Christopher Nolan, the Oscar-winning director whose new version of “The Odyssey” is currently conquering the box office, said it’s been “pretty encouraging” to see deep skepticism of AI, especially from young people.

Nolan was responding to a question from interviewer Hugo Travers, who publishes on YouTube under the name HugoDécrypte. Travers brought up the legendary Trojan horse, which plays a key role in Nolan’s film — just as the horse was a gift concealing murderous Greek invaders, he wondered if AI might be something “that you welcome in your daily life” only to see it become “something else and something darker.”

Laughing, Nolan responded, “I think AI is a Trojan horse that everybody knows the Greeks are inside.” He later described the technology as “a transparent horse, it’s made of glass.”

“I’ve never seen a technology advancing so rapidly [that’s been] so completely rejected by the public,” he said. “Everybody’s suspicion of it is so extreme, particularly young people. The reaction to AI videos online and people my children’s age immediately calling it ‘AI slop’ and coining that term and just putting it in a box.”

In Nolan’s view, this is “a very healthy skepticism, because technology is always going to give us great gifts, as you say, but it has to be viewed with skepticism.” Similarly, he said, “The motives of the people giving it to us also have to be viewed with skepticism. That’s when we’ll get the best out of a new technology, rather than just blind faith that everything’s going to be great.” (Meanwhile, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been angrily posting about the film’s nonwhite and transgender cast members.)

Nolan didn’t get more specific about what he views as the threat from AI, but the technology has been a growing source of concern in Hollywood and was a major focus during the writers’ and actors’ strikes of 2023. The Directors Guild of America, where Nolan is president, also won some generative AI protections in its most recent contract.

The director has been famously resistant to other technologies, including smartphones; his embrace of film can make him seem simultaneously like a Luddite and a pioneer, with “The Odyssey” becoming the first feature film to be shot entirely on Imax film and cameras.

When The New York Times recently asked Nolan if he thinks of himself as a technophobe, he replied, “I think of myself as a techno-skeptic,” and said his love of film comes from the fact that it’s “better in terms of representing the way the eye sees the world than any digital imaging system I’ve seen.”

“I embrace new technology all the time, but it tends to be sold to people at the expense of systems that might still be valid and viable,” Nolan said. “That’s what I saw in my industry — throwing the baby out with the bath water. We almost lost film!”

Modern cars are no longer machines that stay the same after they leave the showroom. Increasingly, they’re becoming software-defined vehicles that receive new features, bug fixes, and security patches wirelessly, much like smartphones. But while over-the-air (OTA) updates have made vehicle maintenance easier and cheaper, cybersecurity experts are warning that the same technology could also become one of the automotive industry’s biggest security challenges.

Researchers and policymakers are now calling for stronger oversight as connected vehicles become increasingly dependent on remote software updates. Their concern isn’t just about hackers stealing personal data. It’s about someone potentially interfering with the operation of a moving vehicle.

The convenience of wireless updates comes with new risks

OTA technology allows manufacturers to remotely deliver software updates, firmware upgrades and security patches without requiring owners to visit a dealership. Tesla popularized the concept more than a decade ago when it began rolling out wireless updates for the Model S in 2012. Today, the feature has become commonplace across premium and mainstream vehicles alike.

For consumers, the advantages are obvious. Carmakers can quickly fix software bugs, improve battery management, add new infotainment features or even enhance driving performance without issuing expensive recalls. According to a CNBC report quoting Siraj Ahmed Shaikh, Professor of Systems Security at Swansea University, OTA updates have become an attractive alternative to traditional servicing because they reduce costs and shorten deployment times. Instead of waiting for scheduled maintenance, manufacturers can address issues almost instantly.

However, the same always-connected architecture that enables these updates also creates a larger attack surface. Cybersecurity analysts argue that internet-connected vehicles effectively function as rolling computers. If attackers were to compromise the update infrastructure or gain privileged access to vehicle software, the consequences could extend well beyond data theft.

