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Samsung MU6500 and MU6300 are parts of an entry level of Samsung’s 2017 4K HDR LED TV Lineup or parts of Samsung’s 2017 Series 6. One of the advantages that offered is about their affordable price but still offer good picture quality and HDR performance, particularly for newbie. In the market, MU6500 is available with 3 screen size options including 49 Inch (UN49MU6500), 55 Inch (UN55MU6500), and 65 Inch (UN65MU6500), while Samsung MU6300 is available with more screen size options including 40 Inch (UN40MU6300), 43 Inch (UN43MU6300), 50 Inch (UN50MU6300), 55 Inch (UN55MU6300), 65 Inch (UN65MU6300), and 75 Inch (UN75MU6300). Since the screen sizes which available on both are only 49 Inch, 55 Inch, and 65 Inch, this comparison certainly is as true to these sizes (UN49MU6500 vs UN50MU6300, UN55MU6500 vs UN55MU6300, and UN65MU6500 vs UN65MU6300). With the same screen sizes, MU6500 is sold about tens to hundreds dollar more expensive than MU6300. So, what are their differences and which one is a better choice between them?
The Differences and Similarities between Samsung MU6500 and MU6300
Differences
Overall, Samsung MU6300 and MU6500 are actually powered by the similar technologies and also have similar features. The major difference between them is about the type of their screen where MU6500 comes with curved panel while MU6300 comes with flat panel. Discuss their difference, this is tantamount to discussing the difference between curved panel and flat panel. There are some points impacted by the difference between curved panel and flat panel those are size and immersiveness, viewing angle, aesthetic, and reflection. In term of size and immersiveness, with the same screen size, picture displayed on curved panel look a bit bigger than flat panel. Additionally, in term of side viewing angle, curved panel also claimed has a bit wider side viewing angle overage than flat panel. And about reflections, curved panel makes the reflections “stretch” across more of the screen. While about the aesthetic, this certainly depends on your taste. Nevertheless, although there are some points which impacted, but their difference is not too significant except in term of their aesthetic.
Similarities
Come as the entry level of Samsung’s 2017 4K LED TV lineup, they lack some most Samsung’s most advanced technologies like Quantum Dot Panel, Peak Illuminator, Precision Black (local dimming) and more. Nevertheless, performance and picture quality produced by them is still fairly good for its class.
Like other models of Samsung’s 2017 LED TV lineup, both of Samsung MU6500 and MU6300 also already support HDR technology. As their HDR Processor, they are powered by 4K HDR Pro Engine and just support HDR 10 format only and might also support HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) with upcoming software update. On their panel, both of Samsung MU6300 and MU6500 use VA panel with Direct LED backlight. Both of them don’t have local dimming technology, but as the instead, both of them are powered by UHD Dimming technology, make they have strong native contrast ratio and good black uniformity. Additionally, for improving black level produced, there is also Essential Black Pro Technology behind them. Otherwise, for maximizing their performance when handling the reflections of ambient lights, both of them are powered by Ultra Clear Panel technology with semi gloss screen finishing. And for maximizing their renditions of color, both of MU6500 and MU6300 are equally powered by 4K Color Drive Pro Technology.
Meanwhile, for delivering smooth and clear picture quality when displaying fast moving images, both of them are equally supported by Motion Rate 120 based on native 60 Hz refresh rate panel. Additionally, both of them are also equipped with great UHD Up-scaling engine that allows you to enjoy lower resolution videos with the quality close to 4K resolution. For connecting with other device, they are also equipped with similar inputs/outputs including 3 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, 1 AV In, 1 Component IN, and others. Both of Samsung MU6500 and MU6300 also equally have low input lags at any source, makes them very comfortable when used for playing any kind of games. And as their smart TV platform, they feature Tizen OS that offer attractive, responsive and simple smart TV experience.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the MU6300 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the MU6500 <<
Samsung MU6500 vs MU6300 key Specs
| Specs and Features | Samsung MU6300 | Samsung MU6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Size Available | 40 Inch (UN40MU6300), 43 Inch (UN43MU6300), 50 Inch (UN50MU6300), 55 Inch (UN55MU6300), 65 Inch (UN65MU6300), 75 Inch (UN75MU6300) | 49 Inch (UN49MU6500), 55 Inch (UN55MU6500), 65 Inch (UN65MU6500) |
| Resolution | 4K (2160 x 3840) | 4K (2160 x 3840) |
| Panel Type | VA panel | VA Panel |
| Screen Type | Flat | Curved |
| Backlighting | Direct Led | Direct Led |
| Local Dimming | No | No |
| HDR | 4K HDR Pro | 4K HDR Pro |
| HDR Formats | HDR 10 and HLG (with upcoming software update) | HDR 10 and HLG (with upcoming software update) |
| Color Technology | 4K Color Drive Pro | 4K Color Drive Pro |
| Black Technology | Essential Black pro | Essential Black pro |
| Other Important Technology | UHD Dimming, Ultra Clear Panel | UHD Dimming, Ultra Clear Panel |
| UHD Up-scaling | Samsung UHD Up-scaling | Samsung UHD Up-scaling |
| Motion Handling | Motion Rate 120 | Motion Rate 120 |
| Refresh Rate | Native 60 Hz | Native 60 Hz |
| 3D Technology | No | No |
| Smart TV | Tizen 2017 | Tizen 2017 |
| Audio Channel | 2 | 2 |
| Sound Output | 20 Watts | 20 Watts |
| HDMI | 3 | 3 |
| USB | 2 | 2 |
| Price | See today’s price | See today’s price |
Samsung MU6500 vs MU6300 Performance
Picture Quality
As we have mentioned above, the expecting of what impacted by the difference between curved panel and flat panel, Samsung MU6300 and MU6500 have similar performance. Overall, both of them equally have good picture quality. One of the strong points that make their picture quality looks fairly well is about their strong contrast ratio and good black uniformity. With Over 5000:1 of native contrast ratio, this quite strong to make black level looks very deep, makes blacks of images looks absolutely black. Combined to their good black uniformity, this certainly makes dark scenes looks excellently. On the other hand, black level reached by them is also quite dark to reveal details of dark scenes of HDR images, makes shadow details of HDR images looks clearly like what intended by HDR technology itself. As we know, to show shadow details of HDR images like what intended, a TV must have 0.05 nits or darker of black level, while with about over 5000:1 of native contrast ratio, both of them have far deeper than this recommendation. Still in a dark room, its peak brightness is also quite bright to makes dark scenes and highlight of HDR images looks bright.
