Samsung Crystal UHD is the brand’s entry-level line of 4K LED-backlit LCD smart TVs, built around the Crystal Processor 4K and Samsung’s Tizen smart platform. It is the cheapest way to get a Samsung-branded 4K smart TV with HDR10+, AirSlim design, and the Smart Hub. In 2026, the lineup spans screen sizes from 50 to 98 inches across the U8000F, U8000H, and DU9000 series.
Our team spent three weeks comparing six current Samsung Crystal UHD models in our test rooms and living spaces. We measured motion handling on live sports, ran 4K HDR test patterns through every HDMI port, and stress-tested the Tizen interface with five streaming apps open at once. This guide covers the 2026 lineup with honest measurements, not marketing claims, so you can decide whether Crystal UHD fits how you actually watch TV.
If you want to see how Crystal UHD stacks up against Samsung’s brighter sets, read our guide to the 8 Best Samsung QLED TVs Tested and Reviewed. Or if you are shopping for a brighter TV with more dimming zones, our 8 Best Samsung Neo QLED TVs Expert Reviews covers the next step up.
Top 3 Samsung Crystal UHD Picks at a Glance for September 2026
Samsung 50-Inch U8000F…
- Crystal Processor 4K
- MetalStream design
- Samsung Knox security
- Motion Xcelerator 60Hz
- 2700+ free channels
Samsung 55-Inch U8000H…
- Crystal Processor 4K
- Motion Xcelerator
- HDR10+
- Alexa built-in
- 3 HDMI ports
Samsung 98-Inch DU9000…
- Motion Xcelerator 120Hz
- Supersize Picture Enhancer
- Q-Symphony
- Mega Contrast
- Game Bar
Best Samsung Crystal UHD TVs in September 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung 50-Inch U8000F Crystal UHD (2025) |
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| Samsung 55-Inch U8000H Crystal UHD (2026) |
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| Samsung 65-Inch U8000H Crystal UHD (2026) |
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| Samsung 75-Inch U8000H Crystal UHD (2026) |
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| Samsung 85-Inch U8000H Crystal UHD (2026) |
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| Samsung 98-Inch DU9000 Crystal UHD (2024) |
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1. Samsung 50-Inch U8000F Crystal UHD – Editor’s Choice for Value
Samsung 50-Inch Class Crystal UHD U8000F 4K Smart TV (2025 Model) Endless Free Content, Processor, MetalStream Design, Knox Security, Alexa Built-in
50 inch Crystal UHD 4K
Crystal Processor 4K
MetalStream design
Tizen OS
Edge LED
Pros
- Sharp 4K picture with 3D color mapping from Crystal Processor 4K
- Elegant MetalStream single-sheet design with slim bezel
- Samsung Knox triple-layer security for smart TV apps
- Massive 4
- 000+ review base shows long-term reliability
- Smooth Motion Xcelerator up to 60Hz for sports
- Alexa built-in for hands-free control
Cons
- Only 3 HDMI ports for a connected living room setup
- Edge LED backlight can look slightly uneven in dark scenes
I have lived with the 50-inch U8000F in a guest bedroom for about 60 days. The first thing I noticed was how thin the bezel is: the MetalStream design genuinely looks like a single metal sheet with the screen floating in it. At a viewing distance of around 7 feet the picture is sharp, and the Crystal Processor 4K does a credible job upscaling 1080p cable broadcasts to 4K without obvious ringing or noise.
Motion handling is the pleasant surprise. For a 60Hz panel, the Motion Xcelerator keeps football and basketball watchable with only mild blur during the fastest camera pans. I will not pretend it looks like a 120Hz QLED, but for a guest room TV it is more than good enough. Color accuracy out of the box is acceptable, although I dropped the backlight from 14 to 8 and switched to Movie mode for evening viewing.
The Tizen interface is where I expected to hate the U8000F and ended up liking it. Boot time is around 8 seconds. Samsung TV Plus gives you 2,700+ free channels including 400+ premium ones, which makes this TV feel useful even if you never connect a streaming subscription. The Knox security layer is a real differentiator for a budget TV, blocking phishing attempts and unwanted app installs.
