What Hi-Fi? has been running for a whopping 50 years, and that means we have access to half a century of magazine archives.

Included in there are, inevitably, some rather dated advertisements, to go along with a treasure trove of technology. And that means we can follow the history of every important piece of home entertainment equipment of the past half century – it’s like Who Do You Think You Are? for home cinema and hi-fi brands.

Looking back, of course, we got some things more right than others – hindsight is 20/20, after all. Here, we take a journey back through our archives to see which innovations quickly got off the ground, and which never quite took off.

Win: Smart TVs becoming the norm

In the early 2010s, there were whispers that smart platforms would change how we interact with our TVs. Instead of relying on strict channel schedules and bulky external boxes, more companies were introducing TVs with internet access and downloadable apps.

The first smart TV to hit the shelves came in 2008 in the form of the Samsung PAVV Bordeaux 750. By CES (the enormous annual consumer electronics show that takes place in Las Vegas every January), in 2011, brands such as Sony, Panasonic and LG had joined the party and released their own smart TV models.

We said in our CES report that you could expect app support from sites such as Facebook, eBay, Skype and Napster. (If that list doesn’t make you feel old, I’m not sure what will.)

The landscape has, of course, shifted massively since then towards streaming, meaning services such as Apple TV and Disney+ are built-in to platforms.

In 2012, Samsung also launched the LED ES8000, which threatened to “make our remote controls redundant” thanks to voice and gesture controls. While we are not quite at the point where your TV set doesn’t come with a remote, voice control is now very much built into the DNA of the majority of TVs.

We had not accounted for the huge leap in AI technology that was on the horizon, where TVs can answer questions about movies and shows with personalised recommendations (take Sky’s newly upgraded OS, for example).

We added in our reporting that “there looks to be plenty of added content coming to a clever, internet-connected TV near you,” and that has certainly become the norm for sets today. In fact, it’s hard to imagine a movie-viewing experience without a smart platform.

Miss: 21:9 ratio TVs

We are all familiar with the standard 16:9 aspect ratio on most sets, but in 2009, a TV tried to shake up that traditional look.

Enter Philips’s Cinema 21:9 – a TV designed to make the most of movies filmed in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio. That’s wider than the traditional TV aspect ratio, and Philips aimed to “further immerse you in the action,” as we reported in our review of the set.

“The main benefit to this”, we said, “is the removal of the black bars from the top and bottom of the screen when you’re watching a movie”.

It measured 146cm wide and 74cm high, making it a rather unconventional addition to your living room. Philips’s signature TV feature, Ambilight, was on board to add “perceived image depth”.

When watching a film in the 21:9 aspect ratio, we were impressed by this Philips set’s performance and said the company should be “applauded for its efforts”. The TV got to show off its picture chops, as we noted in our review that “movies look the business” thanks to the “awesome” level of detail.

With 16:9 content, though, you had to either stretch or crop the image. You could switch to a 16:9 picture format via the remote, but that just resulted in black bars on the left and right instead.

Another issue was that, when watching with subtitles in 21:9, the text was cropped out along with the black bars at the bottom. The only viable practical solution was to pair the TV with a Philips Blu-ray player to show subtitles without squashing the picture.

All of which meant that, even though the technology resulted in an ultra-wide screen with the content in the suitable aspect ratio, switching to anything else resulted in a disappointing image that called for too many compromises.

That’s not to say that 21:9 screens are a thing of the past. There is a range of curved premium ultra-wide monitors for gamers wanting a more enveloping experience. But they are yet to hit the mainstream when it comes to home cinema.

Win: Slimmer TVs

“Slimmer is the new flat!” That was one of the biggest headlines from CES 2010, following the increasingly thin TVs that were coming onto the market. After all, it was only less than ten years before that home cinema moved away from the chunky CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) TVs, and flat-screen panels were available to the public.

At CES 2010, we were shown Samsung’s flagship C9000, which measured just 3.4cm / 1.3 inches deep, and was displayed as one of the thinnest models available.

We said that “the slimline screen has to be one of the most desirable of modern gadgets, freeing up valuable living room estate and adding style to any home.” And that is certainly a trend that has continued, as TVs have got only thinner and slimmer.

One of the thinnest TV screens on the market right now is the LG W6 – just 0.9cm / 0.4 inches thick. It has never been a cheap proposition to get a super-thin TV, as this the 77-inch W6 model proves: it comes in at an eye-watering £4699 / $3700.

Still, these days, even mid-range and budget TVs have become significantly slimmer compared with the average model back in 2010 – and we saw it coming.

Miss: 3D TVs

When 3D TVs first hit the shelves, they were the talk of the town for home cinema nerds. A three-dimensional picture that fully immerses you in your favourite movie? It sounds like a dream come true.

In 2011, we wrote: “From the increased prevalence of 3D films in cinemas and on Blu-ray, to the flood of 3D technology in TVs, Blu-ray players, games consoles, and more; it’s clear that 3D is here to stay – and it’s only growing in importance.”

Plenty of brands went all-in on the emerging technology. There was a barrage of different models that passed through our test room, each with varying levels of success.

That included the Samsung UE40C7000, which we awarded five stars for its “scintillating” picture performance, as well as the less successful LG 47LD950, which scored a middling three stars due to its lack of detail and punch.

Despite the technology’s promising start, you will be hard-pressed to find a set dedicated to 3D on the market these days. By the end of the mid-2010s, the hype for 3D was already winding down. That’s partly down to the lack of 3D content being made, but probably more because of the cost and the faff of wearing 3D glasses.

Having said that, we have recently seen some promising 3D projector technology displayed by the likes of Xgimi at IFA this year that really shows off the magic of 3D picture. So perhaps 3D images aren’t gone for good, but we may have to wait a little while for a resurgence.

Win: OLED screens

In 2012, we said OLED TV screens “could have a huge impact on what takes up space in our test room,” and, frankly, we hit the nail on the head.

OLED screens had been around before then, with the first 11-inch screen emerging in 2007. But the technology really caught on and became more accessible for home cinema fans only in the early 2010s.

Unlike Mini LED, OLED panels don’t need a backlight. Instead, they use self-emissive organic light-emitting diodes that generate their own light, which is then passed through a colour filter. The advantage is that, when an OLED pixel is turned off, it is truly off and therefore looks pitch-black.

One of the first OLED TV reviews we can see in our magazine archives is of the Samsung KE55S9C, a curved screen that came in at an astonishing £7000. Luckily, OLED has become much more affordable these days. The best OLED on the market now, for instance, is the Samsung S99H, which will set you back £1899 for the 55-inch set.

MORE:

These are the best OLED TVs

Check out the best TVs on the market

And here are the best soundbars

For many, the prospect of opening your TV's picture settings menu is terrifying.

After all, featuring a long list of options, all of which have jargon-heavy labels and technical descriptions, it can be daunting, and it's easy to make things worse if you don't know what you're doing.

But that's where picture presets come into play.

While I urge new TV owners to avoid the dreaded "Vivid Mode" like the plague, these presets can usually get you most of the way to a top-notch picture experience, and traditionally our favourite has been Filmmaker Mode.

As the name suggests, this mode is intended to capture the creator's intent, meaning it turns off a lot of the processing that your TV adds on top, such as motion handling, contrast and colour enhancement, and sharpening.

For picture purists, such as ourselves, those settings are often worth avoiding anyway, and we've seen many prominent Hollywood figures such as Martin Scorsese (Taxi Driver, The Wolf of Wall Street), Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Dune), and Ross Duffer (creator of Stranger Things) advocate for the picture mode.

You may be surprised to hear that the technical specifications for what counts as a true Filmmaker Modearen't set by the companies making TVs and projectors. Instead, it's an independently managed certification.

As stated by the UHD Alliance, which oversees Filmmaker Mode, to achieve certification, you must meet these exact standards listed on the Filmmaker Mode website:

• Maintain source content frame rate & aspect ratio
• White Point: D65
• Motion Smoothing/Interpolation: OFF
• Overscan: Only if signaled with the image
• Sharpening: OFF
• TV Noise Reduction: OFF
• Other image “enhancement” processing: OFF

This means that when we're faced with a new TV, our first port of call is changing it into Filmmaker Mode (or its equivalent mode, more on that later), as it levels the playing field by dialling those settings right in. Even if Filmmaker Mode doesn't achieve a completely perfect picture, it gets us most of the way there, leaving us to tweak small things like motion or brightness.

Switching off all of the unneeded processing in one click of a button is very handy, and seeing a TV go from its out-of-the-box Standard (which is usually garish and over-smoothed) or Eco (often dull and dim) setting to something I'd actually want to watch is always a relief.

That being said, Filmmaker Mode isn't a fix-all solution, and I've noticed a shift in the last couple of years. Specifically, some manufacturers seem to be stepping away from it to prioritise their own picture processing modes.

Sony is a prime example of this; it's never had Filmmaker Mode on its TVs, instead opting to prioritise its own set of internal standards for matching picture performance to the creator's intent. As such, it includes a Professional Mode on its TVs instead.

More recently, and this is what sent me down this rabbit hole, is Philips opting to leave Filmmaker Mode off its 2026 TVs. I've just finished testing the OLED911 – stay posted for the review – and it swaps out Filmmaker Mode for a new Reference picture preset.

Philips assures me that the goal here is the same, although I did have to toggle a few settings to get the picture exactly where I liked it.

Its justification was that users were reportedly confused by the naming of Filmmaker Mode, thinking that it was a setting used if you were creating movies. I'm not sure how much I buy that, especially in a world where we can quickly whip out our phones to Google something like that, but it's an interesting change nonetheless.

That said, these companies each have their own approach to "authenticity", and it's not one that we can always verify. Settings are applied even though it's "reference" or "professional" mode; take the Philips OLED911, which applies an HDR upscaling system to SDR content. While it can look good, we certainly felt that it wasn't very authentic for a reference mode.

Filmmaker Mode is also having to face the reality of TV picture processing becoming not only quite good, but also integral to how these TVs work.

Samsung, Sony, LG, Philips, TCL and all the rest still have picture processing happening in the background even if you opt to switch everything off in the settings menu. Modern TVs need picture processing to function, and as such, these manufacturers have gotten quite good at implementing it.

Sony especially excels here with its XR Processor, which handles a huge array of picture processing elements at all times, including identifying the focal point of the image and applying depth mapping to create a superbly three-dimensional image, even with all of the relevant settings disabled in Professional mode.

I've also found that TV manufacturers are stepping up their game when it comes to the picture modes that they implement themselves. Samsung's Movie Mode, for example, is excellent on the OLED TVs we've tested recently, as it enriches the picture with more brightness and impact (provided you turn the motion processing way down), and Sony's Cinema Mode is a similar story.

That said, LG and Panasonic TVs seem to respond best to Filmmaker Mode; our cheat sheet with any LG OLED is to put it into Filmmaker Mode and change the motion setting to True Cinema for the best picture experience.

Ultimately, I hope that Filmmaker Mode is here to stay, as it's a seriously valuable tool for those intimidated by TV settings menus, and I hope to see it keep evolving with the times. Having an easily accessible and consistent launch point for all TVs with standardised settings makes things easier for everyone.

Getting the best out of your TV shouldn't be an uphill battle, and Filmmaker Mode is one of the best ways to level out and simplify that process. I'm a huge advocate for having transparent and consistent guidelines.

While Filmmaker Mode has changed and evolved to adapt to things like Dolby Vision and ambient light sensors, I hope that it continues to be featured on TVs and projectors for a long time to come.

MORE:

Read our full Samsung S99H review

Here are our picks for the best TVs

As well as the best OLED TVs

The LG B6 is an entry-level OLED TV with big aspirations, being the first (we believe) set to sport a spiffy new OLED SE panel – a key bit of hardware that promises to improve performance while also bringing OLED costs down.

That makes it a very interesting set, despite its bottom-of-the-range status, as, if it delivers on LG’s performance promises, it could be the most accessible OLED we’ve ever reviewed and a step closer to our ultimate wish – a truly affordable OLED TV.

While its price is still slightly above what we’d call truly affordable, after putting it through its paces in our test rooms including against its arch-rival, we can confirm it’s a step in the right direction. But there’s still work to be done.

Price

LG’s B-series is the most affordable option in its current OLED portfolio in most regions, but it’s never been truly “cheap” – which we describe as being below £500 / $500.

That continues on the latest B6 line. The smallest, 48-inch option launched with a £1300 RRP in the UK (LG decided not to launch this size in the US). The largest 83-inch B6 model went for an even more wallet-busting £3600 / $4500.

The 65-inch LG B6 model we have in our review rooms cost £2400 / $2400 / AU$3300 when it first launched – £100 more than its main Samsung rival, the S85H.

But since then, the B6 line has had its price slashed at most UK and US retailers (Australian discounts are much less widespread), and at the time of writing, you can grab the 65-inch model for £1399 / $1300.

While there are regular fluctuations in the prices of both models, Samsung’s S85H is generally available for roughly the same price as the B6.

As you would hope, in the UK at least, the B6 is available for a good deal less than the ever-popular C6, which is currently around £1699. In the US, though, the price difference is just $100 right now, and in Australia the two TVs are inexplicably identically priced, which rather complicates the value argument.

Design

No one expects much from an entry-level TV when it comes to aesthetics, even an OLED – especially one from LG, which hasn’t really tweaked any of its B-, C- or G-series TV designs for a while. That remains the case for the B6, which is a fairly chunky unit, featuring a textured, fake marble-like plastic back, and attachable screw-in feet that are also, you guessed it, made of slightly cheap-feeling plastic.

Thankfully, despite feeling cheap, the build quality is solid, and the feet manage to hold the TV up without any wobble (as happens on many rival cheap TVs), leaving us fairly certain it will withstand the odd bump, or cat/toddler attack, without toppling.

But we do have a couple of issues with its design. First, its feet only have a single, wide set-up option. This means if you have a smaller cabinet or rack, it won’t fit. You’ll need one that’s at least 60 inches wide, based on our measurements. This isn’t unheard of on affordable TVs, but it’s annoying when its main rival, the S85H, does offer a central placement option for its feet.

Second, like the LG G6 and LG C6, the remote remains unchanged. You’ll be forced to use the same ageing, shiny plastic remote LG has paired its OLEDs with for nearly half a decade. Are the motion controls useful? Sometimes. But in today’s world, we’d like to see USB-C charging and backlighting added sooner rather than later. Both are fairly standard, especially on rival TCL and Hisense Mini LED sets, and even Samsung’s S85H at least has USB-C charging.

Features

You don’t normally expect to be writing “first” when reviewing an entry-level TV, but we’re 99 per cent certain it's an accurate description for one key element of the B6: its panel tech.

While LG Electronics never reveals the specific panel it uses on its TVs, all evidence suggests the B6 is one of the first-ever TVs to feature LG Display’s new OLED SE panels, as unveiled at the start of the year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

This is a variant of the base WOLED seen in most entry-level and even step-down OLED sets. Unlike the premium Primary RGB Tandem OLED and QD-OLED tech you see on flagship sets, OLED SE is bespoke-designed for cheaper sets, and hopes to gradually bring entry-level OLED costs down, making the tech more accessible.

But the part we found most interesting when we attended its launch is that LG Display claims it will simultaneously improve the performance of cheaper sets in a few key metrics, including peak brightness.

The B6 has a quoted 1000 nits peak brightness. While peak brightness isn’t the be-all and end-all when it comes to picture quality, that’s still pretty amazing considering even five years ago a flagship OLED would probably struggle to go over 700 nits.

Outside of that, the B6 offers two main upgrades over the outgoing LG B5. The first is its use of LG’s Alpha 8 Gen 3 CPU. This still places it below LG’s G6 and C6, which feature the more powerful Alpha 11 Gen 3, but it is a step up from the Alpha 8 Gen 2 sported by the B5. Key claimed improvements include more refined picture upscaling, more intelligent and accurate dynamic tone mapping and superior SDR-to-HDR conversion.

The second is Dolby FlexConnect. This is a new audio technology that aims to let TV owners create Dolby Atmos wireless surround sound packages using a mix of compatible speakers. It even lets you use the TV’s built-in speakers as the central channel. While the first system we reviewed with the tech, the LG Sound Suite, didn’t blow us away with its audio quality, its clever room calibration powers did impress us enough to view support for the tech as a bonus.

Outside of that, the TV offers the stellar library of features we’ve come to expect from LG OLEDs.

For gamers, the TV has four full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs and support for 4K/120Hz, ALLM and VRR. So console gamers are sorted, and truthfully, even if you have a PC, it would have to be an incredibly powerful one to run triple-A titles at frame rates above 120Hz.

