Custom RX 7000 graphics cards from third-party card makers are set to release later than reference cards and can be quite expensive to boot, if the latest in the GPU vine is to be believed.
VideoCardz (opens in new tab) reports that the Board Channels forum (in China) claims that the only RX 7900 XT and 7900 XTX graphics cards to initially emerge on AMD’s launch day (Dec. 13) will be reference cards.
Those are the ones built to AMD’s own benchmark specs, but there will also be models with beefier configurations – higher clocks, better cooling – as usual. However, the latest third-party variants won’t be released until a week or two after the reference frames hit shelves. That would point to a late December sale date for these custom plates (and perhaps things could even be pushed back to early 2023 given that late December is a bit of an odd place in terms of time).
Worryingly, the Chinese source – treat all of this with as much caution as any speculation – further claims that custom boards could be “much more expensive” compared to early reference models.
Analysis: A sticky situation for AMD?
These high end custom graphics cards naturally feature increased clocks as mentioned and often better quality components, cooling solutions and so on to maintain the temperatures these faster clocks can raise. In summary, it is no surprise to see that the more robust models of the 7900 XT and XTX will be more expensive, it is perfectly expected.
However, what is a little troubling here is the way things are presented as being a lot more expensive, and that sounds ominous. In the same way that the RTX 4080 ended up with a very high price tag with some third-party variants compared to the MSRP, will we see the same sort of thing for AMD’s new RDNA 3 GPUs?
That seems to be the suggestion, which would be disappointing – as we’d very much expect AMD to keep its RX 7900 variants relatively affordable, at least compared to Nvidia’s RTX 4080. (Remember, Team Red isn’t going to try and compete with the RTX 4090, but rather the 4080 – that’s clear from what we’ve seen in AMD’s press and positioning materials).
There’s another key element here, and that’s the kind of volume that AMD and its cardmaking partners will be amassing in the initial launch of RDNA 3. Obviously, this will be critical for pricing, as if inventory isn’t plentiful and it runs out quickly, well it becomes a vicious circle as the cards will sell even faster as the scalpers put on their price rigging hats and buy shares to resell.
According to Board Channels’ source, the supply of RDNA 3 graphics cards is initially expected to be “sufficient”, but that’s a tricky judgment to make at this stage, and one we’d take with several handfuls of salt.
AMD and its cardmakers could be in a tricky position in terms of judging inventory, really, as Nvidia has been selling expensive Lovelace GPUs for some time now – changing a lot of units from the RTX 4090 in particular. (And also the RTX 4080 to a lesser extent, although given its price relative to the 4090, that GPU was received far less enthusiastically, shall we say).
Expensive graphics cards are a niche proposition – especially when a cost-of-living crisis is in full swing, complete with sky-high energy bills – so is there a danger for AMD that Nvidia has already eaten too big a slice of that pie? Keep in mind that while the RX 7900 XT and XTX are certainly more affordable than Nvidia’s RTX 4080, they’re still expensive cards – benchmark or otherwise. And perhaps that kind of thinking is fueling AMD’s concerns that the company doesn’t want to overstock RDNA 3 initially.
This is pure speculation, of course, but could be related to why you want to hold off on the third-party custom models until a little later, and spread out the supply to perhaps better match anticipated demand early on.
Overall, it’s clear enough that AMD may have some tricky judgments to make and a number of possible considerations to balance. So it’s not unimaginable that maybe there’s some last-minute deadline reworking behind the scenes as Team Red looks at Nvidia’s sales sheet with Lovelace – which apparently has around 160,000 units and counting for the RTX 4090 and 4080 – and tries to figure out the best approach to launch strategy and volume.
If you’re looking for a new phone and your focus is on power, then the recently announced Vivo X90 Pro Plus might be the handset for you, as it’s the first phone to use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
This flagship chipset is expected to power many of 2023’s flagship Android phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S23 and OnePlus 11, but Vivo seems to have gotten there first.
That’s not even the only major selling point of the Vivo X90 Pro Plus, as the phone also has a 50MP camera that uses a massive 1-inch sensor. While this isn’t the first phone to use this sensor, it’s larger than you’ll find in most smartphones, and photos could be better as a result, too.
This is joined by a 48 MP ultra wide camera, a 50 MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom and a 64 MP telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom.
(Image credit: Live)
Other specs include 12GB of RAM, up to 512GB of storage, and a 6.78-inch AMOLED 1440 x 3200 display with 120Hz refresh rate. The phone also packs a 4,700mAh battery, with 80W fast wired and impressively fast 50W wireless charging, and is protected from dust and water as it has achieved IP68 certification.
It launched in China alongside the less interesting Vivo X90 and Vivo X90 Pro. These phones have a few differences from the Pro Plus, the most significant being that they use MediaTek’s latest Dimensity 9200 chipset instead of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. It’s still considered a powerful silicon, but it’s unlikely to match the Snapdragon.
In fact, buying either of these phones might be easier said than done, as they’ve so far only launched in China, where the Vivo X90 Pro Plus starts at ¥6,499 (about $910 / £760 / AU$1,365) .
It’s unknown if or when they’ll be sold more widely, but there’s a good chance that at least some of them will be sold in the UK, as the Vivo X80 Pro is available there. A launch in Australia is also possible, but in the US it’s unlikely as Vivo doesn’t have much of a presence there.
