Roku, the number one streaming platform in the U.S., is celebrating its tenth anniversary this spring by announcing its new Roku Pro Series TVs and a new Roku Smart Picture AI feature coming along with it. The Roku Pro Series follow the company’s trend of releasing its own self-branded TVs, which they announced the Roku Select and Roku Plus TVs at CES 2023.
With one in every three households using its Roku platform for streaming, it seemed like an ingenious business movement. However, the two series fell short in picture quality compared to its competitors from TCL, Hisense, and other TV makers. Although the TVs were still fine, many dismissed the Roku Select and Roku Plus as they could buy a better TV at the same price.
For 2024, Roku is attempting to build on the foundation of its Roku Select and Roku Plus TVs by releasing the Roku Pro Series TVs with Roku Smart Picture, a new set of features coming to the Roku TV program in the U.S. in spring. As per the words of Chris Larson, vice president of retail strategy at Roku: “As we hit ten years of the Roku TV program, we believe this new line of TVs will set a new standard for an elevated streaming experience.”
2 Things to Know About Roku’s Spring Releases
Roku Pro Series TVs
First and foremost, the Roku Pro Series TVs will come in 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch sizes, a massive decrease compared to the 11 Roku Select and Roku Plus models ranging from 24 inches to 75 inches they released last year. According to their blog post, it is to allow the new modern design, modelled after the Samsung Frame, to rest flat against the wall, cementing its status as a streaming TV.
In addition, the Roku Pro Series TVs will feature exceptional picture quality with a 4K QLED display, Mini-LED, local dimming, enhanced audio technology for a broad cinematic sound and a unique mount for these models that marries design and functionality.
Furthermore, Roku will power their Roku Pro Series TVs with its award-winning operating system and a new premium Roku remote, emphasising its focus on the features that streamers have come to love. In line with the words of Chris Larson: “Roku Pro Series TVs picture and audio quality, polished design, unique features, and ease of use, bringing the market leadership and innovation that Roku is known for to a TV made for streaming.”
Also Read: 5 Best TV Series Based on Video Games
Roku Smart Picture
Another release coming in Spring by Roku is its new Roku Smart Picture AI. According to the company’s blog post, the new Roku Smart Picture feature uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data from content partners to detect the type of content displayed on your screen and automatically tailor the image for an optimised viewing experience.
Moreover, Roku’s Picture Quality Tuning Team has adjusted the AI feature to function in all their existing Roku TV series, including the released Roku Select and Roku Plus, to ensure its consumers always get their favourite pieces in the best possible presentation.
Lastly, the main objective of the Roku Smart Picture feature is to take away the guesswork of digging into the TV settings to set the resolution and picture tone, as Roku’s research shows that over 90% of its customers never change their picture modes at all, so now the company is going to handle that duty itself.
Roku Pro Series TVs vs. Sharp Aquos OLED Roku
With the Roku Pro Series arriving as the first batch of Roku TV in 2024, it seems fair to compare it with a successful Roku TV launch at the end of 2023, which is Sharp’s Aquos OLED Roku. Listed below is the comparison between the two Roku TVs.
TV Models | Roku Pro Series TVs | Sharp Aquos OLED Roku |
Sizes | 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch | 55-inch, 65-inch |
LED | QLED | OLED |
Refresh Rate | – | 4K 120Hz |
Price | Under $1,500 | $1,499.99, $1,999.99 |
AI System | Yes | No |
Closing Thoughts
To summarise, the Roku Pro Series TVs will arrive in retail stores in spring in the U.S. with pricing under $1,500. Although Roku has kept tight-lipped regarding its Pro Series’ other hardware features and tech specs, the Pro title leaves ample space for us to imagine.
For more information regarding the Roku Pro Series TVs, you can check out their official website or follow our Twitter page for immediate coverage of the trending news circulating the Internet.