Most major TV brands clear last year’s stock at a steep discount from April to June
Older models from 2024/25 can still look and sound just as good as new TVs
You can save lots of money by looking for the release year in the product code. We show you how to decode the data
Mid-year sales are upon us and the remaining 2025 TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony and more are being shown the door to make way for new releases.
Our experts have thoroughly assessed last year’s television models that are now available for a great price.
You’re unlikely to miss out on much by buying a slightly older model at a discount
TV technology and features don’t tend to change as much as they used to from year to year, so you’re unlikely to miss out on much by buying a slightly older model at a discount. But you still need to know what to look for so you don’t end up paying full price for a TV that’s a year or two old.
Understanding TV model numbers and codes will help you walk into the store with confidence that you’ll know what to buy, especially if you’re looking to negotiate a better price.
The 2026 TV rollout is ongoing. There are plenty of new models on shelves with a few more to come over the next month or so.
Most of the latest Samsung and LG TVs were released in April and early May, with Hisense following not long after, launching RGB MiniLED TVs in late April. At the time of writing, Sony had announced a couple of new TVs coming in early July. More are likely to be announced but not till later in the year.
Understanding TV model numbers and codes will help you walk into the store with confidence that you’ll know what to buy
TCL has a number of LED, mini-LED and QLED models in stores as well. There’s a good selection available if you’re looking for more affordable options now, with more to arrive in July and August.
The number of TV types, sizes and models available will vary, with LG and Samsung offering the widest range. You can find also plenty of low-cost alternatives from brands like ChiQ, Blaupunkt and Ffalcon, but they don’t appear to follow a set release schedule.
We still get asked about which Panasonic TV to buy and our answer is – none of them! The only place you should be seeing a Panasonic TV for sale is on Gumtree, as the company stopped selling TVs in Australia just before COVID broke out in early 2020.
The trick is to know which TVs are 2026 releases and which are from 2025 or earlier. Make sure the salesperson knows that the TV they’re selling you may be the greatest, but it’s not the latest.
TVs from 2025 and earlier will offer the best bargains, but most 2026 TVs will have decent discounts applied as well. You may also find some very good deals on newer TVs that haven’t been selling too well.
Make sure the salesperson knows that the TV they’re selling you may be the greatest, but it’s not the latest
Keep an eye out for 8K resolution models from 2025 as they often drop to “bargain”, prices as consumers remain unmoved by 8K. Apparently the industry has finally gotten the message, as there are no new 8K models slated for release in 2026 by any brand.
Some retailers are more transparent than others, letting you filter TVs by year of release on their websites. They may also specify the year alongside some models.
Some retailers have handy filters to help you find older models that may be cheaper.
Others may not be entirely forthcoming with this information, but it’s out there. You just need to know where to look.
The secret is in the TV product codes. Each brand uses specific numbers and letters to identify various aspects of their TVs, including the year of release. It’s the kind of thing “retailers don’t want you to know” (if we’re going to get all clickbait journalism about it).
How to use the product code to save money on a TV
A TV’s product code doesn’t just tell you the size and specifications. It also contains information on the year of release.
But this information is complicated, which is why we’ve broken down the codes for the four major brands below. Click each brand name to pick up a wealth of information that might surprise pushy salespeople.
Brand-by-brand guide to TV product codes
LG TV codes
LG is all about OLED TVs. You can identify the year of release by the number near the end of the product code. You can identify the performance tier by a corresponding letter: B (entry-level), C (mid-range) and G (high-end).
Let’s use the OLED65G5 as an example:
OLED = screen type
65 = screen size, so 65-inch
G = performance grade, high-end in this case
5 = year of release, so 2025.
Meanwhile, the 2024 equivalent would be OLED65G4, while 2026 is OLED65G6.
The QNED range is, quite frankly, confusing. 2026 models use the letter B, while 2025 uses A as the third-last letter. Before that, things were a bit inconsistent. For example, a 2021 QNED could be identified with the letters VPA. Rule of thumb, if it’s not B or A, it’s older than 2025.
