I could predict simply from reading the contents of my email inbox that CES 2025 was going to be a showcase for projectors, and that very much turned out to be the case. Big TV brands such as Hisense and TCL had new models on display in their sprawling CES booths and these were accompanied by projectors from many smaller, upstart brands, most hailing from China and some promoting their products on Kickstarter. In contrast to the CEDIA trade show, which serves as a launching pad for higher-end examples of the best 4K projectors, many of the models at CES are affordable portable projectors and ultra short throw (UST) projectors. But even projectors at this lower-cost tier now benefit from tech developments such as laser light engines and the Google TV smart TV platform. They demand to be taken seriously, and I approached my task of snooping out the best projectors at CES with open eyes and an open mind. Admittedly, the open halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center where CES is held isn’t the best environment to assess a projector’s picture quality. But with the caveat that not all models were viewed in a perfectly dark room, these are the best and most interesting projectors I encountered at the show. Hisense L9Q Trichroma Laser TV The Hisense L9Q (shown at top) is a new addition to the company’s lineup of Laser TVs, which package an ultra short throw projector with an ambient light rejecting projection screen. Previous Laser TV offerings provided 100-inch or 120-inch screen options, but the L9Q will be available in 100-, 110-, 120-, 136-, and 150-inch screen sizes when it ships later in 20025. Hisense is claiming 5,000 nits peak brightness for the L9Q – a 67% light output boost over previous Laser TV models. The pre-production model the company had on display at CES used a 2.9 gain screen and was delivering an impressive 1,500 nits fullscreen brightness, according to a rep I spoke with. That’s better brightness than you’ll get with most OLED and many mini-LED TVs! Static contrast is stated at 5,000:1, an equally important real-world spec, and the projector’s RGB laser light engine provides 110% coverage of the BT.2020 color gamut The design of the pre-production model Hisense was showing isn’t finalized, but Hisense says the final version will sport a “Black Walnut Décor Panel, Star Orbit Ambient Lighting, and precision brushed metal finishes.” In other words, it will look a lot fancier than your average projector. A built-in 6.2.2-channel audio system – the first-ever in a projector, according to the company – delivers Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X sound, and the company has partnered with French speaker maker Devialet for tuning. Last but not least, the Hisense L9Q will have onboard Dolby Vision support, Google TV with voice assistant, and an ATSC 3.0 tuner to receive Next-Gen TV broadcasts in the US. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Valerion VisionMaster Max (Image credit: Future) Valerion’s lineup of 4K front projectors get plenty of attention on Kickstarter, and the company’s latest model, the Valerion VisionMaster Max, was on display at CES in a dark room paired with a 220-inch projection screen. Even with a screen that enormous, clips from Avatar: The Way of Water looked impressively bright, and the picture’s deep, detailed blacks made a good argument for the VisionMaster Max’s claimed 15,000:1 contrast ratio, which is made possible by a dynamic iris. Like the Hisense L9Q, the VisionMaster Max runs the Google TV smart platform and uses an RGB laser light engine specified for 110% BT.2020 color space coverage. It supports both the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats, and can handle a 1080p input at 240Hz for gaming with just 4ms input lag, according to the company. A lens with 0.9-1.5:1 optical zoom and horizontal/vertical shift comes standard. Other lens options will be available to enhance installation flexibility, and there’s automatic image correction to further ease setup. The Valerion VisionMaster Max is priced at $3,999 and is available for pre-order now on the company’s website. Formovie Theater Premium (Image credit: Future) Formovie was the first company to offer a UST projector with Dolby Vision HDR support. At CES, the company was showing its latest UST projector, the Formovie Theater Premium, a model that’s currently selling for $2,799 on the company’s US website. The company’s step-down model, the Formovie Cinema Edge, is currently the budget option in TechRadar’s best ultra short throw projectors guide, and the Theater Premium bests it with a brighter, 2,200 ISO lumens picture along with Dolby Vision HDR support and a triple-laser light engine with a specified 107% BT.2020 color space coverage. Formovie claims an under 18ms input lag for gaming, and there’s a built-in Bowers & Wilkins speaker system for audio (Dolby Atmos and DTS:X both supported). Formovie’s booth presentation of the Theater Premium at CES wasn’t doing its projector any picture quality favors, but given our positive experience with the more budget Cinema Edge, as well as the basic Formovie Theater model, the Formovie Theater Premium looks to be a compelling UST option. JMGO 02S Ultra (Image credit: Future) As we’ve seen from models such as the Samsung The Premiere 9, UST projectors can be big things, and will potentially take up too much space if you set them up in a small living room. That’s why at CES I was excited to see the JMGO 02S Ultra, which the company is billing as the “world’s smallest laser TV.” This shoebox-sized (12.3 x 11.4 x 5.5 inches) UST projector uses a triple-color laser light source to deliver a specified 2,500 ISO lumens picture with 110% BT.2020 color space coverage. Full-on full-off contrast is specified as 1,800:1, and it can beam a 100-inch image from a 5.75-inch distance. At CES, the 02S Ultra’s picture looked plenty bright and colorful, even as it was beamed in a booth with no curtains or other coverings to dim the convention center’s overhead lighting. Like many other UST projectors making their debut at CES, the 02S Ultra features auto-calibration features for keystone correction, focus, and screen fitting. It runs the Google TV smart TV platform for streaming and supports Dolby Vision high dynamic range. No price information was provided at the show, but the O2S Ultra is “expected to launch globally in Q4 2025.” Samsung The Premiere 5 (Image credit: Future) Another compact triple-laser UST projector unveiled at CES was Samsung’s The Premiere 5. A new take on the company’s portable The Freestyle 2nd Gen projector, this model is even smaller than JMGO’s 02S Ultra, though it’s a 1080p Full HD projector as opposed to a 4K-resolution one. The