Gabriel Lim, Senior Analyst at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told CNBC that the issue represents a potential national security concern. Beyond questions surrounding user privacy, governments are increasingly examining whether foreign manufacturers or hostile actors could theoretically interfere with vehicle systems remotely. Those concerns have prompted several countries to reassess how connected vehicles should be regulated.

Governments are beginning to take the threat seriously

The debate intensified after Norwegian public transport operator Ruter conducted security tests on electric buses last year. The company reported that one vehicle’s battery and power management system could be accessed remotely through a mobile network connection. In theory, it concluded, the manufacturer could disable or immobilize the bus remotely.

Although the investigation focused on buses manufactured by Chinese company Yutong, experts caution that the problem isn’t unique to any single automaker or country. Instead, they see it as an industry-wide challenge tied to the growing adoption of connected vehicle platforms. The findings prompted authorities in both the United Kingdom and Denmark to launch their own investigations, with the UK’s Department for Transport working alongside the National Cyber Security Centre to examine potential vulnerabilities.

Similar concerns are also beginning to shape policy discussions in the United States. Earlier this year, the American Enterprise Institute argued that protecting connected vehicles from foreign espionage should become a strategic priority. The think tank recommended stronger security reviews, greater transparency around vehicle data collection, and tighter restrictions on certain foreign-made automotive software and hardware.

The implications stretch well beyond passenger cars. OTA technology is increasingly finding its way into buses, commercial fleets, rail systems, ships, industrial robots and drones. As more critical infrastructure becomes remotely updateable, experts say cybersecurity can no longer be treated as an afterthought. Wireless updates are undoubtedly making vehicles smarter and more capable. But they’re also changing the definition of automotive safety. In the software-defined era, protecting a car increasingly means protecting the code running inside it, because the next cyberattack may not target your laptop or smartphone. It could target the vehicle you’re driving.

Building a PC used to be a fun adventure — what’s the latest, what’s the greatest, what can I afford? Well, that last question seems to have taken over and sucked all the fun out for a lot of people. [Matt] from [DIY Perks] on YouTube has hit upon a solution that’s brought back the fun, at least for him: recycling! The video is embedded below, and he runs a forum whose thread has more details.

Long story short, though, he’s flagging recycled laptop components as both good value for money and a fun rabbit hole to go down researching parts. The best part, of course, is that you can get a mobo with 32GB of RAM soldered on, and embedded RTX graphics, and a decent processor for about what you’d pay for that RAM on sticks these days. The big hack is getting the dang thing started: he needed to make a single-pin ribbon cable after identifying which pin on the keyboard membrane hit the power button. If you can score a laptop that does not power on from the keyboard, you’ll have an easier time in that regard.

To take recycling further, he shows how to delaminate cracked glass from an old Intel iMac to get a better-than-4K retina screen for nothing but sweat equity. The unit was heading for the bin, and his only cost was the effort it took to extract the LCD panel. Some of us might be able to skip the laptop and just use the iMac; it depends on how much compute is enough for your use case. Maybe a 10-year-old iMac’s guts will do; maybe last year’s gutted laptop isn’t enough.

We have to admit, the oak-and-aluminum all-in-one tripod he makes is very snazzy, though it may have too little brass to be on-brand for [DIY Perks]. The speakers, in case you were wondering, are also e-waste, recovered from an old TV. Perhaps the accent colour should have been green instead of blue!

Thanks to [Keith Olson] for the tip.

Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility, your hub for the future of transportation and now, more than ever, how AI is playing a part. To get this in your inbox, sign up here for free — just click TechCrunch Mobility!

Last week, I wrote about Uber and Waymo and how their partnership appears to be deteriorating. I predicted the two companies would end up on opposing sides of autonomous vehicle policy. That wasn’t a guess.

For the past several weeks, I’ve been talking to sources and digging through correspondence Uber sent to the D.C. Council, which is evaluating a proposed bill that would allow autonomous vehicles to operate in Washington, D.C.

What I found: Uber and Waymo are already on opposite sides of the proposal, sparring behind the scenes and in public. Uber has made a particularly interesting argument in its effort to shape the rules that govern autonomous vehicles.

