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The television market is a crowded space, with giants like LG, Samsung, and Sony vying for dominance through cutting-edge display technologies and feature-packed smart platforms. Amid this fierce competition, German luxury brand Loewe has carved out a niche for itself by blending avant-garde design with high-end performance. The Loewe Stellar TV series, the company’s latest flagship offering, is a bold testament to this ethos. With its unique concrete and lava-backed design, Micro Lens Array (MLA) OLED panels, and Samsung’s Tizen OS, the Stellar aims to redefine what a premium television can be. But does it justify its lofty price tag and stand out in a market saturated with exceptional OLEDs? After spending time with the Stellar, here’s our comprehensive review.
Design: A Statement Piece Like No Other
From the moment you lay eyes on the Loewe Stellar, it’s clear this is no ordinary television. Loewe has always prioritized aesthetics, and the Stellar takes this philosophy to new heights. The standout feature is its rear panel, crafted from a thin layer of real concrete or, in the latest iteration, a 60-micrometer layer of cooled lava. This unconventional material choice gives each TV a unique texture, ensuring no two units are identical. The concrete or lava is paired with a brushed aluminum frame, exuding an industrial yet refined aesthetic that feels more like a piece of modern art than a consumer electronic.
Loewe Stellar
The concrete back, while visually striking, is surprisingly lightweight at just 2mm thick, addressing concerns about practicality. Loewe’s attention to detail extends to the front, where a slim bezel and a metal Loewe logo “flag” add a touch of elegance. The TV’s “Magic Light” LED system, which illuminates the bottom edge and stand, creates a subtle ambient glow that enhances the viewing experience without competing with Philips’ dynamic Ambilight technology. Users can customize the lighting to various colors and intensities, though it doesn’t react to on-screen content.
Mounting options are equally thoughtful. The Stellar comes with a swivel stand as standard, but Loewe offers an optional motorized floor stand that adjusts height and angle via remote control, as well as an ultra-slim wall mount with integrated cable management. These options ensure the TV integrates seamlessly into any living space, whether as a freestanding centerpiece or a wall-mounted statement.
At 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, 83, and a forthcoming 97-inch size, the Stellar caters to a range of room sizes, though its premium pricing—starting at £3,299/€3,299 for the 42-inch model and climbing to £18,999/€19,999 for the 83-inch—positions it firmly in the luxury segment. Compared to competitors like the LG C4 or Samsung S95D, which use similar OLED panels, the Stellar’s price is significantly higher, reflecting its bespoke design and craftsmanship.
Display Technology: MLA OLED Excellence
At the heart of the Loewe Stellar is its OLED panel, which leverages LG Display’s second-generation Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology for the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch models. Unlike traditional OLEDs, MLA panels use microscopic lenses to focus light, boosting brightness without compromising the organic elements’ longevity. Loewe claims peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits on a 5% HDR test window, a figure that rivals top-tier OLEDs like the LG G4 and Panasonic Z95A.
Loewe Stellar TV Series
What sets the Stellar apart is Loewe’s unique manufacturing approach. Rather than purchasing finished OLED panels, Loewe acquires open-cell WRGB OLED panels from LG Display and customizes them at its Kronach, Germany facility. This allows for tailored optimizations, such as enhanced heatsinks and power supplies, potentially improving performance over stock panels used by competitors. While the exact nature of these modifications isn’t fully disclosed, early hands-on impressions suggest the Stellar delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and exceptional contrast.
The Stellar supports HDR10+ and HLG but notably lacks Dolby Vision HDR, a surprising omission for a premium TV. Some sources indicate Dolby Vision could be added via a firmware update, but as of now, its absence is a drawback for viewers who prioritize this format for streaming content on platforms like Netflix. The TV does, however, support HDR10+ Adaptive, which adjusts picture settings based on ambient lighting for optimal viewing.
In our hands-on testing, the 55-inch Stellar impressed with its crisp 4K resolution and lifelike image quality. Demo reels showcased vibrant colors and precise contrast, with dark scenes retaining detail in shadows and bright highlights popping without blooming. The pre-calibrated panels, tuned at Loewe’s factory, ensure out-of-the-box accuracy that meets professional color standards, making the Stellar a favorite for cinephiles and content creators alike.
Not all sizes benefit from MLA technology, as the 42- and 48-inch models use standard WOLED panels, which may not match the brightness or efficiency of their larger counterparts. This inconsistency across the range is a minor disappointment, but the smaller models still deliver the impeccable black levels and color accuracy inherent to OLED.
Audio Performance: A Soundbar That Packs a Punch
A television’s audio quality is often an afterthought, but the Loewe Stellar takes it seriously. Integrated into the chassis is an 80W soundbar with six drivers, delivering clear and immersive sound that rivals standalone audio solutions. The system supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Play-Fi, enabling wireless connectivity with Loewe’s home cinema speakers for a full surround setup.
In testing, the Stellar’s audio performance was robust, with crisp dialogue, dynamic bass, and a wide soundstage that filled the room. Action scenes had the necessary punch, while quieter moments maintained clarity without distortion. The concrete or lava back is said to have a dampening effect on sound, though we didn’t notice any negative impact during our sessions. For those seeking a true home theater experience, the 77- and 83-inch models include a Center-In feature for integration with external audio systems.