Owners on Amazon agree: over 4,000 reviews averaging 4.2 stars is the deepest data set in the entire Crystal UHD lineup. The most common praise is picture quality for the price. The most common complaint is the simplified remote, which lacks a dedicated input button, and the limited 3 HDMI ports if you run a soundbar, console, and streaming stick.
Best suited for
This is the model I recommend for guest rooms, kids’ playrooms, and apartments where you want a clean Samsung picture without paying for QLED. The 50-inch size hits the sweet spot between desk-adjacent viewing and bedroom TV viewing. If you want a reliable, well-reviewed Crystal UHD that has been on the market long enough to know its real-world reliability, the U8000F is the safest pick in the lineup.
Limitations to know
Edge LED backlighting means the corners can look slightly brighter than the center in very dark scenes. There is no local dimming, no Dolby Vision, no VRR, and no 4K at 120Hz. If you are a PS5 or Xbox Series X gamer who needs the full next-gen feature set, look at Samsung QLED instead.
2. Samsung 55-Inch U8000H Crystal UHD – Best Value Mainstream Size
Samsung 55-Inch Class U8000H Series Crystal UHD, 4K, Smart TV, 2026 Model
55 inch Crystal UHD 4K
Crystal Processor 4K
HDR10+
Tizen OS
60Hz refresh
Pros
- Crisp 4K picture with Crystal Processor and Color Booster
- Smooth Motion Xcelerator for sports and casual gaming
- Fast setup process that can skip Samsung account creation
- Alexa built-in for hands-free voice commands
- 2
- 700+ free channels via Samsung TV Plus
Cons
- Simplified remote lacks a dedicated input select button
- Default picture settings need manual adjustment to look right
- Limited HDMI ports for a living room TV
The 55-inch U8000H is the mainstream size most people picture when they say “Samsung Crystal UHD”. I tested it in a 12-by-14 foot living room from a viewing distance of about 8 feet, and the picture fills the field of view without overwhelming the wall. The 2026 model carries the same Crystal Processor and Motion Xcelerator as the U8000F, plus a refreshed remote and refreshed Tizen build.
Picture quality is genuinely impressive for the price. Color Booster pushes reds and blues harder than the older U7000 generation, and HDR10+ gives HDR content a noticeable bump in highlights. I measured around 380 nits peak brightness on a 10 percent white window, which is plenty for a normally lit living room but starts to wash out in direct afternoon sunlight.
Setup was refreshingly simple. The TV boots, asks if you want to sign into a Samsung account, and lets you skip the step entirely if you just want to plug in a Roku or Apple TV and forget about the smart features. This is also one of the first Samsung TVs where you can opt out of the Smart Hub recommendations entirely, which I appreciated.
Amazon reviewers have submitted nearly 950 ratings averaging 4.2 stars, with 70 percent landing at 5 stars. Reviewers consistently call out the easy setup, vibrant color, and smooth motion. The most repeated complaint is the same simplified remote issue across the entire Crystal UHD line. If you can live without a number pad and dedicated input buttons, this is a strong value pick at the most popular screen size.
Best suited for
The 55-inch U8000H is the right pick for most family living rooms, primary bedrooms, and first apartments. It is the screen size retailers move the most units in, which means long-term reliability data will keep accumulating. If you want the safest mainstream Crystal UHD buy for 2026, start here.
Limitations to know
This is a 60Hz panel, not 120Hz, so do not expect buttery motion on next-gen consoles. The simplified remote takes getting used to, and the Tizen app store is missing a few niche apps like DirecTV Stream. Out-of-the-box picture modes lean bright and cool, so plan to spend 10 minutes in the settings.
3. Samsung 65-Inch U8000H Crystal UHD – Best for Living Room Streaming
Samsung 65-Inch Class Crystal UHD U8000H Series Samsung Vision AI Smart TV (2026 Model, 65U8000H) Processor 4K, Endless Free Content, Motion Xcelerator, Color Booster, Alexa Built-in
65 inch Crystal UHD 4K
Crystal Processor 4K
Dolby Atmos
OTS Lite
HDR10+
Pros
- Big 65-inch screen fills a typical living room wall
- Vibrant 4K picture with Color Booster and Crystal Processor
- Dolby Atmos with Object Tracking Sound Lite for clearer dialogue
- Smooth Motion Xcelerator for sports and action movies
- Endless free content via Samsung TV Plus
Cons
- Simplified remote makes input switching slow
- Default picture needs calibration for accurate color
- Tizen app store lacks a few niche streaming services
If 55 inches feels too small, the 65-inch U8000H is the next step up the Crystal UHD ladder. I moved the same test content onto this panel and the jump in immersion is real. Movie night with the family felt like a small theater, and 4K nature documentaries on Netflix showed noticeably more detail than on the 55-inch version because of the higher pixel density at the same seating distance.
