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LG's $10,000 OLED: Hands-on

CNET Asia's Philip Wong got the chance for some extended hands-on time with LG's upcoming OLED TV. Here are his first impressions.

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Headshot of David Katzmaier
David Katzmaier Editor in Chief
David leads the editorial team at CNET. We create expert reviews, articles and video on every aspect of technology, from AI to Zoox. We are thoroughly, proudly human.
Expertise A 25-year CNET veteran, David has been reviewing TVs since the days of CRT, rear-projection and plasma. He created CNET's methodology for testing TVs, streaming services and AI tools. Prior to CNET he wrote for Sound & Vision magazine and eTown.com. Credentials
  • Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
David Katzmaier
Deep black levels and wide viewing angles in a paper-thin panel could make OLED the best TV technology yet. Philip Wong/CNET Asia

Big-screen OLED TV technology has taken years to come to market, and LG's 55EM9600 won CNET's Best of CES award in January, so among technology enthusiasts, it's safe to classify anticipation for the 4mm-thin television as "high."

CNET's Asia's TV reviewer Philip Wong got the opportunity to spend some hands-on time with an early version of the set yesterday in Monaco, and he liked what he saw -- from deep black levels to superb off-angle viewing, with a potential for accurate color. His conclusion?

In many ways, the 55EM9600 is the "spiritual successor" to the lengendary Pioneer Kuro. Until we have a chance to check out the Samsung OLED panel, this LG easily sets the new benchmark in terms of TV picture quality and slim design.

Check out his full impressions here, including plenty of in-person pictures and TV nerd eye candy.

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Your next questions might be "when" and "how much?" Our latest indications are "about $10,000 U.S." and "sometime in the second half of this year." We were told June is "unlikely."

Rest assured that I'll review a shipping, U.S. production version of the LG OLED as soon as possible, pitting its picture quality against the best-performing TVs of the year. I'll also compare the LG with the forthcoming OLED TV from Samsung (LG promises its model will arrive first, in Europe at least). It should be fun!