Samsung TU9000 Review: Is the 86-Inch Crystal UHD TV Still Worth It?

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The Samsung TU9000 is a 2020 86-inch Crystal Ultra High Definition (UHD) 4K TV, and in 2026 it’s a reasonable big-screen buy only at a used or clearance price. It paired a huge screen with a native 120Hz panel, Samsung’s Tizen smart platform, and HDR10+ support at a price far below premium 85-inch TVs. This Samsung TU9000 review explains what the TV offers, where it falls short, and which current big-screen TVs make more sense today.

Quick verdict: The TU9000 gives you a lot of screen for the money, smooth 120Hz motion for sports, and simple Samsung software. Its contrast and high dynamic range (HDR) performance are modest, it skips Dolby Vision, and spec listings show only one High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 2.1 port. Buy one only at a steep discount. Check the Samsung TU9000 price on Amazon.

Key takeaways

  • What it is: Samsung’s 2020 86-inch Crystal UHD 4K TV (UN86TU9000), a big-screen model from Samsung’s entry-level TV line.
  • Price: It carried a $2,199.99 list price and sold for $1,999.99 to $1,697.99 in 2021. Prices change often.
  • Main strength: A native 120Hz, 86-inch screen with wide viewing angles, according to owners.
  • Main weaknesses: Modest contrast, no Dolby Vision, one HDMI 2.1 port, and weak 20-watt speakers.
  • Status: Discontinued; the 2021 TU9010 replaced it, and today’s big-screen alternatives include the TCL QM6K and QM7L.

Samsung TU9000 at a glance

SpecSamsung TU9000 (2020)
Model and sizeUN86TU9000, 86-inch class (85.6-inch diagonal)
List price$2,199.99
Panel4K liquid crystal display (LCD) with a light-emitting diode (LED) backlight; owners and spec databases describe an in-plane switching (IPS) panel
Refresh rate120Hz native (Samsung Motion Rate 240)
ProcessorCrystal Processor 4K
HDR formatsHDR10, HDR10+, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)
HDMIFour ports, one HDMI 2.1 according to spec listings, with enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
Audio20 watts, 2 channels, Dolby Digital Plus
Smart platformTizen with Alexa, Bixby, and Google Assistant built in
Size and weight75.8 x 43.2 x 2.2 inches and 90.6 pounds without the stand; 93 pounds with it

Specs come from Samsung’s TU9000 and TU9010 spec sheet, DeviceBeast’s UN86TU9000 spec listing, and Slickdeals’ March 2021 TU9000 deal thread. Major review labs didn’t test the TU9000, so this review leans on Samsung’s specs and owner reports.

Design and setup

The TU9000 looks like a scaled-up Samsung budget TV: thin bezels, a plain black frame, and a cabinet about 2.2 inches deep. The size is the whole story. It measures about 75.8 inches wide, and the feet sit near the edges, so you need a stand at least that wide or a wall mount rated well above 93 pounds. With the stand attached, the TV takes up about 15.4 inches of depth.

Plan the delivery, too. An 86-inch box needs two people, a clear path through doors and stairs, and a plan for the old TV. Check our guide to 100-inch TVs if you’re weighing an even bigger screen.

Smart features

The TU9000 runs Samsung’s Tizen platform, which covers all the major streaming apps and includes Samsung TV Plus, a free service with hundreds of live channels. Samsung’s Universal Guide gathers shows from several apps into one menu. Alexa, Bixby, and Google Assistant are built in, though Samsung’s spec sheet notes that Google Assistant may not have been available at launch. Ambient Mode turns the black screen into a photo or art display when you’re not watching, and Mobile View mirrors your phone.

Tizen is easy to use, but Samsung has pushed more ads and sponsored rows into its home screen over the years, and a 2020 TV won’t get every new feature. If the built-in apps start to feel slow, a streaming stick costs little and keeps the smart experience current.

Picture quality

The TU9000 sits in Samsung’s Crystal UHD range, below its quantum-dot light-emitting diode (QLED) and Neo QLED models. It uses a standard LED backlight without Mini LED dimming or quantum dots, so expect a clean, sharp 4K picture rather than a dazzling HDR one. Spec sources disagree on the backlight layout, and none list full-array local dimming, which means dark scenes won’t show the deep blacks of a Mini LED TV.

Owners and spec databases describe the 86-inch panel as IPS type. Commenters in Slickdeals’ March 2021 TU9000 deal thread explained the tradeoff: an IPS panel keeps color and contrast steady from wide angles, which suits a big family room, but it delivers lower contrast than the vertical alignment (VA) panels in most smaller Samsung TVs. Blacks look grayish in a dark room, so the TU9000 works best in a moderately lit living room.

HDR support covers HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, but not Dolby Vision, which Samsung skips on all its TVs. Without high peak brightness or local dimming, HDR movies won’t have the punch that a modern Mini LED set delivers.

Motion and gaming

The 120Hz panel is the TU9000’s best upgrade over cheaper Crystal UHD TVs, which mostly run at 60Hz. It makes sports and fast camera pans look smoother, and our 60Hz vs. 120Hz TV explainer covers why that matters.

