Insignia TV Model Number 2012-2026 explained

The extensive article “Who Manufactures Insignia TVs” details Insignia TVs. For those interested in the nuances of model numbers and technical specifications of televisions, more detailed information is available. When you visit the Best Buy website to browse the TV selection, you will see both the model number and the stock keeping unit (SKU) for each product. The SKU is an internal identifier used by Best Buy to manage inventory in its retail stores and warehouses; it has no practical value for consumers.

Insignia TV model number explanation

In 2012, the structure of TV model numbers changed as a direct result of the rise of smart TVs. Before that, model numbers were made up of letters and numbers that held little value for consumers, since televisions were largely similar and differed mainly in screen size and exterior design. The introduction of smart functionality and multiple screen resolutions made a new approach necessary. Model numbers began to reflect key characteristics, including the operating system and display resolution, helping buyers better understand what they were choosing.

For instance, in 2018 Insignia offered TVs with two operating systems: Roku TV and Fire TV. By 2024, this choice had been streamlined, and Insignia TVs are now available exclusively with Fire TV.

TV Insignia model number structure

The Insignia TV model number NS-39DF310NA21 is a structured alphanumeric code containing important information about the TV. This coding system is divided into segments containing specific product information. 

• Product ID Block: NS. This prefix indicates a brand or product line, in this case, Insignia.
• Specifications and Design: 39DF310, this sequence contains information about the features of the model or design series. 
• Manufacturer ID: NA. This segment indicates which contractor made the TV. 
• Model Year: 21; the final part of the model number indicates the year of release: 21 for 2021, 26 for 2026. It is worth noting that Insignia TVs are produced through outsourced manufacturing, and for marketing purposes, models that went on sale at the end of 2025 are labeled as 2026 models.

TV Insignia model number decode

NS: This prefix denotes the Insignia brand, indicating that the product belongs to the Insignia line of electronics.

39: The number following the brand prefix indicates the size of the TV screen in inches. In this case, the TV has a 39-inch display.

DF: In TV models up to 2021, the next two characters indicate the TV screen resolution and operating system. The letter D indicates the screen resolution, where D stands for HD and N stands for Full HD. If this symbol is missing, as in NS-43F301NA24, the TV has UHD resolution, while a single N is used for resolutions lower than UHD, as in NS-43N301NA24. The letter F indicates the operating system. F stands for Fire TV, Amazon’s operating system licensed to other manufacturers, R stands for Roku TV, and the absence of a letter indicates a TV without a smart operating system.

After 2021, only a single letter is used, as all TVs are manufactured with the Fire TV operating system and models without an operating system have been discontinued. As a result, the system has become very straightforward: F designates a series of TVs with conventional displays, regardless of resolution, while QF refers to TVs equipped with QLED displays.

310: This sequence identifies the model and defines the specific characteristics of the TV. Since 2025, the commercial naming has used the designations F20, F30, or F50, which indicate the TV’s class. For example, Insignia™ – 70″ Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV.

NA: this code indicates the original manufacturer, the OEM of the TV.

21: the final two digits indicate the year of release of the TV model, in this case 2021. Insignia TVs are typically released in the fourth quarter, and the model number may reflect the upcoming year as part of a strategic marketing practice. Subsequent years follow the same pattern: the last two digits represent the model’s release year, starting with “12” for 2012 and ending with “26” for 2025.

In most cases, the model number is of little practical use, aside from indicating the year the TV model was released, which does not offer much real benefit to the buyer. Insignia TVs are positioned in the budget segment, where price is the primary selling point. This affordability is achieved by using very low-cost components, so these TVs should not be expected to deliver high-quality picture or sound.