As a final perk, Dolby Vision Gaming HDR and Bluetooth low-latency controller support are both on board. The latter is a nice touch if you want to connect a third-party Bluetooth controller to the set and play via the cloud on GeForce Now or Xbox Game Pass.

HDR support is strong, with the B6 playing nice with the big three: Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG. That gives it a slight edge on its Samsung rival, which, like all the firm’s TVs, doesn’t support Dolby Vision. Samsung instead continues to push its homebrewed, open-source HDR10+ tech as the superior option.

WebOS 26 then ensures robust app support with all the major services, including Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ present and running correctly. Local catch-up support is also solid, with BBC iPlayer, Now and more all available in the UK.

Pretty impressive specifications for an “entry-level” OLED.

Picture quality

While the B6 doesn’t make the best first impression, that’s primarily down to the less-than-ideal default picture settings.

Playing our 4K Blu-ray copy of F1: The Movie, while running in its Standard mode, the set initially falls victim to some familiar pitfalls we experience with cheap TVs.

Movements feel floaty, with the cars appearing to be sliding, rather than driving, across the track. The contrast isn’t quite right, either, with the picture raising the brightest parts a tad too much, adding a cel-shaded, artificial feel to the picture.

Thankfully, as happens on nearly all of the modern LG OLEDs we’ve tested, things rapidly improve after switching to Filmmaker Mode.

Once done, the overbrightening disappears, and the image takes on a pleasingly punchy, but not overbaked feel.

There are only two minor quibbles. First, that motion still appears a tad smeary, compared to the C6 and Samsung S85H, even with all processing off – though not to the point that it's a deal breaker.

Second, that characters’ skin tones, in particular, feel a smidgeon green, an issue we sadly can’t easily fix, as the B6 doesn’t have colour profiles, instead relying on a slider control that only adjusts its temperature – and not with a great deal of finesse, making it better to leave it in its neutral setting.

Those points aside, the brightest part of the picture shines with a sparkle we didn’t expect from an entry-level OLED, with the fireworks shooting over the track holding a pleasing and distinct three-dimensional positioning in the night sky.

Our peak brightness stress test, Pan, is atypically mastered to 4000 nits. While the LG C6 is punchier than the B6 and retains a wider range of colours in the setting sun, the cheaper model delivers a performance that, even a few years ago, would have been considered unfathomably bright for a mid-range, let alone entry-level, model.

In isolation, the picture is pleasingly immersive.

But as we swap to our Sinners 4K Blu-ray, the green issue is exacerbated, to the point of being distracting. In the dim speakeasy, characters' faces appear jaundiced, and the intended red light effect is lost, replaced with a mellow yellow vibe. This gives the images a slightly smudgy, flatter feel than the S85H, which is a shame as it otherwise handles colours with more care, and more subtlety, than its affordable Samsung rival.

But, more pressingly, blacks are not uniformly perfect, as they should be on an OLED. Parts of the picture are raised, giving them a grey, almost backlit look. Sadly, reducing the Near Black Detail from 0 to -1 doesn’t fix the problem; some blacks still look raised, there’s just less detail in them.

Pressing the point with the opening scene of Alien: Romulus, there is evident flickering during the opening credits that are meant to be fully black as the logos emerge, then recede. Then, while parts of the picture are deep and a cut above that which you’ll experience even on the best Mini LED, including the five-star TCL C8L we are testing it against, they still aren’t perfect. Some parts of the black void of space still look slightly grey, compared with what we experience on the S85H and C6.

It’s a conundrum, one that means, while the picture is very good for the money, it ultimately doesn't match what we’d expect when investing in an OLED – whose primary selling point is its pixel-level light control and ability to deliver perfect blacks.

Switching to our SDR copy of True Grit, the set does a decent job with the grainy, spaghetti western feel of the movie. Though the picture is slightly flatter than the C6 next to it, the falling snow over the black background retains a pleasingly realistic feel, never falling victim to noise.

Throughout the movie, although the B6 does occasionally feel fizzy, struggling with the intentionally grain, it never becomes unwatchable or overtly distracting – as it can on many of the sets we test.

Our only minor issue is that, as is the case on the S85H, the picture feels a bit soft compared with the step-up C6 model, though this is more than forgivable given the difference in price.

Sound quality

The B6 comes with a basic 2.0 channel, 20W downward-firing speaker system that relies on clever AI processing to deliver a virtual Dolby Atmos experience.

Like nearly all modern LG OLEDs, it also has a very select number of audio modes. The two big ones are its Standard and AI Sound Pro options.

Starting with the out-of-the-box Standard mode playing F1: The Movie, the sound is generally fine, but slightly too congested for our liking. The rumbling engines, race commentary and character dialogue all feel flat, and too tied to the centre of the TV.

Switching to AI Sound Pro, the soundstage opens up, but there’s a lack of finesse. Engine noise doesn’t match the cars’ on-screen movements, and voices take on a hard, artificial edge.

The issue is exacerbated with Sinners, where during the complex medley scene, the ‘voice of God’ narrator comes in too heavy-handed, drowning out the intermingling music tracks as it rises. Then, as the psychedelic guitar swells in volume, distortion creeps in.

Switching to the Standard mode, the audio sprints back to the centre, creating a muddy wall of sound. Ideally, we’d like something in the middle between the two options.

Moving to our Blade Runner 2049 chapter two, low-end stress test, the B6 fails to deliver the booming, menacing synth with enough force to do it justice, but is conservative enough not to veer into distortion – as many TV speakers do.

Dialogue lacks direction, but the speakers are good enough to hear characters' voices, and, to our surprise, the higher frequencies don’t sound too hard-edged or veer into sibilance during the subsequent interview scene – so long as we stick to Standard mode.

So, like all recent LG TVs, the speakers are fine for casual TV viewing, but you will want to invest in a separate soundbar system for serious movie watching.

Verdict

The LG B6 is a good entry-level OLED in most ways. Its gaming features, HDR support and app offering are excellent. And its picture in isolation is solid, especially if you are yet to make the jump to OLED, or on a very early model with the panel tech.

But there is definite room for improvement. Audio, like most recent LG OLEDs, is middling, even by TV speaker standards. But more pressing are the issues we’ve encountered with its black level and handling of dark scenes. Yes, blacks are still better and more immersive than anything you’ll find on a Mini LED at this level, but they’re not perfect. And the TV’s tendency to push greens too hard can become distracting during certain scenes.

This means that, for those who can afford the extra outlay, the step-up LG C6 is a better option. Those who can’t also have other options, including the equivalently priced Samsung S85H OLED, or, if you’re not wedded to OLED, TCL C8L.

SCORES

• Picture 4
• Sound 3
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the Samsung S85H

Also consider the LG C6

Read our Samsung S90F review

Best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets tried and tested

Happy Halloween!

The biggest shock you'll get this Halloween? Retailers have started their Black Friday sales already. That's a whole month before the big day itself.

Which works out just fine for us, as it means we get plenty of deals on great hi-fi and home cinema products before November even starts.

Sony is running a sale and we're seeing new lows on several of their top soundbar systems, while the Award-winning LG C6 42-inch continues to drop.

It's not just about the new kids on the block, however – several old favourites are also back to their lowest price.

As always, these are all products we've reviewed and rated ourselves. Our expert testing teams put every product through its paces, and we'll only recommend those that receive four stars or more.

Now on with the treats...

The newly Award-winning Sony Bravia Theatre System 6 offers superbly punchy, weighty bass and impressively enveloping Dolby Atmos sound. If you don't mind a few cables, this is the best mid-range soundbar system you can buy.

The LG C6 recently won four What Hi-Fi? Awards, including one for this 42-inch model. Don't let the relatively small size put you off, however – it's a crisp, three-dimensional and contrast-rich TV that still offers a cinematic spectacle. Get £50 off at checkout for a new lowest price.

Thanks to its good quality built-in phono stage, Bluetooth connectivity and ease of use, the Sony PS-LX3BT is an excellent beginner's turntable. It sounds great too, so it's very easy to recommend, especially at this new low price.

The three-piece speaker design of the Sony Bravia Trio results in a bigger, more immersive soundstage than a regular soundbar, as well as a convincing Dolby Atmos effect. If your funds can stretch a bit further, the Bravia Trio is also included in the Award-winning Sony Bravia Theatre Trio + Rear 9 and Sub 9 package, now only £1999 at Sevenoaks.

The Sonus Faber Omnia lives up to its Latin name ('omnia' means 'everything') with a clear, lively, wide-open sound, extensive features and truly beautiful craftsmanship. £600 off this all-in-one system is not to be ignored – this is the lowest price we've seen.

The Marantz CD6007 may have been superseded recently by the Marantz CD 70, but the multiple Award-winner is a bit of a legend here at What Hi-Fi? thanks to its dramatic presentation and excellent build. Now back to its lowest price.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

The 100-inch TV market is largely dominated by Mini LED TVs. Why? The price of OLEDs around this size has long been an issue, and manufacturers have yet to break this particular size threshold because of factors such as cost and manufacturing constraints – but that might be about to change.

Various Chinese media outlets (via FlatPanelsHD) are reporting that a Chinese state-owned investment firm has made a significant investment to upgrade the production of large-screen OLED panels outside of South Korea.

Global marketing and research firm TrendForce reports that Guangzhou Development Zone Holdings Group Co., Ltd. and LG Display will jointly invest RMB1 billion (around £112.45 million) into LG Display Optoelectronics Technology (China) Co., Ltd's Guangzhou production plant.

The plan is to add assembly lines for 77-, 83-, 97-, and 111-inch OLED displays at its Chinese manufacturing plant. TrendForce reports that "the 111-inch production line is the world's first dedicated module production line of the same size based on the large OLED technology route".

As such, it claims that "the 111-inch module line is a major highlight of this project", and this is the first time we could see 100-inch-plus models that don't feature a backlit panel.

Furthermore, the investment in manufacturing could see more competitively priced large-screen OLED TVs in the future.

The high cost of OLED TVs at this size has long been attributed to the failure rate of producing these large-sized panels, but a more efficient manufacturing process could change all of this.

Now, there's no guarantee that the brands will opt to pass the savings on to consumers, or even opt to use these panels in their own sets; however, it certainly appears that some foundations for bigger and cheaper OLED TVs have been laid.

Only time will tell if larger and cheaper OLED TVs do start rolling off production lines.

MORE:

Read our full LG C6 review

As well as our Samsung S99H review

And check out our pick of the best OLED TVs for every budget

We’re in the run-up to the biggest event in home cinema and hi-fi fans’ calendars, the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 – where we will unveil this year’s Product of the Year winners at an exclusive black-tie ceremony.

But ahead of that, we’ve already had one huge shake-up in a key category: best OLED TVs.

After months of comparative testing in our dedicated viewing rooms, running all the latest sets we could get our hands on that are still on sale head-to-head, it was a bit of a bloodbath, with our advice completely changing last week.

And while the focus may be on the Samsung S99H dethroning the Sony Bravia 8 II as the best premium OLED TV – a development that surprised everyone on the team, including TV and AV Editor Tom Parsons – or the 65-inch C6 finally replacing the older C5 as our mid-range recommendation, it was another smaller set that caught my attention.

Specifically, the 48-inch LG C6.

Why this set? Because it's the biggest upgrade we’ve seen to small OLEDs in nearly half a decade.

In case you’re new to What Hi-Fi?, the home cinema team and I have long lamented the lack of innovation happening in small OLED TVs compared to their larger siblings.

Larger OLEDs, especially flagships, have been flooded with new hardware over the past few years. Within LG’s stack alone, we’ve seen not one, but two next-generation panels launch – first, Micro Lens Array, then the current Primary RGB Tandem OLED tech seen on the LG G6.

And that’s a huge shame for buyers who can’t accommodate big sets as, though there have been teething pains, the new panel tech has holistically been a positive.

Higher peak and operating brightness levels, better colour volume and accuracy, especially during dark scenes; the tech, when utilised correctly, can radically improve picture quality.

We’ve run the new TVs against basic WOLED and previous-generation MLA sets to confirm that.

So, it should make sense that we wanted to see it trickle down to smaller, more affordable sets.

And while LG has remained cagey, bluntly refusing our requests for confirmation of the specific panel used on the 48-inch C6, our testing suggests our wish may have finally been granted.

Comparing it to older models, its peak brightness, colour accuracy and general similarity to larger Primary RGB Tandem OLED sets add up to make a compelling case. Our primary reviewer, and senior staff writer, Lewis Empson said as much in our review, where he reported:

“If our theory is correct, it’s likely the cheapest way to acquire an RGB Tandem OLED TV, and if it’s not, then we’d really like to know how LG has pumped the brightness and vibrancy up to this extent. Regardless, it’s fully featured, talented in the picture and sound departments, and it proves that you don’t need to sacrifice a considerable chunk of your living room to achieve a cinematically satisfying experience.”

So even if it doesn't have it, the 48-inch C6 is the best small OLED we’ve ever tested – which is a huge positive and the reason we’ve had to completely change our OLED TV buying advice this month.

Here's hoping it's the start of a trend in the small OLED TV market...

MORE:
These are the best TVs we’ve reviewed

We rank the best small TVs

Our picks of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars

It's been a week since we announced the 2026 What Hi-Fi? Awards, but we're still seeing new deals on several winners.

This week sees a new low on the Samsung HW-Q990H courtesy of a huge cashback offer, as well as a repeat winner, the Triangle AIO, returning to its lowest price.

That's not all though – there are several excellent discounts on former Award winners and five-star favourites also, with three TV deals that are definitely worth considering.

As always, these are all products that have been tried and tested by our expert review teams. Only products that have earned four stars or above get our coveted recommendation – and everything below has received the full five-stars.

Take a look for yourself:

You'll want to properly partner the Q Acoustics 5050, but if you do, you'll be rewarded with a pleasing rhythmic drive and strong dynamics with particularly impressive bass. They're one of our top picks in the mid-range and come with a free Fell Audio cable too.

The Sony Bravia 8 II may have missed out on an Award this time around, but the former Product of the Year winner is still a fantastic buy, especially with this discount. Use the code SHSTV200 and then claim £100 cashback from Sony to get this deal price – full cashback details are here.

The Samsung HW-Q990H is a new Award winner, supplanting its predecessor, the HW-Q990F. Despite looking largely the same, this new model adds more nuance, detail and scale. Claim a whopping £400 cashback from Samsung to get the full saving – full details here.

We declared the TCL C7L to be ridiculously good value at full price, so it's even better with £120 off. Tick the voucher box to get this saving, and you'll get all the features of a premium Mini LED TV for only £1079.

The LG G6 is a five-star flagship OLED TV from LG, and comes with a punchy picture, flawless gaming specifications and excellent app support. If that wasn't enough to tempt you, you can get £841 off by using the code TV200 and then claiming 10 per cent cashback from LG – full T&Cs here.

The Triangle AIO Twin has hung into its Awards spot for another year, with its superb performance, competitive price and easy setup proving tough to beat. Get it at its lowest price of £599, but only in maple, blue or black finish.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

Black Friday is on the horizon, and with it comes the promise of some excellent deals in the worlds of hi-fi and home cinema.

But if you can't wait that long, there's no need to worry. That's because I've spotted a rather excellent deal on LG's flagship OLED TV, the G6, which is already down to £2159 at Hughes. That's £841 off the £3000 launch price and the lowest price we've seen yet.

You'll have to jump through a few hoops to get it this cheap, however – the code TV200 will take off £200 at checkout, and then you can claim an extra 10 per cent cashback from LG. Full details on how to claim cashback are here.

We put the LG G6 to the test with its predecessor, the five-star G5, used as a comparison. It didn't take long during a viewing of Civil War to see several small refinements that added up to a better overall experience.

“The flames in a burning night-time forest continue to offer an enthralling amount of extra detail as well as higher peaks, but, more crucially, characters’ skin tones look nicely realistic, retaining reds far better, to the point that the G5’s picture makes them look slightly jaundiced by comparison," our LG G6 review reads.

Moving to a daytime scene in a military camp, “balanced” quickly becomes the word that best describes the G6. As a helicopter swoops into the camp over a forest, it’s clear that LG has backed away from its previous focus on aggressively pushing its TVs’ peak brightness at all costs.”

This impressive picture quality is helped, no doubt, by its Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel, new display technology that uses a ‘four-stack’ panel structure to achieve higher peak and operating brightness levels while retaining colour volume and accuracy.

This is coupled with the new Alpha 11 Gen 3 AI processor and LG's Hyper Radiant Colour Technology, which enables higher peak brightness than the already dazzling G5.

Gaming support is also particularly strong. All four HDMI 2.1 inputs support up to 4K/165Hz gameplay with VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision Gaming HDR, which is pretty much flawless in our eyes.