While the built-in soundbar is impressive, it doesn’t quite match the cinematic immersion of high-end competitors like Sony’s Bravia 9 with its Acoustic Multi-Audio system. Audiophiles may still opt for a dedicated soundbar or surround system, but for most users, the Stellar’s audio is more than sufficient.
Loewe Stellar smart features: Tizen OS and Beyond
In a significant shift, Loewe has abandoned its in-house operating system for Samsung’s Tizen OS 8.0, making the Stellar the first major non-Samsung TV to adopt this platform. Tizen offers a familiar, user-friendly interface with access to major streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Samsung TV Plus. The slimline remote includes dedicated buttons for Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, streamlining navigation.
Loewe Stellar TV – images Loewe
Tizen’s adoption is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a fast and reliable platform with a robust app store and support for advanced features like Miracast, Apple AirPlay, and Samsung SmartThings for smart home integration. On the other hand, Tizen’s interface has been criticized for its cluttered design and occasional sluggishness compared to LG’s webOS or Google TV. Loewe has customized the UI slightly, but it remains largely familiar to Samsung TV owners.
The Stellar also includes a dual-channel chassis with double triple-tuners and a 1TB SSD for recording, supporting EPG-programmed recordings and timeshift functionality. This makes it a versatile option for traditional broadcast viewers, a rarity in today’s streaming-focused market. The TV’s four HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K/120Hz (up to 144Hz), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), making it a strong choice for gamers with next-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
Performance: A Visual and Functional Triumph
During our hands-on sessions, the Loewe Stellar proved itself as a top-tier performer. The MLA OLED panel delivered stunning picture quality, with vibrant colors and deep blacks that made movies like Dune: Part Two come alive. The TV’s brightness was particularly impressive, handling HDR content with ease and maintaining clarity in well-lit rooms. Motion handling was smooth, with no noticeable judder or artifacts during fast-paced scenes.
Gaming performance was equally strong, thanks to the HDMI 2.1 ports and high refresh rate. Playing Elden Ring on a PlayStation 5, we experienced minimal input lag and fluid visuals, with VRR ensuring tear-free gameplay. The TV’s AI neural processor, part of the NTK chipset, enhances upscaling and image processing, making lower-resolution content look sharp on the 4K display.
However, the lack of Dolby Vision is a notable drawback. While HDR10+ performs admirably, Dolby Vision’s dynamic metadata offers superior tone mapping for certain content, and its absence may disappoint viewers accustomed to it on competing TVs like the LG G4 or Sony A95L.
Value: Luxury at a Premium
The Loewe Stellar’s pricing is its most polarizing aspect. At £3,299/€3,299 for the 42-inch model and up to £18,999/€19,999 for the 83-inch, it’s significantly more expensive than competitors like the LG C4 (£1,500 for 42-inch) or Samsung S95D (£2,500 for 55-inch), which use similar OLED panels. The Stellar’s premium is justified by its bespoke design, in-house panel customization, and robust feature set, but it’s a tough sell for budget-conscious buyers.
For those who view a TV as a statement piece, the Stellar’s unique aesthetic and craftsmanship make it worth considering. Its concrete or lava back, customizable lighting, and German engineering cater to a niche demographic that values design as much as performance. However, for pure value, competitors offer comparable picture quality at a lower cost.
Criticisms and Areas for Improvement
While the Stellar excels in many areas, it’s not without flaws. The absence of Dolby Vision is a significant oversight, especially at this price point. Tizen OS, while functional, lags behind webOS and Google TV in polish and intuitiveness. The lack of dynamic Ambilight-style lighting is a missed opportunity, as the static Magic Light system feels less immersive. Additionally, the Stellar’s availability is limited to Europe and the UK, with no plans for a US release, which restricts its global appeal.
Conclusion: A Stellar Choice for the Discerning Buyer
The Loewe Stellar TV series is a triumph of design and technology, blending cutting-edge MLA OLED panels with a breathtaking concrete or lava-backed aesthetic. Its vibrant picture quality, robust audio, and versatile smart features make it a formidable contender in the premium TV market. While its high price and lack of Dolby Vision may deter some, the Stellar’s unique craftsmanship and performance justify its cost for those who see their TV as a centerpiece of both entertainment and decor.
For cinephiles, gamers, and design enthusiasts willing to invest in a luxury experience, the Loewe Stellar is a standout choice. It’s not just a television—it’s a statement. But for those prioritizing value or Dolby Vision support, alternatives like the LG G4 or Samsung S95D may be more practical. The Stellar proves that Loewe remains a trailblazer in the luxury TV space, delivering a product that’s as much a work of art as it is a technological marvel.
Pros:
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Stunning concrete/lava-backed design
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Exceptional MLA OLED picture quality
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Powerful 80W soundbar with Dolby Atmos
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Robust gaming features with HDMI 2.1
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Unique customization and German craftsmanship
Cons:
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No Dolby Vision support
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Tizen OS less polished than competitors
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Premium price may not suit all budgets
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Limited availability (no US release)
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Mixed customer service feedback
Loewe Stellar Price (as of June 2025):
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42-inch: £3,299/€3,299
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55-inch: £4,299/€4,299
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65-inch: £5,299/€5,299
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77-inch: £9,499/€9,999
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83-inch: £18,999/€19,999
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97-inch: TBD (January 2026)
For more information, visit loewe.tv.