This new type of LCD TVs – featuring RGB LED backlighting – will be expensive, but not out of reach for buyers looking for large-screen TVs.
Competition in the high-end TV segment is heating up this year as LCD TVs with RGB LED – often marketed as RGB miniLED or 'micro RGB' – are set to challenge QD-OLED and WOLED.
With RGB LED expanding the color gamut, TV makers such as Hisense and Samsung have positioned these models as new flagships, above traditional miniLED LCD TVs. TCL and LG, however, still position them below their top-tier 'SQD-miniLED' LCD and OLED TVs, respectively.
How much will they cost?
The key question, of course, is pricing. The first RGB LED models last year were prohibitively expensive and limited to very large sizes. 2026 marks the first year they are arriving in more mainstream screen sizes.
We now have a clearer picture; prices start at $1600 for a 55-inch model (Samsung R85H) and go up to $30000 for a 115-inch version (TCL RM9L). Later this year, Samsung will launch a massive 130-inch RGB LED model – the largest LCD TV to date.
You can compare these prices with those of 2026 OLED TVs in FlatpanelsHD's TV database and TV lineup overviews.
Philips has also announced RGB LED models for Europe but pricing has not yet been revealed. Sony will announce its first RGB LED LCD TVs soon, branded 'True RGB'.
Hisense launched some of the first models last year. In 2026, LCD TVs with RGB LED will become a lot more affordable. Photo: FlatpanelsHDNot all created equal
It is important to note that not all RGB LED models are created equal. While most use similar VA-type LCD panels, some will feature TCL CSOT’s wide viewing angle (WHVA) panel.
More importantly, the number of dimming zones varies significantly. Some manufacturers inflate the figure by counting red, green and blue sub-zones separately (dimming zones x3), which can be confusing. This helps explain why TCL says its flagship X11L miniLED delivers better picture quality than the RM9L with RGB LED – the X11L has significantly more dimming zones.
One common characteristic is an expanded color gamut. Manufacturers claim up to 100% BT.2020 coverage, but we remain skeptical until we have tested the models ourselves.
Here are the starting prices for the RGB LED models. Expect retail prices to decline over time.
2026 LCD TVs with RGB LED – starting prices
Flatpanels
