As TechRadar’s TV hardware writer, I get to see lots of cool tech, whether it’s innovative OLEDs like the Samsung S95D, colossal 100-inch TVs or Dolby Atmos cinema installations. But the other day, I may have seen one of the most brain-bending bits of tech in my time here at TechRadar. It was the C SEED 137-inch M1, a self-folding micro-LED TV. That’s right, self-folding. It’s the kind of thing you’ve only ever seen in sci-fi movies and TV shows like Blade Runner, Minority Report, and Star Trek, but I got to see this futuristic TV in the flesh at YDF Interior showroom, which played host to the C SEED N1. @techradar ♬ Storytelling – Adriel With the simple touch of a button on its remote, the M1 can fold itself into a metal, silver sculpture that wouldn’t look out of place in a modern art gallery. It’s a seriously impressive TV from a design standpoint, but how much does one of these set you back? Well, the 137-inch model I saw costs a cool $283,000 / £285,000, so it’s at the premium end of the AV price spectrum. This is very much a luxury TV, with the folding design as its most eye-catching feature, but how does it fare in other areas? Micro-LED: an aspirational TV tech Micro-LED delivers deeper blacks, higher brightness and greater detail than mini-LED tech (Image credit: Future) The C SEED N1 uses micro-LED for its display panel. It’s a tech we don’t test at TechRadar since it’s prohibitively expensive – for example, LG’s 118-inch micro-LED display costs $237,000. Most of the best TVs I test use OLED, mini-LED, QLED, or standard LED panels. So, just what is micro-LED? Micro-LED is what it says on the tin: a new type of display that uses even more microscopic LEDs than those used in mini-LED TVs. What this means for the picture, according to C SEED, is higher brightness, bolder colors and the deepest blacks imaginable thanks to micro-LED’s self-emissive nature. Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. The C SEED N1 is comprised of five micro-LED panels that fit and fold seamlessly together. C SEED said it had been working hard to eliminate obvious lines between the connecting panels using its Adaptive Gab Calibration measures, and I have to say, it worked! It was undeniable how good the N1’s picture looked, as there was fine detail, excellent brightness and bold colors. It didn’t quite have the black levels of an OLED TV, but the N1’s black levels were nonetheless impressive and its contrast was fantastic. Under the hood C SEED N1 can rotate up to 180 degrees, positioned here at angle within that range. (Image credit: Future) The C SEED N1 Indoor has a special, matte screen coating to eliminate glare that’s similar to what’s featured in one of the best OLED TVs, the Samsung S95D. In-person, this was highly effective. Reflections from the bright overhead lights of the showroom weren’t visible at all with brighter images on screen and were only a faint haze when it was off or there were large areas of black. What else can the N1 do? C SEED claims that it can hit 1,000 nits sustained full-screen brightness and 4,000 nits peak brightness. For a TV this size that’s bright, beating even smaller, mini-LED screens such as the TCL QM851G, which had a full-screen brightness of 801 nits and peak brightness of 3,583 nits when we tested it. The N1 Indoor also supports the HDR10+ high dynamic range format, but not Dolby Vision. For sound, the N1 Indoor has an onboard 2.1-channel speaker array but also has a ‘built-in AV receiver’ that can drive up to 9.2 channels of connected speakers. For sources, the N1 Indoor has HDMI 2.0 but curiously no HDMI 2.1 ports. Gaming wasn’t discussed with the N1 Indoor, so it looks like it won’t compete with the best gaming TVs. A sight to behold Image 1 of 4 (Image credit: Future) The C SEED N1’s closing process in action (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) (Image credit: Future) Really, though it’s the C SEED N1’s impressive design that stands out. The fact that a TV this size can open and close itself with the push of a button within 90 seconds is extraordinary. But it doesn’t stop there. When opened, the N1 can swivel 180 degrees and sit comfortably at any angle. For the luxury homeowner with a balcony or outdoor area on the other side of the living room, imagine being able to swivel the TV around using only the remote. Again, in person, it all looked very smooth. Even when closed, the C SEED N1 was a sight to behold. There are Classic versions of the N1 Indoor that can have different finishes, including Mahogany and Black, and even Bespoke where the skin is customized. Final thoughts Okay, so this isn’t a TV that most people will be able to afford, but sometimes it’s exciting to see a product that combines the very best of tech and design. The C SEED N1 Indoor is truly remarkable and ingenious, and although it’s not something I’ll ever own, it was nice to look at it and pretend I was in some far-off future for an hour. You might also like…
Category: Televisions
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IMAX Enhanced: the tech supercharging 4K TVs, speakers and soundbars explained
