Are Smart TVs Reliable? (Explained For Beginners)

With smart TVs now dominating the TV market and CRT TVs getting harder to come by, there are many options to choose from, and they are now cheaper than ever.

But there are issues behind even the biggest smart TV brands on the market, which can make you wonder about their integrity and durability.

Are smart TVs reliable?

Need to Know About the Reliability of Smart TVs

TVs have come a long way from their CRT predecessors. Smart TVs are the most popular TV type these days. If you’re buying a TV, your most reliable bet is a smart TV. Smart TVs don’t last as long as older TV though. Expect a Smart TV to last 5-7 years.

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Do Smart TVs Last as Long as Older TVs?

Smart TVs should last longer than older model TVs, as TV components have improved over the years.

But, the durability of a smart TV also relies on the person using it.

If you keep it on all the time and crank up the backlight while keeping it in an unventilated area, chances are your smart TV will meet its CRT ancestors faster than if you took good care of it!

Are Smart TVs Worth Buying?

If you are looking to buy a new TV, then a smart TV is worth buying.

Smart TVs end up being cheaper than non-smart TVs that are still available on the market. You can opt to buy a budget 4k smart TV, which will just cost as much or even less than a 4k non-smart TV.

But if your non-smart TV is still functioning well, but you want a smart TV, a good alternative to consider would be streaming sticks and boxes.

Streaming boxes don’t cost as much as a smart TV, yet they can deliver the same quality programming to your screen.
And once they get outdated, they are easier to replace within the same price range you bought them for.
Many options are available for streaming devices, but the most popular ones are the Fire TV Stick, Roku Streaming Stick, and Google Chromecast.

For more information, check out our articles Smart TVs Vs. Amazon Fire Stick? 13 Answers, Are Fire TV Sticks And Roku Sticks The Same? and Smart TV Vs. Chromecast? 14 Easy Answers.

Do People Generally Have Problems With Smart TVs?

People do encounter problems with smart TVs, just like with all electronics.

But for the most part, if you are equipped with proper knowledge or are willing to do a little deep Google searching, they are no worse than problems encountered with any other TV type. But of course, what might be nothing for the technology geek might be overwhelming for others.

If there’s anything that you could say is a common problem for a smart TV user, it’s got to be Internet connectivity.

What Are the Most Common Issues With Smart TVs?

The most common issue with smart TVs is Internet connectivity.

Some users may wonder why the program they are watching is streaming with pixelation, or not in HD.

This issue is often rooted in the connection to the Internet.
If there are too many people connected to the network, your TV will throttle down its connection to match the bandwidth available.
Thus, when there’s not much bandwidth available, your 4k streaming will be downgraded to full HD or even SD. It then goes back up when the connection stabilizes.

Another common issue with smart TVs is security.

As a rule of thumb, whenever your smart TV connects to the Internet, you are basically leaving one gate of your virtual house open for visitors and hackers.

That is why it is recommended to get a VPN when using your smart TV. It adds a layer of protection so that hackers cannot find you.

Another reported issue is smart TVs going black when you least expect it.

There may be sound, but you don’t see anything at all.
This issue is often attributed to a backlight panel.
The only way to resolve this is to have it replaced.
And once you have it replaced, you need to have good backlight management habits to prevent it from breaking again. That includes lowering your backlight settings.

How Reliable Are the Cable Ports?

The cable ports of smart TVs are generally reliable.

However, note that the durability of these cable depends a lot on the user.

If you keep on yanking or pulling out devices and cables with force, then you can expect these ports to break faster than average.
You can also opt to add cable switchers and extension ports to reduce the need to unplug devices.

It also doesn’t hurt to know a little about cleaning and maintenance for these ports.

Sometimes dirt may accumulate inside these jacks, which can cause a loss of connection.
It is a good idea to clean them once in a while.

How Many Years Should I Expect a Smart TV to Last?

On average, you can expect a smart TV to last seven years. If you are extra-cautious, you can even get ten years.

