Samsung UE48H6700 review

A big-screen twin-tuner TV from Samsung with quad core powered Smart TV apps and superior pics

Samsung UE48H6700

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Is the UE48H6700 enough of a step-up package? A slight upgrade on the UE48H6400, the 48-inch UE48H6700 is all about a boosted picture quality, and it meets that brief. But is that enough?

We liked

Micro Dimming works wonders, and helps create contrast-heavy and beautifully coloured 2D and 3D images that are packed with detail. Motion Plus helps bring some fluidity, while all kinds of footage are nicely upscaled to fit the enormous screen. Smart Hub is as impressive as ever, and digital file playback is exhaustive. The provision of both Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners is welcome, too.

We disliked

It might have a big role to play in helping to create the awesome images, but in terms of usability that quad core processor proves a little disappointing. It's hardly a slog to navigate the Smart Hub pages and the TV Guide pages, but it's no faster than on Samsung's dual core processor-laden TVs. The standard remote control is too small, and at times slightly unresponsive, while the lack of a swivel stand might concern some. Both the speakers and the Smart View 2.0 app proved very poor, once again, while Samsung's latest attempt at voice interaction also fails to impress.

Final verdict

The 2D and 3D high def images impress on the 48-inch UE48H6700. It's a slight upgrade on the UE48H6400 and the bigger price is all about the picture.

The provision of both Freeview HD and Freesat HD tuners is good value, and so is the new concept for a remote control, though the standard remote provided is both small and, at times, unreliable. Confusingly, the massive-sounding quad core processor inside doesn't appear to speed-up navigation of the nevertheless excellent user interface.

The speakers are poor and sadly subtract from the fireworks going off on this versatile, sparkling LED-backlit panel. The overall good value performance is hugely helped by the best smart TV platform in the business, Smart Hub, which includes every catch-up TV app for terrestrial UK broadcasters as well as Amazon Instant and Netflix. A good value step-up set that will appeal most of all to those after some exacting picture quality, such as film fans, but you'll need a separate sound system.

Also consider

Other 48-inchers on the market include Samsung's step-down UE48H6400, though this telly will also do battle with the Sony KDL-50W829, a sensational high-definition picture performer with a highly competitive price tag.

TOPICS
Jamie Carter

Jamie is a freelance tech, travel and space journalist based in the UK. He’s been writing regularly for Techradar since it was launched in 2008 and also writes regularly for Forbes, The Telegraph, the South China Morning Post, Sky & Telescope and the Sky At Night magazine as well as other Future titles T3, Digital Camera World, All About Space and Space.com. He also edits two of his own websites, TravGear.com and WhenIsTheNextEclipse.com that reflect his obsession with travel gear and solar eclipse travel. He is the author of A Stargazing Program For Beginners (Springer, 2015),

Latest in Televisions
LG C3 deal image on blue background
Woah – LG's C3 OLED TV just crashed to its lowest price ever for March Madness
Samsung Wireless One Connect on stone pedestal
I tested Samsung's new wireless TV connection box, and gamers need to know one thing
Samsung S95D with peacock feather on screen
Samsung says an OLED-beating new screen tech could come sooner than we thought – but I wouldn't expect it in 4K TVs right away
Amazon Fire TV Stick
Amazon's Fire TV Stick 4K is back down to 40% off – give your older 4K TV a cheap smart upgrade
TCL QM6K showing image of man with headphones
I spent a month testing the affordable, feature-packed TCL QM6K mini-LED TV, and the picture is great for the price
LG C4 OLED TV
The LG C4 is the best OLED TV for most people, and it just hit a record low price at Amazon's early Spring Sale
Latest in Reviews
The player holding a Shard Card in Fragpunk.
Competitive shooter Fragpunk wowed me with its game-changing Shard Cards, but I can't stand the aggressive monetization
Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank leaning on plinth on desk with pink background
I wouldn't take the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank on extreme adventures, but it's great for my basic traveling needs
VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank leaning on plinth on desk with pink background
The VQ Cath Kidston 5,000mAh Power Bank is one of the most stylish batteries I’ve seen, but it’s too slow for the price
Atomfall
I survived Atomfall’s testing countryside and became an ethically murky mercenary
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro on a bronze table
I tested the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro and it's the closest Android fans can get to an iPad Pro alternative
TinEye website
I like this reverse image search service the most