Without a doubt, the TV is still one of the most important devices in the home. While it used to be easy to choose a TV because they all looked the same, choosing a smart TV in 2022 can be a headache. What to choose: 55 or 85 inches, LCD or OLED, Samsung or LG, 4K or 8K? There are plenty of options to make it even more challenging.
First, we don’t review smart TVs, which means this article is not a list of options, but a buying guide based on our research and articles from professional magazines published online. The purpose of this article is not to go into technical details, but to simplify things by focusing on the really important elements to consider when choosing the best smart TV for you.
At Samsung, each number and letter indicates specific information. To illustrate this, let’s take Samsung QE55Q80AATXC as an example. Here is what their names mean:
As for LG, the situation is very similar. For example, the LG OLED model number 75C8PLA means the following:
Samsung’s entry-level smart TVs are UHD Crystal LED and 4K QLED smart TVs. These include the Samsung AU8000 and Q60B. These smart TVs cost less than $800.
LG, which ranks second in the global TV market, is also the South Korean giant of smart TVs, and their quality is very good. LG in particular is known for being a big supporter of OLED technology, so much so that it even supplies OLED panels to competitors like Philips and even Samsung. Gamers are especially interested in the brand’s flawless support for HDMI 2.1 and FreeSync and G-Sync standards. We also have to mention the AI ThinQ built into their displays.
Finally, for those who simply want the best, LG’s OLED lineup is worth checking out. This series mainly includes five series of smart TVs A, B, C, G and Z. There is also a Signature series, which, in particular, offers a novelty in the form of a rollable display. You’ll find them among the best smart TVs LG has to offer right now. Good models are LG OLED Z2 (there may be several tens of thousands of them!), B2 or C1. For a beautiful model in the right size, be prepared to shell out $2,000 or more.
In 2022, you will be able to choose between two different home screen technologies for your smart TV: LCD or OLED. An LCD screen is a screen with a panel that contains a layer of liquid crystals whose alignment is controled by the application of an electrical current. Since the crystals themselves do not emit light, but only change their properties, they require an illumination layer (backlight).
However, the purchase price remains an important indicator. The advantage of OLED screens is that they are still more expensive than LCD screens of the same size. OLED screens can cost twice as much. On the other hand, while OLED technology continues to evolve, LCD screens are still more resilient and thus may be a better investment in the long run.
In short, if you really don’t need it, opting for LCD over OLED is probably the smarter option. If you are looking for a smart TV to watch TV and a few TV series from time to time, then the LCD model is the best choice. On the other hand, if you are a heavy user or simply demanding, especially if your budget allows, feel free to choose an OLED Smart TV.
On the market you will find LED, IPS LCD, QLED, QNED NANOCELL or Mini LED with these names. Don’t panic as these are just spin-offs of the two main technologies described above.
Smart TVs with Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels), 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels) or 8K (7680 x 4320 pixels) resolutions can currently be found on the market. Full HD is becoming less common and now only appears on older models or on sale. This definition usually appears on medium sized TVs around 40 inches.
You can buy an 8K TV today, but it’s not very useful because there is almost no content. 8K TVs are gaining popularity in the market, but so far this is just a demonstration of the manufacturer’s technologies. Here, thanks to the update, you can already “slightly” enjoy this image quality.
Simply put, High Dynamic Range HDR is a technique that enhances the quality of the pixels that make up an image by emphasizing their brightness and color. HDR TVs display colors with natural color reproduction, greater brightness and better contrast. HDR increases the difference in brightness between the darkest and brightest points in an image.
While it’s important to pay attention to screen size or screen technology, you should also pay close attention to the connectivity of your smart TV. Today, smart TVs are true multimedia hubs, where most of our entertainment devices are located.
Post time: Sep-13-2022