LG made a splash at CES 2019 with its new lineup of OLED TVs, and it has now revealed the prices and release schedule for the most anticipated TV of the bunch: The 88-inch Z9 OLED, which features an astonishing 8K resolution.
The new TV, with the official model number 88Z9 is now available for pre-order in South Korea for the equally gasp-inducing price of $34,000. That’s actually affordable compared to what it’ll cost when it hits retail outlets in North America and Europe in the third quarter of 2019, where it’ll cost $42,000, according to The Verge. The company’s new 8K TV was first unveiled at IFA 2018, where it garnered significant attention from cinephiles and journalists alike for its beautiful colors and remarkable black levels.
The company announced the pricing of its more affordable OLED models in March, and they are already on sale to the general public.
The 2019 LG OLED TVs are powered by the Alpha 9 Gen 2 processor, which the company says is its best processor yet. The chip uses artificial intelligence and deep learning technology, alongside an expanding database of visual information, to optimize images by recognizing the quality of the source and implementing the appropriate algorithm to provide the best possible quality for the picture.
The new OLED TVs support Apple AirPlay 2, to stream video and audio content with iOS devices, and Apple HomeKit, to connect to Apple’s smart home products. The TVs will also add support for Amazon Alexa, which will complement the built-in Google Assistant and make LG the only TV brand to provide support for both digital assistants without requiring additional hardware.
The company’s W9 “wallpaper” OLED TVs, which are entering their third year also look absolutely fantastic. The 65-inch and 77-inch models carry price tags of $6,999 and $12,999, respectively. The E9 “glass” OLED TVs are a bit more affordable, with the 55-inch model having been released this month for $3,299. The 65-inch model hit the market in April for $4,299. The company’s C9 OLED TVs are the best value you’ll find in this year’s lineup, with the 55-inch model for $2,499 and the 65-inch model for $3,499, and the 77-inch model for $6,999.
Also coming soon is the SM99 LED TV, which comes with a 75-inch screen and 8K resolution. LG has abandoned its Super UHD moniker, rebranding its top-shelf LED TV line as NanoCell TV to reflect the manufacturer’s confidence in the technology.
Updated on June 5, 2019: The 88-inch 88Z9 is now available for pre-order in South Korea.
