The rating contains the best TVs with 43-55 inches diagonals of the current for 2020. All of them are full-fledged Smart TVs with 4K support and modern image processing technologies, but differ in cost (from 25 to 130 thousand rubles), matrix type (IPS, VA, OLED), functionality and other parameters. In the review, I will describe in detail the features, advantages and disadvantages of each TV and tell you what purposes it is best suited for.
Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43 T2
The budget model Xiaomi boasts a glossy anti-glare matrix with a diagonal of 42.5 inches. The screen supports 4K-resolution, Direct LED-backlighting is implemented with high quality, without side flares. In the presence of a basic set of Smart TV functions, presented on the basis of two OSs at the user's choice: Android TV with the Play market familiar to most users and the Chromecast function for broadcasting content from a smartphone, and Xiaomi PatchWall with flexible content sorting according to preferences. Also, from the intelligent options, you should highlight voice search.
Benefits:
- humane price tag - 25,000 rubles;
- all ports are located on the bottom and side for easy wall mounting;
- modern design with a thin metal frame;
- compact remote control with Bluetooth connection and microphone;
- 8GB of internal storage is enough to install any third-party applications.
Disadvantages:
- carob legs for a wide base;
- inconvenient location of USB ports (close to each other).
Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43 T2 is the cheapest 4K TV from Xiaomi with an impeccable value for money. It is not necessary to count on the HDR declared by the manufacturer (the real brightness is 4 times less than the required one - 220 cd / m2), the midtones and the display of dark scenes also leave much to be desired. But all these shortcomings instantly turn into nitpicking when you think about the cost of the TV. The same applies to the built-in acoustics, represented by two 8 W speakers - the situation can be corrected by connecting an external audio system (DTS HD is present).
LG 43UM7020
The 2020 model from the Korean manufacturer is equipped with an IPS-matrix with 4K Active HDR function and proprietary "float" video up to 100 frames / sec (True Motion technology). To adjust the image to the needs of the user, there are 10 presets, including modes for a dark and a light room. A 4-core processor is responsible for image processing and operation of Smart TV. Onboard webOS 4.5 with a compact interface, a flexible menu, a set of free LG Channel Plus and integration into the LG ThinQ smart things system. The price tag of the LG 43UM7020 is quite modest - only 27,000 rubles.
Benefits:
- wide viewing angle;
- fast operating system;
- high-speed HDMI 2.0 port;
- acoustics (2 x 10 W) with technology of sound from different points (Ultra Surround).
Disadvantages:
- LG Magic Remote must be ordered separately;
- legs for a wide base;
- some ports are located perpendicular to the plane of the TV.
In terms of OS settings, the LG 43UM7020 is inferior to the Xiaomi Mi TV 4S 43 T2, but the picture and sound quality is better. The peak brightness is 1.5 times higher (320 cd / m2), and the color reproduction thanks to dynamic frame-by-frame correction is one of the best in its class.The TV is ideal for family viewing in a well-lit room, but with strong darkening, the black color will be accompanied by a noticeable milky tint (features of the IPS matrix).
Samsung UE43TU8000U
The 43-inch model UE43TU8000U for 38,000 rubles. Samsung has installed a VA matrix with detailed black color (local backlight technology). Smart TV is based on Tizen 5.5 OS. In addition to standard features such as streaming content from a smartphone (Quick Connect) and the ability to split the screen into two parts, there is AirPlay 2 for fast transfer of video and pictures from the iPhone and integration into a smart home from Samsung - Smart Things. Another nice option is the Ambient interior mode, which turns the TV into a picture (you can choose the image yourself).
Benefits:
- frameless design and hidden wire system;
- game mode with input lag 18 ms;
- functional remote One Remote;
- omnivorous media player.
Disadvantages:
- no local dimming like on more expensive Samsung models;
- completely plastic body;
- vertical time base is 60 Hz (due to interpolation –100 Hz);
- limited voice control capabilities, only basic commands without searching for content.
Samsung UE43TU8000U is a functional mid-range model with the best image quality for its price tag. Peak brightness, as in the case of the LG 43UM7020, is about 300 nits, which is not enough to suppress glare and unleash the potential of HDR content. There are also inherent VA-matrix strong distortion when viewed from the side. Overall, this is a great gaming TV with Automatic Low Latency Mode (ALLM).
Samsung QE50Q67TAU
The 2020 model Samsung QE50Q67TAU is a 50-inch multimedia combine for 65,000 rubles. This model has two distinctive features. Firstly, this is a QLED TV with quantum dot technology, "squeezing" the maximum color reproduction from the VA matrix. And secondly, this model implements the original Samsung dual backlighting (Dual LED): depending on the context of the image, pixels are highlighted in warm or cold colors, which makes the picture more realistic. The OS is Tizen Smart TV 5.5 with a compact navigation box and quick transitions between widgets. The TV reads any video format and has all the necessary slots, including a high-speed USB 2.0 port.
