There is nothing quite as frustrating as sitting down for a movie night, only to realize your Samsung Smart TV remote has bitten the dust—or worse, the kids have hidden it in a “secret base” never to be seen again.
When my original Samsung bn59-01385a Tv Remote Control stopped holding a charge last week, I went down the Amazon rabbit hole. I needed a replacement for my Samsung Neo QLED, but I didn’t want a “dumb” remote that lacks voice control. After testing a few duds, I finally got my hands on the BN59-01385A.
Here is my honest, hands-on experience with this specific model and why it’s currently the gold standard for Samsung replacements in 2026.
Check the Latest Price for the
BN59-01385A on Amazon
The “First Look” Experience
Right out of the box, the BN59-01385A feels… familiar. That’s a good thing. It has that sleek, minimalist Samsung profile that fits perfectly in the palm of your hand.
The standout feature? No battery door. Like the high-end OEM remotes, this one features a Solar Panel on the back and a USB-C port at the bottom. As someone who hates digging through kitchen drawers for AAA batteries, this is a massive win for both my sanity and the environment.
The “Make or Break” Step: Pairing (Don’t Skip This!)
If you read the 1-star reviews on Amazon, most people complain that “the voice button doesn’t work.” Here’s the secret I learned at RemotesInfo:
When I first pointed this remote at my TV, the Power and Volume buttons worked instantly via Infrared (IR). But to get Alexa or Bixby to hear me, I had to “handshake” the remote with the TV.
How I paired it in 5 seconds:
- I turned the TV on manually.
- I pointed the remote at the TV sensor (about 1 foot away).
- I pressed and held the Return (Back arrow) and Play/Pause buttons at the same time.
- After about 3 seconds, a little icon appeared on my screen saying “Connecting to the Samsung Smart Remote.”
Once that bar hit 100%, the microphone icon worked flawlessly.
Real-World Performance Testing
I put this remote through its paces over a 48-hour period. Here’s how it held up:
- Voice Control & Alexa Integration
I tested commands like “Open Netflix,” “Switch to HDMI 1,” and even asked for the weather. The latency was impressively low—almost zero lag between my command and the TV’s reaction.
- The Solar Charging
I left the remote face-down on my coffee table (which gets moderate sunlight) for the afternoon. According to the TV’s “Remote Battery” settings menu, the charge increased by 12% without me ever plugging it in.
- Button “Clickiness”
There’s nothing worse than mushy buttons. These have a distinct, tactile click. The shortcut buttons for Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video are firm and didn’t trigger accidentally when I sat on the remote (yes, I tested that too).
Compatibility: Will it work for you?
Based on my technical cross-referencing, this BN59-01385A is a Universal Smart replacement. It worked perfectly with my 2022 QLED, but it also supports:
The Frame TV Users: (LS03A, LS03B, LS03C, LS03D series)
Crystal UHD Owners: (AU8000, BU8000, CU8000 series)
Neo QLED/OLED: (QN85A through QN90D)
Expert Note: If your old remote looked like this one (slim with a solar back), this model will likely replace it, even if your old part number was slightly different (like the BN59-01357A).
The Pros and Cons
What I Loved (Pros)
- Zero Battery Costs: The solar panel actually works for daily top-offs.
- USB-C Support: If the kids leave it in a dark drawer for a month, a 10-minute USB-C charge brings it back to life.
- Full Feature Set: You don’t lose the “Smart” features like voice search or the guide button.
What to Watch Out For (Cons)
- No Charging Cable: It doesn’t come with a USB-C cable in the box (standard for 2026, but still annoying).
- Pairing Required: You must do the two-button hold mentioned above, or you’ll think the remote is broken.
The Final Verdict: Is it worth the upgrade?
If you have a Samsung Smart TV, buying a cheap $10 infrared remote is like putting budget tires on a Ferrari. You lose the voice search and the convenience of solar charging.
For the price of a couple of pizzas, the BN59-01385A restored my TV to its full “Smart” glory. It’s reliable, eco-friendly, and easy to set up once you know the pairing trick.
FAQs (For the Troubled Soul)
Q: My remote only turns the TV on/off, but the voice button does nothing.
A: This means you haven’t paired the Bluetooth yet. Hold the Return and Play/Pause buttons for 3 seconds while pointing it at the TV.
Q: Do I need to leave it in direct sunlight?
A: Not necessarily. It charges from standard indoor light, though a sunny windowsill will charge it much faster.
Q: Is the Samsung BN59 a universal remote?
A: Not in the traditional sense. BN59 is actually the prefix for Samsung’s specific part numbering system, not a single model. While many BN59-series remotes use the same infrared (IR) codes to control basic functions (like Power and Volume) on almost any Samsung TV made in the last 15 years, they are not “Universal Remotes” for other brands like Sony, LG, or Vizio.
