Looking at new televisions

[O2HeN2]

So my 12 year old Sony TV is dying a slow, agonizing (for me) death. Odd failure mode, ghosting "echos" going downwards from the image, combined with a flickering back light. After warming up it goes away, or sometimes if it doesn't, it responds to a percussive adjustment (literally). I bet it's a solder joint, but lacking the know-how and test equipment I'm looking at new TVs. But the GF is willing to live with its proclivities until it goes completely TU, hence why it's agonizing for me. Nevertheless, I want to get my ducks in a row so I can pull the trigger quickly when the time comes.

I'm kinda a Sony fanboi, but am willing to be swayed.

I have a Roku Ultra and like it, so a smart TV isn't required. Neither of us are big screen people (we sit in the last row at movie theaters), so we're looking at an ~50" one. About the only thing required (that appears to be standard on just about everything current) is HDMI ARC. My current AV receiver won't do 4K, so I'd plug the Roku Ultra into the TV directly and use the ARC to run the audio to the receiver. Also note that we're not audiophiles either - we run only 3.0 sound, stereo + center channel and that's it.

So I don't need anything fancy. Not into gaming, but looking forward to 4K content. The fanboi in me has been looking at the Sony X800H (49") for $600 from BestBuy, but geez, for $600 I could get a 50" Samsung Q60 QLED or, if I want to save a bunch, a 50" Samsung NU6900 for $330 - almost half as much!

Any words of wisdom for me? Brands? Things to look for? Avoid?

O2