Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 90, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, hope you’re staying cool, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.)
Artificial Intelligence
The Switch 2’s next killer app is already here
This week, I have been watching The Bear’s fourth season, preparing for the deluge of Qi2.2 wireless chargers, pondering how I’ll use the upcoming Bigfoot emoji to troll my group chats, studying the relaunched EmojiTracker, reading this giant profile of NBA star Joel Embiid, enjoying Pixar’s Hoppers teaser trailer way more than I expected, learning who Alex Warren is, and wondering if I should actually watch all of Stranger Things after seeing the fifth and final season’s new trailer.
I also have for you a new Donkey Kong title, OpenAI’s next big AI agent, a customizable gamepad, and more. Let’s dive in.
(As always, the best part of Installer is your ideas and tips. What do you want to know more about? What awesome tricks do you know that everyone else should? What app should everyone be using? Tell me everything: installer@theverge.com. And if you know someone else who might enjoy Installer, forward it to them and tell them to subscribe here.)
- Donkey Kong Bananza: DK’s first new 3D platformer in more than 25 years is, by all accounts, totally awesome. If you’ve already started to get bored of your new Switch 2, Bananza seems like an incredible adventure to get lost in. I can’t wait to play it and smash stuff.
- OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent: OpenAI’s new agent can now “do work for you using its own computer,” like briefing you about your calendar or finding flights on Expedia. Seems impressive, though it’s apparently slow right now. Still, as these types of agents get better, they could dramatically change how we use our computers — even if, personally, I like to bumble around on my own most of the time.
- Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language: This new book from linguist Adam Aleksic — who you might know better as etymologynerd on TikTok — explores how algorithms are changing language. We published an excerpt on The Verge this week, and judging by Aleksic’s TikTok feed, I’m sure the rest of the book is filled with fascinating insights about the way we speak.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on Mac: CD Projekt Red’s now very good sci-fi RPG is finally available to play on Apple computers. You’ll need a Mac with Apple Silicon and at least 16GB of unified memory to run it, but that means it’ll apparently work on the M1 Air that I’m writing this newsletter on, which blows my mind. Update 2.3 is also out now, and it adds a mode that auto-drives cars for you. I wish every open-world game had that.
- Wacom’s MovinkPad 11: This new $449.95 Wacom tablet doesn’t need to be connected to a PC to work — you can just draw on it. I always aspired to be the kind of person who can capably draw on a tablet, and this seems like a good device to do that with.
- 8BitDo’s Pro 3 Bluetooth Gamepad: This controller solves the problem of fretting over different ABXY button layouts by making the buttons magnetic so you can switch them around. Genius! It also has TMR joysticks, which are less prone to joystick drift.
- Elgato Stream Deck: Instead of just white and black, you can now get the handy, customizable console and other Elgato accessories in “forest green,” “pink petal,” “wild lavender,” and “glacier ice.” I usually get every gadget in black, but the green looks pretty darn nice.
- Apple’s Emoji Game: Apple News Plus subscribers can now play a new emoji-themed word game. I am considering subscribing just to try it — it sounds like my jam.
Today, I’m featuring Molly White, who you may know as the author of the incomparable Web3 is Going Just Great, which chronicles how crypto, blockchain, and Web3 technologies are not going great. White also writes the Citation Needed newsletter and is a Wikipedia admin. And I highly recommend her talk at the 2024 XOXO Festival about good things on the web, which I got to see live.
Here’s her homescreen and her explanation of what’s on it.
The phone: Pixel 7. I’m of the “drive it until the wheels fall off” type when it comes to electronics, so this three-year-old phone is actually somewhat on the new end for me.
The wallpaper: A photo of my cat, Ruthie.
The apps: The apps are all labeled, save for the quickbar ones: Signal, Bluesky, Proton Mail, Google Calendar, and Chrome. The two cut-off names are Pocket Casts and CloudLibrary.
