The best time to buy a TV: how the model-year cycle works
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We don't accept payment for placement. Details
Short answer
TVs follow a yearly cycle. New lines are announced at CES in January, reach stores from spring into early summer, and the previous year’s models are sold off through the fall, with the deepest reductions usually around Black Friday and the holidays and again before the Super Bowl, when stock of the outgoing model runs low. So: buy last year’s model in late fall if it has what you need; buy the new model in spring or summer if it adds something you’ll use. In our catalogue, Samsung’s 2026 S90H adds Glare Free and 165 Hz over the 2025 S90F, while the 2026 QN90H tops out at 144 Hz against the QN90F’s 165.
Key takeaways
- January: announcements. March–June: new lines ship. Oct–Dec: last year’s lines clear out.
- Compare the outgoing and incoming spec sheets: some ‘upgrades’ are sideways or even backward on paper.
- A new model’s price usually falls through its first year; early buyers pay for being first.
- We don’t track prices (we can’t show Amazon price history); this guide is about timing and specs.
Prices aren’t random. TV makers work on a model-year cycle, and knowing where you are in it is the simplest way to pay less, or to get the newest features if they matter to you. We don’t track prices (store rules don’t allow us to show Amazon price history), so this guide is about timing and what changes between years.
The TV calendar
| When | What happens | Good time to… |
|---|---|---|
| January | New lines announced at CES | Wait, if you want the new year’s model |
| Late Jan–early Feb | Pre-Super Bowl sales | Buy last year’s model, if your size is still in stock |
| March–June | New lines ship, at launch prices | Buy new only if you need a new feature |
| July–September | New models’ first reductions; older stock dwindles | Watch prices on the new line |
| October–December | Black Friday, Cyber Monday, holiday sales | Best overall window, especially for the outgoing year |
Large sizes (85 inches and up) and flagship lines sometimes launch later, and some sizes of the outgoing line sell out early.
Last year’s model or this year’s? Check the spec sheets
Year-over-year changes are often small, and not always upgrades. Two examples from our catalogue, both read from Samsung’s US spec sheets:
| 2025 model | 2026 model | What changed on paper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung OLED | S90F | S90H | Adds Glare Free anti-reflection on every size; maximum PC refresh rises from 144 to 165 Hz |
| Samsung Neo QLED | QN90F | QN90H | Maximum refresh falls from 165 to 144 Hz; we list 65 and 75 in for the H; the 2026 sheet gives no stand width |
So the 2026 S90H adds something many buyers will notice (reflection control), while the QN90H’s sheet doesn’t show a clear upgrade over the QN90F in what we track. That’s exactly the kind of comparison to make before paying the new model’s launch price. Our TV spec database lists every model and its year.
| TV line | Type | Panel (as marketed) | Refresh / max VRR | 4K 120 Hz+ inputs | HDR formats | Anti-reflection | Sizes we list | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung QN90H 2026 | Mini LED | Neo QLED (Mini LED) with Glare Free | 120 / 144 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | Glare Free | 65″, 75″ | Amazon |
| Samsung S90H 2026 | OLED | OLED with Glare Free | 120 / 165 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | Glare Free | 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | Amazon |
| Samsung Q8F 2025 | LED | QLED | 120 / 144 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | – | 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ | Amazon |
| Samsung QN90F 2025 | Mini LED | Neo QLED (Mini LED) with Glare Free | 120 / 165 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | Glare Free | 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″ | Amazon |
| Samsung S90F 2025 | OLED | OLED | 120 / 144 Hz | 4 of 4 | HDR10+ | – | 55″, 65″, 77″, 83″ | Amazon |
| Samsung The Frame (LS03F) 2025 | LED | QLED with matte anti-reflection display | 120 / 144 Hz | – | HDR10 only | Matte Display | 55″, 65″ | Amazon |
Tips that work any time of year
- Know your size and type first (viewing distance, OLED vs QLED), so a sale doesn’t push you into the wrong TV.
- Compare exact model numbers. Retailer-specific model numbers can differ in stand, ports or speakers.
- Check the return window and delivery terms for large sizes.
- Buy the right inputs now. A cheaper TV with too few 4K 120 Hz inputs costs more later if you add a console.
Frequently asked questions
What month is the best time to buy a TV?
November (Black Friday) and the weeks before the Super Bowl are traditionally the strongest sale periods, especially for the outgoing model year. Spring is when new lines launch at their highest prices.
Should I buy last year's TV model?
Often yes. Year-to-year changes are usually small: compare the two spec sheets. If the older model has the inputs, panel and HDR formats you need, its clearance price is usually the better value.
When do new TV models come out?
Most brands announce at CES in early January and release from March to June, with some larger sizes later in the year.
Do TV prices drop after Christmas?
Remaining stock of the outgoing year is often discounted into January and February, but popular sizes can sell out before then.