Television technology is progressing at an astonishing rate. And while the increasing prevalence of online streaming devices means smart TVs are no longer as useful, the quality of screens continues to rise from strength to strength.
The latest “big thing” is OLED screens for televisions. Three manufacturers lead the way:LG, Sony and Panasonic. Let's take a look at the best 65-inch 4K display from each of these three companies.
OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode . OLED screens use organic compounds that light up when they receive electricity. That means each individual pixel emits light, unlike LED TVs that require a backlight.
At the consumer level, it means you can enjoy more vibrant contrasts, better color gamut and wider viewing angles. Perhaps most notably, because each pixel is powered individually, they can be turned off completely when displayed in black, leading to much deeper dark colors.
In contrast, the size of LED lights means that each light illuminates several pixels, which reduces the sharpness of the image.
LG OLED TVs are the most popular on the market right now. They offer the widest color gamut, the finest designs and “Picture on Glass” technology. Picture-on-Glass refers to the placement of the OLED lights; They are attached directly to the back of the screen.
You can enjoy OLED HD upgrade and dynamic tone mapping that enhances HDR output. 2018 has also seen the introduction of a new Alpha 9 processor. It can make high-definition images appear to be near 4K quality, reduce image noise, and dramatically reduce banding.
If size doesn't matter and you're just interested in enjoying the best 4K output, the LG OLED55C8 (C8 for short) is the winner.
Although the model comes in a 65-inch version, the 55-inch set offers the best value for money. Many reviewers say it's the best TV they've ever used.
LG Electronics OLED55C8PUA 55-Inch 4K HD Smart OLED TV (2018 Model) LG Electronics OLED55C8PUA 55-Inch 4K HD Smart OLED TV (2018 Model) Buy Now On Amazon $1,696.99
The aforementioned Alpha 9 processor provides the best image processing you'll find in a consumer TV, the display comes with a dedicated game mode, and supports standard HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) output, and HDR. advanced Technicolor.
Away from the screen, the TV has four HDMI ports and three USB ports.
The only drawback is the price. It will cost you $2,500. But when you consider that the 65-inch version adds an extra $1,000 to bring it to $3,500, the C8 seems like a great deal.
If you have the money and want to jump to a 65-inch screen, the LG OLED65W8 (W8) is the best option. Nicknamed "wallpaper tv" famous for its exceptional thinness, it comes in 65 and 77-inch versions..
Like the C8, it's powered by the Alpha 9 processor, which means you'll enjoy all the benefits we've already discussed.
The W8 also benefits from an incredibly high frame rate of 120 frames per second. As such it can support the new HFR signals and should be future proof for several years.
And the price? Be prepared to shell out more than $7,500.
Sony took a surprisingly long time to get into the OLED game. Well, assuming you discount the $3,000 11-inch model it released in 2008.
While LG runs on webOS platform, Sony uses Android TV What is Android TV and why was Google TV killed? What is Android TV and why was Google TV killed? Android TV is replacing Google TV, which is already five years old. And it's not just an update, it's a complete remake. Read more . Whether you think this is a good thing or a bad thing depends on where you stand on the best smart TV OS debate. The received wisdom is that webOS is the better of the two, although Android TV works perfectly with Google Home.
The most unique thing about Sony models is the sound. While most TVs use traditional speakers, on Sony OLED TVs, the screen is the speaker. It vibrates to produce the output. As such, no sound emanates from around or behind the screen.
Sony only offers two OLED models, the A1E and the A8F. Of the two, the A8F is a better TV, meaning it's simultaneously Sony's best 4K and the best 65-inch model. A 55-inch model from the same set is also available.
Sony XBR65A8F 65-Inch BRAVIA Smart HD 4K OLED TV (2018 Model) Sony XBR65A8F 65-Inch BRAVIA Smart Ultra HD 4K OLED TV (2018 Model) Buy Now On Amazon Too Low To Show
It is powered by the X1 Extreme processor. The processor offers real-time processing that can scale each frame individually. This means that, like LG models, the TV can upscale HD video to near 4K quality. The screen also has Dolby Vision, and its HDR function aims to replicate a cinematic experience when you're watching movies or playing games.
Lastly, the A8F has a host of smart features, including Chromecast, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, voice search, and access to the Google Play app store. These are just some of the things to consider when shopping for a smart TV. Is a smart TV worth it in 2017? 6 Things to Check Before Buying Is a Smart TV Worth It in 2017? 6 things to check before you buy Almost all TVs these days are "smart" in some capacity, but there are several important features to look out for! Here's why 2017 is the best year to buy a smart TV. Read more.
The last of the “big three” is Panasonic. Interestingly, Panasonic TVs use LG screens, much of what we mentioned above regarding color gamuts, viewing angles, and contrasts applies here as well.
Panasonic's use of LG displays only started in 2016 with the release of the TX-65CZ950. The collaboration started because the company dissolved its OLED lighting department in 2014.
Sadly, Panasonic TVs are no longer available in the US. The Japanese giants pulled out of the market in late 2016. Rumors persist of a return, but the company has remained tight-lipped.
Still, if you live in Canada or Europe, which set should you buy?
Panasonic released a couple of new TVs in 2018, the FZ800 and FZ950. The FZ950 is the flagship model..
It comes with an HCX processor, dynamic LUTs, Dolby Vision, support for HDR10+, a dynamic scene optimizer, and an 80-watt Technics speaker.
HDR support is a notable improvement. In 2017, Sony was the only company to offer the technology, but today, it's commonplace. HDR10+ support adds scene-by-scene HDR optimization.
The FZ950 is also Hybrid Log-Gamma compatible. The technology is not yet in widespread use. It's a lot for the future, but it's nice to see it included.
Under the hood, the TVs run on the Firefox TV operating system. It's arguably the least pleasant of the three operating systems we've mentioned in this piece.
It comes in a 55 and 65 inch version.
We leave you with a curveball:the TC-77EZ1000. It'll set you back $20,000, but as you might expect, you get a lot of quality for your money.
It is the television chosen by filmmakers. In fact, the Studio Color HCX2 processor was tuned by a Hollywood colorist.
The TV also features a THX certified display. The THX company was founded by George Lucas. For a TV to be certified, it must pass 400 lab tests in more than 30 categories.
Away from the screen, it comes equipped with Bluetooth support, four HDMI ports, a web browser, and an app store.
In this article, we've only looked at OLED TV models from the big three manufacturers, but there are plenty more out there that deserve your attention.
If you want to look at other alternatives, check out the Bang &Olufsen Eclipse and the Philips 55POS9002. And don't forget Samsung. The Korean company does not manufacture OLED screens, but it does offer high-quality QLED products.
And if you want to learn more about 4K TVs before you make a purchase, we've got you covered. You can find out if a 4K HDR TV is good for gaming, find out if you should buy a TV now or wait a little longer, and read about the affordable 4K TVs you can buy right now. The best affordable 4K HDR smart TVs you can buy. Affordable 4K HDR Smart TVs You Can Buy Those looking for a new smart TV in the market have a tough decision to make. It's not a gadget you update frequently, so you want something future-proof. So what do you get? Read more.
