LG Electronics is bidding to push large-screen OLED display technology into the mainstream with the US launch of its second-generation 55-inch curved OLED TV at an astonishingly low price tag of just $3,500 (approximately £2,100).
The launch of the 55EC9300 comes just over a year after LG unveiled its first curved-screen OLED television which commanded an astronomically high $14,999 price tag (roughly £9,000). Now though, thanks to some rapid advances in its OLED manufacturing processes, LG’s able to sell its newest OLED TV for just a tad more than some of the highest-priced 55in LED LCD TVs around, such as Samsung’s HU8500 and Sony’s X9.
Of course we should point out that the LG EC9300 isn’t a 4K TV. Its 1080p resolution means we’ll have to make do with regular Full HD, but the fact that it’s an OLED display probably makes up for it. OLED TVs deliver superior picture quality than any other display technology – even plasma – thanks to their ability to render true 0 cd/m2 blacks, which means the lower number of pixels shouldn’t really be an issue.
LG’s second-gen curved OLED has some tasty features too. Notably, it runs the new LG Smart TV+ webOS platform, which has been designed to offer a more seamless transition between regular TV broadcasts, external media and web streaming services. WebOS is said to be intelligent too, and offers recommended content and settings based on the viewer’s preferences. There should also be plenty of content to watch, with streaming services like Amazon Instant Video, Netflix and YouTube all built in.
“In the wake of plasma’s decline, it’s more important than ever to bring OLED to consumers who are looking for the highest level of contrast and colour performance,” said Dave Vanderwaal, head of marketing at LG Electronics USA. “We’re proud to start to bring this amazing technology into the mainstream for US consumers.”
LG says the 55EC9300 will go on sale at select online stores including Adorama, Amazon and Best Buy from the 24th of August in the United States. Those wanting to get in early can place their preorders at BestBuy.com now, though there’s no word on whether it’ll be offered in the UK and Europe as the 55EC930V.
With the launch of this more affordable OLED TV, LG has emerged as the clear leader in this category. Its rivals have some catching up to do – Samsung hasn’t come out with any new OLEDs since the launch of its KE55S9C last year. Sony and Panasonic are also said to be interested in making OLED displays, though it may be some time before we see any Japanese-branded OLED TVs hit these shores.
Wonderful news!
This is more like it! (Shame it isn’t available in th UK yet, but one thing at a time…)
They clearly like this curved concept, yet everyone I’ve spoken to, and most reviews, think a flat panel would be better. I’d certainly pay £2K for a 55″ OLED panel, but only if it’s flat. (And if the picture quality reviews are good!)
And can we please harping on with this “it’s not 4K” tirade. Nobody cares. Even OFCOM have told the industry to shut up about 4K and do something more constructive (not that they listened). Yes, you can see the difference on stills, but moving pictures trick the eye into seeing much more resolution that is really there. Not to mention that, unless it is four times bigger, the compressed UHD data stream probably brings the actual informational content back down to 1080 anyway.
@laze…… Uninformed 4k bashing….. It’s all a trick !!!!!! Have fun with constant IR……
I want 65′ oled .
Seem to be a few online outlets selling the Gallery OLED for £2500 which is a flat 55 inch version of the curved screen! I found the curve distracting when the set is off and want to wall mount as well.
I just want a flat screen, i don get why they insist in the curve thing.
LG: Nobody wants the curve. We want flat, wall hangable panels. Get it already!
@Von’s hiber: Not uninformed. Just not buying into the latest hyped up marketing nonsense. It’s like cameras being marketed primarily by megapixels. More must be better, right!?
In an ideal world where we could have everything, I agree we would prefer 4K over 1080. Of course, why wouldn’t we? However, the AV enthusiast world has recently taken steps backward such as ditching plasma for LCD and emphasising lower-fidelity streaming to watch on a laptop or phone over higher-def media to watch on a large-screen TV or projector. Therefore I welcome any progress which makes real-world significant enhancement to my home-cinema viewing pleasure. OLED could provide significant picture quality improvements. 4K could provide minor improvements. Therefore I don’t want OLED to be stalled because they can’t make it 4K.
And it’s not just me. Check out the other articles describing how most people aren’t buying 4K TV’s. Soon the market won’t offer the choice, so sales figures of 4K will go up, but not because of any real demand. There’s a good number of people I know still think HD1080 is a waste of time over SD, for heaven’s sake.
@Laze
Uhh, there ARE indeed 4K OLEDs from LG. The 55EC9700, the 65EC9700 and this 77 inch beauty-> http://www.eisa.eu/awards/home-theatre-display-video/12/european-high-end-tv-2014-2015.html#award
The 55inch 4K will be available in September and the 65″ in Oktober in the Netherlands.
And of course, one can see the difference in motion! Motion isn’t a digital thing, like an On/Off-button, no, there are slow camera pans for example or talking people sitting in a restaurant and countles other situations where you’ll see the difference in clarity, once 4K-Blu-ray will come to our homes.
Besides, 4K is the only way to see Full HD 3D-BDs in all their glory with the passive 3D system, that LG uses.
So great, 4K isn’t getting in the way of OLED release. I’m happy. We can still have a non-4K display though, if it’s cheaper, for those who don’t wish to pay for features they don’t use. I just wish the reviews would stop implying the lack of 4K on a TV is comparable to the lack of an HDMI port.
BTW, never said you couldn’t see the difference with motion. I said that motion can increase the apparent resolution. A nice smooth pan at 1080 with a downscaled true 4K source will appear to be nearly 4K. Seriously. That’s not to say the real 4K won’t look better, it just reduces the impact. Any high-speed motion looks like a total mess at any resolution. Partly motion blur and partly the compression.
And you hit the nail on the head with the “when we see 4K blu-rays”. When indeed. There’s a couple of the less successful newer titles and a bunch of remasters of old stuff. I won’t hold my breath to be blown away.
It has forced NR that reduces detail. Don’t get rid of your plasmas JUST yet.