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TCL C7L review: one of the best value TVs you'll find this year

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Sun, 01 Nov 2026 15:00:00 +0000

TCL C7L review: Two minute review

The C7L serves as the mid-range model in TCL’s 2026 SQD (Super Quantum Dot) mini-LED lineup. In terms of value, this is one of the best TVs you can get, delivering great performance and features for the price. While it does have its shortcomings, its bang-for-your-buck proposition is unmatched.

It delivers excellent picture quality, with vivid, bright colours that really pop, smooth motion for movies and sports, impressive contrast and backlight control, and even offers deep black tones that can on occasion rival some of the C7L’s best OLED TV rivals. Viewing angles are its main weakness, with some obvious blooming when viewed off-center, and it can overexert its brightness, but overall the C7L’s picture is great for the price.

Built-in sound quality is a mixed bag. While the C7L has surprisingly good width, along with some nice detail, clear speech and good front-end power, it really is lacking in the bass department, and at higher volumes the sound can become a tad harsh. While the C7L’s speakers are fine for casual viewing, fans of movies, and shows with a more cinematic feel, will want to invest in one of the best soundbars.

The C7L can easily compete with the best gaming TVs, and offers a lot for gamers on a tighter budget. Its full suite of features — 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming — low 9.8ms input lag time and great picture quality make it a fantastic-value gaming TV.

Price is where the C7L excels. The 55-inch model I tested launched for £1,099 in June 2026, and since then I’ve seen it drop to £849 in places — and these prices will continue to drop. This makes it cheaper than rival OLEDs, such as the LG B6 and Samsung S85H, and RGB TVs such as the Hisense UR8. In terms of value for money, there aren’t many better TVs available.

TCL C7L review: Price & release date

The C7L demonstrates bold colors, deep black tones and good contrast (Image credit: Future)

Release date: June 2026
55-inch: £1,099
65-inch: £1,299
75-inch: £1,699
85-inch: £2,199
98-inch: £2,999

The TCL C7L is the brand’s mid-range SQD (Super Quantum Dot) mini-LED for 2026, sitting below the TCL C8L and flagship TCL X11L. It also sits below TCL’s RGB lineup, which comprises the TCL RM7L and flagship RM8L. The 55-inch model I tested launched in June 2026, and was priced at £1,099 at launch.

Since its release, prices have dropped across the board, with the 55-inch model dropping as low as £849, making it cheaper than most RGB TVs and pretty much every 2026 OLED, with its nearest rivals being the LG B6 and Samsung S85H (both of which are priced at £1,199 for the 55-inch model at the time of writing).

TCL C7L review: Specs

TCL C7L
Screen type:	SQD mini-LED
Refresh rate:	144Hz (up to 288Hz)
HDR support:	Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:	Dolby Atmos, DTS: Virtual X
Smart TV:	Google TV
HDMI:	4 (2 x HDMI 2.1)

TCL C7L review: Benchmark results

1 / 4

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.

TCL C7L

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

2083

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

692

LG B6

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

835

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

150

Samsung QN80H

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

1149

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

603

07501,5002,2503,000

nits

TCL C7L

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

2094

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

699

LG B6

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

740

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

150

Samsung QN80H

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

1204

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

672

07501,5002,2503,000

nits

TCL C7L

SDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

171

SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

254

LG B6

SDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

192

SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

183

Samsung QN80H

SDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

199

SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

231

075150225300

nits

TCL C7L

SDR Standard Mode (10% window)

346

SDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

511

LG B6

SDR Standard Mode (10% window)

230

SDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

194

Samsung QN80H

SDR Standard Mode (10% window)

588

SDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

340

0150300450600

nits

The above EOTF graphs show the accuracy of the Hisense UR8 for hitting different HDR brightness levels in grayscale. The closer to the yellow line, the more accurate a TV is. As with all our tests, these results are out of the box, without calibration, to demonstrate the performance most people will get. The C7L did well in the three reference tests of 1,000, 4,000 and 10,000 nits (Image credit: Future)

Spectral power distribution refers to the intensity of light that a source will display at various wavelengths of colour. It can reveal how accurate a source can show colour at different light levels, and can be instructive in understanding how a TV is handling colour (Image credit: Future)

TCL C7L review: Features

The C7L has a good array of inputs, but only two of its HDMI ports are specced for HDMI 2.1 (Image credit: Future)

SQD mini-LED panel
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
Four HDMI 2.1 ports

The TCL C7L has TCL’s SQD mini-LED panel, which the brand claims provides better backlight accuracy thanks to more precise dimming, as well as better colour volume. This panel has been adopted from the flagship X11L, the first SQD mini-LED, which also launched in 2026.

It uses TCL’s TSR AiPQ processor, which comes with AI features designed to improve picture, sound and gaming performance. Unlike TVs from major rivals such as LG, Samsung and Sony, the C7L supports all HDR flavours, including both Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

The C7L also has an anti-glare screen for reduced mirror-like reflections, taking a cue from Samsung’s own Glare Free screen, which Samsung first introduced on its flagship S95D OLED in 2024, before bringing it to more TVs in its mini-LED and OLED range in 2025.

It’s also well equipped for gaming, supporting 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming, along with an option for 288Hz with a compatible connected source (PC). The C7L is, however, limited to two HDMI 2.1 ports rated for gaming.

Audio is provided by Bang & Olufsen, with a 60W speaker system that supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS: Virtual X. A number of AI sound features are available, as well as a BeoSound menu where you can customise your sound profile manually.

The C7L uses Google TV as its smart TV interface, which offers all the major streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus, alongside BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

TCL C7L review: Picture quality

Elemental is a good showcase for the C7L's bright, vivid colours (Image credit: Disney / Future )

Bold colours
Great contrast
Blooming from off-centre viewing

The C7L produces excellent brightness for a mid-range, affordable mini-LED. It measured 2,083 nits peak HDR brightness (with Boost off, on a 10% window) in Filmmaker Mode, which easily beats LG’s mid-range OLED C6 (which hit 1,427 nits in my most recent tests), and even bests some RGB TVs like the Bravia 7 II (1,595 nits) and the flagship Samsung R95H (1,545 nits). With the C7L’s Boost mode activated, its brightness did hit 3,514 nits peak HDR in Movie mode, but it only affected 10% window measurements.

It also delivers very good fullscreen brightness, hitting 692 and 699 nits fullscreen HDR brightness in Filmmaker and Standard mode. While other mini-LEDs have scored higher, this is much higher than any OLED. I did find when watching in a bright room that there were some mirror-like reflections with darker scenes, but the C7L did a great job of mitigating reflections in bright scenes and sports content.

The C7L does a good job of upscaling textures in SDR/HD content, and, while they don’t get to 4K levels of sharpness, textures do look cleaner. I saw this when watching sports on Prime Video, which was in HD.

Real-world colours also look nice and punchy in movies like Speed Racer (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

Switching to reference 4K scenes, the C7L demonstrated bold, vibrant colours. This made movies like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie really pop on screen, shown by the rich hue of the Lumas whenever they were on screen. In Speed Racer, the C7L renders the candy-coloured aesthetic of the Racer house and the character’s outfits well, and it did a great job with Elemental on Disney Plus, especially during the scene where Ember makes a vase, making the oranges, purples and pinks of the vase dazzle on screen.

Measuring the C7L’s HDR colour gamut, it hit 97.3% of the UHDA-P3 colour space (which is used for mastering 4K Blu-ray and digital cinema releases). That’s a good result, but most impressive was its BT.2020 result, which hit 90.1%, which is one of the highest scores I’ve seen.

The Bamtan demonstrates the C7L's strong contrast, with a good balance between light and dark tones (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

Switching to darker and high-contrast scenes, the C7L demonstrates strong contrast with a good balance between light and dark tones. This is shown in the scene in The Batman in which Bruce works in the Batcave, with the contrast between the bright monitors and the dark surroundings handled well. While the contrast didn’t quite match up to that of the LG B6E OLED when I compared the two, it was good for a backlit TV.

Space scenes in Project Hail Mary looked similarly impressive, with rich and inky blacks. The C7L also showed good backlight control, with only minor blooming occurring in the stars against the black backdrop of space when viewed head-on. Off-center viewing, however, revealed more backlight blooming, which is a common occurrence with backlit TVs. Picture quality did fade with some brighter scenes as well when viewed off-center, though not to the extent I’ve seen with past mini-LED TVs.

Finally, the C7L demonstrated very good motion handling. For sports, having motion set to ‘Medium’ or a custom setting of Blur reduction on 2 and Judder reduction on 5 worked well, delivering smooth motion with very few motion artifacts. For movies, Natural Cinema mode worked very well, as the C7L handled the fast-paced action of Speed Racer convincingly.

Picture quality score: 4.5 / 5

TCL C7L review: Sound quality

The C7L's speakers are tuned by Bang & Olufsen Future

There's a Beo Sound sound menu that means you can customise your sound further Warner Bros / Future

Good, front-facing sound
Good accuracy with some width
Bass is lacking

The TCL C7L 55-inch I tested features a 2.2-channel, 60W speaker system tuned by Bang & Olufsen. As well as conventional sound modes like Movie and Sports, the C7L also features a custom sound setting, as well as a Beosound menu that offers the choice of four different sound profiles: Relaxed, Bright, Energetic, and Warm; you can also adjust the balance between these for a custom effect.

Watching the Batmobile/Penguin car chase scenes in The Batman, the C7L’s speakers deliver refined detail with good accuracy, with the sound accurately tracking the on-screen action . The soundstage also delivers good width, with sound extending beyond the frame and demonstrating good dynamics. I also found the C7L’s sound to be very forward-facing, meaning the overall sound was clearer than from some other TVs.

The C7L’s built-in sound isn’t without its flaws, though. Bass is lacking, so I wasn’t getting the low-end rumble from the Batmobile that I expected. Treble could sometimes be a little brash too, especially when the volume was pushed. I experimented with the Beosound menu, and found that positioning the cursor between Energetic and Warm added a bit of depth, but nothing substantial.

Sound quality: 3.5 / 5

TCL C7L review: Design

The C7L uses a central pedestal stand Future

The C7L's frame is a nice silver, metal material Future

Lightweight feel
Standard, safe design
Central pedestal stand

The C7L’s design is pretty standard for a TV in this price range. It’s virtually identical to last year’s TCL C7K, featuring a silver frame that adds some nice polish to the rather plain build elsewhere. The TV itself is incredibly light for a 55-inch TV, though feels sturdy enough when placed on a TV unit.

It uses a central pedestal stand that’s easy to fit and feels like the same type of plastic material used in the rear panel. The TV itself is a little deeper than other TVs, especially compared to OLEDs.

The included remote feels a little lightweight and cheap, but has a standard button layout that’s easy to follow, with shortcuts to major apps like Netflix. Overall, the C7L has a pretty safe design.

Design: 4 / 5

TCL C7L review: Smart TV & menus

Google TV is the C7L's smart TV platform. It's serviceable, but large banner ads on the home page (shown here) are very distracting (Image credit: Future)

Google TV
Good picture settings with easy menus
Large distracting banner ads on Google homepage

Like all TCL TVs, the C7L uses Google TV as its smart TV platform. Google TV is great at making content recommendations and even remembering content you’ve watched, especially with YouTube. Unfortunately, the homepage features large banner ads that take up to half the space on the screen. This is an issue with Google TV that I’ve also seen on plenty of other brands that use the platform.

The various menus and settings are easy enough to navigate, with picture settings divided into logical categories. There are also plenty of settings to allow you to customise your picture to the nth degree, though some settings, especially some of the texture enhancement settings, make less difference than others. I’d personally recommend turning settings like Super Resolution off for a more natural picture.

While Google TV is a perfectly serviceable smart TV platform, I feel it’s not as strong as LG’s webOS, Samsung’s Tizen, or Roku.

Smart TV & menus: 4 / 5

TCL C7L review: Gaming

The C7L has most of the tools to make it a great gaming TV (Image credit: Future)

4K 144Hz & FreeSync Premium Pro
9.8ms input lag time
Only two HDMI 2.1 ports

The TCL C7L has a great list of gaming features, including 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM, although only two of its four HDMI ports are rated 2.1 and support these features. The C7L also features a Game Master bar, where you can adjust settings such as shadow enhancement.

In my testing the C7L recorded low input-lag times, including 9.8ms at 4K 60Hz and 4.9ms at 1080p 120Hz, which are fantastic results. These numbers translate into real-world performance too, as I found when playing Battlefield V. The C7L’s performance was great overall, handling the game’s large-scale battles and explosive action with ease. As I battled through levels, it could easily keep up with my need to snap to targets while moving around.

While the C7L’s picture quality was great for gaming overall, delivering the same bold colours and strong contrast I’d seen while watching movies, I did notice on occasion that textures could muddy and blur during particularly hectic moments.

Gaming score: 4.5 / 5

TCL C7L review: Value

The C7L's supplied remote is fine but feels a little cheap (Image credit: Future)

Excellent features for the money
Competitive price for this level of tech
Great mid-range option

The 55-inch model of the TCL C7L that I tested costs £999 on average, although I have seen it drop to as low as £849. Plus, if TCL’s pricing strategy of previous years is anything to go by, those prices will drop again, especially during sales periods like Black Friday. Even at full price, it’s £200 cheaper than the entry-level LG B6 OLED (£1,199 for the 55-inch) and that price puts it in a similar range to rival mini-LEDs from Hisense (the U7 Pro is £999) and Samsung (the QN80H is £899).

For the performance and features it offers, the C7L is excellent value. The performance of TCL’s mid-range mini-LED models seems to improve year on year, and the C7L is one of the best TCL TVs I’ve tested. Yes, its sound could be better, but it ticks a lot of boxes in other areas, and has the potential to become even better value as its price drops over time.

Value score: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the TCL C7L?

Viewed head-on, the C7L demonstrates very good backlight control and deep black tones (Image credit: Future)

TCL C7L scorecard
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Tons of smart and gaming features as well as full HDR support	4.5 / 5
Picture quality	Excellent colour, great brightness and very good contrast. Some blooming when viewed off-centre	4.5 / 5
Sound quality	Good accuracy and width with clear speech, but bass is lacking	3.5 / 5
Design	Good build quality that feels its price, but remote feels a little cheap	4 / 5
Smart TV and menus	Good content recommendations from Google TV, but banner ads are distracting	4 / 5
Gaming	Great list of gaming features including 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro and a low input lag time. Only two HDMI 2.1 ports	4.5 / 5
Value	A great value TV that's cheaper than rival OLEDs and RGB TVs. Deliver performance that outweighs the price	4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a great value TV
A near-full suite of gaming pictures and great picture quality, all for an ultra-competitive price. There aren't many better value TVs than the C7L.

You want very good picture quality
The C7L has bold colours and strong contrast and delivers good backlight control when viewed head-on. Its picture outperforms its price.

You want a feature-packed but more affordable gaming TV
With 4K 144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro and Dolby Vision and a 9.8ms input lag time, the C7L is brilliant TV for gaming.

Don't buy it if...

You want cinematic sound
While the C7L has good enough sound for day-to-day viewing, its lack of bass takes away from the cinematic experience. A soundbar is recommended.

You want to watch from an angle
The C7L's picture quality and backlight control waver when viewed off-centre, meaning larger groups may not get the full experience.

You have multiple next-gen gaming consoles
The C7L only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, meaning only two ports can accommodate gaming consoles and a soundbar. Other TVs in this price range have four HDMI 2.1 ports.

Also consider

	TCL C7L	LG B6	Samsung QN80H	Hisense UR8
Price (55-inch)	£999	£1,199	£919	£1,299
Screen type	SQD mini-LED	OLED	Mini-LED	RGB mini-LED
Refresh rate	120Hz (up to 144Hz)	120Hz	120Hz (up to 144Hz)	120Hz (up to 180Hz)
HDR support	Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG	HDR10+, HDR10, HLG	Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Smart TV	Google TV	webOS 26	Tizen	VIDAA
HDMI ports	4 (2 x HDMI 2.1)	4 x HDMI 2.1	4 x HDMI 2.1	4 x HDMI 2.1

LG B6
The LG B6 is the most affordable OLED in LG's 2026 lineup and it delivers richer colours and better black tones than the C7L. The C7L has a big brightness advantage and is likely to stay much cheaper than the B6, even during big sales. This one comes down to preference and what room you'll be watching in.

Read our full LG B6 review

Samsung QN80H
Samsung's mid-range mini-LED has more gaming features than the C7L, but the C7L offers higher brightness and better backlight control. Price-wise, these two are almost identical and for that reason, the C7L's better performance makes it the better value buy. We haven't reviewed the QN80H, but I have extensively tested it.

Check out our Samsung QN80H vs Samsung M80H feature

Hisense UR8
The UR8 is Hisense's more entry-level RGB mini-LED and surprisingly, the C7L delivers quite close performance in terms of picture quality and gaming. The UR8 has slightly better sound, but the C7L is generally £300 cheaper and the better value model of the two.

Read our full Hisense UR8 review

How I tested the TCL C7L

(Image credit: Future)

Tested over a couple of weeks
Tested in varying lighting conditions in our testing lab using reference scenes
Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman colour calibration software

The first step of testing the TCL C7L was some casual viewing to establish its best picture and sound modes. I eventually settled on Filmmaker Mode for movies and TV shows and Standard for sports and broadcast TV.

After testing the C7L with SDR content including sports and HD movies to test its upscaling, I moved onto reference 4K HDR and Dolby Vision scenes to test it colour, contrast, backlight control, brightness, motion and detail.

As well as subjective testing, I took measurements using specialised equipment, focusing on the C7L's brightness, HDR colour gamut coverage, picture accuracy and input lag. These tests were done using a Klein K-10A colourimeter, profiled with a Jeti Spectral 15VA Spectroradiometer and Portrait Displays' Calman Colour calibration software.

For brightness, I measured the C7L with 1-100% window sizes, focusing on peak (10%) and fullscreen (100%) brightness in particular. These were measured in both SDR and HDR.

Next was HDR colour gamut coverage, with measurements of the UHDA-P3 colour space (used for 4K Blu-ray and digital cinema mastering) and BT.2020 (the colour space used by projectors).

I also measured greyscale and colour accuracy in SDR.

I also tested the C7L HDR EOTF, which measures its accuracy at both light and dark levels, and Spectral Power Distribution, which measures the C7L's colour performance.

Finally, I measured input lag in milliseconds (ms), using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag Tester.

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

First reviewed: October 2026
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

LG C6 vs Samsung S90H: which of these 2026 OLED TVs comes out on top?

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 19:00:00 +0000

The LG C6 is easily one of the best TVs I’ve tested this year, showing a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the LG C5. The new model has faster performance, a real step-up in brightness (nearly 300 nits peak HDR and 50 fullscreen HDR) and a more accurate picture, especially with its color temperature, mitigating some of the green tint I saw in the LG C5 when I compared the C6 and C5 side-by-side.

While the LG C6 does currently sit at the top of the TV food chain for me, in terms of performance vs price, there are some rivals I’ve been intrigued to test alongside it. One of those has just landed in our testing lab: the Samsung S90H, Samsung’s own mid-range OLED and direct rival to the C6.

I decided to compare the two side-by-side using reference 4K Blu-ray scenes I use to test TVs. Can the S90H cement itself as one of the best OLED TVs and de-throne the LG C6?

Brightness and bright room viewing

Despite the S90H (right) having higher measured brightness, this scene from Lawrence of Arabia looked brighter on the C6 (left) (Image credit: Sony Picture Entertainment / Future )

In terms of brightness measurements, the C6 registered 1,427 nits peak HDR brightness in Filmmaker Mode, which is a nice result for a mid-range OLED. Surprisingly, the S90H measured 1,689 nits peak HDR brightness in its own Filmmaker Mode, which is 18% higher than the C6. Samsung’s OLED TVs are brighter than LG’s, with the Samsung S95H/S99H flagship OLED registering 10% higher brightness than the LG G6 in HDR Filmmaker Mode (2,739 nits for the S95H/S99H vs 2,475 nits for the G6).

The S90H’s fullscreen HDR brightness was also higher, measuring 310 nits to the C6’s 247 nits, both of which were measured in Filmmaker Mode. So, with measurements, the S90H is brighter. But, did this translate across to real-world viewing?

Firing up Lawrence of Arabia, focusing on a bright, daytime desert scene early in the movie, the C6 actually showed higher luminance. The white sands appeared punchier and brighter on the C6 compared to the S90H. This was the case with both TVs in Filmmaker Mode and even in the brighter Movie mode (called Cinema Home on the C6). In fact, the perceived brightness gap was even wider when set to their movie modes, with the C6 rendering the white sands and blue skies even brighter.

When it comes to bright room viewing, the S90H (right) is the obvious choice, thanks to its glare free screen (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

This could be a result of the C6’s new Alpha 11 AI Gen 3 processor, the same used in the flagship G6, which does feature an impressive brightness booster and 13-bit color processing (12-bit with 1 bit of added brightness), as well as the C6’s glossy screen vs the S90H’s matte screen. It wasn’t all cut-and-dry, as in some scenes, particularly colorful ones, the S90H looked punchier at times (I’ll get onto that in the below Color section).

One thing is for sure though: for bright room viewing, the S90H is the clear victor. The C6’s reflective screen was one of its negatives in my C6 review, often showing mirror-like reflections during darker scenes. The S90H features Samsung’s OLED Glare Free screen and as expected, it’s super effective at eliminating these reflections. I used dark scenes from movies like The Batman and Project Hail Mary to really test it out, and I was surprised by how well the S90H displayed these scenes in our bright testing lab. If you have a bright room, the S90H is the better choice.

Colors

Colors are excellent on both TVs, but they often trade off whose is punchier. In The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it's the C6 (left)...Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future

...But in Speed Racer, it's the S90H (right) Warner Bros / Future

Color is probably the toughest battle fought between these two TVs. Watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, both TVs did a great job faithfully recreating the movie’s bright and vivid colors. In a scene where the Lumas gather for story time at the start of the movie, their multi-colored bodies looked richer and deeper on the C6, but appeared more natural on the S90H. The same is true with the red and green of Mario and Luigi’s overalls respectively, and I found myself leaning towards the C6’s more saturated color profile.

Switching to Speed Racer however, the S90H delivers more vibrant colors. The decor of the Racer family kitchen, which features pink walls and green and orange details, seemed to pop more on the S90H. While they were still very rich on the C6, they didn’t quite have the same eye-catching hues to them as on the S90H. Throughout the movie, the S90H did a better job rendering the cartoon style colors of the movie, with pleasing richness, depth and vibrancy.

La La Land was one movie where colors were extremely close, though the C6 (left) has slightly more vibrancy (Image credit: Lionsgate / Future )

Finally, I loaded up La La Land. In the Spring pool party scene, both TVs did a great job reproducing the colorful outfits of the partygoers, as well as keeping things natural with the surrounding skies and green bushes. However, the C6 had the punchier colors again here. Mia’s yellow dress seemed to have more pop on the C6 compared to the S90H, again regardless of picture mode. Both TVs did a very good job showing balanced color profiles, with nothing looking too oversaturated (the green bushes have sometimes looked too neon on some TVs I’ve tested it on), but again, the C6 had the more engaging colors.

With HDR color gamut measurements, there was nothing to call between them. The C6 measured 99.7% of the UHDA-P3 color space and 75.9% of the BT.2020 color space, with the S90H registering 99.3% and 76.5% of the same respective color spaces. This did inform me that the 55-inch S90H I was testing was a W-OLED panel and not a QD-OLED, as a QD-OLED would have registered higher on the BT.2020 color space.

One final observation I had was that watching the subway fight scene from The Batman, the S90H showed some green tint in comparison to the C6, something I’d noticed on previous OLEDs like the C5. The C6 didn’t show any sign of this, and it was one of main plus points of the C6 during its testing.

Contrast and dark scenes

In The Batman, I noticed the S90H (right) had crushed some black tones, losing shadow detail, with both TVs set to Filmmaker ModeWarner Bros / Future

Switching the S90H (right) to Movie mode removed some of this black crush, but the C6 (left) still had a more faithful look, even still set to Filmmaker ModeWarner Bros / Future

The Batman has proven to be a challenge for some TVs in the past and it proved to be a bit of a test for one TV in particular here: the S90H. Watching any of the movie’s opening scenes, where there are plenty of dark areas on screen, the S90H very clearly crushed blacks, which resulted in loss of shadow detail. As Batman stands in a subway post fight, the texture of the rear wall and in Batman’s armour was much harder to see on the S90H, while being legible on the C6.

In fact, most scenes from The Batman looked better on the C6, with both TVs set to Filmmaker Mode. I found during viewing that the S90H’s default Filmmaker Mode was very dim, even in darker, ambient conditions.

Bumping up the Shadow Detail setting from 0 to 5 did help bring back some detail, but blacks were still crushed. Setting its Tone Mapping from Static to Active (which isn’t in the spirit of Filmmaker Mode but helped here) did alleviate some of these issues, but again, the C6’s picture, in its out-of-the-box Filmmaker Mode settings, was more faithful to the movie.

Both TVs deliver deep, inky blacks in Project Hail Mary and despite its black crush, the S90H's (right) black tones actually were richer at times (Image credit: Amazon / Future )

Aside from these crushed black tones, both TVs did demonstrate strong contrast. As Bruce works at a desk in the Batcave, the bright tones from the monitors and desk lamp were well balanced with the dark tones surrounding them, and while they looked more natural on the C6, they were impressive on the S90H.

Switching to Project Hail Mary, the S90H’s blacks were inkier and deeper, and actually suited the scenes in space well. However, it was still prone to crushing blacks in some scenes, resulting in detail loss. Watching this movie revealed that the C6 could sometimes overexert its brightness and black tones actually looked lifted compared to the S90H in some shots.

Despite this, both TVs did a very good job rendering Project Hail Mary, and it still showcased how effective OLED was with these high contrast scenes.

A battle for the ages

The battle between the C6 (left) and S90H (right) is a very closely fought one and really comes down to preference, price and your room, but the C6 is my personal pick (Image credit: Future)

Putting the C6 and S90H side-by-side proved that both of them were overall excellent mid-range OLEDs, and despite their own picture oddities from time to time, deliver superb picture quality. Both could be counted among the best gaming TVs thanks to their extensive features and both are available in size 42-83 inches.

For price, the 55-inch C6 costs $999 / £1,199 / AU$2,995, while the 55-inch S90H costs $1,299 / £1,199 / AU$2,995. While the S90H’s price is higher in the US right now, I don’t expect that to last, so really these two TVs are priced the same as well.

It comes down to your circumstances. If you have a bright room, the S90H is a no-brainer and if you’re in more ambient conditions, the C6 is the better pick. If I had to pick one right now, it would be the C6 as I found the C6’s picture to be more consistent on the scenes I tested, but this was a really close fight and if you can get the S90H for cheaper than the C6, then you won’t be disappointed with it.

The dream home theater TV? 111-inch OLED TVs might be coming as LG Display explores larger sizes

Carrie Marshall — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 23:07:26 +0000

LG Display is investing heavily in OLED production up to 111 inches
Current LG OLEDs top out at 97 inches
Today's 97-inch panel is much older tech than smaller panels

If you're looking for home theater-size OLED TVs, you'll soon encounter two hard limits: availability and affordability. You can't currently buy an OLED larger than 97 inches because nobody makes them.

And you probably can't afford a 97-inch OLED TV because it's terrifyingly expensive: today LG is listing its 97-inch OLED for $19,999 (reduced from $24,999) / £15,999. But it looks like both of those things are about to change.

LG Display is reportedly investing big money in big OLED, though: it and its partner Guangzhou Development Zone Holding Group are reportedly investing an extra 1 billion yuan to upgrade its production facilities for giant OLED displays.

As FlatpanelsHD reports, the market analysis company TrendForce says that the announced upgrades mainly target "large-size OLED module manufacturing, with products covering 77-inch, 83-inch, 97-inch, and 111-inch," with the ability to debut a 111-inch panel being a "major highlight of the project."

Bigger and potentially more affordable TVs are always welcome. But we do have some questions.

Hisense's massive mini-LED TVs are spectacular, and the 98-inch costs a fraction of what you'd pay for a same-sized OLED (Image credit: Future)

What panel is LG intending to use?

The big question for us is whether the investment will mean improvements to the existing 97-inch panel's technology.

The 2026 version of LG's 97-inch OLED TV is a 4K native panel with a native refresh rate of 120Hz, but while the model is the LG G6, its panel is not the same as its smaller siblings: they all get LG's Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 panel, but the 97-inch is an older, non-Tandem panel — in fact it dates back to the LG G2 from 2022, so it's several generations behind. That means it isn't as bright and doesn't have the same color accuracy as the other models.

That difference is important, because these large OLEDs are up against some of the best mini-LED and increasingly, RGB mini-LED TVs — and those TVs are exceptionally bright and accurate as well as increasingly affordable. It's possible to buy high-quality 98-inch Hisense TV for just $3,999, which is a lot for a TV but not a lot for a 98-inch one — and is obvious just a fraction of the 97-inch OLED price.

We're keeping our fingers crossed here: if LG Display breaks the size barrier and makes ultra-large Tandem RGB TVs that are less expensive to manufacture, that'd be great. The worst case scenario is that we get the same kind of panel that's currently in the 97-incher, but a bit bigger — but it seems like that the aim is to upgrade the technology, given that production of smaller sizes was mentioned as a goal as well.

And that might be the bigger win from the project for most of us: if the project succeeds in making producing 111-inch OLED viable, and therefore improves the process and lowers the cost of 77-inch and 83-inch models too, that's probably the real benefit.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

Try our TV size and model finder! You tell it how far you sit from your TV, we'll tell you what size to buy based on viewing angle advice from image quality experts, and we'll recommend our three top TVs at that size for different prices.

Why the LG C6 OLED is my TV of the Year, ending Samsung's reign and holding off next-gen RGB TVs

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000

In a year that saw the arrival of next-gen RGB mini-LED to the mass market and elite OLEDs get more impressive and flexible than ever for brightness, my TV of the Year at the TechRadar Product of the year Awards 2026 is, in fact, the mid-range LG C6 OLED TV.

The latest in the LG C-series lineage, the LG C6 earned the full five stars in my LG C6 review, delivering what has always made LG’s C-series TVs among the best TVs around, but taking a few key features to another level (more on that below).

When I compared it to its predecessor, the LG C5, my admiration for the C6 was further solidified, again as the latter showed major upgrades over the former — that's not something you always see in newer TV models. At the time, I said I thought the C5 was better value — but six months on, the C6's price has dropped significantly, and it's now phenomenal value.

This win actually marks LG’s first return to the top of the TV of the Year podium since 2022, with Samsung’s mid-range QD-OLED the S90C taking the crown in 2023, with subsequent victories for Samsung’s flagship OLED models, the S95D in 2024 and the S95F last year. While Samsung released very impressive TVs in 2026, one of the key things we're all looking for even more than usual this year is value, and C6 has a few key elements that make it the best bang for buck.

Accuracy, brightness and power

The LG C6 (left) has a new, improved processor that means it deliver better brightness and colors over its predecessor the LG C5 (right) (Image credit: Future)

One of the LG C6’s big upgrades was to its processor. While previous generations of the C-series had used LG's Alpha 9, the C6 was fitted with the Alpha 11 AI Gen 3: LG's most powerful chip, and the same one used in the flagship LG G6. This meant faster processing times for easier use and navigation, as well as upgraded picture features including 13-bit image processing for reduced color banding, and an upgraded brightness booster.

But did these features actually translate into real-world improvements? When I compared the C6 to the C5, the answer was a resounding yes. The C6 registered 1,438 nits peak HDR brightness in Filmmaker Mode in a 10% window — a notable step-up over the C5’s 1,180 nits in the same test. It even hit 245 nits fullscreen HDR brightness, which was 50 nits higher than the C5. That may not sound like much, but for an OLED battling against reflections in bright rooms, it makes a clear difference.

As for actual real-world viewing, the HDR brightness boost was best demonstrated in scenes with a sunset on horizon, such as Wicked and Top Gun: Maverick, where the C6 clearly had higher peak brightness, resulting in punchier HDR highlights. Bright scenes and colors also looked more impactful and engaging on the C6, particularly when large areas of white, such as snow, were on screen.

It was the C6's (left) improved color temperature accuracy that impressed me the most, making movies like The Batman look even better than they did on the LG C5 (right) (Image credit: Warner Bros. / Future )

But, the thing that impressed me the most with the C6 during my testing was its color temperature accuracy. When I viewed the C6 and C5 together, it was obvious that the C6 had a green tint effect on it (something that has affected OLED panels in the past), which you don't really register when you're watching it solo, but is clear when comparing against other high-end panels.

This was most noticeable in The Batman, namely the scene after he fought with a gang on a subway platform. Watching the scene on both the C6 and C5, they both demonstrated excellent contrast with well-balanced dark and bright tones, but the C6 clearly had a much more accurate color temperature, meaning the gray tones of the walls and platform actually looked gray, whereas the C5’s green tint took away some of that true-to-life accuracy.

Outside of this, the C6 also delivered bolder colors that popped more on screen, more accurate skin tones and slightly more refined dark tones than the C5. Watching Elemental during my C6 testing was a particular treat, as the red, purples, pinks and blues throughout really dazzled on screen. The C5 had also done a great job with that movie, but the C6 just had more.

Unbeatable value

The LG C6 really can do it all, from superb picture quality to razor-sharp gaming performance: all for better value than its closest rivals (Image credit: Disney / Future )

The C6 is not a ‘cheap’ TV by any means, but one thing the C-series has always excelled at is value for money. It’s got a full suite of gaming features, and when you pair it with responsive, smooth performance, it’s easily the best gaming TV available. Its motion is also super smooth for sports, and because it's available in sizes from 42 inches to 83 inches, it’s versatile for any space. It really is a jack-of-all-trades TV.

But in this year’s C6, an exciting new twist happened with its larger 77- and 83-inch models, both known as the LG C6H: they received the same Tandem RGB OLED panel used in the LG G6. And the best part? This came at no changed cost from the LG C5, which used a less-advanced OLED EX panel. So at these sizes, the LG C6 is practically the same TV as the LG G6, but cheaper.

We always worry about price increases from previous models when a TV launches, due to inflation as well as upgrades touted by manufacturers — and obviously this year has been especially hard for tech price rises.

However, the C6 launched for nearly identical prices and those prices have been dropping ever since. At the time of writing, several months from its release in April 2026, you can pick up a 65-inch C6 for $1,499 / £1,799 / AU$3,995 already, which is a $1,200 / £700 price drop (none in Australia yet unfortunately). And with Black Friday around the corner, there’s only more opportunities to get one for less.

When you put its upgraded performance and features over its predecessor, stable prices, upgraded panels in larger sizes at no extra cost and its genuine value for money together, the C6 is my obvious pick for TV of the Year. Yes, there may be more impressive TVs out there if money's no object, but here in 2026 money very much is an object — and no other TV ticks all the box boxes, including value, so impressively.

The five-star and TechRadar award-winning LG C6 OLED TV drops to a record-low price ahead of Black Friday — the ideal upgrade for GTA 6

james.pickard@futurenet.com (James Pickard) — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 12:08:32 +0000

Are you waiting for Black Friday before picking up a brand new TV this year? Well, you might not need to, as this five-star-rated model — and our pick for the best TV you can buy this year in the TechRadar awards – is already down to a record-low price before the sales are even fully underway. Yep, the LG C6 65-inch OLED TV is at Amazon US for $1,399 (was $1,599). The same LG C6 is at Amazon UK for £1,699 (was £1,899).

For those in the UK, if the 65-inch model is too large for your room or outside of your budget, several other sizes of this top-rated TV are also reduced to record-low prices right now. Amazon has the 42-inch LG C6 for £899 (was £999), the 48-inch LG C6 for £999 (was £1,099), and the 55-inch LG C6 for £1,199 (was £1,399).

Whichever one you choose, you can be confident that you're getting the strongest all-around display for most people, according to our testing. The C6 is a top-tier OLED TV for streaming your favourite shows, watching 4K movies, enjoying fast-paced sports, or playing the latest games — especially something like GTA 6.

One big question remains: will the price go lower as we get closer to Black Friday? Of course, we can never know for sure, but I would be surprised if the C6 gets any cheaper than this over the next few weeks. Maybe by a small amount of about £50 tops, but Black Friday deals usually stick around the same price for a longer time these days, so personally, I would be happy to buy now if you don't want to wait.

LG C6 record-low price at Amazon

C6 65-inch OLED TV: was $1599.99 now $1399.99
You can get the five-star LG C6 at Amazon US for a record-low price right now. Our pick for the TV of the year offers fantastic overall picture quality and excellent all-around performance, making it the number one pick for watching films, streaming TV shows, playing games, or enjoying sports. Expect top-tier contrast, vivid colors, rich blacks, and expert motion handling.View Deal

C6 65-inch OLED TV: was £1899 now £1699
This is a record-low price for the top-tier TV and an early standout deal from this year's Black Friday sales in the UK. LG reclaimed the top spot on our best TV guide with the C6, as it boasts fantastic overall picture quality and excellent all-around performance, making it the number one pick for most. Contrast is top-tier, with vivid colours and rich blacks, while motion is handled expertly. No matter if you're watching films, streaming TV shows, playing games, or watching sports, it's up to the job. Smaller models from 42 inches also now start at £899. View Deal

Want to read up more on this TV before hitting the buy button? Then you can check out our five-star review of the LG C6. The brand has been leading the way in the world of OLED TVs for many years, and we concluded that this latest model is "a worthy successor to, and upgrade over, the LG C5."

Our expert tester has praise for basically every part of the C6, saying that it offers fantastic picture quality, with superior brightness and excellent contrast, a modern processor to refine images, brilliant motion smoothing that makes fast-paced sports and games great to watch, and surprisingly strong built-in sound. It'll be worth investing in a soundbar eventually, though, for the best experience.

The C6 is also one of the best options if you're hunting for a new gaming TV to prepare for GTA 6. It sports four HDMI 2.1 ports and a full suite of premium gaming features, such as support for 4K resolution at 165Hz, giving you a smooth and responsive experience when playing the latest games on current-gen consoles.

Hisense XR10 review: a pricy powerhouse projector with huge dynamic range in both the light and dark

Mark Knapp — Thu, 29 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000

Hisense XR10: One-minute review

The Hisense XR10 offers powerful projection that you can put all over the room and still get squared away. That’s thanks to extensive optical adjustments that include incredible zoom range and lens shift. Hisense definitely cranked up the elegance this year.

The Hisense XR10 is loaded up with blazing RGB lasers that give it stunning brightness and color, while an adjustable iris can help it clamp down black levels for dark room viewing with enhanced contrast. It’s all packed into a stylish box that’s much smaller and more portable than high-end theater projectors like the Sony Bravia Projector 7, and Hisense’s included carrying case will let you take it places in style.

(Image credit: Future)

All of this comes at a high price, though. The Hisense XR10 is $5,999 / £5,999 / AU$9,999 after falling from the original $6,999 price tag in the US. Though it has decent speakers for a projector and a serviceable operating system in VidaaOS, these don’t lend a ton of extra value. It also jumped the gun a bit and missed out on the VRR and 4K/120Hz support that a newer wave of projectors are offering. At its price, it’s not going to lead the charge for value, but you do get a lot for the money. It’s still probably worth waiting to see if the XGIMI Horizon 30 Ultra Max, JMGO Iris Ultra Max, and Hisense C3 Ultra Max leave the XR10 any room to breathe.