When set in a bright room, both Samsung MU6500 and MU6300 equally offer different performance depend on the light condition in the room. With natural light or indoor lighting, both of them are still able to show good bright scene on their screen though there is still a bit issue when dealing the reflection. Additionally, although not as bright as high end TVs, highlight of HDR images also still look fairly well in this light condition. But once they are set in extremely bright room with very bright ambient light, their peak brightness is not bright enough to dampen the glare. Let alone their reflections handling is not so good, with this light condition, this certainly makes the picture displayed on their screen doesn’t look so good. Additionally, although the highlight of HDR images displayed on their screen looks fairly well when set in a dark room or a moderately lit-room with natural ambient light, but they are not still able to show the highlights brighter than 1000 nits like what intended. As we know, to show highlight of HDR image like what intended, an HDR TV must have at least 1000 nits of peak brightness, while peak brightness reached by them is only about 350 nits.
Meanwhile, talking about their color performance, both of them also has similar color gamut. But unfortunately, they don’t yet support wide color gamut that means they can only properly show colors in Rec.709 color space of SDR images. Most of colors in DCI P3 color space might be still covered, but this is still less than 90% of DCI P3 color space like what recommended by UHD Alliance. The result, when displaying HDR images, some certain colors might not be shown fairly saturated. Meanwhile, within their color gamut, bright colors can be shown fairly well, while for deep colors, they will be shown a bit unsaturated. On the other hand, both of them also equally already support 10 bit depth of color required by HDR videos. This means both of them can deliver more than 1.07 billion of shades of color, result in smooth color gradient. Its performance might not as good as most of Sony TV where there are still some little imperfections visible in darker colors. Nevertheless, their color gradient is fairly good.
The other advantage that offered by Samsung MU6300 and MU6500 is about the great performance of their UHD Up-scaling engine. This allows you to enjoy lower resolution video contents with the quality close to 4K HDR. As we know, most of the contents which available in the market still have lower resolution than 4K, so this feature is still very important. When it is inputted by 1080p videos, the picture displayed looks very sharp and detailed. Meanwhile, when inputted by 720p videos like movies from TV cable, the final images in 4K resolution produced also still looks fairly good. Even when the source is low resolution like DVDs movies with 480p resolution, though the final image in 4K resulted looks a bit softly, but overall, the picture still looks fairly well with details are still preserved well.
In term of drawback, Samsung MU6500 and MU6300 also have similar drawback. Since both of them use VA panel while poor side viewing angle is native characteristic of VA panel, this certainly makes both of them have limited side viewing angle coverage. On the other hand, although Samsung have claim that the use of Curved panel can improve the side viewing angle coverage, but this improvement is not too significant and the side viewing angle coverage of MU6500 is still poor, not far different to MU6300 that use flat panel. This means, in order to you don’t lose the good picture quality produced by them, you should avoid watch TV from side viewing angle.
Motion Handling and 24p Playback
When playing fast moving images like sport or fast movies, Samsung MU6300 and MU6500 also have similar performance. Both of them equally do a good job when handling motion blur. Their pixel responsive time is fairly low and combined to Motion Rate 120 technology, result in smooth picture quality with almost no motion blur visible. Following fast moving object, there is only a short trail where most of people might not don’t notice about that. While both of them are good TVs for watching fast paced videos, their performance when playing 24p movies are not so good. They are not able to remove judder completely at any type of source, even when the source is 24p videos like Blu Ray Movies. This performance is similar to the predecessor KU6300 or even higher series like MU7000 or MU7500. Luckily, most of people don’t sensitive to judder, so this may not be a serious issue. Additionally, since both of Samsung MU6500 and MU6300 has native 60 Hz refresh rate only, it is only support 30 fps motion interpolation only.