Performance tiers have shifted a bit over the years as well, which can help you identify the year of release. 2026 TVs have four tiers starting at the most basic Mini LED range: 70, 80 and 86. The 2025 range uses 81, 86 and 93, whereas 2024 used 81, 86, 89 and 91. So basically, a higher number means better performance, regardless of the year.
There are no NanoCell TVs from LG for 2026. QNED models are the new entry point, and the QNED70B range is the cheapest 2026 LG TV on offer. The 2025 Nano range uses the letter A for 2025 models; for example, LG 75” NANO80ASA or QNED81A.
It can be a bit harder to identify older Nano models, not unlike the QNED coding. For example, the 2022 Nano range used 75 at the end of the name, compared to 2023, which used 77 and 80.
Then there are the much older LG TVs that are getting a bit long in the tooth. Only buy these if they’re available at a very steep discount.
Entry-level LED panels use letters such as P for the third-last letter in 2021, and R for 2023 – such as LG 55UP8000PTB. Avoid codes with the letters N, M, K, J, H, F or G (unless the TVs are being given away) as these are from 2020 or older.
Samsung TV codes
Samsung has kept things a bit more consistent than LG over the years by typically adding the year of release in brackets after the model code on its website.
While Samsung likes to skip letters, the year of release is consistent across the brand’s TV types. H (2026), F (2025), D (2024), then C, B and A going back to 2021, are found towards the end of the model number.
Screen size sits towards the front of the model number. Look for typical panel size numbers in inches such as 42, 55, 65 or 85.
Performance tiers vary depending on the type of panel. Neo QLED has changed slightly, with 70 denoting entry-level Neo QLEDs and 80 for mid-range TVs for 2026 (so far), while 2025 used 70, 85, and 90 for high-end. But this number will be after the screen size (which can often be similar these days as screens get bigger).
The OLED performance tiers have stayed the same for a few years now, with 85, 90 and 95 indicating each level and priced just below the Micro RGB offerings for the same size display. There is an impressive range of OLED sizes available from the mid-range S90H 42-inch model and lowest tier S85 48-inch display, up to the 83-inch S95H OLED.
Finally, the value-for-money Crystal UHD LCD TVs keep things pretty simple. It usually has just one performance tier, offering only different screen sizes within a single range. So you just need to look for the letter that corresponds to the year of release. For 2026, this is the U8000H series, with six display options ranging from 43-inch up to 85-inch.
‘The Frame Pro’ art TV follows a naming convention with QA, then the display size and ending with ‘LS03HWWXXY’. For example, The Frame Pro 85-inch TV for 2026 is coded as QA85LS03HWWXXY.
Hisense TV codes
Hisense is very careful to highlight that AU at the end of the product code indicates an Australian model. Overseas models may have different specifications and features.
As far as year of release goes, Hisense’s naming system is pretty easy to follow. Models released in 2026 are marked with an S before the AU, while 2025 can be identified with a Q.
The remaining numbers usually refer to performance within a particular range. A higher number equals better performance. For example, the 2026 RGB MiniLED TVs are UR8 and UR9, with the latter being the premium model.
The 2026 range starts with the 32-inch or 40-inch A4S series, followed by the high-volume Q6 series with eight displays between 32-inch and 85-inch. This value range is similarly priced to the Crystal UHD range from Samsung, the QNED70B range from LG, and the Bravia 2 II range from Sony.
From there with a higher number, you get more features and better display technologies and a higher price. From the ULED MiniLED options for the U6 and U7 TVs up to the Micro RGB displays on offer for the UR8 and UR9 series.
2024 used two letters: N for standard and X for premium models. 2023, 2022 and 2021 TVs use K, H and G respectively.
Finding the right letter can be confusing, as Hisense often uses the same letters to denote different products as well as the year of release. It’s positioned towards the end in most cases – the third-last letter followed by AU for Australia.
