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The Samsung AU800D is Costco’s version of Samsung’s 2021 AU8000 Crystal Ultra High Definition (UHD) TV, and in 2026 it’s worth buying only at a used or clearance price. It was a slim, affordable 4K set that sold in big sizes with a three-year warranty included. If you’re eyeing one secondhand or wondering whether yours is worth keeping, this Samsung AU800D review explains how it differs from the AU8000, how it performs according to lab tests, which claims about it are wrong, and which current Samsung and rival TVs replace it.
Quick verdict: The AU800D offers a sleek design, deep black levels for an entry-level TV, low input lag, and Samsung’s smooth Tizen software. It’s dim, has no local dimming or Dolby Vision, shows uneven backlighting in dark scenes, and loses contrast off-angle. Buy one only at a used or clearance price; the 2026 Samsung U8000H is the better new choice. Check the Samsung AU800D price on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- What it is: A discontinued 2021 4K TV with an edge-lit light-emitting diode (LED) backlight and a 60 hertz (Hz) panel, sold at Costco in 55- to 85-inch sizes. Inside, it matches the AU8000.
- Who it’s for: Viewers who want a big Samsung screen for a dim family room and sit mostly in front of the TV.
- Price: Costco sold the 65-inch model for $599.99 with a three-year warranty in May 2022. Buy one now only well below the price of a new U8000H, since prices change often.
- Main weaknesses: Dim high dynamic range (HDR) at about 325 nits in Reviewed’s testing, uneven edge lighting in dark scenes, no Dolby Vision, and narrow viewing angles.
- Successor: The BU8000 replaced it in 2022, followed by the CU7000, DU7200, U8000F, and the 2026 U8000H, which adds basic variable refresh rate (VRR).
Samsung AU800D at a glance
| Spec | Samsung AU800D |
|---|---|
| Release | 2021 (Costco variant of the AU8000) |
| Sizes | 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches (UN55AU800DFXZA to UN85AU800DFXZA) |
| Panel | 4K vertical alignment (VA) liquid crystal display (LCD), 60 hertz (Hz) native |
| Backlight | Edge-lit light-emitting diode (LED), no local dimming |
| High dynamic range (HDR) | HDR10, HDR10+, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG); no Dolby Vision |
| Measured HDR brightness | About 325 nits (Reviewed, 10% window) |
| Color | About 83% of the Digital Cinema Initiatives (DCI-P3) color space (Reviewed) |
| Input lag | 9.1 milliseconds (ms) in Game mode (What Hi-Fi) |
| Inputs | Three High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 2.0 ports (one with enhanced Audio Return Channel, or eARC), two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, Ethernet, optical audio, composite video, and antenna |
| Gaming | Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM); no variable refresh rate (VRR) |
| Audio | 20 watts, two channels, with Object Tracking Sound (OTS) Lite |
| Smart platform | Tizen with Bixby, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant built in |
| Price | $599.99 for the 65-inch at Costco in May 2022, with a three-year warranty |
Specs and measurements come from Reviewed’s AU8000 review, What Hi-Fi’s AU8000 review, a May 2022 Slickdeals listing, and Costco’s 85-inch AU800D listing.
AU800D vs. AU8000: what’s the difference?
Almost nothing inside. Samsung often gives warehouse clubs their own model numbers, and the AU800D is the version Costco sold. It uses the same panel, Crystal Processor 4K, ports, and Tizen software as the AU8000; repair parts listings even show the two sharing the same main board. The differences come down to the included three-year warranty, the sizes Costco stocked, and pricing. Slickdeals posters noted that the 65-inch AU800D cost about $200 less than the AU8000 at many retailers at the time.
Reviews of the AU8000 apply to the AU800D. Some articles describe the AU800D as coming in six sizes from 43 to 85 inches, but those figures belong to the AU8000 lineup; Costco’s AU800D started at 55 inches. You can still browse current models on Costco’s Samsung UHD TV page.
Is the Samsung AU800D discontinued?
Yes. Samsung has replaced the AU8000 family every year: the BU8000 in 2022, the CU7000 in 2023, the DU7200 in 2024, the U8000F (plus retailer variants such as the U7900F) in 2025, and the U8000H in 2026. Our Samsung CU7000 review covers that newer generation, and our Samsung TU700D review looks at the 2020 warehouse club model that came before it.
The U8000H keeps the same 60Hz Crystal UHD formula but adds basic VRR, Samsung Gaming Hub, and much newer software, often for less than the AU800D cost new.
Design and connectivity
The AU800D looks more expensive than it is. Edge lighting keeps the cabinet slim, about 2.5 inches at its thickest, and thin bezels surround the screen. What Hi-Fi called the design exceptionally slim. The back is clean, with a single column of ports and a Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mount pattern, so it sits close to the wall. Our TV wall mount guide covers mounts for the larger sizes.
You get three HDMI 2.0 inputs, which handle 4K at up to 60 frames per second (fps). One supports eARC, which passes Dolby Atmos (in the Dolby Digital Plus format) to a compatible soundbar. The optical output can’t carry Atmos, despite what some reviews claim, and Samsung’s 2021 TVs don’t decode Digital Theater Systems (DTS) audio, so Blu-ray players need to convert DTS soundtracks themselves. Dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth round out the connections.
Picture quality
Brightness and HDR
The AU800D is dim for HDR. Reviewed measured about 325 nits and found it rarely cracked 350, so HDR highlights lack punch. What Hi-Fi found bright scenes looked punchy and colorful in standard content, but HDR movies don’t look much more dramatic than regular TV. HDR10+ support helps the TV map scenes on Prime Video and other services that use it, but there’s no Dolby Vision.
