As a big 4K Blu-ray fan, it was a delight to visit the team at Silver Salt restoration several weeks ago, where I learned about the 4K Blu-ray restoration and HDR mastering process. I looked at the meticulous restoration work that goes into taking a film from its negatives, all the way to the finished product we collectors have stuffing our shelves.

During my visit, I got to speak to the team and hear their in-depth knowledge and expertise, and while we discuss plenty of movies and projects Silver Salt had worked on, the main movie I was there to discuss was the 1958 Hammer classic Dracula (known as Horror of Dracula in the US) starring Christopher Lee as the titular vampire, with Peter Cushing as Van Helsing.

Arguably Hammer’s most iconic movie and easily one of Silver Salt’s biggest projects, I saw a glimpse into the work being done to bring this classic flick to new life.

A painstaking restoration

For a more in-depth look at the initial stages before the restoration process (table inspection, cleaning and scanning) check out my previous article here. Once the digital files have been scanned in, these DPX files are handed over to the restoration artists, who must then go through the painstaking process of removing excess dirt, tidying up film grain (but not too much) and a general maintenance and tidy on each individual frame.

After being shown some of the work that goes into this restoration process on other titles (which you can again read about in my previous article) I speak with Paul Gowlett, the Project Lead for Hammer at Silver Salt Restoration. He’s overseeing Dracula and gives me a glimpse into the work that’s gone into revitalising this Hammer classic.

One particularly arduous process he shows me involves the movie’s opening sequence (a shot of the exterior of the castle, walking amongst some tombstones). During this shot, which lasts approximately 90 seconds, Gowlett points to the bottom of his monitor and points out a hair.

“It was part of the original presentation of the film, but was a production issue of the cleaning the camera gate, it is not intentional” he tells me. This brings me back to an earlier conversation I’d had with Anthony Badger, Head of Restoration at Silver Salt. He said “It can be a bit of an ethical dilemma on how much we intervene, but we need to consider if an extreme problem will take you out of the story.” Although the hair was part of the ‘original film’ it could serve as a distraction.

A shot of Christopher Lee as Dracula, with the original file on the left and the remaster on the right, the latter of which shows much more color and depth

Original raw file

Remastered

Gowlett informed me that each individual digital frame had to be checked for this hair. Each frame was removed digitally by using information from frames from later on in the shot, leading to the final image. The final result: a staggering 2000 frames. When I asked Gowlett how long it had taken him to remove this hair, he said several days. All for 90 seconds of footage. It was just a clear indication of how much work had gone into this project.

The other issue the team found with the original film (which was prevalent in the digital files) was a heavy amount of yellow staining. This yellow staining was only apparent when isolating the ‘blue channel of the image’ in the restoration process. Along with the hair and this staining, the team also made sure to ‘de-flicker’ the image to make the colours more stable throughout.

A stunning grade and updated soundtrack

Once the restoration work is complete, the files are handed over for grading. Dracula is being handled by Ray King, Head of Film at Silver Salt, while also being overseen by Mark Stanborough, Head of Restoration, Hammer Films, but during my visit, it’s Ray’s grading I’m seeing in action.

King has worked on most, if not all, of the Hammer titles handled by Silver Salt. He shows me how Peter Cushing’s skin tone has taken on a red tint after applying the HDR grade, saying how it’s the old stage makeup used during these sorts of productions being picked up during the grade. With some alterations, the result looks natural and lifelike, breathing new life into all characters in the clips I saw.

I’m also shown the opening title sequence again, only this time with the blood-red ‘Dracula’ text overlaid. To get this, King had to separate out the picture and the words into two separate layers, to get that blood-red color on the words themselves. He told me the color of the titles had faded, so he separated the layers and grades here to get the colors worthy of the words.

Color fade was an issue with the original raw files, but the HDR remastered grade revistlized these colors

Original raw file

Remastered

Color fade was also true of the original elements that had been scanned in. A lot of the beautiful, bold colors weren’t popping as much and after showing me the red, green and blue waveforms, which highlighted the colors' degradation, he then showed me the picture after the grade had been applied. The difference was staggering.

The ornate furnishings, particularly a set of lush, velvet red curtains, now dazzled thanks to HDR. Instances of blood popped on screen and even clothing had a more dynamic, modern-day look to them. Again though, it was the skin tones of the people on screen that really impressed me, as this seemed to give the movie an almost-modern look. “Once we’re done, some of these movies like they could have been filmed last week” King says, rightfully admiring the HDR grade before us.

Even darker scenes have been given a facelift. Black tones are richer, deeper and, when paired with candlelight or lamps, create strong contrast that would look superb on some of the best OLED TVs. The grade in every clip I’m shown is nothing short of masterful and having tested multiple Hammer titles as part of the Blu-ray Bounty, Dracula is set to be the best.

I discussed with Stanborough later on about the new 5.1 soundtrack, something that’s been included with those other Hammer titles I tested. Stanborough talked to me about the process.

To achieve the 5.1 surround, AI was used to split the dialogue and music tracks before being mixed in a studio. “60-70% of the film is in surround, which is quite nice” but he also stressed the importance of “trying not to go too far and staying sympathetic to the original theatrical experience”.

When the movie returns to cinemas on 16th October (on a two week run until 1st November), viewers will experience the 5.1 soundtrack and HDR grade. The 4K disc lands on 23rd November, but whether you can get along to a cinema screening or are getting the 4K disc for your collection, after what I’ve seen and heard, fans will be in for a treat.

Dracula is in UK cinemas now, with the 4K UHD Limited Edition and Standard Editions arriving 23rd November. Check here for your nearest screenings.

• For now you need to build the feature yourself on a Mac
• Native Player delivers similar audio but isn't open source
• Proposed as an extension to the Nuvio media player

A clever developer has come up with a way to deliver lossless Dolby TrueHD movie soundtracks, complete with Dolby Atmos effects, to home theater speakers from the third-gen Apple TV 4K.

The Apple TV only officially supports Dolby Digital Plus, which is the more compressed Dolby audio codec used by streaming services to reduce the amount of data used, while Dolby TrueHD is used on Blu-rays where bandwidth isn't a problem. So it makes sense for the Apple TV 4K to only use Dolby Digital Plus, since it's a streaming device — but that doesn't stop the enthusiasts from wanting the flexibility of playing files with TrueHD audio on their devices.

The system that Reddit user Agathorpt used to deliver Dolby TrueHD through the Apple TV 4K requires not actually delivering it in TrueHD at all, but converting it to other formats, converting the Dolby Atmos positional data into other formats too, then recombining them in a format that the Apple TV 4K can deliver, but in a higher quality.

How they got TrueHD Atmos on the Apple TV 4K

As mentioned above, the audio takes a bit of a journey here. The path is:

TrueHD Atmos → decoded audio + timed object metadata → fixed 9.1.6 speaker render → APAC → native tvOS playback.

APAC is Apple's Positional Audio Codec, and while it's not truly lossless (the source audio, TrueHD, is a lossless format but APAC is not) the consensus is that the results here are really impressive.

Basically, the system decodes the audio and the 3D Atmos positioning data separately, creates a new audio system where the Atmos effects are mapped to a 9.1.6-channel speaker configuration, then converts that to Apple's own proprietary spatial audio codec, which can then be played by the Apple TV 4K.

The goal was to replicate the audio functionality of a closed-source app called Native Player with an open-source alternative because "keeping the implementation closed… leaves everyone dependent on that vendor for fixes and future support," Agathorpt says. "Other players can't reuse or improve that code, and the community can't independently inspect how it handles the audio."

"The spatial audio has been working amazingly well for me," Agathorpt says. "It sounds excellent on my setup." Other redditors have tried the same software and are reporting great results too.

In order to copy what Agathorpt has created, you'd need several things: a Mac; Apple's Xcode development software; and your own Apple development account to sign an app: the full steps they went through are detailed here. The Apple TV 4K needs to be running tvOS 26 or later, and of course you'll also need movie files with 48kHz TrueHD Atmos audio.

There is hope from home theater enthusiasts that Agathorpt's project will be implemented in the Nuvio player for everyone and in other tvOS apps too, but for now you'll need to build it yourself. It doesn't seem too difficult to do, but if you're not the technical type you might want to wait for it to roll out as part of the app. It's been proposed for addition so hopefully that won't take too long.

Agathorpt is at pains to point out that they didn't write the software projects used in this process. It builds on the work of others, especially Superuser404notfound's work on the AetherEngine media engine and LibTrueHD object audio decoder.

One assumes that this will work with the new Apple TV 4K (2026) that Apple just announced too, though its price hike and lack of big new AV features means fans aren't particularly enamored.

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Sony Bravia 9 II review: Two-minute review

RGB TVs, called ‘True RGB LED’ here by Sony, are still in their infancy, with RGB regularly touted as the technology that will topple OLED at the top of the TV mountain — and of the few I’ve tested so far, the Sony Bravia 9 II is the one that comes closest to succeeding. It takes everything I liked about the step-down Sony Bravia 7 II (also True RGB LED) and levels it up, including picture quality, sound and gaming performance, all of which are up there with the best TVs of 2026.

The Bravia 9 II’s picture quality is its crowning achievement. It delivers vibrant yet accurate-looking colors which make movies pop, fluid motion that’s great for sports and, with its anti-glare matte screen, it’s perfect for bright-room viewing too. Its most impressive elements, though, are its contrast and reproduction of dark tones, which are arguably the best I’ve seen from a backlit TV — if this is what RGB is capable of now, then expect it to rival the very best OLED TVs. While viewing angles could still be better, and some blooming exists, this is an excellent backlit TV.

The Bravia 9 II’s built-in sound is strong overall. Its speakers deliver remarkable detail, with a good sense of space that fills a room more than most TV speakers, and it delivers clear speech. I did find its bass and low-end lacking however, and it didn’t deliver the power I expected; so while the speakers are good enough that you don’t necessarily need one of the best soundbars, cinephiles may want to invest.

Gaming is another of the Bravia 9 II’s strong suits. It comes with a comprehensive set of features, (though sadly only has two HDMI 2.1 ports out of its four HDMIs available), and delivers great overall performance that handles even the fastest-paced games well.

The Bravia 9 II’s major downside is its price. At $3,599 / £3,499 / AU$5,995 for the 65-inch model I tested, this is one of the most expensive TVs on the market, at around a full $500 / £500 / AU$750-1000 dollars more than both rival OLEDs and other RGB TVs. And prices are unlikely to drop, as Sony doesn’t often discount its TVs, so if you’re looking for the best value you may want to go elsewhere, despite this TV’s excellent performance.

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Prices & release date

• Release date: August 2026
• 65-inch: $3,599.99 / £3,499.99 / AU$5,995
• 75-inch: $4,599.99 / £4,299.99 / AU$7,495
• 85-inch: $6,499.99 / £5,499.99 / AU$9,995
• 115-inch: $30,999.99 / £22,999.99 / AU$44,995

The Bravia 9 II is Sony’s flagship RGB LED TV for 2026, sitting above the Sony Bravia 7 II. It’s available in 65, 75, 85 and 115-inch sizes. The 65-inch model I tested launched for $3,599.99 / £3,499.99 / AU$5,995, putting it at the premium end of the market.

At the time of writing (October 2026), the Bravia 9 II’s prices remain unchanged in the US and UK, but in Australia prices have dropped across the 65-85-inch sizes, with the 65-inch now available for AU$4,795.

