You walk into an electronics store and see the stunning picture on a brand-new 2025 OLED or QLED TV, but the four-figure price tag is a major hurdle. What if you could get that same breathtaking quality for a fraction of the price? The secret savvy shoppers use every year is here: retailers are clearing out brand-new, unsold 2024 TVs to make way for new inventory, and the discounts can be staggering—sometimes as high as 75% off the original retail price. This guide will show you exactly how to find these deals.
1. Why Retailers Are Slashing Prices on Brand-New 2024 TVs
A 75% discount on a new TV sounds like a gimmick, but it's a predictable part of the retail business cycle driven by three factors:
- The Annual Model Refresh: Every spring, brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony unveil their new TV lineups. By late summer, the 2024 models are officially "last generation," and retailers need to get them off the books and out of the warehouse.
- Minor Tech Updates, Major Marketing: The difference between a 2024 and 2025 model might be a slightly faster processor or a new picture mode. However, marketing campaigns will present the new models as a giant leap forward, making the equally excellent 2024 version a prime candidate for a massive price cut.
- Bulky Boxes, Valuable Space: TVs take up a huge amount of warehouse space. A retailer would much rather sell a 2024 model at a steep discount to free up that space for a new, full-margin product.
2. "Last Year's Tech" Is Still a Home Theater Powerhouse
Don't let the "2024" model year fool you. The significant advancements in TV technology mean that a premium TV from last year is still a cutting-edge piece of equipment. Here’s what to look for:
- Panel Technology: A 2024 OLED TV from LG or Sony still offers perfect blacks and infinite contrast. A 2024 Samsung QLED still delivers vibrant colors and incredible brightness. This core technology remains top-tier.
- Resolution and Gaming: 4K is the universal standard, and that hasn't changed. For gamers, crucial features like HDMI 2.1 ports for 4K/120Hz gaming were standard on most mid-to-high-end 2024 models.
- Smart Platform: The smart TV interface (like Google TV, Roku, or LG's webOS) on a 2024 model is still fast, supported, and receives updates for all your favorite streaming apps.
3. The Pro-Tip for 75% Off: Combine Clearance with Open-Box
While you can find great deals on new-in-box 2024 models, the path to the biggest discounts—up to 75% off—often involves an "open-box" purchase. An open-box TV is typically a customer return that has been thoroughly inspected, tested, and certified by the retailer (like Best Buy's Geek Squad) to be in perfect working condition. When you combine a 40% clearance discount on a 2024 model with another 30-50% discount for it being open-box, you hit the jackpot. Always check the warranty details, but this is the number one way to get a flagship TV for a budget price.
4. Where to Hunt for the Deepest Discounts
These deals require a bit of searching in the right places. Focus your hunt on the "Deals," "Clearance," or "Open-Box" sections of these retailers:
- Big-Box Electronics Stores: Best Buy is famous for its open-box deals. Walmart and Costco also have aggressive online and in-store clearance events.
- Online Giants: Amazon often has "previous version" listings for popular TVs from TCL, Hisense, and Samsung at a significant markdown.
- Warehouse Clubs: Stores like Costco and Sam's Club often make special purchases of a specific 2024 model and sell it at a fantastic price until it's gone.