Xiaomi has launched a transparent television.

The Chinese tech giant unveiled its see-through television, the Mi TV LUX OLED Transparent Edition, as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations.

Xiaomi touted it as “the world’s first mass-produced transparent TV".

Priced at RMB 49,999 (about $9,879), it is only set to be released in China and will be available to order from Aug. 16.

No word at the moment about whether it will make it to Singapore.

How transparency is achieved

How a transparent television is even possible is due to the set's processing units being integrated into its circular base.

The 55-inch Full HD OLED panel that is 5.7mm thick is thus left completely see-through.

According to Xiaomi, this creates an "edge-to-edge transparent self-luminous display transmitting images that seem to be suspended in the air”.

The circular base is also outfitted with a 2 x 8W sound system that supports Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD and Dolby Atmos decoding.

It also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, a static contrast ratio of 150000:1, and 1ms response time.

Is it practical?

Based on the promotional marketing material coming out so far, the television appears best placed against a plain wall, or else, any messy background will be incorporated into the display screen.

Xiaomi has touted the product as perfect for galleries and shopping malls, and upmarket venues such as museums, indicating it could be aimed at a different segment of the market besides homeowners.