Here at What Hi-Fi?, we're no size snob. We review TVs of all shapes and sizes, operating purely on a performance-per-pound metric.
Usually, we're big proponents of getting the best-quality TV you can, and not getting swayed by big-screen bargains based on the size alone.
However, for an event such as the World Cup there are arguments to use your hard-earned budget to opt for size over quality – especially if you're hosting a watch party.
So where's the line? Can sheer size and spectacle make up for any shortcomings? Is it really worth the upgrade to OLED if it's on a small screen? Let's break down the pros and cons.
Size: the arguments for
Gigantic affordable TVs have been around for quite a while now, but it's only recently that they've actually started to become rather good. Case in point is the 70-inch Sharp GK4245K, which can be picked up for £420 and received four stars, or the monster 98-inch TCL 98C7K, which is now under £2000 and so impressive it won a What Hi-Fi? Award.
The benefits of a big screen are pretty self-explanatory. It brings the big-screen cinematic experience home and can help make your viewing experience more immersive. If you're lucky enough to own a very large living room and your sofa is far away, then an oversized TV becomes almost necessary – see our guide to TV sizes and calculating the right viewing distance.
A larger TV is, of course, preferable if you're having a World Cup viewing party, so everyone can see – as well as for bragging rights, of course.
Size: the arguments against
Giant TVs will, of course, require a giant amount of space, which can make installation and placement difficult, and may very well lead to the TV dominating your living room. If you can't sit far enough away, then eye strain is a very worrying possibility, and you'll also have to contend with higher energy bills.
Unless you're sufficently well off to afford the steep price increase that comes with mega-sized OLEDs, you'll likely have an LCD or Mini LED display taking over your living room instead. Now these panels are capable of producing some amazing pictures, but they do have their drawbacks compared to OLED, such as halo and blooming effects, slower response times and sub-par black levels.
All of these will be magnified on a bigger screen, especially with lower-resolution content.
Quality: the arguments for
If you want the best quality TV possible, you're still going to want an OLED (though there is a looming threat from RGB Mini LED). Our current benchmark TV, for example, is the Sony Bravia 8 II, a Quantum Dot OLED that delivers sizzling brightness, vibrant colours and terrific shadow detail.
Thanks to its pixel-level light control, OLED has several advantages that other panel technologies can't quite recreate – namely, perfect blacks, excellent contrast and thinner designs.
The faster response time will make them a great choice for sports in particular, as motion blur will be reduced, while the wider viewing angles will make them a great choice for viewing parties, especially if guests will be watching from the side.
Quality: the arguments against
The main downside of OLED is that it's currently more expensive than most other display types. So yes, those stretching to OLED might have to settle for a smaller screen size, when they could buy a much bigger LCD or Mini LED with the same budget.
OLEDs also struggle to go as bright as LCDs – though sets such as the LG G5 are bringing the technology to new levels of brightness – so a good Mini LED might be a better choice for a sunlit room. OLEDs also typically have a shorter lifespan than LCD alternatives as the organic materials degrade over time.
Size vs quality: verdict
So, should you go for size or picture quality for your World Cup TV?
The smart money says go for quality – if you can afford an OLED, then it offers a myriad of advantages that other panel technologies just cannot replicate, and will benefit your movies, games and other activities long after the World Cup has finished. OLED prices have also come down quite a bit over the last decade, with some rather reasonable prices for sizes up to 65 inches.
That being said, the best TV will depend on your budget, room size, desired features and several other factors. If you want to go for spectacle and go as big as your budget allows, that's absolutely fine – just make sure that any giant TV is good value, and not just cheap.
MORE:
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