Contrast and backlight uniformity
Black levels are the AU800D’s strength. Reviewed measured roughly 0.06 to 0.08 nits, which looks deep in a dark room, and called the blacks strong for the price. Without local dimming, though, the edge-lit backlight spreads unevenly. Reviewed saw cloudiness and blue-tinted bleed in the corners, and What Hi-Fi called the backlight shortcomings significant, with a blue-gray haze in dark scenes. Our guide to local dimming explains how better TVs avoid this.
Color
Reviewed measured about 83% of DCI-P3 in HDR and 97% of Rec.709 in standard content. That means everyday TV and streaming look accurate and natural, while HDR color is narrower than on quantum-dot TVs such as Samsung’s QLED models.
Viewing angles and motion
Viewing angles are limited. Colors wash out and blacks lift as you move off-center, and the edge lighting makes the corners glow more from the side. Motion on the 60Hz panel shows judder and some blur in fast scenes. Reviewed recommends keeping Judder Reduction and LED Clear Motion low to avoid the soap opera effect. Our 60Hz vs 120Hz TV guide explains what a faster panel adds.
Gaming
For casual gaming, the AU800D does better than its price suggests. What Hi-Fi measured just 9.1 ms of input lag in Game mode, and ALLM switches modes automatically when a console starts. It lacks VRR and HDMI 2.1, so a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X tops out at 4K at 60 fps, and screen tearing can appear in demanding games. Our best gaming TVs for PS5 and Xbox list covers better options.
Tizen smart features
Samsung’s Tizen software is clean and responsive, with all the major streaming apps, free Samsung TV Plus channels, and SmartThings for controlling compatible smart home devices. The voice remote works with Bixby, Alexa, or Google Assistant, and What Hi-Fi called the interface excellent. Five years on, app support continues, but the 2021 processor is slower than current models, and Samsung’s newer Gaming Hub isn’t available.
The 20-watt speakers sound wide at first but thin and harsh at high volume, according to What Hi-Fi. A soundbar connected over eARC is a worthwhile upgrade; our Samsung A430 soundbar review covers a budget match. Browse Samsung soundbars on Amazon.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Slim, attractive design
- Deep black levels for an entry-level TV
- Low input lag with ALLM
- Smooth Tizen software with three voice assistants
- HDR10+ support
- Three-year warranty when bought new at Costco
Cons
- Dim HDR
- Edge lighting with no local dimming causes blotchy dark scenes
- No Dolby Vision or DTS
- Narrow viewing angles
- Judder and blur in fast motion
- No VRR or 120Hz gaming
Samsung AU800D vs. current budget TVs
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the AU800D’s successors and rivals in most sizes. Prices change often, so check current deals.
Compare similar budget 4K TVs on Amazon
| TV | Display type | Key advantage | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung AU800D (2021) | Edge-lit LED | Slim design, deep blacks | Used and clearance deals | Check price |
| Samsung U8000H (2026) | LED (Crystal UHD) | Basic VRR and newer Tizen | The newest Samsung equivalent | Check price |
| Samsung U7900F (2025) | LED (Crystal UHD) | Recent software at clearance prices | Discounted 2025 stock | Check price |
| Samsung Q7F (2025) | QLED, 60Hz | Quantum-dot color | Samsung fans who want richer color | Check price |
| TCL S5 Series | LED | Dolby Vision support | Google TV fans on a budget | Check price |
- Samsung U8000H: The direct successor keeps the AU800D’s familiar design and software and adds basic VRR. See the Samsung U8000H on Amazon.
- Samsung Q7F: Samsung’s 2025 entry QLED (quantum-dot light-emitting diode) TV adds wider color while keeping a 60Hz panel. See the Samsung Q7F on Amazon.
- TCL S5: Google TV and Dolby Vision make it a strong value for streaming households. See the TCL S5 on Amazon.
For more picks, see our best 65-inch TVs under $500, and our Samsung Q60B review covers an entry Samsung QLED from the same era.
Who should buy the Samsung AU800D?
Buy an AU800D if you find one used or as leftover stock well below the price of a new U8000H, you want a big Samsung screen for a dim family room, and you sit mostly in front of the TV. Before buying used, check for backlight bleed on a dark screen, test all three HDMI ports, and confirm the remote is included.
Skip it if you watch in a bright room, care about HDR movies, or game on a current console. A new U8000H or TCL S5 costs only a little more and comes with newer software and a full warranty.
Frequently asked questions
What does the D in AU800D mean?
The D in AU800D marks one of Samsung’s retailer-specific models. The AU800D is the Costco version of the AU8000, with the same hardware and a three-year warranty.
Is the Samsung AU800D a QLED TV?
No, the Samsung AU800D isn’t a QLED TV. It’s a Crystal UHD LED TV without quantum dots. Samsung’s QLED models from the same year include the Q60A and Q70A.
Does the Samsung AU800D support Dolby Atmos?
The Samsung AU800D supports Dolby Atmos only as passthrough. It can pass Dolby Atmos in the Dolby Digital Plus format to a soundbar through its eARC HDMI port, but its own speakers don’t produce Atmos, and it doesn’t support DTS.
What replaced the Samsung AU800D?
The Samsung BU8000 replaced the AU800D and the rest of the AU8000 family in 2022, followed by the CU7000, DU7200, U8000F, and the 2026 U8000H.
Final verdict
The Samsung AU800D gave Costco shoppers a slim, good-looking 4K TV with deep blacks, low input lag, and a long warranty for a fair price. Its dim HDR, uneven edge lighting, and 60Hz panel show their age next to the U8000H, so treat it as a bargain buy only. Check the current Samsung AU800D price on Amazon, or compare the Samsung U8000H on Amazon.