There are some real standouts in Samsung's massive 2013 LCD TV range, particularly true when you're looking to spend a little money (the F5000), or a lot (the F8000). In the middle, things are little less clear-cut.
Our review of the F6300 and F6400 revealed so-so picture quality, and the F7100 is more of the same. The only picture quality improvement is slightly better black levels, and they're not deep enough to vault the 7100 into the next tier of LED LCD performers.
If you have your heart set on an LED LCD TV, better choices, such as the Sony W900 at 55 inches for a bit more money, or the Vizio M-series for a lot less, abound. Both will offer a better picture than this television. If you want a Smart Samsung LED LCD, the F6300 is a better value. If your mind isn't made up about getting an LED LCD, however, get a Panasonic ST60 plasma while you still can.
Series information: I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 55-inch Samsung UN55F7100, but this review also applies to the other screen sizes in the series. All sizes have identical specs, and, according to the manufacturer, should provide very similar picture quality.| Models in series (details) | |
| Samsung UN46F7100 | 46 inches |
| Samsung UN55F7100 (reviewed) | 55 inches |
| Samsung UN60F7100 | 60 inches |
| Samsung UN65F7100 | 65 inches |
DesignV
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If you think about a television in clothing terms, the screen is the outer-layer, while the bezel is the underpants. Most people don't care to see your "tighty-whities" unless you're Mark Wahlberg, so TV designers are similarly doing their best to give us the least amount of bezel possible. The F7100 offers a "barely there" bezel trimmed in silver instead of the black of the cheaper F5000 -- think of these as your flashy Calvin Klein undies. The F7100 offers a sturdier swivel stand than the cheaper 6300, though it's still the love-or-hate it "Hell is Chrome/Spiders" legs.V
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The heart of the 2013 Samsung interface is the five-panel Smart Hub which offers cable-box integration, apps and DLNA content. With the dual-core processor onboard, the screens move pretty quickly back and forth. The settings menu is fairly familiar, since it's the one the company has used for at least five years and is as easy to use as ever.Vi
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The new remote control is one of Samsung's most accomplished, with a touch pad and shortcuts. While it doesn't include a shortcut to Netflix, or include number buttons, it does have a link to the Smart Hub and supports a number of gestures. I'd still rather see a standard remote included in the box, but if you're doing lots of Web browsing, or inputting text with the onscreen keyboard, this is a pretty nifty remote.
| Key TV features | ||||
| Display technology | LCD | LED backlight | Edge-lit | |
| Screen finish | Glossy | Remote | Touchpad | |
| Smart TV | Yes | Internet connection | Built-in Wi-Fi | |
| 3D technology | Active | 3D glasses included | Four pairs | |
| Refresh rate(s) | 240Hz | Dejudder (smooth) processing | Yes | |
| DLNA-compliant | Photo/Music/Video | USB | Photo/Music/Video |
