LED TVs
LG 49UJ701V
LG 55SJ850V
LG 55SK8500PLA
LG OLED55B7V
Panasonic TX-58EX750B
Samsung QE55Q7C
Samsung QE55Q7F
Samsung QE55Q8C
Samsung UE49MU6500
Samsung UE49MU7000
Samsung UE49NU7100
Samsung UE50NU7400
Samsung UE50NU7470
Samsung UE55NU7400
Samsung UE65MU7000
Sony KD-55XE8596
Samsung UE49KU6470 review
| Review: June 2016 | ||
Rating: In a nutshell: The Samsung UE49KU6470 looks set to be one of the best TVs you can buy in 2016 for under £1,000. We're impressed by its classy looks, pin-sharp UHD picture with HDR compatibility, excellent shadow detail and refined motion control. Smart TV is another of its strong features, and this 49-inch TV will make a superb screen for any family. |
Design & looks
Samsung seems to be getting most things right with its 2016 TV range, and this mid-range Series 6 television barely puts a step wrong.
Let's start with looks. The KU6470 looks great. Featuring a narrow black bezel surrounding the screen, and a solid metal Y-shaped stand, it has a clean, contemporary, stylish appearance, without any gimmicks or flashiness. Every detail is just right, including the slim chassis with textured rear finish.
Picture quality
Mid-range televisions don't get better than the 49KU6740. 49 inches is an ideal size for a larger family TV, and at this size UHD (4K) resolution is a must. The KU6740's screen is pin-sharp, especially when paired with one of the new UHD Blu-Ray players, or when streaming Netflix or Amazon in 4K. Even with a good quality HD source, the TV upscales very effectively to 4K resolution.
Like all of Samsung's Series 6 models for 2016, the KU6740 supports the High Dynamic Range (HDR) standard, which means that it can read the extra information encoded with HDR source material. Perhaps more importantly, it's capable of living up to the HDR standard, with excellent dynamic range and a wide colour gamut thanks to its Active Crystal Colour display technology. While it can't match the peak brightness of the Samsung KS7000, it still achieves impressive amounts of shadow detail - far better than we've seen on similarly-priced products from LG and Panasonic this year.
Motion is good too. The screen uses Samsung's Auto Motion Plus feature to adjust motion characteristics automatically. The result is good, and for most people will achieve far better results than manually fiddling with arcane motion settings in the menu. In everything we watched, motion was smooth, without looking artificial.
Viewing angles are also impressively wide for a PSA panel. Last year, Samsung's mid-range screens suffered quite severely from fade-out if you watched from an angle, but this KU6470 model hardly fades at all - even when viewing from an angle of 45°. So if you're using this for family viewing, the person on the end of the sofa won't miss out too much on quality.
The picture quality of the KU6470 is as good as it gets for the price, and there's just one thing missing - 3D. That's because Samsung has removed 3D support from its entire range for 2016.
Audio quality
Unfortunately, audio quality can't live up to the supremely high picture quality. The KU6740 uses the standard audio configuration for a mid-range TV - twin stereo speakers with 10W of power each. The downfiring speakers are good for reproducing dialogue, but can't reach beyond middle frequencies, so the rumble of bass is noticeable by its absence. If you want to enjoy action sequences or music at its best, we'd recommend that you connect this to a soundbar or some kind of home cinema system.
Smart TV
Samsung has updated its Tizen-based Smart TV system again for 2016, making it arguably the best system on offer from the big four manufacturers. The system is very comprehensive and easy to use, whether you're browsing the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), Catch-up TV, or one of the many apps available, including Netflix and Amazon Instant Video.
New for 2016, the Smart TV system includes access to cloud gaming, giving you a console-like experience directly from your TV.
The quad-core processor gives a fast response, and this really is a very comprehensive Smart TV system.
Connectivity
The KU6470 has a solid set of connectivity options too, including 3 HDMI ports, with ARC compatibility, 2 USBs, an optical audio output, a combined composite/component input, a CI+ 1.3 slot, and Anynet+ support. It also includes built-in Wi-Fi and ethernet, and supports smartphone screen mirroring.
Conclusion - one of the star products of 2016
The Samsung 49KU6470 is currently selling for £850 and that already makes it a good buy. We wouldn't be surprised to see the price fall as Christmas 2016 approaches, but even at £850 we have no hesitation in recommending it.
