Samsung UE48H6700 review

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.