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24 hours with Alexa Plus: we cooked, we chatted, and it kinda lied to me

24 hours with Alexa Plus: we cooked, we chatted, and it kinda lied to me

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I’ve waited two years to try out the new Alexa, which was first announced way back in 2023, and this week I finally got access to Alexa Plus. I’ve now spent 24 hours with Amazon’s generative AI-powered voice assistant, and it’s not just an improvement on the original; it’s an entirely new assistant.

Alexa Plus knows more, can do more, and is easier to interact with because it understands more. I can ramble, pause, sigh, cough, change my request mid-sentence, and it can adapt and respond appropriately. No more, “Sorry, I’m not sure about that.” Miraculous.

I’m impressed, but I found a few flaws. It’s no secret that Amazon has been struggling to reinvent Alexa; reports of delays and setbacks have plagued the project since it was announced. Amazon’s slow rollout of Alexa Plus is also a clue that confidence isn’t sky-high. While the expansion has recently ramped up (Amazon told me it’s now in “many millions” of homes), the upgraded assistant is still in Early Access. It’s a beta product, but that means it should get better.

I’ll publish an in-depth hands-on with Alexa Plus after spending a lot more time with it and testing the full list of new features it’s been pushing at me since arriving in my home. But here’s how I spent my first 24 hours with Alexa Plus along with my initial impressions of Alexa’s metamorphosis.

Echo smart displays get an updated UI when Alexa Plus is activated. Here it is on the Show 21.

Alexa Plus landed on my Echo devices fairly late in the day, so, after going through some simple setup steps, my first experiment was having it help me cook dinner.

I asked Alexa for a recipe for salmon tacos, told it I wanted the first one it suggested, and asked it to read me the steps. This is something I’ve done many times before, and while Alexa responded with more detailed suggestions and in a more conversational tone, it mostly felt like business as usual.

But then, as it was reading me the steps, it displayed everything it was saying in a full-screen, chatbot-style interface on the Show 8 smart display, rather than just showing a static page of recipe steps and ingredients.

It’s a vast improvement over cooking with the old Alexa

At first, not having the recipe visible confused me. I couldn’t complete the steps as fast as Alexa was saying them. Then I realized that I didn’t need to keep going back to the screen to scroll through the recipe as I’m used to doing. Instead, I could just ask Alexa to read out the info as I needed it.

“Which spices do I need for the seasoning?” I said, standing in front of the spice cupboard. “How do I make the sauce?” I asked as I moved around the kitchen, getting the ingredients. Alexa replied with information pulled from the relevant sections. When I was putting the salmon in the air fryer, I asked, “How long do I need to cook the salmon?” Alexa replied with the right time, and I said, “Set a timer for that,” and it did.

It’s a vast improvement over cooking with the old Alexa, which can’t respond on the fly like that. And which also loves to close the recipe on me in the middle of cooking, and then pretend it had never heard of that recipe when I ask it to show it again.

But the new experience wasn’t perfect. At one point, I asked how much sour cream I needed. “I apologize, but the exact amount of sour cream for the white sauce isn’t specific in the recipe details I have.” It was right there in the ingredients list. Then it told me that one cup would probably be fine, as if it was guessing, even though that’s how much the recipe said.

Alexa also lost the recipe once or twice when I hadn’t interacted for a few minutes. A quick, “Alexa, can you show me that salmon taco recipe?” usually brought it back successfully. But once it completely forgot what it was doing and tried to gaslight me by saying we hadn’t had any conversations about salmon tacos today. I guess some things just don’t change.

Thursday morning coffee routine hiccup

The next morning, I walked into the kitchen and asked Alexa to make me a coffee. This normally triggers an Alexa Routine I created that turns on the Bosch coffee maker and starts making a coffee grande (Bosch lets you select specific coffee styles in its Alexa skill). This time, Alexa said, “I’m sorry, I can’t actually make coffee for you. Is there something else you’d like me to do instead?”

This is where the friction between the old Alexa’s command and control structure and the new, generative-AI Alexa’s method of listening to what I say and “deciding” what I want it to do became clear. Alexa couldn’t parse that I wanted it to run a routine from my smart home rather than have it do something for me.

Amazon isn’t the only company struggling to merge its voice assistant’s old functions with its new generative AI capabilities. This is a big part of why we’ve yet to see a smarter Siri in our HomePods or any major Gemini updates to Google Home beyond its own beta program.

The new smart home widget and calendar widget.

The new smart home widget and calendar widget.

I rephrased, saying, “Alexa, can you run my ‘make me a coffee’ routine?” It asked me which of my two coffee routines I wanted to run. I picked the one I wanted, and this time it ran.

For my second cup, I tried a different tactic. Instead of using a routine, I just asked it to tap into the capabilities of the connected appliance: “Alexa, can you ask my coffee machine to make me a coffee grande?” It worked.

This last action is a big change and one that should make using smart home gadgets much easier. When the new Alexa was first announced, then-Alexa chief Dave Limp told me it would be capable of disambiguating controls for smart gadgets; know what they’re capable of and use those tools when you ask for them without you having to do any setup. My first impressions here are promising, but I’ll be doing a lot more testing.

Breakfast with Wimbledon, score!

As I sat down with my coffee and granola, I put Alexa’s new conversational skills to the test. I wanted to talk about the most important event in the world right now: Wimbledon. My family is bored to tears by tennis, and it was too early to ping my go-to tennis buddy, Verge features editor Kevin Nguyen. So, I asked Alexa to tell me how the tournament was going.

After we talked back and forth about the championships, with Alexa giving me the lowdown on who was playing today, who were the favorites, as well as some interesting tidbits such as what would be historic about an Alcaraz win on Sunday, I asked for the score for the match that was currently taking place.

Disappointingly, I didn’t get the exact set / game breakdown, but it did accurately tell me that the first women’s semi-final was tied at zero sets each. I then asked it to show me the match on YouTube TV, and it launched the app on the Echo Show 21 I was using (which has FireTV software built in). However, I had to tune in to ESPN on my own. Nicely done, Alexa.

Lunchtime trip planning lies

We have a family camping trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park planned for later this month, so while making lunch, I asked Alexa for some day trip ideas. After a bit of back and forth, I settled on Gatlinburg. It suggested Ripley’s Aquarium, which I had not heard of, and will definitely check out, as well as the Dollywood theme park, which was already on our list.

A voice in your home confidently telling you something that’s not true hits a little harder than a chatbot lying to you in a text window

I asked if there were any deals on Dollywood tickets, and Alexa excitedly told me about a great deal where I could get a two-day ticket for just $42 a day. I asked it to help me book those, and it showed me a link, along with some generic tips for buying tickets and how to check out.

I pulled out my phone to open the chat — you can pick up any chat you start on an Echo device from the Alexa app, and soon on the web — and navigated to the Dollywood website. Once there, I learned that the pricing information Alexa had given me was wrong. I would be paying $122, not $84, for a two-day ticket. Bad Alexa.

Chatbots giving incorrect information isn’t anything new. And Amazon acknowledges that delivering accurate, real-time information is a “known limitation” for Alexa Plus. But somehow, a voice in your home confidently telling you something that turns out not to be true, hits a little harder than a chatbot lying to you in a text window on your phone or computer, where you can quickly fact-check it with a Google search.

An easier evening routine

That afternoon, I decided to try a feature I’ve been excited for: creating a smart home routine by voice. I’ve set up many, many, many routines in the Alexa app over the years, and it’s a fiddly, time-consuming process that often goes wrong. Telling Alexa what I want and having it figure out the details definitely appeals.

I started with something not too complicated. I told Alexa I wanted to dim the lights in the living room and kitchen to 60 percent, play relaxing music from the Echo Studio, and adjust the thermostat to 76 degrees. I said I wanted this to happen every night at 6PM, but I also wanted to trigger it with my voice at any time.

After a couple of minutes of back and forth, we ended up with two routines: one that runs every night at 6 and one that I can execute with a voice command whenever I like. (Alexa Routines can only have one trigger each, hence the need for two routines.) Alexa then offered to test the routine, which worked, and it then ran as scheduled. Good Alexa.