Premiere 5 is capable of beaming images from 20 to 100 inches with 560 ISO lumens brightness and features auto keystone and focus for easy setup. The projector’s form factor reminded me of a Sonos One speaker and, like an actual Sonos speaker, it can be used for wireless music streaming. There are other tricks The Premiere 5 has up its sleeve. A touch feature lets you interact with the screen and it features “Samsung LightWARP technology to project images onto everyday objects for creative and immersive experiences.” I’m not sure what those features can be used for, but look forward to getting my hands on a Premiere 5 to investigate. Aurzen ZIP (Image credit: Future) The world’s first “Tri-Fold ultra-portable projector,” The Aurzen ZIP looks even cooler in person than it does on the company’s Kickstarter page. The ZIP triple folds are divided thusly: the first for an 8mm optical engine and tiny DLP microchip; the second for the built-in stereo speakers and high-strength aluminum hinges; and the third for a built-in 5000mAh battery that delivers “up to 1.5 hours of joy on a single charge,” according to the company. What’s great about the ZIP, of course, is that it folds up into a phone-size package and can be easily toted anywhere. It then unfolds and has a sturdy support base and its hinges allow for angling the picture at any surface, where an auto-focus and image correction features will kick in. The Zip doesn’t use Wi-Fi but can screen mirror content played on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows devices. It can also present images in both full-screen and vertical modes, letting you easily share TikToK and Instagram Reels with friends. As you might expect from a phone-sized projector, the picture quality is limited and there’s not much oomph to the sound, though the ZIP’s Bluetooth support lets you connect it to external wireless speakers or headphones. TCL PlayCube (Image credit: Future) TCL’s PlayCube grabbed my attention in an online pre-briefing held by TCL prior to CES, and I’ll admit to being pretty captivated by the company’s new portable projector when I saw it in person at the show. There wasn’t much info provided about the PlayCube other than it has a built-in battery for anywhere-on-the-go use and features a MagiCube design to adjust viewing angles. But that was enough for me to include TCL’s portable on this list since its winning design made it one of the coolest-looking products at the show. You might also like… TechRadar will be extensively covering this year’s CES, and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2025 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI. And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!
Tag: Television
Samsung unveils an 8K TV with an RGB micro-LED backlight at CES, and it could arrive as early as this year
Samsung demoes an 8K, RGB micro-LED LCD TV at CES 2025 It follows on from Hisense’s RGB mini-LED LCD TV, the 116UX Samsung hopes to release it in 2025 as its flagship model Samsung has unveiled an 8K LCD TV that uses an RGB micro-LED backlight at CES 2025. The TV has no official name or model number, but Samsung hopes to release it in 2025. Only days after Hisense revealed a TV that uses an RGB mini-LED backlight, the Hisense 116-inch UX, which it said will drastically improve brightness and color accuracy over standard mini-LED TVs, Samsung has demonstrated an 8K set with an even more advanced RGB micro-LED backlight. As FlatpanelsHD reports, the prototype was actually shown one day before CES at the ‘Samsung First Look’ event. The model on display was an 8K, 98-inch set, though Samsung says it may be available in smaller sizes as well, and has an eye on a 2025 release date, though this is yet to be officially confirmed. The 8K, RGB micro-LED TV, if released in 2025, will serve as the flagship 8K TV for Samsung, sitting above the already announced Samsung QN990F (pictured above) and Samsung QN900F, revealed earlier at CES as part of Samsung’s 2025 mini-LED lineup. Samsung says that opting for micro-LED over mini-LED in the RGB backlight will allow for “three times more LEDs”, meaning bolder colors and improved brightness. The even smaller micro-LED backlight will most likely allow for more dimming zones than the mini-LED backlight as well. The set is currently a ‘prototype’ as there’s no name, model number, price or full spec list available, but it’s likely to be at the premium end of the market. Micro-LED for less? Samsung looks to take things a step further from the Hisense 116UX (pictured above) opting to use a RGB micro-LED backlight over the Hisense’s RGB mini-LED backlight (Image credit: Future) While this 8K, RGB micro-LED TV is likely to carry a very hefty price tag, it does bring about an interesting opportunity: access to micro-LED tech for less. Though the TV is still likely to be price in the high thousands or tens of thousand’s of dollars, it’ll be a significant drop on a fully-fledged micro-LED TV. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Samsung released a 98-inch, 8K model in 2023 (carried over into 2024), the Samsung QN990C, which costs $40,000 / £34,999 (roughly AU$64,545). So the 98-inch RBG micro-LED that was on show is going to be pricier than this, and will still be a premium product. However, this is still less than the eye-watering prices we see for purely micro-LED TVs, albeit with larger screen sizes. Samsung’s own 110-inch micro-LED from 2022 retails for $149,999 (roughly £121,860 / AU$242,000). LG’s 118-inch MAGNIT micro-LED , which is priced at $237,000, (roughly £129,550 AU$382,436) is something most people will never afford. Yet, micro-LED was said to be the future of TVs, even beating the best OLED TVs. But these prices just aren’t feasible for 99% of people. This new Samsung model won’t have the full benefits of a purely micro-LED TV, such as Hisense’s own staggering 163-inch micro-LED TV revealed at CES, but using micro-LEDs in the TV’s backlight would still be an upgrade over mini-LED backlights, as micro-LEDs will allow for better black levels, contrast, higher brightness and more vibrant colors. Is the tech still likely to be expensive? Yes, but you’d expect it to be significantly less than the going rate for a MicroLED TV. We’ll eagerly await more details on this RGB micro-LED from Samsung, with a very close eye on the price. Could this finally be the start of micro-LED’s integration into TVs at a reduced cost? Fingers crossed! You might also like We’re covering all of the latest CES news from the show as it happens. Stick with us for the big stories on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI. And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok for the latest from the CES show floor!
