If you are going to buy a new television and you have doubts about which Smart TV platform is better, or you simply want to know them quickly to be able to assess, this interests you. Because currently there are several alternatives and depending on the choice you will have more or less options. But, is the operating system of a television really that important?
All Smart TV platforms
When we told you how to choose your new television, we already told you: picture and sound quality are the really important aspects. The rest of the features are extras that should help you to finish deciding which model to buy.
The problem is that, if you need to clear up your doubts by comparing their Smart TV platform, you need to know a little about what they offer and how they behave. Because it can also happen that despite its multiple options, due to how you are going to use the television, you would prefer a more "basic" option and with greater fluidity if both proposals convince you in terms of image and sound.
Anyway, let's focus on what interests us. Which option is better: webOS, Tizen, Android TV,…? Before answering, let's see how they are and what they have to offer.
Android TV
Android TV was the last Smart TV platform to arrive. Google's adaptation to the big screen of its popular mobile operating system. At first its interface turned out to be a bit crude, but nowadays it has improved a lot. That or that as users we adapt better and better to the new proposals, especially when they are reminiscent of the company's own apps that we use daily on our computer or mobile phone.
The best thing about Android TV is, without a doubt, its catalog of applications. Logically, the fact that it shares a core with the Android of our smartphones does not imply that all the apps are available. But it is true that many of them adapt perfectly, so it is very interesting to see that streaming video or music service players are available from minute one. Or some apps like ArchRetro-type games and emulators that give the television a lot of life.
Along with all this, one of the advantages is also that by default we have built-in support for Chromecast. It is true that other televisions also offer it and do not use Android TV, but here you make sure without having to ask that you will be able to use it, as well as possible future improvements.
For the rest, although it may cost you a bit at first to know how it works and where each element is located, when you adapt you appreciate the enormous possibilities it offers.
You can find Android TV on Sony, Philips or Xiaomi televisions, which adds its own Launcher to give it something extra and new ways to display some services in a different way.
Google TV
Although we are going to consider it as an additional platform, the truth is that Google TV is still Android TV. The main change in this new Google proposal is in its interface. The company makes a series of modifications to the home screen in order to facilitate the organization of the applications and content that users use most frequently in their day-to-day lives. Along with this, there are also improvements in the way the recommendations offered by the system are displayed.
Therefore, at the level of options, applications that you can install and other aspects, both Android TV and Google TV offer the same. The advantage of the latter is that the experience is much clearer and that always likes and is interesting. The positive part is that some manufacturers like Sony are going to allow the interface of their televisions to be updated to the new Google TV, even though underneath they continue to run the same version of Android TV.
Google TV is nothing more than a Google project to make a much more personalized and tailored system. Since its launch, the system has received some changes. In the long term, Google's plans for this system are quite ambitious, so you should take this system into account, despite the fact that it is only one skin from Android TV.
webOS
If we are based on the experience and the use of applications focused on multimedia content, then webOS is one of the best platforms Smart TV or, directly, the best.
Since LG acquired webOS and adapted it to its televisions, the reliability with which its Smart TVs have been handled has always been one of its main attractions. In one of the latest versions, 4.5, webOS integrated new options such as the support for AirPlay 2. That, added to the Chromecast support of many of its models, the ability to use Amazon and Google voice assistants plus how the interface is controlled with the Magic Remote, make it a complete and comfortable proposal in every way.
In addition, although it depends in part on the hardware, as a rule it is a system that works in an agile way and without those annoying delays between opening one application or another, accessing the settings, etc. And be careful, the interface based on cards that can be placed and rearranged as you like at the bottom to give access to services, applications or options such as the different video input signals are a success.
Tizen
Tizen is Samsung's operating system, present in many of its products such as smart watches and even refrigerators, although where it has more presence is in televisions. As a proposal it is one of the most important, its performance is fluid and currently it is only penalized by the number of applications with respect to solutions such as Android TV.
In any case, with an interface that, like a HUB, groups access to applications, content suggestions and multiple options at the bottom, such as support for AirPlay 2, Chromecast and other extras for its ecosystem of devices, such as those compatible with Smart Things , make it an attractive platform. Yes indeed, advertising sample is penalized in your HUB. But with very smooth performance, it is placed in the top 3 operating systems for smart TVs.
