You Inquired: Top 98-inch Televisions, Apple CarPlay has just advanced.

      On today’s episode of You Asked… What’s the top 98-inch TV for sports? What can we expect from Apple CarPlay Ultra… and… How long should you anticipate a TV to last?

      Best 98-inch TV for sports & streaming

      Samsung 98-inch QN90D Zeke Jones / Digital Trends

      Logan inquires: We’re in the process of building a new home, and I’m looking to upgrade my television to 98 inches or larger. Our primary use will be watching sports on YouTube TV or the ESPN app, with occasional use for movies or series on other streaming services. So, I have a couple of questions:

      Given that sports is the main focus, which TVs would you suggest for watching sports?

      And among those TVs, would you recommend using an Apple TV or another external source to enhance the standard resolution upscaling?

      Thank you for your question, Logan. Regarding your first inquiry about which TV we would recommend, it's important to first consider your budget, as the price can vary significantly among brands and models for such large TVs.

      If budget is not a constraint, the Samsung QN90D, the 2024 model, is priced at $10,000. The newer QN90F model goes for $15,000. I feel somewhat absurd mentioning those figures, but hey, if you can afford it, go for it.

      Sony also offers the 98-inch Bravia 5, a Mini LED model launched in 2025, priced at $6,500, making it more affordable than the Samsung QN90D, although still quite high compared to other options.

      Based on my observations and what I believe to offer a better price-to-performance ratio, along with some drawbacks noted in our review of the Samsung QN90D, I recommend considering the Mini LED options from Hisense and TCL.

      As of now, TCL’s 98-inch QM7K quantum dot Mini LED TV is available at a 44% discount, bringing it down to $2,800. This is an incredible deal for a TV of this size with such features. It supports various video and audio formats, including Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and DTS, and for sports, it has excellent SDR brightness and performs well in upscaling low bitrate content.

      If you prefer to save even more, the TCL QM6K is cheaper, but you'll lose some performance and brightness. I saw the 65-inch QM6K earlier this year, and it was impressive, showing improved off-angle viewing. I’m not certain if that improvement applies across all of TCL’s Mini LED lineup, but both 98-inch models would serve you well.

      I would also recommend the 100-inch Hisense U7QG, which is very comparable to the QM7K in terms of specifications, at a slightly higher price of $3,000, but you get an extra two inches.

      In summary, I think TCL and Hisense produce excellent TVs for sports, given their advancements in brightness over the years. Additionally, when you want to watch movies or shows, you'll enjoy their ability to stream in Dolby Vision or various HDR formats.

      Now, addressing your next question: Should you use an Apple TV or another external source for better upscaling of standard resolution?

      In my opinion, no — at least not for the purpose of improving standard resolution upscaling. Your TV's internal upscaling is always designed to deliver the best results because its processor is tailored for that specific TV model. While adding an external device won't harm picture quality, it likely won't enhance it compared to using the TV's built-in apps.

      A side note before moving on: I've noticed comments regarding our frequent recommendations of Hisense and TCL. I'm simply attempting to be practical when considering such a significant purchase. Spending $3,000 to $4,000 on a 65-inch TV is easier to manage than paying $6,000, $8,000, or even $10,000 or more for some of the 98-inch models available.

      Objectively, it's tough to justify paying triple or quadruple the price for a specific brand based on performance alone. I encourage you to conduct your own research and check forums to see what others say about their TV experiences. If you can save a few thousand dollars, perhaps consider a family trip to Disney World, a getaway to Europe with your partner, or purchasing high-quality speakers for your TV. Just my thoughts.

      Also, currently, during Memorial Day weekend, there are significant sales on TVs from Panasonic, Sony, Hisense, TCL, Samsung, LG, and others.

      Best TV for dark rooms?

      LG B5 OLED Digital Trends

      Doug asks: Which TV is best for dark rooms? I currently own the U8 Hisense 55-inch, but it’s causing me eye strain even with brightness set at 0 and all features either turned off or on low.

      Doug, my first suggestion is