For gaming, Samsung lists Real Game Enhancer+, its feature set for reducing lag and stutter with consoles. DeviceBeast’s UN86TU9000 spec listing lists one HDMI 2.1 port and AMD FreeSync Premium support, though Samsung’s own spec sheet doesn’t confirm FreeSync, so treat it as unverified. With one fast port, the TU9000 can take one PlayStation 5 (PS5) or Xbox Series X at full speed, but not both. Our guide to the best gaming TVs for PS5 and Xbox lists stronger choices.

Sound

The TU9000 uses a 20-watt, two-channel speaker system with Dolby Digital Plus, the same basic setup as much smaller Samsung TVs. On an 86-inch screen, that sound feels thin. A Samsung soundbar from Amazon pairs easily through eARC and makes a big difference.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • A huge 86-inch screen for far less than premium big-screen TVs cost in 2020
  • Native 120Hz panel for smoother sports and motion
  • HDR10+ support and Samsung’s Crystal Processor 4K
  • Tizen with Alexa, Bixby, and Google Assistant built in
  • Wide viewing angles for big family rooms, according to owners

Cons

  • Modest contrast and no Dolby Vision
  • Only one HDMI 2.1 port, according to spec listings
  • Weak 20-watt speakers for a screen this size
  • Heavy at about 93 pounds with the stand
  • Discontinued, so new stock is scarce

What replaced the Samsung TU9000?

  • TU9010 (2021): A near twin with the same 86-inch size and features. Samsung’s TU9010 page listed it at $1,699.99, and warehouse clubs later sold it for about $1,000.
  • DU9000 (2024): Samsung’s 98-inch Crystal UHD model. According to What Hi-Fi?, it launched at $3,999 with 4K at 120Hz, auto low latency mode (ALLM), and three HDMI ports.
  • U8000H (2026): Samsung’s newest Crystal UHD TV comes in sizes up to 85 inches, but it uses a 60Hz panel.

For other Crystal UHD models, read our Samsung TU700D review and Samsung AU800D review.

Samsung TU9000 vs. current big-screen TVs

Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries the TU9000’s closest replacements and the best 85-inch rivals. In 2026, 85-inch Mini LED TVs often cost less than the TU9000 did in 2021, so compare prices carefully. Prices change often.

Compare similar big-screen TVs on Amazon

TVBacklightMax refresh rateBest forShop
Samsung TU9000 (2020)LED120HzUsed or clearance bargainsCheck price
Samsung TU9010 (2021)LED120HzSame TV, newer stockCheck price
Samsung U8000H 85-inch (2026)LED60HzThe cheapest new Samsung big screenCheck price
TCL QM6K 85-inch (2025)Mini LED, quantum dots144HzBudget HDR and gamingCheck price
TCL QM7L 85-inch (2026)Mini LED, quantum dots144HzBest midrange big screenCheck price
Samsung DU9000 98-inch (2024)LED120HzMaximum screen sizeCheck price
  • TCL QM6K: Mini LED dimming and a 144Hz panel give it far better HDR and gaming than the TU9000. See the QM6K on Amazon.
  • Samsung U8000H: Pick it if you want new Samsung software and a warranty for little money, and you don’t need 120Hz. See the U8000H on Amazon.
  • Samsung DU9000: The giant option for home theaters with wide walls. See the DU9000 on Amazon.

Who should buy the Samsung TU9000?

Buy a TU9000 if you find one used or open-box for well under the price of a new 85-inch Mini LED TV, you watch mostly sports and streaming in a bright room, and you like Samsung’s software. The wide viewing angles help in rooms with spread-out seating. Skip it if you watch movies in the dark, own two current consoles, or want Dolby Vision. Our roundup of the best smart TVs for the money covers more options.

Frequently asked questions

What size is the Samsung TU9000?

The Samsung TU9000 is an 86-inch class TV in the US, with an 85.6-inch diagonal screen. Samsung sold it as the UN86TU9000 and later as the nearly identical UN86TU9010.

Does the Samsung TU9000 have a 120Hz panel?

Yes, the Samsung TU9000 has a native 120Hz panel, which Samsung markets as Motion Rate 240. Spec listings show only one HDMI 2.1 port, though, so plan which device gets it.

Does the Samsung TU9000 support Dolby Vision?

No, the Samsung TU9000 doesn’t support Dolby Vision. It supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, like other Samsung TVs.

What replaced the Samsung TU9000?

The Samsung TU9010 replaced the TU9000 in 2021 with nearly identical specs. Samsung’s current Crystal UHD line, the 2026 U8000H, tops out at 85 inches, and the 98-inch DU9000 covers the giant end of the range.

Final verdict

The Samsung TU9000 made an 86-inch, 120Hz screen affordable in 2020, and it still works well for sports and casual viewing in a bright room. Modest contrast, no Dolby Vision, one HDMI 2.1 port, and weak speakers show its age, and today’s 85-inch Mini LED TVs often cost less. Grab one only at a clearance price. Check the current Samsung TU9000 price on Amazon.

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