In today’s digital age, our living rooms have transformed into vibrant entertainment hubs, with TVs at the center. When shopping for a new television, you may come across two popular terms, “smart TV” and “Android TV.” While they offer enhanced connectivity and access to online content, there are significant differences between them. In this blog post, we will compare Smart TV vs Android TV, outlining the key differences, to help you make the right decision. Whether you are looking for a new TV for your home or business, understanding the differences between Smart TV and Android TV is essential for choosing the best one for your needs.
Smart TV — An All-in-One Entertainment Experience
A smart TV is essentially a television that can connect to the internet and has inbuilt software that enables it to access online content and stream content from the internet. They come equipped with applications, web browsers, and other multimedia capabilities. Smart TVs are operated using an on-screen display and remote control.
You can stream your favorite shows and movies on popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as enjoy web browsing, social media integration, and other interactive features.
Additionally, smart TVs often come with seamless connectivity, allowing you to control the TV using your smartphone or integrate it with other smart devices in your home.
Android TV — Power and Versatility Combined
Android TV is an Android Operating System designed for use in televisions. This means it provides the user interface that users experience on their smart TV. Android TV enables access to the Google Play store, where users can install their favorite apps. Android TV’s user interface is user-friendly, sleek, and customizable.
Furthermore, Android TVs often come with built-in Google Assistant, allowing for voice control and easy access to your favorite content, and smart home integration.
Smart TV vs Android TV: The Key Differences
When it comes to choosing the perfect TV for your home, you may come across different options like Smart TV and Android TV. Both of them offer a plethora of features. Let’s find out, Smart TV vs Android TV, which one is better?
Operating System
One of the major differences between Smart TV and Android TV is their operating system.
Smart TVs: Smart TVs utilize their proprietary operating systems, which vary across manufacturers. Examples include webOS by LG, Tizen by Samsung, and Roku OS by Roku. Each operating system offers a different user interface and features specific to that brand.
Android TVs: Android TV utilizes Google’s Android operating system, known for its user-friendly interface and wide compatibility. It offers a familiar experience if you’re already accustomed to using Android devices.
App Availability and Ecosystem
Smart TV: While smart TVs offer access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, the available app selection can vary depending on the TV manufacturer. The app ecosystem might be more limited compared to Android TV. However, the app availability may vary depending on the TV manufacturer and the specific model. Some smart TVs also offer additional apps and services tailored to specific regions or content providers.
Android TV: Android TV provides access to the Google Play Store, offering a vast library of apps, including streaming services, games, productivity tools, and more. The extensive app ecosystem ensures a wide range of content options tailored to your preferences. The Google Play Store on Android TV provides a vast library of content to cater to your unique preferences.
Compatibility with Other Devices
Smart TV: Smart TVs often offer seamless connectivity with other devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This allows you to mirror your device’s screen onto the TV or share media files wirelessly. However, compatibility may vary depending on the specific brand and model of the smart TV.
Android TV: Android TVs offer more flexibility. With its Android operating system, Android TV integrates smoothly with other Android devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This compatibility enables a seamless ecosystem where you can easily share content, control your TV using your Android device, and enjoy a synchronized experience across multiple screens.
Furthermore, if you have a home theater setup with a soundbar or receiver, Android TVs are a better choice as they usually come with more connectivity options, such as HDMI ARC, that allow you to connect your TV to your sound system and enjoy immersive audio.
Customization and Personalization
Smart TVs: The level of customization options available on smart TVs can vary. While some smart TVs allow you to customize settings, rearrange apps, and adjust picture and sound preferences, the extent of customization may be limited compared to Android TVs.
Android TVs: Android TV offers a high level of customization, allowing you to personalize the home screen, organize app icons, and even change the background. You can customize the layout, prioritize your favorite apps, and create a tailored viewing experience that reflects your preferences and style.
Voice Control and Integration
Smart TV: Some smart TVs support voice control through built-in voice assistants or compatibility with external devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This enables hands-free control over basic functions and content search.
Android TV: Android TV comes with built-in Google Assistant, allowing for seamless voice control. You can use voice commands to search for content, launch apps, adjust settings, and control other compatible smart home devices.
User Interface and Experience
Another difference between Smart TV and Android TV is the user interface and overall user experience.
Smart TVs: Smart TVs typically come with their own proprietary operating system, which can be simple and intuitive to use. However, some users may find the user interface to be limited or clunky, with a lack of customization options.
Android TVs: Android TVs use the same operating system as Android phones and tablets, providing a familiar and streamlined experience for those who are already familiar with Android devices. Android TV also offers a lot more flexibility in terms of customization options, allowing users to rearrange their apps, adjust settings, and even install third-party launchers for a more personalized experience.
Gaming
Android TVs: One of the most interesting features of Android TV is the ability to use it as a gaming platform. With access to the Google Play Store, users can download and play Android games directly on their TV.
Smart TVs: While some smart TVs also offer gaming options, Android TVs tend to offer a wider variety and higher-quality games.
Cost Comparison
When it comes to the cost of Smart TV vs Android TV, there is a considerable difference between the two. Generally speaking, Smart TVs are a bit more expensive compared to Android TVs, but this isn’t always the case.
In terms of the initial purchase price, Android TVs tend to be more affordable than Smart TVs. Android TVs often use more affordable hardware components, which helps to keep costs down. Furthermore, Android TV manufacturers like Sony and Hisense offer a range of different models at different price points to suit different budgets.
On the other hand, Smart TVs can be quite expensive. Most premium Smart TVs come with features like advanced image processing, support for voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant, and built-in web browsers. These features increase the price, and as such, Smart TVs are typically priced higher than Android TVs.
It’s also worth considering the cost of apps and services on each platform. Both Smart TVs and Android TVs support a range of streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. However, some apps require subscriptions, and the pricing can vary from app to app. In general, though, you’re likely to pay the same for apps and services on both platforms.
In the long run, Android TVs might be a more affordable option as they often have lower energy consumption compared to Smart TVs. This could translate into lower energy bills over time, which is worth keeping in mind if you’re looking to save some money.
Overall, both Smart TVs and Android TVs can be pricey depending on the features you want. It’s important to compare prices carefully and take into account the cost of ownership over time, such as energy bills and subscriptions, before making a decision.
Smart TV vs Android TV — Which One to Choose?
After examining the differences between Smart TVs and Android TVs, it’s clear that each one offers unique advantages and disadvantages. When deciding which one to choose, it’s important to consider your personal preferences and needs.
If you value simplicity and convenience, a Smart TV might be the best option for you. With pre-installed apps and a familiar interface, you can easily access your favorite content without any extra steps. Smart TVs also tend to be more affordable than Android TVs, making them a great choice for those on a budget.
On the other hand, if you’re someone who wants a highly customizable experience with access to a vast library of apps and games, an Android TV might be more your speed. Android TVs offer more flexibility in terms of what apps and features you can access, as well as a smoother overall experience thanks to Google’s sophisticated software.
Ultimately, both Smart TVs and Android TVs have their pros and cons, and the choice between them comes down to personal preference. Before making a decision, take some time to consider your specific needs and use cases, and think about which option aligns best with your lifestyle.
