Television is my biggest source of entertainment when I am back from work. My Smart TV no longer serves me purpose and hangs all the time. The cracked voice of the speakers only makes my headache after long work hours worse. Wrong brand choice can really ruin your experience. 

Despite the financial limitations, I have finally made up my mind to shop for either a new Smart TV or Android TV that’s worth the money and will last for good years, unless technology decides otherwise. 

Having explored Smart TV for months and after exploring the Android TV in-store, I have summed up this review. I hope this review will spare you the trouble of hunting the internet post tiring work hours at the office. 

Smart TV: An Overview

A Smart TV or internet TV is equivalent to a computer that can be programmed via the internet. I found the built-in internet capabilities of a Smart TV commendable for streaming content, watching videos, and playing games. The webOS, proprietary, or Tizen operating system of a Smart TV helped me explore versatility and a wider ecosystem.

A Smart TV felt more like a modern TV set to me, but with the drawback that its operating system cannot be upgraded. They support fewer applications compared to the Android TV. I could only access well-known built-in applications with the Smart TV. I had to pair my Smart TV with Alexa to enjoy voice control. 

My friend recommended that I shop for projection equipment to overcome the screen mirroring and casting limitation of the Smart TV. 

Android TV: An Overview

An Android TV is a subset of Smart TV and functions on the Android OS operating system. I found the Google integrated services like Chromecast and Google Assistant would cater to my needs absolutely well. My trial experience at the offline store helped me learn all about Android TV in one go. 

An Android TV supports Google’s casting technology which makes it worth the money. Being an Android phone user I found it really simple to download games and apps from the Google Play Store. The ease of access to Google services won me over. 

The salesperson ensured I could access the latest features, security patches, and app compatibility with the Android TV. The longevity of updates makes them a more up-to-date buying option. 

What Makes Smart TV Special: Why I Love It Over Android TV

• Ease Of Streaming: I found using a Smart TV is really simple and delivers quick access to streaming platforms without any additional devices. Non Android users unlike me would take some time to easily access streaming platforms on the Android TV.

• User-Friendly Interface: The intuitive interface of a Smart TV can make navigation a breeze for all users. This straightforward interface runs considerably faster compared to the Android TV. I think the accessibility to fewer applications is what helps Smart TVs perform faster.

• Multitude Of Features: I was able to browse the internet, integrate streaming, and sometimes even social media to enjoy an entertaining experience on the Smart TV. However, an Android TV offers access to Google Integrated services allowing you to stay current as well as connected.

• Affordability: Smart TV models are available at various price points, which makes them a budget-friendly option at least for me. People with all kinds of salaries can find a match for them when they shop for a Smart TV. The advanced features and versatility offered by Android TVs makes them an expensive option over Smart TVs.

Android TV: Why People Are Buying It

• Access To Google Play Store: I would buy the Android TV just because it allows me to download from the Google Play Store’s just like I would on my smartphone. 

• Wide Selection of Apps: The application library of the Android TV gives access to a considerable amount of applications including Hulu, Netflix, etc.

• Updated Software: Android TV users can relish automatic updates to various applications when it is connected to WiFi. 

• Google Assistant Integration: The biggest perk of owning an Android TV will be integrated Google Assistant. While exploring the Android TV in store, I really enjoyed switching channels without having to enter any content in its full-sized dashboard. 

Smart TV Vs Android TV: Key Differences

Software Updates: A Challenge I Am Facing with Smart TV

I found my Smart TV has a big problem with software updates. One reason why Smart TV hangs so much in the first place is because of limited software updates. My Smart TV’s proprietary system supports a few updates only compared to the Android TV. 

Smart TV Criticism and Areas of Improvement

• Limited App Availability: I did not like how my Smart TV has a limited application library and fewer applications to launch compared to Android TV. The auxiliary functions and applications libraries need to be widened a bit to enjoy positive feedback from customers. I definitely hate the outdated user experience on my Smart TV.

• Low Customization Options: Smart TVs lack customization flexibility compared to Android TVs, which offer a highly customizable user experience. 

The Takeaway

I can say it is addictive to use my Smart TV, but despite its benefits, a Smart TV has limited access to popular apps. I feel Smart TVs have not gotten any smarter over the years. I definitely won’t shop for a Smart TV despite benefits like ease of streaming and user-friendly interface. An Android TV is definitely on my shopping list because it supports a huge library of TV-centric applications. Staying current and connected with an Android TV is a lot better than missing out on software updates on a Smart TV.