The Samsung Series 9 DU9000 98″ 4K Ultra HD Smart TV is built for one thing: turning your living room into a genuine big-screen cinema. At a massive 98 inches, it’s larger than most home projectors can comfortably fill, but with the sharpness and punch of a 4K LED TV.
Samsung is a leading name in TVs, and this 2024 Series 9 model leans on the brand’s proven Crystal Processor 4K, HDR10+ support and a strong smart platform to make that huge screen look its best. Owners rate it highly, with an average score of 4.8 out of 5 from over 20 reviews, which is reassuring for something this physically imposing.
This isn’t a modest purchase in any sense, but if you’ve got the room and the budget, it promises a truly cinematic experience for films, sport and big-screen gaming.
This TV is ideal for anyone who wants a true home cinema experience without dealing with a projector. The 98-inch screen is big enough to feel like a front row at the cinema, so it suits large living rooms, open-plan spaces or dedicated media rooms where you can sit far enough back to take it all in.
It’s a strong fit for film and box-set lovers who want 4K Ultra HD clarity, HDR10+ support and rich colours. The Crystal Processor 4K and PurColour technology help standard HD content look good on such a large screen, so older shows and broadcast TV won’t look soft and washed out.
Gamers with next-gen consoles or powerful PCs will also appreciate it. Motion Xcelerator 120Hz is designed to keep fast action smooth and responsive, and the built-in Gaming Hub means you can access cloud gaming services without extra boxes.
Because of its size, it’s less suited to very small rooms or renters who can’t easily accommodate a 218cm-wide screen. It’s a better choice for buyers willing to plan their room layout around the TV rather than squeeze a big set into a tight space.
The sheer scale of the 98-inch 4K panel is the headline attraction. Combined with Ultra HD resolution, you get a massive, detailed image that makes sports, films and games feel genuinely immersive.
Samsung’s Crystal Processor 4K and PurColour do a solid job of enhancing colours and upscaling lower-resolution content, which is crucial when you’re stretching HD material across such an enormous display.
For gaming and fast-moving sport, Motion Xcelerator 120Hz helps deliver smoother motion, reducing blur and judder so you can follow the action more easily. The dedicated Game Mode and Gaming Hub add to the appeal for players.
On the audio front, Object Tracking Sound LITE and Adaptive Sound aim to place effects where they’re happening on screen and automatically tune dialogue and effects to your room and content, which is a welcome upgrade over basic stereo.
The Tizen-based smart platform is mature and comprehensive, with all the main UK streaming apps, music services and Samsung TV Plus built in, plus voice control and integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, Bixby and SmartThings.
Energy efficiency is a clear downside. With an F energy rating and relatively high consumption figures, especially in HDR, this isn’t a particularly frugal TV to run, which matters if you watch a lot of hours each week.
Despite the premium feel, the panel is a standard LED rather than one of Samsung’s higher-end QLED or mini-LED options, and it lacks Dolby Vision support. HDR10+ is still very good, but film enthusiasts may miss the extra format.
Connectivity is adequate rather than generous for a screen this large: three HDMI 2.0 ports will be fine for many households, but heavy users with multiple consoles and devices might find themselves swapping cables.
The built-in 20W 2.0-channel audio is respectable, but on a 98-inch TV the scale of the picture will quickly show up its limits. Most buyers will want to budget for a soundbar or AV system to do the screen justice.
Finally, installation and placement are more involved than with a typical TV. At over 218cm wide and using a 600 x 400 VESA mount, it will demand sturdy furniture or professional wall mounting, which could add to overall cost.
Living with the DU9000 is all about that vast screen. Once it’s in place, day-to-day operation is straightforward. The SolarCell One Remote keeps things tidy and doesn’t rely on disposable batteries, and the Tizen interface is familiar, quick and packed with apps, from the main UK catch-up and streaming services to TikTok and music platforms.
The flat, slim design (6.4cm deep without the stand) looks modern and unobtrusive considering the size, though you’ll need a wide, sturdy TV unit to accommodate the separated flat feet if you’re not wall mounting. The stand width of around 1.5m means smaller cabinets are ruled out.