Hisense XR10 review: Price and release date

Release date: mid 2026
MSRP: $5,999 / £5,999 / AU$9,999

The Hisense XR10 made its debut at CES 2026 and started shipping in May. It came with an initial price of $6,999 / £5,999 / AU$9,999 but that US price has generally fallen to $5,999. In the time it’s been out, some deals have even brought it as low as $4,499, but it hasn’t been a sticky price drop and prices elsewhere seem to be much more static.

For the money, Hisense does include a special carrying case that’s far and away the highest quality one I’ve seen included with a projector like this. But even then it’s not adding thousands of dollars in value.

Hisense XR10 review: specs

Supported screen sizes	65-300 inches
Optical technology	3 Laser DLP
Brightness (specified)	6,000 Lumens
Audio	2x8-watt + 15-watt speakers
Ports	2x HDMI 2.1 (1x eARC), 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x USB-A, 1x optical, 1x 3.5mm audio
Smart TV	VidaaOS
Dimensions	11.5 x 10.7 x 8.4 inches
Weight	23.4 pounds

Hisense XR10 review: design and features

Stylish, compact design and serious carrying case
Highly adjustable optics
VidaaOS is quick but may be limiting

Hisense has built something particularly gorgeous with the XR10. It simply looks like a work of serious engineering with its brown metal casing, stylish venting and machined accents, knurled lens cover, oversize lens cover, and dark color scheme. The front's sensor array also looks highly technical. The top is a little plain, but Hisense has included a volume dial, power button, ambient light sensor, and a little aesthetic nod to the RGB laser system inside.

The Hisense XR10 is a modestly sized box at 11.5 x 10.7 x 8.4 inches / 292.1 x 271.8 x 213.4 mm, yet with all its packing in it ends up weighing a considerable 23.4 pounds / 10.6kg. To help you lug it around, Hisense includes a fashionable carrying case that looks more like a piece of luggage than the styrofoam cases many projectors come with. It's complete with straps, zippers, padded slots for each component, and it even has wheels and an extendable handle for rolling.

(Image credit: Future)

The projector has everything it needs to help you get it set up for perfect alignment with your screen. It stands on four height-adjustable feet, so you can get it level and squared away with the wall. And it offers extensive zoom and lens shift capabilities. It can shift from a short throw ratio of 0.84:1 all the way to a 2:1 throw ratio, this means you can set it close to a wall or screen and still get a big picture or set it far from that screen and shrink it down to fit without having to use digital cropping. Plenty of competitors are offering zoom now, but the XR10 has a far wider range than most.

The XR10 goes well beyond that, too, adding on 130% vertical lens shift and 46% horizontal lens shift. This makes it much easier to set the projector wherever is convenient for you and still be able to dial in a crisp, perfectly aligned projection where you want it.

Hisense has also built in some automatic picture correction, like screen fitting and obstacle avoidance, but the projector tends to try zooming all the way out to make those corrections. So it's very easy to end up in a situation where the projection is simply too large for the projector to figure out what to do to fit it onto a small screen. Some features also get locked out if lens shift is used, like automatic keystone correction (something you should skip anyway) and eye protection (something it’s also great to have because these are some bright lasers).

(Image credit: Future)

Around back, the Hisense XR10 is pretty well geared up for serious home theater use. It includes a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports one of which supports eARC as well as one HDMI 2.0 port. It also includes a set of two USB 3.0 ports, a gigabit ethernet port, and both optical and 3.5mm analog audio outputs.

That ethernet port could be useful, but the XR10 actually has Wi-Fi 7 on board, so you can get pretty fast networking wirelessly as well. With that wireless connection, you can easily access streaming services using the built-in operating system, which is unfortunately not Google TV.

Instead it’s Hisense's own VidaaOS. It has most of the major streaming apps and some extras like Xbox Cloud Gaming but there's plenty that's missing. On the bright side, navigating the software is fairly quick and Hisense's included remote has a dedicated input button so you don't have to spend much time in VidaaOS if you want to use an external source for video.

(Image credit: Future)

The XR10 offers serious brightness for a small box, so there’s a bit of fan whir in operation to keep the insides cool. It’s noticeable in a quiet room when sitting close to the projector, but it’s easily drowned out by the 2.1-channel sound system.

The remote control included with the XR10 is a fairly simple one, offering directional navigation and direct access to input selection, autofocus, voice input, the settings menu, the home screen, volume and brightness controls, a mute button, and shortcuts to Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and Disney+. It also has backlighting, but it's only activated after you press a button, not motion activated.

Design & features score: 4.5 / 5

Hisense XR10 review: picture quality and performance

Brilliantly colorful, stunningly bright, and capable of deep black levels
Good gaming chops
Punchy sound, but not cinematic

One of the greatest aspects of the Hisense XR10 is its color, coming by way of its RGB laser light source. For most content, it can look perfectly natural, but when it really comes time to jazz things up, it’s simply amazing. The attack on Rosalina’s home in the beginning of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is a stunning showcase of its capabilities, with dazzling magical effects, so many colorful stars, and plenty of opportunity for the XR10 to demonstrate its vibrant color.

As the convoy heads out at the beginning of Mad Max: Fury Road, the subtle reds of the sand against the blues of the sky are simply gorgeous, and the deeper reds of the flamethrowers are all the more vibrant. The inside of the sandstorm is simply wondrous, with the chaotic flashing of lightning playing against the deep shadows.

All that color comes alongside serious brightness. In my testing with the projector in its Vivid picture settings, with the iris open and brightness set to maximum, I measured it outputting 6,841 lumens. It has the potential to go higher with a cooler white point and a Brightness Enhanced mode, reaching 7,757 lumens, but this tints the whole picture green.

In practice, the high brightness means the XR10 is strong enough to use in a room even if you’re not doing much to shut out ambient light. I found watching a lot of content even with some of my room lights on more than comfortable, and depending on what I was watching, I could even get away with leaving the windows open in the middle of the day and still see well enough.

Future

The Hisense XR10 offers potent contrast as well. It’s exhibited splendidly in Dune 2 during the black-and-white Harkkonen coliseum fight. Even without color, there’s splendid detail and rich shadows. This contrast comes by way of the low black levels that the projector is capable of by shutting down its iris. In all but the darkest scenes I find that the letterboxes around some videos appear almost completely black.

The projector gets dark enough that light control in the room actually becomes rather important. Light hitting the screen can bounce around the room and end up back on the screen where it should be dark, and this raises the black level. Using a VESA test pattern with two bright boxes in the corners of an otherwise black screen, I measured a contrast of 362:1 without controlling for room reflections. By blocking out the white boxes with black velvet, I could simulate a light-controlled room and measured a 3,251:1 contrast ratio. That was with the optical iris open. Cranking the iris down to its lowest level, I measured a 11,194:1 contrast ratio.

The XR10 uses motion interpolation by default, and this tends to introduce a lot of motion artifacts, though it can be a benefit to panning shots. I’ve found the visuals look smooth enough and avoid issues with the motion interpolation set to Film or disabled outright.

Future

Gaming on the XR10 is a joy. It supports both 4K/60Hz and 1080p/240Hz modes with very low latency in both, even without enabling Game Mode. I dashed through levels in Hades 2, easily keeping up with the pace of combat and played through 007: First Light while enjoying the deep cinematic shadows the projector enabled. The XR10 misses out on VRR, though, and a new crop of projectors are bringing in 4K/120Hz capabilities as well, leaving the XR10 a little bit behind on those fronts.

The audio of the XR10 is quite something for a box as small as it is. It features a 2.1-speaker setup with two main drivers and a subwoofer. There’s a bit of low-end brunt to it, though I found the volume drops off a cliff below about 70Hz, leaving the deepest rumble out of the picture. The speakers do a good job with most content and get plenty loud without distorting, but they don’t have much stereo separation to help along with the stunning cinematic quality of the projection.

For what it’s worth, the XR10 still comes with the DLP rainbow effect. It’s not as bad as I’ve seen on some DLP projectors, tending only to be noticeable with white on black visuals, but it may be distracting to those who are particularly susceptible to it.

Picture quality & performance score: 4.5 / 5

Hisense XR10 review: value

Premium price
Capable and flexible projection

There’s no getting around the fact that, at $5,999 / £5,999 / AU$9,999, the Hisense XR10 is a very expensive projector, even next to a lot of its competition. It outprices models like the XGIMI Titan Noir Pro, XGIMI Horizon 30 Ultra Max, JMGO Iris Ultra Max, and even Hisense’s own C3 Ultra Max, and by a considerable amount. It is on the bright side of these projectors, though not the brightest. What it does have is a greater zoom range than any of these with its ability to go to a 2:1 throw ratio. For anyone who critically needs flexibility in positioning, that could be a big advantage.

The inclusion of decent speakers for a projector and a streaming operating system are nice to see, but not something that sets the XR10 far apart from its competition.

Ultimately the XR10 ends up with a sizable premium that might be hard to justify for everyone who’s seeking the most value. But if you’re after high-powered projection and serious capabilities, there are really only a few options that effectively undercut this one, and we're yet to see how well they hold up to their promises.

Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Hisense XR10?

Hisense XR10 Scorecard
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Design and features	The Hisense XR10 is a complete package with advanced and highly flexible optics, powerful projection, punchy speakers, a competent operating system, plenty of ports, and strong wireless connectivity, all packed into an elegant box.	4.5/5
Picture quality and performance	The XR10’s RGB laser light source offers stunning brightness and looks wonderfully crisp through the optical system. The projector can get plenty dark using its iris, making it great for viewing in both bright and dark rooms. It has solid gaming chops as well, though VRR would have been a bonus. The speakers also leave a little bit to be desired but are still pretty solid for a projector like this.	4.5/5
Value	The XR10 brings a lot to the table, all in one package. But, it asks a high price, and a new fleet of projectors are offering a lot of its capabilities for much lower prices. Most don’t match its optical adjustments, but for many people, that may not be so critical.	4/5

Buy it if...

You want both bright and dark room viewing chops
The magic of the Hisense XR10 is that it can both get extremely bright and dial things down for excellent darkroom viewing. If you just wanted one or the other, you could find a cheaper projector that was capable enough.

You don’t like the gimbal stand aesthetic
Many of the high-end projectors that the XR10 would compete with have all jumped on the gimbal stand train. The XR10, meanwhile, sticks to a standard box format that might be a little bit easier to find space for and is much easier to level horizontally.

You need the lumens
Brighter projectors simply cost more, and the XR10 is terrifically bright. If you know you’re going to constantly be battling ambient light or are going to take advantage of its maximum projection size, it may be worth it.

Don't buy it if...

You’re not going to put it to work
If you don’t plan on using the full brightness, engaging the iris, or adjusting the optics from time to time, you won’t be getting the most out of the XR10 and could be just as well served by a cheaper model.

Gaming is your main use
The XR10 is good at gaming, but the latest wave of projectors steps it up with VRR and 4K/120Hz support. Many are nearly as bright and cheaper.

You can wait a few months
The new wave of projectors from Hisense, Xgimi, and JMGO promise a lot of what the XR10 is delivering at a much lower price. If their performance pans out, they could be a real bargain next to the XR10.

Hisense XR10 review: Also consider

	Hisense XR10	Valerion VisionMaster Max	JMGO N3 Ultimate	Xgimi Horizon 20 Max
Price:	$5,999	$3,999	$2,999	$2,999
Screen sizes supported:	65 to 300 inches	40 to 300 inches	40 to 300 inches	40-300 inches
Brightness (specified):	6,000 lumens	3,500 lumens	5,800 lumens	5,700 ISO lumens
HDR support	HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision	HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision	HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision	Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, IMAX Enhanced
Optical technology:	3 Laser DLP	3 Laser DLP	3 Laser DLP	Triple laser DLP
Smart TV:	VidaaOS	Google TV	Google TV	Google TV
Connections:	2x HDMI 2.1 (1x eARC), 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x USB-A, 1x optical, 1x 3.5mm audio	2x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.0 (with eARC), 1x optical, 1x 3.5mm	2x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), 1x HDMI 2.0 , 1x optical, 1x 3.5mm	2x HDMI (x1 eARC), 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 2.0, 1x 3.5mm, 1x optical audio out

Valerion VisionMaster Max
If you don’t need all the brightness the XR10 offers, the VisionMaster Max offers a wonderful picture and exceptional black levels to rival the XR10 while including optical adjustments of its own, costing less, and bringing Google TV to the table. Read our full Valerion VisionMaster Max review.

JMGO N3 Ultimate
The JMGO N3 Ultimate isn’t quite as flexible, and it doesn’t adapt as well to dark rooms, but it comes at a fraction of the price, supports VRR, and is competitively bright.

Xgimi Horizon 20 Max
Xgimi’s Horizon 20 Max also provides an alternative with competitive brightness, Google TV, and admirable performance. It also won’t quite win in a dark room battle, but that may not matter for everyone. Read our full Xgimi Horizon 20 Max review.

How I tested the Hisense XR10

Tested at home in multiple, real-world viewing conditions
Presented the display with a variety of media and formats
I have tested numerous projectors and displays over the last half-decade

I tested the Hisense XR10 at home, in real-world conditions. This saw it faced with ambient light coming in from numerous windows, in-room lighting, as well as ambient noise that both the projector and speaker systems had to overcome. The projector was tested both against a bare, white wall and an Akia Screens CineWhite screen. It was presented with streamed content, HDR and non-HDR, and console gameplay.

My testing evaluates the projector’s performance with respect to its price and competition from other models I and colleagues at TechRadar have tested.

I have been testing projectors since 2021 and displays for even longer.

First reviewed: October 2026
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Sony Bravia Theater Trio review: enormous immersive sound for any screen size or room shape

John Archer — Wed, 28 Oct 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Sony Bravia Theater Trio (HT-A8) review

The Sony Bravia Theater Trio is hard to define, but easy to love. Hard to define because its three-speaker (Trio, geddit?) package doesn’t feel quite like either a soundbar or a home theatre separates system; easy to love because it sounds amazing.

Sony’s own story of how the Trio came to be states that it was borne from frustration in its audio department about the inability of regular soundbar solutions — even high-end ones — to deliver sound with enough power and scale to convincingly partner with really big TVs. It was deemed that rather than creating a mammoth uber-long single soundbar to solve this problem, a much more practical solution would be to create a three-piece centre, left, right speaker package instead.

(Image credit: Future)

While the left and right speakers of the Trio system are larger and heavier than the sort of satellite speakers usually sold with or as options for regular soundbar systems, the package overall still looks startlingly compact overall for a system designed for king-sized TVs. The center speaker only measures in at 23.19 x 2.52 x 6.5 inches / 589 x 64 x 165mm, in fact. But you can, of course, place the wireless left and right speakers pretty much as far apart as your room allows, to help create a soundstage commensurate in scale with a monster TV.

I would quickly add at this point, though, that I personally don’t see the Trio as only worth getting if you have a huge TV. It’s actually so good and, as I’ll explain, so flexible with its sound that it’s worth considering by really any home theater fan who’s able to afford it.

Just throwing a trio of speakers at the big TV audio problem won’t in itself guarantee a satisfying home theater audio solution, of course. Especially when those three speakers only deliver dedicated left, right, centre and up-firing channels, rather than the many more channels that even some single bar soundbars can manage these days. The thing is, though, the Bravia Theater Trio’s channel count isn’t actually restricted to the the handful we’ve just mentioned. The brand’s revolutionary 360 Spatial Sound Mapping system is capable of adding up to 24 ‘virtual’ (created by psychoacoustic processing) extra channels of sound to the system’s ‘physical’ ones.

(Image credit: Future)

The 360 Spatial Sound Mapping system’s calculation process for figuring out where to place the sound from these extra virtual speakers uses a supplied, high-quality mic dongle that plugs into your phone to tailor the sound to your room layout. This works so well that you’ll be able to still enjoy a totally coherent, balanced, symmetrical soundstage from your Trio system no matter how awkward your room layout might be.

This room adaptation part of the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping system becomes even more useful if you add a pair of Sony’s new Rear 9 optional surround sound speakers. Even when I deliberately set the the two front and Rear 9 speakers in the most unhelpful positions I could manage, the processing still somehow manages to put me at the heart of a colossal 360-degree soundstage.

I’ve let the Trio’s cleverest trick, though, lead me into discussing the system’s performance before I’ve finished going through every feature it has to offer. So let’s quickly get back to that.

While the Trio’s centre speaker’s long, slim design suits simple placement on a desktop under your TV, the left and right speakers sneak a narrow straight bit into their otherwise cylindrical shape to allow them to be wall mounted if that suits your set up.

(Image credit: Future)

Connectivity is passable. The highlight is an HDMI loop through that supports 4K/120Hz gaming feeds — as you’d hope with a sound system from the brand responsible for the PlayStation 5 — as well as the HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision HDR formats, but not HDR10+. And the HDMI output also supports the eARC system for taking in sound from your TV.

Unfortunately, the only other port is a USB slot that’s apparently only for software updates. A second HDMI input and an optical digital audio input would have been nice on a £1,999 home cinema system these days perhaps, but the Trio’s support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (6.0) alongside the HDMIs will likely deliver everything most modern households will need.

These wireless options support direct streaming from Spotify Connect and Apple Airplay 2. On top of this, the system can also utilize Hi-Res Audio files and carries Sony’s redoubtable DSEE Ultimate AI upscaling system for making compressed audio sound better.

The latest Bravia Connect app for iOS and Android helps you set the system up, as well as providing an attractive and useful visual interface as a back up to the fairly basic remote control the system ships with. And it's particularly handy, given the Trio doesn’t carry an LED display.

Finally in the feature department, the Trio can play both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound formats. In fact, it doesn’t just play them; it eats them for breakfast.

Any doubts about the Trio’s $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$2,999 price evaporate in an irresistible bombardment of almost impossibly massive sound staging, levels of power, detail and impact that seem to go far beyond the system’s claimed 405W of confirmed power. It also serves up mesmerizing detailing and precision, and an immaculate tone that has more in common with a premium full separates system than a minimalistic three-speaker package.

(Image credit: Future)

The system’s remarkable drivers and even more remarkable 360 Spatial Sound Mapping processing create a soundstage that fills at least the front half of even very large rooms, with the physical existence of the Trio’s three speakers essentially completely disappearing. As well as being capable of creating an epic sense of space for big movie locations, the size of sound the Trio can produce means it's effortlessly able to ‘fill’ the screen area and match the cinematic scale of even the very biggest TVs.

Despite its immense and immersive size, though, the Trio’s sound doesn’t forget the small things in home cinema and music life. It can pull in the boundaries of its sound superbly when a soundtrack wants to portray a tight space, for starters. Also, every detail in a movie sound mix is beautifully rendered, no matter how small, and produced with exactly the correct weight relative to other mix elements.

There’s no hint of harshness or brittleness to any sound the Trio makes, no matter how high pitched or deep it might be. In fact, despite the center speaker’s small size, the system gives the impression of having no ceiling for treble sounds to butt up against and turn harsh, and no low-frequency floor for bass sounds to flatten off against.

The relatively hefty left and right speakers do most of the heavy low-frequency lifting without making deep sounds feel trapped in, hard edged or distorted. They’re reactive enough to serve sudden bass hits with impeccable timing, too, and have enough range in the low frequencies they can produce to stop rumbles becoming overwhelming or coarse.

(Image credit: Future)

This excellent bass performance is particularly welcome, given that bass has been a weakness of some of Sony’s current soundbars, and that the system is quite compact. Perhaps an even bigger worry is that Sony sells Sub 8 and Sub 9 external wireless subwoofer upgrades for the package, which always makes me wonder if there’s a weakness in the core system that such an add-on is required to fix.

The Trio can deliver hard, sudden impact sounds with proper venom and propulsion, while the soundstage remains balanced and authoritative even at high volumes, no matter how dense the content might be.

Sound systems that go as big and dynamic with film soundtracks as the Trio can aren’t always able to turn their hands effectively to music. The Trio, though, is at least as engaging with music as it is movies.

Even in native stereo mode, without any of Sony’s remarkable virtual surround processing in play, the trio of speakers deliver excellent stereo separation and vocal placement. Nothing sounds at all strained, no matter what type of music you’re playing or how dense a track gets. It retains its genuinely hi-fi feel, too, at higher volumes than you’ve probably ever heard your favorite albums before. And yet, at the same time, people with neighbors will be pleased to hear that its speakers are sensitive enough to deliver music compellingly even at low volumes, something many soundbars struggle with.

Dolby Atmos music sounds similarly refined. It's detailed without being forensic, but also enjoys a more three-dimensional presentation that includes height elements. And if you’re happy to take off your purist music hat, I’d also recommend you try stereo tracks — or, at least, relatively poppy or ambient stereo tracks — through its 360 Spatial Sound Mapping processing, which gives it a more spacious and surround sound feel. Certainly Sony’s ‘upmixing’ with this effect is much superior to similar modes attempted by most other home audio packages.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s a tough ask to find things I don’t love about Sony’s Trio system. But I’m paid to try, so here goes. First, for all its virtual speaker creating talents, it only creates a quite limited sense of sound coming from behind your seating position. This can be solved extremely well by adding Sony’s new Rear 9 extra wireless surround speakers — though, at $749.99 / £699 / $ 1,299 a pair, this upgrade isn’t cheap.

The left/right spread of stereo music strangely narrows slightly when playing music through the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping despite expanding in every other way. And finally — and possibly most frustratingly depending on how big your household is — the area you need to sit in after calibrating the Trio for the optimal 360 Spatial Sound Mapping effect is quite small. Though even outside of this sweet spot, it’s still gloriously easy to appreciate just how good the Trio’s overall sound is.

Sony Bravia Theater Trio (HT-A8) review: Price and release date

Released: July 2026 (UK and Australia), May 2026 (US)
$1,999 / £1,999 / AU$2,999

At first glance the Trio’s $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$2,999 price looks substantial for a three-piece speaker package. Samsung gives you a full surround soundbar package, the HW-Q990H, for just $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$1,499, after all. Once you’ve placed the Trio’s speakers wherever you want them to go, though, and run the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping system setup, the system reveals itself to be a pretty much separates-grade performer capable of partnering with a huge screen and even filling a big room.

Hitting almost $2,750 / £2,700 / AU$4,300 if you add the admittedly impressive Rear 9 speakers starts to look a bit of a stretch, but you could always add the rears later as funds allow. The out-of-the-box Trio won’t let you down in the mean time.

Sony Bravia Theater Trio (HT-A8): Specs

Dimensions	Main bar: 23.19 x 2.52 x 6.50 inches / 589 x 64 x 165mm; left/right speakers: 6.3 x 13.27 x 6.5 inches / 160 x 337 x 165mm
Speaker channels	3.0.2
Connections	One HDMI input (with eARC), one HDMI output (4K/120Hz), USB service port
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X	Yes/Yes
Sub included	Optional extra
Rear speakers included	No

Should I buy the Sony Bravia Theater Trio (HT-A8)?

Sony Bravia Theater Trio (HT-A8) Scorecard
Attribute	Notes	Score
Features	The system’s three-front-speaker approach enables it to deliver a sound appropriate to really any screen size, even really huge ones. Its processing and audio format support is excellent too.	4.5 / 5
Performance	Despite the fairly compact size of its three speakers, the Trio package often manages to sound like a premium separates system	5 / 5
Design	From the surprisingly compact shape of the center speaker to the gorgeously well-built cylindrical stance of the left and rights, the Theater Trio is an elegantly understated addition to your room.	4.5 / 5
Setup & usability	The speakers all connected with each other automatically during my tests, and provided you plug the provided mic into your phone and run the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping set up procedure, its speakers are extremely flexible when it comes to where you put them.	4.5 / 5
Value	The Theater Trio package’s price puts it above the vast majority of regular soundbars — but its sound is a cut above any regular soundbar, too	4 / 5

Buy it if...

You have a very big TV
The Trio’s package of separate center, front left and front right speakers was expressly designed to solve the issue where regular soundbars just don’t create a sound stage big enough to match the size of the pictures made by massive TVs (especially those of 85 inches and more).

You want fantastic movie and music sound quality
The Trio throws off the shackles of some of Sony’s current soundbars, using hi-fi grade speaker designs and up to 24 virtual speakers created by Sony’s amazing 360 Spatial Sound Mapping to craft one of the most powerful but also most refined, balanced and immersive soundstages I’ve heard from a one-box speaker package.

You have an awkwardly shaped room
A key part of the Trio’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping involves adapting the sound of its real and virtual speakers to your room layout — and this process is so flexible that it can deliver a convincing sound stage no matter how awkward your speaker placement might be.

Don't buy it if...

You can’t afford it
There are some very good soundbars around for much less than the Trio’s $1,999 / £1,999 / AU$2,999 asking price - which rises to nearly $2,750 / £2,700 / AU$4,300 if you add the Rear 9 surround speakers. But if you can afford it, the scale and finesse of the Trio’s sound is a cut above those cheaper soundbar alternatives.

The small sweet spot is a problem
The Trio optimizes the sound stage created by its real and virtual speakers around what turns out to be a rather compact sweet spot. So if you have a big household to cater for, you’ll have to accept that not everyone will get the perfect experience — unless you all huddle up.

You want a sound system that can work as a switch box
The Trio’s limited connectivity prevents you from attaching more than one hard-wired source to it at a time.

Sony Bravia Theatre Trio (HT-A8) review: Also consider

Samsung HW-Q990H
If you can’t quite stretch your finances to accommodate the Sony Trio package, Samsung’s HW-Q990H soundbar system delivers a powerful and detailed full surround sound solution for $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$1,499. The Q990H crafts a remarkably full hemisphere of sound for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks, but the Trio’s sound is more refined and flexible — and only requires you to house three speakers. Read our full Samsung HW-Q990H review.

Sennheiser Ambeo Max
Sennheiser’s most powerful soundbar delivers a remarkably large sound stage for a single-bar device, courtesy of the fearsome array of ultra-robust and punchy drivers it squeezes into its uncompromising chassis. This helps it get nearer than any other remotely mainstream single-bar soundbar to supporting really big screens like the Trio does. While it used to cost $2,999.95 / £2,199 / AU$3,999, too, it’s now widely available for $1,699.99 / £1,599 / AU$2,999. It still can’t ultimately match the scale of the Trio, though, due to the latter’s separate left and right speakers.

How I tested the Sony Bravia Theatre Trio (HT-A8)

I used the Sony Trio as my main living room audio system for 11 days.
Also tested in a second room with a different size and layout, and with a pair of optional Rear 9 surround speakers.
Tested with 4K Blu-rays, CDs, streamed audio, and games, using all direct HDMI connection, eARC and wireless connection options

I tested the Trio as my main living room audio system for 11 days overall, as well as using it in a second room with a different layout for two further days. I also moved the left and right speakers (and the optional rears) to all sorts of awkward places to test the flexibility of the 360 Spatial Sound Mapping processing.

During the testing period, I fed the Trio system audio content from a wide range of sources, including movie soundtracks from streaming boxes and 4K Blu-ray players over HDMI; music from a CD player and the various music streaming services the system supports; and game soundtracks from an Xbox Series X. Key movies used were Blade Runner 2049, It Chapter One, Civil War, and Sinners.

First reviewed: October 2026
Read TechRadar's review guarantee

Meet the TechRadar Product of the Year 2026 winners

TechRadar — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 20:05:44 +0000

Though 2026 has been a tumultuous time for technology when it comes to price hikes and shortages, the tech that's reached us has been excellent — in fact, it's been a banner year in most areas, just with some downsides for your wallet.

We've already crowned the best tech of the year as chosen by you in our TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards 2026 — but this is where we let our experts have their say.

Our writers and editors chose their favorite products in nearly 100 categories, ranging across all the kinds of products we review. In some cases, we agree with the readers; in lots of cases, we don't. So read on to see which gadgets we rate as being the most impressive of the last 12 months.

Phones & tablets

Phone of the Year

Apple iPhone 18 Pro

Wherever you look, the iPhone 18 Pro excels. It might not have the biggest camera sensor or the longest-lasting battery of any phone on the market, but it does offer a near-unrivaled combination of premium flagship features. From its variable aperture feature and pro-level video capabilities to its phenomenal performance and gorgeous display, the 18 Pro is the Swiss Army knife of 2026 smartphones.

Read our full iPhone 18 Pro review

Phone Brand of the Year

Honor

The Chinese company has brought something competitive to the table at every turn in 2026. The Honor Magic 8 Pro is an extremely capable flagship. The Magic V6 is easily one of the best foldables you can buy. The Honor 600 series offers some serious value for money in the mid-range sector. The MagicPad 4 is an iPad-beating tablet in several ways. And the Robot Phone is, well, the Robot Phone. Honor’s products aren’t globally available in the same way as, say, Apple's or Samsung’s, but those who have tried the brand’s phones and tablets will know about their level of hardware quality.

Phones Innovation of the Year

Honor Robot Phone

Sticking with Honor, it’s hard to see past the Robot Phone as the most exciting Phones Innovation of the Year in 2026. There's been some competition from foldables in this area this year, but Honor deserves credit for bringing something wildly different to the market (in China, at least). Will we ever see the Robot Phone and its fully motorized mechanical gimbal arm in Western markets? I doubt it — but that doesn’t make it any less exciting.

Read our Honor Robot Phone hands-on

Best Value Phone

Motorola Edge 70 Fusion

The Motorola Edge 70 Fusion is in another world for pure value compared to most phones — for example, compared to the iPhone 17e, it costs almost exactly half the price and offers an extra camera, a much larger battery, faster charging, and a higher display refresh rate. The Edge 70 Fusion is not a flashy phone, but it certainly punches above its budget price tag.

Best Mid-Range Phone

Apple iPhone 17

The Apple iPhone 17 is over 12 months old now (it just slips into this year’s eligibility window), and it wasn’t replaced with a successor in September — but it didn’t need to be. With its 120Hz refresh rate, two great rear cameras, powerful A19 chipset, and still-industry-leading Center Stage selfie camera, the iPhone 17 is still the iPhone we recommend to most people.

Best Folding Phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the only globally available passport-shaped foldable we’ve tested fully (and that's eligible for this year's awards), and it's earned our pick as the Best Folding Phone of the year. We were skeptical about the practicality of the Z Fold 8’s stumpy form factor, but after living with the phone for a month, we came around to its charming oddness.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z fold 8 review

Best Flip Phone

Motorola Razr Ultra 2026

The Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 (or Motorola Razr 70 Ultra, as it’s called in certain regions) is, for us, the best phone you can buy in this category. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 has better software, a newer chipset, and is slightly more affordable — but the latest Razr Ultra has a larger battery, faster charging, and better cameras. It’s a close-run thing, but this is the flip phone we'd choose.

Best Camera Phone

Oppo Find X9 Ultra

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is an absolute beast of a camera phone. It boasts a 200MP main lens, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, a 200MP 3x telephoto lens, and a 50MP 10x telephoto (f/3.5) lens, which is a combination that helped it beat the Galaxy S26 Ultra and hold its own against even the Lumix TZ300 and Nikon Z8 in our head-to-head comparisons. It’s heavy, thick, and eye-wateringly expensive, but the Find X9 Ultra is the closest we’ve come to a truly camera-rivaling smartphone.

Read our full Oppo Find X9 Ultra review

Best Gaming Phone

RedMagic 11 Pro

If you’re looking for an unashamedly gamer-y smartphone, it doesn’t get much better than the RedMagic 11 Pro. With its exposed water-cooling system, capacitive shoulder buttons, powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, and gorgeous 6.85-inch OLED display, it’s more handheld console than phone.

Read our full RedMagic 11 Pro review

Best AI Phone

Google Pixel 11 Pro

Even though Google’s latest Pixel series doesn’t bring much newness to the table, it’s hard to argue against the Pixel 11 Pro’s status as the Best AI Phone money can buy. There’s Camera Coach, Magic Cue, Magic Editor, Magic Capture, Rambler, and, of course, system-wide Gemini integration to take advantage of with Google’s latest flagship. If AI is your jam, the Pixel 11 Pro should be your phone.

Read our full Google Pixel 11 Pro review

Best Phone Accessory

DJI Osmo Mobile 8P

Phone gimbals aren’t the flashiest products around, but the DJI Osmo Mobile 8P deserves credit for being one of the best phone accessories money can buy. As we noted in our review, the 8P adds a remote control and even better tracking capabilities to the already impressive Osmo Mobile 8 formula, and as such, it’s an easy recommendation for content creators.

Read our full DJI Osmo Mobile 8P review

Best Tablet

Honor MagicPad 4

The Android tablet market is a real mix of good, bad, and terrible right now, but the Honor MagicPad 4 surprised us by being a genuinely iPad-rivaling slate in testing this year. For a lower price than the latest iPad Air, the MagicPad 4 offers a thin and lightweight design, a stunning OLED screen, an excellent eight-speaker stereo setup, and near-unbeatable update support. Here’s hoping Honor continues its hot streak into 2027.

Read our full Honor MagicPad 4 review

Best eReader

Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025)

The last 12 months have seen plenty of great ereaders and digital note-takers come to market, but the Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) has become our go-to recommendation for those after an ereader/notebook hybrid. It's pricey, yes, but the Scribe’s 11-inch E Ink Carta 1300 display is a joy to behold.

Read our full Amazon Kindle Scribe (2025) review

Cameras & drones

Camera of the Year

Sony A7R VI

Perfect ratings are rare, but the A7R VI earned five stars with its 66.8MP stacked full-frame sensor, image stabilization, new processor and improved subject-detection autofocus, which combine for class-leading quality and performance. Whether you shoot landscape photography or action, the A7R VI can handle it all, and its excellent handling and new and improved battery was the cherry on the cake. Our verdict? "Sony can stop making cameras now."

Read our full Sony A7R VI review

Brand of the Year

Sony

Following a relatively quiet year, Sony has stood out in 2026 with three top cameras and a raft of new lenses. We gave a perfect five-star rating to the Sony A7R VI, which received high praise from our veteran Cameras Editor who said it had "no weaknesses". The A7 V took top spot in our best mirrorless cameras guide, while the RX10 V revived bridge cameras and extended Sony’s lead at the top in this category. Add Sony’s stellar macro lens to the mix and this award was inevitable.

Camera Innovation of the Year

Antigravity A1

The Antigravity A1 was a first-of-its-kind drone, one that can shoot true 360 degree video thanks to its dual camera array. The Insta360-backed company effectively gave us an airborne Insta360 X5, with immersive 8K video recording that sees in every direction. At the launch event, we donned the company’s goggles and followed racing cars around a track, and the whole experience was intuitive — but most of all immersive. You don’t need to worry about framing the shot, because that happens later using Insta360’s clever software, which can frame and compile videos after the fact.

Read our full Antigravity A1 review

Best Beginner Camera

OM System PEN

It was a tight call between the OM System PEN and the Lumix L10, but ultimately we felt that the PEN is the better starting point for beginner photographers, at a much lower price point. Not only is the PEN easy on the eye, but it features image stabilization, a rangefinder-style EVF, a weatherproof body, and a host of clever computational photography modes that smartphone upgrades will feel at home with, and that encourage creativity. A huge choice of lenses and a new weatherproof kit lens complete the package.

Read our OM System PEN review

Best Mid-range camera

Sony A7 V

The mid-range full-frame category is fiercely contested by Canon, Nikon, Sony and Panasonic, but Sony stole back its crown with the new A7 V, in a year that Canon also released the stellar EOS R6 Mark III. Between those two 5-star cameras, we felt the A7 V had the (slight) edge overall; there's nothing to choose in terms of resolution, but the A7 V has a partially stacked sensor for what should be quicker readout speeds, plus snappier subject detection autofocus, wider dynamic range, versatile flip-and-tilt screen, and class-leading battery life.

Read our Sony A7 V review

Best Professional Camera

Sony A7R VI

It’s actually been a quiet year in the professional camera category, but that's probably good for the other companies, because the A7R VI would’ve been hard for anyone to compete with. It ups the bar with a class-leading 66.8MP full-frame stacked sensor that's backed up with the power, speed and pro-grade body that make the camera a formidable tool in any pro photography scenario. We shot landscape, portrait and wildlife photography, and the pro camera thrived in all situations.

Read our full Sony A7R VI review

Best Compact and Instant Camera

Ricoh GR IV

Being intimately familiar with the GR III, we were super excited about the GR IV launch and the upgrades it would bring. A new 26MP APS-C sensor with five-axis stabilization and improved battery life topped the improvements, but we’ll have to keep fingers crossed for next time for the improved build quality, a tilt screen and built-in-flash we wished for. Even still, the GR IV can shoot the best quality photos from a truly pocketable camera, with a dedicated Monochrome edition that came alter to boot. The price hike stung, but no other brand is making a compact like Ricoh is.

Read our Ricoh GR IV review

Best Action and Vlogging Camera

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P

It’s been a busy year in this category, with Insta360 and DJI in particular trading blows. First came DJI's Pocket 4, which was a modest upgrade of the Pocket 3, but DJI had something extra special up its sleeve; a twin-lens gimbal camera Pocket 4P, which would change the game for vlogging. Insta360 then tried to steal DJI’s thunder with its innovative Luna Ultra's twin lenses and removable remote module — but DJI's Pocket 4P feels like the more polished of the two, and the one we have found ourselves turning to more often for shooting stabilized 4K content.

Read our DJI Osmo Pocket 4P review

Best Camera Lens

Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art

Lenses is a competitive category year after year, and 2025-2026 was no different, with a top Sony macro optic, Nikon's slimmed down 70-200mm f/2.8 and a number of superb-value Viltrox optics. However, we must recognize innovation and give credit where it's due, which is why Sigma’s first 135mm telephoto lens with a f/1.4 aperture blew us away. Bulky, yes, but we gave it five stars in our review, calling the 135mm F1.4 DG / Art the 'bokeh master' — if you want the dreamiest portraits, look no further.

Read our Sigma 135mm f/1.4 DG | Art review

Best Camera Accessory

Insta360 Mic Pro

DJI and Insta360 have been trading blows all year, but it was Insta360’s Mic Pro that was the final piece of the jigsaw for the 360 camera maker’s ecosystem. Insta360 fans using the likes of the class leading X6 360-degree camera, Ace Pro 2 action cam and Luna Ultra vlogging cameras can enjoy all the benefits of direct compatibility with one of the best wireless mics we’ve ever tested — mixing and matching their camera with a third party mic is no longer necessary. And what a mic it was — the Mic Pro has DJI-beating noise cancellation and an eye-catching, customizable e ink display.

Read our Insta360 Mic Pro review

Best Drone

DJI Avata 360

First came the Antigravity A1 drone, and then came the DJI Avata 360, which felt like the more polished and versatile 360-degree drone of the two. Where the A1 has two fixed lenses to capture 360-degree footage, the Avata 360’s twin lenses are mounted to a gimbal which can rotate 90 degrees to switch between regular (front-facing) single-lens and top/bottom facing 360-degree use. The product also joins DJI's existing Avata ecosystem, which already includes superb FPV goggles and motion controller accessories. Bottom line — the A1 came first, but the Avata 360 upped the bar, and it costs much less.

Read our DJI Avata 360 review

Computing

Laptop of the Year

Apple MacBook Neo

If there's one laptop that has made the biggest impact in 2026, then it's the MacBook Neo. When Apple announced its brand-new MacBook earlier this year, along with the impressively-affordable starting price of $599 / £599 / AU$1,049, it sent shockwaves through the industry. That might sound like hyperbole, but by releasing a budget laptop that still features a premium-feeling (and looking) design and without too many compromises when it comes to features and performance, the MacBook Neo shook rival PC makers out of their complacency and got them to up their budget laptop game. We had numerous laptop makers freely admit that they were releasing $600 laptops to challenge the MacBook Neo. For the sheer impact alone, the MacBook Neo has to be our pick as laptop of the year.