I’m mostly excited about this feature for my family, who rely on me to set things up for them. This should make it easier for them to bend our smart home to their will.

A few other thoughts from my first day with Alexa Plus

This just feels like a big waste of screen real estate.

This just feels like a big waste of screen real estate.

  • The default voice is way too peppy. I immediately switched to one of the other options (there are 8 total), picking “feminine grounded,” which sounds the most like the original Alexa. What can I say, I’m a traditionalist!
  • Controlling multiple smart home devices with one request is the bomb. I told Alexa to turn off the hallway lights, set the thermostat upstairs to 78, and start the vacuum in the kitchen. And it did it all. Excellent Alexa.
  • I really like not having to say Alexa all the time. After the first summoning, I could talk to it without repeating the wake word, making conversations more free-flowing. A blue light on the screen or speaker indicates when it’s still engaged, but I’d like it if this would stay longer; it seems to time out after about 30 seconds.
  • The new smart home widget is great. The Show 21 and 15 have a whole new UI, with redesigned widgets that are cleaner and more useful. The smart home widget, in particular, is a big improvement, being more interactive and customizable. I also really like the redesigned calendar widget, which can go full screen and show day, week, and month layouts. There’s still no option to keep the Show fixed on a full-screen widget, though, and the new UI feels cramped on the Show 8 and 5.
  • There’s too much chatbot. The text transcript of a conversation taking up the whole screen feels clunky and overwhelming, especially on larger screens like the Show 21. A smaller window showing the chat with the rest of the content still visible would be better.

After one day with Alexa, I’m impressed. Despite some slip-ups, it did make my life better, which is very promising. While there are some rough edges to smooth out, several promised features are still MIA, and I’ve yet to put any of the flashier agentic abilities like booking a plumber, a restaurant, or an Uber — the changes I’ve seen so far are mostly good.

The big shift for my household will be getting used to more personality in our AI

However, I am super skeptical about how well it will interact with my smart home. Asking Alexa to run that coffee routine the next morning prompted the worrying response, “I can’t run Routines on demand.” Based on several Reddit threads, it seems some existing skills and APIs aren’t jiving well with the new administration.

A significant difference between a smart home voice assistant and a Chat-GPT-style chatbot is that the former can take actions in your home. This makes it potentially both more useful and more problematic. If ChatGPT hallucinates that the weather outside is frightful in a text box, it’s not going to do much damage. You can see how an AI with control of my smart thermostat could cause problems if it gets hold of the wrong end of the weather stick.

The biggest shift for my household with Alexa Plus will be getting used to more personality in our AI. My kids are 14 and 17. They’ve basically grown up with Alexa, and this new version is totally different. My 14-year-old daughter’s first reaction to hearing it was shock. “That’s not nice!” she gasped. “The way it talked back to you.”

It wasn’t that Alexa was rude; she was objecting to the extra personality it exhibited. She’s firmly of the opinion that machines should not try to act like humans. I’m on the fence, but after spending some more time with Alexa Plus, I might be picking a side. We’ll see.

Photos by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

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Microsoft is weighing whether to delay or scale back one of its most ambitious clean energy goals as its rapid buildout of AI data centers puts pressure on its ability to meet those targets. Microsoft has yet to make any public announcements, but according to Bloomberg the company is having internal discussions over its hourly clean energy matching goal.

The tech company has said that by 2030 it intends to match 100% of its hourly energy use with clean power on the same grid. But Microsoft’s rush to build AI data centers has apparently sparked debate within the company about whether the pledge has become an impediment to its ambitions.

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Annual targets are more lenient. They are effectively accounting tricks that could, for example, let a company buy more solar power than it might use at midday. Other customers on the grid use that energy, but the company that paid for the solar panels gets to claim the renewable power they make. It’s a tidy arrangement that has sped the deployment of wind, solar, and batteries. But on its own, annual targets won’t eliminate fossil fuels entirely. Hourly targets help foster renewable development that more closely mimics how a true net-zero world would be powered.

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But as data centers grow in size and number, those same companies are turning to natural gas. Microsoft is included in that list; last month, the company said it was working with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to build a massive natural gas power plant in West Texas that could eventually generate up to 5 gigawatts. 

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San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

Despite the West Texas project, Microsoft is widely viewed as a leader among tech companies pursuing net zero emissions. By 2030, Microsoft intends to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than its operations produce.

Part of the company’s renewable push has been driven by an internal carbon tax. The Microsoft spokesperson did not reply to questions about the company’s carbon tax. If it remains in place, some of the internal debate surrounding hourly matching might revolve around a cost-benefit analysis of the shift.

If Microsoft were to abandon its hourly-matching target, the company would also lose some leverage in efforts to sell the public on its on its data centers. 

As data centers have proliferated, the general public has begun to push back against them, citing concerns over pollution, power prices, and water use. When Microsoft brings its own clean power to a project, it can plausibly say it has addressed two of those concerns. Without it, new data centers might be harder to sell to the public.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Microsofts #data #center #push #colliding #clean #power #goals #TechCrunchdata centers,Microsoft,net zero,renewable energy">Microsoft’s AI data center push is colliding with its clean power goals | TechCrunch Microsoft is weighing whether to delay or scale back one of its most ambitious clean energy goals as its rapid buildout of AI data centers puts pressure on its ability to meet those targets. Microsoft has yet to make any public announcements, but according to Bloomberg the company is having internal discussions over its hourly clean energy matching goal. The tech company has said that by 2030 it intends to match 100% of its hourly energy use with clean power on the same grid. But Microsoft’s rush to build AI data centers has apparently sparked debate within the company about whether the pledge has become an impediment to its ambitions. Microsoft declined to comment on the internal debate over the hourly matching goal. Instead, a spokesperson told TechCrunch the company continues “to look for opportunities to maintain our annual matching goal.” Hourly targets like the kind Microsoft has set for itself are more rigorous than annual targets. Because the grid is a balanced system — the supply and demand of electrons needs to be matched on a near-instantaneous basis — hourly matching helps develop clean energy sources that more closely align with a company’s usage patterns. Annual targets are more lenient. They are effectively accounting tricks that could, for example, let a company buy more solar power than it might use at midday. Other customers on the grid use that energy, but the company that paid for the solar panels gets to claim the renewable power they make. It’s a tidy arrangement that has sped the deployment of wind, solar, and batteries. But on its own, annual targets won’t eliminate fossil fuels entirely. Hourly targets help foster renewable development that more closely mimics how a true net-zero world would be powered. Big tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple have generally led on emissions reductions, setting aggressive net-zero targets. Many have eliminated their carbon emissions on an annual basis. Microsoft, for instance, said it met that goal last year. But as data centers grow in size and number, those same companies are turning to natural gas. Microsoft is included in that list; last month, the company said it was working with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to build a massive natural gas power plant in West Texas that could eventually generate up to 5 gigawatts.  Techcrunch event San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026 Despite the West Texas project, Microsoft is widely viewed as a leader among tech companies pursuing net zero emissions. By 2030, Microsoft intends to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than its operations produce. Part of the company’s renewable push has been driven by an internal carbon tax. The Microsoft spokesperson did not reply to questions about the company’s carbon tax. If it remains in place, some of the internal debate surrounding hourly matching might revolve around a cost-benefit analysis of the shift. If Microsoft were to abandon its hourly-matching target, the company would also lose some leverage in efforts to sell the public on its on its data centers.  As data centers have proliferated, the general public has begun to push back against them, citing concerns over pollution, power prices, and water use. When Microsoft brings its own clean power to a project, it can plausibly say it has addressed two of those concerns. Without it, new data centers might be harder to sell to the public. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#Microsofts #data #center #push #colliding #clean #power #goals #TechCrunchdata centers,Microsoft,net zero,renewable energy

according to Bloomberg the company is having internal discussions over its hourly clean energy matching goal.

