Articles by James Davidson, Senior TV Writer

I test TVs for a living and the TCL C8K was one of the best I used last year — it's a brilliant option for the World Cup and just dropped back to a record-low price ahead of Prime Day

By James Davidson Published 22 June 26

The TCL C8K is a superb mini-LED TV that delivers excellent value, both it and its US equivalent have dropped to a record-low price: and it's not even Prime Day yet!

Blu-ray Bounty bonus article hero image showing Junglepussy holding up a bank from One Battle After Another 4K Blu-ray

I tested 4 more 4K Blu-rays released in 2026 that are worth adding your collection — including a great Dolby Atmos showcase, and two sumptuous DTS music movies (well, one of them's Spinal Tap, but it absolutely counts)

By James Davidson Published 20 June 26

It's Blu-ray's 20th anniversary, which gave me an excuse to lock myself in a room for a work day with 4 discs released in 2026 that I missed testing previously.

best of blu-ray bounty hero image showing alien romulus, lawrence of arabia, the mask, the sound of music and the wild robot 4K Blu-ray cases in a line

‘The best looking discs I’ve ever seen’: I’ve picked the top 10 4K Blu-rays I’ve tested in the last two years — including reference-quality discs I use as part of reviewing TVs

By James Davidson Published 19 June 26

After nearly two years of the Blu-ray Bounty, I’ve picked my top 10 4K Blu-rays I've tested for my monthly roundups.

A Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player, with its disc tray open, and copy of One Battle After Another on 4K Blu-ray disc in the tray

'We've seen an increase in Blu-ray orders of 10,000%': I spoke to a Blu-ray and vinyl agency about their Blu-ray sales and it's given me even more hope for physical media's survival

By James Davidson Published 19 June 26

While home physical media was on the decline, a talk with a vinyl and Blu-ray agency gave me hope for the future.

10 Comments

Hisense UR8 (left) vs Samsung QN80H (right) showing an orange butterfly. The QN80H's colors are bolder, despite the fact the UR8 uses RGB tech

I tested a budget RGB TV and equivalent mini-LED TV side by side — and while RGB gets us closer to OLED performance, it still needs to learn a few things from its old-school counterpart

By James Davidson Published 14 June 26

How does the Hisense UR8, an affordable RGB mini-LED TV, compare to the Samsung QN80H, which uses standard mini-LED?

3 Comments

Hisense U7S Pro taken right angle shot with footage of a football training ground at night aerial shot on screen

I'm a certified TV calibrator, and I rate these 3 models as the best-value buys you can get for a World Cup upgrade, all based on our real-world testing

By James Davidson Published 10 June 26

World Cup fever is in full force and if you're looking for a great value TV for the tournament, these are 3 of my top recommendations

Hisense U7S with footage of a football stadium on screen, taken from a left angle

Looking to upgrade your TV for the World Cup? Here are my 3 picks as TechRadar's TV tester, including models from Samsung, TCL and LG — hurry though, as you may not have long left them to buy them

By James Davidson Published 8 June 26

The World Cup is next week and if you're still deciding on a new TV, these 3 models are the top of my recommended list as TechRadar's TV tester

Most anticipated 4K Blu-ray June 2026 hero image featuring speed Racer, EPiC; Elvis Presley in Concert, Bullet In the head and Hoppers covers

I test 4K Blu-ray for a living and these are the 4 discs I'm most looking forward to in June 2026 — one of which I think will be 'reference quality'

By James Davidson Published 5 June 26

June 2026 is another stacked month for 4k Blu-ray releases — I've picked four that I can't wait to get my hands on.

Samsung M80H (left) vs Samsung QN80H (right) showing a squirrel in a brightly colored bush. The QN80H shows higher brightness and more vibrant colors

Looking to buy a new Samsung mini-LED TV for the World Cup? I tested two side-by-side and it's an 'opportune time' to pick up 2025's flagship set with Prime Day coming up

By James Davidson Published 5 June 26

I compared the Samsung M80H mini-LED and Samsung QN80H Neo QLED TVs 2026 TVs side by side ready for the World Cup: it reminded me of the Samsung QN90F's greatness.

5 new 4K Blu-rays to add to your collection from May 2026

By James Davidson Published 2 June 26

For May 2026, I'm looking at 5 new 4K Blu-rays that could be added to your collection, which includes one of my most anticipated discs of all time.

The LG B6 (left) and LG G6 (right) showing an orange butterfly. Good colors on both TVs, but the G6 looks punchier.

I put the LG G6 and LG B6 OLED TVs side-by-side, and exploring the nuances of color depth and HDR brightness across the range makes me more certain than the LG C6 is the real star of 2026 — here’s how the flagship and budget OLED tech compares

By James Davidson Published 1 June 26

How does LG's flagship G6 OLED compare to its entry-level B6 OLED? I used my usual reference movie scenes to find out

6 Comments

LG B6 OLED TV with an owl on screen. The B6 delivers realistic textures, shown by the owl's feathers

LG B6 review: a great budget OLED TV, but not the upgrade I hoped for

By James Davidson Published 30 May 26

Recommended

The LG B6 brings B-series brightness to a new level with great performance and features, but a couple of setbacks stop it from being truly perfect.

