We in the UK seem to have a special fondness for quality mid-range LCD TVs. Unlike the US and Australia, which offer just one series of Samsung's sub-QLED 'Crystal' range, the UK enjoys three distinct Crystal series: AU7100, AU8000, and the premium AU9000, represented here by the 50-inch UE50AU9000.

The AU9000 stands out with its impressive design and additional features, positioning it as the flagship of the Crystal 4K series. However, whether its performance meets your expectations largely depends on how you use your TV.

Price

At £599, the UE50AU9000 is positioned at the higher end of what might be considered a ‘budget’ TV.

For comparison, you can get Samsung’s own entry-level Crystal LED model, the 43-inch UE43AU7100, for just £449, while Hisense offers a 50-inch Roku TV, the R50A7200UK, for only £399.

This might help explain why Samsung hasn’t released the AU9000 range in the highly competitive US and Australian markets. However, the UE50AU9000 has the potential to convince buyers to invest a little more than they initially planned. If all its features come together as expected, it could actually turn out to be a great deal.

Design

The design of any product speaks volumes about its quality and usability. Our latest model embodies a perfect blend of elegance and functionality, making it a must-have for modern users.

Crafted with precision, this product not only looks stunning but also feels robust and durable. The sleek lines and minimalist aesthetic ensure it fits seamlessly into any contemporary setting.

But it's not just about looks. Every aspect of the design is geared towards enhancing user experience. The interface is intuitive, ensuring ease of use right out of the box. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a casual user, you'll appreciate the thoughtful details that make this product stand out.

Explore the best of design innovation with our latest offering. It's more than just a product; it's a statement of sophistication and practicality.

The UE50AU9000’s AirSlim design is so slim you might mistake it for an OLED TV, but at £599, it's a remarkable-looking LCD TV for under £600.

Its sleek frame complements a super-narrow bezel, and the whole setup fits seamlessly onto a pair of stylish feet without any screws needed.

The bodywork is sturdier than many competitors in its class, and it's so thin from every angle that it practically disappears when you turn it on and get lost in its stunning visuals.

Included in the AU9000’s box are two remote controls. Both are user-friendly, but after initial setup, most will likely prefer the sleek and ergonomic ‘smart’ remote.

Features

Welcome to the features section where we highlight the most exciting aspects of our offerings. Our product range is designed to meet your needs with precision and quality. Whether you're looking for top-notch performance or incredible value, we've got you covered.

Exceptional Quality

Our commitment to quality is unparalleled. Each product is meticulously crafted to ensure it meets the highest standards. We use premium materials and cutting-edge technology to deliver exceptional performance and durability.

Innovative Design

Innovation is at the heart of our design philosophy. Our products are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. We believe that good design should enhance your experience, making everyday use enjoyable and efficient.

Unmatched Value

Value is more than just a price point; it's about what you get for your money. Our products offer an excellent balance between cost and performance, ensuring that you get the maximum return on your investment.

Customer Support

Your satisfaction is our priority. Our dedicated customer support team is here to help you with any questions or concerns you may have. We are committed to providing you with the best service possible.

Environmentally Friendly

We care about the planet, and our products reflect this commitment. From sustainable materials to energy-efficient technologies, we are constantly finding ways to reduce our environmental footprint.

Thank you for choosing our products. We are confident that you will be pleased with your purchase and that it will exceed your expectations.

The AU9000 series, part of Samsung's 2021 lineup, showcases an edge-lit native 4K VA panel. It also boasts Samsung’s Dynamic Crystal Color technology, offering 64 times more color shades than conventional 4K TVs. This makes images more vivid and lifelike compared to standard displays.

The AU9000, alongside the AU7100 and AU8000 models, uses the Crystal 4K processor to optimize the Dynamic Crystal panel. It supports HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+ HDR formats, but does not support Dolby Vision.

The Tizen-based Eden smart system comes standard, featuring a customizable menu and a wide range of apps, although it lacks Freeview Play.

Where the AU9000 stands out is its gaming capability. Unlike its AU siblings, it supports VRR (variable refresh rate) and 120Hz signals across three HDMI ports. This makes it a great choice for gaming on platforms like PS5, Xbox Series X, or high-end PC graphics cards, even though the 120Hz refresh rate is limited to 1080p resolution.

Additional gaming features include ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and a Game Bar display for real-time graphics settings. The input lag in Game mode is impressively low at 9.2ms.

Moreover, the 50AU9000 supports super-wide 32:9 playback from compatible PC games. This feature, typically found in Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs, offers a more immersive gaming experience.