Big-screen TVs are everywhere at CES 2025, but I doubt they’ll replace projectors anytime soon
At CES 2025, it’s been all about the big-screen TVs. Several TV brands have confirmed new 100-inch-plus TVs including Hisense, Samsung, TCL and LG. While this isn’t Hisense or TCL’s first rodeo into the 100-inch TV world, Samsung announced a 115-inch version of its Samsung QN90F Neo QLED TV as part of its 2025 Neo QLED lineup. LG also revealed a 100-inch model of its QNED85 as part of its 2025 QNED TV lineup, throwing its hat in the 100-inch ring. These brands, all responsible for making some of the best TVs on the market, have experience with larger screen sizes before, with CES 2024 and 2024 in general seeing a mass increase in 98-inch sized TVs. But CES 2025 is taking things a step further, breaking the 100-inch barrier. Hisense also revealed a 116-inch, RGB mini-LED TV, called the 116-inch UXN, to add to its already stacked 100-inch TV lineup, including the 110-inch UXN, 100-inch U8K and more. It even announced a 136-inch MicroLED TV that it says will be consumer-ready, due for release in 2025, with a 163-inch version to follow. While the demand for big screen TVs seems to be on the rise, it does beg the question – are these TVs going to become the go-to, big screen option for home theater fans, replacing projectors? Honestly, I don’t think so. Not yet anyway. It’s all about the money Samsung goes big with a 115-inch model of the QN90F (pictured) – but what price will it be? (Image credit: Future) While we don’t yet have confirmation on the pricing of the majority of the announced big-screen models, we can look at other, currently available models for an idea. The prime example is the Hisense 110-inch UXN. A mini-LED capable of 10,000 nits peak brightness (though based on my testing of it, it’s closer to 3,000 nits sustained peak brightness when measured on a 10% window), the 110UXN costs roughly $15,000 / £20,000, so is very much a premium TV. For the cream of the crop of larger screen TVs, such as the 97-inch LG G4, you’ll be looking to pay $24,999 / £24,999. This is far beyond most people’s budgets and means larger TV screens sit out of reach. For this, you could easily get one of the best 4K projectors, including the ultra-premium JVC DLA-NZ800, which costs $14,999 / £14,999, and a large screen, up to 150-inches, to go with it. Even dropping down to the still excellent Sony XW5000 (which I had experience with at my previous retail job) which costs $4,999 / £4,999, and adding a decent sized screen to this and you’re still way off the premium TVs above. Even the LG CineBeam Q, one of the best ultra short throw (UST) projectors, can hit over 100-inch projection for under $1,000 / £1,000. So why would you opt for anything other than a projector at these 100-inch sizes? Cheaper, big screen TVs – for and against The Hisense L9H projector (left) vs the Hisense 100-inch U7K (right) (Image credit: Future) OK, so above I picked some of the most extreme examples of big-screen TVs. The truth is there is a crop of 100-inch mini-LED TVs, one of the better panel types for bigger screens, out there for under $5,000 / £5,000 – some for as low as $2,000 / £2,000. The Hisense U8K, one of 2023’s best mini-LED TVs, is one of those budget sets, retailing for around $3,999, but we’ve seen it as low as $2,599 during Black Friday before. For a mini-LED TV of this quality, which we praised for its detail, brightness and contrast, that’s a bargain at this size. I even tested a 100-inch Hisense U7K against the Hisense L9H Laser TV (UST projector) to see which was better if you wanted a big home theater screen on a budget, and although I chose the L9H projector, the U7K mini-LED TV came very close and even bested the projector in some areas (namely during brighter viewing conditions). Edge-lit, big screen TVs such as the Samsung CU8000 (pictured) can struggle with dark images. (Image credit: Future) There’s also a score of cheap, big screen QLED and LED models from Hisense, TCL, Samsung and more, for as low as $1,299 / £1,299, which is significantly cheaper than what you would have to fork out for a decent projector and screen. Of course, it’s crucial to make sure these TVs have the right type of lighting – edge-lit TVs are best avoided, as I discovered testing a 75-inch budget Samsung. However, the overall issue with these cheaper, big screen TVs, is they can have noticeable flaws. This could be poor backlight control, resulting in backlight blooming, and poor black uniformity (the ability to display dark tones evenly across the whole screen), something similarly priced projectors are unlikely to suffer from. The other problem is, for how much you would spend on one of the ‘better’ affordable big screen TVs, such as the Hisense U8K or a more premium set, you could easily get a very good ultra short throw projector. The Hisense PX3-Pro, which costs around $3,499 / £2,499 and earned four-and-a-half out of five in our review, thanks to its excellent HDR picture quality and high versatility, is a prime example of this. Final thoughts While it appears that big screen TVs are indeed here and could be the future of home theater viewing, they ultimately aren’t going to replace projectors anytime soon. To get the very best quality from a large screen TV, you’d need to spend more than you would for a very good 4K or UST projector and an even larger screen (over 130 inches, say). Don’t get me wrong, some of the big-screen TVs we’ve seen here at TechRadar, myself included, are certainly impressive and rival the most elite of projectors. But until these big-screen TV prices reduce, they’re not going to dethrone the projector for those looking for the best bang-for-your-buck home theater. You might also like TechRadar will be covering all of the latest CES news from the show as it happens. Stick with us for the big stories on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI. And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok for the latest from the CES show floor!