Read our full MacBook Neo review

Computing Brand of the Year

Nvidia

Once again, Nvidia has dominated the computing industry this year — all without releasing a new consumer graphics card. While the AI bubble, and Nvidia's role in it, continues to have a huge impact on the computing industry, the company has continued to innovate. DLSS 4.5 brought improved image quality to Nvidia's upscaling tech, while also introducing 6x Multi Frame Generation that can help improve gaming performance, especially on lower-end cards. Nvidia also released RTX Spark, its Arm-based System-on-Chip (SoC) aimed at taking on Apple's M-series chips, especially in regards to creative and local AI tasks. Even its controversial DLSS 5 feature has won over some critics since its announcement.

Best Computing Innovation

Intel Arc G3 Extreme

This year's release of the Intel Arc G3 Extreme chip — yes, another SoC, this time one that's been specifically designed for mobile gaming devices by concentrating on graphics performance and power efficiency. So, it's not surprising that it is the beating heart of many of the most powerful and exciting PC gaming handhelds that have come out this year, including the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, Acer Predator Atlas 8, and OneXPlayer 3. They're all expensive, sadly, but they offer truly brilliant gaming performance in even the most graphically-intensive titles, and the Intel chip is why.

Best Value Laptop

Dell XPS 13 (2026)

While we were very tempted to give the MacBook Neo our award for the best value laptop of 2026, we've actually gone for one of the laptops it influenced: this year's XPS 13. In the past, Dell's XPS 13 laptop was a premium thin and light laptop, but Dell relaunched it as an affordable alternative to Apple's laptop, initially targeting the same $600 starting price. This isn't a conspiracy — Dell explicitly compared the XPS 13 to the MacBook Neo when showing off the laptop to us. The reason we're giving the XPS 13 the edge is that it feels like Dell made fewer compromises with its affordable laptop, especially when it comes to backlit keyboard and faster USB-C ports.

Read our full Dell XPS 13 (2026) review

Best AI Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra

Pretty much any laptop these days ships with some form of AI feature included, even baked into the operating system — but of all the laptops that have come out this year, the Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra is, in our view, the best AI laptop because it doesn't just settle for adding AI features from other companies. Instead, Samsung has included its own Galaxy AI features, which offer additional tools, and work across its laptops, smartphones, and tablets. While not every Galaxy AI feature is a killer app, it shows a level of ambition and investment that many of its competitors lack.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Book6 Ultra review

Best Gaming Laptop

Razer Blade 18

Razer has been putting out excellent gaming laptops for years, marrying cutting-edge technology with thin and light designs that banish any memory of big and bulky gaming laptops of yore. This year's Razer Blade 18 is no exception, offering almost desktop-levels of performance thanks to some of the most powerful components on the market today, with up to an RTX 5090 GPU and 128GB of DDR5 RAM. You can throw any game at this thing and it'll handle it like a champ, and its large 18-inch display offers UHD+ resolution at 240Hz, and FHD+ at an incredibly fast 440Hz, for unbelievably slick performance in games.

Read our full Razer Blade 18 (2026) review

Best PC Gaming Handheld

MSI Claw 8 EX AI+

While all the Intel Arc G3 Extreme-powered PC gaming handhelds that we saw at Computex were impressive, one stood out: the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. Not only was it one of the first handheld to come with Intel's latest hardware, but MSI completely redesigned the device itself to make it feel more comfortable and responsive when playing. This bore out in our full review, which highlighted the incredible performance (for a handheld) and the bright and vibrant screen that really made the games look spectacular.

Read our full MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ review

Best Gaming Keyboard

Corsair Makr Pro 75

Reliability, performance, and build quality are all incredibly important considerations in a keyboard, and the Corsair Makr Pro 75 ticks every box. Its Corsair MGX Hyperdrive magnetic hot-swappable hall effect switches are an absolute joy to type on, and the overall build quality is exceptional (if a little heavy). It's expensive, and the software isn't great, but when crowning 2026's top gaming keyboard, there was only one choice here.

Read our full Corsair Makr Pro 75 review

Best Gaming Mouse

Razer Naga V3 Pro

The Razer Naga V3 Pro is an incredibly versatile gaming mouse that, thanks to its swappable side plates that offer gamers two, six, or 12 additional buttons, will appeal to almost any one, no matter what time of games you play. We use this mouse with the six-button side plate (which is easily attached via magnets) for quick access to macros and shortcuts while playing current obsession Planet Coaster 2. The mouse feels very comfortable to use, the 50K optical sensor offers fantastic control and with an 8,000Hz polling rate, even when used wirelessly, this is a mouse that can give you a serious competitive advantage.

Read our full Razer Naga V3 Pro review

Best Gaming Monitor

Alienware AW3426DW QD-OLED

The Alienware AW3426DW is an ultra-wide gaming monitor with a stunning five-layer tandem OLED panel that offers incredible, vision-spanning image quality. It supports Dolby Vision HDR, and a very fast 280Hz refresh rate that makes it a great choice for fast and frantic competitive games. The 3440x1440 (offering a 21:9 ultrawide aspect ratio) offers plenty of detail without putting too much strain on your GPU, and that wider field of vision, along with the fast refresh rate, could make a huge difference when playing.

Read our full Alienware AW3426DW QD-OLED review

Gaming

Gaming Device of the Year

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

The Arctis Nova Elite is the best gaming headset we've ever tested. It's simply that good. It's not just a headset that has you covered by collecting features you'll find elsewhere altogether either; this is a genuinely individual beast. The design and build are of premium materials: SteelSeries has made a custom Carbon Fiber driver with a brass surround ring for spectacular hi-res audio. Connectivity is all you could ever want in terms of need and convenience, and the whole experience is absolutely fantastic. A world-beater of a gaming headset and device that is peerless.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review

Gaming Brand of the Year

Asus

With an enormous number and diversity of products being launched by the gaming brand, from first attempts at desktop soundbars to quality PC gaming handheld follow-ups, and more excellent gaming monitors with the latest panels in that you can shake a stick at, Asus has been the hardware brand to beat this past year.

Gaming Innovation of the Year

Nvidia DLSS 4.5

With PC gaming becoming increasingly demanding, DLSS has never been more important, and DLSS 4.5 is one of the biggest leaps forward for upscaling tech yet. It delivers such high image quality and clarity that you can barely tell the difference between Quality and Performance modes, helping supported games like Doom: The Dark Ages and Arc Raiders look better and run better than ever before.

Best Console Accessory

Corsair Novablade Pro

A pleasant surprise in the past year or so's gaming hardware releases, the Novablade Pro leverless fightstick is a fantastic game controller that oozes quality and prioritizes customization to make life easier and better for fighting game players.

Read our full Corsair Novablade Pro review

Best Gaming Service

Amazon Luna

With hardware prices spiraling out of control, cloud gaming has never been a more attractive proposition — and Amazon continues to offer one of the best services in the space. This year saw Amazon Luna games integrated directly into the Prime Video app on Fire TV devices, making it easier than ever to access great games wherever you are.

Read our full Amazon Luna review from 2024

Best Gaming Controller

8BitDo Pro 3

The 8BitDo Pro 3 looks like a small upgrade compared to the Pro 2, but in real-world use, the improvements are simply astronomical. 8BitDo has crammed drift-eliminating TMR thumbsticks, magnetic hot-swappable face buttons, trigger locks, and an extra pair of optional remappable buttons into a versatile, budget-friendly package that is miles ahead of the competition.

Read our full 8BitDo Pro 3 review

Best Gaming Headset

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

The best gaming headset we've ever tested. The Nova Elite raises the bar for premium, do-it-all, high-end gaming headsets, and this ticks every box from feature set to battery life, and from connectivity to audio quality, design, and build.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review

Best Gaming Chair

Secretlab Atlas

Secretlab's latest chair is a hit. This practical task chair offers the brand's supreme materials and build quality in a less gaming-oriented format, making it perfect for your work-from-home setup. It's attractive, comfortable, and feature-packed — what more could you ask from your seat?

Read our full Secretlab Atlas review

TV & home theater

TV of the Year

LG C6

In terms of all-around performance, features and versatility balanced with price, the C6 is the best TV around. When we tested it next to its predecessor, the LG C5, it was a noticeable upgrade: one that's rare to come across, and that was helped by LG adding its highest-end image processing. If you want a TV that can do it all, the C6 is that TV. Few TVs have impressed me as much this year as the C6, and that's why it takes the top spot.

Read our full LG C6 review

Home Entertainment Brand of the Year

Sony

Sony released two RGB LED TVs this year after years of teasing, and both of them were best-in-class, and are the TVs that most have me believing that OLED really should watch its back based on where this technology could do. Outside of this, the brand has also produced some excellent soundbars and speakers across the board, including the ground-breaking Bravia Theater Trio wireless LCR system, which is something we've been hoping to see a company make for years.

Home Entertainment Innovation of the Year

Sony True RGB

RGB TVs have been the big buzz of the TV world in 2026, and while it's been a mostly mixed bag, Sony's version called 'True RGB' stands above the rest. While it delivers spellbinding colors and superb brightness, it's the OLED-level black tones that impressed me most. I've tested Sony's two True RGB TVs and it's the best that dark and high-contrast scenes have ever looked on a backlit TV. In terms of innovation, it doesn't get more impressive than this in 2026.

Best Gaming TV

LG C6

For gaming, there's no better option in 2026 than the LG C6. Not only does it have a full list of features — 4K at up to 165Hz, full variable refresh rate support, and Dolby Vision Gaming — and fantastic performance, but it's also available in 42-83-inch sizes to suit all gaming spaces. When I played games on the C6, I had a fantastic time thanks to its buttery-smooth response times and excellent picture quality. There are other great gaming TVs around, but none delivers such a good all-round experience for the same price.

Read our full LG C6 review

Best TV for Sound

Sony Bravia 9 II

While TV sound is often a mixed bag, no other TV delivers better built-in audio in 2026 than the Sony Bravia 9 II. It delivers impeccable detail and clarity with a wide soundstage and pinpoint accuracy. Watching our reference scenes just impressed us across the board — very few other TVs have ever delivered such a level of audio authenticity.

Read our full Sony Bravia 9 II review

Best OLED TV

LG C6

Our TV of the Year is also the best OLED TV of 2026. More premium models may deliver better picture or more features, but none deliver a more complete package that's a significant step above their predecessor for a seriously competitive price. The C6 is a jack-of-all-trades TV that ticks every box a user could need across a wide range of sizes, and no other OLED has impressed me as much as the LG C6 when compared to last year's models.

Read our full LG C6 review

Best Mini-LED TV

Sony Bravia 9 II

RGB mini-LED is the next step in the evolution of mini-LED and no other TV this year does it better than the Sony Bravia 9 II. It delivers fantastic backlight control, OLED-rivaling black tones, vibrant, rich colors and realistic detail. No backlit TV has ever wowed our reviewers more than the Bravia 9 II, and it's an exciting sign for the future of mini-LED.

Read our full Sony Bravia 9 II review

Best Value TV

TCL QM7L/C7L

It really doesn't get better in terms of bang-for-your-buck value than the TCL QM7L (US model) and TCL C7L (UK and Australian version). The new SQD panel delivers great brightness and color, as well as excellent backlight control. Its great for gaming for a near-full suite of features, and it has credible built-in sound. The real highlight however is its price-to-size ratio, where you can get a big screen at a ridiculously affordable price, given how good the picture looks. If you want the best value, the QM7L/C7L is our top pick.

Read our full TCL QM7L review

Best Projector

Hisense XR10

This projector simply creates the most impressive pictures you can expect from a living-room-friendly projector — anything beyond this requires going pro. It's bright enough to work for lit rooms as well as dark-room viewing, and looks fantastic in both cases — and it even has a slick decor-friendly design. Sure, it lacks 120Hz at 4K, but cinephiles won't care — and this is made for cinephiles, make no mistake. Our full review will land shortly.

Best Soundbar

Sonos Beam Ultra

This wasn't the only soundbar this year to earn a rare five-star rating, but it's the one with the most 'wow' factor, because it's hard to believe such an expansive sound is coming from such a small design. The Dolby Atmos effect reaches a scale you'd never expect for a compact bar, and does it with clarity and precision of spatial audio. This feels like a premium bar, but with a mid-range price, and that's why it earns this award.

Read our full Sonos Beam Ultra review

Best Wireless Home Theater Speakers

Sony Bravia Theater Trio

This is product option we've wanted for so long: a wireless LCR system (meaning left, center, right channels) that's as easy to set up as a soundbar, but with the better width and impact that you get from a separates system. And that's what you get here: tons of power, a super-immersive Dolby Atmos experience, and a sense of scale to match a projector screen or giant-screen TV in a way a soundbar can't match. It's the wireless living home theater dream come true, especially with its easy expansion to add rears and subs. Our full review is coming soon.

Streaming

Streaming Service of the Year

HBO Max

Three years on after winning our coveted Best Streaming Service of the Year crown, HBO Max has done it again — and with good reason. Its long-overdue launch in multiple European nations, including the UK and Ireland, and the introduction of new user-friendly features are two such reasons why it was an early contender for this year’s prize. Throw in its unrivaled catalog of unmissable new shows and returning TV favorites, ongoing movie-exclusive partnership with acclaimed indie studio A24, and ever-expanding live sports coverage, though, and no other platform came close to besting it.

Best for Movies

Prime Video

Movie lovers should flock to Prime Video, as it boasts a library of over 20,000 movies in the US. The streaming service regularly adds new movies from Hollywood blockbusters, independent films, and classic cinema across the years, as well as its own Prime Video Original movies. Recent additions include the romantic comedy Love of Your Life and survival horror The Devil's Mouth.

Best for Documentaries

Netflix

Considering Netflix has everything from true crime to celebrity-fronted food documentaries, it's the place to be if you love all things real life. There's plenty of shocking stories of scandals, murders, mysteries and more, as well as lighter options for those in need of some escapism. Whatever you're after, Netflix probably has it. Recent must-see documentaries include a nail-biting series called Worst Neighbor Ever and the shocking Titan: The OceanGate Disaster.

Best for TV Shows

Apple TV was the most awarded streaming service at the 2026 Emmys, with many of its original series being hailed as the best. We’re inclined to agree, considering the quality of Apple TV shows has been consistently excellent across the board. Whether you want a mind boggling thriller like Severance or a horror comedy like Widow’s Bay, there’s plenty on offer for all tastes.

Best Free Streaming Service

Tubi or not Tubi? That’s the question we ask ourselves who should win our annual Best Free Streaming Service of the Year award. Well, this year, it is Tubi. Supported on over 30 devices — the most of any ad-supporting video on demand (AVOD) service — it’s available to every kind of person working to every kind of budget. Add in its movie and TV show catalogs, which number hundreds of thousands of offerings covering numerous genres, as well as its ongoing featuring of myriad live television channels and networks, and it’s the 2026 people’s AVOD champion.

Audio

Headphones of the Year

Apple AirPods Max 2

As we said in our full review, these cans are "doubtless the best noise-cancelling iPhone headphones on the planet" — and we weren't expecting to love them as much as we did. Aside from the USB-C lossless audio and incredible comfort, they also boast some of the best voice capture on any headphones we've ever experienced. This was a really hot year for headphones, the AirPods Max 2 still lag behind the competition for battery life (and the weird bra case continues to mystify) — but that they won out should tell you just how good they are in every other way.

Read our full AirPods Max 2 review

Audio Brand of the Year

iFi

Hi-res specialist iFi isn't afraid of conquering the whole hi-fi market, serving up launches such as the excellent five-star elite iFi iDSD GR2 and the cheap and cheerful Go Cable this year. We love seeing this hard-working visionary outfit in full flow. Whatever level you're at, it's got something for you — and it's hard to look past a brand that hires out London's Tower Bridge, gets its entire team into black tuxedoes, plasters the walls with the word 'Phantom' so it feels as if 007 himself could drop in at any minute and then unveils the most stunning-sounding flagship DAC we've ever heard. Bravo, iFi. For you, the world is not enough…

Audio Innovation of the Year

Cambridge L/R S speakers

Before I heard these speakers, I thought Cambridge had taken a big risk here. Then, I gave them a thorough listen and I knew they were winners. The L/R S is a genuinely active stereo speaker system, so it does not involve a powered primary speaker and a dumb counterpart to make a pair. OK, only the primary speaker receives power, but there are two channels of amplification for each speaker. Then, there's a full DSP crossover which acts as a PWM signal to each amp — and that's before the bespoke four-conductor cable to connect the primary speaker to the secondary! Might we call them over-engineered? Maybe — or you could simply call Cambridge's work ethic ‘admirable’, as I do.

Read our full Cambridge L/R S review

Best Wireless Headphones

Nothing Headphone (a)

There's something so untethered about Nothing's approach to audio architecture and design that it makes these cans downright joyous in their appeal — we actually have the pair with yellow accents (you can call them over-easy eggs if you like, that actually makes me dig them even more). The company upgraded and finessed the audio compared to the original Headphone (1), while keeping the excellent on-ear controls (the roller for volume is a true highlight) stellar battery life, very good ANC and truly useful app — then somehow shaved a load off the price. A deserved winner.

Read our full Nothing Headphone (a) review

Best Wireless Earbuds

Soundpeats H3

These delightfully different, affordable and sonically superb buds from Soundpeats sound better than some buds at twice their price (and at around $129 / £129, they're really quite humbly priced), thanks to their triple-driver array per bud, a secure fit, plus aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless and LDAC support. Audiophile on a budget? Add this name to your list.

Read our full Soundpeats H3 review

Best Open Earbuds

Shokz OpenFit Pro

Our Audio Editor uses these superb, if pricey, open earbuds multiple times per week, and it's hard to look past the personal recommendation. The fit is sports-worthy (aided by extra optional bands in the box, useful for sports that require a different fit, such as tennis) but they're also office-friendly and professional in terms of design — and the excellent active noise reduction is as unusual as it is class-leading. As far as I'm concerned, Shokz served an ace here.

Read our full Shokz Openfit Pro review

Best Value Headphones

CMF Headphone Pro

We knew we loved these minty fresh cans as soon as we slipped them over our ears. Would you expect hearing tests for a personalized sound profile, LDAC support, an excellent volume 'roller' control on the right ear cup, glorious build quality, zealous wireless sound, exemplary battery life and 3.5mm hi-res wired listening for under $100 / £100? The design flair, energetic audio quality and additional perks won this race.

Read our full CMF Headphone Pro review

Best Value Earbuds

JLab JBuds Mini ANC

Look at them! The JLab JBuds Mini ANC's one perceived failing stems from their biggest selling point: because they're tiny enough to fit on a keyring (they are the smallest ANC earbuds on the planet), you might think they're little more than junk. I'm here to tell you emphatically that they are not — in fact, they're so far from junk that you can't lose them. They're the first earbuds to have support for Apple's Find My network. I don't think any rival came particularly close to the value you get here for $39 / £39 — our full review is coming soon.

Best Value Open Earbuds

Baseus Bowie MC2

We think a Labyrinth-era Bowie (that's 1986, to save you the bother of checking) in full Goblin King Jareth regalia would've put these dark, cuff-style open earbuds on without a second thought — and he'd have looked fantastic in them. These cheap clip-style buds often had us wondering whether you even need to spend more on a flagship set from class-leaders such as Shokz or Bose. If all you need is good sound with surprisingly regimented, impactful bass (and you're prepared to forego expensive extras) these Baseus buds are a winner.

Read our full Baseus Bowie MC2 review

Best Wired Headphones

Meze Audio Strada

We're going for a set of stunning racing green closed-back headphones that sound as airy and spacious as open-back headphones, except nobody hears your playlist. As a closed-back option, they're also relatively easy to drive and they're capable of supremely detailed, organized and thoroughly addictive audio.

Read our full Meze Audio Strada review

Best Wired Earbuds

Sennheiser CX 80U

I said it before (because these were your choice too, dearest reader) and I'll say it again: when people ask me, "What's the cheapest way to get better sound from my phone?" my first response is to suggest these delightfully inexpensive 2026-release USB-C wired earbuds. For around $35 / £30 you really cannot do better. You don't get volume controls on the in-line remote and the mic doesn't deliver crystal-clear calls, as our Sennheiser CX 80U review explains. What you do get is acutely nimble but impactful bass, clear mids and sparkling, appealing highs. Pair that with their surprisingly effective passive noise isolation and you’re looking at an incredibly good pair of wired buds for the money.

Best Bluetooth Speaker

JBL Xtreme 5

Do you want a Bluetooth speaker you'll be able to slip into a purse and take to the park for a podcast, or do you want a party-ready beast with a shoulder strap all of its own? Because JBL's Xtreme 5 is in the latter camp, but if that's what you want, you'll be delighted with it. This is one of the best bigger Bluetooth belters we've ever tested — as our five-star JBL Xtreme 5 review will impress upon you at great length. OK, enough talk: let's dance!

Best Wireless Speaker

Denon Home 400

I got a chance to hear this speaker among its siblings (the Home 200 and 600) at launch, and it is my favorite of Denon's 2026 wireless home trio. It is also the best-looking new wireless speaker on the market, for me (it's about the size of a chopping-board rack or bread bin, fitting neatly on shelves and bookcases while serving up delicious sound). Another great feature is that during setup, you are encouraged to list where the speaker is placed — far from a wall, close to one wall or in a corner — within the HEOS companion app. You can then opt for a 'pure' stereo hi-fi mix, or add 'width' to boost the horizontal spaciousness of the sound field. The spatial and directional stuff is a lot of fun to play with and, as our full Denon Home 400 review explains, provided you don't rely on a voice assistant to do your bidding at home (I do not) it's a hugely talented wireless speaker.

Best Portable Audio Player

Astell & Kern PD5

I absolutely get why the TR readership chose Astell & Kern's newest 'entry level' hi-res audio player, called the A&K PD5 (I put 'entry level' in quotation marks because A&K's definition and ours may well differ). And while I've been lucky enough to listen to the May 2026-release flagship Astell & Kern SP4000T, very briefly — and I have to tell you, it's excellent — it is a huge chunk of cash. This option is far more palatable from a purely financial perspective and is still a fantastically gifted DAP. We gave the PD5's wonky, quirky SR35 older sibling a glowing five-star review, and now this glorious successor is here in a more conventional form factor. Our full review is almost here, but here's a spoiler alert: it's good news. I predicted this category would be won by Activo's parent company, and so it has come to pass — the hi-res DAP specialist is truly bossing the quality portable music machine market.

Best Turntable

Fluance RT87

This is a player for the purist, and so it is pretty light on convenience-focused features — there's no built-in phono preamp, for example — but we don’t think that is a bad thing. The Fluance RT87 is designed for someone who is ready to enter a more serious vinyl listening state and is prepared for manual tone arm adjustment and tweaking to make the turntable as flat as possible using the provided bubble level. This means you won't damage your particularly irreplaceable presses when you spin them — that's the kind of person this turntable is aimed at, and it nails that brief.

See our full Fluance RT87 review

Best DAC

iFi iDSD GR2

When we chose iFi as our Audio Brand of the Year, one of the key deciding factors was this phenomenal digital-analog-converter. It's all stunning design, punchy power, exceptional performance, and a brilliant OLED touchscreen for extra features. I love iFi's dedication to K2HD restorative mastering tech, and its fan-fave XBass and XSpace filters. This DAC even has a lower asking price than its xDSD Gryphon predecessor at launch. It would be churlish to ask for much more than that in 2026.

Read our full iFi iDSD GR2 review

Best Stereo Speakers

Dali Sonik 1

While these may be small and budget-friendly, sonically they’re huge and luxurious. Think clear-headed, stunning vocals with more room to breathe than should be possible at this level, plus tangible transients through to a deep, thrumming low-end. They are far from the first of this type of speaker, and they certainly won’t be the last — but they’re emphatically among the best currently on the market, especially at such a wallet-friendly price.

Read our full Dali Sonik 1 review

Health & Fitness tech

Health & Fitness Device of the year

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro

Expensive the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro may be, but the ultimate adventure smartwatch is one of the best devices Garmin has ever produced, building on years of technical advancements. It's a money-no-object powerhouse with amazing build quality: the all-titanium case houses a powerful battery, behind the super-tough sapphire crystal lies a vibrant AMOLED screen, and during my test runs against a heart rate monitor it's consistently accurate. I've been wearing the 43mm version non-stop since getting my testing unit — a clear indicator that it's first in line for valuable wrist real estate this year.

Read our full Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review

Health & Fitness Brand of the Year

Garmin

Garmin has had a strong 2026. It's revamped its cycling range, brought out a few new features such as AI-powered nutrition tracking to justify the cost of its Garmin Connect+ service, and has developed a few extremely well-reviewed gadgets — notably, the screenless Garmin Cirqa fitness tracker and the top-flight Garmin Fenix 9 series, both of which feature in this list to no-one's surprise. It remains the brand to beat in the endurance world, but the Cirqa shows that it's making inroads with the gym crowd too.

Health & Fitness Innovation of the Year

Huawei Watch D3

This watch advances the smartwatch-as-medical-device category further into refinement, boasting more than its signature medical-grade blood pressure cuff technology. With emergency fall detection, blood pressure trends, sleep tracking and six days of battery life compared to the Apple Watch's 24 hours, it's the watch I recommend to people looking for a health-orientated smartwatch for seniors. It's all packed into a sleek Apple-inspired design.

Read our full Huawei Watch D3 review

Best Smartwatch

Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 retains its crown for another year as this year's top smartwatch. Like every other Apple Watch Ultra model before it, this is an iterative update to an already-excellent watch, rather than a top-down redesign, but did we expect anything else from Apple? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. What has changed is the back of the watch: a redesigned LED Health Sensing System ensures better-than-ever accuracy and more frequent heart rate readings, enabling improved sleep tracking (along with a boost in battery life, as you're less likely to take it off to charge it) and the new Readiness Score.

Read our full Apple Watch Ultra 4 review

Best Running Watch

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro

The Garmin Fenix 9 Pro is back. The redesigned Maps feature places you right into the middle of things, mimicking your perspective to reduce the glance-to-interpretation delay when you're trying to find your way on long runs, which even the Apple Watch doesn't do. It's a triathlon athlete or ultra marathon's dream watch thanks to its trail features, while its battery life is more impressive than the Ultra 4. Recommended workouts based on your Training Readiness score and Garmin Coach training plans are the icing on the cake.

Read our full Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review

Best Fitness Tracker

Garmin Cirqa

The Garmin Cirqa narrowly beats up the Fitbit Air: even though it's more expensive up-front, the lack of reliance on a subscription service and its tactile button (just click it to start tracking, no messing around with the app) means it's the screenless fitness tracker of choice this year, and the best new fitness tracker overall.

Read our full Garmin Cirqa review

Best Smart Ring

Oura Ring 5

The competition was super-hot this year, but Oura came back swinging with the Oura Ring 5. It's thinner than ever, which is so important in a smart ring, earning top marks for design in our review. Its slickly-orientated app and smorgasbord of metrics justify the ongoing, mandatory subscription, making this a great premium smart ring option.

Read our full Oura Ring 5 review

Best Electric Toothbrush

Suri Core 1.0

The Suri Core 1.0 takes the original Suri brush's elegant, simplified aesthetics and environmental credentials, and manages to cut a few corners to shave some money off the price. A bio-plastic handle rather than aluminium, and a slightly less powerful motor and battery, helps keep the Core affordable. You can still recycle the brush heads for free, and the unit still looks nice and stylish, especially with its slick magnetic mount. Its battery life will last over a month between charges.

Read our full Suri Core 1.0 review

Best Connected Fitness Tech

Withings BodyScan 2

Withings is a brand that's quietly been making excellent health products for years, from discreet hybrid smartwatches to under-mattress sleep analyzers and, well, smart scales. The Withings BodyScan 2, with its handle creating a circular current and offering a comprehensive list of 40 different metrics, is not just its best yet, but our best smart scale at the premium tier. It tracks blood oxygen levels, hypertension risk and estimates your vascular age. And you thought scales were just for BMI!

Read our full Withings BodyScan 2 review

Home tech

Home Device of the Year

DJI Romo P

The Romo P is DJI's first robot vacuum, but you wouldn't know from its performance. It offers the best obstacle avoidance of any robovac we've tested, as well as superb wet cleaning on hard floors, and very good vacuuming on carpet. It gets our seal of approval as this year's best robot vacuum, if your wallet can take the hit.

Read our full DJI Romo P review

Home Tech Brand of the Year

Philips Hue

Philips Hue is the biggest name in smart lighting for a reason, and this year it's become more accessible than ever with the launch of Hue Essential — a range of budget-friendly bulbs and LED strips that are an affordable entry to the smart lighting ecosystem. Meanwhile, power users can enjoy AI-powered lighting tools thanks to the new Hue Bridge Pro, which supports over 150 lights in a single network.

Home Tech Innovation of the Year

Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool

The smartest fan we’ve tested this year, the Dyson Find+Follow uses AI to track you as you move around the room, ensuring you’re kept cool and comfortable at all times. It blew us away with its 350 degrees of oscillation, super quiet operation, and smooth air flow — and its voice and app controls make operating it a breeze.

Read our full Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool review

Best Home Light Tech

Philips Hue Omniglow Strip Light

The Omniglow uses tiny micro LEDs to produce a seamless gradient unlike any LED lightstrip we’ve seen before — and it looks amazing. Not only are the individual LEDs invisible, it’s also incredibly bright, and looks particularly stunning when flowing from one color to the next in a Dynamic Scene. One of the most exciting smart lights I’ve seen in recent years.

Read our Philips Hue Omniglow review

Best Home Security Device

Aqara Camera Hub G350

It might look like a children’s toy, but the Aqara Camera Hub G350 is a serious home security camera, and one you can trust to guard a whole room thanks to its 360-degree panning. Despite its cute looks, the G350 is packing a 4K wide-angle camera, plus a 2.5k telephoto lens for getting up close. It’s compatible with all the main smart home ecosystems, and you can store footage on an SD card so there’s no subscription necessary. And, for some reason, it has detachable bunny ears. What more could you want?

Read our full Aqara Camera Hub G350 review

Best Robot Vacuum

DJI Romo P

DJI's first robot vacuum is a triumph — the company has put its expertise in obstacle-detection to good use, and the DJI Romo P is the best robovac we've ever tested when it comes to avoiding common hazards. Its cleaning is top-notch as well, with its mopping function proving particularly effective at removing tough spills from hard flooring.

Read our full DJI Romo P review

Best Vacuum

Roborock F25 Ultra

The F25 Ultra packs a lot more cleaning power than your typical wet/dry vacuum, with steam-cleaning, hot-water degreasing, and powerful suction to tackle huge amounts of dirt and water. Its power-assisted wheels make it feel surprisingly nimble too. Perfect for households with pets, children, or both — your floors won't know what hit them.

Read our full Roborock F25 Ultra review

Best Air Fryer

Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer Convection Oven Toaster

This is much more than just an air fryer — it’s a full countertop oven, with an extra-large cooking area that can accommodate an entire pizza or chicken. It cooks astonishingly fast, with 10 dedicated modes, and produced perfect fries, vegetables, quesadillas, and even bagels during our tests. It looks great as well, and you can open the French doors one-handed for easy access.

Read our full Ninja French Door Premier Air Fryer Convection Oven Toaster review

Best Coffee Machine

Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2

The classiest coffee maker we've tested in the last 12 months, and the one I'd be proudest to have in my own kitchen, the Meraki Gen 2 is a pleasure to use, automating certain parts of the brewing process without taking over, and helping you hone your own barista skills. The results? Sensational coffee, provided your wallet can stand the hit.

Read our full Meraki Espresso Machine Gen 2 review

Best Value Coffee Machine

Philips Baristina

If you're looking for an affordable coffee maker, you can't go wrong with the Philips Baristina — an innovative little appliance that combines the best features of manual and automatic espresso machines. It handles the whole brewing process for you, but without the awkward maintenance of your typical bean-to-cup machine. Look for the version bundled with a milk frother and you'll never bother buying takeout coffee again.

Read our full Philips Baristina review

Best Fan

Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool

Dyson's smartest fan to date, the Find+Follow tracks your movement as you walk around the room, and makes sure its airflow is always angled in your direction. The airflow is smooth and quiet, which makes the Find+Follow an ideal choice for night time as well, and the filtration system effectively removes dirt and allergens while it's keeping you comfortable.

Read our full Dyson Find+Follow Purifier Cool review

Meet the TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards 2026 winners — all 100% chosen by you

TechRadar — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 16:55:19 +0000

It's been an excellent year for tech releases, with the arrival of everything from new TV panel developments, to groundbreaking drones, to awesome spatial audio speakers, to a new breed of AI-connected screenless fitness wearable.

It's also been a really difficult year in tech, though, due to the component crisis and rising prices across nearly all products. In the middle of that tension, it only makes sense for us to find out which companies navigated the challenges best by asking the community of tech lovers out there — and so here are the first TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards.

The results are in, so below we've listed the TechRadar Readers' Choice Awards 2026 winners winners in every category, all 100% voted by you!

Phones & tablets

Phone of the Year

Apple iPhone 18 Pro

It’s no great surprise that readers chose the iPhone 18 Pro as the Phone of the Year. After all, this — along with the iPhone 18 Pro Max — scored five stars in our review, which is a rating we hardly ever give out to phones. But with its excellent camera system — complete with genuinely useful upgrades like a variable aperture and pro controls — plus an exceptionally fast chipset, great battery life, beautiful new Burgundy and Glacier colors, and a superb screen and software, the iPhone 18 Pro excels in just about every area. So its five stars, and Readers' Phone of the Year award, are well deserved.

Phone Brand of the Year

Apple

Given that the iPhone 18 Pro won Phone of the Year and that Apple’s handsets are well represented among the other Readers’ Choice award winners below, it’s hard to see how any other company could have won Phone Brand of the Year. Apple might not release as many different models as some brands, but it still has a phone for almost everyone — whether you want a high-end flagship, a top-tier gaming phone, a DSLR alternative, something more affordable, or even, this year, a foldable phone (though the Duo was released too late to be eligible for these awards). And not only has Apple covered most of the bases here, but all of its handsets excel and e with genuine upgrades compared to last year’s models.

Phones Innovation of the Year

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

Given that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 was the first passport-shaped foldable to arrive on the scene in Western markets this year, it's easy to see why readers voted it as the Phones Innovation of the Year. This new form factor makes it even more pocketable than a book-style foldable, but still gives you a large screen when it’s unfolded. The smaller cover screen also makes it perfect for one-handed use when you don’t need the large inner display, and coupled with flagship performance and high–quality displays, this is a great all-round phone — not just an innovative one.

Best Value Phone

Apple iPhone 17e

The iPhone 17e might not be the cheapest phone, but its lower price makes it highly affordable by iPhone standards, and it comes with double the storage of the iPhone 16e without upping the starting price. Plus, with features like MagSafe and an A19 chipset, you’re getting a lot for your money, so it’s no wonder this was voted Best Value Phone. iPhones tend to get updated for many years and hold their value well too, so this isn’t just good value on day one — it should also serve you well for a long time.

Best Mid-Range Phone

Apple iPhone 17

There’s no base iPhone 18 yet, and it’s a testament to just how good the iPhone 17 still is that readers have voted it the Best Mid-Range Phone. Everything that was good about the iPhone 17 at launch still remains so in 2026 — including its powerful A19 chipset, always-on display with ProMotion, and improved cameras. The iPhone 17’s price hasn’t dropped since launch (in fact, thanks to the ongoing RAM crisis, it's actually gone up), but you’re still getting a lot for your money compared to many other mid-range phones.

Best Folding Phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 is the Readers’ Choice Phone Innovation of the Year, it’s the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra that readers think is the overall Best Folding Phone. This isn’t surprising either, as while the form factor here is nothing new, this is Samsung’s most polished, premium, and feature-packed foldable yet — so much so that it got ‘Ultra’ added to the name. For the first time, the foldable screen is essentially flat, with a near-invisible crease, and the Z Fold 8 Ultra also has a bigger battery, more power, and improved cameras compared to its predecessor, while still being slimmer, making for a phone that lives up to its ‘Ultra’ name.

Best Flip Phone

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

Samsung is clearly still the king of foldables for now in readers’ eyes, since they’ve also voted the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 as the Best Flip Phone. Arguably, this phone didn’t have much competition outside of the Motorola Razr line, but that doesn’t take away from its achievements, including new Horizontal Lock and Fan Cam features, which make it a major upgrade for recording videos. Coupled with a slightly slimmer design than last year, improved software, and a chipset upgrade, it’s no wonder the Z Flip 8 has flipped its way into readers’ hearts.

Best Camera Phone

Apple iPhone 18 Pro

The iPhone 18 Pro — along with the iPhone 18 Pro Max — have some serious camera upgrades, so it makes sense that readers would have voted this the Best Camera Phone. You’re getting a trio of 48MP cameras on the back, covering wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto (4x zoom) views, and in a rare move for phones, the wide snapper also has a variable aperture. That feature, coupled with new pro controls, gives you more power than ever to take control of your shots. But the iPhone 18 Pro still shines for point-and-shoot photography, too, and its cameras capture more detail than ever before.

Best Gaming Phone

Apple iPhone 18 Pro

The iPhone 18 Pro also takes the Readers’ Choice Best Gaming Phone award, and this makes total sense too, given the sheer amount of power on offer here. The phone has a seriously fast A20 Pro chipset paired with improved thermal management — so it can keep cool and maintain its smooth performance even over a lengthy gaming session. On top of that, the App Store simply has a better selection of high-end games than you’ll find over on Android, and they’re usually well optimized for Apple’s hardware.

Best AI Phone

Google Pixel 11 Pro

Between them, Samsung and Apple have swept almost all of these awards — but not quite all of them, as readers voted the Google Pixel 11 Pro as the Best AI Phone. Despite Siri’s recent AI makeover, this makes perfect sense, as Google has spent the last few years improving the Pixel’s AI features and more deeply integrating them into the operating system. The result with the Pixel 11 Pro is a phone with AI everywhere. You can tap into Gemini from any screen, and new features such as Rambler for voice dictation and Magic Capture for photography bring genuinely useful AI-powered upgrades to this phone's core functionality.

Best Phone Accessory

UGreen Qi2 25W Wireless Power Bank

The UGreen Qi2 25W Wireless Power Bank is a top-tier portable charger with speedy 25W wireless charging, an ultra-compact design, and a lightweight feel. As well as wireless charging capabilities, the model has an integrated USB-C cable for charging your devices or the power bank itself, a USB-C port that supports 30W charging, and even a neat little display. Pair that with high build quality and 13-layer protection for safe charging, and you’re looking at one of the best wireless power banks on the market — and TechRadar readers clearly agreed.

Best Tablet

Apple iPad Pro (M5)

The Apple iPad Pro (M5) is a powerhouse of a slate, with that M5 chip delivering what our review described as “amazing performance.” It also has a sumptuous 11-inch screen, a sleek design, and impressive cameras and software. Whether for work or play, this tablet can handle tasks exceptionally well, so it’s a deserving winner.

Best eReader

reMarkable Paper Pure

This isn’t just an ereader, it’s a lightweight, distraction-free writing tablet that’s portable, comfortable, and — according to our reMarkable Paper Pure review — offers a “flawless writing experience.” So while this isn’t necessarily going to be the best choice to read a novel on, if you’re after an epaper tablet to sketch and write on, this is an ideal choice — so it’s no real surprise this was voted Best eReader.

Cameras & drones

Camera of the Year

Sony A7R VI

From a shortlist that included the Canon EOS R6 Mark III, Sony A7 V, Leica M-EV1 and a trio of five-star DJI products, it was the A7R VI that topped your votes, and it’s easy to see why: Sony gave us highly-detailed images and blazing-fast performance in a single, well-designed model, rounding the package off by debuting its first new battery in almost a decade for class-leading endurance. We rarely use the word ‘perfect’, but for many photographers, the Sony A7R VI mirrorless camera will be just that.

Camera Brand of the Year

Sony

Readers voted the A7R VI as a double winner, the A7 V as the Best Mid-range Camera, the RX10 V as the Best Compact Camera and the 100mm F2.8 macro as the Best Lens winner — so it’s little wonder that the camera giant wins the Brand of the Year vote too. And the accolade is fully deserved; other leading brands have had a majorly quiet year by comparison, besides perhaps the relentless DJI. Sony’s mirrorless camera lineup is looking strong, and its lens range is formidable. If you can afford its admittedly pricey gear, it’s the ecosystem that has it all.

Camera Innovation of the Year

Antigravity A1

Antigravity was a complete unknown before this year, but the Insta360-seeded company burst onto the scene with the world's first 360-degree drone, the A1. Pipping DJI to the post, the Antigravity A1 is effectively an Insta360 X5 that flies, which means it shoots crisp 8K video of every angle, and when paired with the company’s goggles and motion controller, gives a flight experience that’s both immersive and intuitive. The possibilities for this tech are truly exciting.

Best Beginner Camera

Fujifilm X-T30 III

Love Fujifilm’s retro design but can’t stretch to the pricey X100 VI or X-E5? In steps the portable Fujifilm X-T30 III, fitted with the company’s entry-level 26MP APS-C sensor for sharp stills, 6K video with 10-bit color depth, a tilt screen, EVF and a flash. It’s an excellent entry point to the Fujifilm X-mount for photography-focused users, with very few rivals at its affordable price point, besides the recent OM PEN. The X-T30 III is set to become one of Fujifilm's best sellers.

Best Mid-range camera

Sony A7 V

The Sony A7 IV held onto top spot in our best mirrorless cameras guide for years and had only recently lost its spot to the Nikon Z6 III, only for Sony to wrestle it back with the mark IV’s successor. The Sony A7 V feels like the complete camera; its new processor, ‘partially stacked’ sensor and improved subject tracking autofocus deliver a boost in stills and video performance, even if the A7 V has the same 33MP resolution as its predecessor. The A7 V is a true all-rounder.

Best Professional Camera

Sony A7R VI

Of course the readers' Camera of the Year also scoops top prize in its individual category. With Canon doing its business last year, and Nikon remaining totally quiet, the A7R VI really stood out. and it's a solid upgrade of the A7R V, with a bump in resolution from 61MP to 66.8MP, but more importantly it’s a quicker stacked sensor that’s ultimately way more versatile. The completely new battery (for class-leading battery life) and Sony’s best autofocus and design yet add further polish to the Sony A7R VI.

Best Compact and Instant Camera

Sony RX10 V

We didn't see it coming, but nine years after the now-discontinued RX10 IV, Sony revived its series of bridge cameras, and made the best even better. It ditched the Cyber-Shot name and brushed up the Sony RX10 V’s design to feel more Alpha, but ultimately the shooting experience from the same 20.1MP 1-inch sensor and 24-600mm F2.8-4 lens combo is entirely familiar, and it's one that many enthusiast wildlife photographers will love. Add the chunkier battery, better autofocus and faster burst shooting, and it’s an even better, albeit pricier, all-in-one camera.

Best Action and Vlogging Camera

Insta 360 Luna Ultra

DJI was busy priming its twin-lens Pocket 4P camera to attempt to change the vlogging camera game, only for Insta360 to steal its thunder with the Luna Ultra, and what an innovative camera it is. Taking the compact, gimbal-mounted camera formula of the Pocket series, the Insta360 Luna Ultra went one step further by adding a 3x telephoto camera, and fitted the device with a clever detachable remote module, which can control the camera remotely and doubles up as a mic. Never has solo vlogging been easier.

Best Camera Lens

Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS

At 10 years old, Sony’s 90mm macro lens was beginning to look a little dated, and so Sony macro photographers were delighted when the company released an entirely new model with a larger than life 1.4x magnification: the Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS. Much like the similar Canon 100mm macro lens from 2021, Sony’s doubles up nicely as a portrait lens too, plus it's supported with image stabilization, compatible with teleconverters, and optically it's pretty much flawless.

Best camera accessory

Birdfy Bird Bath Pro

We’ve been reviewing bird feeder cameras for years, but it was the Birdfy Bird Bath Pro that made a splash in 2026 (pun intended). Amid warnings of the part that flat tray bird feeders can play in spreading avian diseases, in stepped this unique bird bath camera, with a more hygienic fountain, and that enabled us to observe a different kind of splashing and preening bird behavior from up close, with the same live feed and app notifications we've come to love from bird feeder cameras. The first generation product needs a little refining, but there's nothing else like it for bird lovers.

Best drone

Antigravity A1

The Antigravity A1 clearly made an impression on readers, picking up its second award here. It’s great to see a company besides DJI entering the drone space, and to do it so well with its first 360–degree drone. The Antigravity A1 shoots 8K video taken from any angle, and delivers an immersive flight experience through its goggles and motion controller. And with firmware updates and new accessories since the product's launch, Antigravity looks like it's just getting started.

Computing

Computing Brand of the Year

Apple

Apple shook up the computing world this year with the introduction of its affordable MacBook Neo, which combined a relatively low price tag with a premium design, all without making too many compromises when it comes to performance. It left Windows competitors scrambling to compete, so we ended up with a range of excellent affordable Windows 11 laptops arriving later — which means Apple had perhaps the biggest impact on computing in 2026, and readers clearly felt it.

Best Computing Innovation

Nvidia DLSS 4.5

Out of all the AI upscaling tech that's been helping PC gamers eke out more performance from their rigs, Nvidia's DLSS is by far the most advanced, and its 4.5 release brings better image quality, while Dynamic Multi Frame Generation does a great job of balancing image quality with high frame rates. Nvidia also added 6X Frame Generation, which allows compatible GPUs to reach incredibly high frame rates.

Best Value Laptop

Apple MacBook Neo

When Apple launched the MacBook Neo earlier this year for $599 / £599 / AU$1,049, it made a huge impact. It was a lower price than many of us were expecting, and no Windows 11 laptop, or Chromebook, that cost similar could compete. Sure, there were compromises to keep the price down, such as a lack of backlit keyboard, slow USB ports and just 8GB of memory, but the overall package offered incredible value for money. So, it was a bit of a shame that Apple increased the price a few months later to $699 / £699, making it less good value. Still, even with the price rise, you won't find a better laptop for the price.

Best AI Laptop

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch M5 (2025)

After a few years where it felt like Apple was being left behind, it's beginning to roll out more of its Apple Intelligence (AI) features, and while it's still early days, the results are promising, with many of the tools featuring Apple's signature polish. Because the company has been including its Neural Engine in its chips for years, it actually has a bit of a head start when it comes to on-device AI, and the latest MacBook Pro is a great example of this.

Best Gaming Laptop

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2026)

Gaming laptops don't come much bigger and brasher than the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 (2026). It features desktop-grade performance thanks to a mighty RTX 5090 laptop GPU, plus a cutting-edge Intel Core Ultra 9 processor. Its huge 18-inch screen is also fantastic, powered by mini-LED technology, which makes modern games look gorgeous. However, all this power comes with a high price tag.

Best PC Gaming Handheld

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20

While some PC gaming handhelds are going all-in on raw performance with cutting-edge components, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 is more of a refinement of the existing ROG Xbox Ally — but that is actually a bit of a masterstroke, as it means it's cheaper than rivals such as MSI Claw 8 EX AI+. Don't think this is a budget device, however, and the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 features some nice improvements such as an OLED screen that looks fantastic, as well as improved buttons and TMR joysticks.

Best Gaming Keyboard

Turtle Beach Command Series KB7 TKL

The Turtle Beach Command Series KB7 TKL is an unusual gaming keyboard, because instead of a physical numpad, it has a built-in touchscreen that can give you quick access to macros, apps, and shortcuts that can give you a competitive edge. Thanks to its 8K polling rate, it's fast and responsive, and when you're not playing games, it feels great to type on as well.

Best Gaming Monitor

Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF

The Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 G60SF is a brilliant gaming monitor for people who are seriously into their competitive esports, thanks to its incredibly fast 500Hz refresh rate. Matched with ultra-low response times, and you have a monitor that will keep up with even the most frantic of games, and the OLED screen tech makes those games look incredible.

Best Gaming Mouse

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike

The Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike more than earns its rare five-star rating thanks to its fantastic build quality and lightweight design that makes it feel comfortable no matter what your grip type is. It also features a unique haptic inductive trigger system that lets you fine-tune the mouse buttons to perfectly suit your playstyle.

Gaming

Gaming Device of the Year

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro 2

The new Stealth Pro 2 headset from Turtle Beach is a fantastic premium headset that builds on everything great about its predecessor. The sound quality is spectacular, of course, but there's now improved battery life and solutions within its dock, a slick new lifestyle-friendly design, and a fantastic microphone all working together at the core of what makes it excel in gaming audio.

Gaming Brand of the Year

Turtle Beach

Gaming hardware behemoth Turtle Beach has released a whole heap of awesome gaming gear and devices in the past year or so, from pushing the boundaries of what a gaming mouse can be, deploying brilliant aesthetics to controllers, all the way to following up one of the best headsets of recent times with a superb successor.

Gaming Innovation of the Year

Turtle Beach MC7

A screen on a mouse?! Outrageous! But also: excellently innovative by Turtle Beach. In terms of changing perceptions about what gaming mice can do, the Command Series MC7 is a brilliant gaming product and should increase the functionality that gaming mice can offer players.

Best Console Accessory

Turtle Beach VelocityOne Race KD3 wheel

Offering a brilliant direct-drive bundle, the KD3 wheel is a fantastic addition to the budget end of the market and offers incredible value for money. The feedback from the 3.2Nm motor, pedal set, and even the aesthetics all play their part in making the VelocityOne Race KD3 a brilliant racing wheel.

Best Gaming Service

Xbox Game Pass

Having its price slashed this year, thankfully, is a big boon to players, and it has meant that Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription still offers good value while also allowing players to jump into the likes of Gears of War: E-Day without paying the full price of a game.

Best Gaming Controller

Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller

This might be the best possible controller for GTA 6. With a delightfully retro pastel aesthetic, this Xbox pad stands apart in a sea of comparatively boring-looking alternatives. It's got beautiful RGB lighting to boot, and competitive specs, including features such as remappable rear buttons and built-in audio controls, to back up the good looks.

Best Gaming Headset

Turtle Beach Stealth Pro 2

A premium headset that does it all, the Stealth Pro 2 from Turtle Beach is about as close to the full package as gaming headsets have gotten in the past year. It also had a tough act to follow, with its predecessor being so good too, and is worthy of its place as one of the past year's best.

Best Gaming Chair

Secretlab Atlas

Having thoroughly mastered the gaming chair, this year saw Secretlab branch out into something new. The Secretlab Atlas is a strong task chair that's perfect for work, relaxation, and, of course, gaming. The unique design incorporates a fantastic self-adjusting lumbar mechanism, which makes comfortable seating effortless.

TV & home theater

TV of the year

Sony Bravia 9 II

A TV needs to be sensational to stand out from the best TVs of 2026, and the Bravia 9 II is exactly that. Its RGB mini-LED panel delivers OLED-grade contrast and color, but with the brightness of mini-LED — and its audio system means it sounds as good as it looks.

Home Entertainment Brand of the Year

Sony

With multiple gongs in this year's reader-voted awards, it's not a surprise to see Sony pick up the Brand of the Year award too. Sony's focus on making premium products with innovative tech has yielded impressive results across TVs and soundbars, and its RGB technology and wireless speaker systems have been especially worth the wait.

Home Entertainment Innovation of the Year

Sony True RGB

True RGB is Sony's branding for its RGB mini-LED technology. Like other mini-LED displays, True RGB uses a very bright mini-LED backlight to deliver brightness that OLEDs can only dream of. RGB mini-LED takes the tech further, with each LED packing separate, independently controlled red, green and blue diodes instead of a single color. That means much better color accuracy and off-angle viewing. Sony isn't the only company to introduce this tech in 2026, but the way it designed its version has led to the most impressive results.

Best Gaming TV

TCL QM8L

The TCL QM8L is a superb TV for gaming thanks to its support for 4K at up to 144Hz across all four HDMI 2.1 ports, variable refresh rate at up to 288Hz, low latency, and impressive built-in audio as a bonus. We gave it a maximum score for gaming in our review, and said it's "a pleasure to game on" — and clearly the readers agree. This TV is TCL doing what TCL does best: delivering lots of fun for a way lower price than you expect.

Best TV for Sound

Sony Bravia 9 II

It's another win for Sony's flagship, this time for its Acoustic Multi-Audio+ sound system that has two full-range drivers, two subwoofers, two tweeters and a pair of angled beam tweeters to add height. With 80W of power, the Sony Bravia 9 II is impressively loud as well as beautifully detailed, and it sounds terrific in movies and music.

Best OLED TV

LG G6

The LG G6 stood out this year for massively improving its visibility in even very bright rooms, and it set a very high bar for OLED excellence overall this year. The picture quality is outstanding, it's phenomenal for gaming, and webOS remains one of our favorite smart TV platforms.

Best mini-LED TV

Sony Bravia 9 II

RGB mini-LED is spectacular, and right now nobody's doing it quite like Sony. The Bravia 9 II is the best backlit TV we've ever seen, breaking new ground when it comes to color and contrast, but maintaining the realistic, reference look that Sony strives for.

Best Value TV

TCL QM7L

The TCL QM7L is a remarkable achievement, reaching image quality shockingly close to the heights of TCL's flagships for a significantly lower price. Like its award-winning QM8L sibling, it's a superb gaming TV, and it's an excellent all-rounder with a good specification and a generally premium feel.

Best Projector

Anker Soundcore Nebula P1

It looks like you share our view of the Anker Soundcore Nebula P1: it's a lot of fun, and as a package it's hard to beat. The P1 takes the best bits of the much more expensive X1, including its nifty wireless speakers, and boils them down into a much more affordable portable projector package so you can enjoy big-screen fun anywhere.

Best Soundbar

Sonos Beam Ultra

The days when Sonos had the premium soundbar sector to itself are long gone, but the Sonos Beam Ultra puts the company right back at the head of the pack: five out of five stars-good as we detailed in our Sonos Beam Ultra review. It's an Arc Ultra but smaller, delivering superbly detailed and immersive audio in a really small package.

Best Wireless Home Theater Speakers

Sony Bravia Theater Trio

The Sony Bravia Theater Trio is an LCR system, which means it has left, center and right wireless speakers to create a much wider soundstage than the best soundbars alone can deliver. It delivers a powerful, warm and wide sound, and if you add a wireless subwoofer things get even more entertaining. In the world of giant-screen TVs, this is a really tempting option, as our voters clearly felt.

Streaming

Streaming Service of the Year

Netflix

Netflix is always a controversial company, especially when it comes to price hikes — but there's a reason it can get away with all the rises, and that's because it's the best. Its own Netflix Originals continue to excite and delight, it makes smart buys from all around the world, and its documentaries are often superb. Add in excellent parental controls, apps for every conceivable device and a very affordable ad-supported tier and you can see why Netflix is a worthy winner.

Best Streaming Service for Movies

Netflix

Netflix's mix of original movies and bought-in blockbusters in a huge range of genres means there's always some movie magic to stream, whether that's the latest Wallace & Gromit movie (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), Godzilla Minus One, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse or classics such as Jaws. Netflix's current movie catalog features some of the world's most celebrated filmmakers including Alfonso Cuarón, Martin Scorcese, Jane Campion, Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, Spike Lee and many more.

Best Streaming Service for Documentaries

Netflix

Netflix was quick to recognize the power of documentaries to deliver big drama with very low budgets, and its current slate includes a huge range that stretches from the hard-hitting to the heart-warming. From true crime reconstructions to spectacular shows such as American Symphony, Netflix's documentary department is full of must-watch stories.

Best Streaming Service for TV Series

Apple TV

The recently renamed Apple TV, formerly Apple TV+, may not have the massive catalogs of its streaming rivals, but when your line-up includes the likes of Slow Horses, Pluribus, Small Prophets, Hijack, Shrinking, Severance, Margot's Got Money Troubles, Widows Bay and more, it's clear that you're prizing quality over quantity. Apple's one-tier approach is refreshing: there's no need to pay more for ad-free viewing, higher resolution or spatial audio.

Best Free Streaming Service of the Year

Tubi

Like many readers we're big fans of Tubi: it's one of the finest free ad-supported streamers around, with a huge range of entertainment to choose from. Don't expect the very latest hit shows or blockbusters, but the catalog is impressively large and wide-ranging so there's always something fun to watch — and the ads aren't so frequent that they become irritating.

Audio

Headphones of the Year

Apple AirPods Max 2

As we said in our full AirPods Max 2 review, these cans are "doubtless the best noise-cancelling iPhone headphones on the planet" while also being incredibly comfortable and boasting some of the best voice capture on any headphones we've ever experienced. Clearly the readers felt the same way, and like us were able to overcome the fact that Apple kept that weird, weird case…

Audio Brand of the Year

Bowers & Wilkins

There's something undeniably elite, sophisticated and next-level about B&W's products, whether it's the luxurious five-star PX8 S2 headphones, the deliciously expensive earbuds, or its astounding new-generation Diamond-series speakers. Clearly, the readers agreed that the attention to both design and sound here is a cut above the rest.

Audio Innovation of the Year

Cambridge L/R S speakers

We called this set of bijou active speakers "an immediate pound-for-pound market-leader contender" in our five-star review. There are two channels of amplification for each speaker, and a full DSP crossover which acts as a PWM signal to each amplifier, for astounding accuracy, and custom connecter between the speakers for ensuring all of that comes through appropriately. Are they a tad over-engineered? Perhaps — but this is an innovation award, and it seems like that's exactly what the readers responded to.

Best Wireless Headphones

Sony 1000X The Collexion

What better way to mark a whole decade (yes, we feel old too) since Sony's now modern classic 1000X headphones landed than to distill everything that's ever been great about them into a solo, celebratory product? OK, they're the company's priciest set of wireless Bluetooth headphones yet but, as we said in our Sony 1000X The Collexion review, "their luxurious build, detailed sound, and top-tier comfortability help to justify their price tag."

Best Wireless Earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM6

Another Sony winner, and no one can argue with Sony's detailed sound quality. But Sony's buds are also always a leader due to their features, and the Quick Attention option, should someone need a quick word with you have the ANC on, alone is a good enough reason for the readers to have voted for these buds.

Best Open Earbuds

Shokz OpenFit Pro

We were happy to see that, despite their not-insignificant asking fee, these are getting the recognition they so fully deserve. The fit is secure and fuss free (aided by extra optional bands in the box, which are useful for sports), and the excellent active noise reduction is nothing short of class-leading. Read our full Shokz Openfit Pro review for the full match report, but as far as we're concerned, Shokz hit an ace here.

Best Value Headphones

Sony WH-CH730N

There's a strong set of features in Sony WH-CH730N for the money, plus competent sound and a nifty, foldable design. At such a low price, the all-round quality you get here is impressive, and Sony's budget headphones have been popular for years — evidently, the new model is landing with readers as well.

Best Value Earbuds

Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus

Earfun's built up a huge, loyal fanbase owing to its consistently good, affordable earbuds. The Earfun Air Pro 4 do nothing to buck that trend, delivering very good value for money, and premium features. So we're not surprised to see them as the readers' pick, and they're a deserving winner.

Best Value Open Earbuds

Anker Soundcore Aeroclip 2

Yes, we're into second-generation ear cuff-style open earbuds in 2026 and long may they reign! The Anker Soundcore AeroClip 2 are a solid upgrade over their predecessors, offering higher-resolution audio, better waterproofing, clearer calls, and a more tailored sound, as we explored in our Soundcore Aeroclip 2 review. They benefit from a bit of extra tuning to sound exciting, but they're a great option for fans of this clip-on design, particularly in the pictured 'Burgundy Red' finish. Very 'new romantic'!

Best Wired Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000

A huge win for a set of 58mm open-back drivers and A-T's known wizardry in the game. I'd caveat the win by saying you can't just buy these headphones and expect great sound from your source device — you have to buy a decent amp to drive them too — but we've covered it all in our five-star Audio-Technica ATH-ADX7000 review. Know this: get them properly powered and, as long as you don't care that other people will hear whatever you're listening to, they'll reward you with some of the best audio quality we've ever heard from headphones.

Best Wired Earbuds

Sennheiser CX 80U

When people ask us, "What's the cheapest way to get better sound from my phone?" our response is to name-drop these cheap 2026-release USB-C wired earbuds. For around $35 / £30 you really cannot expect more. OK, you don't get volume controls on the in-line remote and the mic isn't especially good in calls, as we note in our glowing Sennheiser CX 80U review — but you do get agile bass, clarity through mids and vivid, sparkling highs. Pair that with their surprisingly solid noise isolation and you’re looking at an awesome pair of wired buds for music.

Best Bluetooth Speaker

JBL Xtreme 5

JBL seemingly cannot go wrong when it comes to portable speakers, whatever their size — although it's worth noting that this is a big boy… but the triumph is big too. Truth be told, we've never met a JBL Bluetooth speaker we didn't like quite a bit, but this particular model? This is one of the best portable Bluetooth puppies we've ever tested — as our five-star JBL Xtreme 5 review emphasizes — so it's easy to see why the readers picked it.

Best Wireless Speaker

Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker

If your budget can stretch to it, there’s just so much to like about the Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker, and so little to take issue with — and we're happy that you think so too. In our Bose Lifestyle Ultra Speaker review we appreciated the tall, punchy and well-defined spatial audio performance from a winsome and well-made Wi-Fi speaker.

Best Portable Audio Player

Astell & Kern PD5

Astell & Kern's newest 'entry level' hi-res audio player (we put that in quotation marks purely because entry level for A&K may be different for the rest of us…) is a simple and deserved winner here. The hi-res digital audio player specialist knows what it's doing with quality portable music machines.

Best Turntable

Sony PS-LX5BT

This is Sony's joint-newest Bluetooth record player (the slightly pricier of a new duo), and because the PS-LX5BT features Bluetooth transmission via the aptX Adaptive codec, it'll give you better-quality streams if your receiver is up to it. Because of its onboard phono stage, it can also hard-wire to pretty much any system you care to mention — and to top it all off, Sony's made the whole thing automatic where playback is concerned. See our full Sony PS-LX5BT review for the full scoop on why this is the beginner-friendly player to beat — something the readers clearly agreed with.

Best DAC

Astell & Kern AK HC5

In our full-fat review of the HC5, we praised this little hi-res audio DAC for the spacious detail it brought to our portable music game, its classy build and finish and the fact that it really is portable. Essentially, it gives your phone, laptop or even your games console the audio skills of a top-end hi-res music player.

Best Stereo Speakers

Cambridge L/R S

A double win for the colorful little Cambridge speakers! These little beauties also won our readership's Audio Innovation of the Year gong too, and it means Cambridge's gamble with these all-new active speakers (the smallest and most-intriguing in a new three-strong range) has really paid off. As our Cambridge Audio L/R S review and the awards here prove, they're a winner.

Health & Fitness tech

Health and Fitness Device of the Year

Apple Watch Ultra 4

It's always tough to push the Apple Watch Ultra off the top spot, and readers once again voted it to give it the top price, and that's because it's such a comprehensive best-in-class beast of a smartwatch. While it doesn't look much different from last year's design from the front, the Ultra 4's redesigned sensor array means it can record heart rate readings up to 60 times more often as older models, plus it (finally!) gets a Readiness score. It remains the smartwatch to beat for another year at least.

Health & Fitness Brand of the Year

Garmin

Garmin has had a good year. The hugely popular brand went from strength to strength this year, not only delivering another five-star watch with the Garmin Fenix 9 Pro (among other great adventure- and cycling-focused devices), but also delivering the wearable we named the best screenless fitness tracker of 2026 (and there have been quite a few) — the Garmin Cirqa.

Health and Fitness Innovation of the Year

Google Fitbit Air

Despite hot competition (including the Garmin Cirqa), our readers voted the Google Fitbit Air (which came first) the best health tech innovation of 2026. It was quite revolutionary in the fitness tracker field: up until it landed, the screenless space was dominated by the cripplingly expensive Whoop. The Fitbit Air broke this trend and used the power of Google's existing Gemini AI framework to democratize the AI element, delivering it at a lower price, while keeping the basics nice and cheap for under $100 / £90.

Best Smartwatch

Apple Watch Ultra 4

The Apple Watch Ultra 4 hasn't changed a huge amount since last year (or indeed, since its inception), but it's improving on an already-excellent model with increased battery life and a redesigned health-sensing LED array. This new 'Health Sensing System' takes heart rate readings 60x more often during the day, resulting in what Apple says is the most accurate heart rate detection ever on a wearable. Of course, it's also a fantastic smartwatch with a sumptuous screen and useful features.

Best Running Watch

Garmin Fenix 9 Pro

From a technical standpoint, this may be Garmin's finest watch yet, and the one on every serious endurance athlete's Christmas list. The Fenix 9 Pro takes Garmin's excellent Fenix 8 and adds a brighter screen, an all-titanium nano-moulded case, a new green light for improved visibility, better maps, InReach and Solar options, and loads more. We rated it a five-star triumph in our Garmin Fenix 9 Pro review.

Best Fitness Tracker

Garmin Cirqa

Although the Fitbit Air came first, we labelled the Garmin Cirqa as our ideal 'Goldilocks' tracker: cheaper than the Whoop, but more feature-rich than the Fitbit. Garmin's tracker lasts for over a week and features a tactile button to start-stop workouts and alarms, after which you get a haptic notification. This is a terrific way to interact with a screenless device and get assurance your workouts are being tracked, rather than opening up the app to manually start an activity.

Best Smart Ring

Oura Ring 5

Although there were other smart rings released from the likes of RingConn and Circular this year, the Oura won out again this year simply by virtue of its app's powerful smarts. You do need a membership, but Oura is a premium device, and new health insights along with a redesigned, slimmer ring means it's easy to see why the readers voted it as their pick.

Best Electric Toothbrush

Suri Core 1.0

Suri is the toothbrush company that creates simple sonic toothbrushes with sustainable elements, and it's managed to bring the price down a touch with the Suri Core 1.0, becoming more affordable while retaining its Apple-esque, good-looking design ethos. With the magnetic back attachment and simple dual modes, it's unspectacular, but a free brush head recycling program and a slick look go a long way to making it popular.

Best Connected Fitness Tech

Withings BodyScan 2

Withings' top-flight smart scale is this year's best connected tech entry, which offers so much more than just weight. The retractable handle enables the scale to run currents through the whole body, taking heart rate readings and cardiovascular snapshots in addition to all the usual metrics and a new 'vascular age' metric. Its accurate, reliable, and usable by the whole family with multiple profiles.

Home tech

Home Device of the Year

Philips Hue Essential

The Philips Hue Essential series is an affordable entry to smart lighting that doesn’t compromise on quality. Philips Hue Essential bulbs and LED strips are compatible with all devices in the Hue ecosystem, but work equally well on their own, with brightness, color reproduction, and responsiveness that rivals smart lights costing several times the price.

Home Tech Brand of the Year

Philips Hue

It's been an epic year for Philips Hue. At one end of the scale, the brand has made smart lighting more accessible with the budget-friendly Hue Essential series of bulbs and LED strips. At the other end, the new Philips Hue Bridge Pro lets power users connect over 150 lights in a single network and delivers exciting AI features — with lots more on the horizon. Smart lighting has never been so exciting.

Home Tech Innovation of the Year

Philips Hue Essential

If you like the idea of installing smart lights, but have been put off by the price, the Philips Hue Essential series is for you. This innovative collection of smart lights offers all the best features of the Philips Hue system without the hefty price tag, meaning that it's a game-changer for people put off by the price of whole-home smart lighting in the past.

Best Home Light Tech

Philips Hue Essential

Another win for Philips Hue Essential, though this one was inevitable given its other victories here. The Essential light range is affordable and versatile, offering brightness, color, and smart functionality that belies the products' modest price. In side-by-side tests, it’s hard to differentiate between these and their premium counterparts, and they’re fully compatible with automations, scenes, switches and sensors through the Philips Hue app. A perfect entry to smart lighting.

Best Home Security Device

TP-Link Tapo C660

When it comes to home security cameras, the TP-Link Tapo C660 checks off everything on our wishlist: easy installation, extra long battery life topped up with a solar panel, crisp 4K footage, and no subscription necessary to store it all. It’s remarkably affordable too, and if you have a large property, a multi-camera bundle will let you watch over it from all angles. For peace of mind, it's unbeatable.

Best Robot Vacuum

Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai

The ingenious Spot+Scrub Ai is designed to tackle stubborn dried-on stains that other robovacs can’t handle, using artificial intelligence to identify troublesome dirt and then mopping it repeatedly until it’s gone. Its self-cleaning is exceptional too, and overall it’s an excellent choice for little-and-often cleaning that will keep your floors looking immaculate.

Best Vacuum

Dyson V10 Konical Cordless Vacuum and Auto-Empty Dok

A winning pair — the ultra-light and super-maneuverable Dyson V10 Konical funnels hair to the center of the brushroll to prevent it wrapping around the spindle, while the Auto-Empty Dok removes all the hassle and mess of emptying the vacuum’s dust cup. A perfect duo for allergy-sufferers and pet-owners alike.

Best Air Fryer

Ninja Crispi Pro Glass Air Fryer

The Ninja Crispi Pro’s standout features are its clever glass cooking dishes, which let you store, cook, and serve food with no mess or hassle. The air fryer cooks quickly and quietly, whether you’re crisping up a few fries or roasting a whole chicken, and the dishes are a cinch to clean in the dishwasher when you’re done. Air frying should always be this easy.

Best Coffee Machine

Lavazza Assoluta

The Lavazza Assoluta takes the guesswork out of making espresso with a clever system that scans the barcode on your coffee beans, then tweaks the machine’s brew settings accordingly. Its built-in milk frother prepares creamy lattes and macchiatos without the need to master a steam wand, and its drinks menu is fully customizable. Want an extra shot in your cappuccino? No problem!

Best Value Coffee Machine

Philips Baristina

The Philips Baristina makes brewing espresso with fresh beans just as simple as using coffee pods. It handles dosing, grinding and extraction for you, and its ingenious design with a removeable portafilter handle makes it a cinch to clean compared to a typical automatic coffee maker. A perfect entry-level espresso machine — and accessibly priced, too.

Best Fan

Dyson Hot+Cool HF1

This compact fan will serve you well all year round, offering effective cooling during the summer and efficient heating during the colder months. It’s supplied with a remote, but we were most impressed by the Dyson Hot+Cool HF1's mobile app, which made setting timers and schedules a breeze — and even let us pre-heat a room so it was cozy when we arrived home.

A report makes alarming privacy claims about Samsung smart TVs — but here's why I'm not worried

Carrie Marshall — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:42:02 +0000

Samsung TVs can report dog barks and baby cries to Samsung
TVs can detect mics in soundbars and other devices
It's not as sinister as it's being painted online

Update 10/29/26: Samsung has reached out to us with the following statement:

"Like many Smart TV providers, Samsung uses Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) to enhance the viewing experience, better tailor both the content, and if users consent, the advertising they see.

“Samsung Smart TVs do not enable ACR by default. Users must opt-in to the ACR service and can opt-out at any time. When a customer disables ACR, viewing information is not collected or transmitted.

“Samsung takes privacy very seriously, it's at the heart of everything we do, and is handled with the utmost care to ensure our viewers get the best experience while keeping their personal data safe."

The rest of this story remains as originally published.

Privacy has always been a hot-button topic online, and since the furore over LG TVs' data collection people have been paying particular attention to televisions and associated accessories.

So the latest news about Samsung TVs seems rather scary: according to a thread on Reddit, it has "on-device AI listening for your dog and baby, watching what you watch, and borrowing your soundbar's mic if the TV doesn't have one."

That sounds appalling, but when you look into the detail the picture becomes considerably less sinister. Some of the supposed spying Samsung is doing isn't secret: in some cases it's for features Samsung happily advertised as reasons to buy its TVs.

That doesn't necessarily mean that Samsung is doing everything with complete transparency, or that there might be more data collection and retention than you're aware of. But it does mean perhaps putting down the EVERYBODY PANIC! signs and looking at what the TVs are actually doing.

What are the claims about Samsung TVs?

According to an X user called log4j, they started digging into their Samsung TV's data use when the on-screen ads were getting very specifically targeted. And in the latest batch of data they've published, they found markers for dog-barking and baby-crying events, data on camera streaming duration, and a feature that can detect microphones in nearby devices.

Scary, right? But the AI baby crying detection was a feature Samsung advertised under the name Family Care as a key selling point: the idea was that if your TV detected a child's cries, it would send alerts to your connected mobile devices. And Samsung's already said that it is discontinuing the feature — 18 months after it launched — due to low usage and persistent false positives, for example because it was detecting on-screen crying as if it happening for real.

What about the dog barking? That's a related system, Pet Care, which is designed to do the same for dogs as it does for babies' cries. Both systems are designed to work when the TV is on standby.

It maybe be fair to criticize Samsung for not making it clear it reported such events to its own servers, and to ask why it needs to. We've asked Samsung for comment on the latter, though there's probably a clue in the fact that it's discontinuing the feature due to lack of use and its performance — it's standard for companies to collect some data on if and when features are used, so they can analyze and adapt them. In any case, Samsung was hardly hiding Pet Care and Family Care. Quite the opposite.

What about looking for external microphones? As far as I can see from the posts on X, the TV only looks to see if nearby devices have a microphone — there's no evidence that it uses them secretly. It's entirely possible that there's a simple reason for it, for example to enable karaoke apps or video calling apps, so that when you fire up those apps the TV already knows which microphones are available. Discovering nearby devices is not the same as accessing them; if it were, we'd be demanding a ban on Bluetooth.

Further data is promised from the Samsung TV software breakdown, and it might reveal that there are some dodgy deeds going on: the same hacker says that the TV loads a region-specific neural network to monitor your use of apps such as YouTube, and a detailed breakdown of what's going on there is apparently imminent.

But for now it seems that Samsung maybe more has a privacy policy issue, not a sinister snooping plan. If more data emerges and it demonstrates something more serious, I'll be as outraged as anyone else.

I think we're way overdue a big conversation about how much data TV hardware and accessory firms should collect, especially in the US where data protection hasn't been a massive legislative priority compared to places like Europe. But I don't think this particular story is as worrying as tales of TV makers telling advertisers that "we own the glass".

We've contacted Samsung for comment and we'll update this article if it responds.

I tried Sonos’ clever new surround setup trick — and it delivers the home theater flexibility I’ve always wanted

Max Langridge — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 04:34:28 +0000

I've long been a fan of Sonos and its approach to home audio. My apartment is already filled with the company's speakers, including two home theater systems for movies and TV, and a couple of stereo pairs for music. And while the ability to group speakers and play whatever I want, wherever I want, is already a major part of the appeal, I've always felt there was room to take things a step further.

So when Sonos announced the Beam Ultra soundbar earlier this year, alongside a new feature that would allow its portable Play speakers to double as rear surrounds, my interest was well and truly piqued.

I've already made my feelings about the Play perfectly clear, having previously claimed it could be the only speaker you really need. Its ability to perform just as well around the home as it does on the move makes it an incredibly appealing proposition.

And now, thanks to the new Sonos27 operating system, that versatility extends to home theater. Rather than committing a pair of speakers to permanent surround duties, you can simply pick one up, take it into another room and use it independently, before returning it to its original position and having it automatically rejoin the system.

It's a simple idea, but one that has the potential to fundamentally change how people use their Sonos speakers. And having now put the Beam Ultra and a pair of Plays through their paces, I think it's one of the company's most compelling developments in years.

Play it for me, Sonos

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

A pair of Sonos Play speakers can be used as rear surrounds with several of the company's soundbars, including the Arc, Arc Ultra, Beam (Gen 2) and Beam Ultra. Given the larger size and greater output capabilities of the Arc models, I'd argue the relatively compact Plays might be a slight mismatch, but it's good to know you're not tied to one particular soundbar.

Pairing them with the smaller Beam makes more sense to me, and in my bedroom, the combination is discreet enough not to draw attention, yet powerful enough to deliver a genuinely expansive sound that's a huge improvement over my TV's built-in speakers.

Of course, the real appeal of this setup is that the Plays aren't permanently tied to surround duties. Pick one up, carry it into another room and it should automatically disconnect from the home theater system, becoming an independent speaker ready for music playback. Return it to its original position, and it should seamlessly slot back into place.

Making this possible is some clever technology working behind the scenes. An accelerometer inside each Play detects when it's been picked up and moved, while Sonos Positioning Technology uses near-ultrasonic signals, picked up by the soundbar's microphones, to determine whether the speakers are in the same room and where they're positioned. It can even work out which speaker should act as the left or right rear surround, without you having to assign them manually.

At least, that's the theory.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

When I first put this to the test, things didn't quite go according to plan. I carried one of the Plays from my bedroom into the living room, only to find it was still reproducing audio from the home theater system. The connection also became intermittent, with the sound cutting in and out rather than the speaker switching to standalone mode.

I eventually resorted to tapping 'Stop Using Surrounds' in the Sonos app, which allowed me to use the Play independently. But when I returned it to the bedroom, it didn't automatically reconnect either, requiring another trip into the app to select 'Start Using Surrounds'.

Not wanting to be deterred, I tried again a short while later. This time, after moving the same Play into the living room and waiting a few seconds, I heard an audible tone confirming it had disconnected from the home theater setup. Both Plays, including the one still in the bedroom, then appeared as standalone speakers in my AirPlay settings.

Returning the speaker to its original position was just as straightforward. A breathing white light indicated it was determining its position relative to the soundbar, followed by the same audible tone confirming a successful connection. Just like that, it was back to performing rear-left surround duties, without me having to touch the app.

And that's when the appeal of Sonos' new approach really clicked. Instead of a pair of speakers permanently committed to home theater duties, I could now move them around my apartment as needed, without manually reconfiguring the system every time.

Small system, big sound

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

To give the system a proper workout and find out just how much the Play surrounds contributed, I had to turn to the Penguin car chase scene in The Batman.

I started with the Beam Ultra by itself and was, quite frankly, blown away by its performance. Considering the soundbar's compact dimensions, the sheer scale of the sound it produced was remarkable. The rumble of the Batmobile's engine had impressive weight, while the soundfield extended well beyond the physical confines of the bar. In fact, it effectively disappeared, with sound filling the room rather than appearing to come from a single speaker beneath the TV.

Perhaps more impressive was that I wasn't using a separate subwoofer. In my bedroom, at least, I didn't feel an immediate need for one, such was the weight and authority of the bass. Admittedly, a larger living room could tell a different story, and anyone craving particularly deep, room-shaking bass would likely benefit from adding a Sub Mini.

