Every year, TV manufacturers up their game with exciting new displays. These advanced TVs are typically thinner, brighter, bigger (or smaller) with smarter features, improved sound, and elegant new designs. This year is no exception. All the top TV manufacturers have come out of the gate in 2024 with stunning new TVs. They might just be enough to tempt you to finally upgrade that old one you have in the basement, bedroom, or living room; maybe even outside.
Here’s a round-up of some of the most notable new entries in the consumer display market.
Samsung Neo QLED 4K
While Samsung also has its Neo QLED 8K line, the Neo QLED 4K line is the more accessible option for most. With no real 8K content available for consumption at home just yet anyway, a 4K TV is still a solid option, and a real step up from HD with appropriate sources. These models come in sizes from 55 up to 98 inches, each with the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor. The picture is enhanced thanks to technologies like Real Depth Enhancer Pro and Quantum Matrix Technology. Models are also Pantone Validated so you can be confident you’re getting accurate colour reproduction. For sound, the displays support Dolby Atmos for surround sound playback with a compatible speaker set-up.
Samsung Glare-Free OLED
If you have a few more bucks to spare, you won’t be disappointed by upgrading to an OLED TV. And Samsung’s line for 2024 includes glare-free models that help reduce unnecessary reflections, no matter the lighting condition. They are powered by the same processor and have Real Depth Enhancer and OLED HDR Pro along with Motion Xcelerator 144Hz for smooth motion whether you’re watching a high-action film or playing a first-person shooter video game. There are three models in the line: the S95D, S90D, and S85D, and they come in sizes from 42 up to 83 inches.
LG OLED and QNED TVs
The big news with LG TVs this year, including both new OLED and QNED models, is improvements in the company’s webOS smart TV interface. You’ll see things like new content recommendations and content partners, and updated Quick Cards for accessing the most frequently used functions that are now dynamic so you can hover over a card to see the most recently used apps in that folder. LG is also adding voice recognition so each family member’s voice will be recognized and the menu will adjust accordingly to their personalized viewing. There’s also a new chatbot in the TVs that can provide tips and assistance. Most notably, LG is launching a five-year upgrade program for webOS called Re:New. Starting with 2022 models, you’ll be guaranteed to receive the latest software updates for at least 60 months. That’s a big deal considering most families tend to hold on to their TVs for a long time.
On the hardware end, most notable this year for LG is a 98-inch QNED TV, which marks the largest in the line to date. It will launch alongside an 86-inch model, both of which will incorporate AI technology for improved upscaling and picture quality, precise lighting control, support for local dimming, game dashboard and optimizer, support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and an ultra-slim design. Meanwhile, the new LG Signature OLED M4 is now available in a 65-inch size and comes with the wireless Zero Connect Box to offer wireless audio and video transmission up to 4K 144Hz.
LG Transparent Signature OLED T TV
LG’s stand-out TV this year is the Signature OLED T TV, a 4K OLED screen that’s transparent and pairs wirelessly with the Zero Connect Box. It looks almost invisible once it’s turned off, blending into your environment. Use the T-Bar, meanwhile, to display things like news alerts, weather updates, or song information when the rest of the TV isn’t displaying anything or showing artwork or a slideshow of photos. Once on, if desired, you can set it to see right through the display, offering a wonderfully cool aesthetic. Ideal with floating shelves on the sides, the 77-inch TV is powered by an Alpha 11 AI processor. I had the chance to experience a private demo of this TV at CES 2024 and it’s very cool. There’s no pricing or official launch date as yet, but LG promises it will be coming to market soon.
Hisense ULED TVs
Hisense has a new line of ULED TVs for 2024, including both the standard ULED line along with two ULED X models. At the top of the line is the 98UX, which measures 98 inches in size and features 5,000 nits brightness, 10,000 local dimming zones, 144Hz refresh rate, and 4.2.2 channel audio. The U6N, U7N, and U8N ULED TVs, meanwhile, come in sizes from 55 up to 85 inches. They offer 3,000 nits brightness, IMAX Enhanced and Filmmaker Mode, 144Hz native refresh rates, and a new Game Bar feature gamers will love. It also comes with Google TV built in with access to plenty of content, including movies, TV shows, and apps.
Last month Hisense also introduced its 100-inch QLED U76N TV with Quantum Dot technology, full array local dimming with 256 dimming zones, 144Hz refresh rate, Game Pro Mode and Auto Low Latency Mode for gamers, and the Google TV smart TV interface for access to more than 10,000 apps. With built-in Bluetooth, you can pair it with wireless headphones and listen privately or crank the volume late at night when the kids are sleeping.
