Roku’s new 4K TVs are brighter – and use AI to automatically adjust for the best picture
In 2024, Roku will mark its 10th anniversary as the number one smart TV platform in the US, a ranking the company says is based on total hours streamed. But that's not the only Roku landmark worth celebrating, as the company has announced the new Pro Series, a line of mini LED TVs in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch screen sizes that will hit stores this spring.
Similar to the Roku Plus Series Televisions which the company introduced in 2023, the new sets feature a 4K QLED display panel with full array local dimming. And while the Plus Series is a great budget option for 4K TVs, it has only average peak brightness compared to the best TVs, a limitation that the mini-LED backlighting on the new Pro Series models will likely improve on.
In addition to the promise of better brightness, the Pro series will come with Roku Smart Picture, a new feature that uses “artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data from content partners to automatically adjust the picture for an optimized viewing experience,” according to the company.
Roku's design for the Pro Series allows the TVs to rest flat against a wall, and both a Roku-designed wall mount and a new premium remote control will also be available.
Roku hasn't yet specified prices for the new TVs, though it says the 75-inch model will sell for less than $1,500 at release.
Analysis: Roku's Pro Series could be the new best value 4K TV
When I tested a Roku Plus series TV in 2023, I found that it offered very good picture quality at a reasonable price. I've also been a long-time fan of the Roku smart TV interface, which has a sleek, streamlined look that makes many other smart TV home screens look like a jumbled mess in comparison.
However, the budget TV landscape has become crowded, and a good picture plus a sleek smart interface really isn't enough to make Roku stand out among brands like Hisense and TCL that also sell cheaper TVs – with a mini LED backlight in both cases capable of impressive clarity.
That situation could change with the Pro series. Roku's addition of mini-LED technology to its upcoming flagship means that high peak brightness – a benefit for both daytime TV viewing and for watching movies with HDR – will be another picture quality plus in the new models.
While details about the new AI-powered Roku Smart Picture feature are scarce, the company has argued that most TV owners never adjust their TV's default picture settings. Therefore, the TV can automatically optimize the images based on both the viewing environment And the specific program being shown could significantly improve the experience for the average viewer.
In 2023 we opted for the Amazon FireTV Omni QLED as the cheapest TV in our region Ny Breaking Choice Awards. That model has almost the same peak brightness as the Roku Plus series, but uses a much busier smart interface, one that Amazon programs and services are aggressively pushing. If the new Pro series can surpass the Amazon Omni QLED when it comes to brightness, and do so at a lower price than other budget mini LED models, Roku could very well be on its way to taking our best value TV crown before 2024.
We'll have more to say about the new Roku Pro Series TV after we do a proper review this spring. In the meantime, we'll see what the competition brings us CES 2024 from January 9 to 12 in Las Vegas, where all the new top televisions will be on display.