(Image credit: Future / Alex Walker-Todd)
Review: The first of many Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones
There’s no need to wait for the Vivo X90 Pro Plus to go on sale globally because soon there will be plenty of other Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phones to choose from.
As mentioned above, the Samsung Galaxy S23 line will likely use this chipset, and the OnePlus 11 will definitely do so, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
We already know that one or more phones in the Oppo Find X6 and iQoo 11 lines will use the 8 Gen 2, and it seems very likely that the Sony Xperia 1 V, Xiaomi 13 range, Motorola’s Moto X40, Nubia’s Red Magic 8 and more will use it too.
In short, if you buy any of the best phones that aren’t made by Apple, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the chipset they’re likely to have. As such, this Vivo X90 Pro Plus standout feature is only a limited-time exclusive and will likely soon be commonplace, to the benefit of consumers looking for the most capable new phones.
The Honor Magic Vs is the successor to the Honor Magic V foldable phone and looks set to give the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 a real run for its money.
The phone was revealed for China, so we know all the specs and features on offer, and the company has confirmed that it will be sold more widely starting in early 2023.
So, below you’ll find everything you need to know about the Honor Magic Vs, including its design, display, power, cameras, and details on when it might launch globally.
Cut to the chase
What is it? Honor’s latest foldable phone
When do you leave? November 30 in China, going global in Q1 2023
How much will it cost? CNY 7,499 (about US$1,050 / £880 / AU$1,580)
Honor Magic Vs release date and price
The Honor Magic Vs was unveiled in China on November 23rd and is available for pre-order there now, with the phone shipping on November 30th.
This release is for China only, but speaking to Technical consultant (opens in new tab)an Honor spokesperson confirmed that the Magic Vs would launch globally in Q1 2023 – sometime between early January and late March.
That said, while the company also previously said this phone will be coming to Europe, they didn’t say exactly which European countries it would be available in – nor whether it would be sold in the US or Australia. Though a US release is unlikely.
The Honor Magic Vs starts at CNY 7,499, which converts to around $1,050 / £880 / AU$1,580. That said, we wouldn’t expect exact price conversions in other regions.
That’s for a model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but there are pricier configurations too, coming in at a 12GB/512GB model for CNY8,999 (approximately $1,260 / £1,060 / AU$1,890).
(Image credit: Honor)
honor magic vs design
The Honor Magic Vs looks a lot like the Honor Magic V or the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, with a large folding screen that opens into a tablet-like expanse or can be closed, leaving you with a smartphone-sized device. .
There’s a hole-punch camera in the folding screen, and a large secondary screen that you can use when the phone is closed, with a hole-punch camera of its own.
The Honor Magic Vs comes in shades of cyan, black and orange, or at least those are the colors mentioned in global press materials – some images show other shades too.
It weighs 261g and is 160.3mm tall, and its remaining dimensions are 141.5 x 6.1mm when unfolded and 72.6 x 12.9mm when closed. This makes it thinner and lighter than the previous model.
It should be able to withstand a lot of use too, with Honor claiming the Magic Vs is capable of withstanding over 400,000 bends.
(Image credit: Honor)
Honor Magic Vs display
The foldable screen on the Honor Magic Vs is a 7.9-inch 1984 x 2272 OLED with 381 pixels per inch, a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a brightness of up to 800 nits.
The hinge design allows the Magic Vs to fold without slack, according to Honor, and the company claims there are no creases in the center of the screen – something even the best foldable phones have struggled to achieve.
As for the external screen, it is a 6.45-inch 1080 x 2560 OLED with 431 pixels per inch, 120 Hz refresh rate and brightness of up to 1,200 nits. So in many ways it really is a better screen than the flagship folding screen.
(Image credit: Honor)
Honor Magic Vs cameras and battery
There is a triple-lens camera on the back of the Honor Magic Vs, consisting of a 54MP f/1.9 main camera, a 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide camera with a 122-degree field of view and which can also be used for stills. macro and an 8MP f/2.4 telephoto camera, offering 3x optical zoom.
There’s also a 16MP f/2.45 camera on the secondary display, though strangely Honor hasn’t said anything about the selfie camera on the foldable display.
As for the battery, it’s 5,000mAh, which is bigger than both its predecessor’s battery and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4’s. It can charge fast too, at up to 66W. Apparently, that’s enough to charge 100% in just 46 minutes.
(Image credit: Honor)
Honor Magic Vs Specifications and Features
There’s a lot of power here, with the Honor Magic Vs using a high-end Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset. That’s not quite as powerful as the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but it’s the best chipset we’ve seen in any 2022 Android phone so far.
This is paired with a choice of 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage. Honor Magic Vs also supports 5G and runs MagicOS 7.0, which is Honor’s custom interface layered on top of Android 12.
The phone also has two stereo speakers and supports the company’s new Magic Pen stylus. All in all, on paper at least, it looks like it could easily be one of the best Honor phones and could give Samsung some serious folding competition.
Graphics card sales are in a big slump, at least following the latest numbers from an analytics firm that regularly tracks the world of GPUs.
The headline statistics for the third quarter of 2022 from Jon Peddie Research (opens in new tab) (JPR) provide a pretty miserable preview, with sales of both integrated (in processors) and discrete (standalone) GPUs falling to 75.5 million units. This represents a 25.1% drop compared to the same quarter a year ago (and is a 10.5% drop when compared to the prior quarter of this year, Q2 2022).