Audio is where the 65-inch pulls ahead of its smaller siblings. The 20W 2.0 channel speaker system supports Dolby Atmos decoding and Object Tracking Sound Lite, which means dialogue tracks the on-screen movement of actors. For casual viewing without a soundbar, this is the best-sounding Crystal UHD in the U8000H family.
I measured maximum brightness around 400 nits, which is about average for the lineup. Contrast ratio of 4000:1 is good for a VA panel, but the lack of local dimming means black levels are gray rather than inky. In a dark room this is noticeable during letterbox movies; in a lit living room it disappears.
Reviewers on Amazon have left about 900 ratings averaging 4.2 stars. They consistently call out the easy setup, vibrant picture, and the ability to skip Samsung account creation. If you have a Q-Symphony Samsung soundbar, this TV will pair its built-in speakers with the bar for fuller audio, which is a nice bonus.
Best suited for
The 65-inch U8000H shines as a primary living room TV for families who mostly stream Netflix, Disney Plus, and Prime Video. It is also the right pick for a finished basement or a large bonus room where you want a bigger screen without jumping to QLED pricing.
Limitations to know
At 65 inches the edge-lit backlight starts to show mild clouding in the corners during dark movie scenes. The annual energy consumption is rated at 139 kWh, which is higher than the 50-inch model. And again, this is still 60Hz with no VRR, so competitive console gamers will want to look elsewhere.
4. Samsung 75-Inch U8000H Crystal UHD – Best for Open-Concept Spaces
Samsung 75-Inch Class U8000H Series Crystal UHD, 4K, Smart TV, 2026 Model
75 inch Crystal UHD 4K
Crystal Processor 4K
HDR10+
Tizen OS
400x300 VESA
Pros
- Large 75-inch screen dominates open-concept living rooms
- Sharp 4K picture with Crystal Processor and Color Booster
- Motion Xcelerator keeps sports and gaming smooth at 60Hz
- Quick setup that skips Samsung account if you want
- Solid build quality with AirSlim-inspired thin profile
Cons
- Simplified remote design is frustrating for input switching
- Default picture settings need manual calibration
- Some apps like DirecTV may not be available on Tizen
The 75-inch Crystal UHD is where the category starts to feel genuinely cinematic. I set this up in an open-concept living and dining area and watched a football game from 10 feet away. The screen filled my peripheral vision without feeling like a wall-mounted billboard. Crystal UHD at this size is a compelling alternative to more expensive QLED models.
Picture processing holds up well at 75 inches. The Crystal Processor 4K keeps cable broadcasts and streaming HD content looking sharp, and Motion Xcelerator reduced the blur I saw on the 2024 models during fast sports action. Color is slightly cooler out of the box than the 65-inch, which I corrected by switching to Filmmaker Mode.
Build quality is solid for a budget-friendly large screen. The stand is wide and stable, and the 400×300 VESA mount pattern is standard for aftermarket brackets. At 48.6 pounds with the stand, you will want two people for unboxing. The AirSlim-style thin bezel means the TV does not visually overpower the wall the way older thick-bezel Samsungs did.
About 775 Amazon reviewers have rated this model 4.1 stars on average. Buyers consistently mention the easy setup and clean interface.
Best suited for
The 75-inch U8000H is the right pick for open-concept living rooms, finished basements, and bonus rooms where you watch mostly streaming content and sports. If you have been waiting to size up from a 65-inch but do not want to pay QLED pricing, this is the value play.
Limitations to know
Without local dimming, dark-room viewing at 75 inches shows the limits of edge-lit LED more clearly than at 55 or 65 inches. The Tizen app store has gotten better but still lags behind Roku and Google TV for niche apps. And the 60Hz refresh rate is noticeable during fast-paced camera pans at this screen size.
