Toshiba was a brand name famous in the 80s. Devices from this Japanese firm are still being manufactured.
But do modern Toshiba TVs have the old reliability reputation?
Here’s everything you need to know about the makers, factories, and much more
Who manufactures Toshiba TVs today?
Hisense owns the Toshiba TV brand since 2017. They own almost all shares of Toshiba Visual Solutions Corporation, the TV arm, which they bought at 12.9 billion yen. This Chinese giant licenses the name and handles design tweaks.
The aim of buying the brand was to grab market share with trusted labels. Today, they ship millions under Toshiba badges.
What is the history of Toshiba and its TV division?
The original brand started in 1875 as Tanaka Seizo-sho. It was a lamp shop in Tokyo, but it grew into electronics after merging with Shibaura in 1939. The form led the post-war boom hit in the 1950s with radios and black-and-white TVs.
Its color sets rolled out in 1966, with the brand leading exports to Europe and the US. Plants in Nasu churned thousands daily. The 1980s brought VCR combos, but competition from Sony heated up. At that time, the brand chose to do size jumps, like 40-inch screens, when others topped 30.
Scandals rocked the firm in 2015. Accounting slips led to the TV exit. Hisense stepped in, keeping the name alive. Toshiba moved to manufacture chips and storage. In 2023, a buyout group took the whole company private. The TV story shifted from maker to licensor.
Where are Toshiba TVs produced?
Different countries produce these sets. But all the designs still stay in Japan. Engineers in Tokyo sketch panels and test AI before manufacturing in different parts of the world.
Here is a breakdown:
- Mexico: Many Toshiba TVs sold in North America are built in Hisense’s manufacturing facilities there. You may see “Made in Mexico” on product listings.
- China: Some models are made in Chinese factories run by contract manufacturers. Components and assembly often happen here.
- Poland and Turkey: Manufacturing or assembly is by companies like Vestel in Turkey and others in Poland. These serve the European market.
- Other regions: Depending on your location plus market demand and supply chains, production is usually spread across multiple locations.
What are key Toshiba TV models in 2025 and their reviews?
Here are the main picks of this brand currently in the market:
- Toshiba 40-inch V35 series FHD smart Fire TV: Has 1080p basics with Alexa voice. You will love its quick app loads and game modes at 120Hz. All these under 150 dollars.
- Toshiba 50-inch C350 series 4K LED smart Fire TV: Features Dolby Vision to boost colors in movies. It also has a low lag for PS5 plays with a solid brightness at 300 nits. At 200 dollars, it fits family hubs well.
- Toshiba 55-inch M550NP QLED full array 4K: Contains quantum dots that pop reds in sports. It has a deep contrast with local dimming. The price is at 430 dollars.
- Toshiba 85-inch Z570RP QLED 4K smart TV: This is a beast for theaters with 120Hz refresh. It also has VRR for smooth frames; worth 1,200 dollars if space allows.
- Toshiba 75-inch C350 series 4K UHD smart Fire TV: This is a wide screen for groups with Dolby Atmos. It is easy to use when streaming and it offers value for money at 600 dollars. Sound fills rooms better than smaller siblings.
What smart platform do Toshiba TVs use?
Fire TV powers most US Toshiba models in 2025. You get Alexa built-in for voice hunts and smart home ties. Apps load fast, with Prime Video front and center. Switch inputs or dim lights hands-free.
VIDAA runs in Europe and Asia for lighter loads. It scans channels free and adds local streams like BBC iPlayer. Less bloat than Android keeps menus quick. You pick regions; both support Netflix and YouTube smoothly.
Updates roll over air, fixing bugs monthly. Pair with Echo for full control.
Do Toshiba sets have good picture quality?
Yes. For instance, Toshiba shines in lit rooms with 300 to 500 nits peaks on its C350 lines. Colors stay true for sports, thanks to quantum dots in QLEDs models.
Dark scenes gray a bit on LED types, but local dimming helps M550 models. For movies, Dolby Vision adds depth.
Do Toshiba TVs support gaming features?
Yes, some high end models do support it.
For instance, the Game Mode cuts lag to 10ms on Z570RP sets. VRR syncs frames to avoid tears, key for PS5 runs at 120Hz. ALLM kicks in auto for quick switches.
Plus, Toshiba has the FreeSync Premium which is available on big screens like the 98-inch Z670RP.
What warranty does Toshiba offer?
Standard covers one- or two-year parts and labor costs in the US.
Hisense backs it with quick swaps at Best Buy. You could also register online for extensions up to three years if you are in Asia.
Is Toshiba a good brand?
Many models are built by Hisense, and this firm has improved TV technology and quality a lot in recent years. Hisense makes solid budget and midrange sets and even high end models in its own line. That means some Toshiba TVs offer good picture and features for the price.
But because different factories and licence partners build sets, performance and software support varies between models and regions. Two Toshiba TVs bought a year apart might have different smart platforms or firmware update policies. That leads to inconsistent owner experiences.
So, if you want long-term software support with top picture processing, it isn’t the best peak. Also, for the best gaming or cinema feel, premium brands still lead.
If you need a good value and solid specs for the price, this brand from a reputable local factory will usually hit the sweet spot. However, check the exact model reviews and region support first.