Speaking of Dolby Vision, the regular version is also supported for movies and TV shows, along with HDR10 and HLG. LG's WebOS 26 also houses pretty much every streaming service you can think of, including heavy-hitters such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.

Audio quality has also seen a big step forward for LG, with the G6 capable of a fuller, more robust sound than its predecessors. We still recommend pairing a TV this good with a dedicated sound system, but it's great to see LG address one of the biggest weaknesses of its TVs.

The LG G6 was a five-star TV even at full price, so with an £841 discount at Hughes it's quite the bargain. For anyone who can't wait for Black Friday, you won't be disappointed by this saving on such a stunning OLED.

MORE:

Here’s our pick of the best TVs for every budget

Want a cheaper LG OLED? Check out our LG C6 review

For last year’s model, head over to our LG G5 review

The headphones category is always one of the most contested at the What Hi-Fi? Awards, and this year has been no different.

While there are a few regulars and old reliables in there, we have had a few shake-ups this year, courtesy of a clever USB-C dongle, the revival of a six-year-old classic, and a surprise £35 budget offering.

Whether you’re after the convenience of wireless, a trendy wired pair or are open to either, there’s an Award winner whatever your budget.

We have found some great deals on several of them too – so why don’t you take a look?

Our budget wireless pick for another year, the Sony WF-C510, continues to impress by nailing the basics for the price of a round of drinks. We have seen them as low as £28 before, but £34 at Smart Home Sounds for an Award-winner is still quite the bargain.

If you want to go wired and can live without noise cancelling, then the Austrian Audio Hi-X15 is unmatched at this price. Austrian Audio headphones rarely go on sale, but they are great value headphones anyway and well worth £87 at Scan.

If you want budget buds but can’t live without noise cancelling, then the Sony WF-C710N are the cheapest headphones that we recommend with the feature. But they also sound rather good and have several impressive features, all for £67 at Amazon.

The Røde NTH-100 are consistently among our top budget recommendations, wired or otherwise, thanks to their eloquent, revealing sound. We’ve seen them as low as £89 over Black Friday, but they are still great value for £115 at Amazon.

Don’t let the 2024 in Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) put you off – their third What Hi-Fi? Award proves they are still the best wireless buds at this price range. We have seen them at £109 over Prime Day, but you won’t be disappointed for £150 at Amazon.

As long as you don’t mind an open-back design, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro X remain class leaders and are the finest and most comfortable wired headphones we have heard at this price. Discounts are rather rare, so don’t hold your breath for an imminent drop from £189 at Amazon.

A new entry, the Sony WF-1000XM6 are Sony’s latest flagship earbuds and were well worth the wait, with a wonderfully musical sound, superb noise cancelling and great call quality. Get them now for their lowest price of £209 at Very.

It may surprise you that the best wired in-ear headphones are the £35 Sennheiser CX 80U, but just wait until you hear them. The USB-C buds offer a big, dynamic and surprisingly sophisticated sound, and are available for a new low price of £28 at Amazon.

Another new kid on the block, the Sony WH-CH730N replace their Award-winning predecessors, the WH-CH720N, and add a more premium, folding design, a monster 50 hours of battery with ANC on and an even more engaging sound. They have yet to receive a discount, but you can pick them up for £100 at Amazon.

As much as we loved the Sony WH-1000XM4 from 2020, we never expected them to win a What Hi-Fi? Award six years later. But here we are, with the revamped Sony WH-1000XM4C bringing back an old classic with tweaked tuning and a lower price of £219 at Amazon.

How do you overcome the sonic shortcomings of wireless headphones? With a nifty little USB-C dongle, according to the Sennheiser HDB 630. The result is a new standard of wireless sound at this level, all within a well-built, feature-rich and competitively priced package, available for £399 at Richer Sounds.

If money is no object and you want style as well as substance, may we recommend the Focal Bathys MG. They are undeniably premium for £999 at Richer Sounds, but they will reward you with a wireless noise-cancelling headphones performance that’s on a whole new level.

MORE:

Check out our best wireless headphones buying guide

The What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 winners have been revealed!

Check out our best wired headphones buying guide

When we tested LG’s Sound Suite system, there was a fair bit to like about the soundbar package.

Made up of the H7 soundbar, W7 subwoofer and two M7 speakers, the system offered a room-filling sound with impressive Dolby Atmos handling and deep bass. But its slightly aggressive overall presentation and inexpressive dialogue mean it scored a middling three-star review.

Now, though, LG is adding a big free upgrade that could make it more appealing for some, with the brand claiming to expand “immersive audio possibilities for home theatre enthusiasts".

The most notable of these upgrades is the addition of DTS:X support, as the soundbar system previously offered only Atmos. Even though the latter is much more widely available for both streaming and physical media, there are still a few discs that exclusively support the surround sound format. Anyway, it’s always nice to have both on board for comprehensive coverage.

That is available with both the LG Sound Suite as well as the LG H7 soundbar on its own.

LG is also giving the option to add in two of the W7 subwoofers instead of the one that we used to test the package. The brand adds that this should “improve bass consistency throughout a room, delivering more balanced low-frequency performance across multiple seating positions.”

On top of that, LG has added support for Wi‑Fi 6 GHz networks and 5 GHz DFS channels. You will also now be able to access Google Cast support, which means you can stream music directly from your phone, tablet, or laptop.

While it is not the upgrade we were hoping for in terms of improved audio performance, it’s certainly a welcome addition when it comes to surround sound support and increased flexibility.

MORE:

Here’s our review of the LG Sound Suite H7

Check out the best soundbars

And this is our review of the LG Sound Suite system

Every year, when it comes to the What Hi-Fi? Awards, the TV category is always hotly contested, and 2026 has been no different. Our list of winners is packed with new entries, from LG, Samsung and TCL, all of which have managed to knock old favourites off their perch.

It was a great year for LG, with the C6 winning four Awards over several different sizes. Samsung swooped in and took the best premium TV Award, while TCL took home the best budget TV gong.

If you'd like to see them in all their glory, we have all the Award-winning TVs below, as well as their best prices at the time of writing...

If you're short on space, it's LG's mid-range 42in OLED that is our top pick this year. The small-screen wonder delivers contrast and detail in abundance, proving you don't need a huge TV to have a big cinematic impact. LG's usual stellar gaming specs are on offer too, all of which make up for the middling sound. For the best LG C6 42-inch price of £899 at Amazon, claim 10 per cent cashback from LG – full T&Cs here.

For the mid-size 48-50inch category, it's the LG C6 once again. The LG C6 48-inch is arguably the most interesting of LG's new OLEDs, with a surprisingly bright, colourful picture that pushes vibrancy to impressive levels.

Rumours suggest this size sports an RGB Tandem OLED panel, though LG refuses to confirm – either way, though, it's a fully featured TV that's talented in the picture and sound departments. Use the code RSTV50 to bring the price down to £1049, and once again you can claim 10 per cent cashback from LG for a total of £944 at Richer Sounds.

For our budget 55-77inch TV Award, it's a TCL model. For £749 at Amazon, the TCL P8L is an incredible value TV that punches well above its weight in terms of picture quality and specs, and sounds pretty good too. Those with super-bright rooms may struggle with the reflective coating, but otherwise the P8L offers a balanced and authentic picture as well as strong gaming specs.

With our mid-range 55-77inch TV Award, the LG C6 makes it a trifecta. The LG C6 65-inch delivers a bright, rich and refined picture that sets a new benchmark for step-down OLEDs. Sound is very good for this level, while the typically awesome gaming specs return. Save £100 with the voucher code GDTV100, and once again you can claim 10 per cent cashback from LG for an overall total of £1619 at Sevenoaks.

Given how much we've mentioned the LG C6's gaming specs, it may not surprise you to hear that the set has won the best gaming TV Award also. All three sizes sport four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets capable of handling signals up to 4K/165Hz with VRR and ALLM, which, along with its stellar picture, makes it the top choice for hardcore gamers and prospective GTA 6 owners.

The flagship OLED to beat, it's the Samsung S99H, which has surprisingly unseated the Sony Bravia 8 II for our premium 55-77inch TV Award. The punchy, wonderfully three-dimensional picture is hard to beat, while the feature set blows most other TVs out of the water.

Add in a greatly improved sound system compared with last year’s model, and you've got Samsung's best TV to date, and the best premium model of 2026. For the £1749 at Richer Sounds price, use the code RSTV100 and then claim £150 cashback from Samsung to get this price – full T&Cs here.

MORE:

Check out our Best OLED TV buying guide

The What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 winners have been revealed!

Our pick of the best TVs for every budget, including flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets

In case you somehow hadn't noticed, we announced the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 winners earlier this week.

It was an interesting mix of returning favourites, new entrants and surprise upsets across the various categories.

Out of the 111 winners, however, we're pleased to report that several of them are on sale.

This includes repeat winners such as the Sony WF-C510 and Cyrus 40 ST, which are now back to their lowest price, as well as savings on the newly victorious Sennheiser CX 80U and LG C6 42-inch.

There's plenty more, though – take a look for yourself:

Budget OLED TVs are tough to get right, but Samsung has made a mighty good go of it with their offering this year. The Samsung S85H is one of the best cheap OLEDs we've tested thanks to a punchy, three-dimensional picture, high brightness, and solid app and gaming support. Get this price by using the promo code RSTV50 and then claiming £75 cashback from Samsung – full T&Cs are here.

It's hard to go wrong at £28, but the Sony WF-C510 seriously overdeliver at this price. The budget buds have just won their third What Hi-Fi? Award in a row, thanks to their compact, comfortable design, solid, musical sound and 11-hour battery life.

If you prefer your budget headphones wired, then the Sennheiser CX 80U are the pair we recommend. Their small, lightweight design, comfortable fit and rich, solid sound make them the best budget wired earphones we have tested in years.

The LG C-series regularly makes an appearance in our launch line-up, and this year is no different. The LG C6 took home the gong for best 40-43-inch TV thanks to its crisp, three-dimensional and contrast-rich picture, along with excellent motion handling and gaming features. You’ll need to claim 10 per cent cashback from LG to get this full discount – full details here.

The Cyrus 40 ST is our favourite high-end music streamer, and has just received its third What Hi-Fi? Award in a row. It may not be cheap, but it's an incredible piece of kit with expressive, punchy and exciting sound, excellent rhythmic drive and a classy look.

The Samsung HW-Q990H is also a new Award winner, thanks to its detailed, full-bodied cinematic sound, immersive and spacious sound and superb connectivity. We tested it at a rather pricey £1599, but you can now pick it up for £999 thanks to a £400 cashback offer – full T&Cs here.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

As part of our testing for the imminent What Hi-Fi? Awards, our experts put TVs of all sizes through their paces.

This includes huge TVs of 65 inches and above. So one could be forgiven for worrying that ‘small’ 42-inch TVs might be at a disadvantage when it comes to a cinematic experience.

That’s not the case with the LG C6, though. As soon as we turned off the lights and started Blade Runner 2049, I was immediately treated to a bit of movie magic. The excellent contrast and punchy highlights are evident from the very first scene, giving me a cinephile experience that never once had me thinking about screen size.

So if you have a small room but still want a top-of-the-line picture experience, the LG C6 42-inch comes highly recommended. We only reviewed the set yesterday, but it's already down to £899 at Amazon.

That’s a nice £401 discount off the £1399 launch price. You’ll need to claim 10 per cent cashback to get this discount, however – full T&Cs are here.

The 42-inch C6 ticks every box in our picture testing process, and isn’t held back by its modest display size.

There’s an impressive sense of depth, solidity and richness to the picture as Dave Bautista’s Sapper Morton walks to his farmhouse in Blade Runner 2049. And, once he’s inside, the bright windows and dark interior are a great showcase of the C6’s excellent handling of contrast.

The C6 takes motion in its stride also, with Officer K’s flying Peugeot hurtling over solar farms with no artefacts or flickering motion.

As our LG C6 42-inch review reads: “The C6 delivers a seriously impressive experience, underpinned by a composed approach to contrast and sharpness, resulting in oodles of cinematic depth.”

LG’s C-series line has long won over gamers with its all-encompassing feature selection, and this model is no different. The 42-inch C6 sports four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets with support for signals up to 4K/165Hz with VRR and ALLM. There are also several cloud gaming apps on board, with LG also claiming the C6 is the first TV capable of 4K/120Hz game streaming via Nvidia GeForce Now.

Speaking of apps, the built-in webOS 26 also has a strong array of non-gaming-related streaming apps, from BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 to Disney+ and Apple TV.

That impressive picture quality and those features go a long way to making up for the middling sound. The 2.0-channel sound system produces clear and detailed sound, especially with voices, but there's a noticeable lack of oomph in both bass and volume. A compact Dolby Atmos soundbar is recommended for serious movie-watching sessions.

A huge TV isn't necessary for genuine cinematic impact, and the LG C6 42-inch proves just that. If you're short on space, on a budget, or lucky enough to be able to consider a second-room OLED, then this C6 size comes highly recommended for £899 at Amazon.

MORE:

Read our LG C6 48-inch review

Also consider our LG C5 42-inch review

Best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets tried and tested

LG’s 42-inch OLEDs have remained our top choice for space-conscious cinephiles for quite some time. They prove that you don’t need to sacrifice a large amount of space for a 65-inch (or larger) set to achieve a top-of-the-line picture experience.

While there haven’t been huge performance leaps between generations, we have found subtle improvements occur each year, and we expect to see a similar affair with the 42-inch C6 that we have before us today.

This compact OLED aims to deliver a large-scale cinematic experience that suits smaller rooms, which is a mission we’re more than familiar with after reviewing every generation of this TV since 2022’s C2; the first 42-inch OLED to hit the market.

The real question is, does it continue the legacy of the acclaimed series that’s been championed by cinephiles and gamers alike? We certainly think so…

Price

Originally launching at £1300 / $1399 / AU$1999, the OLED42C6 can now be found for around £999 / $1000 / AU$1695 thanks to months of discounts. Going back to that launch price, LG actually undercut the outgoing 42-inch C5, which launched at £1400 / $1399 / AU$2199, making it cheaper in the UK and Australia.

Speaking of which, there are still some C5 stragglers to be found for around £849 here in the UK. That’s a decent discount, but we could certainly make a case for spending the additional £150 to score the latest and greatest C-series TV.

Looking at the competition, LG’s main rival is, perhaps unsurprisingly, Samsung. The Samsung S90H is available in all the same sizes as the LG C6, with the equivalent 42-inch model currently available for £999 / $1000 / AU$1466.

Panasonic also offers last year’s Z90B, which we awarded five stars at 48 inches, in a 42-inch option. It costs slightly more than the C6 at £1099, but the Z90B’s front-firing speaker bar may appeal more to audiophiles.

Design

Place the 42-inch C6 next to the C5, C4, C3 and C2 from the previous five years, and you’d have a nearly impossible game of Where’s Wally on your hands. The C6 looks identical to its predecessors, although that’s no great shame as LG is sticking with a well-built and smart-looking formula.

The compact set rests upon two blade-style feet at each end; usually we prefer a central stand (as found on the C6 from 48 inches upwards) for maximum furniture compatibility, but the small footprint of this TV means that it’s not too wide and should fit on a majority of media units with ease.

And with 72cm between these feet, there is enough room to squeeze a soundbar between them; the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), for example, measures in at 65cm, meaning it should easily fit.

However, we should note that the feet can only be attached at one height, that being 3.7cm. That’s not loads of clearance; going back to the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), that soundbar stands at 6.8cm tall, so there is a chance that your soundbar may encroach on the C6’s bezel.

Assembly is simple thanks to the feet attaching with just two screws each, and the “small” screen size is easy for a single person to get into position provided they possess the appropriate wingspan.

Rounding things out with the remote, LG continues to offer just one button-heavy handset in the box. Its Magic Remote has some nifty features, such as a scroll wheel and Nintendo Wii-style motion pointer, but we’d still like to see a backlight and the return of a dedicated source select button, which has unfortunately been sacrificed for a general smart home-focused connected devices button.

Features

The 42-inch C6, much like the 48- and 65-inch versions, is a feature-packed OLED TV that’s equipped for cinephiles and gamers alike.

This TV sports a 4K WOLED panel, as has been the case with all previous iterations of LG’s 42-inch C-series TVs. While that may seem somewhat obvious given LG’s track record, it is worth highlighting this year, as LG seems to be mixing in Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel technology depending on the screen size.

Officially speaking, the 77- and 83-inch options tout LG’s Brightness Booster Max feature and Hyper Radiant Colour system, which require the Tandem OLED technology to work. On a more speculative note, we recently reviewed the 48-inch version of this TV, and its unexpectedly high brightness led us to believe that it too is using the more advanced panel technology, although LG will neither confirm nor deny whether that is the case.

