The LG 2021 initial TV line-up is coming. But when a press release includes the words initial in italics, and it is May already, you know deep down that there will be shortages and long waits for some of the models.
The 2021 OLED identifier is 1 – A1, B1, C1 and G1 for OLED and Z1 for its signature OLED. Nanocell (Quantum Dot LED) keeps the 2020 nomenclature – Nano75, 77, 86, and 91. Its UHD LED/LCD TV is UP80.
Missing in action is the QNED (mini-LED backlight Quantum Dot) – a competitor to Samsung’s Neo QLED.
All TVs have LG’s WebOS operating system, Google Assistant, Apple Airplay 2, Magic Remote, Wi-Fi AC and BT, at least one HDMI 2.1 eARC and 4K unless noted. All come with a 1-year warranty.
“We’re excited about our range of TVs at LG Electronics this year. With intelligent upgrades, a great range of sizes, premium designs and even better picture quality, our new range of TVs continues to transform the way Australians enjoy their favourite content. LG OLED technology has offered consumer’s premium, cinema-like viewing experiences in the home since 2013. In 2021 we are making OLED even more accessible to Australian’s. This roll-out is just the tip of the iceberg for what’s to come for Australians looking to upgrade their home entertainment this year. We will announce more soon.”
Tony Brown, Marketing Manager for Home Entertainment, LG Electronics Australia
The roll-out of the 2021 LG initial TV line-up of OLED, NanoCell and UHD TVs includes:
G1 OLED, also known as OLED evo Gallery series feature α9 Gen 4 processor and new OLED evo technology – delivers brighter images on screen, resulting in clear, realistic images with life-like details. https://www.lg.com/au/tvs/lg-oled65g1pta
OLED77G1
$9,999
OLED65G1
$5,299
OLED55G1
$3,799
We will bring you more details as we decode what each model does. You can read GadgetGuy LG news and reviews here
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the brand’s ultimate glass slab. It is the one you buy if you want the best Android camera, screen, processor, and everything. Unless, of course, you want the Samsung Galaxy Fold X or Flip.
I have been using the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G for about eight weeks now. It replaced the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra (review here 9.6/10). Frankly, there is not a lot of noticeable difference. I guess that is true of any next refresh model – be it a car or a phone – later tech but not a lot of difference.
The aim of this review is twofold. First, to see how it has improved (two firmware and security updates in that time – impressive) and to deep dive, so you can see what you are getting under the skin. It is quite impressive when you take everything it has and can do into account.
Note that in Australia, we get the version with the Samsung Exynos 2100 SoC. Other versions use the Qualcomm SD888 (it does not support Australian Telco carrier bands).
We issue the standard warning that you must buy the genuine model with Australian firmware. Why? Because Australian 5G IMEI numbers are Telco locked and must be activated here first. It can also make a 000-emergency call (not 911) without a SIM. Look for the Australian and NZ regulatory mark under Settings, About Phone, Regulatory. We have named and shamed the major grey marketers here. Get a genuine ‘Made for Australia’ model.
First impression – a considerable glass slab
First impression is that Samsung is lousy for not including a charger in the box! Bad Samsung, bad Apple too!
It is a big flattish (6.8″) display, it is heavy (227g plus a case), and the enormous rear camera hump makes a very bold statement. But I love large phones, and the screen real estate is perfect.
As the phone is not exactly cheap (Samsung may tear it out of my cold dead hands), the first duty is to protect it – a case and screen protector. Our friends at EFM provided a Screen Armour glass protector and a Cayman clear case.
These increase drop and shock test to 6 metres and, as a bonus, kills 99.99% of bacteria. The screen protector has a 9H rating. Now the Ultra has Gorilla Glass Invictus, but a replacement is about $300, so it is well worth the cost. PS – If you have Apple, they cater for it too.
Screen – superb
Size
6.8″
Type
Single centre O-hole, Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Adaptive 10-120Hz (latest firmware) at 1440p
Resolution
3200×1440
PPI/Ratio
515, 20:9
Depth
Brightness
Adaptive
Black
Contrast
Delta E
Vivid
Natural
HDR
16.7M colours
1500nit claim (tested to 1400)
400nits (tested to 410)
Pure
Infinite
2 (<4 is excellent – tested)
100%+ DCI-P3 (tested)
100%+ sRGB (tested)
HDR10+
Daylight
Angle
AOD
Dark
Blue light
Perfect even in direct sunlight
Excellent off-angle viewings
Yes and customisable
Yes
The ambient light sensor and time of day adapt the intensity and reduce the amount of blue light.
