Editor’s Note: This post has been updated for 2016.
In late 2012, the first 4K TVs from LG and Sony went on sale in the US. Both were 84 inches and exceeded $20,000. So while desirable — 4K TVs have four times as many pixels as standard HD TVs (3840 x 2160 versus 1920 x 1080) and can produce a much more clear and beautiful picture — people basically had to choose between a “sweet as” TV (that’s Kiwi slang) or sending their child to college. Thankfully, that’s changed. In 2016, every major TV manufacturer makes at least one 4K TV, and they come in myriad display sizes and price points. If you don’t want to break four digits on a 4K TV, you no longer have to.
Vizio SmartCast P-Series
Just released in March 2016, the Vizio SmartCast P-Series comes with an ultra HD display, which is decked out with Dolby Vision’s high dynamic range that create colors as rich and lifelike as the theater. The P-Series is also shifting the way people watch smart TVs: instead of scrolling through apps, as you would with Roku, the P-Series comes with a 6-inch Android tablet/remote and utilizes Google Cast. Basically, everything you used to do on the TV with Chromecast is now done on this new tablet. And you can watch TV, movies, or streaming apps like Netflix on the tablet alone, without using the TV.
Screen Size: 55 in
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Refresh Rate: 240Hz
Other Size Options: 55 in for $1,300 | 65 in for $2,000 | 75 in for $3,800