Signal is my primary messaging app both for my work and for personal use, and I highly recommend it. Out of end-to-end encrypted messaging platforms, it’s an excellent choice — and I think everyone should strongly consider using E2EE to protect their privacy, regardless of whether they think they need it or not. You’ll also see Tor on the screen; that’s a privacy-focused web browser that I use frequently.
I’m a big reader, so it’s probably not surprising that three of the apps on the home screen are book-related. CloudLibrary and Libby are the apps my libraries use for their digital lending, which is primarily how I get the audiobooks I enjoy listening to while I walk my dog (when I’m not listening to podcasts on Pocket Casts, that is). StoryGraph is how I keep track of all the books I read, and it’s a strong improvement over Goodreads. I just finished listening to the audiobook for Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, which was very good.
I’m a very heavy RSS user, and Inoreader is my RSS reader. It’s perhaps a bit ironic as someone who writes an email newsletter that I don’t like reading newsletters in my email inbox, but I much prefer to sit down and read my newsletters at my preferred reading time than have them interrupt me throughout my day. I’ve got hundreds of feeds that I follow, and Inoreader also has a great feature where it can convert email newsletters that don’t offer built-in RSS feeds (for shame!) into a feed. Probably half of the feeds I follow are food blogs for recipe ideas, and good recipes go into Paprika, a fantastic recipe app that I also use for grocery lists. I’ve been using that app for years, and as a frequent cook I’ve collected about 800 recipes in there by now.
I also asked Molly to share a few things she’s into right now:
- I’ve recently discovered the litRPG genre, having caught the Dungeon Crawler Carl bug a few months ago. Dungeon Crawler Carl was my introduction to litRPG, and it lives up to the hype: it’s a wonderfully entertaining series that will likely appeal to any readers who also like to play video games or TTRPGs. Since finishing it I’ve continued to explore similar genres, and I found Beware of Chicken, which is a slice-of-life progression fantasy about a powerful warrior who decides to become a farmer… and his chicken. I promise I read more ~*~ literary ~*~ books too, but these are just so great when I want to unwind with something fun.
- I swear this dinky little remote control has changed my life. Combined with any gooseneck tablet stand, I can clip in my e-reader and read from underneath a blanket without having to take my hands out to turn the page. I also like to read while doing cardio at the gym, and it’s been a real game-changer there, too.
- The HTML Review recently published its fourth issue. Unlike a lot of literature magazines, where their contents could just as easily be transmitted in print, the HTML Review features pieces where web functionality is an integral part of the artwork. They only publish annually, but it’s well worth the wait.
Here’s what the Installer community is into this week. I want to know what you’re into right now as well! Email installer@theverge.com with your recommendations for anything and everything, and we’ll feature some of our favorites here every week. For even more great recommendations, check out the replies to this post on The Verge, this post on Threads, and this post on Bluesky.
“Got an Nvidia Shield TV Pro (2019) for the upscaling feature and watched the best single episode of television — ‘The Constant,’ Lost. It’s like getting a DAC and in-ear monitors to re-listen to your old favorites.” – Allen [Jay note: “The Constant” is, indeed, the best single episode of television.]
