Who could have imagined that watching TV can be even more immersive and enjoyable than it already is? These next-generation smart TVs truly bring home entertainment to a new level, whether you’re into movies, games, sports, or streaming.
Smart TVs buying guide
A smart TV (also called a connected TV) is basically your traditional TV on steroids. It will have an integrated internet and interactive Web 2.0 features that allow users to browse the internet and stream music and videos without connecting to another device. You’ll also be able to quickly access your favourite streaming services through apps. Some high-end models even feature voice control or serve as hubs, giving you control over other smart devices at home.
Benefits of owning a smart TV
To be frank, most models currently available qualify as smart TVs; some simply are more feature-rich than others. However, if you wonder if a particular model can be called a smart TV or not, here’s an overview of the key differences:
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A smart TV can directly connect to Wi-Fi. A regular TV will need an external device (such as your tablet or laptop).
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A smart TV typically has an inbuilt web browser, whereas a traditional TV does not.
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A smart TV does require a Wi-Fi connection to use its features. This is not necessary for a standard TV.
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A smart TV will have inbuilt and downloadable apps; traditional TVs don’t use them.
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Some smart TVs have a touchscreen, voice control, and other extra features that are not available on regular TVs.
QLED, LCD, or OLED?
These abbreviations stand for the three most common TV screen types currently used. Each of them has unique pros and cons that you should know before buying.
LCD
LCD stands for a liquid crystal display, and these are the most common TV screens today (the TV you currently have at home probably is an LCD). Each pixel on display is created by precisely organised liquid crystal molecules. Nowadays, most LCD screens are backlit with LED (light-emitting diode) lights; thus, you’ll often see them called LED TVs.
This technology is more affordable than others, and the resulting screens are flat and lightweight. However, the disadvantage is that they tend to have slower response times and can suffer from slight motion blur.
QLED
QLED means quantum light-emitting diode, and these are the next-generation displays after LCDs. QLED screens still use a backlight, but it illuminates a layer of quantum dots rather than liquid crystals. This results in more vibrant colours and brightness. QLED TV prices range between LCD and OLED models.
OLED
OLED means an organic light-emitting diode, and these displays contain organic compounds that emit light in response to electricity. Therefore, no backlighting is required, and this means deeper blacks and better overall contrast. Because backlighting is not needed, OLED TVs can also be thinner and lighter than other types. Other advantages are fantastic colours and fast response times.
However, these screens are costly to make, and the diode light intensity decreases over time, which means a shorter lifespan compared to other technologies. Another OLED disadvantage is that an image can be burned in on the screen if displayed for an extended period. While this is an unlikely scenario, it can still happen if, for example, you pause a movie and forget about it. Thus, some people prefer QLED or even LCD screens, even though OLED delivers the best image quality.
Wall-mount or tabletop?
Depending on your preferences, nearly all TV models can be wall-mounted or put on a table, using the included stand. If you prefer a wall-mounted TV, be aware that accessing connections can be difficult. However, you won’t have to worry about someone knocking your recent purchase over.
Putting a TV on a table is the easiest option (and the most convenient if you’ll regularly need to access its ports). However, make sure the surface is stable and large enough so that kids or pets couldn’t knock the screen over by accident. Some TV models also have better-looking stands than others; check this before buying if you’re into aesthetics.
What to look for in a smart TV? The essential features
While all smart TVs can look nearly the same in a shop, comparing their specs will help you understand the key differences and pick the best one from the bunch.
Screen size
While a bigger screen delivers a more immersive viewing experience, make sure to measure how much space you have before buying. The screen sizes are measured diagonally in inches. To get an idea of how it translates into centimetres, multiply the figure by 2.54.
Resolution
The TV size should always be considered together with its resolution. This is the number of pixels that comprise the image horizontally and vertically. Typical screen resolutions for smart TVs are
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HD, which measures 1280x720 pixels
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Full HD (also called FHD), which measures 1920x1080 pixels
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Quad HD (also called QHD or 2K), which measures 2560x1440 pixels
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4K (sometimes and more precisely called UHD), which is 3840x2160 pixels
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8K, which measures 7680×4320 pixels and is the highest resolution defined in the UHDTV standard
For any given screen size, a higher resolution means more pixels and a higher quality image. If you see only one figure indicated in specifications, it refers to the vertical screen edge.