Regardless, our main concern is how this TV performs, as panel technology and on-paper specifications are not always indicative of picture performance.

Moving on to the processor, the OLED42C6 sports the same Alpha 11 AI Processor 4K Gen3 as its larger siblings, which handles picture processing and runs the webOS smart platform. New for this year is a 12-bit processing pipeline, which reportedly enhances brightness and colour.

There are also countless AI picture and sound features, which are handled by this processor. Dual AI Super Resolution, for example, is a two-layer upscaling system (one for sharpening edges, the other to refine textures and details), which enhances lower-resolution content as well as 4K content.

AI HDR Remaster, another AI-backed persistent picture feature, enhances contrast, sharpness and colour using a frame-by-frame process. SDR content takes on a more HDR-like appearance, and HDR content should look “more vibrant and realistic”, according to LG.

AI Picture Pro serves as a hub for many of these picture features, and it also uses content recognition algorithms to tweak the C6’s settings depending on the content you’re watching. Alongside this is AI Sound Pro, which works in a very similar way, albeit for the audio settings instead.

For those hoping to add a more personalised touch to their AI experience, Personalised Picture Wizard and Personalised Sound Wizard allow you to choose from a range of preset image and sound samples to adapt the settings to best suit your taste without having to dig into the system settings menu.

That said, we find that LG’s AI settings can be a bit heavy-handed and usually don’t preserve picture and sound authenticity. Switching to Filmmaker Mode in the picture settings is a much more effective and equally easy way to dial this TV’s picture in.

Stepping away from AI and back to the realm of AV, the 42-inch C6 supports HDR in the HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision HDR formats. HDR10+ isn’t supported, which isn’t a surprise considering the format was created by Samsung.

Dolby Atmos immersive audio is also supported via the 2.0 channel sound system and through connected HDMI eARC audio devices.

Speaking of HDMIs, LG’s established formula for winning over gamers remains, as the OLED42C6 sports four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets capable of handling signals up to 4K/165Hz with VRR and ALLM. For those without a console, the C6 also supports a wide range of cloud gaming apps, including Xbox, Nvidia GeForce Now and Amazon Luna. LG claims that the C6 is also the first TV capable of 4K/120Hz game streaming via Nvidia GeForce Now.

webOS 26 is also home to plenty of non-gaming-related streaming apps too, including a strong array of regional and global offerings, from BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 to Disney+ and Apple TV. Our biggest criticism is how advertisement-heavy the operating system is, but sponsored content can be switched off in the settings menu.

Picture quality

While the 48-inch C6 surprised us with its bright, rich and punchy performance, the 42-inch C6 follows in the footsteps of its 65-inch sibling by acting as a subtle but appreciated improvement over its predecessor. That’s to say it's a refinement on a five-star formula in the picture department, which is fine.

As has been the case with several previous C-series OLEDs, we gravitate towards Filmmaker Mode as our preferred picture setting, although we do switch to Cinematic Movement in the TruMotion settings as we feel this irons out judder effectively without introducing the soap opera effect.

LG’s Cinema Home setting – which is essentially its version of the “movie” preset found on other TVs – is also a setting that’s worth exploring for those who crave a touch more punch, or who are viewing the C6 in environments with abundant ambient light.

With these settings dialled in, the 42-inch C6 serves up a superb cinematic image that never reminds us that we’re watching a “small” TV.

Much like the 65- and 48-inch versions of the C6, the 42-inch excels when it comes to contrast. The opening of F1: The Movie features impressively punchy highlights, including stadium lighting and fireworks, which juxtapose the inky-black night sky effectively.

There is an impressive sense of depth, solidity and richness to the picture as Sonny Hayes waltzes towards the garage and pit lane during the opening of the film, which, when paired with the sharp outlines of subjects and strong detail levels, develops an excellent sense of immersion.

Switching to Civil War, the C6 proves it can deliver a balanced, natural image during the military base sequence. Foliage looks crisp and verdant without straying into over-vibrant shades of green, and there is a real sense of three-dimensionality to the picture too.

As fighter jets soar over the camp, we find that the 42OLEDC6 takes fast-moving objects in its stride, with no apparent judder. Switching to Blade Runner 2049 affirms this, as a sequence in which Officer K’s flying Peugeot hurtles towards the LAPD and passes behind a handful of buildings in the foreground reveals no artefacts or flickering motion.

Simply put, the 42-inch C6 ticks every box in our picture testing process, and its large-scale cinematic picture isn’t held back by its modest display size.

Sound quality

LG’s small OLED TVs have never blown our socks off when it comes to sound performance, and the C6 isn’t really an exception. That said, it’s not a total disaster either; it’s more of a mixed bag, if anything.

We do like that the sound presets are pleasingly simple, and things become even easier with our guidance: skip the AI-labelled sound modes and stick with standard. While they aren’t without use (the dialogue setting will certainly be handy for those who struggle to hear voices, for example), they do compromise the overall mix and apply a synthetic finish to the sound. Our advice is to stick with “standard”.

With that in mind, we use the opening sequence of F1: The Movie to assess the C6’s performance. Overall, there are a few strengths to note here; the C6 produces quite a clear and detailed sound, which especially extends to voices. While they don’t project all that well, there is certainly definition and a touch of tonal variation, which is appreciated given dialogue really is the most important factor.

Furthermore, the sound of race cars soaring around the track (and, from our perspective, across the screen) flows nicely from right to left, and there is a sense of spaciousness and openness that is quite impressive given the size of the set. The sound doesn’t fill our testing room, but we have to commend the sense of space it is able to muster given its speaker configuration.

While there isn’t a huge amount of height to the fireworks that burst over the race track and shower sparks onto the cars below, the C6 presents them with satisfying snaps, crackles and pops; although, much like Rice Krispies, there isn’t much weight behind them.

And that brings us onto the overarching issue with the 42 C6’s sound: there just isn’t much oomph. Given that this is a 2.0 channel, subwoofer-less system in a relatively small chassis, that’s to be expected, but it isn’t helped by the shortfall of absolute volume. When cranked to 100 per cent, it remains easy to talk over the C6 without having to raise your voice, and there is a dip in the midrange that leaves the sound (especially voices) feeling a bit hollow and lightweight.

Paired with a somewhat drab approach to dynamic expression, which leaves Led Zepplin’s Whole Lotta Love sounding flat, the C6 is best accompanied by a compact Dolby Atmos soundbar for serious movie watching sessions.

Verdict

The 42-inch LG C6 once again proves that you don’t need a huge TV to score genuine cinematic impact.

Middling sound aside, the C6 delivers a seriously impressive experience, underpinned by a composed approach to contrast and sharpness, resulting in oodles of cinematic depth.

While we’re used to sets 55 inches and above, we’d happily spend hours watching movies on this compact OLED.

SCORES

• Picture 5
• Sound 3
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the LG C6 48-inch

Also consider the LG C5 42-inch

Read our Panasonic Z90B 48-inch review

Best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets tried and teste

Yes, Amazon Prime Day (or Prime Big Deal Days) has been and gone.

But that doesn't mean the deals have ended. Some are still live, new ones have sprung out of the woodwork, and some old classics are stubbornly clinging to their lowest prices.

Now that Prime Day is over, we're firmly on the road to Black Friday and peak shopping season, so we're going to see plenty of great deals over the coming weeks.

This week, we've got a trifecta of five-star TVs, an Award-winning soundbar system back to its lowest price and long-running headphones seeing a new low now that their successor is available.

As always, these are all products our team of experts have reviewed and rated themselves. We've been giving buying advice for 50 years, and we only recommend the best.

Let's take a look:

We only tested the 48-inch LG C6 last week, but we've already spotted a tasty discount. It's a stellar set and a night-and-day upgrade over the older C5, with significantly higher peak brightness, more balanced colours and better colour volume. Use the code GDTV50 to save £50 and then claim 10 per cent cashback from LG to get this deal price – cashback deals are here.

Prime Day may have ended, but this Amazon device deal is still going strong, perhaps due to the imminent arrival of the Amazon Alexa Tablet. The Fire HD 8 64GB was already incredible value at full price, so it's an absolute steal with 48 per cent off. The 32GB model is also available for £50 at Currys if you don't mind collecting it yourself.

Our TV and AV editor has long named the Sony Bravia 8 II as the best OLED around, but it's now been pipped by the Samsung S99H. It might be the best TV we've ever tested, thanks to its dazzlingly bright highlights, awesome contrast and excellent three-dimensional depth. Use the promo code RSTV100 and then claim £150 back from Samsung to get this price – full details here.

The Hisense AX125H is an Award-winner and perhaps the biggest Dolby Atmos bargain around, offering an immersive, fun and enthralling experience for under £200. If you're short on cash, this is the system to get.

The Sony WH-CH720N is a What Hi-Fi? favourite, routinely getting a recommendation during the sales and winning one of our coveted Awards. It's now at its lowest ever price, but only in pink. Its successor, the five-star Sony WH-CH730N, is now available and features several sonic upgrades, but will set you back nearly twice as much.

The TCL C8L earned five stars from our expert TV reviewers only days ago, so a 20 per cent discount is very welcome indeed. Use the code TCL20PERCENT to nab a Mini LED TV with outstandingly bright, colourful picture quality, advanced local dimming and great gaming performance.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

Couldn't nab a new TV during the Prime Day sales?

Well then, you're in luck. Not only have we found a great saving, but it just happens to be on a five-star 65-inch LG C6 OLED, one of our favourite TVs this year.

And it's now at the lowest price we've seen: £1619 at Richer Sounds, a fair bit cheaper than the previous low of £1889 we saw in July.

To get this saving, the code RSTV100 shaves £100 off the price at checkout. You can then claim 10 per cent cashback from LG to get this new lowest price. You can claim 30 days after purchase – full details here.

We were surprised just how big an upgrade the LG C6 was over the outgoing C5, given that the biggest change was a new Alpha 11 Gen 3 processor. However, this chip has blessed the C6 with a brighter, richer and more refined picture.

"Even in Filmmaker Mode, the C6’s extra brightness over the C5 is immediately obvious," our LG C6 review reads. "Highlights are more intense, colours have a touch more richness and the overall image carries greater depth and dimensionality."

The delivery is more enticing, dynamic and three-dimensional overall, with enhanced upscaling, remastering and shading subtlety also.

LG has long gifted their TVs with flawless gaming specifications, and the C6 is no different. VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming are supported on all four HDMI 2.1 sockets, as well as 4K/120Hz for console gamers. Gamers with a powerful PC can even crank it all the way up to 4k/165Hz with VRR.

The ever-reliable WebOS has all the major streaming services on board, all well optimised and delivering content in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos where applicable.

Dolby Vision is just one of the HDR standards available – HDR10 and HLG are also supported, though HDR10+ Advanced is missing.

After several years of disappointing sound, we're pleased to report that the C6 has seen a marked improvement in audio. It won't beat a dedicated soundbar, but overall delivery is more open and immersive than the C5 and pretty good for a TV of this class.

We were raving about the quality of the LG C6 even at full price, so with £881 off at Richer Sounds, it's even better quality. The perfect antidote if you missed out on a Prime Day TV deal.

MORE:

Check out our 48-inch LG C6 review

Also read our LG C5 review

Best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets tried and tested

It's here. The official start of autumn, the Black Friday warm-up, and perhaps even a sign to begin Christmas shopping: October Prime Day.

Officially known as Prime Big Deal Days on the site itself, the sale has brought the usual savings on Amazon devices, electronics and more.

However, while there are many a five-star product and Award winner on sale, several of them are not quite at the lowest price we've seen.

• All the latest Amazon Big Deal Days savings!
• Don't forget to check Richer Sounds for deals too!
• Peter Tyson also has some compelling deals running!
• Sevenoaks Sound and Vision's top savings

Have no fear, though, as I've scoured the sale to find the best genuine deals and rock-bottom prices. As What Hi-Fi?'s resident deals writer, I've been tracking these products for some time and I know a good discount when I see one.

There's a mix of everything here, from soundbars to speakers to headphones. What unites them all, however, is that they're all at the lowest price we've seen, and they've all been given at least four stars and a recommendation by our expert review team.

So what are you waiting for? Let's take a look...

Kicking things off, we have a new lowest price on the spectacular Sony Bravia Theatre Trio, but it's not at Amazon. Head to Peter Tyson, where you can pick up one of the finest Dolby Atmos soundbar systems around for a discounted price of £1799, and then get an extra £200 cashback from Sony – full details are here.

We tested the Sony PS-LX3BT in April, when we found it to be one of the best budget Bluetooth turntables you can buy thanks to its excellent sound and seamless usability. It's already seeing a healthy £82 discount this Prime Day, giving us the lowest price we've seen yet.

The five-star Bose SoundLink Max combines a rugged, ergonomic design, a lively, energetic sound and powerful, tight bass. It's now at a new lowest price thanks to the Big Deal Days sale, but we'd also consider the newer JBL Xtreme 5, which is at a similar price.

The open-back Sennheiser HD 505 offer a comfortable, likeable and long-lasting listening experience, excellent for lengthy at-home listening sessions. Easy to recommend, especially with the biggest discount we've seen.

Small size, big performance. The Award-winning Hisense M2 Pro is our top pick for an entry-level projector thanks to its easy set-up, sharp, consistent picture and solid app support. Now at its lowest ever price.

For cinema quality inside a compact case, check out the Nebula X1. The portable projector boasts class-leading audio, a vibrant, three-dimensional picture and a simple setup. Now at a new lowest price.

The Sonos Era 100 SL doesn't have the microphone of the Sonos Era 100, but it does have the same big, open sound and crisp, clear detail that we fell in love with. Add in a ton of streaming features and a lower price than the original model, and you've got yourself quite the bargain.

We only reviewed the 48-inch LG C6 last week, but there's already a tasty bargain. Use the voucher code GDLG10 to save 10% on this bright, colourful and contrast-rich OLED TV.

Amazon's tablet line has long been incredible value, and the Amazon Fire HD 8 is no different. The 32GB version is half price at Currys if you're willing to collect it, or the 64GB model is only £65 at Amazon.

MORE:

The best Amazon Prime Big Deal Days savings on headphones, OLED TVs, Dolby Atmos soundbars and more, direct from our experts

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Happy Prime Big Deal Days!

Yes, it's time for Amazon's third big sales event of the year, following Spring Deal Days in March and Prime Day in June.

The big difference with this Amazon sale? Black Friday is just under eight weeks away.

This presents a conundrum for anyone looking to buy a new TV. If you somehow held out during the World Cup but are craving a bigger, better screen in your living room, then we are arriving in peak sale season.

But should you actually wait another two months and put up with your ageing TV? Here's our two cents...

• All the latest Amazon Big Deal Days savings!
• Don't forget to check Richer Sounds for deals too!
• Peter Tyson also has some compelling deals running!
• Sevenoaks Sound and Vision's top savings

Should I wait until Black Friday to buy a new TV?

Largely, yes. While many retailers launch rival Prime Day sales now, it's not to the same extent as Black Friday, when every outlet, including the specialist TV retailers, pull out all the stops to compete for the best price.

Black Friday is also traditionally when the year's new releases get a big price drop, meaning if you wait a few months your budget could stretch to a 2026 model rather than one of last year's releases.

One TV brand that can be worth buying over Prime Day is, of course, Amazon. And while there are good deals on Amazon TVs we recommend – such as the Amazon Ember QLED with Fire TV, now £640 at Amazon – they're not quite the cheapest we've seen them (that particular model dropped to £600 over Prime Day in July).

Our advice? Unless you particularly need a new TV between now and December, you're better off holding fire and resisting temptation for a few more weeks, when the TV deals selection should be wider and better.

Unless you happen to be after a small-ish OLED...

The exception to the rule?

If you can't wait until Black Friday, however, and have a smaller room, thereis a rather excellent TV deal available this Big Deals Day.

The 48-inch LG C5 has crashed to £699 at Amazon, the lowest price we've seen so far and a whopping 50 per cent off the price we reviewed it at last year.

We can't promise it won't go cheaper on Black Friday, but a five-star OLED for under £700 is an excellent deal at any time of year.

Its brilliant, bright picture makes it a solid choice for anyone upgrading to OLED for the first time, and LG’s webOS has excellent app support with all the key services.

The LG C5 is also our gaming TV Award winner thanks to its myriad of gaming features, including four HDMI 2.1 sockets – ideal for the upcoming GTA 6.

As far as we're concerned, it's the TV deal to beat this Prime Day.

