TVs on Black Friday 2025: Your OLED vs QLED Buying Guide (With Real Price Data)

Look, I get it. You're staring at that LG C4 OLED "doorbuster" deal, calculator in one hand, credit card in the other, wondering if you're about to score the deal of the year or get played by retail psychology. I've been tracking TV prices for seven Black Fridays now, and here's what most "experts" won't tell you: about 40% of TV "deals" are actually more expensive than random sales throughout the year.

But here's the thing - the other 60%? Those include some genuinely fantastic deals that won't resurface until next year's Super Bowl (and even then, only maybe). The trick is knowing which is which. After analyzing pricing data from the last three years and comparing over 200 TV models, I've built a framework that'll tell you exactly when to pull the trigger and when to keep that wallet closed.

This guide isn't another "here are today's deals" listicle that'll be outdated tomorrow. Instead, I'm giving you the exact price thresholds, model decoder rings, and decision frameworks I use to evaluate any TV deal - whether it's Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or some random Tuesday in March. We'll also expose the dirty tricks retailers use with model numbers and why that "exclusive" Walmart TV might not be the bargain it seems.

Photo by Barnabas Davoti on Pexels

Our Verdict: Buy These TVs, Wait on Those

The Exact Price Thresholds That Signal Real Deals

Forget percentage discounts - they're meaningless when retailers inflate MSRPs right before sales. Instead, use these specific price points I've calculated based on three years of price tracking. If a TV hits these numbers, it's statistically in the bottom 10% of annual pricing.

Cracking the Model Number Code (Don't Get Fooled)

Retailers love to confuse you with model numbers. That "amazing deal" on an LG OLED might actually be last year's model - or worse, a stripped-down version made specifically for Black Friday. Here's how to decode what you're actually buying.

LG OLED Model Decoder

Samsung's Confusing Lineup

Samsung makes it deliberately confusing, but here's the key: Look at the letters after the size. S90C = 2023 OLED, S95D = 2024 QD-OLED (their best), Q80C = 2023 QLED (not OLED!). The "UN" prefix instead of "QN"? That's often a Black Friday special with cheaper components.

OLED vs QLED vs Mini-LED: The 2025 Reality Check

Everyone obsesses over OLED, but lemme tell you - that's not always the right choice. After testing all three technologies side by side in different lighting conditions, here's when each actually makes sense.

Choose OLED When:

• You primarily watch in a dim or dark room (OLED's infinite contrast shines here)
• You're a movie enthusiast who values perfect blacks over peak brightness
• You can control reflections (OLED's lower brightness struggles in sunny rooms)
• You're willing to baby the TV a bit (yes, burn-in is rare but still possible)
• Gaming with varied content (OLED's pixel-level response time is unmatched)

Choose QLED/Mini-LED When:

• Your TV is in a bright living room with lots of windows
• You watch tons of sports or news (static graphics + high brightness = burn-in risk)
• You want the biggest screen for your dollar (QLED is cheaper at 75"+)
• Kids or roommates who might leave the TV paused for hours
• You prioritize brightness for HDR impact over perfect blacks

The Dirty Tricks Retailers Don't Want You to Notice

After tracking thousands of "deals," I've catalogued every trick in the book. Here are the ones that fool even savvy shoppers.

The "Exclusive Model" Scam

Walmart's selling an LG C3 for $200 less than Best Buy? Check the model number. If it ends in "WUA" instead of "PUA," you're looking at a derivative model. These TVs are built to hit a price point, not to deliver the full experience. Common downgrades include:

• Two HDMI 2.1 ports instead of four (goodbye, PS5 + Xbox + soundbar at 4K/120Hz)
• 60Hz panel instead of 120Hz (masked by motion smoothing)
• Lower peak brightness (600 nits vs 800 nits)
• Cheaper remote without backlight or voice control
• Missing VRR or ALLM for gaming

The "Percentage Off" Illusion

That "65% OFF MSRP!" deal? Retailers literally changed the MSRP two weeks ago. I tracked a Samsung Q80C that had an MSRP of $1,299 in October. Come November 1st? Suddenly the MSRP is $1,899, making that $1,099 Black Friday price look like a steal. Plot twist: It sold for $1,049 during a random Tuesday sale in September.

The Inventory Dump

See a 2022 model at "only" 40% off? That's not a deal - it's inventory clearing. These TVs have been sitting in warehouses for 18+ months. The technology is two generations old, the warranty clock has been ticking, and next year's budget models will outperform them. Unless it's 60% off or more, hard pass.

Smart Shopping Timeline: When to Actually Buy

Black Friday isn't always the best time to buy a TV. Here's my data-backed shopping calendar based on three years of price tracking:

Better Alternatives Most People Miss

Sometimes the best Black Friday strategy is... not buying on Black Friday. Here are the alternatives that consistently deliver better value.

