by
Black Friday is still the cheapest time of year to buy a TV, but 2026 is a harder year to read. The memory chips and panels inside TVs got more expensive, and market researcher TrendForce now calls price increases on new models unavoidable.
That matters because Black Friday TV prices are cuts from launch prices set high in spring. Last Black Friday, a 65-inch LG C5 OLED sold for $1,377 against a $2,700 list price, and LG launched the 2026 C6 at that same $2,699.99 for 65 inches.
My advice is to aim for a 2026 mid-range or premium model on November 27 and to treat last year’s prices as the bar for a real Black Friday TV deal. Cheap 4K TVs are where higher chip costs are most likely to show up as smaller discounts.
Black Friday 2025 vs 2026
These were some of the best-known Black Friday 2025 TV prices, all for 2025 models in their first Black Friday:
| TV | Black Friday 2025 price | Price before the sale | 2026 successor |
|---|---|---|---|
| LG C5 OLED, 65-inch | $1,377 | $2,700 | LG C6, launched at $2,699.99 |
| Hisense U8 Mini-LED, 65-inch | $998 | $2,200 | Still the current U8 |
| TCL QM7K Mini-LED, 55 to 85-inch | From $598 | From $1,300 | TCL QM7L |
Each of those TVs sold for roughly half its list price. This year the 2025 models are a year older. The 2026 models, such as the LG C6, Samsung QN90H and TCL QM7L, are the ones in their first Black Friday.
What’s Pushing TV Prices Up
Three costs moved against TV makers in 2026, and they hit cheap TVs harder than expensive ones.
Memory chips. Memory makers shifted production toward AI servers, which squeezed the supply of the older memory TVs use. TrendForce reported that the contract price of the 4GB DDR4 memory used in 4K TVs more than quadrupled in a year. It expects memory to grow from about 3% of a TV’s parts cost to 6% to 7%.
Panels. LCD panel prices rose in January 2026, and panels make up 40% to 50% of what it costs to build a TV. Even a small increase there adds up across millions of sets.
Budget TVs feel it most. Omdia, a market research firm, found that the main board in some smaller LCD TVs now accounts for 45% to 50% of their build cost, as reported by Wilson’s Media. In mid-2025 it was just over 10%. That leaves little room for deep cuts on a $300 TV.
TrendForce also cut its 2026 forecast for global TV shipments, so TV makers are dealing with higher costs and softer demand at the same time.
What to Expect This Black Friday
Retailers haven’t posted 2026 Black Friday TV prices yet. Based on last year and this year’s costs, I expect:
- Likely: big cuts on 2026 OLED and mini-LED models such as the LG C6, Samsung QN90H and TCL QM7L, since their launch prices left the most room.
- Likely: 2025 models such as the LG C5 and Hisense U8 at or below last year’s Black Friday prices while stock lasts.
- Possible: smaller discounts than last year on cheap 4K TVs, because chips now take a much bigger share of their cost.
- Unlikely: new 2027 models launching at lower prices than this year’s, with memory costs expected to stay high into 2027.
For a 65-inch TV, these prices would get my money:
- LG C6 OLED at or below $1,377, last year’s Black Friday price for the C5
- Hisense U8 at or below $998, its Black Friday 2025 price
- Any 2026 mini-LED at about half its launch price, the same cut last year’s models got
Watch the full model number on doorbuster TVs. Some Black Friday TVs are special versions made for the sale, with a slightly different model number and cheaper parts than the TV they look like. Check the number on the brand’s own site before you buy.
Best TV Deals to Watch
These 5 TVs cover most budgets and rooms. I’d decide between OLED and mini-LED first, then size, then price.
LG C6 OLED
The LG C6 is the OLED I’d buy for a dark or dim room, where its perfect blacks matter most.
- 4K OLED with self-lit pixels, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
- Up to 165Hz with G-Sync, FreeSync Premium and VRR for gaming
- 65-inch model launched at $2,699.99 in 2026
In a bright room with lots of daylight, a mini-LED TV such as the TCL QM7L will look brighter for less money.
Samsung QN90H
The Samsung QN90H is the pick for a bright living room, thanks to its Glare Free screen and mini-LED backlight.
- Neo QLED with a full-array mini-LED backlight
- Glare Free screen coating that cuts reflections from windows and lamps
- 144Hz with variable refresh rate for games and sports
TCL QM7L
The TCL QM7L is the mid-range mini-LED I’d watch for the biggest Black Friday cut, since TCL’s QM7 line sold for about half off last year.
- Mini-LED with up to 2,100 local dimming zones
- 144Hz, HDR10 and Dolby Vision
- Google TV built in
Hisense U8
The Hisense U8 is a 2025 model, and that is the point: it’s the TV most likely to repeat or beat its $998 Black Friday price for 65 inches.
- Mini-LED with up to 5,600 local dimming zones and up to 5,000 nits, depending on size
- Native 165Hz panel with FreeSync Premium Pro
- Built-in 4.1.2-channel speakers with Dolby Atmos
Amazon Ember Mini-LED
Amazon discounts its own TVs every Black Friday, and the Ember Mini-LED is the one I’d pick if you already use Fire TV and Alexa.
- 4K QLED mini-LED with 512 dimming zones and Dolby Vision IQ
- 144Hz gaming mode with FreeSync Premium Pro
- Fire TV with Alexa+ voice search built in
FAQs on Black Friday TV Deals
When do Black Friday TV deals start?
Retailers usually post early TV deals in the first half of November, and the lowest prices tend to land in the week of Black Friday, from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday on November 30.
Will TV prices go up in 2026?
TrendForce expects higher prices on new TV models because memory, panel and metal costs rose. That shows up mostly in launch prices and in smaller cuts on cheap TVs, while premium models still drop a lot from their launch prices.
Is it worth buying a 2025 TV on Black Friday 2026?
Yes, if it sells at or below last year’s Black Friday price and comes with the full manufacturer warranty. The 2025 LG C5 and Hisense U8 are the clearest examples.
Should I buy an OLED or a mini-LED TV?
Buy OLED for a dark or dim room and the best contrast. Buy mini-LED for a bright room or a bigger screen for the money.
Are Black Friday doorbuster TVs worth it?
Some are, but check the full model number. A few are made just for the sale and use cheaper parts than the TV they resemble.
Final Remarks
For most rooms, a 2026 mini-LED such as the TCL QM7L at about half its launch price is the best value this Black Friday. Pay more for the LG C6 only if you watch in a dark room. And skip cheap TVs whose discount looks small this year, because that is where the higher costs show.
If the TV is going under a new console, my PS5 Black Friday deals page covers what to pay for the PlayStation side.