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Specs

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Benchmark results

Previous

1 / 4

Next

Brightness Measurements

Taken using a colorimeter and test pattern generator. Click the test name for measurements and select the chosen test from the dropdown menu.

HDR Filmmaker modeHDR StandardSDR Filmmaker ModeSDR Standard

Sony Bravia 9 II

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

4416

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

974

Samsung R95H

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

1977

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

612

Sony Bravia 7 II

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

1114

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

829

01,5003,0004,5006,000

nits

HDR Filmmaker mode Data

Product	HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window) (nits)	HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen) (nits)
Sony Bravia 9 II	4416	974
Samsung R95H	1977	612
Sony Bravia 7 II	1114	829

Sony Bravia 9 II

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

4044

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

903

Samsung R95H

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

2066

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

600

Sony Bravia 7 II

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

1295

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

788

01,5003,0004,5006,000

nits

HDR Standard Data

Product	HDR Standard Mode (10% window) (nits)	HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen) (nits)
Sony Bravia 9 II	4044	903
Samsung R95H	2066	600
Sony Bravia 7 II	1295	788

Sony Bravia 9 II

SDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

105

SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

110

Samsung R95H

SDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

115

SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

185

Sony Bravia 7 II

SDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

90

SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

94

050100150200

nits

SDR Filmmaker Mode Data

Product	SDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window) (nits)	SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen) (nits)
Sony Bravia 9 II	105	110
Samsung R95H	115	185
Sony Bravia 7 II	90	94

Sony Bravia 9 II

SDR Standard Mode (10% window)

821

SDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

703

Samsung R95H

SDR Standard Mode (10% window)

413

SDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

187

Sony Bravia 7 II

SDR Standard Mode (10% window)

608

SDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

476

02505007501,000

nits

SDR Standard Data

Product	SDR Standard Mode (10% window) (nits)	SDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen) (nits)
Sony Bravia 9 II	821	703
Samsung R95H	413	187
Sony Bravia 7 II	608	476

HDR color gamut

Closer to 100% is better. Taken using a colorimeter and test pattern generator.

Sony Bravia 9 II

UHDA-P3

95.6

BT.2020

88.4

Samsung R95H

UHDA-P3

148

BT.2020

94.1

Sony Bravia 7 II

UHDA-P3

99.2

BT.2020

87.7

037.575112.5150

HDR Filmmaker mode Data

Product	UHDA-P3 ()	BT.2020 ()
Sony Bravia 9 II	95.6	88.4
Samsung R95H	148	94.1
Sony Bravia 7 II	99.2	87.7

Picture accuracy

A lower score is better. Taken using a colorimeter and test pattern generator.

Delta-E

Sony Bravia 9 II

5.3

Samsung R95H

3.7

Sony Bravia 7 II

6.5

01234567

Delta-E Data

Product	Value
Sony Bravia 9 II	5.3
Samsung R95H	3.7
Sony Bravia 7 II	6.5

Input lag

Lower is better. Taken using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Video Signal Lag Tester.

Sony Bravia 9 II

4K 60Hz

9.8

1080p 120Hz

5.2

Samsung R95H

4K 60Hz

11.7

1080p 120Hz

9.4

Sony Bravia 7 II

4K 60Hz

10.4

1080p 120Hz

5.7

03.757.511.2515

ms

HDR Filmmaker mode Data

Product	4K 60Hz (ms)	1080p 120Hz (ms)
Sony Bravia 9 II	9.8	5.2
Samsung R95H	11.7	9.4
Sony Bravia 7 II	10.4	5.7

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Features

• RGB LED panel
• XR processor with AI features
• Google TV interface

The Bravia 9 II uses an RGB mini-LED panel (dubbed True RGB LED by Sony), which uses red, green and blue mini-LEDs, rather than the standard white you’ll find in regular mini-LED panels, to boost color reproduction.

It uses Sony’s XR Processor, which powers several AI picture features such as XR Clear Image AI for upscaling, as well as XR Motion Clarity, which analyzes movement on screen to produce a clearer, judder-free image.

In terms of HDR support, the Bravia 9 II supports Dolby Vision, but there’s no support for HDR10+. If you’re looking for a TV that supports both you’ll need to look at Hisense, TCL and Philips models. The Bravia 9 II also supports IMAX Enhanced content.

For audio, the Bravia 9 II has an 80W speaker system, consisting of two tweeters, two full-range speakers, two subwoofers and two beam tweeters. Several audio features, such as Voice Zoom 3, Auto Calibration and Acoustic Multi-Audio+, are included. There’s support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats too.

The Bravia 9 II has two fully-specced HDMI 2.1 ports set for gaming, with 4K 120Hz, VRR and ALLM support. Perfect For PS5 features are also present, including Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode.

Like all Sony TVs, the Bravia 9 II uses Google TV as its smart TV interface. This gives you access to all major apps such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus, and, in the UK, BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Google TV with Gemini is included, which can be controlled hands-free and recommend content.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Picture quality

• Excellent color reproduction
• Accurate, OLED-level blacks
• Some mild blooming off-axis

The Bravia 9 II’s measured brightness is fantastic. In Cinema and Professional mode (the latter is the closest to Filmmaker Mode) it hit 4,180 nits and 4,416 nits peak HDR brightness respectively. This puts it at double what rival flagship RGB TVs like the Samsung R95H hit (1,977 nits in its own Filmmaker Mode).

It also delivers superb fullscreen brightness, hitting 974 nits HDR brightness in Cinema and Professional modes. It even delivers big SDR numbers, hitting 703 nits fullscreen SDR brightness in Standard and 656 nits in Cinema, making it a great choice for broadcast TV in bright rooms.

Speaking of bright rooms, the Bravia 9 II demonstrates much better handling of mirror-like reflections than the step-down Sony Bravia 7 II, which I found quite reflective in our testing lab. When I viewed the Bravia 9 II and Samsung R95H side-by-side, the Bravia 9 II’s own matte screen was seriously effective.

The Bravia 9 II did a good job of upscaling SDR/HD content. Watching videos on YouTube, textures did look sharper, and although it wasn’t to a 4K-level, it was improved. Watching HD movies like Fight Club on Disney Plus, textures looked crisp and contrast was improved.

The Bravia 9 II, also demonstrated excellent picture quality with 4K Blu-ray reference discs. Its color reproduction during The Super Mario Galaxy Movie was gorgeous, with deep, rich colors that really popped on-screen. Any time the Lumas appeared, they had a sense of depth to them, thanks to how bold their colors were.

Colors in live-action content looked similarly great. In Speed Racer, the bold aesthetic of the Racer family home, with orange doors, green and purple walls and yellow furnishings, not only looked vivid to suit the movie’s cartoon-ish nature, but also had a nice accuracy to them.

The Bravia 9 II’s HDR color gamut results were fantastic overall. It clocked 98.6% UHDA-P3 coverage, a number consistent with other mini-LED and OLED TVs, but most impressive was its 86.7% BT.2020 coverage. While I’ve tested higher on some RGB TVs, this puts the Bravia 9 II in line with QD-OLED models.

Another area where the Bravia 9 II impressed was its contrast and black-tone reproduction. In The Batman, as Bruce works in the Batcave, the monitors on his desk were bright, and contrasted well with the dark tones in the surrounding walls and crevices. The Bravia 9 II’s peak brightness meant HDR highlights, such as overhead lamps, really dazzled on screen, and this didn’t come at the expense of dark tones.

In Project Hail Mary, scenes of space demonstrated just how good the Bravia 9 II’s black levels were, especially for a backlit-TV. In theory, OLED has an advantage when it comes to reproducing deep blacks, in that it uses individually controlled pixels, but I found that the Bravia 9 II rivalled most OLEDs. Not only were black levels deep, but there were few signs of blooming when viewing head-on, with the Bravia 9 II showing superb backlight control.

It’s no surprise that the Bravia 9 II’s black tones were good, as when I measured its out-of-the-box grayscale accuracy, it hit a staggering 0.92 in Cinema mode. Anything below 3 is indiscernible to the human eye, and a number like this rivals most OLEDs.

The Bravia 9 II delivers great motion as well. Watching soccer with the TV set to Standard mode, it was able to handle the fast-paced action with minimal signs of judder, though it’s best to set the motion settings to Custom and set Smoothness and Clearness to 1, as at the full 2 the TV could sometimes be aggressive with its processing. For movies, with the TV set to Cinema, action always looked smooth. Watching Speed Racer, the Bravia 9 II handled the swerving cars, and even the commentators panning across the screen, well.

It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Bravia 9 II, however. Viewed off-center, signs of blooming crept back in, with halos of light appearing around bright objects on dark backgrounds. Although there was still significantly less blooming than you’d find on other mini-LEDs, OLED still takes the crown for off-angle viewing.

• Picture quality score: 5 / 5

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Sound quality

• Excellent detail
• Great virtual surround-sound processing
• Bass could be better

Sony’s TVs are often among the very best for built-in sound, so I had high expectations for the Bravia 9 II and spoiler alert, it mostly lived up to them. The Bravia 9 II 65-inch I tested uses a multi-speaker array consisting of two beam tweeters, two frame tweeters, two mid-range drivers and two subwoofers.

Watching the Penguin/Batmobile chase from The Batman, I was impressed most of all by the Bravia 9 II’s detail. As the Batmobile glides in and out of traffic, there were lots of effects I’d not been able to hear when watching the movie on other TVs, such as the creaking of tall lorries, the wind whipping past the Batmobile as debris fell around it, and the clattering of metal. The same was true with effects you’d hear in height channels, such as rain, which wasn’t crystal clear, but was still audible — no mean feat for TV speakers.

The Bravia 9 II also showcased very good virtual spatial sound, with the sound extending beyond the screen to create a somewhat immersive experience. Speech was also clear throughout, with the Penguin’s shouting audible even amid the chaos of the scene.

One area where the Bravia 9 II is lacking, however, is its bass. For such a large-framed TV with two subwoofers, I expected more punch in the lower tone range. The Batmobile’s engines had some heft to them, but it didn’t have the rumble I was looking for. This isn’t uncommon for a TV, but I was surprised that in this case it was one of Sony’s models that was lacking.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Design

• Sturdy but weighty build
• Thicker than other TVs
• Looks premium

Like several other RGB models I’ve tested, the Bravia 9 II is bulkier than a lot of other TVs. The Bravia 9 II’s frame is chunkier and deeper than you’d expect for a modern TV, so this is something to bear in mind if you’re going to be fitting it into a tight space. It’s weighty as well — this 65-inch TV is easily one of the heaviest I’ve set up.

That said, the Bravia 9 II still looks like a premium TV, with a central pedestal stand consisting of three metal components that feel and look appropriate for a TV of this price. The stand also comes with a clear bit of plastic that can be attached to the rear of the stand to create what the brand calls a ‘mirage effect’, where the stand seemingly disappears when viewed head-on, to give the TV a floating effect.

The Bravia 9 II’s supplied remote is perfectly serviceable, with shortcut buttons to major apps like Netflix and buttons laid out in a standard format. However, it feels lightweight and cheap, which is disappointing for a TV in this price range. It does however use USB-C charging, similar to Samsung and Hisense’s remotes, which is a nice touch.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Smart TV & menus

• Google TV interface
• Tons of picture settings
• Google home page quite cluttered

The Bravia 9 II uses Google TV as its smart TV platform, with access to major apps including Netflix and Disney Plus, and, in the UK, to major UK apps like BBC iPlayer and ITVX. There’s also the option of hands-free control via Google Assistant, and the TV is compatible with Google Cast, Alexa and Apple Airplay2.