“Donkey Kong Bananza! It’s got four main buttons: Smash things in front, smash things below, smash things above, jump. Needless to say it’s the most cathartic game I’ve ever played.” – BaltMatrix
“For reasons surely not related to current events, I’ve been reading a lot about the leadup to the Civil War. Most recently it has been Charles Sumner: Conscience of a Nation, a newly released biography by Zaakir Tameez about one of the most misunderstood and now largely forgotten figures of the abolitionist movement.” – Hoto
“I’ve been playing through my Steam Summer Sale haul and having a blast. (Cyberpunk 2077, Besiege, Emily is Away, Nubby Number Factory, A Short Hike.) I’ve also gotten into Letterboxed recently, having fun there after recruiting some friends to join. Lastly, one of my all-time favorite podcasts, 13 Minutes Presents, just started their third season, this one about the Space Shuttle. Can’t recommend the first season about the Apollo 11 moon landing enough.” – trekkie86
“Started reading The Anthropologists. Breezy, lovely writing!” – Jake
“It may be clichéd, but reading Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams. And watching Superman has gotten me into reading the Superman comics, so from a Reddit recommendation, I’m currently reading Superman: Up in the Sky by Tom King.” – pangaean
“Been playing Dance Dance Revolution with a mat I got online as my indoor summer (and air conditioned) exercise! Works on PC with the included USB stick with StepMania and on my old PS2, still chugging along with original discs from childhood. It’s been humbling to say the least, but great cardio!” – WhatsTheMatter
I’m debating going caseless with my iPhone 16 Pro. I have generally always disliked cases, but I put one on my iPhone 12 Mini years ago after the screen got an errant scratch at the beach, and now I get cases out of habit. Every time I take the case off, my phone just feels way better to hold, but then I inevitably get scared and put the case on again.
Should I live dangerously? Or should a case be the base? Help me solve this quandary. Also, do you use a case with your phone, and if so, which one? I’ve always assumed everyone has a case, but maybe they don’t.
Continue Reading
When it comes to finding a device to read ebooks, you have a few options to choose from. You can always buy a tablet or use your phone, but those devices are multipurpose and can be used for a ton of things, like surfing the web or doom-scrolling on X or Bluesky. If you are looking for something to strictly read books, e-readers, while niche, are designed to store all of your books in a virtual library with limited functionality.
Amazon, one of the pioneers of the e-reader, has dominated the space for years with its ever-expanding Kindle lineup, which consists of several unique models with their own pros and cons. The bulk of the devices function as simple ebook readers; however, with the Kindle Scribe, Amazon is moving beyond books and into the realm of writing — something that should make future Kindles function more akin to physical paper.
Below, we’ve listed each model currently available. Sometimes there isn’t a deal for one or even any of the products, but in those cases, we’ve listed the most recent sale price.
The best Kindle (2024) deals
What does it mean when a Kindle is “ad-supported”?
Amazon Kindle e-readers come in different storage configurations, but there is also an additional option that allows you to buy the e-reader with or without ads. Ad-supported Kindles will display personalized advertisements on the lock screen when it is in sleep mode or at the bottom of the homescreen when the device is connected to Wi-Fi. Typically, you save about $20 by buying the ad-supported version, but if you decide to remove ads later, you can make a one-time payment to cover the difference and remove the ads.
In case you missed it, Amazon announced a new entry-level Kindle in October, one that was designed to replace the outgoing 2022 model. The latest Kindle — which starts at $109.99 — boasts a brighter 94-nit display, improved contrast levels, and slightly faster page turns. It also comes in a “matcha” green instead of “denim,” just in case you’re not a fan of the default black color. Otherwise, though, it’s nearly identical to its predecessor, with the same six-inch 300ppi screen, support for USB-C, and 16GB of base storage.
Right now, Amazon’s newest ad-supported Kindle is on sale at Best Buy and Target with three months of Kindle Unlimited for $84.99 ($25 off), which matches its best price to date.
$85
Amazon’s new entry-level Kindle retains a six-inch, 300ppi display and USB-C. It’s both brighter and faster than its predecessor, however, and features longer battery life.
The best Kindle Kids (2024) deals
Amazon also updated its kid-friendly Kindle in late 2024. The new Kindle Kids is identical to the standard model but comes with several accessories and provides age-appropriate content for younger readers who prefer digital books. Like the last-gen Kindle Kids, the latest model retails for $20 more than the base model, bringing the MSRP to $129.99.
In terms of add-ons, the newest Kindle Kids edition consists of four items: the device, a protective case, a two-year extended replacement guarantee (in the event the device breaks), and six months of Amazon Kids Plus. The last feature is the biggest selling point of the device aside from the kid-friendly patterns and lack of ads, as it allows parents to grant their child access to games, videos, and books — including those in the Percy Jackson and Harry Potter series — at no additional cost.
