Katarzyna Petru
In the latest episode on ChooseTV, we take a look at the 2025 televisions that really make a difference – from the "brown" everyday heroes, through the "silver" sure bets, to the "gold" screens without compromise. Instead of dry tables, you get impressions from tests, real brightness in films and games, plus tips on who would benefit most from a given model. There are also interesting exceptions that didn't win any awards but can steal your heart with their price or features. You can find links to the best deals in the video description – and if you want to get 100% out of your new TV, remember our calibration with a satisfaction guarantee.
Televisions mentioned in the film:
Hisense U78Q Pro
An affordable mini-LED that shines like the old “flagships”: plenty of dimming zones, about 1500 nits peak brightness, and as many as four full HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming at >120 Hz. The new Pentonic 800 processor excels at upscaling and noise reduction, and the 288 Hz mode for PC is a nice bonus. Ideal if you prioritise processing quality and a gaming package at a low price.
TCL C7K
The rival U78Q Pro with a similar number of zones and a brightness of approx. 1500 nits, which triumphs with its ecosystem: Google TV offers a vast array of apps and integrations. Two HDMI 2.1 ports and a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz for PCs ensure smooth gameplay. A choice for those who want to "just switch it on and have everything".
Samsung S85F (55”)
Budget OLED, which in this diagonal received a QD-OLED panel. The result? About 800 nits in HDR, phenomenal colours (wide BT.2020), great angles and no motion blur. Four HDMI 2.1, VRR and low latency make it a gamer's dream. Note: in very bright light, the coating may slightly "cherry" – it disappears in the evenings.
Samsung QN80F
Mini-LED without a statuette, but with a powerful argument: price. This is the cheapest Samsung with true local dimming – blacks and HDR finally look "as they should". Tizen operates quickly, SmartThings connects the home, and in the sales for 65–75” it can be unbeatable.
Panasonic W95B
Finally, a successful mini-LED from Panasonic: 700–800 nits in reference HDR modes, very good processing and low motion blur in sports. The system with Voice Assistant may not appeal to everyone, but if you value the Japanese school of image, it is a reasonable proposition in "bronze".
Hisense U8Q
„Silver” breakthrough. A vast array of zones, high and stable brightness, and the Pentonic 800 elevates image quality to a new level. Plus a unique feature: USB-C with DisplayPort for quick connection of a laptop/PC. A great choice for bright living rooms and for hybrid “work + entertainment”.
TCL C8K
“Silver” sure thing, which realistically improves daily experiences: a matrix with better angles and a solid audio system prepared in collaboration with an industry partner ensure that games and films sound more mature without a soundbar. The quality is similar to the C855 at a more reasonable price than the C9K – that’s why it ends up on the podium.
Samsung QN92F
“Silver” for the mini-LED that has grown up. The biggest improvement is the calmer, more predictable local dimming compared to the QN92D and the phenomenal matte coating – the picture is clear even in full sunlight. The downside: weaker angles due to the lack of Ultra Viewing Angle. For bright living rooms – a bull's-eye.
Sony Bravia 7 (2024)
“Old but gold” and still excellent in processing. It doesn’t chase brightness or hertz records, but it delivers the purest, most natural motion and image in weaker content. Fewer gaming “fireworks” (less HDMI 2.1), but for a film buff who values naturalness – common sense prevails.
LG C5
“Silver” OLED that surpasses the 1000 nits barrier. This is the first C with truly strong HDR without sacrificing the beauty of OLED. WebOS is fast and convenient, the Magic Remote makes operation easier, and the complete HDMI 2.1 in every port makes the C5 a fantastic screen for PS5/XSX/PC (4K120, VRR, ALLM).
Samsung S90F
“Silver” OLED with a secret weapon: the 65” model features a QD-OLED panel that delivers a brighter, more vibrant picture. Additionally, it has Tizen, SmartThings, and Game Motion Plus – a proprietary game smoother that makes many titles look simply more fluid. The absence of Dolby Vision is balanced by support for HDR10+ on VOD platforms.
Philips OLED 820
just off the podium but with strong advantages: a panel like in the C5 (over 1000 nits) and Ambilight, which makes an impression on the wall. The processing and fluidity of tones can be less natural than competitors, and the IR remote feels outdated – however, this year's progress is significant. If you love Ambilight, you will be pleased.
LG G5
“Golden” king of brightness and references. The new tandem OLED panel reaches >2000 nits in HDR and ~800 nits in typical SDR, so for the first time we are talking about an OLED “for every room, at any time.” After calibration (3D LUT), the colours are exemplary, and the improved processing smooths out imperfections without losing naturalness. Additionally, there is a 5-year warranty on the panel – the assurance that you are buying without compromise.
Samsung S95F
“Golden” QD-OLED, which combines two worlds: brilliant viewing angles and anti-reflective technology for daytime, absolute black for nighttime. The One Connect Box makes wall mounting easier, and for gamers – a complete package (HDMI 2.1, VRR, Game Motion Plus). The 83” version utilises a tandem OLED panel – the quality is still top-notch, differences will only be noticeable in a direct comparison.
Sony BRAVIA 9
“Gold” reference point for LCD. This is mini-LED, which has come closest to OLEDs, not only in terms of black levels but also in the way the image is constructed. In a dark cinema viewing, the differences become minimal, while in a bright living room, BRAVIA 9 demonstrates how far zone backlighting technology has come.