Google TV’s home page is a good hub for recommending relevant content, as well making content you’re watching easy to find, particularly on YouTube. One issue with the home page, which Google TV has had for a while, is that its large banner ads can make the screen look cluttered, and push your apps further down the screen.

The Bravia 9 II has a comprehensive suite of settings, especially for adjusting the picture. There are plentiful settings to enable you to tailor the picture to your liking, and while some of these are a little hidden (the ambient light sensor is in a totally separate menu for example), the menus are mostly easy to navigate and use. While I don’t find Google TV as aesthetically pleasing or easy to use as LG’s webOS, Samsung’s One UI Tizen, or Roku, it’s a perfectly fine smart TV system.

• Smart TV & menus score: 4 / 5

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Gaming

• 9.8ms input lag time
• Good performance overall
• Only two HDMI 2.1 ports

The Bravia 9 II has a good array of gaming features, supporting 4K 120Hz, VRR, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM, as well as Perfect for PS5 features including Auto HDR Tone Mapping. Sadly, only two of its four HDMI ports are 2.1 compatible for gaming, which is still a step behind a lot of other rival TVs from LG, Samsung, Hisense, and TCL.

I measured the Bravia 9 II’s input lag at 9.8ms (4K 60Hz), which is a nice improvement over other Sony TVs I’ve tested, including the brand’s Bravia 8 II flagship OLED, which registered 16.8ms (also in 4K 60Hz).

Actual gameplay on the Bravia 9 II is very smooth. When I played Battlefield V, movement felt fluid and responsive, with the Bravia 9 II showing no judder during a chaotic desert mission where I dodged enemy fire while jumping in and out of vehicles. I did notice that during some particularly fast-paced action, where I sprinted across the battlefield, there was a slight blurring of finer details, but overall the game looked great, with the Bravia 9 II’s excellent picture quality for movies translating over to games.

• Gaming score: 4.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Value

• Premium price
• Pricier than rival RGBs and OLEDs
• Great performance for the money

There’s no denying that the Bravia 9 II is a premium-priced TV. It sits at the top end of the market and is pricier than most, if not all, of its major rivals. The 65-inch model I tested costs $3,599 / £3,499 / AU$5,999, which is pricier than a flagship OLED like the LG G6, the 65-inch model of which costs $2,499 / £2,699 / AU$4,999. It’s pricier than even the Samsung R95H, that brand’s flagship RGB TV, with its 65-inch costing $2,799 / £2,899 / AU$4,499.

Both those rival TVs have more features than the Bravia 9 II, especially for gaming, and they deliver very good performance in their own right. That being said, the Bravia 9 II is easily the most impressive RGB TV I’ve tested, delivering superb performance that exceeded my expectations. It’s just a shame that you’re paying a premium for that performance — and based on Sony’s history when it comes to pricing, it’s unlikely that the Bravia 9 II’s price will fall into line with competitors.

• Value score: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Sony Bravia 9 II?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also Consider

How I tested the Sony Bravia 9 II

• Tested over several weeks
• Tested using different SDR and HDR sources and in varying lighting conditions
• Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software

After spending a few days establishing the Bravia 9 II's best pictures modes (Cinema for brighter rooms and HDR content, Professional for dark-room viewing, and Standard for sport and SDR TV), I watched reference movies and TV shows to test its picture and sound quality.

I used 4K Blu-rays to analyze its color, contrast, detail, motion and backlight control. I also used 4K Blu-rays to analyze its built-in sound quality, in particular using a scene from The Batman.

For gaming, I used an Xbox Series X and played Battlefield V.

Once these tests were complete, I took measurements using a Murideo Six G 8K test pattern generator, Jeti Spectral 15VA Spectroradiometer and Klein K-10A colorimeter (profiled together) and used Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software to take said measurements.

Brightness measurements were taken using white window patterns in both SDR and HDR, noting results for windows 1-100% in size. These were taken in the TV's Professional, Cinema and Standard modes.

Next, I analyzed its HDR color gamut coverage using both the UHDA-P3 (the standard used to master 4K Blu-ray and digital cinema releases) and BT.2020 ( a wide color-gamut format) color spaces.

After this, I measured the Bravia 9 II's color and grayscale accuracy using the Delta-E averages, which measures the difference between the source test pattern and what's shown on screen.

Finally, I analyzed its input lag in both 4K 60Hz and 1080p 120Hz using a Leo Bodnar 4K HMDI Input Lag Tester.

Read our in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar.

• First reviewed: October 2026
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

• The UK government could extend the BBC's licensing fee to include streaming platforms, clamping down on fee dodgers
• This means if you want to watch Netflix, Disney+, or YouTube, you'll need to pay the £180 annual TV license fee
• The changes are set to be announced before Christmas

The UK government could make a major change to the BBC licensing fee in just a few months, extending it to include the best streaming services — what is being referred to as the ‘YouTube tax’.

The annual £180 licensing fee, which is free for over 75s and discounted for visually impaired viewers, is the BBC’s main funding model, which UK residents must pay if they watch live broadcasting and on-demand content on a television, even if they don’t watch titles from the BBC itself.

Paying the fee gives viewers access to all kinds of televised programming, but the proposed changes could soon bring services like Netflix, Disney+, and even YouTube into the agreement, which aren’t currently included.

The Independent says a BBC charter renewal will be released before Christmas, which will highlight the government's proposed changes to the current funding model in further detail.

Why is this happening?

While most residents contribute to the licensing fee, there are a handful of households that avoid paying the annual charge by logging onto the internet on mobile devices and computers to view content.

The UK government’s proposal would crack down on this loophole by throwing digital media platforms into the mix. Since most viewers rely on televisions and streaming devices to watch content on these services, it would mean that even if you don't watch BBC iPlayer, you'll still need to pay a license fee if you want to stream content from platforms such as Netflix on your TV.

A Whitehall source speaking with The Independent shared that the idea was put forward ‘because people are able to use them to avoid paying currently’. ‘It’s not fair that people are essentially able to watch television content but avoid the licence fee,’ they added. Essentially, the easier it is to dodge the fee, less people will pay, which sounds alarm bells for the BBC’s funding.

The BBC is currently going through a rough period after unveiling that a staggering ‘539,000 fewer TV licences were in force in the year to 31 March 2026’, as The Independent reports. The outlet also shared that the BBC saw a drop of two million licenses over the past five years.

Speaking with The Independent, a BBC spokesperson elaborated on the proposed changes: ‘We have consistently argued that the current funding model is outdated and needs reform. We will continue to engage with government to secure a new charter that provides sustainable, sufficient and universal funding so the BBC can deliver for audiences for generations to come’.

Where is the money going?

As the situation currently stands, the license fee remains at £180 per year, but neither the UK government nor the BBC has said whether this charge will increase if the proposed changes were to roll out. We’re assuming that more information will be announced when the charter renewal is published in a few months; however, what we do know is what the BBC intends to do with the money it generates from the streaming platform-inclusive licensing agreement.

While a portion of licensing fee revenue is invested in BBC programming, including drama shows as well as broadcasting, the Whitehall source says that funding local journalism is one of the company’s priorities when it comes to spending. Additionally, the money will also help to combat misinformation and fake news, which the source says has been the catalyst for the rise of political parties such as Reform across the country.

What does this mean for the BBC and its viewers?

If the government proposal comes to fruition, it will introduce a handful of changes to both viewers and the BBC alike. We reached out to Richard Broughton, Executive Director at Ampere Analysis, who put the deal into context.

'If the conclusion from policy-makers is that a strong BBC is needed in the current market — for protection of the UK content industry, for ensuring relevant content for each of the nations is created, for ensuring news output remains solid, etc — then the BBC's funding mechanism needs changing,' he shared.

He also says that replacing/ topping the licensing fee would be quite a challenge, telling us the following:

'Applying it as a tax on all households is feasible, but the design of the license fee as independent to tax and reviewed only at periodic intervals is specifically structured to ensure that the BBC's funding is ring-fenced and separated from wider budgetary discussions. A clearly independent public service broadcaster has strong democratic advantages, and maintaining this independence with a tax-based regime could be more challenging'.

Switching to an advertising model is also out of the question, Broughton believes, which would not only have to be 'supplementary to a license fee-based model' but 'would be detrimental to commercial players already under some stress'. Think ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, etc.

If you're a TV viewer who's stopped paying for the licensing fee, there's a slight financial risk with secondary paid services that Broughton highlights. 'In this instance, the additional £180/year will effectively be taken from their disposable income, and they will need to make decisions about what they spend less on — which could impact paid products that the household judges as non-essential (but equally could affect broader entertainment or leisure spending)'.

When it comes down to the possible rollout of the changes, Broughton believes there could be enforcement challenges. 'Identifying who should be paying the license fee would require streaming service providers to report names/addresses centrally to TV Licensing - else evasion may remain a significant issue for the BBC,' he concludes.

• LG's FLiPP tech could deliver Tandem OLED performance for much less
• Will arrive on smaller displays first, don't expect it on TVs for several years
• Production for laptop and monitor screens could start in 2027

If you're a fan of OLED, there's an exciting new acronym you need to know: FLiPP. It stands for FMM-Less innovative Pixel Patterning, and the FMM bit refers to fine metal masks. Those are normally used in OLED manufacturing to precisely place the organic emissive materials.

With FLiPP, there's no mask. Instead, the materials are deposited across the glass, given a protective layer and then refined using photolithography and etching to get rid of the unwanted sections.

The biggest single advantage to FLiPP is efficiency. According to trade site The Elec, LG Display found that the tech increased the utilization rate – the efficiency of the production – from 75% in a conventional FMM process to over 93% in a FLiPP process.

That's good news for us, because more efficient production means lower production costs. And that ultimately means we could see much better OLEDs without higher prices.

FLiPP also improved utilization of the organic emissive materials from 40% to 74%, boosted the pixel aperture ratio (how much of the pixel area emits light) to 65%, and enabled the light-emitting area to boost luminance by 1.6x, longevity by 2.4x or reduce power consumption by 13%.

So that means these OLED screens can brighter, or they can be more reliable, or they can use less power, depending on the preference of the device. But in the near future, those devices will almost certainly be laptops and monitors, and not TVs — sadly for those desperate for the price of the best OLED TVs to drop.

What the FLiPP?

LG Display's Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Choi Young-seok says that the technology is still in the first development stage. The next stage would be developing actual products, and the third stage is mass production.

That third stage will initially concentrate on the monitor market where displays are smaller — the improved efficiency figures mentioned above were for 23.5-inch panels — but laptops are apparently on the cards as well. LG Display has said it expects to reach this point by late 2027 — so the first products might appear at CES 2028.

According to Cho Heung-ryeol, who is the head of the Next-Generation Display Division, LG Display is currently evaluating its existing LCD and WOLED production lines to see if they can be reused without major modifications, or if new plant would need to be purchased. The former option is of course the preferred one. Either way, LG Display still plans for production to start in around a year.

If you'd like to know more about the technical side of FLiPP and how it compares to other OLED manufacturing processes, The Elec has published a transcript of LG Display's online seminar and you can read it here.