Panasonic announces its 2025 TV lineup, led by a brighter flagship OLED TV with a new Prime Video Calibrated Mode
Panasonic reveals its 2025 TV lineup The range is headlined by the flagship Z95B OLED TV The lineup includes the W95B mini-LED and W70B LED TVs Panasonic has revealed its 2025 TV lineup at CES 2025. The reveal consists of three TVs – the flagship Z95B, the W95B mini-LED, and the W70B, a more entry-level LED TV. There is currently no pricing info or release dates for these models. The Panasonic Z95B, successor to the Panasonic Z95A, one of 2024’s best OLED TVs, is the flagship set in the 2025 lineup. It will use a new ‘Primary RGB Tandem Panel’ instead of the micro-lens array (MLA) OLED panel used in its predecessor, which Panasonic says will result in higher brightness, better detail and greater color volume. The Panasonic W95B will have an improved mini-LED panel with up to 2.5x more dimming zones compared to last year’s W95A, which will result in improved contrast and better black levels. The entry-level Panasonic LED series will support HDR10+ (decode only), HDR10 and HLG formats and will have a slim-bezel design. All three sets use Fire TV as their smart TV platform. Both the Z95B and W95B will feature a new Prime Video Calibrated Mode, a picture mode optimized for watching Amazon Prime Video content, as well as Calman and ISF calibration tools to fine-tune picture settings, a first for a Fire TV model. In the US, both the Z95B and W95B will also feature an ATSC 3.0 NEXTGEN TV tuner for broadcast TV. The Z95B and W95B will be available in both the US and the UK, while the W70B will be available in the US only. Scroll down for more detailed information on each TV. Panasonic Z95B OLED TV The Panasonic Z95B on display at CES 2025 (Image credit: Future) The Panasonic Z95B will be available in 55, 65 and 77-inch sizes, with the smallest and largest models available for the first time in the US (the Z95A was only available in a 65-inch size last year). Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. The Z95B’s biggest upgrade over its predecessor, the Z95A, is a new quad-layer Primary RGB Tandem Panel, which is coupled with Panasonic’s own ThermalFlow cooling system. Panasonic says this will make the Z95B bolder, brighter, more colorful and more detail-rich than the Z95A. The new panel is in place of the micro-lens-array(MLA) OLED panel used in the Z95A, as well as the LG G4. It’s not officially confirmed whether this quad-layer panel is the same ‘four-stack’ panel set to feature in the LG M5 and G5 OLEDs, but this seems likely. The Z95B features an HCX Pro AI Processor MK II, which will support both Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ HDR formats. There is also a Precision Detail feature, designed to “unlock more from Dolby Vision content”. The Z95B’s built-in speaker system has been re-designed to allow for a wider soundstage and improved processing for spatial audio. It will support Dolby Atmos audio format as well. If its speaker system is anything like the Z95A’s, which was arguably the best TV for sound released in 2024, we have high hopes. The Z95B supports gaming features you’d expect to find on the best gaming TVs, including 4K 144Hz, VRR (AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync), ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming, as well as a True Game Mode. Panasonic W95B mini-LED TV (Image credit: Panasonic) The Panasonic W95B is the mini-LED entry in Panasonic’s 2025 TV lineup. It will be available in 55, 65, 75 and 85-inch sizes in both the US and UK. The W95B features a mini-LED panel that will deliver enhanced contrast, better black levels and better detail than previous mini-LED models, according to Panasonic. With 2.5x more local dimming zones than the W95A (this depends on screen size), the W95B promises better backlight control, resulting in an overall better picture. The W95B will feature the same HCX Pro AI Processor MKII found in the Z95B. It will support Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ formats, along with a Precision Detail feature that “unlocks more from Dolby Vision content”. The W95B is also well suited for gaming, with 4K 144Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming, which is also supported at 144Hz. The W95B’s built-in sound system has yet to be confirmed, but we do there is a 20W subwoofer included. Panasonic W70B LED TV (Image credit: Panasonic) The Panasonic W70B will be available in the US in 43, 50, 55, 65, 70, 75 and 85-inch sizes. The W70B uses an LED panel and supports 4K HDR formats including HDR10+ (though this is decoded), HDR10 and HLG. It will also feature MEMC for fast-paced images and sports viewing. There are four HDMI ports for connectivity, though there is no confirmation as to whether any of these will support HDMI 2.1 for gaming. The W70B will feature voice control as part of Fire TV, which can be exectuted using the Alexa voice remote. You might also like We’re covering all of the latest CES news from the show as it happens. Stick with us for the big stories on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI. And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok for the latest from the CES show floor!