DRM
Widevine L1 HDCP 2.2. It will play Netflix FHD in HDR
Gaming
3.2ms G-t-G
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (the toughest available)
Pre-fitted plastic screen protector
Fingerprint
Face ID
Optical under glass – Test: /10
8/10
Stylus
Samsung Note and Galaxy Tab Stylus support (see S Pen later)
Let’s first address the 120Hz issue. Apart from gamers, it is of limited use. It is purely the ‘next big thing’ that marketers are using to make us buy new models. Yes, it is buttery smooth, but for most people, 60Hz is perfect and improves battery life by at least 20%+
Out test software shows adaptive means flipping from 10/48/60/90/120Hz. OPPO Find X3 has a dynamic, intelligent variable refresh rate from 1-120Hz, which means longer battery life.
And finally, resolution. It can display at 3200×1440, but the majority will be happy with 2400×1080 for longer battery life – it applies to OPPO too. So yes, it’s a great screen, but it has been slightly outclassed.
Processor – V8 vroom!
SoC
Exynos 2100 eight-core 5nm
1 x 2.91, 3 x 2.81. 4 x 2.21
GPU
Mali G78 Open CL: 5635
Vulcan: 3741
Game use
It is one of the fastest SoCs and should have no issues with high frame rates. But some gamers report that the 120Hz refresh was an issue. I understand that recent firmware updates have fixed this.
Max: 227,660 GIPS, Average: 198,974 – 16% loss over 15 minutes
CPU temp reached 50°
The throttling test places a 100% load on the processor and GPU. While CPU throttling is higher than expected, you must remember that it is coming from a much higher base and is still way faster than any SD865/+ processor. It also relates to the Mali-G78 GPU that can chew up to 8W (burst) and then settles back to 3W.
There is a lot of discussion on whether the Exynos 2100 is as good as the Qualcomm SD888. It is equivalent to the SD888, and in specific tests, it is faster. Processor wise – very similar. Graphics-wise -slightly quicker.
The storage speed is at the lower end of Tier 1 SSD (OPPO Find X 2 1813/735Mbps), but its external speeds are excellent, allowing for 4K or 8K recording.
Comms – All there
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 6 AX and 6E VHT160 (BCM4389C1)
Signal Strength 5Ghz – distance from ASUS AX1100 router
2m: -26dBm/1200Mbps
5m: -49dBm/1134
10m: -52dBm/866
15m: -59dBm/433
Bluetooth
BT 5.2
UWB
Ultra-wideband chip to share data, pay wirelessly, unlock electronic locks, and locate other devices.
GPS
Dual-Band and accurate to <2m
NFC
NPX PN547 Host Card Emulation works with contactless readers and NFC tags.
Note – no longer has mag stripe (MST) support
USB-C
USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps) with OTG and Alt DP video out
Sensors
Ultrasonic Fingerprint (QBT2608), Combo LSM6DS0 Accelerometer and Gyro, Barometer (LPS22HHTR), eCompass (AK09918C), Hall, Proximity, Ambient Light, pedometer, game rotation and tilt vector,
Wireless: Smart View (Wi-Di screen mirroring 1080p at 30 fps) – portrait mode
USB Type-C Alt DP up to 4K@60 fps – landscape mode
DeX – Samsung Desktop experience over wireless and cable (res unknown) – landscape mode
There is no widespread router support for Wi-Fi 6E. The maximum speed we could obtain was 1200Mbps. By comparison, the OPPO Find X3 Pro at 2400Mbps. I suspect that future firmware updates will fix that, as it should have 4×4 MU-MIMO.
DeX (Desktop Experience) is terrific if you use it and can replace a PC. With the addition of Microsoft 365 support and One Drive, it can make you far more productive – add a screen, BT keyboard and mouse (or use the phone as a trackpad), and you are away.
LTE and 5G
SIM
Single SIM and eSIM (both active – use one at a time)
Ring tone
Dual
Support
VoLTE – carrier dependent – generally yes
Wi-Fi calling – Yes
DL/UL (Mbps)
17.5/18.8Mbps and 43ms in a three-bar reception area (average)
LTE Band
3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 (Samsung does not publish bands – this is from Optus). It should be a world phone.
5G
Sub6Ghz n78 enabled
mmWave not enabled
Test
-100dBm/70fW in a 3-bar reception area (average)
It did not find other towers
This did not get a Telstra Blue Tick for regional use (nor did Apple iPhone 12-series) – the S21/+ and the S20-series did.
