Honestly, the first time you see a 98 in onn tv sitting on a pallet at Walmart, it feels a little surreal. It's basically a wall that plugs into an outlet. For years, if you wanted a screen that large, you were looking at a projector or a five-figure investment that probably required a professional installer and a lot of prayer. But now? Onn—which is Walmart’s house brand—is putting these behemoths in shopping carts for a fraction of the cost of the "big name" players like Sony or Samsung.
But here is the thing: size isn't everything. When you’re dealing with a screen that spans nearly 8 feet diagonally, every little flaw is magnified. A tiny pixel error on a 43-inch screen is a "whatever" moment, but on a 98-inch panel, it’s a crater. People are naturally skeptical. They want to know if this is a genuine home theater miracle or just a giant piece of e-waste waiting to happen.
What Exactly Is the 98 in onn tv?
Let's get the specs out of the way first. This is officially known as the onn. 98” Class 4K UHD (2160P) LED Roku Smart Television, model number 100146865. It’s not a QLED, and it’s certainly not an OLED. It is a standard LED-backlit LCD panel.
The resolution is 4K, which sounds great until you realize those pixels are being stretched over a massive surface area. On a screen this size, the pixel density is significantly lower than what you’d get on a 55-inch or 65-inch 4K set. You’re looking at about 45 pixels per inch. If you sit three feet away, you're going to see the grid. You've gotta sit back—way back.
The software side is handled by Roku. That’s probably the best thing about it. Roku is famously simple, fast, and doesn't try to get too "clever" with its interface. It just works.
Does It Actually Look Good?
The picture quality is... surprisingly decent for the price. It supports HDR10, though don't expect the blinding highlights you’d get from a high-end Hisense or TCL. It’s "bright enough" for a dim room, but it might struggle in a sun-drenched living room with floor-to-ceiling windows.
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The refresh rate is 60Hz. This is the part where gamers might want to look elsewhere. If you’re trying to play Call of Duty or Halo at 120fps on a PS5 or Xbox Series X, this TV won't do it. It’ll cap you at 60. For movies? That’s fine. For sports? It’s okay, though you might notice a little motion blur during a 100mph fastball.
The Logistics of a 98-Inch Screen
You cannot just toss a 98 in onn tv in the back of a Honda Civic. You can't. Don't even try.
The box is roughly 8 feet long and weighs nearly 130 pounds. Most people who buy this ended up needing a full-sized pickup truck or paying for the specialized delivery. Even then, getting it into the house is a two-person job at minimum. Three people is better.
Mounting and Space
- Weight: It's heavy. Your standard $20 wall mount from a discount store will probably snap. You need a heavy-duty VESA mount rated for at least 150 lbs.
- Studs: Do not, under any circumstances, use drywall anchors. You need to hit the studs.
- Heat: A panel this size generates heat. Make sure there’s airflow behind it, especially if you’re "recessing" it into a custom wall.
One weirdly cool detail: the TV actually has built-in handles on the back. It's like the engineers knew it was a nightmare to move and threw us a bone.
Common Issues and the "98" Error Myth
Sometimes you'll see people searching for a "98 error" on Onn TVs. Usually, they aren't talking about an error code; they’re talking about the size itself or a specific quirk of the 98-inch model. However, Onn TVs do have a few common "gremlins."
If your screen goes black but you still hear sound—a common complaint with the larger panels—it’s often a backlight failure. Since these panels are so large, the LEDs have to work hard to keep the image bright.
Quick Fixes for Common Problems
- The 60-Second Reset: Unplug the TV from the wall. Hold the physical power button on the TV (not the remote) for 30 seconds. Plug it back in. This drains the capacitors and forces a hard reboot.
- HDMI Handshake: Large TVs are picky about cables. If you're getting "No Signal," swap to a high-quality HDMI 2.1 cable, even if the TV only supports 60Hz. It helps with data stability.
- Roku Glitches: If the apps are crashing, go to Settings > System > Power > System Restart. Don't just turn it off and on; use the menu to actually restart the OS.
Is It Worth It?
If you want the "cinema feel" for under $2,000, the 98 in onn tv is basically unbeatable. You’re paying for scale, not perfection. It’s for the person who wants their friends to walk in and say "Holy crap, that's a big TV."
It isn't for the videophile who spends hours calibrating black levels. The blacks will look a bit gray in a dark room. The edges might have a tiny bit of "vignetting" where it’s slightly darker than the center.
But for a Sunday afternoon football game? It's incredible. It's like having a stadium in your house.
Actionable Steps Before You Buy
Before you pull the trigger on this massive display, do these three things:
- Measure your wall AND your doors: I've seen people buy this only to realize it won't fit through their hallway or around a tight corner.
- Check your stand: If you aren't mounting it, make sure your TV stand is wide enough. The "feet" on this TV are very far apart.
- Buy the warranty: Honestly, with "budget" brands at this scale, the Walmart protection plan is worth the extra $100. If a row of pixels dies in year two, you'll be glad you have it because shipping a 98-inch TV back for repair is impossible.
If you have the space and a couple of buddies to help you lift it, the 98-inch Onn is one of the most fun tech purchases you can make without spending five figures. Just don't expect it to fit in your car.