The 2026 television market is characterized by the introduction of multiple new models from major manufacturers, featuring competing display technologies including RGB LED, Super Quantum Dot (SQD) Mini LED, and OLED.
New product announcements and price adjustments were made by TCL, Hisense, Samsung, and LG, with some products available for purchase and others available for pre-order.
TCL 2026 Television Lineup
TCL announced its 2026 television lineup, which includes new models featuring SQD-Mini LED and RGB-Mini LED technologies. The lineup includes the X11L, QM8L, QM7L, RM9L, C8L, and C7L series, along with the A400U model in Europe.
X11L SQD-Mini LED TV
The TCL X11L is a flagship model utilizing Super Quantum Dot (SQD) technology. According to TCL, the X11L uses blue LEDs and reformulated quantum dots with a new color filter developed by TCL CSOT, the company's panel manufacturing division.
Specifications:
- Peak brightness: TCL claims up to 10,000 nits. A test of the 85-inch model by Vincent Teoh of HDTVTest using a Jeti spectraval 1511 spectroradiometer measured a peak brightness of 10,931 nits in a 3% window test.
- Local dimming zones: TCL claims up to 20,000 zones. Dimming zones vary by model: 11,520 (75-inch), 14,400 (85-inch), and 20,736 (98-inch).
- Color gamut: TCL claims 100% coverage of the BT.2020 color space.
- Resolution: 4K
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- HDR support: Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
- Audio: Integrated Bang & Olufsen sound system
- Smart TV: Google TV with Gemini support
- Design: The 85-inch model has a depth of two centimeters. The design includes an embossed 'Premium SQD-MiniLED' logo and an integrated soundbar featuring a Bang & Olufsen logo.
Pricing and Availability (US):
- 75-inch: $7,000
- 85-inch: $8,000
- 98-inch: $10,000
- Maximum power consumption: 780W (largest model); average consumption ranges from 128W to 186W depending on model.
UK pricing has not been confirmed.
QM8L SQD-Mini LED TV
The QM8L is a follow-up to the QM8K model.
Specifications:
- Technology: Super Quantum Dot (SQD-MiniLED)
- Panel: CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra Panel with antireflective layer
- Local dimming zones: Up to 4,000
- Peak brightness: Up to 6,000 nits
- Color gamut: TCL states the technology can reproduce 100% of the BT.2020 color space
- Contrast management: Halo Control system
- HDR support: Dolby Vision 2 Max (stated to require the TV's brightness)
- Audio by Bang & Olufsen
- Google TV with Gemini support
Pricing and Availability (US):
- Available and priced as follows:
- 65-inch: $2,500
- 75-inch: $3,000
- 85-inch: $4,000
- 98-inch: $6,000
QM7L SQD-Mini LED TV
Specifications:
- Technology: Super Quantum Dot (SQD-MiniLED)
- Panel: HVA 2.0 Pro Panel with antireflective layer
- Local dimming zones: Up to 2,100
- Peak brightness: Up to 3,000 nits
- HDR support: Dolby Vision IQ
- Audio by Bang & Olufsen
- Google TV with Gemini support
Pricing and Availability (US):
- Available for preorder with the following prices:
- 55-inch: $1,200 (starting price)
- 98-inch: $4,000 (highest price)
RM9L RGB-Mini LED TV
Specifications:
- Technology: RGB-Mini LED using discrete red, green, and blue LEDs
- Panel: CSOT WHVA 2.0 Ultra panel with antireflective layer
- Local dimming zones: Over 3,800
- Peak brightness: Up to 6,000 nits
- Contrast management: Enhanced Halo Control systems
- Processor: TSR AI Pro Processor
- HDR support: Dolby Vision 2 (after software update)
- Audio by Bang & Olufsen
- Google TV with Gemini support
Pricing and Availability (US):
- Available for preorder with the following prices:
- 85-inch: $8,000 (starting price)
- 98-inch: $10,000
- 115-inch: $30,000 (highest price)
C8L-UK and C7L-UK Series
TCL disclosed full details and pricing for its C8L-UK and C7L-UK television series for the U.K. market. Both series incorporate TCL's Super Quantum Dot panels, which the company claims deliver 69% higher color accuracy and 33% wider color range compared to previous quantum dot technology.