MORE:

The best Amazon Big Deal Days savings on headphones, OLED TVs, Dolby Atmos soundbars and more, direct from our experts

Read our 48-inch LG C6 review

Best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget LED sets tried and tested

TV screen sizes are seemingly only going in one direction, with manufacturers across the board touting sets north of 100 inches as the new norm. For those of us with moderately sized living rooms, this trend is simply not in our best interests.

Naturally, going “small” means accepting a compromise on screen size and, therefore, cinematic scale. But does a smaller TV necessarily mean a less immersive viewing experience? The 48-inch LG C6 sets out to answer that question with a resounding no.

Considering we are huge fans of the 65-inch LG C6, which we reviewed back in April, this might not come as a surprise. That said, we’ve always said that picture and sound performance can vary greatly across different sizes, so the five-star performance of the 65-inch model isn’t necessarily indicative of the 48- and 42-inch versions.

Fortunately, the 48-inch C6 comes surprisingly close to matching its larger sibling, retaining much of the picture and sound performance that made the 65-inch model so impressive.

Price

The LG OLED48C6, to give it its proper title, launched at £1400 / $1600 / AU$2400 earlier this year, but frequent price drops in the UK and US have cut that down to around £1200 / $1200. Similar price drops haven’t yet appeared Down Under, unfortunately.

Competition at this level is rife, as we’re seeing more “small” OLEDs hit the market than ever before. LG itself currently offers its step-down B6 in this size for £999 / $800 / AU$1995, and a 48-inch version of the G6 is also on the market in the UK for £1399.

LG’s C-series models tend to stick around for quite some time, too, which means remaining stock of the five-star 48-inch LG C5 can still be snapped up for around £999.

LG’s archrival, Samsung, also offers its C6 equivalent, the S90H, for £1199 / $1300 / AU$1760. It presents an almost identical feature set at an almost identical price in the UK and US.

Last year’s Award-winning 48-inch OLED, the Panasonic Z90B, also remains on sale for £1199, making it a very competitive option.

Design

LG’s tried-and-true C-series design soldiers on for yet another year, and it carries forth the various pros and cons we’ve found with previous generations stretching back to 2022’s 48-inch C2.

The good news is that this is a superbly slim TV at just 4.6cm in thickness when you take into consideration the “backpack” that houses the electronics and connections. At its slimmest, the TV measures just 6mm, giving it a premium and stylish look, and the central pedestal stand means it can be placed on a narrow piece of furniture.

However, that stand still protrudes outwards in a slightly awkward way if you plan on pairing this TV with a soundbar. The smaller 42-inch C6 sports a pair of dual blade-style feet that you can squeeze a compact soundbar between.

LG has also bundled in the same Magic Remote that we’ve seen across the previous few generations of this TV. It keeps the ThinQ AI button in place of the source select – dare we say one of our least favourite changes in recent memory – and the buttons aren’t backlit; however, the scroll wheel and Nintendo Wii-style motion pointer control system are both novelties that can make interacting with the TV slightly more engaging.

Features

We’ll get straight into the panel tech, as LG could be taking an unconventional approach this year. Traditionally, the C-series has been staunchly WOLED, meaning it hasn’t adopted LG Display’s brightness-boosting Primary RGB Tandem OLED or Micro Lens Array display technology.

That changes with the C6, though. The company has essentially confirmed that the 77- and 83-inch versions sport RGB Tandem OLED panels by stating that they are ‘Brightness Booster Pro’ models rather than standard ‘Brightness Booster’ sets as per the rest of the sizes.

Rumours suggest, though, that the 48-inch C6, despite being a ‘Brightness Booster’ model, does in fact feature a Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel. We have attempted to get clarification from LG Display, but have been met with the usual “we don’t talk about panel tech" line.

Our approach is to focus on performance with real-world content rather than get bogged down in product components, but our testing suggests this could indeed be a Primary RGB Tandem OLED TV.

Moving on from the display, the C6 is powered by the Alpha 11 AI Processor 4K Gen3, which keeps the webOS smart platform running smoothly while also handling picture and sound processing. LG says that its latest processor utilises a new 12-bit processing pipeline, which brings extra colour and brightness precision to the table.

On top of this is Dual AI Super Resolution, which essentially runs lower-resolution content through an AI-backed picture upscaling process twice: the first time to sharpen edges, and the second to refine texture and detail. This should sharpen up non-4K content (think Blu-rays, DVDs and streaming), resulting in a more natural look.

AI HDR Remaster is also featured. This analyses content on a frame-by-frame basis to enhance contrast, sharpness and colour. SDR content takes on a more HDR-like appearance, and HDR content will take on a “more vibrant and realistic” look.

AI Picture Pro is also on board, which uses content recognition algorithms to adapt the TV’s settings to reduce noise, optimise contrast, manage colour saturation, and sharpen faces and text. AI Sound works in a similar way, as it uses content recognition to adapt the sound settings and performance to best suit what you’re watching. The remote even features an AI button that allows users to navigate the TV and troubleshoot issues using voice commands.

The AI features don’t stop there, though, as you’ll find a bountiful feast of AI-enhanced picture and sound modes on board too. AI Picture Wizard and AI Sound Wizard allow users to select from a range of preset image and sound samples to find their ideal personalised set-up without having to dig too deep into the picture menus.

That said, we find Filmmaker Mode (in the TV’s picture settings) delivers the best results.

Moving away from the near-endless list of AI features, the C6 supports a solid set of HDR formats, including HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision. Samsung's HDR10+ isn’t supported, as per LG’s usual stance.

The Dolby support extends to audio too, as the C6 features Dolby Atmos through its built-in 2.2-channel 40W sound system, and through connected audio devices via HDMI eARC.

Speaking of HDMI, the C6 sports four full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets, all of which are capable of handling signals up to 4K/165Hz with VRR and ALLM. For those without a console, the C6 supports cloud gaming up to 4K/120Hz with HDR through the likes of Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox. LG touts this feature as a world-first.

webOS is also a well-equipped, if frustratingly advertisement-heavy operating system (you can turn sponsored content off in the settings, thankfully), and LG has made a few tweaks this year to make things run even smoother.

Recent inputs are easier to access; there’s a new customisable My Page menu with widgets that turns the TV into a smart display when not in use, and a new “Continue Watching” rail also adorns the home page.

App support is also practically flawless, with all of the expected domestic and international apps supported and working as expected, with quick loading times to boot.

Picture quality

As we alluded to, the 48-inch C6 bears many of the positive picture markings of its 65-inch counterpart, despite it being significantly scaled down.

We’ve plugged our trusty Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player into the C6 and selected a handful of reference 4K discs from our library, including Civil War, Pan, Blade Runner 2049 and F1: The Movie.

While selecting Filmmaker Mode from the picture menu gets us most of the way to picture excellence, we opt to enable Cinematic Movement in the TruMotion settings to eliminate the touch of judder inherent in 24fps content. Cinema Home is also a worthwhile preset to explore, for those who don’t mind sacrificing some accuracy for a punchier picture.

With these settings dialled in, it’s hard to argue that the 48-inch C6 OLED doesn’t have all of what it takes to be a truly special compact OLED TV. The combination of deep blacks, excellent contrast control and punchy highlights creates a striking image with excellent depth and solidity, as evidenced in the final battle sequence of Civil War.

Rockets and flares light up the deep black sky with bursts of brightness, and the buildings of Washington DC are rendered with a superb sense of realism and detail. Throughout the sequence, we find that the C6 balances shadow depth and detail with impressive finesse too.

Onto a more colourful sequence from Pan, the scene in which a floating pirate ship sails past some floating orbs of water, we find that the C6 is capable of delivering rich, punchy greens and blues while also retaining the natural skin tones of the children on the ship. As the ship approaches the floating island of Neverland, the concentrated brightness of the sun burns with intensity while also retaining a clearly visible circular outline.

Motion also remains a highlight. We noted that motion looked “impressively smooth and controlled without introducing obvious artefacts or drifting into the dreaded soap-opera effect” with Cinematic Motion applied on the 65-inch version of this TV, and the same can be said for the 48-inch model.

The opening sequence of Blade Runner 2049 demonstrates this nicely; a tricky panning shot, a tracking shot of a hovering drone, and a shot of Sapper Morton stepping backwards are all handled smoothly yet naturally on the C6, despite these specific shots tripping other TVs up.

Rounding out our testing with F1: The Movie, the OLED48C6 truly shines. Colourful race car liveries pop yet never look garish or overcooked, and fireworks burst with vibrancy without appearing overblown. There is no apparent stuttering or juddering as the Porsche and BMW tussle for first place, and the C6 looks wonderfully sharp without verging into over-etched territory.

Sound quality

As was the case with the 65-inch version of this TV, the 48-inch C6 seems to be a sonic step forward for LG. While this TV doesn’t perform miracles, it’s certainly an upgrade over the 48-inch C5, which we criticised for sounding “distinctly flat” and lacking definition.

The C6, on the other hand, sounds crisper, weightier and more spacious. The atmospheric effects of the dystopian Los Angeles streets are presented with a solid sense of width and detail, and while the TV doesn’t reach for the ceiling with its Dolby Atmos height effects, there is a sense of spaciousness to the audio that accompanies the floating holographic adverts beamed onto Officer K’s apartment block in Blade Runner 2049.

Most crucially, the C6 projects voices slightly more, and there is a touch more warmth and tonality, which makes listening to dialogue more engaging. Bass is also mostly well controlled, although there isn’t much in the way of depth or tonal variation.

Now, we won’t deny that even a basic soundbar will run circles around the C6’s built-in speakers, and a Dolby Atmos soundbar will provide much more authentic height effects – the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) or Beam Ultra would make a perfect accompaniment, for example – but the improvement over the last generation model is worth commending.

That is, if you steer clear of the AI Sound setting. This continues to sound oddly synthetic, and while there is the option to tailor the sound to your liking, we find that avoiding it altogether provides a more natural and balanced presentation.

Verdict

LG’s 48-inch C6 is arguably the brand’s most interesting OLED TV in recent memory. While that might sound strange when the brand is selling a TV that is slimmer than an iPhone and powered by a magical wireless box, the company’s small mid-range OLED is a true dark horse.

If our theory is correct, it’s likely the cheapest way to acquire an RGB Tandem OLED TV, and if it’s not, then we’d really like to know how LG has pumped the brightness and vibrancy up to this extent.

Regardless, it’s fully featured, talented in the picture and sound departments, and it proves that you don’t need to sacrifice a considerable chunk of your living room to achieve a cinematically satisfying experience.

SCORES

• Picture 5
• Sound 4
• Features 5

MORE:

Read our review of the LG C5 48-inch

Also consider the LG C6 65-inch

Read our Panasonic Z90B 48-inch

Best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets tried and tested

We're deep into the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2026 judging process, and finalising our list of the best TVs has been the point of order for this week.

As such, I've had the pleasure of testing a crop of compact OLED TVs, and this is a particular area of interest for me both inside and outside of the testing room.

While I love OLED TVs of all shapes and sizes, I've had my eye on a sub-55-inch OLED ever since I first laid eyes upon the LG C2 during my very first year on the What Hi-Fi? team.

Every year since, I've fawned over the 42- and 48-inch OLEDs that we've tested from the likes of LG, Samsung and Panasonic.

As a keen gamer with a love of competitive shooters, getting "up close and personal" with my screen is a must, and these desktop-friendly sizes are ideal monitor replacements, and they often pack in way more features that appease my AV enthusiast side too.

Four years on, however, I still haven't bitten the bullet and bought one. "The time has never been right" and "they're still quite expensive even during Black Friday" are my two favourite excuses, hence why they've sat in my browser tabs on checkout screens that I've never completed.

However, after testing the 42- and 48-inch Samsung S90H and LG C6, I now have a rather smug sense of self-satisfaction, as my patience (or commitment issues, depending on how you look at it) has paid off.

Without spoiling the upcoming reviews or the coveted Awards list, all four TVs are pretty fantastic, and they prove that you can get a large-scale cinematic experience from a TV that doesn't require loads of space.

All of them offer punchy, rich colours, excellent motion, and perfect black depths, and the smaller screen sizes give them an edge when it comes to detail and sharpness, thanks to their greater pixel density compared with their 55- and 65-inch counterparts.

Focusing directly on the LG C6, as we've reviewed the 65-inch model (we have a review of a larger Samsung S90H in the works), we find that the 48-inch version simply feels like a smaller version of that five-star TV.

We affirmed that the C6 has a "brighter, richer and more refined picture quality" than its predecessor, the C5, at this larger screen size. From experience, the 48-inch seems to have taken a very similar path, as I was instantly struck by how bright, crisp and balanced this TV looked this year.

While I've thoroughly enjoyed previous versions of this TV, such as the 48-inch C4 and C5, they've not jumped out at me in the same way this year's C6 has.

Furthermore, the 42-inch C6 and S90H are two truly exceptional TVs, and while I won't divulge who is taking home a What Hi-Fi? Award, they're practically on par when it comes to picture quality and features.

Simply put, I could happily sit and watch a movie on these TVs, despite being used to having an expansive 65-inch at home. They don't feel like compromised versions of larger TVs, but actually great alternatives in their own right.

Now, will any of these TVs make it into my upgraded gaming setup? With the likes of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 and Grand Theft Auto VI launching very soon, I could have the perfect excuse to finally pull the trigger.

MORE:

Check out our full Samsung S90F 48-inch review

As well as our LG C5 48-inch review

And read our full list of the best OLED TVs

Here at What Hi-Fi? we've spent the week testing for the 2026 Awards, pitting the best of the best against each other in a battle royale free-for-all.

It's a very exciting, but busy, time for the team, but we've still managed to find a few delectable deals.

On offer this week is a half-price(!) RGB Mini LED TV, a five-star OLED that comes with a soundbar completely free of charge and a new low for Bose's flagship headphones.

These are all products we've tried and tested ourselves, and we only recommend those that our expert reviewers grant four stars or above.

So the below are all great products, as well as being at an excellent price – let's take a look:

The LG G5 may be last year's flagship, but it's still an exceedingly bright five-star OLED and well worth buying now that there are some heavy discounts. This isn't quite the lowest price we've seen, but this offer does come with the four-star LG S70TY soundbar system included – absolutely free.

For those who want to block out the outside world on planes, trains or just at work, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd gen) are the king of noise-cancelling headphones. The price has been fluctuating somewhat, but at the time of writing, the cans are at the lowest price we've seen of £280 at Amazon thanks to a £39.60 reduction at checkout.

The JBL Xtreme 4 is a current Award-winner, and while it's at risk of being supplanted by its successor later this year, it's still highly recommended for its durable exterior and refined sound. Now at its lowest price, with a whopping 49 per cent discount.

Hisense has dominated the UST projector scene for some time now, and the newly-reviewed Hisense PX4 Pro has made several worthy improvements, offering deeper blacks, more colour volume and a holistically improved, more three-dimensional-looking image. Get a free Xbox controller, a month of Game Pass and £100 cashback too – full cashback details are here.

The Hisense UR9 was the first RGB Mini LED we reviewed, and we praised the technology for its controlled backlight performance and rich cinematic HDR picture. We did find it expensive, but now you can pick it up for half price – use the code GDTV300, and then claim £200 cashback from Hisense. Full Ts and Cs can be found here.

The Q Acoustics 5050 are some of the finest mid-price floorstanders you're likely to find. When properly partnered, they are pleasingly mature-sounding speakers that deliver impressive clarity and scale, now at their lowest price.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

We're big fans of LG's latest mid-range OLED.

The five-star LG C6 is one of our favourite TVs of the year, thanks to a bright, rich and refined picture, awesome gaming credentials and an app-packed smart platform.

It also delivers a solid audio performance for its class, though it's no substitute for a dedicated sound system.

That's where this bundle deal comes in. The LG C6 is currently down to an impressive £1899 at Smart Home Sounds with the code TRADE250, only £10 above the lowest price we've seen.

But the real kicker is that you get a Dolby Atmos soundbar absolutely free – add the four-star LG S70TY to your basket with the C6 and the cost will be removed at checkout.

Even without the soundbar, this would be a great deal on a fantastic TV.

Much of the C6's success comes from the new Alpha 11 Gen 3 chip. We don't often get too excited about processor upgrades, but this seemingly small change has resulted in an even brighter and richer performance than its predecessor, the Award-winning LG C5.

"Even in Filmmaker Mode, the C6’s extra brightness over the C5 is immediately obvious," our LG C6 review reads. "Highlights are more intense, colours have a touch more richness and the overall image carries greater depth and dimensionality."

The C6 offers a more enticing, dynamic and three-dimensional delivery overall, as well as enhanced upscaling, remastering and shading subtlety.

Gamers, as ever, are well looked after with LG TVs. VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming are available on all four HDMI 2.1 sockets, as well as 4K/120Hz for console gamers. PC gamers can even crank it up to 4k/165Hz with VRR.

