Modern smart TVs have a fatal flaw: the software ages significantly faster than the hardware. A beautiful 4K panel can easily last a decade, but the built-in operating system will become a laggy, ad-filled, bloated mess within three years. Add in the privacy concerns of viewing data collection and unskippable interface ads, and it is easy to see why tech enthusiasts are pivoting back to “dumb” screens.
The new power-user move is to buy a display that does nothing but show a picture, and pair it with a dedicated, high-power streaming box (like an Apple TV 4K or Nvidia Shield) that you can easily replace when it inevitably gets slow.
Here are the best ways to get a high-quality “dumb” screen in 2026.
Samsung — 65” 4K BEFX-H Business Pro TV
You don’t have to be a business owner to buy a commercial display. Screens like the Samsung Business Pro series are designed to be mounted in sports bars or menu boards, meaning they are engineered to run 16 hours a day without failing. They offer crisp 4K UHD resolution and high dynamic range, but lack the consumer-facing bloatware and complex smart menus.
Sceptre — 50-inch 4K UHD LED TV (U515CV-U)
Sceptre is one of the last brands actively producing true, non-smart TVs for the consumer market. There is no Ethernet port, no Wi-Fi antenna, and no user agreements to sign when you turn it on. It is an incredibly affordable, barebones LED panel with multiple HDMI ports that just works right out of the box.
Sony — 77″ Class BRAVIA XR A95L OLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (2023)
You can’t buy a flagship, top-tier consumer TV that doesn’t have a smart OS baked in. However, you can bypass it. The Sony A95L is arguably the best-looking TV on the market. Because it runs on the Google TV platform, you are given a choice during the initial setup: “Google TV” or “Basic TV.” Choosing Basic Mode strips away all the smart features, apps, and internet connectivity, turning this masterpiece into a glorious, high-end input switcher.
If you want to keep costs low and avoid the internet entirely, the Sceptre 50-inch is the most straightforward option. If you want longevity and commercial-grade reliability, the Samsung Pro TV is a brilliant workaround. But if you want a true cinematic experience without the smart-TV lag, the Sony Bravia XR A95L OLED (running in Basic Mode) is the ultimate 2026 living room setup.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.