Sorry Australia ... you’ll have to wait to buy a 4K LG OLED TV

DEMAND for LG’s top-of-the-range TVs has been so strong overseas that Australians have been warned they will have to wait longer for the fancy new sets.

LG 77-inch Flexible 4K OLED TV / approx. $25,000 / lg.com.au LG is backing OLED, or organic light-emitting diode screens, as the television technology of the future. In addition to six OLED TVs, the company showed off this hero model at CES, a 77-inch OLED TV with a screen that can change from flat to curved with the press of a button. LG says the TV will cost about $25,000 when it launches in Australia, and could be a solution for high-end TV buyers who cannot decide between screen formats.

FUTURISTIC television technology is proving so popular overseas, Australian consumers will have to wait to get their share of it, TV maker LG revealed today.

The South Korean technology giant unveiled its 2015 television line-up at the Sydney Cricket Ground today, showing off a range of OLED, 4K and ColourPrime televisions in screen sizes up to 84 inches (213cm).

But what would be the pinnacle of the range — two 4K OLED televisions — will take some time to reach local stores.

The wow factor ... The LG 77-inch (195cm) Flexible 4K OLED TV will retail for approximately $25,000.

LG home entertainment marketing manager Grant Vandenberg said Australians had embraced OLED television technology since its late 2013 debut but the Australian arrival of the company’s top models would be delayed.

“The popularity of OLED has been exceptionally strong. Unfortunately for us here in Australia, the demand has been so strong overseas we’ve been asked to hold off for a little bit longer,” he said.

“We believe OLED is the pinnacle of TV viewing and nothing can match the colour contrast.”

Mr Vanderberg said he hoped the top model OLED screens would arrive later this year, though no launch date was available.

In the meantime, LG would continue to sell its full high-definition 55-inch OLED television for $3999, he said.

Pride of place ... the LG Flexible 4K OLED TV is 77 inches or two metres wide.

LG’s new television range will instead focus on 4K televisions, many featuring ColourPrime technology, also known as Quantum Dot, that delivers brighter colours.

The new technology will be available in screens up to 79 inches (200cm) in size, with the top model costing $12,999.

Mr Vandenberg predicted the 4K Ultra High Definition televisions would continue to grow in popularity in Australia, particularly as 4K content was now available from Netflix.

“The 4K segment continues to grow. Right now it’s about 30 per cent in value terms and we predict it could reach 50 per cent,” he said.

“When Australian viewers are confronted with new technology they adopt it, they embrace it, they get on board.”

The televisions will also feature upgraded WebOS 2.0 smart TV menus.