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When to buy TVs and laptops in the UK

How product release cycles and sale events affect TV and laptop prices, and how to time a purchase sensibly.

Updated 13 October 2026 · 3 min read · General information, not legal or financial advice.

TVs and laptops are among the most expensive things most households buy, and their prices move a lot over a product’s life. Buying at the right moment can matter more than finding the right retailer. This guide explains the patterns behind those price moves so you can time a purchase sensibly. It deliberately avoids promising exact dates or percentages, because every year and every model is different. The way to confirm a good price is always the product’s own price history.

Why prices fall over a product’s life

Most TVs and laptops launch at their highest price. As competitors release rivals, as retailers clear stock, and as the next model approaches, prices tend to drift down. The biggest falls often come when a successor is announced or arrives in shops, because retailers want to clear older stock. That is why last year’s model can be one of the best-value buys, especially when the improvements in the new model are small.

TVs: the yearly cycle

Major TV brands typically announce new ranges at the CES technology show in Las Vegas each January. New models then usually arrive in UK shops over the spring and early summer. As the new ranges land, the previous year’s models are often discounted. Later in the year, the big UK sale events in November bring heavy promotion of TVs.

  • Spring and early summer: new models arrive at launch prices. Previous-year models may be reduced as stock is cleared.
  • Black Friday period: lots of TV offers. Some are genuinely low prices on popular models. Others are event-specific variants with different model codes, or reductions against prices that were not charged for long. See our Black Friday guide.
  • Big sporting tournaments: retailers often promote TVs ahead of major football tournaments and other events, though that does not always mean lower prices.

TV model codes

TV model codes usually include a letter or number for the year, plus a screen size. Two TVs with almost identical names can be different years or different specifications. Always compare the full model code with reviews and with other retailers. A retailer-specific code can make a product hard to compare. That is not necessarily a problem, but it means you should compare specifications, not just names.

Laptops: chips, back-to-school and sales

Laptop prices are driven by processor generations and by manufacturers’ refresh cycles, which do not all follow the same calendar. When a new generation of chips arrives, laptops with the previous generation are often discounted. For many people, the previous generation is more than powerful enough.

  • Back-to-school and university season (late summer): many retailers and manufacturers run student offers and promotions on laptops.
  • Black Friday and January sales: common times for laptop discounts, with the same caution about checking price history.
  • Education discounts: some manufacturers offer discounts to students and education staff all year round. Check eligibility rules on the manufacturer’s own site.

A practical approach

  1. Decide what you need first. For a TV: size, room, and whether you watch a lot of sport, films or games. For a laptop: what you will use it for, battery life, weight, and how much storage and memory you need.
  2. Shortlist a few models using independent reviews.
  3. Track prices on those models using free tools. See our price history guide.
  4. Set a target price based on the lowest prices you see in the history.
  5. Buy when the price hits your target, whatever the date. If you need the item now, buy now and check whether the retailer has a price promise.

Extras to factor in

  • Extended warranties are often offered at checkout. You already have statutory rights against the retailer if goods are faulty. See our consumer rights guide. Consider whether the extra cover is worth it for you.
  • Delivery, installation and removal of an old TV can add to the cost. Compare the total price.
  • Bundles such as a free soundbar or software subscription can be good value, but only if you would have bought them anyway.

The bottom line

There is no magic date. Prices tend to fall when a successor arrives and during major sales, but the reliable signal is the price history of the exact model you want. Decide what you need, set a target, and let the price come to you.

Sources

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