How do you know that what is new Samsung’s televisions for 2018? If it is a TV set with Full HD image resolution, it will have the letter N in its model designation. The 4K UHD and UHD Premium models are NU marked, while the previous year’s models were MU marked and the previous year’s models were KU marked, even older than in 2016.
This year’s models are for example EU55NU7102, EU65NU8002: As you can guess, the EU is the marking of a television for the European market, and 55 or 65 is diagonal in inches, while after NU we have the marking of the model. For QLED TVs, the new models are marked with an N at the end of the name. So we have Q7FN, Q8CN and others. Where Q7 is the series term, F is the flat screen, C is the curved screen, and N is the model year 2018.
What is important, in the case of NU7xxx series, the first two digits are the key ones. 7 is the series to which it belongs, the second digit defines the significant differences in the model, such as a flat or curved screen. The third one, on the other hand, means the colour variant and other cosmetic changes. Finally, in the case of models from Polish distribution we have 2, for example in Germany it is 9, but this does not affect the technical parameters of the TV set. It’s time to take a closer look at the individual Samsung TV series from the 2018 model year.
There’s something for everyone in the basic 7-series
NU7xxx series are basic models using edge illumination, 60 Hz matrix and the vast majority of VA matrices. IPS according to display specification data is available only in 43″ variant of NU7402 model, all NU7xxx TVs have built-in Wi-Fi and support the latest version of Smart TV. According to current knowledge, all models sold in Poland are equipped with One Remote, i.e. a minimalist remote control (its technical designation is TM1890A). There is also support for HDR, including the HDR10+ standard, however, there is no need to count on any advanced effects. The TVs also have a low input lag of less than 20 ms, so they are suitable for playing.
The basic representation of the series is NU7102, with varieties such as NU7122 or NU7172, and also with curved models such as NU7302 and NU7502. NU7502 and NU7402 are equipped with FreeSync support, which is important for players. The TV is available in sizes from 40 inches to 75 inches.
Selected NU7xxx models are available in online shops:
Samsung EU40NU7192 TV.
Samsung EU43NU7122 TV.
Samsung EU43NU7442 TV.
Samsung UE50NU7472 TV.
Samsung UE50NU7092 TV.
Samsung EU55NU7172 TV.
Samsung EU65NU7102 TV.
Samsung EU65NU7452 TV.
Samsung UE75NU7172 TV.
8 Series premium models
Series 8 replaces the entire last year’s Samsung UHD Premium TV range. Instead of MU7002, MU8002 and MU9002 we have only NU8002 and NU85002 and their small styles. Unfortunately, with this change, the TVs have been deprived of an external One Connect box, so all the connectors are traditionally located on the back of the TV. These TVs offer a wide range of colours and HDR support with up to 1000 nits of effect, low input lag and a mode to play with an additional liquidator and support for FreeSync. The arrays have a refresh rate of 120 Hz and use VA technology. NU8002 TV set is available in sizes 49, 55, 65, 75 and 82 inches. Samsung NU8502 TV is curved and comes in 55 and 65″ versions only.
NU8xxx models are available in shops:
Samsung UE49NU8002 TV.
Samsung UE55NU8002 TV.
Samsung EU65NU8002 TV.
Samsung UE75NU8002 TV.
Samsung UE82NU8002 TV.
Samsung UE55NU8502 TV.
Samsung EU65NU8502 TV.
QLED – models for cinema lovers and aesthetics
The top series of Samsung 2018 TVs are QLED screens, which is an advanced variant of LCD screens using quantum dot technology. Thanks to this, these televisions can boast very good colour reproduction, a very wide palette of colours, so-called colour volume, i.e. covering the colours at each brightness level. These screens achieve a brightness of up to 2000 rivets in the peak, which they do as one of the few on the market. QLED TVs use 120 Hz VA matrices (except for the 49-inch Q6FN model with only 60 Hz matrix). Most of them use edge illumination, while the highest Q9FN series uses an advanced backlighting system based on LEDs at the back. This model should be recommended especially to fans of film impressions in the highest quality – it will work in this respect both during the day and at night.
What makes Samsung’s QLED screens stand out this year is the Ambient mode. Thanks to it, the TV practically blends with the wall like a chameleon. When you don’t look but are in the room, a picture similar to a wall is displayed, and it can also display useful information such as weather and news from the world, or act as a digital photo frame.
The Q7FN, Q8FN, Q8CN, Q9FN models use One Invisible Connection technology, which means that only one cable responsible for both the image and the power supply is connected to the TV. The rest is hidden in a special “box”, to which it leads a 5-meter long cable or optionally even a 15-meter long one. This allows you to easily hide the wires or very interestingly arrange the interior. Only the Q6FN model does not offer this technology, but still has an Ambient Mode and a better price. QLED models are available from 49 to 82 inches.
Samsung QLED models are available in stores:
Samsung QE49Q6FN TV
Samsung QE65Q6FN TV.
Samsung QE75Q6FN TV.
Samsung QE55Q7FN TV.
Samsung QE65Q7FN TV.
Samsung QE75Q7FN TV.
Samsung QE55Q8CN TV.
Samsung QE65Q8CN TV.
Samsung QE55Q9FN TV.
Samsung QE75Q9FN TV.
New FRAME, The Wall, 8K
Not all Samsung has prepared for this year in the TV category. In autumn we can expect the second generation of The Frame TV, which resembles a picture. It will be different from its predecessor in details like single cable and better HDR effect. In addition, The Wall, a huge 146-inch modular display, is now on the professional market and should be expected to have an astronomical amount and limited distribution. In September at IFA 2018, we should also see the final version of the QLED TV with a resolution of 8K. However, for now, it is more of a technological curiosity than the announcement of another change to a higher resolution.
New features in Smart TV and big changes in gaming solutions
This year’s televisions is an evolution and putting the offer in an order in relation to previous years. The design has not changed dramatically, nor has there been a particular breakthrough in image quality, except for the top Q9FN model. Unfortunately, we will not take advantage of the significant novelties in the field of Smart TV – the Bixby voice assistant is not available in Poland, the SmartThings attachments for using the Intelligent Home are not yet available in Poland either, which is a pity, because it can be used to control, for example, a Samsung cleaning robot or a washing machine or look into the fridge. The important thing is that Samsung in its TV sets even those of the lowest series offered a very low input lag at the level of even 11 ms. In addition, for the first time ever, players can play with an on/off image smoother without compromising on entertainment, plus FreeSync and HDMI VRR frame sync modes.
In the offer of Samsung TVs, everyone should find something for themselves
Samsung’s offer for 2018 is wide, although it lacks very cheap and simple models, where the company still uses devices from last year, which are still worth attention. However, almost everyone should find something for themselves in the range of models, depending on their budget and preferences. In addition to the top QLED models, there is also a well-equipped NU8002 series, and below we have affordable screens that have good parameters in their class. Attention and praise deserve stylistic ideas, useful solutions for players and rich in Smart TV applications.
In the video below you will see the best smartphone apps for your 2018 holiday: