85

Samsung TU690T TV Review

True Score

82
79
1

Experts

87
3,186

Consumers

Product Awards

GR Certified

Customer Favorite

Expert Rankings

While the budget-friendly Samsung TU690T’s black uniformity, good contrast ratio, auto low-latency mode, and low input lag are good for casual viewing, it’s not value for money unless you’re getting it at a discount. Plus, the narrow viewing angles aren’t ideal for family seating.

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Product Snapshot

Overview

The Samsung TU690T is the brand’s 4K entry-level TV, launched in 2022. Its input lag is low for monitor use, casual gaming, and movies.

Additionally, Samsung’s HDR 10+ boosts the TV’s brightness and contrast levels while the Crystal Processor upscales low-resolution content to 4K.

In terms of design, you get a slim 3, bezel-less frame, and the PurColor Crystal display enhances on-screen colors.

The TV achieves near-black scenes, and just like the best TVs, white objects on the screen hardly bloom into the dark background.

The TU690T has narrow viewing angles and a 60 Hz refresh rate, and there are only two HDMI ports and one USB, but the seamless Tizen OS enables quick content selection.

You can stream content from Apple devices using Apple Airplay, and it’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, similar to the best 4K TVs.

Consensus

our Verdict

While the Samsung TU690T’s HDR10+ enhances brightness, it struggles to eliminate glare in well-lit rooms, and connectivity is limited to two HDMI ports.

The blacks are uniform for screening movies in the dark, but direct sunlight causes on-screen reflections. It lacks a variable refresh rate, and casual gamers are restricted to a tested 60 Hz refresh rate.

With mega contrast, the colors are vibrant and blacks deep, and movie buffs will appreciate minimal blooming. There’s an auto low-latency mode for gaming, and the Crystal processor upscales content to 4K.

Although the remote lacks voice control, its button shortcuts for streaming services are handy, and the Tizen OS has easy navigation. Narrow viewing angles are unsuitable for wide seating, but the tested low input lag (9.7ms) is great for gaming.

Reason to Buy

  • Uniform blacks
  • Good contrast ratio
  • No blooming
  • Auto low-latency mode
  • The Remote has button shortcuts
  • User-friendly OS
  • Low input lag

Reason to Avoid

  • Not bright enough
  • 2 HDMI ports
  • Lights cause reflections
  • No variable refresh rate
  • Subpar refresh rate
  • No voice control on remote
  • Narrow viewing angles

Samsung TU690T TV Specs

Backlight TypeBacklight TypeEdge
Display TypeLED
HDMI Inputs2
HDR FormatHDR10+
LED Panel TypeLED Panel TypeLED
Max Resolution3840 x 2160 (4k)
Refresh Rate60 Hz
Screen size50"
Smart PlatformSmart PlatformTizen
Sync TechnologySync TechnologyNo
VRRVRRNo

All Specs

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Product Comparison

Samsung TU690T TV Review

True Score

82
77
87
NR

Ranking

#

85

/

156

#

121

/

156

#

34

/

156

#

/

Market Context

The Samsung TU690T is the brand’s 4K entry-level TV, launched in 2022. Its input lag is low for monitor use, casual gaming, and movies. Additionally, Samsung’s…

The Samsung TU690T is the brand’s 4K entry-level TV, launched in 2022. Its input lag is low for monitor use, casual gaming, and movies.

Additionally, Samsung’s HDR 10+ boosts the TV’s brightness and contrast levels while the Crystal Processor upscales low-resolution content to 4K.

In terms of design, you get a slim 3, bezel-less frame, and the PurColor Crystal display enhances on-screen colors.

The TV achieves near-black scenes, and just like the best TVs, white objects on the screen hardly bloom into the dark background.

The TU690T has narrow viewing angles and a 60 Hz refresh rate, and there are only two HDMI ports and one USB, but the seamless Tizen OS enables quick content selection.

You can stream content from Apple devices using Apple Airplay, and it’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, similar to the best 4K TVs.

The Samsung TU690T TV has only two HDMI ports, whereas the Samsung Q60B boasts three. The latter offers eight different TV size options, while the…

The Samsung TU690T TV has only two HDMI ports, whereas the Samsung Q60B boasts three. The latter offers eight different TV size options, while the TU690T has only six. However, the TU690T has a smoother picture when it comes to motion compared to the Q60B. For a Samsung model with three HDMI inputs and a rotating portrait layout, read our Samsung the Sero TV review.

The Samsung TU690T TV boasts superior black uniformity, producing minimal clouding in dark scenes compared to the Hisense A6G. The latter offers a wider viewing…

The Samsung TU690T TV boasts superior black uniformity, producing minimal clouding in dark scenes compared to the Hisense A6G. The latter offers a wider viewing angle, making it a better pick for watching TV in moderately lit environments with a wide seating arrangement. If you want a TV with Freesync technology for gaming, check out our Samsung TU9010 Led 4K TV review.

The LG UQ9000 comes with its LG Magic remote that can be used as a pointer for easy menu navigation. It also offers voice control…

The LG UQ9000 comes with its LG Magic remote that can be used as a pointer for easy menu navigation. It also offers voice control functionality to adjust TV settings, which is unavailable on the basic Samsung TU690T remote. The Samsung has better contrast levels than the LG for dark room movie viewing.

Backlight Type

Edge

Edge

Edge

Display Type

LED

LED

LED

HDMI Inputs

2

3

4

HDR Format

HDR10+

HDR10, HDR10+, HLG

HDR10+

LED Panel Type

LED

Quantum LED

LED

Max Resolution

3840 x 2160 (4k)

3840 x 2160 (4k)

3840 x 2160 (4k)

Refresh Rate

60 Hz

60 Hz

120 Hz

Screen size

50"

43"

86"

Dig Deeper

Samsung The Sero TV Review →

Samsung TU9010 LED 4K TV Review →

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Score Card

E

Expert Score

79

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

87

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

82

Expert Score Breakdown

  • Rtings
    101.4

    Category Trust Score

    68
    The Samsung TU690T is an okay TV overall. It’s best suited for watching in a… read more

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