Watching TV while lying on a comfy sofa wrapped in a blanket is one of life’s simple yet great pleasures. It’s a great way to relax and enjoy some of our favourite shows and movies. However, TV manufacturers seem to intentionally make it difficult to understand what used to be a straightforward process. Instead of just producing devices that let us watch our favourite programs, manufacturers now also focus on integrating the latest technologies that allow the sets models to be connected to the internet and access streaming content.
Today’s sets offer features like voice commands, gesture control, and remote applications; They’re savvy enough to learn our preferences so that they can offer us personalised recommendations. They also have high-quality audio and visual components that make watching our favourite shows and movies an enjoyable experience. Although all this can surely enhance television viewing, it also makes buying a new set quite challenging.
The Major Debate
When in the market for a new television, you may be confused as to which one is best: smart or Android. This is a dilemma that has been going on for quite some time. However, with major brands offering different features in each type, it’s no wonder this debate continues.
Some people may prefer to buy a Smart TV because of the exclusive features it provides, while others may favour an Android TV because of the Android operating system. Although both types of TVs enable you to access online content on a bigger screen, there are still significant differences between the two.
What Is a Smart TV?
This television set makes use of the internet to provide additional features and programming. To access online content, this set can be connected to the internet wirelessly or via an Ethernet connection. An operating system similar to that of smartphones and computers is present in smart sets.
Netflix, YouTube, Facebook, and other apps that let you play games, watch videos, and stream movies are typically pre-installed on these devices. Regrettably, you might not be able to access the newest apps because the operating system of many smart televisions cannot be upgraded.
What Is an Android TV?
It is similar to a smart one, with comparable characteristics such as built-in apps and internet access. What makes it different is that it runs on the Android system developed by Google.
Android is a superior option to regular smart sets because it gives you access to the Google Play store, which allows you to download the most up-to-date app versions. Furthermore, many Android televisions have access to Chromecast and a built-in Google Assistant to further improve your TV viewing experience. This makes them a step up from the smart ones.
Now that you have an understanding of the basic features, it is time to delve into the specifics and differentiate between them.
What Is the Difference Between Smart TV and Android TV?
The main difference is the operating system that runs them. The smart sets can use a variety of operating systems, depending on the manufacturer. For instance, LG models employ an OS called WebOS, while Samsung makes use of Tizen. On the other hand, Android TVs are powered by Google’s Android operating system, which provides a better user experience since it can be controlled via an Android smartphone or smartwatch.
Both have a variety of features and capabilities that let you have a great viewing experience. You may use them to link your Smart home devices, access the internet, stream content from OTT platforms, play music, and more. Yet they also stand out for several other distinctive characteristics.
1. App Support
Android television would be the better choice if we were to compare the two types of television based on the availability of apps. Through the Play Store, Android gives users access to millions of apps, letting them download them exactly like they would on their smartphones. Popular applications like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Chrome, and Instagram are included in this. On the other side, Smart sets can only provide a small number of widely used apps, and they rarely supply app upgrades.
2. Automatic Updates
An Android set gives you access to a wider selection of apps and also triumphs over Smart TVs when it comes to firmware and app updates. Android TVs are typically kept up-to-date with continuous tech innovation, and when connected to the internet, they can receive automatic updates. Smart TVs, however, may not be updated as often and their operating system can become obsolete over time, making Android TV a preferable choice.
3. Voice Assistance
A device like Alexa must be purchased separately and paired with your TV to use voice control, which is a feature of the majority of smart sets. On the other hand, the voice assistant capability is already included in Android televisions. This implies that you may carry out operations like channel-switching and online content search without using any additional input devices.
4. Screen Casting
Both types of sets indeed provide the ability to connect your Smartphone to the TV. However, Android sets are simpler to use due to the inclusion of the Chromecast feature, plus the images and video streaming are sharper and clearer in high definition. Smart sets require more effort to pair and connect the devices, even with the pre-installed screen mirroring feature.
5. Navigation
When it comes to ease of experience, smart is the better choice. Its simple interface makes it easier to switch between apps that show up on the home screen. Furthermore, due to it being an all-in-one television set, there is no need for an extensive setup. An Android model may be trickier to use for those who are not too familiar with the Android environment.
Conclusion
Clearly, you can see that android tv has more advantages than smart TV because it offers extra features. However, many people buy smart TVs because it is easy to operate. So, it depends on you whether you want simplicity or some advanced features.
Recommended Posts:
