Samsung DU9000 DU9000 98" 2024 Review

The Samsung DU9000 is a 98-inch monster that delivers a cinematic experience for a surprisingly reasonable price. You get a huge, bright screen with excellent smart features and HDR support, but it makes compromises on refresh rate and contrast to hit that size. Prices swing wildly from $1,698 to $2,796, so hunt for a deal. Recommended for dedicated home theaters where size rules, but gamers and picture purists should look at smaller, more advanced panels.

Let's talk about the elephant in the room, literally. The Samsung DU9000 is a 98-inch TV. That's not just big, it's 'rearrange your living room furniture and measure your doorways twice' big. This isn't a TV you buy on a whim; it's a statement piece for movie nights, sports Sundays, and anyone who wants a cinematic experience without leaving the couch. It's interesting because Samsung is pushing this massive screen size into a more accessible price bracket, making a truly huge display a reality for more people.

This TV is for the dedicated streamer and casual viewer who values sheer size above all else. Our data shows it scores an 87.8 out of 100 for streaming, which makes sense. The Tizen smart platform is slick and comprehensive, landing in the 91st percentile. If your main goal is to fill a wall with Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube, this thing is purpose-built. It's also surprisingly strong for smart home integration, scoring an 81.7, thanks to built-in SmartThings, Alexa, and Google Assistant.

But here's the catch. The 'Crystal UHD' label means this is a standard LED panel, not a Mini-LED or OLED. That's the trade-off for getting a screen this large without a five-figure price tag. You're paying for the real estate first, and the picture technology second. It's a smart compromise if your priority is immersion, but it sets clear expectations for the cinephiles and gamers out there.

Performance on a screen this size is all about the experience, not just the specs. The 60Hz native refresh rate is fine for movies and TV, but it's a clear step down from the 120Hz panels common in higher-end models. Samsung tries to bridge the gap with Motion Xcelerator software, which aims to smooth out motion. It helps, but it's not the same as a true high-refresh-rate panel. For gaming, this lands in the 62nd percentile, which tells the story: it's got HDMI 2.1 and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), so it'll work with your PS5 or Xbox, but competitive gamers will want more.

The picture quality score sits at the 43rd percentile, which is the most important number to understand. This TV excels in HDR support (93rd percentile) with HDR10+ and HLG, meaning it can receive and process high dynamic range signals very well. But the panel itself can't display the extreme contrast and perfect blacks of an OLED. You get a bright, colorful, and undeniably huge image, but don't expect the absolute best contrast or viewing angles. The audio, however, punches above its weight at the 89th percentile, especially if you get it with the bundled 9.1.2-channel soundbar kit. It's a solid, immersive soundstage right out of the box.

Here's where it gets interesting. This 98-inch TV has a price range from $1,698 to $2,796 across different vendors. That's a spread of over $1,000, so shopping around is absolutely crucial. At the lower end of that range, you're getting an incredible amount of screen for your money. At the higher end, you start flirting with the territory of smaller but technologically superior TVs.

The value proposition is simple: maximum inches per dollar. You are sacrificing some peak picture performance for sheer scale. If a wall-filling cinematic experience is your primary goal, and you're not a pixel-peeping videophile, the DU9000 represents a compelling deal, especially if you snag it near that $1,700 mark.

You've got options if 98 inches feels like overkill. The Sony BRAVIA 5 98" Mini-LED is the direct size competitor, but it uses superior Mini-LED tech for better contrast and brightness. It will also cost significantly more. For similar money, you could step down to an 85-inch Samsung Neo QLED (like the QN90F). You lose 13 inches of screen, but you gain the quantum dot and Mini-LED backlight for much better picture quality and a 120Hz panel.

Then there's the OLED elephant in the room. For around $2,800, you could get a stunning 77-inch LG G5 OLED. The picture quality, contrast, and gaming performance will demolish the DU9000. But you're giving up 21 inches of screen real estate. It's the classic trade-off: do you want the best possible picture on a large screen, or a truly massive picture that's still very good? Hisense and TCL also offer compelling Mini-LED options in the 75-85 inch range that challenge the DU9000 on both price and tech.

Hardcore gamers should skip this. The 60Hz refresh rate is a hard ceiling that will leave performance on the table from a PS5 or Xbox Series X. You want a 120Hz panel, and there are plenty of great options at smaller sizes. Serious videophiles should also look elsewhere. If you value perfect contrast, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles above all else, a smaller OLED or high-end Mini-LED will be a much better fit for your critical viewing sessions.

Also, if your room layout means people will be sitting at sharp angles to the screen, the viewing quality will drop off noticeably. And finally, if you're not prepared for the logistical challenge of moving and mounting a 114-pound, 98-inch behemoth, consider a more manageable size. The 'wow' factor isn't worth a damaged wall or a trip to the chiropractor.

Buy the Samsung DU9000 if your dream is a true home theater experience and screen size is your non-negotiable number one priority. It's perfect for a dedicated media room where you'll sit front and center, soaking in movies, shows, and casual gaming. The smart features are great, the sound is solid, and when you get it for a good price, the value is undeniable.

Think twice and look at the competitors if you're a serious gamer who needs 120Hz, a videophile who craves perfect blacks and wide viewing angles, or if your room has a lot of ambient light. In those cases, a smaller but higher-tech Mini-LED or OLED will provide a better overall experience. Also, if your seating is wide, the off-angle viewing on this standard LED panel might be a dealbreaker.