Sony’s PlayStation 5 is one of the sought-after gaming products since the first official release on November 12. With some markets still dream of getting it, the company has ended the 2020 note with a bang. A report from Digitimes now says it has shipped a never-before number of units so far.
The report(via MySmartPrice) says that Sony has sold 3.4 million units of PlayStation 5(PS5) in just 4 weeks of launch. If we recall, the company had faced heavy demand during the initial days. In fact, the PS5 was selling at exorbitant prices in countries like China, and Hong Kong due to short supply.
Besides, Sony has also been facing the heat for delaying launches in countries like India. The situation is so bad that people are queueing up to get imported units at higher prices. If you come to think of it, Sony has been trying it’s best to vent off the frustration among fans. Previously, reports said that it had raised the production by 50% way before the announcement.
Couple that with partner’s affiliation to raise the stocks prior to the sale, you can understand the commitment. Anyway, the company has managed to circumvent all the pressure and achieve this feat which is considered to be the best sales figure for a Console so far.
And it is only going to get better in 2021. The report says that Sony plans to ramp up the production of PS5 up to 18 million units next year. This would involve cooperation with vendors like AMD who would in turn have to rely on additional foundry of its contract manufacturer, TSMC. And the report already indicates that things are falling into place for the Japanese giant.
On that note, I wish both our readers and Sony to have a happy and prosperous 2021 year ahead!
Sony is reportedly automatically refunding players who've bought Maneater in the last month.
Yesterday, Sony revealed the PS Plus games for January 2021 included Maneater, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and GreedFall. Now, apparently in anticipation of refund requests, the company is auto-refunding players who've recently bought the open-world Shark-life RPG.
"Bought Maneater last month. Turned on PS5 to notice they are refunding me," u/BraeWhyit announced on Reddit, stating that the confirmation said: "As a subscriber of PlayStation Plus, we will refund the purchase price of this product to your PlayStation store wallet as this is a PlayStation Plus monthly game. This will not affect your ability to play the game as we have not removed the game from your library".
BraeWhyit - who has a US account and has had their claims substantiated by other players on the thread - added that they "got to keep the original license as I have access to both PS4 and PS5 versions atm", so "if I end plus I do not lose the game".
According to other commenters, the refund will be credited players' PSN wallet, but, maybe because it's still the holiday period, not everyone has received their payment just yet.
It appears the offer has not been extended to players who've recently bought the other two games on offer in January, Shadow of the Tomb Raider and GreedFall, although that's possibly because they're for PS4.
Maneater is a single-player, open-world RPG with a difference – you start off as a baby shark. We gave Maneater 4 stars out of 5 in the GamesRadar+ review, stating: "This is no worthy exploration of man's cruelty to the natural world, and I suspect marine biologists would have something to say about much of the science, but it's the perfect distraction from a world gone mad, and weirdly therapeutic. When you're not filling the water with blood or launching an innocent human into the air with a flick of your tail, the waters are a pretty playground, and there's always mischief to be made in the resorts, water parks, and marinas."
Specs said to be for the SonyXperia 1 III leaked recently, providing an unconfirmed glimpse at the upcoming smartphone's next-generation upgrades. Assuming the leaked information is accurate, the next major Xperia phone will be arriving with fairly minor gains, both in terms of the hardware and pricing. Sony unveiled the previous model in this line, the Xperia 1 II (or Mark two), back in February.
Despite boasting some impressive qualities, such as having a crisp 4K display, 5G support, and solid camera capabilities, the Xperia 1 II reception was quite underwhelming, to say the least. Sony's announcement failed to generate as much buzz as Samsung's Unpacked event which occurred in the same month. In addition, Google, Xiaomi, and many others released their own smartphones powered by the same Snapdragon 865 processor for considerably less than the asking price of Sony's handset.
