Samsung MU8500 vs MU7500 (UN55MU8500 vs UN55MU7500, UN65MU8500 vs UN65MU7500)

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Samsung MU8500 and MU7500 are parts of Samsung’s 2017 4K HDR LED TV lineup. Samsung MU7500 is curved model of Series 7 while MU8500 is curved model of Series 8. In the marketplace, there are 2 screen sizes available for MU8500, 55 Inch (UN55MU8500) and 65 Inch (UN65MU8500), while for MU7500, there are 3 screen sizes available, 49 Inch (UN49MU7500), 55 Inch (UN55MU7500), and 65 Inch (UN65MU7500). Since the screen sizes which available on both are 55 inch and 65 Inch, this comparison certainly is as true to these sizes (UN55MU7500 vs UN55MU8500, UN65MU7500 vs UN65MU8500). In the market, MU8500 is sold about hundreds dollar more expensive than MU7500. For 65 Inch, their differences in price is about $300 while for 55 inch, their differences in price is about $200. Nevertheless, their prices certainly are not fixed and could still change at any time. So, what are the differences between them?

Samsung MU8500 vs MU7500 Key Specs

Specs and Features MU8500 MU7500
Resolution 4K (2160×3840) 4K (2160×3840)
Sizes Available 55 inch (UN55MU8500), 65” (UN65MU8500) 49” (UN49MU7500), 55 inch (UN55MU7500), 65inch (UN65MU7000)
Screen Type Curved Curved
Backlighting Technology Edge Lit LED Edge Lit LED
Local Dimming Yes (precision black) No
UHD Dimming Yes Yes
Picture Engine UHD Remastering Engine Information not provided
HDR Engine 4K HDR Extreme 4K HDR Pro
Color Technology 4K Color Drive Extreme 4K Color Drive Pro
Support 10 Bit Yes Yes
Blacks Technology Triple Black Essential Black Pro
Peak Illuminator Yes (Pro) No
Ultra Clear Panel Yes Yes
UHD Up-scaling Engine Yes Yes
Motion Rate 240 120
Native Refresh Rate` 120 Hz 60Hz
Smart TV Tizen 2017 Tizen 2017
Processor Quad Core Quad Core
Remote Samsung Smart Remote (TM1750A) Samsung Smart Remote (TM1750A)
HDMI 4 3
USB 3 2
Composite In No 1
Component In No 1
RF In (Terrestrial) 1 1
Audio Channel 2.1 2
Speaker Type Down Firing + Front Firing Down Firing + Front Firing
Sound Output 40 Watts 20 watts
Price See today’s price See today’s price

The Similarities and Difference between Samsung MU7500 and MU8500

As we see on comparison table above, both of Samsung MU7500 and MU8500 equally uses VA panel technology with edge-lit LED backlight. However, which distinguishes between them is the local dimming technology where MU8500 has local dimming technology (Precision Black) while MU7500 is not equipped with this technology. The impact is on the black level and brightness of the images that produced, particularly for small areas. The other major difference between them is about Peak Illuminator technology where Samsung MU8500 is powered by Peak Illuminator Pro technology while MU7500 is not supported by this technology. This has an impact on the peak brightness reached by them that certainly also has an impact on their HDR performance. They also have a difference in the level of their HDR engine where MU8500 is powered by 4K HDR Extreme while Samsung MU7500 is powered by 4K HDR Pro engine. This has an impact on the clarity and smoothness of HDR picture that produced. Additionally, the level of the technology behind their color reproduction is also different. As we see on comparison table above, MU8500 is powered by 4K HDR Color Drive Extreme while MU7500 is powered by 4K Color Drive Pro. A bit or a lot, this has an impact on their color reproduction.

The other difference between them is also about their inputs/outputs where Samsung M8500 is equipped with 4 HDMI ports and 3 USB ports while Samsung MU7500 is equipped with 3 HDMI ports and 2 USB ports only. However, MU8500 is not equipped with AV IN and Component In while MU7500 is equipped with these inputs. The location where their inputs are installed is also different. All inputs/outputs of MU7500 are located on side and rear panel while on MU8500, they are located on separated box called “One Connect Box Mini”. Additionally, they also have a difference in their sound system where MU8500 has 2.1 channel speaker system with 40 watts total sound output, while MU7500 is equipped with 2 channel speaker system with 20 watts total sound output.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the MU8500 <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the MU7500 <<

Samsung MU8500 vs MU7500 Performance

Picture Quality

Essentially, both of Samsung MU8500 and MU7500 have good picture quality for each of their class. Both of them equally have high native contrast ratio and good black uniformity, result in deep black level, even when set in a dark room. Unlike a TV with low native contrast ratio where black look tend to grey when set in a dark room, on their screen, black looks absolute black, result in dark scenes of the images displayed on their screen looks excellent. Additionally, when inputted by HDR signals, this also quite strong to reveal detail images in dark scenes, so makes shadow details looks clearer like what intended by HDR technology itself. Meanwhile, compare between them, Samsung MU7500 as a lower model precisely has a bit higher contrast ratio, even when local dimming on MU8500 is on. However, this does not result in significant differences on the image quality that produced.

