When choosing a television, it is easy to focus solely on the picture or HDR, only to later find that it is not the panel but the SmartTV operating system that determines how enjoyable it is to use the device on a daily basis. It is responsible for how quickly Netflix will launch, whether YouTube will stutter, and whether you will even find the app you use in the store. The differences can be significant – in one television, everything works smoothly, while in another, you have to wait several seconds for a simple app switch. Therefore, when looking at the system, it is worth asking yourself: do I prefer more freedom and access to everything, or rather simplicity and proven solutions?
For us, what matters is whether the television can really be used comfortably on a daily basis. The two most important things are: the number of applications and how quickly everything works, as well as whether there are any annoying bugs. The name of the system alone is not enough – it happens that two televisions with Google TV differ like day and night because the manufacturer has optimised it better or worse. Just because you have the same system does not mean it will perform identically. Additionally, there are usability features. We check if it is easy to stream images from a phone, whether AirPlay or Miracast works, and how the television handles playing films from a USB drive or disk. It is also important whether it can correctly transmit multichannel audio via eARC to a home cinema system. This doesn’t affect the television’s own speakers, but it is significant for many people using external audio equipment such as a soundbar.
There is no single universal system on the market. Google TV, Tizen, WebOS, Vidaa, or Titan OS – each works a bit differently and offers different user experiences. One tempts with a vast number of applications, another operates swiftly, and a third focuses on simplicity. Therefore, when choosing a television, it is worth knowing what we are dealing with, as it is the system that determines whether daily use of the television will be a pleasure or a trial.
Google TV can be found in Sony, TCL, and the best Philips models. It is somewhat like the Android system on phones – a huge selection of applications from Google Play, integration with a Google account, and a plethora of personalisation options. The interface can provide sensible recommendations, and using Google Assistant is a convenient addition. The downside is that on weaker models, the system can be temperamental and laggy, but it’s hard not to appreciate its capabilities. However, it is important to remember that depending on the brand, its interface may vary.
Samsung has been developing Tizen for years and it is clear that it has extensive experience in this area. The system is fast, stable, and well thought out. In addition, there is a rich library of applications – practically everything you might need. A limitation may be the small solar remote control, but most users will be satisfied with how smoothly it operates and how neat it looks.
LG televisions are almost synonymous with WebOS. The system is simple and features the distinctive Magic Remote, which operates like a cursor on the screen. It's a setup that immediately seems intuitive. It may not have as many frills as its competitors, but it makes up for it with incredible convenience.
Hisense has bet on the Vidaa system in Europe, and it has proven to be a stroke of genius. Just a few years ago, there were complaints about the lack of applications; today, all the most important services are available. Interestingly, Vidaa places a stronger emphasis on "television" features than its competitors – one can record programmes from the built-in tuners onto USB or conveniently use the EPG. With other manufacturers, these options are slowly disappearing, whereas here they are at the forefront.
This is the youngest system in the ranking, present in newer Philips models. The menu is simple and clear, it functions decently, but the app base is still developing and the system itself may have a few irritating bugs. Titan OS has significant potential, although it is evident that this is still the beginning of its development journey.
Fire TV is a system developed by Amazon, which can be found in Panasonic televisions or in models primarily designed for the American market. In Europe, its presence is quite limited, and the application library does not compare to giants like Google TV or Tizen. Despite this, Fire TV has its strengths – it works excellently with the voice assistant Alexa and serves as a control centre for devices in the Amazon ecosystem. It is an interesting proposal for those who already use products from this brand, although in our region the system still remains a niche.
System | Main Advantages | Limitations | For Whom? |
---|---|---|---|
Google TV | Vast selection of apps, integration with Google, good recommendations | Occasional stutters on cheaper models | Those who want all the apps |
Tizen | Fast and stable, wide library of apps | No alternative media players | Users of Samsung devices and fans of simple solutions and IoT systems |
WebOS | Magic Remote control, excellent voice assistant | No alternative media players | Those who value the convenience and simplicity of the Magic remote |
Vidaa | Efficient system, almost all key VOD services, strong traditional TV features | Fewer apps than the competition | People watching traditional television |
Titan OS | Quite fast, simple menu | Still developing app base, occasional annoying bugs, infrared remote | For those who want Ambilight and a simple system |
FireTV | Integration with Alexa, good control over Amazon's ecosystem | Limited availability in Europe, fewer apps, "clumsily" translated Menu | Users of Amazon products and Alexa |
The U7Q PRO is a television that, after just a few minutes, sends a clear signal: "speed matters here." Hisense surprised us with how much has been packed into a device that doesn't cost a fortune. A refresh rate of 165 Hz in 4K, and even 288 Hz in Full HD – until recently, such numbers were reserved exclusively for top-tier gaming monitors. And here we have a mid-range television with almost a co...
Rating
7.4/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.2
Classic TV, YouTube
7.2
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.7
Gaming on console
8.2
TV as a computer monitor
8.2
Watching in bright light
6.2
Utility functions
9.4
Apps
7.7
Sound quality
7.8
Bravia 8 XR80 is the only Sony OLED model from the 2024 production that will certainly attract the attention of image quality enthusiasts. The television offers excellent picture quality with the characteristic deep blacks of OLED, vibrant colours, and infinite contrast. This makes every scene incredibly realistic. Thanks to OLED technology, dark scenes look perfect, and the reproduction of black ...