The tech company has said that by 2030 it intends to match 100% of its hourly energy use with clean power on the same grid. But Microsoft’s rush to build AI data centers has apparently sparked debate within the company about whether the pledge has become an impediment to its ambitions.

Microsoft declined to comment on the internal debate over the hourly matching goal. Instead, a spokesperson told TechCrunch the company continues “to look for opportunities to maintain our annual matching goal.”

Hourly targets like the kind Microsoft has set for itself are more rigorous than annual targets. Because the grid is a balanced system — the supply and demand of electrons needs to be matched on a near-instantaneous basis — hourly matching helps develop clean energy sources that more closely align with a company’s usage patterns.

Annual targets are more lenient. They are effectively accounting tricks that could, for example, let a company buy more solar power than it might use at midday. Other customers on the grid use that energy, but the company that paid for the solar panels gets to claim the renewable power they make. It’s a tidy arrangement that has sped the deployment of wind, solar, and batteries. But on its own, annual targets won’t eliminate fossil fuels entirely. Hourly targets help foster renewable development that more closely mimics how a true net-zero world would be powered.

Big tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple have generally led on emissions reductions, setting aggressive net-zero targets. Many have eliminated their carbon emissions on an annual basis. Microsoft, for instance, said it met that goal last year.

But as data centers grow in size and number, those same companies are turning to natural gas. Microsoft is included in that list; last month, the company said it was working with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to build a massive natural gas power plant in West Texas that could eventually generate up to 5 gigawatts. 

Techcrunch event

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

Despite the West Texas project, Microsoft is widely viewed as a leader among tech companies pursuing net zero emissions. By 2030, Microsoft intends to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than its operations produce.

Part of the company’s renewable push has been driven by an internal carbon tax. The Microsoft spokesperson did not reply to questions about the company’s carbon tax. If it remains in place, some of the internal debate surrounding hourly matching might revolve around a cost-benefit analysis of the shift.

If Microsoft were to abandon its hourly-matching target, the company would also lose some leverage in efforts to sell the public on its on its data centers. 

As data centers have proliferated, the general public has begun to push back against them, citing concerns over pollution, power prices, and water use. When Microsoft brings its own clean power to a project, it can plausibly say it has addressed two of those concerns. Without it, new data centers might be harder to sell to the public.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Microsofts #data #center #push #colliding #clean #power #goals #TechCrunchdata centers,Microsoft,net zero,renewable energy">Microsoft’s AI data center push is colliding with its clean power goals | TechCrunch

Microsoft is weighing whether to delay or scale back one of its most ambitious clean energy goals as its rapid buildout of AI data centers puts pressure on its ability to meet those targets. Microsoft has yet to make any public announcements, but according to Bloomberg the company is having internal discussions over its hourly clean energy matching goal.

The tech company has said that by 2030 it intends to match 100% of its hourly energy use with clean power on the same grid. But Microsoft’s rush to build AI data centers has apparently sparked debate within the company about whether the pledge has become an impediment to its ambitions.

Microsoft declined to comment on the internal debate over the hourly matching goal. Instead, a spokesperson told TechCrunch the company continues “to look for opportunities to maintain our annual matching goal.”

Hourly targets like the kind Microsoft has set for itself are more rigorous than annual targets. Because the grid is a balanced system — the supply and demand of electrons needs to be matched on a near-instantaneous basis — hourly matching helps develop clean energy sources that more closely align with a company’s usage patterns.

Annual targets are more lenient. They are effectively accounting tricks that could, for example, let a company buy more solar power than it might use at midday. Other customers on the grid use that energy, but the company that paid for the solar panels gets to claim the renewable power they make. It’s a tidy arrangement that has sped the deployment of wind, solar, and batteries. But on its own, annual targets won’t eliminate fossil fuels entirely. Hourly targets help foster renewable development that more closely mimics how a true net-zero world would be powered.

Big tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple have generally led on emissions reductions, setting aggressive net-zero targets. Many have eliminated their carbon emissions on an annual basis. Microsoft, for instance, said it met that goal last year.

But as data centers grow in size and number, those same companies are turning to natural gas. Microsoft is included in that list; last month, the company said it was working with Chevron and Engine No. 1 to build a massive natural gas power plant in West Texas that could eventually generate up to 5 gigawatts. 

Techcrunch event

San Francisco, CA | October 13-15, 2026

Despite the West Texas project, Microsoft is widely viewed as a leader among tech companies pursuing net zero emissions. By 2030, Microsoft intends to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than its operations produce.

Part of the company’s renewable push has been driven by an internal carbon tax. The Microsoft spokesperson did not reply to questions about the company’s carbon tax. If it remains in place, some of the internal debate surrounding hourly matching might revolve around a cost-benefit analysis of the shift.

If Microsoft were to abandon its hourly-matching target, the company would also lose some leverage in efforts to sell the public on its on its data centers. 

As data centers have proliferated, the general public has begun to push back against them, citing concerns over pollution, power prices, and water use. When Microsoft brings its own clean power to a project, it can plausibly say it has addressed two of those concerns. Without it, new data centers might be harder to sell to the public.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#Microsofts #data #center #push #colliding #clean #power #goals #TechCrunchdata centers,Microsoft,net zero,renewable energy
1. Samsung S90F OLED TV
5 Budget OLED TVs Worth Buying in 2026 If you’re planning to upgrade your TV, OLED is one of the best technologies you can choose today. They offer deeper blacks, better contrast, and more accurate colors because each pixel works independently. This creates a more immersive experience, whether you’re watching movies, sports, or playing games. It’s one of the main reasons why OLED TVs are often recommended by experts. The only issue has always been the price. However, the situation is different today, as technology allows users to choose models that deliver equal performance but are cheaper. For your convenience, we looked at expert reviews and real-world performance experts and have selected the best budget OLED TV models. 1. Samsung S90F OLED TV In terms of price-to-performance, the Samsung S90F OLED TV is one of the top recommendations right now. It doesn’t just rely on standard OLED strengths; it pushes things further with its QD-OLED panel. That means brighter highlights and more saturated colors, especially noticeable in HDR content. Instead of the usual “good OLED picture,” this one actually stands out when you’re watching high-quality movies or shows. Bright scenes look punchier, and darker scenes still keep their depth without losing detail. Where this TV really stands out is in gaming. First, it supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and the low input lag helps keep gameplay smooth and responsive. Secondly, the presence of features like VRR can eliminate issues such as screen tearing. If gaming is even a low priority, this is one of the best options. Another advantage is viewing angles. Even if you’re not sitting directly in front, colors and contrast stay consistent. Compared to something like the S85F, if you watch in a bright room, this makes a noticeable difference over cheaper OLEDs, which makes a real difference in well-lit rooms. 2. LG B5 Series OLED TV The LG B5 is one of those TVs that doesn’t try to impress with flashy upgrades but gets the basics right. It delivers what most people expect from OLED: deep blacks, strong contrast, and natural-looking colors, but the key difference is how balanced everything feels. Nothing looks overprocessed or exaggerated, making it a safe choice if you watch a mix of content, including movies, sports, and regular TV. LG’s processing also plays a big role here. Lower-resolution content doesn’t look stretched or blurry, which is useful if you’re not always watching 4K content. It quietly improves the overall viewing experience without making it obvious. That’s something LG has been consistently good at, and this model continues that trend. For gaming, it covers all the important features without going overboard. You get a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, VRR, and low input lag. It’s not as aggressive as Samsung’s 144Hz setup, but for console gaming, it’s more than enough and feels smooth in real use. 3. Sony Bravia XR8B OLED TV Sony takes a different approach compared to Samsung and LG. If you watch a lot of movies or shows, this TV is best for you. Instead of focusing on brightness or gaming specs, it puts more effort into how the picture actually looks. The XR8B reflects that. Colors feel more accurate, especially skin tones, and motion looks smoother in fast scenes. One of its biggest strengths is upscaling. Not everything you watch will be in 4K, and this is where Sony usually performs better than others. Lower-resolution content looks cleaner and more detailed, rather than just being stretched to fit the screen. That alone makes it a good option for people who still watch HD channels or older content. Furthermore, the Google TV interface enhances the experience. It’s easy to navigate, and most apps are readily available, so there’s no learning curve. Everything feels straightforward, which matters for daily use. That said, it’s not the strongest performer in every area. Brightness is lower than that of Samsung’s QD-OLED models, so HDR doesn’t feel as impactful. It’s also priced a bit higher than it should be for what it offers, especially if gaming is important to you. But if your focus is on accurate visuals and overall picture quality, this TV still holds its place. 4. Samsung S85F OLED TV The Samsung S85F OLED TV is meant for people who want better color accuracy from an OLED display but are not looking to purchase a premium OLED TV. The advanced QD-OLED screen technology boosts color vibrancy and brightness compared to an ordinary OLED display. Colors look richer, and contrast remains strong, so the overall image quality is still impressive for the price. In terms of features, the S85F supports the full suite of HDMI 2.1 functionality, including 120Hz refresh rate and VRR. As a result, it is well-suited for gaming, as it ensures smoother gameplay without screen tearing during fast-action sequences. For console users especially, this setup works well and doesn’t feel limited in everyday use. The main reason to consider this model is price. If you want QD-OLED without stretching your budget too much, this is worth considering. 5. Panasonic Z85 OLED TV The Panasonic Z85 focuses on a slightly different audience. Instead of pushing picture performance to the limit, it tries to offer a more complete experience out of the box. The display still delivers solid OLED-level contrast and black levels, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the core benefits. One of the main highlights of this TV is the high-quality sound. Unlike most TVs in this range, the built-in speakers are actually good enough for regular use. You don’t immediately feel the need to add a soundbar, which can save extra cost and setup effort. For many users, that makes a practical difference. It also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which gives you more flexibility depending on what you watch. That’s something not all TVs offer, and it helps ensure compatibility across different platforms. Compared to Samsung and LG models, it feels a bit less dynamic, especially in bright scenes. It’s also not as widely recommended in top-tier rankings, which affects its positioning here. Still, if you want a simple setup with good sound and reliable picture quality, this TV does its job well without overcomplicating things. #Budget #OLED #TVs #Worth #BuyingOLED TV

