The television industry has recently experienced a trend similar to the audio industry’s “loudness war,” often referred to as the “brightness war.” This shift began with the introduction of High Dynamic Range (HDR), which requires higher brightness levels for optimal viewing. As the technology matured into its tenth year, television brands intensified competition, striving for higher brightness capabilities. Notable advancements in 2025 included the introduction of televisions capable of reaching up to 5,000 nits of brightness from companies such as TCL and Hisense, and significant innovations in OLED technology through LG Display’s new Primary RGB Tandem panels.
These OLED panels transition from a three-layer configuration to a four-layer setup, utilizing red, blue, and green layers more effectively, enhancing both brightness and color purity. For example, the configuration claims potential peak brightness of up to 4,000 nits. Additionally, companies like TCL and Hisense improved mini-LED technology, enhancing backlight control to reduce drawbacks associated with LED displays, such as blooming effects.
Emerging technologies like RGB mini-LED are also making their way into the consumer market. Hisense demonstrated an RGB mini-LED model using distinct red, green, and blue backlights, while TCL announced its own version. Samsung’s micro-RGB technology employs even smaller backlights, promising better performance. However, these innovations carry hefty price tags, ranging from $12,000 to $30,000.
While advancements in brightness can aid visibility in well-lit environments, they raise questions about the necessity of such enhancements. Concerns emerge regarding whether the focus should be on maximizing brightness or improving other aspects, such as picture processing and black-level performance. As brightness levels continue to rise, the industry’s direction appears poised for significant developments leading into CES 2026.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/841054/tv-brightness-hdr-2025