Refresh rate
The speed at which the screen refreshes is called refresh rate and is measured in hertz (Hz). For example, 60 Hz means that the display is refreshed 60 times each second. However, at 60 Hz, some action-packed scenes can still look a bit blurry. A higher number means smoother and less choppy images; thus, we recommend models with at least a 120 Hz refresh rate.
Above that, the difference can be hard to tell by a human eye, but fast refresh time is essential for competitive gamers, as it results in a lower input lag.
Connectivity
The number of ports available is often ignored when shopping for a new TV. Don’t commit this mistake, and make sure you’ll be able to connect all the devices you need. Ideally, there should be at least three HDMI ports and at least 2 USB ports. An optical audio port also can be useful. In a perfect scenario, at least a few ports should be located on the side of the TV for easier access.
Audio quality
With modern TVs getting sleeker and slimmer, it is challenging to squeeze punchy speakers somewhere in the housing. Thus, you’ll always get a better sound by purchasing a separate soundbar. However, the audio performance of TVs has been improving, and the simple rule is that higher wattage delivers juicier sound.
However, great sound is not about decibels alone; there are other crucial characteristics like
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A balance between the bass, mids, and treble without any frequencies dominating over the others
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Clearly audible dialogues
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Rich, full-sounding bass
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A sense of separation between the right and left speakers
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Clear and punchy sound effects
Additional features
Now you know all the basics that constitute a great smart TV. Nevertheless, we recommend paying attention to a few extra functions that can improve your watching experience.
Controls
Nearly all smart TVs come with a remote, but some will also have a touchscreen. Both are convenient ways to navigate through the TV’s menu and contents. If you don’t want to pay more for a model with a touchscreen, make sure it has control buttons on the TV itself, as these will be helpful if the remote goes missing.
The apps
The apps available on your TV will depend on the platform you chose. Most common are the streaming apps, so make a list of your favourite streaming services and check their availability. Your smart TV can also have other useful apps that allow, for example, saving a collection of your favourite media, watching videos, or listening to music.
High Dynamic Range
HDR stands for a High Dynamic Range. TVs with this feature deliver greater contrast and more vivid colours. However, your experience will depend on the overall quality of your model, the supported format, and whether the content you’re watching supports HDR.
There are three main HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. Of these, HDR is the most supported among manufacturers and streaming services. Dolby Vision is the most advanced, but its content availability is still limited. HDR10+ comes very close to Dolby Vision from a technical standpoint but suffers from the same problem.
Brands like Sony, LG, and Hisense support HDR and Dolby Vision on their newest models, whereas Samsung supports HDR10+.
You may have also seen an abbreviation HLG, which stands for hybrid log gamma. It works by combining HDR and SDR in one signal. HLG is supported by most TV manufacturers, but its availability is currently mostly limited to live broadcasts.
Backlight dimming
Backlight dimming allows LED TVs to improve the contrast in dark areas by dimming or switching off the lights behind the screen. As a result, the blacks look deeper, and there is more detail, especially when watching TV in a dark room.
There are three types of backlight dimming:
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Full-array local dimming works by separating the backlight LEDs into zones and dimming them as needed. This is the best and most expensive technology currently available.
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Backlit or global dimming works in a simpler way. All backlight diodes function as just one light, and the whole screen gets darker with dark scenes.
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Edge-lit local dimming falls between the two and is the most common technology used. The backlight LEDs are still separated into areas, but these are much larger compared to full-array local dimming. The contrast is better compared to global dimming but not as good as with full-array local dimming.
Ambilight
Ambilight is a proprietary technology of Philips TVs. It works by placing several colour-changing LED lights at the back of the TV that shine the light onto the surrounding wall. For example, if you’re watching The Blue Planet by BBC, the wall behind your TV will be lit in azure and sapphire shades.
Some users find this feature providing a more immersive experience. It also works for creating a special mood in the house or surprising your guests, as you can select the preferred light settings even when not watching TV.