What was the first all-transistor television ever released?

Sony launched the world’s first non-projection, fully transistorized television, the TV8-301, in May 1960, about six years after Texas Instruments and Regency introduced the first transistor radio. Unlike traditional vacuum-tube televisions, which were bulky, fragile, and power-hungry, the TV8-301 was designed for portability and convenience. It featured an 8-inch black-and-white display, an anti-glare visor, a carrying handle, and two 6V lead-acid batteries in the back – quite a deviation from vacuum-tube designs.

The Sony TV8-301 was priced at $249.95 at launch (approximately $2,500 in 2025 dollars), which was too expensive for the average consumer, limiting its commercial success. It was also prone to malfunctions, particularly with its early transistorized circuits, which were still evolving in durability and efficiency.

Despite these drawbacks, the TV8-301 played a crucial role in Japan’s rise as a dominant force in television manufacturing, paving the way for future advancements in compact and solid-state electronics. Sony eventually discontinued the model in 1962, but its pioneering design set the stage for future portable TVs.

Other Early Milestones in Television History:

For those curious about other early television innovations, the Westinghouse H840CK15 was the first consumer all-electronic color television sold and released in the U.S. in March 1954, narrowly beating the RCA Victor CT-100 to market by a few weeks.

• Philco Safari (1959) – Before the TV8-301, the Philco Safari was the first all-transistor TV ever sold, but it used a projection system rather than a direct-view screen. It had a compact design, making it portable, but its small screen and dim projection limited its practicality.
• Regency TR-1 (1954) – Not a television but a significant precursor to transistorized consumer electronics, the Regency TR-1 was the first commercially available transistor radio. It proved that transistors could replace bulky vacuum tubes, paving the way for smaller, more energy-efficient devices like the TV8-301.
• Panasonic TR-005 Orbitel (1970s) – A later development in transistorized TVs, the Panasonic TR-005 Orbitel was known for its space-age design, featuring a round, dome-like screen that resembled a helmet or space capsule. Though not the first transistor TV, it became an icon of 1970s consumer electronics.