little further and considering my trusty Samsung has done me proud for 11 years now, I cames across a couple of contenders from Samsung which aren't easy to dismiss.
Samsung UE43RU7400 - What Hi-Fi? Awards 2019 winner at £379.
https://shop.bt.com/products/samsung-43--ru7400-4k...
SAMSUNG QE43Q60 - QLED at £529.
https://www.johnlewis.com/samsung-qe43q60r-2019-ql...
The question is, will I see the benefit from the QLED? Or even the P5 from the Philips? I'm just as happy to go with the cheaper or more expensive option - At this end of the market we're talking £150 between them, but if the 'best budget small TV around right now' does the job at £379 that's fine by me. I could of course go cheaper still with £300 options available from either, but that'd just be silly!
And yes, I'm certain I don't need a 60"/70"/80" option
I've been considering what I'd need and due to the relatively small size and subsequent prices, I don't particular mind what I spend.
Reading a couple of other threads from here I thought I found the perfect option -
Philips 43PUS7334 - Ambilight and P5 Perfect Picture Engine at £419.
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/tv-and-home-entertai...
However digging a little further and considering my trusty Samsung has done me proud for 11 years now, I cames across a couple of contenders from Samsung which aren't easy to dismiss.
Samsung UE43RU7400 - What Hi-Fi? Awards 2019 winner at £379.
https://shop.bt.com/products/samsung-43--ru7400-4k...
SAMSUNG QE43Q60 - QLED at £529.
https://www.johnlewis.com/samsung-qe43q60r-2019-ql...
The question is, will I see the benefit from the QLED? Or even the P5 from the Philips? I'm just as happy to go with the cheaper or more expensive option - At this end of the market we're talking £150 between them, but if the 'best budget small TV around right now' does the job at £379 that's fine by me. I could of course go cheaper still with £300 options available from either, but that'd just be silly!
And yes, I'm certain I don't need a 60"/70"/80" option
Philips 43PUS7334 is now down to £389 at Curry’s - so much for Black Friday deals!
Samsung QE43Q60R Is now £499 at Amazon, but some of the reviews complain about light bleed.
I’m getting closer to thinking the Philips may be the better choice but still considering options. Also wondering if it’s worth holding out for Christmas/New year for further drops. I don’t ‘need’ something straight away but if £389’s as good as it’ll get I’ll pick one up now.
Samsung QE43Q60R Is now £499 at Amazon, but some of the reviews complain about light bleed.
I’m getting closer to thinking the Philips may be the better choice but still considering options. Also wondering if it’s worth holding out for Christmas/New year for further drops. I don’t ‘need’ something straight away but if £389’s as good as it’ll get I’ll pick one up now.
gizlaroc said:
The 43 Samsung ru7400 and Philips can be either VA panel (good) or IPS panel (poor) depending on the factory it is assembled.
I have just ordered a Samsung 43" The Frame for the bedroom. This is basically a Q60r with a "nicer" design.
My only concern is not local dimming, hoping it will be OK. I would rather have paid a bit more and had local dimming like on the Q70r, but we shall see.
I will get it Friday, so can report back.
I found the P5 processing on that Philips too aggressive, I had the VA panel Samsung Nu7400 but that was not great imho, in the end I swapped for a 49XE9005, which I think I paid £650 for. That is in a different league and I like that as much as my OLED.
I really didn't want bigger than 43 for that room, but it was fine.
What is the reason for 43"?
Just that all the 50" panels are VA and never much more money, if anything.
Thank you. Is there an easy way of telling which panel it is when it’s still boxed? I’ve no issue with buying in store if it means I get a chance to make sure I get the VA panel. I have just ordered a Samsung 43" The Frame for the bedroom. This is basically a Q60r with a "nicer" design.
My only concern is not local dimming, hoping it will be OK. I would rather have paid a bit more and had local dimming like on the Q70r, but we shall see.
I will get it Friday, so can report back.
I found the P5 processing on that Philips too aggressive, I had the VA panel Samsung Nu7400 but that was not great imho, in the end I swapped for a 49XE9005, which I think I paid £650 for. That is in a different league and I like that as much as my OLED.
I really didn't want bigger than 43 for that room, but it was fine.
What is the reason for 43"?
Just that all the 50" panels are VA and never much more money, if anything.
Edited by gizlaroc on Tuesday 3rd December 22:19
Size comes down to location. We have an alcove which fits a 43” perfectly, but any larger and it would stick out in front of the fireplace unless I moved it. Moving it would involve changing the whole room around, chasing extra sockets, replacing sofas and having the volume louder in a room below where the kids sleep. For the little amount it gets watched, it’s not worth the hassle
Thanks for the updates, really appreciated!
It sounds like the Q60 isn’t going to be the one to go for then! The Q70 seems to start from a 49” too so that’s out of the question.
I’ve taken a look at the Panasonic - quiet why they though it’d be a good idea to use GX800 for both a tv and camera range I don’t know, but it’s lower rated by whathifi than the cheaper Samsung:
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/panasonic-tx-40gx...
It’s a minefield! If it was a case of sucking it up and spending a grand on an option that ticked every box I’d do it, but at 43” there seems to be compromises whatever you buy.
It sounds like the Q60 isn’t going to be the one to go for then! The Q70 seems to start from a 49” too so that’s out of the question.
I’ve taken a look at the Panasonic - quiet why they though it’d be a good idea to use GX800 for both a tv and camera range I don’t know, but it’s lower rated by whathifi than the cheaper Samsung:
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/panasonic-tx-40gx...
It’s a minefield! If it was a case of sucking it up and spending a grand on an option that ticked every box I’d do it, but at 43” there seems to be compromises whatever you buy.
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