Anyone looking to get the best home theatre system has most likely heard about IMAX Enhanced, the company’s home entertainment certification and licensing program designed to bring the renowned cinematic experience of IMAX theaters into the home. Launched as a collaboration between IMAX and DTS, the program aims to enhance both audio and video quality, offering a more immersive viewing experience with stunning clarity, deep contrast, and powerful sound. To get a better sense of the tech, and whether customers should be considering plumping for the tech, we spoke to IMAX SVP and GM Vikram Arumilli about the origins of the service, the technical standards involved, certified products, and where you can find IMAX Enhanced content right now. (Image credit: IMAX) What is IMAX Enhanced? “IMAX Enhanced began as a way to bring The IMAX Experience to audiences outside of the theatre, to wherever they enjoy the world’s greatest films,” explains Vikram Arumilli, when asked about the origins of the service. “IMAX works with the world’s top studios and filmmakers to master their content specifically for the IMAX Enhanced format, and partners with the best-in-class device manufacturers to certify their high-end devices – TVs, AV receivers, speakers and more – to meet the stringent quality requirements of the IMAX Enhanced program.” One of the earliest examples was Disney, which made some of the MCU films available in the format for streaming in 2021. TechRadar recently tried some of them out and came away pretty impressed. “To that end, we are extremely selective about the titles and devices we certify for our program – titles shown in IMAX locations around the world, and which most effectively utilize the IMAX format, are prioritized, alongside the highest level of device partners,” Arumilli said. “All of this combines to bring the IMAX Experience out of the theatre and into the home, creating a new way for our biggest fans to enjoy our format.” Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. Given that only a select number of devices are certified, IMAX Enhanced is something of a rarefied experience, which is what a lot of people want when trying to upgrade their AV setup. (Image credit: IMAX) IMAX Enhanced: technical specifications “The IMAX Enhanced certification process evaluates the performance and technical features of consumer electronics devices, ensuring each device is capable of delivering an IMAX quality premium viewing experience,” says IMAX SVP Arumilli. In terms of TVs, they “must support 4K playback, and integrate IMAX Enhanced mode, which calibrates the TV to optimize color, contrast, brightness, and shadow detail performance. The TV must also support DTS:X playback to enable IMAX Enhanced sound” so as to replicate “the heart-pounding immersive sound experience of IMAX theaters.” For audio products, he says that “each device must meet a specific set of performance criteria to handle and reproduce the full dynamic range of the IMAX theatrical mix. This criteria includes dedicated sub-bass management for punchy and heart-pounding low-frequency response.” IMAX maintains a pretty exhaustive list of all of the IMAX Enhanced certified products on its website, including TVs, projectors, speakers, and soundbars. Some of the best TVs TechRadar has tested in 2024 are on that list, such as the Sony Bravia 9 and Sony Bravia 8 OLEDs. Other top TVs we’ve recently tested such as the TCL QM851G and Hisense U8N mini-LED models aren’t on the list but are nonetheless Imax Enhanced certified. (Image credit: IMAX) Where can I find IMAX Enhanced content? IMAX Enhanced content is actually pretty easy to find, including a large selection of Marvel titles on Disney+, as well as a large swath of titles on the Sony Pictures Core service on Sony TVs. “We’re also partnered with Rakuten TV, and three of the largest streaming services in China – iQIYI, Tencent Video and Youku,” says Arumilli. When asked about an expansion of the library, Arumilli had some interesting thoughts to share. “We’re always looking to expand with our existing partners to grow our footprint,” he says. “There’s a direct link between titles that are part of our Filmed For IMAX theatrical program and films that have an IMAX Enhanced release.” “Next year holds a lot of potential on this front – we have our biggest slate of Filmed for IMAX titles ever coming to IMAX locations globally in 2025, with at least 14 titles being released through the year. We’re also actively in talks with all of the major streaming services that everyone knows and loves – many are part of the same ecosystems as the studios that we partner with extensively on the theatrical side.” In terms of devices, Arumilli says, “We’re also looking to expand within categories we’re already in to bring in new partners and new devices. Outside of our core streams, we’re also actively experimenting with a lot of different applications for IMAX Enhanced.” “We partnered with Apple recently on the launch of an IMAX app for the Vision Pro VR headset, and are exploring further applications in VR. We’re also closely examining in-car and in-flight entertainment to see if there are opportunities where IMAX Enhanced can optimize this entertainment experience.” You might also like…
LG next-gen OLED TVs have leaked already, and one has a surprise gaming upgrade