Uber, which opposes the D.C. bill, argues it would displace for-hire human drivers and hand Waymo a de facto monopoly. Instead, it has lobbied for a system that would require robotaxis to operate on a ride-hailing network alongside human drivers.

Insiders tell me the “hybrid” approach has little chance of becoming law. But if it did, it would leave AV developers like Waymo with two suboptimal choices: either put their robotaxis on ride-hailing apps like Uber or employ human drivers alongside fleets of robotaxis that took years and hundreds of millions of dollars to develop.

A D.C. Council hearing on Monday drew representatives from Lyft, Tesla, Uber, and Waymo, along with dozens of disability rights and accessibility advocates, local business and industry groups, highway safety organizations, government officials, labor unions, and think tanks.

My takeaway — based on the public testimony and the calls and texts I received afterward — is that Waymo is one of the few companies that generally likes the bill. Much of the rest of the industry does not.

Tesla’s senior policy adviser, India Herdman, echoed concerns I’ve heard from multiple AV developers, including objections to the 180-day, 250,000-mile mandatory testing requirement; the $1 million application fee; the $5 million permit fee; and the $0.15-per-mile tax. Tesla, along with other companies, argued that testing miles accumulated in other jurisdictions should count toward the mileage threshold.

Waymo, which has been testing its AVs with human safety operators in Washington, D.C., has already surpassed the 180-day and 250,000-mile requirements. That means if the bill passed as written today, Waymo would enter the market with at least a six-month head start.

Deals!

Uber is considered a ride-hailing and delivery giant. It is now cementing that status through a $14.8 billion deal to acquire Germany’s Delivery Hero. 

If the deal closes — and it will absolutely take time to overcome the regulatory hurdles — Uber will get access to nearly 100 markets across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. The upshot: Uber’s delivery footprint will double.

Delivery Hero also made a separate agreement to sell its business in 14 markets, where Uber Eats is already operating, to New York-based investment firm SSW Partners for $1.6 billion.

Other deals that got my attention …

Self Inspection, a San Diego-based startup trying to disrupt the vehicle inspection process, raised $10 million in a round led by the family office of Sheryl Sandberg. Tire distributor U.S. AutoForce and automotive lender Westlake Financial made strategic investments. Early-stage funds Costanoa Ventures, Rebellion Ventures, and BrightCap Ventures also invested.

Senra, a startup modernizing how wire harnesses are made, raised $65 million in a Series B round co-led by Lowercarbon and Interlagos with participation from General Catalyst, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, and Founders Fund, among others.

Zepto, the Indian fast-delivery company, is seeking a valuation in an initial public offering well below its $7 billion peak, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous sources.

Notable reads and other tidbits

Chip Motors, a Miami-based startup, revealed a low-speed small EV designed for short errands and families, and with some automated driving capabilities.

The Los Angeles Police Department is reportedly ending its deal with Flock Safety, a surveillance company that helps law enforcement track vehicles using thousands of its license plate cameras placed across the United States.

Lucid Motors is pushing back — and hard — on a report that claimed the EV maker was weighing whether to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company’s comms team, its CEO, and a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission all say the same thing: The rumors are false. The initial report sent the company’s stock down more than 50% on Tuesday, its biggest intra-day drop ever. The stock has since recovered and is now trading about 28% higher than it was prior to the big drop. 

Lyft CEO David Risher says it’s the “Good Uber,” per Wired.

Manual, or standard, transmission vehicles are a dying breed, according to preliminary government data that shows just 0.6% of new vehicles made for the U.S. in 2025 had stick shifts, the Washington Post reported. I own two manual vehicles. Does that make me a driving unicorn?

The National Transportation Safety Board said the driver of a Tesla who crashed into a house in June had pressed the accelerator pedal to 100%, overriding the company’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software.

San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie has urged state regulators to toughen rules on autonomous vehicles after Waymo robotaxis became immobile in heavy July 4 traffic, ran out of power, and blocked key streets, further compounding the gridlock. In a letter (parts of which are excerpted here) Lurie outlined four core requirements he would like to see enacted to ensure robotaxi companies can “perform reliably” during extraordinary events. 

