LG has quietly dropped a Christmas present for fans of OLED TV display technology. It appears that the South Korean manufacturer has submitted a slew of its new 2015 TVs for MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) and WiFi certification, revealing at least two upcoming series of UHD (ultra high-definition) OLED televisions, including a flat-screen version which have been a long time coming.
Trawling through the approved product database on the MHL and Wi-Fi Alliance websites, we found the following model numbers:
- 65EG990V, 65EG9900, 77EG990V, 77EG9900
- 65EF980V, 65EF9800
Drawing upon our knowledge of LG’s TV nomenclature (the first two numbers represent the screen size; whereas E denotes OLED models), we can surmise that the EG990V is the successor to the EC970V curved 4K OLED television in the UK and European markets, coming in 65-inch and 77-inch sizes. The EG9900 is the equivalent North American model.
Given that it’s nearly the end of 2014 and we’ve not yet seen any LG 65EC970V 4K curved OLED in the wild (at least in the United Kingdom), one wonders if the company still intends to put that particular model on store shelves, or indeed if potential buyers will still be willing to shell out £6,500 for one when a replacement is months away.
Perhaps more appealing to detractors of curved TVs is the LG EF980V series which seems to be a flat-panel 4K Ultra HD OLED TV (F=flat?), available in one single 65in size. Again, the EF9800 is the corresponding range destined for the US market.
Interestingly, Wi-Fi Alliance lists several additional OLED-specific model numbers:
- 55EG960V, 55EG9600, 65EG960V, 65EG9600
- 55EF950V, 55EF9500, 65EF950V, 65EF9500
Going by the assumption that EG represents curved OLEDs whilst EF stands for non-curved versions, there should be a new 55-inch flat-screen OLED television in the form of the EF950V/ EF9500 series, which will please viewers who are hell-bent against curvy tellies.
The only question is whether the EG960V/ EG9600 and EF950V/ EF9500 are feature-stripped 4K UHD models (for example, slower onboard processor, lack of motion-enhancing technologies, older WebOS, etc.), or full HD 1080p displays. Our guess is the former, considering how hard it is to convince consumers to pay premium prices for non-4K televisions these days.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that any of these MHL- and WiFi-enabled OLED TVs will make it to market, but by the same token, it’s highly unlikely that LG and these organisations would waste their resources certifying vapourware. We shall learn more when we visit LG’s show hall at CES 2015 in Las Vegas next month.
The EG990 and EF980 sound like completely new models with webos 2.0 which could be out after IFA 2015, while the EC960 and EF950 might be based on this year’s models with the same old (and slow) webos. Wonder if it’s worth waiting for at least the EC960 and EF950 if they really turn out to be “refreshes”.
@Yappa: I believe the EG990 and EF980 are market-ready products which have been certified for MHL and Wi-Fi capabilities by the respective organisations, so hopefully we’ll see them much sooner than IFA 2015.
Where did EC960 come from? Any info?
Warmest regards
Vincent
Sorry, typo, I meant the EG960.
Well if those new sets come out earlier than IFA, then the 65EC970 which just started appearing on the worldwide market and the 77EC980 which is still not available might really end up having a very restricted run.
I really hope that LG will make clear on the CES what are the differences between the sets by stating exact technical specs instead of “brighter, blacker, better” nonsense.
Nice one Vincent.
now this is good news , Thank you HDTVTEST . I`m Waiting my 65″curved full hd oled . { ea9800 refresh }
I’m curious if the EG models are indeed curved and the EF’s are the corresponding flat versions. That would be good news indeed. Maybe they’ll even be released early 2015 with webOS 2.0. That could also mean a price crash for the 55EC930V.
I would still like to see some smaller screen sizes, maybe an uncoventional 45 inch panel or something like that.
Anyway, I’m holding back on OLED for now, had a look at last years 55EA9809 in store yesterday and the demo material they have running on it all day burned in quite nicely and as I’d be using it mostly for gaming, it would end up being a piece of trash in a couple of months probably.
Notice the comment of the OLED store demo models once again suffering from permanent image retention. Will they quietly be pulled of the floor like last year??
Given the situation LG is wise to hedge with Quantum Dots.
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How refreshing to read a balanced, professional, carefully researched OLEDarticle.
Contrast this to the crazed OLED zealots types at AVS Forum
* a fervent and even militant proponent of something
* one who is zealous, especially excessively so
* an immoderate, fanatical, or extremely zealous adherent to a cause, esp a religious one
AVS Forum is a waste of time. Just come to HDTVTEST.
Thank you Vincent!
What scares me about OLED, is the image retention issues. I have a 1080p Viera Plasma, which has never had screen burn via TV or my PS3. I wouldn’t want to spend that kind of money on an OLED that may become useless in 3/4 years. I don’t think manufacturers have quoted lifespan.