Some details of the LG C5 and G5 OLED TVs have appeared in certification databases Photos of the G5 suggest the return of MLA OLED panels The G5 appears to have an even higher refresh rate than the G4 LG’s C5 and G5 OLED TVs are likely to be among the very best TVs of 2025, and while they haven’t been announced just yet some details of both models have leaked. We’ll need to wait for CES for the official launch, but the leaked data provides some interesting details. As FlatpanelsHD reports, both the C5 and G5 have been certified for sale in South Korea. That certification means the model numbers are now listed in the Institute of Mechanical, Electrical and Electronic Testing’s database alongside some photos, and the photos suggest that we’ll still have the distinction of the brighter MLA OLED panel in the G5, and the regular OLED panel in the C5. That’s not a definite; it’s based on the dramatically different reflectivity of the two models in the photos. MLA OLEDs use a polarizer with different anti-reflective properties than regular OLED panels do, so the presence of MLA is an educated guess from the pictures. Most LG G4 models use MLA. Some LG G5 specs have also leaked A few details of the LG G5 have also appeared in a different database. VESA’s ClearMR certification database details TVs that have been certified for motion clarity, and the 65-inch version of the G5 is in there. According to the VESA database the OLED65G5 has a refresh rate of 165Hz at 4K. That’s an improvement on the 144Hz of the 2024 model and a big jump from the 120Hz of earlier models. As FlatpanelsHD says, that could be a typo – but the G5 also has a higher ClearMR score, up from 9,000 this year to 10,000 next. We don’t have any details regarding the C5 refresh rate so far, however, as that’s not currently listed in the same system. But if the 165Hz is indeed accurate than that’s good news for gamers – or at least for PC gamers. The current crop of consoles can’t output graphics that fast, peaking at 120Hz. As ever we’d expect the LG G5 and C5 to make their official debut at the CES 2025 show in January – and as is often the case, we’d expect many more details to leak long before LG officially unveils them. Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. You might also like
Formovie Cinema Edge review: a compact 4K projector that gives you big pictures on a budget
Formovie Cinema Edge: one-minute review The Formovie Cinema Edge is a follow-up on the well-regarded Formovie Theater, a projector that gained fame upon release for its Dolby Vision high dynamic range support – a rare feature among the best 4K projectors. Rather than being a shiny, new upgrade, the Cinema Edge is a pared-down model with a lower price. While it launched at around $2,199 (about £1,420 / AU$2,775), it has since settled at $1,799, making it a true budget ultra short throw (UST) projector offering. The Formovie Cinema Edge’s ALPD ((Advanced Laser Phosphor Display) laser light engine delivers a reasonably bright and sharp 4K image that looks great in the dark, and decent in well-lit environments. It has Google TV for streaming and a pair of 15-watt speakers, giving you a complete package, though both elements could perform better. While it’s relatively cheap compared to other examples of the best ultra short throw projectors, the Formovie Cinema Edge has serious competition. I recently reviewed the Hisense PX3-Pro ($3,500), and the difference in image quality between the two is stark, with the dazzling brightness, color, and contrast of the PX3-Pro’s picture beating the Formovie Cinema Edge hands-down. The PX3-Pro is considerably more expensive, but even the older but still available Hisense PX2-Pro (around $2,000) has a better-looking picture. Formovie Cinema Edge review: price and release date Release date: September 2024 MSRP: $2,499 The Formovie Cinema Edge’s pricing is a bit all over the place. It launched at a $2,199 (about £1,650 / AU$3,250) pre-order price, though Formovie lists the retail price at $2499. Meanwhile, both Amazon and ProjectorScreen.com in the US now have the price listed at $1,799 – a steep decrease. The Cinema Edge’s laser light engine viewed from top (Image credit: Future) Formovie Cinema Edge review: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally Screen sizes supported: 80-150 inches Brightness (specified): 1,900 ISO lumens HDR support: HDR10, HLG Optical technology: ALPD laser, DLP Smart TV: Google TV Connections: 3x HDMI 2.1 (1x eARC), 2x USB, Ethernet, optical digital audio, 3.5mm out Dimensions: 17.9 x 3.6 x 12.1 inches (H x W x D) Weight: 15.4 pounds Connections include 3 HDMI 2.1 ports (1 with eARC) (Image credit: Future) Formovie Cinema Edge review: design and features All-in-one design for a simple theater setup Front adjustable feet limit angle corrections Google TV cumbersome to navigate The Formovie Cinema Edge is a compact UST projector standing just over 3.5 inches tall. Width is 17.95 inches and it’s a little over a foot deep. With a 0.22:1 throw ratio, it can sit extra close to the wall, with only a 33 cm distance needed to project a 120-inch picture. The Formovie Cinema Edge sits on three feet with only the front two offering height adjustments. This means unless you’ve got a stand and wall that sit perfectly perpendicular (or at just over a 90-degree angle) to each other, you’ll need an adjustable console underneath the projector. The projector does support digital keystone adjustments, but these should be used only after making physical adjustments, as digital keystone processing increases latency and reduces picture resolution. The Cinema Edge packs in the Google TV smart TV interface and 30-watt speakers, letting you quickly get up and running with all your cinema needs. That said, all-in-one packages can struggle to do everything well. The processor running Google TV on the Formovie Cinema Edge is fairly weak. It stumbles when opening settings while content is playing, and that can be trouble if you’re trying to