While it has reasonable antenna strength, it is for 5G and is a city, suburban and major regional city phone. Interestingly OPPO Find X3 Pro had 158.5fW and found the adjacent tower so has better reception.
Battery – no charger!
Battery mAh
5000mAh, 3.88V/5A/19.4Wh
Charger
Recommended Samsung 25W – not supplied, which provides
PDO: 5V/3A/15W or 9V/2.77A/25W (QC4.0+)
PPS: 3.3-5.9V/3A or 3.3-11V/2.25A (PD3.0)
It uses an NPX PCA9468 USB-C PD3.0 and QD 4.0+fast charge chip with 98% efficiency and backwards compatibility with all USB standards. It is a switched capacitor charger meaning it can take up to 11V/6A and delivers whatever the battery needs.
Qi Wireless: 10W as per specs but also seems to charge up to 15W
Wireless reverse charge: 5W
Test:
0-50% – 30 minutes
0-100% – 72 minutes
Using 5V/3A standard USB charger and cable – 4 hours
Qi 15W charge – 4 hours
Tests
Video Loop test: 1080p/50%/aeroplane mode – 19 hours
Typical use 4G, Wi-Fi Test – 12 hours
MP3 music test: 50% volume played from storage – 24+
100% load Battery drain – 8 hours
GFX Benchmark T-Rex – 120Hz: 306.6min (5.17hrs) 5861 frames
GFX Benchmark Manhattan 3.1: Gets out-of-memory-error
PC Mark 2.0: 9.40hrs
Samsung charge time is nowhere near the OPPO Find X3 Pro (and Neo) that goes 0-100% in 35 minutes.
Now you have to expect that a big phone is thirsty. This is a candidate for multiple Qi charge pads at home and the office. If I have a big day, it can go as low as 20%, but on average, I have about 50% left at night.
It’s a one-day phone.
Sound – great at lower volume
Speakers
Stereo – earpiece and down-firing speaker
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus decoding
AKG tuned
AMP
2 x CS35L41 D-Class amps that output 5.3W each at 1% THD. These have integrated DSP and speaker protection. Interestingly, these are two mono amps to make stereo, so we assume some software balances the top and bottom speakers.
BT codecs
Audio dual-connect with 2 Galaxy Devices
Codecs are SBC (standard), LDAC (Sony), ACC (Apple) and proprietary Samsung scalable codec
Note: No Qualcomm aptX codecs
It decodes 5.1.2 (or higher) to the two speakers. It does not add any height channels
BT or USB-C cabled headphones (it has an inbuilt DAC) show a slight sense of spatial sound.
EQ
EQ pre-sets can adjust most frequency bands by +/-10dB. These include normal, Pop, Classical, Jazz, Rock and Custom.
Sound
Stage
It is a little wider than the device in landscape mode
Mic
Dual top noise-cancelling and for Audio zoom – focuses on the direction of interest during recording.
There is a third mic adjacent to the bottom USB-C Port
Handsfree
It is loud and clear, but the mic (top or bottom) drops off quickly over 1m. Its NC is superb. We noticed that was at the expense of natural voice – callers heard more robot voice.
3.5mm
No
BT Headphones
Our reference Sony WH-1000xM4 in SBC, AAC and LDAC modes provided good clear sound and plenty of volume. We did not test the Samsung scalable codec
Tests dB
Anything over 80dB is excellent
Media – 78
Ring – 80
Alarm – 80
Earpiece – 55
It is disappointing that there is no support for aptX (all versions) and TWS. Very few devices use the Samsung Scalable codec.
Sound quality
You would expect the best, and at 70% volume, it presents a rich, full sound. But we measure at 100% where three things become apparent. First, the recessed mid/upper treble means that it affects ‘location’ – where the sound comes from in the relatively narrow sound stage.
Next, mid-bass is there, but it suddenly dips at 100hz, almost obliterating high-bass – you need this more than mid-bass to add some gravitas.
Finally, the frequency response is relatively flat from 200Hz to 10khz then builds to upper-mid and lower treble.
So, it is essentially a mid-signature which is great for clear voice but not so great for most music. You can read more about sound signatures here.
The EQ has Pop, Classical, Jazz, Rock and Custom for a +/-10dB adjustment, and you can get a reasonably flat response from 100Hz to 5kHz.
It is a shame as last year’s Galaxy S20 Ultra had good stereo left/right separation and hints of bass and treble to round out an almost perfect warm and sweet signature.
