Roku is expanding its lineup of branded smart televisions with the new Pro Series, which it says will cost less than $1,500 and launch this spring.
The Roku Pro Series will come in 55, 65, and 75 inches, and include the standard features of a high-end television, including a 4K QLED display, Mini-LED local dimming, and enhanced audio. It will also come with a redesigned “premium” remote control, but the company didn’t offer any new details on it. The company said it would also be powered by its fastest processor yet.
Roku also teased a “modern design” that rests flat against the wall, although none of the images show how this would work.
The Roku Pro Series represent the company’s deeper push into the television market, which it first entered last March as exclusives at Best Buy. Prior to that, Roku had gotten its operating system integrated into various TVs made by partners like TCL, Sharp, and RCA.
A move into the premium category of smart TVs means Roku’s serious about staying in this business, which is always a tricky proposition since it will effectively be competing with some of its partners.
While Roku creates the reference design, the company works with various panel makers and 13 factories around the world to manufacture its televisions. The company wouldn’t say which ones will be manufacturing the Pro series TVs, but Lloyd Klarke, director of product marketing, said Roku isn’t overly reliant on one partner.