Should You Buy a TV Now or Wait for Black Friday?

The Short Answer: Buy a Previous-Gen TV Now

TV buying timing is the decision of whether to purchase a television immediately or wait for events like Black Friday, based on price trends, feature needs, and how quickly models are updated, so you balance current deals against potential future discounts without overpaying or missing worthwhile technology improvements. For most budget shoppers, the smartest move is to buy a well‑priced previous‑generation TV right now, instead of waiting for Black Friday TV deals. Prices on smart TVs are already climbing due to higher material and shipping costs, and that upward trend is not expected to reverse soon. At the same time, the core features that matter—4K resolution, modern HDR formats, and high refresh rates—are mature and widely available, so you are not missing out by buying today. When you add the real savings available on last year’s models, the math favors buying now for most people, especially if you have a set budget TV price and need a new screen in the next few months.

Why Rising Prices Undercut Future Black Friday Deals

Manufacturers are facing more expensive components and less predictable logistics, which is already pushing smart TV prices higher. That means today’s discounts on current and previous‑generation sets can be as strong as, or better than, what you would see if you wait for Black Friday TV deals. Waiting assumes that base prices will stay low and that seasonal promotions will stack on top, but the trend is going in the opposite direction. As costs rise, brands protect their margins and retailers have less room for deep cuts. This is why one source states plainly that “the time to buy a new smart TV is now.” If you delay hoping for a massive holiday discount, you risk seeing a higher starting price and smaller markdown, especially on popular mid‑range sizes where demand remains strong.

Feature Stagnation: Why Waiting Won’t Buy You Much

From a feature perspective, there is little reason to postpone your purchase. 4K resolution is now common and considered the sensible choice, while 8K has not taken off and is not worth waiting for. Likewise, refresh rates of 120Hz or 144Hz are already the practical ceiling for most viewers, and going higher would not deliver a noticeable benefit. Top HDR formats such as HDR10+ and Dolby Vision are widespread, and many smart TVs support one or both, so image quality is already excellent on mainstream models. Because these essential specs are standard across many current and last‑year TVs, feature stagnation in the mid‑range means you gain little by holding off for another cycle. In fact, you can often skip vague extras like aggressive motion smoothing or AI image tweaks, which may not improve the picture and can even make it look worse.

The Real Math: Today’s Deals vs Black Friday

When deciding when to buy TV models, you should compare actual prices for current and previous‑generation sets against what you expect from Black Friday TV deals. One example: a newer 65‑inch OLED S85H is around USD 1,500 (approx. RM6,900), while last year’s equivalent 65‑inch OLED S85F sits near USD 1,000 (approx. RM4,600), saving you USD 500 (approx. RM2,300) immediately. Another comparison shows a 65‑inch C5 OLED at about USD 1,400 (approx. RM6,400), versus a newer 65‑inch C6 OLED at roughly USD 2,000 (approx. RM9,200); many buyers will find that the faster processor and slightly better image do not justify the USD 600 (approx. RM2,800) premium. Retailers may cut prices further during events, but stock is limited and can vanish quickly, making Black Friday a gamble rather than a guaranteed win.

Timing Your Purchase by Size, Resolution, and Tier

The best TV buying timing depends on the type of set you want. New models usually appear after CES and reach stores in the first half of the year, which is often the ideal window to grab previous‑generation TVs before they sell out. If you want a larger screen or higher tier, last year’s flagship often beats this year’s entry‑level in both features and value, and you can use the savings for a soundbar or surround system. Shopping events like Black Friday can yield strong discounts on remaining stock, but low quantities mean popular sizes may disappear fast. In practical terms, buy now if you already know the resolution, HDR format, and refresh rate you need; waiting makes more sense only if you are flexible on size and model and can tolerate missing out if inventory dries up.

Buy if / Skip if

• Buy the previous‑generation flagship TV if you want top‑tier specs at a lower price and are happy with 4K, HDR10+/Dolby Vision, and 120–144Hz performance.
• Skip the previous‑generation flagship TV if you insist on the latest design updates and processors and are willing to pay a noticeable premium for marginal gains.
• Buy the current mid‑range smart TV if rising prices worry you and you prefer locking in a deal now rather than gambling on limited Black Friday stock.
• Skip the current mid‑range smart TV if you are flexible on screen size and model and want to chase possible clearance deals during major shopping events, accepting the risk of sell‑outs.