Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Smart TV Prices Drop as 55-Inch Models Offer More Features
Smart TV prices can change quickly when stores run sales.
This article compares seven 55-inch 4K TVs that may be worth considering.
The Sony and LG models are mainly designed for watching shows and movies.
The Samsung, Vu MiniLED and TCL models are better suited to gaming because they refresh the picture faster.
Xiaomi offers a QLED screen and a special mode that can make games look smoother.
The Vu Glo MiniLED is especially bright and has stronger built-in speakers.
The cheaper Vu GloQLED has a QLED screen but is not as bright and only refreshes at 60Hz.
Each TV uses a different smart-TV system, such as Google TV, Tizen, webOS or Fire TV.
The best choice depends on whether a shopper values movies, gaming, brightness, sound or price.
Falling prices and limited-time sales are making 4K smart TVs more affordable, especially in the 55-inch category.
Sony BRAVIA 3 and LG NU87 emphasize picture processing and streaming, but have native refresh rates of 50Hz and 60Hz.
Samsung Vision AI, Vu Glo MiniLED, Xiaomi FX Pro and TCL T8D offer stronger gaming features, with refresh rates or gaming modes up to 144Hz.
The Vu Glo MiniLED stands out for 600-nit brightness, local dimming and a 50W sound system, while the Vu GloQLED is a lower-cost 60Hz alternative.
The seven recommended models use Google TV, Tizen, webOS 26 or Fire TV and vary considerably in brightness, audio power and gaming performance.
- Who
- Shoppers considering a smart-TV upgrade and the manufacturers of seven recommended models: Sony, Samsung, LG, Vu, Xiaomi and TCL.
- What
- A comparison of 55-inch 4K smart TVs whose prices may have fallen or become more attractive during sales.
- When
- The article discusses current price movements and limited-time offers but does not give a specific date.
- Where
- The smart-TV market, with the models intended for living-room home entertainment.
- Why
- Lower prices and sales may make upgrading to a larger or more capable television easier.
Feature-focused choices
Value-focused choices
Gaming performance
Feature-focused choices
The Samsung Vision AI, Vu Glo MiniLED and TCL T8D offer 120Hz or higher refresh rates, while the Xiaomi FX Pro adds a 120Hz Game Booster mode.
Value-focused choices
The Sony BRAVIA 3, LG NU87 and Vu GloQLED use 50Hz or 60Hz native panels and are positioned more toward everyday viewing than serious gaming.
Picture and brightness
Feature-focused choices
MiniLED models such as the Vu Glo MiniLED and TCL T8D offer local dimming or MiniLED backlighting for stronger contrast and brightness.
Value-focused choices
The Xiaomi FX Pro and Vu GloQLED provide QLED displays at a more accessible positioning, while the Sony BRAVIA 3 and LG NU87 focus on processing and upscaling rather than peak brightness.
Built-in sound
Feature-focused choices
The Vu Glo MiniLED's 50W system and the Xiaomi FX Pro and TCL T8D's 34W systems offer more substantial audio than many competing models.
Value-focused choices
The Sony BRAVIA 3 and LG NU87 have 20W speakers, which the article describes as adequate but comparatively basic.
- Models covered
- Sony BRAVIA 3, Samsung Vision AI UE85AH, LG NU87, Vu Glo MiniLED, Xiaomi FX Pro, TCL T8D and Vu GloQLED.
- Screen size and resolution
- All seven models have 55-inch 4K displays.
- Highest refresh rate
- The TCL T8D supports a 144Hz refresh rate.
- Brightest listed model
- The Vu Glo MiniLED reaches up to 600 nits HDR brightness and uses local dimming.
- Most powerful listed audio
- The Vu Glo MiniLED has a 50W 2.2-channel sound system.
- Smart platforms
- The models use Google TV, Tizen, webOS 26 or Fire TV.
- Lowest native refresh rate
- The Sony BRAVIA 3 has a 50Hz native refresh rate.