“Why does it look so much better now?” That was the response of a seven-year-old viewing cartoons on the Roku Pro Series QLED TV, according to a Wired reviewer. It’s one that many who have seen the jump in brightness and color saturation of this flagship mini-LED TV can attest. Where OLED excels at providing true black levels to mimic cinema-like settings, QLED outdoes—literally—by providing brighter images more appropriate for daily viewing under changing lighting conditions. Roku Pro Series is a milestone for the company in being its first own-brand high-end TV.
Beginning at $899.99 on the 55-inch model, this display aligns price with innovation to be a better alternative that is distinct from other purchasers who do not need or need a high-end unit at premiums. Mini-LED backlight offers deep contrast and brightness, supported by local dimming for added light control. At less than 900 nits of brightness, the Pro Series shows rich HDR material, but lacking the inky blacks of OLED screens. Possibly the Pro Series’ nicest-looking aspect is its simple-to-use interface, an area Roku has remained committed to keeping with its focus on simplicity.
Compared to messy platforms like Samsung’s Tizen or LG’s webOS, Roku’s OS is simplicity personified with clean menus and easy navigation. As per a review in TechRadar, the interface simplifies setup to pushover status, with automatic detection of connected devices such as gaming consoles and soundbars. This TechRadar review carries over well to app management, where tiles for streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ are well labeled, not needing to dig through an ocean of suggestions. The Pro Series’ looks are also considerate.
Its frame, which has a shadowbox build, is also thicker, and the TV lies flat on the wall when installed. Not only is it pleasing to look at but also it makes room for larger, side-firing speakers to provide cleaner sound. Dolby Atmos certification produces an enveloping soundfield, albeit somewhat unimpressive in terms of bass performance. Cable system and toolless stand mounting on the TV will delight clean-freak shoppers. Gamers will appreciate the Pro Series’ advanced gaming capabilities, such as having two HDMI 2.1 inputs that can handle 4K 120Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode).
They are great features for it to be a great companion for next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The input lag is also extremely low at 9.4ms for quick gaming. The TV will also automatically enter Game mode whenever a console has been detected, making it even more smooth. While the Pro Series is great in usability and design, its picture quality, as great as it is, has its constraints.
The TV isn’t short of next-gen HDR formats such as Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+, which provide enhanced pictures based on light and matter that are being displayed. Both of its maximum brightness and color saturation fall just a notch behind pricier alternatives such as Samsung’s S90D QD-OLED. As a review in Wired review, the S90D features pixel-level dimming and a peak of 1,240 nits of brightness, so it is a more cinematic picture option. For all of those compromises aside, the Roku Pro Series is a great value at its current price.
Its use of mini-LED tech, simplified UI, and well-designed product make it a potential mid-range TV market leader. The presence of some new features such as Smart Picture Max, which configures scene by scene, and future art mode where the TV is capable of being used as digital canvas, just makes it a good purchase. Home entertainment fans who desire a TV that offers functionality without requiring an exorbitant price will find Roku Pro Series to be a good option. Its intuitive interface, superior performance, and cutting-edge features make it an excellent addition to any living room. From streaming, playing games, or simply watching cartoons with the kids during summer break, this TV provides an experience that’s fun and functional.