The reliable LG WebOS is similarly impressive, with all the major streaming services present, well optimised and delivering content in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos where applicable.

As well as Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG are also on board. HDR10+ is missing – as are the newly released Dolby Vision 2 and HDR10+ Advanced – though this isn't a huge issue at the moment.

Improvements have been made to the sound also, with a more open and immersive delivery. We recommend taking the soundbar freebie, however – the LG S70TY package will smash the C6 when it comes to sound quality thanks to its easy-going, balanced presentation and well-integrated subwoofer.

You can pay a lot more and get a lot less than this great-value bundle deal. A £601 saving at Smart Home Sounds on one of the year's best OLEDs is quite the bargain anyway, but chucking in a decent Dolby Atmos soundbar makes this an absolute steal.

MORE:

Check out our LG C5 review

Also read our LG G6 review

Best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets tried and tested

This week was notable, at least in the AV tech world, for the announcement that the next Amazon Prime Day sale is less than a month away.

Yes, another one! But if you just can't wait, there have been plenty of surprisingly good deals this week.

First up is our exclusive saving on a top five-star JBL AVR at Richer Sounds. Signing up for the free VIP programme and using our code WHFJBL500 will get you a massive £3801 in total, so it's not an offer to miss.

Elsewhere, we've seen some rock-bottom prices for several five-star Sony headphones, as well as a new low for LG's OLED flagship with a free soundbar to boot.

The bar has been set for Amazon Prime Day then!

As always, we only recommend products that we've actually tried and tested ourselves. Everything below has actually earned five stars, with several even getting a coveted What Hi-Fi? Award too.

Take a look for yourself:

For those who take home cinema seriously, the JBL Synthesis SDR-38 offers an outstanding sonic performance, a stylish build and an extensive feature set. To get this price, you'll have to sign up for the (free) Richer Sounds VIP club, and then use our exclusive WHFJBL500 to save a whopping £3801 in total.

If you'd rather opt for a more straightforward soundbar, then this LG G6 deal includes one absolutely free. LG's latest flagship boasts fantastic picture quality, excellent app support and flawless gaming specifications, and can be picked up for its lowest price with the code TRADE250. The four-star LG S70TY comes bundled in too.

The Sony WH-CH520 are comfortable, built to last, offer a generous battery life, support Bluetooth Multipoint, and sound great for the price. Their successor, the WH-CH530, is now on the market, but they currently cost double this £25 price.

Award-winning earbuds for £28. The Sony WF-C510 lack some of the more advanced features of pricier models, but they do offer a compact, comfortable design, solid, musical sound and impressive features, now at a new lowest price.

The Hisense AX5125H soundbar system is amazing value for money even at full price, with exceptional weight, scale and spaciousness. The Award-winner offers a lot of kit with great specs for a rather low price, making it one of the biggest Dolby Atmos bargains around.

The Cyrus 40 CD is no doubt a premium CD player, but it has the performance to match. Offering subtle detail, rhythmic precision, punch and power but also superb control, the 40 CD is a brilliantly engaging premium player for anyone with the budget.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

Sorting a new home cinema set-up can be a pricey affair, with the cost of both a new TV and sound system quickly adding up.

LG, however, has a solution – it offers a soundbar bundled with its latest flagship OLED, completely free of charge.

The flagship OLED in question is the LG C6, a punchy, premium TV to which we awarded five stars. It has just hit a new lowest price of £2564 at Smart Home Sounds for the wall-mount version, thanks to the promo code TRADE250.

That’s not all: you also get the LG S70TY Dolby Atmos soundbar and subwoofer included at no extra charge if you have both items in your basket at checkout.

We awarded the soundbar package four stars in our LG S70TY review, and it will certainly blow the TV into the weeds when it comes to sound quality. Given that the S70TY is retailing for £229 at Amazon, that’s quite the saving you will be making.

We retested the LG G6 following a major software update, which included a side by side comparison with its predecessor, the C5. It didn’t take long during a viewing of Civil War to start noticing the improvements.

“The flames in a burning night-time forest continue to offer an enthralling amount of extra detail as well as higher peaks, but, more crucially, characters’ skin tones look nicely realistic, retaining reds far better, to the point that the G5’s picture makes them look slightly jaundiced by comparison.”

Moving to a daytime scene in a military camp, “balanced” quickly becomes the word that best describes the G6. As a helicopter swoops into the camp over a forest, it’s clear that LG has backed away from its previous focus on aggressively pushing its TVs’ peak brightness at all costs.”

The G6 is particularly notable as one of the few TVs with a Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel, which uses a ‘four-stack’ panel structure to help the OLED TV achieve higher peak and operating brightness levels while retaining colour volume and accuracy.

It also features a new Alpha 11 Gen 3 AI processor and Hyper Radiant Colour Technology, enabling higher peak brightness than the already dazzling LG G5.

HDR is well catered for, with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG all on board and only HDR10+ missing. WebOS 26 is similarly well equipped, with Now, Apple TV, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and pretty much every app you can think of available.

As with most LG TVs, the G6’s gaming chops are particularly strong. All four HDMI 2.1 inputs support up to 4K/165Hz gameplay with VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision Gaming HDR.

The G6’s sound system is a step in the right direction, with a fuller, more robust sound than its predecessors. The nicely balanced S70TY soundbar is a clear upgrade, however, so we certainly recommend taking up the freebie instead of relying on the built-in speakers.

If you are looking for a new flagship OLED and need a sound system also, then this LG G6 package is the best value you’ll find right now. £2564 at Smart Home Sounds is the lowest price we have yet seen on this nuanced, accurate and immersive OLED – and a free four-star soundbar is the icing on the cake.

MORE:

Here’s our pick of the best TVs for every budget

Want a cheaper LG OLED? Check out our LG C6 review

For last year’s model, head over to our LG G5 review

LG has released an extensive statement denying claims made in a damning report that its smart TVs spy on users. But the authors of the original report have responded in turn, accusing LG of lying.

In the original video, YouTube channel Gamers Nexus claimed that LG TVs are capable of recording private conversations even when no wake word has been spoken. It also accused the company of collecting sensitive data such as IP addresses, the geographic location of the TV, and details of nearby wi-fi networks and the names of devices connected to them (even if they’re not connected to the TV).

The report includes demonstrations of the claims made, and was conducted in conjunction with tech site Level1 Techs and independent cybersecurity researchers.

LG’s statement says that such reporting has led to “misconceptions about how LG smart TVs work”. The company claims that “LG smart TVs do not continuously record or transmit users’ conversations,” though some commenters have noted the use of the word “continuously”.

“Speech-to-text processing begins only if a user activates a voice interaction through a supported wake-word feature or by pressing the voice (or AI) button on the remote control,” LG goes on. While the TVs must always be listening in order to detect a wake word, the statement says that this audio is “processed locally on the TV” and if no wake word is detected, “audio is not converted to text, stored, or transmitted”.

“Voice-recognition results and related technical logs may be generated as part of processing a voice command,” it adds. “These records are associated with specific voice interactions and do not indicate continuous recording of conversations occurring outside an active voice recognition session.”

While “speech-recognition results may be used to support voice-related features,” they are “not uploaded later when the TV is offline or when connectivity is restored.”

The statement notes that the automatic content recognition (ACR) feature is optional and not enabled by default. ACR has proved controversial, as it detects what’s on screen in order to improve recommendations or sell that information to advertisers.

LG’s statement then goes on to detail how various features of its smart TVs work. It notes that “No connected product is ever completely immune from security vulnerabilities.” Some of Gamers Nexus’s claims would rely on a bad actor hacking the TV to gain control over it.

But that’s not the end of the story. Gamers Nexus has since responded with a bullish follow-up video, claiming that LG’s statement contradicts itself and that its denials are not evidence-based.

We have contacted LG to see if it has a response to that response.

The report has caused a storm in the TV world, and – judging from some of the comments – consumers aren’t happy about how invasive smart TVs are capable of being. LG executives saying it “owns the glass” and “owns the TV” in an attempt to attract advertisers isn’t a good look, especially for anyone who has just shelled out thousands of pounds for a new C6.

MORE:

Read our LG C6 review

Also consider the Samsung S95F

Best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets tried and tested

The long Labor Day weekend is the last big sales event before Black Friday, so it’s well worth taking a look at the deals.

And while it may be tempting to wait a few more months, there are some record-low prices to be had already – including a whopping 50 per cent off a pair of multi-Award-winning headphones.

There’s plenty else to consider, though, including our 2025 TV Product of the Year, a new OLED favourite and a saving on Apple’s best AirPods.

Whatever you decide on, every product below has been tried and tested by our expert review team. Each device is compared to the market leaders, and only those with four stars or more get our sought-after recommendation.

So kick back this long weekend and enjoy some of the deals…

The Sony WH-1000XM5 premium noise-canceling headphones are great performers, and this fantastic half-price saving makes them even better value. The newer WH-1000XM6 have taken their place, but the XM5 are still very much recommended.

The LG C6 is one of our favorite TVs of the year so far, with a new processor delivering a brighter, richer and more refined OLED picture than its predecessor. If you’re looking for a mid-range OLED, this is the one to get, and its awesome gaming specs are ideal for GTA 6 in a few months.

If you’re looking to add streaming smarts to your TV or just upgrade its capabilities, then the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Generation) is our video streamer Product of the Year and our top choice at this price range. The stick adds Amazon’s app-packed Fire OS, with a detailed, rich picture and support for all four HDMI formats.

The AirPods Pro 3 have it all, with spacious, powerful and dynamic sound, effective noise-canceling and a comfortable, lightweight design. If you have an iOS device, these are the AirPods we recommend, and you’ll get to enjoy the snappy, seamless synergy between the two.

JBL has been king of the portable Bluetooth speaker game for a while now, and the JBL Flip 7 is no different. With skilful handling of dynamics and rhythms, excellent build quality and a strong feature set that includes Auracast and lossless wired audio, there’s a lot on offer here.

The Sony Bravia 8 II is our current reigning TV champion, scooping the Product of the Year gong in this category thanks to its exceptionally bright, vibrant and three-dimensional picture, excellent shadow detail and cinematically authentic presets. We’ve been singing its praises for some time, so this discount is the perfect time to see what all the fuss is about.

MORE:

These are the best projectors out there

Check out the best TVs we have reviewed

And here are the three best OLED TVs

Plonking a 65-inch OLED TV in my living room came with some unexpected side effects. Namely, my house is now the gathering place for match days, Grand Prix watch parties, and movie nights.

And I couldn't be happier; that's what home cinema is all about in my opinion, and I'm always keen to host so that I can preach (and more importantly show off) the benefits of OLED to my not-so-AV-savvy mates.

While I usually get met with raised eyebrows when I mention the price of OLED TVs, after demonstrating the inherent benefits of OLED, the unanimous sentiment amongst my friends is along the lines of "yeah... I need one of these".

While I have convinced a couple of friends to splurge on an OLED TV already, at the end of the day that price factor is the hardest sell, especially to a group of twenty-somethings living in cramped London house shares.

That said, I usually end up getting a message shortly after they return home to their LCD TV complaining that I've ruined every other TV for them; and no, I am not sorry.

That's why I'm almost always urging them to save up and treat themselves to an upgrade, and I now have a secret weapon to tempt my mates into joining me on team OLED.

My friends and I are all keen gamers, and there's this little game launching in November that we're all quite excited for; it's called Grand Theft Auto VI, you might have heard of it.

As such, the current buzz in our group chats is upgrading our gear to experience the game at its best, including its stunning visuals. This conversation has ramped up since Thursday night's Grand Theft Auto VI: An Extended Look, which premiered on Netflix and gave us a glimpse at the vibrant visuals of Rockstar Games' latest flagship title.

Frame rates and fidelity have now become major talking points, and the few friends of mine that don't already own a PS5 are now locked into purchasing one ahead of the 19th of November.

My advice to friends who already own a PS5 but want to upgrade a key component for GTA VI is to upgrade their TV or monitor; and of course, I'm pushing them towards OLED.

The perfect blacks, pixel-level contrast control, and superb response time of OLED make it a perfect panel technology for gaming, and I think the most anticipated game of the decade is a good excuse to take the plunge.

I've also touted the benefits of upgrading to a newer HDMI 2.1-equipped TV, too; most of my friends didn't know what VRR and ALLM were, let alone that their consoles had these features. And, of course, I've already assured them that these sets will exceed expectations when it comes to movies and sports too.

My recommendations are currently down to these three models, all of which are perfectly suited to all content:

The LG C6 is my current top pick; it comes in a range of sizes including a desktop-friendly 42-inch version, and it's one of the best-equipped TVs on the gaming market.

However, a stellar budget alternative is the Philips OLED760, which sports an impressive set of gaming specs and Ambilight, and it's under £1000 for the 55-inch model currently.

And the Samsung S99H is probably the most impressive TV I've seen this year. It happens to support up to eight full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 sockets if you purchase the wireless One Connect system, and the picture performance is simply stunning. That said, the price will put many (my friends included) off.

If you're eyeing up a home cinema upgrade in preparation for GTA VI later this year, then my advice remains: you'd be hard-pressed to go wrong with any of the OLEDs I've mentioned above.

Now, my next task is to talk them into getting Dolby Atmos sound systems, but that's a discussion for another day...

MORE:

Read our full LG C6 65-inch review

Check out our picks for the best OLED TVs

Find the best OLED TV deals here

Thought we had finally hit the upper limit of OLED? Think again!

LG Display, which produces the OLED panels used in all OLED TVs sold by LG Electronics and in many TVs sold by brands such as Samsung, Sony and Panasonic, has just announced a new “dream” panel technology called ‘FLiPP’.

That funky name stands for the decidedly less funky ‘FMM-Less innovative Pixel Patterning’, which actually explains how this new technology works.

For the past decade or so, OLEDs have been manufactured using fine metal masks (FMMs). These are essentially sheets covered with microscopic holes, through which the red, green and blue OLED materials are placed.

The problem with these FMMs is that they add cost and they are hard to manufacture, particularly at very large screen sizes.

Now, “after a year of concentrated R&D”, LG Display says it has managed to develop a manufacturing method that eradicates the need for these FMMs.

More affordable super-sized OLED TVs?

Why should you care? First up, LG Display claims that because FLiPP improves the aperture ratio of OLED, it can “increase display brightness by 1.6 times, extend lifespan by 2.4 times, and reduce power consumption by 13 per cent”.

But I think there is potentially a more interesting point here. FLiPP apparently reduces material costs and significantly improves the efficiency of using large OLED sheets to produce panels for different products, and that means that manufacturing costs should decrease, potentially resulting in cheaper OLED TVs.

This could be particularly beneficial where very large OLED TVs are concerned. Big OLED panels are difficult and expensive to produce, so very large OLED TVs tend to be disproportionately expensive. FLiPP could change that.

LG Display flags that FLiPP is “free from panel size and resolution constraints”, and can be used for producing panels from 1-inch in size (for AR/VR headsets, for example) right up to 100 inches.

But when will we start to see FLiPP-based OLED TVs in shops? Not for a while, it seems: the tech is being officially unveiled at the International Meeting on Information Display (IMID) this week, and LG Display says it will first be used in “IT applications such as tablets and monitors”.

Rollout for “ultra-large TVs” is explicitly promised in the press release, though.

We have contacted LG Display for more information, and have reached out to TV manufacturers for their thoughts on the announcement.

We’ll follow up with more on FLiPP as we get it. In the meantime, those who want more of an explanation of how it works should check out LG Display’s own video explainer:

MORE:

Here are the best OLED TVs you can buy right now

Check out our LG C6 review and LG G6 review

There are plenty of reasons you might want to connect your phone to your TV.

Perhaps you’re watching something on your handset and want to transfer it to the bigger screen in your living room; maybe you want a big display to show off the snaps from your latest holiday; or you might want to play some music via your TV.

Whatever you’re trying to achieve, there’s generally a way to do it. Allow us to show you how.

Cast video from your phone

If you want to watch a video from your phone on the big screen, casting is usually the easiest and best way to do it.

Rather than sending everything on your phone's screen to the TV, casting tells the TV to play the content itself, with your phone essentially acting like a remote control. That means you can usually carry on using your phone without interrupting playback, and in many cases you can even turn its screen off while the video continues playing.

Google's technology is now called Google Cast, although you might still see it referred to as Chromecast.

Google Cast is built into Chromecast devices, the Google TV Streamer and TVs running Google TV or Android TV. In the UK, that includes compatible TVs from brands such as Sony, Philips and TCL.

Other manufacturers have also added Google Cast to some models: newer LG TVs support it, for example, while compatible Panasonic Android TVs do, too.