tweak picture settings while evaluating the impact of your adjustments on the picture. Navigating the operating system can prove a little tedious as well. Sluggishness is a common ailment for projectors running Android or Google TV, and the Cinema Edge falls prey to it. It’s small fries, but if you’re hoping to take the Formovie Cinema Edge out of the box, set it down, and experience its magic right away, you’ll need to temper your expectations. The configuration, regardless of whether you’re going for the full Google TV streaming experience or just basic HDMI input setup, takes a long time. Around the back, you’ll find enough HDMI 2.1 ports for a solid home theater setup, including support for eARC on one of them. Optical digital audio output is also available. A pair of USB ports are located on the back, providing power for a streaming stick or external storage for local media playback. Like many laser projectors, the Formovie Cinema Edge has a feature that detects when someone gets too close to the laser output and automatically dims the display. It promptly activates, though oddly doesn’t go as black as on some others. Design and features score: 4/5 The Cinema Edge’s picture quality shines in a dark viewing environment (Image credit: Future) Formovie Cinema Edge review: picture quality 1900 ISO lumens plenty for dim and dark environments Not as color-rich as RGB laser competitors Motion smoothing by default, but picture controls to compensate The Formovie Cinema Edge readily projects a 100-inch picture with crisp 4K detail. It looks best in a very dim or dark room, though it’s also bright enough to watch some content during the daytime. RuPauls’ Drag Race, for instance, is typically bright, and it’s easy to watch even in a well-lit room, though sunlight can still be a bit much. Contrast is also fairly strong. Alien was a joy to watch, with the intricate, H.R. Giger-designed mechanical details of the ship shining brightly while the nooks and crannies sank effectively into darkness. Alas, the Formovie Cinema Edge is a simple ALPD projector that doesn’t deliver the same color richness of the Formovie Theater or Hisense’s PX3-Pro, both of which are specced to achieve around 100% of BT.2020 color gamut coverage. Watching Avatar 2, it was painfully apparent how much more drab the visuals were by comparison, with the many blue hues looking dull and the flora and fauna throughout failing to exude their characteristic vibrance. This isn’t to say the Formovie Cinema Edge looks bad, but there are better options on the market for picture quality. I also noticed plenty of blown-out highlights in the earlier scenes after the Sully family joins the water tribe in Avatar 2. The Formovie Theater had some tone mapping issues in our hands-on testing, and it appears that’s the case again here. HDR is also limited to HDR10 and HLG on the Cinema Edge – there’s no Dolby Vision or HDR10+. The Formovie Cinema Edge has a fairly aggressive motion smoothing feature (called MJC) enabled in most of its picture settings by default. It’s not the worst-looking implementation of motion smoothing I’ve seen, but it looks better set to Low or disabled outright. Either way, the projector can struggle a bit with motion. Fight sequences looked choppy at times with or without MJC enabled. At Low, it subtly smooths out camera motion, though action can still look a little overdone. For what it’s worth, the Formovie Cinema Edge includes a veritable trove of picture settings to adjust. It does little to explain what any of them are, though, so it may be difficult to dial in things to your liking. Thankfully, the picture generally looks good without getting into the weeds. The sound put out by the Formovie Cinema Edge’s modest built-in speakers isn’t explosive, but they deliver a half-decent volume level for a small living room. The soundstage isn’t very wide, and there’s no deep bass, but it’s fine for casual viewing. For a more serious movie-viewing setup, external speakers will be an obvious upgrade. Picture quality score: 3.5/5 The Cinema Edge comes with a basic remote control to operate its Google TV interface (Image credit: Future) Formovie Cinema Edge review: value Good value at the current reduced price Older UST projectors pose a competitive threat The Formovie Cinema Edge has a suggested retail price of $2,499, but that has since been reduced to $1,799. This discounted price is essential to the value of the projector, as it goes up against the Hisense PX2-Pro, which is now cheaper thanks to the launch of the PX3-Pro. It also faces off against Formovie’s higher-end projector, the Formovie Theater, which has also fallen in price since its launch, now seeing discounts as low as $2,299. Value score: 3/5 (Image credit: Future) Swipe to scroll horizontally Formovie Cinema Edge Attributes Notes Rating Design and features The Formovie Cinema Edge has a compact design and provides all you need for a home theater in one package. It could benefit from better adjustable feet and use a faster processor, but it gets the job done. 4/5 Picture quality performance You get a big, sharp image that’s great in the dark and decent in the light with the right content. But limited HDR support, a more limited color gamut than some competitors, and pushy motion smoothing hold back the experience, as do the underwhelming speakers. 