I saw Samsung’s new The Frame Pro mini-LED TV, and it’s whole new work of art
Samsung has just unveiled its new The Frame Pro TV, which finally adds the company’s Neo QLED mini-LED tech to The Frame range that previously relied on edge-lit QLED displays. Not only that, but The Frame Pro also adds a Wireless One Connect external connection box, meaning that you can hang The Frame Pro on the wall with a power cable going into it and nothing else – all your set-top boxes and so on connect into the wireless external streaming box, which you can place anywhere within 33 feet of the TV (including inside a cabinet), and the video is beamed in 4K 144Hz over to the TV. Samsung says there should be no noticeable latency here – specifically, the latency is said to be around 1.5 frames, and well under 20ms. I saw The Frame Pro in action next to a regular 2024 The Frame TV, and the difference is staggering. We’ve always had a slightly cool relationship with The Frame TVs here on TechRadar, because they’re wildly popular and we understand why people like them, but it always rankled that they used such mediocre image tech. For those who know Samsung’s range, The Frame has always been equivalent to the Q70 models, meaning and edge-lit QLED panel with Samsung’s Dual-LED tech, but with a matte display that elevates back tones and weakens the already-middling contrast. Now, The Frame Pro is still equivalent to Samsung’s Q70 range… it’s just that in 2025, we’re talking about a model called the QN70F that’s a new cheaper mini-LED model. On top of all this, Samsung has also added variable refresh rate support up to 144Hz, making it a better gaming TV. That’s the background, but the important thing is that in practice, the new screen is a total game-changer. (Image credit: Future) Wow, actual HDR! The difference between the classic The Frame model and the Pro is night and day. Local dimming when watching movies and TV means that it produces something much closer to real black tones in dark areas, while the bright highlight areas are several levels more vibrant, and have a far more realistic sheen to them. The extra brightness also means that colors are massively richer and bold. It gives the feeling that the picture you’re seeing is just a lot more solid; the shadows actually look shadowy, and the light areas gleam, as if it’s real light hitting an actual object. The old model looks hazy and washed out by comparison, and with black tones pulled towards being gray and light tones also being pulled towards being gray, it’s just fundamentally unclear in comparison to the Pro. It’s not just about the small highlights, though – the fullscreen brightness is massively better, which means things like TV and sports are much clearer and more rewarding to watch. (Image credit: Future) Careful with the art You might be worried that all this vibrancy may not be a great fit for the Art Mode that makes The Frame such a success. But I saw a direct comparison of that aspect with the old model, and they look incredibly similar. Samsung says that when Art Mode is active, local dimming is switched off, which means you’ve got an even light across the screen and no ‘HDR’ effect. I suspect Samsung may also be limiting the brightness of the backlight so it appears to be a level of light that’s closer to ambient light, but that’s just speculation on my part. Either way, it looks basically the same as the old The Frame models, which is to say: a very nice-looking bit of digital art reproduction. (Image credit: Future) What about wireless? I don’t have much to say about the wireless box from my time staring at The Frame Pro, but that’s probably a good sign – the whole point is that you shouldn’t notice it if it’s working properly! But one thing to note is that it’s much smaller than the old wired One Connect box the previous The Frame models use – it looks like it must be half the size by volume, easily. It looks a little bit like a tiny PlayStation 2 which I personally love to see. I couldn’t do anything to try to break its wireless signal or test its limits, so we’ll have to try that when we get our hands on a set for a full review. The big piece of information we’re missing about The Frame Pro is its price. I expect that it will cost significantly more than the Samsung QN70F, given it’s the equivalent of this screen in terms of image quality, which will probably keep it out of our list of the best TVs – we value bang for your buck too much. But if Samsung can find a decent balance here, we’ll definitely be able to more wholeheartedly recommend The Frame Pro as a TV that works as well for the motion arts as for the classical arts. You might also like TechRadar will be extensively covering this year’s CES, and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2025 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI. And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!