But note that some components break faster than other parts, which is why some TVs will need repair even before you reach the average lifespan.

How Long Is the Warranty On These?

The usual warranty period for smart TVs is 12 months.

Some manufacturers offer 18 or 24 months or an extended warranty.

What’s the First Thing That Breaks in a Smart TV?

Generally, the backlight of a smart TV is the first thing that breaks if something is to break.

That is why you should be aware of the backlight brightness settings. If you always have your brightness settings all the way up, the backlights may give out sooner than you would hope.

And once the backlight breaks, you won’t be able to see a thing on the screen.

What Are the Best Smart TVs?

If you plan to make a major upgrade for your home entertainment setups, here are some smart TVs worth considering.

Sony A8H OLED

The Sony A8H OLED TV is one of the best smart TVs you can get on the market today.

First of all, the A8H features Android TV for its operating system, which gives you access to a ton of apps on the Google Play Store.
The A8H TV comes with an OLED display, which means it has great image quality.
It can handle glare and reflections without much problem.
Viewing angles are also not a problem, so you can have guests over to enjoy your favorite movies.
For gamers, the A8H has a low input lag and fast response time. When used for HDR gaming, the A8H proves itself to be a powerful TV.

Unfortunately, the OLED display, like all OLEDs, is prone to burn-in. Burn-in or Permanent Image Retention is a common issue among OLED displays and can only be fixed by ensuring you shuffle content frequently.

With all things considered, the A8H is still a powerful smart TV.

LG CX

The LG CX often comes out as the best of the best on many review sites.

And no wonder, as it brings in so much value at a very competitive price.

The most notable thing about the CX is its OLED display, which provides wider viewing angles, sharper blacks, and better color accuracy.
The OLED display can turn off pixels individually for an infinite contrast ratio that works great for nighttime viewing. In well-lit rooms, the CX can handle reflections and glare without any problems.
The CX uses the LG webOS platform that has hundreds of apps available, including the most popular ones.
The picture quality is top-notch. For HDR content, you can expect a wide color gamut and remarkable gradient handling. The peak brightness is also above average but could be better.
This TV’s only weakness is its risk of burn-in, as it comes with an OLED display. Again, as long as you shuffle content frequently, this will not be an issue.

Samsung Q80T

If you don’t like the risk of OLED displays, then the Samsung Q80T should be on your list.

The Q80T uses the Tizen OS platform, which has an interface that’s easy to navigate and a good selection of apps.
The Q80T comes with a VA panel that provides a great contrast ratio for deep blacks.
Despite the VA panel, the viewing angles are wide, thanks to the Ultra Viewing Angle, although it sacrifices contrast.
The Q80T can handle different lighting conditions and can make highlights stand out in its HDR function.

The weakness of the Q80T is its dirty screen effect, which can vary from one unit to another. Also, its Variable Refresh Rate is only available for models measuring 55 inches and above.

Four Ways to Care for Your Smart TV

Even if you own the most expensive smart TV on the market, it still has the same weaknesses as the cheapest one.

You might own one of the best TVs in the market, but you should also know how to take care of it. Even the cheapest TVs stand to enjoy a longer lifespan when taken care of!

Here are some tips to consider for your increasing the longevity of your smart TV.

1. Check Temperature and Humidity.

You should avoid putting your TV in temperatures that are too high or too low, as it can damage your TV.

Cold temperatures can affect the brightness of an image, while hot temperatures can reduce your TV’s lifespan.

You should avoid exposing your TV to high humidity, which can corrode electronic parts and cause short-circuits.

2. Clean the TV carefully and regularly

When dusting your TV, use a microfiber cloth or any soft material, and wipe the TV gently.

LED screens are made of a soft film that scratches easily when rubbed too hard. Avoid wiping in a circular or back and forth motion, and wipe in a single direction.

You can also try cleaning with alcohol-based cleaning fluid, but this must be done when the TV is off and dry.