The most anticipated TVs of 2017
The new TVs are coming! But which ones are worth caring about? From OLED to LCD, high-end to low-, here are the ones we're psyched to check out.
Here come the new TVs!
Now that the dust has settled from CES and most of the Super Bowl sales have wound down, the new TVs of 2017 are starting to appear. But among all those new models, which ones are worth your attention?
We have a few ideas. Here are the TVs we're looking forward to checking out most, mainly because we think they'll be the ones you anticipate buying (or at least, talking about). They range from super-expensive to eminently affordable, and many will likely occupy the top positions on CNET's Best TVs lists by the end of the year. Enjoy.
Updated Feb 10, 2017 with pricing and additional TVs from Sony.
LG W7 'wallpaper' OLED TV
Price: $8,000 for 65-inch size
Release date: March
Why it matters: With its amazing form factor that's barely thicker than a coat of paint, the W7 was easily the most talked-about TV at CES. Sure, its ridiculously expensive now, but nonetheless it looks like the future of television.
LG C7 series OLED TV
Price: $2,500 for 55-inch size
Release date: spring
Why it matters: The first of LG's 2017 OLED TVs to receive an as-yet-unofficial price, the C7 promises the same best-in-class picture quality as even more expensive models. And the 2016 OLEDs delivered the best picture quality we've ever tested.
LG B7 series OLED TV
Price: TBD
Release date: May/June
Why it matters: Although it will be released later than the C7, and its pricing has yet to leak, the B7 might be even less expensive -- and will have that same amazing OLED picture quality. The main question is, how cheap it will get during the fall TV buying season?
LG SJ9500 series
Price: TBD
Release date: TBD
Why it matters: LG's non-OLED (aka LCD) TVs were among our least-favorite last year, but the company say it has improved image quality by using a new "nano cell" layer said to boost off-angle performance. They still use the company's IPS panels, however, so I'm doubtful.
Samsung Q7 series
Price: $2,500 for 55-inch size
Release date: February
Why it matters: Speaking of OLED, Samsung is aiming squarely at LG's high-end TV tech with its own quantum-dot-infused technology called "QLED." The cheapest example is the Q7, but it's still really expensive.
Samsung Q8C series
Price: $3,500 for 55-inch size
Release date: February
Why it matters: Speaking of expensive, this higher-end series of QLED sets is curved and offers more zones of edge-lit local dimming than the Q7. It's dubious whether those extras will be worth the price difference though.
Samsung Q9 series
Price: TBD
Release date: TBD
Why it matters: Samsung's most expensive TV for 2017, the Q9 will actually be flat instead of curved and will likely boast the best specs of the bunch, with the highest light output and the most dimming zones. Too bad they're edge-lit instead of full-array.
Sony A1E series OLED TV
Price: TBD
Release date: TBD
Why it matters: LG has been the sole brand selling OLED TVs in the US, but Sony is about to change that. The A1E combines an LG Display OLED panel with Sony's processing wizardry and sound that actually emanates from the TV screen itself.
Sony X930E/X940E series
Price: $3,300 for 55-inch size
Release date: March
Why it matters: One of our favorite non-OLED TVs of last year was the X930D, and Sony says the new one is even better. It boasts improved brightness, better processing and (coming later this year) compatibility with the Dolby Vision HDR format. It's also really expensive, at least initially.
Sony X900E series
Price: $1,700 for 49-inch size
Release date: March
Why it matters: Sony says this step-down to the X930E will have lower contrast, but since it has full-array local dimming, it could still be an excellent performer for much less money.
Sony X800E/X850E series
Price: $1,000 for 43-inch size
Release date: March
Why it matters: Sony's least-expensive HDR-capable XBR TV for 2017 lacks local dimming and the picture quality pedigree of the better sets, but it still offers the superb Android TV operating system that works with Google Home. And coming later this year it gets the full Google Assistant feature built-in.
TCL P series
Price: $500 for 50-inch size
Release date: TBD
Why it matters: The TCL P series has so many things we love: a low price, full-array local dimming, both HDR formats (Dolby Vision and HDR10) and Roku's Smart TV system. On paper, it seems like a worthy contender against Vizio for the budget TV crown.
TCL C series
Price: TBD
Release date: TBD
Why it matters: TCL is also selling what it calls a more stylish version of the Roku TV. It has everything the P series does but lacks the full-array local dimming, so we don't expect as good a picture. But it could still be a great value.
Hisense H8D series
Price: $550 for 50-inch size
Release date: spring
Why it matters: The H8 is another intriguing set from a Chinese TV maker with full-array local dimming and HDR at a low price. No, there's no Dolby Vision or Roku smarts, but it does come in 75- and even 86-inch sizes!
Amazon Fire TV Edition
Price: TBD
Release date: TBD
Why it matters: We love Roku built in to TVs, but if you prefer Amazon's Fire TV system, complete with Alexa voice control, you might want to wait till these come out. The relatively no-name brands (Westinghouse, Element, Seiki) portend middling image quality, but they should be cheap.
Vizio's 2017 TVs
Price: TBD
Release date: TBD
Why it matters: Vizio has yet to announce any TVs for 2017, but since its 2016 sets were again among our favorites for the money, we're looking forward to what the company has in store. Last year Vizio announced its new sets in March, so that's the earliest we expect word this year.
That's our look at the TVs we're most excited about seeing this year. Stay tuned for updates!