LG’s SP Baik on the wi-fi QNED evo sequence and the imaginative and prescient behind it – CES 2025 interview

At CES 2025, LG Electronics continued to push the boundaries of tv know-how with the announcement of the wi-fi QNED evo lineup. On the sidelines of the occasion, Android Authority sat down with SP Baik, Vice President and Head of TV Product Planning at LG Electronics, to delve into the improvements and imaginative and prescient behind these wi-fi LCD TVs.

Why LG is betting on wi-fi transmission for QNED evo

The 2025 QNED evo sequence is a testomony to LG’s engineering prowess, providing the world’s first really wi-fi LCD TVs. By integrating wi-fi 4K audio-video know-how, the QNED evo lineup eliminates the necessity for HDMI or USB cables, providing a clear and minimalist residence leisure expertise.

Beforehand unique to LG’s OLED lineup, this know-how permits TVs to transmit ultra-high-definition video and audio seamlessly. To make it potential, the TVs function a separate unit known as Zero Join Field, which beams video to the TV at as much as 144Hz with out image high quality loss or delay, together with 2.0Ch/20W audio, as much as a distance of 10 meters.

LG has improved the know-how from its first look on the M-series OLED lineup, Baik informed us. Whereas final yr, an unobstructed line of sight was required between the TV and the Zero Join Field, the tech now works by wooden, which means customers will be capable to disguise the peripheral inside furnishings like TV consoles for a clutter-free look. “There’s a sure sort of shopper who has an curiosity in inside design or maintaining their location muddle free. There are some limits [to this tech] however the comfort could be very distinctive,” he mentioned.

LG achieved AMD FreeSync Premium certification for its 4K True Wi-fi QNED evo lineup, which speaks of the maturity of the tech. “Our wi-fi QNED evo’s video is transmitted with out loss or degradation by a extra environment friendly frequency band and by making use of low-latency know-how to unravel the latency that may happen in wi-fi transmissions,” the exec defined. The system is designed to operate successfully regardless of obstacles akin to pets or objects between the peripheral and the TV.

When requested concerning the goal marketplace for the wi-fi QNED TV lineup, Baik pointed in direction of film and sports activities watchers. Whereas he admitted devoted players would possibly select to go for a extra specialised monitor or TV as an alternative, LG nonetheless thinks players will love the excessive refresh fee and display screen tearing-free gameplay expertise afforded by its new QNED TVs.

Environment friendly house use, comfort, and inside design issues are the important thing drivers for the adoption of wi-fi TVs, in accordance with Baik. “As of late, an increasing number of folks need to cut back the house they use. Additionally the TV isn’t the middle machine anymore, as a result of for the youthful generations TVs aren’t even in the lounge, they’re in the main bedroom or different rooms.”

Will we see extra LG TVs with wi-fi transmission?

LG first launched the Zero Join Field on an OLED TV, and is now bringing the tech to the extra approachable QNED sequence. Will we see wi-fi transmission as a function on LG’s different sequence?

Baik left the door open to the likelihood, explaining that the know-how remains to be cutting-edge, so it is sensible for it to be supplied on higher-end TVs. The BoM (invoice of supplies, or the price of all of the parts and fabrication that goes right into a product) clearly performs a task as properly. Baik defined that whereas including $200 to the BoM of a high-end $2,000 TV might not be a problem, this turns into problematic while you go beneath, say, $1,000. “Step-by-step,” he concluded.

What’s new in webOS25?

LG packed the brand new QNED evo lineup with AI options at a deep degree, leading to picture processing and audio enhancements. However AI can be having an impression on the direct person expertise in webOS25, the most recent model of LG’s TV working system, which incorporates many AI-powered user-facing options.

SP Baik gave us a couple of examples of how LG is enhancing the person expertise on webOS25 by smarter customization choices. Along with the standard film, sports activities or recreation modes, LG TVs working the most recent OS model function an AI Professional mode, which infers the person’s preferences when it comes to distinction, brightness, and saturation, after which dynamically adjusts settings to supply probably the most tailor-made viewing expertise. In the meantime, AI Sound Professional is the audio counterpart of this function.

The QNED evo sequence additionally leverages AI to reinforce usability and ship a extra personalised expertise. Voice ID permits the TV to adapt to as much as 10 particular person customers fairly than treating each interplay as device-specific. This ensures that suggestions, preferences, and viewing settings are tailor-made to every member of the family.

Moreover, an AI-powered chatbot simplifies the person expertise by providing fast options to widespread points. If an issue arises, the chatbot can diagnose it and information customers by troubleshooting steps with out the necessity to contact customer support. For extra advanced points, customers can join on to a service middle for fast help.

Even LG’s well-liked Magic Distant is getting an AI-focused makeover that might trigger a stir. The distant drops the quantity pad, however provides an AI button that controls LG’s new LLM-based search options, offering a solution to work together with the TV utilizing pure language.

Whereas these options are nice, LG can be dedicated to updates. “We have now a webOS Re:New Program that gives webOS upgrades for 5 years in order that prospects who’ve beforehand bought a QNED evo can expertise the brand new options of webOS because it evolves every year. For instance, a buyer who bought a QNED evo in 2024 will obtain the most recent webOS yearly till 2028, together with webOS25,” Baik informed us.

LG’s two-track method to premium TV experiences

Accessible in 65, 75, and 86-inch choices, the brand new QNED evo sequence is LG’s premium providing with regards to LCD panels. A key function of the QNED evo sequence is its enhanced image high quality, supported by LG’s proprietary vast colour gamut (WCG) know-how. Licensed for 100% colour quantity, the know-how goals to supply extra practical and vivid colour illustration. Moreover, the α8 AI processor analyzes and optimizes image and sound high quality primarily based on the content material creator’s intent, making certain correct distinction and colour changes.

Whereas LG made strides when it comes to picture high quality with its LCD-based QNED evo lineup, OLED fashions stay LG’s top-tier TVs, focusing on what the corporate calls the “ultra-premium” market. However Baik was eager to level out that the Korean producer is now bringing what he known as the “core values” of OLED merchandise to the premium LCD vary, by options like “wi-fi, AI, and webOS hyper-personalization”.

Baik went on to check LG’s OLED lineup to a Lamborghini – extraordinarily premium and costly – whereas the brand new QNED TVs are extra like a pleasant Lexus sedan – luxurious but extra accessible.