Build
Size/Weight
165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm x 227g
It is 11.15mm thick at the camera bump
Colours
Phantom Black
Phantom Silver
Other back colours at Samsung online
Build
Front: Gorilla Glass Victus
Frame: Alloy
Back: Gorilla Glass Victus
IP
IP68
1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes.
Not for beach or pool use.
In the box
USB-C to USB-C cable
S Pen
The screen digitiser supports pens, including Note 20 and Note 10. It may also support other Wacom pens. See Samsung notes here.
Bad Samsung – shame on you for charging this much without a charger or AKG buds! Apple can get away with it, but you can’t.
I like the look – it is big and bold but not without its foibles. For starts, it rocks, literally, on a benchtop, which is bad for S Pen use (not supplied). Adding a bumper cover fixes that. It is top-heavy, not balanced in your hand – not a big issue.
The S Pen uses inductive coupling, so it has fewer features than BT active pens. Samsung may release an active pen later.
Android 11 with at least 12 and 13 to come
Android
Google Android 11
Security patch date: 1/04/21
UI
One UI 3.1
Google
All standard apps, Google Lens and Assistant
Bloatware
Mostly Samsung and Microsoft productivity and utilities.
The Samsung apps include the Galaxy Store (unique Galaxy Apps), Mail, Contact, Calendar, Dialler, SmartThings, Samsung Health, Pay, AR, Switch, DeX, and Pay. Why it persists with Bixby is beyond me.
Update Policy
Assume at least two, if not three, updates. Security patches should come monthly.
Security
Ultrasonic Fingerprint 10/10
FaceID 7/10
We could write reams about One UI 3.1 but suffice to say it is the grease on Android’s wheels.
This product has had eight firmware updates since release – the majority are camera related, which is why we decided to wait to review this.
Missing
microSD
With the base model at 128GB we would have expected this expandability. However, the data transfer rates over USB-C 3.1 make it practical to record to external SSD media. OPPO Find X3 also has USB-C 3.1 for similar speeds.
aptX
Qualcomm aptX includes variable latency modes and True Wireless earphone support. Samsung has its scalable codec that does the same but only with specific Samsung audio products. If you want fidelity, then LDAC is the CODEC to use. OPPO Find X3 has aptX/TWS.
Charger and earbuds
Lousy – very Applesque. OPPO Find X3 Pro supplies 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 and USB-C earphones
10-bit screen
OPPO’s Find X3 10-bit, 1 billion colours LTPO AMOLED comes from Samsung. Side-by-side, the OPPO wins hands down for colour.
Battery and charger
Even though it is a big battery, it has to do a lot of work. PC Mark 2.0 battery test at 9:40hrs is way under OPPO Find X3 Pro of 14:48hrs.
Similarly, the battery charge of >1hr is well above the OPPO Find X3 at 35 minutes.
On the positive side, I am sure there is a kitchen sink in there too. None of these are deal-breakers.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G camera – 108MP is huge, as is the periscope ‘Space Zoom’
The 108MP is a nonacell that means it bins 9x to 12MP. That binning allows AI computational photography to do its magic, and you cannot take a bad shot. Technically it has a very much higher dynamic range and less induced noise. It also allows what Samsung calls Super-PF Plus autofocus (AI, gyro EIS and OIS).
You can shoot in 108MP, provided you have a tripod and perfect day or office light.
Our camera tests are ‘real life’ and use the same scenes to give us a baseline. If you are interested, DXOMARK has a full camera review here. It scores 126 – four points under the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Camera
Primary
Wide Angle
108mp
(bins to 12MP)
Ultra-Wide
12MP
Telephoto
10MP
Periscope
Telephoto
10MP
Selfie
40MP
(bin to 6.5MP or 10MP group)
Sensor
Samsung
S5KHM3
Samsung S5K2LA or Sony IMX563
Likely Samsung S5K3J1
same
Samsung GH1
Focus
PDAF
Laser Focus
Dual Pixel AF
same
same
PDAF
Aperture f-stop
1.8
2.2
2.4
4.9
2.2
Pixel size um
.8 (bin to 2.4)
1.4
1.22
1.22
.7 (bin to 1.4)