3.5/5 Value The $1799 price tag isn’t as good as it could be when competitors like the Hisense PX2-Pro have fallen in price to more closely match it. 3/5 Should I buy the Formovie Cinema Edge? (Image credit: Future) Buy it if… Don’t buy it if… Also consider… Swipe to scroll horizontally Comparison: 4K UST projectors Header Cell – Column 0 Formovie Cinema Edge Hisense PX2-Pro Epson LS650 Hisense PX3-Pro Price: $1,799 $1,997 $1,799 $3,149 Screen sizes supported: 80-150 inches 90 to 130 inches 60-120 inches 80-150 inches Brightness (specified): 1,800 ISO lumens 2,400 lumens 3,600 lumens 3,000 lumens HDR support HDR10, HLG Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG HDR10, HLG Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG Optical technology: 1 Laser DLP 3 laser DLP Laser 3LCD 3 laser DLP Smart TV: Google TV Google TV / VIDAA Android TV Google TV Connections: 3x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 1x optical, 1x 3.5mm 2x HDMI 2.0 (1 with ARC), HDMI 2.0 2x HDMI 2.0 (1 with eARC), Ethernet, USB type-B (service port), 3x USB type-A, optical digital audio out 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.0 with eARC, optical digital audio out, 3.5mm audio out, 2x USB-A, Ethernet (Image credit: Future) How I tested the Formovie Cinema Edge Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions Presented the display with a variety of media and formats I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade I tested the Formovie Cinema Edge at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with both SDR and 4K HDR streamed content. My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models that I and my colleagues at TechRadar have tested. I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer. First reviewed: December, 2024
It happened again! The best TV in the world has hit a new record-low, eclipsing all other Cyber Monday TV deals
Cyber Monday is already the gift that keeps on giving as among all the Cyber Monday deals is yet another price cut on the world’s best TV, the Samsung S95D. In the UK, the S95D 55-inch has hit a new record-low of £1,459 (was £1,599) at Mark’s Electrical. Not only is this £40 cheaper than we’ve ever seen it, but you can also claim £100 cashback from Samsung if you purchase this TV today (December 2nd), which means you’re effectively paying just £1,359 – a ludicrously low price for this TV. Again though, any S95D’s bought after today aren’t eligible for the cashback offer! In the US, the deal isn’t as incredible, with the 55-inch model available for $1,897.99 at Amazon. That’s the same as it was over Black Friday, but is still the cheapest we’ve seen it in the US. Today’s best Samsung S95D deal in the UK Today’s best Samsung S95D deal in the US In our Samsung S95D review, we declared that it was not only “the future of OLED” but also “the standard bearer for OLED in 2024” as well. This is due to its simple but effective anti-reflection tech, called OLED Glare Free, that all but eliminates reflections. It does this while still delivering accurate, deep black levels, stunning contrast and spellbinding colors. Not to mention, everything on screen looks realistic as well, thanks to a clever AI feature called Real Depth Enhancer. It’s one of the best TVs of 2024 hands down. The S95D also finds itself as one of the best gaming TVs around, thanks to its four full-kitted HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K, 144Hz, VRR (AMD Freesync Premium Pro included) ALLM and an ultra-low 8.9ms input lag time for super responsive performance. The S95D really is the total package, with a stunning design and great built-in sound as well. If you’re looking for more however, do check out our Cyber Monday TV deals guide for the best offers on a wide range of TVs. More of today’s Cyber Monday sales in the US Amazon: TVs, smart home & air fryers from $12.99 Apple: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks from $89.99 Best Buy: $1,000 off 4K TVs, laptops & headphones B&H Photo: up to $900 off cameras, laptops, accessories Cheap TVs: smart TVs at Best Buy from $69.99 Dell: best-selling Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99 Dreamcloud: mattress deals from $349 + free shipping Holiday: decor, lights, Christmas trees & PJs from $10.99 Home Depot: 40% off tools, appliances & furniture Lowe’s: holiday decor, appliances & tools from $17.31 Nectar: up to 50% off all mattresses Nordstrom: 46% off boots, coats, jeans & jewelry Samsung: $1,500+ off TVs, phones, watches & appliances Target: save on furniture, Halloween, tech & clothing Walmart: cheap TVs, robot vacs, furniture & appliances More of today’s Cyber Monday sales in the UK Amazon: up to 68% off toothbrushes and TVs AO: savings on games consoles and appliances Argos: up to 50% off toys, Lego, TVs and gifts Boots: up to 50% off Dyson, Oral-B and Philips Currys: big deals on TVs, appliances, laptops Dell: laptops, desktops, monitors from £299 Dyson: up to £150 off Ebay: up to 50% off refurbished tech EE: up to £600 off Samsung and Apple John Lewis: up to £300 off appliances and TVs LG: £1,000 or more off TVs and appliances Samsung: up to £600 off TVs, phones and tablets Very: up to 30% off phones, appliances & clothing
Massive 97-inch TVs have never been more popular – here’s why