The Costco Play

Costco's warranty alone changes the math. Their credit card adds 2 years to the manufacturer warranty (total of 3-4 years), plus their legendary return policy. Even if the TV costs $50 more than Best Buy, the warranty value tips the scales. Plus, their derivative models (AUA suffix) are often better than other retailers' versions.

Open-Box at Best Buy

Best Buy's open-box excellent condition TVs are typically customer returns within the return window - nothing wrong with them. You can stack these with Black Friday pricing. I've seen LG C3 OLEDs for $850 in "excellent" condition when the new price was $1,099. That's a 22% discount on top of the sale price.

The "Wait for CES" Strategy

CES happens in early January. Once manufacturers announce new models, last year's inventory must go. If you can wait until late January, you'll often beat Black Friday prices by 10-15%. The sweet spot? The week before Super Bowl when retailers are desperate to clear space.

Use Our Deal Sanity Checker

Not sure if that TV deal is actually good? Our Deal Sanity Checker analyzes the model, compares it to historical pricing, factors in derivative model downgrades, and gives you a simple "Buy/Wait/Run" verdict.

Gaming TVs: The HDMI 2.1 Reality Check

If you own a PS5 or Xbox Series X (or plan to), HDMI 2.1 isn't optional - it's essential for 4K/120Hz gaming. But here's what nobody's telling you: not all HDMI 2.1 ports are created equal.

The Full HDMI 2.1 Checklist

• 4K at 120Hz: The headline feature (many TVs cap at 4K/60Hz)
• VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): Eliminates screen tearing
• ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode): Automatically switches to game mode
• eARC: For lossless audio to your soundbar/receiver
• 48Gbps bandwidth: Full bandwidth, not the 40Gbps some TVs offer

For competitive gaming, anything under 10ms input lag is excellent. But here's the kicker: many Black Friday "gaming TVs" only have HDMI 2.1 on specific ports (usually 3 and 4). If you're running a PS5, Xbox, gaming PC, and eARC soundbar, you'll need all four ports.

Return Policies: Your Secret Weapon

The return policy might be worth more than the discount. Here's how major retailers stack up for Black Friday TV purchases:

The Professional Calibration Question

You dropped $1,500 on that OLED. Should you spend another $300 on professional calibration? After having three TVs calibrated and comparing to self-calibration, here's my take:

Skip professional calibration if you're using the TV for mixed content in a living room. The $300 is better spent upgrading to a better model. However, DIY calibration using the TV's built-in settings can get you 85% there in 20 minutes:

1. Set picture mode to "Cinema" or "Movie" (never Vivid or Dynamic)
2. Warm color temperature (might look yellow at first - your eyes adjust in 2 days)
3. Turn off all motion smoothing (the soap opera effect)
4. Disable "Dynamic Contrast" and "Edge Enhancement"
5. Set OLED Light/Backlight based on room (dark room: 40-50, bright room: 80-100)
6. Leave Contrast at default (usually 85-90)
7. Adjust Brightness using a test pattern (YouTube has plenty)

The only folks who should consider professional calibration? Home theater enthusiasts with dedicated dark rooms and projectors or reference monitors for color-critical work.

Size Matters: The Viewing Distance Formula

Before you buy that 85" monster because it's "only" $500 more, let's talk viewing distances. THX recommends a 40-degree viewing angle for immersive content. Here's what that actually means:

Sitting too close to a big TV causes eye strain and you'll see individual pixels. Too far from a small TV and you're missing the detail you paid for. Measure your actual viewing distance before Black Friday - it might save you $1,000 on a TV that's too big for your space.

The Bottom Line: Your Black Friday TV Action Plan

After all this analysis, here's your simple action plan for Black Friday 2025 TV shopping:

1. Measure your space first. That 85" TV isn't a deal if it overwhelms your room.
2. Set price alerts now for specific models at your target prices. Don't wait for ads.
3. Focus on 2023 OLEDs (C3, S90C, A80L) for the best value-to-performance ratio.
4. Verify model numbers to avoid derivative models unless the discount is 25%+ extra.
5. Use Costco or credit card warranties instead of paying for extended coverage.
6. Don't fear missing out - Super Bowl sales in 8 weeks often match Black Friday.
7. Screenshot everything - prices, model numbers, and deals for price matching later.

Look, I know it's tempting to get swept up in the "50% OFF! TODAY ONLY!" madness. But remember: retailers are counting on your FOMO. The TV market is more predictable than they want you to believe. Stick to the price thresholds I've outlined, avoid the derivative model traps, and you'll actually get a great deal instead of just thinking you did.

The best TV deal isn't always the biggest discount - it's the right TV for your space, at a genuinely good price, from a retailer with solid return policies. Everything else is just marketing noise.

Want to compare specific TV models or check deals on other Black Friday categories? Check out our laptop buying guide or see how gaming console bundles stack up this year.