Right now, Best Buy and Target are selling the latest Kindle Kids for $94.99 ($35 off), which matches its best price to date.
$95
Amazon’s Kindle Kids is identical to the standard Kindle — meaning it packs a 300ppi display and support for USB-C charging — but comes with a case, an extended two-year warranty, and six months of Amazon Kids Plus.
The best Kindle Paperwhite (2024) deals
The latest Kindle Paperwhite, which launched last year, is Amazon’s 12th-gen model. Considering it’s one of the company’s higher-end configurations, it offers all the features found in the entry-level Kindle, including USB-C charging and a crisp 300ppi display. It’s noticeably faster than Amazon’s base ebook reader and features IPX8 waterproofing, a larger seven-inch display, and longer battery life.
Best Buy and Target are now selling the standalone Paperwhite for $124.99, which marks a new low price. If you’re okay with purchasing a bundle, you can also grab it at Amazon with a power adapter and either a green, pink, or black fabric cover for $196.97 ($20 off); it’s also available at Amazon with a plant-based leather cover in green, pink, or black for $202.97 (also $20 off).
Read our Kindle Paperwhite (2024) review.
$125
Amazon’s latest Paperwhite features a larger seven-inch display and noticeably faster performance. It also boasts longer battery life than the previous model, retains IPX8 waterproofing, and includes a USB-C port. Read our review.
$197
The seven-inch Kindle Paperwhite features a larger display and faster performance than Amazon’s entry-level ebook reader. You can also buy it in a bundle with a cover and a USB-C charger.
Like other Kindles, the new Paperwhite is available in a few different configurations — including an ad-free Signature Edition that’s identical to the standard model but comes with 32GB of storage, Qi wireless charging, and a backlight that will automatically adjust when needed.
Right now, you can buy the Signature Edition at Best Buy and Target for $149.99 ($50 off). You can also pick it up at Amazon with a wireless charging dock and a black, green, or pink fabric cover starting at $251.97 ($25 off). It’s also available at Amazon with a plant-based leather cover in black, green, or pink for $257.97 ($25 off).
$150
The premium Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition offers the same design and performance as the standard model but with more storage and support for wireless charging.
$252
Amazon’s step-up Kindle Paperwhite bundle includes a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, a wireless charging dock, and your choice of either a fabric or plant-based cover.
The best Kindle Paperwhite Kids (2024) deals
Amazon also rolled out a Kindle Paperwhite Kids for $179.99 in 2024. It’s identical to the standard Kindle Paperwhite, with the same waterproof design and sharp, seven-inch display. However, like the Kindle Kids, the e-reader is free of ads and offers optional parental controls. It also comes bundled with a kid-friendly cover, a two-year extended replacement guarantee, and six months of Amazon Kids Plus.
Right now, you can buy the latest Kindle Paperwhite Kids from Best Buy and Target for $129.99 ($50 off), which marks a new low price.
$130
Amazon’s kid-friendly Paperwhite is the same as the standard Paperwhite, but it’s ad-free and comes with the added benefits of a two-year hardware protection plan, six months of Amazon Kids Plus, and a choice of three kid-friendly covers.
The best Kindle Scribe (2024) deals
Like its predecessor, the second-gen Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s biggest e-reader. It packs a 10.2-inch display with 300ppi resolution, along with the same great battery life for which Kindles are known. What separates the Scribe from other Kindles, however, is that it comes with a stylus, which can be used to jot down notes or doodle in the ebook reader’s built-in notebook. With the latest Scribe, Amazon also introduced a new Active Canvas feature, so you can scribble notes directly on ebook pages, as well as a suite of AI-powered features that can summarize your notes and refine your handwriting.