For example, the 100Q7SAU is a 100-inch TV released in 2026, while the 100Q7QAU is the 2025 version. The Canvas art TV range is another good example – the 65-inch from 2026 is called 65S7SAU, whereas the 2025 model is 65S7QAU. The letter S between 65 and 7 doesn’t refer to the year, it’s another identifier for Hisense, which is easy to mix up.
Numbers vary depending on the TV type and range but the rule of thumb still applies.
Sony TV codes
Sony’s release schedule has traditionally been, well, complicated. While most brands start to clear stock around March, Sony tends to hold onto models from the previous year. At the time of writing, plenty of 2025 TVs were still available, while just a couple of new models for 2026 had been announced.
The naming system isn’t much better. Sony uses numbers that align with the consumer-facing model name, such as the Bravia 8 range, which was released in 2024. The 65-inch version is coded K65XR80, where 80 equals Bravia 8, so 2024.
While the original codes remain confusing, there seems to be evidence that Sony is trying to be clearer on the shop floor and online. While this isn’t a clear indication of the release year, the following models do give an indication as to where they sit in terms of picture quality and features.
As with Samsung, Sony has an OLED offering (the Bravia 8 and Bravia 8 II) but also has a series above this number ( Bravia 9 II) delivering an RGB LED similar to the Samsung R95 series or the Hisense UR9S.
The other series deliver less features and better value as you move down the numbers from the Bravia 7 II to the Bravia 5, Bravia 3 and Bravia 2 II. This gets even more confusing when you look at the variety of Bravia TVs released each year. You need to know which number refers to which TV type in the relevant year.
The 2026 range uses ‘II’ as an identifier. If it doesn’t have a ‘II’ (Bravia 3 II or Bravia 7 II) it’s most likely a 2025 or 2024 TV.
Different TV series have different significant numbers in their promotional ads. For example in 2024, Bravia 8 referred to the OLED range, while Bravia 7 covered Mini LED, 5 was considered mid-range, and Bravia 3 was marketed as the value option.
Finally, you have the even more complicated iterative TVs. Remember the 2024 K65XR80 OLED? Sony released an updated version in 2025, but rather than designate a new code, they stuck with the Bravia 8 branding with an added ‘II’ at the end (for version two). So the 2025 iteration is coded K65XR80M2.
Combine all that with TVs spanning multiple sales periods and you’ve got the recipe for a headache. So what are you supposed to do?
Just look for a year of release. Fortunately, many retailers will note whether a Sony TV is from 2026 or 2025. If a Sony TV doesn’t mention a year of release, it’s most likely from 2025, but double-check online or ask the retailer before buying.
Models from 2023 and earlier are unlikely to be in stores. If you come across one online, ask the seller and if they’re being cagey, don’t buy it. Sony was using different letters prior to 2022. If a TV is marked J or H, it’s from 2021/2020.
There are no new Panasonic TVs for 2025 and there have been none since 2019.
The following information on product codes is to identify any older models you may see on eBay or Gumtree. Panasonic is not a new TV option.
Panasonic indicates the release year by the first letter after the display size, with G being a 2019 model (e.g. Panasonic TH-65GX850A), F being a 2018 model, and E indicating a 2017 model (e.g. Panasonic TH-65EX780A).
The numbers in the series indicate the increase in quality and price, from the lowest 32-inch TH32F400A through to the FS500A series, FX600A series and so on, up to the top-of-the-line 4K FX800 series with all the bells and whistles.
Panasonic also has a few OLED models that were still around both online and in some stores towards the end of 2020, like the GZ1000U, 55 or 65-inch, as well as two premium priced 65-inch OLED models (TH-65GZ2000 and TH-65GZ1500U). If you can find one of these models for under $1000 as a runout, it may be worth a gamble as they were good TVs – but it’s a gamble that will likely be without a warranty or support from Panasonic locally.
If the Panasonic TV you’re looking at has an E after the display size number, tell the salesperson you know it’s a 2017 model. They should basically pay you to take it.
If it has a D after the the display size, it’s a 2016 model and must have gotten lost at the back of a storage room.
