Black Friday TVs 2026: the specs that matter and how to spot an old model on "sale"

Black Friday is on 27 November, and TVs are among the most heavily advertised deals. The trouble is that a big "was" price can make an older model look like a bargain. When we checked John Lewis on 1 November, a 2024 Sony OLED cost exactly the same as LG's 2026 model, and last year's 48-inch LG C5 was £50 cheaper than this year's C6. Here's what to check.

At a glance

• Check the model year. John Lewis shows it in the product name, such as "(2026)".
• Older isn't always cheaper. A 55-inch Sony Bravia 8 (2024) was £1,199, the same as LG's OLED55C64LA (2026).
• Budget 55-inch TVs started at £339 for a 2026 Samsung.
• "Was" prices must be genuine under consumer law.

Prices now: 55-inch OLED

These prices were on John Lewis's website. "Was" prices are as shown:

• LG OLED55B65LA (2026): £974, was £1,199.
• Samsung QE55S85H (2026): £999, was £1,199.
• LG OLED55C64LA (2026): £1,199, no was price shown.
• Samsung QE55S90H (2026): £1,199, was £1,399.
• Sony Bravia 8 K55XR80PU (2024): £1,199.
• Sony Bravia 8 II K55XR8M25BP (2025): £1,799.
• Samsung QE55S95H (2026): £1,799, was £1,899.

Prices now: budget 55-inch

• Samsung UE55U7000H (2026), LED: £339, was £349.
• LG 55NU850B6LA (2026), LED: £349.
• Hisense 55Q7STUK (2026), QLED: £399, was £479.
• TCL 55A400M-UK (2026), QD-Mini LED: £599, was £799.
• Hisense 55U7STUK (2026), Mini LED: £699, was £799.

How to spot an old model

Manufacturers launch new ranges each spring, so by Black Friday the "new" model is several months old and last year's may still be on sale. Look at the model number and year. LG's OLED48C54LA is the 2025 C5, and the OLED48C64LA is the 2026 C6. At John Lewis, the C5 was £949 and the C6 £999, down from £1,199. The C6 shows the bigger saving, but the C5 is still £50 cheaper.

An older model isn't bad. If the differences between years are small, last year's TV at a lower price can be the better buy. Just make sure you're comparing prices for the same model number, and check the manufacturer's site for what changed.

The specs that matter

• Panel type: OLED gives the deepest blacks, while Mini LED and QLED sets can go brighter and usually cost less at the same size.
• Size and distance: measure the space and how far you sit from the screen.
• Gaming: for a PS5 or Xbox Series X, look for HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K at 120Hz.
• HDR formats: check which HDR standards it supports, such as Dolby Vision or HDR10+, if your streaming services use them.
• Sound: thin TVs often need a soundbar, so add that to your budget.

Is the "was" price real?

Since April 2025, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has banned unfair commercial practices, including misleading prices. The Competition and Markets Authority's guidance says a reference price used for a discount must be genuine. If a "was" price only ran for a short time, or in a few stores, the saving may not be real. Check the price history before you buy.

Worked example

You want a 48-inch LG OLED. The 2026 C6 is advertised at £999, "was £1,199": a £200 saving. The 2025 C5 is £949 with no saving shown. Buying the C5 costs £50 less than the "discounted" C6. If Black Friday cuts the C6 below £949, the newer model becomes the better buy.

What to do now

1. Note the exact model numbers and today's prices for the TVs you like.
2. Compare the same model at John Lewis, Currys, AO and the maker's own shop.
3. Check the year and what changed from last year's model.
4. Look beyond the price: guarantee length, delivery, installation and recycling your old TV.
5. Know your rights: you can usually cancel an online order within 14 days of delivery, and reject a faulty TV within 30 days.

Questions

Will TVs be cheaper on Black Friday?

Some may be, but we can't predict which. If today's price is already the lowest you've seen, it may not be worth waiting.

Does a retailer price match?

Some do. John Lewis marks some items as "price matched". Check each retailer's terms.

What if the price drops after I buy?

Ask the retailer. If you're within the 14-day cancellation period for an online order, you could cancel and buy again at the lower price.

Ways to save

Compare prices at John Lewis, Currys, AO, Samsung, LG and Amazon.

Prices checked on 1 November 2026 and can change. Sources: John Lewis: 55-inch OLED TVs, John Lewis: OLED TVs, John Lewis: 55-inch TVs, CMA: Unfair commercial practices guidance (CMA207), Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 22

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