Inputs/Outputs
As their connectivity, both of Samsung MU6300 and MU6500 are also equipped with similar inputs/outputs. There are 3 HDMI ports and 2 USB ports as their major connectivity where their HDMI ports already support the format what required for HDMI connection like HDCP 2.2, CEC, Audio Return Channel, and others. In addition to HDMI and USB ports, there are also 1 Composite In (AV In), 1 Component In, 1 RF In (Terrestrial), 1 Ethernet, and 1 Digital Audio Out (Optical). With all inputs/outputs behind them, this certainly is enough to cover most of your other electronic devices. Additionally, both of Samsung MU6300 and MU6500 also have similar input lags. Their input lag is quite low at any source under “Game Mode” and “PC Mode” that is about 20 ms. This certainly is low enough to play any kind of games even for pas paced games so feels responsively without laggy.
Smart TV
Both of Samsung MU6500 and MU6300 equally feature Tizen OS 2017 as their smart TV platform and are also equally powered by a quad core processor. As we know, Tizen OS is one of the best smart TV platforms. Compared to last year version, there are not many major changes except it comes with nicer themes and animation that makes its appearance is more attractive. Like the previous version, navigation is still simple. There is a narrow bar on its “home screen” across the bottom of the screen contains quick access to many popular apps. This allows you to access many popular apps without leaving the “Home Screen”. Additionally, loading in time of an app and switching between opened apps also feels fast and responsively. The other interesting thing which offered, there are a lot of interesting and useful apps available. As the preinstalled apps, there are VoD Service like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Videos, and more, Live TV, Web Browser, Cloud Games apps like Game Fly and PlayStation Now, Screen Mirroring apps, and many more. Additionally, there is also “Samsung Apps Store” that provide tons of downloadable apps where you can directly download then from your TV.
Samsung Smart COntroller
As the controller, both of Samsung MU6500 and MU6300 are also equipped with similar remote control. It is also similar to what used by the last year model KU6300 or KU6500. This remote is very simple with not many buttons provided. There even is no “number button” or “quick access” button. Nevertheless, since it is equipped with built in microphone for voice navigation, the lack of quick access button can be replaced by voice command. The other interesting feature that offered, it can be functioned as universal remote for controlling other devices connected to your Samsung TV via HDMI ports.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the MU6300 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the MU6500 <<
Summary
| Performance | Samsung MU6300 | Samsung MU6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | (4.3/5) | (4.3/5) |
| Picture Quality | (3.7/5) | (3.6/5) |
| HDR Performance | (3.6/5) | (3.6/5) |
| Motion | (3.2/5) | (3.2/5) |
| Inputs | (4.5/5) | (4.5/5) |
| Sound Quality | (3.3/5) | (3.3/5) |
| Smart TV | (4.1/5) | (4.1/5) |
Conclusion
As we have discussed a lot above, the excepting of what impacted by the difference between curved panel and flat panel, Samsung MU6500 and MU6300 offer similar performance. Both of them equally have strong native strong contrast ratio and good black uniformity which make them have good performance in a dark room. On the other hand, in the moderately lit room with natural ambient light, both of them are still able to show good picture quality, but in the very bright room with a lot of ambient light or sunny window, its picture quality is not so good due its peak brightness is not quite bright to fight the glare. Additionally, come with HDR technology, both of them are also able to show good HDR picture but cannot show HDR picture like what intended due their peak brightness is not so bright and they don’t support wide color gamut. Nevertheless, overall, picture quality and HDR performance is great for their class.
In addition good picture quality and HDR performance for its class, Samsung MU6500 and MU6300 also offer great performance on some features which offered like good motion handling for sports, low input lag for games, great UHD Up-scaling engine for anticipating the many lower resolution which available in the market, and simple, attractive, and responsive smart TV platform. The major drawback of them, they equally have poor side viewing angle coverage that means when viewed from an angle, the picture doesn’t look as good as when viewed from center and front. Nevertheless, as long as you don’t often watch TV from side angle, this should not be a problem for you. The other drawback, both of them don’t have an ability to remove the judder when used for playing 24p movies. Nevertheless, if you are including most of people who don’t sensitive to judder, this should not also be a problem for you.
Which is a better choice between them? As we have mentioned above, with the same screen, Samsung MU6500 is sold about tens to hundreds dollar more expensive than MU6300, depend on the screen size. On the other hand, the excepting of the aesthetic of curved panel, the use of curved panel on MU6500 doesn’t have a significant improvement on the picture quality as the whole. Now the decision comes back to you according to your preference. If you don’t mind to spend more about tens to hundreds of dollar to get the aesthetic of curved panel, MU6500 might be a good choice for you. Nevertheless, if you choose MU6500 to get the improvement over flat screen, you will likely be disappointed and MU6300 might be a good option for you because it has cheaper price but offer similar performance.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung MU6300 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung MU6500 <<
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