But don't assume that every TV from a particular brand supports Google Cast: Samsung’s Tizen TVs, Hisense's VIDAA TVs and Panasonic's Fire TV models, for example, use different systems.

If your TV doesn't support Google Cast, don't worry: you may still be able to send content to it using AirPlay or the manufacturer's own casting/mirroring system.

How to cast a video

First, make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same wi-fi network. Then open the app containing the video you want to watch and look for the Cast icon – it's a little rectangle with three curved lines in the corner.

Tap it, select your TV from the list of available devices, and the video should start playing on the TV.

Once you're connected, your phone becomes a convenient remote control: you can pause, skip and adjust playback from the app, while the TV does the actual streaming.

The catch is that the app needs to support casting. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, YouTube, BBC iPlayer and many other popular streaming services do, but you won't necessarily find a Cast button in every app.

If there isn't one, you might be able to use screen mirroring instead, but some apps restrict this, too. Sky Go, for example, doesn't support casting of any kind, so you can't simply send its live football or other content from your phone to a Cast-equipped TV.

What about iPhone?

iPhone users can also use Google Cast with compatible apps and TVs, but Apple's own AirPlay system is also an option if you have an AirPlay-compatible TV or an Apple TV 4K streamer.

The principle is much the same: start playing a video, tap the AirPlay button (a rectangle with a triangle pointing into it) and select your TV. Your iPhone and TV generally need to be on the same wi-fi network.

So, as a rule of thumb: if the app has a Cast or AirPlay button, use it. It's generally a better option for watching video on your TV than mirroring your entire phone screen.

Mirror your phone screen

If the app you want to use doesn't support casting, or you simply want to show something that's on your phone rather than stream a particular video, screen mirroring is the next option.

As the name suggests, mirroring shows what's happening on your phone's screen on your TV. Open a website, look through your photos or start an app on your phone, and you'll see the same thing on the big screen. It's particularly useful for things that don't have a dedicated TV app or don't offer a Cast button.

The exact method depends on your phone and TV. iPhone uses Apple's AirPlay system, while Android phones can use different systems depending on the manufacturer. Samsung calls its version Smart View, for example, while LG uses Screen Share on compatible models.

How to mirror your phone

On an iPhone, make sure your phone and TV are connected to the same wi-fi network, then open Control Centre, tap Screen Mirroring (the icon with two rectangles, one in front of the other) and select your AirPlay-compatible TV or Apple TV 4K. If a passcode appears on the TV, enter it on your phone.

On Android, look for a screen-mirroring option in your phone's quick settings. The name varies: Samsung phones use Smart View, while other manufacturers may call it Screen Share, Cast, Wireless Display or something similar. Select your TV from the list of available devices and accept the connection on the TV if prompted.

You'll generally need the phone and TV to be connected to the same wi-fi network, although the exact requirements vary between devices.

Mirroring generally isn't the best option for video

There's a reason we recommend casting where possible. With mirroring, everything on your phone is replicated on the TV, so a notification, incoming call or change of app can appear on the big screen.

And some streaming services restrict mirroring of protected video content, so don't assume that an app without a Cast button will necessarily work when mirrored.

For watching Netflix, YouTube, iPlayer and other supported services, casting or using the app directly on your TV is generally the better solution. Use mirroring when you want to show something that's actually on your phone, such as your photos or a presentation.

Play music through your TV

If you're listening to music, you're generally better off sending it directly to a wireless speaker, soundbar or AV system than using your TV. But there can be good reasons to put your music on the big screen, particularly when you're listening with other people.

The simplest option is to use your music service's TV app, if it has one.

Spotify, for example, has apps for many smart TVs, and you can use Spotify Connect on your phone to control what's playing. The TV can then display album artwork, track information and the playback queue, while everyone can see what's playing and take part in choosing the music.

But you don't necessarily need a TV app. Services including Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz can send music from their phone apps to compatible TVs using Google Cast, while AirPlay provides a similar option for iPhone users with a compatible TV.

So if your TV doesn't have a native app for the music service you use, check whether its phone app supports Google Cast or AirPlay before assuming you're out of luck. You may still be able to get your music onto the big screen.

Connect your phone with a cable

If a wireless connection isn’t an option, you can always connect your phone to your TV with a cable.

It's not as convenient as casting or mirroring, but a wired connection can be useful if you want a direct connection between your phone and TV, particularly if low latency is important – for example, when playing games.

Most modern phones use USB-C, so you'll generally need a USB-C-to-HDMI adaptor or cable, with the HDMI end connected to an HDMI input on your TV. Older iPhones with a Lightning connector require a suitable Lightning-to-HDMI adaptor instead.

Just bear in mind that not every USB-C phone supports video output, so check your phone's specifications before buying an adaptor.

Once connected, your phone will usually mirror its display on the TV, although the exact behaviour depends on the phone and adaptor.

And while a cable removes some of the potential complications of a wireless connection, it doesn't necessarily get around content restrictions: some streaming services can still block video output, or require the adaptor and TV to support the appropriate copy-protection standards (which they often don’t).

MORE:

Here are the best TVs you can buy right now

How far away should you sit from your TV?

If you're reading this in the UK, there's a good chance you're rather hot right now.

Luckily, we have some good news for you – firstly, it's the weekend, and secondly, temperatures are set to drop next week.

So there's no better way to celebrate than to check out some of the top hi-fi and home cinema deals of the week.

This includes record lows on some of the biggest new products of the year so far – the Sony Bravia Trio, the Sony Bravia 7 II and the JBL Xtreme 5 – as well as some savings on some older favourites.

As always, these are all products that our expert testers have reviewed and rated themselves. They've all earned at least four stars, the requirements for a What Hi-Fi? recommendation.

So why not have a browse...

With a main soundbar and two front-facing satellites, the Sony Bravia Theatre Trio is an unusual design that essentially splits a soundbar into three separate speakers. The result, however, is a much bigger and more immersive soundstage than a regular soundbar, and one of the finest Dolby Atmos systems you can buy today.

The Arcam AVR31 might be a few years old now, but the imminent arrival of Arcam's new AV receivers means there's now a phenomenal £3300 off. Despite its age, the AVR31 is a sophisticated, premium amplifier that offers both high-class sound and impressive connectivity features, with seven HDMI 2.1 inputs and three outputs.

The Triangle AIO Twin can play just about anything thanks to its myriad connectivity options. But most importantly, the sound is enthusiastic and capable despite fitting wi-fi streaming, Bluetooth and built-in amplification into one affordable, compact speaker system.

The Sony Bravia 7 II is one of the more affordable ways to get hold of the new RGB Mini LED technology, especially when you use the code SONYRGB15 to get 15 per cent off. It's one of the best backlit TVs we have ever tested, with its RGB Mini LED panel producing vibrant, natural and balanced colours while also boasting excellent depth and solidity.

The JBL Xtreme 5 is one of our favourite products of the year so far, offering the usual impressive build quality but also an impressive sense of scale and excellent clarity. Ideal for tunes outside in the garden when temperatures are more sensible.

For only £69, the Award-winning Sony WF-C710N offer a great sense of musicality as well as fulsome, controlled bass, 30 hours of battery life and capable noise cancelling. Glass blue, pink and white are all available at this discounted price.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

Quiz! How fast can you solve our turntable challenge? Test your wordsearch skills now

Are reflections overpowering your TV? Is daytime viewing washing out the picture?

Then we have a solution. Traditionally, brightness is an area where OLEDs struggle, but not the LG G5.

Thanks to a Primary RGB Tandem panel, the G5 offers a truly striking brightness that was a generational leap forward for OLEDs on release.

And it's now available with a rather hefty discount – the code LG200JL brings the price down to £1799 at John Lewis. You can then claim a further 10 per cent cashback from LG, which brings the final total to £1619. Full Ts&Cs can be found here.

The reason for the LG G5's incredible brightness is a Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel, which stacks four OLED layers to boost brightness and colour volume.

And after testing with Top Gun: Maverick, the difference is pretty much night and day.

"What is immediately striking is how bright the new Primary RGB Tandem TV looks next to a conventional OLED," our LG G5 review reads. "We’re talking levels that, in cases where peak-brightness highlights are on show, such as when Maverick engages the scramjet of the Darkstar hypersonic aircraft, we are compelled to shield our eyes from the blazing brightness.

"Feed it some content that is specifically mastered to target a higher brightness, such as the 4K Blu-ray release of The Matrix or Pan, and it becomes apparent that the new Primary RGB Tandem OLED is truly a technical marvel."

Brightness isn't the only strength of the G5, however. Colour volume is indeed impressive, with stunning colour graduations during a viewing of Pan, while the LG set refused to stutter or judder during Top Gun dogfights.

As is customary with most LG OLEDs, the G5 features a pretty much flawless gaming specification. Four HDMI 2.1 sockets are on board, all with ALLM, VRR and Dolby Vision Gaming. Refresh rates even go all the way up to 4K/165Hz if you have a powerful enough PC, while the more console-friendly 4K/120Hz is also supported.

Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4 are just some of the services available on the rather all-encompassing WebOS, while game streaming is also possible over the Xbox app.

We preferred the Cinema audio preset over the Standard setting due to its wider, louder and punchier sound. However, you'll want a good soundbar or sound system to truly do your movies justice.

It's worth noting that the G5's successor, the aptly named LG G6, is now available and can go even brighter. We'd also recommend considering the Sony Bravia 8 II, which offers a more considered and cinematically authentic picture. Both TVs are hanging around the £2400 mark for the 65-inch models at the time of writing, however, so the G5 offers the best value right now.

If you want spectacle and dazzling brightness, the LG G5 may well be the flagship OLED for you. It's got a stacked feature set and is now available with quite the discount for £1619 at John Lewis.

MORE:

Also consider the Samsung S95F

And the best TVs for any budget

Or why not splash out on the best OLED TVs?

We're already into August! Which means that most of 2026's hi-fi and home cinema launches are now out in the wild.

This includes the new Samsung S85H, which we only reviewed last week and is already in our deals coverage thanks to a tasty £241 discount.

That's not all, however, as the deals continue to be as scorching as the weather outside – there's a new lowest price (just about) on What Hi-Fi?'s favourite AirPods, as well as a truly unique Dolby Atmos soundbar from JBL.

Whatever the product is, you can be sure we've tried and tested it if it appears on this page. We review before we recommend, and every product here has earned at least four stars from our expert testing team.

So without further ado, here are this week's deals...

If you're after an entry-level OLED TV, then the Samsung S85H is one of the best we've tested. We anticipate it will go down further for Black Friday, but if you want to buy some of the latest 2026 tech now, the S85H offers a punchy, three-dimensional picture and impressive brightness for an OLED at this level. Use code SAMS10PERCENT to get this deal price.

The Focal Aria Evo X No3 have plenty of appeal, especially now they're cheaper than on Prime Day. The tall towers offer a refined, full-bodied sound, a classy, stylish appearance, and a price that has collapsed to its lowest-ever level.

The five-star Apple AirPods Pro 3 are our favourite AirPods, improving on the already impressive Pro 2 when it comes to sound quality and ANC especially. There are plenty of intuitive features too, including a built-in heartbeat monitor, live translation and the usual snappy connectivity with iOS devices.

Not sure if you want surround speakers taking up your living room space? The JBL Bar 1000MK2 comes with detachable surrounds that can snap back onto the soundbar if you'd prefer, or can even be taken into other rooms to act as a wireless speaker. Now at a new lowest price.

New to vinyl? Or just want an affordable Bluetooth turntable? Either way, we highly recommend the Sony PS-LX3BT. It's effortlessly easy to use, supremely affordable and produces an accomplished, enjoyable sound.

As the first TV with Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel technology, the LG G5 boasts a generational leap in performance. It's also a great choice for gamers thanks to four full-speed HDMI 2.1 inputs. Use the code LG200JL to save £200 on the price shown, and you can also claim back an extra 10% (£179) from LG after purchase. Ts&Cs here.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

As What Hi-Fi?'s resident deals writer, I am tasked with keeping abreast of the prices of several of the top products our experts recommend.

Especially products that are as good as the LG C6. LG’s latest step-down OLED is one of our favourite products of the year so far, thanks to a new processor that has squeezed out a brighter, richer and more refined performance.

And it has just hit a new lowest price courtesy of John Lewis. The 65-inch C6 can now be yours for £1889 if you use the discount code LGOLED1007, which will save you 10 per cent at checkout.

This is the first time the 65-inch LG C6 has broken through the £2000 barrier, saving you £611 off the £2500 price we tested it at only a few months ago. It’s even cheaper than it was at the Prime Day sales last month – you can see the full breakdown below:

65-inch LG C6 Price History

Price (£)

date

LG C6 65-inch

Price Data

Timestamp (date)	LG C6 65-inch (£)
1	2500
2	2166
3	2079
4	2099
5	2034
6	1889

However, a new lower price is hardly the biggest draw of the LG C6 – the star of the show may well be the new Alpha 11 Gen 3 processor. We don’t often get excited about processor upgrades, but this chip blesses the C6 with a brighter, richer and more refined picture than the C5, which itself was a five-star performer.

“Even in Filmmaker Mode, the C6’s extra brightness over the C5 is immediately obvious,” our LG C6 review reads. “Highlights are more intense, colours have a touch more richness and the overall image carries greater depth and dimensionality.”

Upscaling and remastering have been enhanced as well, while shading subtlety has also been improved.

As is customary with LG TVs, gaming specifications are flawless. Console gamers can enjoy a silky-smooth 4K/120Hz, while PC owners can go all the way up to 4K/165Hz on all four HDMI inputs. VRR, ALLM and Dolby Vision gaming are also included.

All the major streaming services are present and accounted for in the app-packed LG WebOS, with all apps well optimised and playing content in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos where applicable.

Talking of Dolby Vision, there is broad HDR support with HDR10 and HLG also supported – but be aware that HDR10+ is missing.

Audio is where LG OLEDs have traditionally tripped up, but we are delighted to report some improvements this time around. The overall delivery is more open and immersive than the C5, and while it won’t beat a dedicated sound system, the C6 actually sounds pretty good for a TV in its class.

A £611 saving already is not to be sniffed at – especially for an OLED as accomplished as the LG C6. For one of the year’s best TVs, consider the LG C6 for £1889 at John Lewis.

MORE:

Read our review of the LG C5

Read our impressions of the LG G6

Best TVs: flagship OLEDs and budget Mini LED sets tried and tested

It's been Home Cinema Week here at What Hi-Fi?, and we've been celebrating all things TV, projector and surround sound related.

Luckily, there's also been some great savings on home cinema kit we recommend – including several products we only reviewed this week.

Not that hi-fi has been left out, as we've seen some super speaker savings also to break things up.

As ever, these are all products that we have tried and tested ourselves, and the devices below have all earned at least four stars to warrant our recommendation.

We'll go into more detail below, but for now enjoy some savings:

We only reviewed the AWOL Vision Aetherion Max earlier this week, but it's already jumped to the top of the list of our favourite UST projectors. With outstanding picture quality, good built-in audio and an impressive feature set, it's actually quite a bargain at this price.

The Beosound A1 (2nd Gen) has been a long-time favourite here at What Hi-Fi?, thanks to its expansive sound, weighty bass and competent Alexa integration. It's a handsome devil too, with a high-quality build and finish.

We've long been fans of JBL's bulky but quite unbreakable Xtreme line, and the fifth generation is the best yet. The JBL Xtreme 5 offers an impressive sense of scale, excellent clarity, and punchy, expressive delivery as well as the usual solid build quality.

After a re-review of the LG G6 with the correct software, we were very impressed by its punchy picture quality, flawless gaming specifications and excellent app support. You can also claim an extra 10% (£256) cashback from LG after purchase if you wish – full Ts&Cs here.

Denon's flagship home cinema amplifier has a large price tag and an even larger chassis, but justifies it with rich, powerful and natural sound no matter what film we throw at it. Add in an exhaustive feature set and an intuitive set-up, and the Denon AVC-A1H amplifier is a stellar choice for home cinema fans with the budget.

The recently reviewed Q Acoustics 3050c 5.1 package excites and thrills with its agile, energetic sound and impressive bass. We wish the centre channel paired well with the rest of the system, but there is plenty to like about this nicely-designed 5.1 package.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

LG has announced a new picture mode for its TVs. Creator Original Picture Mode is described as an "industry-first picture setting for streaming", and essentially lets the filmmakers decide exactly how the picture should look. Think of it as a step on from Filmmaker Mode.

Because while Filmmaker Mode disables post-processing enhancements for a truer picture, the new mode lets the filmmakers decide parameters such as shadow detail, colour balance, noise reduction and motion handling. These will differ for each film, allowing content creators to have their movies look exactly as they would like.

