I wish T3’s OLED TV predictive powers also applied to lottery numbers: our very own Louise Blain said earlier this year that while smaller OLED TVs from LG were coming, “we’re probably not going to see these rolling onto shelves any time soon.”
And lo, it came to pass that LG’s first ever 42-inch 4K OLED TV isn’t going to make it to people's homes until 2022. That’s according to the Korean Economic Daily, whose well-informed but unnamed source said that the firm is delaying the launch “to maximise its marketing efforts”.
It’s a sensible move. There isn’t much 2021 left, and it's likely that LG will be launching next year's range of OLED TVs at CES in January, as usual. As much as we’d like to see a smaller, more affordable OLED model – especially one optimised for next-gen games consoles, like this LG promised to be – the timing just isn’t auspicious: the new TV would be buried underneath the launch of even newer TVs as the new year begins.
But this delay could actually turn out to be good news if you were waiting by your computer, credit card in hand, for the launch of a small OLED TV.
Why waiting for smaller OLED TVs could be good
As you know, OLEDs aren’t cheap. Smaller ones aren’t significantly cheaper than their bigger siblings because OLED panels are expensive to make, and smaller panels tend to require newer and more advanced technology. When LG added 48-inch OLEDs under its range of 55-inch models, the smaller model cost exactly the same in the UK and US as the next size up. That was with the launch of the LG CX – this year, the LG C1 has managed to widen the gap, so the small model offers a significant saving.
The reason for the size and price discrepancy is because of the way OLED panels are made. When LG first made its 48-inch panels, they were cut from the leftovers of the “motherglass” used to make pricey 77-inch panels – so to get a little panel, LG needed to make a big panel first. That meant smaller panels couldn’t be made in big volumes, and big volumes is where economies of scale kick in to drag the price down.
We know that LG intended to change its production process this year, moving to a new system where it could cut eight 48-inch panels from a single motherglass instead of waiting for the priciest panels’ offcuts. That will bring the price of the 48-inch panels down, although at first it won’t be any cheaper to make 42-inch ones: production yields of that size are reportedly worse than for the slightly larger ones, so there’s more wastage. That will improve over time, but it won’t happen overnight – hopefully, it could happen by the time the 42-inch TVs will actually go on sale, so that they can be cheaper again.
Upgrade to smarter living
Get the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products straight to your inbox.
Overall, though, this is good news: the entry level for OLEDs is getting a bit smaller and a lot more affordable. That’s particularly good news for gamers who don’t want or have room for a giant OLED TV on their desk but who want a top gaming TV with low latency, deep blacks and vivid colours to show off titles such as Horizon: Forbidden West; like the LG TV, that isn’t coming until 2022 either.
Writer, musician and broadcaster Carrie Marshall has been covering technology since 1998 and is particularly interested in how tech can help us live our best lives. Her CV is a who’s who of magazines, newspapers, websites and radio programmes ranging from T3, Techradar and MacFormat to the BBC, Sunday Post and People’s Friend. Carrie has written more than a dozen books, ghost-wrote two more and co-wrote seven more books and a Radio 2 documentary series; her memoir, Carrie Kills A Man, was shortlisted for the British Book Awards. When she’s not scribbling, Carrie is the singer in Glaswegian rock band Unquiet Mind (unquietmindmusic).
-
One kettlebell, four exercises and 20 minutes to build strength all over
A kettlebell is all you need for a great full-body workout
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
You could win an Xbox Series X in gold, but Microsoft will make you work for it
The exclusive Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Xbox could be yours
By Rik Henderson Published
-
Best Sony TVs 2024: from Bravia 9 Mini LED to Bravia 8 OLED and beyond
Explaining Sony's range of 2024 TVs, including new naming strategy and range of technologies
By Chris Hall Published
-
This ultra-bright mini-LED TV is the display of my dreams
TCL's next flagship looks fantastic
By Andy Sansom Published
-
Best soundbar for small TVs 2024: clearer, deeper TV sound in any space
The best soundbars for small TVs 2024 can bring you big sound from a compact unit
By Simon Lucas Last updated
-
LG TV owners just got Apple TV+ for free
No matter if you have an LG OLED TV or an LED model, you just got Apple TV+ for free
By Robert Jones Published
-
Samsung smart TV owners just got a welcome image upgrade
HDR10+ comes to the Apple TV app on Samsung Smart TVs
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
My LG C1 OLED TV makes The Darkness look incredible on Xbox Series X
This classic first-person shooter is taken to a new level of awesome thanks to OLED TV tech
By Robert Jones Last updated
-
TV deals in the Amazon Prime Early Access Sale from Samsung, LG and more
Black Friday deals have come early with these TV deals as part of Amazon's Prime Early Access Sale
By Mat Gallagher Last updated
-
Philips 55PUS8807 review: is this 4K TV truly 'The One'?
A great bright-room performer with some impressive gaming features
By Steve May Published