• Xgimi Horizon 30 series of projectors launches, with up to 6,000 ISO lumens of brightness and contrast up to 10,000:1
• 4K at 120Hz supported, with variable refresh rate and auto low latency mode also available
• Built-in Harman Kardon speakers with DTS Virtual:X support

Xgimi has introduced a trio of triple-laser home projectors, each of which delivers 4K at up to 120Hz. The brand says they deliver up to seven times the native contrast and twice the refresh rate of their predecessors, delivering greater depth in darker scenes and delivering fast-moving content much more smoothly.

The three models are branded Horizon 30 Pro, Horizon 30 Max and Horizon 30 Ultra Max, and prices begin at a very reasonable $1,899 (about £1,439 / AU$2,724). All three are considerably brighter than many of the best 4K projectors you can buy today.

The specifications are particularly appealing if like me you spend as much time gaming as you do watching TV shows or movies. All three models have a game mode with promised latency of 1ms at 1080p 240Hz and 3ms at 4K 60Hz.

XGIMI Horizon 30 Series projectors: key specifications and pricing

All three models are 4K 120Hz Google TV projectors with variable refresh rate (including AMD FreeSync) and auto low latency mode.

They all come with dual 12W Harman Kardon stereo speakers with DTS:VirtualX. Their light source is an RGB triple laser with a dual intelligent iris system that automatically optimizes the light for each scene, and there's support for for Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

Each model gets an integrated stand that tilts and rotates for optimum positioning, and there are both optical zoom and lens shift for flexibility. The Lens Memory feature can save details of up to five different setups, enabling you to quickly switch from a setup ideal for TV shows to one ideal for ultra-wide gaming or movies.

Where the models differ is in their brightness and associated contrast. The most affordable of the three, the Horizon 30 Pro, puts out up to 4,800 ISO lumens with native contrast of 8,000:1.

The Horizon 30 Max emits 5,300 ISO lumens and has native contrast of 9,000:1.

And the range-topping Horizon 30 Ultra Max delivers 10,000 ISO lumens and has native contrast of 10,000:1.

The pre-order prices are:

• Horizon 30 Pro: $1,899 (about £1,439 / AU$2,724)
• Horizon 30 Max: $2,499 (about £1,894 / AU$3,585)
• Horizon 30 Ultra Max: $2,999 (about £2,272 / AU$4,302)

Those prices are valid from October 12 through October 31 2026 at xgimi.com. Open sales begin on November 1 and the prices go up on that date to $2,499, $2,999 and $3,499 respectively (about £1,894 / £2,272 / £2,651 and AU$3,585 / AU$4,302 / AU$5,020).

Hisense U7: One-minute review

The Hisense U7 is a mid-market, mini-LED TV. It's very good for the price, not just in terms quality but features as well, while coming with a few limitations, most likely related to fitting this price in a time when tech costs are rising.

It’s always interesting reviewing a more mid-range TV like the Hisense U7, because it’s never the best in terms of build, picture quality, sound quality, features, and so on. However, a TV like this can get close enough, while coming in at a significantly lower price than the TVs usually touted as the best.

And in this particular way, I would suggest that the Hisense U7 is one of the best TVs out there purely in terms of value for money. Its picture quality is good enough, looking almost as good as the more expensive TVs from Hisense or TCL, except that there’s some color bleeding in certain situations, some minor vignetting (darkening at the edges), and slightly lower color accuracy.

Its sound quality is, likewise, good enough to skip a more basic soundbar, except that it lacks in the low end. If you're getting a big-screen model for a home theater setup, then obviously adding a meaty soundbar with rear speakers is going to be an improvement. But when it comes to just hearing solid sound out of the box, it works better than average.

It even has all the modern necessities, most specifically a fast refresh rate and a quick game menu to compete with the best gaming TVs (keeping those previous limitations in mind).

When it comes to great-value TVs in 2026, the Hisense U7 is definitely up there, but there's still a clear gulf between it and something like the TCL QM8L.

Hisense U7 review: Price and release date

• Release date? March 2026
• 55-inch: $799.99
• 65-inch: $999.99
• 75-inch: $1,299.99
• 85-inch: $1,699.99
• 100-inch: $2,999.99
• 116-inch: $19,999.99

In early March 2026, Hisense released the U7 Series along with U6 and U6 Pro. The U7 series might be the company’s sweet spot in terms of value. It’s not as pricey as the U8 that refreshed in 2025 and certainly not as expensive as Hisense’s RGB LED UR9 TV, but it’s more expensive than most of the rest of the company’s offerings.

Since then, prices have dropped and this still one of the best sub-$1,000 TVs you can get. The 65-inch, for instance, has an MSRP of $1,499.99, but has dropped to $999.99. The largest 116-inch size might cost $21,999.99 (let’s be real, you and I are not getting a 116-inch version of a mid-range TV), but you can still pick up the 85-inch version for $1,699.99, which for a TV with these specs in that size is good value. It's also likely that prices will continue to plummet over the coming months.

It's worth noting that there are in fact two versions of this TV: a Google TV and Fire TV model. I've seen the Fire TV 65-inch fall to $799.99 and while on paper these two TVs are the same, it's the Google model I'll be discussing here.

Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV review: Specs

Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV review: Benchmark results

Previous

1 / 4

Next

Brightness measurements

Taken using a colorimeter and test pattern generator. Click the test name for measurements and select the chosen test from the dropdown menu.

HDR Filmmaker ModeHDR StandardSDR Filmmaker ModeSDR Standard

Hisense U7

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

2866

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

793

Roku Pro Series (2025)

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

820

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

373

TCL QM7L

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

2270

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

723

07501,5002,2503,000

nits

HDR Filmmaker Mode Data

Product	HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window) (nits)	HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen) (nits)
Hisense U7	2866	793
Roku Pro Series (2025)	820	373
TCL QM7L	2270	723

Hisense U7

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

2891

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

782

Roku Pro Series (2025)

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

841

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

390

TCL QM7L

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

2491

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

774

07501,5002,2503,000

nits

HDR Standard Data

Product	HDR Standard Mode (10% window) (nits)	HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen) (nits)
Hisense U7	2891	782
Roku Pro Series (2025)	841	390
TCL QM7L	2491	774

Hisense U7

185

Roku Pro Series (2025)

434

TCL QM7L

196

0150300450600

nits

SDR Filmmaker Mode Data

Product	Value
Hisense U7	185
Roku Pro Series (2025)	434
TCL QM7L	196

Hisense U7

1994

Roku Pro Series (2025)

876

TCL QM7L

463

05001,0001,5002,000

nits

SDR Standard Data

Product	Value
Hisense U7	1994
Roku Pro Series (2025)	876
TCL QM7L	463

HDR color gamut

Closer to 100% is better. Taken using a colorimeter and test pattern generator.

Hisense U7

UHDA-P3

97.3

BT.2020

82.7

Roku Pro Series (2025)

UHDA-P3

96.9

BT.2020

80.6

TCL QM7L

UHDA-P3

97.6

BT.2020

90.3

0255075100

HDR Filmmaker Mode Data

Product	UHDA-P3 ()	BT.2020 ()
Hisense U7	97.3	82.7
Roku Pro Series (2025)	96.9	80.6
TCL QM7L	97.6	90.3

Picture accuracy

A lower score is better. Taken using a colorimeter and test pattern generator.

SDR Delta-E

Hisense U7

3

Roku Pro Series (2025)

2.5

TCL QM7L

2.6

0123

SDR Delta-E Data

Product	Value
Hisense U7	3
Roku Pro Series (2025)	2.5
TCL QM7L	2.6

Input lag

Lower is better. Taken using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Video Signal Lag Tester.

4K 60Hz

Hisense U7

9.8

Roku Pro Series (2025)

9.3

TCL QM7L

9.4

012345678910

ms

4K 60Hz Data

Product	Value
Hisense U7	9.8
Roku Pro Series (2025)	9.3
TCL QM7L	9.4

Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV review: Features

• Has all HDR formats except the IQ version of Dolby Vision
• Hands-free Google Gemini would be great if it weren’t inconsistent
• Can integrate into a Google Home smart home ecosystem

The Hisense U7 Series may not have everything but the kitchen sink as far as features go, but most of the important features we look for in a TV are here. Outside of Dolby Vision IQ, all the HDR formats are supported including regular Dolby Vision. Dolby Atmos, Surround Sound, etc. are supported as well. There’s even DTS Virtual:X for some virtualized spatial audio.

The focus for most modern TVs revolves around AI and this TV is no exception. There are the AI screensavers (you can also use pictures from your Google account as well), of course, but also automatic picture and sound mode switching, as well as the ability to change the brightness of the screen according to ambient light.

And as is the case with every Google TV, the voice assistant Google Gemini is available with hands-free control, meaning that I can talk to it to not only open apps, adjust the TV and settings, but ask the kinds of questions one would of Alexa (for example, “What’s the weather today?”).

Google Gemini is an LLM (language learning model), so it comes with the benefits and deficiencies of one. On the positive side, it’s very conversational in its interactions. You can even change the timbre and gender of the voice. On the negative side, there are plenty of inaccuracies, such as redirecting to the wrong streaming service when requesting a movie. For instance, I asked it to look up “Swept Away,” of which there is a 1974 version and a 2002 one. It would redirect me to Tubi for the 2002 one when I was trying to find the one from the ‘70s. And then it would say that the movie was available on Netflix, which, if once true, no longer is.

Relatedly, you can add the Hisense U7 to a Google Home ecosystem, even using it as a hub for controlling whatever is in your smart home system.

• Features Score: 4.5 / 5

Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV review: picture quality

• Comes with Film Maker Mode
• Saturated colors can bleed a little
• Brightness and color accuracy is good, not great

This is a mid-range TV and not a flagship so there will be some compromises. There’s the minor vignetting in the corners that I see on TVs like this — I even noticed some vignetting across the entire bottom once or twice, though this was not consistent. And sometimes colors can bleed together when a bunch of objects with the same color are next to each other — a field of red flowers, for instance.

Still, all the HDR formats one could want are here outside of Dolby Vision IQ, which adjusts the picture scene-by-scene depending on the ambient light of the viewing room, though Hisense has its own setting that does something similar. Similarly, there’s a picture mode for everything except IMAX including Film Maker Mode, meant to recreate “what the director initially intended”.

Its brightness of 185 nits (at 10% Window, Film Maker Mode), Delta > E of around 3, and peak luminance of 2866.854 (in Film Maker Mode) are decent if just a bit lower than the performance of TVs the next tier up like the TCL QM8L. Even its P3 HDR color gamut coverage of 96% is similar or just below some of the other TVs I’ve tested. Of course, its BT.2020 coverage is a very low 75%, though that will actually affect very few users (its not a standard that’s used for most content).

And during use, whether watching the Knicks and Spurs battle for the NBA Finals, a movie like Coco (a favorite one to test with for me), or playing Madden 26 or Star Wars: Outlaws on Playstation 5, the combination of these slightly less robust aspects of image quality still add up to a good screen for the price. I found the Hisense U7 almost as good as other screens, but with just a little less depth to its image.

• Picture quality score: 4 / 5

Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV review: sound quality

• Sounds good for a TV
• Lacks low-end
• Plenty of audio features

I feel like I’ve been saying this a lot lately, but the audio on this TV is good enough that you won’t feel the need to get a soundbar. Now, there are a couple caveats to that. We’re still talking about smaller speakers and a small subwoofer — the Hisense U7 Series has a 2.1.2 system built in — so there are limitations to the audio. If you want a home theater system, I would recommend adding one of the best home theater systems.