The market for TVs over 97-inches has grown by nearly 900% Slightly more modest TVs are selling well in 2024 too The growth is driven by plummeting prices and post-pandemic upgrades The market for huge TVs over 97 inches in size has grown bigger than the bill for our Black Friday impulse buys. It’s increased by a whopping 877% in just one year, according to a new report, compared to a slightly less stratospheric 19% for TVs larger than 75 inches. The eye-opening stats from market research firm Cicana, reported by CNN, confirm that there’s one key reason for the rocket-powered growth: big TVs are finally getting much cheaper. As the report states, those big TVs are 53% cheaper than they were this time last year. Hence the fast growth: the slower growth of the 75-to-96-inch market is likely due to much smaller price drops of a relatively titchy 6%. In other words, people who previously wanted a really big TV couldn’t afford them. And now, increasingly, they can – but the market isn’t getting more affordable across the board. Why are big TVs getting cheaper? LG showed off a 97-inch OLED TV (the 97G2, above) in 2022, but the growth in TVs of that size has been largely generated by VA LCD panels. (Image credit: LG) As ever with the TV market, some tech is cheaper than other tech. In big TVs, that tech is LCD: most of the names in big TVs offer models with relatively affordable VA LCD panels, which have come down in price even at the very largest sizes. Price drops have been slower with more complex tech, which is why the very largest OLED TVs and micro-LED TVs are still much more expensive than their VA LCD siblings. That’s likely to remain the case for a while yet. There’s another reason for the market growth: Cicada reckons that many people are buying big TVs to replace the TVs they bought during the Covid pandemic. Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. According to vice-president of consumer tech at Circana, Paul Gagnon, “The strong growth trend for ultra-large TVs aligns with the increase in 65-inch TV sales from 2018 to 2020, which consumers are now starting to replace five to six years later, in line with what our research suggests is the most common replacement interval.” That’s a trend the firm expects to see continuing into 2025 and beyond. Put another way, your long-held wish to buy a truly enormous TV has been officially granted. You might also like
Spotify reveals the one thing you should do to make sure your Wrapped 2024 recap arrives safely
Spotify Wrapped is expected to arrive imminently according to new teaser Spotify says it might not appear if you haven’t updated the app Last year proved so popular it seemed to overwhelm the servers Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat and it’s very nearly time for Spotify Wrapped 2024, the annual analysis of what you’ve been listening to – assuming of course that you’ve been listening to it on Spotify. We’re expecting the annual recap to be released any day now – as we noted in our Spotify Wrapped 2024 release date predictions, the smart money is now a December 4 roll-out, based on a combination of historical dates and recent rumors. Although Spotify could go rogue and choose December 11 or another date instead. But how do you make sure Wrapped turns up safely? Historically, the roll-out has been slightly staggered across different regions, so the timing of its arrival is a little out of your hands – but Spotify has posted some details on how to make sure you get Wrapped on time for those all-important social media shares. Head to the Spotify app on either Apple’s App Store (if you’re on iPhone) or the Google Play Store (for Android fans) and see if an ‘update’ button appears. If it does, update the app to the latest version. That’s currently version 8.9.94 on iPhone or 8.9.96.476 on Android, though Spotify may well roll out another update before Wrapped 2024 lands. We reckon the smart thing to do is make sure you’re app’s updated early next week – and also have a backup plan, in case Wrapped runs into some issues like it did last year… Preparing for a Wrapped wrinkles Last year’s Spotify Wrapped 2023 roll-out had some early teething issues, which meant it wasn’t appearing immediately for some users. (Image credit: Future) Last year, some users encountered issues where Wrapped just didn’t appear. Some of those issues appeared to be the result of overloaded Spotify servers, but there are some troubleshooting tricks that may come in handy if there’s a repeat this year. The tips to keep in your back pocket are: Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content. Update or reinstall the app Do it manually: try typing spotify:datastories:wrapped or 2024 wrapped in the search bar Try the Spotify mobile website Still, there’s always a chance that Wrapped might go a little more smoothly this year, so making sure the app is updated remains the best best advice. So whether you want to impress people with your top-notch taste in music – or in my case, your worrying Charli XCX obsession – or just see how Spotify follows up ‘Sound Town’ or its artists video messages this year, you shouldn’t have long to wait. You might also like
What’s the best Black Friday LG TV deal? I’ve picked the best LG OLEDs for different budgets