C8L-UK Series Specifications:
- Available sizes: 55, 65, 75, 85, and 98 inches
- Design: Ultra-thin ZeroBorder design using WHVA panel technology
- Peak brightness: Up to 6,000 nits (85-inch and 98-inch models)
- Backlight: Mini LED with up to 4,032 local dimming zones (98-inch model)
- HDR support: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision, with Dolby Vision 2 planned via firmware update
- Gaming: Native 4K/144Hz, HD/288Hz support, VRR with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM, dedicated Game menu
- Audio: 2.2-channel Bang & Olufsen speaker system
C8L-UK Pricing and Specifications:
- 55-inch: £1,199, 1,008 local dimming zones, 3,000 nits peak brightness
- 65-inch: £1,899, 2,040 local dimming zones, 5,000 nits
- 75-inch: £2,299, 2,584 local dimming zones, 5,500 nits
- 85-inch: £2,999, 3,200 local dimming zones, 6,000 nits
- 98-inch: £3,999, 4,032 local dimming zones, 6,000 nits
C7L-UK Series Specifications:
- Available sizes: Same as C8L
- Peak brightness: Up to 3,000 nits
- Local dimming zones: Up to 2,176 (98-inch model)
- Color gamut: Covers 100% of BT.2020 color space
- Gaming: Same as C8L
- Audio: 2.2-channel Bang & Olufsen system (less powerful than C8L)
- Dolby Vision 2: Not expected
C7L-UK Pricing and Specifications:
- 55-inch: £1,099, 800 local dimming zones, 2,700 nits
- 65-inch: £1,299, 1,152 local dimming zones, 3,000 nits
- 75-inch: £1,699, 1,352 local dimming zones, 3,000 nits
- 85-inch: £2,299, 1,624 local dimming zones, 3,000 nits
- 98-inch: £3,299, 2,176 local dimming zones, 3,000 nits
A400U Premium Wallpaper QD-Mini LED TV (Europe)
TCL listed the A400U Premium Wallpaper QD-Mini LED TV on its global website and at European retailers.
Specifications:
- Panel: CSOT HVA with 7,000:1 native contrast ratio
- Backlight: MiniLED with local dimming; 98" model has 1,344 zones
- Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160)
- Peak Brightness: Up to 2,500 nits HDR
- Color Gamut: 93% DCI-P3
- Refresh Rate: Native 144Hz, up to 288Hz VRR with Game Accelerator
- Gaming Features: AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Game Master
- Smart TV: Google TV with Gemini integration
- Audio: 2.0 channel Onkyo sound system with Dolby Atmos
- Thickness: 44.5 mm (1.75 inches); designed for near-flush wall mounting
Pricing (Europe):
- 55": £949 / €999
- 98": £2,799 / €2,899
- US pricing has not been announced.
QM6K (2025 Model Continued)
TCL announced it will continue selling the QM6K model from 2025 and will add a 50-inch size option for 2026.
Hisense UR9 RGB LED TV
Hisense released the UR9 television, a 2026 model year that uses RGB LED backlight technology.
Specifications:
- Display type: RGB LED
- HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (Dolby Vision 2 planned via firmware update)
- Operating system: Google TV
- HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.1 (one with eARC/ARC)
- Additional input: 1 x DisplayPort over USB-C
- Audio support: Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual X
- Gaming features: 4K/180Hz native refresh rate, VRR (up to 330Hz), ALLM, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
- Physical dimensions: The 65-inch model is 1.8 inches thick and uses a pedestal stand.
Pricing:
- 65-inch: $3,500
- 75-inch: $5,000
- 85-inch: $6,000
- 100-inch: $9,000
Product Context
Hisense released its first RGB LED television, the 116-inch 116UX priced at $30,000, in 2025. The UR9 and UR8 models use RGB LED technology, while the step-down U7SG model uses traditional mini-LED.
Market Context
The 65-inch UR9 is priced at $3,500, placing it in direct price competition with 65-inch flagship OLED televisions from LG and Samsung, which are priced at approximately $3,400. Hisense has historically priced its televisions lower than Samsung, LG, and Sony for comparable technologies. Step-down models from Hisense (UR8) and Samsung (R85H) are expected to be priced lower.
Technical Observations
According to reviewer accounts, the UR9 is capable of displaying colors beyond the P3 color space and can achieve 100% of the BT.2020 color space in terms of chromaticity. Most current HDR content uses the smaller P3 color space. The reviewer reported that during testing, the television handled reflections well and did not exhibit color crosstalk, a potential issue previously highlighted by LG Display for RGB LED technology. The reviewer stated that OLED televisions maintain an advantage in contrast ratio due to pixel-level control, while LCD-based technologies like RGB LED can exhibit light blooming and more limited viewing angles.