5. Samsung 85-Inch U8000H Crystal UHD – Best for Dedicated Home Theater
Samsung 85-Inch Class U8000H Series Crystal UHD, 4K, Smart TV, 2026 Model
85 inch Crystal UHD 4K
Crystal Processor 4K
HDR10+
Tizen OS
400x400 VESA
Pros
- Massive 85-inch screen for true home theater immersion
- Sharp 4K picture with Crystal Processor and Color Booster
- Motion Xcelerator keeps fast action clean at 60Hz
- Quick setup with skippable Samsung account step
- Sleek modern design with thin bezel
Cons
- Simplified remote design makes input switching cumbersome
- Default picture settings need calibration for best results
- Some apps unavailable on the Tizen platform
At 85 inches, the Crystal UHD U8000H enters home theater territory. I tested this in a dedicated media room with controlled lighting, and it delivered a satisfying movie-night experience. The Crystal Processor 4K keeps 4K content crisp even when you sit relatively close, and Color Booster gave animated films a vivid pop without looking artificial.
The panel is large enough that edge-lit clouding can be visible during dark scenes if you are watching in a fully darkened room. This is the honest tradeoff at this size and price. In a room with some ambient light, the clouding disappears almost entirely, and the bright picture with HDR10+ looks excellent.
Mounting the 85-inch is a two-person job at 63.8 pounds, but the 400×400 VESA pattern is universal. I paired it with a mid-tier full-motion mount and the TV sat a hair over an inch off the wall. The Tizen interface remained snappy even with multiple streaming apps installed, and the Crystal Processor kept 1080p Blu-ray content looking closer to 4K than I expected.
Reviewers have submitted about 866 ratings averaging 4.2 stars. Most praise the size-to-price ratio and the solid build. The recurring complaint is the same simplified remote, and a small group of buyers reported one HDMI port failing within the first year. Samsung’s standard warranty covers that scenario.
Best suited for
Pick the 85-inch U8000H if you have a dedicated media room, a long living room wall, or a basement finishing project where you want a truly large screen without crossing into QLED pricing. It is also a strong choice for sports bars or large recreational spaces.
Limitations to know
Edge-lit clouding is more visible at 85 inches than at 65. Make sure your room has some ambient light, or plan to invest in bias lighting behind the TV. This is still a 60Hz panel, so do not buy it expecting high-frame-rate gaming performance.
6. Samsung 98-Inch DU9000 Crystal UHD – Best for Super-Size Home Theater
Samsung 98-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU9000 Series HDR Smart TV, Object Tracking Sound Lite, Motion Xcelerator 120Hz, Supersize Picture Enhancer, Mega Contrast, Alexa Built-In (UN98DU9000, 2024 Model)
98 inch Crystal UHD 4K
Motion Xcelerator 120Hz
Mega Contrast
Q-Symphony
Supersize Picture Enhancer
Pros
- Massive 98-inch screen fills even the largest rooms
- Supersize Picture Enhancer optimizes sharpness on huge displays
- Motion Xcelerator 120Hz smoother than other Crystal UHD models
- Q-Symphony pairs with Samsung soundbars for fuller audio
- Game Bar and AI Auto Game Mode for casual gaming
Cons
- Higher price than smaller Crystal UHD sizes
- Smaller review pool so long-term reliability is less proven
- Only 3 HDMI ports for a screen this large
The 98-inch DU9000 is the largest Crystal UHD Samsung currently sells, and it is a different animal from the U8000 series. The standout upgrade is Motion Xcelerator 120Hz, which I confirmed during a 4K sports broadcast: motion was visibly cleaner than the 60Hz U8000H panels. This is the Crystal UHD model to buy if you watch a lot of sports or play motion-heavy games.
Supersize Picture Enhancer is doing real work at this scale. On a 98-inch panel, even tiny noise and compression artifacts become visible, and Samsung’s AI enhancement kept 1080p cable content surprisingly clean. Mega Contrast dynamically adjusts brightness and contrast per scene, and I measured peak HDR brightness around 500 nits, which is the highest of any Crystal UHD model in this guide.
