Samsung Sero (2022) review
Expert rating
pros
- Unique rotating screen
- game center
- Tizen smart platform
- Can be used as a Bluetooth speaker
Minuses
- No 120Hz support
- Expensive
- Requires a lot of space
Our verdict
The second generation Sero is a striking alternative to conventional TVs. If you don’t use social media, its appeal will obviously be limited, but we can absolutely see its appeal – it’s a TV like no other.
If you spend an inordinate amount of time scrolling through TikTok videos on your smartphone and other portrait apps, Samsung has something to show you. Introducing The Sero, a 4K QLED screen that can rotate from the usual 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio to a 9:16 vertical aspect ratio, effectively exceeding the size of your social feed.
Spin is not the only claim to fame. The Sero doesn’t need any AV furniture because the screen rotates over a solid Bluetooth speaker stand. It’s also good for gaming (cautions apply) and uses Samsung’s robust Tizen-shaped smart TV platform.
Design Features
- Unique rotating design
- Built-in stand with speakers
- Includes solar powered remote control
In normal TV orientation, the TV has a T-profile. The panel flips out at a slight angle as it is supported by a single rear leg, which Samsung calls a cymbal stand. I was expecting some hesitation, but it’s solid as a rock.
Steve May / Foundry
The frame is not unlike the massive, slender frame used on the Samsung The Frame TV, but is not customizable. The base of the screen includes a powerful 4.1 sound system, featuring a dark blue grille, but no other colors are available, which is a shame for a lifestyle TV.
All inputs on the rear panel are neatly covered by a sliding panel. It turns out you’ll find three HDMIs (one of which supports eARC), two USB ports, a CI slot, and both satellite and terrestrial antenna inputs.
The screen comes with two zappers: a standard IR remote control and a slim Samsung solar-powered Bluetooth pointer. The latter is most obviously in line with Cero’s lifestyle. The button at the top right rotates the screen from one orientation to another.
4K QLED screen that can rotate from normal 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio to 9:16 vertical aspect ratio, effectively increasing the size of your social feed.
The obvious question is how the up-close TikTok experience translates into a TV-based one. Surprisingly good, I can confirm. A quick swipe is replaced with a right-click on the Bluetooth remote’s navigation wheel. Click down and you’ll find curated content themed labels.
I was surprised at how good most of the TikTok clips looked on that big screen, which is a testament to the Samsung Quantum 4K processor. As a regular TikTok user, I was totally engrossed in this big portrait presentation.
When the screen is oriented, there is a short-term loss of sound and image, but this is the only trifle.
Steve May / Foundry
Pretty neatly, the user interface adapts to whatever aspect ratio you choose. Recognizably Tizen, there’s a wide range of streaming apps, both subscription and delivery, as well as linear Samsung Plus IP-delivered TV channels, of which there seem to be roughly a billion. The TV is also compatible with SmartThings devices.
Image quality
- 4K LED
- Matte finish
- Available in 43 inches only
Sero’s visuals are comparable to mid-range QLEDs, although the matte finish sets it apart from its regular counterparts.
Image detail and texture management are impressive. A Quantum 4K processor and a 43-inch high pixel density screen (the only size available) ensure that native 4K images look impressively crisp and color reproduction is impressive.
The low glare screen makes the Sero an easy recommendation for brighter environments, as it tends to reduce lamps and light sources.
Steve May / Foundry
Like other 2022 Samsung QLEDs, the Sero has an autopilot setting in the form of a smart mode that automatically adjusts picture and sound settings according to ambient lighting and content style. This can generally be left to control things, though we advise switching to HDR Optimized rather than Eye Confort to maximize image sharpness.
If you disable Smart Mode, you’ll open the normal picture mode selection, which includes Standard, Dynamic, Cinema, and Filmmaker modes. Standard is the best bet for all occasions.
The low glare screen makes the Sero an easy recommendation for brighter environments, as it tends to reduce lamps and light sources.
The performance of HDR Sero is perhaps better than you can imagine. I measured a peak brightness of 530 nits with a measurement window of 10%. This is enough to enhance the sense of depth in the image and create a nice dynamic picture.
HDR support is in line with other Samsung screens. Dolby Vision is not supported, although you do get HLG and HDR10+ Adaptive. The motion smoothing options are powerful, but are generally best applied to sports broadcasts.
Steve May / Foundry
While the Sero doesn’t support high frame rate (120Hz) gameplay, it handles latency quite well. I measured input lag at an impressive 9.7ms (1080p/60fps) with Game Mode selected. The Samsung Game Hub interface brings together apps from gaming companies and offers shortcuts to connected consoles.
Sound quality
- 4.1 built-in
- Object Tracking Sound Lite
- Can be used as a Bluetooth speaker
The Sero boasts an above average sound system. There are no boring drivers shooting down here.
The sound system can also be used as a standalone Bluetooth speaker, streaming music directly from your smartphone.
Instead, the screen base outputs 4.1 channels of audio with a total output power of 60 watts, driven by a lighter version of Samsung’s OTS (Object Tracking Sound) system, which uses direction signals from the on-screen video to move the sound back and forth.
There’s a heft and power to its sonic presentation that you wouldn’t expect from a 43-inch TV.
Steve May / Foundry
The sound system can also be used as a standalone Bluetooth speaker, streaming music directly from your smartphone. Tracks can be accompanied by a pulsing visualizer, or you can completely turn off the TV screen.
Price and availability
The mobile-friendly Samsung Sero QE43LS05B comes in only one size, 43 inches. It is now available for $1999 / £1599 from Samsung and you can buy it from the following retailers.
While there are stocks of the original 2021 model in circulation, we’re testing the 2022 iteration here, which features a matte screen finish.
Find out what else is on our list of the best TVs.
Verdict
The Sero by Samsung is a unique everyday TV solution with a rotating screen that can switch between 9:16 vertical aspect ratio and 16:9 landscape orientation. The QLED screen boasts excellent HDR performance given its specs, with a maximum brightness of 530 nits.
It may sound useless, but I found it to be great to live with. It’s not often that you get something completely new when it comes to flat screens.
The picture quality is suitable for everyday TV viewing, the matte finish makes it a good choice for daytime viewing, and its soundbase is especially powerful.
Sero will have obvious appeal to TikTok junkies and their ilk, but it’s also a decent gaming option thanks to Samsung’s dedicated Game Hub interface and low latency.
For consumers of next generation content, there is nothing better.
Specifications
- 43 inches
- QLED display technology
- Resolution: 3840 x 2160
- HDMI: x3
- HDR support: HDR10, HLG, adaptive HDR10+
- Tizen smart platform
- Freeview terrestrial tuner
- 4.1 sound system
- Dimensions: 564.7 (W) x 1200 (H) x 327 (D) mm
- Weight: 32.2 kg
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