Electronics giant Sony is to launch what it claims is the world's first organic light emitting diode (OLED) TV in time for Christmas.

The XEL-1 will be available from 1 December, joining Sony's existing TV line-up centred on its Bravia LCD brand.

OLED is a light-emitting display technology based on electroluminescent organic materials, which Sony claims enables unprecedented levels of thinness and lightweight design.

The technology delivers advanced levels of contrast and brightness, wide colour reproduction range and rapid response times, and has attracted widespread attention for its limited environmental impact.

Sony first launched small, mass-produced, full-colour OLED panels in 2004, achieving commercial use in mobile products.

The company subsequently positioned OLED as a key next-generation display, and further accelerated research and development into the technology.

The launch of XEL-1 represents the first stage in Sony's OLED TV business, the company said, and that it will continue to advance OLED TV development.