Skip to main content

Not digging the curve? Samsung’s HU8550 4K/UHD TV is flatter, thinner, and cheaper

Great news for those who aren’t a fan of the new curved TVs that have taken store shelves by storm this year: Samsung’s best flat-screen 4K/UHD TV series, the HU8550, sports performance and features on par with the top-of-the-line (and curved) HU9000 series, but at a significantly lower price.

If we compare the 65-inch model from each the HU9000 series and the HU8550 series seen here, the difference is about $1300 — not an insignificant sum. You do lose a few things beside the curve, though. The HU8550 doesn’t get Samsung’s slick One Connect box which houses all the TV’s brains and connections in a outboard box, with a single cable running to the TV. However, this model does support Samsung’s Evolution Kit program, which allows for an upgrade down the road, should you be so inclined to get one.

Aside from that, the only other loss is a pop-up camera. Everything else in terms of features is the same, as shown in our video. And as for processing, it appears to be on par with the HU9000 as well. This translates into a top-notch picture with very good black levels and great contrast — especially for an LCD/LED TV.

If you’re considering making the move to 4K/UHD but don’t want squander any savings on features you don’t really care about anyway, then the HU8550 should be on your short short-list.

Editors' Recommendations

Caleb Denison
Digital Trends Editor at Large Caleb Denison is a sought-after writer, speaker, and television correspondent with unmatched…
Best Walmart TV deals: 43-inch 4K TV for $195 and more
lg 55 inch oled 4k tvs deal walmart class b8 tv

With all of the best new movies to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Max always being added to, it’s never a bad time to grab a new TV to kick back with. Whether you’re looking for something cheap to stick in a corner or something more immersive to place at the enter of your home theater setup, Walmart likely has something for you. Walmart also has some of the best TV deals taking place right now, so it makes a great place to shop for a new TV if you’re looking for some savings. While they don’t include any of the best TVs, the best Walmart TV deals do include a huge range of choices, from brands like Vizio, LG, and Samsung to picture technologies such as OLED and QLED. We’ve rounded up all of the best Walmart TV deals you can shop right now, so read onward for more details on how to save.

Hisense 43-inch Roku 4K TV -- $195, was $289

Read more
Best QLED TV deals: Samsung, TCL, LG and Vizio
The Hisense U6H ULED 4K TV in a living room.

The best TVs tend to come down to TVs with QLED or OLED picture technologies behind them, with QLED being the picture technology many people prefer. Both technologies have become more and more affordable over the years, which makes now a great time to shop the best QLED TVs for a QLED TV that offers more savings. Right now you can find some discounted prices on top TV brands like TCL, Samsung, and LG, as there are a lot of QLED TV deals currently taking place. You’ll find our picks for the best QLED TV deals below, as well as some information on which QLED TV may be best suited for your home theater.
Hisense 55-inch U6 QLED 4K TV — $350, was $450

Hisense offers a range of impressive TV models and sizes. The Hisense 65-inch U6 QLED 4K TV will bring a range of great features to your home theater. These include compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa for voice controls, a filmmaker mode that displays movie content precisely as it was intended by the filmmaker to be seen, and a game mode that automatically adjusts settings for smooth video game playback. This TV also has Bluetooth connectivity that will allow you to connect devices like the best wireless headphones and the best soundbars. This is also a Google TV, which gives you instant access to all sorts of streaming content.

Read more
Sony debuts the Bravia 9, its brightest 4K TV ever, alongside new 2024 models
2024 Sony Bravia 9 4K mini-LED TV.

It's a new era for Sony. The company, once famous for its horrible product names that more closely resembled serial numbers, has finally landed on a simple naming convention. Take its new 2024 TVs, for instance. Every new model is now called "Bravia," with a single digit to denote where it stands in the lineup.

The simplified naming convention also applies to the company's 2024 soundbar lineup, with the hope that buyers will want to pair their new Bravia TV with a matching new Bravia Theater soundbar.

Read more