Black Friday TV Deals: Samsung vs. TCL – Which 43-Inch TV Wins?
Finding the right TV on a budget is challenging enough, but navigating the market for a 43-inch budget television can feel like a true ordeal. Many manufacturers appear to invest less effort in producing smaller, more affordable TVs, leaving consumers with limited options. However, a 43-inch screen can be the perfect size for many living spaces, and with Black Friday approaching, finding a great deal is within reach. Fortunately, comprehensive testing of two popular models – the Samsung U8000F and the TCL P7K – reveals clear strengths and weaknesses to help shoppers make informed decisions. Both TVs are currently discounted for Black Friday, with the Samsung U8000F available for just £219 at John Lewis and the TCL P7K priced at £249 at Amazon.
The Contenders: Samsung U8000F and TCL P7K
The decision between these two 43-inch 4K TVs isn’t straightforward. While preferences vary, a side-by-side comparison reveals key differences that may sway your choice. One analyst noted that the ultimate decision often comes down to prioritizing specific features and, crucially, price.
Samsung U8000F: A Surprisingly Capable All-Rounder
The 43-inch Samsung U8000F stands out as a surprisingly capable 4K TV, especially considering its discounted price of £219. It boasts a 4K LCD panel with support for HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+, alongside a robust feature set including Samsung’s Tizen smart platform, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for gaming.
Design-wise, the U8000F presents a clean and modern aesthetic with a matte-black bezel and slim front. However, the back is noticeably chunky, and the included clip-on feet feel somewhat cheap.
Where the U8000F truly shines is in its picture quality for the price. Colors remain consistent across various presets, avoiding oversaturation or washed-out tones, and motion handling is particularly strong. In direct comparison to the TCL P7K, the Samsung demonstrably handles motion better, delivering sharp and judder-free visuals during panning shots, action sequences, and general movement – especially when utilizing judder-reduction settings and disabling noise-reduction.
However, the U8000F isn’t without its limitations. The absence of Quantum Dot technology or local dimming can impact color vibrancy, contrast, and depth. Static scenes may lack the “pop” found in more advanced sets, and darker content can exhibit backlight clouding or slight “jetting” from the bottom corners. Pushing the contrast enhancer can lead to clipped HDR highlights, while leaving it off can result in a somewhat dull image.
Audio performance is modest but acceptable, with 20W stereo speakers enhanced by Samsung’s OTS Lite spatial processing, creating a convincing soundstage with clear dialogue and a decent stereo spread. While not groundbreaking, the audio is balanced, clean, and rarely distorted. Overall, “the U8000F is a mostly impressive all-rounder,” excelling in everyday streaming, light gaming, and general living room viewing.
TCL P7K: Brightness and Color Take Center Stage
The 43-inch TCL 43P7K, currently available for £249, offers a strikingly different experience, prioritizing brightness, color, and feature richness. The key differentiator is the inclusion of Quantum Dot technology, which delivers noticeably more vibrant and saturated colors than the Samsung U8000F. This results in a picture that feels lively and vivid, particularly in well-lit rooms or when viewing HDR content.
Brightness is a significant strength of the P7K. Both SDR and HDR content benefit from a consistently brighter screen than most budget TVs, enhancing HDR highlights and making SDR content appear more dynamic. While motion handling is respectable, it doesn’t quite match the Samsung’s smoothness. Sharpness and detail remain decent during fast-paced action, but the Samsung delivers a cleaner, more fluid image.
The P7K also supports a wider range of HDR formats, including Dolby Vision alongside HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, providing greater compatibility with HDR content from various sources, including streaming apps, 4K Blu-rays, and Xbox games.
However, the P7K has drawbacks. Black levels and contrast, while decent for the price, cannot compete with TVs featuring local dimming, and dark scenes may exhibit “jets” of light creeping in from the corners. Viewing angles are limited, and TCL’s upscaling performance with lower-resolution content leaves room for improvement. Dynamic contrast can sometimes cause flickering in dark scenes.
Sound quality is basic, with 2 x 10W stereo speakers that are adequate for speech and light viewing but lack bass and punch. While the Samsung isn’t significantly better, it offers a slightly more refined audio experience. In short, the 43P7K is a surprisingly strong performer, offering a bright, colorful, feature-rich, and HDR-ready experience.
The Verdict: Price Tips the Scales
Both the Samsung U8000F and the TCL P7K present compelling options in the 43-inch budget TV market. The TCL P7K is the more exciting performer overall, but the Samsung offers greater consistency and control. According to one source, the close competition makes the Samsung’s lower Black Friday price the deciding factor. While a personal preference for the TCL P7K’s more vibrant performance exists, the £30 price difference makes the Samsung U8000F the more sensible purchase for many consumers.