Benefits:
- high-quality color rendering;
- thin bezels (9 mm) and cable management channels, as on the Samsung UE43TU8000U;
- game mode delays do not exceed 10 ms;
- universal built-in player.
Disadvantages:
- some of the connectors look back, which makes it difficult to mount on the wall;
- no support for Dolby Vision - a traditional "disease" of Samsung TVs;
- blurring of the image when viewed from the side (a feature of all VA-matrices).
The VA screen with Quantum HDR technology brought the Samsung QE50Q67TAU's picture quality to a level unmatched by its competitors (only OLED is better). Detail, contrast (7000: 1) and peak brightness (400 nits) are significantly better here than on the 43-inch Samsung UE43TU8000U with a conventional VA matrix. Samsung QE50Q67TAU can be viewed in any light without fear of getting a dirty screen effect. The sound is standard - 2 speakers of 10 W each, but the problem with flat sound is solved by the soundbar.
LG 49SM9000
The IPS TV is enhanced with NanoCell technology - all colors, including black, now appear deeper and more vibrant. In addition, distortions of the picture at an angle view are minimized, the TV can be viewed from anywhere in the room. WebOS 4.5, in addition to a set of standard applications, including Netflix, and a convenient dual menu, offers the user a number of smart options, such as organizing content according to interests or managing all smart devices in the house. Another useful option is "Gallery", an analogue of the Samsung interior mode with screensavers downloaded from the Internet.
Benefits:
- high-quality surround sound (4 x 10 W) with DTS support;
- game mode with variable frame rate and input lag within 13.9 ms;
- unlike Samsung, it supports Dolby Vision;
- remote pointer with voice control;
- universal crescent stand;
- TruMotion interpolation up to 120 Hz is jerky.
Disadvantages:
- zone illumination creates a noticeable gradation of brightness;
- grayish black in a dark room.
If Samsung QE50Q67TAU was a demonstration of the extreme capabilities of a VA panel, then LG 49SM9000 embodies the pinnacle of IPS-matrix color rendering (the cost of these TVs is also the same - 65,000 rubles). LG's peak brightness reaches 1200 nits, which is already a full-fledged HDR format. Due to the high brightness, the preset image appears aggressive, but it can be adjusted with the built-in presets. A high-speed console port (HDMI 2.1), combined with a well-realized gaming mode, will delight gamers.
Hyundai H-LED55EU7008
One of the cheapest 55-inch TVs on the market, Hyundai H-LED55EU7008 will surprise the buyer not only with the size of the VA panel with support for 4K, but also with the technological "filling", functionality and normal build quality. The 4-core processor combined with 1.5GB of RAM ensures stable operation of AndroidTV 9.0 without system freezes. There are Google services familiar to most users, the Ghrome browser and the voice control function.
Benefits:
- RUB 30,000 for 55 "screen;
- automatic and manual image adjustment;
- large BT remote with a separate button for YouTube;
- thoughtful lateral arrangement of connectors;
Disadvantages:
- does not see WiFi 5.0;
- does not read * avi;
- bad sound (2 x 8 W).
All the disadvantages of Hyundai H-LED55EU7008 are associated with a successful attempt by the manufacturer to reduce the price of the TV. This concerns both the purely plastic case and mediocre hardware resources, as well as the performance of the matrix, the contrast level of which (4500: 1) is 35% lower than that of the 50-inch Samsung QE50Q67TAU. The brightness indicator also emphasizes belonging to the budget segment - 300 cd / m2. But we should not forget that for all its shortcomings, Hyundai has a 55-inch VA-screen for 30 thousand rubles, which in itself eliminates any claims against the manufacturer.
LG 55UM7300
The Korean manufacturer has equipped its 55-inch model with a standard IPS-matrix with the nominally declared HDR10 and a real-time frame-by-frame image correction system. A quad-core processor with a clock speed of 1200 MHz is responsible for the operation of webOS 4.5, so the animations look smooth, and the transitions between the menu sections do not slow down. In the presence of proprietary LG features - voice control ThinQ AI, more than one hundred Channel Plus channels, thirty of which are provided on a permanent free basis, and Apple AirPlay 2 for instant content transfer from iPhone. The sound of the audio system, consisting of 2 x 10 W speakers, is enhanced by Ultra Surround technology, which reproduces sounds from virtual audio channels.
Benefits:
- cost - up to 40,000 rubles;
- metal frame of the case;
- remote control with microphone and indicators;
- dual-band Wi-Fi receiver (2.4 and 5.0 GHz);
- wide viewing angles;
- support for Dolby Digital and DTS.
Disadvantages:
- low contrast (1100: 1) combined with mediocre brightness (250 nits);
- legs for a large cabinet;
- interpolation gives jerks.