Right now, you can pick up the base Kindle Scribe model for $259.99 ($140 off) at Best Buy, which is a new low price. You can also pick up the base Scribe at Amazon as a part of a bundle with a 9W power adapter, a Premium Pen, and either a plant-based leather cover starting at $444.97 ($55 off) or a “premium” leather cover starting at $459.97 ($60 off). Alternatively, the 64GB version is available at Amazon with the same accessories and a premium leather cover for $504.97 ($65 off).
Read our Kindle Scribe (2024) review.
$260
The latest Kindle Scribe is a 10.2-inch e-reader with a stylus for taking notes. It’s faster than its predecessor and offers a host of new features, including one that lets you jot notes directly in your book.
$445
Amazon’s base Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle comes with a 16GB Kindle Scribe, a Premium Pen, a power adapter, and a cover in the color of your choice.
The best Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition deals
In October, Amazon announced its first color e-reader, the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition. Like the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, it boasts a seven-inch display with a crisp 300ppi resolution, IPX8 water resistance, wireless charging, and 32GB of storage. However, unlike the Paperwhite, the e-reader offers a color mode, which cuts the resolution in half. Thankfully, it’s still vibrant for a color E-Ink screen despite the lower resolution, rendering it particularly ideal for reading comic books and manga.
More recently, Amazon introduced a cheaper Colorsoft, one that retails for $249.99 and comes with only 16GB of storage. It lacks wireless charging and an auto-adjusting front light, but it’s otherwise identical to the first-gen model.
While the 16GB model has yet to receive a discount, you can currently grab the 32GB Signature Edition from Best Buy for an all-time low of $179.99 ($100 off). You can also save some money at Amazon if you buy it as a part of a bundle for $327.97 ($53 off), which nets you a wireless charging dock and plant-based leather cover in black, pink, or green. If you want a more premium experience, Amazon even sells it with a leather cover in red or black for $349.97 ($35 off).
Read our Kindle Colorsoft review.
$180
The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is Amazon’s first e-reader with a color display. It also boasts 32GB of storage, waterproofing, and support for wireless charging.
$328
The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is Amazon’s first color e-reader. It comes with wireless charging, IPX8 water resistance, and 32GB of storage. It retails for $279.99 by itself, but Amazon also sells it as part of a bundle that contains a wireless charging dock and one of two covers.
The best Kindle Colorsoft Kids deals
Last month, Amazon announced a kid-friendly version of the Colorsoft with 16GB of storage and an MSRP of $269.99. Like the Signature Edition, the Kindle Colorsoft Kids offers a seven-inch color display and IPX8 water resistance, but it lacks wireless charging. The ad-free ebook reader also comes with one of two covers, a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids Plus, an extended two-year warranty, and optional parental controls.
Given how recently it launched, there are currently no deals available on the Colorsoft Kids; however, you can still buy it at Amazon and Best Buy for its full retail price of $269.99.
$270
Like the standard model, Amazon’s kid-friendly Colorsoft comes with a seven-inch color display and waterproofing. The 16GB e-reader also offers parental controls, a two-year warranty, a protective cover, and a year of Amazon Kids Plus.
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Things are looking bright for those who want to nab a great TV in 2025 at a substantial discount. There’s usually a great deal happening on a mid- or high-end TV from LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, or Amazon’s own Fire TV brand — even if the biggest discounts remain reserved for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day, and during the lead-up to the Super Bowl.
Right now, there are a number of discounted 4K TVs to choose from, spanning a wide variety of prices, sizes, and feature sets. Whether you want a secondary screen for the bedroom, or a high-end OLED that’s built to provide the ultimate gaming or cinematic experience, we’ve picked out the best TV deals.
