Every single year, I tell myself, “You don’t need another TV, Pete.”
And then Black Friday rolls around… and suddenly every homepage, ad, and YouTube pre-roll is screaming at me about OLEDs, QLEDs, and pixels so perfect they make me want to replace the perfectly good TV on my wall.
It’s ridiculous.
Half the “doorbuster deals” are last year’s models with a new sticker, and the rest are tech jargon pretending to be discounts. One minute you’re watching Bake Off, the next you’re somehow comparing nits, refresh rates, and something called “Micro Lens Array.”
So, I wanted to do what I always do: strip it back and figure out which TVs are actually worth buying this year.
By the end of this article, you’ll know which screen deserves your wall, your gaming setup, or your Netflix binges… and which “bargains” belong in the recycling bin.
TV Tech 101: OLED, QD-OLED, and the Buzzwords That Won’t Die
Before getting into the deals, let’s decode the alphabet soup of modern TV tech. Because honestly, it feels like manufacturers are running out of letters.
OLED (like the LG G5)
Still the gold standard for picture quality. OLEDs have self-lit pixels, meaning true blacks, jaw-dropping contrast, and colour accuracy that makes even YouTube look cinematic.
The LG G5 pushes this even further with Micro Lens Array (MLA) tech, making it brighter and more efficient than older OLEDs. It’s the kind of display that makes you forget you’re supposed to blink.
QD-OLED (like the Samsung S95F)
Samsung’s take on OLED adds quantum dots to boost brightness and colour volume. The result? Even punchier HDR, with reds and blues that almost leap off the screen.
The S95F is ideal for bright rooms (think living rooms with massive windows), and its anti-glare coating is one of the best you’ll find.
Mini-LED (the underrated middle child)
If OLED feels like overkill and you’d rather spend under £1,000, Mini-LED TVs like the TCL C845 or Hisense U7KQ give you excellent contrast and brightness without OLED pricing.
Sure, you don’t get perfect blacks, but for sports or daytime TV, they’re brilliant.
And the Other Buzzwords You’ll See Everywhere
- HDR10+ vs Dolby Vision: HDR10+ is Samsung’s favourite; Dolby Vision is everyone else’s. Both look great, just make sure your streaming service supports the one your TV does.
- 120Hz / 144Hz: Only matters for gaming or action movies.
- HDMI 2.1: Non-negotiable if you’ve got a PS5 or Xbox Series X.
Best Black Friday TV Deals by Budget
Black Friday TV deals range from “wow, that’s a steal” to “wait, wasn’t that the same price in August?”
So here’s my breakdown of what’s actually worth your money this year at different price ranges.
Under £1,000: Big Screens, Smaller Budgets
If you just want great picture quality without selling a kidney, these are the standouts:
- LG C3 OLED: Still one of the best all-round TVs for the money. Deep blacks, perfect for movies and gaming, often dipping to £999 for the 55-inch.
- Samsung QN90C Neo QLED: Excellent brightness and anti-glare for bright rooms. Strong HDR and motion handling. Usually around £899 during sales.
- Hisense U8K: The sleeper hit. Mini LED panel, Dolby Vision, and bright enough to shame some OLEDs, all for under around £800.
£1,000–£2,000: The Sweet Spot
Here’s where the real value lives: premium performance without premium pain.
- Samsung S95C: Last year’s QD-OLED, still incredible and now heavily discounted. Bright, colourful, and usually under £1,500.
- LG G4 OLED: One gen behind the G5, but almost identical in performance. Expect £1,699 deals and near-perfect picture quality.
- Sony A80L OLED: Fantastic image processing, natural motion, and great sound for its class. Usually around £1,799.
Over £2,000: Flagship Territory
For those going all-in on home cinema.
- LG G5: The reference-level pick for film lovers. Usually below £2,000 around Black Friday for the 65”.
- Samsung S95F: The colour punch king, great for daylight viewing. Around £1,899–£2,099, depending on size.
Smart Buying Tips: How to Avoid Black Friday TV Traps
Every year, retailers pull the same tricks: recycled “deals,” mystery model numbers, and “exclusive” TVs you’ve never seen before. Here’s how to avoid the traps and actually get a bargain.
1. Don’t Fall for Fake Discounts
If it says 40% off, check the price history. Sites like PriceSpy, CamelCamelCamel, and HotUKDeals show if that “deal” is just the regular price with a shiny banner.
My Advice: If it’s been “on sale” since summer, it’s not a sale. It’s a marketing gimmick.
2. Beware of Store-Exclusive Models
Big retailers like Currys or Best Buy often sell near-identical models with one letter changed in the name (like LG C3L or Samsung QN90DXX). They look the same but often lack a key feature (like fewer HDMI ports, dimmer panels, or no Dolby Vision).
Quick Tip: Always check the official spec sheet before buying.
3. Prioritise Panel Quality, Not Marketing Buzzwords
Mini LED, OLED, QD-OLED, all great. “Crystal UHD,” “Mega Contrast,” and “AI Picture Pro+ Ultra”? Mostly nonsense.
Try to stay focused on real specs like brightness (nits), refresh rate, and HDMI 2.1 support.
4. Look Beyond the TV Price
Budget for a wall mount, soundbar, and possibly a streaming stick if the built-in apps are sluggish (which they often are).
5. Timing Matters
The best TV deals often drop the week before Black Friday and again on Cyber Monday. Add your picks to your wish list early and pounce when prices dip; don’t wait for the exact day.
My Final Picks for Black Friday 2025
So after trawling through hundreds of “unmissable” offers that somehow all look suspiciously familiar, here’s where I’ve landed on the TVs actually worth your money this Black Friday.
- Best Overall Buy: Samsung S95F - Bright, punchy, and finally priced like a sane premium TV. Perfect for mixed lighting rooms, gaming, and day-to-day use. Around £1,899 feels fair, and it’ll still look incredible years from now.
- Best for Movie Lovers: LG G5 - If you live for that cinematic glow in a dark room, this is it. True blacks, flawless contrast, and Dolby Vision that actually matters. It’s the TV equivalent of a home cinema, minus the popcorn machine.
- Best Value Pick: LG C3 - Not the newest kid on the block, but still a total sweet spot for under £1,000. It’s the TV I’d recommend to 90% of people; premium picture, great gaming support, and now finally cheap enough to justify upgrading.
Black Friday TV shopping shouldn’t feel like a maths exam. Stick to the big names, look for genuine price drops, and remember: if a 75-inch “4K Ultra Smart TV” costs £399, it’s probably going to look like it.
