Sharp just stealth-dropped a set of five new 4K QLED TVs starting at $350. The new Aquos models will feature the TV interface Xumo and support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
Led by Comcast and Spectrum, the Xumo platform offers over 350 free channels and a variety of features, like Amazon Alexa and Apple AirPlay connectivity. Smart home fans can also leverage Apple's HomeKit for further integration across all of their devices.
Sharp's newest lineup is already available on various retailers, including its own store page, Amazon, and Best Buy.
The new Sharp Aquos TVs are 4K QLEDs with quantum dots and 60Hz panels, though it's unclear what type of panel they will use. It's also unclear how many HDMI ports they will have, or which among them will be HDMI 2.1 compatible for improved connectivity with modern gaming consoles.
Tom's Guide has reached out for further clarification on these features. Here's a breakdown of prices for each size variation:
- 50-inch: $350
- 55-inch: $400
- 65-inch: $500
- 75-inch: $750
- 85-inch: $1,100
Major competition for Roku and Amazon
On the surface, Sharp's new sets might seem like some of the best budget TVs to launch all year, but it's unclear how well they might perform against the competition. Add this to the fact that Xumo is a relatively small player in the face of Google TV or Roku, and Sharp's new TVs are a mixed bag of uncertainties.
Sharp also isn't the most well-known TV maker in the US. Back in 2015, Hisense scooped up Sharp's US TV business, but Sharp bought it back four years later. Since then, it's been making TVs for the US market, but most get left in the dust by major players like Roku and Amazon.
It's also important to note that Amazon recently announced a new lineup of TVs, including an Omni QLED TV that starts at $479. While Fire TV isn't the most beloved TV interface of the lot, it's definitely more well-known and offers far more features than Xumo.
We'll have to wait and see what Sharp's new Aquos Xumo TVs have to offer when we get them in for testing.