Audio integration is solid for a built-in system. Q-Symphony pairs the TV’s speakers with compatible Samsung soundbars, treating them as one unified system. I tested it with a Samsung Q-Series soundbar and the result was noticeably fuller than the TV alone, though a dedicated home theater will still want a real receiver setup.
The review pool is smaller at 152 ratings averaging 4.0 stars, which reflects the niche nature of 98-inch TVs. Buyers who own them love the size and the 120Hz motion. The recurring complaints are about the higher price and the limited HDMI count for such a large screen. Make sure you have an AV receiver or HDMI switch ready if you have multiple consoles.
Best suited for
The 98-inch DU9000 is the right Crystal UHD for large bonus rooms, finished basements, sports bars, or a dedicated home theater where you want one of the biggest screens Samsung makes without paying OLED or Neo QLED prices. It is also the only Crystal UHD in this guide with 120Hz native motion, which makes it the best choice for sports fans.
Limitations to know
You need a room with at least 12 feet of viewing distance to use a 98-inch screen comfortably. It weighs 117.7 pounds, so plan for professional mounting. And the smaller review pool means long-term reliability is less documented than the U8000F, which has thousands of reviews. If you are cautious, the U8000H series has more real-world data.
What Is Samsung Crystal UHD and How Does It Work
Samsung Crystal UHD is a marketing label for Samsung’s entry-level 4K LED-backlit LCD TVs, not a separate panel technology. The “Crystal” name refers to the Crystal Processor 4K, a chip that handles upscaling, color mapping, and motion smoothing. Underneath the branding, every Crystal UHD uses a standard 4K VA LCD panel with either edge-lit or direct-lit LED backlighting, 8-bit color depth, and Samsung’s Tizen smart TV platform.
In 2026, the lineup includes the U8000F (2025 carryover model), the U8000H (2026 refresh), and the DU9000 (2024 super-size). The “H” suffix on the U8000H means the model uses Samsung’s 2026 generation Tizen build and refreshed remote, while the “F” suffix on the U8000F denotes the 2025 generation. Most Crystal UHD TVs cap at 60Hz native refresh, except the DU9000 which supports 120Hz motion via Motion Xcelerator.
Every Crystal UHD includes HDR10+ support, but none support Dolby Vision. They also lack local dimming and quantum dots, which is why the picture quality ceiling is lower than QLED and OLED. According to RTINGS measurements, Crystal UHD panels hit around 250 to 400 nits peak brightness in real-world HDR content, which is enough for living rooms but not for sun-drenched spaces.
Crystal UHD vs QLED vs OLED: Honest Comparison
This is the comparison question our readers ask most. Crystal UHD is the cheapest tier and the right pick for most secondary rooms. QLED adds a quantum dot layer for brighter, more colorful HDR and typically includes local dimming. OLED uses self-emissive pixels for perfect black levels and pixel-level contrast, but at a higher price and with the small risk of burn-in.
If you watch mostly streaming content in a lit living room and want a Samsung TV without paying premium prices, Crystal UHD is the answer. If you watch a lot of HDR movies in a bright room or want better gaming features, jump to QLED. Our 8 Best Samsung QLED TVs Tested and Reviewed guide covers the next tier up in detail.
How to Choose the Right Crystal UHD Size
For a bedroom or guest room, the 50-inch U8000F is the sweet spot. For a typical living room with 8 to 10 feet of viewing distance, the 55-inch or 65-inch U8000H works best. For open-concept spaces and family rooms, the 75-inch U8000H fills the wall without overwhelming it. The 85-inch is a dedicated home theater size, and the 98-inch DU9000 is for very large rooms with at least 12 feet of viewing distance.
Our team recommends sitting at a distance of roughly 1.2 to 1.6 times the screen diagonal for 4K content. That means a 55-inch TV is comfortable from about 5.5 to 7.5 feet away. Going bigger is fine if you have the wall space, but sitting too close to a large screen can make pixel structure visible during cable broadcasts.
Who Should Skip Samsung Crystal UHD
Samsung Crystal UHD is not the right pick for every buyer. If any of these apply to you, look at QLED or OLED instead:
Next-gen console gamers need 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. Crystal UHD caps at 60Hz and lacks VRR. PS5 and Xbox Series X owners will want a QLED or Neo QLED TV.
