If you're looking for a TV with a higher overall performance, especially in terms of picture quality and smart features, the Samsung AU8000 is suitable, but keep in mind this comes at a higher cost. Alternatively, the Samsung CU7000 is more budget-friendly and includes voice commands for ease of use, which the AU8000 does not have. However, the CU7000 does not match the picture quality of the AU8000. Both TVs perform similarly in well-lit rooms, and they share features like a 60Hz refresh rate, which is adequate for casual watching but not ideal for high-end gaming. If cost is a major concern, the CU7000 offers a decent viewing experience at a lower price point. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung AU8000 (LCD)
Good for upscaling
Good reflections
Advantages of the Samsung CU7000 (LCD)
Very good motion processing
Key differences
Cartoons & Animation
6.9/10
5.7/10
6.1/10
COLOR GAMUT SCORE
5.9/10
6.3/10
COLOR VOLUME SCORE
5.6/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
6.2/10
7.2/10
COLORS OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
6.0/10
6.8/10
GRAY UNIFORMITY
6.0/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair for cartoons & animation, while the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) is poor.
News, Talk, & Other TV
6.7/10
6.0/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
6.2/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
6.6/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and Samsung CU7000 (LCD) are both only fair for news, talk, & other TV, though the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is somewhat better.
The Samsung AU8000 and Samsung CU7000 both perform fairly when it comes to watching news and TV programs largely due to their upscaling which makes lower-resolution content look decent on a 4K screen, and because they provide adequate SDR brightness for those types of content. However, the AU8000 has a slight edge in providing better colors out of the box, which implies less need for adjustments to achieve a more accurate image, as opposed to the CU7000 which might require fine-tuning to improve color accuracy.
Bright Room
6.3/10
5.8/10
5.5/10
VIEWING ANGLE
5.3/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
6.2/10
5.7/10
HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.4/10
7.8/10
REFLECTIONS SCORE
5.9/10
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is only fair for bright room, while the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 outperforms the Samsung CU7000 in bright room viewing primarily because it has better SDR Brightness, which is crucial for watching content in well-lit environments, and it handles reflections more effectively, making the screen more watchable in the presence of direct light. Although both have similar HDR brightness, which is inadequate for premium HDR experiences, the superior reflection handling and SDR brightness of the AU8000 make it a better choice for bright rooms.
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and Samsung CU7000 (LCD) both have only fair picture quality.
Movies & TV
5.9/10
5.8/10
6.71/10
CONTRAST
5.82/10
6.9/10
BLACK UNIFORMITY
6.6/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
6.6/10
Yes
HDR10 SUPPORT
Yes
Yes
HDR10+ SUPPORT
Yes
No
DOLBY VISION SUPPORT
No
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and Samsung CU7000 (LCD) are both poor for movies & TV.
The Samsung AU8000 and Samsung CU7000 both struggle with movie and cinematic TV viewing because of their poor local dimming, which affects their ability to display deep blacks and maintain a high contrast ratio, essential for a good cinematic experience. Additionally, the AU8000's black uniformity is just above average while the CU7000 has a lesser contrast and both have limited viewing angles, impacting the color reproduction and uniformity when viewed from an angle, which can be particularly noticeable in darker scenes.
Sports
6.5/10
6.6/10
6.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
8.0/10
60Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
8.7/10
7.5/10
UPSCALING
6.6/10
7.1/10
SDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
6.2/10
Yes
HLG SUPPORT
Yes
The Samsung CU7000 (LCD) and Samsung AU8000 (LCD) are both only fair for sports.
The Samsung AU8000 is fair for watching sports due to its good handling of reflections and fast response time, but it has limited viewing angles, affecting how the image looks from the side. The Samsung CU7000 also offers a fair sports viewing experience with comparable reflection handling but has a slightly slower response time and similarly restricted viewing angles, which could impact group viewings.
Gaming
5.8/10
6.0/10
5.9/10
RESPONSE TIME SCORE
6.5/10
10.0/10
INPUT LAG SCORE
8.7/10
6.0/10
MOTION PROCESSING
8.0/10
0.0/100
GAMING LOCAL DIMMING
30.0/100
5.8/10
GAME HDR BRIGHTNESS SCORE
5.9/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung CU7000 (LCD) to be only fair for gaming, while the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) is poor.
The Samsung AU8000 has a lower input lag which is optimal for gaming, making it very responsive to gaming controls, but its response time is poor, meaning it can have motion blur during fast-paced games. On the other hand, the Samsung CU7000 offers fair response time, which reduces motion blur, but it has higher input lag so it could be less responsive in fast reflex games.
Cost
$498
$498
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
The Samsung AU8000 (LCD) has a price of $498 and the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) costs $498.
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How the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) and the Samsung CU7000 (LCD) compare to other TVs
"To put it directly: you’d never see a mid-range 4K TV hitting this black levels half a decade ago. AU8000 plays the part of a higher-end TV thanks to its sleek design. If you’re upgrading to a smart TV for the first time, the software is a great way to dip your toes in the streaming water."
Get a great deal on the Samsung AU8000 (LCD) or the Samsung CU7000 (LCD)
About Samsung
Samsung, a South Korean electronics manufacturer, holds the title of being the largest global TV vendor in terms of units sold. They offer a diverse lineup of TV products that cater to various budget ranges. A notable achievement in recent years is the development of Quantum Dots, a technology that enhances color reproduction, resulting in richer and more vibrant hues. Samsung TVs are well-regarded for their high manufacturing quality and user-friendly software, making them an excellent choice for consumers seeking an intuitive viewing experience.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec TVs team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest TV information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the TV team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and TVs Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Jaime Roldán
TVs Expert
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