Black Friday is this week, meaning you can score some incredible Black Friday deals across a range of different gadgets including LG’s OLED TVs. LG’s OLEDs are among the best TVs out there, offering stellar picture quality even in the more budget-friendly B4 line. Whether you’re a gamer after a 4K 120Hz display, or a movie buff wanting to upgrade their home theatre, LG’s selection of TVs will do you well. Below I’ve listed my favorite LG OLED TV deals in the US and UK, which feature some record-low prices on its 2024 TVs. Highlights include the LG B4 55-inch for $996.99 at Amazon in the US, and the same LG B4 for £899 at Currys in the UK. Today’s best LG TV deals in the US Today’s best LG TV deals in the UK Our LG C4 OLED review gave the TV four-and-a-half stars thanks to its improved OLED brightness, excellent gaming support thanks to its 144Hz VRR and Dolby Vision Filmmaker mode that presents movies in Dolby Vision HDR as the director intended, without having to waste time changing picture settings. It misses out on HDR10+ support and offers only average sound quality, but this can be remedied by one of the best soundbars – especially one of LG’s own which can benefit from Wow Orchestra and Wow Cast features. The four-star LG B4 has some downgrades in terms of brightness and sound, but is an excellent budget option. Our LG B4 OLED review called it “a great all-around TV” that’s perfect for gaming thanks to its HDMI 2.1 ports, and “very good overall picture quality”. Then there’s the top-of-the-line LG G4 OLED TV. Yes it’s pricey, but the five-star OLED TV offers significant improvements over its predecessor and LG’s other TVs to more than justify it’s higher price tag. The combination of its second-gen MLA technology and its new Alpha 11 processor is, as our review puts it, “nothing short of phenomenal”. More of today’s Black Friday sales in the US Amazon: TVs, smart home & air fryers from $12.99 Apple: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks from $89.99 Best Buy: $1,000 off 4K TVs, laptops & headphones B&H: $600 off Nikon, GoPro, Canon & Sony Dell: best-selling Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99 Dreamcloud: mattress deals from $349 + free shipping Holiday: decor, lights, Christmas trees & PJs from $10.99 Home Depot: 40% off tools, appliances & furniture Lowe’s: holiday decor, appliances & tools from $17.31 Saatva: up to $600 off luxury mattresses Samsung: $2,500+ off TVs, phones, watches & appliances Target: save on furniture, Christmas decor, tech & clothing Walmart: cheap TVs, robot vacs, AirPods & appliances Wayfair: 70% off furniture, decor & Christmas More of today’s Black Friday sales in the UK Amazon: up to 65% off Apple, PS5, Kindle AO: deals on appliances, TVs and laptops Argos: up to 50% off toys, Lego, TVs and gifts Boots: up to 60% off Dyson, Oral-B and Philips Carphone Warehouse: iPhone 16 for £29.99p/m Currys: deals on TVs, appliances, laptops Dell: laptops, desktops, monitors from £299 Dyson: up to £150 off Ebay: up to 50% off refurbished tech EE Store: £40 off the PlayStation5 Pro John Lewis: up to £300 off laptops and TVs LG: £1,000 or more off TVs and appliances Ninja: up to £70 off air fryers Nintendo: up to 30% off Switch and Lego Samsung: up to £700 off TVs & phones Shark: up to £100 off vacuums Sonos: up to 20% off speakers and soundbars Very: up to 30% off appliances & clothing
As a TV reviewer, these are the top 5 Black Friday Samsung TV deals I’d buy
Black Friday has nearly arrived, meaning Black Friday TV deals on a wide range of sets. Of all the Black Friday deals I’ve seen so far, some of the best have been on Samsung TVs, from premium OLEDs to budget QLEDs and everything in between. Samsung’s TVs are among the best TVs on the market, offering generally excellent picture quality across the board. They’re also well equipped for gaming, with four HDMI 2.1 ports featuring in even budget models. Below, I’ve linked my top five Samsung TV deals in the US and UK, featuring record-low prices and huge savings. Highlights include the 65-inch Samsung S90D hitting a lowest-ever price of $1,397.99 (was $1,797.99) at Amazon US. In the UK, the 55-inch Samsung S95D has hit a ridiculously low £1,489 (was £1,599) at Amazon UK—the cheapest we’ve ever seen for our 2024 TV of the year! But there’s a deal here to suit everyone. Today’s best Samsung TV deals in the US Today’s best Samsung TV deals in the UK In my Samsung S95D review, I described it as “the future of OLED” and called it the “standard bearer for TV in 2024”. The Samsung S95D impressed with its powerful contrast, vibrant colors and impeccable detail, and it introduced OLED Glare Free tech, which essentially eliminates screen reflections. It has a sleek design, great built-in sound and an extensive list of gaming features, and is easily one of the best OLED TVs I’ve ever seen. Sitting below the S95D is the Samsung S90D. While we haven’t had a chance to try out the S90D here at TechRadar, we loved its predecessor, the Samsung S90C (our 2023 TV of the year). On paper, the S90D carries all the same great features as the S90C such as four HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming, and a QD-OLED display panel. Although we haven’t tested it, there are some outstanding offers available that are too good to miss. The Samsung QN90D is simply the best TV for sports, thanks to its bright, mini-LED-backlit display panel and brilliant motion handling, which made any fast-moving images look smooth during my testing. It’s also great for movies and gaming thanks to its contrast-rich, colorful picture and full suite of gaming features including 4K 144Hz and VRR across four HDMI 2.1 ports. The Samsung Q80D has a mid-range price, but premium performance and features. Its QLED panel is seriously effective, delivering stunning contrast and black levels, along with vibrant, bold colors. It’s no slouch for gaming either, with its four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K 120Hz and VRR and cloud gaming options putting it with