The Consumer Electronics Show has always been a strange mix of fantasy and reality. On one hand, it’s a playground for experimental ideas that may never leave the convention floor. On the other, it’s where the television industry quietly reveals what living rooms around the world will look like in the near future.
CES 2026 leaned more toward the latter.
After more than a decade of reviewing televisions professionally, I’ve learned that not every “revolutionary” display technology survives contact with real-world usage. Some disappear quietly. Others arrive years late or in forms far removed from their original promise. That context matters when evaluating what we saw in Las Vegas this January.
This year, however, something felt different. Across multiple brands and competing philosophies, there was a shared direction: better color accuracy, dramatically higher brightness, fewer compromises in room lighting, and screens that continue to grow to previously absurd sizes. Most notably, Micro RGB technology emerged as the defining theme, while OLED manufacturers responded with their most aggressive upgrades yet.
CES 2026 didn’t just preview better TVs. It outlined how premium home viewing is evolving—and where your next upgrade decision may be headed.
Micro RGB Emerges as the Industry’s Boldest Bet
If there was one technology that dominated conversations at CES 2026, it was Micro RGB. Known by some brands as RGB Mini LED, this approach represents a fundamental shift in how LED TVs produce color.
Traditional LED and Mini LED televisions rely on white or blue backlights, using filters and quantum dots to create color. Micro RGB flips that formula entirely. Instead of filtering light, the backlight itself generates red, green, and blue illumination at the source. In some cases, such as Hisense’s latest designs, cyan is added to further refine color gradients.
The practical effect is profound. Colors appear purer, more saturated, and brighter without looking artificial. Highlights gain intensity without washing out midtones. In side-by-side demonstrations, Micro RGB displays consistently showed a wider color volume than conventional LED and even rivaled OLED in certain scenes.
Until recently, this technology felt unattainable. Last year’s first Micro RGB TVs from Samsung and Hisense were limited to ultra-large screens costing around $30,000. At CES 2026, that barrier finally began to crack. Multiple manufacturers confirmed plans to roll Micro RGB technology into more accessible screen sizes starting at 55 inches.
Samsung’s R85H, Hisense’s UR8 and UR9, and TCL’s RM9L series all signal a future where this once-exotic technology becomes part of the mainstream premium TV market. Pricing remains unannounced, but the expansion of sizes alone suggests a meaningful step toward affordability.
Why Micro RGB Could Redefine Picture Quality Standards
Micro RGB doesn’t just improve color—it changes the balance of strengths across display types. LED TVs have traditionally struggled with color precision compared to OLED, while OLED has faced brightness limitations in bright rooms. Micro RGB challenges both assumptions.
By eliminating the need for color filters, these TVs reduce light loss and improve efficiency. That translates into higher peak brightness without sacrificing accuracy. In real-world terms, this means HDR content that retains depth and punch even in sunlit rooms.
If the technology performs as promised in retail models, Micro RGB could become the new reference standard for LED-based TVs, pushing OLED manufacturers to innovate even faster.
TCL’s SQD TVs: A Counterpoint to Micro RGB
While most brands leaned heavily into Micro RGB messaging, TCL took a more contrarian approach. The company introduced Super Quantum Dot (SQD) TVs as its flagship display technology for 2026.
SQD TVs still use traditional backlighting, but they incorporate a new class of larger quantum dot crystals paired with an Ultra Color Filter. TCL claims this combination can match—or even exceed—the color performance of Micro RGB displays while avoiding some of the engineering complexities associated with RGB backlights.
Brightness is where SQD truly stands out. TCL states that its premium SQD model can reach up to 10,000 nits, matching the brightest consumer TVs ever produced. That kind of luminance opens new possibilities for HDR content, particularly in large living spaces.
The X11L, TCL’s first SQD TV, is already available for preorder in multiple sizes, with pricing that, while premium, remains competitive for cutting-edge technology. More affordable SQD-equipped models are expected later in the year, suggesting TCL is positioning SQD as a scalable alternative rather than a niche experiment.
OLED Refuses to Be Left Behind
Despite the excitement surrounding Micro RGB and SQD, OLED technology remains a benchmark for image quality—and 2026’s OLED lineup proves that manufacturers aren’t ready to surrender that crown.
