After selling off its final LCD factories to TCL, LG is now sourcing its QNED evo lineup directly from China. The irony cuts deep: the same MiniLED tech that’s fueling TCL’s rise is now at the core of LG’s comeback attempt. Even more complicated, LG’s imported QNED TVs land in a U.S. market increasingly hostile to Chinese manufacturing, thanks to mounting tariffs.

LG claims the new QNED series offers richer, more realistic colors across light and dark environments. But unlike traditional QLEDs, the company is touting its proprietary “Dynamic QNED Colour” engine, a different path from the quantum dot technology dominating elsewhere.

Powering the experience is LG’s in-house Alpha AI Processor 3 and WebOS. But beyond sharper images and curated recommendations, there’s a much larger play happening quietly in the background: data collection. LG has admitted to raking in over $1.5 billion last year by selling user data harvested through its smart TVs, including browsing habits, viewing preferences, and even voice profiles through AI Voice ID.

Tightly integrated AI features like AI Concierge, AI Picture Pro, and AI Search further deepen the company’s behavioral tracking. Combined with Microsoft’s Copilot integration and a web of cloud-based analytics, LG’s televisions are becoming potent data hubs disguised as entertainment centers.

And if you think you can easily opt out? LG’s warranty terms suggest otherwise. Turning off tracking isn’t just hard, it’s almost impossible without crippling the TV’s smart features.

Meanwhile, TCL Electronics just reported an 11.4 percent rise in Q1 2025 TV shipments and a 22.3 percent surge in sales revenue, driven by strong demand for larger and MiniLED TVs. The company is expanding its premium footprint globally, even as North American shipments saw a slight dip.

(Via)

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