LG QLED Samsung BE75FX-H 75" UHD 4K HDR Commercial Review

The LG 50IN UHD TV is a basic 50-inch 4K screen sold at a budget price. It delivers a large picture for casual viewing, but its picture quality, gaming performance, and smart features are all below average. Consider it only if screen size is your absolute top priority under $500.

Looking for a basic 50-inch 4K TV for under $500? The LG 50IN UHD TV is a straightforward option that gets you a big screen and 4K resolution without much else. It's a simple LED panel with a 60Hz refresh rate, three HDMI ports, and runs on Android 11.0. For movies, gaming, and sports, its scores in our database are all in the low 20s out of 100, which tells you it's built for casual viewing, not for blowing anyone away. If you just need a large screen to fill a space and watch some Netflix, this LG is a contender. But if you care about picture quality, smart features, or gaming performance, you'll want to look elsewhere.

Performance-wise, this TV lands in the bottom half of the pack for almost everything. Its picture quality sits in the 40th percentile, which means it's just okay. Colors and contrast are fine for the price, but don't expect deep blacks or vibrant HDR—that score is in the 33rd percentile. For gaming, it's also in the 33rd percentile. The 60Hz panel is the main limitation here; it's fine for casual gaming, but you won't get smooth motion in fast-paced titles. The audio score is in the 39th percentile, so the built-in speakers are basic. You'll probably want a soundbar. The smart TV platform, Android 11.0 (AOSP), scores in the 22nd percentile. It gets the job done, but it might feel a bit sluggish compared to more modern systems.

At around $442, this TV is squarely in the budget big-screen category. You're paying for the 50-inch 4K panel and not much else. For the same money, you could find smaller TVs with better features, or spend a bit more for a significant jump in quality from brands like TCL or Hisense. This LG's value is purely in its screen size for the dollar. If that's your only metric, it makes sense. If you care about how the picture looks or how the TV operates day-to-day, the value proposition gets shaky fast.

Compared to other budget options, this LG faces stiff competition. The Hisense U6 Series MiniLED, for example, offers much better contrast and brightness for a similar price, though you might find it in larger sizes. TCL's QM6K Series QD Mini-LED is another step up in picture technology for not much more money. Even compared to other LG models, this basic UHD set is outclassed by the OLED evo AI series, but those are in a completely different price league. The main trade-off here is clear: you get a bigger, simpler screen with this LG, but you sacrifice the picture quality and smart features that competitors are packing into the budget segment now.

Skip this TV if you're a movie enthusiast, a gamer, or someone who values a responsive smart TV interface. Its low scores for movies (24.8/100) and gaming (24.3/100) tell the story. Also, if you watch a lot of sports, the 21.5/100 score suggests motion handling isn't a strength. For these uses, look at the Hisense U6 Series or TCL QM6K series instead—they offer better performance in the same budget range. This LG is really only for someone who needs the absolute largest screen for the lowest possible price and doesn't care about much else.

Should you buy the LG 50IN UHD TV? Only if your needs are extremely simple. This is a TV for a secondary room, a dorm, or a guest bedroom where you just need a large, functional screen. It's not for movie buffs, gamers, or anyone who wants a great smart TV experience. For those use cases, the low scores across the board are a red flag. If your budget is rigid and 50 inches is non-negotiable, it'll work. But we'd suggest looking at TCL or Hisense models first—you'll likely get a better overall TV for your money, even if the screen is a bit smaller.