LG and Samsung both unveiled flagship OLED models that significantly raise the bar in brightness, addressing one of OLED’s most persistent criticisms.
LG’s new G6 OLED builds upon the success of the G5, which was already among the brightest OLED TVs available. The G6 reportedly delivers a 20% brightness increase while introducing a new polarizer filter designed to dramatically reduce reflections. This improvement could be transformative for OLED owners who watch TV in rooms with uncontrolled lighting.
Samsung countered with the S95H OLED, which the company claims is up to 35% brighter than its predecessor. Beyond brightness, Samsung introduced a refined metal frame design that blurs the line between television and interior décor. The S95H also supports an optional wireless connection box, expanding connectivity options beyond the standard four HDMI ports.
OLED vs Micro RGB: A Battle of Strengths
As impressive as Micro RGB TVs appear, OLED still holds critical advantages. Pixel-level self-emission allows OLED displays to achieve perfect blacks and unparalleled contrast, especially in dark-room viewing.
In practice, this means the best OLED TVs may still deliver a more cinematic experience for movie enthusiasts, while Micro RGB TVs could become the go-to choice for bright-room viewing and sports fans.
The most interesting takeaway from CES 2026 is that buyers may soon be choosing between two genuinely excellent—but fundamentally different—display philosophies.
The Era of Extra-Large Screens Accelerates
Television sizes have been creeping upward for years, but CES 2026 confirmed that the industry is no longer creeping—it’s sprinting.
Screens measuring 98 inches and larger are no longer novelty items. Samsung’s upcoming 130-inch Micro RGB TV exemplifies this shift. Designed as a flagship statement piece, it combines cutting-edge display technology with a unique stand that creates a floating-frame effect.
While pricing will place it firmly in luxury territory, its very existence signals a future where ultra-large TVs become aspirational but attainable products rather than showroom curiosities.
Even more telling is the expansion of design-focused large screens. Samsung’s 98-inch Frame TV brings art-display aesthetics into sizes once reserved for commercial installations. LG’s response—the new Gallery TV—adds competition to a category that blends interior design with home entertainment.
Art-Style TVs Gain Legitimacy
Art-style TVs were once dismissed as gimmicks, but CES 2026 showed they are becoming a permanent fixture in premium home design.
LG’s Gallery TV embraces the same philosophy as Samsung’s Frame while introducing its own ecosystem, including access to thousands of artworks through a new Gallery+ service. Though image quality may not surpass traditional high-end TVs, these displays serve a different purpose: making large screens visually acceptable—even desirable—in carefully curated spaces.
The growing presence of these TVs suggests a broader trend where technology adapts to living environments rather than dominating them.
Conclusion: What CES 2026 Means for TV Buyers
CES 2026 delivered a clear message: the television industry is entering a new phase defined by color purity, brightness, scale, and aesthetic integration.
Micro RGB technology appears poised to reshape expectations for LED TVs. OLED continues to evolve, refusing to concede ground. Screen sizes keep growing, while design-focused models blur the line between entertainment and décor.
For consumers, this means more meaningful choices—but also more complex decisions. The “best TV” in 2026 won’t be universal. It will depend on room lighting, viewing habits, aesthetic preferences, and budget.
One thing, however, is certain: the next generation of TVs will look dramatically better than what came before.
FAQs
1. What is Micro RGB TV technology?
It uses red, green, and blue LEDs directly in the backlight for better color.
2. Is Micro RGB better than OLED?
It excels in brightness and color, while OLED still leads in contrast.
3. What is TCL’s SQD technology?
An advanced quantum dot system designed to rival Micro RGB performance.
4. Are OLED TVs still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, especially for dark-room viewing and contrast-focused content.
5. How big are TVs getting in 2026?
Up to 130 inches for consumer models.
6. Are large TVs practical for homes?
They suit large rooms and dedicated home theaters.
7. What are art-style TVs?
TVs designed to resemble framed artwork when not in use.
8. Will these TVs be affordable?
Prices vary widely; many premium features will trickle down.
9. Which brands led CES 2026 TV trends?
Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense.
10. When will these TVs launch?
Most are expected to arrive throughout 2026.