How Long Do Samsung TVs Last? (We Checked)

Samsung is a very popular TV choice. Being in the industry for quite a while now, it comes as no surprise that people continue to trust the brand.

Samsung TVs generally are very reliable – But is the popularity of Samsung just extended hype, or are they built for the long haul? 

How long do Samsung TVs last? 

About the Lifespan of Samsung TVs.

Samsung is known for their quality TVs that will last 6-9 years when they are used for up to 8-10 hours per day. You should expect to cut two years of the lifespan when it is turned on most of the day and night. Samsung TVs are one of the most reliable brands in smart TVs.

What’s the Average Lifespan of a Samsung TV?

Samsung TVs have a lifespan that ranges between 4.5 and 7 years with heavy usage, just like many other TVs on the market.

Heavy usage means the TV is running almost continuously, with brightness set at the highest possible level. 

Lighter usage and proper maintenance mean your TV could last up to 10 years, sometimes more.

Many people think Samsung TVs are made in the U.S. – however, they’re not. You can check our list of big TV brands not produced in the U.S.

What’s the First Thing that Breaks on Samsung TVs?

Backlights are usually the first to break in most LED TVs, including those made by Samsung. 

• The backlights are often subjected to stress since these components are responsible for the brightness of the screen, and they are prone to breaking first.
• Many people think that the higher the brightness settings are, the better the image quality is. But this is not the case.
• That is why it is important to set the brightness at the right level, or just enough to remove any glare or reflections on the screen.
• To learn more about LED TVs, you can read our article How Long Do LED TVs Last?. 

For Samsung OLED TVs, the first thing to break is usually the screen. 

• With OLED TVs, it is important that you keep images on the screen moving.
• Pausing on one image for too long can cause the OLED’s curse: burn-in. This means a faint “ghost” of an image is stuck on the screen.
• For more information on OLED TVs, check out our article Are OLED TVs Reliable?.

Do Samsung TVs Last Longer than Average TVs?

Samsung TVs use higher quality components than budget-level TVs, which is why you can expect them to last longer than the more affordable TV models. 

But that is only true if you maintain the TV properly.

Without enough care, even the most expensive TV will not last as long as it could. You can see our tips for proper care in the final question of this article. 

Here you can see the Samsung TV buyer demographics.

How Long Do New Smart TVs Typically Last?

A modern smart TV is expected to last around seven years at the highest settings and heavy usage. 

But with the proper care, you can expect it to last longer than that.

For more information on what to expect from Samsungs, check out our article Are Samsung TVs Reliable?. 

How Long is the Warranty on Samsung TVs?

Samsung TVs have warranty coverage for one year. 

Warranty coverage may sometimes be longer or shorter, depending on your location and seller.

There are also third-party services that offer extended warranties that are worth checking out.

Are Samsung TVs Good for Video Games?

Samsung TVs are an excellent choice for video game use. 

Many of the TV models of the brand offer powerful features to improve the video game experiences, such as support for Variable Refresh Rates, Auto-Low Latency Mode, and HDMI 2.1. 

For more information, check out our article Are Samsung TVs Good For Gaming? (Explained). 

What Are the Most Popular Samsung TV models?

If you think Samsung has what it takes to become the hub of your home entertainment system, here are some recommendations for TVs from the brand. 

Note that the performance and longevity of these TVs also depend on how you care for them. 

Samsung Q90T

The Samsung Q90T is one of the most popular TVs you can get your hands on. 

• Out of the box, the Q90T features a slick design, which makes it great for any room.
• The Q90T also features a 4k QLED display, which makes it the centerpiece feature of the TV. It delivers superb picture quality, whether in well-lit rooms or a dim environment. For more information on QLED TVs, read our article How Long Do QLED TVs Last?.
• If you are into video games, you can expect low input lag, a near-instantaneous response time, and exceptional motion handling. Upping the ante is its support for Variable Refresh Rates and HDMI 2.1.
• You also won’t have any problem with HDR content, as it has excellent color quality and a wide color gamut.

Samsung Terrace 

The Samsung Terrace is a 4k QLED TV designed for well-lit environments, like a terrace (hence the name). 

