The Samsung RU7100 is the entry level of Samsung’s 2019 4K HDR TV lineup and the Samsung NU7100 is it’s predecessor. As an entry level TV, each lacks some features and technology seen on higher end models, but of course their price is more affordable. On the market, both come in many screen size options. The smallest is the 43 inch (UN43RU7100 vs UN43NU7100), then there’s a 50 inch (UN50RU7100 vs UN50NU7100), a 55 inch (UN55RU7100 vs UN55NU7100), a 58 inch (UN58RU7100 vs UN50NU7100), a 65 inch (UN65RU7100 vs UN65NU7100), and the largest is the 75 inch (UN75RU7100 vs UN75NU7100). Unique for the NU7100, there is also a 40 inch version (UN40NU7100). When writing this comparison and when comparing between the same screen size, the RU7100 is more expensive than the NU7100 depending on the screen size. Of course, this is more because the RU7100 is a newer model so it still is close to the full retail price while the price of the NU7100 has dropped a lot due to it being a 2018 model. So what the new features are offered by the RU7100 and is its performance better than it’s NU7100 predecessor?
Samsung RU7100 vs the NU7100 Key Specs
| Technology and Features | Samsung RU7100 | Samsung NU7100 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size Available | 43 Inches (UN43RU7100), 50 Inches (UN50RU7100), 55 Inches (UN55RU7100), 58 Inches (UN58RU7100), 65 Inches (UN65RU7100), and 75 Inches (UN75RU7100)) | 40 Inches (UN40NU7100), 43 Inches (UN43NU7100), 50 Inches (UN60NU7100), 55 Inches (UN55NU7100), 58 Inches (UN58NU7100), 65 Inches (UN65NU7100), 75 Inches (UN40NU7100) |
| Resolution | 4K (3840 x 2160) | 4K (3840 x 2160) |
| Panel Technology | VA Panel | VA Panel |
| Backlight Technology | Edge Lit LED | Edge Lit LED |
| Local Dimming Technology | No | No |
| Dimming Technology | UHD Dimming | UHD Dimming |
| Ultra Viewing Angle Technology | No | No |
| Processor | 4K UHD Processor | UHD Engine |
| HDR Quality | HDR | HDR |
| HDR Supports | HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ | HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ |
| Color Technology | PurColor | PurColor |
| Depth Enhancing Technology | N/a | Contrast Enhancer |
| UHD Up-Scaling | Yes | Yes |
| Motion Technology | Motion Rate Advanced 120 | Motion Rate 120 |
| Native Refresh Panel | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Smart TV Platform | Tizen 2019 | Tizen 2018 |
| Processor | Quad Core | Quad Core |
| Support Google Assistant | Yes | – |
| Support Amazon Alexa | Yes | – |
| Remote | Basic Remote(TM1240A) | Basic Remote(TM1240A) |
| Speaker Channel | 2 | 2 |
| Total Sound Output | 20 watts | 20 watts |
| HDMI Ports | 3 | 3 |
| HDMI Supports | HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth, CEC, HDCP 2.2 | HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth, CEC, HDCP 2.2 |
| USB 2.0 | 2 | 3 |
| USB 3.0 | No | No |
| Price | See today’s price | See today’s price |
Technology and Features of Samsung NU7100 and RU7100
As we see on the comparison table above, there is almost no difference in specs and features offered by the Samsung RU7100 and the NU7100. Featuring 4K resolution, they both use VA display panel technology and an Edge Lit backlight. They both lack local dimming technology. But they do have a UHD Dimming technology to enhance the picture. It is a software based dimming system that can help to improve contrast and black produced. A small difference in specs is listed on their official site, the NU7100 has a feature called Contrast Enhancer while the RU7100 does not. Nevertheless I think that Samsung just doesn’t list this technology as the spec of the NU7100. Aside from that, for delivering good color reproduction they both rely on the PurColor technology.
For their processor, the Samsung NU7100 is powered by UHD Engine while the RU7100 is powered by 4K UHD Processor. But even so this difference is just about market name, while performance of their processor actually is very similar. Coming with HDR, they both also support the same HDR formats including HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+. Additionally, they both have a good 4K Up-scaling engine, allowing you to enjoy non UHD content in 4K resolution, even in HDR quality.
For enhancing its performance in handling motion, the Samsung RU7100 relies on the Motion Rate Advanced 120 while the NU7100 relies on the Motion Rate 120 Technology. There is an additional “advanced” on the motion technology of the RU7100. We don’t know for sure the differences between both, whether there is an actual improvement offered by Motion Rate Advanced 120 over Motion Rate 120 or this is just marketing talk. But they both are based on a native 60 Hz Refresh rate panel. Since both the RU7100 and the NU7100 only have a native 60 Hz refresh rate panel, this makes their ability in handling motion limited.
And for delivering sound, both are only equipped with a basic 2.0 channel speaker system with 20 watts of total sound output. There is no built-in subwoofer. But even so, if you want a more impressive sound quality, you just need to add an additional sound bar.
The Difference
Based on the specs and features listed on their official site, there is almost no difference between the Samsung RU7100 and the NU7100. Their design is almost the same. The main difference between them is the version of their Smart TV Platform. They both feature the same smart TV platform, but their version is different. The RU7100 comes with the 2019 version while the NU7100 comes with the 2018 version. There are some improvements offered by the 2019 version over the 2018 version, especially in performance. Additionally the 2019 version now supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. But even so, although the 2018 version doesn’t yet support Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, there will be a software update of the 2018 version that makes it support them. Meanwhile, as the controller, they both use basic Samsung’s Remote TM1240A where this remote lacks voice navigation feature.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung RU7100 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung NU7100 <<
Samsung RU7100 vs the NU7100 Performance
Contrast and Black Level
Although both the Samsung RU7100 and the NU7100 do not have local dimming, but their native contrast ratio is already high, allowing them to produce a deep black. The Samsung RU7100 is the newer model and has a higher native contrast ratio than the NU7100, allowing it to produce a deeper black. But even so, the difference is not very significant and does not have a significant impact on the result, so we can ignore this difference. Despite that difference, their native contrast ratio is higher than 5000:1, allowing them to produce a black level deeper than 0.02 nits. The Black level produced by them is actually very deep and dark enough to make black look really black, even when viewed in a dark room. So when viewed in a dark room, the black produced will not look gray like on an IPS TV or on aa TV with a low contrast ratio. The Black level reached by them is even dark enough to show shadow detail of HDR images excellently.
Unfortunately they don’t have local dimming to reduce blooming or unwanted adjacent light around bright objects. So when they’re showing a small bright object or highlights in a dark scene, the blooming is visible around it and can not be reduced. So in general, its performance in a dark room is great and very suitable for those who like to watch movies in a completely dark room.
Winner: RU7100
Peak Brightness
There is also a slight improvement in the peak brightness offered by the RU7100 over th NU7100. But just like with their native contrast ratio, the improvement offered by the RU7100 it’s not significant and doesn’t have a significant impact. Unlike the higher level models above them when displaying HDR content, their peak brightness is typically brighter than with SDR — the peak brightness of the RU7100 and the NU7100 is almost similar in appearance for both HDR and SDR.
Since they both don’t have local dimming, their peak brightness is very similar in almost all bright area sizes. This means that no matter whether they are showing highlights in a dark scene or bright scene, the peak brightness reached is almost the same, except for a 2% bright area where its peak brightness is dimmed by the algorithm. And unfortunately their peak brightness is not very bright. Peak brightness reached by them is just between 250 – 300 nits. With peak brightness reached by them, they can not get very bright and are only suitable for average-lit or a dim lit room. When set in a bright room, the picture displayed looks too dim as their peak brightness is not bright enough to fight glare. For HDR content their peak brightness is still far from that required. This means that although they both support HDR content, you will not get the benefits offered by HDR content over SDR contents, particularly when showing highlight and bright scenes. But for their price range, what is achieved by both the RU7100 and the NU7100 is still acceptable.
