Should You Buy an Old Model or Wait for the New? Here’s What You Need to Know
Buying a new TV is a bit like playing the stock market. Prices go up, prices go down, and timing your purchase just right can save you a serious chunk of cash. But should you wait for the next big sale, snap up last year’s flagship TV at a discount, or hold out for the latest models?
At Smart Home Sounds, we’ve seen the trends, we know the tricks of the trade, and we’re here to help you make the smartest buying decision. So, if you’re looking to get the best TV for the best price, here’s when to buy, when to wait, and when to stop overthinking it and just enjoy your new setup.
🎥 Check out our in-depth video below, where we cover the best deals, what to expect from 2025 models, and whether last year’s TVs are still worth it!
Best Times of the Year to Buy a TV
Retailers love a good sales event, and lucky for us, there are several prime opportunities throughout the year to grab a bargain. Whether you’re after a premium OLED or a budget-friendly big screen, here’s when you’ll typically find the best discounts.
1. Black Friday & Cyber Monday
If you’re hunting for the absolute lowest prices, Black Friday (November) and Cyber Monday (December) are hard to beat. Retailers slash prices on TVs of all sizes and brands to attract shoppers looking to buy over the festive period.
That said, stock can sell out fast, so it’s always good to act quickly when you spot a great deal. It’s also worth knowing that some retailers inflate prices beforehand to make discounts seem bigger. So, we’d recommend doing a bit of research on price history can help ensure you’re getting the best value before you buy.
🏅 Best For: Big discounts on the most popular models
2. Spring Clearance Sales
If you want premium quality for less, spring (March to June) is hands-down the best time to buy a TV. Why? Because new models typically launch between March and May, which means retailers start slashing prices on last year’s high-end sets to make room for fresh stock.
Most TV brands like LG, Sony, and Samsung release their new models between March and May. So, If you're not fussed about having the absolute latest features, we’d say this is one of the most underrated times of the year to pick up a high-end TV, often at a fraction of what it originally cost. Plus, you get to enjoy your new setup straight away instead of waiting months for another big sale.
Take the LG G4 OLED, for example. It launched at £3,300 for the 65” model, but 12 months later? It had dropped to under £2,000—a massive 40% off!
That's not to say if you'd bought the LG G4 at full price when it launched, you would've made a mistake (sometimes nothing beats enjoying the best tech on day one). It just means if you’d waited until spring you’d be in an even better position to get high-end performance for significantly less.
It’s a big ask for a new model to be 40% better than its predecessor. TV technology improves incrementally, with refinements in brightness, processing power, and software rather than groundbreaking leaps every year. So while this year’s LG G5 TV might be an upgrade, it’s worth weighing up whether the actual improvements are worth paying hundreds or even thousands more at launch.
🏅 Best For: Massive savings on last year’s flagship TVs
3. Big Sporting Events
Let's be honest, when the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup are coming around, we all want a bigger TV, right? The good news is, you can often find some great discounts in the months before these events. It's a bit of a waiting game to see which models go on sale, but regardless of whether you're a sports fan or not, it's definitely worth paying attention.
🏅 Best For: Great deals on mid-range and large-screen TVs.
Should You Wait for Next Year’s TVs?
Ah, the classic dilemma... Do you buy now, or wait for the newest release from your favourite brand? Every January, brands like LG, Samsung & Sony unveil their new models at CES, promising all sorts of improvements. But here’s the reality:
🚫 New models launch at full price, meaning they won’t be the best value until much later.
🚫 You’ll pay 30-40% more for what could be a small overall visual performance bump
🚫 Waiting for Black Friday 2025 means missing out on a whole year of enjoyment!
🚫 Sometimes, buying a TV isn’t a want; it’s a necessity.
Sure, if money is no object and you have to have the absolute latest tech, go for it. But in our opinion, if you want the best bang for your buck, last year’s models are definitely worth keeping an eye .
The great thing is, whichever way you look at it, there’s never really a bad time to buy a new TV. You get to choose between the excitement of being an early adopter, experiencing the latest and greatest tech from day one, or snapping up an incredible deal on last year’s top-tier models. Both options have their perks—it just comes down to what matters most to you.
Top TV Picks Right Now (Best Value in 2025)
If you’re considering a 2024 TV before they disappear, here are some top models worth considering:
| TV Model | Best For | Why Buy It Now? |
| LG G4 OLED | Premium OLED fans | Huge price drop, stunning picture quality, flagship specs. |
| LG C4 OLED | Best All-Rounder | High-end OLED performance at a mid-range price. |
| Sony A95L QD-OLED | Sony OLED Lovers | A 2023 model, but still a top-tier OLED at a lower price. |
| Samsung S95D OLED | LG G4 Alternative | Brilliant OLED panel, great for gaming & movies. |
| Sony BRAVIA 9 Mini LED | Bright, Well-Lit Rooms | Premium Mini-LED TV with incredible HDR performance. |
🛒 Why Buy From Smart Home Sounds? Expert advice, price match promise, free next-day UK delivery, 0% finance options, and top-tier customer support—everything you need for a hassle-free TV upgrade.
Our Verdict: When Should You Buy a TV?
So, how do you know when to pull the trigger on a new TV? Historically, prices drop the most when new stock arrives, as retailers work to clear out the last of the previous models. The longer you wait, the better the deals tend to get—but wait too long, and you might miss out on stock altogether.
In general, the sweet spot for buying a previous year’s model is between March and June, when clearance discounts are at their peak. But there will always be a sense of “what if”—what if you held on for an even better price, or what if you waited for the newest tech? The key is to find a TV that ticks your boxes, feels like an exciting purchase, and comes at a price you’re happy to pay.
At the end of the day, a good deal is a good deal. If you’re happy with the TV you’re getting and the price you’re paying, go for it and enjoy your new setup!
Other Useful Content
Blog: LG G4 vs Samsung S95D: Which OLED TV is Right For You?
Video: TV Panel Type Buying Guide: OLED vs QLED vs QNED vs Micro LED vs Mini LED & More
Blog: QLED vs OLED: The Differences That Actually Matter
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