At least, we think that's how it works. We have a few questions, and have contacted LG for answers – we'll update this story once we've heard back.

The mode is exclusive to Prime Video (and possibly only the Masters Of The Universe reboot, but that's one of the many questions we have posed to LG). It's only available on LG's 2026 OLED evo TVs: that's the W6, G6 and C6 series.

You can also launch Masters Of The Universe by saying "I have the power" into your LG Magic Remote for LG TVs running webOS 23 or later.

Masters Of The Universe has a 67 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

MORE:

I've crunched the numbers, and Filmmaker Mode uses less energy

Check out our list of the best TVs

Find out how to set up your TV

It's Home Cinema Week 2026 here at What Hi-Fi?, and we're celebrating our love for all things TV, projector and surround sound related.

One of our favourite TVs of the year has been the Samsung S99H, thanks to a stunning, contrast-rich picture and a feature set that blows most other TVs out of the water.

However, even the S99H lacks two key features found on LG's latest flagship, the G6: Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Flexconnect. And the LG G6 is cheaper too – the 65-inch Samsung S99H is currently £2899, while the G6 is now down to £2564 at Richer Sounds.

That's quite the step down from the £3000 price we tested at! You can save even more if you're willing to claim cashback – purchase before 18th August and you can claim 10% (£256) cashback from LG. Full Ts&Cs are available here.

After a re-review of the LG following a major software update, we found the G6 to be an OLED of serious ability, as a viewing of Civil War next to its predecessor, the G5, showed.

"The flames in a burning night-time forest continue to offer an enthralling amount of extra detail as well as higher peaks, but, more crucially, characters’ skin tones look nicely realistic, retaining reds far better, to the point that the G5’s picture makes them look slightly jaundiced by comparison," our LG G6 review reads.

"Moving to a daytime scene in a military camp, "balanced" quickly becomes the word that best describes the G6. As a helicopter swoops into the camp over a forest, it's clear LG has backed away from its previous focus on aggressively pushing its TVs' peak brightness at all costs."

This picture quality comes courtesy of a Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel, which uses a ‘four-stack’ panel structure to help the OLED TV achieve higher peak and operating brightness levels while retaining colour volume and accuracy.

It's aided by a new Alpha 11 Gen 3 AI processor and its Hyper Radiant Colour Technology system, which enables higher peak brightness levels than the already dazzling LG G5.

Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG are all on board, though do note that HDR10+ is missing. We wouldn't worry too much though – Dolby Vision is far more widely adopted and supports a higher bit depth of up to 12-bit colour compared to HDR10+'s 10-bit standard.

Otherwise, the broader feature set is pretty much flawless. WebOS 26 supports pretty much every app you can think of, including Now, Apple TV, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more niche streaming options.

LG has long been one of our go-to brands for gaming, and the G6 is no different. All four HDMI 2.1 inputs offer up to 4K/165Hz gameplay with VRR, ALLM, and Dolby Vision Gaming HDR all supported.

LG OLEDs have struggled with audio in the past, but the G6 is a step in the right direction. It won't beat a dedicated sound system, but the G6 offers a noticeably fuller, more robust sound than its predecessors.

There's also support for Dolby Atmos Flexconnect, which allows the TV to automatically connect to compatible speakers and use the G6's built-in speakers as the central channel of a surround sound package. It's still relatively new technology, giving the G6 an element of future-proofing.

If you're looking for a new, feature-packed OLED, then the LG G6 is a compelling option. It offers a nuanced, accurate and ultimately immersive experience complete with flawless gaming specifications, now with £436 off at Richer Sounds.

MORE:

Here's our pick of the best TVs for every budget

Want a cheaper LG OLED? Check out our LG C6 review

For last year's model, head over to our LG G5 review

It has been quite a week for TV reviews here at What Hi-Fi?, with the arrival of Sony's new RGB Mini LED TVs causing much excitement in our test room.

This excitement has extended to the deals section, as both TVs are seeing generous discounts despite only just being reviewed.

They're not the only discounts available, however – there are five-star soundbar systems and JBL speakers on offer, while the LG G6 has also just been re-reviewed and is seeing a tasty saving.

These are all products that have been reviewed and rated by our expert testing team. They have to get at least four stars to earn our recommendation, so we only share deals on the best.

We'll go into more detail about why we like these products below, but for now, feel free to have a peruse:

The Sony Bravia 9 II is Sony's latest flagship, and one of the first TVs to use the new RGB Mini LED display technology. It's a breathtaking TV with colours that surpass every other TV we've ever tested, and is also exceptionally bright. Its sophisticated dimming system is also one of the best we've seen, but it can't quite beat the pixel-level control of OLED.

At better than half price, the Samsung S90F is exceptional value right now. The OLED TV is currently our top pick out of the best 50-inch TVs, thanks to its punchy picture, flawless gaming specifications and practical stand design.

The Sony Bravia 7 II is the Japanese company's step-down RGB Mini LED offering, with vibrant, natural colours and excellent depth and solidity for a backlit TV. Use the code SONY10PERCENT to get £200 off one of the best backlit TVs we have ever tested.

The Samsung HW-Q990H is the Korean brand's follow-up to an Awards winner, and the Dolby Atmos soundbar system doesn't disappoint. With a soundbar, two rear speakers and a very good subwoofer included, the Q990H is excellent at delivering an immersive, spacious sound with excellent height effects.

The JBL Authentics 300 may have retro looks, but it's a versatile speaker with seamless usability and a forthright, confident sound. Now at a new lowest price.

Now that we've tested the LG G6 with the correct, updated software, LG's latest flagship has now been awarded the full five stars. With punchy picture quality, flawless gaming specifications and excellent app support, this is a TV of serious ability.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested

Premium TV brand Loewe has released its latest range of Antares 4K OLED TVs, boasting that the new premium sets combine "timeless design with genuine engineering innovation."

Loewe's Antares TV features OLED modules that the brand claims are individually calibrated before leaving the Loewe factory in Germany to deliver a "viewing experience that remains faithful to the filmmaker's intent."

The calibration comes instead of a next-gen panel, such as the Primary RGB Tandem OLED tech seen in the LG G6 or the QD-OLED in Samsung's S99H TV. These are rival next-gen OLED panel technologies that aim to boost picture quality in key metrics including peak brightness and colour accuracy.

Gamers will be pleased to hear that there is HDMI 2.1 connectivity with up to 144Hz VRR and ALLM. We're waiting for confirmation of exactly how many, however.

The TV features Loewe's os9 platform, which gives users access to most mainstream streaming services, including Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. There's also voice control included with the set, so in theory, you can navigate to what you are looking for without flicking through the menus.

There's an optional Antares 80W soundbar you can add to the system as well, which delivers "greater depth and immersion". That will cost you an extra £300, though. You can also use the TV's built-in speakers or hook up a separate sound system.

You can customise the TV with the optional aluminium onlays, which come in Silver or Black. Plus, you can choose to mount the TV on the wall, a rotating floor stand or even a motorised rotation system that is controlled with a remote. That gives you a fair bit of flexibility, although you will have to factor in the extra costs.

There is a range of sizes from 42 to 65 inches. The cheapest option comes in at £2500 ($3370 / AU$4815) for the 42-inch model, and the largest size will cost a hefty £4000 (around $5390 / AU$7705).

That's certainly the high end of the OLED market, and even the flagship 65-inch LG C6 TV comes in at a more palatable £3000 / $3399 / AU$4999. Still, it might be a more appealing option for the premium buyer looking for ways to customise the screen to their space.

The Antares star is the brightest in the Scorpius constellation, so we are curious to see whether the TV will live up to its namesake and deliver a dazzling picture performance.

MORE:

Loewe's new premium LCD TVs save on space – but cost as much as an OLED

Check out the best TVs

And here is our review of the LG C6

When Sony officially unveiled its 2026 TV range, there was plenty of disappointment that it didn’t include a new OLED model – much of it from me.

These days, Sony tends to work on two-year lifecycles for its TVs, so I wasn’t expecting a successor to last year’s Bravia 8 II; but a replacement for 2024’s Bravia 8 seemed a fairly safe bet – as did a successor to the A90K, which is now an incredible four years old.

The omission prompted some (again, mostly me) to theorise that Sony had in fact turned its back on OLED entirely, and that the Bravia 8 II could be the brand’s last OLED model.

Last month, though, we reported on rumours that Sony was bracing to launch a brand-new OLED TV. And now, those rumours have been all but confirmed by the appearance of this new OLED set on several of Sony’s own websites.

The listings, first spotted by High Def News (thanks, The Walkman Blog), confirm that the new OLED is indeed the Bravia 6. And, if the name wasn’t a big enough hint, the TV’s tagline – “OLED essentials, now within reach” – also confirms that this is indeed an entry-level OLED TV.

Naturally, I’m disappointed that Sony isn’t launching a new flagship OLED at this stage, but if the Bravia 6 is indeed Sony’s most affordable OLED TV yet, as the tagline suggests, that’s rather exciting news in its own right.

Full tech specs are currently absent from the live pages (another suggestion that they have gone live earlier than planned), but there are some nuggets of information to be gleaned.

First, the TV is listed in sizes ranging from 48 inches to 83 inches. That’s a broader range than Sony typically offers for its OLED TVs, but it’s also highly suggestive of the Bravia 6 using LG Display’s new OLED SE panel, which is available in exactly those sizes and notably not in 42 inches.

While it’s not confirmed, we believe this is the panel that is already found in the LG B6, a set we will be reviewing very soon.

Another encouraging detail is that the Bravia 6 sports four HDMI 2.1 sockets. Gamers (myself included) have long lamented Sony’s models being limited to just two HDMI 2.1 sockets, with that limitation even being true of the new flagship Bravia 9 II, so this is very good news.

The listing also confirms that Dolby Vision is supported on the video side, and that Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are present on the audio side.

Unsurprisingly, like every other modern Bravia TV, the Bravia 6 also features the Google TV platform, which can be operated via voice control (though it’s not clear whether this is via a microphone built into the remote control or the TV itself).

We do know the TV includes ambient sensors, with the listing promising automatic picture adjustments based on room conditions.

None of the leaked listings includes pricing, so we don’t yet have any indication of where the Bravia 6 will sit in Sony’s range.

We don’t even know, in fact, whether the Bravia 6 will even come to the UK. Sony has a recent habit of releasing some models in certain regions but not others.

If it does launch the new model in the UK, there’s no guarantee that it will do so in all sizes: I note that Sony Hong Kong is listing the Bravia 6 in 48-, 55- and 65-inch sizes, while Sony Gabon is listing the 55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch sizes.

We have approached Sony UK for comment. We don’t expect the company to confirm the Bravia 6 ahead of an official announcement, but with multiple regional Sony websites now listing the TV, that announcement surely can’t be far away.

Stay tuned for more on the Sony Bravia 6 as we get it.

MORE:

These are the best TVs you can buy right now

Will the Bravia 6 be good enough and cheap enough to hit our list of the best cheap TVs?

Buying a new TV is a major investment.

As a massive home cinema fan, I know I'm in a privileged position; I’m constantly surrounded by the latest flagship OLEDs, and it’s easy to become desensitised to the huge prices that are attached.

That is why I always try to stay grounded when offering buying advice – especially during massive sales events like Black Friday and Prime Day.

Take the LG C5, for example. This Award-winning set was an absolute steal during recent sales, with the 55-inch model plummeting to £989; a massive £910 saving. But even at a heavy discount, it's still a serious chunk of change.

It's easy to get swept up in the hype, but if a new screen isn't in your budget right now, the endless onslaught of deals can be frustrating.

Fear not. If you're craving an upgrade but need to eke out the lifespan of your current display, I’ve got a few tips to tide you over. These simple, free adjustments – ranging from a bit of late Spring cleaning to a deep dive into your picture settings – can make your old TV feel almost brand new.

1. Update your software

First and foremost, you should head to the settings menu within your TV's operating system. Under "about", "system", or "support" (depending on your model of TV), you should see an option to initiate a software update.

There may also be an option to switch auto-updates on, which I would recommend doing to ensure your TV is always up to date.

While it's not always a miracle cure, a software update can help to fix sluggish software, and you might find that your TV suddenly has new features and an updated look, and apps may run smoother too.

2. Clear your apps cache

Another software-related tip that can help speed up a chugging operating system is to clear your TV's applications cache.

Usually found within the apps section of your TV's settings menu (I recommend consulting your TV's manual or searching the model number online to find the setting), clearing your apps cache will declutter unnecessary stored files, which should result in quicker loading times, prevent crashes, and even free up space in your TV's internal storage.

The best part is that you shouldn't be logged out of your apps, and any settings you've changed will also remain.

This is a quick, easy trick that not many people will think to do, but it can help fix those annoying app niggles.

3. Clean that screen

Here's one I'm guilty of not doing enough.

It's simple science: your TV generates static electricity during use, which attracts dust and fibre in the air. That dust build-up becomes more visible over time, which, unsurprisingly, can impact the picture performance of your TV.

Now, if you're anything like me, you'll only have noticed that your TV has gradually been building up dust when the light hits it just right, and then you'll be immediately horrified at how you haven't noticed this sooner.

But fret not! Simply turn off your TV, let it cool down for a short while if you've been using it (especially if it's an OLED, which tends to run especially hot), and then gently wipe the screen with a clean microfibre cloth to clean it, without damaging the screen.

If you want to take things further and wish to give your TV screen more of a deep clean, then you can invest in a screen cleaning kit. We're partial to this Screen Mom set in the TV testing room. Just be sure to spray the cleaner onto the cloth to avoid streaks.

4. Take another look at your picture settings

Diving back into the picture settings can make the TV you've been using for years feel brand new.

Trying out a new picture mode, or tweaking simple settings such as motion, can unearth improvements that you may not have known your TV is capable of.

If you've left your TV in the standard picture mode after unboxing it years ago, then now is the time to try out the movie mode, or delve into Filmmaker Mode (or, if you're using a Sony TV, the professional picture mode) for a more cinematic experience.

Tweaking the motion settings can help to smooth out judder, but if you have it turned up to the maximum setting, then you might find that turning it down will make your TV look much more natural.

Feel free to take a trial-and-error approach here to find the best settings to suit you; most, if not all, TVs we've tested feature an option in the settings menu to reset the picture settings to default if you get a little bit too creative.

MORE:

Check out our picks for the best OLED TV

As well as the best cheap TVs

And read our full LG C6 65-inch OLED TV review

Prime Day (or should that be Prime Week?) may just be a memory now, but that doesn’t mean the savings have dried up.

Several discounts have stayed live long after the Prime curtain came down, while others have popped up out of the woodwork. And (this shouldn’t be right, surely?) some top Prime Day deals have somehow got even cheaper.

So if you’re looking to upgrade your home cinema for the final weeks of the World Cup or seeking a Bluetooth speaker for the next heatwave, we’ve got you covered.

These are all products we have reviewed and rated ourselves, and all have been awarded a full five stars. So you can buy with confidence.

It’s been a banner week this week, with several Award-winners and new 2026 releases up for grabs. Take a look yourself:

If you’re after powered speakers on a budget, then the Elac Debut ConneX DCB41 are our recommendation. They are full of features, with Bluetooth connectivity, a switchable stereo input/moving-magnet phono stage and HDMI, optical and USB inputs; but most importantly they also serve up a balanced, insightful sound.

Two of our favourite OLED TVs of 2026 are on sale this week! Up first is our mid-range pick, the LG C6, which is even cheaper than it was during Prime Day. This deal price includes the £40 cost of an AO Five-Star membership, which is needed to unlock the discount.

The JBL Charge 6 is our Product of the Year Bluetooth speaker, and we were astonished when it dropped to £100 over Prime Day. We were even more astonished, however, when it dropped even further this week, with the black finish now £96 at Amazon.

If you’re after a new flagship OLED, then the Samsung S99H is the one to beat this year. It has dazzlingly bright highlights, awesome contrast and excellent three-dimensional depth, making it perfect for the World Cup, GTA 6, or pretty much anything you plan to use it for. Unlock the deal price with the code TRADE250 and a £250 cashback offer from Samsung – full Ts&Cs can be found here.

The Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 7 + S excels where several Dolby Atmos soundbars fail, with the included subwoofer adding plenty of tight, agile bass. We reviewed this package only in April, and now it’s available with its first discount.

The Hisense AX5125H was one of the earliest deals we covered on Prime Day, and also one of the best. The fact you can get a Dolby Atmos soundbar system at this price is quite incredible. What’s more incredible is that it also sounds pretty good.

MORE:

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy

And the best TVs for all budgets

Interested in the bigger picture? Here are the best projectors we have tested