In terms of price-to-performance, the Samsung S90F OLED TV is one of the top recommendations right now. It doesn’t just rely on standard OLED strengths; it pushes things further with its QD-OLED panel. That means brighter highlights and more saturated colors, especially noticeable in HDR content. Instead of the usual “good OLED picture,” this one actually stands out when you’re watching high-quality movies or shows. Bright scenes look punchier, and darker scenes still keep their depth without losing detail.

Where this TV really stands out is in gaming. First, it supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and the low input lag helps keep gameplay smooth and responsive. Secondly, the presence of features like VRR can eliminate issues such as screen tearing. If gaming is even a low priority, this is one of the best options.

Another advantage is viewing angles. Even if you’re not sitting directly in front, colors and contrast stay consistent. Compared to something like the S85F, if you watch in a bright room, this makes a noticeable difference over cheaper OLEDs, which makes a real difference in well-lit rooms.

2. LG B5 Series OLED TV

LG B5 OLED TV

The LG B5 is one of those TVs that doesn’t try to impress with flashy upgrades but gets the basics right. It delivers what most people expect from OLED: deep blacks, strong contrast, and natural-looking colors, but the key difference is how balanced everything feels. Nothing looks overprocessed or exaggerated, making it a safe choice if you watch a mix of content, including movies, sports, and regular TV.

LG’s processing also plays a big role here. Lower-resolution content doesn’t look stretched or blurry, which is useful if you’re not always watching 4K content. It quietly improves the overall viewing experience without making it obvious. That’s something LG has been consistently good at, and this model continues that trend.

For gaming, it covers all the important features without going overboard. You get a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, VRR, and low input lag. It’s not as aggressive as Samsung’s 144Hz setup, but for console gaming, it’s more than enough and feels smooth in real use.

3. Sony Bravia XR8B OLED TV

OLED TVs

Sony takes a different approach compared to Samsung and LG. If you watch a lot of movies or shows, this TV is best for you. Instead of focusing on brightness or gaming specs, it puts more effort into how the picture actually looks. The XR8B reflects that. Colors feel more accurate, especially skin tones, and motion looks smoother in fast scenes.

One of its biggest strengths is upscaling. Not everything you watch will be in 4K, and this is where Sony usually performs better than others. Lower-resolution content looks cleaner and more detailed, rather than just being stretched to fit the screen. That alone makes it a good option for people who still watch HD channels or older content.

Furthermore, the Google TV interface enhances the experience. It’s easy to navigate, and most apps are readily available, so there’s no learning curve. Everything feels straightforward, which matters for daily use.

That said, it’s not the strongest performer in every area. Brightness is lower than that of Samsung’s QD-OLED models, so HDR doesn’t feel as impactful. It’s also priced a bit higher than it should be for what it offers, especially if gaming is important to you. But if your focus is on accurate visuals and overall picture quality, this TV still holds its place.

4. Samsung S85F OLED TV

Samsung OLED TVs

The Samsung S85F OLED TV is meant for people who want better color accuracy from an OLED display but are not looking to purchase a premium OLED TV. The advanced QD-OLED screen technology boosts color vibrancy and brightness compared to an ordinary OLED display. Colors look richer, and contrast remains strong, so the overall image quality is still impressive for the price.

In terms of features, the S85F supports the full suite of HDMI 2.1 functionality, including 120Hz refresh rate and VRR. As a result, it is well-suited for gaming, as it ensures smoother gameplay without screen tearing during fast-action sequences. For console users especially, this setup works well and doesn’t feel limited in everyday use.

The main reason to consider this model is price. If you want QD-OLED without stretching your budget too much, this is worth considering.

5. Panasonic Z85 OLED TV

Panasonic

The Panasonic Z85 focuses on a slightly different audience. Instead of pushing picture performance to the limit, it tries to offer a more complete experience out of the box. The display still delivers solid OLED-level contrast and black levels, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the core benefits.

One of the main highlights of this TV is the high-quality sound. Unlike most TVs in this range, the built-in speakers are actually good enough for regular use. You don’t immediately feel the need to add a soundbar, which can save extra cost and setup effort. For many users, that makes a practical difference.

It also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which gives you more flexibility depending on what you watch. That’s something not all TVs offer, and it helps ensure compatibility across different platforms.

Compared to Samsung and LG models, it feels a bit less dynamic, especially in bright scenes. It’s also not as widely recommended in top-tier rankings, which affects its positioning here. Still, if you want a simple setup with good sound and reliable picture quality, this TV does its job well without overcomplicating things.

