Choosing a TV: size, screen type and the specs that matter
How to choose a TV in South Africa: the right size for your lounge, what LED, QLED, Mini LED and OLED mean, and the few specs worth checking.
The rugby's on Saturday. The braai is sorted, the chairs are in place, and as everyone settles in front of the TV you notice what you've been ignoring for a while: it looks small. Last time it was the biggest in the shop. Now it's the screen everyone squints at from the couch.
TVs have got bigger, better and cheaper per inch, and the spec sheets have got more confusing. Here's how to choose a TV on the things that change what you see: size, screen type, and the handful of specs worth checking.
What to decide first
How far away will you sit? Measure from the couch to the wall. It decides the size.
How bright is the room? A sunny lounge with big windows needs a brighter TV than a dark TV room.
What will you watch? Sport, movies, gaming or a bit of everything. Fast sport and gaming reward a higher refresh rate; movies reward contrast.
Where will it go? Wall or stand, and whether there's room for a soundbar.
How to choose a TV size
A simple rule for 4K: sit about one to one and a half times the screen's diagonal away. At about 2.5 metres from the couch, a 65 or 75 inch TV is the right size for 4K. Closer to 2 metres, 55 or 65 inches works. Bigger rooms suit 85 inches and up. If you're between sizes and the budget allows, go bigger.
Screen type
4K LED (sometimes called UHD or Crystal UHD) is the value choice. A good picture for everyday TV and sport, with less brightness and contrast than the premium types.
QLED and Mini LED are the step up. QLED sets add a quantum-dot layer for richer colour. Mini LED sets use thousands of tiny backlights for better contrast and brightness, and most add quantum dots too. Both suit bright rooms and sport very well. Some brands call their premium Mini LED sets Neo QLED.
OLED lights each pixel on its own, giving perfect blacks, excellent contrast and wide viewing angles. It's the best picture for movies in a dimmer room, at a higher price, and slightly less bright than the best Mini LED sets.
| Screen type | Best for | Price band, 65 inch |
|---|---|---|
| 4K LED | Value, everyday TV | R9,000 to R12,000 |
| QLED or Mini LED | Bright rooms, sport | R11,000 to R15,000 |
| Premium LED (Neo QLED, Micro RGB) | Bright rooms, movies | R15,000 to R40,000 |
| OLED | Movies, darker rooms | R30,000 and up |
The specs that matter
Refresh rate. 100 or 120 Hz makes fast sport and gaming smoother than 50 or 60 Hz. Check the real number, not the "motion" marketing figure.
HDR support. HDR10 is standard; Dolby Vision or HDR10+ are useful extras for streaming.
HDMI 2.1. For a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, look for HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K at 120 Hz.
Sound. Thin TVs have thin sound. Budget for a soundbar if you watch movies or sport loudly.
What to ignore. 8K for most people, made-up picture-engine names, and contrast ratios with lots of zeros.
Where the deals are
TV brands launch new ranges in the first half of the year, and last year's models are marked down as stock clears. The gap in picture quality between one year and the next is usually small. Our guide to electronics launch cycles and old stock explains how to read those markdowns.
Black Friday and big sporting events bring heavy TV promotions in South Africa too, so compare the exact model number at another shop before you trust the percentage. The Electronics Shop ranks live electronics deals from the shops we track by REALRANK™. It reads six things: how deep the discount is, how much it saves in rand, how the price compares to other shops, whether the brand is one people search for, how recently the price dropped, and whether it's in stock across sizes.
Before you pay
Match the full model number, because one name can cover several sizes and years. Check what's in the box (stand, remote, wall bracket). Ask about delivery and installation for big screens, and check for damage before you sign. Keep the invoice for the warranty and the Consumer Protection Act's six-month defect right. Our playbook on electronics warranties and returns covers what to do if something goes wrong.
Before you buy, Check The Deal. Shop great electronics deals, verified and ranked by REALRANK™.
Frequently asked questions
What size TV should I buy?
Measure your viewing distance. At about 2.5 metres, a 65 or 75 inch 4K TV suits most people. If you're between sizes, go bigger.
Is OLED better than QLED?
OLED gives perfect blacks and the best contrast, ideal for movies in a darker room. QLED and Mini LED are brighter, which suits sunny lounges and sport.
What is Mini LED?
An LED TV with thousands of tiny backlights, giving better contrast and brightness than standard LED. Some brands call premium versions Neo QLED.
Do I need a 120 Hz TV?
For fast sport and modern gaming consoles, 100 or 120 Hz is worth having. For everyday viewing, it matters less.
Where are the best TV deals in South Africa?
The Electronics Shop on THE REAL DEAL ranks live electronics deals from the shops we track by REALRANK™.
Sources
- Samsung South Africa, 65 inch TVs by screen type and price, read 22 October 2026
- Samsung South Africa, all TVs (price bands across sizes), read 22 October 2026
- Consumer Protection Act, section 56, implied warranty of quality, read 19 October 2026
Written by Dean. Reviewed 27 October 2026. Price bands are for a decent option at full price, rounded, and change; the live deals show today's prices. Some links earn THE REAL DEAL a commission. Placement buys visibility, it never touches REALRANK™.