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This 50-Inch TV Is a Budget-Friendly Bargain That Fits Almost Anywhere

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, October 13th 2025 at 12:30 GMT by CNET
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A Budget‑Friendly 50‑inch TV That Won’t Break the Bank

When it comes to setting up a home‑theater or revamping a living‑room display, a 50‑inch TV is the sweet spot for most spaces—large enough to deliver a cinematic feel yet small enough to fit comfortably in apartments, studios, or bedrooms. In a recent CNET “Deals” roundup, one 50‑inch model stood out as the most affordable option that still delivers solid performance, and the article details why it’s a compelling choice for budget‑savvy shoppers.

Product Spotlight

The featured television is a 50‑inch 4K LED display that runs on the Roku TV platform. Its model name is the TU8000 Series (the same family that powers several Samsung 4K TVs in the mid‑tier segment). At the time of the write‑up, the TV was listed at $449 on Amazon and similar prices were available at Best Buy and Walmart, giving the device a clear discount margin of roughly 30 % from its MSRP.

Key specs include:

• Resolution: 3840 × 2160 (4K UHD)
• Refresh Rate: 120 Hz panel
• HDR Formats: HDR10 and HDR10+ support (no Dolby Vision)
• Smart TV: Roku TV built‑in with a comprehensive app ecosystem
• Connectivity: Four HDMI 2.0 ports (one of which supports 4K@60Hz) and two USB 2.0 ports
• Audio: 20 W front‑panel stereo speakers (no Dolby Atmos)

The TV’s design is characterized by a slim bezel, an eye‑level bar stand, and a black finish that blends well with a variety of décor styles. The stand is easy to assemble, and the TV is compatible with most V‑ESA wall‑mount brackets.

Picture Quality

Despite its price point, the TU8000 Series delivers impressive contrast and color for everyday viewing. The panel uses full‑array local dimming (FALD), which creates deeper blacks than a standard edge‑lit LED and reduces blooming around bright subjects. In the article’s benchmark, the TV performed competitively with the Sony X90J and LG 55NANO85 in low‑light scenes, especially during HDR content.

The HDR10+ support means the TV can adjust dynamic range on a per‑scene basis, which helps maintain detail in highlights and shadows. However, the lack of Dolby Vision can be a drawback for users who stream movies from services that default to that format. The article notes that HDR10+ is still widely supported across most streaming platforms, including Netflix and Disney+.

Color accuracy is rated as “good to excellent,” with the TV covering 99 % of the sRGB gamut and about 94 % of DCI‑P3. The article’s color calibration test found a slight blue cast in some scenes, but the factory settings were largely acceptable for most viewers.

Smart TV and Streaming

The built‑in Roku TV platform is praised for its intuitive interface and broad app selection. Users can quickly access services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and even niche options such as the Apple TV+ app. The article highlights Roku’s voice remote, which supports Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, and notes that the TV is one of the few budget options that includes native Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration.

Roku’s content recommendation engine is fairly advanced, providing personalized suggestions based on viewing habits. The TV also includes screen mirroring via Miracast and supports AirPlay 2, making it straightforward to display content from Apple devices.

Gaming Features

Gamers will appreciate the 120 Hz refresh rate and low input lag. In a quick test, the TV registered 10 ms of input lag on a PC and 15 ms on a PlayStation 5. While it does not offer HDMI 2.1, the device supports HDCP 2.2 and has a Game Mode setting that reduces latency further. For console gamers on the PS4 Pro or Xbox One X, the performance is more than adequate. The article notes that if you plan to play next‑generation consoles with 4K resolution and 120 Hz output, you might need to keep an eye on future firmware updates to ensure compatibility.

Audio Performance

The 20‑W stereo speakers provide decent sound for casual TV watching, with a clear voice separation that is typical for a TV in this price bracket. The article stresses that for immersive audio, you’ll still want a soundbar or an AV receiver. A recommended setup might involve a small 2‑channel soundbar with Dolby Atmos support, which pairs well with the TV’s HDMI ports.

Design and Build

The thin bezel gives the TV a sleek look, while the bar‑style stand is easy to set up and provides ample stability. The device’s weight is around 25 lbs, making it manageable for most people when placing it on a table or shelf. The article mentions that the TV’s wall‑mount capability is straightforward, using V‑ESA mounting holes and a standard 10‑mm thick wall plate.

The black finish is versatile, fitting into modern minimalist or traditional setups. The stand’s adjustable height (up to 8 inches) allows the TV to sit at eye level, which is crucial for long viewing sessions.

Price and Value

At $449 during the sale, the TV offers a dramatic price drop from its regular $649 MSRP. Even after including shipping, the final cost is still well below the $500 mark. The article argues that this price point is hard to beat for a 4K 50‑inch TV that offers a full‑array local dimming panel, HDR10+ support, and a robust smart TV experience.

Comparison to Competitors

The article places the TU8000 Series next to two other mid‑range 50‑inch TVs:

1. Sony X90J – Premium price ($800+) but superior color accuracy and built‑in Google TV.
2. LG 55NANO85 – Slightly larger (55‑inch), strong OLED performance (but OLEDs are not in this price range).

Against these higher‑end options, the TU8000 Series offers a more budget‑friendly solution without sacrificing core visual and audio performance. The article also compares the TV with a budget alternative from TCL (the 50S425), noting that the TCL lacks the local dimming feature and has a more basic smart platform.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent value for a 4K 50‑inch TV.
• Full‑array local dimming for better contrast.
• HDR10+ support enhances HDR experience.
• 120 Hz panel and low input lag for gaming.
• Roku TV platform with voice assistants.
• Slim bezel and versatile stand.

Cons

• No Dolby Vision support.
• Audio limited to stereo; no Dolby Atmos.
• Limited gaming connectivity (no HDMI 2.1).
• Factory color calibration shows slight blue tint.

Recommendation

For buyers who want a budget‑friendly 50‑inch TV that balances image quality, smart features, and gaming performance, the Samsung TU8000 Series is a compelling choice. It offers a full‑array local dimming panel that rivals pricier models, supports HDR10+ for enhanced HDR content, and runs on the versatile Roku TV platform. Even if the lack of Dolby Vision or HDMI 2.1 is a concern for a few, the overall performance-to-price ratio is hard to beat. As long as you’re willing to add an external soundbar for immersive audio, this TV should meet the needs of most casual viewers, gamers, and streaming enthusiasts looking for a high‑quality display without a high price tag.