Another notable aspect of the AU9000 is its audio performance. It’s the only model in the AU range equipped with Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound (OTS) technology, though it's a ‘Lite’ version with two 10W speakers. While it doesn't have the extensive speaker array of higher-end models, it should still deliver some noticeable improvements in audio quality.

Picture

Our review of this product's picture quality reveals stunning visuals that will immerse you right into the action. The vibrant colors and crystal-clear resolution bring every scene to life, making it an excellent choice for all viewing preferences, from blockbuster movies to serene nature documentaries.

What sets this product apart is its attention to detail. Every frame is packed with intricate details that enhance your viewing experience. Whether you're a film buff or a casual viewer, you'll appreciate the crisp images and the seamless motion handling that keeps fast-paced action scenes smooth and blur-free.

The advanced technology behind the screen ensures that you'll enjoy consistent quality, even in well-lit rooms. Its adaptive brightness features adjust to your environment, providing the best possible picture without compromising on color accuracy or contrast levels.

Highlights

• Vibrant colors and high resolution

• Exceptional detail and clarity

• Smooth motion handling for fast action scenes

• Adaptive brightness for any lighting condition

It’s refreshing to see an edge LED TV of this size delivering impressive picture quality with solid contrast performance. Dark scenes exhibit more depth and consistent backlight uniformity than what we typically find in sub-£600 LCD TVs, while light scenes are strikingly bright.

The set strikes a satisfying balance between black levels and brightness, especially in shots combining both bright and dark elements. Shadow details in dark scenes are well-maintained.

In a completely dark room, you might notice some backlight clouding in certain dark scenes, but these areas are so faint that they are nearly invisible with even minimal ambient lighting.

The UE50AU9000 excels in color performance as well. Vibrant images, like the red balloons in the 4K Blu-ray of It, display a mix of brightness and subtlety usually seen in more expensive TVs. Simultaneously, the more muted tones of meadows, leaves, and sand dunes are rendered with a finesse that enhances realism and depth of field.

Colours are impressively balanced, ensuring that your eye isn't distracted by overly aggressive or underdeveloped tones in any part of the image.

The aspects that make the UE50AU9000 a great TV also turn it into an exceptional choice for gaming. Its bright display and rich, controlled colours perfectly complement the stunning 4K HDR graphics of the latest consoles. Additionally, its support for higher and variable refresh rates, combined with its very low input lag, provides an immediate and immersive gaming experience.

The UE50AU9000 even offers slightly wider viewing angles than most LCD TVs, which can be advantageous if you have friends over for gaming sessions.

While the UE50AU9000 excels in gaming performance, it faces a few challenges with video playback. Its 4K visuals aren't as sharp as expected from Samsung TVs or some similarly priced 4K TVs. This is particularly noticeable given its excellent HD upscaling that surpasses many affordable 4K competitors.

There's also minor resolution loss during camera pans, even after optimizing the TV's motion settings (by choosing Custom in the Picture Clarity menu and setting judder reduction to level four).

While black levels are good for edge LED standards, some dark scenes still exhibit a slight blue-grey tone, unlike a few cheaper models we’ve tested recently.

Finally, although the UE50AU9000 offers a generally bright display with minimal tone clipping in peak light areas of HDR content, it doesn't quite match the HDR brightness and highlight punch of some competitors.

Sound

Unleashing a symphony in your living space is now simpler than ever. Our range of audio devices promises to deliver an immersive sound experience, unmatched clarity, and deep bass that can transport you right into the heart of the music. Whether you’re watching a blockbuster movie or enjoying a quiet evening with classical tunes, our sound systems elevate every moment.

Discover the perfect blend of cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design, crafted to bring unparalleled audio quality into your home. From sleek soundbars to powerful home theater systems, each product is engineered to offer exceptional performance and effortless usability. Bring home the magic of sound that’s not just heard, but truly felt.

Ready to transform your sound experience?

The AU9000 impresses with its OTS sound technology, managing to deliver remarkable audio quality despite having only two speakers.

The soundstage extends beyond the TV's sides, crafting an immersive and detailed audio atmosphere. Remarkably, sounds tied to onscreen actions are precisely positioned. For example, if individuals on the left and right sides of the screen are conversing, you'll distinctly hear each voice emanating from the correct side.

Unfortunately, the lack of bass and raw power when the UE50AU9000 employs its OTS technology during dense action scenes can occasionally make its expansive, accurately positioned sound appear thin and delicate.

Verdict

The downside for the Samsung UE50AU9000 lies in its slight struggles with very dark scenes and native 4K sharpness, leaving it vulnerable to competition from some of the more affordable budget TVs.

On the bright side, it's difficult to picture anyone who chooses this model being disappointed with its performance. It excels in many areas, particularly if you're a gaming enthusiast.