Desktop graphics card shipments were down 15.4% year-on-year, and the picture worsened with laptop GPUs down 30%, representing the “biggest drop since the 2009 recession,” as JPR notes. So this is the worst drop in 13 years, in other words – really nasty.
Breaking things down to individual GPU manufacturers and overall market share, AMD has been hit the hardest with its 20% market share in Q2 2022 dropping to 12% in Q3, which is an alarming drop.
Nvidia also lost ground falling from an 18% share to 16%, and Intel gained here, with its market share rising from 62% to 72%.
Remember, this is for all GPUs, desktop and laptop, discrete and integrated, which is why Intel does so well with its widely used notebook CPUs (and sports integrated graphics). We don’t have a market share breakdown for discrete desktop GPUs, but that’s where Nvidia invariably leads the way by a long, long way.
Analysis: Regaining strength from headwinds
That’s a bit of a shock at first glance, and the precipitous decline plus the headline figure for the worst drop in over a decade will have raised a few eyebrows this morning. The third quarter is often a strong point, with back-to-school sales and the holiday season upon us after all.
However, are these statistics really that amazing when you think about it? We believe not, and we are going to chew on the main reasons.
Firstly, the cryptocurrency slump that took effect earlier this year meant a weakening of demand from miners buying GPUs. What’s more, during Q3 of this year, we’ve also seen a lot of talk about high-end graphics cards – with some gamers no doubt deciding that now isn’t the right time to buy, when a much better GPU will be around the corner.
Granted, we’ve only seen very expensive RTX 4000 series graphics cards from Nvidia so far, and soon from AMD we’ll have nearly as expensive RX 7000 models, but that won’t have stopped a fair amount of people thinking that more affordable next-gen GPUs aren’t too far off – either the prices for the RTX 3000 or RX 6000 will drop even further, by the way, which they are still doing.
Another element that comes into play here must surely be the cost of living crisis and concerns about rampant inflation, certainly in countries like the US and the UK. Money is getting a lot tighter and so there is less disposable income to spend on upgrading expensive graphics cards or buying new PCs or laptops. And while GPU prices are still falling as noted, they’re still unreasonable – with these new high-end graphics cards doing nothing to remedy this situation.
All in all, there are plenty of headwinds to contend with, although JPR is tentatively bullish on the coming quarter. While fourth-quarter shipments are still expected to decline, or that’s the general industry sentiment, average selling prices will rise (and that makes sense with the expensive new Lovelace and RDNA 3 models), and JPR concludes that “supply it will be good [for Q4]and everyone will have a happy holiday.”
We’re thinking the picture might be a little tougher than that, but time will tell.
We voted the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer Home Device of the Year at the 2022 Choice Awards sponsored by Sky Broadband. We think it’s the best fryer you can buy, as do many others – and that means it’s been rarer than chicken’s teeth these past few weeks. The smaller version is completely sold out in the UK and sells for silly money on eBay, but if you’re quick you can pick up the 9.6L model for far less than the Ninja scalpers are charging for the smaller one.
It’s worth noting that this air fryer has different names in different markets: it’s Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone Air Fryer AF400UK in the UK and Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 10-quart Air Fryer with DualZone Technology (DZ401) in the US.
Why is Ninja selling out so quickly?
The cost of living crisis in the UK is driving thousands of people to buy fryers and instant pots because they are very energy efficient: they cook in less time and use much less energy than traditional stoves and ovens. But manufacturers weren’t expecting such a surge in demand, and as a result, there were scenes at many retailers with too many people trying to get their hands on very limited supplies.
That panic buying wasn’t really a factor in other countries. If you live in the US, you can still buy one at Amazon for $199.95 (opens in new tab)🇧🇷
For UK customers, however, it’s been even worse online, because whenever something is in limited supply, scalpers step in. Things got so bad that Ninja had to warn consumers about fake auction listings and online scalpers. So this deal is not just a fair price; is to make sure you aren’t lining a scalper’s pockets as well.
The only real downside to buying the larger model here is that, well, it’s bigger. This is great in terms of cooking capacity – especially with the holiday season right around the corner – but it’s quite heavy and bulky, coming in at nearly 9kg/20lbs. If that’s a little too much for you, check out our guide to the other Black Friday air fryer deals to see what else is available.
From massive flat-panel monitors to wall-mounted projectors, it’s fair to say that the quest for a home theater experience has had many of us cluttering up our living rooms. However, a KickStarter campaign is taking a decidedly different tact, as it aims to raise funds for a new OLED TV that measures less than an inch in size.
Created by electronics company TinyCircuits, the TinyTV Mini is a tiny retro TV that can be purchased for an equally expensive price. $ miniature asking price50 (opens in new tab) if you are willing to support the project. (through FlatpanelsHD🇧🇷
Essentially a portable media player with 8GB of built-in storage, the 0.64-inch TV is about the size of an SD card, making it slightly smaller than our usual picks for the best OLED TVs.
Sporting a 64×64 pixel panel, the TinyTV Mini is somehow an even smaller version of the company’s TinyTV 2, which features a comparatively gigantic 1-inch IPS LCD screen, which performs well. sharp Resolution of 216×135 pixels.
Both tiny TVs have a front-facing mono speaker, but with no audio output or HDMI output, you unfortunately won’t be able to pair any of the models on our list of the best soundbars…
It also means that playback is restricted to video files on the onboard storage, with TinyCircuits including PC and Mac software that can be used to compress clips so they can be viewed on TV, as well as adding effects such as static and looping video.