the best gaming TVs on the market. For a budget option, there’s the Samsung Q60D. During testing, its QLED panel with Dual LED tech delivered a picture with great contrast. As with all Samsung sets I tested in 2024, details and textures were lifelike. While it’s not as well equipped for gaming, it still features Samsung’s Gaming Hub for cloud gaming. If you’re looking for more great Black Friday deals, be sure to check out our Black Friday OLED TV deals for the best offers on today’s premium OLED sets. Or if you’re looking for a sound upgrade for your new samsung TV, check out our guide to the best Black Friday soundbar deals. More of today’s Black Friday sales in the US Amazon: TVs, smart home & air fryers from $12.99 Apple: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks from $89.99 Best Buy: $1,000 off 4K TVs, laptops & headphones B&H: $600 off Nikon, GoPro, Canon & Sony Dell: best-selling Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99 Dreamcloud: mattress deals from $349 + free shipping Holiday: decor, lights, Christmas trees & PJs from $10.99 Home Depot: 40% off tools, appliances & furniture Lowe’s: holiday decor, appliances & tools from $17.31 Saatva: up to $600 off luxury mattresses Samsung: $2,500+ off TVs, phones, watches & appliances Target: save on furniture, Christmas decor, tech & clothing Walmart: cheap TVs, robot vacs, AirPods & appliances Wayfair: 70% off furniture, decor & Christmas More of today’s Black Friday sales in the UK Amazon: up to 58% off Kindle and Echo AO: savings on games consoles and appliances Argos: up to 50% off toys, Lego, TVs and gifts Boots: up to 60% off Dyson, Oral-B and Philips Carphone Warehouse: iPhone from £19.99p/m Currys: deals on TVs, appliances, laptops Dell: laptops, desktops, monitors from £299 Dunelm: deals on homewares and appliances Dyson: up to £150 off Ebay: up to 50% off refurbished tech EE Store: £40 off the PlayStation5 Pro Emma: up to 50% off mattresses Jessops: up to £900 off cameras and drones John Lewis: up to £300 off appliances and TVs LG: £1,000 or more off TVs and appliances Ninja: up to £70 off air fryers Samsung: up to £600 off TVs, phones and tablets Shark: up to £100 off vacuums Toolstation: discounts on tools and smart home Very: up to 30% off phones, appliances & clothing
Sonos’ best-ever Black Friday deals for its soundbars mean I’ll finally upgrade to the Sonos Arc
Sonos makes some of the best soundbars on the market, and most of them are heavily discounted for Black Friday. Whether you’re looking for the Sonos Arc or the smaller Beam 2, you’ll find the lowest-ever prices for these standout soundbars. In fact, these Black Friday deals are so good that I’m tempted to upgrade my Sonos soundbar! The pick of the bunch is the Sonos Arc at Amazon for $699 (was $899), a massive $200 discount. If you’re in the UK, you can pick up the Sonos Arc at Amazon for £619 (was £799). It’s really the perfect time to upgrade your home setup with a Sonos soundbar. After all, isn’t the holiday season the perfect time to enjoy your favorite movies with better sound quality? Today’s best Sonos soundbar deals No matter what Sonos soundbar you pick, you can’t really go wrong with the incredible sound quality the company’s products offer. I’ve been in the market for a new soundbar recently, and our Sonos Arc Ultra review tempted me to jump for the most expensive option. Now that I’ve seen just how good the Black Friday discounts are on the older Sonos Arc, I’ve decided this is the way to go. Especially considering in our Sonos Arc review, we said, “The Sonos Arc is an impressive and premium Dolby Atmos experience even without a subwoofer or extra speakers.” Even if it’s slightly older than its successor, the Arc is still one of the best soundbars around. Looking for more Black Friday deals? Check out our Black Friday earbuds deals or our Black Friday headphones deals. More of today’s Black Friday sales in the US Amazon: TVs, smart home & air fryers from $12.99 Apple: AirPods, iPads, MacBooks from $89.99 Best Buy: $1,000 off 4K TVs, laptops & headphones B&H: $600 off Nikon, GoPro, Canon & Sony Dell: best-selling Inspiron & XPS laptops from $279.99 Dreamcloud: mattress deals from $349 + free shipping Holiday: decor, lights, Christmas trees & PJs from $10.99 Home Depot: 40% off tools, appliances & furniture Lowe’s: holiday decor, appliances & tools from $17.31 Saatva: up to $600 off luxury mattresses Samsung: $2,500+ off TVs, phones, watches & appliances Target: save on furniture, Christmas decor, tech & clothing Walmart: cheap TVs, robot vacs, AirPods & appliances Wayfair: 70% off furniture, decor & Christmas More of today’s Black Friday sales in the UK Amazon: up to 58% off Kindle and Echo AO: savings on games consoles and appliances Argos: up to 50% off toys, Lego, TVs and gifts Boots: up to 60% off Dyson, Oral-B and Philips Carphone Warehouse: iPhone from £19.99p/m Currys: deals on TVs, appliances, laptops Dell: laptops, desktops, monitors from £299 Dunelm: deals on homewares and appliances Dyson: up to £150 off Ebay: up to 50% off refurbished tech EE Store: £40 off the PlayStation5 Pro Emma: up to 50% off mattresses Jessops: up to £900 off cameras and drones John Lewis: up to £300 off appliances and TVs LG: £1,000 or more off TVs and appliances Ninja: up to £70 off air fryers Samsung: up to £600 off TVs, phones and tablets Shark: up to £100 off vacuums Toolstation: discounts on tools and smart home Very: up to 30% off phones, appliances & clothing