#Budget #OLED #TVs #Worth #BuyingOLED TV">5 Budget OLED TVs Worth Buying in 2026 If you’re planning to upgrade your TV, OLED is one of the best technologies you can choose today. They offer deeper blacks, better contrast, and more accurate colors because each pixel works independently. This creates a more immersive experience, whether you’re watching movies, sports, or playing games. It’s one of the main reasons why OLED TVs are often recommended by experts. The only issue has always been the price. However, the situation is different today, as technology allows users to choose models that deliver equal performance but are cheaper. For your convenience, we looked at expert reviews and real-world performance experts and have selected the best budget OLED TV models. 1. Samsung S90F OLED TV In terms of price-to-performance, the Samsung S90F OLED TV is one of the top recommendations right now. It doesn’t just rely on standard OLED strengths; it pushes things further with its QD-OLED panel. That means brighter highlights and more saturated colors, especially noticeable in HDR content. Instead of the usual “good OLED picture,” this one actually stands out when you’re watching high-quality movies or shows. Bright scenes look punchier, and darker scenes still keep their depth without losing detail. Where this TV really stands out is in gaming. First, it supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and the low input lag helps keep gameplay smooth and responsive. Secondly, the presence of features like VRR can eliminate issues such as screen tearing. If gaming is even a low priority, this is one of the best options. Another advantage is viewing angles. Even if you’re not sitting directly in front, colors and contrast stay consistent. Compared to something like the S85F, if you watch in a bright room, this makes a noticeable difference over cheaper OLEDs, which makes a real difference in well-lit rooms. 2. LG B5 Series OLED TV The LG B5 is one of those TVs that doesn’t try to impress with flashy upgrades but gets the basics right. It delivers what most people expect from OLED: deep blacks, strong contrast, and natural-looking colors, but the key difference is how balanced everything feels. Nothing looks overprocessed or exaggerated, making it a safe choice if you watch a mix of content, including movies, sports, and regular TV. LG’s processing also plays a big role here. Lower-resolution content doesn’t look stretched or blurry, which is useful if you’re not always watching 4K content. It quietly improves the overall viewing experience without making it obvious. That’s something LG has been consistently good at, and this model continues that trend. For gaming, it covers all the important features without going overboard. You get a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, VRR, and low input lag. It’s not as aggressive as Samsung’s 144Hz setup, but for console gaming, it’s more than enough and feels smooth in real use. 3. Sony Bravia XR8B OLED TV Sony takes a different approach compared to Samsung and LG. If you watch a lot of movies or shows, this TV is best for you. Instead of focusing on brightness or gaming specs, it puts more effort into how the picture actually looks. The XR8B reflects that. Colors feel more accurate, especially skin tones, and motion looks smoother in fast scenes. One of its biggest strengths is upscaling. Not everything you watch will be in 4K, and this is where Sony usually performs better than others. Lower-resolution content looks cleaner and more detailed, rather than just being stretched to fit the screen. That alone makes it a good option for people who still watch HD channels or older content. Furthermore, the Google TV interface enhances the experience. It’s easy to navigate, and most apps are readily available, so there’s no learning curve. Everything feels straightforward, which matters for daily use. That said, it’s not the strongest performer in every area. Brightness is lower than that of Samsung’s QD-OLED models, so HDR doesn’t feel as impactful. It’s also priced a bit higher than it should be for what it offers, especially if gaming is important to you. But if your focus is on accurate visuals and overall picture quality, this TV still holds its place. 4. Samsung S85F OLED TV The Samsung S85F OLED TV is meant for people who want better color accuracy from an OLED display but are not looking to purchase a premium OLED TV. The advanced QD-OLED screen technology boosts color vibrancy and brightness compared to an ordinary OLED display. Colors look richer, and contrast remains strong, so the overall image quality is still impressive for the price. In terms of features, the S85F supports the full suite of HDMI 2.1 functionality, including 120Hz refresh rate and VRR. As a result, it is well-suited for gaming, as it ensures smoother gameplay without screen tearing during fast-action sequences. For console users especially, this setup works well and doesn’t feel limited in everyday use. The main reason to consider this model is price. If you want QD-OLED without stretching your budget too much, this is worth considering. 5. Panasonic Z85 OLED TV The Panasonic Z85 focuses on a slightly different audience. Instead of pushing picture performance to the limit, it tries to offer a more complete experience out of the box. The display still delivers solid OLED-level contrast and black levels, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the core benefits. One of the main highlights of this TV is the high-quality sound. Unlike most TVs in this range, the built-in speakers are actually good enough for regular use. You don’t immediately feel the need to add a soundbar, which can save extra cost and setup effort. For many users, that makes a practical difference. It also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which gives you more flexibility depending on what you watch. That’s something not all TVs offer, and it helps ensure compatibility across different platforms. Compared to Samsung and LG models, it feels a bit less dynamic, especially in bright scenes. It’s also not as widely recommended in top-tier rankings, which affects its positioning here. Still, if you want a simple setup with good sound and reliable picture quality, this TV does its job well without overcomplicating things. #Budget #OLED #TVs #Worth #BuyingOLED TV

Samsung S90F OLED TV is one of the top recommendations right now. It doesn’t just rely on standard OLED strengths; it pushes things further with its QD-OLED panel. That means brighter highlights and more saturated colors, especially noticeable in HDR content. Instead of the usual “good OLED picture,” this one actually stands out when you’re watching high-quality movies or shows. Bright scenes look punchier, and darker scenes still keep their depth without losing detail.

Where this TV really stands out is in gaming. First, it supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and the low input lag helps keep gameplay smooth and responsive. Secondly, the presence of features like VRR can eliminate issues such as screen tearing. If gaming is even a low priority, this is one of the best options.

Another advantage is viewing angles. Even if you’re not sitting directly in front, colors and contrast stay consistent. Compared to something like the S85F, if you watch in a bright room, this makes a noticeable difference over cheaper OLEDs, which makes a real difference in well-lit rooms.

2. LG B5 Series OLED TV

LG B5 OLED TV

The LG B5 is one of those TVs that doesn’t try to impress with flashy upgrades but gets the basics right. It delivers what most people expect from OLED: deep blacks, strong contrast, and natural-looking colors, but the key difference is how balanced everything feels. Nothing looks overprocessed or exaggerated, making it a safe choice if you watch a mix of content, including movies, sports, and regular TV.

LG’s processing also plays a big role here. Lower-resolution content doesn’t look stretched or blurry, which is useful if you’re not always watching 4K content. It quietly improves the overall viewing experience without making it obvious. That’s something LG has been consistently good at, and this model continues that trend.

For gaming, it covers all the important features without going overboard. You get a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, VRR, and low input lag. It’s not as aggressive as Samsung’s 144Hz setup, but for console gaming, it’s more than enough and feels smooth in real use.

3. Sony Bravia XR8B OLED TV

OLED TVs

Sony takes a different approach compared to Samsung and LG. If you watch a lot of movies or shows, this TV is best for you. Instead of focusing on brightness or gaming specs, it puts more effort into how the picture actually looks. The XR8B reflects that. Colors feel more accurate, especially skin tones, and motion looks smoother in fast scenes.

One of its biggest strengths is upscaling. Not everything you watch will be in 4K, and this is where Sony usually performs better than others. Lower-resolution content looks cleaner and more detailed, rather than just being stretched to fit the screen. That alone makes it a good option for people who still watch HD channels or older content.

Furthermore, the Google TV interface enhances the experience. It’s easy to navigate, and most apps are readily available, so there’s no learning curve. Everything feels straightforward, which matters for daily use.

That said, it’s not the strongest performer in every area. Brightness is lower than that of Samsung’s QD-OLED models, so HDR doesn’t feel as impactful. It’s also priced a bit higher than it should be for what it offers, especially if gaming is important to you. But if your focus is on accurate visuals and overall picture quality, this TV still holds its place.

4. Samsung S85F OLED TV

Samsung OLED TVs

The Samsung S85F OLED TV is meant for people who want better color accuracy from an OLED display but are not looking to purchase a premium OLED TV. The advanced QD-OLED screen technology boosts color vibrancy and brightness compared to an ordinary OLED display. Colors look richer, and contrast remains strong, so the overall image quality is still impressive for the price.

In terms of features, the S85F supports the full suite of HDMI 2.1 functionality, including 120Hz refresh rate and VRR. As a result, it is well-suited for gaming, as it ensures smoother gameplay without screen tearing during fast-action sequences. For console users especially, this setup works well and doesn’t feel limited in everyday use.

The main reason to consider this model is price. If you want QD-OLED without stretching your budget too much, this is worth considering.

5. Panasonic Z85 OLED TV

Panasonic

The Panasonic Z85 focuses on a slightly different audience. Instead of pushing picture performance to the limit, it tries to offer a more complete experience out of the box. The display still delivers solid OLED-level contrast and black levels, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the core benefits.

One of the main highlights of this TV is the high-quality sound. Unlike most TVs in this range, the built-in speakers are actually good enough for regular use. You don’t immediately feel the need to add a soundbar, which can save extra cost and setup effort. For many users, that makes a practical difference.

It also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which gives you more flexibility depending on what you watch. That’s something not all TVs offer, and it helps ensure compatibility across different platforms.

