Lumio Vision 9 (2026) launches with a performance-first approach as it builds on early market traction

Lumio has introduced the Vision 9 (2026) smart TV in India, expanding its premium lineup with a continued emphasis on performance as a core differentiator. The new model, available in 65-inch and 55-inch variants, arrives alongside an updated Vision 7 series, but the broader context around the launch is as much about the company’s early market learnings as it is about the product itself.

On the sidelines of the launch, ET spoke with Raghu Reddy, CEO, Circuit House Technologies, and Kailash Sankaranarayanan, Co-Founder & COO, to understand how the company is positioning itself in an increasingly crowded smart TV market.

Over its first year, Lumio has anchored its strategy around a relatively under-discussed issue in the smart TV segment: inconsistent and often slow performance. According to Reddy, that initial thesis has held up in the market. The company has served over 20,000 customers across TVs and projectors so far, with TVs accounting for roughly 80% of the business. More notably, he pointed out that a significant majority of buyers chose Lumio specifically for its promise of speed and responsiveness, with many upgrading from established brands such as LG, Samsung, Sony, and Xiaomi.

This behaviour, the company argues, reflects a broader shift in how consumers are evaluating TVs. While display quality and pricing continue to matter, real-world usability, particularly system fluidity, is increasingly becoming a deciding factor. The Vision 9 (2026) is built around that premise.

At its core is what Lumio calls its “Boss Performance” architecture, powered by MediaTek’s Pentonic 700 chipset, paired with 3GB RAM and faster storage. The focus here is less on peak specifications and more on reducing everyday friction, including app load times, UI lag, and switching between services. The company claims up to 2X performance improvements over typical smart TVs in the segment, though its broader pitch is around consistency rather than headline numbers.

This performance-first approach extends to gaming as well. The Vision 9 supports 4K at 144Hz and up to 240Hz at 1080p, along with VRR and ALLM, targeting users looking for smoother, high refresh rate gameplay.

On the display side, the Vision 9 (2026) features a QD MiniLED panel with local dimming and up to 800 nits peak brightness. It incorporates an EVA panel designed to improve contrast and black levels, supported by the company’s DOPE 2 tuning engine for HDR and colour accuracy.Audio has also been upgraded, with a 50W 2.2 channel system that includes dual subwoofers, tuned to balance bass output with dialogue clarity. Dolby Atmos support is included.

The software experience runs on Android 14, layered with Lumio’s TLDR platform, which aggregates recommendations and simplifies content discovery. Alongside this, the company is preparing to roll out Project Neo, a feature that shifts interaction from the TV interface to messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram.

Explaining the thinking behind this, Sankaranarayanan noted that content discovery today largely happens on smartphones, while consumption remains on larger screens. Bridging that gap, rather than adding more layers within the TV interface, is where the company sees an opportunity.

Beyond the product, Lumio’s early strategy reflects a focused approach to distribution and category building. The company remains primarily online-first, having expanded from Amazon to Flipkart, while selectively experimenting with offline experience zones through partnerships such as Urban Ladder. These spaces are designed to replicate home environments rather than traditional retail setups.

A broader offline expansion is likely still some distance away. As Sankaranarayanan indicated, the company is taking a measured approach, prioritising brand building before scaling retail presence more aggressively over the next 15 to 18 months.

On the projector side, which currently contributes around 20% of Lumio’s business, the company takes a different view from parts of the industry that see the category plateauing. Reddy highlighted that demand is being driven by younger users, particularly those in the 18 to 35 age group, who are looking for flexible and shared viewing experiences rather than traditional home theatre setups. While the segment remains relatively small in India, Lumio believes it has strong growth potential.

Operationally, one of the key challenges has been delivering consistently on the brand’s core promise. Reddy pointed out that achieving measurable performance gains requires close coordination across hardware, software, and ecosystem partners. For projectors, the focus has similarly been on ensuring reliability, picture quality, and seamless app compatibility.

After-sales support has also been an early area of investment. The company has set up a network of over 300 service centres covering a wide service footprint across India. According to Reddy, this is a critical requirement in high-value categories like TVs and needs to be in place well before scaling sales.

The Lumio Vision 9 (2026) will be available starting April 24, with the 65-inch variant priced at INR 72,999, including offers. The 55-inch model is expected to follow in May, while the refreshed Vision 7 lineup will also go on sale in April.

The launch reflects a consistent direction from Lumio. Rather than competing purely on specifications or aggressive pricing, the company is doubling down on a narrower but increasingly relevant bet: that performance in everyday use remains one of the most visible gaps in the smart TV experience, and one that users are willing to switch brands for.