Samsung DU8000 Series 85"

The Samsung DU8000 is an 85-inch 4K TV that delivers big-screen immersion at a budget price, with a 120Hz panel and solid smart features. The edge-lit LED panel means picture quality is just average, landing in the 36th percentile. Prices range from USD 800 to USD 1,669, so shop carefully and don't overpay. At the low end, it's a great deal for casual streamers who prioritize size over picture perfection.

Let's talk about what the Crystal Processor 4K actually does. It's Samsung's entry-level upscaling chip, and it does a decent job turning 1080p content into something that doesn't look like mush on an 85-inch screen. The display score lands in the 80th percentile overall, which is strong for a budget-tier panel. You're getting a 120Hz refresh rate with Motion Xcelerator, which helps with fast-moving sports and action scenes. But here's the catch: this is an edge-lit LED panel, not a full-array local dimming setup. That means blacks are going to look more gray than inky, especially in a dark room.

Gaming is where things get interesting. The DU8000 has HDMI 2.1 and a 120Hz panel, which sounds great on paper. But the gaming score of 62.3 out of 100 tells a more honest story. You're not getting variable refresh rate support at the level of Samsung's QLED or OLED lines, and the edge-lit backlight means HDR gaming won't pop the way it does on pricier sets. HDR10+ is supported, which is nice for Amazon Prime content, but there's no Dolby Vision here. If you're a casual gamer who plays FIFA or Fortnite on a console, this is fine. If you're counting frames in Cyberpunk, look elsewhere.

The DU8000's biggest competition comes from TCL and Hisense, and honestly, both of them beat it on picture quality. The TCL QM8K Series 75QM8K uses mini-LED with full-array local dimming, which means actual blacks and real HDR punch. The Hisense U8 Series 65U8QG is similar, with a brighter panel and better contrast. Both of those are smaller at 75 and 65 inches respectively, but they're in the same price ballpark and deliver a noticeably better picture.

Then there's the premium tier. The LG OLED evo OLED55C5PUA and Sony BRAVIA 8 K65XR80 are in a completely different league for picture quality, but they're also smaller and more expensive. If you're dead set on 85 inches and don't want to spend OLED money, the DU8000 is one of the few options at this size. The Roku Pro Series 55R8C5 is another budget contender, but at 55 inches it's not really competing for the same buyer. The DU8000's real edge is size per dollar, assuming you buy at the right price.

Here's where things get tricky. The DU8000 is listed between USD 800 and USD 1,669 for the same 85-inch model. That's a USD 869 spread, which is frankly ridiculous. At USD 800, this is a steal. You're getting an 85-inch 4K TV with 120Hz and solid smart features for less than many 65-inch models from other brands. At USD 1,669, you're getting fleeced. That's OLED territory, or at least a really good QLED.

The best deal we're seeing is at the USD 800 end of that range. If you can snag it there, the value proposition is hard to beat. Just don't pay anywhere near the top of that spread. For context, the TCL QM8K and Hisense U8 series both offer better picture quality with full-array local dimming, and they're often priced in the middle of this range. The DU8000 only makes sense if you're getting it at the low end.

The Samsung DU8000 is the kind of TV that makes you wonder why you'd spend more. At 85 inches, it's a massive slab of 4K that practically disappears into your wall thanks to Samsung's AirSlim design. This is the 2024 Crystal UHD model, which means you're getting Samsung's Dynamic Crystal Color tech and their Crystal Processor 4K doing the heavy lifting. It's aimed squarely at people who want a big screen for streaming, casual gaming, and smart home integration without taking out a second mortgage.

Who's this for? Mostly folks who watch a lot of Netflix, YouTube, and sports in a bright living room. The smart home score of 71.4 out of 100 is the strongest area here, and that makes sense. Tizen OS plays nice with Alexa, SmartThings, and Bixby, so if your house is already wired up with Samsung appliances or you just like yelling at your TV to change inputs, this thing slots right in. The streaming score of 68 is solid too, though not spectacular.

The interesting bit is the price spread. We're seeing this 85-inch model listed anywhere from USD 800 to USD 1,669 depending on the vendor. That's a wild gap, and it means the DU8000 can either be a screaming deal or a mediocre value depending on where you buy it. More on that later, but it's worth keeping in mind before you click checkout.

If you care about picture quality, especially contrast and black levels, this TV will disappoint you. The edge-lit LED panel can't produce deep blacks, and the picture quality score in the 36th percentile means dark scenes look flat and gray. Movie enthusiasts who watch a lot of content in dark rooms should look at the TCL QM8K or Hisense U8 series instead, both of which use mini-LED with full-array local dimming for dramatically better contrast.

Serious gamers should also look elsewhere. While the 120Hz panel and HDMI 2.1 sound good on paper, the gaming score of 62.3 out of 100 reflects missing features and weak HDR performance. If you're playing competitive shooters or want HDR games to actually pop, a QLED or OLED from Samsung's own lineup, or a TCL with mini-LED, will serve you much better. And if you're an audiophile, the 20W 2.0 channel speakers won't cut it, though a soundbar fixes that easily enough.

If you want the biggest screen possible for the least amount of money, and you mostly watch streaming content in a bright room, the DU8000 at USD 800 is a genuinely good buy. The 85-inch size is immersive, the smart features are solid, and the 120Hz panel handles sports and casual gaming without complaint. Just know that you're trading picture quality for size. The edge-lit panel means dark scenes will look washed out, and HDR content won't have the impact it would on a better panel.

For movie buffs or serious gamers, skip this. The picture quality score in the 36th percentile is a real limitation, and no amount of screen size makes up for gray blacks when you're watching a moody drama or playing a dark horror game. If you can live with a smaller screen, the TCL QM8K or Hisense U8 will give you a much better picture for similar money. But if 85 inches is the dream and your budget is tight, the DU8000 at its lowest price is hard to argue with.