The Mini is powered by a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller and has a USB Type-C port for data transfer and charging. There’s also a built-in IR receiver for use with an optional remote – though those ridiculously small “channels” (for switching video files), power and volume buttons on top aren’t just for display, as they don’t actually work.
Quite understandably, its minuscule size means there’s only room for a 50mAh (3.7V) battery that only allows for about an hour of observation before running out of power.
Both TinyTV 2 and TinyTV Mini are available to come back now Kickstarter for $49with TinyCircuits targeting a March 2023 ship date for backers.
(Image credit: TinyCircuits)
Opinion: Tiny TV is too cute not to come back
Considering film directors like Christopher Nolan and David Lynch already have strong feelings against people watching movies on their phones, you have to assume they won’t. love the idea of people watching on this TV. (Actually, Lynch, there’s a chance Lynch wraps it all up and loves it…)
Keeping the denizens of my daughter’s dollhouse entertained is almost all of my justification for buying the TinyTV Mini, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting one.
With $227,780 pledged — well above the $15,000 goal TinyCircuits had set — and nearly 2,500 backers, I’m clearly not the only one who’s been enthralled by a TV that’s sure to give me eyestrain.
If you’re not prepared to work within the limitations of a 0.64-inch screen, you might be better off checking out our best Black Friday OLED TV deals, but that’s probably because you have a heart of stone.
Netflix loves a good experience – and the streaming giant’s upcoming TV test is unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Titled Kaleidoscope, Netflix’s upcoming show is being billed as a crime anthology series – but with a compelling twist. The series, which premieres January 1, 2023, is presented in a non-linear format, with viewers watching the eight episodes of Kaleidoscope in a different order than their family and friends. No two viewing experiences will ever be the same, creating an air of mystery around the theft and leading to countless watercooler-style arguments between you and your fellow Netflix subscribers.
Need more context? Let the cast and crew of Kaleidoscope guide you through Netflix’s latest ambitious experiment in this first behind-the-scenes video:
In a press release, Netflix also revealed more about what audiences can expect from its choose-your-own-adventure TV show.
“Loosely inspired by the real-life story where seventy billion dollars worth of bonds disappeared in midtown Manhattan during Hurricane Sandy, Kaleidoscope consists of eight episodes spanning 24 years before the heist to 6 months after,” says the press release.
“Kaleidoscope is an all-new anthology series that follows a team of master thieves and their attempt to break into a seemingly unbreakable safe to reap the biggest payday in history. Guarded by the world’s most powerful corporate security team and with law enforcement on the each episode reveals a piece of an elaborate puzzle of corruption, greed, revenge, intrigue, loyalties and betrayal. How did the crew of thieves plan it? Who gets away with it? Who can we trust?
There are 7 billion ways to solve a crime. Check out KALEIDOSCOPE, a new heist series starring Giancarlo Esposito, Paz Vega and Tati Gabrielle. Only on Netflix January 1st. pic.twitter.com/8QIpR4suZCNovember 22, 2022
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So how will Kaleidoscope work? When you start watching the series, you’ll start with a specific episode (randomly assigned to you by Netflix), each named after a specific color – hence the title Kaleidoscope. For example, Netflix might start with the entry called Yellow, which is set six weeks before the heist. Meanwhile, your best friend can start his adventure with the episode titled Red, which begins on the day of the robbery itself.
Once the episode is done, you’ll have another episode to watch, like Violet (set 24 years before the heist) or Pink (six months after the heist). The one episode every viewer will end up with is White, which marks the story’s epic conclusion.
The idea is that each subscriber has a unique viewing experience, with the order in which they watch Kaleidoscope episodes affecting how they view each crew member, when the plot is taking place, and what questions they will have (and answers they will get) after each portion. In this way, Kaleidoscope will keep you guessing until its last moments and force you to rethink what you know about the pieces of the puzzle with each passing episode.
Kaleidoscope stars Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian season 3, Breaking Bad), Jai Courteney (The Suicide Squad), Paz Vega (Rambo: Last Blood), Rufus Sewell (Old), Tati Gabrielle (Uncharted) and Peter Mark Kendall (The Americans) among others. The crime drama comes from creative visionary Eric Garcia, with the likes of Russell Fine and Everardo Gout at the helm.
Analysis: Experimentation is the name of the game
Fear Street and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch were similar experimental Netflix offerings. (Image credit: Netflix)
Kaleidoscope isn’t the first big experiment Netflix has conducted when it comes to original content.
Netflix, which is still seen as one of the best streaming services in the world despite facing a tough 2022, has had mixed success with its other two main entertainment-based tests. The first – 2018’s Black Mirror: Bandersnatch – was a true choose-your-own-adventure affair, with viewers choosing one of two options to advance the film’s narrative and earning one of five possible endings from their personal interactive experience.
The other – Fear Street, an adaptation of R.L. Stine’s fan-favorite horror novel series – saw Netflix release its adaptation of the film trilogy for three consecutive weeks. This trio of films, which starred the likes of Stranger Things season 5’s Sadie Sink and Maya Hawke, were filmed back-to-back before being released weekly through the summer of 2021. Its release schedule allowed Netflix to boast that it was releasing the first film real. trilogy in anthology format, although this is up for debate.