As far as the audio on this TV goes, I find that the high-end adds clarity without the harshness of cheaper TVs (again the actual speakers in these TVs are small) while the mid-range has a decent amount of body to it so that voices don’t disappear when there’s a bunch of music playing. There’s good low-mid response, too, so that it feels like the bass hasn’t completely disappeared.

But while I typically say mid-range TVs like this have decent sound for the price, it's just as typical that the low-end is mostly missing here. Explosions and the like in a movie like The Batman don’t have any impact or rumble to them, while a kick drum or bass in a song doesn’t thump the way one would want.

There is some decent separation between left, center, and right as far as the sound stage goes, so I can hear The Penguin’s car skidding across the screen (to use The Batman again as an example). However, the speakers can’t make the audio sound any wider than the TV, so the width of the soundstage is somewhat limited. Again, get a home theater system if you want a truly immersive audio experience.

It’s also worth noting that Hisense includes a number of audio modes including the ability to automatically switch between them for different media as well as an eight-band EQ. There’s a setting for adjusting the audio when wall-mounted, there’s a room calibration feature, and there’s also a late night mode, as well as dialog booster.

• Sound quality score: 4 / 5

Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV review: Design

• Thin bezels
• Easy assembly, but two people are recommended
• Four HDMI 2.1 ports

The Hisense U7 is a mid-range TV and it looks it. It has the usual slightly rounded back with a subwoofer in the middle and some venting across it for, presumably, the speakers. Really, the most notable aspects of this TV are the thin bezels, the fact that it uses a wide, center stand or base instead of feet (you don’t need as large of a console to hold the TV), and the fact that it’s available in an 116-inch version.

Since it has the center base, assembly does take a little more work than TVs with feet. However, Hisense recommends using the side styrofoam packing to hold up the TV and allows you to screw two screws into the back of the TV and latch the base onto them before securing with additional screws. But the short version is you’ll still want a second person with you to assemble.

While the TV doesn’t have any real cable management (the Roku Pro Series are the only TVs I’ve seen that do), the base does. That means you can plug into one of the four HDMI 2.1 ports (capable of 4K @ 120Hz refresh rate) and then run it through the back of the upward-reaching part of the base.

Speaking of ports, there are also a couple USB ports (one 2.0 and one 3.0), coaxial, optical, and ethernet. And, of course, one of the aforementioned HDMI ports supports eARC. I can’t imagine needing anything else. Admittedly, it doesn’t have the DisplayPort supported USB-C of the Hisense UR9 but that’s a pretty unique feature and on a much more expensive TV.

The remote for the Hisense U7 is the same remote that seems to come with every Hisense TV. It’s a slightly larger, though not bulky, silver-ish and utilitarian-looking affair with a talk button, the usual quick launch buttons for certain streaming services, and the directional wheel with a pressable center. I do miss having a dedicated play/pause button since it takes an extra press to play or pause content that’s already queued up.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV review: smart TV & menus

• Plenty of free syndicated content
• Hands-free control not able to go directly to content
• Lots of fine tuning in the menu but can be confusing

If you’ve already used a Google TV, you’ll have experienced 90% or more of what using this TV is like. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It also follows the same pattern as Fire TVs and many other interfaces. There’s a rotating banner that takes up the top half of the home page for highlighted content, followed by rows of variously assorted content including a “Continue to Watch”, recommendations, and the actual streaming apps if you want to browse them directly.

It all works just fine, though I did notice here and there that it seemed to go a little slower than on some contemporary (and more expensive) TVs. Hisense, like every other TV manufacturer these days, offers free content. And like every other manufacturer, there are a few gems, depending on your tastes, to make it worth it. Most of it is syndicated stuff like Leave It To Beaver, for example.

My only real issue with using this TV is something I’ve already touched on earlier when talking about Google Gemini. Beyond the fact that the main hands-free control is via an AI model, which are still far from perfect, there’s also the issue that I have trouble using it to go directly to content. If I ask Gemini to play Psych on Amazon Prime, it opens up a landing page with more information and where to watch it, but refuses to actually open the show on Prime, let alone play it. I can’t go directly to watching something using hands-free control.

In regards to menu diving into the TV’s settings, there are a lot of things to control. Picture modes, audio modes, Intelligent (i.e. AI) this or that. And while it’s not that difficult to find everything, the fact there are Intelligent settings for both picture and audio that are separated out into their own menu is frustrating, particularly given they gray out other picture and audio settings when enabled. And if it wasn’t clear, these settings aren’t cross-listed in their respective categories. I guess even in TVs AI is king.

• Smart TV & menus score: 3.5 / 5

Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV review: Gaming

• Supports up to 165Hz refresh rate
• Game bar for gaming-specifics settings
• Has AMD Freesync Premium Pro

Using the Hisense U7 for gaming is a fairly pleasant experience. The image quality is going to be a bit limited insofar as it’s not going to have quite the sharpness of a higher end TV. But this is still a 4K TV with HDR (and spatial audio) support and a good amount of dimming zones.

Plus, it supports up to an 165Hz refresh rate. To test this, I used a Playstation 5 via one of the HDMI 2.1 ports, all of which are capable of 4K @ 120Hz and played a few different games including Stars Wars: Outlaws, Madden NFL 26, and Uncharted 4.

When playing, the action was smooth and clear regardless of the game. And the sound was pretty good, too, as I could hear all the necessary audio elements, whether it’s an enemy off-screen or different parts of a soundtrack. It helps that there’s a game mode for both picture and audio settings.

I also appreciate that I can call up a game bar for additional game-specific settings like choosing genre-specific picture modes, turning on AMD Freesync Premium Pro (which matches the refresh rates of the TV and source), and turning on a crosshair. The game bar also pulls up an FPS counter and can be customized to match a few different themes, including both a PS5 and Xbox aesthetic. My only real gripe with the game bar is that I have to press the Menu button on the remote and cycle through a list of other settings to get to the game bar, instead of some way to directly pull it up such as a long press of the same button.

• Gaming score: 4.5 / 5

Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV review: value

• Similar specced TVs are typically a little more expensive
• Similarly priced competition tends to not have the same brightness
• The Hisense U7’s best aspect is probably its value

As I said in our price & release date section above, there are two versions of the U7 available, one with Google TV and one with Fire TV. The Fire TV model is cheaper at $799.99 (though its MSRP is $999.99) for its 65-inch size, but we haven't tested the Fire TV unit so can't be sure if there's any performance differences.

The 65-inch size of the Hisense U7 Series we tested would set you back $999.99. That’s not bad. And neither is the 100-inch size’s $2999.99 price tag, which puts it in the same realm as a 77-inch OLED. (let’s ignore the 116-inch size’s obscene $21,999.99 price — do you even need 116 inches?).

Considering all that it has to offer — whether that's a generative AI voice assistant, all sorts of HDR support, solid audio, decent picture quality, or great gaming features — it’s a seriously competitive TV. This year's TCL QM7L is priced at $999.99 in the same 65-inch size and carries a similar feature set, but the U7 has the brightness advantage.

The Roku Pro Series (2025), is marginally cheaper at $899.99 for the 65-inch version, and is another good comparison — it’s also pretty feature-filled, has hands-free control (you say “Hey Roku” instead of “Hey Google”), and sounds pretty good while having the same lack-of-bass issue. While I like the design of the Roku Pro Series a little better with its shadow-box design that lets it sit flush on the wall when mounted and cable management, it is significantly dimmer than the U7.

The moral of the story is that the Hisense U7, like most Hisense models, is superb value, even if it’s not always quantifiably better than similar TVs.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if…

Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV review: also consider

How I tested the Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV

• I used the Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV for a week
• Tested with TV, movies, music, and games

I used the Hisense U7 Series MiniLED TV regularly for a week. I tested it using streaming shows, movies, music, and games (via PS5). I went through the various features, particularly the hands-free Google Gemini, to see if it worked as advertised. I also spent time listening to the audio as well as paying attention to the picture quality.

After spending some time with this TV, I believe it’s ideal for those who have routinely gotten the cheapest TV and want to upgrade to something better without breaking the bank.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years including laptops, keyboards and speakers. So I've been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

• First reviewed: October 2026
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

• Siri AI is coming to Apple TV 4K 2nd and 3rd Gen
• Free software update arriving later this year
• Update will be available in select countries and territories

While much of the attention on the new Apple TV 4K — now in its fourth generation — may focus on the sticker shock of the $299 / £299 / AU$449 price, it also brings some notable features. Siri AI offers a more robust personal assistant experience via the Siri Remote or the box's far-field microphones. It also has a faster processor to speed things up and supports four HomePod 2 or HomePod mini 2 speakers in a surround setup.

But if you were really hoping to use Siri AI on Apple’s streaming box, maybe to pull up recommendations friends might have suggested or to figure out whether a character is based on a real person, and you don’t want to spend the extra cash on an upgrade, I've got good news.

Alongside announcing the Apple TV 4K (4th generation), Apple has confirmed that Siri AI will arrive on older Apple TV models via a forthcoming software update. The release note reads, “Siri AI is available as a beta on Apple TV 4K (2nd generation or later), and is available at launch in the U.S., Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK in English.”

That means the AI-powered, more personalized Siri will arrive on the Apple TV 4K 2nd Gen, 3rd Gen, and the new 4th generation, which begins shipping on November 13, 2026. And since the newest model will launch with Siri AI, that might hint at when Apple will roll out the tvOS 27.2 software update to the other two models. As a reminder, the 2nd Gen shipped in 2021, and the 3rd Gen launched in 2022.

That’s excellent news, because the new Siri AI isn’t just better at basic tasks; it also brings broader knowledge and personal context. So whether it’s pulling up an album your best friend recommended weeks ago that you can’t quite remember, or trying to recount a specific episode you and a family member were up to, the assistant can tap into that info to answer the query.

I saw a few demos of that on the new Apple TV 4K, and even though these older models have less power under the hood, Apple hasn’t said that Siri AI’s features will be limited. So while they could be a hair or two slower, it should still be a strong experience.

If nothing else, it’s a free upgrade that gives you another way to interact with Apple TV and find content. Beyond the added personal queries, you can also get richer recommendations and suggestions when you ask Siri for content.

Further, if, beyond Siri AI’s arrival with the Apple TV 4K 4th Gen, you were also enticed by the new Siri Remote, which adds a speaker to make a chirping sound when you’re trying to track it down, or the ability to use Precision Finding for exact directions on how to find the remote when it’s deep in couch cushions with a compatible iPhone, you can purchase the upgraded remote with UWB (ultra-wideband) and the speaker from Apple, and it works with previous-gen Apple TVs. Apple's already taking orders for the updated Siri Remote for $59 here, and it's on Amazon.com for the same price here.

So, with a free, forthcoming update for Apple TV 4K 2nd and 3rd Gen that’ll bring Siri AI to select areas, and the fact that you can get the Siri Remote for a price, these two additions will bring some new features and could very well make the Apple TV 4K feel fresh again.

We'll report back once Apple announces when this update will arrive, but for now all we know is that tvOS 27.2 is coming.

I love my Apple TV 4K, which I think is the best streaming device you can buy if, like me, you're already all-in on Apple. But while my Apple TV 4K (2022) is great, it's also four years old. That's an eternity in TV tech, so I was excited to see what new features and capabilities the new Apple TV 4K announced today would bring.

Unfortunately, there are hardly any new features or capabilities. But the new Apple TV is much more expensive, so… uh, thanks?

What I saw today was a bit like if Apple took four years to make a new season of Pluribus, restricted it to a new Apple TV tier costing twice as much, and it turned out to be identical to Season 1 but 3% brighter and 5% faster.

