For 2023, the big new OLED TVs included Samsung's brighter QD-OLEDs (S90C, S95C), LG's evolved C3 and G3 evo models with brightness boosts, and Sony's top-tier QD-OLED A95L, all featuring advanced processing and gaming tech, with QD-OLEDs taking the lead in brightness and color performance over traditional OLEDs, notes this Tom's Guide article, this YouTube video, this Nanosys blog post, and this LG Electronics page.
QD-OLED Crowned "King of 4K TV" for 2023. For the first time that we can recall, a Quantum Dot TV has won big at the Value Electronics annual TV shootout. This year's winner, the Sony A95L QD-OLED, swept all three categories: SDR, HDR, and out-of-the-box preference.
Yes, OLED Evo is generally better than standard OLED, offering higher brightness, better energy efficiency, improved color vibrancy, and enhanced burn-in resistance due to LG's next-gen panel technology (using deuterium and new luminous elements), making it superior for well-lit rooms and HDR content, though it typically costs more. Standard OLEDs are still excellent, especially in dark rooms, but Evo provides an incremental, noticeable upgrade in overall picture performance and longevity.
The best OLED TVs: At a glance
The Sony BRAVIA 8 II OLED is the 2025 successor to the Sony A95L OLED. It technically sits above the Sony BRAVIA 8 OLED, which has been carried over from 2024. It only sits below the flagship Sony BRAVIA 9. It uses a new QD-OLED panel, which is the same as the one found in the Samsung S95F OLED.
LG OLED TVs are often considered better for gaming due to their faster response times, support for HDMI 2.1, and low input lag. However, Sony TVs are also great for gaming, with models supporting advanced features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and excellent motion handling.
The best times to buy a TV are March-April for clearance deals on older models, November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday) for discounts on the latest tech, and around major sporting events like the Super Bowl for event-driven sales, balancing deep discounts on last year's stock with big sales on new releases. Waiting until spring clears out the previous year's inventory for big savings, while November offers the best deals on brand new models.
Australia's best OLED TVs for 2025 vary by need, with the LG G5 OLED often cited as the top overall flagship for its incredible brightness, vibrant color, and gaming features. For bright rooms and gaming, the Samsung S95D/S95F (QD-OLED) is a strong contender. The LG C5 OLED offers an excellent balance of performance and price as a mid-range all-rounder, while the Sony Bravia 8 (XR80) is praised for home cinema with its Cognitive Processor and sound.
OLED TVs' main disadvantages are their higher cost, lower peak brightness compared to some LED/QLEDs (making them less ideal for very bright rooms), and the potential for "burn-in" or permanent image retention from static content like news tickers or game HUDs, though modern sets have improved this. They can also be more fragile, have a shorter lifespan for blue organic pixels, and are sensitive to high humidity.
LG Display leads the global market for large-screen OLED TV panels but lags behind Samsung Display in smaller panels for smartphones and tablets.
Colour accuracy: QLED gives bright and punchy colours, but OLED shows more natural and lifelike colours because it controls brightness and contrast more accurately. Energy efficiency: OLED TVs save more energy because they only light the pixels that are needed. QLED TVs use backlights, which means more power is used.
OLED displays generally last between 20,000 to 100,000 hours, depending on usage and type. Burn-in is a common issue with OLEDs, where static images leave a permanent mark on the screen. Recent advancements have tripled the lifespan of OLEDs over the past decade, now estimated to be around 100,000 hours.
Emissive QLED TVs have the potential to match the absolute black levels and "infinite" contrast ratio of OLED, with better power efficiency, better color and more. That's pretty exciting, but it will be a few years before we see emissive QLED TVs for sale.
For a 65-inch TV, the optimal viewing distance is between 6.5 feet (for a more immersive experience) and 8.9 feet (for a comfortable view without eye strain).
Samsung | Global No. 1 TV Brand for 19 Years.
The best OLED for bright rooms
The Samsung S95F's combination of high brightness levels and a new, enhanced Glare Free screen makes it the best OLED TV for bright room viewing.
One of the biggest problems with OLED screens is issues with color accuracy. Colors may shift over time, which can dramatically change how they appear on the screen. OLED screens also are known for color banding, which reduces image quality and shows obvious signs of the screen's color gradient.
Both Sony and LG told CNET that the best way to prevent burn-in or image retention on their TVs is to avoid static images. "To avoid the possibility of burn-in, consumers should avoid leaving static images on an OLED screen for long periods of time.
Unlike backlit TVs, OLED displays produce vibrant colours and deep blacks without over-reliance on intense blue light, which can disrupt sleep and strain your eyes during extended viewing. Many OLED models meet strict standards for low blue light, making them a healthier choice for evening use and long-term viewing.
Neither Samsung nor LG OLED is universally better; the choice depends on viewing environment and priorities, with Samsung often excelling in bright rooms due to superior anti-glare (QD-OLED) and brightness but lacking Dolby Vision, while LG typically offers better near-dark room performance, deeper blacks, and supports Dolby Vision, making it great for movie purists, though Samsung's QD-OLEDs offer wider color volume. Samsung's QD-OLEDs are brighter and have better color volume, ideal for bright rooms; LG's WOLEDs provide deeper blacks and support Dolby Vision, better for dark rooms and physical media.
For the best smart TVs in Australia, top brands consistently praised are LG, Samsung, and Sony for premium quality, with Hisense and TCL leading the value-for-money segment, offering great features in their Mini-LED and ULED models, making them excellent for overall performance and budget-conscious buyers, notes GadgetGuy, The Good Guys, and CHOICE. LG excels with OLEDs, Samsung with QLEDs and lifestyle options, Sony with processing and sound, while Hisense and TCL deliver strong performance in LED/Mini-LED at lower price points, according to PCMag Australia and TechRadar.
Televisions: 4-6 years
With the rapid changes in the way video is transmitted to your TVs and the ever-increasing resolution jumps (4k-8k-16k!), TVs start to show their age around the 5-year mark. Time to failure is typically 8-11 years or about 50,000 hours of use.
Buying the wrong TV for your needs, or one that's too big (or too small) for your room can end up being a costly exercise.
For reliable TVs, Sony, LG, and Samsung consistently rank high for quality and performance, with Sony often leading overall reliability, LG excelling in OLEDs, and Samsung strong in QLEDs, while budget-friendly TCL and Hisense offer great value and have improved significantly, though it's wise to check specific model reviews and consider extended warranties.
A 55-inch TV usually consumes less power than a 65-inch TV because of its smaller screen. However, both sizes often come with energy-saving modes that adjust brightness based on what you are watching. If energy efficiency is your main concern, the 55-inch option is better.