Samsung UA43T5400 FHD TV Review: Affordable TV with Decent Performance but Limited Features

TechLekh Verdict

The Samsung T5400 is a solid budget TV that delivers decent performance across multiple areas. The IPS panel provides vibrant colors and above-average viewing angles, while its motion handling makes it a great choice for sports and fast-paced content.

However, its HDR performance falls short, and the contrast ratio is below par. Additionally, if your room is very bright, you may want to consider other TVs with brighter panels for better viewing in those conditions.

The Samsung T5400 is best suited for casual viewers who prioritize accurate colors and wide viewing angles over overly saturated colors and a high contrast ratio.

Overall, if you’re in the market for a budget TV with decent picture quality and audio performance, the Samsung T5400 is a solid option. However, you’ll need to compromise on subpar HDR performance and the lack of smart features.

The Samsung UA43T5400 is an affordable entry-level TV from Samsung’s T series. It offers an FHD Smart TV experience in a simple and elegant design.

The price of the Samsung UA43T5400 FHD TV in Nepal is Rs. 46,400. This TV promises an immersive visual experience in a 43-inch size at an affordable price.

So, is this the perfect TV for your room that doesn’t break the bank? We will examine every aspect to help you determine if the Samsung UA43T5400 deserves a place in your home.

ALSO READ: Samsung TV Price in Nepal (March 2025 Updated)

Samsung UA43T5400 FHD TV Review

Simple Design

• 43-inch
• 963.1 x 562.4 x 77.5 mm (without Stand)
• 6.2KG

The Samsung UA43T5400 features a Slim Mold design with narrow borders, offering a clean yet conventional look. While it may not have the ultra-modern aesthetics of high-end models, it certainly doesn’t feel outdated.

Although it is made up of plastic, the build quality is commendable.

One issue I encountered with the TV was adjusting its stand. Despite multiple attempts, the stand never felt securely fitted.

The rear panel features a brushed aluminum finish, though it is made of plastic. This finish adds a touch of premium feel to an otherwise standard back panel. Additionally, the input ports are recessed into the TV, contributing to its slim profile.

On the back, the input ports are neatly arranged within a dedicated cutout for easy access. The TV includes two HDMI ports, with HDMI 2 supporting eARC for enhanced audio transmission. The USB port is conveniently placed between the HDMI ports, while the LAN port sits above the Digital Audio Out. Meanwhile, the AV IN ports are stacked vertically beside the LAN port, ensuring a well-organized layout.

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Good IPS Panel

• IPS panel
• HDR
• 60Hz

Unlike most of Samsung’s high-end TVs, the T5400 features an IPS panel instead of a VA panel. It also comes with a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and HDR support.

IPS panels are known for their superior color accuracy and wider viewing angles, whereas VA panels excel in contrast ratio and response times. That’s why I appreciate the IPS panel on this TV—it delivers a pleasant viewing experience with rich colors and excellent visibility from different angles. Unlike many TVs that oversaturate colors for a vibrant yet unrealistic look, the T5400 maintains a balanced color profile with natural saturation.

Powered by the Hyper Real picture engine, the T5400 offers impressive picture clarity for its price.

I was genuinely surprised by the sharpness of this 43-inch FHD panel. Typically, a Full HD resolution on a screen this size can appear somewhat dull or pixelated, but that’s not the case with the UA43T5400.

Brightness, Contrast, & HDR

While the IPS panel of this TV delivers accurate and vibrant colors, its brightness level is only decent. In a brightly lit room, the screen may not appear bright enough. Additionally, since it has a glossy panel, placing the TV in front of a window will result in noticeable glare.

As I’ve mentioned above the brightness level is only okay. Similarly, the contrast level is average as the blacks look greyed out. However, the highlights around the bright objects are well preserved.

UA43T5400 has poor HDR experience.

The HDR performance of the T5400 is not impressive. Since the native brightness is already low, HDR brightness also remains on the lower side. While there is a slight brightness boost when watching HDR content, it’s not very noticeable. Combined with its limited contrast, the overall HDR experience lacks impact. However, highlights are well-controlled, and darker areas receive a noticeable lift.

Viewing Angle & Motion Handling

The UA43T5400 has above-average viewing angles due to its IPS panel. A slight color shift is noticeable beyond 20–30 degrees, but it’s not too distracting. However, colors start to appear washed out past 30 degrees.

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Surprisingly, the motion handling of this budget TV is quite impressive. Motion blur during fast-paced action is minimal, making it a solid choice for watching sports and action-packed content. While some blur is present, it handles movement exceptionally well for its price range.

Having tested a range of Samsung TVs from mid-range to high-end, I was genuinely impressed by this budget model’s motion performance. Unlike the recently tested Samsung Q60D, which showed noticeable artifacts in fast action and slow-motion scenes, this TV delivers a much cleaner experience.

This TV lacks a dedicated Gaming Mode, and its IPS panel typically has a slow response time. As a result, I wouldn’t recommend it for gaming.

Sound Quality

• 20W Speaker

Budget TVs usually don’t have great speakers, but the Samsung T5400 stands out with its pretty good 20W speakers. The 2.1-channel setup delivers decent bass and clear mids. At 100% volume, it’s just enough to fill a medium-sized room, though the sound starts to distort above 80%.

You can adjust the sound based on your needs with three available modes: Standard, Optimized, and Amplify. Each mode enhances the audio differently to suit different situations.

Smart Features & Remote

• Smart Tizen OS

The T5400 does not come with Samsung’s solar cell remote or even a smart remote. Instead, it includes a traditional remote with numerous buttons, including dedicated shortcuts for streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video. Additionally, this TV lacks voice command support and does not feature any voice assistants such as Google Assistant.

As expected, the Samsung T5400 operates on Samsung’s Tizen OS. The interface is intuitive, offering quick access to frequently used apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube right on the home screen. However, this budget-friendly TV uses a stripped-down version of Tizen OS. The Samsung HUB feels quite basic, lacking the app carousel seen on other Samsung models. Instead, all options—ranging from settings to installed apps—are organized horizontally in a single row.

The T5400 offers a solid selection of streaming apps through Samsung’s Tizen platform, though it lacks Disney+ and Apple TV. A standout feature is ‘Remote Access’, which enables you to mirror your Windows PC or Mac screen directly to the TV. This allows you to use the TV as a large monitor for work or stream videos from your laptop to the TV. It also features the ‘Gallery’ option, which lets you view photos from your Samsung Cloud account directly on the TV.

This wraps up my review of the Samsung UA43T5400. What do you think of the Samsung UA43T5400? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!