I'm not the only Apple TV fan to be disappointed. Reddit is unhappy too.

The 2026/2027 Apple TV 4K: the good, the bad, and the ugly reaction

I'm not an Apple TV newcomer: while I've used lots of different streamers I've had an Apple TV for everyday viewing for over a decade.

I bought my first Apple TV in 2012 for £85, and I'm currently on the 2022 Apple TV 4K. That came in two versions, one with Ethernet and one without, and the cheapest one was $129 / £149 / AU$219. Now there's only one version, and it's $299 / £299 / AU$449.

Apple was already more expensive than most rival streaming models, but not terrifyingly so — and fairly, given that the price wasn't subsidized by ads.

Now, though, it's way more pricey than its best competitors. Yes, there's a component shortage that's putting prices up. But that's affecting rivals too, and they're yet to up their prices so dramatically.

That raised price makes it a much tougher sell to newcomers, as the cost of entry has more than doubled. And it's a tough sell to existing owners because while the price has more than doubled, the spec and feature list… hasn't.

There are two key improvements here: four-speaker surround via HomePods (but not the first-gen models) and integrated Siri AI. There are also some other changes including hardware AV1 video decoding, and the ability for the remote to make a noise so you can find it if it's misplaced (and precision location tracking using UWB tech), which is welcome.

But if you're not doing the HomePods thing (my HomePods are elsewhere; I have wired speakers and an AV receiver for my TV) then this is pretty disappointing for three hundred bucks.

I'm not sold on the need for AI assistants in TVs, and Siri isn't impressing me much on any platform. I've been using the latest Siri since the iOS/tvOS 27 developer betas, and for me at least it's hopeless: simple tasks take forever to complete if they complete at all, and it's far and away my most sworn-at tech product.

The new built-in microphones might make Siri less cloth-eared than in the Apple Remote, but my problems are with what Siri does, or doesn't do, after it's finally listened to me. Most of the time using or trying to use Siri makes my TV experience worse, not better.

The reaction on the various Apple subreddits chimes with mine. On r/apple Santathe1 suggested that "somebody’s gotta pay for all the useless Siri AI no one likes", while Kaiathebluenose said that "Improving Siri for my Apple TV is at the bottom of my list for improvements." Heyboychica says "they've lost their minds with that price," and PuyoDead agrees: "The only upgrade is a microphone I don’t want, and AI I’m never ever going to use? No thank you, I just picked up a refurbished third gen from their store instead."

Other Redditors were disappointed that the Apple TV is still limited to 60Hz, not 120Hz, with comments including "60Hz for 300 bucks lol. No thanks", "being capped at 60Hz seems like a DOA", and similar sentiments, though I think that last one is a bit extreme for a device mainly used for 24fps and 30fps video.

To an extent, Apple is a victim of its own success here: the Apple TV 4K (2022) is a brilliant streaming device. Unfortunately it's so good at what it does that it would need some pretty major upgrades to persuade existing owners to buy a newer one — and this model doesn't seem to have anything to get seriously excited about. As redditor 17chan put it: "The good news is this saves me money. The bad news is it saves me money because I'm super disappointed and totally not buying this."

We will of course be reviewing the new Apple TV 4K and we'll give you our verdict very soon.

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• The new Apple TV 4K is official and starts at $299 / £299 / AU$449
• It has microphones built-in for hands-free Siri control and supports HomePod surrounds
• The updated Siri Remote can chirp to help you find it, supports Precision Finding, and works with older Apple TV models

I fondly remember when Apple brought the price down on the Apple TV 4K box, and then I also remember the unfortunate price hikes from earlier in 2026. That pushed the Apple TV 4K without Ethernet to $199 / £199 / AU$299 and the one with Ethernet to $249 / £249 / AU$399.

Now, alongside the HomeView and the second-generation HomePod mini, Apple is ushering in the new Apple TV 4K and sunsetting the previous models. It keeps a similar shape — it's still a black square with curved edges and a logo up top — but there are some new tricks here.

It also carries a new price point: the Apple TV 4K (2026) comes in one version and costs $299 / £299 / AU$449. That’s a big jump, especially when compared with competing Roku players and Fire TV Sticks. It’s actually the same price as the new Apple HomeView, which includes a screen and speakers. Still, it's up for preorder now — beginning October 13, 2026 — and ships on November 13, 2026.

I’ve spent a bit of time with the refreshed Apple TV 4K, seeing it work through some Siri AI tasks and hearing its new audio capabilities, which include the ability to work with up to four HomePod speakers in a surround setup.

That could mean two second-generation HomePods up front and two HomePod mini second-generation as rear speakers, four full-sized HomePod 2 units, or four HomePod mini 2 units.

By far the most meaningful upgrade, and the one that shows Apple’s listening to customers, is the new Siri Remote. Now in its fourth generation, it can finally chirp and emit a sound when you can’t find it. So you can ask, “Hey Siri, where’s my remote?” to no one in particular (the Apple TV 4K box's microphones will hear you) and the remote will emit a sound.

It’s pretty loud, though Apple isn’t sharing the exact decibel level, and it should be very audible even if the remote is stuck deep between couch cushions, in a pile on the floor, or somewhere else entirely.

If you also have an iPhone 17 or newer, iPhone Air, or iPhone Duo, you can open Find My, tap Devices, and then use Precision Finding to help you locate the remote. These are both super-helpful features, and you don’t need the new Apple TV 4K to take advantage of them, as this remote is backwards compatible with the Apple TV HD and previous Apple TV 4K models. I’m still waiting for price confirmation, but for reference, the current Siri Remote is $59 / £59 / AU$89.

As someone who’s bought into the sound quality of the HomePods since the first generation, which sadly isn’t supported here, this is a welcome upgrade. But you do need a lot of new hardware.

Theoretically, that’s $895 / £895 / AU$1,365 for an Apple TV 4K and four HomePod mini 2 units, or $1,695 / £1,695 / AU$2,645 for four second-generation HomePods and the Apple TV 4K, or $1,295 / £1,295 / AU$2,005 for two HomePod mini 2s, two second-generation HomePods, and an Apple TV 4K.

I heard a brief snippet of Widow’s Bay, which streams on Apple TV, with the latter setup: two full-sized HomePods next to a TV and two HomePod mini 2s a bit farther back behind a couch. It sounded really good, and compared with just two HomePods, the full setup offered a much wider experience that excelled at showing off both the low and high ends, from a quieter scene that ramped into a more vibrant one. This combo packs a punch.

There's no doubt that $299 / £299 / AU$449 for a streaming box, even with that audio capability, is a lot. But the Apple TV 4K does pack in a few other bells and whistles. Under the hood, it should be speedier, with quicker app launches and more runway into the future thanks to the A19 processor.

The new Apple TV 4K also supports Siri AI at launch in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Singapore, and South Africa.

This lets you ask questions with personal context, like, “Hey Siri, what was the episode of Star Wars Rebels I was talking about with Max?” or “What was that show that Benjie recommended a few months back in the group chat?”

Leaning on personal context from a connected iPhone, it can deliver those results, and it worked quickly in a demo, pulling up an episode of Ted Lasso in short order.

That about wraps up the new Apple TV 4K — it replaces the previous-generation models, though if those get discounted, they’re definitely worth a look. It’s available to order now ahead of its November 13, 2026 launch.

It’s a sizable price increase, and I wish Apple still offered the previous generation as a more affordable option, something like an entry-level iPad equivalent or an “e” option, similar to the iPhone 17e.

It’s clear that this is a higher-end, premium streaming box, but we’ll need to spend some time with it to see how it compares and whether the $299 / £299 / AU$449 price point is worth it. Let me know what you think in the comments below, particularly your thoughts on that higher price and feature set.

• A new Google TV Streamer is rumored to be on the way
• Tipped upgrades include microphones and more storage
• There's no word yet on a launch date or any potential pricing

The first Google TV Streamer launched in August 2024, and standalone Chromecast devices were discontinued at the same time. Now a second streaming box is rumored, and it sounds like the included upgrades will be substantial.

According to "a source familiar with the matter" speaking to 9to5Google, the updated device will have a similar design to the original, except for being slightly narrower. The current model measures 6.4 inches x 3 inches x 1 inch (16.3 cm x 7.6 cm x 2.5 cm).

The new model will apparently add microphones, which means you will of course be able to say "hey Google" and speak out some voice commands or AI queries without having to use the remote to do it — a bit more like a smart speaker.

Presence sensing is tipped to be added to, which means the screensaver could load up when you're in the room, and more detailed information (such as the time and weather) might be displayed when someone gets close.

Time to upgrade?

Other rumored upgrades: a faster chipset and more storage, beyond the 32GB of room that the current model offers for apps and files. It seems there will be two more shortcut buttons on the remote as well, in addition to the current Netflix and YouTube ones.

That all sounds appealing to me, as someone who has hung on to the older Chromecast with Google TV. Despite its increasing age, it remains a perfectly capable streaming device, which doesn't differ hugely from the current Google TV Streamer.

If the new model was faster, had more room on it, and worked more like a smart speaker (or a smart display), then I may have to consider the upgrade — though price will be crucial as always (the current model just got a price hike to $149 in the US).

It's not clear when this updated model might arrive, but we're now two years on from the first device. With a new Apple TV 4K box rumored to be arriving at Apple's event next week, Google won't want to wait too long before updating its own hardware.

• Wire-free 4K transmission without requiring Wi-Fi
• Two models: HDMI-HDMI and USB-C to HDMI
• $99.99 / £83 (about AU$144)

If you liked the idea of Nyrius's wire-free 4K streamer but couldn't justify the price, the firm has launched a more affordable wireless kit: the Phoenix Prime 4K30. Like its more expensive sibling, it transmits and receives 4K video, but it's half the price at just $99.99 / £83.21 (about AU$144).

The Phoenix Prime comes in two flavors. The HDMI-to-HDMI version is for connecting AV receivers, cable/satellite boxes, or compatible laptops to any HDMI-equipped television or projector. And the USB-C to HDMI version is for laptops, tablets, and desktops whose USB-C port has DisplayPort Alt Mode, which is common in laptops from the leading brands.

Whichever version you go for, you can run resolutions up to 4K at distances of up to 50ft / 15.2m through walls, floors, and ceilings. With no obstacles, you can expect a range of 150ft / 45.7m. It uses frequencies between 5.1 and 5.8GHz, auto-switching between 9 channels for the best transmission quality.

What this wireless HDMI device doesn't do

The Phoenix Prime 4K30 costs much less than one of the best TVs with features like Samsung's Wireless One Connect Box or LG's Zero Connect, and it's half the price of the Nyrius Phoenix Prime. Inevitably, that means the specification isn't as advanced.

Where the Home has up to 60fps and supports 7.1-channel audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS, and HDR, the Phoenix Prime 4K30 is 30fps without Atmos, DTS, or HDR. It's not the best option for gaming either, as both models have latency of 90ms.

That's not necessarily a deal-breaker, of course. If you're just looking for a way to get 4K in a room that doesn't lend itself to a traditional cabled setup, if you want to deliver presentations or show video on other people's projectors, or if you have a pathological loathing of wires, then $99.99 is a good price for fuss-free connectivity, and the quoted 50ft of range means it should work well in the majority of homes, offices, classrooms, and lecture theaters.

The Phoenix Prime 4K30 is available now via Nyrius.com and Amazon.