The best 4K TV deals for most people
Samsung’s Q8F is available for around $697.99 ($50 off) at Amazon and Best Buy for the 55-inch model, which is its lowest price ever and an excellent value for a QLED 4K TV. Its quantum dot LED panel boasts great contrast (especially in HDR content). The Q8F has a 120Hz panel and four HDMI 2.0 ports. This means you can play in 4K at up to 60Hz with a Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series S/X, or a PlayStation 5 Pro, or at a faster 120Hz refresh rate bumped down to 1440p resolution. Samsung is also including two free months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with purchase, which will allow you to stream games directly to your TV through the cloud, eliminating the need for a console.
The TV is powered by Samsung’s Q4 AI processor, which is used to upscale HD video to 4K when necessary, to optimize the picture in real-time, and make navigating its interface feel snappy. Samsung also touts the Q8F’s audio system, which adjusts the EQ and boost dialogue volume when needed. If you’ve cut the cord with cable, you can watch over 2,700 free channels of TV (over 400 of which are exclusive to Samsung TVs) in addition to streaming services. You can save $200 by jumping up to the 85-inch model, which is on sale for around $1,899.99 at Amazon and Best Buy.
If you want a 55-inch TV with a gorgeous and bright QD-Mini LED panel without spending over $1,000, the TCL’s QM7K is the set to get. It’s currently available for around $698 ($401 off) at Amazon and Best Buy, which is its lowest price ever. It features a native 144Hz refresh rate with support for up to 288Hz speeds at 1080p when playing games with VRR. However, only two of its four HDMI ports support those speeds; the other two top out at 4K/60Hz or 1440p/120Hz. It also features a dynamic light algorithm to prevent images from appearing washed out.
The TV boasts up to 2,500 local dimming zones, according to TCL, but that depends on the size you get. The folks at RTINGS found out that the 65-inch version has 966 zones, though even with fewer of them in the 55-inch model, it should still provide good brightness control. Having more dimming zones means the TV can control the brightness of more precise sections of the screen, helping to avoid blooming, which is when an area around the source of light on the screen is too bright, breaking the realism of the image. The QM7K is powered by TCL’s AiPQ Pro processor, which uses AI to manage its contrast, color, clarity, motion, and upscaling. TCL partnered with Bang & Olufsen to provide the TV’s audio system. You can get a 75-inch model for around $1,299.99 ($700 off) at Best Buy if you need a bigger screen.
$698
TCL’s midrange QM7K has a QD-Mini LED TV with a 144Hz refresh rate, hundreds of local dimming zones for more precise brightness controls, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system.
We have a dedicated section for high-end OLED TV deals below, but Panasonic’s Z85 is such a good value that it deserves consideration for folks who may be on a budget. The 65-inch model is on sale for $799.99 ($1,000 off) at BuyDig and $997.99 ($802 off) at Amazon, which is one of the deepest discounts on our list. The Z85’s OLED panel is its standout feature, as it achieves perfect black levels and vivid color. It has a 120Hz refresh rate panel, and two of its four HDMI ports support that speed at 4K. The Z85 also supports both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, which minimize screen tearing and other visual artifacts when playing on a PC with a compatible video card.
The 4K TV features an HCX Pro AI Processor MKII to control its color, contrast, and clarity, optimizing the image and sound quality of whatever you’re watching in real-time. The TV’s audio system features a built-in subwoofer for enhanced bass. The Z85 runs FireOS, Amazon’s entertainment-focused OS, so you have the option to use many functions by asking Alexa via its voice-enabled remote. A 55-inch model of the Z85 is also available at BuyDig for just $699 ($900 off) and $897.99 ($702 off) at Amazon.
$700
Panasonic’s Z85 is an incredibly good value for an OLED TV at its size. It has a 120Hz refresh rate screen, support for AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, and a Dolby Atmos-compatible audio system with built-in subwoofer.
