4k-qled5 min read

Cheapest 98-Inch QLED TV Per Inch (2026)

By Jon Levesque··Updated May 11, 2026

Prices and rankings come from BuyPerUnit's live retailer price tracking (Amazon, Best Buy, Newegg) and are verified against tracked listings before publish. How we verify prices →

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Key Takeaway

The TCL Q65 98-inch QLED TV (98Q651G) is the cheapest 98-inch QLED per inch in May 2026 at $12.22/inch, compared to Samsung's $61.20/inch. Here's the data.

The cheapest 98-inch QLED TV per inch in May 2026 is the TCL Q65 98-inch QLED (98Q651G), priced at $1,198 total and $12.22 per inch. For comparison, the Samsung Q80C 98-inch QLED costs $5,997.99—$61.20 per inch. Per-inch cost for the TCL is $48.98 less than Samsung's. No other 98-inch QLED with a confirmed price was found in our tracking as of May 2026.

Why 98-Inch QLED TVs Cost More Per Inch Than Smaller Models

The QLED category floor—the cheapest dollar per inch across all sizes—sits at $3.88 per inch, held by the 50-inch VIZIO VQD50M at $194 total. That’s a third the per-inch price of any 98-inch QLED. Large panels shift the economics: a 98-inch QLED screen is harder to manufacture, ships in lower volumes, and requires more rigid packaging. The result is a steeper price per diagonal inch even on the most affordable giant sets.

The TCL Q65 98-inch QLED comes in at $12.22 per inch ($1,198 ÷ 98). That’s $8.34 more per inch than the small‑screen QLED floor, but it’s still the lowest $/inch we can confirm among 98-inch QLED televisions in May 2026.

The Cheapest 98-Inch QLED in May 2026: TCL Q65

The TCL Q65—model 98Q651G—is listed at $1,198. Dividing total price by screen size gives $12.22 per inch. This is the cheapest 98-inch QLED per inch with a confirmed, in-stock asking price during our tracking window.

Why no other model undercuts it? The list also includes the Samsung Q80C 98-inch QLED (QA98Q80C) at $5,997.99, and a TCL QM7k was referenced in some reviews as a price/performance leader—but without a specific, verified price, it cannot be included in the ranking. As of May 11, 2026, the Q65 is the most affordable 98-inch QLED we can put a hard number on.

TCL Q65 vs Samsung Q80C: A $/Inch Showdown

With only two 98-inch QLED models carrying current prices, the gap is stark:

  • TCL Q65 98-inch QLED (98Q651G): $1,198 total → $12.22/inch
  • Samsung Q80C 98-inch QLED (QA98Q80C): $5,997.99 total → $61.20/inch

The Samsung costs $4,799.99 more for the same screen size. That’s an extra $48.98 per diagonal inch. While the Samsung may include different backlighting, processing, or smart platform features, there are no additional 98-inch QLED SKUs with public prices to bridge the gap. The TCL Q65 remains the cheapest per-inch entry among 98-inch QLEDs with concrete data.

How to Calculate $/Inch for Any Large TV You’re Shopping

The formula is straightforward: divide the total price by the screen diagonal in inches. For the TCL Q65, $1,198 ÷ 98 = $12.22. Most QLED “cheapest per inch” tables pull directly from the smallest sizes first—just like this one:

Top Picks by $/inch

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Those are the five lowest $/inch QLED TVs we track. Every one is 50 inches or smaller. The 98-inch Q65 doesn’t appear there because its $12.22 per inch is higher, not because it’s missing. If you’re targeting a 98-inch screen, you need to calculate $/inch manually for each candidate.

💡Always divide the price by the screen size—not the weight, shipping cost, or bundle extras—to compare large TVs on a level per‑inch basis. The category floor helps, but it often reflects much smaller panels.

Is a 98-Inch QLED a Smart Buy? Value vs. Size Trade-offs

The TCL Q65 at $12.22 per inch is the cheapest 98-inch QLED we can verify, but it’s still $8.34 more per inch than the $3.88 floor from a 50-inch VIZIO. That premium buys you screen real estate that no smaller set can replicate. If viewing distance, room layout, or sheer impact call for a 98-inch display, per-inch cost is a secondary metric—but it’s the metric that reveals the Q65 as the least expensive QLED in this size class.

Buyers who can trade a few inches might find far lower per-inch prices among 85-inch or 75-inch QLEDs. However, as of May 2026, for anyone committed to a 98-inch QLED, the TCL Q65 is the only choice with a sub-$1,500 price tag we can document. The next-cheapest option demands an extra $4,800.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest 98-inch QLED TV in 2026?

The TCL Q65 98-inch QLED (98Q651G) at $1,198 total is the lowest-cost 98-inch QLED we can confirm as of May 2026.

How does the TCL Q65's $/inch compare to other 98-inch QLEDs?

The only other 98-inch QLED with a confirmed current price is the Samsung Q80C at $61.20 per inch. The TCL’s $12.22 per inch is $48.98 lower per diagonal inch.

Is $12.22 per inch a good deal for a 98-inch TV?

For a 98-inch QLED, yes. The alternative 98-inch QLED costs $48.98 more per inch. The overall QLED category floor is much lower—$3.88 per inch—but that floor belongs to 50-inch models. Large screens always carry a higher per-inch price.

Are there any 98-inch QLED TVs cheaper than the TCL Q65?

No other 98-inch QLED with a verified price was found in May 2026 listings. A third model, the TCL QM7k, appeared in press coverage but lacked a concrete, current price, so it is not included.

How does the TCL Q65's $/inch compare to smaller QLED TVs?

The cheapest QLED in our live data is the 50-inch VIZIO VQD50M at $3.88 per inch. The TCL Q65’s $12.22 per inch is higher, reflecting the cost floor for a 98-inch panel. As size increases, expect $/inch to rise.

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