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Looking for a compact soundbar with Dolby Atmos audio and excellent dialogue clarity? The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is what you're after, and right now it's available at a seriously temping low price. You can grab the Sonos Beam Gen 2 for $359 (was $499) in the US, and just £338 (was £449) in the UK today in the Amazon Prime Day sales.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

I've used the Sonos Beam Gen 2 extensively and its punchy bass output, crystal-clear dialogue and expansive soundstage wow me every time. It's an ideal pick for two main reasons: firstly, it's incredibly compact, making it convenient for anyone who wants quality audio but is working with a smaller space. And secondly, it's a lot more affordable than a lot of Dolby Atmos soundbars. Whether you want it for your small apartment, you want a more affordable option, or both, this is the soundbar I'd recommend for you.

Scroll down to find the best prices on the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and to learn why I still love this soundbar after using it for multiple years.

Today's best Sonos Beam Gen 2 deal in the US

Today's best Sonos Beam Gen 2 deal in the UK

I've used the Sonos Beam Gen 2 extensively during my years testing audio-visual gadgets here at TechRadar, and it's never failed to impress me.

One area in which it excels is with its bass output. It provides palpable low-end sound when you consider that it's such a small model, helping dark, ambient movie scores and high-octane action sequences feel super-impactful.

But that roaring bass doesn't come at the expense of other sounds in the frequency range. The Beam Gen 2 provides clear, well-defined dialogue, especially with the Speech Enhancement feature switched on. It also handles higher-pitched sounds with ease, and when watching Dolby Atmos movies, its ability to whip up a wide, expansive soundstage is something to behold.

Sure, the lack of dedicated height channels means you're getting Dolby Atmos using software processing and virtual height channels (rather than real, physical upward-firing drivers), but the Beam Gen 2 still sounds convincingly immersive. You can also customize its sound in the Sonos app, pair up supported Sonos speakers to turn it into a soundbar system, or even transfer audio over to your Sonos Ace or Sonos Ace Ultra headphones if you want to indulge in a private listening session.

The Beam Gen 2's compact size also makes it perfect for apartment living, or for adding to a spare room. It's an excellent small soundbar, and at this price, it's well worth snapping up — but be quick, Amazon Prime Day is almost over!

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.36
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $28
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $89
• Smartwatches: up to 36% off Garmin & Apple
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $49

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: up to 67% off Fire, Ring & Blink
• Amazon Haul: extra 15% off for Prime members
• Appliances: up to 40% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: cleaning & groceries from £2
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: record-low Nintendo Switch 2
• Headphones: up to 50% off Anker & Sony
• Laptops: up to £800 off Microsoft & Asus
• Tablets: up to 50% off Fire tablets
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 50% off Shark & Dyson
• Wearables: Samsung & Oura from £31

After what feels like forever, GTA 6 is finally due for release on November 19, 2026. With that in mind, it might be a good time to think about upgrading your TV for this generation's most anticipated game. Thankfully, Amazon Prime Day has arrived with deals on top TVs.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

We here at TechRadar test the best gaming TVs all the time, putting them through their paces with fast-paced, high performance games to make sure they can handle the action. While there are tons of great gaming TVs out there, we've picked three of our favorites that will be perfect for GTA 6.

Quick links

TV deals in the US

• Amazon: Big savings on Hisense, Samsung, TCL and more
• Best Buy: save up to 50% on LG, TCL and more
• Walmart: TVs from as low as $68

TV deals in the UK

• Amazon: big deals on LG OLED, Hisense and Samsung
• Currys: save up to £500 on TVs from Sony and more
• Argos: TCL and Samsung TVs from £189
• John Lewis: up to £350 off Sony TVs

Our 3 perfect for GTA 6 TVs

LG C6

The LG C6 is truly the whole package, delivering brilliant performance with every feature you could need and all for a better price than its rivals. Available in 42-83-inch sizes, it really can fit any room: perfect for a gaming setup.

The C6 carries a full suite of features for gaming, with 4K 165Hz, full VRR (including FreeSync and G-Sync), Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM, as well as a ton of Game Optimizer settings to really customize your playstyle. I measured the C6's input lag time at 9.2ms for 4K 60Hz (with Boost activated) and 4.7ms for 1080p 120Hz: which are both superb results.

In practice, gaming on the C6 was incredibly smooth. Darting around battle sequences in Battlefield V to avoid enemy gunfire was judder-free, and the C6 showcased its razor-sharp response times whenever a big battle took place. As you're tearing around Vice City in GTA 6, expect a very smooth experience on the C6.

The C6's picture quality is up there with the best TVs. During my testing, its bold, dynamic colors were perfect for movies like Elemental, accurately rendering the dazzling oranges and blues of the fire and water people respectively. Expect the same when you're exploring Vice City's streets, whether it's the neon-clad nightlife or the bright, vibrant outfits of the locals. The C6 also has deep, inky blacks as you'd expect from an OLED: perfect for night-time scenes.

The C6 excels in offering everything you need from a TV, and while it is a premium price for many, what offers for said price is incredible value, often cheaper than its major rivals.

TCL QM7L/TCL C7L

The TCL QM7L (known as the C7L in the UK) is the definition of value. We thought it "almost reached the heights of TCL's flagship TVs, but at a much lower price". While it may not have the brightness of the step-up QM8L/C8L, it still delivers great colors, excellent clarity and brilliant backlight control. We haven't fully tested the C7L ourselves yet, but should be virtually identical to the QM7L as they carry the same SQD mini-LED panel, processor and features.

The QM7L is well equipped for gaming, with 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM all featured. During our testing, we found that "whether it was Madden 26 or Star Wars: Outlaws, the picture was crisp and the action was smooth." This bodes well for the chaotic, open-world of GTA 6, where the action will almost certainly need to be smooth as you try to shake-ff a five-star wanted level.

The QM7L's picture is truly impressive for the price. Watching The Batman, we found the QM7L rendered the fast-paced Batmobile chase scene with real clarity. Watching Coco, the QM7L faithfully delivered the vibrant colors of the land of the dead. The QM7L also shows off TCL's Halo Control System, resulting in great backlight control during a scene in Soul, where a bright character against a dark background showed no blooming.

As we said above, we've not fully tested the C7L in the UK yet, but we have tested its predecessor the C7K which in itself was a brilliant TV. With a new SQD mini-LED panel, it can only get better.

The real highlight here though is the QM7L's price. Launching for a great price, the QM7L receives regular discounts throughout the year and is often among the most competitively priced TV on the market.

LG B6

Unsurprisingly, the third TV on this list is another LG OLED, but this time it's the entry-level LG B6. If you've been researching this TV, you may notice that in certain sizes, there are two models: the B6 and B6E. I've personally tested both these TVs and aside from some AI picture features and a plainer back panel, the B6E performs virtually the same and carries the same major features but at a cheaper price.

The B6 comes equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 120Hz, full VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming, as well as the Game Optimizer menu: virtually the same feature-set as the step-up C6. I also measured the B6's input lag at 8.9ms at 4K 60Hz and 4.9 at 1080p 120Hz, which are amazing results.

Playing Battlefield V on the B6, I found the TV's response times to be fantastic, resulting in super-smooth gameplay. Whether I was flying around the skies in a commandeered plane in a desert mission or sprinting to avoid enemy fire, the B6 expertly handled the action. For GTA 6 then, as you're no doubt tearing around the streets of Vice City in some ridiculously fast car, you can expect the B6 will do a great job with the action.

The B6's picture quality is also great. Its colors are rich and vibrant, making the pink flowers in a tree from Wicked or the dazzling oranges, reds and purples of a glittery vase in Elemental all pop on screen. It also demonstrates strong contrast, with a great balance between light and dark tones, shown in The Batman's many high-contrast scenes. As you're moving around Vice City, whether it's during the colorful nightlife or bright daytime, the B6 is sure to deliver a well-rounded picture.

It's worth noting that the B6E is better value than the B6, but both are still great entry-level OLED prices. The B6 is your only option in 48-inch, but this TV has dropped to some seriously low prices. And in larger sizes, the B6E is a no-brainer.

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.36
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $28
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $89
• Smartwatches: up to 36% off Garmin & Apple
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $49

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: up to 67% off Fire, Ring & Blink
• Amazon Haul: extra 15% off for Prime members
• Appliances: up to 40% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: cleaning & groceries from £2
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: record-low Nintendo Switch 2
• Headphones: up to 50% off Anker & Sony
• Laptops: up to £800 off Microsoft & Asus
• Tablets: up to 50% off Fire tablets
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 50% off Shark & Dyson
• Wearables: Samsung & Oura from £31

OLED TVs have typically struggled when it comes to bright-room viewing, and while they're improving at the flagship end of the market, mid-range models can still struggle — apart from the Samsung S90H. Samsung's latest mid-range OLED uses a glare-free screen, and right now it's on sale for Amazon Prime Day.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale US
• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale UK

If you're in the US, you can get the 65-inch Samsung S90H for $1,497.99 (was $1,897.99) at Amazon, which is its lowest ever price since its release in April this year.

If you're in the UK, you can pick up the 55-inch S90H for £1,499 (was £1,599) at Currys. The LG C5 55-inch is cheaper at the moment, but if you have a bright room, the S90H is the better option (more on that below).

Today's best Samsung S90H deals

Great for bright rooms

While the LG C6 is one of the best OLED TVs I've tested this year, one issue I had with it is its reflective screen. Reflections have plagued OLED for years, but Samsung's Glare Free tech, introduced in 2023, does a fantastic job of eliminating mirror-like reflections in bright rooms. However, it was reserved for the flagship S95 OLED series, until now.

The Samsung S90H, the 2026 mid-range OLED model, has the Glare Free screen, and it fills a mid-range-OLED-for-bright-rooms-sized hole in the market. While I've not fully tested the S90H yet (though it's waiting in our test lab), I did get to see it in-person.

Testing the S90H in a room with plenty of natural light on a bright morning was the perfect test for the S90H's Glare Free screen, and it did better than I imagined. Watching dark movies like The Revenant was surprisingly hassle-free, with the S90H retaining deep black tones while effectively eliminating the mirror-like reflections of the large balcony windows next to me.

This feat was even more impressive given that the S90H won't have the brightness of the flagship S95H/S99H, which further helps the latter with bright-room viewing.

Outside of its bright-room viewing capabilities, the S90H delivers punchy HDR highlights, along with vibrant, bold and accurate colors. The night market scene in Blade Runner: 2049 was a perfect showcase for this, as well as for the S90H's crisp, lifelike textures.

For gamers, the S90H carries a feature set similar to the best gaming TVs. It has four HDMI 2.1 ports, with 4K 165Hz, full VRR (including FreeSync and G-Sync), HDR10+ gaming, ALLM and the very useful Game Hub which offers plenty of cloud gaming options.

If you're looking for a mid-range OLED for a bright room, the S90H really is a no-brainer and this is the best price you're going to find it today.