LG 55UM7300, like Hyundai H-LED55EU7008, is another budget 55-inch model, but this time with an IPS-matrix. With 178 ° viewing angles, the TV is ideal for family viewing in a well-lit room. Its low latency (12.4ms) allows it to be used as a monitor for PC, Xbox or PS4. But for film fans, this model may not have enough black depth.
Sony KD-55XG9505
The manufacturer has equipped the Sony KD-55XG9505 with a VA matrix with a high-quality anti-reflective coating, which allows the TV to be positioned regardless of the window position. The main feature of the model is the X-Wide Angle technology, which partially eliminates the problem with viewing angles. Android Oreo 8.0 OS allows you to easily install applications familiar to most users, including players and games, there is also the ability to transfer content from the phone (Chromecast) and record TV shows. There are separate microphones for voice control in the TV frame and in the remote control. The remote itself is made in a traditional style - with a lot of buttons, including two separate buttons for Google Play and Netflix.
Benefits:
- wide viewing angles;
- convenient location of ports (down or to the side);
- HDMI ports support eARC - Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD can be played;
- two additional tweeters;
- input lag in game mode does not exceed 22 ms;
- reliable legs with a system of built-in wires;
- 16 GB of internal memory;
- quality Malay assembly.
Disadvantages:
- no HDMI 2.1, which can be a significant disadvantage after the PS5 is released;
- when viewing streaming services, incurable freezes may be observed.
Sony KD-55XG9505 is in every sense a bright representative of the premium class with honest HDR (peak brightness - 1200 cd / m2), true 10-bit RGB matrix without additional white pixels and sixty zones of local dimming that increase expressiveness of displaying dark scenes ... This TV fully works out its cost (95,000 rubles), it can be used both for games and Internet content, and for watching high quality video files, regardless of the ambient lighting.
Samsung QE55Q90RAU
In the Samsung QE55Q90RAU model, the manufacturer managed to solve the main problem of VA-matrices - small viewing angles. This is done using the Ultra Viewing Angle technology, which consists in applying a protective layer to the panel to prevent uneven light distribution (analogous to Sony's X-Wide Angle). Another advantage of Samsung QE55Q90RAU is a powerful audio system, consisting of 4 speakers and 2 subwoofers with a total power of 60 watts. Using built-in microphones, the TV analyzes the acoustics in the room and on the fly adjusts the distribution of sounds between channels for optimal sound. Smart TV operates on the basis of Tizen 4.0 OS. In the presence of the option of splitting the screen Multi View, interior mode and smart device control SmartThings. The Koreans paid special attention to the game mode, integrating a Dynamic Black Equalizer and a contrast and color enhancement function (Real Game Enhancer).
Benefits:
- high-quality picture from any viewing angle;
- universal remote One remote;
- 10-year pixel burn-in factory warranty;
- high-quality sound without a soundbar;
- compact leg;
- thoughtful game mode with imput lag within 14.5 ms.
Disadvantages:
- RUB 119,000 - 25% more expensive than Sony KD-55XG9505;
- the absence of Dolby Vision prevents the full potential of Netflix content.
Samsung QE55Q90RAU is a versatile TV capable of efficiently solving any user problem. Quantum Dot technology and 240 local dimming zones (4 times that of the Sony KD-55XG9505) make the 55-inch VA panel the most detailed and deepest possible, while the peak brightness of 2000 nits allows for full HDR video display. Thanks to the built-in 4.2-channel audio system, you can save on the purchase of external speakers.
LG OLED55C9P
The 55-inch LG OLED55C9P is the only TV in the ranking with a high-tech OLED panel, which is distinguished by exceptional detail and shadow scenes. LG's business card OLED55C9P is the second generation A9 processor, which adjusts the image in accordance with the content guide and depending on the room lighting. For fans of retro movies, the 24p True Cinema feature displays video at its original frame rate. A new launcher with a drop-down menu of recommended content and the ability to add a widget to your favorite YouTube channel has been added to the traditional webOS shell for LG. The LG Remote Pointer makes operation quick and intuitive.
Benefits:
- OLED panel;
- RUB 130,000 - only 11 thousand more expensive than Samsung QE55Q90RAU with VA-matrix;
- HDMI 2.1;
- support for Dolby Digital and DTS;
- compact and stable stand.
Disadvantages:
- the audio system (4 x 10 W) is inferior to the cheaper Samsung QE55Q90RAU.
In terms of peak brightness, this model loses to Samsung QE55Q90RAU with VA-matrix, but we should not forget that LG OLED55C9P is an OLED TV with the best color rendering and detail technology to date, and with the widest viewing angles. When connected to an external speaker or soundbar, LG will provide full immersion in 4K HDR content and noticeably "pull up" SD quality. VRR and Imput lag of 13ms will delight action game lovers.