The LG M5 wireless OLED TV might be weirdly the perfect pick for PC gamers, especially with the Nvidia RTX 5080 on the horizon
OLED is quickly becoming the hottest screen tech to use with the best gaming PCs following a bit of a breakthrough in the last couple of years of OLED and QD-OLED options among the best gaming monitors – and there’s a surprisingly tempting new option coming, though it’s not actually a monitor. But it is OLED, and it’s geared up for PC gaming. The LG M5 OLED TV has just been announced, and not only does it have the specs PC gamers will look for – 4K, 144Hz, VRR including Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync support – but it also offers wireless connectivity between the TV screen and an external connection box, meaning you can have your PC and TV further apart, allowing for real flexibility of placement. Imagine: at your rig, you have your normal gaming monitor. But sometimes, you want to play on the couch with the big-screen – in the case of the M5, the wireless box is also part of your desk setup, so you can just access all your same gaming libraries on your big-screen, with all your preferred saved settings. Your PC acts like both a PC and a console thanks to the wireless Zero Connect box. Could the LG M5 be the perfect PC gaming TV? Specs and flexibility aplenty The LG M5 OLED TV will feature a Zero Connect Box (pictured bottom left) similar to its predecessor, the LG M4 OLED (pictured here), but will offer more flexibility in placement (Image credit: Future) Let’s get one thing clear – the LG M5 OLED is not the first to offer the wireless tech that PC gamers will love. That title belonged to the M5’s antecedent, the LG M3. That also offered 4K, high frame rate with VRR, Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync support, and the Zero Connect box, which is a wireless connections box that you plug all the external devices into, and then transmits the signal to the TV itself, meaning a mostly cable-free experience (power cable still required for the screen itself). But, where the LG M5 will best its predecessor, according to LG, is in the freedom of where the Zero Connect box goes. LG has promised that the Zero Connect on the M5 will be ‘visually lossless’ and ‘true wireless’, regardless of where the M5 and Zero Connect Box are placed. The M4’s Zero Connect Box required line of sight, meaning objects could obstruct signals, but the M5 is said to have much more flexibility in its placement options, while still offering effectively zero latency. So while the LG M3 and M4 TVs wouldn’t have been ideal for all setups, the M5 should have the flexibility so that you can just tuck the box out of sight and still get its wireless tricks. Perfect timing for the Nvidia RTX 5080 A recent leak suggests the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 could be imminent – and it would make a perfect match for the LG M5 (Image credit: ChipHell / Via VideoCardz) It’s no secret that Nvidia makes some of the best graphics cards on the market, with the RTX 4060, 4070 and 4080 all featuring in our picks for the best graphics cards. AMD has had a strong year, but when there’s talk of a new Nvidia graphics card on the horizon, people take notice. It’s no surprise then that a recent leak of images said to be the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 has sent the PC world into a frenzy, with many believing that a reveal is imminent – maybe even as soon as CES 2025. This is potentially perfect timing for the LG M5 OLED. Because it’s an Nvidia G-Sync certified wireless TV, it should be a match made in heaven for the Nvidia RTX 5080. One thing that should be noted – none of this is going to be cheap. While PC gamers expect to pay a lot for the best equipment, the LG M5 OLED is going to be at the premium end of the OLED TV market. While we don’t have pricing for the M5 itself, the LG M4 launched at a price of roughly €5,000 / $4,499 / £3,799, a significant price increase over the LG G4, so you can expect to the LG M5 to be similar if not more. But, if you’re looking for the premium PC gaming experience with an OLED TV, the M5’s improved Zero Connect flexibility over the M4 could make it the perfect companion for PC gamers. Imagine not having to move your PC setup! You might also like TechRadar will be extensively covering this year’s CES, and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2025 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI. And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!
Ever wondered what the screens that movies are mastered on look like? They’re a lot thicker than TVs, use unique LCD tech, and cost a lot more
Extreme TV nerds (hello) will sometimes talk about ‘mastering’ movies and shows, which is the industry term for the look of something being created and settled on by the creative team behind it. ‘Mastering’ monitors are what are used for this, and they’re specialist screens that are designed to be supremely accurate to the picture signal coming into them, so that colorists can perfect the look of a movie with confidence. They use slightly different screen tech compared to any of the best TVs you can buy, and they’re bulky beasts that are interesting to look at – but you don’t tend to get to look at them very much. I’ve never been allowed to take photos whenever I’ve been in a place with them. Well, until recently, when I visited Hisense’s TV R&D lab, and the company was quite happy to show off its pro mastering monitor. (Image credit: Future) A few companies make mastering monitors, but Sony is probably the most famous for Hollywood use. Hisense’s is mainly used in Chinese movie and TV production, but it uses the same kind of tech and is very similar to Sony’s in design. The first thing you’ll notice is what I mentioned before – that it’s a hell of a boxy thing, with charmingly old-school buttons and controls on the front, including actual dials, which I always love to see on today’s tech. They control elements of the visual reproduction, though you wouldn’t generally tweak them while in use – you’d get them where you want them, then play with the look of different digital mastering techniques within your editing/production environment. (Image credit: Future) The screen is only around 32 inches, but it’s about six inches deep and has two prominent carry handles on the back. The thickness is all about heat dissipation – it has small holes all over the body further back to help with that task. Why is it so hot? Well, that comes down to the screen tech. This is a 4K resolution dual-LCD panel, capable of producing very nuanced colors and OLED-like pixel-perfect contrast. It works by placing two LCD panel layers in front of a powerful and perfectly even backlight. To understand why two LCD screens are used, we need to go back to the problem with black tones in LCD, and why the best OLED TVs and the best mini-LED TVs with local dimming have become so popular. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. LCD TVs work by having a light behind the pixels shining forward. The LCD layer of liquid crystals changes this light into other colors, so it looks like what it’s supposed to. However, the liquid crystals can’t do black very well, because black requires the absence of light, and the crystals aren’t able to fully block the backlight. This is why mini-LED TVs use local dimming, meaning they turn their backlight way down (or off) so the LCD panel doesn’t have to block as much light; OLED avoids the problem by having pixels that generate their own light, meaning each one can be dimmed to total blackness. Not the difference between the thickness of the reference monitor in the foreground, and a regular Hisense TV rising up behind it. (Image credit: Future) Dual-LCD screens work by having two sets of LCD pixels on top of each other, and in combination, they’re able to block all the light they need to – but can also potentially show much brighter images than OLED. So why don’t all LCD TVs use this tech? Because it’s devastatingly inefficient. Even ignoring when they’re trying to block the light, each LCD layer absorbs a bunch of light as it passes through anyway, so these monitors require a huge amount of power, and generate a huge amount of heat, to hit the same kind of brightness numbers as a mini-LED TV. Hence the thickness of these monitors, full of bright lights and, therefore, heat sinks to keep them from melting – but no one would want to pay the kind of home energy bill they’d rack up, either. So dual-LCD is deployed in products like this, where price is not a factor as long as the result is meticulously good. Hisense’s reference monitor that I saw costs CN¥250,000 (about $35,000 / £28,000), which is a similar kind of price to Sony’s reference monitors. (Image credit: Future) Naturally, you get some other pro-specialist features for these prices, such as a huge range of inputs, and the ability to show multiple images alongside each other for choosing color and contrast grading options or to adjust pixel response times. I always love to see one of these in action and marvel at how similar to regular TVs the technology fundamentally is, and yet how different the design has to be in order to get to the extra picture quality jump that makes them ‘reference’ worthy. You might also like…
LG’s latest projector is also a lamp and a Bluetooth speaker – and there’s a tiny new 4K projector too
LG reveals two new portable, lifestyle projectors ahead of CES 2025 LG PF600U is a 3-in-1 projector/lamp/speaker LG CineBeam S is latest in portable 4K projector lineup LG has revealed two new speakers ahead of CES 2025 – the CineBeam S and LG PF600U – adding to its range of lifestyle projectors. LG hasn’t announced region availability or pricing for either projector as of yet, but this will hopefully arrive at CES 2025 itself. The LG CineBeam S is a follow-up to the LG CineBeam Q, one of the best 4K projectors released in 2024, and while it also supports 4K,HDR picture, the CineBeam S has the distinction of being LG’s smallest ever 4K ultra-short-throw (UST) projector, measuring in at a tiny 110 x 160 x 160mm. The CineBeam S will also support a wide range of screen sizes from 40-100-inches – the CineBeam Q supports 50-120-inches – with a throw ratio of 0.25. It has 500 ANSI lumens of brightness (the same as the CineBeam Q) and LG says it will cover 154% of the DCI-P3 color space. It will also feature a built-in stereo speaker system that supports Dolby Atmos, and will use LG’s own webOS smart TV platform for streaming skills. The other projector revealed is the LG PF600U, a projector that also serves as a mood lamp and Bluetooth speaker. It supports 1080p Full HD resolution images with 300 ANSI lumens of brightness, and can project from 30 to 120 inches. It will also come with LG’s webOS interface built-in for streaming. Taking on a light pole design measuring 290 x 290 x 983mm, the PF600U is designed to serve a whole bunch of needs by also working as a light source and Bluetooth speaker with a stereo speaker array. LG combines it all again (Image credit: LG) Over the past couple of years, LG hasn’t been afraid to experiment with its lifestyle products. Whether it’s the StanByME Go, a portable TV-in-a-suitcase with military grade casing or a disco refrigerator with a transparent OLED display, LG isn’t afraid to combine its AV and lifestyle/home products into one Frankenstein-esque offering. While the LG PF600U projector/lamp combo is unlikely to offer picture quality to top the best projectors, it does fit in nicely with LG’s whacky products that aim to create the home of the future that many people dream about, supposedly, with every product doing multiple jobs. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. The LG CineBeam S on the other hand is a straightforward, portable 4K projector and if it’s anything like the LG CineBeam Q, which we rated four and a half out of five in our review thanks to its excellent picture quality and handy design, then LG could be onto another winner. You might also like TechRadar will be extensively covering this year’s CES, and will bring you all of the big announcements as they happen. Head over to our CES 2025 news page for the latest stories and our hands-on verdicts on everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops, smart home gadgets, and the latest in AI. And don’t forget to follow us on TikTok and WhatsApp for the latest from the CES show floor!