In spite of this, it appears that Sony will continue with the same formula for its upcoming Xperia 1 III. That is if the latest claims turn out to be correct. Based on a recent The Galox Tweet, Sony's next flagship will sport a 6.5-inch 4K OLED HDR display, 8GB RAM, 256GB internal storage, as well as a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and an IP65/IP68 water and dust resistance. All of which sounds identical to the previous Mark two, and not majorly different to the first Xperia 1. In terms of actual changes, the biggest ones seem to be an upgrade to the Snapdragon 888 processor and a 15-percent brighter display. Although, these improvements will reportedly cost $1,200.
advertising
How Xperia 1 III's Price Compares
One of the biggest hurdles facing consumers when considering a Sony high-end smartphone is the price. Other smartphones, like Xiaomi's recently announced Mi 11 (also equipped with the next-generation Snapdragon 888), are priced much cheaper. In fact, Samsung and Apple both released cheaper flagship series models in 2020, highlighting the importance of price in the market right now.
In contrast, Sony's flagship phones seem to maintain a high price point and without as many changes, aside from a few predictable upgrades. The original Xperia 1, which runs on the older Snapdragon 855, still costs $700 on Sony's website. Likewise, the Mark 2 is still listed at $1,100, even though it doesn't offer anything as innovative as LG's quirky Wing or Samsung's folding phone. There's no doubt that Sony smartphones are extremely polished and equipped with some of the best parts, but playing it safe when it comes to handsets continues to be one of the major problems for the company's mobile division.
Kyle Encina is a writer with over five years of professional experience, covering topics ranging from viral entertainment news, politics and movie reviews to tech, gaming and even cryptocurrency. During his free time, he indulges in composing melodies, listening to inspiring symphonies, physical activities, writing fictional fantasies (stories) and of course, gaming like a madman!
If you're looking for the best TV to buy right now, it's probably been a long time since you bought your last one. You may be new to all of the current TV jargon: HDR, Ultra HD 4K, 8K, OLED, QLED, 120Hz and HDMI 2.1. I've reviewed TVs for nearly 20 years, since the days of plasma and rear projection. My focus is on finding the best picture quality for the money, whether you're looking for a top-of-the-line OLED TV or something a little less flashy.
The list below represents the best TVs I've reviewed in CNET's test lab (for 2020, that's my basement), where I compare their picture quality, smart TV, design and features side by side to see which ones are most worth buying -- 4K ultra HD is nice, but TV shows still look good even if you're not watching an HDR TV. I look at things like contrast ratio, local dimming, viewing angle and uniformity, gaming input lag and refresh rate, as well as the number of HDMI ports and how well the television supports your streaming app (or apps) of choice, like Netflix, Hulu and Disney Plus. Here are my recommendations, with the following notes to keep in mind:
Unless noted otherwise, all of the prices you'll see are for 65-inch models.
The end of the year, starting around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is usually the best time to get a good deal.
If you're worried that next year's TV will have some great feature you'll miss out on if you buy a TV now, relax. TVs are generally a mature technology and our advice is that if you need a new TV now, you should get one.
This list is updated periodically.
Stay tuned
Subscribe to the CNET TVs, Streaming and Audio newsletter for the best of our home entertainment coverage.
No TV I've ever tested offers this much picture quality for this little cash. The 2020 TCL 6-Series has even better image quality than its predecessor, thanks to mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array local dimming that helps it run circles around just about any other TV at this price. It's also a solid choice for gamers with a new THX mode that combines low input lag and high contrast. As if that's not enough, the Roku TV operating system is our hands-down favorite.
What's that you say? You just want the best TV, money no object? Here you go. In my side-by-side tests, the 2020 LG CX is the best TV I've ever reviewed, with world-beating contrast, perfect off-angle viewing and excellent uniformity. If you can afford it, this LG OLED TV is the TV to get.
Aside from the TCL 6-Series above, this is the runner-up for best TV for the money. The TCL has a better picture and better smart HDTV system so it's a superior TV overall, but it's also a couple hundred dollars more expensive. If you can't afford the 6-Series, this Vizio is a very good runner-up.