TCL 115-inch QD-Mini LED TV
If you’re looking for an ultra-big set for the basement, TCL is offering a massive 115-inch QD-Mini LED TV that offers high peak brightness, variable refresh rate of 144Hz, and slim wall-mount solutions. Introduced at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona this February, the TV is currently only available in the European market. But it’s a marvel to behold and will hopefully make its way to North America, too.
Skyworth Clarus S1 4K UHD Full Sun Outdoor Mini LED TV
Skyworth has a line of TVs coming this year, but for those who are looking for something to mount on the patio in the backyard, there’s the Clarus S1 4K UHD Full Sun Outdoor Mini-LED TV. The Google TV display offers 3,000 nits brightness so it’s viewable even in direct sunlight. It has Dolby Vision, HDR 10, and an ambient light sensor. But most importantly, it’s IP66-rated for dust and weather protection, able to operate in even extreme temperatures. With an anti-glare glass panel, it is also IK10-rated impact resistant. Shipping with a 100W soundbar that mounts right under it, you’ll be able to enjoy the big game or a thrilling movie or fun family show while basking in the hot Canadian summer. As the owner of an outdoor TV, I can confidently say that having one is a game-changer for the summer months. From Sunday dinners outside watching a show with the family to keeping on top of the game while spending time with friends on a sunny Saturday, you’ll use it more than you think you will.
Displace TV
Displace is one of the more unique TV innovations, though it isn’t technically on the market just yet. Introduced at CES 2023, the company was back at the show in 2024 and still attracted the same crowds. The product isn’t ready for primetime yet, but it’s promised to be available before the end of this year. What makes it so attention grabbing? The concept involves a wireless TV that works with a hot swappable battery. The TV clicks into place on a mount so you can easily pick it up and move it to another location, clicking it into place each time. There are no wires at all, just a base unit to plug in nearby the TV.
The newest TVs in the line are smaller versions called the Displace Flex and Displace Mini. The Flex is 55 inches and designed for use in rooms where the TV can’t be attached to the wall, like in a rented apartment where you’re not permitted to drill holes. It instead connects to a magnetic Displace Stand, which will have to be purchased separately. The Displace Mini, meanwhile, is just 27 inches in size, designed to be used in a kitchen or bathroom, for example. The coolest part is that it can be magnetically secured to the side of a refrigerator, ideal for cooking videos or watching the news while you make dinner.
What’s New in TV Streaming Services?
TV streaming has taken over when it comes to content. Most households have a subscription to at least one of the major services, like Netflix, Disney+, Crave, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+, or even multiple. There are also other smaller TV streaming services you might not know about, like Pluto TV (which is free!), Hayu for reality TV shows, BritBox for British TV programming, Acorn TV, Plex, and Roku TV. There are a few new announcements in Canada on the content streaming front as well.
Tubi, owned by Fox, is a free service, supported by advertising, that offers a wealth of content. Last month, Tubi added more than 200 movies to its catalogue in Canada through content deals with NBCUniversal, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Discovery. You can access Tubi right from the app on your TV, and while you don’t need an account, adding one provides advantages like content recommendations and the ability to pick up where you left off, even if you switch devices.
Eastlink is offering the TiVo Stream Mobile app for its TiVo Stream subscribers, who can now watch live sports and on-demand movies and TV shows anywhere. You can even restart a live show already in progress to watch from the beginning. It works with both iOS and Android phones and is free for existing subscribers.
Bell Fibe TV has expanded to offer its service to customers in Atlantic Canada, including live TV, on-demand movies and shows, apps, and the voice remote with search. A fabulous feature with Bell Fibe is the ability to log into popular streaming services right from the Fibe interface, including Crave, Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV+, and YouTube. As a subscriber, this is my primary method of accessing Netflix and Crave, negating the need to use the smart TV’s built-in interface (and separate remote) or switching inputs to my Apple TV.
Telus, meanwhile, is offering a new Telus Stream+ bundle that allows you to bundle three popular streaming TV services in one, all billed on your Telus account and for a discounted rate. The plans start at $20/mo. and include access to Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video, (tiers with ads) for the entry price. The $38/mo. top-line plan includes the premium tiers of Netflix and Disney+, but you’ll still have to pay the extra $3/mo. if you want ad-free Amazon Prime Video.
Upgrade Your Living Room
Whether it’s for your living room, basement home theatre, bedroom, kitchen, or even outside, there are lots of new and exciting display technologies to consider. Once you have chosen a TV you love, re-evaluate the streaming services to which you subscribe and consider upgrading, downgrading, bundling, or adding to the mix to enhance your viewing experience both at home and on the go.
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