Rating
7.8/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.6
Classic TV, YouTube
8.0
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
8.1
Gaming on console
8.8
TV as a computer monitor
7.6
Watching in bright light
5.6
Utility functions
9.4
Apps
9.6
Sound quality
7.5
The Hisense U8Q is a television that makes it hard not to feel that the manufacturer approached the topic with the ambition of a top student. The picture is strong, vibrant and contrasting – as if it were shouting: “look, I can do more than most in this price range!” And indeed, there is some truth to this. The secret lies in the large number of dimming zones in Mini-LED technology. Thanks to this...
Rating
8.0/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.8
Classic TV, YouTube
7.6
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
7.1
Gaming on console
8.5
TV as a computer monitor
8.4
Watching in bright light
8.2
Utility functions
9.4
Apps
7.7
Sound quality
7.8
LG G4 is a strong contender for being the best television of 2024. With the combination of OLED black and MLA technology, we obtain an incredibly dynamic and vivid image, which will certainly captivate us completely. LG G4 is also proof that televisions equipped with an OLED panel supported by MLA technology are indeed suitable for viewing in a sunny room. The operating system, while not as open a...
Rating
8.5/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
8.6
Classic TV, YouTube
9.1
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
9.0
Gaming on console
9.5
TV as a computer monitor
8.6
Watching in bright light
5.8
Utility functions
9.0
Apps
9.1
Sound quality
8.6
The Hisense S7NQ Canvas TV is a very interesting proposition, especially for those looking for something in the style of a picture-television but do not want to spend a fortune. At first glance, it stands out primarily because the gallery mode featuring works of art is completely free – there is no subscription to pay, as is the case with Samsung's The Frame. Moreover, in the box, we immediately g...
Rating
6.7/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.6
Classic TV, YouTube
6.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.1
Gaming on console
7.5
TV as a computer monitor
7.0
Watching in bright light
5.4
Utility functions
9.0
Apps
7.7
Sound quality
6.3
Hisense, although it has only recently been operating in the Polish market, shows that it can create televisions that have a lot to offer. The model U7NQ stands out with excellent picture quality, thanks to Mini LED technology. The blacks look really good, and the brightness is impressive, which translates into enjoyable viewing both during the day and in the evening. Dolby Vision adds an extra ef...
Rating
7.3/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
7.0
Classic TV, YouTube
6.7
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.4
Gaming on console
8.2
TV as a computer monitor
8.0
Watching in bright light
7.6
Utility functions
9.0
Apps
7.7
Sound quality
6.9
When we look at the Hisense E7NQ PRO in everyday use, it is immediately apparent that this is a television designed with a broad range of viewers in mind. The picture, although not breathtaking at first glance, gains a lot after proper calibration. The colours appear more natural, and a brightness level of around 500 cd/m² makes it comfortable to watch in a sunlit living room. The wide viewing ang...
Rating
7.0/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.4
Classic TV, YouTube
6.3
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.6
Gaming on console
8.0
TV as a computer monitor
7.6
Watching in bright light
6.2
Utility functions
8.9
Apps
7.7
Sound quality
7.0
The Hisense E8Q is a television that clearly draws heavily from the U7Q model – and very well so. After all, it is his European version, not another "slimmed down" mutation. Just moments with this screen reveal that the E8Q is putting up a fight. And in many respects, it really succeeds. To start with – what impresses: the blacks are deep, the contrast is high, and the brightness exceeds a level w...
Rating
7.1/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.7
Classic TV, YouTube
6.8
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.4
Gaming on console
8.0
TV as a computer monitor
8.6
Watching in bright light
6.2
Utility functions
8.9
Apps
7.7
Sound quality
7.2
Available screen sizes: 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”, 100”
Technology: LCD VA, Mini-LED PFS LED
Brand: HISENSE
The Hisense U7Q is one of the most interesting Mini-LED televisions in its price segment, clearly demonstrating that Hisense is beginning to make a mark in the market not only through its price-to-performance ratio but also due to its increasingly refined picture quality. Let's start with what truly impresses: the contrast and black levels are at a level that not long ago was unattainable in this ...
Rating
7.1/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.7
Classic TV, YouTube
6.8
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
6.3
Gaming on console
8.0
TV as a computer monitor
8.6
Watching in bright light
6.2
Utility functions
8.9
Apps
7.7
Sound quality
7.2
Hisense U6NQ is really an interesting model from the Chinese manufacturer. It is the first MiniLED from the series for 2024 and the only one with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. Starting with the picture quality, the MiniLED backlighting combined with the VA panel does its job – the contrast is good, and watching films in the evening is a pleasure. A stable HDR effect, support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+...
Rating
6.5/10
Movies and series in UHD quality
6.7
Classic TV, YouTube
6.5
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)
5.0
Gaming on console
7.1
TV as a computer monitor
6.0
Watching in bright light
6.1
Utility functions
8.9
Apps
7.7
Sound quality
6.3