With the two Plays connected as surrounds, and both the surround and height audio settings left at their default level of 0, the performance became even more immersive. As Batman and Penguin sped along the highway, the sounds of passing lorries and cars extended behind my listening position, creating a more convincing sense of being in the middle of the action.

Curious to see how much further the system could go, I increased both the surround and height audio settings to +5. The presentation became even more enveloping, with rear-channel effects such as blaring car horns becoming easier to distinguish. And when Penguin's car went into a roll, the system did a convincing job of following the chaos unfolding on screen, making me feel as though I was right there in the passenger seat.

Arc you pleased to see me?

Future / Max Langridge

The Beam Ultra and Play combination had replaced an Arc and two Sonos Ones in my bedroom, so I was keen to see how the newer system compared with its predecessor. I reinstalled the older setup, starting with the Arc on its own.

There was an immediately noticeable increase in sheer grunt, which wasn't entirely surprising given the Arc's larger dimensions and greater number of drivers. But the difference wasn't quite as dramatic as I'd expected, particularly considering how much smaller the Beam Ultra is.

It was also a reminder of how much easier Sonos has made the process of adding portable surrounds. With the Plays, I could simply select 'Use Surrounds' and, within seconds, they would connect and automatically establish their left and right positions. The Ones required a more involved setup process, including manually assigning each speaker to its respective channel.

Returning to the same scene from The Batman, this time with the Ones connected, revealed a more substantial difference between the two systems.

The Arc-based setup produced a bigger, more authoritative sound, particularly with the surround TV level increased to +5. Car engines had greater low-frequency weight, while the movement of vehicles along the highway was easier to follow as sounds travelled around the room.

Where the Beam Ultra fought back was in its reproduction of higher frequencies and dialogue. Voices sounded clearer and more distinct than they did through the Arc, while effects such as screeching tyres had greater bite and definition.

And while I maintain that the Beam Ultra doesn't necessarily need a subwoofer in a smaller room, the comparison demonstrated that the Arc has an advantage when it comes to outright bass weight.

Ultimately, both systems delivered thoroughly enjoyable and convincing surround sound experiences. The Arc-based setup had the edge in scale and low-frequency authority, but the Beam Ultra and Plays proved that a relatively compact system can still deliver a seriously cinematic performance.

A home theater system with a difference

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

At $1,297 / £1,297/ AU$2,097 for the Beam Ultra and two Plays, this certainly isn't the cheapest way to bring surround sound into your home. In fact, Sonos' own Beam Ultra and Era 100 surround package costs considerably less ($1,082 / £1,042 / AU$1,652), and as my comparison with the Arc and Ones demonstrated, a conventional setup can deliver a more substantial sound.

But I'd argue that focusing purely on the price of admission, or even outright surround performance, misses the point of what Sonos has achieved here.

Because when I'm not watching a movie or catching up on my favorite TV shows, I don't necessarily need two speakers sitting behind me doing nothing. With this setup, I can pick them up and take them wherever I please, whether that's into another room for some background music or outside for a gathering with friends.

And because the Plays offer both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, they're just as comfortable being part of a multiroom Sonos system as they are accompanying me away from home.

In effect, I'm getting two systems in one: an immersive home theater setup when I want it, and a pair of genuinely portable wireless speakers when I don't.

For me, that's where the real value lies. Sonos hasn't just made its home theater systems more flexible; it's made the speakers themselves more useful. And having experienced how seamlessly the two roles can work together, it's a feature I'd find difficult to give up.

I tested TCL's mid-range mini-LED TV against LG's most affordable OLED TV in a head-to-head clash

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Mini-LED vs OLED has been a battle in the TV world for a few years now. While mini-LED always provided more brightness and better bright room viewing and OLED delivered better black levels, thanks to its self-dimming pixels, that has changed in recent times, with both TV techs managing to cover more bases.

Both LG and TCL make some of the best TVs you can get, with the former delivering some of the best OLED TVs and the latter offering up some of the best mini-LED TVs. Both also deliver great value for the price you pay, especially TCL.

The LG B6 is one of the best OLEDs I’ve tested this year, offering great performance for a more affordable price. Now, the TCL C7L (this is the UK / AU model — the TCL QM7L is the US equivalent) has arrived in our testing lab so I thought I’d compare the C7L, the brand’s mid-range SQD mini-LED for 2026, against LG’s most entry-level OLED, as they’re available for similar prices.

Can the mini-LED hold its own against OLED? A quick note that we’re using the LG B6E, a cheaper B6 that performs the same other than missing some AI picture modes, and with a different back panel.

Brightness

The TCL C7L (left) has a clear brightness advantage over the LG B6E (right) (Image credit: Future)

Flagship and mid-range OLED TVs have seen a brightness boost over the years, with one example being the near 1,000-nit peak HDR brightness increase between the LG G4 (1,489 nits) from 2024, and its 2026 successor the LG G6 (2,475 nits). It’s taken until this year for entry-level OLED to get a brightness boost: and it’s not as significant as that.

The LG B6E measured 808 nits HDR peak brightness (10% window pattern) in Filmmaker Mode in my tests: a nice boost over the B5’s 668 nits. However, this 808 nits pales in comparison to the 2,083 nits peak HDR brightness achieved by the C7L in its Filmmaker Mode. Mini-LED has always been the brighter tech, but do these results reflect real-life?

In practically every scene I tested, the answer was a resounding yes. With both TVs set to Dolby Vision Filmmaker, in a scene where Lawrence and his guide are by a well in the desert in Lawrence of Arabia, the white sands and blue skies were much more impactful on the C7L, showing off the brightness advantage. The B6E did a good job with the picture, but next to the C7L it looked dim in comparison. Switching to the B6E’s Cinema Home mode did give it a boost in brightness, but still the C7L’s picture dazzled in comparison.

This was also apparent in HDR highlights in other movies. In Speed Racer, the brilliant white of the Mach 5 was much punchier on the C7L than the B6E, though the gap in luminance wasn’t quite as obvious as it had been in Lawrence of Arabia.

For bright-room viewing, neither TV was perfect, with both showing mirror-like reflections. The C7L did a better job in brighter conditions, thanks to that added brightness — it's the clear winner for pure brightness, and for visibility in strongly lit rooms

Contrast and dark scenes

The LG B6E OLED (right) is better for black tones and dark room viewing compared to the TCL C7L (left), shown here during Project Hail Mary. A quick note: the C7L's backlight blooming does not appear this aggressive in-person (Image credit: Amazon / Future )

OLED’s advantage when it comes to darker, more contrast-y scenes is its self-dimming pixels. As it doesn’t rely on a backlight and it can turn off individual pixels, this produces much deeper black tones that most mini-LEDs can achieve, and with precise borders between light and dark. However, more mini-LED TVs are demonstrating better backlight control and more impressive black tones.

In my time testing the C7L, I’ve been impressed with its black levels: especially for a mid-range mini-LED. Yes, there’s still some blooming going on, but it’s greatly reduced from the previous generations of TCL’s TVs I’ve tested before — not that long ago, this would've been premium performance. Still, when it comes to black handling, OLED is king.

Watching any space scenes from Project Hail Mary, the B6E clearly produces richer, deeper black tones that are consistently strong throughout. The C7L, while rendering strong black tones of its own, don’t quite have the same consistency, as some shots of the stars in space demonstrate blooming, a common occurrence with backlit TVs.

Both TVs deliver very good contrast, but the B6E (right) has a more satisfying picture for darker movies like The Batman (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

When it comes to contrast and shadows however, there’s a bit of give-and-take. Watching The Batman, with its array of contrast-rich scenes, the B6E clearly produces a more balanced image thanks to its deeper dark tones and well-handled bright tones. The TCL’s picture however is more impactful thanks to those punchier highlights. As Bruce works at his desk in the Batcave, the dark crevices and wood of the desk blend well with the lamps and monitors on both TVs.

In fact, some black tones can actually look crushed on the B6E, leading to a loss of shadow detail, such as the wall at the rear of a subway platform in The Batman. The same surface is much more legible on the C7L. Switching from Filmmaker to Cinema Home on the B6E does rectify this, without compromising significantly on dark tones.

The Batman has proven to be a challenge for backlit TVs in my time testing, due to its low brightness. While The C7L did a great job overall, occasional blooming would appear behind bright objects, which was more noticeable when viewed in dimmed conditions. For dark scenes and dark rooms, the B6E proved to be the better choice.

Color

Both TVs have great colors, but I personally preferred the B6E's (right) richer color profile (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

Color is probably the most contentious subject when it comes to mini-LED vs OLED, as both tech can deliver great colors in their own way, and I found this to be true putting these two TVs side-by-side.

Watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, both TVs deliver vibrant, bold colors that accurately delivered the pop you’d want from this movie. The C7L’s colors were punchier overall, thanks to that higher brightness, but the B6E’s colors looked richer, with more depth. This was obvious whenever the Lumas were on screen, where they had more of a 3D-look on the B6E, but were much brighter on the C7L. Mario and Luigi’s overalls showed that both TVs delivered great colors, but the B6E’s looked that bit more 3D and solid.

Switching to Speed Racer, both TVs again captured the cartoon-ish, candy-colored aesthetic of the movie well. The C7L had the more shimmering colors, but the B6E’s were more true-to-life, as shown by the grass in Trixie’s flashback early in the movie. I also found that different colors looked better on different TVs, with reds and greens standing out more on the B6E, but yellow and orange looked better on the C7L.

The Batman was the most obvious demonstration of the B6E's (right) sometimes questionable color temperature and green tint (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

One advantage that the C7L did have was in its color temperature accuracy. The B6E demonstrated a green tint in comparison, which can be an issue for some OLEDs. In isolated viewing this isn't so obvious, but next to the C7L, it was noticeable. In the subway scene in The Batman, the surroundings had a green hue to them on the B6E visible above, but the C7L’s cooler color temperature helped render more accurate gray tones.

This scene was the most obvious case of the B6E’s green tint I found during my testing, and it wasn’t legible in other movies such as Project Hail Mary and Speed Racer.

In terms of which TV delivers the better color, they both have their strengths and both have great color reproduction overall, but if I had to pick one, it would be the B6E purely because I prefer the richer color profile. But the C7L’s colors were very good.

The best buy

Both TVs are great and have their own advantages: it really comes down to budget (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

When it comes to value for money, both these TVs tick plenty of boxes. Both TVs have a feature set up there with the best gaming TVs, with 4K 120Hz, variable refresh rate, auto low latency mode and Dolby Vision gaming supported, although the B6E has four HDMI 2.1 ports to the C7L’s two — but they both have razor-sharp performance.

Picture quality comes down to preference, and both deliver adequate built-in sound, though both could benefit from one of the best soundbars.

When it comes to price, it's close in most places. For the 55-inch models I tested, you’ll be looking to pay $799 for both in the US, with the QM7L going for $100 cheaper in the larger 65-inch size. In the UK and Australia, the C7L is better value, with the 55-inch costing £899 / AU$1,495 while the 55-inch B6E costs roughly £1,099 in the UK (though it has dropped to £999 before) and the standard B6 costs £1,199 / AU$2,495.

Honestly, you can’t really go wrong with either TV. The TCL is the much better pick for bright rooms, while the B6E is the better choice for darker, cinematic viewing and I really am torn on which is the better pick, as this was such a close contest.

Purely from a price standpoint, the TCL is the winner (especially when you go beyond 65 inches — mini-LED's price advantage grows as sizes do), and is the more practical choice for a bright room.

But if you can get the B6E for a good price and you'll watch in a room with controlled lighting, then the better contrast and color depth make it my pick.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

JBL Bar 800MK2 review: awesome Atmos and surround sound in one package

harry.padoan@futurenet.com (Harry Padoan) — Sat, 24 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

JBL Bar 800MK2 review

The JBL Bar 800MK2 is the mid-range option in the audio specialist’s MK2 line, delivering surround sound though its main bar, detachable rear speakers, and mighty subwoofer. It comes with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, a wide range of connectivity options, and an expansive 7.1 channel configuration — but is it actually worth buying?

I’ve spent a bunch of hours testing the JBL Bar 800MK2 for myself, putting it to the test with 4K UHD Blu-rays as well as Dolby Atmos and stereo format music. Here’s whether I’d recommend it or not.

Let’s start by talking about performance, an area where this model certainly excels. Like a lot of the best soundbars, the JBL Bar 800MK2 produces beautifully expansive sound with powerful bass and clear dialogue, and it consistently impressed me during testing. It makes use of six full-range drivers and two tweeters in the main bar, two full rangers in each surround speaker, and a ten-inch bass unit in the sub, with a solid 780W maximum power output, so you’re really going to feel the action in every scene when watching movies.

(Image credit: Future)

For instance, when watching a 4K Blu-ray of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, I was blown away by the thunderous bass on offer as a UFO airlifted Peach’s Castle into the stratosphere, with a regimented, rippling sound emanating from the sub. As the chaos unfurled, crashing waves hit with tremendous impact, and as Toads jumped into the water, their movement was tracked with commendable precision. Similarly, the sound of Yoshi’s tongue flicking across the scene was mapped perfectly, making for an immensely immersive viewing experience, with the width of his motion far exceeding the limited confines of the soundbar.

The JBL Bar 800MK2 skips on dedicated up-firing drivers, so you’re not going to get the most convincing verticality while watching Atmos movies, but I was still seriously impressed with the virtual recreation of height effects. For example, in Top Gun Maverick, the sound of Tom Cruise flying a jet up and overhead sounded surprisingly life-like, and it genuinely seemed as if I could hear the upward trajectory. The low-end rumble of jet engines also shook our testing room to its foundations, but all the while, dialogue continued to come through clearly in the mix.

Speaking of dialogue, the JBL Bar 800MK2 is well equipped to deliver clear and concise speech at all times. That’s in part thanks to the PureVoice setting, which enables you to push vocals forward without ruining the fidelity of sounds elsewhere in the frequency range. I never felt like PureVoice made the movie’s audio seem unbalanced, and it proved to be super-effective, especially in more crowded, action-packed sequences where dialogue can sometimes take a backseat.

I was also really impressed with the sound quality coming from the detachable rear speakers. They sounded brilliantly balanced from where I was sitting, but you can easily change their volume level in the JBL One app to suit your room setup. They gave Dolby Atmos movies an ultra-expansive quality, and provided controlled highs and clear mids, making for stellar surround sound.

Even when it came to music, the JBL Bar 800MK2 performed fantastically well. With an Atmos mix of Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees, the system whipped up a strikingly expansive presentation with articulate drums in the treble range, great vocal clarity, and warm bass that never sounded overly assertive. The rears also combined really nicely here, which was a relief as I’ve found that the surround channels on some rival models don't always seem cohesive with the rest of the system. Stereo music impressed me too, with deep and agile bass, detailed mids, and solid instrument separation.

(Image credit: Future)

So yes, despite lacking dedicated up-firing drivers, the virtual Atmos on the 800MK2 works very well, and it handles the fundamentals with ease too. But how does this model fare elsewhere?

In terms of features, this system is a strong all-rounder. On top of the PureVoice setting I mentioned, there’s a Night Mode that uses the detachable speakers only, voice assistant support, AirPlay and Google Cast support, EQ options, and much more. All of these features can be tapped into over on the JBL One app, which is intuitive and incredibly easy to use.

There are a few sound-related features I’d like to highlight too. The first is MultiBeam 3.0, which is intended to create a “wide, cinema-like soundstage”. This feature harnesses beamforming and digital processing to achieve its goal, and works a treat. There’s also a sound calibration option, which is quick and seamless, and provides optimized three-dimensional sound for your space, no matter how it’s set up.

The Bar 800MK2 also has a very solid set of connectivity options. You get the usual HDMI eARC, digital optical, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, but also Ethernet and an HDMI input (just one, rather than the three on the Bar 1300MK2). The HDMI input supports 4K passthrough, but only at 60Hz, so it's not the best option if you’re looking for peak-performance gaming or anything.

Before we wrap up, I also want to talk about design. On the one hand, the JBL Bar 800MK2 is ingenious. Its use of battery powered rear speakers makes it incredibly versatile. You can place these anywhere in your room for a flexible, wire-free setup, and the speakers can even function as standalone Bluetooth speakers. If they run low on charge, they can even be used while connected to a USB-C power cable. That alone is a huge plus.

But that’s actually where my praise runs dry. The JBL Bar 800MK2 looks quite cheap for the price you pay, with a plasticky one-note appearance. The sub is also very bulky — even more so than the more powerful alternative you get with the JBL Bar 1300MK2. But then again, what the system lacks in style, it certainly makes up for in substance.

When all’s said and done, is the JBL Bar 800MK2 worth the money? Well, its list price of £899 / AU$1,199.95 (about $1,200) may seem steep, but realistically, you’ll be paying less than £650 / AU$850 for it now. At that price, the Bar 800MK2 is well worth it. Despite its bulk and lack of up-firing drivers, it's an excellent performer with incredible virtual Atmos and low-end might, as well as a top-class feature-set and versatile connectivity options.

Want something more slim and stylish? Then I’d recommend scooping up the new Sonos Beam Ultra and building out a system at your own pace. But if you want a great value surround sound package, look no further than the JBL Bar 800MK2.

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Bar 800MK2 review: price & release date

Priced at £899 / AU$1,199.95 (about $1,200)
First released June 2025

The JBL Bar 800MK2 was released in June 2025 as part of the refreshed MK2 line, alongside the smaller Bar 300MK2 as well as the larger 1000MK2 and 1300MK2. The JBL Bar 800MK2 is priced at £899 / AU$1,199.95 (about $1,200), but can often be found on sale for less than £650 / AU$850. It appears that the soundbar system is still unavailable for purchase in the US, unfortunately.

JBL Bar 800MK2 review: specs

Dimensions	Soundbar: 35.6 x 2 x 5 inches / 854 x 52 x 128mm; subwoofer: 12.8 x 15.7 x 12.8 inches / 325 x 400 x 325 mm; rear speakers: 6.7 x 2 x 5 inches / 169 x 52 x 128mm
Speaker channels	7.1
Connections	1x HDMI eARC, 1x HDMI in, digital optical, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X	Yes / Yes
Sub included	Yes
Rear speakers included	Yes

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the JBL Bar 800MK2?

Attribute	Notes	Score
Features	Broad feature-set in JBL One app, great connectivity options, Atmos and DTS:X support.	4.5/5
Performance	Lacks up-firing speakers, but virtual Atmos is great, very expansive sound overall with big bass and clear dialogue.	4.5/5
Design	Not exactly a looker and sub seems very bulky, but the detachable rear speakers are genius.	3.5/5
Setup & usability	Incredibly easy setup and top-tier companion app.	5/5
Value	Well-worth picking up now it's on sale, with excellent sound for the price.	4.5/5

Buy it if…

You want almighty sound for movie nights
The JBL Bar 800MK2 plates up phenomenally powerful, cinematic sound, packing plenty of bass and expansive Dolby Atmos. If you want massive audio for immersive movie-watching, this is a great option.

You’re looking for a soundbar with flexible surrounds
The battery powered surround speakers that come with the JBL Bar 800MK2 are excellent. They sound fantastic, can easily slot onto the main bar to charge up, and don’t require wires when in use. You can even use them as standalone Bluetooth speakers, meaning that their versatility is unmatched.

Don’t buy it if…

You want ‘true’ Dolby Atmos
The JBL Bar 800MK2 lacks dedicated up-firing speakers, meaning that it has to rely on virtual processing to replicate Dolby Atmos content. While the Bar 800MK’s virtual Atmos is genuinely impressive, the larger JBL Bar 1300MK2 should be your go-to for premium spatial sound.

You’re looking for something stylish
The JBL Bar 800MK2 isn’t much of a looker. Its build quality could be better for the price, and the sub seems oversized, especially given that the more powerful 1300MK2 offers a more compact bass unit.

JBL Bar 800MK2 review: also consider

	JBL Bar 800MK2	Samsung HW-Q990H	Sonos Beam Ultra
Price	£899 / AU$1,199.95 (about $1,200)	$1,999 / £1,599 / AU$1,999	$699 / £699 / AU$1,099
Dimensions	Soundbar: 35.6 x 2 x 5 inches / 854 x 52 x 128mm; subwoofer: 12.8 x 15.7 x 12.8 inches / 325 x 400 x 325 mm; rear speakers: 6.7 x 2 x 5 inches / 169 x 52 x 128mm	Soundbar: 48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches / 1232 x 70.8 x 138mm; subwoofer: 9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches / 249 x 251.8 x 249mm; rear speaker: 5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches / 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4mm	29.5 x 2.6 x 4.1 inches / 750 x 65 x 105mm
Speaker channels	7.1	11.1.4	7.1.2
Connections	1x HDMI eARC, 1x HDMI in, digital optical, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)	1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth	HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X	Yes / Yes	Yes / Yes	Yes / No
Sub included	Yes	Yes	No
Rear speakers included	Yes	Yes	No

Samsung HW-Q990H
At a glance, this model may seem far too expensive to compete with the Bar 800MK2, but I often see it on sale for close to the JBL’s launch price. This is the ultimate surround sound package, with top-tier cinematic sound, excellent connectivity options, an 11.1.4 channel configuration, and both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. Up-firing drivers mean you get true Atmos, and HDMI passthrough is on board for ultimate ease of use. Read our full Samsung HW-Q990H review.

Sonos Beam Ultra
The Sonos Beam Ultra is a totally different proposition, but it’s fully worth your consideration. This model has up-firing drivers, incredible bass output, and crystal-clear dialogue, making it amazing for both movies and music. It doesn’t come with a sub or surrounds, but these can be added easily through the Sonos app when purchased separately. This model is more compact, and looks beautiful to boot, so if you’re OK with building out a system of your own rather than getting a pre-built combo, it’s my top recommendation. Read my full Sonos Beam Ultra review.

How I tested the JBL Bar 800MK2

(Image credit: Future)

Assessed at our TV testing space at Future Labs
Used 4K Blu-ray for movies and Tidal Connect to stream music
One of more than 30 soundbars I’ve tested

I spent many hours using the JBL Bar 800MK2 for watching movies and listening to music. I judged its capabilities at our TV testing space at Future Labs, made use of all of the soundbar’s features, and tried it with multiple surround speaker configurations.

Most of the time, I used HDMI eARC to connect the LG G6 OLED TV, and watched 4K Blu-ray discs via the Panasonic DP-UB820 to assess the soundbar’s handling of Dolby Atmos movies. I did, however, also test the Bar 800MK2 with Netflix movies, and used Tidal Connect to stream music over Wi-Fi.

More generally, I’ve tested more than 30 soundbars during my time here at TechRadar, where I serve as a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve reviewed everything from budget-friendly bars like the Sony HT-SF150 through to huge surround sound systems such as the Bar 800MK2’s big sibling, the JBL Bar 1300MK2.

Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
First reviewed: October 2026

Sony has stopped selling 4K Blu-ray players in Japan — is this the beginning of the end?

Carrie Marshall — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:48:04 +0000

Sony has discontinued its last UHD Blu-ray player in Japan. The UBP-X700 is out of stock on the Sony Japan online store, whose product listing now says "Out of stock. This item will not be restocked."

According to the Japanese Sony retailer and blog Kuntoku, as reported by FlatpanelsHD, sales in Japan end as of today, 22nd October.

As we said in our Sony UBP-X700 review, it's a brilliant budget player (in our view, the top budget player among the best 4K Blu-ray players) — so if you've been thinking about getting one, it might be wise to move quickly. Although there has not been any official announcement, if Sony no longer sells its sole dedicated 4K player in Japan, that doesn't look good for other markets.

I've checked big-name retailers and Sony's US and UK websites, and all of them currently have stock.

PlayStation is also heading to a disc-free future — the PS5 Pro (pictured) is disc-free by default, and Sony is planning to stop disc support for future games (Image credit: Future)

Is the end of the optical disc in sight?

If the player is discontinued elsewhere and you still want a 4K Blu-ray device from Sony you can buy a PlayStation 5 or a PS5 Slim. But even the best PS5 deals involve spending roughly twice what you'd pay for the UBP-X700, and the PS5 doesn't support Dolby Vision, HDR10+, or Dolby Atmos and DTS decoding for movies.

The discontinuation doesn't bode well for the PS6 either. Sony hasn't said the optical disc is fully dead in its future consoles, but if you take this alongside Sony's controversial plans to stop selling game discs and the lack of an optical drive as standard in the PS5 Pro it doesn't suggest a bright Blu-ray future for the next-next-gen console. And if you think the PS5 is pricey, the PS6 is likely to be significantly more expensive.

We've been reporting on Blu-ray since its debut two decades ago, and with manufacturers' interest in the format waning there's no sign of another format to replace it. As we said in our investigation into the future of 4K Blu-ray: "A successor wouldn't just need a better disc, there’d have to be a need to even build that better disc in the first place. Only then would studios create the content, manufacturers would build the players, TV makers would support it and consumers would decide if it was worth upgrading. But right now none of the experts could identify a good enough reason."

I don't think Blu-ray discs are dead — in fact, they're seeing a resurgence — but the players seem to be looking a little sick these days. so if you're keen to stick with optical media it would be wise to pick up one of the best Blu-ray players while you still can, even despite the recent price hikes to Panasonic's players.

I suspect that we'll see the movie market move to something similar to what we've seen in audio: ok-quality streaming subs for the mass market and very hi-res buy-to-own downloads for cinephiles with deeper pockets.

WiiM Bar review: a worthy Sonos rival?

harry.padoan@futurenet.com (Harry Padoan) — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

WiiM Bar review

In recent years, WiiM has emerged as a serious multi-room rival to Sonos, and now it’s looking to try its hand in the world of Dolby Atmos soundbars. Yes, the WiiM Bar is the company’s first ever soundbar, and is bringing Atmos, a unique screen-equipped design, and a big array of connectivity options to the table.

Just how good is the WiiM Bar, then? Can it truly compete with soundbars from the likes of Sonos? Here’s my view after hours of testing it.

If you want to compete with the best soundbars around, you better sound good — and luckily the WiiM Bar is a very solid performer. It’s a standalone 3.0.2 model, so it doesn’t come with a sub or surround speakers, but given these restrictions, it’s actually a very capable model indeed.

(Image credit: Future)

When watching Godzilla Minus One, the sound of a plane flying overhead was genuinely convincing, with the vertical movement tracked precisely. As the plane came into land, its descent was mapped brilliantly, sounding as if the audio was coming from beneath me. During a separate scene, I was also really impressed with the soundbar’s handling of dialogue — it was clean and well separated from the action, even when Godzilla appeared and some heavy bass entered into the mix.

I had a similar experience with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which features an excellent Dolby Atmos mix. Dialogue between the Toads in Peach’s Castle was phenomenally clear, and sounds like hammers being thrown and Yoshi’s tongue flinging across the screen were tracked beautifully, resulting in a truly expansive viewing experience.

If I was to be a bit critical, though, I’d say that the WiiM Bar doesn’t produce the most dynamic sound I’ve heard at this price-point. Sudden noises, like Godzilla’s almighty roar or the Castle being destroyed in each respective film sometimes lacked the sheer impact and bite I was looking for. The lowest frequencies can feel, at times, a touch subdued, so adding a sub to the WiiM bar is sure to make a world of difference, though this will come at quite the cost.

This isn’t to say that bass performance is poor, though. In Nosferatu, the eerie score came through with decent power, and the deep, spine-chilling sound of Count Orlok’s voice was replicated effortlessly. And once more, the WiiM Bar provided stunning width, with the disgusting sound of rats eating flesh sounding as if it was emanating from the corner of our testing room. It feels weird to describe that positively, but there you go.

In terms of musicality, the WiiM Bar is good, rather than great — which is pretty standard for a soundbar of this kind. When listening to First Night by Vitess, the low-end wasn’t the most regimented, meaning that pumping bass wasn’t as rhythmic as it could’ve been. However, darker frequencies still hit with decent weight and synths in the mid-range had really good presence and definition. Atmos mixes were also presented with plenty of width and depth, so you can expect solid, albeit imperfect music performance here.

Something else that impressed me with the WiiM Bar was its sheer loudness. A 135W maximum power output may not seem that high, but this thing can climb to seriously impressive volumes, which is ideal for filling a larger space with cinematic sound. On the other end of the spectrum, you can activate Night mode for a more low-key, softer listening experience, and this works really well.

(Image credit: Future)

On top of this, there’s a Voice mode, which is perfect for podcasts or bringing dialogue forward in TV shows and movies; Movie mode for the most cinematic audio possible; and a Music setting to use while blasting your favorite tunes. These can be selected with the included remote or through the WiiM app, which is overflowing with features.

Yes, I was seriously impressed by the WiiM app — it’s easy to use, well laid out, and incredibly feature-rich. Here, you can customize the soundbar’s display, edit EQ for each individual source (with both traditional and parametric options available), change voice assistant and streaming settings, and so much more. Arguably my favorite feature, though, was RoomFit. This provides a customized parametric profile to provide optimized sound for your space, with individualized EQ calibrations for the left, center, and right channels. I’ve never seen such a detailed calibration tool in my time testing Dolby Atmos soundbars, so this seriously impressed me.

Something else that the WiiM Bar excels in is versatility. It has a very solid range of connectivity options, including HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, digital optical, USB, and even RCA for devices such as turntables. In addition, it supports both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X formats, which is great to see given that the latter isn’t found on models from the likes of Sonos. Combine that with the ability to pair compatible WiiM subs and surround speakers, and you’ve got a great entertainment hub.

One option that would’ve made the WiiM Bar even better, though, would be HDMI passthrough. This model only has a single HDMI eARC port to connect the bar to your TV, so you can’t connect a games console or streaming device up to this as well. Hooking up a soundbar already takes one precious HDMI port up, and if, like me, you have a lot of consoles at home, this could prove to be pesky. This is very common for a soundbar in this price and size-range, but it would’ve made a great addition all the same.

Another thing that’s missing is AirPlay 2 support, which may irk some iOS users. There is Google Cast, though, and Bluetooth is on hand for streaming media from iPhones, even if it won’t be as seamless or high-res as a Wi-Fi connection.

Right, it's time to talk about one of the most unique things about the WiiM Bar — its design. And, well, I’m pretty conflicted about this. The display functions well; it can show a clock with a customizable background, has some neat control options for different sound modes and such things, and can even display the album you’re listening to when streaming music. It's responsive and decently bright, so I do think it works overall.

The problem for me, though, is that it gives the soundbar a slightly awkward look. Even if you turn the display off, the raised center isn’t exactly svelte. Also, the plain black bar is just OK looking, but doesn’t exactly have that premium feel that Sonos soundbars exude. This is just my personal take, of course, and some may like the overall aesthetic and rounded center of the WiiM Bar — I just don’t think it's the most attractive.

One aspect of the WiiM Bar’s design that I like, though, is its remote. This feels really well made, has individual buttons for each sound mode, and even a built-in mic for voice controls. Of course, you can use the app to control the soundbar instead, but for a bundled remote, the quality is great.

Here’s the big question, then: is the WiiM Bar worth the money? For the most part, yes. At $479 / £449 / AU$769, it's in the mid-range category, and you get plenty of quality in return for that spend. Great Dolby Atmos, clear overall sound and dialogue, neat connectivity options, the option to expand it into a surround system… the list goes on. It’s not perfect, though and models like the pricier Sonos Beam Ultra surpass it in terms of sound and design. What’s more, an on-sale Samsung HW-Q800F will give you better bass depth.

But if you’re already invested in the WiiM ecosystem or want a solid single-box solution, I think you’ll be pleased with the WiiM Bar when all’s said and done.

(Image credit: Future)

WiiM Bar review: price & release date

List price $479 / £449 / AU$769
Released in October 2026

The Wiim Bar was released in October 2026, and is the very first soundbar that the multi-room specialist and Sonos rival has put out. It comes in at $479 / £449 / AU$769, placing it at a very similar price-point to the compact Sonos Beam Gen 2.

WiiM Bar review: specs

Dimensions	41.7 x 4.1 x 3.1 inches / 1060 x 105 x 80mm
Speaker channels	3.0.2
Connections	HDMI eARC, digital optical, RCA, USB, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X	Yes / Yes
Sub included	No
Rear speakers included	No

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the WiiM Bar?

Attribute	Notes	Score
Features	Atmos and DTS:X, excellent app, good connectivity options but no HDMI passthrough or AirPlay 2.	4.5/5
Performance	Powerful, expansive audio with clean dialogue, not the most dynamic and bass not the most impactful.	4/5
Design	A little awkward looking, but the display works well, good quality remote.	3.5/5
Setup & usability	Easy to setup and use with a TV and external devices.	4.5/5
Value	A good price for the overall quality.	4/5

Buy it if…

You want impressive Atmos in a single, compact soundbar
I was really impressed with the verticality and width of this model's sound. Whether you’re watching Atmos movies or listening to an Atmos mix of your favorite track, the soundbar will whip up a delightfully expansive impression every time.

You want a soundbar you can build out over time
Something that makes the WiiM Bar so great is its versatility. It will serve you well as a single-bar option, but it can also be built out over time, as it enables you to add a compatible sub and surround speakers if you so choose.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re looking for the most dynamic bass output possible
The WiiM Bar plates up solid low-end power for a single-box soundbar, but it’s not the most dynamic or impactful I’ve experienced, and adding a separate sub can be costly. As a result, I’d recommend grabbing a model like the Samsung HW-Q800F, which comes with a subwoofer, serves up mesmerizing bass, and can often be found for a similar price to the WiiM Bar now that its successor has launched.

You want HDMI passthrough
A soundbar already takes away a coveted HDMI slot on your TV, so it’s always nice to get a passthrough slot to connect a games console or streaming device up to. But like a lot of its mid-range counterparts, the WiiM Bar skips on this.

WiiM Bar review: also consider

	WiiM Bar	Sonos Beam Gen 2	Samsung HW-Q800F
Price	$479 / £449 / AU$769	$449 / £449 / $699	$1,099 / £799 / AU$1,099
Dimensions	41.7 x 4.1 x 3.1 inches / 1060 x 105 x 80mm	25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches / 651 x 68 x 100mm	Main soundbar: 43.7 x 2.4 x 4.7 inches / 1110.7 x 60.4 x 120mm; subwoofer: 9.8 x 9.9 x 9.8 inches / 249 x 251.8 x 249mm
Speaker channels	3.0.2	5.0	5.1.2
Connections	HDMI eARC, digital optical, RCA, USB, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet	HDMI eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi	1x HDMI input, 1x HDMI eARC, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X	Yes / Yes	Yes / No	Yes / Yes
Sub included	No	No	Yes
Rear speakers included	No	No	No

Sonos Beam Gen 2
Given their incredibly similar price-points and Wi-Fi capabilities, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and WiiM Bar feel like very natural rivals. The Beam Gen 2 is an excellent compact soundbar that produces impeccable bass output and relatively expansive Atmos for its size. It lacks the broad connectivity options of the WiiM Bar and skips on DTS:X, but it’s even smaller, and can similarly be expanded if you have a compatible sub and surround speakers. Read our full Sonos Beam Gen 2 review.

Samsung HW-Q800F
Yes, on the face of it this soundbar seems too expensive to be a WiiM Bar rival, but I’m often seeing it on sale for a heavily discounted price now — as low as $540 in the US and £499 in the UK. This model comes with a dedicated sub for gigantic bass output, has up-firing speakers for ‘true’ Atmos, and supports HDMI passthrough. As a result, it’s very hard to beat. Read my full Samsung HW-Q800F review.

How I tested the WiiM Bar

(Image credit: Future)

Tested in our TV testing space at Future Labs
Mainly used 4K Blu-ray for movies and Tidal for music
One of more than 30 soundbars I’ve tested

I spent many an hour testing out the WiiM Bar, using it both watching movies and listening to music. I assessed its qualities at our TV testing space at Future Labs, where I made use of all of the soundbar’s features and compared it directly against rivals.

For the most part, I used the HDMI eARC connectivity method to hook the WiiM Bar up to the LG G6 OLED TV, and played 4K Blu-ray discs with the Panasonic DP-UB820 to judge its handling of Dolby Atmos movies. However, I did also test the soundbar out with Netflix movies, and used Tidal Connect to stream music over Wi-Fi.

Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
First reviewed: October 2026

I knew 4K Blu-ray film restoration couldn't be easy, but after Hammer's Dracula I have a newfound appreciation

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +0000

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

(Image credit: Future)

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.

Someone got Blu-ray's Dolby Atmos TrueHD sound working on the Apple TV 4K, through quite the hack

Carrie Marshall — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000

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."

Apps such as Native Player support TrueHD Atmos but they aren't open source (Image credit: Native Development)

"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.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

I tested the Sony Bravia 9 II for weeks. It’s the best mini-LED TV of 2026, and a ‘showcase for what RGB can do’ — and it takes the fight to OLED

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 18:00:00 +0000

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

The Bravia 9 II's colors are one its real strengths (Image credit: Future)

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

Screen type:	RGB LED
Refresh rate:	120Hz
HDR support:	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Audio support:	Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Smart TV:	Google TV
HDMI ports:	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)
Built-in tuner:	ATSC 1.0 (US)

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Benchmark results

1 / 4

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.

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

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

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)

SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

050100150200

nits

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

The above EOTF graphs show the accuracy of the Sony Bravia 9 II for hitting different HDR brightness levels in grayscale. The closer to the yellow line, the more accurate a TV is. As with all our tests, these results are out of the box, without calibration, to demonstrate the performance most people will see. As you can see, the Bravia 9 II did very well when set to Professional modeFuture

While Cinema mode is the preferred picture mode for brighter rooms and scenes, the EOTF graphs show the Bravia 9 II loses accuracy in the 40-80% brightness range, but does well with blacksFuture

Spectral power distribution refers to the intensity of light that a source will display at various wavelengths of color. It can reveal how accurate a source can show color at different light levels, and can be instructive to understand how a TV is handling color. The Bravia 9 II scored well in Professional mode Future

In the Bravia 9 II's Cinema mode results were again excellent, with more distinct reds compared to Professional mode Future

Sony Bravia 9 II review: Features

The Bravia 9 II has a good range of ports, but only two of its HDMI ports are 2.1 (Image credit: Future)

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

Movies like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie are great for showcasing the Bravia 9 II's vibrant colors (Image credit: Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future )

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.

Even in live-action movies like Speed Racer, the Bravia 9 II demonstrates its superb colors (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

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.

The Bravia 9 II has excellent contrast, perfect for movies like The Batman. Even in bright conditions, the movie looks great on this TV (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

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

The Bravia 9 II has very good built-in soundFuture

The Bravia 9 II forgoes more traditional sound modes for deeper sound settings, such as an EQ (pictured)Future

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

The Bravia 9 II feels premium, with a weighty pedestal stand and build Future

Its anti-glare screen is effective at eliminating mirror-like reflections Future

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 is a decent smart TV platform, but the banner ads on its home page (pictured) can be very distracting (Image credit: Future)

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

The Bravia 9 II is great for gaming, with brilliant response times (Image credit: Future)

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

The Bravia 9 II's supplied remote has everything you need, but feels cheap for a TV at this price (Image credit: Future)

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?

