Samsung 65" U8000F Crystal UHD Smart TV Review 2026
Samsung's brand prestige and Tizen polish at 65 inches. Premium feel, budget-class picture. Is the Samsung tax worth it?
Samsung's 65" entry-level pays for brand prestige and ecosystem polish rather than picture specs. The Tizen interface and build quality are genuinely better, but the picture isn't.
A Samsung TV for Samsung People
The Samsung 65" U8000F is mid-range for its category for its category, and the spec sheet does not justify the premium. The Toshiba C350 offers Dolby Vision for less money. The Panasonic W70 delivers better color accuracy for a similar price. So why does this TV exist?
Because Samsung sells more TVs than anyone, and a large percentage of those buyers already own Samsung phones, Samsung tablets, and Samsung smart home devices. For those buyers, the U8000F is not an isolated purchase. It is another node in an ecosystem that works better together than apart.
SmartThings: The Ecosystem Advantage
SmartThings integration turns the TV into a smart home control panel. Check your Ring doorbell camera on screen. Dim the Samsung smart lights for movie night. See who is at the front door without reaching for your phone. No other budget TV offers this depth of smart home integration.
Samsung Gaming Hub provides cloud gaming access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce NOW, and other services directly from the TV without a console. At 60Hz the gaming experience is not competitive, but for casual cloud gaming sessions, it works.
The U8000F supports Samsung Multi View, which can display two content sources simultaneously on split screen. Watch a game on one half while checking scores or social media on the other. A niche feature, but useful for sports fans during March Madness or football Sundays.
AirSlim at 65 Inches
The AirSlim design pays dividends at 65 inches. Wall-mounted, this TV sits closer to the wall than any competitor. The narrow bezels maximize the screen-to-body ratio. The stand is minimal and stable. In a room where the TV is a visual centerpiece, the Samsung looks more premium than its price suggests.
Object Tracking Sound Lite is the other design differentiator. The 20W speaker system maps audio to on-screen action. A helicopter flying across the screen sounds like it is moving through the speakers. The effect is subtle but real, and nothing at this price matches it. Samsung's audio processing is a genuine technical advantage.
Strengths
- ✓Samsung AirSlim design looks premium
- ✓Object Tracking Sound Lite spatial audio
- ✓Crystal Processor 4K improves upscaling
Cons
- ✗No Dolby Vision — HDR10+ only
- ✗Significantly pricier than TCL or Hisense with similar specs
- ✗No local dimming at this price point
The Dolby Vision Blind Spot
Samsung's refusal to adopt Dolby Vision is their most controversial product decision. At the premium end of their lineup, HDR10+ looks excellent because Samsung's processors and backlighting can deliver. At the budget end, HDR10+ on a basic LED panel with no local dimming is... fine. Just fine.
Meanwhile, the Toshiba C350 at a lower price plays the same Netflix content in Dolby Vision with per-scene optimization. On a limited panel, Dolby Vision's ability to tone-map to the display's actual capabilities creates a visible advantage. This is the single biggest argument against the Samsung at this price.
Running the Numbers
The Samsung 65" U8000F costs noticeably more than the Toshiba 65" C350. For that difference, you get: Samsung build quality, AirSlim design, Object Tracking Sound Lite, Tizen OS, SmartThings, and Gaming Hub. You lose: Dolby Vision.
If you already own three Samsung devices and a SmartThings hub, the ecosystem value easily justifies the price difference. If you are starting from zero with no Samsung investment, the Toshiba C350 is the better TV for the money. Know your own ecosystem before deciding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Samsung Object Tracking Sound Lite do?
OTS Lite analyzes the on-screen action and shifts the audio output to match where the action is happening on screen. A car driving left to right sounds like it is moving across the screen. The effect is subtle on a 65" TV with 20W speakers, but noticeable in scenes with directional movement. It is the most advanced audio processing at this price point.
Is the Samsung 65" U8000F worth the premium over cheaper 65" TVs?
Only for Samsung ecosystem users. The Tizen platform, SmartThings integration, Samsung Gaming Hub, and Object Tracking Sound are genuine advantages if you are invested in Samsung products. If not, the Toshiba C350 offers better HDR (Dolby Vision) at a lower price.
Does the Samsung 65" U8000F support Dolby Vision?
No. Samsung exclusively uses HDR10+ as their dynamic HDR format. Netflix Dolby Vision content falls back to standard HDR10. Amazon Prime Video, which uses HDR10+, looks its best. This is a strategic Samsung decision, not a budget limitation.
What is Samsung AirSlim design?
AirSlim is Samsung's design approach for thinner TV profiles. The U8000F is noticeably slimmer than competitors from Insignia, Toshiba, or Roku. On a wall mount, this creates a cleaner look with less protrusion. On a stand, the narrower bezels give a more modern appearance.
Can the Samsung 65" U8000F connect to a Samsung soundbar wirelessly?
Samsung's Q-Symphony feature allows compatible Samsung soundbars to work in harmony with the TV's built-in speakers for fuller sound. The U8000F supports wired connection via ARC (HDMI) or optical. Check your specific soundbar model for wireless compatibility.
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.3/5
Samsung's 65" entry-level pays for brand prestige and ecosystem polish rather than picture specs. The Tizen interface and build quality are genuinely better, but the picture isn't.
The Samsung ecosystem TV. Buy it if you are already Samsung. Skip it if brand does not matter.