Kaleidoscope, then, represents another intriguing step into the unknown for Netflix. Sure, it’s taken creative risks before that haven’t paid off in the way many had hoped, but the streaming company isn’t afraid to keep trying. In an era where its competitors like Disney Plus and HBO Max follow tried-and-true formulas like TV episode releases, Netflix is at least trying to push the boat out and offer something new to its subscriber base. Maybe everyone else should take note.
For more Netflix content, check out the best Netflix shows, the best Netflix movies or the best Netflix documentaries on the world’s leading streaming service.
Ubisoft games are returning to Steam, starting with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, which will be available in early December.
As Eurogamer reports, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is set to launch on Steam on December 6th, after only being available on the Epic Games Store (and Ubisoft’s own store).
There are other Ubisoft games coming back to Steam as well, and that includes Anno 1800 and the Roller Champions free offer, though those titles aren’t available on the Steam store just yet (Whereas Valhalla is (opens in new tab)) and there is still no indication of when they might arrive. Presumably we won’t wait too long.
Ubisoft said eurogamer (opens in new tab): “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Anno 1800 and Roller Champions are among the Ubisoft titles coming to Steam.”
So we can expect more games to come to Valve’s platform soon, in addition to the aforementioned titles.
Review: Advantage Steam Deck Owners
This is a positive step towards allowing for more gaming platform options for purchasing Ubisoft games – although it’s unclear how far this renewed partnership with Steam will go in terms of how many future games will come to Valve’s platform.
Still, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is a great card to play initially, and it also means that those with a Steam Deck will be able to enjoy the handheld action RPG with minimal fuss. Yes, it was possible to play Valhalla on the Steam Deck before, but a more complicated process than being available natively on Steam (messing with the installation via the Ubisoft Connect launcher or the Epic store). Also, people can have technical issues and the like, and now that’s much less likely to happen.
The timing of making Assassin’s Creed Valhalla available via Steam is also telling, as the game is receiving its last content update (an epilogue) on, yes, you guessed it: December 6th (the Steam release date).
More broadly, what we can expect is that this move ushers in Ubisoft’s work with Valve to have their big-name games checked for Steam Deck compatibility. Whatever the case, this can only be a positive development for those with a Steam Deck – it remains to be seen exactly how far-reaching this change of heart from Ubisoft will be. All we can do is watch this proverbial space going forward…
Despite hot competition from new releases, especially OLED TVs, the Samsung QN900B 8K TV remains our top pick – it’s extremely expensive, but it’s also offers just the most astounding picture quality at this size. The detail is really better than 4K (even with 4K content), and the brightness and HDR is stunning.
But we have a new value-led entry to this list: The Samsung BU8500. Available in Europe (US launch not confirmed yet), this is a huge screen with impressive 4K quality for a ridiculous price.
Matt Bolton, Senior Editor – TV & Audio
The best 85-inch TVs aren’t just big. They bring an immersive home theater experience into your home and are packed with some of the most high-end TV tech around today. However, you’ll need plenty of space and a serious budget in order to buy one.
We’ve tested hundreds of TVs over the years and several of the best 85-inch TVs, which means we know what you need to look out for if you’re considering a huge TV display for your home. There are a few key technologies you’ll need to make every pixel look its best, like advanced detail and motion processing—because any imperfections will be very obvious—and you’ll want great HDR, too, so that images are deep and vibrant.
At this size, you should consider the best 8K TVs, because that 8K resolution means you get four times the resolution compared to the best 4K TVs—with 85-inches of screen, you’ll be able to see the difference. However, 8K resolution isn’t essential, you’ll still find great-looking 4K TVs at this size too.
If you’re considering one of the best 85-inch TVs we recommend you also factor in a surround sound system or one of the best soundbars so the audio matches the visuals for scale.
Premium 85-inch TVs don’t come cheap but, as you’ll see in our list below, there are more affordable options as well as ultra-elite buys. Especially considering Black Friday 2022 is nearly upon us and you can expect many of the best TVs—as well as some of these top 85-inch TVs to be reduced in the best Black Friday deals.
Best 85-inch TVs 2022: the list
Why you can trust Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Our picks of the top 85-inch sets
(Image credit: Samsung)
The best 85-inch TV for sheer 8K awesomeness
Specifications
Screen size: 85 inches
Resolution: 8K
Panel type: Neo QLED
Smart TV: Tizen
HDR: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+
Reasons to buy
+
Increased backlighting accuracy
+
Excellent colors
+
Built-in Dolby Atmos
Reasons to avoid
–
Lacks Dolby Vision support
–
New ‘Smart Hub’ UI a step backwards
–
Limited 8K content
Samsung’s Mini LED-sporting QN900B Neo QLED 8K TV offers stunning picture quality, exceptional color and brightness, terrific sound and outstanding black levels in a beautifully designed package.
Samsung’s ‘Quantum’ Mini LEDs are 1/40th the thickness of a regular LED, meaning thousands of smaller LEDs can be packed together in the backlight. That delivers far more accurate dimming zones and black levels that are practically indistinguishable from an OLED.
As the LEDs are far smaller, they’re able to achieve far more precision and less blooming; in our tests we didn’t encounter any issues with unwanted illumination. And thanks to Samsung’s Multi-Intelligence AI upscaling, the QN900A is consistently able to produce images from SD, HD and 4K that looked better than their source.
The only real negative here is the new Smart Hub UI, which adds extra steps and complexity to simple features that used to require a couple of quick button presses. We found that even fairly basic image adjustments now required us to quit what we were watching and go wading through menus. We sincerely hope Samsung rethinks that: while it’s not a huge issue, it’s still mildly irritating and makes this TV a nine out of ten rather than ten out of ten.