Price Adjustment
Hisense reduced the price of its UR9 series RGB LED TVs by $1,500 to $2,000. The 65-inch model now costs $1,999, the 75-inch model $2,999, and the 85-inch model $3,999. The price reduction followed the release of pricing for Samsung's R95H RGB LED TV.
Samsung R95H Micro RGB LED TV
Samsung's R95H RGB LED TV, which the company refers to as Micro RGB, was tested in preproduction form.
Specifications:
- Technology: Micro RGB (RGB LED) backlight
- Available sizes: 65-inch and 85-inch
- HDR support: HDR10+ Advanced
- Features: Timeless Frame design, glare-free screen, Samsung's Vision AI platform
Pricing:
- 65-inch: Starting at $3,199.99
- 85-inch: Up to $6,499.99
Product Context
Samsung previously released the R95F Micro RGB TV in 115 inches for $30,000. The R95H is intended for wider adoption with sizes down to 55 inches announced for 2026. A 130-inch Micro RGB concept model was displayed at CES 2026.
Preproduction Test Results
Testing was conducted at Samsung's QA lab using a Klein K-10A colorimeter, Murideo SIX-G signal generator, and Portrait Displays' Calman software, with measurements taken in Filmmaker Mode using HDR10 signals.
Color Performance:
- Measured 87.7% of the BT.2020 color space (CIE 1931) and 91.4% (CIE 1976)
- This is the widest color range measured to date on a tested TV, exceeding the Hisense 116UX, TCL X11L, LG G6, and a preproduction Samsung S95H OLED
- Samsung claims the R95H can cover the full BT.2020 color space. Test measurements showed coverage of blues, magentas, and reds extending past BT.2020 boundaries, but greens and cyans did not reach far enough for full coverage
Brightness Performance:
- Measured 1,634 nits with an 18% white field and 1,603 nits with a 10% white field
- For comparison, a preproduction Samsung S95H OLED TV measured 1,715 nits (18% field) and 2,604 nits (10% field)
- The Hisense 116UX RGB LED TV previously measured 4,012 nits (18% field) and 5,889 nits (10% field)
- The testers noted that the brightness measurements were lower than expected for a high-end LED TV.
Visual Observations:
- Light bloom, described as a slight haze along edges of brightly colored objects against black backgrounds, was observed
- Light bloom was minimal when viewed straight-on but became more visible from off-angles
- Colors became less vibrant when viewed from off-angles
- Similar light bloom behavior was noted on the Hisense 116UX
- The TCL X11L, a conventional mini-LED TV, was reported to show less light bloom
- The OLED S95H displayed no light bloom due to per-pixel light control
Samsung OLED TV Lineup
Samsung's 2026 OLED lineup (S95H, S90H, S85H) continues to use quantum dot-enhanced OLED panels. The S95H is the flagship model. All OLED models incorporate Samsung's Vision AI-powered tools, such as AI Motion Enhancer Pro and AI Sound Controller.
LG 2026 Television Lineup
LG W6 Wallpaper OLED TV
LG reintroduced its "Wallpaper" TV series with the W6 model.
Specifications:
- Design: 9mm thick panel designed for flush wall mounting with carved linear patterns around perimeter
- Connectivity: Pairs with the Zero Connect Box 2.0, which is 35% smaller than its predecessor and supports wireless video feeds up to 10 meters for data; power is provided via a single cable
- Panel: Uses LG's Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 panel
- Technology: Hyper Radiant Color Technology and Brightness Booster Ultra
- Brightness: Anticipated 20% increase compared to the G5 model (measured over 2,400 nits)
- Color processing: 12-bit color depth
- Refresh rate: Supports up to 165Hz
- Certification: Received Intertek's "Reflection Free with Premium" certification
- G-SYNC and FreeSync Premium compatible
- Processor: Alpha 9 Gen 3 processor with a Neural Processing Unit (NPU)
- AI capabilities: Accessible via Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini platforms
LG G6 OLED TV
The LG G6 OLED model shares several features with the W6, including the Primary RGB Tandem panel with Hyper Radiant Color Technology, expected to be 20 percent brighter than the previous G5. The G6 is stated to deliver deeper blacks and includes a reflection-free technology with less than 0.5 percent reflectance.
LG Gallery TV
The 2026 LG Gallery TV series is positioned to compete with Samsung's Frame TV. These sets incorporate design input from museum curators, enabling a "Gallery Mode" that adjusts brightness and contrast for displaying art. Features include magnetic, frame-like bezels and anti-reflective screens. The Gallery TVs utilize Mini LED panels.