If you value Sony's brand X900H is an excellent choice, with image quality on par with the TCL 6-Series and a price that's not that much more expensive. And its suite of connections is actually better than the TCL's. In winter 2020 it will get full 4K/120Hz HDMI input capability to maximize the potential of the new Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, and right now it's the cheapest TV that works with ATSC 3.0 antenna broadcasts.
Roku is our favorite platform for a live TV streaming service like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, and it's even better baked into the TV. This TCL 4-Series can't beat any of the models above on image quality -- its 4K resolution and HDR compatibility don't do anything to help the picture -- but it's perfectly fine for most people, especially at this price.
TCL's 8-Series also features mini-LED and the result is superb contrast, brightness and high dynamic range that beats the less expensive 6-Series in my side-by-side comparison. The overall image quality doesn't quite hit OLED TV levels, but it comes pretty close and costs a lot less, especially in the 75-inch size.
Samsung is the TV brand that sells more TVs than anyone and our favorite for 2020 is the Q80T series. Its sleek design stands out compared to the other TVs on this list -- although the ultra-thin LG CX OLED is even sleeker -- and it also offers excellent image quality, next-gen gaming connectivity and a great smart TV system. The TVs above are superior values but if you want a Samsung anyway, this is a great choice for gaming or watching TV shows, movies, YouTube TV and more. Read our Samsung Q80T series (2020) review.
Sarah Tew/CNET
For sizes smaller than 55 inches, and for people who value smarts over image quality, these non-4K Roku TVs make the most sense. The picture is "good enough" and the built-in smarts are superb -- just enough to watch the final season of "The Office" or "Friends" content. And the price is perfect for a kids' room or secondary room where you don't need a massive screen.
I'm pretty sure you'd be happy with any one of the TVs above, but a new set can be a big investment, so maybe you're looking for a bit more information. Here's a quick and dirty list.
In my opinion, bigger is better. Big TVs are cheaper than ever, and your money is best spent on large screen sizes rather than a slight upgrade in image quality.
If you don't like the built-in smart TV system, you can always add a media streamer. They're cheap and easy to use, and receive updates more frequently than most smart TVs. See our picks of the best media streamers.
The sound quality of most built-in speakers is terrible, so it's worthwhile to pair your new set with a sound bar or other speaker system. Good ones start at around $100. See the best soundbars.
Looking for even more info?
Now playing:Watch this: TCL 6-Series: Best TV for the money in 2020
The holiday season is coming to an end, but Sony is clearly still in the spirit of giving. The company is sending employees a special gift, a custom PlayStation 5 jacket to commemorate the launch of the next-gen console. The fond memories of the work that went into the console may be a comfort, but the jackets themselves will do that job nicely.
There's no clear list of those who are getting PlayStation 5 jackets, but it appears that they're going to people in the United States who work with Sony. For example, Naughty Dog's Senior QA Jan "Gabby" Llanillo, who tweeted out a photo of the jacket and another of her wearing it. The insulated jacket bears the color scheme of the console and includes embroidery on the sleeve and chest. The sleeve has the 25th Anniversary emblem, while the front of the jacket reads "PS5 Launch Team." Aside from looking slick, it's also a great collector's item.
PS5 owners are getting their own gift of sorts for the cold winter months ahead. It was announced that the free PS Plus games for January 2021 will include two PlayStation 4 titles and one PlayStation 5 game. Those who own Sony's newest console will get a free copy of Maneater as part of their subscription. This is the shark RPG (or shARkPG) that released back in May where players control a predatory shark in an open world. The PS5 version of Maneater comes with a few improvements, such as support for ray tracing, 4K HDR at 60fps, and new lighting effects.
advertising
This will be a nice addition to any PS5 owner's collection -- if they were lucky to snag once, that is. It's common knowledge that the PS5 launch didn't go smoothly. The PS5 pre-orders were a chaotic mess and many who wanted the console weren't even able to add one to their carts before retailers ran out of stock. This was due to enormous demand, but also scalpers who used bots to efficiently clean out stock quickly. To rub salt in the wound, scalpers then began selling the consoles for outrageous amounts of money on sites like eBay. One UK listing for the PS5 was set at £1500, but there were many others that were just as bad.
advertising
Since its launch, consumers have been scrambling to secure one, but retailers rarely have any in stock. When they do, available consoles are scooped up fast. This had lead to an impressive number of sales for Sony, which is great for the company but not so much for those still waiting to purchase the console. Thankfully, after seeing the high amount of demand, Sony plans to increase production of the PS5 in 2021. This should give more people an opportunity to finally get one.