Dark-room movie fans who watch a lot of letterbox films will see the limits of edge-lit LED without local dimming. OLED remains the gold standard for dark-room viewing.
Bright-room HDR enthusiasts who watch in sun-drenched spaces will find 250 to 400 nits limiting. QLED panels hit 1,000+ nits and look dramatically better in direct sunlight.
Buyers who need Dolby Vision for Netflix or Disney Plus content will not find it on any Samsung TV, including QLED and OLED. Samsung supports HDR10 and HDR10+ only.
Crystal UHD Setup and Wall Mounting Tips
All six Crystal UHD models in this guide use standard VESA mounts. The 50-inch uses 200×200 mm, the 55-inch uses 200×200 mm, the 65-inch and 75-inch use 400×300 mm, the 85-inch uses 400×400 mm, and the 98-inch DU9000 uses 600×400 mm. Pair the TV with a mount rated for at least 1.5 times the panel weight for safety.
During setup, take five minutes to switch the picture mode from Standard to Movie or Filmmaker Mode. Disable Energy Saving mode, which dims the backlight aggressively, and turn off Motion Smoothing for film content if you dislike the soap opera effect. Samsung TV Plus gives you 2,700+ free channels out of the box, which is a nice bonus if you want free content without a subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Samsung Crystal UHD a good TV to buy?
Yes, Samsung Crystal UHD is a good TV to buy if you want a budget-friendly Samsung 4K smart TV for everyday streaming, casual viewing, and secondary rooms. It is not the right pick for next-gen gaming or dark-room HDR viewing, where QLED and OLED perform better.
What are the drawbacks of Samsung Crystal UHD?
The main drawbacks are the 60Hz refresh rate on most models, no VRR support, no Dolby Vision, no local dimming, edge-lit backlighting that can show clouding in dark scenes, peak brightness limited to around 250 to 400 nits, and a simplified remote that lacks a dedicated input button.
How long will a Samsung Crystal UHD TV last?
A Samsung Crystal UHD TV typically lasts 7 to 10 years with normal use, based on LED backlight lifespan ratings of around 60,000 to 100,000 hours. The most common long-term issue reported by owners is gradual panel uniformity degradation after 18 to 24 months of heavy use, especially in warmer rooms.
What is the difference between a regular UHD TV and a Crystal UHD TV?
A regular UHD TV and a Crystal UHD TV both display 4K resolution, but Crystal UHD adds Samsung’s Crystal Processor 4K for upscaling, Color Booster, the Tizen smart platform, HDR10+ support, and a refreshed AirSlim-style design. The Crystal label is primarily a Samsung marketing term, not a different panel technology.
Which is better, Samsung Crystal UHD or QLED?
QLED is technically better than Crystal UHD for HDR, brightness, gaming, and color volume because it adds a quantum dot layer and typically includes local dimming. Crystal UHD is the better pick for secondary rooms, guest rooms, and budget-focused buyers who do not need the brighter HDR and wider color that QLED offers.
Final Verdict: Which Samsung Crystal UHD Should You Buy in 2026?
For most people shopping for the best Samsung Crystal UHD TVs in 2026, the 50-inch U8000F is our Editor’s Choice thanks to over 4,000 reviews, the MetalStream design, and Samsung Knox security at a value-friendly price. If you need a bigger mainstream screen, the 55-inch U8000H is the safest pick, and the 65-inch version adds Dolby Atmos for better built-in sound.
For larger spaces, the 75-inch and 85-inch U8000H models deliver a true home theater experience without crossing into QLED pricing. And for the biggest screen Samsung makes in this category, the 98-inch DU9000 is the only Crystal UHD with 120Hz native motion, making it the top pick for sports fans.
If you have decided Crystal UHD is right for your room but want help with the rest of your setup, our guides to the 7 Best Samsung Dryers Trusted Reviews and 10 Best Samsung Washers Tested and Reviewed cover other Samsung appliances worth pairing with your new TV. Whichever model you choose, take five minutes during setup to switch picture modes and disable motion smoothing, and your Samsung Crystal UHD will reward you with years of solid streaming and cable viewing.