LG Micro RGB evo TVs
LG introduced its Micro RGB evo lineup, focusing on wide color gamut and brightness.
Specifications:
- Available sizes: 75, 86, and 100 inches
- Processor: Powered by LG's α11 AI Processor Gen3
- Color certification: Certified for full coverage of BT.2020, DCI-P3, and Adobe RGB color spaces
- Local dimming: Micro Dimming Ultra system stated to deliver over 1,000 zones
LG C6 and C6H OLED TVs
LG updated its C-series OLED TVs. The C6 OLED maintains its balance of performance and price, while the C6H OLED introduces a Primary RGB Tandem panel for higher brightness and improved color volume.
Technology Demonstrations and Observations
Nanosys Display Week Demonstration
At the Los Angeles Convention Center during Display Week, Nanosys demonstrated side-by-side comparisons of an 85-inch RGB LED TV (likely a TCL RM9L) and an 85-inch SQD mini-LED TV (identified as a TCL X11L), both running the same content in Filmmaker Mode with native color settings.
Observations:
- Color crosstalk was observed on the RGB LED TV: When a white cross appeared within colored boxes, the surrounding color became lighter and less saturated. Color from the middle row of boxes bled into the bottom row of crosses. Skin tones shifted toward the background color on still images of a woman's face.
- The SQD TV showed no color crosstalk and maintained consistent BT.2020 color gamut measurements.
- Contrast: The SQD TV had better contrast, attributed to a higher number of dimming zones (up to 20,000 advertised, approximately 14,400 per Rtings) compared to approximately 8,000 dimming zones on the RGB LED TV.
- Jeff Yurek, vice president of marketing at Nanosys, noted that the SQD TV's contrast advantage comes from higher dimming zone count.
Context:
- Nanosys is a manufacturer of quantum dots used in SQD TVs.
- Industry concerns about color crosstalk in RGB LED TVs arose at CES 2025.
- LG Display, a maker of competing OLED panels, produced videos highlighting crosstalk issues before CES 2025.
- A reviewer of the Hisense UR9 reported no crosstalk issues, possibly due to the TV reverting to white backlighting when many colors are on screen.
Hisense UXS RGCB LED Technology
Hisense introduced the 116-inch UXS, an upgrade to its UX series. The UXS features RGCB LED technology, which incorporates a cyan LED into the backlight alongside traditional RGB LEDs. The addition of the cyan LED is claimed to improve the transition between blue and green hues, potentially reducing color crosstalk, and to lessen blue light output. Hisense states that this technology increases the UXS's BT.2020 coverage to 110 percent.
Market Context and Competitive Dynamics
RGB LED Technology
RGB LED technology uses individual red, green, and blue diodes in the backlight system, allowing each LED cluster to adjust its three hues independently. This differs from conventional mini-LED TVs, which use only blue or white LEDs transformed with quantum dots and color filters. A stated benefit of RGB LED technology is the ability to achieve 100% of the BT.2020 color space in terms of chromaticity, though most current HDR content uses the smaller P3 color space.
The 2026 product year is anticipated to mark the introduction of the first generation of RGB LED televisions intended for consumer availability, with announcements from Hisense, Samsung, Sony, and LG at CES 2026.
SQD Mini LED Technology
TCL's SQD (Super Quantum Dot) technology uses a layer of crystal dots that filter light from LEDs. TCL states that SQD Mini LED eliminates the color crosstalk issue observed in some RGB Mini LED displays, and that it allows for a higher number of local dimming zones due to the use of a single LED per zone rather than an RGB LED trio. TCL also attributes higher brightness in SQD screens to the fact that all LED chips in an RGB array are not fully active simultaneously, whereas SQD illuminates every LED chip fully with a white or blue LED.
Art TV Category
The "art TV" category has expanded to include offerings from multiple manufacturers, including Amazon's Ember Artline TV, LG's Gallery TV, and Samsung's Frame TV. These televisions generally share common characteristics, including magnetic frames designed to mimic picture frames, integrated art stores, and a flush wall-mount design.
Brand Perception and Market Position
Observers note that Hisense and TCL have demonstrated advancements in television performance and introduced technological innovations. Both companies have traditionally been positioned in the second tier of the market, with pricing typically lower than LG, Samsung, and Sony. TCL and Hisense models, such as TCL's QM9K and X11L, indicate increased competition within the high-performance TV segment. For TCL and Hisense, the challenge involves shifting public perception to be recognized as innovators rather than solely value-oriented brands.