New 4K TV: Google TV vs Android TV vs WebOS vs Tizen

[P4-630]

My parents TV has an issue, it has an issue with the backlight, the upper half of the TV has become darker than the lower half.
I said to my dad it's probably not worth it to repair, it's a 10 year old 32" 1080p TV, but he will check that anyway.

Now if we are looking for a new TV, the latest OS I see is Google TV, is it much better than Android TV?

We now both have a Philips.

How is Samsung Tizen or LG WebOS vs the Google options?

If my parents get a new TV it will be a 43" 4K one for around 400 EUR.

 

[cvaldes]

I always prioritize display performance and image quality not smart TV functions.

You can always plug in a Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, whatever into any set for more robust smart TV functions. You can't plug a device in to make the picture better.

My LG C2 OLED TV (4K@120Hz) has WebOS; I rarely use the built-in smart TV functions. Of the WebOS apps, I use the YouTube and Twitch apps the most frequently. I don't subscribe to any streaming video services so that's not a factor. However I do use the $35 Roku 4K Streaming Stick that's plugged into it.

I have an old Toshiba TV (1080p@60Hz) in the bedroom. At the time of purchase I deliberately bought one of the few "dumb" models on the market so there are zero smart TV functions in the set. When I got the LG 4K set, I moved my old Roku Streaming Stick (1080p model purchased in 2016 for $35) to this old Toshiba TV. Works great, same UI as the 4K stick so there's zero confusion where to go. I had an ancient Apple TV on the Toshiba but stopped using it as continued to lose functionality over time (discontinued services, etc.).

 

[Double-Click]

+1 for display over smart features.

Do not buy an LG, their ToS = no updates or full functionality unless you hand over your data.
The one I bought on sale a few years back will be the last unless that changes.

Samsung or Sony are who I'd go with next, either one will work fine functionality wise.
I don't invest too much into the "smart" aspect rather than the display itself, you can always just get a newer/better Roku down the road.

 

[R-T-B]

Do not buy an LG, their ToS = no updates or full functionality unless you hand over your data.

My LG B9 will do updates and dumb TV things if you decline, maybe things have changed.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I have to say that LG and webOS has positively surprised me in terms both usability and app availability.
The remote control is a bit hit and miss though, but the "magic wand" part works well enough.
I don't think I see any of the ads people are complaining about either, but yes, there are ads for shows from various streaming services I don't have.
The specific model is the 50NANO86 and I don't think it's sold any more, but I got it for a steal last year during Black Friday at just under €400.
It has two 120 Hz HDMI ports that I admittedly haven't really tried out yet.
It has a tiny ammount of local storage compared to Android devices, but it seems like webOS is very efficient in terms of app size and caching, so it hasn't been an issue as far as I can tell.

The wife on the other hand prefers the FireTV inteface for the smarts.

We had a Samsung "smart" TV in Taiwan and it had a terrible remote and UI/UX imho.

 

[Bobaganoosh]

I know the main thing people didn't like on the Samsung A95B was the user interface/OS. The panel is great, but the interface was crap, so if you wanted that to be nice you had to spring the extra cash to get the Sony tv that used the same panel inside.

I ended up doing that, but with the newer models and got the new Sonly A95L, which has GoogleTV and the interface is pretty nice. It has been fairly easy to find settings and everything. Also, pros and cons, but it logs into your google account, so things like Youtube just work and if you have an android phone it's easy to do screen-sharing, or other permissions/setup stuff with your phone. It seems like all the apps just have you scan a QR code now and you can just log in on your phone instead of using an on-screen keyboard (pain...).

All that said, there are a lot of options for sticks and external smart devices of your choice that you can use instead of the main interface if you don't like the TV's so I agree with that advice above...pick a TV based on the picture quality that you can fit into your budget and the rest is usually easy enough to manage.

 

[cvaldes]

My LG B9 will do updates and dumb TV things if you decline, maybe things have changed.

I have also opted-out of a bunch of things on my LG's WebOS and I also still get updates.

I figure everyone is going to get a minimal amount of my information anytime I connect to the Internet. My Toshiba TV is as dumb as it gets but for sure Roku collects/sells my activity history.

About the only way you can use a TV in 2024 without giving up your information are rabbit ear antennae plus DVDs in a disc player not connected to the Internet.

Don't forget to put on your tinfoil hat before you turn on the TV.



Your phone collects *WAY* more information about you starting with places you go. At least a television set won't move.

 

[Double-Click]

My LG B9 will do updates and dumb TV things if you decline, maybe things have changed.

The older/cheaper 55" I have did updates and dumb things, but the newer 65" Nano8 model put the ToS screws to me.

I have to say that LG and webOS has positively surprised me in terms both usability and app availability.
The remote control is a bit hit and miss though, but the "magic wand" part works well enough.
I don't think I see any of the ads people are complaining about either, but yes, there are ads for shows from various streaming services I don't have.
The specific model is the 50NANO86 and I don't think it's sold any more, but I got it for a steal last year during Black Friday at just under €400.
It has two 120 Hz HDMI ports that I admittedly haven't really tried out yet.
It has a tiny ammount of local storage compared to Android devices, but it seems like webOS is very efficient in terms of app size and caching, so it hasn't been an issue as far as I can tell.

The wife on the other hand prefers the FireTV inteface for the smarts.

We had a Samsung "smart" TV in Taiwan and it had a terrible remote and UI/UX imho.

I don't hate WeOS either actually and the magic remote is actually great (so much better for typing stuff in).
I think we have the same model or close to it just different sizes, native 120hz, 2.1 HDMI etc.

Apart from the dynamic lighting being meh there isn't much to complain about display-wise, the price was so good on it though I won't even count that as a gripe.
That ToS though, that really grinds the proverbial gears...

 

[95Viper]

Locked per request from OP