SpaceX abruptly aborted the second attempted launch of its upgraded Starship rocket system on Thursday, just moments after the booster ignited at the company’s complex in South Texas.

Zoox issued a software recall after one of its robotaxis got confused by smoke emitting from an emergency fire scene in June.

One more thing …

Uber chief product officer Sachin Kansal talks to TechCrunch EIC Connie Loizos about travel, AI agents, and playing both sides of the robotaxi race, in the latest Strictly VC podcast episode. If you’d rather read the interview, check out the Q&A.

• US Federal workers must install an app powered by a Russian-founded software vendor
• Security researchers discovered outside code controlling parts of the government application
• Elfsight’s Russian operations continued growing despite global geopolitical tensions

The FAA and other federal employees must now install a $1.4 million White House app containing code built by Elfsight, a Russian-founded vendor.

Elfsight was founded in 2016 in the Russian city of Tula by chief executive Andrey Yusupov and chief technology officer Vladimir Fedotov.

AI and ML

Connect all the things and watch what happens

Avoiding the “lethal trifecta” – access to private data, exposure to untrusted content, and an external communication path – is difficult enough when working with AI agents.

But the use of connectors – integrations with third-party services like Gmail or Slack – expands the scope of concern in a way that makes it exceedingly difficult to reason about defensive due diligence.

PromptArmor, an AI security biz, recently looked at how OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude work with connectors. The results are not reassuring.

Shankar Krishnan, co-founder of PromptArmor, told The Register in an email that enterprise adoption of connectors and the rate of change among connectors helped focus concern on the connector ecosystem.

Connectors share some of the risks of MCP servers, upon which connectors are based. “For connectors, the risks are mostly about the type of tools, what they can do, where the data is going, and what is being done with the data,” said Krishnan.

Introduced about a year ago, connectors (for Claude or ChatGPT) have been going through a lot of changes recently. According to PromptArmor, 931 of 2,517 connectors (37 percent) changed over the six-week period from mid-May to the end of June. So any security assumptions based on declared capabilities may no longer be valid.

PromptArmor found that 1,686 new tools were added to connectors that were already live, creating new ways for AI models to operate on user data and interact with third-party services.

It also found that 1,127 tool descriptions were rewritten, potentially changing how and when an AI model decides to invoke a tool.

And there are a variety of other changes, all of which potentially could raise data security concerns or invalidate governance assumptions.

PromptArmor cited the Dropbox connector as an example, noting that at the start of the study it exposed eight tools and by the end of the study that number had risen to 24. It went from having three write-capable tools to 10, and from zero potentially destructive tools to four. Permission scopes changed and injected instructions for the model were added.

If that weren’t enough to worry about, connectors can behave like intrusive websites that run dozens of tracking scripts: connectors commonly send data to additional AI services.

PromptArmor evaluated all 7,517 tools used by 487 Claude connectors and found that 189 of the connectors, or about 2 in 5, are likely to call additional AI services.

“As an example, if your Claude agent activates Zoom’s connector tool to search meetings with natural language, and passes in a query containing sensitive data, Zoom AI may send that data to any of its ten AI subprocessors in order to generate a response from one of eight different model families it uses,” the security company said.

“The issue is that most teams approving connectors are evaluating and considering the connector – unaware that the vendor is calling more AI services, adding new subprocessors and terms,” explained Krishnan. “So someone concerned about AI risks who has evaluated Claude may not be aware of AI services that the connector is calling externally.”

Anthropic’s connector documentation acknowledges that its security controls don’t necessarily cover third-party data processing.

“Connected services process data on their own infrastructure, under their own terms, which may be located outside the United States,” the AI biz explains. “Settings that control where Claude’s inference runs, like the US-only inference setting on Enterprise plans, don’t change where third-party services operate.”

Krishnan said that connectors vastly expand the risk surface for attacks.