The PS5 is available now at most major retailers while supplies last.
Sony made a very generous move this week for PlayStation Plus subscribers regarding Tripwire Interactive's Maneater. A Reddit user who recently purchased the survival game logged on to find that Sony had refunded them for Maneater since the ShaRkPG is being added to PS Plus for free in January. The automatic refund was a pleasant surprise for PS Plus subscribers, since users typically have to ask customer service for refunds in these scenarios.
Maneater was released back in May for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with later ports on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. A Nintendo Switch version is slated to arrive in the first half of 2021. The game sees players take control of a female bull shark who must evolve and survive in the ocean by attacking people, with an ultimate goal of taking down the fisherman who disfigured the shark and killed her mother. The single-player adventure was initially meant to be an expansion for the 2014 multiplayer shark game Depth, but grew to become a standalone product. Maneater even includes collectibles from the classic Jaws series and was said to draw inspiration from Jaws Unleashed.
Continue scrolling to keep readingClick the button below to start this article in quick view.
Reddit user BraeWhyit revealed that when they booted up their PS5, they noticed that Sony offered them a refund for Maneater, which they had purchased last month. According to the message, Sony will refund the purchase price of the game to users' PlayStation Store wallets because of Maneater's addition to PS Plus, where subscribers receive monthly free games and access to online multiplayer. "This will not affect your ability to play the game as we have not removed the game from your library," the message added.
After receiving a few questions about how the license works with PS Plus, BraeWhyit clarified that they do get to keep the license and will not lose the game if they end their PS Plus subscription. In other words, unlike typical PS Plus titles downloaded during their free period, users will get to hold onto Maneater forever and for free if they purchased it before January, even if they drop their subscription.
advertising
The open world RPG's addition to PS Plus comes just months after players received free next-gen Maneater upgrades alongside the arrival of the PS5 and Series X|S. The upgrades brought ray-traced graphics to the game, as well as 4K and 60 FPS gameplay and haptic feedback on the PS5 DualSense controller. PC players can also expect an upgrade for the hit title in 2021.
These automatic refunds for Maneater are certainly an unexpected yet pleasant gesture from Sony, considering the money they'd be losing from the offer. As fans may know, it is possible to receive refunds on newly-free games that PS Plus subscribers recently purchased, but only if negotiated with Sony customer service. Sony has really been pushing PS Plus alongside the PS5, so this Maneater gesture could be another effort to draw fans to the service. Perhaps other games will receive the same treatment in the future.
Starting January 5th, you’ll be able to get the PS5-only version of Maneater, the eat-em-up game that Polygon’s Chris Plante described in his entertaining review as “the best shark game... ever?”, as well as two other PS4 games, Greedfall and Shadow of the Tomb Raider — both of which are playable on PS5. Unfortunately, the PS4 version of Maneater isn’t available for people who haven’t yet made the jump to the PS5, so PS4 owners get just two games this month. This bundle will no longer be available after February 1st, 2021.
It seems like Sony has established a formula for its monthly batch of complimentary games, with one PS5 game serving as the highlight and two PS4 games to round it out (and to keep doling out some small gifts for people who don’t yet have a PS5). Speaking of PS5 games, go ahead and download Bugsnax for free while you can. It will no longer be available as a perk for PS Plus subscribers after January 4th.
I've been reviewing TVs since the days of plasma and rear projection, and I try to keep it simple by focusing on one key concept: picture quality for the money.
As 65-inch TVs become increasingly common, they are more affordable than ever. A solid budget model for under $500 isn't a tall order, and during holiday sales like Black Friday or Presidents Day they're even cheaper. When I make side-by-side comparisons of TVs here at CNET, I prefer using 65-inch screens since just about every mainstream TV maker offers this size. It's big enough to feature HDR-quality video and 4K but not too huge that it dominates most living rooms. Here are some of the best 65-inch TV screens I've found.