The best 4K TV deals for those on a budget
Amazon’s Fire TV 4-Series is an affordable option if you want to upgrade a smaller HDTV to a 4K model. The 50-inch model is currently on sale for $289.99 ($110 off) at Amazon.The TV features an LED panel with a 60Hz refresh rate and support for HDR10 / HLG, which is totally sufficient for casual TV viewing or watching movies and TV shows. It runs FireOS, and comes with a remote that allows you to summon Amazon Alexa with the push of a button for a query or command. You can step up to a a 55-inch model for $359 ($100 off), if you like its modest feature set but want a slightly larger screen.
$290
Amazon’s 4-Series TV boasts solid specs, including HDR10 support, making it an extremely affordable option regardless of the chosen size.
If your budget is under $500, the 55-inch Hisense QD7 has a lot to offer for its current sale price of around $399.99 ($100 off) at Amazon and Best Buy. It features a QLED panel that can deliver more contrast and brightness than a typical LED TV, with support for HDR10 Plus and Dolby Vision with a peak brightness of 600 nits. The 4K set features a processor capable of AI upscaling and full array local dimming with 160 local dimming zones. A panel with full array local dimming offers better control of brightness and contrast than direct- or edge-lit LED panels (this video from LG shows how it works, but lower your volume first), providing a more consistent picture across the entire screen. The QD7’s obvious weak point is gaming, due to its 60Hz refresh rate, but if that’s not important to you, it remains a superb value. If you want a larger TV, you can get a 65-inch model for $499.99 ($100 off) at Amazon.
$400
The QD7 has a QLED panel that can display over a billion colors and supports multiple HDR formats. It can also upscale HD content using AI and offers support for Dolby Atmos.
The best deals on high-end 4K TVs
If you want a TV that produces reference-quality images, Sony’s Bravia 8 II (K65XR80M2) is the best choice. It was recently selected as the top TV in Valve Electronics’ 10th annual TV Shootout based on objective and subjective tests conducted by a panel of experts comparing each set to the image on a $43,000 reference monitor. Disclosure: Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel was one of the judges. The 55-inch model received a $400 price drop to around $2,598.99 at Amazon and Best Buy.
Sony’s premium set has a 120Hz refresh rate panel, with two HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K at 120Hz, and two HDMI 2.0 ports that top out at 4K / 60Hz. It doesn’t support Nvidia’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync Pro, so there aren’t any specific features on this TV that PC gamers can take advantage of. Sony calls the Bravia 8 II its brightest OLED screen yet, and testing conducted by Hometheaterreview found its maximum brightness was 1,880 nits when viewing HDR content. Its predecessor topped out at 1,300 nits HDR video, or roughly 44 percent dimmer.
The TV runs on Sony’s XR processor, which uses AI to adjust the color, contrast, and clarity of whatever you’re watching in real time to look better. The judges in the aforementioned TV Shootout chose Sony’s set as the best model for SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) processing, but third of four models compared for HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing. Any OLED TV can show true black, but judges agreed that the Bravia 8 II pulled ahead in grayscale and contrast when viewing SDR video.
Sony says its TV has modes calibrated for Netflix, Prime Video, and its own Sony Pictures Core streaming services, too. Sony Picture Core is a streaming service that’s available on select Bravia TVs and Sony gaming consoles, and allows you to stream or download 4K movies at far higher bitrates than competing services. The Bravia 8 II comes with 10 credits, which you can use to download movies for offline viewing, and two years of unlimited streaming for films in its catalogue.
If you want this TV in a larger size, Amazon and Best Buy have the 65-inch model marked down to $3,298 ($202 off).
The LG C4 is the company’s 2024 best all-around OLED TV, and the 65-inch model currently on sale for around $1,396.99 ($204 off) at B&H Photo and Best Buy. Like the G5, it has a 120Hz panel with support for VRR, Nvidia G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync Premium (the option exists to enable a 144Hz mode if you dig in the TV’s options). Its embedded A9 AI Processor Gen7 offers higher-quality video upscaling and image optimization compared to the C3. The biggest difference between the C4 and G5 is its maximum brightness. The C4 tops out at an advertised 1,000 nits, though that will vary depending on the content you’re watching. It has a three-channel audio system, which might sound impressive compared to other TVs, but still can’t compete with a soundbar. When you’re not watching videos or playing games, you can also enable the C4’s Gallery Mode to display art. The LG C4 shares many of the same core features as the G5, but at nearly $1,000 less. You can also save on the 77-inch model, which is on sale for around $2,496 ($1000 off) at B&H Photo.
