Holy shit, you hit a nerve with the old guys on this one. These features must be unreliable because they have only been available for 10 years, someday they might get around to trying those new fangled Titanium drivers, now that steel proved itself.
Here’s my take, but what you want and don’t buy it until the price is where you want it. NEVER pay retail. Memorial Day, Presidents Day, Black Friday, random Tuesday’s are all good days to buy, but there will always be a sale. Home Depot had some pretty good pricing going on for Memorial Day, knocking over $1k off retail for the $3k refrigerators. Best Buy always has open box specials that really add up, you have to look them over well. I bought all my Samsung appliances at Best Buy on open box deals, $2799 refrigerator, $1200; $1700 double convection oven with awesome gas range, $900 (worth it); $1k dishwasher $450; $279 microwave, $150. That’s a lot of savings.
As far as what I looked for, I’m the opposite of the old guys, I wanted water in door with ice. Buy a quality unit and it’s really not an issue. 3 years, zero problems. I love the French door with an extra drawer, they all call it something different, but it’s a refrigerated drawer that is perfect for drinks, a whole pizza box, or keeping the kids snacks in so I don’t have to get up for him to get them. I don’t love the bottom freezer, but I’d rather bend down once in a great while than every damn time I got to the refrigerator because the freezer is on top. I have Samsung, I like it, I’m not saying I’d never buy anything else, but it’s been very nice. Again, buy what fits your life. I figure you are getting a 10-15 year span for these appliances, so budget accordingly. I wouldn’t spend more than $1500, but that’s me. Sales are always available, especially on higher end stuff, it’s easy to fit your budget if you are patient.
If you are thinking about a dishwasher, buy the Bosch and be done with it. I tried to go cheaper with the greatest new Samsung and still hate it.