How to use CHOICE reviews to score a cheaper TV
In addition to new releases, our TV reviews also feature older models that are listed as discontinued. Models from 2025 will probably reappear in the sales at a drastically reduced price, and disappear just as quickly.
We keep discontinued models in our test for this very reason. You can see the results for older models by ticking the discontinued checkbox in the “related products” tab (left side of the screen for computers, or under ‘filter and sort’ for mobile).
Avoid simply clicking on a retailer on the first page of the search results, as stores that appear in the first few results often pay for the privilege of being at the top
When shopping for a TV online, make sure your searches include the exact model name that’s in our review as well as the size so you can determine the online retailer with the best price. If you find the model in a size above or below the CHOICE tested TV in the same series, rest assured that you will get similar performance, especially for the ease of use and picture quality.
Also, avoid simply clicking on a retailer on the first page of the search results, as stores that appear in the first few results often pay for the privilege of being at the top.
Getting a good deal is one thing. But there are a few other points to consider so you can find a TV that doesn’t just suit your entertainment needs, but also your living space.
Is your lounge room big enough for your big TV?
Buying the biggest TV then showing it off to your mates is a rite of passage. But you may wind up with a TV that’s uncomfortably oversized depending on the size of the room.
The ideal viewing distance for a 65-inch 4K TV – the most popular size in Australia – is 1.25 to 2.5 metres. If your room size forces you to sit closer, or if you really want a larger TV, then a 4K TV may be a good option to avoid that pixelation.
Sit in the ideal viewing range to make the most of your shiny new 4K TV.
High-definition allows a bit more flexibility. You can sit up to 2.4 metres away if you’re watching HD video, even on a 4K TV. Although remember, you’ll need to be watching 4K video for the best quality picture.
Also of note is the logistical issue of getting your TV home if you bought it instore. A 65-inch TV in the box seems to be the limit for all cars that aren’t actually delivery vehicles.
So make sure you negotiate delivery and installation if you can’t get them to lower the price on that 75-inch or 86-inch monster TV.
There’s a push to get the nit levels (screen brightness) up on TVs. Some argue that the less than ideal TV-watching environment in many homes means more brightness is required to see all the content on a TV screen in a brightly lit room.
There’s a degree of truth to this, but the TV needs to be correctly optimised for very bright content, otherwise you’ll end up losing details in very bright scenes.
If you have a good TV-watching environment where you can control the ambient light, then you want the best TV, not the brightest
If you have a good TV-watching environment where you can control the ambient light, then you want the best TV, not the brightest.
Look at the picture and decide whether you can see all the detail in the bright and dark areas of the scene, as that’s the main aspect to consider – not what the salesperson tells you is best.
Saving money on a soundbar
TVs aren’t the only home entertainment products on sale. This is also a great time to pick up a soundbar on the cheap, especially if it’s from the same manufacturer as your TV.
Bundling soundbars and TVs together into a single sale is a great way to haggle a bit more money off the overall cost and it’s worth the work. Because even the best sounding TV speakers are no match for a good-quality soundbar, especially when it’s time to watch movies at home.
Denis Gallagher is a Senior project officer for Digital home products and also works on test projects for the laundry and fridge labs. He produces tests for gadgets, phones, cameras and home entertainment gear as well as TVs, washing machines, dishwashers and fridges.
Previously at CHOICE, Denis worked as a Content producer for digital products. Prior to CHOICE, Denis worked as an Assistant editor on Golf Australia magazine and Editor for Multimedia and Videocamera magazine.
Denis has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales and a Diploma of Journalism from Macleay College.
Denis Gallagher is a Senior project officer for Digital home products and also works on test projects for the laundry and fridge labs. He produces tests for gadgets, phones, cameras and home entertainment gear as well as TVs, washing machines, dishwashers and fridges.
Previously at CHOICE, Denis worked as a Content producer for digital products. Prior to CHOICE, Denis worked as an Assistant editor on Golf Australia magazine and Editor for Multimedia and Videocamera magazine.
Denis has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales and a Diploma of Journalism from Macleay College.
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