$1397
LG’s C4 has the same refresh rate and gaming-centric features, with a fast AI-enabled processor and perfect contrast on its OLED panel.
If you love playing games or watching movies, but don’t have space for a massive OLED TV, LG’s B4 is 48 inches and down to just $599 ($100 off) at Best Buy. It features a 120Hz panel with support for AMD FreeSync Premium, Nvidia G-Sync, VRR gaming, and a 0.1ms response time just like the premium C4. The 4K set has an a8 AI Processor 4K that’ll upscale non-4K video and optimize video and audio quality better than its predecessor, though not as well as the chips in LG’s higher-end TV models. The B4 also has LG’s Gallery Mode for displaying photos or paintings when you’re not actively using it. If you’ve never tried an OLED TV before, LG’s B4 is an excellent choice at its current sale price. You’ll get great contrast and all of the important gaming features available on higher-end TVs while spending substantially less. Best Buy has also discounted the 55-inch model down to $999.99 ($200 off).
$599
LG’s B4 has many of the same gaming features as the higher-end C4 and G5, including a 120Hz panel and support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium. Its AI processor will also improve the quality of non-4K TV shows and movies you watch.
Sony’s 65-inch A95L is a premium TV with features that should appeal to gamers and cinephiles alike. It has a 120Hz panel and two HDMI 2.1 ports (four HDMI ports total), so you can play games in 4K at up to 120 frames per second. Its two HDMI 2.0 ports are fine for last-generation consoles like the original Nintendo Switch. If you connect a PS5, the TV will adjust its video settings based on the genre of game you’re playing, which is a nice touch, but games on that console will look incredible on any OLED set.
Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR powers the A95L, which enables better motion processing so sports and games look less blurry. It also claims to improve the contrast and colors compared to previous generation Sony TVs. It has a peak brightness of 1,300 nits according to lab tests by Tom’s Guide, which is higher than most of the other OLED TVs we found on sale.
The A95L is a Bravia-series TV, which means it can access Sony’s Picture Core. This video on demand service has the highest-bitrate (aka video quality) of any streaming platform, which means what you watch will look closer to an uncompressed 4K Blu-ray than a 4K stream from Netflix. Its library is limited, but Sony includes 10 credits with A95L, so you can download movies to keep forever, and a 24-month subscription that lets you stream videos from the library.
If you want a higher-end OLED TV, Sony’s A95L is a great choice and has features you won’t find on non-Sony TVs. You can also get the 65-inch model on sale for $2698 ($801 off) at Amazon.
$1998
Sony’s XR A95L has a 120Hz panel, 1,300 nit peak brightness, Cognitive Processor XR, exclusive gaming features when it’a connected to a PS5, and can access the high-fidelity Sony Pictures Core streaming service.
Update, August 4th: Updated pricing and availability, and added new deals on Amazon’s 4-Series 4K TV and Sony’s Bravia 8 II OLED 4K TV.
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In a post about the change, Oceanco says Newell’s interest in the brand comes from a “lifelong fascination with the sea” and “a deep respect for the people who live and work on it.” Oceanco is based in the Netherlands, and it has changed leadership a few times since its founding in 1987, with private investor Mohammed Al Barwani helming the company for the past 15 years before Newell came along.
As for what Newell plans to do now that he’s the head of a big superyacht builder, Oceanco puts it pretty simply: “His first decision? Leave the team alone. Seriously. Oceanco has vision and integrity, and a culture that actually works. Gabe doesn’t want to fix it, he wants to fuel it.”
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