Samsung DU7200 LED TV review

Ultra-affordable TVs like the Samsung DU7200 fulfill an important role for folks who have no interest in splashing out on high-end features and high-octane performance. However, it’s important to understand the limitations of TVs like this if you want to ultimately spend money on something that works for your viewing habits.

With this in mind, consider that the DU7200 is not a good fit for bright rooms, nor is it suitable for folks who want a TV that showcases HDR content. It will look better in dimly lit or darkened rooms, but its lack of local dimming means that there is a relatively low ceiling on how good dark-room viewing can possibly be.

If spending the least amount of money is paramount and you’re shopping for a 50- or 55-inch TV, keep in mind that the DU7200 is currently just $20 to $50 cheaper than the Samsung DU8000 at this size point. The DU800 is also lacking in performance, but it’s a little bit brighter than the DU7200, and that brightness is worth the added cost.

But you probably already figured that this TV puts affordability above all else, and if you’re comfortable with that, it’ll save you a ton of money, especially when looking to buy a 75- or 85-inch TV.

Samsung DU7200 LED TV review: Pricing and availability

The DU7200 is an ultra-affordable set with almost a year of shelf time under its belt. This makes it one of the most affordable Samsung TVs you can currently buy.

I’ve listed the most up-to-date sale prices of each model in the series below, but prices are sure to fluctuate.

• Samsung UN43DU7200FXZA (43-inch): $269.99
• Samsung QN50DU7200FXZA (50-inch): $309.99
• Samsung QN55DU7200FXZA (55-inch): $359.99
• Samsung QN60DU7200FXZA (60-inch): $449.99
• Samsung QN65DU7200FXZA (65-inch): $399.99
• Samsung QN70DU7200FXZA (70-inch): $529.99
• Samsung QN75DU7200FXZA (75-inch): $579.99
• Samsung QN85DU7200FXZA (85-inch): $799.99

The DU7200 is available in an array of size options ranging from 43 to 85 inches. Conveniently, it’s available in 50-, 60- and 70-inch models — three size points that are relatively hard to come by.

Due to the DU7200’s rudimentary display hardware, we do not expect there to be significant differences in picture quality between the various size options. Our review unit is a 43-inch model that we purchased ourselves.

Not sure which size TV you need? Check out our ‘What TV size should you buy?’ guide.

Samsung DU7200 LED TV review: Design and remote

You’re not getting a head-turning TV with the DU7200, but it’ll blend into most living spaces and the build quality seems fine.

The TV sits atop a pair of slim, L-shaped feet, and they do a good job of keeping the panel from wobbling too much. My favorite thing about these feet is how easy they are to connect to the panel; they slot into the back and lock into place without the use of a screwdriver and screws.

The DU7200’s tool-free setup is convenient, but that’s where my praise for the TV’s physical design ends. The most disappointing aspect is the depth of its panel: over two inches thick at its deepest point. It’s noticeably chunkier than the DU8000 and the Samsung Q60D, so if you’re shopping for something slimmer, those two TVs might be worth the added cost.

The remote control is similar to that of the DU8000 and the Q60D, but it lacks Samsung’s Solar Cell functionality, which is a shame, as this is one of Samsung’s best hardware developments in the last several years. Without this feature, the U7200’s included remote control relies on disposable batteries rather than a lithium-ion battery with natural and artificial light-based charging.

Between the lack of a Solar Cell remote and the added panel depth, you are beginning to see how the price difference between the DU7200 and its higher-end counterparts shakes itself out.

Samsung DU7200 LED TV review: Ports

With the DU7200, you’re not getting as robust a port selection as you would with a higher-end Samsung TV. For one thing, there are only three HDMI inputs here, and most TVs arrive with four. In addition, all three of these inputs are of the HDMI 2.0 variety.

While the lack of a fourth input might be an issue for folks with more than three devices (like two consoles, a soundbar and a dedicated streaming device), the lack of HDMI 2.1 compatibility is less of a concern for most people shopping in this price tier. As a 60Hz TV with negligible HDR support, the DU7200 would have nothing to do with HDMI 2.1’s would-be benefits.

Rounding out the input selection are the following: a USB-A port, an ethernet port and a coaxial connector. Unfortunately, the DU7200 supports ATSC 1.0 rather than the newest ATSC 3.0 standard for 4K over-the-air broadcasts.

Samsung DU7200 LED TV review: How we test

At Tom's Guide, we follow a standard testing protocol for every TV we review. Our benchmarks include technical and subjective tests designed to rate the set’s performance.

For our technical tests, we use a Jeti spectraval 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer, a Klein K10-A colorimeter, a Murideo 8K-SIX-G Metal pattern generator, and Portrait Displays’ Calman TV-calibration software to take measurements. We also use a Leo Bodnar 4K Input Lag Tester for determining the TV’s gaming prowess.

Subjective tests vary based on the reviewer, but usually feature anecdotes from a diverse selection of movies, TV shows, and other content reflecting the types of things you may actually want to watch on the TV. For a more detailed look at what we do and how we do it, check out our “How we test TVs” page.

