Samsung 55-inch RU7300 Review

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

What We Like

• Crisp 4K screen
• Distinctive design
• Clean interface
• Low input lag

What We Don't Like

• HDR isn’t very impactful
• Issues with reflections, viewing angles
• Missing some apps
• Pricier than flat alternatives

Curves don’t really justify the added expense of the RU7300 and the HDR doesn’t wow as much as it should, but there’s still a lot to like if you can get the right price.

We purchased the Samsung 55-inch RU7300 so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

https://linux.ucla.edu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=60207

https://linux.ucla.edu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=51329

https://linux.ucla.edu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=51229

https://linux.ucla.edu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66953

https://linux.ucla.edu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=63560

https://linux.ucla.edu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=31826

https://linux.ucla.edu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=59143

Curved TVs haven’t caught on in a big way, given that the vast majority of 4K HDR sets sold today are still flat. Still, curved-screen sets are out there if you want something a little different, or perhaps something that provides a supposedly more immersive viewing experience. These days, Samsung is really the only brand-name manufacturer still pumping out new curved sets in North America, with a range of sizes and prices available.

Samsung’s 55-inch RU7300 Curved 4K HDR Smart TV is on the lower end of that price scale, with an MSRP of $550, but seen on sale for less than $500. It’s a sharp-looking set, given the high-resolution 4K image, and the curved design is appealing—although it comes with the same set of limitations and complications as any curved TV screen.

Lacking brightness holds it back a bit, minimizing the effect of HDR, but this is still a pretty nice set for the price, assuming that you’re fixated on a curved screen. I tested Samsung’s RU7300 for more than 80 hours across streaming media, video games, movies, and more.

Design: An appealing arc

The Samsung 55-inch RU7300 has a bit more visual pop than your average large-screen 4K HDR set because it is physically popping out towards you on the right and left sides, unlike a standard flat television. It’s a subtle curve overall, but enough to be just noticeable—especially from the sides. That might make it an awkward fit for wall mounting, but it has a distinctive edge that’s unlike nearly every other TV you’ll find in stores.

http://www.kaikodai.com/viewtopic.php?t=83948

http://www.kaikodai.com/viewtopic.php?t=84332

http://www.kaikodai.com/viewtopic.php?t=84297

http://www.kaikodai.com/viewtopic.php?t=84330

http://www.kaikodai.com/viewtopic.php?t=84292

http://www.kaikodai.com/viewtopic.php?t=84335

http://www.kaikodai.com/viewtopic.php?t=84293

http://www.kaikodai.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=84328

http://www.kaikodai.com/viewtopic.php?t=84320

http://www.kaikodai.com/viewtopic.php?t=84322

Curves aside, Samsung went pretty minimal on the front of the set, with a black plastic frame that’s nearly uniform around the screen—but slightly thicker on the bottom, with a tiny Samsung logo sitting on a small metallic accent at the center. The two legs strike a wide stance on either end, and aren’t especially chunky.

Meanwhile, the back of the TV has a series of uneven ridged horizontal stripes that are attractive. You’ll find the array of ports here, split between two panels. There are three HDMI ports, two USB ports, an optical audio out, an Ethernet port, and hybrid component/AV cables for older devices. That should be plenty for your various devices, although some TVs around this price point pack in another HDMI port.

The included remote control is compact, but filled with all of the buttons you’ll need to navigate menus, tap in channel numbers, and reach your favorite streaming services. It has dedicated buttons for Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video right on the remote, plus there are four programmable, color-coded A-D buttons for favorite channels. The TV itself also has a small control nub underneath the Samsung logo, but it’s difficult to feel around for and use.

Low input lag means that games feel responsive, making this set well-suited for gaming.

Setup Process: Legs or wall

If you’re setting the Samsung RU7300 up on a stand or table, then you’ll need to install the legs. That is extremely straightforward: each is designated for a certain side and simply requires popping in and tightening a couple of screws. Meanwhile, if you opt for wall-mounting, you’ll need a standard VESA 200x200 mount—however, you may need longer screws. The screws on my existing wall mount (for a flat-screen TV) weren’t long enough, so I had to order specialized ones.

http://www.welcome2solutions.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=39645

http://www.welcome2solutions.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=38952

http://www.welcome2solutions.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=39637

http://www.welcome2solutions.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=40064

http://www.welcome2solutions.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=39584

http://www.welcome2solutions.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=39643

http://www.welcome2solutions.com/forum/topics.aspx?ID=39132

http://www.sp3pje.ayz.pl/forum/showthread.php?tid=2961

http://project.thescavenged.com/showthread.php?tid=106400

http://forumdewa88.com/showthread.php?tid=27508

https://ringsidereport.com/forumz/showthread.php?tid=1336&pid=42045

https://www.acdvevents.it/forum/thread-612-post-672.html

http://emeraldcitycycle.com/showthread.php?p=683792

Initial software setup can take a few minutes, as you’ll be prompted to log into a Wi-Fi network if you don’t have an Ethernet cable plugged into an active connection, and you may have to download updates to Samsung’s built-in interface. It was a pretty quick process for me.

Image Quality: Crisp, but could be bolder

At 3840x2160 (4K Ultra HD) resolution, Samsung’s RU7300 has sharpness covered, delivering crisply detailed visuals across the board. Native 4K media looks fantastic, as expected, and lower-resolution media scales up pretty smoothly. And low input lag means that games feel responsive, making this set well-suited for gaming.

Samsung advertises HDR support here, but it doesn’t pack quite the same punch as on some other TVs in this price range. This curved set just doesn’t get immensely bright, so it’s difficult to see quite as much variance in the dynamic range. Watching Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in 4K, it’s still inherently vibrant due to the source material, but lacks the extra edge in dynamism and contrast, and even looks a bit dim at times. The image quality isn’t bad in any way, but it doesn’t hit quite the peaks that I’d expected.

As for the curved design, it’s difficult to really see the advantages beyond wanting something a bit different from the pack. Whether playing games or watching movies or TV shows, I didn’t feel like the picture was any more immersive due to the slight arc of the display. But the curved screen does bring some notable downsides, such as ambient light more clearly reflecting off of the curves, and viewing angles suffering at wider angles.