Samsung UN40H5500 Review (UN40H5500AFXZA)

40 inch 1080p 60Hz LED TV

The UN40H5500 LED TV is a direct replacement of the F5500 series from last year. The biggest improvements are under the hood. Mainly, the quad core processor driving the smart TV features. This is a big jump in computing power and it really shows when navigating around the Samsung Smart Hub that we like so much. Everything else is pretty much the same as last year, making this a pretty solid value option. It is very similar to the H6350 series above it minus the 120Hz refresh rate on the panel. For a price of $579.99, it's not a bad deal at all for everything it brings to the table.

Strengths

Weaknesses

The standard 5-way controls for web browsing are very slow and often frustrating

Off center viewing is plagued by color and contrast degradation

60Hz refresh rate doesn't handle judder sports programing and gaming as well as a 120Hz TV

Sound quality is flat and hollow sounding, but volume isn't an issue

Picture Quality Rating: 83/100

1080p Resolution and 60Hz Refresh Rate

1080p resolution is an important feature for many buying a new TV. A 40 inch screen may not necessarily need a full HD screen, but it is nice to have. The biggest reason being that most broadcasts and video games are still 720p. Next generation game consoles and HD content streaming are beginning to move into 1080p, so there is a reason to go for full HD. 4K broadcasts and content are still a ways off from being the norm, so you can be comfortable with this one. The best justification for having a 1080p screen of this size is using it as a monitor. A computer or laptop connected through the HDMI input would take advantage of the resolution, giving you more work space on the screen.

Color and Contrast seen in this shot on the H5500 show how great the picture is. Bright whites and deep blacks are reproduced wonderfully

The 60Hz refresh rate seems a little low, but it surely keeps the cost down on this one. Motion blur and judder are not going to be highly noticeable on a screen this size as well. Those who are looking will see it, but only the most sensitive to the issue will be bothered by it.

Side Viewing Angles

Side viewing angles on the H5500 perform just as you would expect them to on a low end model. We see contrast and color begin to face at about the 30 degree mark. This is typical for LCD/LED TVs and this one is not plagued by terrible viewing angles.

Features Rating: 87/100

Samsung Smart Hub - Smart TV Options

Here you can see the newest and extremely useful faeture of the Samsung Smart Hub. Split screen multitasking

The rehashed Smart Hub platform on the Samsung 2014 lineup is included on the UN40H5500. What's new? Mainly the interface. It has received an upgrade reminiscent of the tiled interface found on tablets and smartphones use. Navigation is the main focus. It is an intuitive upgrade that really makes the whole experience a better one. The H5500 series has been given the quad core processor of the series above it, making it just as fast as some of the best TVs on the market. It also incorporates a slew of recommendation features to help viewers find content they wouldn't find by channel surfing. Samsung has added a new Games page in the Smart Hub as well.

Quad Core Processor

Samsung has realized that more power under the hood isn't a bad thing. The H5500 doesn't even have the 4x split screen seen on the higher models. A quad core processor means that TV bootup time, app loading, and app performance are much speedier than before. A very welcome inclusion.

Appearance

The Samsung UN40H5500 has a sleek appearance for a value priced model. The thin bezels give it the look of higher end models.

The UN40H5500 may have a pretty plain appearance, but it's okay for a value model like this one. The bezels and profile are very thin measure to give the TV an updated appearance. We've seen the black square stand plenty of times before, but it is good for those who don't want anything too flashy. This one is a little different since it slopes down toward the front of the TV. Samsung calls it the Hairline design. It's nice to see the low end TVs looking so good.

Value Rating: 93/100

The UN40H5500 is a terrific value for those who are looking for decent picture quality, lots of smart TV options, and a generally pleasing appearance. The feature set is just a little too similar to the H6350 series for less money. The biggest difference being the 120Hz panel. If you can go without that, the H5500 is a clear winner in the less than 50-inch category. Low end LED TVs from LG and Sony are going to be the biggest competitors with this TV.

Overall Rating: 88/100

Quick Specs

40.0" Diagonal Measurement
1920x1080 resolution
Clear Motion Rate 120
Wide Color Enhancer Plus
(2)10 watt speakers
Quad Core Processor
3 HDMI, 2 USB

^{Jack Burden has been reviewing and writing reviews in the consumer electronics category for 7 years with CEAG. He considers grayscale gradation, film patterned retarders, and focus field drives to be fun topics. Read more about Jack}