We particularly like its superb picture quality, good looks, and outstanding Smart TV functions. UHD and HDR support make it future-proof. Connectivity is good too, audio quality is typical for a mid-range product, and only the lack of 3D counts against it.
If you're looking to buy the best TV possible for under £1000, the Samsung 49KU6470 should definitely be on your shortlist. We haven't yet seen anything from 2016 that can match this TV for the same price. You might also consider the outstanding Samsung 50JU6800 from 2015, which is almost identical, but is available at a very good price now.
The KU6470 is almost identical to the Samsung KU6400. The KU6400 has a different style of stand, comes with a TM1640A remote control and lacks voice recognition.
Samsung UE49KU6470 features include:
- 49-inch UHD LED-backlit screen
- 3840 x 2160 resolution
- High Dynamic Range (HDR)
- UHD dimming
- Mega contrast
- Active Crystal Colour
- Auto Motion Plus
- Picture Quality Index (PQI): 1500
- Samsung Smart TV with voice recognition
- Freeview HD & Freesat HD tuners
- Audio: Stereo speakers, 20W output, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi Direct, ethernet, HDMI x3, ARC support, USB x2, digital audio output (optical), component / composite input, screen mirroring, CI+ 1.3, Anynet+
- Power consumption: 155W
- Energy efficiency class: N/A
- Remote control: TM1680A
- Size without stand (WxHxD): 1011.4 x 639.7 x 55.2 mm
- Size with stand (WxHxD): 1101.4 x 709.1 x 334.1 mm
User questions
Sorry - questions and comments on this page are now closed.
What is the weight with box and without box please?
Asked by Kourosh
from United Kingdom
on 23rd Oct 2018
What hrz is it?
Asked by Scott
from England
on 29th Oct 2017
Reply by Lee
from Uk
on 10th Nov 2017
200hrz
Does model have a twin tuner?
Asked by Alan Norburn
from UK
on 19th Sep 2017
Samsung UE49KU6470 user reviews
Sorry - reviews and comments on this page are now closed.
Average rating from 7 reviews: 
Reviewed by SREEVARSHA
from INDIA
on 14th May 2017
Very impressive. The outlook is too good, the display quality of ultra
hd seems to be great.
Rating:
Reviewed by frank
from uk
on 9th May 2017
Very unimpressed. Yes the picture is good, but with some light
bleeding at the edges it is rather disappointing. Also the screen
tilted back on it's stand and the finish of the stand was very poor.
The connections at the back seemed quite loose. As for the sound, it
is awful, as tinny as an old am transistor radio. Whilst I wanted to
love it... the end result was not great and it has been returned. I'm
back to watching my 10 yo 42 inch panasonic plasma which has far
better sound and a better viewing experience. Time to wait for an
upgrade and will use my Now tv box for smart ability.( 2 stars)
Rating: 
Reviewed by rebe
from Romania
on 4th Feb 2017
The tv is cool, but the images loose contrast when watching from
above.
Rating: 
Reviewed by Harvey
from Uk
on 26th Dec 2016
I have been impressed with the picture quality as I'm using sky q.
Sadly as soon as I switched it on I've found a backlight bleed in the
corners of the screen which is very noticeable when watching a dark
image. So it looks like I will be bringing it back to the store.
Rating:
Reviewed by Neil
from UK
on 31st Oct 2016
So impressed with the picture quality from this TV, even more
impressed with the sound when DTS output is selected and put through
my surround system, Marantz amp with KEF 'Q' series, like being in a
cinema !!
Rating:
Reviewed by Samuel Mc Dermott
from Northern Ireland.
on 24th Sep 2016
Bought this Samsung from my local Currys and I can't believe how
pleased I am with it. The picture is absolutely superb and regardless
of comments from some people regarding the sound quality on some smart
televisions on this set it is spot on. It came at a great price from
Curry's £599 and if you go to the store and have a look you
might well be impressed.
Rating:
Reviewed by Andy williams
from U.K.
on 23rd Jul 2016
Bought one from currys, and have to say for £749.99 it's the
best money I've spent in ages, the smart remote is top and can be used
as the sky remote very easily. And the TV quality is unreal especially
for mydaughter who loves frozen and toy story, makes it look real!!
Well done Samsung proper chuft with this purchase!
Rating:
