4K UHD LED TV Comparison is supported by its audience. We review products independently. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Samsung X720E and Samsung MU6300 are the entry level 4K which available in the market. One of the advantages of them certainly is about their cheap price. Nevertheless, although they have a cheap price, but picture quality and performance that offered is not too disappointing. In the market, Sony X720E comes with 3 screen sizes available including 55 Inch (KD55X720E), 49 Inch (KD49X720E), and 43 Inch (KD43X720E), while Samsung MU6300 comes with a lot of screen sizes options including 40 Inch (UN40MU6300), 43 Inch (UN43MU6300), 50 Inch (UN50MU6300), 55 Inch (UN55MU6300), 65 Inch (UN65MU6300), and 75 Inch (UN75MU6300). With the same screen sizes (UN43MU6300 vs KD43X720E, UN50MU6300 vs KD49X720E, UN55MU6300 vs KD55X720E), X720E is sold about tens to hundreds dollar more expensive than MU6300. So, which is superior between them and a better choice?
Short Review of Samsung MU6300
Samsung MU6300 is the flat model of Samsung’s 2017 4K HDR TV Lineup Series 6. Although picture quality and performance that offered is not as great as the higher series, but for its price range, what offered by MU6300 is fairly well, even some certain points have excellent performance. Like other model of Samsung’s 2017 4K TV lineup, MU6300 also already supports HDR. Behind it, there is 4K HDR Pro Engine that already supports HDR 10 format and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma). Special for HLG, it needs an upcoming software update once the HLG’s standardization is confirmed. Meanwhile, for delivering strong native contrast ratio and excellent black uniformity, Samsung MU6300 uses VA panel with Direct Led backlight. There is no local dimming technology behind it, but as the instead, it is powered by UHD Dimming and Essential Black Pro, the technologies that designed for improving the contrast ratio and black level. Combination of these technologies makes MU6300 has high native contrast ratio and deep black level, makes it is a good TV when used in a dark room. Otherwise, for maximizing its performance in a bright room, MU6300 is powered by Ultra Clear Panel, a technology that effectively reduces the glare of ambient light. While for improving its color performance, there is 4K Color Drive Technology behind it. Combination of all technologies behind it makes picture quality of MU6300 is including one of the best. But unfortunately, since it uses VA panel, limited side viewing angle coverage certainly becomes its main drawback, makes when viewed from a side angle, the picture displayed doesn’t look as good as when viewed from center and front.
Meanwhile, for maximizing its performance when used for playing fast moving images, Samsung MU6300 is powered by Motion Rate 120 based on native 60 Hz refresh rate panel. Although it only has native 60 Hz refresh rate panel, but its pixel response time is quite low, makes the picture produced looks smooth with less motion blur. The other strong point of Samsung MU6300 is about its input lags in “game mode” where it is low enough for playing any kind of games, even for fast paced games that require fast reflexes. And for completing your home entertainment with smart features, Samsung MU6300 comes with Tizen OS as its smart TV platform and powered by a quad core processor.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the MU6300 <<
Short review of Sony X720E
Like the MU6300, the Sony X720E is also an entry level of Sony’s 2017 4K TV lineup. Compared to the higher series like X800E or X850E series, it lacks some important technologies like TriLuminos Display and X1 4K HDR Processor that makes its performance is not as good as the higher series. But even so, its picture quality and performance is not far behind the higher series. Additionally, considering it is sold hundreds dollar cheaper than the higher series, what offered by X720E is still fairly good for its class.
Like Samsung MU6300, Sony X720E also comes with HDR technology and supports HDR 10 and HLG format only. Behind it, there is 4K X-Reality Pro Engine as its picture engine. If MU6300 uses VA panel as its panel technology, X720E uses IPS panel as its panel technology. As we know, one of the advantages of IPS panel than IPS panel is about its wider viewing angle coverage that makes it is very suitable when used in a wide room where viewers comes from multiple viewing angles. The drawback, its native contrast ratio is very low, makes its performance in a dark room is not as good as VA TVs. Nevertheless, for maximizing its contrast ratio and black level, Sony X720E uses Edge Lit-backlight with frame dimming technology and powered Dynamic Contrast ratio. This means, X720E also doesn’t have local dimming technology. Additionally, lacks of TriLuminos Display might makes its color performance is not as good as the higher series that comes with TriLuminos Display. Nevertheless, with Live Color Technology behind it, this makes the color of picture displayed on its screen still looks accurate.
Additionally, for delivering smooth and clear picture quality when it is used for watching fast paced videos like sport or fast movies, Sony X720E is powered by MotionFlow XR240 based on native 60 Hz refresh rate panel. Combine to its extremely low pixel response time, makes the picture produced also looks clear and smooth without many motion blurs. The input lag of Sony X720E in “Game Mode” is also quite low and similar to MU6300, makes it is very comfortable when used for playing any kind of games. Meanwhile, as its smart TV platform, X720E doesn’t come with Google Android TV like the higher series, but it comes custom Sony Operating System with Opera TV as its apps and contents store.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the X720E <<
Sony X720E vs Samsung MU6300 Key Specs
| Specs and Features | Sony KD X720E | Samsung MU6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Size Available | 43 Inch (KD43X720E), 49 Inch (KD49X720E), 55 Inch (KD55X720E) | 40 Inc (UN40MU6300), 43 Inch (UN43MU6300), 50 Inch (UN50MU6300), 55 Inch (UN65MU6300), 65 Inch (UN65MU6300), and 75 Inch UN65MU6300) |
| Panel Type | IPS Panel | VA Panel |
| Resolution | 4K (2160 x 3840) | 4K (2160 x 3840) |
| LED Backlight | Edge LED | Direct Led |
| Local Dimming | No | No |
| Dimming Technology | Frame Dimming | UHD Dimming |
| Color Technology | Live Color Technology | 4K Color Drive |
| Supports 10 bit color | No | Yes |
| Picture Engine | 4K X-Reality Pro | 4K HDR Pro |
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR 10, HLG (Ready) | HDR 10, HLG (Ready) |
| Image Processor | 4K X-Reality Pro Engine | 4K X-Reality Pro Engine |
| Contrast Enhancement | Dynamic Contrast Ratio | Essential Black Pro |
| Motion Control | Motion Flow XR240 (native 60 Hz) | Motion Rate 120 (native 60 Hz) |
| 3D Technology | No | No |
| Smart TV Platform | Custom Sony Operating System | Tizen OS (Smart Hub) |
| Processor | Information not Provided | Quad Core |
| Audio Channel | 2 | 2 |
| Speaker Type | Open Baffle Speaker | Down Firing w/Bass Reflex |
| Audio Output | 10 W + 10 Watt | 10 W + 10 Watt |
| HDMI Ports | 3 | 3 |
| USB Ports | 3 | 3 |
| Price | See today’s price | See today’s price |
Sony X720E vs Samsung MU6300 Performance
Picture Quality
In a dark room
Which one is better between picture quality of Samsung MU63000 and Sony X720E is depending on the condition of a room where they are used. Since they use different type of panel, this also makes they have different characteristic in picture quality. In a dark room where the effect of high native contrast ratio is very sensitive, Samsung MU6300 is far superior to Sony X720E. Samsung MU6300 with VA panel has strong native contrast ratio and good black uniformity, makes its dark room performance is excellent. With more than 5000:1 of native contrast ratio, this is quite strong to make black color of image looks really very deep. This certainly makes dark scene of images looks fairly good. Additionally, black level reached by MU6300 is also quite dark to reveal details of HDR images in dark scene fairly good, makes shadow details of HDR images looks fairly good. On other hand, for Sony X720E, with less than 1000:1 of native contrast ratio, this certainly is not quite strong to make black color looks really dark, even black tend to look grey when set in a dark room. This certainly makes dark scenes of images displayed on the screen of X720E looks unnatural. Additionally, when inputted by HDR images, Sony X720E also cannot show shadow details of HDR images like what intended. As we know, for displaying shadow details of images like what intended, a HDR TV must have 0.05 nits of black level or darker. Meanwhile, with about 1000:1 of native contrast ratio, X720E can only reach about 0.1 nits of black level that means it is still far from what recommended. On other hand, with more than 5000:1 of native contrast ratio, MU6300 can reach black level deeper than 0.02 nits that means it is very good for HDR contents.
In a bright room
Meanwhile, when set in a bright room, the picture displayed on the screen of Sony X720E looks far better. As we know, in a bright room, the effect of native contrast ratio is not as sensitive as in dark room. On other hand, its peak brightness is also quite bright to makes bright scene looks fairly bright, even it is also quite bright to fight the glare. Combined to its good reflection handling, this certainly makes the picture displayed on its screen looks fairly good when set in a room with ambient light. On other hand, the peak brightness of Samsung MU6300 is similar to X720E, makes it also have a good bright room performance. Nevertheless, since they don’t have local dimming and their peak brightness is similar in all windows size, both of Samsung MU6300 and Sony X720E is not able to brighten the small windows size, even for MU6300, its peak brightness dim at 2% of windows size, make small highlight of images looks dimmer. Peak brightness of Samsung MU6300 and Sony X720E might quite bright to show bright scene looks bright and makes their bright room performance is fairly good, but it cannot show highlight of HDR images brighter than 1000 nits like what intended. As we know, for displaying HDR images like what intended, a HDR TV must have 1000 nits of peak brightness or brighter. Nevertheless, although they cannot show highlight of HDR images in range 1000 nits – 4000 nits like what intended, what reached by Samsung MU6300 and Sony X720E is fairly bright for their class.
