January 9, 2026, 12:22 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
If you buy a new TV in the winter, you should be cautious. The temperature difference between the outside and inside could damage the device—at least that’s what the myth says.
Anyone who buys a new TV wants to set it up in their living room and try it out right away. But then comes the surprise: The delivery person advises waiting a bit before plugging it in, until the device has warmed to room temperature. Otherwise, it could damage the pixels. But is that really true? Should you actually wait for a new TV to warm up to room temperature in the winter? TECHBOOK wanted to know the truth behind this myth, which is often discussed in tech forums online. So, we asked the manufacturers.
The Danger is Not for the Pixels …
In fact, the concern about pixel damage is unfounded. “In general, Sony TVs can be put into operation immediately after delivery and setup, as a short-term temperature difference has no impact. The delivery person’s advice does not apply to Sony TVs,” a Sony spokesperson explained to TECHBOOK. You can even operate the TVs in cold rooms. The cold may cause smears on the screen, but that’s not a pixel failure. Once the TV returns to warmth, the picture will return to normal.
Samsung confirms this statement. After consulting with their tech team, a spokesperson stated that there is no risk to the pixels from turning on the TV too quickly.
The rumor that TVs could be damaged by winter cold might have originated from the LCD technology commonly used a few years ago. LCD stands for Liquid-Crystal Display, and in such screens, liquid crystals create the image on the TV. Perhaps the idea that these liquid crystals could freeze like water gave rise to this rumor.
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… but for the Entire Device!
However, the danger in winter is not specific to TVs; low temperatures are a challenge for electronic devices in general. Both LG and Philips spokespersons noted that while the pixel myth is false, the advice to be cautious with chilled electronics like TVs or smartphones in winter is valid. The real threat is condensation.
“On cold objects, air condenses when the surrounding temperature suddenly rises, leading to water droplets or a moisture film. This process also occurs on the outside and inside of electronic devices,” a Philips spokesperson explained. “Moisture on circuit boards or at interface contacts can lead to leakage currents and short circuits, potentially damaging components.”
Caution Also With Laptops and Smartphones
If a TV spends a night in a cold warehouse in winter and is brought into warmth, moisture can form on the circuit boards. And this applies not only to TVs, as an LG spokesperson explains. The advice to let devices acclimate to warmth first is not wrong. “Because, for example, condensation moisture can always be an issue,” the spokesperson said. “Therefore, you should not leave your laptop or smartphone—regardless of theft risk—in the car overnight and then turn it on directly in a warm room in the morning. Bringing the device into warmth creates condensation moisture, which can harm the device.”
Therefore, the tip is: Technology that has spent a night in a cold car, on a truck bed, or in a warehouse can suffer from condensation due to a large temperature difference. For new devices, it is indeed advisable to let them warm up in their packaging, protected from moisture, before unpacking and plugging them in.