FOV° and cropped
83
120
35
10
80
Stabilisation
OIS
Flash
CRI LED
Screen flash
Zoom
Also does Macro
10X optical
3X optical
10X hybrid
100x Digital
Video Max
8K@24fps
OIS
Gyro EIS to
1080p@60fps
Tracking AF up to 1080p@30fps
Super Steady mode
Gyro EIS
Features
Auto HDR
Nona Bayer
Scene Optimiser*
Single Take**
** triggers all cameras simultaneously and produces up to 14 photos from which you can select the best one.
Daylight, outdoors
This is a classic use of Night mode100X zoom – don’t bother
Amazing macro detail
Indoors Office Light (400 lumens)
Slight yellow cast is due to overhead LED
Low light (room with less than <40 lumens)
Great detail but colours are subduedNight mode fixes all with very little added noise
Selfie
Fast autofocus means crisp selfies. It bins to 6.5MP when it detects one face and 10MP when it detects a group. That means detail is superb, but the depth of field is pretty narrow, and you need everyone in close.
The screen fill flash tends to accentuate blemishes.
Zoom
It technically has 100x space zoom. You really must have a very stable tripod to use anything over 30X.
Video
Video’ image’ is a function of AI computational photography. It looks great, but it is not ‘natural’. You will likely use 1080p@60fps as 4, and 8K will fill your storage too quickly. And the 8K video is more for bragging rights – they suffer from compression artifacts and very soft focus.
GadgetGuy’s take
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a true flagship.
It is an incremental improvement on the S20 Ultra. In some respects, it is a step back, e.g., no microSD. It is my daily Drive and took over seamlessly from the S20 Ultra.
But then OPPO had to ruin Samsung’s day with the OPPO Find X3 Pro at $1699. It beats the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (in brackets)
256GB storage (128GB)
Faster USB-C access to external storage
1 billion colour 10-bit LTPO OLED (16.7M Super AMOLED)
Variable refresh 1-120Hz (fixed 48/60/90/120)
1300nits peak (1400)
Qualcomm SD888 (Exynos 2100)
2400Mbps Wi-Fi (1200Mbps)
More 5G bands
More powerful Wi-Fi reception strength
Ditto – 4/5G antenna 158fW (70)
35-minute charge (1hr)
10% throttle (16%)
100X Super Zoom that is not all that useable over 30X (comparable to the OPPO 20X. The OPPO has a 30x magnifier – a gimmick, but it is fun)
OPPO appears to take better photos with 2 x 50MP binned to 1 x 12.5MP (108MP binned to 12MP)
Samsung is still the king but never before has OPPO managed to meet or exceed the S21 Ultra.
Part II – $2K for a phone!
I admit that my predilection for a flagship phone is predicated by Samsung’s loan terms (or Apple, Google et al.). It is the standard operating procedure to have senior journalists and influencers use the products throughout the year to see if firmware or operating system updates make a difference. It is also to have the ‘best’ available camera.
For example, the Google Pixel was not the best performer in the SD765G powered class. The April 2021 update adds both more speed and camera improvements. It again is and will lead to a reassessment of the review.
But the reason for the admission is that Joe and Jane Average don’t need a $2K, let alone a $1K smartphone either.
There has been an amazing race to the bottom for 5G phones. Currently, OPPO has the A54 and A75 – both 5G Qualcomm SD phones for $399 and $499 and they are exceptional value with 5000mAh batteries, great camera, NFC and more.
So if you have a lazy couple of grand, by all means, get the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G or OPPO Find X3 Pro. And both have reasonably generous trade-in programs, so it’s a no-brainer.
Comparison of Samsung S20 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
The Samsung Galaxy Book Pro and 360 Pro were released at Samsung Unpacked 28 April.
We don’t know if they will both will be coming here, but we certainly hope so.
What we know about the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro and 360 Pro
No Australian price or availability yet. Further details at the Samsung news room here.
“We have always believed that the best innovations happen through teamwork. We have embraced open collaboration with Microsoft and Intel to create fully optimized, powerful Galaxy Books that provide continuity across different operating systems and connect with all your devices inside the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem seamlessly.
Patrick Chomet
Galaxy Book Pro
Intel EVO 11th Gen Core i3, i5, 17 and Iris Xe graphics
13.3” and 15.6” 1980×1080 AMOLED touch screen DisplayHDR 500
Weight – 870g and 1050g, respectively
Wi-Fi 6E, AX, BNT 5.1
Choice of 8, 16 and 32GB and up to 1TB
Dolby Atmos AKG speakers
Thunderbolt 4, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI, 3.5mm and microSD
13.3” is 4G capable (many be 5G)
65W fast charge
Windows 10
Mystic Silver, Blue and Pink
Optional second screen
Optional second screen is a great idea
Galaxy Book Pro 360
As above plus
360° hinge
S Pen capable
Weight – 1040g and 1390g, respectively
Mystic Navy, Silver and Bronze
S Pen comes with it
You can read other GadgetGuy Samsung news and review here
Are you already one of the 70% of Australians who use at least one streaming service? And if not, why not? There’s a universe of entertainment out there!