Now playing:Watch this: Watch me set up a TV review lab in my basement
6:17
Stay tuned
Subscribe to the CNET TVs, Streaming and Audio newsletter for the best of our home entertainment coverage.
The list below represents the best TVs I've reviewed in CNET's test lab (for 2021, that's my basement), where I compare smart LED TV, QLED TV, Ultra HD TV, 4K HDR TV and other 65-inch TV options and list them side-by-side to see which ones are most worth buying. Here are my latest recommendations, updated periodically, with the following notes to keep in mind.
The pandemic has thrown a wrench in shipping times, and many TVs are shipping late.
Most of the TVs on this list are 2019 and 2020 models, but I expect to review more TVs soon.
On the other hand, since TVs are generally a mature technology, the newest models may not include major upgrades over the previous versions. Most buyers will still be perfectly happy with a slightly older TV, especially since they're generally cheaper.
No TV I've ever tested offers this much picture quality for this little cash. The 2020 TCL 6 Series has even better image quality than its predecessor, thanks to mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array local dimming that helps it run circles around just about any other TV at this price. It's also a solid choice for gamers with a new THX mode that combines low input lag and high contrast. As if that's not enough, the Roku TV operating system is our hands-down favorite. Read our TCL 6-Series (2020 Roku TV) review.
David Katzmaier/CNET
What's that you say? You just want the best TV, money's no object? Here you go. In my side-by-side tests, the LG CX smart OLED TV is the best TV I've ever reviewed, with world-beating contrast, perfect wide viewing angle and excellent uniformity. If you can afford it, this is the TV to get. Read our LG OLEDCX series review.
Sarah Tew/CNET
TCL's 8-Series also features mini-LED and the result is superb contrast, brightness and high dynamic range that beats the less expensive 6-Series in my side-by-side comparison. The overall image quality doesn't quite hit OLED levels, but it comes close and costs a lot less. Read our TCL 8-Series (2019 Roku TV) review.
Sarah Tew/CNET
If you value Sony's brand, the X900H is an excellent choice, with image quality on par with the TCL 6-Series and a price that's not that much more expensive. And its suite of connections is actually better than the TCL's. In winter 2020 it will get full 4K/120Hz HDMI input capability to maximize the potential of the new Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, and right now it's the cheapest TV that works with ATSC 3.0 antenna broadcasts. Read our Sony XBR-X900H review.
Aside from the TCL 6-Series above, this is the best TV for the money. The TCL has a better picture and better smart HDTV system so it's a superior TV overall, but it's also a couple hundred dollars more expensive. If you can't afford the 6-Series, this Vizio is a good runner-up. Read our Vizio M7-Series Quantum (2020) review.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Roku is our favorite platform for streaming apps like Netflix, and it's even better baked into this 4K TV. Picture quality on this TCL 65-inch television set can't beat any of the models above -- its 4K resolution and HDR compatibility don't do anything to help the picture -- but it's perfectly fine for most people, especially at this price.
Note that the TCL 65S425 and 65S421 (the Walmart version) are very similar and we expect them to perform basically the same.
Other stuff to know about buying a new TV
I'm pretty sure you'd be happy with any one of the TV screens above, but a new set can be a big investment, so maybe you're looking for a bit more information. Here's a quick-and-dirty list.
In my opinion, bigger is better. Big TVs are cheaper than ever, and your money is best spent on larger screen size rather than a slight upgrade in image quality.
If you don't like the built-in smart TV system with smart features, you can always add a media streamer. They're cheap and easy to use, and receive updates more frequently than most top rated smart TVs. See the best media streamers here.
Most TVs sound terrible, so it's worthwhile to pair your new set with a sound bar or other speaker system. Good ones start at around $100. See the best soundbars here.
Looking for even more info? Here's everything to know (and more) about buying a new TV and getting the the best viewing experience.