LG will bring brighter OLED TVs to CES 2025, thanks to adding 33% more OLED
LG’s next generation of OLED panels could reach 3,700 nits Coming to G-series TVs but not LG’s more affordable models Samsung’s also working on brighter QD-OLED displays As much as we love the best OLED TVs, there’s one area where there’s still room for improvement: brightness. Even the elite models are a little dark compared to mini-LED, and that’s something LG in particular has been working on. The LG G4 was significantly brighter than the G3, and that in turn was significantly brighter than its predecessor. And now it seems that the 2025 LG OLED TVs will be brighter still. A new report says that LG will be bringing a new four-layer OLED TV panel to market this year, and that this will be significantly brighter than the three-layer panel in its current flagship TVs. What to expect from LG’s latest OLEDs According to display industry analyst Ross Young, as reported by FlatpanelsHD, LG has been developing a four-layer OLED TV panel with an additional light-emitting layer of pixels; that panel tech is expected to reach the market this year “with a peak brightness of 3,700 nits”. That’s exceptionally bright for an OLED, though bear in mind that LG Display (which makes the panels) claimed last year that its latest-gen panel (as used in the LG G4) could hit 3,000 nits, and the TV was never close to hitting that (nor did it promise to). LG has already shown off this new OLED tech: it displayed a small prototype at the IMID conference in South Korea back in August, telling reporters that the tech would not only boost brightness by 25%, but would deliver a longer lifespan and better energy efficiency too. LG Display didn’t say when the panels would come to market. But the 2025 LG G5 already leaked with a 165Hz screen, and has been listed in Hong Kong’s electronics certification system with reported energy figures that suggest the new panel tech is inside: its consumption is listed as 132W for the 55-inch model and 164W for the 65-inch version, which is around 20% lower than the 161W and 209W for the equivalent G4 models. That suggests that the new panel is about to launch, although LG Display is not listed as one of the firms appearing at CES 2025 – though LG overall is, and we expect the company to announce its new TVs there. But when this screen is announced, don’t expect it in LG’s more affordable 2025 panels: the energy consumption listed in the database for the C5 is barely different to that of the C4, which suggests that this will be high-end only. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. LG isn’t the only big name working on better panels. Samsung is doing it too. The same industry analyst, Ross Young, says that the 2025/26 QD-OLED panels will boost brightness even further to 3,600 nits or more, and possibly as much as 4,000 nits. The OLED TV arms race continues… You might also like
LG G5 OLED TV: what we want to see
The LG G4 OLED TV has established itself as one of 2024’s best OLED TVs, blending cutting-edge picture quality with a sleek, wall-mountable design. Powered by LG’s advanced Alpha 11 processor and second-gen Micro Lens Array (MLA) tech, the G4 delivers exceptional brightness, vivid colours, and stunning HDR performance. Its features cater to a wide audience with robust gaming capabilities like 4K at 144Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and low input lag. But, while the LG G4 is really strong, there is room for improvement, and today we’ll be looking at all of the potential options LG has to upgrade when it releases the LG G5 sometime in 2025. (Image credit: Future) For example, the addition of virtual 11.1.2 surround sound through AI Sound Pro is commendable but falls short of delivering a fully immersive audio experience. Moreover, while webOS provides easy access to apps and streaming services, its ad placements and limited customisability detract from its premium appeal. The upcoming LG G5 OLED TV has the potential to elevate the series further by addressing these limitations while introducing cutting-edge features. We expect enhancements in brightness, HDR support, and gaming capabilities, and deeper integration of AI could be a game-changer. Let’s dive into our wish list for the LG G5 OLED TV in 2025. (Image credit: Future) LG G5 OLED TV: Enhanced picture quality and gaming While the LG G4 OLED already impresses with its MLA tech and exceptional HDR performance, the LG G5 OLED could take brightness and HDR capabilities to the next level. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. The G4 already delivers outstanding peak brightness, and the G5 could further enhance localised brightness and improved processing power. Adding HDR10+ support would broaden compatibility with more HDR content, complementing Dolby Vision, and AI brightness optimisation could intelligently adjust to ambient lighting and content type. Gamers will expect even more from the G5, building on the G4’s strong gaming features like 4K at 120Hz for consoles and 144Hz support for PCs. The addition of 240Hz support could future-proof the G5 and enhanced “Game Optimiser” modes would help tailor the TV for different genres, such as RPGs or FPS games. To cater to the growing cloud gaming market, LG could integrate expanded support for platforms like Xbox Cloud Gaming, which would make the G5 a compelling choice for gamers looking for a seamless, high-performance experience. (Image credit: Future) LG G5 OLED TV: AI and UI The G4’s Alpha 11 processor offers significant AI enhancements over older TVs, but the G5 could push these capabilities even further, including smarter, more personalised settings for picture and sound based on user preferences and types of content. AI-powered real-time upscaling for older or low-resolution content would also ensure sharper visuals and better clarity, eliminating the need for manual adjustments, and AI-driven motion smoothing could refine fast-action scenes without introducing the “soap opera” effect. The G5’s webOS UI could benefit from deeper AI integration to make navigation more intuitive and personalised. Predictive algorithms could surface frequently used apps or settings, and voice commands powered by advanced AI could improve accuracy and context understanding. For example, users could ask for specific genres of content, and the TV could recommend options across streaming platforms. Additionally, AI could improve energy efficiency by learning a user’s behaviour and then optimising power consumption, including automatically dimming or turning off unused features during idle periods. (Image credit: Future) LG G5 OLED TV: Upgraded audio, design, and sustainability The G4’s audio performance is solid but falls short of a fully immersive experience, and the G5 could address this by integrating a more robust onboard speaker system. On top of that, AI-powered audio tuning could further enhance this experience by analysing room acoustics and adjusting sound profiles for clearer dialogue and balanced bass. In terms of design, the G5 could expand customisation options to suit diverse home setups, like more versatile stand designs. A height-adjustable option for soundbar integration or a rotating stand for vertical content would be welcome. Improved cable management systems that seamlessly route wires would add to its practicality, too. Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor for TV buyers, and the G5 could set a benchmark with eco-friendly innovations. Incorporating recyclable materials, reducing packaging waste, and introducing advanced energy-saving features would cater to environmentally conscious consumers. You might also like…