Color Performance
Although both of Sony X720E and Samsung MU6300 already support HDR, but both of them don’t support wide color gamut that required by HDR images. Both of them only can properly show colors in Rec.709 color space of SDR images that means when displaying SDR contents, the color of the picture displayed on their screen looks very accurate. On other hand, although both of them don’t support wide color gamut, most of colors in DCI P3 color space still can be shown properly by them that makes color of HDR images still looks fairly accurate. But even so, both of them cannot show deep colors as saturated as what intended, makes their color accuracy is not as accurate as TVs with wide color gamut, particularly when showing deep colors. On other hand, since both of them have narrow color gamut and don’t have local dimming, this certainly also makes their color volume is not so good. Their color gamut significantly narrows in dark colors, particularly for X720E that has poor native contrast ratio. Meanwhile compared between them, Samsung MU6300 has a bit wider color gamut and a bit better color volume that makes it offers a bit rendition of colors than Sony X720E, particularly when displaying HDR images. Additionally, talking about their color gradient, Samsung MU6300 also offers better performance than Sony X720E particularly when displaying HDR images. MU6300 already supports 10 bit depth of color that means it can show color gradient of HDR images smoothly without any major color banding. Some little imperfections might still be visible in darker shades of color, bit overall its performance is great. On the other hand, Sony X720E only supports 8 depth of color. Nevertheless, although not as smooth as MU6300 and doesn’t support 10 bit depth of color, overall, Sony X720E doesn’t have major problem on color banding when displaying HDR images.
Overall, since it has far stronger native contrast ratio, better black uniformity, wider color gamut, and better color gradient, this certainly makes Samsung MU6300 has better picture quality and better HDR performance than Sony X720E. But even so, this condition is only as true to when the picture is viewed from the center and front of the screen, while when viewed from an angle, the result will be different.
Winner: MU6300
Side Viewing Angle
The use of IPS panel might makes the contrast ratio of Sony X720E is poor, but on the other hand, this makes X720E has wider viewing angle coverage than Samsung MU6300. On the screen of MU6300, the quality of the picture will looks degraded started at 20 degrees off center and front. Color will shift and black will look grey, makes the picture doesn’t look as good as when viewed from the front and center of the screen. On the other hand, the picture displayed on the screen of X720E looks more consistent at wider viewing angle. This makes Sony X720E is better when used in a wide room with viewers watch TV from multiple viewing angles. On other hand, for mU6300, since its side viewing angle is limited, watch TV from side viewing angle should be avoided.
Winner: X720E
Motion Handling and 24p Playback
As we have mentioned, for maximizing their performance when handling motion blur, Samsung MU6300 is powered by Motion Rate 120 while Sony X720E is powered by MotionFlow XR240. Both of these technologies are based on native 60 Hz refresh rate panel. Meanwhile, both of them also have similar low pixel response time that means this is good. The result, when displaying fast moving images like sports program or fast movies, the picture displayed on their screen looks very smooth with almost no motion blur visible. Following fast moving object, there is only a short trail where most of people might don’t notice about that. Meanwhile, when used for playing 24p videos, Sony X720E offer a bit better performance than Samsung MU6300, particularly when they are playing 24p videos like Blu Ray Movies. For this case, the picture displayed on the screen of X720E looks smooth with judder-free while on the screen of MU6300, the judder cannot be removed completely. But even so, when playing 24p videos via 60p signal like movies from streaming device or via signal like movies from satellite TV, their performance is equally not so good. This means both of them cannot remove the judder completely. But fortunately, most of people don’t notice about judder, so this should not be a serious problem for them. Additionally, since both of X720E and MU6300 have native 60 Hz refresh rate panel, it supports 30fps motion interpolation only, while to interpolate 60 fps video, both of them don’t have ability for that.