Compared to Samsung and LG models, it feels a bit less dynamic, especially in bright scenes. It’s also not as widely recommended in top-tier rankings, which affects its positioning here. Still, if you want a simple setup with good sound and reliable picture quality, this TV does its job well without overcomplicating things.

#Budget #OLED #TVs #Worth #BuyingOLED TV">5 Budget OLED TVs Worth Buying in 2026

If you’re planning to upgrade your TV, OLED is one of the best technologies you can choose today. They offer deeper blacks, better contrast, and more accurate colors because each pixel works independently. This creates a more immersive experience, whether you’re watching movies, sports, or playing games. It’s one of the main reasons why OLED TVs are often recommended by experts.

The only issue has always been the price. However, the situation is different today, as technology allows users to choose models that deliver equal performance but are cheaper. For your convenience, we looked at expert reviews and real-world performance experts and have selected the best budget OLED TV models.

1. Samsung S90F OLED TV

5 Budget OLED TVs Worth Buying in 2026 If you’re planning to upgrade your TV, OLED is one of the best technologies you can choose today. They offer deeper blacks, better contrast, and more accurate colors because each pixel works independently. This creates a more immersive experience, whether you’re watching movies, sports, or playing games. It’s one of the main reasons why OLED TVs are often recommended by experts. The only issue has always been the price. However, the situation is different today, as technology allows users to choose models that deliver equal performance but are cheaper. For your convenience, we looked at expert reviews and real-world performance experts and have selected the best budget OLED TV models. 1. Samsung S90F OLED TV In terms of price-to-performance, the Samsung S90F OLED TV is one of the top recommendations right now. It doesn’t just rely on standard OLED strengths; it pushes things further with its QD-OLED panel. That means brighter highlights and more saturated colors, especially noticeable in HDR content. Instead of the usual “good OLED picture,” this one actually stands out when you’re watching high-quality movies or shows. Bright scenes look punchier, and darker scenes still keep their depth without losing detail. Where this TV really stands out is in gaming. First, it supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and the low input lag helps keep gameplay smooth and responsive. Secondly, the presence of features like VRR can eliminate issues such as screen tearing. If gaming is even a low priority, this is one of the best options. Another advantage is viewing angles. Even if you’re not sitting directly in front, colors and contrast stay consistent. Compared to something like the S85F, if you watch in a bright room, this makes a noticeable difference over cheaper OLEDs, which makes a real difference in well-lit rooms. 2. LG B5 Series OLED TV The LG B5 is one of those TVs that doesn’t try to impress with flashy upgrades but gets the basics right. It delivers what most people expect from OLED: deep blacks, strong contrast, and natural-looking colors, but the key difference is how balanced everything feels. Nothing looks overprocessed or exaggerated, making it a safe choice if you watch a mix of content, including movies, sports, and regular TV. LG’s processing also plays a big role here. Lower-resolution content doesn’t look stretched or blurry, which is useful if you’re not always watching 4K content. It quietly improves the overall viewing experience without making it obvious. That’s something LG has been consistently good at, and this model continues that trend. For gaming, it covers all the important features without going overboard. You get a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, VRR, and low input lag. It’s not as aggressive as Samsung’s 144Hz setup, but for console gaming, it’s more than enough and feels smooth in real use. 3. Sony Bravia XR8B OLED TV Sony takes a different approach compared to Samsung and LG. If you watch a lot of movies or shows, this TV is best for you. Instead of focusing on brightness or gaming specs, it puts more effort into how the picture actually looks. The XR8B reflects that. Colors feel more accurate, especially skin tones, and motion looks smoother in fast scenes. One of its biggest strengths is upscaling. Not everything you watch will be in 4K, and this is where Sony usually performs better than others. Lower-resolution content looks cleaner and more detailed, rather than just being stretched to fit the screen. That alone makes it a good option for people who still watch HD channels or older content. Furthermore, the Google TV interface enhances the experience. It’s easy to navigate, and most apps are readily available, so there’s no learning curve. Everything feels straightforward, which matters for daily use. That said, it’s not the strongest performer in every area. Brightness is lower than that of Samsung’s QD-OLED models, so HDR doesn’t feel as impactful. It’s also priced a bit higher than it should be for what it offers, especially if gaming is important to you. But if your focus is on accurate visuals and overall picture quality, this TV still holds its place. 4. Samsung S85F OLED TV The Samsung S85F OLED TV is meant for people who want better color accuracy from an OLED display but are not looking to purchase a premium OLED TV. The advanced QD-OLED screen technology boosts color vibrancy and brightness compared to an ordinary OLED display. Colors look richer, and contrast remains strong, so the overall image quality is still impressive for the price. In terms of features, the S85F supports the full suite of HDMI 2.1 functionality, including 120Hz refresh rate and VRR. As a result, it is well-suited for gaming, as it ensures smoother gameplay without screen tearing during fast-action sequences. For console users especially, this setup works well and doesn’t feel limited in everyday use. The main reason to consider this model is price. If you want QD-OLED without stretching your budget too much, this is worth considering. 5. Panasonic Z85 OLED TV The Panasonic Z85 focuses on a slightly different audience. Instead of pushing picture performance to the limit, it tries to offer a more complete experience out of the box. The display still delivers solid OLED-level contrast and black levels, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the core benefits. One of the main highlights of this TV is the high-quality sound. Unlike most TVs in this range, the built-in speakers are actually good enough for regular use. You don’t immediately feel the need to add a soundbar, which can save extra cost and setup effort. For many users, that makes a practical difference. It also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which gives you more flexibility depending on what you watch. That’s something not all TVs offer, and it helps ensure compatibility across different platforms. Compared to Samsung and LG models, it feels a bit less dynamic, especially in bright scenes. It’s also not as widely recommended in top-tier rankings, which affects its positioning here. Still, if you want a simple setup with good sound and reliable picture quality, this TV does its job well without overcomplicating things. #Budget #OLED #TVs #Worth #BuyingOLED TV

In terms of price-to-performance, the Samsung S90F OLED TV is one of the top recommendations right now. It doesn’t just rely on standard OLED strengths; it pushes things further with its QD-OLED panel. That means brighter highlights and more saturated colors, especially noticeable in HDR content. Instead of the usual “good OLED picture,” this one actually stands out when you’re watching high-quality movies or shows. Bright scenes look punchier, and darker scenes still keep their depth without losing detail.

Where this TV really stands out is in gaming. First, it supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and the low input lag helps keep gameplay smooth and responsive. Secondly, the presence of features like VRR can eliminate issues such as screen tearing. If gaming is even a low priority, this is one of the best options.

Another advantage is viewing angles. Even if you’re not sitting directly in front, colors and contrast stay consistent. Compared to something like the S85F, if you watch in a bright room, this makes a noticeable difference over cheaper OLEDs, which makes a real difference in well-lit rooms.

2. LG B5 Series OLED TV

LG B5 OLED TV

The LG B5 is one of those TVs that doesn’t try to impress with flashy upgrades but gets the basics right. It delivers what most people expect from OLED: deep blacks, strong contrast, and natural-looking colors, but the key difference is how balanced everything feels. Nothing looks overprocessed or exaggerated, making it a safe choice if you watch a mix of content, including movies, sports, and regular TV.

LG’s processing also plays a big role here. Lower-resolution content doesn’t look stretched or blurry, which is useful if you’re not always watching 4K content. It quietly improves the overall viewing experience without making it obvious. That’s something LG has been consistently good at, and this model continues that trend.

For gaming, it covers all the important features without going overboard. You get a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 support, VRR, and low input lag. It’s not as aggressive as Samsung’s 144Hz setup, but for console gaming, it’s more than enough and feels smooth in real use.

3. Sony Bravia XR8B OLED TV

OLED TVs

Sony takes a different approach compared to Samsung and LG. If you watch a lot of movies or shows, this TV is best for you. Instead of focusing on brightness or gaming specs, it puts more effort into how the picture actually looks. The XR8B reflects that. Colors feel more accurate, especially skin tones, and motion looks smoother in fast scenes.

