Compare Samsung U7900F vs LG UA77

Opinions split between pleasingly colorful everyday images and poor laboratory picture performance. Accurate SDR and crisp native 4K help, while muted HDR and gray blacks reveal the budget panel.

Casual viewing can look colorful and attractive, but gray blacks, weak HDR, glare and motion blur make overall image performance underwhelming.

SDR white balance is relatively close to target and becomes very strong after calibration; HDR balance is less consistent.

The default picture has a distinctly cool, blue bias, especially in HDR; calibration can improve it.

Out-of-box SDR accuracy is surprisingly respectable for a budget TV, and calibration can improve it further. HDR accuracy is less predictable.

Default HDR color temperature and tracking have notable inaccuracies, especially an overly cool cast.

There are only basic listening modes, yet the equalizer, balance control and eARC settings cover many simple setups.

Built-in EQ presets and multiple output combinations provide extensive audio configuration choices.

Native 4K and HD conversion reproduce fine textures particularly well in the tested 50-inch sample.

Fine image detail draws mixed impressions: one evaluation finds it excellent, while the 75-inch test looks soft and weaker for small text.

Low SDR brightness makes daytime viewing difficult wherever windows or sun hit the screen.

Brightness is not strong enough for significant direct glare, though lighter content can look acceptable and one hands-on test was satisfied.

Compression blocks and pixelization remain visible in weaker streams, even if fine detail is often preserved.

Low-bitrate compression artifacts are reduced well, at the expense of a slightly waxy image.

Low input lag keeps controls responsive at 60Hz, but blurry motion, restricted VRR and missing high-refresh modes limit serious gaming appeal.

Gaming feels responsive to some players, while slow pixel transitions and the 60Hz cap hold back more demanding play.

Screen output is modest in SDR and especially weak in HDR. Even a moderately bright room can expose the lack of headroom.

Peak output is too low to make bright HDR highlights visually impressive.

Local contrast is constrained by the absence of dimming zones, leaving letterbox bars and dark scenes washed out. Some basic depth remains, but this is not a strong dark-room display.

Native contrast is poor, turning dark scenes flat with little separation between blacks and highlights.

The built-in audio is adequate for ordinary shows and speech, with acceptable volume and treble. Thin bass keeps it from sounding cinematic.

Built-in sound is functional for everyday shows but light on bass and cinematic impact. A soundbar helps substantially.

Low bass is thin and lacks the punch needed for cinematic effects; it is serviceable for ordinary speech and TV.

Low frequencies are weak and lack definition; speakers can sound thin without an external audio system.

SDR is the TV’s strongest picture format, with good color accuracy and serviceable HD clarity. Its limited brightness still constrains sunny-room viewing.

The standard and cinema picture presets look more natural than the overblown Vivid setting.

Standard-definition-range colors and skin tones can look convincing straight out of the box. HDR colors are less accurate and sometimes noticeably cool.

Color impressions vary widely: several hands-on assessments enjoy vivid or natural colors, while instrumented HDR and white-balance results are much less flattering.

Without independently controlled backlight zones, bright details lift the surrounding blacks. The tradeoff avoids classic dimming halos but leaves scenes looking gray.

There is no effective local dimming to deepen dark areas, leaving black backgrounds gray and flat.

Raised blacks, missing local dimming and muted HDR highlights make dark-room cinema look flatter than better TVs.

Gray blacks, visible haze and low contrast make night viewing a major weakness across the family.

Dynamic, Standard, Eco, Movie and Filmmaker options give users useful choices between punch, naturalness and lower power consumption.

Cinema, Filmmaker and expert settings provide ways to tame exaggerated colors and customize the presentation.

HDR highlights cannot reach the intensity needed for a convincing high-dynamic-range image. Bright scenes often look flat instead of luminous.

HDR highlights struggle to stand apart from the rest of the image. The panel cannot deliver the luminous impact expected of strong HDR TVs.

HDR10+ compatibility does not translate into powerful HDR images. Restricted brightness, gamut and black depth make SDR its more persuasive presentation.

Measured HDR performance is flat and low-impact because of brightness, contrast and color limitations. One hands-on account enjoyed its punchier HDR colors more than expected.

Slow transitions produce visible blur in fast action, although some reviewers find ordinary 24fps and 60fps clips smooth. It favors calmer viewing over demanding motion.

The UA77 divides opinion: slow measured transitions hurt sport and gaming clarity, while some lighter motion demonstrations look smooth.

Fast response to controller inputs is a consistent strength and helps games feel immediate despite the slow panel.

Low input delay is a consistent strength, making commands register quickly even when the pixels blur moving action.

Despite occasional sluggishness, finding shows and moving through Tizen content remains straightforward.

webOS is generally straightforward to navigate, with abundant apps and accessible everyday functions.

The feet align and snap into position easily with no elaborate construction process.

Aligning the two plastic feet can be frustrating and may take several attempts.

Unlike the Q7F comparison model, this TV lacks the quick gaming bar for on-screen controls.

Game Bar exposes frame rate, VRR and other settings without requiring deep menu navigation.

Near-black areas are relatively even with little clouding or bleed, despite their elevated black level.

Dark scenes often appear cloudy, with backlight bleed undermining black-screen uniformity.

The zoom and position controls can expand older low-resolution or non-widescreen clips to fill the display.

Soft scaling can make fine lines and small text harder to make out.

The picture can develop a green tint or lose saturation not far from the center seat.

Colors stay remarkably consistent from side seats; some brightness loss remains at wider angles.

Colors shift and fade fairly quickly away from the center seat. A wide sofa arrangement is not an ideal match.

Colors remain impressively stable from the sides, making wide seating the clearest picture advantage.

Some videos look punchy and colorful, especially in SDR, but measured saturation and brightness fall short with intense HDR colors.

Low measured color volume makes HDR hues look muted, despite positive impressions of colorful demo scenes.

Saturated HDR gradients can lose nearly all intermediate steps even when other tonal transitions look smooth.

Gradients are generally acceptable, but dark blue and green areas can show visible steps and softness.

Proper chroma support helps computer text look clear, although the BGR subpixel arrangement can cause problems in some applications.

The picture can appear soft and make small text difficult to read, even though the TV accepts PC-friendly chroma signals.

Owners and hands-on presenters can be satisfied when the low price and basic purpose are clear. More demanding picture-quality comparisons give it a harsher verdict.

The UA77 offers a useful low-cost screen for light viewing, but assessments range from enthusiastic budget approval to a recommendation to shop elsewhere.

Speech comes through clearly at normal listening volumes even though the speakers lack deep bass.

Dialogue is usable for news, but an uneven speaker response can make voices less clear than ideal.

The central picture remains reasonably clean, though faint patches and darker edges can appear on uniform fields.

One test finds distracting central blotches for sports, while the hands-on 55-inch unit looks comparatively uniform.

Backlight dimming introduces PWM flicker, which may bother viewers sensitive to modulation.

The slow PWM dimming persists at all brightness settings, an issue for flicker-sensitive viewers.

Film signals and 1080i broadcasts can look smooth, but some cable boxes and 60Hz delivery paths still introduce uneven motion. Interpolation does not reliably resolve every case.

Film cadence handling varies by source: 1080i film-based content performs well, but many 60Hz external sources retain 24p judder.

VRR is supported but its narrow operational window means tearing can persist at lower frame rates. Compatibility is better than effectiveness.

VRR is a welcome addition over older entry-level models, but its narrow range cannot prevent tearing at lower frame rates.

Blacks tend to look gray rather than truly dark, especially with brighter objects in the scene. This is one of the clearest barriers to a cinematic image.

Blacks look noticeably gray instead of deep, the most consistent and consequential image complaint.

Only two HDMI inputs leave little room for a console, soundbar and additional player at once. This is a practical compromise even for a low-cost television.

Three HDMI inputs are enough for simpler setups but can become restrictive with multiple consoles and a soundbar.

The panel cannot produce the full color range used by richer HDR material, so some vivid shades look muted or clipped.

The panel covers a limited range of saturated colors, especially for demanding HDR material.

Slow transitions help hide some panning stutter even while sacrificing crispness during fast action.

Slow pixel response reduces some 24fps stutter, but slow camera pans can still show issues and blur remains.

Ordinary HD feeds are watchable and sometimes impressively clean, but small details may remain soft. The result varies from passable in testing to notably positive in hands-on demonstrations.

The scaling picture is mixed: some HD material looks clean and detailed, but technical tests find soft edges and text.

The 60Hz ceiling rules out 120Hz play at either 4K or lower resolutions. It handles ordinary sources, but smooth high-frame-rate action needs a faster TV.

A native 60Hz panel handles regular TV and conventional gaming, but it cannot meet 120fps demands.

Promotional tiles are built into the home screen and cannot be completely disabled, although personalization can be turned off.

Ads appear on the webOS home screen and cannot be fully disabled.

Many gradients are reasonably smooth, but highly saturated HDR colors run out of gradation early.

One test sees banding in dark blue and green, while another finds smooth tonal gradients with little obvious banding.

A rear-facing HDMI jack can be awkward to access on a wall, sometimes requiring a right-angle cable adapter.

Wall mounting can make the central input panel hard to reach, and a rear-facing HDMI connection may need a right-angle adapter.

Older broadcasts and 720p sources remain watchable, especially when treated gently, but they are visibly softer than 1080p or native 4K.

Compression smoothing cleans up low-bitrate streams nicely, but images can appear waxy or soft at lower resolutions.

Some transitions leave faint colored edges, including a red tint around moving skin tones.

Fast-moving edges can show minor color artifacts alongside the more obvious blur.

Bright reflections appear mirror-like and are sometimes spread out by the finish, making overhead lighting difficult to ignore.

The glossy coating reflects lights and windows too strongly for a consistently comfortable bright-room image.

The widely separated feet require a fairly broad furniture surface without an inward mounting option.

Widely separated feet require a broad console, especially for large sizes, with no narrower alternative position.

The shiny surface reflects windows and bright lamps conspicuously. It is not designed to fight direct light.

Direct lamps and windows produce distracting reflections on the glossy screen; a hands-on impression finds them tolerable in a gentler room.

Game Mode delivers quick inputs and automatic low-latency switching, but lacks the advanced frame features of more capable gaming televisions.

Game Optimizer makes controls responsive, but opinions diverge on how smooth games look and black levels remain poor.

Skin tones look pleasing in the more restrained presets, while brighter modes trade naturalness for punch.

Flesh tones and some cinema presets can look pleasingly natural when the image is adjusted properly.

Pixel transitions are slow enough to smear rapid movement, a clear drawback in fast games and action scenes.

Slow pixel transitions create long blurry trails, especially in shadowy fast-moving scenes.

Variable-refresh support stops being useful below roughly 48fps, so slowdowns can still produce visible tearing.

VRR stops being effective below roughly 48Hz, so lower-frame-rate games can still tear.

Fast action can smear noticeably because of slow pixel response and a 60Hz limit. Some short demonstrations appear smoother than laboratory measurements suggest.

Fast objects blur badly in measured testing, despite a particularly enthusiastic hands-on impression of 60fps motion.

Near-black areas and the center of the screen can look reassuringly even, but gray fields may show darker edges or minor patches.

Gray-screen uniformity is inconsistent between the tested examples, with visible patches in some scenes.

Interpolation can reduce judder or stutter in some passages, but inconsistent timing produces distracting movement in others.

TruMotion can look smoother in hands-on use, but technical testing finds inconsistent results and little improvement in stutter.

Some tests show useful near-black gradation, while SDR crushes dark texture and side-by-side scenes reveal missing details.

Poor native contrast loses depth in dark scenes, though one assessment finds subtle shadow gradations surprisingly well preserved.

The set tops out at 60Hz regardless of input resolution, so it cannot provide the 120Hz or higher output expected for modern fast-paced gaming.

The 60Hz panel cannot serve high-refresh-rate console or PC gaming; 4K/120fps is not available.

Bright objects do not acquire the usual local-dimming halos. The price of that clean boundary is a washed-out black background.

Without local dimming zones, distinct halos are uncommon, although the entire image can look hazy and raised.

This direct-lit LCD is highly resistant to permanent static-image burn-in, a plus for long ownership.

Direct-lit LCD construction keeps the risk of permanent static-image burn-in very low.

No cable-routing features are provided to tidy wires behind the panel.

No built-in cable-routing aids are provided, leaving exposed wires harder to organize.

A complete calibration can produce excellent accuracy, though some color and shadow errors remain.

Expert controls improve color and white balance substantially, even if the panel cannot achieve excellent accuracy in every mode.

Bright accents often fail to pop and sometimes lose detail entirely. HDR highlight reproduction is a recurring weakness.

Clipping in the brightest HDR areas loses subtle gradients and fine highlight structure.

The speakers have sufficient volume for ordinary rooms, provided ambient noise is not excessive.

The speakers can get reasonably loud, although high-volume compression and pumping reduce sound quality.

Native 4K material looks noticeably better defined than soft low-resolution streams.

Native 4K content can look crisp and detailed when the source is good.

Simple plastic feet are fixed in height and spacing, limiting where the TV or soundbar can sit.

The two simple feet function as a base but are awkward to align during assembly.

Treble is mostly clean and neutral, though the upper range can sound a little bright.

High frequencies come through clearly, although their presentation can sound thin or bright.

Its direct-lit LCD backlight avoids permanent burn-in and is expected to age reasonably well, but a failed LED could disable a large section.

The direct-lit LCD panel has a low predicted burn-in risk, though some backlight faults could affect large areas.

HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG are supported, but Dolby Vision is absent and the panel cannot make most HDR scenes impactful.

HDR10 and HLG cover basic HDR playback, but the lack of Dolby Vision and HDR10+ leaves important formats unavailable.

DTS decoding and passthrough are missing, which is disappointing for some Blu-ray soundtracks.

Lack of common DTS formats makes this a less convenient match for some Blu-ray audio systems.

The absence of HDMI 2.1 bandwidth keeps modern consoles from their highest-refresh options.

HDMI 2.0-class bandwidth limits the UA77 to conventional signals rather than advanced 4K/120 gaming.

The U7900F can feel like a bargain on sale, particularly for uncomplicated streaming. At similar prices to better-equipped competitors, its weak brightness, motion and connectivity make it hard to justify.

A low sale price is the chief justification for buying it. At similar prices, stronger contrast and motion elsewhere make the value harder to defend.

Snap-in feet and phone-assisted setup make installation relatively straightforward, with a standard remote method also available.

Initial software setup is quick and straightforward, typically taking only a few minutes after the stand is attached.

HDMI eARC offers the preferred way to connect a receiver or compatible soundbar without an optical port.

eARC provides a useful path to higher-quality audio through a compatible soundbar or receiver.

Some streaming app launches and menu transitions are sluggish on the entry-level Tizen hardware.

Apps load quickly on one video test, contributing to a fluid streaming experience.

Tizen occasionally feels heavy on this entry-level processor, especially when opening apps or moving through menus.

Menu delays show up in several evaluations, but one reviewer finds app switching exceptionally quick.

Mainstream streaming services and downloadable apps make the platform useful, even though access requires a Samsung sign-in.

webOS offers a broad selection of major streaming services, free channels and other entertainment applications.

Tizen offers plenty of content, apps and connected-device options, but this entry-level version is pared down and can feel sluggish.

Full webOS, familiar apps and free content make the smart platform useful, with occasional complaints about sluggish navigation.

HDR midtones can be tracked reasonably well, but bright content is often rendered darker than intended.

HDR tracking is uneven: midtones fare better than shadows, while the brightest details clip abruptly.

Game HDR brightness settings may not track the intended presentation reliably, making some scenes too dim.

HDR mids track reasonably well, but dark shading is raised and bright highlights clip.

The shell feels inexpensive, with plastic construction and noticeable rear-panel flex.

The budget construction is basic but solid enough, with no major fit or assembly defects beyond the troublesome feet.

Three relatively narrow borders help the U7900F look modern, even though the bottom edge is thicker.

Relatively thin bezels give this affordable display a clean, modern look.

Slim upper and side bezels create a fairly tidy look for an entry-level television.

The appearance ranges from straightforward and utilitarian to surprisingly sleek, depending on expectations.

The UA77 is a 60Hz display and cannot show 4K games at 120fps. Its gaming conveniences do not remove that ceiling.

Native 4K gaming works at up to 60fps, enough for casual play but below the maximum of modern consoles.

Dolby Vision playback is not available, a drawback for viewers with Dolby Vision streaming or disc libraries.

More screen area does not bring local dimming, 120Hz, or better HDR. Large-size value depends on the actual discount.

Lack of ATSC 3.0 means this set cannot receive 4K over-the-air broadcasts directly.

An Xbox can force a 1440p signal that the TV accepts at 60Hz, but 120Hz remains unavailable.

An optional Magic Remote can add pointer and voice controls absent from the bundled remote.

Signing in to a Samsung account is required for much of the downloadable app and network experience, adding friction for people who want a simple offline TV.

The built-in chatbot offers handy shortcuts into settings and app management, making troubleshooting less of a hunt through menus.

ALLM detects gaming and switches to a low-lag mode automatically, a useful convenience within the 60Hz limit.

Black-frame insertion suffers from mistimed pulses that create duplicate images instead of clearer motion.

Virtual surround processing adds some spatial presentation, but the two built-in speakers cannot deliver genuine multi-channel immersion.

At maximum volume, pumping artifacts become noticeable and weaken audio quality.

Eco picture mode cuts output and power consumption, at the cost of a dimmer image.

Filmmaker Mode can provide a warmer, more restrained picture, but it cannot restore missing contrast or HDR brightness.

LG Channels adds convenient free content alongside the familiar webOS app library.

Basic scaling and stream cleanup are serviceable; more difficult feeds still expose compression artifacts and softness.

The central connector area is awkward to reach after the TV is mounted against a wall.

The big sizes provide affordable scale, though the larger picture still has entry-level blacks and motion.

The carton protects the fairly light 55-inch television adequately and is manageable for a single person.

Protective foam and packing keep the TV securely cushioned during unboxing.

Wide IPS-like viewing is useful for side seats, but contrast can suffer, and panel variations by size complicate assumptions.

The 55-inch version is light enough for one person to remove from its carton, easing initial handling.

The attached power lead is inconvenient for routing and would be harder to replace than a detachable one.

The bundled remote has familiar physical controls but lacks voice input and the Magic Remote pointer; ease of use is otherwise decent.

The traditional remote is easy to handle and access settings with, though it does not offer Magic Remote pointer navigation.

Traditional keys, a number pad and application shortcuts make routine control convenient.

Dialogue and moderate-volume material sound acceptable through the internal speakers. Bass-heavy scenes benefit from external audio.

Wall mounting is possible but can obstruct rear inputs, complicate cables and require careful model-specific planning.

The 55-inch unit feels manageable enough that one capable person can handle installation, apart from the awkward feet.

Compatible wired, optical and wireless speaker options broaden audio configurations beyond the built-in stereo speakers.

Flexible zoom options can fill the screen or accommodate different sources, although zooming in can crop part of a film.

The option to use a Bluetooth speaker alongside the TV's own speakers makes audio routing unusually flexible.

Pairing wireless headphones or a compatible soundbar is a useful convenience for quiet or flexible listening.

Most accounts find webOS somewhat slow and delayed, while another reports smooth, fast app navigation.

Picture menus are easy to reach, with multiple presets and advanced adjustments.

The SmartThings app makes phone-based setup and navigation practical and can add spoken commands absent from the physical remote.

LG's Re:New commitment offers additional platform upgrades for the next several years.

Voice and pointer control require a separate Magic Remote or phone, so the bundled setup is comparatively limited.

Using Bixby through SmartThings successfully launches requested apps, providing a useful alternative to the basic remote.

Dolby Digital—including 7.1-channel Dolby Digital Plus passthrough—works well, though DTS is missing.

The IPS-type panel favors wide viewing angles over deep blacks, an important image-quality tradeoff.

There is no optical digital audio jack, so older sound systems may need an alternative connection or adapter.

Compatible Samsung soundbars can play alongside the TV speakers, expanding audio flexibility. The feature is not universal across soundbar brands.

Basic daylight output is limited and cannot overcome strong glare. A brighter daytime preset helps only so much.

The low, fixed-height feet can leave even a compact soundbar blocking part of the screen. Wall mounting or different placement may be necessary.

Uncertainty about IPS versus VA panels across versions makes it important to check the exact size rather than assume identical viewing angles and contrast.

Every size remains limited to 60Hz, so choosing a larger model does not unlock 120fps gaming.

The unusually broad selection of screen sizes makes the model easy to fit into bedrooms, living rooms and secondary spaces.