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Move over projectors and traditional panels – Hisense has officially entered the ultra-premium display arena with its colossal 136MX Micro LED TV, now available for purchase. Originally announced at CES 2025, this 136-inch titan carries a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $149,999. However, in a move that underscores the niche nature of this product, Hisense is currently offering a substantial $20,000 discount, bringing the price down to $129,999 for deliveries starting in October. This positions it competitively against offerings like Sony's previous 114-inch Micro LED model.

The Engineering Behind the Behemoth

The 136MX isn't just big; it's packed with cutting-edge display technology:
* True Micro LED: Utilizing 25 million microscopic LEDs, it eliminates the need for a separate backlight, promising superior brightness, color accuracy, and contrast compared to Mini-LED or OLED displays.
* Extreme Brightness: Capable of reaching 10,000 nits peak brightness, far exceeding most consumer TVs.
* AI-Powered Processing: Powered by the Hi-View AI Engine X, leveraging AI algorithms to optimize picture quality frame-by-frame.
* Color Precision: Boasts a 90% BT.2020 color gamut and holds both Pantone Validated and Pantone SkinTone Validated certifications, ensuring exceptional color fidelity.
* Immersive Audio/Video: Supports Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos for a premium cinematic experience (though notably not the newly announced Dolby Vision 2 standard).
* Gamer Ready: Features a 120Hz refresh rate, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and FreeSync Premium Pro support.

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Caption: Hisense unveiled the 136MX Micro LED TV at CES 2025. (Credit: Kerry Wan/ZDNET)

The Practical Reality: Size, Weight, and Market Position

Beyond the impressive specs lies the practical challenge: this TV is physically enormous. Measuring just over 118 inches wide (9.8 feet) and weighing a staggering 320 pounds, installation will be a significant logistical feat requiring substantial space and structural consideration. It's clearly not intended for the average living room.

"The company says the TV was built in response to consumer demand for larger sets..."

This statement reflects a genuine trend. While the 136MX sits at the extreme apex, manufacturers are increasingly pushing boundaries. Many of 2025's flagship TVs now offer 98-inch variants, with several brands exploring options well beyond the 100-inch mark. The 136MX serves as a technological flagship for Hisense, showcasing their Micro LED capabilities and ambition within the high-end home theater and luxury installation markets. The hefty discount, while significant in absolute terms, still leaves it accessible only to an extremely select clientele, but its existence signals the ongoing race for larger, brighter, and more advanced displays.

The arrival of Hisense's first Micro LED, even at this stratospheric price point, signifies the technology's slow but steady march towards broader viability. While mainstream adoption remains distant due to cost and manufacturing complexity, the 136MX demonstrates the potential ceiling for performance that Micro LED promises – a future where size and picture quality limitations are dramatically redefined.