The Bravia 9 II's black tones are one of its most impressive features (Image credit: Future)

Sony Bravia 9 II
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	Impressive anti-glare screen, RGB panel and good gaming features	4.5/5
Picture quality	Stunning colors, impressive contrast and black tones, excellent backlight control and reflection handling. Some blooming when viewed off-center	5/5
Sound quality	Very good overall sound quality with exceptional detail and accuracy, along with a wide soundstage, but bass is lacking.	4.5/5
Design	Premium build with sturdy feel, but thicker and weightier than a lot of other TVs	4.5/5
Smart TV and menus	Google TV has good app recommendations, but banner ads are distracting. Good amount of picture settings; sound settings could be confusing for some	4/5
Gaming	Fantastic gaming performance with a good array of features, but only two HDMI 2.1 ports.	4.5/5
Value	Pricier than most rival RGB and OLED TVs, and beyond the budgets of many potential buyers. Very good performance for the price, however	3.5/5

Buy it if...

You want superb picture quality
The Bravia 9 II's rich, gorgeous colors, excellent contrast, OLED-level blacks and impressive backlight control all combine to deliver a near-complete picture experience

You want a TV for bright rooms
The Bravia 9 II's anti-glare screen eliminates mirror-like reflections effectively, which combined with its high brightness, makes it terrific for bright rooms

You want the best of RGB
The Bravia 9 II is the best RGB TV I've tested so far, showing a real evolution of LED, backlit TVs that makes the tech competitive with OLED

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
The Bravia 9 II is one of the pricier TVs on the market, with a higher price tag than most rival RGB and OLED TVs in the same sizes.

You have multiple game consoles
The Bravia 9 II only comes with two HDMI 2.1 ports, meaning those with multiple consoles may want to look elsewhere.

You want to watch from an angle
While the Bravia 9 II's backlight control is excellent, there is still some blooming present when viewed off-center. OLED is still the best for off-axis viewing

Also Consider

	Sony Bravia 9 II	Samsung R95H	Sony Bravia 7 II	LG G6
Price (65-inch)	$3,599 / £3,499 / AU$5,995	$2,799 / £2,899 / AU$4,495	$2,599 / £2,299 / AU$3,299	$2,499 / £2,699 / AU$4,995
Screen type	RGB LED	Micro RGB	RGB LED	OLED
Refresh rate	120Hz	165Hz	120Hz	165Hz
HDR support	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG	HDR10+, HDR10, HLG	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG	Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Smart TV	Google TV	One UI Tizen	Google TV	webOS 26
HDMI ports	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)	4 x HDMI 2.1	4 (2x HDMI 2.1)	4x HDMI 2.1

Samsung R95H
One of the Sony Bravia 9 II's main rivals, the Samsung R95H delivers bold colors, solid black levels and an effective anti-glare screen. The R95H is cheaper, and has a more comprehensive feature set for gaming too. That being said, the Bravia 9 II's picture and sound quality are better — but the price difference may be too great for some to ignore.

Read our full Samsung R95H review

Sony Bravia 7 II
The Bravia 7 II is the step-down model to the Bravia 9 II, and while the 7 II doesn't have the 9 II's full picture or sound quality, what it does deliver, at a much cheaper price, is very good indeed, showing what RGB is capable of at this price point. People with bright rooms may want to look elsewhere however, as the Bravia 7 II isn't great with reflections.

Read our full Sony Bravia 7 II review

LG G6
LG's flagship OLED is cheaper than the Bravia 9 II, and has the same rich colors, fantastic contrast and black tones. It's even great for bright rooms, showing only minimal reflections. The G6 is also better for gaming, and comes at a cheaper price. OLED fans will want to pick this, while non-OLED fans may want to opt for the Bravia 9 II.

Read our full LG G6 review

How I tested the Sony Bravia 9 II

(Image credit: Future)

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

UK government considers extending BBC license fee to streaming services

rowan.davies@futurenet.com (Rowan Davies) — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +0000

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?

(Image credit: BBC iPlayer)

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?

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

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 next-gen OLED tech is coming to laptops and monitors first, and we've got a rough timeline

Carrie Marshall — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 21:00:00 +0000

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.

LG Display announced the technology at the International Meeting on Information Display (IMID) 2026 (Image credit: LG Display)

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's new 4K 120Hz triple-laser projector gets fully unveiled in three different versions

Carrie Marshall — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:45:55 +0000

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.

(Image credit: XGIMI)

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).

Apple will give your older Apple TV a new lease of life with Siri AI

jacob.krol@futurenet.com (Jacob Krol) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 03:30:00 +0000

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.”

(Image credit: Jacob Krol/Future)

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.

(Image credit: Apple TV 4K (2026))

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, but there's nothing compelling about the more-expensive new model

Carrie Marshall — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 21:00:00 +0000

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.

(Image credit: Apple TV 4K (2026))

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.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

New Apple TV 4K brings two long-awaited upgrades —and a big price hike

jacob.krol@futurenet.com (Jacob Krol) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:00:00 +0000

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.

Your phone can point you precisely towards the lost Apple TV remote (Image credit: Apple TV 4K (2026))

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.

(Image credit: Apple TV 4K (2026))

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.

(Image credit: Apple TV 4K (2026))

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, with these upgrades

David Nield — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 12:30:00 +0000

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?

The Chromecast with Google TV (Image credit: Google)

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.

There's a new cheap wireless 4K HDMI system that's super-tempting if you want a cleaner TV or projector setup — but it's held back by limitations on Dolby Atmos, gaming, and picture quality

Carrie Marshall — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 01:30:00 +0000

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.

(Image credit: Nyrius)

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.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

I've tested dozens of Dolby Atmos soundbars, but the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is easily among the greatest compact options on the market — and I'd buy it today for one key reason

harry.padoan@futurenet.com (Harry Padoan) — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 16:11:47 +0000

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

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the ultimate compact option. It provides convincing and expansive Dolby Atmos audio, clear dialogue, and Wi-Fi support for streaming music, making it perfect for movie and music lovers. It's also highly customizable via the Sonos app, and shines with a modern, understated look. At this price, it's incredibly easy for me to recommend. View Deal

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

The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is an exemplary compact soundbar, with immersive and engrossing Dolby Atmos audio, a gorgeous modern design, and a fantastic feature-set. It's also incredibly easy to set-up and use, and has Wi-Fi support for higher-res music streaming. At this price, it's an absolute steal.View Deal

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

Want a gaming TV upgrade in time for GTA 6? Here are the 3 we recommend — all personally tested by us

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 15:37:29 +0000

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

Future

Disney / Future

Warner Bros. / Future

Future

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.

65-inch C6 4k OLED TV (2026): was $1699.99 now $1499.99
The LG C6 is an excellent all-rounder, delivering fantastic picture quality and performance for movies, TV, sports and gaming. It's a notable upgrade over its predecessor, the LG C5, but still for the same launch price. The 65-inch is available at Amazon for $1,499. We've also seen it a 3rd party seller on Amazon for $1,449, but stock is low. View Deal

48-inch C6 4K OLED TV (2026): was £1199 now £1049
Not many TVs can cover the wide range of content that the LG C6 does, be that movies, gaming, sports etc, and even fewer can do it so well. The C6 delivers on almost every front, and stands out as a brilliant value option in an expensive market. The 55-inch model has dropped £1,049 at Richer Sounds.

LG C6 48-inch: was ~~£1,199~~ now £1,087 at AmazonView Deal

C5 48-inch 4K OLED TV (2025): was £999 now £819
Bonus UK deal! While the LG C5 doesn't have the picture accuracy, newer processor or new panel (in 77 and 83-inch sizes) of the C6, it is still an excellent TV for gaming. While stock of the C5 continues to thin out, the 48-inch model is available at Crampton & Moore for £799. We've seen the price fluctuate a couple of times, so check out PRC Direct if it goes back up again.

LG C5 48-inch: was ~~£999~~ now £819 at PRC DirectView Deal

TCL QM7L/TCL C7L

Future / James Holland

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.

65-inch QM7L SQD mini-LED 4K TV (2026): was $997.99 now $897.99
The TCL QM7L is superb value for money, with this deal taking the 65-inch model under $900. It's perfect for gaming, with excellent performance and picture quality that's sure to work well for games like GTA 6, as well as movies and TV shows. View Deal

55-inch C7L: was £1099 now £849.15
Packed with nearly every feature you could need for gaming, as well as great picture quality for movies, the TCL C7L is excellent value for money. This deal at Richer Sounds knocks the 55-inch model down to £849.15: excellent value for a TV with this much to offer. View Deal

LG B6

Future

Disney / Future

Future

Warner Bros. / Future

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.

65-inch B6E 4K OLED TV (2026): was $1899.99 now $999.99
The B6E offers a cheaper alternative to the LG B6 without compromising on any major features. It delivers the same great picture quality and fantastic gaming performance, making it a real all-rounder. You can get the 65-inch model at Best Buy for under $1,000: sensational value for a 2026 OLED of this size. View Deal

48-inch B6 4K OLED TV (2026): was £999 now £887
The LG B6 48-inch is a superb TV for gaming in a smaller room. Carrying a full suite of features with performance to match, the B6 is also top-notch for movies, with a nice brightness increase over its predecessor. This deal takes the 48-inch down to £887. View Deal

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

The Samsung S90H is a great mid-range OLED TV that solves one of the LG C6's major shortcomings — here's why I recommend it

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:00:00 +0000

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

Samsung 65-Inch S90H 4K OLED TV: was $1897.99 now $1497.99
The Samsung S90H is the brand's 2026 mid-range OLED TV. It's the first TV in this series to get Samsung's effective Glare Free screen, making it a great option for bright rooms. It delivers great picture quality, and is ideal for gamers, with a full suite of features. This deal knocks $400 off the 65-inch model, hitting a new record-low price. View Deal

55-inch S90H 4K OLED TV: was £1599 now £1499
If you want a good value OLED for a bright room, there's not much better than the Samsung S90H. Its Glare Free screen is effective at eliminating reflections, while still delivering brilliant picture quality. Gamers will be pleased with its full list of features as well. This deal knocks £100 off the 55-inch model at Currys. View Deal

Great for bright rooms

(Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

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

Looking for a new soundbar? Prime Day is the perfect time to grab one — these 6 deals on models from Sonos, Sony and more are our top picks

Carrie Marshall — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 13:11:55 +0000

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

Looking to upgrade your TV's speakers? As we said in our Amazon Fire TV Soundbar review, if you upgrade with this you won't be disappointed: it makes a huge difference to your TV's audio. It doesn't take up much room and right now, it won't make a big dent in your bank balance either.View Deal

TV Speaker (2nd Gen): was $299 now $199
The Bose TV Speaker is an Amazon best-seller, and in our review we spent many hours listening to it for music and movies. It doesn't do 3D sound such as Atmos or DTS:X but it sounds great, it looks good and the built-in bass boost delivers extra punch for a more cinematic experience.View Deal

Beam Gen 2: was $499 now $359
In our Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review we hailed it as "the perfect soundbar for smaller spaces." It delivers great audio, looks great too, and it's a big improvement on the first-gen. It delivers virtual Dolby Atmos, HDMI eARC and excellent integration with Sonos's home theater and multi-room ecosystem.View Deal

Bravia Theater 6 System: was $799.99 now $548
We really like the Bravia Theater 6 soundbar: it sounds good, it delivers big bass and in this bundle, it's a full surround sound system with a powerful subwoofer and satellite speakers. Upfiring Atmos drivers deliver a proper 3D audio experience, and this Prime Day deal solves the only real issue we had with it: it's usually pretty expensive. At this price it's a great buy.View Deal

Bar 800 soundbar bundle: was $999.95 now $599.99
Here's another brilliant bundle: a full 5.1.2 surround system based around the excellent JBL Bar 800 soundbar. We haven't reviewed this specific model, but we loved its even bigger brother, the JBL Bar 1000MK2: JBL's soundbars deliver engaging, highly versatile and cinematic audio and are a good fit for even unusual room setups. View Deal

Bar 1000 Soundbar bundle: was $1199.95 now $699.95
The big difference between this bundle and the JBL Bar 800 one is that you're getting even more surround sound: 7.1.4 channel sound and the "gripping" JBL Bar 1000 at the center of it. It's a great system with lots of connectivity options and lots of flexibility thanks to its wireless speakers and sub. We called it "fun, powerful and versatile," because it is.View Deal

Arc Ultra Soundbar: was $1099 now $899
This is the big daddy or mommy of the Sonos soundbar family, and at full price we described it as "the best one-box Dolby Atmos soundbar for the price". It has seriously impressive bass for something so compact; superbly balanced sound with clear dialog; and convincing Dolby Atmos positioning and 3D audio layering. View Deal

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

As we said in our Amazon Fire TV Soundbar review, "viewers looking to add a single soundbar to improve upon their TV's built-in speakers won't be disappointed, and when Prime Day discounts arrive Amazon's soundbar could end up being even better value." And lo, Prime Day arrived, and the discounts did deliver. This is a great first soundbar for simple setups.View Deal

5.1 Soundbar with Subwoofer bundle: was £149.95 now £102.90
Majority specialise in making useful and affordable home audio products, and this combination of soundbar and subwoofer has a very impressive spec for the price: 5.1 surround sound with wired speakers, Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth 5.3 and HDMI eARC plus a subwoofer for low-end thump. You can also use it with a PC or use its optical input to connect an external sound source. View Deal

We really like the Sonos Ray soundbar: as we said in our Sonos Ray review it delivers "big, well balanced sound" and you can expand it with additional speakers to create a surround sound setup. This deal takes a decent amount off the usual RRP, taking the Ray into much more affordable territory.View Deal

A65K-UK Soundbar and Subwoofer: was £249 now £189
This 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar may look small but it packs a big punch: while it's made for smaller TVs rather than giant ones it delivers 460W of Bang & Olufsen-tuned cinematic sound and, thanks to its wireless subwoofer, lots of low end too. View Deal

AX5125H Soundbar bundle: was £209 now £194
Hisense's surround sound bundle doesn't get a massive Prime Day discount, but this deal takes its already ultra-affordable bundle below the £200 mark. For very little money you're getting a 5.1.2 channel soundbar with wireless subwoofer and wireless rear speakers, upfiring drivers and 500W of power with Dolby Atmos support. View Deal

Beam Gen 2 Soundbar: was £449 now £338
Sonos's compact soundbar delivers the great sound you'd expect from Sonos as well as the usual home theater and multiroom capability. It looks good, sounds good, delivers convincing virtual Dolby Atmos and has HDMI eARC. In our Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review we said it was "the perfect soundbar for smaller spaces." View Deal

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

Prime Day is the best time to grab a Fire TV Stick, and there's up to 67% off the entire lineup right now

Carrie Marshall — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 18:00:00 +0000

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

Fire TV Stick HD (newest model): was $39.99 now $15.99
The Fire TV Stick HD is cheap and cheerful, and this version is the fastest HD streaming stick that Amazon has ever made. It delivers full HD resolution and supports Wi-Fi 6 for smooth streaming, and it comes with the full Fire TV Experience with personalized recommendations from Alexa+. Its tiny size makes it a good option for travelling too: it's powered by your TV's USB port so it doesn't need a dedicated power adapter.View Deal

Fire TV Stick 4K Select: was $49.99 now $17.99
With a whopping 64% off the usual list price this is one of the deepest Fire TV Stick discounts we've seen. 4K streaming for under 20 dollars is incredible value, although it's worth noting that this model doesn't have Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision support: you need the Plus or Max for that. But if that's not an issue this is a really good deal on an AI-powered 4K streamer with HDR10+ and all the key streaming apps.View Deal

Optimized for 4K TVs, the Fire TV Stick 4K Plus is currently discounted by 37%. This is a really good one for gamers, because you can connect your Xbox Game Pass account and Xbox controller to stream big-name titles via the cloud. There's also support for Amazon's own Luna gaming service. The Plus also gives you Alexa+, AI-powered suggestions, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.View Deal

Fire TV Stick 4K Max (newest model): was $84.99 now $44.99
With 44% off, the Fire TV flagship is a very tempting buy. It's the fastest, most powerful model in the range, with Wi-Fi 6E, Xbox and Luna gaming, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, the Fire TV Ambient Experience to turn your TV into an art gallery and 16GB of storage for apps, games and downloads. View Deal

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

Fire TV Stick HD (newest gen): was £59.99 now £19.99
With a whopping 67% off the usual RRP, this is the cheapest Fire TV Stick 4K in the Prime Day deals and it's an excellent way to add streaming to any HD TV. If you don't need 4K there's no need to buy a more advanced model: this one has Wi-Fi 6 for smooth streaming, the latest Fire TV Experience, all the key apps and easy connection via your TV's USB and HDMI ports. The included Alexa Remote can control not just your Fire TV Stick but your TV and soundbar too.View Deal

Here's another huge discount: 66% off the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. It takes the key features of the Fire TV Stick HD and upgrades it to 4K picture resolution with HDR 10+. You get the same Fire TV Experience along with all the key streaming apps, easy connection and Alexa voice search.View Deal

Fire TV Stick 4K Plus: was £79.99 now £34.99
We've upgraded from HD to 4K; the Plus adds Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos and cloud gaming from Amazon's own Luna service and Xbox Game Pass (subscription and controller required). That makes this a really good option for gaming, not least because with Game Pass you're getting Xbox gaming without having to spend £400-plus on an Xbox.View Deal

Fire TV Stick 4K Max (newest gen): was £99.99 now £46.99
The Max is the most powerful Fire TV Stick, but at a smidgen under £100 it was a tough sell compared to the much more affordable Fire TV models. But this Prime Day deal takes it under the £50 mark, so it's only £12 more expensive than the Plus. It ups the Wi-Fi from 6 to 6E, turns your TV into an art gallery with the Fire TV Ambient Experience and once again delivers Game Pass and Luna gaming, Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision HDR.View Deal

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

There's a huge 4K Blu-ray sale for Amazon Prime Day — here are 9 discs I've tested and would buy

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:42:21 +0000

As a 4K Blu-ray fan, I'm excited to see some strong discounts popping up as part of the Amazon Prime Day sale. There are tons of disc deals to choose from, and just in case you need help choosing, I've picked my nine top picks below.

If you want bold colors, you can't go wrong with Speed Racer. Its cartoonish color palette generates some vibrant tones that explode on the right display (the kind you'd find on one of the best OLED TVs). The Sound of Music also boasts some vivid colors, which are equally lifelike and natural. This 4K breathes new life into the now-60-year-old movie.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

Surprisingly, Edward Scissorhands produces some seriously dynamic colors, shown in the gaudy exterior of the houses in the neighborhood, as well as the 1950s-esque costumes of the locals. Another visual feast is Tron: Legacy. On 4K, the slick graphics and neon-like colors highlight how good a 4K disc this is. And of course, there's the stellar Daft Punk soundtrack, presented in Dolby Atmos.

There are plenty of options if you're looking for discs that'll let your sound system flex its muscles. Superman (2025) utilizes Dolby Atmos' object-based sound and height channels during Superman's flight sequences, and as a result they sound superb. F1: The Movie generates plenty of low-end that'll test the limits of your subwoofer, along with any sound movement and directionality during race scenes.

For something completely different, The Wild Robot renders the sounds of nature with true-to-life clarity. Snapping twigs, wind and rain, calling animals: The Wild Robot's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is superb. Plus, it looks gorgeous with its hand-drawn / painted style of animation.

Finally, Tombstone and Minority Report use DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtracks, and prove that you don't necessarily need Dolby Atmos for high-quality sound. Tombstone's gunfights will show off the mapping of your surround speakers, while Minority Report will have you thinking you do have height channels.

Check out Amazon's 4K Blu-ray deals for the full range of discs on offer.

My 9 picks from Amazon's 4K Blu-ray sale

Warner Bros

Speed Racer 4K Blu-ray

Walt Disney

The Sound of Music (60th Anniversary) 4K Blu-ray

20th Century Studios

Edward Scissorhands 4K Blu-ray

Warner Bros

Superman (2025) 4K Blu-ray

Walt Disney

Tombstone 4K Blu-ray

Universal Pictures

The Wild Robot 4K Blu-ray

Warner Bros

F1 the Movie 4K Blu-ray

Walt Disney

Tron Legacy 4K Blu-ray

20th Century Studios

Minority Report 4K Blu-ray

More kit for your setup

Need some other new gear? We've got our top picks of the best 4K Blu-ray players as well as some of today's best TV deals.

B6E 65-inch 4K OLED TV (2026): was £1199 now £999
The LG B6E offers an affordable way into OLED without sacrificing on key features or performance. It delivers crisp, colorful and contrast-rich picture quality and is perfect for gaming with four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 120Hz, full VRR, Dolby Vision and ALLM. This deal at Amazon takes the 65-inch down to a record-low £999 for Prime Day: an excellent price for a 2026 OLED at this size. View Deal

C5 48-inch 4K OLED TV (2025): was £999 now £819
One of 2025's very best TVs, the LG C5 is the total package. Showcasing awesome picture quality and carrying every feature you could need, especially for gaming, the C5 is a tough TV to beat in terms of value. While stock of the C5 continues to thin out, the 48-inch model is available at Crampton & Moore for £799. We've seen the price fluctuate a couple of times, so check out PRC Direct if it goes back up again.

LG C5 48-inch: was ~~£999~~ now £819 at PRC DirectView Deal

Bravia 7 II 55-inch 4K True RGB TV (2026): was £1999 now £1649
Outperforming its 'mid-range' moniker, the Bravia 7 II delivers strong contrast with OLED-level blacks, stunning colors and solid built-in sound. It's also great for gaming, with a near-full set of features. The 55-inch model is available for £1649 at Sevenoaks, which is still a premium, but this is a very good TV. View Deal

S99H 55-inch 4K OLED TV: was £2299 now £1849
The Samsung S99H is another top-notch flagship OLED. It delivers amazing picture quality with deep black tones, dynamic colors and crisp textures. It's also excellent for gaming. This deal from Richer Sounds knocks the 55-inch down to £1,849, which is a staggeringly good price for a flagship model this early into its life. View Deal

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

As TechRadar's TV tester, these are my 3 favorite TVs I've tested this year, with models from LG, Sony and Samsung

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:32:54 +0000

With the arrival of RGB TVs and the ever-brightening world of OLED, 2026 has been an interesting year for TVs. And ss TechRadar's TV reviewer, I've tested some truly excellent models throughout the year so far.

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

So, I've picked three of my favorite TVs that I've tested in 2026, including excellent all-rounders, elite OLEDs and even a new RGB model. With the arrival of Amazon Prime Day (AKA Amazon Prime Big Deals Days) today, these TVs have received some nice discounts from around the web.

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

My top 3 TVs of 2026 (so far)

LG C6

Future

Disney / Future

Future

Warner Bros. / Future

The LG C6 is the best TV I've tested in 2026 so far. While it may not be at the top-end of the market feature or picture quality-wise, there's no other TV that offers better value for money.

The C6's picture quality is excellent, delivering bright colors that worked wonders for animation such as Elemental and strong, rich contrast that was perfect for The Batman during my testing. The C6's impressive motion handling is ideal for sports, its crisp textures are fantastic for movies, TV and games, and with a notable brightness boost over its predecessor, its picture has more impact.

Even when I tested the C6 side-by-side against its predecessor, the LG C5, the C6 was an obvious upgrade. Higher brightness, a faster processor and a more accurate and more engaging picture: all for the same launch price.

It's a powerhouse for gaming with a full suite of features and even provides solid built-in sound, making it feel like the total package. And the best part? It's already great value, but always getting discounted.

Read my full LG C6 review

65-inch C6 4k OLED TV (2026): was $2699.99 now $1499.99
The LG C6 is an excellent all-rounder, delivering fantastic picture quality and performance for movies, TV, sports and gaming. It's a notable upgrade over its predecessor, the LG C5, but still for the same launch price. The 65-inch C6 is $1,499.99 at Best Buy. View Deal

55-inch C6 4K OLED TV (2026): was £1499 now £1399
Not many TVs can cover the wide range of content that the LG C6 does, be that movies, gaming, sports etc, and even fewer can do it so well. The C6 delivers on almost every front, and stands out as a brilliant value option in an expensive market. The 55-inch model has dropped to £1,399 at Amazon, and while not a record-low, it's a great price for this TV. View Deal

Sony Bravia 7 II

Future

Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future

Warner Bros / Future

Future

RGB mini-LED (known by several other names depending on brand) has been the new TV tech of 2026, and my experience testing it has been...a mixed bag.

One TV that impressed me however, was the Sony Bravia 7 II. The more 'entry-level' of Sony's RGB TVs, sitting below the flagship Sony Bravia 9 II, the Bravia 7 II delivers in some big ways.

For a backlit TV, the Bravia 7 II delivers excellent black tones that rival some OLEDs. Its contrast is powerful with solid brightness, but there's one thing that shines above all: its colors. The Bravia 7 II's vibrancy is astounding, showcased in my testing with the Lumas in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The spectrum of colors of their bodies exploded on screen, showing off the Bravia 7 II's stellar color reproduction.

Elsewhere, the Bravia 7 II has 'Perfect for PlayStation 5' gaming features as well as 4K 120Hz, VRR and ALLM support. It also measured a 10.4ms input lag time, which is better than most Sony TVs I've tested in the past few years.

The Bravia 7 II is pricey for a mid-range RGB TV, but it's impressive in what it delivers, and if you can stretch your budget, it really is a great TV.

Read my full Sony Bravia 7 II review

Bravia 7 II 65-inch 4K True RGB TV (2026): was $2599.99 now $1799.99
Sony's mid-range RGB TV is an great performer overall, delivering colorful picture quality with excellent backlight control, solid gaming features and performance, as well as good built-in sound. Although pricey, the 65-inch is available for $1,799.99 at Best Buy: a healthy $800 saving. View Deal

Samsung S95H/S99H

Future

Warner Bros / Future

Future

Serving as Samsung's flagship OLED for 2026, the Samsung S95H (known as the Samsung S99H in the UK) is one of this year's best OLED TVs. One thing to note: there is a Samsung S95H in the UK, but this is different to the TV S95H in the US/S99H in the UK. The S95H in the UK has lower brightness, no bezel and Wi-Fi 5 to the other model's Wi-Fi 6.

The S95H/S99H delivers truly fantastic picture quality. Watching movies like Speed Racer, the S99H demonstrates vibrant, vivid colors that made the candy-color visuals of the movie really pop. Crucially, it's accurate too, shown best in skin tones. It also offers powerful contrast that is great for movies like The Batman and Alien: Romulus. Black tones have also improved, without any sacrifice to the TV's anti-glare screen.

For features, the S95H/S99H is fully loaded, especially for gaming. It has four HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K 165Hz, full VRR, HDR10+ gaming and ALLM as well as a useful game hub. A 9.5ms input lag time means you're getting smooth performance as well.

There is the divisive bezel to discuss. Around the TV is a silver frame that viewed head-on looks OK, but ultimately it will prove to be controversial among some buyers. Still, the frame doesn't detract too much from the S95H/S99H's excellent performance.

The S95H/S99H is a flagship OLED, and its price reflects this. That being said, it's already getting some nice discounts mere months into its life-cycle.

Read my full Samsung S95H review (US) / Samsung S99H review (UK)

S95H 65-inch 4K OLED TV (2026): was $3399 now $2499
The Samsung S95H is the brand's 2026 flagship OLED and like its predecessors, it's a phenomenal five-star TV. An effective anti-glare screen, stellar picture quality and top-tier gaming performance make it an elite TV, even if its new bezel is divisive. This deal sees the 65-inch model drop to $2,499.99 at Best Buy.

55-inch: was ~~$2,499.99~~ now $1,999.99 at Best BuyView Deal

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

I test TVs for a living, and this 48-inch LG OLED TV is the ideal pick for gaming if you want to upgrade ahead of GTA 6

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:08:44 +0000

Thinking about upgrading your gaming TV in time for GTA 6? While there are tons of great options, you can't really go wrong with LG's OLEDs — and I've found some great deals ahead of Prime Day.

If you're in the US, you can pick up the LG B6 48-inch for $699.99 (was $1,199.99) at Best Buy. A perfect-sized TV for bedroom gaming, the B6 is packing everything you need for the best gaming experience.

If you're in the UK, today's LG B6 deals aren't as good, but the excellent LG C5 48-inch is available for £799 at Crampton & Moore. This is a great price for what was easily one of 2025's best TVs.

Today's best 48-inch gaming OLED TV deals

48" B6 OLED 4K TV (2026): was $1199.99 now $699.99
The LG B6 is a brilliant OLED TV, delivering colorful, contrast-rich picture quality along with full gaming features and an intuitive smart TV platform. The 48-inch model is down to $699.99 at Best Buy, which is an excellent price if you're looking for a bedroom-sized TV or gaming display. View Deal

LG C5 48-inch: was ~~£999~~ now £819 at PRC DirectView Deal

Top-notch gaming OLEDs

The LG B6 is a fantastic gaming TVFuture

The LG C5 delivers on all areas of gaming Future

LG's OLEDs are among the best gaming TVs each year, as each model comes packed with all the features you could need.

While the LG B6 may be the entry-level model in the 2026 LG OLED lineup, it still offers four HDMI 2.1 ports, which support 4K 120Hz, full VRR, Dolby Vision gaming and ALLM. With a measured 8.9ms input lag time, performance on the B6 is excellent. While playing Battlefield V, I found the B6's response times to be razor-sharp, delivering smooth performance that never faltered, even in intense shootouts as I tried to dodge enemy fire.

The B6 is brighter than its predecessor, the B5, offering roughly 150 nits more peak brightness. This means HDR highlights have more punch, resulting in richer picture quality. Colors are vibrant, black tones are inky and contrast is strong: the B6 delivers a great picture that's perfect for movies and games.

The LG C5 may be one of last year's models, and while this year's LG C6 is an improvement, the C5 is still a fantastic TV, especially for gaming. It too has four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 144Hz, full VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming, and its measured 9.2ms input lag time mean performance is smooth. Again while playing Battlefield V, the C6 did a phenomenal job handling fast-paced action as I tried to navigate chaotic battles.

The C5 also has brilliant picture quality ideal for movies and gaming. Colors really pop on screen, detail is refined with 3D-like textures, it offers rich contrast with dazzling bright tones and deep dark tones and it has razor-sharp motion handling.

Quick links TV deals: US

Best Buy: save up to 50% on LG, TCL and more
Walmart: TVs from as low as $68

Quick links TV deals: UK

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

10 new 4K Blu-rays from September 2026 to add to your collection

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the September 2026 Blu-ray Bounty. If this is your first time reading, you can check out previous editions of the Blu-ray Bounty at the link. This is where we test the latest 4K releases each month, to recommend whether you should add them to your 4K collection.

4K Blu-ray is the best way to view movies at home and is my go-to source for testing the best TVs and best soundbars as TechRadar’s AV reviewer. Plus, I’m a collector myself, and always adding new titles to my already-packed shelves.

This month, I’ll be testing ten new titles from September 2026. And there’s some big news: we’ve upgraded our in-house sound system! After using the Samsung HW-Q990C soundbar system since the start, we’ve updated to a full separate Denon and Bowers & Wilkins home theater system, consisting of the Denon AVC-3900H AV receiver, a pair of B&W 603 S3 floorstanders for fronts, a pair of B&W 607 S3 bookshelves for surrounds, a B&W HTM6 S3 centre speaker and a B&W ASW610 subwoofer. This is a 5.1 system for now, but we’ll be adding in two side speakers soon to create a 7.1 system.

Elsewhere our setup remains the same. The TV is the LG G6, one of 2026’s best OLED TVs and the Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player, one of the best 4K Blu-ray players on the market. As usual, I’ll be testing each disc on its picture and audio quality and not the movies themselves.

Supergirl (Warner Bros.)

Warner Bros / Future

Future

Supergirl follows the story of Kara Zor-El AKA Supergirl,(Milly Alcock) Superman’s cousin, as she is thrown into an unlikely alliance to hunt down Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts), a space trafficker and outlaw, after he harms her dog Krypto.

Supergirl looks superb in 4K. Colors are both punchy, shown in the neon signs at the various bars or the laser from Supergirl’s eyes and the various weapons of criminals, and true-to-life, shown in the iconic colors of the blue, red and yellow in the Supergirl costume. Scenes in space showcase the disc’s rich black tones and strong contrast, with the balance between the black of space and the bright stars and Sun. Textures are crisp, with people looking realistic and environments and objects packed with detail.

The disc has a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that is a real showcase for the object-based sound. As Supergirl flies around, the trajectory of sound accurately follows her movement on screen, with the sound mapped precisely from speaker to speaker. Spaceship engines and the boom of Supergirl taking off deliver meaty bass that’s well-controlled, and fight scenes generate plenty of hefty impact from front channels.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu (Disney)

Disney / Future

Future

A spin-off movie from The Mandalorian TV show, Star Wars: The Mandalorian & Grogu follows the two titular characters as they are tasked with the rescue of Rotta the Hutt, the only surviving heir to Jabba the Hutt.

Presented in Dolby Vision, The Mandalorian & Grogu looks excellent. It’s a slick presentation with lifelike textures and detail: characters take on a 3D-like depth that makes them appear true-to-life. There’s also plenty of high contrast scenes with rich black tones that look great on the G6 OLED. The balance between light and dark tones was superb too, with the gleam of the Mandalorian’s armor contrasting well with the dark surroundings.

Colors are also delivered with some nice pop, with the reds of lasers and blaster fire looking vibrant. On a wooded planet, the greens of the trees are lush and natural.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack here is brilliant. During the opening scene, as the Mandalorian infiltrates an Imperial warlord’s hideout, gunfire sounds hefty with plenty of impact. Explosions generated a weighty rumble that had our testing room rattling, but later fight scenes showed that the bass was tightly controlled.

Sound placement is superb too. As gunfire scatters from one end of a room to another, the trajectory is accurately mapped from the front to surround speakers with real precision.

Hamilton (Disney)

Disney / Future

One of the most widely known musicals in recent theater, Hamilton follows the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of the US. The musical is known for using different styles of music in its songs, primarily hip-hop. This home video version is a recording of the original 2015-2016 Broadway run.

The 4K disc supports a Dolby Atmos soundtrack that sounds excellent. Vocals are cleanly delivered and well balanced with other elements in the mix. Backing choirs and vocalists feed through the rear speakers, and individual instruments are precisely mapped to each channel. In ‘Alexander Hamilton’ (the opening number), there’s tight bass, punchy drums and excellent use of Dolby Atmos’ object-based profile, with every element combining to conjure up an immersive soundstage.

Other tracks such as You’ll Be Back demonstrate the Atmos soundtrack’s more delicate strings and pianos, while other tracks such as Guns and Ships again show the bass-driven hip-hop styling mixed with epic strings and rapped vocals. All of it sounds impressive, especially through our new home theater system.

The picture here is presented in Dolby Vision and looks great. Black tones created by the use of stage lighting are deep and rich, actors look true-to-life, there’s plenty of refined detail in costumes, and colors have a nice vibrancy to them throughout the entire production. The fast movement of the actors and cameras will also provide a test for your display. Shadow detail is brilliant throughout as well, with the spotlights and stage lights creating some impressive-looking shadows.

12 Angry Men (1957) (Criterion)

The Criterion Collection / Future

Future

12 Angry Men (1957) follows a group of 12 jurors debating whether to convict or acquit a teen charged with murder. 11 jurors agree, but 1 juror’s caution forces the men to reconsider the evidence.

As with most Criterion releases of classic movies, this restoration breathes new life into the picture. Textures have been upscaled nicely, giving people in particular a fresh, 3D-like look and textures in the environment have been refined brilliantly in the deliberation room. The black and white picture also shows strong contrast, with a terrific range of gray tones. There’s a fair amount of grain retained here, but it suits the movie.

The supported soundtrack is only monaural, so there’s nothing here to really show off your home theater. But the soundtrack has been cleaned up, meaning dialogue is clear throughout and other effects such as the shuffling of chairs is clear too.

Obsession (Universal Pictures)

Universal Pictures / Future

Future

Obsession follows the story of Ian (Michael Johnston), who uses a ‘One Wish Willow’ to wish that his crush, Nikki (Inde Navarrette), will fall in love with him. His desire is granted, but he soon discovers that this triggers a dark and dangerous series of events.

Presented in Dolby Vision, Obsession looks great in 4K. There’s a lot of deep dark tones throughout, with some strong contrast on display, created by the use of lighting. Textures are crisp, with characters appearing lifelike throughout the movie. There’s some stellar shadow detail here as well, with a lot of detail legible even in particularly dark scenes. Colors, while not especially varied, do look bold and vibrant when used, particularly reds, which look both punchy and natural.

There’s a Dolby Atmos soundtrack supported here, which is most effective with the movie's tense and foreboding score. Bass synths generate a lot of rumble from the subwoofer, and there’s a real sense of immersion as the other synths swirl across the speakers. Other effects also sound great, delivered with real precision and clarity. In one scene where Nikki smashes a bottle, the sound of splintering glass is realistic, and the following visceral moments sound gruesomely lifelike as well. Moments of violence are rendered with spine-chilling detail too.

Disclosure Day (Universal Pictures)

Universal Pictures / Future

Disclosure Day follows the story of Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt), a meteorologist and Dr Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor), a cybersecurity specialist, who end up on the run from a government agent (Colin Firth) after discovering extraterrestrial life is real, and they attempt to reveal the information to the world.

This is a slick-looking 4K presentation, with lifelike textures and detail. Colors are punchy and realistic throughout the movie, whether it’s clothing, cars or environments, such as the green fields of the forest where Kellner hides out. High contrast scenes look excellent as well, with a great balance between light and dark tones. HDR highlights really pop on screen too, shown with rear headlights in cars and spotlights used later in the movie.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack featured here is fantastic. Gunshots have plenty of impact, explosions and car crashes generate a hefty bass response, and object-based sounds are expansive. As cars drive through a dusty, gravel path, the sound of the gravel under the tires is accurately mapped to rear channels, and seamlessly synchronizes with the on-screen action.

Batman: Knightfall Part 1 (Warner Bros)

Warner Bros / Future

Future

Batman: Knightfall Part 1 is the first part in a planned trilogy of animated movies that adapts the ‘Knightfall’ storyline in Batman comics, that ran from 1993-94. The first part follows Batman as he confronts the escaped inmates of Arkham Asylum, who have been freed by Bane.

This is a clean, crisp animation presented in 4K, Dolby Vision. Colors are satisfyingly vivid and give the picture a real comic book look. Reds and oranges are especially eye-catching, shown again with blood and the fire of Azrael’s claws. The animation itself also appears intricate, with sharp textures that give the picture depth. Black tones are rich and look great on our LG G6 OLED.

The disc supports a DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack that sounds superb. In the opening scene, as Azrael ambushes members of the Kobra Cult, gunfire delivers good punchiness, Azrael’s movements are tracked accurately and as he stalks around the gang, the sound follows the action precisely. Punches have good heft and weight to them and the soundtrack makes every use of each channel, giving every sound room to breathe.

Little Odessa (Criterion)

Criterion Collection / Future

Little Odessa tells the story of Joshua Shapira (Tim Roth), a hitman who accepts a contract in the Brooklyn neighborhood where he grew up, where upon his return, he reconnects with his estranged Soviet immigrant family.

This is another great 4K restoration from Criterion. Textures have been upscaled well and cleaned up, giving the movie a more modern look. Night scenes are perfect for showing off the disc’s strong contrast, with rich shadow detail, deep dark tones and a good balance with brighter tones, such as streetlights and snow. Colors look natural throughout, and even scenes with snow benefit from the new Dolby Vision HDR grade that adds more brightness to the white tones.

