Roku Plus Series 55" vs Samsung CU7000 50"
Roku's Plus Series 55" commands a $120 premium over Samsung's CU7000 50", and that investment yields meaningful upgrades. Picture quality heavily favors Roku with its QLED panel delivering 700 nits brightness versus Samsung's 250 nits—a critical advantage for well-lit rooms. Roku adds Dolby Vision HDR support absent on the Samsung, plus superior processing through its quad-core chipset. Both handle gaming identically with ALLM and similar input lag (13ms vs 14ms), though neither supports VRR. Audio specs match at 20W/2.0ch, but only Roku includes Dolby Atmos. Samsung compensates with a smaller 50" footprint and lower weight, plus its Tizen OS offers robust app support. For pure performance and feature set, Roku's larger panel and brighter display justify the price difference. However, budget-conscious buyers with smaller viewing spaces should consider Samsung's solid fundamentals at $279. Roku Plus Series 55" is the better all-around choice for most households.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Roku Plus Series 55" | Samsung CU7000 50" |
|---|---|---|
| Body | ||
| VESA mount | 200 x 200mm | 200 x 200mm |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs | 22.9 lbs |
| Dimensions (w/ stand) | 48.4 x 30.6 x 10.2 inches | 44.3 x 28.1 x 8.2 inches |
| Audio | ||
| Output (watts) | 20 | 20 |
| Speakers | 2.0ch | 2.0ch |
| Dolby Atmos | ||
| Gaming | ||
| VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) | ||
| ALLM | ||
| Input lag (ms) | 13 | 14 |
| Display | ||
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10+, HLG |
| Size | 55" | 50" |
| Type | QLED | Crystal UHD LED |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 700 | 250 |
| Smart TV | ||
| Os | Roku OS | Tizen OS |
| Voice assistant | Roku Voice, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2 | Bixby, Alexa |
| Processor | ||
| Chipset | Quad-core | Crystal Processor 4K |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Ethernet | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| USB ports | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI ports | 4 | 3 |
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Roku Plus Series 55"
Pros
- Roku OS is the simplest, cleanest smart TV platform available
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, AND Dolby Atmos decoding — unusual at $399
- Works with every voice assistant: Alexa, Google, Siri (via AirPlay)
- Wi-Fi 6 for reliable 4K streaming
- QLED color enhancement is visible versus basic LED panels
Cons
- 60Hz panel — no 120Hz or gaming features
- 700-nit brightness is okay but not impressive for HDR highlights
- Roku's ad-supported free channels are prominently pushed in the UI
- No VRR for next-gen console gaming
Samsung CU7000 50"
Pros
- Under $280 for a 50-inch Samsung 4K TV is exceptional value
- Tizen smart TV platform with all major streaming apps
- HDR10+ support at this price point is uncommon
- Light enough to mount with a basic bracket
- Simple setup with Samsung's guided setup wizard
Cons
- Very low brightness limits HDR performance significantly
- 60Hz panel — not suitable for gaming or fast-moving sports
- No VRR or HDMI 2.1 features
- Mediocre viewing angles — color shifts off-center
Related Comparisons
Explore more in tvs, see all Roku products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Roku Plus Series 55" or the Samsung CU7000 50".