Samsung DU7200 LED TV review: Performance and test results

The main takeaway of these test results and my hands-on time with the TV is that the DU7200 is absolutely, positively not a good pick for bright-room viewing. In fact, even if you wouldn’t exactly characterize your living space as sun-soaked, there’s still a good chance its picture may wilt during daytime viewing.

It’s just not bright enough for anything — games, TV shows or movies — to look any better than just OK. In its most accurate picture mode (Filmmaker), the DU7200 tops out at around 270 to 300 nits. There is virtually no appreciable difference between SDR and HDR content as far as brightness is concerned.

Without impactful HDR, watching some of my favorite shows on the DU7200 has been far less exciting. On “The White Lotus,” the nighttime flickering of hotel lights from behind trees doesn’t create the same depth as it would on a brighter TV with better contrast control.

The DU7200’s edge-lit panel and lack of local dimming is its second biggest issue behind its relative dimness. During dark sequences (like the nighttime scene described above), the picture takes on a gray-blue hue. This is because the DU7200 can’t adjust the picture’s brightness on a zone-by-zone basis.

Higher-end (but still budget-friendly) Samsung TVs like the DU8000 and Q60D aren’t that much better than the DU7200 when it comes to contrast control, but the added brightness — while meager — would go a long way.

In dimly lit rooms (or with the lights off), the DU7200 looks mostly fine, provided you can adjust your expectations accordingly. I recommend keeping the DU7200 in Filmmaker mode for a majority of TV shows and movies, as that mode produced a respectable Delta-E of 2.4. This figure describes color error, with a lower number being better. A Delta-E of 3 is considered by many to be the threshold of perceptibility, so a 2.4 is quite good.

Fast-paced content — like sports, action flicks and video games — don’t look as smooth as I’ve seen on other affordable models like the Q60D and the Sony Bravia 3. If you spend a lot of time watching football, baseball or anything else where things are moving at a quick clip, this is worth keeping in mind.

All told, the DU7200 doesn't offer noteworthy performance outside of the fact that it doesn’t look altogether weird. In order to get the most out of it, I recommend that you favor Filmmaker mode (or Movie mode) for most content, then tweak the TV’s motion enhancement options for sports.

If you care at all about picture quality, however, you really ought to spend a little more on something with better display hardware. That could cost you anywhere from $150 to $200 more than the DU7200, but if you can swing it, you’ll have a much better time watching TV — especially during the day.

Samsung DU7200 LED TV review: Audio

The good news is that saving money on the DU7200 makes it easier to justify buying one of the best affordable soundbars within your budget. The bad news is that you’re really going to need a soundbar if you plan on making the most out of the DU7200.

The sound here is just not very good at all, unfortunately. While it got loud enough to fill my relatively small living space, it does not offer enough oomph on the low-end for movies to feel cinematic or for games to feel totally immersive.

Samsung DU7200 LED TV review: Gaming

While we’re on the subject of gaming, I must stress that the DU7200 is not much of a gaming machine. You’re not getting much support for Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 — to say nothing of the PS5 Pro.

As mentioned, the DU7200 is limited to 4K gaming at 60Hz, so 120Hz and above is out of the question. Basic Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is accounted for — which is nice to have at this price point — but the DU7200’s dim picture and lack of contrast control makes gaming an altogether ho-hum experience.

Samsung DU7200 LED TV review: Smart features

The DU7200’s built-in smart platform leverages Samsung’s Tizen OS, and while I certainly have my complaints about the user experience, I will say this: Most people will probably appreciate that they can spend a few hundred bucks on a TV and gain immediate access to some of the best streaming services available today.

It’s not all roses. Tizen can be sluggish even on the best TVs that use it, and the tendency for it to stutter on a TV with limited processing power is even greater.

If you can afford to spare one of the DU7200’s three HDMI inputs for one of the best streaming devices that fits your budget, I would recommend that move. However, it’s not lost on me that the DU7200’s built-in smart features may be part of the appeal for shoppers who are making the jump to a smart TV for the first time.

Tizen will get the job done if you need it to. Just don’t expect it to move at a smooth, steady clip at all times.

Samsung DU7200 LED TV review: Verdict

If you’re shopping for a new smart TV and your top priority is saving as much money as possible, the Samsung DU7200 is worth considering. Given its ultra-low cost, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that its picture quality isn’t very good, but that probably won’t be a deal-breaker for most people shopping in this price range.

However, if you’ve reached the end of this review and you’ve decided that ultimately you’d rather spend a few hundred bucks more on a TV with better display technology, there are a few options I’d recommend: Both the TCL QM7 and the Hisense U7N offer much, much better performance (and a brighter picture) for about $150 to $200 more (provided you’re shopping in the 55- to 65-inch size range).

That being said, if you’re here because you want an affordable 75- or 85-inch TV, I’ve got good news: The DU7200 is more affordable than most TVs in these extra-large sizes. An 85-inch DU7200 is currently about $800. That is close to $500 less than the 85-inch DU8000.

Just keep in mind that the DU7200 may be a great deal, but it’s not a great TV.