The disc supports a DTS-HD 2.0 surround MA soundtrack. While this won't be a tought test for your home theater system, the general ambience of the Brooklyn streets adds some good atmosphere to the viewing experience, with car horns, nearby pedestrians and the subway all adding some life. Speech is also clear throughout.

Barbarian (20th Century Studios)

20th Century Studios / Future

Future

Barbarian follows the story of Tess (Georgina Campbell), a woman who books an AirBnB and discovers that it’s been double-booked by a man named Keith (Bill Skarsgård). After Tess decides to stay anyway, she soon discovers dark secrets within the house.

This is another great-looking 4K Blu-ray. Where your display will be really tested is with the movie’s many dark scenes. On our LG G6, black tones were inky and rich, and contrast was strong as the light from torches as well as dimly lit lamps juxtaposed dark surroundings. Shadow detail is also excellent, and textures have an authentic look, particularly with people. While the spectrum of colors on offer is relatively slim, they appear vibrant and natural in equal measure when used.

A DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack is featured here. From the opening scenes, the use of surround adds to the immersion, with the pounding rain still giving a sense of height, despite the absence of actual height channels. The movie’s tense, mysterious score is punchy, with the bass synths generating some good low-end tones that whip up a chilling atmosphere. Other more subtle effects such as the scratching of rocks and shallow breathing are detailed enough to really set your nerves on edge.

The Abominable Snowman (1957) (Hammer)

Hammer / Future

Future

The Abominable Snowman follows Dr John Rollason (Peter Cushing), a British scientist who joins an expedition led by American Tom Friend (Forrest Tucker) to find the legendary Yeti in the Himalayas.

As I’ve found with the last few Hammer releases I’ve tested, The Abominable Snowman looks very good in 4K. The restoration looks excellent, with textures upscaled to give the movie a much fresher look. This is shown most of all in people’s skin, which is given a 3D-like level of detail. The black-and-white picture looks great too, with deep blacks, punchy whites and a good range of gray tones. Shadow detail is fantastic too, with a great use of shadows to create strong-contrast scenes. Grain has been cleaned up a lot and though there is some left, this is a clean-looking presentation.

There are two soundtrack options here: mono and 5.1 surround. While the mono is no doubt more accurate to the original movie (due to the timeframe), the 5.1 does add an extra layer. Sound effects such as shuffling feet through snow and the howling winds are given more space, while speech is mapped to center channels for a clearer sound. Scenes where avalanches crash produce surprisingly strong bass as well, with some solid rumble emanating from our subwoofer.

The component cost crisis is hitting TVs hard now, as chip prices rise higher than panel costs

Carrie Marshall — Sat, 03 Oct 2026 01:00:00 +0000

For small TVs, the processors are now as as expensive as the panels for the first time
AI-driven demand is creating a global supply shortage of memory and processors, and it's expected to last through 2027
(Flash storage is 9x more expensive while Wi-Fi modules have become as pricey as 4K panels)

AI continues to be the Very Hungry Caterpillar of tech, gobbling up so many semiconductors that supplies of crucial components are limited and prices are soaring. And it looks like the latest tech sector to be chomped is the TV market.

According to market research firm Omdia, as reported by DigiTimes, the cost of semiconductors has risen so much this year that for the very first time, the most expensive part of the TV may no longer be the panel, but the chips powering it.

The good news is that, for now at least, the issue is primarily at the lower end of the market: think 32-inch LCDs and Full HD models in the low 40 inches, rather than the best OLED TVs. But with component costs continuing to soar, the future looks a bit worrying to say the least.

Why component costs are pushing profits way down

We're not talking about a couple of cents here or there; according to Omdia's figures, the costs are rocketing. In the second quarter of 2025, you could expect the processing board's share of the costs to be just over 10%. In the third quarter of 2026, it's 45% or even 50% of the total cost.

Basic DRAM prices hit $25 in August this year, 4.4 times the price of a year ago, and NAND flash memory is up to $30.50, which is nearly nine times last year's price.

The good news keeps on coming. Wi-Fi modules are apparently up from $33.90 in 2025 to $118.20 now. That makes the Wi-Fi chip more expensive than the lowest 55-inch 4K panel ($116) and close to the average 4K panel price of $123.

The component crisis is expected to continue through 2027 and beyond, squeezing the profitability of manufacturers in a market that's already famed for its relatively low profit margins.

It's unlikely that manufacturers could or will absorb ever-increasing prices forever, and that means we're likely to see what we've already seen in the smartphone market: higher prices and lower specifications.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

The Nvidia Shield has been discontinued at last, but the Shield Pro lives on with a 50% price hike

Carrie Marshall — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:54:02 +0000

The lower-tier Shield TV has been officially discontinued
The Shield TV Pro will stick around, but is now $100 more expensive
The list price is now $299 (about £225 / AU$429 before tax)

One of our favorite streaming gadgets, the standard Nvidia Shield TV, is no more. We can't say we're surprised — we reported in the summer that it was unavailable via official channels and there were no indications of any restocking — but we are surprised that the Shield TV Pro is immediately getting a very big price hike now that the cheapest model is gone.

According to WCCFTech, the Pro is increasing in price by 50% from $199 to $299 (about £225 / AU$429). The reason, and the reason for discontinuing the base model, is AI: As Nvidia says in its announcement, "the cost of components, including memory, has increased substantially across the industry".

If only there were someone Nvidia could talk to about the AI industry driving component costs into orbit.

And then there was one: the standard Shield has been discontinued, leaving only the Shield TV Pro (Image credit: Nvidia)

Nvidia Shield TV Pro: latest specifications and availability

Although it's now several years since its last hardware refresh, the Shield TV Pro is still a great TV streamer with a hardcore following. It's powered by the Tegra X1 system on a chip, which features a 256-core GPU teamed up with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. It's ready for 4K HDR, supports Dolby Vision HDR, and its AI upscaler can deliver up to 4K at 60fps.

This is likely to be the last Shield TV Pro model for some time, because all the indications are that the component cost crisis is going to continue through 2027 at the very least, and Nvidia can already reach gamers on multiple platforms with its GeForce Now streaming service, which is available on all the major desktop and mobile platforms as well as smart TVs from the likes of LG and Samsung.

Nvidia also recently revealed its RTX Spark "superchip" for laptops and handhelds, featuring an ARM processor with an integrated RTX GPU. Nvidia says it's "a new beginning" for gaming laptops and small form factor PCs, and with big-name studio support already it looks like it could be a big deal for mobile gaming in the future — right now, it seems to be much more of a pro component.

But still, that makes the Shield Pro an increasingly niche part of Nvidia's world domination plan, so I guess we can be happy it's stick around at all for now.

When Nvidia last updated the Shield Pro we said it remained our favorite TV streamer — but that was at a price of $199 / £179 / AU$379. With a 50% price hike added and a new Apple TV model expected imminently, it might be wise to wait before you decide what your next TV streamer should be.

ESPN will now stream tons of sport in 4K HDR, coming first to iOS and Apple TV 4K

Carrie Marshall — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:15:28 +0000

4K HDR available now in the ESPN app for iOS and tvOS
Coming to more platforms before the Super Bowl
Will also roll out to pay-TV providers

ESPN and ESPN2 are getting 4K HDR streaming support in the US for events including Monday Night Football, NBA and NHL, plus selected live college football games, US Open tennis and big events such as the Super Bowl, the streamer has announced (via FlatpanelsHD).

"This update will deliver clearer edges, sharper colors and smoother movement — all critically important for delivering a richer and more immersive viewing experience for sports fans," ESPN says. The update is available now in the ESPN app for Apple's iOS and tvOS products, including the Apple TV 4K.

The rollout is coming to other platforms later this year, as ESPN explains: "The ESPN App on iOS and tvOS will be the first to support the new experiences, with additional connected TV platforms to follow, as well as on Disney+ in the U.S. to ESPN Unlimited subscribers."

Why isn't ESPN rolling out 4K HDR to every platform today?

The rollout is taking time because it's not just a change of video codec: as ESPN puts it, the introduction of 4K HDR "marks an important milestone to modernize ESPN’s content distribution pipeline from the ground up. Delivering 4K HDR full-time on ESPN and ESPN2 required coordinated investment across every stage of the signal chain" from capturing live events with sufficient resolution and dynamic range to decoding the data in the app to show on your screen.

ESPN says it'll also be able to deliver 4K HDR through pay-TV providers, including both traditional and digital ones, and that it will have rolled out higher quality streaming to more platforms before Super Bowl LXI. As yet, there are no details of which platforms are next on the to-do list, though we'd assume Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, LG and Samsung will all be fighting for prominence.

The rollout will continue this Fall, and you'll begin to see 4K HDR badging on your streaming devices and in the mobile app. However, Disney hasn't announced any plans to extend the rollout beyond the US.

That suggests it's going to focus on US consumers first before rolling out the upgrades in other parts of the world. "This new foundation sets the stage for us to deliver best-in-class experiences across both linear and streaming distribution — serving our sports fans. Anytime. Anywhere," ESPN says.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

There's a new Amazon Fire TV Stick that's faster to use, and a redesigned remote

Carrie Marshall — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 13:21:14 +0000

New Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K unveiled for $59.99 / £69.99 (about AU$86)
Main upgrade is speed, promises that you'll start watching up to 40% faster than rival 4K streaming sticks
New-design Fire TV Remote is included, with a Plus version to follow in 2027 with built-in 'Find My Remote' function

Amazon has unveiled a new version of the Fire TV Stick 4K that it says is blazingly fast — and it's made a video to prove it. The video, embedded below, compares the new Fire TV Stick 4K with the average performance of "3 top brand" smart TVs, and "a similarly priced 4K stick from another leading brand".

According to Amazon, the new Fire TV Stick 4K gets you watching 20% to 40% more quickly than rival 4K streaming sticks, with apps launching 35% more quickly. It's also faster than the smart TVs Amazon tested. Amazon's video is embedded below so you can see for yourself.

We're always wary of manufacturers' own speed claims, because of course they're not independent tests and the manufacturer isn't going to test its products against anything that'll leave their device in the dust. The video is really just an animation that illustrates Amazon's test data, rather than showing the difference on real devices. But a faster version of the Fire TV Stick 4K is still a welcome addition to the Fire TV family.

There are changes to Alexa+ too. It's getting a dedicated hub on Fire TV with more intelligent movie and show recommendations, and the Fire TV app now uses Alexa+ to manage watchlists and discover shows on your phone. Updates to existing Alexa+ devices will begin rolling out in the US in November 2026 and to the rest of the world in 2027.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2026): key features

The new Fire TV Stick 4K, like the Fire Stick HD that launched earlier this year, is slimmer than before, making it more convenient to put behind your TV or pack for traveling. It runs Amazon's own Vega operating system, meaning that you can't sideload apps on it, and Alexa+ is on board.

Amazon is streamlining its lineup of TV sticks to focus on three distinct tiers: HD, 4K and 4K Max. The most expensive option, the 4K Max, gets the premium features such as Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and Alexa+ Home Theater.

The launch also delivers a new Fire TV remote, which Amazon says has been made more tactile and easy to hold. Its flat top and curved, weighted bottom are intended to help you get it the right way round first time, and the Home button gets its own special metal surface so you can find it by feel. The other buttons are shaped or indented for the same reason.

The new remote also gets the customizable star button that was previously reserved for the most expensive models. That can be assigned to a specific app or to a feature such as the Screen Magnifier.

The new remote is compatible with all Fire TV players since 2019 and all Amazon Ember TVs too. A new Fire TV Remote Plus is coming too, to replace the Alexa Voice Remote Pro, but that won't be out until early 2027. It's most useful feature will be a 'Find My Remote' feature, so you can just ask Alexa to locate the remote, and the remote will start making a sound so you can find which cushion it's behind.

The new Fire TV Stick 4K is available now for $59.99 / £69.99 (about AU$86), but Amazon has confirmed that the price will fall to $39.99 / £32.99 / AU$tbc during the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale, starting October 6th. Here's the link to the new 4K Stick, if you want to bookmark it for then. We assume it'll be discounted in other regions too, but we haven't had that confirmed.

That price includes the remote, but if you're happy with your current Fire TV and just want the nicer remote control, that'll be $14.99 / £13.99 / AU$tbc on its own. The new remote will ship in late October 2026.

Sony Bravia 9 II vs Samsung R95H: which flagship RGB TV is best, and can they compete with OLED?

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 18:00:00 +0000

RGB mini-LED (and its other various names) continues to be the talk of the TV world, with nearly every brand getting involved with the new tech in 2026. I’ve tested several RGB mini-LED/Micro RGB TVs and while it’s been a mixed bag, the new tech shows promise. While these TVs still can’t quite beat the best OLED TVs for the place at the top of the TV food chain, there’s certainly been some impressive RGB models.

One of those is the flagship Samsung R95H, which earned 4.5 stars out of 5 in my recent review. Another is the ‘mid-range’ Sony Bravia 7 II. When I compared both the R95H and Bravia 7 II, I was impressed by the fight the much cheaper Bravia 7 II put up: especially with its picture quality.

Well, now the Bravia 9 II, the Bravia 7 II’s step-up sibling and Sony’s flagship RGB TV, has arrived in our testing lab and since I still have the Samsung R95H in, I thought I’d compare the two to see which flagship RGB model is the top dog.

A quick note on photos: the R95H appears to have a red tint in some images below, but this is the camera interacting with the R95H's matte screen. This red tint does not appear in-person.

Color

Both TVs deliver vibrant colors, shown here in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. The Bravia 9 II (left) has more vibrant colors, while the R95H (right) has brighter colors (Image credit: Nintendo / Univeral Pictures / Future )

The big selling point of RGB is its color reproduction. And as expected from two flagship models, colors look very impressive on both the Bravia 9 II and the R95H. Watching The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, any scenes involving the Lumas showcases RGB’s excellent colors. While the R95H demonstrated higher color luminance, meaning color looked brighter, the Bravia 9 II’s colors appeared much richer and deeper, giving the Lumas themselves a perceived crisper texture.

As for the character’s outfits throughout the movie, it varied from scene-to-scene which TV produced better colors. Peach’s pink dress benefitted from the R95H’s higher perceived brightness in some scenes, while in others, the Bravia 9 II’s bolder colors made it pop more. The same was true with the reds of Mario’s overalls and Luigi and Yoshi’s greens.

In Speed Racer, the Bravia 9 II (left) again has bolder colors, while the R95H's (right) are brighter (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

Switching to a real-world movie, Speed Racer, it was more of what I’d found when watching the Mario Galaxy movie. During the breakfast scene at the Racer home, I found some colors, such as yellow, looked better on the Bravia 9 II with the added color depth, while some paler colors such as orange looked more natural on the R95H. The R95H’s higher perceived brightness definitely made colors more impactful, but overall I found myself drawn to the Bravia 9 II’s deeper color profile.

In terms of skin tones, both TVs showed excellent accuracy, making characters on screen look lifelike. In this scenario, I did find the R95H’s brightness made people look more true-to-life, which I preferred. But the Bravia 9 II did use shadows and contrast in an interesting way to make people look dynamic.

Contrast

Both TVs demonstrate strong contrast with a good balance between dark and light tones. (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

One of RGB’s other selling points compared to other backlit TVs is better backlight control and OLED-rivaling black levels and while this has been a mixed bag in my previous testing of other RGB TVs, these two flagship models demonstrate excellent contrast and backlight control.

Watching The Batman, both TVs demonstrated strong contrast. As Bruce works in the Batcave at his desk, the light tones of the bright monitors and desk lamps around him contrasted well with the dark tones of the environment and the crevices around the desk. While the R95H’s higher brightness meant some dark areas were more legible, the Bravia 9 II demonstrated richer blacks that created stronger perceived contrast.

Although both TVs were able to render the often challenging picture of The Batman, due to its low brightness, in bright conditions, it was definitely best viewed in ambient or dark, home theater conditions. I also found the R95H’s Movie mode could over-do its brightness, resulting in clipping of bright objects. For The Batman, it was best to use Filmmaker Mode. The Bravia 9 II looked great in Movie mode and Professional mode (its name for Filmmaker Mode), although it lost some of the impact in its contrast when viewed in the dimmer Professional mode.

Both TVs deliver excellent black levels for backlit TVs, but the Bravia 9 II's (left) are deeper Amazon / Future

Project Hail Mary is another showcase for contrast on both these TVsAmazon / Future

Switching to Project Hail Mary, both scenes delivered inky black tones during exterior shots of space, as well as demonstrating strong shadows as Ryland Grace explored the Hail Mary. I did find that the Bravia 9 II’s local dimming could be aggressive in places, resulting in some black crush in certain scenes. Still, black tones and contrast were incredibly impressive for a backlit TV, and the lack of blooming showed just how good the Bravia 9 II’s backlight control. Though not as impressive, the R95H also showed brilliant backlight control: much better than most backlit TVs I’ve tested.

While the same movies still had more dynamic contrast on the OLED TVs I’ve tested such as the LG G6 and Samsung S95H/S99H, this is certainly a big step in the right direction for backlit TVs.

Brightness and reflections

Despite large differences in measured brightness, the R95H (right) actually looks brighter in some scenes, such as this desert scene from Lawrence of Arabia (Image credit: Sony Pictures / Future )

Starting with brightness measurements, I was surprised by how big the gap was between these two TVs: and which was brighter based on testing. The R95H hit 1,977 nits and 612 nits peak and fullscreen HDR brightness respectively in Filmmaker Mode, while the Bravia 9 II registered a much higher 4,414 nits and 974 nits peak and fullscreen HDR brightnrss respectively in its Professional mode. This is a much wider gap than I expected, made all the more interesting on how these TVs rendered brightness in practice with real-world movies.

In the majority of scenes I watched, the R95H delivered higher perceived brightness in both large areas and highlights in high-contrast scenes, such as the lights in the Batcave in The Batman, despite its much lower measured brightness.

Watching a real-world bright scene from Lawrence of Arabia, as Lawrence and his guide were fetching water from a well in the desert, the white sand around them was brighter on the R95H than the Bravia 9 II. HDR highlights in other movies, such as the white paint job of the Mach 5 in Speed Racer or the lights of all the consoles and switches of the ship in Project Hail Mary were closer in brightness and would sometimes alternate on which was brighter but for the majority, the R95H was much more impactful.

This is something I've found in the past when measuring TVs: measurements don't always match up in practice, and I'm noticing that RGB TVs tend to have the biggest difference between results and real-world application. Still, both TVs did deliver impressive brightness overall.

While I expected the R95H (right) to handle mirror-like reflections well, I didn't expect the Bravia 9 II (left) to match it Future

Both TVs can even render very dark scenes from The Batman in bright roomsWarner Bros / Future

One area where both these TVs really impressed me was in their reflection handling. The R95H obviously uses Samsung’s Glare Free matte screen, which has proven to be incredibly effective at eliminating mirror-like reflections. The Bravia 9 II is also equipped with an anti-reflective screen, and it’s a big improvement over the step-down Bravia 7 II. Watching darker scenes, I was surprised at how little mirror-like reflections were on the Bravia 9 II.

Which TV is the best buy?

(Image credit: Future)

Both the Bravia 9 II and R95H are fantastic TVs. They show a clear evolution of what is capable from a backlit TV and while again I still think OLED is the best TV panel tech, it’s a positive sign of what’s to come from RGB if this is how it performs in its infancy.

When it comes to which TV is best out of the two, I personally preferred the Bravia 9 II’s picture, thanks to its richer, OLED-like colors and richer black tones. The R95H has the brightness battle won and delivers amazing pictures in its own right, but for me the Bravia 9 II takes what I loved about the Bravia 7 II and builds on it.

That being said, price is a factor. For a 65-inch Samsung R95H, you’ll be looking to pay roughly $2,799 / £2,799 / AU$4,495 (though I’ve seen the R95H drop to as low as AU$3,499 in Australia). A 65-inch Sony Bravia 9 II will currently set you back $3,499 / £3,499 / AU$5,999. Considering the R95H is actually packed with more features for gaming, such as four HDMI 2.1 ports, and has a better interface, the extra money is a tough ask.

At the moment, the R95H is the better buy, but if the Bravia 9 II’s prices can be more in-line with its rival, then the Bravia 9 II’s picture is worth the sacrifice of some features. That being said, I’d still recommend OLED right now, as you can get flagship OLED’s from both Sony and Samsung that are the same price or cheaper.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

A new 4K Blu-ray player is coming, and I hope it's available worldwide

David Nield — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:30:00 +0000

The new Laser BLU-BD4K-384 has caught our eye
It offers region-free playback for regular DVDs and 4K support
For now it's only available to pre-order in Australia

We're always on the lookout for the best Blu-ray players here at TechRadar, especially those that deliver as much bang for buck as possible – and it looks like we might have a new contender with the new Laser BLU-BD4K-384.

As per the listing we've come across (via Reddit), the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player is only available in Laser's home country of Australia for now, so we're hoping the manufacturer decides to put this on sale more widely.

Getting a new 4K Blu-ray player model is exciting enough on its own, but the Laser BLU-BD4K-384 plays regular Blu-rays and DVDs from any region too, so whatever the format of your discs and wherever they're from, this will play them.

The price is competitive too: AU$499.95 at the time of writing, which works out at about $350 / £265 with a straight currency conversion. There's support here for HDR10, Dolby Vision, high-resolution audio, and USB media playback.

'Great news'

New 4K region free player
from r/4kbluray

It's worth mentioning a few compromises that have been made here too. The Laser BLU-BD4K-384 doesn't support HDR10+, sticks with a single HDMI port, and relies on Ethernet for internet rather than Wi-Fi.

"Bring imported releases, favourite box sets and your existing movie library together in one setup," reads the official blurb. "PAL, NTSC and Auto television modes help match playback to compatible displays."

Based on the Reddit reactions, we're not the only fans of this new model, which apparently goes on sale in November 2026. The launch is described as "extremely welcome" and "great news", which reflects the overall sentiment.

If you need something else to tempt you in, there's a three-year warranty included. If you're living in Australia you can get your pre-orders in now — but the rest of us will have to look on enviously for the time being.

A EV truck with a TV built into a front trunk for tailgating? Ford wants to patent the idea

Carrie Marshall — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 21:00:00 +0000

A Ford patent shows multi-use front trunk including a TV-housing option
Images look very like the Ford Fathom, which is coming in 2027
Ford's EV pickup will start at $28,350 (around £20,970 / AU$39,540)

Ford's upcoming Fathom electric truck could have a very unusual addition: a small front trunk that could house a TV, for the ultimate tailgating upgrade.

As Electrek reports, Ford has filed a patent with several diagrams showing a fold-out, tailgate-style area in the front of an unnamed vehicle that's believed to be the Fathom.

The design takes advantage of EVs' lack of a traditional engine compartment, which means you can have storage space at the front of the car or truck. It appears to offer a large, flat space like you'd find in a pickup such as Ford F-150 Lightning, plus a fold-out tailgate that can be used for multiple purposes, including holding a TV, presumably to be powered by the battery while you sit in camp chairs with a six-pack.

(Image credit: Ford / USPTO)

What the patents say about Ford's Fathom's frunk

The design looks well-suited to tailgate parties, and for camping trips and anywhere else a TV might be watched — so for example if you were selling products at a market you could use the back of the Fathom to carry your goods and your stall and your tailgate TV to show the promo video.

And you shouldn't need to worry about the TV draining your battery: the Fathom is expected to have a large battery for over 300 miles of range, so a TV isn't going to make a big dent in that capacity.

The TV isn't the only interesting idea here. The patent suggests that the top of the hood could be swappable, enabling you to replace it so you can put things on it — such as food or tools — without spoiling your vehicle's finish. Presumably the design would also include a storage space for those swappable bits rather having you leave them lying loose around on the frunk's floor.

As for the rest of the upcoming EV, Ford has been drip-feeding details for months now: it's a midsize pickup with more passenger room than a Toyota RAV4, it's launching in early 2027 and it'll have a surprisingly low starting price of $28,350. It comes with Apple Maps integration, CarPlay and Android Auto.

What we don't know yet is what it really looks like: as you can see from the image at the top of the article, the images Ford have released so far are camouflaged. But from what we've seen of the shape it looks suitably tough, and it's priced very aggressively. Ford promises that the camo will come off in 2027.

Cheap big-screen LCD TVs could be in trouble for Black Friday — panel prices are going up

Carrie Marshall — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Key LCD panel makers are upping prices this month, which is a crunch manufacturing period ahead of Black Friday and end-of-year sales
There are only three TV LCD panel manufacturers, and all have decided to protect profits with price rises, reportedly
Samsung's is also said to be cutting QLED TV production by up to 80%

If you're planning to pick up a super-cheap big-screen LCD TV for Black Friday this year, you may need to temper your expectations.

Key LCD panel makers have reportedly told manufacturers including Samsung, Sony and LG that they're putting their panel prices up just in time for production ready for the busiest sales period of the year.

Samsung Display doesn't make LCD panels any more, and LG Display has also stopped making them. That means the big TV brands are reliant on a handful of Chinese panel producers who now dominate the market: BOE, TCL CSOT, and HKC.

Those producers aren't running at full capacity, but rather than increase supply and potentially lower prices, they're restricting production to "contain oversupply and defend prices", according to The Elec.

TCL CSO and HKC will raise the price of some products this month, September 2026, with BOE upping prices in the fourth financial quarter. As The Elec notes, "concerns that China’s dominance of the LCD supply chain would translate into greater control over panel prices are becoming a reality."

The price hikes leave the big-name TV manufacturers in a bad place, because they will have locked in their LCD panel orders for Black Friday and the holidays already, and it'll be difficult for them to change their production plans.

That means price hikes on the panels used in affordable sets, which already have razor-thin profit margins, could have an effect on how exciting the TV deals on LCD models this year — and with giant-screen LCD TVs being the super-popular pick right now, it could make a real difference.

Samsung has dropped QLED from its new 2026 mini-LED line-up — this image compares the QLED-less budget M80H on the left with the Neo QLED QN80H on the right. The Batman provides a great test for how they handle contrast. (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future )

Does the Q in Samsung QLED stand for "quitting"?

In another blow for price-conscious LCD buyers, Samsung is reportedly scaling down production of its QLED TVs dramatically, by up to 80% this year, while considering dropping QLED altogether by 2028.

QLED takes LCD panels and applies a layer of quantum dots to deliver better colors, and launched as a more affordable and very bright rival to OLED. However, as the best OLED TVs continue to get better and have a big grip on the premium end of the market, QLED has become a tech you see a lot on budget models.

According to ETNews (via FlatpanelsHD), Samsung is slashing QLED production from 10 million units to 2-3 million units this year and shifting its focus to mini-LED-branded and Micro RGB LED TVs.

The high-end Neo QLED lineup is being slashed too: "Samsung Electronics' QD TV shipment plan this year has been significantly reduced to less than 30%. Neo QLED will also produce only half of this year next year and gradually stop manufacturing."

In 2026, Samsung launched a new line of budget "Mini-LED" TVs that don't include QLED tech, including the Samsung M80H, which we tested alongside one of Samsung Neo QLED QN80H, and found to be a clear step down in image quality.

At the other end of the scale, we reviewed the flagship Samsung R95H Micro RGB TV, which also doesn't use QLED tech, and found it to be "a brilliant evolution" of LCD technology.

Quantum dots aren't dead, though: according to FlatpanelsHD, Samsung is continuing to invest in QD-OLED and in future technologies such as QD-EL, aka NanoLED, which is basically the quantum dot equivalent of OLED.

But we have to assume that if Samsung is already wavering over the viability of its QLED screens, a price rise in the panels it buys will probably just be another nail in the coffin.

Thinking of buying a new TV?

Christopher Nolan's Memento to receive 4K Blu-ray release with Dolby Vision

rowan.davies@futurenet.com (Rowan Davies) — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Christopher Nolan's Memento is being restored for a 4K Blu-ray
This marks the first Blu-ray release with Nolan-approved Dolby Vision HDR
A release date hasn't been announced, but we know it's 'coming soon'

Christopher Nolan is ruling the box office right now with the release of his epic fantasy The Odyssey (2026), but the movie that introduced him to the world over 25 years ago is finally getting a 4K Blu-ray release.

Nolan’s sophomore feature Memento (2000) is being restored in 4K by independent Australian distributor and restoration specialist Umbrella, and will be available in Dolby Vision HDR in Collector and Standard editions. A release date hasn’t been announced, and it’s unclear whether the restoration will be sourced from the original film negative, but we know it’s ‘coming soon’.

To say that Memento put Christopher Nolan on the map is an understatement. The crime thriller, which stars Guy Pearce as a man with amnesia on a mission to find the person responsible for his wife’s murder, earned Oscar nominations for Best Film Editing and Best Original Screenplay, losing to Julian Fellowes for Gosford Park (2001).

When released, it will be the 12th Nolan feature to receive a 4K Blu-ray restoration, with The Odyssey 4K edition set for a November 17 release. That leaves his directorial debut, Following (1998), the only feature film without a 4K version, and one can only hope this will follow in the footsteps of his other movies.

That said, there’s a slight twist with Memento’s restoration, as it marks the first time one of his movies has received director-approved Dolby Vision HDR for a physical release. According to Umbrella, the company teamed up with Nolan to bring this added flair to the new 4K release and shared the following post to X:

MEMENTO is coming soon to a 4K Collector's Edition and Standard Edition from Umbrella's EXCLUSIVE NEW director-approved Dolby Vision restoration! This week marks a year since we first announced the restoration. In this time, we have worked closely with Christopher Nolan and his… pic.twitter.com/jIJ8p2JH6LSeptember 15, 2026

While this is a first for Christopher Nolan and his physical releases, you can catch Dolby Vision HDR versions of his movies across the best streaming services, and through digital purchasing platforms such as Prime Video.

Why this is the case for digital versions and not physical formats is unknown, but it’s likely that it all comes down to control. Nolan seems to exercise a lot of control over the choice of formats used in the Blu-ray releases, but perhaps doesn't have as much control — or perhaps doesn't mind as much — when it comes to streaming. Platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, or other services also often have automated pipelines to support Dolby Vision, which may play a part.

As mentioned, Umbrella has yet to announce an official release date for the 4K Memento Blu-ray, so, annoyingly, we’re being forced to wait patiently. However, the distributor has released first-look images of the restoration, and it’s clear that a lot of work has gone into refining the feature’s neo-noir landscapes. Fingers crossed the viewing experience will blow previous 4K restorations out of the water.

Remember Sammy Jankis 📸Get a first look at Umbrella's new Dolby Vision restoration of MEMENTO, approved by director Christopher Nolan.Coming soon to exclusive 4K Collector & Standard Editions!Now... where was I? pic.twitter.com/4a3AAZ0zf4September 16, 2026

Sonos Beam Ultra review: one of the best compact Dolby Atmos soundbars around

harry.padoan@futurenet.com (Harry Padoan) — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:30:00 +0000

Sonos Beam Ultra review

The Sonos Beam Ultra doesn’t merely feel like an evolution of the pre-existing Beam products. Instead, it feels like something of a middle child between the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and the Sonos Arc Ultra. After all, it sits bang in between its sibling models when it comes to channel configuration, boasting a 7.1.2 setup with nine drivers, and while it has up-firing drivers for true Dolby Atmos, it still maintains a fairly compact design.

But the Beam Ultra certainly isn’t an awkward middle-child; it’s a highly capable mid-range option that provides striking cinematic sound, while still being able to fit into a smaller setup. But is the Sonos Beam Ultra worth its $699 / £699 / AU$1,099 asking price?

Like most of the best soundbars, the Sonos Beam Ultra supports Dolby Atmos (though notably Sonos omits DTS:X), and it handles the format very effectively. When watching a 4K UHD Blu-ray of The Mask, the soundbar seamlessly tracked the titular character as he tornadoes across the screen, with audio sounding as if it far exceeded the limited confines of the soundbar. When The Mask jumped upwards, diagonally, his upward trajectory was captured with precision.

(Image credit: Future)

And the Beam Ultra continued to impress me with its height effects across multiple movies. For instance, in Godzilla Minus One, the sense of a plane flying overhead was replicated more naturally than I expected from a mid-range bar. When Godzilla first appeared, the width of the kaiju’s movement was handled brilliantly — it sounded as if the creature’s stomping and destruction were emanating from different corners of the testing room, rather than a set of speakers, even without the help of surround speakers.

What’s more, the Sonos Beam Ultra nails the fundamentals. Watching Top Gun: Maverick, the roar of jet engines was palpable, and I found this to be the case across multiple films. For a mid-sized standalone bar, the Beam Ultra produces incredibly regimented, deep, and responsive low-end sound, which is excellent for movies with high-octane action sequences and dark, impactful scores. The Beam Ultra can also get seriously loud if you want to fill a more open space, but I never noticed any tinniness or harsh compression.

Still, this doesn’t come at the expense of sounds elsewhere in the frequency range. I found dialogue to be generally clear and detailed too, though I will note that turning on the Speech Enhancement mode and setting it to Medium gave me the best results. This means you can bring voices forward without hampering the fidelity of other elements in the mix.

The Beam Ultra even proved to be a hit for music, whether I was listening to an Atmos or stereo mix. With an Atmos mix of I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More Baby by Barry White, there was tremendous width to the guitars, the vocals were perfectly clear in the center, and the bass had pleasant warmth to it. Moving over to First Summer by H.K., deep bass came through with attention-grabbing impact, sounding more full-sounding than I’d anticipated, yet keys and vocal chops in the mid-range still maintained excellent clarity, as did articulate drums in the treble.

(Image credit: Future)

The Sonos Beam Ultra isn’t just a great performer; it’s also rammed full of useful features. TruePlay is here, which can optimize sound for your room in mere seconds, but there are also ways to manually adapt audio. For instance, you can adjust height effects to your choosing, and there’s even a height-effect simulation mode if there’s less than four inches of space above your soundbar — ideal if you’re placing the Beam Ultra on a shelf in your TV stand, say.

I've already mentioned the Speech Enhancement mode, which has multiple levels to emphasize speech as little or much as you need, but there’s also a Night mode if you don’t want to disturb others. You can turn these options on in the Sonos app, but there’s also an option to add a voice assistant if you want to make adjustments on the fly.

The Beam Ultra can, as you'd expect, also interact with other components in your Sonos system. You can pair compatible speakers, such as the Sonos Play, and use them as surround speakers. TV Audio Swap is also back, and enables you to transfer sound from your Beam Ultra to your Sonos Ace or Sonos Ace Ultra headphones. I tried this out with the latter cans, and found that switching was speedy and responsive, while the quality of spatial audio was exceptional — make sure to read my Sonos Ace Ultra review for a deeper dive.

There are a fair few ways to connect to your Sonos Beam Ultra too. Of course, HDMI eARC is the most important — this is what you’ll use to hook the soundbar up to your TV and experience Dolby Atmos movies in all their glory. There’s also Wi-Fi 6 for streaming content over a local connection, allowing you to use services like Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect. And, unlike with the Beam Gen 2, you also get Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity as well as USB-C line-in.

One thing I would have really have loved to see, though, is an HDMI input, which has been left off of the Sonos Beam Ultra. Given that connecting the soundbar up to your TV already takes away one precious HDMI slot, it would’ve been great to get a passthrough port on this model — it’s something I use on my Marshall Heston 120 at home, given that I have multiple game consoles connected up.

Something that does not disappoint, though, is the Beam Ultra’s design. It’s sleek, modern, and stylish — but understated enough to seamlessly slot into just about any living space. It also has a great standard of build, intuitive touch controls, and handy status indicator lights to signify connection status. There’s also a microphone slider, which you can deactivate if you don’t want your soundbar listening in on you.

But here comes the big question: is the Sonos Beam Ultra actually worth the money? While $699 / £699 / AU$1,099 is by no means cheap, I still think the answer is yes. It’s priced right in between the Beam Gen 2 and Arc Ultra, and feels like a true best-of-both-worlds option — the height channels give it much more convincing Atmos performance than the Beam Gen 2, but you also get amazing power in a single, compact package.

Sure, you could get a soundbar and sub combo like the Samsung HW-Q800F for a similar price, and that will give you even deeper, more cinematic bass. But that model has a more restrictive 5.1.2 configuration, and if you want something more low-profile, it won’t fit the bill. You also get an excellent suite of features from the Beam Ultra, and you can add a compatible sub and other other Sonos speakers for surround sound if you wish.

As a result, the Sonos Beam Ultra might just be the best compact Dolby Atmos soundbar I’ve tested. In spite of its modest size, it plates up powerful, immersive, and clear audio, so if you want a simple plug-and-play solution to get amazing audio into just about any space, this is my top recommendation.

(Image credit: Future)

Sonos Beam Ultra review: Price and release date

Priced at $699 / £699 / AU$1,099
Released in September 2026

The Sonos Beam Ultra is priced at $699 / £699 / AU$1,099, placing it mid-way between the Sonos Beam Gen 2 and the Sonos Arc Ultra. While you can get some multi-box options for a similar price, like the Sony HW-Q800F, for instance, the Beam Ultra features an extensive 7.1.2 driver configuration, and its compact nature is a central part of its appeal.

Sonos Beam Ultra review: specs

Dimensions	29.5 x 2.6 x 4.1 inches / 750 x 65 x 105mm
Speaker channels	7.1.2
Connections	HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X	Yes / No
Sub included	No
Rear speakers included	No

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Sonos Beam Ultra?

Attribute	Notes	Score
Features	Good connectivity options, great sound modes, can add sub and surrounds, no DTS:X or HDMI passthrough.	4.5/5
Performance	Expansive sound in a compact package with imposing bass and clear dialogue.	5/5
Design	Stellar looks, slim build, neat touch controls.	5/5
Setup & usability	Plug and play set-up, easy to connect to via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.	5/5
Value	Not cheap, but a perfect marriage of the standard Beam and Arc that’s priced accordingly.	4.5/5

Buy it if…

You want a compact soundbar with amazing Dolby Atmos
So many compact Dolby Atmos soundbars fall flat when it comes to Dolby Atmos. Often, that’s due to a lack of dedicated up-firing drivers to provide convincing height effects. But the Beam Ultra has those — and it also conjures up an impressive sense of width.

You already own a Sonos system
If you already have a compatible sub and speakers like the Sonos Play or Sonos Era 100, you can connect them to the Beam Ultra to open up even more immersive, three-dimensional audio. TV Audio Swap is also available if you’ve got the Sonos Ace or Sonos Ace Ultra headphones.

Don’t buy it if…

You need HDMI passthrough
The Sonos Beam Ultra does not offer HDMI passthrough, which might be troublesome if, like me, you have multiple games consoles, a 4K Blu-ray player, and other devices that use HDMI.

You need DTS:X
The Sonos Beam Ultra supports Dolby Atmos, but not DTS:X, much like other Sonos soundbars, including the Sonos Arc Ultra. A number of 4K discs make use of DTS:X, so if you’re someone who often makes use of that format, it may be worth looking elsewhere.