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.36
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $28
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $89
• Smartwatches: up to 36% off Garmin & Apple
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $49

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: up to 67% off Fire, Ring & Blink
• Amazon Haul: extra 15% off for Prime members
• Appliances: up to 40% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: cleaning & groceries from £2
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: record-low Nintendo Switch 2
• Headphones: up to 50% off Anker & Sony
• Laptops: up to £800 off Microsoft & Asus
• Tablets: up to 50% off Fire tablets
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 50% off Shark & Dyson
• Wearables: Samsung & Oura from £31

Amazon Prime Day is a superb time to invest in a new soundbar, with compelling deals such as 31% off the Sony Bravia Theater 6 System at $548 (was $799.99) in the US or nearly one-fifth off the ludicrously powerful, Bang & Olufsen-tuned TCL A65K soundbar system at £189 (was £249) in the UK.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Some of the best soundbars around are being discounted for Prime Day. As ever, Amazon is slashing the prices of its own hardware such as the Fire TV Soundbar at $79.99 (was $119.99) in the US and £87.99 (was £119.99) in the UK. You'll find some other big names in there too, including some of the best-known audio and home theater brands, as well as some ultra-affordable bargains for buyers on a budget.

We'll list the best US Prime Day soundbar deals first and then the best UK Prime Day soundbar deals immediately afterwards.

Soundbar deals - US

Today's best Prime Day soundbar deals in the US

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.36
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $28
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $89
• Smartwatches: up to 36% off Garmin & Apple
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $49

Soundbar deals - UK

Today's best Prime Day soundbar deals in the UK

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: up to 67% off Fire, Ring & Blink
• Amazon Haul: extra 15% off for Prime members
• Appliances: up to 40% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: cleaning & groceries from £2
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: record-low Nintendo Switch 2
• Headphones: up to 50% off Anker & Sony
• Laptops: up to £800 off Microsoft & Asus
• Tablets: up to 50% off Fire tablets
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 50% off Shark & Dyson
• Wearables: Samsung & Oura from £31

I've made no secret of how much I love my TCL TV. Having owned the TCL QM7K for the best part of the year, I'm seriously impressed with the color and contrast it's capable of for such a mid-market price. So I was already fully sold on what great value its successor, the TCL QM7L, will offer... even before I discovered you can now buy it for an enormous discount.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

You can currently pick up the TCL QM7L 65-inch at Amazon US for $897.99 (was $1,499.99). That's a massive discount, especially given the TV was only released in March 2026, and brings an already great value TV into truly unmissable territory in my book. And those on the other side of the pond don't need to miss out: you can buy its UK-equivalent the TCL C7L 65-inch at Argos for £1,169.10 (was £1,299) when using the code INSTANT10 at the checkout.

Those serious price cuts aren't the only reason I'm a fan of this screen though: far from it. A much bigger factor is down to first-hand experience — not only did I edit our recent TCL QM7L review but its predecessor, the QM7K, has been the heart of my home cinema setup for a full nine months now. I experience its bold colors, hear its impressive sound and use its powerful gaming features every day, so I'm already fully convinced that the TCL QM7L will give you great value for this reduced spend.

Also, just a quick note here to avoid any confusion: while you'll see the US version of this set referred to exclusively as the TCL QM7L, in the UK you'll find it under the name TCL C7L. Despite this though, they're functionally the same product, so don't sweat it when you can only find one of them at your local stores.

Today's best TCL QM7L / C7L deals

There's a reason we gave this TV 4.5 stars in our recent TCL QM7L review. First off, it's got some great features for a mid-range TV — anti-halo tech quashes blooming, preventing bright whites from washing out nearby blacks. Meanwhile, its 144Hz refresh rate gives it wonderfully fluid motion for gaming, and two of its HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1 offering great current-gen gaming features like 4K@120Hz, auto low-latency mode and variable refresh rates.

But what impresses me most about it are the things that impressed me most about my TCL QM7K. It's capable of bold, lush colors — in this case, rivalling those of its higher-spec sibling the QM8K — while the QM7L's peak brightness of 3,000 nits is impressively bright for this price. And rather than the tinnier, hollowed out audio you tend to get with cheaper TVs, the TCL's has a much more convincing mid-range thanks to its built-in Bang & Olufsen sound.

All in all, if you're looking for a talented TV but don't want to pay a premium price for it, I think you're unlikely to disappointed with the TCL QM7L. As one of the most impressive mid-range TVs we've seen this year, it's good value already — and when it's this cheap, it's one I wouldn't miss out on.

More cheap TV deals in the US

• LG B6 48-inch TV (2026): was $1,199.99 now $699.99 at Best Buy
• Samsung S90H 65-inch TV (2026): was $2,699.99 now $1,499.99 at Best Buy
• Hisense U8 75-inch TV (2026): was $1,697.99 now $1,349.99 at Amazon
• Samsung The Frame 65-inch TV (2025): was $1,599.99 now $899.99 at Best Buy
• Sony BRAVIA 7 II 50-inch TV (2026): was $1,599.99 now $1,499.99 at Best Buy
• Samsung QN90F 50-Inch TV (2025): was $1,499.99 now $1,097.99 at Amazon

More cheap TV deals in the UK

• LG C5 48-inch 4K OLED TV (2025) : was £999 now £819 at PRC Direct
• LG B6 55-inch TV (2026): was £1,199 now £999.99 at Amazon
• TCL C8L 55-inch (2026): was £1,199 now £1,079 at Argos
• Hisense U8Q 55-inch Mini LED TV: was £1,199 now £799 at Amazon
• Sony BRAVIA 5 55-inch TV (2025): was £1,199 now £945 at Amazon

The thought of getting a surround sound system made up of separate speakers can be daunting and, to many, may seem expensive. But I've been scouring for deals and I've found a real winner at Best Buy.

• Browse the full Best Buy Techtober sale

You can pick up a 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos surround sound system for $1,764.94 at Best Buy. This deal is made up of the Sony CS lineup of speakers, including floorstanding, centre, surround and Atmos height speakers, as well as a subwoofer, and the Sony STR-AN1000 7.2 channel AV Receiver, which support both Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision. I've listed all the individual components and respective deals below.

Considering some of the best soundbars will set you back nearly $2,000, this is a fantastic way to get a separate system for your home, and after kitting out our testing lab with a surround sound system after using a soundbar, I can attest to it being a serious upgrade.

If you don't already, you'll also need speaker cable, which you can check out at Best Buy here! There's plenty of options to suit different budgets, and the cost will depend on how much you need.

Sony 5.1.2 channel surround system: quick links

• Sony STR-AN1000 7.2ch AV receiver: was $1,199.99 now $948.99 at Best Buy
• Sony CS Speaker - 3-way Floorstanders: was $299.99 now $173.99 at Best Buy
• Sony SACS9M2 Active Subwoofer: was $329.99 now $204.99 at Best Buy
• Sony CS Speaker - 2-way Centre Speaker: was $249.99 now $124.99 at Best Buy
• Sony CS Speaker - 3-way Bookshelf Speaker: was $279.99 now $153.99 at Best Buy
• Sony CS Speaker - Dolby Atmos up-firing height speakers: was $279.99 now $153.99 at Best Buy
• Speaker cable

Today's best Sony surround sound deal

The importance of upgraded sound

For some time now, we've been using a Samsung HW-Q990C 11.1.4 channel soundbar system as our reference audio setup, primarily for testing 4K Blu-rays as part of the Blu-ray Bounty and to compare to other soundbars.

Recently however, we changed to separates surround sound system, consiting of standalone speakers. This includes the Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) 603 S3 floorstanders (for front channels) B&W 607 S3 bookshelves (for surrounds), a B&W HTM6 S3 centre speaker and a B&W ASW610 subwoofer. This is all powered by the Denon AVC-3900H AV 9.4 channel receiver.

Comparing the Denon and B&W system to the Samsung soundbar, it was clear just how much of an upgrade a full separates system was. Watching the Batmobile chase from The Batman, I heard new detail through both the 603 S3 front speakers and 607 S3 surrounds I'd never heard before, such as the rattling of leaves under the chassis of the Batmobile.

Atmos-based effects were realistic and added to the immersion, with the trajectory of a bullet spray or the swerving tires mapped with pinpoint precision to the right channel. Sound travelled from speaker to speaker during sweeping camera shots, creating a full 360-dome effect.

But really, it was the power of the Denon and B&W system that impressed. The subwoofer delivered serious heft that shook the room with every impact and explosion, while front channels delivered plenty of crunch during the chaotic and car-crash filled scene.

While the Samsung soundbar was very good, this setup made me realise just how big a difference a separates system can make, giving every element room to breathe. The Sony package above may not be as premium as our reference Denon and B&W system, but the principle is the same: separate speakers, more detail. And considering the Sony's soundbar-rivaling price, this is a fantastic deal. Now, let's see if I can fit it in my apartment...

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.36
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $28
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $89
• Smartwatches: up to 36% off Garmin & Apple
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $49

If you're looking for a 65-inch OLED TV that won't break the bank, Amazon's Prime Day deal on the Roku Pro Series 65-inch 4K 120Hz OLED TV is just $799.99 (was $1,199).

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

That's a huge discount on a 2026 OLED, and it massively undercuts LG's budget B6, which can be found for $1,299 today (though there is a cheaper LG variant, called the LG B6E, available for $999 today at Best Buy).

We've just finished reviewing the Roku, in a moment of fortunate timing, and it delivers the all-important deep blacks that only OLED can do, and even at full price it's an impressive spec for the money: as we say in our review, at its normal price "the Roku Pro Series OLED is effectively as cheap as you can get an OLED without going for an older model." And now it's 33% cheaper.

Today's best Roku Pro Series 65-inch 4K 120Hz OLED TV deal

Should you buy the Roku Pro Series 65-inch OLED TV?

In our Roku Pro Series OLED review, we enjoyed the TV's deep black levels and its decent sound quality with effective dialog enhancement. It's easy to set up, the Roku interface is nice, and it's a good option for gamers thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate and VRR support. And the OLED panel is great for maintaining contrast in dark movie scenes and games.

The key question here is: do you need OLED? If you do, then it's hard to think of a rival that comes anywhere close to this spec at this price. The LG B6E is brighter, which means it'll be better able to overcome reflections in bright rooms — though if you have a particular bright room, then you really want something like the TCL QM7L, which is currently $897.99 for the 65-inch model at Amazon.

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.36
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $28
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $89
• Smartwatches: up to 36% off Garmin & Apple
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $49

Amazon's dropping big discounts across the Fire TV range for Prime Day, saving you up to 67% on Fire TV Stick devices. In the US, the Fire TV Stick 4K Select is just $17.99 (was $49.99), while UK shoppers can pick up the Fire TV Stick HD (newest gen) for £19.99 (was £59.99), saving 67%.

•Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale US
•Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale UK

The discounts are available across the Fire TV Stick range, from the budget-friendly Fire TV Stick 4K Select to the range-topping Fire TV Stick Max.

We'd recommend looking at all of the offers here, not just the very cheapest or the biggest discount. That's because there are some crucial differences between Fire TV models. For example, if you want the most cinematic experience with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus or Max are the ones to buy.

Need some help? We've explained the differences between the Fire TV 4K Select and the Fire TV Stick 4K Max here.

Here are our picks of the Fire TV Stick 4K Prime Day deals, with the US ones listed first and the UK ones immediately afterwards.

Today's best US Fire TV Stick deals

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.36
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $28
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $89
• Smartwatches: up to 36% off Garmin & Apple
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $49

Today's best Fire TV Stick 4K deals in the UK

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: up to 67% off Fire, Ring & Blink
• Amazon Haul: extra 15% off for Prime members
• Appliances: up to 40% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: cleaning & groceries from £2
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: record-low Nintendo Switch 2
• Headphones: up to 50% off Anker & Sony
• Laptops: up to £800 off Microsoft & Asus
• Tablets: up to 50% off Fire tablets
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 50% off Shark & Dyson
• Wearables: Samsung & Oura from £31