One of its biggest strengths is upscaling. Not everything you watch will be in 4K, and this is where Sony usually performs better than others. Lower-resolution content looks cleaner and more detailed, rather than just being stretched to fit the screen. That alone makes it a good option for people who still watch HD channels or older content.

Furthermore, the Google TV interface enhances the experience. It’s easy to navigate, and most apps are readily available, so there’s no learning curve. Everything feels straightforward, which matters for daily use.

That said, it’s not the strongest performer in every area. Brightness is lower than that of Samsung’s QD-OLED models, so HDR doesn’t feel as impactful. It’s also priced a bit higher than it should be for what it offers, especially if gaming is important to you. But if your focus is on accurate visuals and overall picture quality, this TV still holds its place.

4. Samsung S85F OLED TV

Samsung OLED TVs

The Samsung S85F OLED TV is meant for people who want better color accuracy from an OLED display but are not looking to purchase a premium OLED TV. The advanced QD-OLED screen technology boosts color vibrancy and brightness compared to an ordinary OLED display. Colors look richer, and contrast remains strong, so the overall image quality is still impressive for the price.

In terms of features, the S85F supports the full suite of HDMI 2.1 functionality, including 120Hz refresh rate and VRR. As a result, it is well-suited for gaming, as it ensures smoother gameplay without screen tearing during fast-action sequences. For console users especially, this setup works well and doesn’t feel limited in everyday use.

The main reason to consider this model is price. If you want QD-OLED without stretching your budget too much, this is worth considering.

5. Panasonic Z85 OLED TV

Panasonic

The Panasonic Z85 focuses on a slightly different audience. Instead of pushing picture performance to the limit, it tries to offer a more complete experience out of the box. The display still delivers solid OLED-level contrast and black levels, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the core benefits.

One of the main highlights of this TV is the high-quality sound. Unlike most TVs in this range, the built-in speakers are actually good enough for regular use. You don’t immediately feel the need to add a soundbar, which can save extra cost and setup effort. For many users, that makes a practical difference.

It also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which gives you more flexibility depending on what you watch. That’s something not all TVs offer, and it helps ensure compatibility across different platforms.

Compared to Samsung and LG models, it feels a bit less dynamic, especially in bright scenes. It’s also not as widely recommended in top-tier rankings, which affects its positioning here. Still, if you want a simple setup with good sound and reliable picture quality, this TV does its job well without overcomplicating things.

#Budget #OLED #TVs #Worth #BuyingOLED TV

According to the New York Times, if you bought an iPhone 16 or certain iPhone 15 between June of 2024 and March of 2025, you may soon be eligible to receive a check for as much as $95 per device as part of a class action lawsuit related to Apple Intelligence and Siri. The allegedly flawed Apple Intelligence features that were part of the suit originally shipped on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in June of 2024. The Apple Intelligence-native iPhone 16 line shipped later that year.

On Tuesday, Apple settled claims in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California over alleged false advertising. The suit argued that Apple led consumers to believe the Apple Intelligence suite of features was more capable than it actually was. The total settlement amount, still awaiting a judge’s approval, is $250 million.

Apple maintains that it did nothing wrong. Marni Goldberg, an Apple spokesperson gave a statement to the Times, claiming that beginning with “the launch of Apple Intelligence,” Apple has “introduced dozens of features across many languages that are integrated across Apple’s platforms,” and that the company had “resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.”

This lawsuit was “fallout,” according to Axios, from Apple’s acknowledgement last year that AI upgrades to Siri were not going to be released on schedule. A statement to Daring Fireball at the time said Apple had “been working on a more personalized Siri, giving it more awareness of your personal context, as well as the ability to take action for you within and across your apps,” but added, “It’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year.”

The next day, it was reported that Apple had pulled a now-notorious ad starring Bella Ramsey:

The ad is a nice summary of the “more personal” Siri concept that still has not been realized. We see Ramsey notice a person whose name they know they should know, so they quickly ask Siri “the name of the guy I had a meeting with a couple of months ago at Cafe Grenel?” It’s up to the viewer to presume this beefed-up version of Siri is able to use this prompt to draw on, say, an email, and produce the right answer. It immediately replies, “You met Zac Wingate at Cafe Grenel a couple of months ago.” 

To put this class action settlement in context, Apple had been struggling mightily with Siri ever since—deservedly or not—ChatGPT created new consumer expectations for an AI-powered assistant. “AI is what most investors are really excited about. Almost all momentum in the market in general is being fueled by AI,” a portfolio manager named Brian Mulberry told the Wall Street Journal in February of 2024. Mulberry lamented that “Apple really hasn’t made a big splash in the AI space yet.”   

So the Apple Intelligence rollout was perceived as coming late, but it was also, it seems, too early—given that it was sued and ended up settling for $250 million. In an interview with TechRadar last year after the smoke cleared around Siri’s underperformance, Apple software chief Craig Federighi explained that the company was working on a “version 2” of the new Siri that would work in all the personalized ways consumers had come to expect, but that Apple was no longer publicly offering a speculative release schedule for that version.

#Apple #Settles #Alleged #False #Advertising #Suit #AIPowered #SiriApple,lawsuits,Siri">Apple Settles Alleged False Advertising Suit Over AI-Powered Siri According to the New York Times, if you bought an iPhone 16 or certain iPhone 15 between June of 2024 and March of 2025, you may soon be eligible to receive a check for as much as per device as part of a class action lawsuit related to Apple Intelligence and Siri. The allegedly flawed Apple Intelligence features that were part of the suit originally shipped on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in June of 2024. The Apple Intelligence-native iPhone 16 line shipped later that year. On Tuesday, Apple settled claims in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California over alleged false advertising. The suit argued that Apple led consumers to believe the Apple Intelligence suite of features was more capable than it actually was. The total settlement amount, still awaiting a judge’s approval, is 0 million. Apple maintains that it did nothing wrong. Marni Goldberg, an Apple spokesperson gave a statement to the Times, claiming that beginning with “the launch of Apple Intelligence,” Apple has “introduced dozens of features across many languages that are integrated across Apple’s platforms,” and that the company had “resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.” This lawsuit was “fallout,” according to Axios, from Apple’s acknowledgement last year that AI upgrades to Siri were not going to be released on schedule. A statement to Daring Fireball at the time said Apple had “been working on a more personalized Siri, giving it more awareness of your personal context, as well as the ability to take action for you within and across your apps,” but added, “It’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year.” The next day, it was reported that Apple had pulled a now-notorious ad starring Bella Ramsey: The ad is a nice summary of the “more personal” Siri concept that still has not been realized. We see Ramsey notice a person whose name they know they should know, so they quickly ask Siri “the name of the guy I had a meeting with a couple of months ago at Cafe Grenel?” It’s up to the viewer to presume this beefed-up version of Siri is able to use this prompt to draw on, say, an email, and produce the right answer. It immediately replies, “You met Zac Wingate at Cafe Grenel a couple of months ago.”  To put this class action settlement in context, Apple had been struggling mightily with Siri ever since—deservedly or not—ChatGPT created new consumer expectations for an AI-powered assistant. “AI is what most investors are really excited about. Almost all momentum in the market in general is being fueled by AI,” a portfolio manager named Brian Mulberry told the Wall Street Journal in February of 2024. Mulberry lamented that “Apple really hasn’t made a big splash in the AI space yet.”    So the Apple Intelligence rollout was perceived as coming late, but it was also, it seems, too early—given that it was sued and ended up settling for 0 million. In an interview with TechRadar last year after the smoke cleared around Siri’s underperformance, Apple software chief Craig Federighi explained that the company was working on a “version 2” of the new Siri that would work in all the personalized ways consumers had come to expect, but that Apple was no longer publicly offering a speculative release schedule for that version. #Apple #Settles #Alleged #False #Advertising #Suit #AIPowered #SiriApple,lawsuits,Siri

According to the New York Times, if you bought an iPhone 16 or certain iPhone 15 between June of 2024 and March of 2025, you may soon be eligible to receive a check for as much as $95 per device as part of a class action lawsuit related to Apple Intelligence and Siri. The allegedly flawed Apple Intelligence features that were part of the suit originally shipped on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in June of 2024. The Apple Intelligence-native iPhone 16 line shipped later that year.