LG C6 with a field of red flowers and a single yellow flower in the centre of the field on screen

The LG C6 OLED TV is my dark horse pick for a World Cup winner — I said it ‘sets the bar for TVs in 2026’ in my review — and it’s already been discounted

By James Davidson Published 28 May 26

The LG C6 has only been around for a few weeks, but we're already seeing some big discounts: perfect timing for the World Cup!

Samsung HW-Q990H soundbar system with the soundbar in front, subwoofer behind and rear speakers stacked on subwoofer

Samsung HW-Q990H review: a soundbar system that brings a real Dolby Atmos experience to your home

By James Davidson Published 28 May 26

Editor's Choice

The Samsung HW-Q990H is yet another awesome entry in Samsung's flagship soundbar lineage, delivering a full Dolby Atmos experience at home.

A shot of the narrator up-close from the Fight Club 4K Blu-ray on LG G5 OLED. Skin tones look realistic and there's strong contrast and shadows across the narrator's face

The long-awaited Fight Club 4K Blu-ray has finally arrived — but not only is it missing Dolby Atmos and Vision, it's also been the subject of controversy on Reddit due to David Fincher's changes

By James Davidson Published 27 May 26

Fight Club has arrived on 4K Blu-ray and while it's been hotly anticipated, it's been met with some controversy on Reddit

8 Comments

A home theater with plush gray seats and a bright projector screen

You think your World Cup TV setup is good? This custom 9.4.4-channel Dolby Atmos home theater was designed for sports, with a unique smart 'Football Mode' and powerful sound that's probably louder than a real stadium crowd

By James Davidson Published 25 May 26

This CEDIA EMEA award-winning home cinema isn't just great for movies: it's perfect for the World Cup too!

LG B5 OLED TV with Battlefield V and game optimizer menu on screen

The Memorial Day sales look like your last chance to get the LG B5 OLED TV with a big discount, because it's starting to sell out — and after testing the LG B6 model that replaces it, I think the B5 is much better value

By James Davidson Published 24 May 26

The LG B5 was one of my favorite OLEDs to test in 2025 and it's easily one of the best budget models you can get: but stocks are running low!

We recommend mini-LED TVs over OLED TVs if you're looking for a big-screen World Cup upgrade — here's why

By James Davidson Published 23 May 26

Mini-LED TVs are the better bet for your World Cup viewing, and there are a few key reasons why.

Samsung HW-Q800F with 4K UHD Blu-rays on shelf beneath it

As TechRadar's TV tester, I've created 4 TV and soundbar setups to suit every budget — just in time for the World Cup

By James Davidson Published 18 May 26

With the World Cup only weeks away, I've put together four TV and soundbar combos to suit every budget to upgrade your setup

The LG B6 (left) and LG B5 (right) showing a shot of a city skyline at sunset on screen. Both TVs have good contrast, but the B6 has brighter highlights

I tested the LG B6 and LG B5 OLED TVs side by side — and it was a mess that's mostly just given me a fresh appreciation for the LG C6

By James Davidson Published 16 May 26

The LG B6 had a lot to live up to as the B5 was one of my top OLED TVs of 2025. Putting them side by side didn't go as I expected…

This Hisense TV is my affordable TV pick for the World Cup — but this could be your last chance to buy it

By James Davidson Published 11 May 26

A mini-LED TV can provide a real upgrade to your World Cup, and thankfully, one of my top picks is on an awesome deal right now.

LG C6 (left) and LG G5 (right) with a shot of an owl on-screen. Both TVs deliver the shot with real precision and authenticity.

I’m a certified TV calibrator, and I tested the LG C6 and LG G5 OLEDs side-by-side to see which is better value — and I was surprised by the result

By James Davidson Published 10 May 26

With the LG C6's launch imminent, is it better value than last year's flagship G5? I tested the two side-by-side to find out

3 Comments

Looking for a new Dolby Atmos soundbar in time for the World Cup? Here are my top 4 picks, with models from Samsung, Sonos, and Hisense

By James Davidson Published 9 May 26

Complete your World Cup experience with an audio upgrade with a new soundbar: here are my four current picks.

3 Comments

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from Apple's iPhone AI payout to Google's all-new Fitbit

By Hamish Hector Published 9 May 26

Here's the biggest tech news from Apple, Nintendo, Google, and more for May 9, 2026.

The LG C6 OLED TV with a green and yellow butterfly on a leaf on screen. The butterfly's colors are bold, punchy and accurate

LG C6 review: a brighter, faster and more accurate-looking OLED TV

By James Davidson Published 6 May 26

Editor's Choice

The LG C6 is a great upgrade over the already fantastic LG C5, and another blockbuster entry in the C-series OLED lineage.

2 Comments

James Davidson

Articles by: James Davidson

Useful links