Talking about peak brightness, Samsung MU8000 with local dimming and Peak Illuminator Pro can has far brighter peak brightness than MU7500. Peak brightness reached by MU7500 is just enough to make bright scene looks excellently when set in a dark room or a moderately lit room with decent ambient light. But when set in a brighter room, its peak brightness is not quite bright to fight the glare and its reflection handling is not as good as some other TVs. This makes MU7500 is not suitable when used in a room with a lot of ambient light. Meanwhile, with brighter peak brightness, bright scenes of images displayed on the screen of MU8500 look brighter in both dark and moderately lit-room. Although just for short time, its local dimming technology is also able to makes small highlight of HSR images looks brighter. Additionally, peak luminance of MU8500 is also quite bright to fight the glare, result in good picture quality in a bright room with a lot of ambient light. But even so, although its peak brightness is quite bright to makes the highlights of HDR images are shown brightly, but it is not quite bright to show the highlights at 1000 – 4000 nits like what intended. Additionally, although bright room performance of MU8500 is fairly well, it is not the best in class due its reflection handling is not as good as some other TVs in class.

Talking about color reproduction, both of Samsung MU8500 and MU7500 are able to deliver wide color gamut, even their color gamut is similar. Although not as wide as Samsung QLED TV including Q7F, but at least most of color in DCI P3 color space of HDR images can be shown fully saturated. There are only some colors like deep green that be shown a bit unsaturated. But overall, colors of the HDR images displayed looks accurate, result in life-like picture quality on their screen. Meanwhile, when displaying SDR images that require Rec.709, the color of SDR images can be shown fairly well. Additionally, for delivering smooth color gradient, both of Samsung MU7500 and MU8500 also already support 10 bit color. This means both of them can deliver more than 1.07 billion shades of color, result in smooth color gradient without any major color banding. But unfortunately, their color gradient is not as good as most of Sony TVs or LGs TV due some little imperfections are still noticeable in darker shades of color. But even so, overall, color gradient of Samsung MU8500 and MU7500 is great.

Additionally, both of Samsung MU7500 and MU8500 are also equipped with great UHD Up-scaling engine. This is for anticipating the many video contents which have lower resolution than 4K. So, no matter the resolution of the video source, you can enjoy them with the quality close to 4K resolution. The final images in 4K quality that resulted really looks sharply and clearly, even the low resolution videos likes DVDs movies with 480p resolution doesn’t look too softly. And the higher resolution of video source like movies from TV cable with 720p resolution or Blu Ray movies with 1080p resolution, the final images in 4K resolution resulted certainly will looks sharper and clearer. So, with the many resolution contents that available in the market, this should not be a problem for both.

The only major drawback of Samsung MU8500 and MU7500 is about their poor viewing angle. As we know, poor viewing angle is the native drawback of VA panel while both of them use VA panel as their panel technology. Black will look tend to grey and color will shift if the viewers watch TV from side from side viewing angle, started at 20 degrees off center and front. This certainly makes the picture displayed is not as good as when watched from center and in front of the screen. But even so, as long as you don’t often watch TV from an angle, this certainly is also not a problem for you.

Motion Handling and 24p Playback

For delivering smooth and clear picture quality when they are displaying fast moving images like sports program, Samsung MU8500 is powered by Motion Rate 240 based on native 120 Hz refresh rate panel, while Samsung MU7500 is powered by Motion Rate 120 based on native 60 Hz refresh rate panel. The result, MU8500 offers far smoother picture quality with less motion blur than MU7500. The pixel response time of MU8500 is far faster, even almost double than MU7500. The result, for MU7500, there is a faint trail following the fast moving object, while for MU8500, the trail following fast moving object is extremely short, even most of people might not notice about it. Nevertheless, although the motion handling of MU7500 is not as good as MU8500, it is also not so bad. Meanwhile, when playing 24p movies, the performance of Samsung MU7500 is also not as good as MU8500. Samsung MU8500 offers a perfect job when playing 24p movies. This means no matter the source of 24p movies whether it is 24p videos like Blu Ray Movies, 24p videos via 60i signal like movies from satellite TV, or even 60p signal like movies from streaming device, all of them displayed clearly and smoothly with judder-free. Contrary, MU7500 cannot remove the judder from all of these sources. Nevertheless, since most of people don’t sensitive to judder, for most of people, this should not a problem.