On Tuesday, Apple settled claims in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California over alleged false advertising. The suit argued that Apple led consumers to believe the Apple Intelligence suite of features was more capable than it actually was. The total settlement amount, still awaiting a judge’s approval, is $250 million.

Apple maintains that it did nothing wrong. Marni Goldberg, an Apple spokesperson gave a statement to the Times, claiming that beginning with “the launch of Apple Intelligence,” Apple has “introduced dozens of features across many languages that are integrated across Apple’s platforms,” and that the company had “resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.”

This lawsuit was “fallout,” according to Axios, from Apple’s acknowledgement last year that AI upgrades to Siri were not going to be released on schedule. A statement to Daring Fireball at the time said Apple had “been working on a more personalized Siri, giving it more awareness of your personal context, as well as the ability to take action for you within and across your apps,” but added, “It’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year.”

The next day, it was reported that Apple had pulled a now-notorious ad starring Bella Ramsey:

The ad is a nice summary of the “more personal” Siri concept that still has not been realized. We see Ramsey notice a person whose name they know they should know, so they quickly ask Siri “the name of the guy I had a meeting with a couple of months ago at Cafe Grenel?” It’s up to the viewer to presume this beefed-up version of Siri is able to use this prompt to draw on, say, an email, and produce the right answer. It immediately replies, “You met Zac Wingate at Cafe Grenel a couple of months ago.” 

To put this class action settlement in context, Apple had been struggling mightily with Siri ever since—deservedly or not—ChatGPT created new consumer expectations for an AI-powered assistant. “AI is what most investors are really excited about. Almost all momentum in the market in general is being fueled by AI,” a portfolio manager named Brian Mulberry told the Wall Street Journal in February of 2024. Mulberry lamented that “Apple really hasn’t made a big splash in the AI space yet.”   

So the Apple Intelligence rollout was perceived as coming late, but it was also, it seems, too early—given that it was sued and ended up settling for $250 million. In an interview with TechRadar last year after the smoke cleared around Siri’s underperformance, Apple software chief Craig Federighi explained that the company was working on a “version 2” of the new Siri that would work in all the personalized ways consumers had come to expect, but that Apple was no longer publicly offering a speculative release schedule for that version.

#Apple #Settles #Alleged #False #Advertising #Suit #AIPowered #SiriApple,lawsuits,Siri">Apple Settles Alleged False Advertising Suit Over AI-Powered SiriApple Settles Alleged False Advertising Suit Over AI-Powered Siri According to the New York Times, if you bought an iPhone 16 or certain iPhone 15 between June of 2024 and March of 2025, you may soon be eligible to receive a check for as much as $95 per device as part of a class action lawsuit related to Apple Intelligence and Siri. The allegedly flawed Apple Intelligence features that were part of the suit originally shipped on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in June of 2024. The Apple Intelligence-native iPhone 16 line shipped later that year. On Tuesday, Apple settled claims in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California over alleged false advertising. The suit argued that Apple led consumers to believe the Apple Intelligence suite of features was more capable than it actually was. The total settlement amount, still awaiting a judge’s approval, is $250 million. Apple maintains that it did nothing wrong. Marni Goldberg, an Apple spokesperson gave a statement to the Times, claiming that beginning with “the launch of Apple Intelligence,” Apple has “introduced dozens of features across many languages that are integrated across Apple’s platforms,” and that the company had “resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.” This lawsuit was “fallout,” according to Axios, from Apple’s acknowledgement last year that AI upgrades to Siri were not going to be released on schedule. A statement to Daring Fireball at the time said Apple had “been working on a more personalized Siri, giving it more awareness of your personal context, as well as the ability to take action for you within and across your apps,” but added, “It’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year.” The next day, it was reported that Apple had pulled a now-notorious ad starring Bella Ramsey: The ad is a nice summary of the “more personal” Siri concept that still has not been realized. We see Ramsey notice a person whose name they know they should know, so they quickly ask Siri “the name of the guy I had a meeting with a couple of months ago at Cafe Grenel?” It’s up to the viewer to presume this beefed-up version of Siri is able to use this prompt to draw on, say, an email, and produce the right answer. It immediately replies, “You met Zac Wingate at Cafe Grenel a couple of months ago.”  To put this class action settlement in context, Apple had been struggling mightily with Siri ever since—deservedly or not—ChatGPT created new consumer expectations for an AI-powered assistant. “AI is what most investors are really excited about. Almost all momentum in the market in general is being fueled by AI,” a portfolio manager named Brian Mulberry told the Wall Street Journal in February of 2024. Mulberry lamented that “Apple really hasn’t made a big splash in the AI space yet.”    So the Apple Intelligence rollout was perceived as coming late, but it was also, it seems, too early—given that it was sued and ended up settling for $250 million. In an interview with TechRadar last year after the smoke cleared around Siri’s underperformance, Apple software chief Craig Federighi explained that the company was working on a “version 2” of the new Siri that would work in all the personalized ways consumers had come to expect, but that Apple was no longer publicly offering a speculative release schedule for that version. #Apple #Settles #Alleged #False #Advertising #Suit #AIPowered #SiriApple,lawsuits,Siri

According to the New York Times, if you bought an iPhone 16 or certain iPhone 15 between June of 2024 and March of 2025, you may soon be eligible to receive a check for as much as $95 per device as part of a class action lawsuit related to Apple Intelligence and Siri. The allegedly flawed Apple Intelligence features that were part of the suit originally shipped on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max in June of 2024. The Apple Intelligence-native iPhone 16 line shipped later that year.

On Tuesday, Apple settled claims in U.S. District Court in San Jose, California over alleged false advertising. The suit argued that Apple led consumers to believe the Apple Intelligence suite of features was more capable than it actually was. The total settlement amount, still awaiting a judge’s approval, is $250 million.

Apple maintains that it did nothing wrong. Marni Goldberg, an Apple spokesperson gave a statement to the Times, claiming that beginning with “the launch of Apple Intelligence,” Apple has “introduced dozens of features across many languages that are integrated across Apple’s platforms,” and that the company had “resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users.”

This lawsuit was “fallout,” according to Axios, from Apple’s acknowledgement last year that AI upgrades to Siri were not going to be released on schedule. A statement to Daring Fireball at the time said Apple had “been working on a more personalized Siri, giving it more awareness of your personal context, as well as the ability to take action for you within and across your apps,” but added, “It’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year.”

The next day, it was reported that Apple had pulled a now-notorious ad starring Bella Ramsey:

The ad is a nice summary of the “more personal” Siri concept that still has not been realized. We see Ramsey notice a person whose name they know they should know, so they quickly ask Siri “the name of the guy I had a meeting with a couple of months ago at Cafe Grenel?” It’s up to the viewer to presume this beefed-up version of Siri is able to use this prompt to draw on, say, an email, and produce the right answer. It immediately replies, “You met Zac Wingate at Cafe Grenel a couple of months ago.” 

To put this class action settlement in context, Apple had been struggling mightily with Siri ever since—deservedly or not—ChatGPT created new consumer expectations for an AI-powered assistant. “AI is what most investors are really excited about. Almost all momentum in the market in general is being fueled by AI,” a portfolio manager named Brian Mulberry told the Wall Street Journal in February of 2024. Mulberry lamented that “Apple really hasn’t made a big splash in the AI space yet.”   

So the Apple Intelligence rollout was perceived as coming late, but it was also, it seems, too early—given that it was sued and ended up settling for $250 million. In an interview with TechRadar last year after the smoke cleared around Siri’s underperformance, Apple software chief Craig Federighi explained that the company was working on a “version 2” of the new Siri that would work in all the personalized ways consumers had come to expect, but that Apple was no longer publicly offering a speculative release schedule for that version.

#Apple #Settles #Alleged #False #Advertising #Suit #AIPowered #SiriApple,lawsuits,Siri

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