Winner: X720E
Inputs/Outputs
As their major connectivity, both of Samsung MU6300 and Sony X720E are equally equipped with 3 HDMI ports. This might not as many as what provide by the higher class TVs, but I think they are enough to cover most of your HD Devices like Blu Ray Movies, Satellite Receiver or Game Console, or others. While the number of their HDMI ports are the same, the number of USB ports of X720E are a bit more, which are 3 USB ports while MU6300 is only equipped with 2 USB ports. Additionally, the excepting of Analog Audio Out (Mini Jack) where X720E is equipped with this port while MU6300 is not, both of them are equipped with similar inputs/outputs. There are 1 Composite In, 1 Component In, 1 Ethernet, and 1 Digital Audio Out (Optical). Meanwhile, talking about the input lags of their HDMI port, both of them have similar low input lags in “Game Mode” and “PC Mode”, no matter it is for 4K signal or 1080p signal. With about 20 ms of input lags at any source, this certainly makes them very comfortable when used for playing any kind of games, even for fast paced games that require fast reflexes.
Winner: X720E
Smart TV
As their smart TV platform, Samsung MU6300 features Tizen OS that powered by a quad core processor, while Sony X720E features Custom Sony Operating system based on Linux OS. Tizen OS is very attractive with a lot of features and apps, but it is still easy to use. The core of this OS is a narrow bar at the bottom of the home menu where it contains a lot of quick access to most useful features and most popular apps. This allows you to launch them without leaving the home screen. Additionally, with the support of a quad core processor, this makes its performance is very fast and responsive. Once an app is launched, it will open quickly. Additionally, switching between different opened apps also feel responsively. Talking about apps provided, there are a lot of interesting apps provided as their preinstalled apps. There are Premium VoD service like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Videos, and many more, Live TV, Cloud Games, Web Browser, and many more. Additionally, there is also Samsung apps store that provides tons of interesting and useful apps, games, and contents. On other hand, the smart TV platform of Sony X720E is very simple. Nevertheless, it has almost all the functions what people expect on a Smart TV like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Videos and many more. Nevertheless, although its interface is very simple but navigation might still a bit confusing, particularly for first time users.
As the controller, Samsung MU6300 is equipped with Samsung Smart Remote, while Sony X720E comes with Sony’s Basic Remote. The remote of MU6300 is very simple and only has few buttons, while the remote of X720E is large and have many buttons. On Sony Remote, there are Netflix and YouTube quick access button, so to launch these apps, you don’t need to open this app via home screen menu. Meanwhile, although Samsung remote has a few buttons, but it is equipped with excellent voice command, allows you to make a picture setting, change inputs and other functions with your voice. O other hand, Sony Remote is not equipped with Voice command. The other advantage of MU6300’s remote, it can be functioned as a universal remote, that allows you to control some functions of other device connected on your TV via HDMI ports with your Samsung Remote. Meanwhile, X720E’s remote is not equipped with this ability.
Winner: MU6300
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the MU6300 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the X720E <<
Summary
| Performance | Sony X720E | Samsung MU6300 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | (4/5) | (4.3/5) |
| Picture Quality | (3.5/5) | (3.7/5) |
| HDR Performance | (3.4/5) | (3.6/5) |
| Motion Handling | (3.8/5) | (3.2/5) |
| Inputs | (4.6/5) | (4.5/5) |
| Sound Quality | (2.8/5) | (3.3/5) |
| Smart TV | (3.1/5) | (4.1/5) |
Conclusion
As we have discussion a lot above, overall, Samsung MU6300 has better picture quality than X720E due it has stronger native contrast ratio, better black uniformity, wider color gamut and better color gradient. Additionally, the advantage of some points of picture quality also makes MU6300 has better HDR performance than X720E. But even so, the superiority of MU6300 is only as true to when the picture viewed from the front and center of the screen, while when viewed from an angle, X720E is superior due it has wider side viewing angle coverage. The other major advantage of Samsung MU6300 than Sony X720E is about their smart TV platform where with Tizen OS, it offers more attractive, responsive and simple smart TV experience with a lot of more apps provided. Meanwhile, talking about other features like their motion handling, 24p playback, and input lags, their performance tends to be similar.
Which is a better choice between them? As we have mentioned above, with the same screen, Sony X720E is sold about tens to hundreds dollar more expensive than Samsung MU6300, while the major advantage that offered is about its wider side viewing angle coverage. On other hand, although it is sold cheaper, Samsung MU6300 precisely has better picture quality and more attractive smart TV platform. Now, the decision comes back to you according to your need and preferences. As long as you don’t often watch TV from an angle, Samsung MU6300 might be a better option for you. Nevertheless, if you need a TV to be used in a wide room with viewers watch TV from multiple angles, Sony X720E might be a better option for you.
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Samsung MU6300 <<
>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony X720E <<
Leave a Reply