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Well the fact that X900Fs are still seen aplenty despite being available at pretty good deals for a while, probably tells the story of how TVs have stagnated a bit (and how Sony and other 1st-tier-brands' high pricing seems to be getting long in the tooth among TV buyers, now often opting for the 2nd tier brands many of which are quite good these days). X900F is technically a 2018 model, X950G the 2019. When a 2020 will come along is up in the air as if it comes soon they will basically have three model years of the same level TV available at the same time--either the remaining X900Fs will have to then be offered really cheap or they will have to try to sell them out at the current clearance prices before showing the next model.

However what will the next thing for them to really come out with that's going to retain the interest of buyers? I.e. What could they do to the next version of this level TV that they haven't done already? X900F and X950G are already similar enough, the next thing is 8K but that's still to expensive to bring to a set of this cost I think--will probably be a year or two before that happens. It almost seems like the X950G will "carry over" a year instead of getting replaced but I guess we'll see.

The other things that might happen is they introduce more OLEDs--lower prices as well as smaller sizes but since I don't think Sony is making any of these panels it may be up to the panel makers (LG?) to have this filter down.

Other things on the horizon are ULED XD and MegaCon dual-layer panels but the former is Hisense and the latter is pro-realm tech of Panasonic's. Doesn't look like Sony or Samsung are headed that way any time soon. TCL is pushing the mini LED backlighting which should be more widely available for purchase in the coming months. Micro LED (the first new display type for TVs since OLED) is coming too but pricing will be above OLED whenever that drops. Micro LED seems to be headed up by both Samsung and Sony but again the prices of these TVs will be in the "several-thousand-for-a-65" realm. Unless by some magic 8K sets become available at significantly lower pricing than the past year, don't see what will really come in any new model other than fluff.

TBH it's the 2nd tier brands that are really making the headway now. They've come a long way and TCL, leading the pack, has made pretty significant leaps in market share. I'm actually quite impressed at their philosophy, their strive for vertical integration, and the quality and features they're providing at the price they are. Sony and Samsung are more or less just resting on laurels and demanding high prices for their offerings. Offerings which, outside of the very high-end, are pretty lacklustre/mediocre and aren't really worth it at all, not with the stuff TCL and Hisense are putting out for much less money.

Note that this is coming from someone that has almost exclusively bought Sony TVs over the years, and having seven Sony displays in the house. It's also coming from someone who used to condemn the 2nd tier brands as being cheap/crappy...crap, up until recently. (Granted still wouldn't buy or recommend 3rd tier stuff, wouldn't even buy low end 2nd tier.) I just bought my first TCL set and despite it not being a high-end set (5-series) and not being anything spectacular, it's still quite impressive and better than any Sony until you spend 2-3x the money, where Sonys, Samsungs, start to be worth it. However even then they may only be worth it then because they're the only ones at the higher end of things. Once stuff like ULED XD comes out, once the TCL 8s are more available (and one it gets to its second gen as well), I suspect the tides will begin to turn even harder on the first tier manufacturers, who will basically be reliant on the cutting edge (like micro LED) to remain on top and continue to charge premium prices across the board.

If you're not interested in the TCL 8-series, or seeing what Hisense will put out there with ULED XD (and where it will be priced), it's probably better to just get a clearance-priced set while you can. However if you're not going to even unbox/use it for a few months you should definitely wait as those things are coming and you may change your mind once you see what else comes out.

Hmm X900F is 2018 model so I'd imagine by then the 75s might all be gone. The 75X950G is significantly more expensive so this seems to be clearance pricing on the X900F. While I'd imagine the 75s might be gone by then, on the plus side the 85s might not meaning you might get an even better clearance deal on the 85 and net yourself a gi-normous TV that way lol. Granted it won't get as cheap as the 75 is selling for now but may come down a bit lower then the $4k it sells for right now (NB: 85X950G is over $5k atm).

On the other hand you could also wait for the 75X950G to go on clearance but that will likely go towards the later half of next year, depending on if/when the 2020 replacement launches. On the minus side of that the larger X950s have the dumb X-wide filter on them which means you get IPS-like contrast (read: crappy) while benefiting from better viewing angle. Depends on your use case as if you need better picture off-centre the X950G might be better; otherwise I'd stick to the straight-VA X900F as it's already much cheaper.

As a side note, Sony TVs tend to benefit from the best clearance deals as the reg. prices are jacked up so high to begin with. Samsung too but I think out of all the brands Sony commands the most pricing premium, something that becomes evident once the "steal deals" come around when it's model clearance time. The smaller X900Fs however have not had that great price reductions TBH...the 49" is basically the same price as the 55", and the 55" is nearly the same price as the X950G in the same size. Not sure how Sony seems to get away with this but I'm glad I got my Z9D when I did

Back in 2009, the local paper put up a story in the middle of the day on their website and highlighted a guy who had been first in line at one of the Visions here by lining up at 6 pm on Christmas Day Eve (so 12 hours before it opened), for a 46" Sony HDTV that was on sale for like $700 or something.

I had woken up at 5:30 am on Boxing Day, driven to that same Visions, gotten in line at like 5:50 am, and got the same TV.

That was the first and last time I ever did the line up on Boxing Day (in large part because starting next year I worked every single one for 6 straight years >_>)

But this was long gone...

Reliving the good ol' days..

Not as good of a deal as the 5tb for $100: https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/se ... k/13862227

How’s the Echo Show 5? Good?

How’s the Echo Show 5? Good?

That stark photo makes me feel so old. Back in the day, lining up 150 or more deep, in -25c degrees, snow/freezing rain, etc. "back when I was a kid" lol

Ain't that the truth. Even when you lineup and get into the store "sorry, the item you want, that's an online only special" wow, thanks

-Jamie M.

Bestbuy whitby, 1 hr before open, nobody here except one other car, nuts

Edit: and that other car is an employee, lol. 45 minutes till open, still just me!


-Jamie M.

Too many people are hoping for a flyer full of lava hot deals, it's just not going to happen anymore.

Boxing day lineup tradition really went down the hill with online shopping. It's tiring but also exciting lining up with friends.