Inputs/Outputs

Samsung One Connect Box

The number of HDMI ports and USB ports of Samsung MU8500 is a bit more than MU7500. It is equipped with 4 HDMI ports and 3 USB ports while MU7500 is only equipped with 3 HDMI ports and 2 USB ports. Nevertheless, MU8500 is not equipped with Component In (AV In) and Component In while MU7500 is still equipped with these ports. In addition to these inputs, they are equipped with similar inputs/outputs such as 1 RF In, 1 Ethernet, and Digital Audio Out (Optical). The other difference between them is about where these inputs/outputs are located. On Samsung MU7500, all of these inputs/outputs are located on side and rear panel while on MU8500, most of these inputs/outputs are located on separated box called “One Connect Box”. Meanwhile, talking about their input lags, essentially, both of them equally have low input lag at any resolution. Although the input lag of MU7500 under “Game Mode” is a bit faster than MU8500, but the difference is not significant. Both of them are equally comfortable and responsive when used for playing any kind of games, even for fast paced games which require fast reflexes.

Smart TV

Both Samsung MU8500 and MU7500 equally feature Tizen OS as their smart TV platform. Additionally, for offering fast and responsive smart TV experience, both of them are also equally powered by a quad core processor. Compare to last year version, there is an overhaul on its visual appearance where in this version, it comes with white theme and nicer animation that makes it appearance is nicer. Nevertheless, its performance and simplicity in navigation is similar. On its home screen, there is a ribbon at the bottom of the screen called “Smart Hub” contains quick access to most of popular apps. This allows you to launch an app without leaving the home screen. Once an app is launched, the loading in time is quick. Additionally, selecting between different apps also feel responsively. Meanwhile, talking about apps provided, there are a lot of interesting and useful preinstalled apps available. There are VoD Service like YouTube, Amazon Videos, Netflix, and more, Cloud Games Service like Game Fly and PlayStation Now, Web Browser, Screen Mirroring apps, and many more. Additionally, there are also apps and contents store named “Samsung Apps Store” which provides tons of apps, games, and contents where you can directly download them from your TV.

Samsung Smart COntroller

As their controller, they are also equipped with similar smart remote called “Samsung Smart Controller”. The remote is very simple and has minimalistic buttons. There even are no “number button” and the quick access button are limited. Nevertheless, since it is equipped with built-in microphone, this accessing to some common menus can be replaced by voice commands. Additionally, this remote also can be functioned as a universal remote for controlling other devices connected on your TV via HDMI Ports.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the MU7500 <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the MU8500 <<

Summary

Performance Samsung MU8500 Samsung MU7500
Design (4.5/5) (4.5/5)
Picture Quality (3.8/5) (3.6/5)
HDR Performance (3.9/5) (3.6/5)
Motion Handling (4.1/5) (3.1/5)
Inputs (4.4/5) (4.5/5)
Sound Quality (3.4/5) (3.2/5)
Smart TV (4.1/5) (4.1/5)

Conclusion

As we have discussed a lot above, about its picture quality, far brighter peak brightness is the major advantage of Samsung MU8500 over MU7500. This makes it offers more excellent bright scenes and better picture quality when used in a bright room. Additionally, since MU8500 is also able to show the highlight of HDR images brighter, this also makes its HDR performance than Samsung MU7500. Nevertheless, as long as you don’t watch TV in an extremely bright room, images quality of MU7500 is fairly good. The other major advantage of MU8500 than MU7500 is about their motion handling and 24p playback. Pixel response time of MU8500 is far lower than MU7500 that makes the fast paced videos displayed on its screen looks smoother than MU7500. Additionally, despite most of people might not sensate to judder, when playing 24p movies, MU8500 is also offers better performance with judder-free than MU7500. Meanwhile, the other advantage of MU8500 than MU7500 is about their number of HDMI ports and Audio performance.

So, which is a better choice between them? Samsung MU8500 might offer better picture quality and performance than MU7500, but the picture quality and performance of Samsung MU7500 is also can be said very good for its class. Meanwhile, with all advantages which offered, MU8500 is sold hundreds dollar more expensive than MU7500, depends on the screen sizes. Now the decision comes back to you. If you don’t mind to spend hundreds dollar more of your money, Samsung MU8500 might be a better option for you. But even so, if you have a limited budget, MU7500 is also not a bad choice. But even so, before you decide to choose one of them, there are a lot of opinions from each of each of their real customers who have purchased one of them where you can make as your further consideration.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung MU7500 <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung MU8500 <<

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