“Bringing agents new sensitive data, new untrusted data, and new sensitive actions to take, the blast radius of an attack explodes,” he said. “We recently highlighted a risk in Codex where even with one connector – email – the combination of sensitive and untrusted data enables exfiltration of legal and financial communications.” ®

Victoria’s premier Jacinta Allan announced on Sunday that the state would propose laws granting the Victorian civil and administrative tribunal power to order social media and AI platforms to reveal the identities of anonymous account holders accused of online vilification. The “demasking” powers would be the first of their kind for an Australian state. Allan said families needed new ways to protect their children online.

The proposed reforms go beyond identity disclosure. Victoria would also scrap the legal threshold that currently requires families to prove a child has suffered a permanent impairment of at least 10% before suing platforms for negligence causing psychiatric harm. That threshold, assessed by medical practitioners using standardised calculations, has made it effectively impossible for most families to pursue damages. Removing it for suits brought on behalf of minors would open a new litigation channel against platforms in Australian courts.

The timing is tight. Victoria has four sitting weeks before a November state election, and the opposition said the laws were unlikely to pass in time. Shadow attorney general James Newbury said the Coalition supported the effort in principle but that “I don’t think Elon Musk is looking at Jacinta Allan’s announcement today and quaking in his boots.” Australia’s world-leading under-16 social media ban is already struggling with enforcement, with testers finding that age verification systems are easy to bypass. Adding demasking powers to a regime that cannot yet verify who is under 16 raises questions about whether the infrastructure exists to enforce them.

The 💜 of EU tech

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Marilyn Bromberg, a social media regulation specialist at the University of Western Australia, called the reforms “a brave start” but said they should extend beyond vilification to cover defamation and cyberbullying. The Australian Senate delayed fixes to the social media ban earlier this year, and the federal government is still working on an enforcement framework that would compel platforms to comply. Victoria’s move adds a state-level litigation tool to a federal regulatory structure that remains incomplete. Whether platforms respond to the threat of tribunal orders in a single Australian state depends on whether the political signal outlasts the election cycle.

Any device you buy is an investment. You want the reassurance that it’s going to meet your short- and long-term needs for a while before you have to buy a new one. That’s true for smartphones, laptops and especially TVs. 

Upgrading your TV means deciding on which brand is worth your hard-earned bucks. Picture quality, sound, smart features and the display panel are just some of the specifications you may consider. And CNET readers have opinions on all of that and more. 

CNET’s People’s Picks gives readers a chance to share their opinions on their TV brand. Many of you love LG, but some readers have opinions on other brands that you may not have considered before now. Here’s which brands won readers over and what our experts think. 

LG is well-known among TV brands for its OLED screens, and it’s a favorite among CNET editors and readers. LG earns high marks in many of CNET’s People’s Picks categories and wins three awards from readers: picture quality, fast-moving content and OLED/QD-OLED.

CNET editors give LG several nods for recent OLED TVs, lauding the contrast in the new C6H, the color accuracy of the G5 — recipient of a CNET Lab Award — and the contrast and brightness of G6 for movie buffs. The LG OLED G4 is one of the best gaming TVs for its top-notch gaming features, especially as a more cost-effective option compared to the LG G6.

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Picture quality

Runner-up: Sony

CNET readers crown LG as a winner for picture quality. More than 3 out of 5 (61.7%) of CNET readers who own an LG TV reported an “Excellent” experience with their LG TVs in bright rooms and during the day. Readers say there’s no glare and it’s beautifully bright, and 65.1% of readers with LG TVs report perfect dark scenes with inky blacks and zero light bleed — performance that’s common on OLED models and can really improve the look of movies and TV shows. That brings LG’s picture quality to 63.4%. 

Sony is a runner-up for picture quality, based on nearly half (49.8%) of readers with a Sony TV saying the brand has inky blacks with no bleed and great daylight performance.  

Fast-moving content

Runner-up: Sony

LG wins for flawless, fast-moving content. Of readers, 71% say LG TVs are perfectly smooth, are without blur and are without weird, artificial artifacts with fast-moving content, whereas 28% say LG’s fast-moving content quality is natural but occasionally slightly blurry. When it comes to gaming, CNET readers (59.8%) who have an LG TV say fast-moving content is flawless and incredibly responsive and that the TV has great gaming menus. 