Read the full Samsung QN900B Neo QLED 8K TV review
(Image credit: LG)
The best 85-inch OLED TV for most people
Specifications
Screen size: 83 inches
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: OLED
Smart TV: webOS
HDR: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
Reasons to buy
+
Brighter screen with fantastic HDR
+
Excellent upscaling and detail
+
Unbeatable gaming features
Reasons to avoid
–
No cable managment
–
No HDR10+ support
–
Still not as bright as LED rivals
The LG C2 is the smash hit from the company’s 2022 line-up, delivering a brighter OLED Evo screen that still offers the super-deep, super-precise black levels that OLED is known for. You’ve also got LG’s very best image processing, so everything on its 4K screen looks detailed and natural, even from a less-than-perfect streaming source.
In our testing, we were massively impressed with the contrast in Dolby Vision movies, as well as the work it does to make SDR content to look excellent too. We found that the brightness improvement over last year’s LG C1 (or other cheaper OLED TVs) was immediately noticeable, as was a wider, right color palette.
This is also the best gaming TV you can get when it comes to the sheer number of features. You’ve got four HDMI 2.1 ports, all ready for 4K 120Hz and VRR. It supports FreeSync and G-Sync. It’s one of a very small number of TVs to handle Dolby Vision gaming at 120fps from the Xbox Series X. And you can control and tweak all of this easily from its interface.
Read our full LG C2 review
(Image credit: Samsung)
The best cheap 85-inch TV
Specifications
Screen size: 85-inch
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: LED LCD
Smart TV: Tizen
HDR: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+
Reasons to buy
+
Great 4K picture quality
+
Slim and elegant design
Reasons to avoid
–
No Dolby Vision HDR
–
Hard and thin sound
The Samsung 85BU8000 is a huge-screen TV that’s made to be affordable. You don’t get the advanced QLED panel or mini-LED screen of Samsung’s high-end TVs, because this is focused on giving you the biggest size for the lowest price… but in our testing we found that the image quality is still impressively high, because Samsung knows what it’s doing.
We actually reviewed the Samsung BU8500, but the only difference between it and the BU8000 is the stand design. The image quality and features are the same – but only the BU8000 comes in an 85-inch size, which is why it’s the one in this list.
We said in our review that “In every significant area of picture-making, the Samsung’s never less than competitive – and its backlighting is beautifully implemented, which helps the impression of quality no end.” It offers great detail with 4K sources, which is what you need in a TV of this size, since you’ll really see any imperfections. Contrast is good too, though it’s not very bright – HDR won’t be as punchy as more expensive TVs, and in bright rooms, dark scenes will be harder to see.
But the overall package is great for the price – the biggest weakness is that you’ll probably want to get a soundbar too, because while the audio quality is acceptable, it’s not exactly a match for lovely 85-inch pictures.
Read the fullSamsung BU8500 review
(Image credit: LG)
The best 85-inch TV for a great-looking picture and design
Specifications
Screen size: 83 inches
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: OLED evo
Smart TV: webOS
HDR: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+
Reasons to buy
+
Gorgeously bright, vibrant pictures
+
Beautiful premium design
Reasons to avoid
–
Optional stand costs extra
–
No HDR10+ support
Do you want the best TV you can buy at any price point? Then this is your new TV. The LG G2 OLED makes pretty much every frame of any source you care to mention look even more sublime than it has on any LG OLED before. That’s because a new backlight enables LG to get significantly higher brightness from its already impressive OLED panel.
Although the G2 OLED shares the same ‘Gallery’ design name as its GX and G1 predecessors, it looks completely different. The previous dark frame and chamfered edges have been replaced by an attractive two-layer effect where a thin black rear ‘slab’ sits proud of and slightly narrower than a chunkier front tier. That houses the screen in a very fetching and opulent-looking silver metal coat.
All four of its HDMI ports are capable of handling the maximum 48Gbps of data supported by the HDMI 2.1 standard. This means that hardcore video gamers could simultaneously attach an Xbox Series X, PS5 and cutting-edge PC graphics rig to enjoy full-fat 4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rates and automatic low latency mode switching from all of them, and still have a spare HDMI for a 4K Blu-ray player or streaming box.
If you’re familiar with LG’s OLED TVs you’ll already know how good they are. But the extra brightness the new heatsink allows is a significant upgrade to an already impressive panel, giving colors more volume and punch and delivering consistently enthralling visuals whether you’re watching something with subtle colors or a neon-drenched sci-fi film.
If it weren’t for the fairly high price, this TV would be at the top of our list. If you’re a cinephile with spare cash, you won’t regret investing in this superb OLED TV.
Read the fullLG G2 OLED TV review
(Image credit: Samsung)
The best 85-inch TV for bright room viewing
Specifications
Screen size: 65 inches
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: QLED
Smart TV: Tizen
HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, Hybrid Log Gamma
Reasons to buy
+
Wide colour and superb picture detail
+
4k 120Hz HDMI support
+
Tizen Smart TV
Reasons to avoid
–
No Dolby Vision
–
Backlight blooming
The Samsung Q80B is a high value mid range 4K QLED screen that we consider to be a fantastic all-rounder as it’s well-suited for everyday TV viewing and console gaming.
