Samsung UN48H6350 Review (UN48H6350AFXZA)

48 inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED TV

by , Reviewer

Samsung UN48H6350 LED TVThe Samsung UN48H6350 replaces the F6300 series from last year. There aren't too many upgrades from last year. The bump to a quad core processor for speedy Smart Hub functionality is the most important while thinner bezels around the screen add to the aesthetic value. The only differences between this one and the the H6400 series above it are the lack of 3D playback, microdimming, a lower Clear Motion Rate, and the Smart Touch remote. The price difference between the two at 55-inch screens is around $200. The UN48H6350 is for those looking for a value at $899, but want strong picture quality and a top performing smart TV platform.

Strenghts

  • Game mode reduces input lag down to acceptable levels
  • Thin bezels and profile make for an attractive appearance
  • 120Hz refresh rate reduces judder and motion blur for fast action and sports programming
  • Samsung Smart Hub offers a ton of apps and streaming media
  • Quad core processor has no problems operating the Smart Hub
  • Plenty of HDMI (4) and USB (3) inputs

Weaknesses

  • Side angle viewing degrades quickly as the viewer moves from off-center
  • Operation of the Smart Hub with the standard remote lacks the feel of the Touch remote; web browsing is much slower
  • Semi-matte screen finish seems dull compared to clear coat displays
  • Built-in sound quality is lacking

Picture Quality Rating: 85/100

The bright edge LED lighting makes for a brilliant picture and helps to balance out the downsides of the matte screen by providing more rich colors and a good deal of contrast. All of that said, from relatively close to front and center we felt the picture displayed was very good with lots of light flow-through to help with depth perception. The picture is remarkably similar to the F6300 from last year. A full 10-point white balance adjustment option that makes getting colors accurate easy with the right settings. The 48H6350 is loaded with tons of extra picture adjustment options, most of which aren't terribly useful and are better off left unused.

Samsung U48H6350 LED TV
Color and contrast are the stars of this screen shot. Deep blacks, bright whites, and realistic color are seen

Side Viewing Angles

Side angle viewing seems to be one of the biggest picture quality problems for this TV. Color and contrast degrade pretty early at about 20 degrees off center and it quickly gets worse from there. The amount of "wash out" is also more severe than LED TVs with a clearer coating on the screen. Above and below off center viewing gave a similar result. This is important for those who plan on wall mounting the TV above eye level. Or for those with wide angles in their viewing room.

Game Mode - the Way to go for Gaming

Enabling the Game Mode for gaming is a must for competitive shooters and action gamers. The input lag went from a noticable 120ms down to 30ms with the flick of a switch. That really makes games like Battlefield and Titalfall much more enjoyable and immersive. Game Mode features its own picture settings, so take a moment to get the picture looking good again the first time you do it. Screen Fit is also one of the most important things to select so you don't get overscan. A lot of the picture settings for games will be determined by personal preference. Just be sure the picture is bright enough for you.

Features Rating: 87/100

Smart Hub - Lots of Options

Samsung still boasts the best selection of apps in their smart TV platform. When it comes to quality of free and paid apps, they beat out the competition as well. The Premium Apps such as the movie services, sports and music are also top notch and include the usual Netflix, You Tube (though we like Youtube through the browser better), Facebook (browser is better here too), Twitter, Vudu, Amazon, Hulu Plus. Thanks to the new HVEC Codec streaming video looks much better and involves less buffering time.

Samsung UN48H6350 Smart TV
The Apps page is where you'll find all the featured apps as well as the ones you've downloaded for easy access

Quad Core Processor

Samsung has realized that more power under the hood isn't a bad thing. The H6350 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.

Wifi and Web Browser Included

The built-in wifi connected to our network flawlessly and quickly. We had everything up and running in no time at all. The Web Browser on the 48H6350 defaults to a Bing search bar. The browser is slow to use with the 5-way controller on the remote but loads content quickly and the Wifi connectivity is just as strong as last year's stellar performing model.

Remote and Menu System

Samsung always has a very easy to use menu system that is very well organized. The layout presents tutorials beside various settings and information explaining some of the more complicated picture settings that you probably do not want to use, but may be curious about. Dedicated keys on the backlit remote take you to Smart TV options on the H6350.

Samsung UN48H6350 LED TV
The familiar quad leg desing of the H6350 isn't a stranger to Samsung TVs

Appearance

The UN48H6350 makes use of the standard Samsung quadrapod design that we have seen before. This time the legs sport a silver matte finish that doesn't demand more attention than needed. Some of the chrome stands we've seen in the past are a bit much sometimes. The bezels at 0.3 inches and the profile at 2.5 inches are very thin to give the TV an attractive appearance. For those who don't like the look of the 4-legged stand, wall mounting might be the best option.

Value Rating: 89/100

The UN48H6350 sells for $200 less than the H6400 series above it. That $200 can be spent on better speakers, a blu-ray player, or go towards a game console. That is, if the extra features like 3D and microdimming aren't important to you. Similar value TVs like the Vizio E480i-B2 sells for about $300 less, but you are going to miss out on picture quality and a stout smart TV experience.

Overall Rating: 87/100

Quick Specs

  • 47.6" Diagonal Measurement
  • 1920 x 1080 resolution
  • 240 Clear Motion Rate
  • Wide Color Enhancer Plus
  • 2x 10 watt speakers
  • 4 HDMI, 3 USB inputs
  • Dimensions without stand (W X H X D): 42.3" x 24.8" x 2.5"
  • Dimensions with stand: 42.3" x 28.0" x 12.1"
  • Weight without stand: 24.7 lb.
  • Weight with stand: 28.2 lb.


Jack Burden 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
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