Channel surfing, streaming and switching inputs are simple thanks to auto channel search, an electronic programme guide and the responsive OS. Voice control via Alexa, Google Assistant or Bixby can make finding shows and adjusting basic settings easier, especially when you’re sat some distance away.
Sound quality is decent for everyday viewing, with Adaptive Sound helping keep dialogue intelligible and Object Tracking Sound LITE adding a little width to the soundstage. For casual TV, you can comfortably rely on the built-ins, but blockbusters and live sport will feel more impactful with external speakers.
Features like USB playback and recording (DVR), screen mirroring and Apple AirPlay 2 are handy extras that make it easy to share content from phones and laptops, or pause and record live TV without extra boxes.
Picture performance is anchored by the 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160) and Samsung’s Crystal Processor 4K. Together, they deliver crisp, detailed images even on a 98-inch canvas, and upscale HD broadcasts to look cleaner and more refined than you might expect at this size.
HDR10+ support brings extra punch to compatible films and shows, with brighter highlights and more nuanced shadows compared to standard dynamic range. While it doesn’t support Dolby Vision, the combination of HDR10+ and PurColour still delivers a vibrant, engaging picture with natural-looking hues.
Motion handling is a particular strength for action-heavy content. Motion Xcelerator 120Hz helps smooth out fast movement, making it easier to track footballs, racing cars or in-game action. Game Mode and the Gaming Hub add reduced input lag and easy access to cloud gaming platforms, and while the HDMI ports are version 2.0 rather than cutting-edge 2.1, casual and many serious gamers will still be very happy.
Sound performance goes beyond basic TV audio thanks to Object Tracking Sound LITE, which attempts to match sound effects to on-screen action, and Q-Symphony compatibility for seamless pairing with supported Samsung soundbars. Audio power is rated at 20W across 2.0 channels, which is fine for regular TV but understandably modest versus the screen size.
The smart feature set is comprehensive. Powered by Tizen, the TV offers a wide array of video apps (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, ITVX and more), plus music services like Spotify and Apple Music. SmartThings integration turns the TV into part of a wider connected home setup, while Samsung TV Plus adds free streaming channels. Multi View and screen mirroring are handy for watching two sources at once or casting your phone screen.
On the connectivity side, you get three HDMI ports with eARC support on one for easy soundbar connection, two USB ports for media and recording, Ethernet, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It also includes a DVB-T2 tuner, CI+ slot and all the usual Freeview-friendly features you’d expect in a UK TV.
At around £1399 for a 98-inch screen, this TV undercuts many similarly sized models and even some premium projectors when you factor in brightness, 4K sharpness and smart features. For the sheer amount of screen you’re getting, it represents strong value.
You are making a couple of compromises versus top-end flagship sets, such as sticking with LED rather than QLED/mini-LED and the absence of Dolby Vision. However, the overall feature set is still very complete: 4K, HDR10+, 120Hz motion enhancement, a robust smart platform, voice assistants and gaming features.
Running costs are higher than more efficient sets due to the F energy rating, and many buyers will want to add a soundbar, which nudges up the true ownership cost. Even so, considering the extremely high owner rating of 4.8 out of 5 and the level of immersion on offer, it feels like a sensible buy for anyone specifically seeking a near-wall-sized screen.
If you don’t need 98 inches, smaller high-spec TVs may offer better picture technology at a similar price. But if size is the priority, this model hits a very attractive sweet spot between cost, capability and sheer wow factor.
The Samsung Series 9 DU9000 98″ 4K Ultra HD Smart TV is an unapologetically big-screen option that delivers a hugely cinematic experience at a price that’s surprisingly approachable for its size. Strong 4K performance, HDR10+, solid motion handling and an excellent smart TV platform make it a joy for films, sport and streaming.
It’s not perfect: the standard LED panel, lack of Dolby Vision, modest built-in audio and F energy rating are compromises you should be aware of. Installation also demands space, planning and a suitably robust stand or wall mount.
If you’re dreaming of a wall-filling TV and can accommodate the physical demands, this is an excellent choice that offers outstanding immersion and a well-rounded feature set. For buyers who value cutting-edge panel tech over size, a smaller premium model might be a better fit, but for pure big-screen impact, the DU9000 is hard to beat at this price.