Winner: RU7100
Color Reproduction
Both the Samsung RU7100 and the Samsung NU7100 don’t support a wide color gamut. This means their color gamut is less than 90% of DCI P3 color space or still less than what’s required for showing HDR images fully as intended. In DCI P3, the color coverage of the RU7100 is only around 87% while the NU7100 is even worse at around 80%. They can not show Red and Green fairly saturated. Color gamut produced by them is only wide enough for SDR content but for showing the color of HDR excellently, it is not wide enough. Although they are not able to show colors of HDR images excellently, their color gamut is still better than most TVs in this price range. And since their color gamut is limited, this also makes the color volume not good. They both can not produce deep, dark colors and also can not produce bright saturated colors. Compared among them, since the RU7100 has a wider color gamut than the NU7100, this also makes its color volume better than the impact on the color reproduction produced.
Although not as good as the higher le vet models above them, both the Samsung NU7100 and the RU7100 have a good color gradient. Although there’s still some moderate imperfections visible in certain colors like blur, green, and dark grey, most people will probably bot notice this. Overall the color gradient of images (particularly when they are showing HDR images) looks very smooth. Meanwhile, compared between them, the color gradient of the NU7100 is somewhat better than the RU7100.
Winner: RU7100 wins in color gamut and volume, NU7100 wins in color gradient
Side Viewing Angle
Just like other TVs with a VA panel, both the Samsung RU7100 and th NU7100 have a poor side viewing angle. Starting at around 25 degrees off center and front, the color of images displayed on their screen will look washed out. The black level is even degraded starting at a narrower angle that is around 15 degrees. The result is that when viewed from the side, the picture displayed on screen will not look as well as when it is viewed from the center and front. For this year, Samsung has actually introduced a new technology called ‘Ultra Viewing Angle’ that can improve the side viewing angle coverage of their lineup, but this technology might just end up on the higher level models for their QLED TV lineup.
Winner: Draw
Motion Handling
Both the Samsung NU7100 and the RU7100 can not do a great job when handling motion blur. Their pixel response time is mediocre, being higher than most other TVs in this price range. Although the RU7100 brings a better improvement in pixel response time over the NU7100, but it’s still higher than most TVs in their class. The result when they are playing fast moving images like fast movies, sports, or fast games, the picture produced is not as smooth as the competitor or for the higher level models above them. This is due to a ghosting trail following fast moving objects looking longer than most of the competitors. Fortunately most people don’t notice this much, so this should not be problem for them. Although their motion handling is not as good as the series above them, this is still acceptable. Even the blur that is visible is caused more by persistence than their pixel response time.
For dimming their backlight, they both use a PWM Dimming system with a default frequency of 240 Hz. The dimming frequency is actually fairly high to make backlight flicker not as visible for most people, but some people may notice a backlight flicker that bothers them. When the ‘Auto Motion Plus’ is enabled, the dimming frequency changes to 120 Hz. Additionally, when changing to Game Mode this also makes their dimming frequency automatically change to 120 Hz. Their dimming frequency will even change to 60 Hz if you set ‘Auto Motion Plus’ to Custom and enable the ‘LED Clear Motion’. With the lower dimming frequency, the backlight flicker can be more noticeable, but on the other hand, this will help to reduce persistence blur, particularly when playing 60 fps content like sports and video games.
Unlike the series above them, these both don’t support FreeSync Variable Refresh Rate. This feature actually is very helpful to make playing games feel more comfortable, particularly when you’re playing a game with a supported device like the X Box One and others.