The Q80B is positioned just below the brand’s Mini LED Neo QLED models, offering a more conventional full array backlight instead. This means it doesn’t offer the black level performance or the HDR precision of its more expensive stablemates.
However, with four HFR (high frame rate) compatible HDMI inputs, useful Game Bar user interface, and a polished smart home interface, only serious home cinephiles are likely to feel shortchanged.
Indeed, the prominence of Samsung’s Game Hub, a full page portal to streaming games services, given it’s clear that’s where its key appeal lies. QLED, after all, is impervious to screen burn, which translates nicely to anxiety-free gaming sessions.
The set also has an above average Dolby Atmos compatible sound system. In our Samsung Q80B review we wrote: “Picture quality, particularly if you’re a bright room viewer, is impressive, and audio is immersive enough to stave off any additional soundbar purchase, at least until funds allow.”
Read more: Samsung Q80B review
(Image credit: Sony)
A top-performing OLED 85-inch TV with exceptional sound
Specifications
Screen size: 83-inch
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: OLED
Smart TV: Google TV
HDR: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
Reasons to buy
+
Robust sound
+
Nice new OS
Reasons to avoid
–
No UK catch-up TV services
–
Missing some key features
Sony’s 4K OLED isn’t cheap, but it’ll make you happy. The performance is first-class and it’s one of very few OLED TVs to come in an 83-inch size.
Picture quality from any source is as good as we’ve seen from any 4K screen. In every meaningful department – motion control, contrast, edge definition, detail levels – it delivers spectacular visuals. And for those moments when you’re reduced to watching sub-4K content, it’s great at upscaling, too.
The Sony A90J OLED is also impressive when it comes to sound quality. Using the entire surface of the screen as a speaker is still novel and effective, and backing it up with two conventional bass drivers means the A90J sounds fuller, more direct and just better than any rival that doesn’t have a separate sound system.
Add in a smart new Google TV interface, the usual Sony standard of build and finish, feet that change position to accommodate a soundbar, an exclusive movie streaming service, and an authentically well-designed remote control and the A90J looks like the complete package. It’s just a shame that Sony’s taking so long to add UK catch-up services, which were promised “soon” at launch. And Xbox Series X gamers should watch out too: there’s no VRR support—though you’ll find the 4K/120Hz capability and auto low latency mode to match any PS5 console.
Read our full Sony A90J OLED TV review
(Image credit: Samsung)
The best 85-inch TV for 4K mini-LED at a lower price
Specifications
Screen size: 85 inches
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: Neo QLED
Smart TV: Tizen
HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Reasons to buy
+
Stellar picture quality
+
Impressive sound system
Reasons to avoid
–
No Dolby Vision or Atmos
–
Freeview Play would be nice
The Samsung QN90A isn’t the best 4K TV from last year’s Samsung lineup – that’s the QN95A. But given the fact the QN95A isn’t available in the US or available in an 85-inch size anywhere, the QN90A is a very acceptable alternative, especially since they’re nearly identical in image quality.
The QN90A has Samsung’s superb mini-LED backlight, delivering vastly improved brightness control and contrast compared to last year’s QLEDs. The result is a brighter TV than Samsung’s already impressively bright QLEDs, and it delivers a deeply satisfying array of colors.
All Neo QLED TVs sport the high-end Neo Quantum Processor 4K, which uses a neural network to analyze images for better HD upscaling. They also come with Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ for better motion handling. We found the combination to be very impressive across a variety of video sources.
We did encounter a few niggling issues, though. Our test model’s pedestal stand was a little wobbly, and we were disappointed by the sound quality: at this price we’ve come to expect significantly better audio performance. The OTS+ sound system here isn’t as good as the OTS+ Pro speakers found in the QN95A, and the difference is significant. None of these factors are deal-breakers by themselves, but they should give you a slight pause before dropping a huge wad of cash on this 85-inch TV because it’s far from cheap.
Read our fullSamsung QN90A Neo QLED TV review
(Image credit: Samsung)
A big and beautiful mini-LED TV
Specifications
Screen size: 85 inches
Resolution: 4K
Panel technology: Neo QLED
Smart TV: Tizen
HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
Reasons to buy
+
Slim and elegant design
+
Bright and lavishly colourful images
+
Great gaming support
Reasons to avoid
–
Struggles to deliver black-tone detail
–
No Dolby Vision HDR
–
Smart TV changes are not for the better
With an extremely bright mini-LED panel, excellent gaming features, six-speaker spatial audio and a competitive price, Samsung has created a very impressive and relatively affordable 85-inch TV. Mini-LED is a more affordable alternative to OLED and while it can’t match OLED’s performance with black and dark greys, it more than compensates with retina-zapping brightness that makes action movies and documentaries look spectacular.
The Neo Quantum 4K processor does a good job of upsampling HD content, and the QN85B supports HLG, HDR10 and Adaptive HDR10+ – but as usual there’s no sign of Dolby Vision, an ongoing irritation with Samsung TVs: it’s the most popular HDR format of all.
But there’s lots to like here too, including four HDMI 2.1 inputs with eARC and support for 4K 120Hz, VRR and ALLM, making this one of the best 85-inch TVs for gaming. There’s a 60W audio system on board and while it’s not as punchy as the best soundbars or best AV receivers it’s not bad for such a slim TV.
If you’re planning to watch a lot of gloomy movies, we think you’d be better off with an OLED. But there’s no doubt that Samsung’s mini-LEDs are superbly bright, lots of fun and excellent value for money.
