In a surprising twist, LG Electronics, long the loudest cheerleader for OLED TVs, is now hedging its bets. Faced with slipping market share and rising pressure from Samsung, Hisense, and TCL, LG is banking on MiniLED technology, and ironically, it is TCL, a key rival, manufacturing many of its new QNED TVs.

After selling off its final LCD factories to TCL, LG is now sourcing its QNED evo lineup directly from China. The irony cuts deep: the same MiniLED tech that’s fueling TCL’s rise is now at the core of LG’s comeback attempt. Even more complicated, LG’s imported QNED TVs land in a U.S. market increasingly hostile to Chinese manufacturing, thanks to mounting tariffs.

LG claims the new QNED series offers richer, more realistic colors across light and dark environments. But unlike traditional QLEDs, the company is touting its proprietary “Dynamic QNED Colour” engine, a different path from the quantum dot technology dominating elsewhere.

Powering the experience is LG’s in-house Alpha AI Processor 3 and WebOS. But beyond sharper images and curated recommendations, there’s a much larger play happening quietly in the background: data collection. LG has admitted to raking in over $1.5 billion last year by selling user data harvested through its smart TVs, including browsing habits, viewing preferences, and even voice profiles through AI Voice ID.

Tightly integrated AI features like AI Concierge, AI Picture Pro, and AI Search further deepen the company’s behavioral tracking. Combined with Microsoft’s Copilot integration and a web of cloud-based analytics, LG’s televisions are becoming potent data hubs disguised as entertainment centers.

And if you think you can easily opt out? LG’s warranty terms suggest otherwise. Turning off tracking isn’t just hard, it’s almost impossible without crippling the TV’s smart features.

Meanwhile, TCL Electronics just reported an 11.4 percent rise in Q1 2025 TV shipments and a 22.3 percent surge in sales revenue, driven by strong demand for larger and MiniLED TVs. The company is expanding its premium footprint globally, even as North American shipments saw a slight dip.

(Via)

TCL Electronics is charging into 2025 with real momentum. The company reported an 11.4% year-over-year increase in global TV shipments for the first quarter, reaching 6.51 million units. More impressively, sales revenue jumped 22.3%, fueled by surging demand for larger, high-end screens.

The shift to bigger TVs is paying clear dividends. Shipments of 65-inch and larger models rose 33% compared to a year ago, now accounting for nearly 28% of TCL’s total TV sales. The average TV size grew to 53.4 inches, up nearly two inches year-over-year. But it’s not just about size, TCL’s focus on premium tech like Mini LED is starting to show real results. Shipments of its Mini LED TVs soared by a massive 233% year-over-year, with these advanced models now making up 8.8% of TCL’s global TV sales.

In China, TCL’s home market, domestic shipments rose 10.8%, with even sharper gains in the large-screen and Mini LED categories. Internationally, the company capitalized on its recent partnership with the Olympics to boost brand presence, notching a solid 11.6% shipment growth overseas. Performance was particularly strong in Europe, emerging markets, and Australia, where TCL now claims the top spot in TV sales.

There was a minor speed bump in North America, where overall shipments dipped 3.8% as TCL shifted its strategy toward higher-end channels. Still, sales of 75-inch and larger TVs in the region soared 79%, showing the pivot is beginning to pay off.

TCL’s stock rallied 5.8% in Hong Kong trading following the report, and the company’s shares have surged roughly 50% year-to-date. With a clear focus on bigger, better displays and a growing global footprint, TCL seems determined to move beyond just being a value brand and step firmly into the premium conversation.

In related news, TCL has launched the Q51K 4K QLED TVs with Dolby Atmos and Google TV in the US, while TCL Solar has officially debuted in South Korea, marking its entry into the renewable energy market.

(Source)

TCL is making it easier to bring QLED technology into your living room without straining your budget. The company has launched the TCL Q51K Series, an entry-level line of 4K QLED Smart TVs now available exclusively at Walmart in the United States. It comes in five sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, and 75 inches, targeting everyday buyers looking for a premium upgrade at accessible prices.

TCL Q51K Specifications

The Q51K Series features TCL’s Quantum Dot technology, delivering vivid colors and a broader color spectrum with 98% DCI-P3 coverage. It supports major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, ensuring enhanced contrast and detail. It equips TCL’s AiPQ Processor, reportedly built on a Realtek chipset, which uses deep learning AI to optimize visuals scene-by-scene for improved brightness, contrast, and clarity.

For gamers, the Q51K Series sports Auto Game Mode with ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), automatically adjusting settings for smoother gameplay. It also features Motion Rate 240 with MEMC frame insertion to maintain clear motion, even though the TV uses a modest 60Hz HVA panel.

The series comes with High Brightness Direct LED backlighting to deliver brighter, punchier images. Audio performance is elevated with support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS Virtual:X through built-in dual stereo speakers, offering a more immersive experience.

In terms of connectivity, it equips Wi-Fi 5, three HDMI 2.0 ports, USB 3.0, optical audio out, and LAN options. It runs Google TV out of the box and comes with a Google Assistant voice remote, alongside built-in Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2, and HomeKit support.

The Q51K Series sports a modern design with a metal FullView bezel-less frame, giving it a sleek, nearly all-screen appearance that feels more premium than the price suggests.

Pricing

Here’s how the Q51K lineup is priced at Walmart:

• 43-inch – $208
• 50-inch – $258
• 55-inch – $278
• 65-inch – $388
• 75-inch – $518

In related news, TCL recently launched its T6C-UK 4K QLED Fire TV series in the UK, with prices starting at £399.

(Source / Via 1,2)