Sony is the next top pick, with 60% of readers saying its fast-moving content is flawless on Sony TV screens.

OLED/QD-OLED

Runner-up: Samsung

Lastly, LG sweeps the OLED/QD-OLED category with 82.4% of readers with an LG TV preferring the brand for its OLED displays. If you’re considering an LG OLED TV, the latest LG OLED G6 has excellent contrast, an improved antireflective coating and good brightness for gaming. One of CNET’s lab-tested favorites is the previous LG OLED G5. CNET editors say it has the best color accuracy. The C4 is still a favorite, but if you want the latest and greatest, LG’s C6 and C6H are standout OLED picks. The C6 is the ultra version of the C6 TV, and it comes in larger sizes with higher brightness and better colors.

Samsung trails behind LG with 45% of readers who own a Samsung TV have an OLED or QD-OLED model. That’s not surprising because Samsung has only been selling OLED TVs since 2022 after a single model in 2013, whereas LG’s OLED models have been on sale for more than a decade. Both the S90F and S95F are Samsung OLED TVs that get praise from CNET for image quality and glare reduction. 

Roku 

Budget TV

Runner-up: Vizio 

Roku wins three categories in CNET’s People’s Picks — budget, smart TV ecosystem and standard LED/LCD. Roku has several affordable TVs. Most CNET readers (72%) have purchased a Roku TV that’s under $500. And nearly half of readers with Roku TVs have purchased their TV within the past year. 

Roku has a few popular TV picks under $500, including the TCL 4-Series, the Pioneer 50-inch 4K smart Roku TV and the Roku – 40″ Class Select Series Full HD (1080p) LED Smart RokuTV. Roku’s cost-effective options don’t skimp on quality. For instance, the Pioneer 4K Roku TV is an LED TV with 4K resolution and a smart TV interface, and it supports High Dynamic Range to improve your picture quality.  

Vizio is next up to Roku, with 45% of readers having Vizio TVs costing less than $500. If you’re in the market for a mini-LED TV, Vizio has its Mini LED Quantum Series 4K TV for under $500 in two sizes (65 and 75 inches). Interestingly, 40.8% of CNET readers with Vizio TVs have had them the longest (over five years) — speaking to its quality and longevity for the price.

Smart TV ecosystem 

Runner-up: TCL

Trust me, a smart TV’s interface can make or break your day-to-day experience. Roku understands that and wins over 59.1% of CNET readers. 

Most readers with a Roku TV say its interface is fast, clean and very easy to navigate. No readers reported the interface being cluttered, slow or frustrating to use — the only TV brand to do so. Roku recently released a new interface that includes a “For You” section, which combines AI suggestions, saved entertainment and what you’re already watching. And the new interface has a “Quick Access” section to get to your most used apps faster, but we have a guide if you’re not a fan and want to turn it off. 

TCL is a runner-up for the Smart TV ecosystem category. Over half (56.5%) of readers who own a TCL TV say the interface is fast, clean and easy to navigate, while 22.5% say the interface is good but has too many ads or sponsored recommendations. 

Standard LED/LCD

Runner-up: Vizio 

Standard LED and LCD TVs use LED backlights and are usually the most cost-effective compared to other TVs. Roku wins 34.8% of its owners over for this category. There are a few budget-friendly Roku LED TVs worth considering, including the Onn 43-inch Class 4K Roku smart TV and the Hisense 50-inch Class 4K LED Roku smart TV. The Roku Select Series LED TV is a CNET favorite for its usability features, like Roku’s interface and remote finder. 

Readers say Vizio is the next top pick for LED/LCD TVs, with 32.7% owning an LED or LCD Vizio TV. 