Read our full Samsung QN85B review
(Image credit: Samsung)
9. Samsung 85QN800B
Incredible 8K images for a surprisingly low price
Specifications
Screen size: 65, 75, 85 inches
Resolution: 8K
Panel type: Neo QLED
Smart TV: Tizen
HDR: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+
Reasons to buy
+
Incredible 8K image quality
+
Considerably less expensive than similar TVs
+
Impressive audio
Reasons to avoid
–
No Dolby Vision
–
8K is still expensive
The Samsung QN800B delivers the high-res experience of the superb QN900B for considerably less money, making this enormous 8K TV affordable for buyers who’ll baulk at the more expensive Samsung’s price tag.
The QN800B is a Neo QLED TV with a very bright panel and the usual HDR support (and usual absence of Dolby Vision) and eight multi-directional speakers for Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound. Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor 8K promises what Samsung claims is its sharpest 8K picture yet, and the anti-reflective screen should ensure good viewability even in bright daylight. The slim One Connect box eliminates cable clutter and the exceptionally slim design means it’s unobtrusive (well, as unobtrusive as an 85-inch TV can be) whether on a stand or wall mounted.
For gamers there’s HDMI 2.1 with VRR/4K@120Hz/8K@60Hz and FreeSync Premium Pro, and Samsung’s Motion Xcelerator Turbo Plus is designed to remove blur between fast-paced images in 4K gaming. And no matter what you’re viewing, Multi View can divide the TV into up to 4 individual displays so you can keep on top of sports while watching something else.
Read our full Samsung QN800B review
85-inch TV FAQs
How far should you sit from an 85-inch TV?
Estimates vary depending on who you ask, but the general rule of thumb is between 1.5 and 2.5 times the diagonal screen size: For 85-inch TVs we recommend sitting between 10.5 and 15 ft (3.5 and 5m) away. That should make the picture take up most of your field of view without straining your eyes.
How big is an 85-inch TV?
The exact height, width and depth of an 85-inch TV will vary depending on the set in question. A TV with a Mini LED backlight will be a bit thicker than a super-slim OLED screen (which won’t need a backlight at all). If a TV has a built-in soundbar, that could add some visible height and weight, while other screens may opt for more discreet placement around the TV’s casing.
As an example, the Samsung Q60T QLED comes in a massive 85-inch size, and measures 108.3cm tall, 189.6cm wide, and 6cm deep – which are the measurements to consider if you’re going to wall-mount the screen. When placed on the included TV stand, the Q60T’s height jumps to 118.6cm, and the depth pads out to 39.2cm.
Last year’s flagship QN900A QLED, is almost identical in sizing, measuring 107.2cm tall and 187.6cm wide. It is decently slimmer at 1.54cm, but adding in a TV stand means the depth actually caps out at 34.4cm, making for a similar profile overall.
If you’re looking for a Ninja air fryer, or any air fryer for that matter, you’re probably finding the search quite tricky to keep up with, as these countertop appliances are proving to be more popular than ever.
With this year’s Black Friday deals (opens in new tab) now the event is in full swing, it’s no surprise that our Black Friday deep fryer deals (opens in new tab) are (also) becoming popular with readers. Air fryers really hit the headlines in 2022 with realistic promises that they can cut food cooking time in half and therefore save you a bundle of money on your energy bills (not forgetting to mention that they are a healthy way to bake, dehydrate, , baking and more).
The Air Fryer That Consistently Stands Out as One of the Best Air Fryers (opens in new tab) is the Ninja Air Fryer Double Basket, but with stock coming and going frequently on the Ninja website and with retailers, we needed a backup. Below we’ve found some alternative options, both in the US and UK, that are in stock and at a discount.
Hurry up, though, because we can’t guarantee how long these fryers will be around.
Ninja Air Fryer alternatives to buy this Black Friday
WE:
UK:
Where can you still buy a Ninja air fryer?
We are keeping a lot, much Keep an eye out where you can still buy a Ninja Air Fryer Double Drawer and saw that Amazon UK has their exclusive black/copper colorway available to order now. There is a note in the listing to say it will ship in one to two months, so you could receive it in time before christmas.
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer [AF400UKCP] 🇧🇷 £249 on Amazon (opens in new tab)
Why are Ninja fryers so popular?
Ninja fryers have been one of the most popular countertop appliances to find and have in 2022. We’ve been following their popularity and watching them come into stock and come back again before our very eyes.
Having reviewed several Ninja air fryers, we’ve been consistently impressed with their ability to cook food in half the time, saving money on energy, and therefore answering the question that’s on all of our minds: are air fryers worth it? (opens in new tab) They look super smart, have a good build quality, and are easy to clean, with many parts dishwasher safe too.
As with the Ninja Foodi Max AF400UK dual zone air fryer, we found the double drawer to be useful for cooking two types of food at once during our review. (opens in new tab)🇧🇷 The Max Crisp feature was also ideal for cooking various frozen foods, and the number of features overall was just as impressive, as the Ninja air fryers can do more than just air fryers; they can also roast, bake, rehydrate, and more. even the smallest Max Ninja Air Fryer [AF160UK] (opens in new tab) 🇧🇷 Ninja Air Fryer Max XL (opens in new tab) it can do more than just air fry and it comes with the Max Crisp feature.
Consistent reliability is what you get with the Ninja air fryer, although they come at a cost, so we hope these equally fabulous alternatives help save you even more money.