In addition, Tizen TV OS has many other features that make this system unique. Many users will go head-to-head for a Samsung TV only through Samsung Gaming HUB, a section in which the most gamers will be able to connect to any gaming service in the cloud directly from the TV.
Year of the TV
Roku TV is the operating system that you may only know from the set top boxes of the same name. Still, a few years ago the company licensed its OS so that other manufacturers could use it on their televisions. That was the case with brands like TCL or Hisense.
At the interface level, Roku TV is very similar to what tvOS offers, only there are some differences such as the list on the left that helps to quickly access Home with all the installed apps, or the respective ones that Roku has, such as a movie or music store. But overall, the interface is very clean and easy to use, which is always appreciated.
With optimal performance, it has all the applications like Netflix, YouTube, HBO, Hulu, etc., that you may need. In addition, Roku offers its stores and access to a series of exclusive channels. At least in the United States.
Amazon Fire TV OS
Like Roku, Amazon allowed Toshiba to integrate the Fire TV Stick system on your smart TVs (version 7 is based on Android 9 Pie). In this way, what you are going to find is a platform with an interface and experience identical to the one you would have if you connected a Fire TV to the television. Which also implies the same problems, such as the installation of new apps that may not be as comfortable as in other options.
However, with a little time you adapt and you will have access to the main online content platforms, as well as Amazon's own services and a series of extras such as games that might interest you. And this allows brands like Toshiba to add value to their televisions, which, at least in Spain, do not enjoy the same success as other manufacturers such as LG or Samsung.
Other Smart TV systems
Finally, and because it is less relevant, there is other Smart TV options much simpler like those of Panasonic with MyHomeScreen or low-end models from other brands where, due to hardware, it is not interesting to include webOS, Tizen or Android TV itself. On these platforms there is access to basic applications such as Netflix, YouTube and some more such as Hulu or similar. But little more.
The great advantage of these proposals is that at the level of performance the experience can become more fluid than with other high-end Smart TVs. So, if you buy one of these screens for a simple budget issue, don't worry. In the first place because it may compensate you so that the handling of the television is not a nuisance due to slow issues. And secondly, because it can always be solved by placing a set top box with a platform like tvOS, Android TV or Fire TV OS that come full of apps compatible with all platforms and digital content stores where you can buy movies, rent them, etc.
What is the best Smart TV system?
If you have come this far, you may already be clear about which Smart TV system is better or which one interests you the most. Deciding which is the absolute winner is difficult, because they all have their pros and cons. It is true that For possibilities in terms of the repertoire of applications, Android TV and Google TV win by landslide Everything that these Google systems that share so many elements allow is very interesting as long as the hardware allows you to get the most out of your options. And it is that, for example, you could even have your emulators and much more.
However, if all you are interested in is accessing popular streaming video and music services such as Netflix or Disney+ among others to consume content, period, then the experience and fluency of webOS they make it even more visually attractive.
As a general rule, all systems give a positive experience. Each one has its peculiarities, but as a general rule, all manufacturers do a good job in this regard. So you have to assess everything well, but if we focus on the usual uses of a television (consuming content without further ado), webOS may be the option. In any case, you have the last word. The important thing is that you already know what options you can find in the market and values ​​with knowledge of what they are going to offer you.
Tips when choosing OS for your Smart TV
As a general rule, these are the details you should look for when you go to buy a Smart TV:
- OS Popularity: Find out if it is a popular platform, active, that is updated every few months and that keeps the applications always up to date, especially from the streaming platforms that you use the most.
- Request proofs in store: ask them to let you fiddle with the Smart TV and verify that the TV turns on quickly, that it loads the applications without too much delay and that the remote responds instantly to what we ask.
- Learn about the operating system: You should not only trust what you see now, ask about its age, how many years it has been operating, if the proprietary brand has plans to maintain it in the future, etc. These data that you obtain will help you to opt for one brand or another.
Is it so important to choose my television system well?
Despite all of the above, you should know that no matter how thoughtful and studied the purchase is, over the years the operating system of your television will become obsolete and, then, the time will come to have to look for alternatives that, almost all, go through the purchase of an external accessory to inject that extra functionality that we have lost when your OS is outdated. This is the case of, among others:
- Google Chromecast
- Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Fire TV Cube
- Apple TV
- Xiaomi Mi TV Box S
Therefore, our recommendation is that you look at other attributes of a smart TV. The system will be left behind at some point or another. Find a panel that meets your needs and a brand you trust.
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