Hisense

Sound quality 

Runner-up: Sony

Hisense wins CNET’s People’s Picks for its sound quality. Nearly half of readers (45.7%) with Hisense TVs rate the internal audio as “great.” And that’s nearly double CNET readers’ satisfaction with popular brands like Sony (25.2%), Samsung (23.8%) and Vizio (22.2%). One of the perks of Hisense’s latest U7 and UR8 models is Dolby Atmos, which uses surround sound to deliver 3D audio. The U7 models also have a built-in 2.1.2-channel speaker system for more immersive sound. CNET’s favorite budget TV, the Hisense QD7 TV, also supports Dolby Atmos. 

Sony is next up for the sound quality category, with 25.2% of owners saying Sony TVs have great sound quality with clear dialogue and decent bass. Some (41.7%) say it’s adequate for casual watching. 

TCL

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Mini-LED/QLED 

Runner-up: Hisense 

Mini LED TVs use tiny LEDs to give you better brightness, blacks and contrast compared to most standard LED TVs. When it comes to mini-LED and QLED TV panels, TCL wins, with 57.5% of readers owning mini-LED/QLED TCL TVs and naming it their primary TV brand. TCL has been producing mini-LED TVs longer than most TV makers, and many of them have earned CNET’s praise.

According to CNET editors, the TCL QM8K is nearly comparable to an OLED TV in terms of picture quality for less money. TCL’s QM8L is another mini-LED QLED TV that CNET loves for its brightness, color and contrast, too. 

Over half (52.1%) of readers with a Hisense TV have a mini-LED/QLED TV, with its model ranking second to TCL. Hisense has a few mini-LED models, including the U6, U7 and the new RGB mini-LED UR8, which we got a glimpse of at CES 2026. It’s around $1,300 and comes with better-than-before color reproduction. 

Don’t buy a new TV without reading this first

Many TVs have similar features that may make it seem like the best deal is the biggest screen for your buck. Of everything to consider, CNET’s TV expert Ty Pendlebury advises looking at price, size and picture quality to help narrow down your options. 

“It’s always what fits their budget, so not necessarily a ‘budget’ model. If an OLED is within your budget, get it, that’s the quickest shortcut,” said Pendlebury. 

And don’t worry about perfecting your TV’s sound quality during your upgrade. Pendlebury says that most TVs sound tinny, so you should consider a soundbar as a separate purchase for better audio.

CNET’s editor-in-chief, David Katzmaier, has 26 years of experience reviewing TVs and has some practical advice to help you feel more satisfied with your purchase years later. For instance, bigger doesn’t always mean better. 

“A bigger TV is great, but it can expose lower-quality sources,” said Katzmaier. The reason is that a bigger screen can show imperfections more than a smaller one. If you still want a bigger screen, consider subscribing to 4K plans to streaming services like Netflix and YouTube TV for better picture quality. You can also try adjusting your picture settings, such as putting the TV in Filmmaker Mode, but Katzmaier says that’s not a cure-all. 

Watch this: TV Jargon Demystified: Here’s What You Need to Know About Color and Brightness

04:36

Instead of screen size, focus on getting a picture quality you’re satisfied with. “The biggest improvement would be getting a new display technology, especially QD-OLED/OLED,” said Katzmaier. “TVs with those kinds of screens deliver clear improvements in contrast and viewing angle that the others can’t match.”

CNET editors and readers highly recommend LG. But other brands were close runners-up. If you’re looking for deep black levels and strong color reproduction, readers recommend Sony as a second contender. Or if you’re struggling to watch TV in a room with a big window, consider TCL or Samsung — all CNET favorites.

“I’ve always liked Roku and Google TV better than proprietary systems from Samsung and LG, and I’m happy to see that CNET readers took our advice and bought LG and Samsung OLED TVs — because they’re the picture-quality champs,” said Katzmaier.

CNET has plenty of reviews of some of the latest TVs, like the TCL QM8L, if you’re looking for a brighter TV, or the Samsung S90F, if you’re looking for the best value for overall picture quality. Regardless, there are also guides to help narrow down your TV choice, like choosing between LCD and OLED TVs, what to know about micro-LED and a list of everything to look for when buying a new TV. 

Did you like these findings? CNET’s People’s Picks is community-driven and helps us spread the word about the tech and services you love. Take our ongoing mobile carriers survey to tell us what you love about yours.