TechTvsOLED TV or microLED TV: which is the better buy right now?MicroLED TVs are even better than OLED – but they’re going to be terrifyingly expensive when they launch next year.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechTvsOLED TV or microLED TV: which is the better buy right now?MicroLED TVs are even better than OLED – but they’re going to be terrifyingly expensive when they launch next year.When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
MicroLED TVs are even better than OLED – but they’re going to be terrifyingly expensive when they launch next year.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Samsung)
(Image credit: Samsung)
We’ve been recommending OLEDs as thebest TVsfor some time now because, unlike other LED TVs, they don’t use a backlight. Indeed, we’ve got a great dedicated list of thebest OLED TVsyou can buy as we think the tech is soo good.
OLED TV pixels are self-illuminating, and that means they deliver clarity and contrast that even the best ordinary LED TVs can’t match. But they have weaknesses, too. OLEDs degrade over time, can suffer from burn-in, and aren’t as bright as backlit LEDs.
Enter microLED. MicroLED doesn’t suffer from any of those problems. Like OLED, its pixels are self-emissive. But unlike OLED it can reach incredible levels of brightness –Samsungpredicts 10,000 nits in the not-too-distant future – and its non-organic LEDs last much longer. In the long term, it should be much cheaper to produce too.
Unfortunately, we’re not there yet, and right now the price difference between OLED and microLED is quite big, in much the same way the difference between a doll’s house and the city of Los Angeles is quite big. We’re expecting to see Samsung’s 89-inch microLED TV atCES2023, and if you have to ask about the price you can’t afford it.
How much does a microLED TV cost?
Initial reports said that Samsung’s microLED TV would have a retail price somewhere in the region of $80,000, which is about £65,000 before tax. Multiple reports have since said that Samsung has managed to bring that price down a bit, but realistically you’re still looking at the same kind of price tag as a really good electric car.
That price will fall – I’ve been writing about tech long enough to remember the £4K price tag of the first mobile phone, Motorola’s DynaTAC 8000X, and the $2.5K price tag ofSony’s 11-inch XEL OLED TV – and all new tech starts off ruinously expensive before plummeting in price, but microLED TVs are not going to fall dramatically in the immediate future.
Right now the main rival to OLED is miniLED, which comes close to OLED quality without sacrificing brightness. I’ve got one and it’s brilliant, not least because it didn’t cost me eighty thousand quid. You’ll also find miniLED in devices such asApple’sbest iPads.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
MicroLED TVs will be amazing, but for now you should probably file them alongside your flying car and house on Mars. For the next few years the best TVs are OLED and miniLED.
Want the best OLED TV on the market today? Well be sure to check out theLG C2 OLED, which we consider the perfect buy for most people. Today’s best prices on the LG C2 OLED can be viewed below.
Today’s best LG C2 OLED deals$1,499.99$914.95View$1,799.99View$2,496.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best LG C2 OLED deals$1,499.99$914.95View$1,799.99View$2,496.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best LG C2 OLED deals
$1,499.99$914.95View$1,799.99View$2,496.99View
$1,499.99$914.95View
$1,499.99$914.95View
$1,499.99$914.95View
$1,499.99$914.95
$914.95
$1,799.99View
$1,799.99View
$1,799.99View
$1,799.99
$1,799.99
$2,496.99View
$2,496.99View
$2,496.99View
$2,496.99
$2,496.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
The ultimate full-body gym workout for beginners, according to a fitness expertWant to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help
Want to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help
Amazon upgrades Kindle Colorsoft already – new model addresses customer complaintsAmazon’s full-colour e-reader fixes a problem that was plaguing its display
Amazon’s full-colour e-reader fixes a problem that was plaguing its display
This monster 77-inch Samsung OLED TV is less than half price for Cyber Monday – that’s crazy!You can get $1,700 off the Samsung Class S84D OLED at Best Buy right now
You can get $1,700 off the Samsung Class S84D OLED at Best Buy right now
Loewe’s Stellar OLED TVs aim to match picture performance with premium designDramatic designer TV choices
Dramatic designer TV choices
Best Sony TVs 2024: from Bravia 9 Mini LED to Bravia 8 OLED and beyondExplaining Sony’s range of 2024 TVs, including new naming strategy and range of technologies
Explaining Sony’s range of 2024 TVs, including new naming strategy and range of technologies
3 reasons to buy an OLED TV right nowOLED TVs have to be seen to be believed – and there are very good reasons to treat yourself to one this month
OLED TVs have to be seen to be believed – and there are very good reasons to treat yourself to one this month
Whatever you do, don’t buy an OLED monitor right now. Here’s whyLimited availability and high prices means this isn’t the time to invest in OLED
Limited availability and high prices means this isn’t the time to invest in OLED
LG TV owners just got Apple TV+ for freeNo matter if you have an LG OLED TV or an LED model, you just got Apple TV+ for free
No matter if you have an LG OLED TV or an LED model, you just got Apple TV+ for free
LG’s curved UltraGear gaming monitor has a super-speedy 240Hz - and it’s an OLED, too
This LG OLED TV looks simply mind-blowingImagine there’s no bezels. It’s easy if you try
Imagine there’s no bezels. It’s easy if you try