Are 98 inches too much for a living room?
When we replace an old TV with a new one, we usually buy a bigger one. Many buyers choose the size of the new TV cautiously: the distance from the sofa to the screen is measured, a chart is found online, and it is determined that at a viewing distance of three meters, a 65 or 75-inch TV would be appropriate. In the store, a consultant confirms the choice and the TV arrives home. But after some time, it turns out it could have been bigger. Recommendations are not strict rules – most calculators assess what portion of the human field of vision the screen occupies and may indicate that a 98-inch TV should be viewed from about 4 meters away, as in that case the screen would cover a 30° field of view. However, to make watching movies, concerts, and sports events more immersive, it is better when the field of view angle is about 40°, which means a 98-inch TV can be watched from 3 meters away and the image will be much more impressive, closer to a cinema experience.
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Different quality, different viewing
Looking closely at older, lower resolution TV screens, pixels making up the image, jagged edges of objects, and other resolution shortcomings were visible. In 4K TVs, pixels are arranged much more densely, so even a large screen can be viewed from a shorter distance. Although the principle “a big TV requires a big living room” has lost relevance today, the limit still exists: if you sit so close that you have to turn your head or eyes to look for the image, the screen can be tiring. However, this depends not only on the diagonal size but also on the viewer’s preferences and vision.
The TV market confirms the trend: according to TrendForce data, in 2025 TVs larger than 60 inches already accounted for more than 28% of global sales. A few years ago, a 100-inch TV was an expensive exotic item; today, models of 75, 85, and 98 inches are increasingly chosen.
So, if the distance between the sofa and the screen is 3 m, it is worth considering the Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 98 2026. This TV’s screen is 2.17 m wide and 1.22 m high, so it is necessary to find out if there is enough free space on the wall; on the other hand, the Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 98 2026 can also be placed on legs.
The big Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 2026 models are not just big
The Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 2026 series includes 55, 65, 75, 85, and 98-inch models. The largest 98-inch model costs about 1,999 euros – a considerable amount, but in the 98–100 inch category, this price is quite competitive – especially considering that it is a TV with a Mini LED screen. It should be noted that the 85 and 98-inch Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 2026 models are technically more advanced than the smaller TVs in this series: their screen refresh rate reaches 144 Hz, they have more individually controlled screen backlight zones, a more powerful processor, and also support Dolby Vision, with a maximum screen brightness of 1,200 nits.
The 98-inch Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 2026 screen backlight is divided into 880 individually controlled Mini LED zones, so the backlight can be stronger in one part of the screen and greatly reduced in another. This is especially noticeable on autumn evenings when watching TV in the dark: a night scene in a movie will be completely dark, but at the same time, a car headlight or a sudden fire will be bright. Moreover, the large 85 and 98-inch Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 2026 series TVs feature high brightness and excellent contrast, with black on their screen being truly black, not grayish, and colors rich even in complex, contrasting scenes.
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A big screen is unforgiving to poor image quality
The 98-inch diagonal quickly reveals the quality of the content you are watching. 4K movies from Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, or other modern platforms will be immersive on such a screen, but a TV channel broadcasting low-resolution programs will not magically turn into 4K on such a large screen and will look dull. The TV tries to improve the situation by processing the image, but miracles do not happen. Therefore, consider that the bigger the TV you buy, the more important the quality of the content you watch becomes.
But when the content quality is high, you will appreciate the advantages of the Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 2026 screen’s 144 Hz refresh rate when watching dynamic images. These advantages become even more pronounced when connecting a gaming console or computer: movements are smooth, and the image responds instantly to the player’s actions, with no stuttering. It has been established that at a 120 Hz refresh rate, the time from button press to reaction on the screen is only about 8–10 milliseconds. This is especially important in fast racing, sports, or action games.
Where are the compromises?
The compromise is sound. The 98-inch Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 2026 has two 15 W speakers installed, supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technologies, but when such a huge and high-quality image is in front of you, you just want matching sound. In this case, physics decides everything: there is simply no space in a thin body for large speakers and the acoustic volume needed to produce deep bass, spacious, powerful sound. Therefore, to have sound that matches the scale of a 98-inch image, it is worth considering a separate soundbar or home theater sound system.
Apps and streaming services
The Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 98 2026 has the Google TV system installed, so you can immediately use Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and install other popular services via Google Play: Disney+, Max, SkyShowtime, Spotify, Apple TV, Tidal, or Kodi. Google TV also evaluates viewing habits and provides content recommendations from different platforms in one place. Additionally, the TV supports Google Cast and Apple AirPlay, so photos, videos, or other content can be displayed on its screen directly from a phone, tablet, or computer.
So let’s decide
A 98-inch TV is certainly not for every living room, but it has long ceased to be a luxury exotic item. If the viewing distance to the screen is about 3 m, there is enough space on the wall or furniture, and you mostly watch good quality 4K movies, sports broadcasts, or play games, such a screen size can provide a completely different viewing experience. And the Xiaomi TV S Mini LED 98 2026 is attractive not only for its diagonal but also for its bright Mini LED screen, 144 Hz refresh rate, and modern gaming and streaming capabilities.
