How to Choose the Best Smart TV?

Different Types of Televisions (LCD, LED, OLED, QLED, FULL HD or 4K)

At first glance, all the TVs on the shelf in the store may really look the same. However, the differences may start from the difference in software (operating system - read:XXXXXXX) to resolution and sound.

LCD Televisions

LCD devices are one of those that are most often encountered. Their liquid crystal display works on the basis of liquid crystals. LED TVs are a semiconductor device that emits radiation (glow) when an electric current passes through it. Such a TV will be significantly cheaper than its older brothers OLED and QLED, created on the basis of organic LEDs, combined into a screen matrix. They do not need additional backlighting, as they emit color on their own.

OLED Televisions (Organic Light-Emitting Diode)

As we have already discussed, OLED TVs are able to reproduce black color much better than LED due to their working principle, which makes other colors and contrast flawless. The matrix of organic LEDs also has a high contrast but slightly loses in image brightness. OLED TVs can cost from 1000 euros for a 55-inch diagonal. This is definitely a premium type of TVs and one of the most expensive, replacing plasma TVs over the last 10 years.

One of the additional positive features of OLED is the ability to enjoy viewing in a large company from any part of the room. The quality of the broadcast remains stable even at large viewing angles.

QLED Televisions

The difference in one letter Q or O can really confuse inexperienced people in technology, so we will try to explain the difference as simply as possible.

And the simplest explanation of the differences between these technologies is the manufacturer. Indeed, SAMSUNG is the only large manufacturer that refused to use OLED technology and preferred an alternative development called QLED. In other words, you will not find QLED with other brands. And QLED has much more in common with LCD than with OLED.

Continuing to explain in an accessible language, QLED displays are an added metal nanofilter film based on quantum dots, between the liquid crystal display and the LED panel. In essence, this is just a more advanced LCD with an extended color gamut, brighter and more saturated colors of the image. However, this is still not the revolutionary new generation technology that everyone expected from Samsung.

Which is Better - OLED or QLED?

If comparing the two technologies, OLED has the advantage. The only minor aspect in which QLED can beat OLED is color accuracy since QLED TVs provide a better color gamut and brightness ratio in the 3D space.

For all the most important parameters, such as response time, contrast, and viewing quality at any angle, OLED TVs significantly outperform QLEDs. This happens for the following two reasons:

1. OLED pixels can change color almost instantly, leaving no noticeable trace in the eye for fast scenes.
2. OLED TVs can achieve absolute black, making the viewing angle better since the diodes do not change shades depending on the angle of view on the screen.

Full HD vs 4K

Screen resolution is one of the most important parameters when choosing a TV. Today, you can find HD, Full HD and 4K panels in stores. It seems that the higher the resolution, the better, but this is not always true in practice. The labels "4K" or "Full HD" used by television manufacturers indicate the resolution of the specific model. The term "4K Ultra HD" is also used to identify ultra high definition television. The UHDTV advanced standard provides a clearer and higher quality image.

In short, 4K TVs are better but much more expensive. However, any cheap 4K TV eliminates the need for Full HD models.

Despite the availability of 4K TVs, the main disadvantage of such technology is the lack of enough content. To watch TV channels on such a device, a complete update of the equipment is necessary.

Is it worth waiting for 8K TVs?

NO. As we wrote earlier, the amount of content in this format is very small. You will not feel the difference when viewing content made in another quality. And the cost of 8K TVs will be even more expensive than 4K TVs.

So how to choose a TV brand?

Now that you already know about the difference in technology and how it affects the cost of the TV, let's talk about brands. There are many brands, but the following 4 control the entire market.

Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic.

Samsung is the leader of the market, but LG is confidently breathing down its neck. Both brands have expensive and cheap lines of TVs, the difference in which can reach thousands of dollars. In addition to appearance and technology, the main difference is in the operating system. Here LG may lead.

Unfortunately, Sony and Panasonic have lost the share of the market that belonged to them earlier. They have practically surrendered and produce quite a few models. In our opinion, if there is no technological breakthrough, they can still be ousted by the following brands: Toshiba, Sharp, Hitachi and Philips.

When is the best time to buy a new TV?

New models of TVs come out every year. Usually this happens between April and July. It is difficult to explain the reasons, but it may be related to summer holidays in school and the vacation season. Of course, such novelties are more expensive, so we strongly recommend waiting for the first three months. As for last year's TVs, they are definitely always available: at least another 6 months after the release of the new ones. This is the most profitable time to buy last year's models. The most profitable prices are always on Black Friday and January sales day in the post-Soviet space.

Conclusions:

If the best color reproduction and widest viewing angle are the most important criteria for you, you should consider OLED models. Of course, provided that the screen sizes of 55–77 inches suit you and you are not scared of the price difference between OLED and LED/LCD. And as we wrote earlier, the LG operating system also has great potential, in our opinion. Therefore, LG TVs should be the first choice. It is important to understand that according to research, the average amount of time people spend with a TV is about 3.5 hours a day. Therefore, any software will become obsolete much earlier than your screen, since any display is designed for 30,000 hours of operation and can serve more than 8,500 days or about 23.5 years.