Sonos Beam Ultra review: also consider

	Sonos Beam Ultra	Samsung HW-Q800F	Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
Price	$699 / £699 / AU$1,099	$1,099 / £799 / AU$1,099	£899 / $899 / AU$1499
Dimensions	29.5 x 2.6 x 4.1 inches / 750 x 65 x 105mm	Main soundbar: 43.7 x 2.4 x 4.7 inches / 1110.7 x 60.4 x 120mm; subwoofer: 9.8 x 9.9 x 9.8 inches / 249 x 251.8 x 249mm	2.3 x 41 x 4.2 inches / 58 x 1045 x 107mm
Speaker channels	7.1.2	5.1.2	5.1.2
Connections	HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C	1x HDMI input, 1x HDMI eARC, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3	HDMI eARC, digital optical, Ethernet, USB (service only), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
Dolby Atmos / DTS:X	Yes / No	Yes / Yes	Yes / No
Sub included	No	Yes	No
Rear speakers included	No	No	No

Samsung HW-Q800F
This multi-box Samsung soundbar can now be found for a similar price to the Sonos Beam Ultra, if not less. It supplies exceptional sound, with impeccable bass from its dedicated sub, clear dialogue, and engrossing Atmos effects. It doesn’t offer the Beam Ultra’s compact size, but it does have DTS:X and HDMI passthrough. Read my full Samsung HW-Q800F review.

Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar
The Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar is a great 5.1.2 soundbar with wide, detailed sound, excellent build quality, and an effective companion app. It doesn’t quite offer the height or bass weight of the Sonos Beam Ultra, but it can often be found on sale for less than $700 / £500. Read our full Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar review.

How I tested the Sonos Beam Ultra

(Image credit: Future)

I spent one week testing the soundbar in our TV testing space at Future Labs
I watched a variety of movies, and listened to music in both Dolby Atmos and stereo formats

I spent one week testing the Sonos Beam Ultra at our TV testing space at Future Labs, during which time I exhausted its various features, watched a variety of movies, and listened to music in both Dolby Atmos and stereo formats.

To test the Beam Ultra, I hooked it up to the Samsung R95H TV via HDMI. I also made use of the Panasonic DP-UB820 to view Dolby Atmos-enabled 4K UHD Blu-rays. When listening to music, I streamed tunes over Tidal Connect via Wi-Fi, and made use of the TV Audio Swap feature to transfer audio from the soundbar to the Sonos Ace Ultra headphones.

I also compared the Sonos Beam Ultra directly against the Sonos Beam Gen 2 to assess improvements to height effects, expansiveness, and general functionality.

I’ve spent several years testing audio-visual gear at TechRadar, where I'm a Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve tested a vast number of soundbars specifically, from compact models like the Marshall Heston 60 to grand surround systems like the LG Sound Suite Immersive Suite 7 Pro.

Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
First reviewed: September 2026

Samsung and LG will remove 'botnet' apps from their smart TV app stores, but how did it get so bad?

Carrie Marshall — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:46:54 +0000

Malware botnets route traffic through the internet connection on many smart TVs
Roku, Fire TV, Tizen and webOS all affected
Some manufacturers are removing affected apps

LG, Samsung, Roku and Fire TV televisions and devices may have apps downloaded to them that mean they can be used as part of a malicious "botnet" — and millions of TVs could be affected, though LG and Samsung have committed to removing the relevant apps,

FlatpanelsHD rounded up pieces of this puzzle, stretching back several months. Back in April, it emerged that many apps and games included a feature called "residential proxy" that could be abused by bad actors.

The tech means the TVs were being used to bypass IP range blocks that affected AI data centers: because each individual TV has its own unique address, such blocks could easily be evaded by seeming to be 'real' traffic. And because the proxy feature doesn't require the app to be open, TV owners would be none the wiser that their device is being used this way — and that's partly because in many cases, you wouldn't assume that was the real purpose of the app.

One example of a residential proxy system, IPIDEA, had enlisted millions of smart TVs in a network that could crawl the web for AI training or even carry out coordinated attacks by groups in China, North Korea, Iran and Russia.

According to security researcher Harrison Sand at Mnemonic, one of the apps in question was a Pac-Man game, likely to be downloaded by kids, that Samsung featured as an Editor's Choice.

And according to security firm Spur, 26.5% of apps for Samsung Tizen smart TVs and over 42.5% of LG webOS apps could be used in this kind of way. That's a truly shocking statistic.

LG's webOS appears to be the most affected, with researchers claiming that over 42.5% of webOS apps contained reproxies (Image credit: Future)

What is a residential proxy, and how can it be used maliciously?

A residential proxy or "reproxy" transmits data through your device, in this case your TV, to make it look as if your TV is the sender of that data.

The feature isn't necessarily malicious — it can be used for testing and advertising purposes — but as security expert Spur explains, it also "provides attackers with a scalable way to hide automation, bypass geo-controls, and evade reputation-based defenses."

Spur's website goes into more detail of how they operate and how they differ from services such as the best VPNs.

It seems likely that at least some of the potentially dodgy apps weren't made maliciously; developers who use certain software development kits that have residential proxy features may not know those features are there.

LG and Samsung have vowed to ban any smart TV apps that contain residential proxies, a process LG completed on 15 September after two months of app removal. IPIDEA is already banned by Amazon, Roku and Google TV, and they have also restricted the new Bright Data network.

Samsung has restricted new app registrations for apps, and is "working to identify and remove all apps… that contain these components."

What worries me isn't so much that the malware exists — the more our TVs become like PCs, the more PC-like attacks will target them — but that it's made its way into so many TVs and is presumably still there on many of them, despite being publicized back in April.

It just adds to my distrust of smart TVs more widely: with features such as Automatic Content Recognition and ad injection (and here in the UK, prominent placing of TV channels I don't want anywhere near my TV on the home screen), plus too-frequent updates to terms and conditions that I just know mean more tracking, it seems to me that smart TVs are becoming both privacy and security risks.

Which is why I treat my smart TV like it isn't smart at all: it's merely a monitor for my Apple TV 4K.

Samsung R95H review: a brilliant evolution of backlit TVs

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 18:00:00 +0000

Samsung R95H review: Two-minute review

Samsung’s Micro RGB lineup is its first foray into the RGB TV market, and the Samsung R95H is the flagship model in that lineup. It's an impressive TV, and a very strong performer in key areas such as movies and gaming; and, while I don’t think it quite beats the best OLED TVs, it's a good showcase for how RGB models are shaping up against the best TVs in general.

The R95H delivers great overall picture quality, with vibrant colors which also look accurate in most scenes, as well as strong contrast and refined detail. While its black levels don’t quite match those of OLED, they’re still very rich for a backlit TV. It’s not all smooth sailing, as the R95H can get overly bright, especially in Movie mode, and it’s not immune to blooming in very dark scenes. Still, its overall picture quality is of a high standard.

Sound quality on the R95H is solid for the most part, with good accuracy and detail, as well as commendable bass and solid mid-range tones. Speech is clear in most scenes I watched, and there is some sense of surround. However, the soundstage could be wider, and the volume does need to be pushed sometimes, so I’d recommend one of the best soundbars for those wanting a more of a home-theater experience.

The R95H is up there with the best gaming TVs, offering four fully-specced HDMI 2.1 ports along with a low 11.7ms input lag time for smooth gaming performance. There are tons of cloud gaming options available too, and Samsung's Gaming Hub is still an excellent feature. While its Game picture mode could be more accurate, this is still an excellent gaming TV.

Tizen is a good smart TV platform, giving you access to all the major streaming apps, as well as a plethora of AI tools for picture, sound and general usage. Its menus are generally well laid out and easy to navigate, and, while there are some frustrations, such as autoplaying Samsung TV Plus and large banner ads on the home screen, these don’t detract too much from what is a solid smart TV interface.

The R95H is a premium TV, with the 65-inch model priced at $2,799 / £2,899 / AU$4,999. This puts it at a similar price level to flagship OLED TVs, and while I don’t think it quite tops OLED, it shows how rapidly RGB tech is advancing.

A quick note on the images in this review: the TV may appear to have a red tint, but this is caused by the camera reacting to the anti-glare screen, and it not something that's discernible when viewing content on the TV.

Samsung R95H review: Prices & release date

The R95H delivers good brightness and detail that gives pictures a 3D-like effect (Image credit: Future)

Release date: July 2026
65-inch: $3,199 / £3,099 / AU$5,299
75-inch: $4,499 / £3,999 / AU$7,999
85-inch: $5,499 / £5,899 / AU$9,999

The Samsung R95H is the flagship model in Samsung’s Micro RGB TV lineup, sitting above the Samsung R85H. It’s available in 65, 75 and 85-inch sizes. The launch price for the 65-inch model I tested is $3,199 / £3,099 / AU$5,299, putting it at the premium end of the market.

Since its launch in July 2026, prices have dropped across all sizes in both the US and UK. The 65-inch has dropped to $2,799 / £2,899, putting it in similar price brackets to Samsung’s flagship S95H / S99H OLED (priced at $2,899 / £2,899) and LG’s flagship G6 OLED ($2,699 / £2,999). In the US and UK the R95H is cheaper than Sony’s rival RGB, the Bravia 9 II, which is priced at $3,499 / £3,499 / AU$5,995.

Samsung R95H review: Specs

Screen type	Micro RGB
Refresh rate	Up to 165Hz
HDR support	HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Audio support	Dolby Atmos
Smart TV	Tizen
HDMI ports	4 x HDMI 2.1
Tuner (US)	ATSC 3.0

Samsung R95H review: Benchmark results

1 / 4

Brightness measurements

Samsung R95H

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

1977

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

612

Samsung S95H/S99H

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

2739

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

449

Sony Bravia 7 II

HDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

1114

HDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

829

07501,5002,2503,000

nits

Samsung R95H

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

2066

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

647

Samsung S95H/S99H

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

2831

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

463

Sony Bravia 7 II

HDR Standard Mode (10% window)

1295

HDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

788

07501,5002,2503,000

nits

Samsung R95H

SDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

115

SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

185

Samsung S95H/S99H

SDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

220

SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

219

Sony Bravia 7 II

SDR Filmmaker Mode (10% window)

SDR Filmmaker Mode (Fullscreen)

075150225300

nits

Samsung R95H

SDR Standard Mode (10% window)

413

SDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

187

Samsung S95H/S99H

SDR Standard Mode (10% window)

229

SDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

229

Sony Bravia 7 II

SDR Standard Mode (10% window)

608

SDR Standard Mode (Fullscreen)

476

0200400600800

nits

The above EOTF graphs show the accuracy of the Samsung R95H for hitting different HDR brightness levels in grayscale. The closer to the yellow line, the more accurate a TV is. As with all our tests, these results are out of the box, without calibration, to demonstrate the performance most people will see. As you can see, the R95H did very well on all three target tests. (Image credit: Future)

Samsung R95H review: Features

The R95H is equipped with four HDMI 2.1 ports (Image credit: Future)

RGB backlight
Glare-free screen
Samsung Vision AI and Tizen smart TV platform

The R95H uses Samsung’s ‘Micro RGB’ backlight technology, which uses LEDs that are smaller than mini-LEDs, and which consist of red, green and blue LEDs (hence RGB) rather than the traditional white in order to deliver bolder colors and brightness.

It comes equipped with the Samsung Micro RGB AI Engine Pro processor, which has features such as Micro RGB Precision Color, 4K AI Upscaling Pro and Color Booster Pro. The TV itself also has a Glare Free screen, an anti-reflection matte screen that has featured in several of Samsung's TVs, including the Samsung S95H / S99H.

In terms of HDR support, the R95H supports HDR10+, but as usual, there is no support for Dolby Vision.

For gaming, the R95H has four HDMI 2.1 ports, which support 4K 165Hz, full VRR including Freesync and G-Sync, ALLM and HDR10+ gaming. It also supports cloud gaming apps from the likes of Xbox and Nvidia GeForce Now. The R95H is also compatible with the Wireless One Connect Box, which can be used in tandem with the TV’s built-in ports, meaning there are a potential eight HDMI 2.1 ports on offer.

The R95H has a 4.2.2 channel speaker array, totaling 70W of power. Supported sound features include Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+), Active Voice Amplifier Pro, Adaptive Sound Pro and AI Sound Controller Pro. The R95H supports Dolby Atmos, but not DTS:X.

The R95H’s smart TV platform is Samsung’s own One UI Tizen, which supports major streaming apps including Netflix and Prime Video, and for those in the UK it supports all major apps including BBC iPlayer and ITVX. There's also support for Samsung Vision AI, which enables AI features such as AI Soccer Mode Pro and Generative Wallpaper.

Feature score: 5 / 5

Samsung R95H review: Picture quality

The R95H's color reproduction is excellent, shown in the bright highlights in moves like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (pictured)Nintendo / Universal Pictures / Future

It's not just animation where the R95H shines, but also with the color pop in real-world movies like Speed RacerWarner Bros / Future

Strong contrast and detail
Bold colors
Effective anti-glare

Starting with some brightness measurements, the R95H registered 1,977 nits and 2,066 nits peak HDR brightness in Filmmaker mode and Standard mode respectively. These are solid brightness results, but surprisingly lower than those of Samsung’s flagship OLED, the S95H/S99H, which registered 2,739 nits and 2,831 nits in the same modes respectively.

Where the R95H has an advantage over OLED is in its fullscreen HDR brightness, which hit 612 nits and 600 nits in the same Filmmaker and Standard picture modes, roughly 150 nits higher than the S95H/S99H OLED. While these numbers are solid, they're lower than those of rival RGB TVs such as the Hisense UR8, which hit over 750 nits in both picture modes, and even the Sony Bravia 7 II, which hit over 800 nits in its own Filmmaker mode.

The R95H showcases good upscaling when watching lower-resolution and SDR content. Watching various channels on Samsung TV Plus, from America’s Got Talent re-runs to news channels, the picture looked more detailed than anticipated, showing the R95H’s effective upscaling.

Moving on to the reference 4K Blu-rays I use for testing, the R95H demonstrated very good picture quality. RGB’s selling point is its color reproduction, and the R95H succeeded here. Throughout The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, colors were bold and vibrant, shown in particular whenever the Lumas were on screen. Colors also appeared accurate throughout, with the red of Mario’s overalls looking true to life. I did notice that while watching in Movie mode, there was some clipping of bright objects, and color luminance could look a little distorted at times. Dropping the brightness down to 40 improved this.

In the live-action movie, Speed Racer, I was impressed at how the R95H rendered the gaudy, saturated color scheme of the Racer household, with its vibrant greens and oranges. It captured the oversaturated look, while still delivering realistic colors. While I did prefer the Sony Bravia 7 II’s colors in my Bravia 7 II vs R95H comparison, in isolated viewing, the R95H’s colors were impressive. The R95H did, however, reproduce accurate and realistic skin tones throughout my viewing.

Measuring the R95H’s color gamut coverage, it registered a staggering 148% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, as well as a 94.1% of the BT.2020 color space. These are incredible results, rivaling the best projectors, and the BT.2020 result rivals QD-OLED, found in Samsung's flagship S95H/S99H TVs.

The Batman is a great showcase for the R95H's strong contrast Warner Bros / Future

Warner Bros / Future

Switching to The Batman for higher-contrast and darker scenes, the R95H demonstrated strong contrast in almost every scene, with a great balance between light and dark tones. This was most evident in the crime scene at Mayor Mitchell’s house, and in the Batcave. The R95H also delivered excellent shadow detail, with objects like paintings on the wall of Mitchell’s house still legible even in the most shadowed areas.

I did find that while I could watch The Batman in bright conditions, thanks to the R95H’s effective glare-free screen, it was best watched in Filmmaker mode in more ambient/dimmer conditions. In Movie mode, The Batman had a tendency to look over-sharp and over-bright in places.

While its black tones weren’t quite OLED-level, the R95H did deliver some seriously rich, deep blacks in Alien: Romulus. Shots of space looked as inky as I could have hoped for, and were impressive for a backlit TV.

The R95H also demonstrated strong viewing angles, and while there was some blooming present in some scenes in The Batman and Alien; Romulus when I viewed the TV off-center, its backlight control was far more effective than you’ll see from standard LED and mini-LED TVs.

While the R95H's black levels don't beat OLED, they are very strong for a backlit TV (Image credit: 20th Century Studios / Future)

Finally, for motion, the R95H is capable of handling fast-paced scenes from movies like Speed Racer, as cars weave around the track. It showed some judder as commentators panned across the screen, but I’ve found every TV has struggled with this. For the best motion, I found setting blur and judder reduction to 3 looked smooth without venturing into soap opera-effect territory.

For sports, I watched some Major League Soccer highlights via Apple TV, and the R95H not only handled the action well but produced a very natural picture in Standard mode (my preferred picture mode for sports) that I found pleasing to watch.

Picture quality score: 4.5 / 5

Samsung R95H review: Sound quality

The R95H's speakers are accurate, perfect for movies like Speed Racer, but its bass levels and soundstage could be better (Image credit: Warner Bros / Future)

Effective OTS+ results in great sound positioning
Decent bass and mid range
Sound can feel contained to rear of the screen

The R95H’s built-in speaker array is a 4.2.2 channel, 70W system. It supports Dolby Atmos and has two preset sound modes: Standard and Amplify. There are AI sound features such as Adaptive Sound Pro available to use.

Watching the Batmobile chase scene from The Batman and the various race scenes in Speed Racer, with the TV set to its Amplify sound mode, I was unsurprised to hear that the R95H delivered accurate sound that was well mapped with the action on the screen, something I’ve found with a lot of Samsung TVs, thanks to its OTS+ feature. Whether it was a spray of bullets hitting the Batmobile in The Batman or the sound of the Mach 5 grinding a rail in Speed Racer, the sound accuracy was impressive.

The speakers deliver good mid-range tones throughout, as well as some punchy bass that accurately captures the rumble of the Batmobile’s engine and the roar of the race cars in Speed Racer. There were some impressive surround effects in both reference movies too.

While the speakers are generally decent, I did have to push the volume to higher levels (70+ out of 100) to get a more cinematic experience. The bass also felt flat at times, and sound did still feel contained to the rear of the screen. Turning on Adaptive Sound in the AI settings added more width, but at the cost of bass. While its sound is decent, those wanting a more cinematic experience would benefit from a soundbar.

Sound quality: 4 / 5

Samsung R95H review: Design

The R95H looks premium with a central pedestal stand Future

The R95H is trimmer than other RGB TVs I've tested so far Future

Polished frame
Thinner than other RGB TVs I’ve tested
Light but sturdy

The R95H takes a lot of design cues from other Samsung TVs, with a sleek, silver frame that gives the TV a premium look. Compared to other RGB TVs I’ve tested, the R95H is thinner, which again gives it an appealing look. It has a central pedestal stand that feels sturdy when attached, while the TV itself feels light for a 65-inch, and lighter than other RGB TVs I’ve tested.

The screen has a bezel-less design, giving maximum room to the pictures on screen. The R95H also has the aforementioned glare-free matte screen for easier viewing in bright conditions.

The supplied remote is the Samsung SolarCell remote, which can be recharged via the rear solar panel or via USB-C. The remote has shortcut buttons to major apps such as Netflix, as well as an AI button and mic button for voice control.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

Samsung R95H review: Smart TV & menus

The R95H uses Samsung's own Tizen platform as its smart TVFuture

The Game Hub houses cloud gaming appsFuture

One UI Tizen smart TV platform
Hubs including Home and Game
Good range of settings

As with all Samsung TVs, the R95H uses Samsung’s own Tizen OS smart TV platform, now known as One UI Tizen. Tizen has several different hubs, including the Home hub, where apps and TV shows and movie recommendations are presented, and Game hub, where cloud gaming apps are housed. There are also Daily and Art hubs, for lifestyle and art-themed apps respectively.

Tizen supports a wide array of apps, including major streaming services such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney. In the UK, streaming services such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX are supported. It should be noted that Tizen doesn’t use Freely or Freeview for live TV, instead using its own Samsung TV Plus system.

Various AI features are supported, including the Samsung Vision AI Companion, which can be used to find specific content, or answer more general questions that you ask the AI. Also included are other AI picture and sound features, as discussed in the Features section above.

Tizen is good at offering recommendations, and the Home hub is well laid out, but as with all smart TV platforms nowadays, there's a large banner ad at the top of the screen that can be intrusive when you're trying to navigate.

Menus are well laid out and easy to navigate, and there are a good number of settings, enabling you to tailor the picture to your preferences. Tizen is fairly straightforward to use, although I did find that Samsung TV Plus would play if I lingered on the Home menu, which could be frustrating.

Smart TV & menus score: 4.5 / 5

Samsung R95H review: Gaming

The R95H has a stacked feature list for gaming with great performance to match (Image credit: Future)

Four HDMI 2.1 ports
11.7ms input lag time
4K 165Hz, FreeSync and G-Sync supported

The R95H has four HDMI 2.1 ports, all of which are fully equipped for gaming. It supports 4K 165Hz, full VRR including Freesync and G-sync, HDR10+ gaming and ALLM. There's a dedicated Game menu where you can adjust game-specific settings, and the Game Hub, which houses cloud gaming apps such as Xbox, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Luna.

When I measured the R95H’s input lag, it registered an 11.7ms (4K 60Hz) time. This is below the 15ms input lag time we look for, but is higher than other Samsung TVs I’ve tested, which all tend to register sub-10ms times.

Actual gameplay on the R95H is smooth, even during fast-paced action. Playing Battlefield V on Xbox Series X, the R95H easily handled the chaotic gunfights as I had to snap from target to target, showing no signs of judder or stutter. The Game picture mode rendered crisp textures and accurate colors for the most part, though I did find it favored red tones in one desert mission I played. Overall, though, the R95H is a superb gaming TV.

Gaming score: 5 / 5

Samsung R95H review: Value

Samsung's SolarCell remote is still one of the best available (Image credit: Future)

Premium priced TV
Similar price to OLEDs
Good performance and features

The R95H is a premium TV, with the 65-inch model I tested available for around $2,799 / £2,899 / AU$4,795 at the time of writing. This puts it in a similar price bracket to flagship OLEDs, such as Samsung’s S95H/S99H, which costs $2,799 / £2,899 / AU$5,295, and the LG G6, which costs $2,699 / £2,999 / AU$4,995 for a 65-inch. Compared to other RGB TVs I’ve tested, it’s one of the pricier models, but is cheaper than the rival flagship Sony Bravia 9 II, the 65-inch model of which costs $3,599 / £3,499 / AU$5,995.

The R95H commands a premium price, but does deliver premium performance and features similar to those rival OLEDs and RGB TV mentioned above. Since its release, prices for the R95H have dropped, and I anticipate they’ll continue to drop from now on, improving its value proposition. For now, I don’t think it can quite outshine rival OLEDs for the money, but it's close, and this is still a very good TV.

Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Samsung R95H?

(Image credit: Future)

Samsung R95H
Attributes	Notes	Rating
Features	The Samsung R95H has a stacked feature set, including a ton of smart and AI features, and dedicated gaming features. Dolby Vision is still not supported though.	5/5
Picture quality	Vibrant, detailed and delivering strong contrast, the R95H's picture quality is excellent. It doesn't beat OLED, and there is still some blooming, but picture is very good.	4.5/5
Sound quality	Accurate, well-mapped sound with good detail and clear speech. Bass can be hit-and-miss, though, and the soundstage can feel narrow.	4/5
Design	Slimmer than most RGB TVs, with a sleek, polished design. Looks like a premium TV.	4.5/5
Smart TV and menus	Tizen is a vey good smart TV platform with plenty of great features, and it's easy to use. Some annoying quirks do remain, though.	4.5/5
Gaming	Fully kitted out with ports and features, and with top-notch performance to match, the R95H is a great TV for gaming.	5/5
Value	A premium-priced TV in the same price bracket as some of the best OLEDs, but has the features and performance to mostly justify the price.	4/5

Buy it if...

You want brilliant picture quality
The R95H's picture is vibrant, colorful and detailed. Add in strong contrast, rich black tones and a glare-free screen, and the R95H's really impresses.

You want a TV for gaming
The R95H is packed with all the gaming features you could need, and delivers terrific performance to match.

You want to watch in a bright room
The R95H's glare-free matte screen makes watching in bright rooms easy, doing a great job at eliminating reflections.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget
The R95H is a flagship TV and carries a premium price. While it has excellent features and performance, cheaper RGB TVs and OLEDs with similar features are available.

You want Dolby Vision HDR
The R95H, like all Samsung TVs, doesn't support Dolby Vision HDR.

You want the very best picture quality
While the R95H boasts very good picture quality, it still doesn't quite beat the best OLEDs for me.

Also Consider

(Image credit: Future)

	Samsung R95H	Samsung S95H/S99H	LG G6	Sony Bravia 7 II
Price (65-inch)	$3,199 / £3,099 / AU$5,299	$3,299 / £3,199 / AU$5,299	$3,299 / £2,999 / AU$4,999	$2,599 / £2,299 / AU$3,299
Screen type	Micro RGB	QD-OLED	OLED	RGB LED
Refresh rate	165Hz	165Hz	165Hz	120Hz
HDR support	HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	HDR10+/HDR10/HLG	HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision	Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG
Smart TV	One UI Tizen	One UI Tizen	webOS 26	Google TV
HDMI ports	4x HDMI 2.1	4x HDMI 2.1	4x HDMI 2.1	4 (2 x HDMI 2.1)

Samsung S95H (US and AU) / S99H (UK)
The Samsung S95H/S99H is Samsung's flagship OLED and offers the same gaming features as the R95H, as well as the same smart TV interface, for near-enough the same price. Where the S95H/S99H has the advantage is in its richer-contrast picture quality and detail. If you want OLED, this is the TV to choose.

Read our full Samsung S95H review (US and AU) / Samsung S99H review (UK)

LG G6
LG's flagship OLED for 2026, the LG G6 supports Dolby Vision HDR support and offers OLED quality picture compared to the R95H. In terms of price, they're near-identical, and both do a offer a full list of smart and gaming features. Your choice will come down to LG vs Samsung preference.

Read our full LG G6 review

Sony Bravia 7 II
Sony's 'more affordable' RGB TV delivers excellent picture quality, with colors that actually rival, and sometimes beat, the R95H. Plus, it's a lot cheaper. It does lack the same level of features and gaming performance, and isn't as strong performing in bright rooms. This choice will come down to budget.

Read our full Sony Bravia 7 II review

How I tested the Samsung R95H

(Image credit: Future)

Tested over a few weeks
Tested in varying light conditions in our testing lab
Measurements taken using Portrait Displays Calman software

The first step of my testing was casual viewing to establish the best pictures modes. For sports and daytime TV, Standard worked best, and for movies and TV shows, I switched between Movie and Filmmaker depending on the content.

After this, I did my critical viewing using reference 4K Blu-ray scenes to test color, contrast, motion and detail. I also used SDR broadcast TV to test upscaling, as well as sports to test the R95H's sports viewing.

Next, I tested the R95H using specialized measuring equipment, including a Murideo Six G 8K metal test pattern generator, Klein K-10A colorimeter and Jeti Spectral 15VA spectroradiometer and Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software.

To test brightness, I took SDR and HDR brightness measurements using white window patterns in sizes 1-100%, focusing on peak (10%) and fullscreen (100%) measurements.

After this, I tested color and grayscale accuracy in SDR, using Delta-E values (the margin for error between the test pattern signal source and what is displayed on screen.)

Next, I tested HDR color gamut coverage, using the BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 color spaces. The closer to 100%, the better.

Finally, I measured the R95H's input lag using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag Tester.

We also do two new tests as part of our testing. The first is the HDR EOTF, which shows the accuracy of a TV's brightness across its range, using 1,000, 4,000 and 10,000 nits targets. Then, there is the Spectral Power Distribution test, which measures how a TV recreates colors.

First reviewed: September 2026
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

The best way to celebrate Batman Day is on 4K Blu-ray — here are my four favorite Caped Crusader discs, including one that's my go-to for testing TVs

james.davidson@futurenet.com (James Davidson) — Sat, 19 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0000

It’s Batman Day and as both a Batman and 4K Blu-ray fan, I had to celebrate the occasion. The caped crusader first debuted in May 1939 (a whopping 87 years ago!) and, ever since, has become one of the most iconic figures of page and screen.

While many remember the classic 1966 Batman series starring Adam West and Burt Ward, the character’s first appearance on-screen was in 1943, in a 15-part serial also titled Batman. Since then, we’ve seen numerous animated shows and big-budget movies starring DC’s comic book hero.

I thought I’d pick out some of my favorite 4K Blu-rays (and even some standard Blu-rays) of the caped crusader to help you celebrate the day, including one disc I regularly use as a benchmark for testing the best TVs and best soundbars.

The Batman (2022)

Warner Bros. / Future

Future / Warner Bros. Discovery

One of the latest big-screen adaptations, The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson in the title role, follows Bruce Wayne’s early years as the Dark Knight, as he deals with a serial killer named The Riddler (Paul Dano), while also navigating corruption in Gotham and a deepening mystery involving Bruce’s own family.

Anyone who reads my work on TechRadar will know that this is one of my go-to discs for AV testing. Its low brightness and numerous high-contrast scenes make it an excellent test for any display, while the superb shadow detail and crisp textures provide plenty to scrutinise. The interesting camera work also gives the film a murky, gloomy look that perfectly captures the seedy underbelly of Gotham.

If you have a Dolby Vision-capable TV, you’ll be rewarded with some truly breathtaking images that really show off what your screen can do. The best OLED TVs are particularly impressive with this disc, making it a no-brainer for my TV testing.

The Dolby Atmos soundtrack is immersive and packed with detail. My reference scene is the Batmobile/Penguin chase sequence, which shows off just about every element of a home theater surround sound system or soundbar. From the roaring bass of the Batmobile’s engine to the precisely mapped sound of swerving traffic and hail of bullets, The Batman is essential for anyone looking to hear their sound system shine.

Batman Forever (1995)

Warner Bros / Future

Directed by Joel Schumacher, Batman Forever took a more colorful approach than Tim Burton’s previous movies, Batman (1989) and Batman Returns. Starring Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne/Batman, he must deal with the joint threat of Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and The Riddler (Jim Carrey).

This is the first Batman movie I remember watching growing up. While the film itself remains divisive among Batman fans, that shouldn’t detract from what is a fantastic 4K Blu-ray release. Its bold, neon colors really pop on-screen, especially in Dolby Vision, with the Riddler's vibrant greens, the neon light tubes used throughout Gotham and the movie's vivid reds all bursting with colour.

There’s excellent use of shadow here, too, with the often melodramatic shots of characters standing forlornly over lamps creating a dynamic image. On an OLED, such as the LG G6 I used for testing, blacks are rich and inky throughout, while the 4K upscale delivers crisp textures, particularly with skin tones.

Batman Forever's Dolby Atmos soundtrack is just as impressive. The sound of the batarang cutting through the air is precisely mapped to rear channels, creating a wonderfully immersive effect on a surround-sound system. Explosions have plenty of heft, bullets pack a satisfying punch, and Two-Face’s helicopter at the start of the movie is a great showcase for Atmos.

The Dark Knight (2008)

Warner Bros / Future

The second entry in Christoper Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight, sees Batman (Christian Bale) go head-to-head with the Joker (played brilliantly by the late Heath Ledger), a criminal mastermind who seeks to plunge Gothan into chaos and push Batman to his very limits.

The 4K Blu-ray of The Dark Knight looks fantastic throughout, but it’s the IMAX scenes where it shines. The opening bank robbery is packed with intricate detail, from the Joker’s creased suit, the robbers' mask, to the densely packed streets of Gotham city. Later, as Batman stands amid smouldering wreckage in another IMAX-shot sequence, the rich black levels and superb shadow detail look sublime on OLED.

There are some seriously impressive high-contrast scenes, too. During the prison escort, as cars move into the tunnels, the contrast between the dark surroundings and the trucks and overhead lights create a fantastic picture.

The DTS-HD 5.1 MA soundtrack is phenomenal. In the opening scene, the score is perfectly balanced, with the scratching strings mapped to the left rear and the ticking clock mapped to the right, all while the front channels handle the main action. Subwoofers will get a nice workout, thanks to the monstrous explosions, thumping bullets, and punchy Tumbler engine. There’s some excellent detail, too, when Batman rides his bike for instance. As the camera’s perspective changes, the trajectory of the sound is mapped to the correct channel with real precision.

The Lego Batman Movie (2017)

Warner Bros / Future

The Lego Batman Movie follows Batman (Will Arnett), Robin (Michael Cera) and Batgirl (Rosario Dawson) as they try to foil the Joker’s (Zach Galifianakis) plans to take over Gotham city. This was a spin-off of the highly successful The Lego Movie, where Arnett’s Batman was first introduced.

Again, this movie looks superb in 4K. Color reproduction is fantastic, with bright, bold and lively colors throughout. The greens of the Joker’s hair and Riddler’s costume really pop, as do all the other colors, too. On the LG G6, reds were rich and deep, bringing excellent texture to images. Speaking of textures, the crisp animation looks slick, with the 4K detail really capturing the Lego look.

There are plenty of high-contrast scenes here, too, with bold HDR highlights standing out against deep shadows — such as the contrast between Batman’s eyes and his cowl. Shadow detail is excellent, retaining plenty of texture and defintion in even the darkest areas.

The disc includes both Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks. Atmos delivers weighty but controlled bass, with the Batwing’s engines and the impact of explosions providing plenty of low-end punch. Directionality is excellent, too, especially during scenes with a lot of movement. The sound follows movement precisely, and it’s all mapped around the surround sound. The DTS-HD 5.1 track isn’t quite as powerful, but it has a pleasing warmth and plenty of detail.

Bonus: Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995)

Warner Bros / Future

Debuting in 1992, Batman: The Animated Series is arguably one of the most famous adaptations of Batman’s adventures on-screen, with an all-star cast including Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne/Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker.

This is a rare Blu-ray recommendation from me, but for Batman Day, it would be impossible to leave the series out. Textures have been upscaled nicely and the beautiful animation and art style really benefits from the HD makeover. Colors are bright, vibrant and accurate across every episode, while the lack of HDR is hardly a drawback given how good the series looks.

Audio comes courtesy of a DTS-HD MA 2.0 mix, so while it won't put your surround-sound system through its paces, it's crips and clear, with clean dialogue, punchy effects and surprisingly good directionality. The iconic score is beautifully rendered — which, if you’re like me, will scratch that nostalgia itch nicely.

Hi-fi and home theater great Wharfedale unveils four(!) new subwoofers, and they get really big…

Carrie Marshall — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:10:33 +0000

Wharfedale launches four new subwoofers: 8, 10, 12 and 15 inches
New long-throw drivers and up to 360W output
From £799 (about $1,068 / AU$1,499)

Legendary speaker maker Wharfedale has created four new boom boxes in the form of the new Nova subwoofers. Ranging in size from an apartment-friendly 8-inches to an enormous 15 inches, all four models feature newly developed drivers, passive radiators and refined cabinet architecture.

These aren't thuggish bass monsters; they're designed for the more discerning listener who wants to hear as well as feel the low end. Wharfedale says that "rather than chasing chest-thumping, window-rattling exaggeration, the Nova Series is built around balance, texture and precision."

There are four subwoofers in the range: the Nova 8, the Nova 10, the Nova 12 and the Nova 15. The Nova 8 is designed for smaller setups and stereo installations, with the Nova 10 upping the power for medium-sized rooms. The Nova 12 is for more immersive home theater setups, and the flagship Nova 15 is made for larger spaces and the most demanding setups.

Rear view of the Nova 15 subwoofer showing its connections and controls (Image credit: Wharfedale)

Wharfedale Nova 8, 10, 12 and 15: key features and pricing

All four models feature Wharfedale's newly engineered long-throw driver, which is made from rigid but lightweight speaker cones that have been treated with a proprietary coating to make them stiffer and better at self-damping without also increasing their mass.

Those cones are teamed with a heavy duty die-cast chassis, an oversized high-roll surround, and a high-excursion motor system to deliver high output while maintaining stability. A large diameter voice coil and aluminum shorting ring minimize distortion and improve transient response, according to Wharfedale.

The second key feature here is the Auxiliary Bass Radiator, which is downward firing with a dual suspension design. It's made to work alongside the new driver by extending low-frequency output without the need for a conventional reflex port.

Wharfedale says that enables it to avoid issues such as unwanted resonance, turbulence, chuffing and compression, and each Nova is optimized according to its cabinet volume, driver size, amplifier configuration and intended operating range. The goal, Wharfedale says, is the speed of a sealed enclosure with the scale of a larger reflex design.

Depending on which model you choose, you get between 200W and 360W of built-in Class D amplification with up to 80V peak output and "substantial" dynamic headroom.

The amplifier, driver, cabinet loading and DSP have been designed as an integrated system rather than separately in order to maximize power and precision. And there is an adjustable crossover, phase alignment and level calibration to fine-tune the sound to suit your space.

One of the interesting features here is the way the DSP adjusts the dynamic EQ. When you're listening at lower volumes it focuses on perceived weight and range, but at higher levels it manages the driver's excursion to keep the audio clean without overdriving, enabling the Nova to punch above its size.

All four models will be available in late September 2026 and the prices are:

Nova 8: £799 (about $1,068 / AU$1,499)
Nova 10: £899 (about $1,202 / AU$1,686)
Nova 12: £1,099 (about $1,469 / AU$2,061)
Nova 15: £1,299 (about $1,737 / AU$2,437)

Samsung's next-gen OLED tech hits 10,000 nits of brightness, but the efficiency is the exciting bit

Carrie Marshall — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 21:00:00 +0000

Samsung Display unveils new 'M16' OLED phone screen tech that can hit 10,000 nits of brightness in small areas
The more useful news is that it can be 30% more efficient than its previous-gen M14 OLED tech
It's appearing first in the Vivo iQOO 16 phone, in China

Samsung Display has unveiled the first OLED panel to deliver 10,000 nits of peak brightness, and it's already coming in a phone.

The new 'M16' OLED display is capable of 10,000 nits in 1% of the window, although in full screen it puts out a less searingly bright (but massively impressive) 2,800 nits. These numbers put it in the region of micro-LED tech, and way beyond anything we've seen for OLED so far.

Of course, brightness is all well and good, though few people are probably begging for their phone to be as bright as a full sunny day. What's arguably more exciting is that the panel is Samsung's second-generation polarizer-free OLED, which enables it to deliver significantly improved energy efficiency and brightness — the claim is a 30% improvement in efficiency.

This means that even if you view it more like the 1,000 nits of most elite phones, you're saving way more battery — and since the display is one of the biggest battery hogs in phones (or the best smartwatches, where the tech would also be really useful), that could make a real difference to phone longevity.

The M-series panels are made for smartphones and other mobile devices, but the advances in OLED material here may make their way into the best OLED TVs too, at least partly.

BREAKING！ Samsung Display × iQOO are holding a joint launch event, and the M16 OLED display has reached an incredible peak brightness of 10,000 nits! https://t.co/ihjmlknl2XSeptember 14, 2026

Where to see Samsung Display's new ultra-bright OLED

According to industry site FlatpanelsHD, Samsung Display will be providing the M16 OLEDs to Vivo for its iQOO 16 gaming phone.

Previous reports also suggest that Apple is using the M16 in its iPhone 18 Pro, as Apple has previously used even-numbered M-series OLEDs in its iPhones. My colleague Matt Bolton highlighted the longer battery life in the iPhone 8 Pro as one of its, uh, highlights — noting that battery improvements usually come from multiple elements combining, so it would makes sense if this new display is one of those elements.

For TV buyers, the most significant thing here is how fast OLED tech is evolving. Samsung announced its first 5,000 nit OLED in March 2025, and it's doubled the brightness and massively increased the energy efficiency in just over a year.

It'll be some time before these more efficient displays make their way to monitors and TVs (monitors might come sooner), and there are currently trade-offs involved — the lack of a polarizer can mean less defined contrast and black levels, which may be Apple is adding other anti-reflective tech to its displays — but clearly, any so-called OLED killers can't be complacent when OLED is evolving at such a speed.

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

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

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