Winner: RU7100
Inputs
For their major connectivity, the Samsung NU7100 and the RU7100 are equipped with 3 HDMI ports where they support HDMI 2.0 full bandwidth, HDCP 2.2, and CEC. Additionally one of their HDMI ports (HDMI 3) is also supports ARC (Audio Return Channel). Unfortunately, none of them supports eARC. They are also equipped with 2 USB ports where all of them are USB 2.0. They both don’t have USB 3.0. In addition to HDMI and USB, there is also 1 Composite In (AV In), 1 Component In, 1 RF IN, and 1 Digital Audio Out (optical). And for connecting with other devices, they are equipped with Ethernet and built-in Wi-Fi.
The Samsung RU7100 has a better input lag than the NU7100 in Game and PC mode, but basically, the input lag of the NU7100 are already excellent in both 1080p and 4K resolution. With around 11 ms for the RU7100 and 13 ms for the NU7100, this makes them very responsive for gaming. No matter if you are playing casual or fast paced games, HDR or non HDR, you’ll be pleased. In addition to input lag, a small improvement offered by the RU7100 over the NU7100 is it supports 1440p at 60 Hz where the NU7100 doesn’t support this.
Winner: RU7100
Smart TV Experience
As we have discussed above, the Samsung RU7100 features the 2019 version of the Tizen OS while the NU7100 features the 2018 version of the Tizen OS. Compared to the platform of higher level series like the RU8000 and the NU8000, they only have a few animations and lack some smart features such as Samsung’s Bixby Voice Assistant. Compared between the two versions, there are not many changes offered by the 2019 version over the 2018 version. The user interface is not very different, it has a simplistic and modern design. When navigating, the interface is smooth without much lag. In general, their navigation is relatively smooth and easy to use. For the apps provided, there are a lot of popular apps installed. There are video on demand services such as Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Video, Hulu, Web Browser, Live TV, Games, and many more. Additionally they both also have an app store called the “Samsung Apps Store” providing tons of downloadable apps, content, games, and more that you can directly download to your Samsung TV. Although the content provided is not as complete as provided by the Google Play Store, its still more complete than what’s provided by the LG Apps Store. The advantage of the 2019 version is that it supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. With default software, the 2018 version doesn’t support Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Although with an update, the 2018 version also works with these apps.
Winner: Draw
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung RU7100 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung NU7100 <<
Summary
| Performance | Samsung RU7100 | Samsung NU7100 |
|---|---|---|
| Picture Quality | (3.7/5) | (3.7/5) |
| HDR | (3.7/5) | (3.7/5) |
| Motion Handling | (3.3/5) | (3.2/5) |
| Inputs | (4.9/5) | (4.7/5) |
| Sound Quality | (3.3/5) | (3.3/5) |
| Smart TV | (3.7/5) | (3.7/5) |
Conclusion
As mentioned above, the newer model Samsung RU7100 brings improvements on almost all aspects. It can produce a deeper black, a brighter peak brightness, and better color reproduction. Additionally, the RU7100 also has a lower pixel response time that makes performance in handling motion blur better. In terms of input lag (although the input lag of the NU7100 is already excellent) the RU7100 even offers lower input lag than the NU7100, which makes it very responsive for any game. Overall the RU7100 is better than the NU7100 predecessor.
And as an entry level TV, their performance and picture quality is not as good as the higher level series above them. Since they both have a very deep black, performance in a dark room is excellent. Otherwise, since their peak brightness is not so bright, both are only suitable for a moderately lit and dim lit room. While in a bright room, their peak brightness is not bright enough to fightglare. Additionally, the other main drawback of them is they both have a poor side viewing angle. Even so, aside from their limited picture quality and performance (particularly in playing HDR content), the Samsung NU7100 and the RU7100 are good TVs for their price range.
So which is a better choice for you? Of course the RU7100 is better. In addition to being a newer model, performance offered is also better than its predecessor. But keep in mind that since it is newer, the RU7100 has a higher price tag. On the other hand, since the NU7100 is a 2018 model, its price has dropped a lot, making it more affordable than the RU7100. And considering that the performance offered by the NU7100 is not much different than the RU7100, it is still not a bad choice. Now the decision is yours.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung RU7100 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung NU7100 <<
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