• Samsung designed this TV for the consumer who wants to have guests over while cooking up barbecues and watching the game.
• And even as it works as a TV for well-lit environments, the Terrace also produces deep blacks for nighttime use.
• The Terrace has a fast response time and comes with Black Frame insertion. You get clear images with little motion blur, perfect for video gaming and sports.
• It also has a low input lag and a 120 Hz refresh rate, making it a good gaming TV.
• HDR content won’t be a problem with the wide color gamut, high peak brightness, and full-array local dimming.

The Terrace does have some weaknesses, such as the lack of Variable Refresh Rate and narrow viewing angles, which is ironic, as this TV was designed for those who plan to have guests over. 

It also doesn’t come with a wall mount, which is, again, ironic, as the Terrace was designed to be wall-mounted. 

Samsung Q900TS

The Samsung Q900TS is one of the company’s entry into the 8k resolution market. 

• It comes with a QLED panel that can handle different lighting conditions. You’ll have no problems using it in bright rooms or at night.
• The Q900TS has a good contrast ratio and comes with the Ultra Viewing Angle.
• The response time is almost instantaneous and there’s also Black Frame Insertion that cleans up any muddy images during fast-paced scenes.
• For those into gaming, the Q900TS has HDMI 2.1 and 4k support with a refresh rate of 120 Hz. When set to an 8k resolution, you get a refresh rate of 60 Hz.

The Q900TS, unfortunately, lacks wide viewing angles, and its game mode can be disappointing when trying to max out the refresh rate or resolution. 

What Can I Do to Prolong the Lifespan?

Proper TV care and maintenance go a long way in extending the lifespan of your TV, whether Samsung or any other brand. Even the cheapest TV can enjoy a longer lifespan and better performance when maintained properly. 

Here are some tips to prevent early degradation of your TV. 

Turn off the TV when not in use

Turning off the TV when not in use helps slow down the degradation of the TV. 

• Keeping your TV on only shortens the lifespan of components. 
• As backlights of TVs are the first to break due to heat, you should take steps to prevent damage by making it a habit to turn off the TV when not in use. 
• Many TVs also feature built-in power timers, which you can take advantage of.
• You can also take advantage of hooking it up to your smart home system to turn it off automatically.

Provide enough space to protect your TV 

Your TV should be placed in an area that won’t expose it to sunlight or rain. That means staying away from the window, if possible.

• Make sure you don’t keep it close to other appliances that emit heat.
• You should put at least two inches of space behind it from the wall, and four inches on the sides for proper circulation.
• If you want to use a cabinet for it, make sure there’s more than enough space for air circulation. You can use cooling fans for it, even.
• You can also use a wall mount for your TV, as elevating it reduces the risks of being knocked over and promotes air circulation.

Clean the TV regularly 

Your TV should be cleaned regularly, as it can gather dust that may damage the screen or clog ventilation slots. 

Use a microfiber cloth and wipe gently, especially when cleaning the screen itself. Do not use any cleaning solutions, as these can damage the TV. 

Here’s a full guide to what liquids you can use to clean TV screens.

Set the brightness to the right level 

As pointed out earlier, higher brightness does not mean better image quality, and it can burn your backlights out quickly. 

• You should set the brightness just high enough to get a clear image while compensating for room brightness.
• If you’re in a dim room, you don’t need high brightness levels.
• If your TV has automatic brightness settings, use them to get the right settings.

Use an Automatic Voltage Regulator

Power surges may happen anytime and potentially destroy your TV with a single jolt. 

Having an Automatic Voltage Regulator or surge protector helps mitigate the possible damage that power fluctuations or power surges can do to your TV. 

Final Thoughts

Samsung TVs will last you a while, given the quality of components used in their TVs. 

But these TVs can only last a long time with the help of proper maintenance and usage!

That is why knowing the proper usage and care goes a long way in making your TV last longer. If you don’t take care of your TV, you will only end up buying a new TV after a short period, and waste hundreds of dollars in the process.

 

Sources:

Rtings.com

The Best Samsung TV Extended Warranty

11 Tips to Help Make Your LED TV Last Longer

Do Smart TVs Break Easily? (Solved & Explained!)