Planning to buy a new smart TV? Here are 4 things to keep in mind

Choose a smart TV with the right OS

The TV, for its price, offers a good amount of brightness and colour accuracy. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Most smart TVs are powered by one of these five operating systems:

Google TV

Fire OS

Tizen OS

webOS

Apple tvOS

Each of these OS has its own benefit over the others. It is much easier to find a smart TV running on Google TV OS, while Samsung’s smart TVs run on Tizen OS, and LG uses webOS on its smart TVs. Similarly, to experience Fire OS or Apple tvOS, one needs to buy an external dongle. Depending on the ecosystem that you want to build around your smart TV, you can choose the one that fulfils your requirements.

For example, if you are an iPhone user, going with Apple tvOS makes a lot of sense, as it makes it easy to share content from your iPhone or iPad, and also pair external speakers like HomePod. Similarly, one can go for Fire OS, especially if heavily invested in Alexa-powered devices. Similarly, Android users can opt for Google TV OS-powered smart TVs, and those who prefer a Samsung or an LG TV can consider Tizen or webOS.

Whichever model you choose, make sure that it runs on the latest version of the operating system, and don’t consider a dated model ever.

Screen type, resolution, and refresh rate

The thin bezels enhance the viewing experience on the Redmi Smart Fire TV 4K. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

If you are a tech-savvy user who examines the nuances of a product before purchasing, you should look at these three parameters while considering buying a smart TV. Smart TVs offer at least HD Ready or 720p resolution, while the high-end options can go up to 8K resolution, which will be on the expensive end of the spectrum.

Even the most basic smart TVs offer an LCD panel, while a mid-range television will come equipped with a QLED panel, while a high-end smart TV will be based on OLED technology. However, there are a few exceptions to this, as Samsung’s high-end 8K smart TVs use QLED panels instead of OLED, and the same also goes for mid-range models, which come with an OLED screen. Also look for certifications like HDR 10, HDR 10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Vision iQ, especially if you love to watch HDR content. Certifications like AMD FreeSync if you are a gamer.

Similarly, 4K is possibly the right resolution for many users, be it gaming enthusiasts or binge movie watches, and it is also much easier to find a 4K smart TV in screen sizes ranging from 43 inches to 65 inches. If you are considering a big-screen television, make sure there is enough space to enjoy an optimal viewing experience. Lastly, most smart TVs offer a 60Hz refresh rate, and some high-end televisions offer up to 120Hz refresh rate, and these are best suited for gamers.

The speaker is as important as the screen

The Harmon/Kardon speakers support Dolby Atmos. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Two major aspects of a good television are picture and audio quality, and it is important to consider a smart TV with a great pair of speakers just like choosing the right display type. However, even if you get a smart TV with a basic speaker setup, there is always an option to get an external sound bar or speaker setup.

If you are looking for a sound-centric smart TV, we recommend getting one with a front-firing speaker. Again, also consider smart TVs with technologies like Dolby Atmos and DTS. You can also look for special badges, where some televisions will include speakers tuned by audio specialists such as Dynaudio, Bang and Olufsen, Harman Kardon, and more.

Brand matters, especially if you are spending a lot

The smart TV has a premium build quality. (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

If you are considering a high-end television that costs a lot, we expect you to go for one from a reputable brand that has been in the business for a while. Even budget smart TVs have got a lot better over the last few years. One can now spend a little over Rs 20,000 and get a 4K smart TV. However, smart TV is something that we don’t upgrade very often, and it is best to spend a little more and get a product that is more reliable. Some smart TVs even come with additional warranty coverage, which should also offer peace of mind for the entire coverage period.

Another way to look at it is brand compatibility. For example, if you have a Sony PS5 and want to buy a smart TV, then it is best to get a Bravia, especially if it is within your budget.

We hope, with this information, you will be able to make the right choice when choosing a smart TV.