You might watch Netflix on your phone, Stan on your laptop, or even break out the old iPad (or even a new one!) to indulge in some BBC dramas on ABC iView. But nothing beats binge-watching your favourite first-run show or new release movie on a proper, big screen TV.
What is streaming?
A super-quick recap for those just joining the entertainment revolution: Streaming means using an internet connection to deliver content – movies, documentaries, TV episodes, etc – to a device that has a screen and audio system, so you can watch.
Streaming is different from downloading, because you don’t need to wait for the whole movie to preload onto your device. You need to wait for a short moment for some content to buffer, and away you go; the rest downloads in the background. And streaming is different to free-to-air TV because it’s on demand. You can watch what you want, when you want.
What can stream?
Phones, tablets, and laptops can stream content because they already contain the necessary functionality, including Wi-Fi networking and powerful processors. And, of course, you can connect your computer or phone to your TV to stream content over HDMI.
But it’s just so much more convenient to be able to do it all with the TV and a single remote. No messing with cables or weird wireless protocols, just point and click.
For a TV to stream, it needs to be a smart TV, which means, it includes its own processor, and be able to connect to the internet. You can think of it as if a TV was also a giant tablet.
What is a smart TV platform?
Also like a phone, laptop, or tablet, a smart TV needs an operating system and a user interface, to let you search and navigate your favourite streaming services.
A TV’s operating system is usually called a “platform” and in Australia, you have several to choose from. It’s more like the operating system on a tablet than Windows 10 or MacOS, in that your choice of platform depends on what brand of TV you buy.
But before we get into a rundown of these, let’s take a look at what a smart TV platform needs to include, to make it worth your hard-earned.
What does a smart TV platform do?
When you press the Menu or Home button on a Smart TV’s remote, an interface will appear that you can navigate – using the same remote. While this interface might look very different to a tablet home screen, it functions in a similar way.
Instead of icons, large panels or items on a menu give access to apps. Many of these apps are similar to the ones on your tablet, especially when it comes to streaming services.
How does a smart TV access a streaming service?
Each streaming service – such as Netflix, Stan, Binge, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ – is accessed via its own, custom app. Most of these come pre-installed on a new TV.
However, if an app is not already on the TV, you can download it via the TV’s app store. This will be another panel or menu item in the on-screen interface.
You can also find a settings panel, which gives access to everything from image quality, Dolby and HDR settings, and most importantly for streaming, the network settings.
Some TVs come with on-board Wi-Fi modules, so you can use the remote to simply put in your Wi-Fi details, including your router password, and get an internet connection
TVs without on-board Wi-Fi connect to the internet using an Ethernet network cable, which plugs directly into your home router. (TVs with Wi-Fi have this capability too, which is useful if your house has spotty Wi-Fi reception due to thick walls etc.)
What makes a good smart TV platform?
Any TV that connects to the internet and streams content is technically a smart TV, but of course not all smart TVs are created equal! Here are some things to look out for in your next smart TV purchase, and why:
Broad app support
A smart TV may not have all your preferred apps. Sure, Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube have almost universal support, as does the Australian service Stan, and many catch-up TV services from local free-to-air broadcasters. Apple TV+ and Disney+, plus Foxtel services (Kayo, Binge, Foxtel now), Mubi (arthouse cinema), and less mainstream options like Spotify and internet radio stations, however, are not available for all smart TV platforms.
Smart TV app stores are continually updated, of course, but that’s no guarantee. So be sure to check that the apps you want are supported by the Smart TV you intend to buy now.
Also, if you enjoy using catch-up TV services from SBS, Nine, Seven, and Channel 10, you might need to use your computer to “authorise” your TV to use these services. It’s an important feature worth checking for.
App availability by platform
Tizen
webOS*
Android TV
Netflix
Yes
Yes
Yes
Amazon Prime Video
Yes
Yes
Yes
Stan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Disney+
Yes
Yes
Yes
Binge
Yes
No
Yes
Foxtel Now
Yes
Yes
Yes
Kayo Sports
Yes
No
Yes
Spotify
Yes
Yes
Yes
Apple Music
Yes
No
No
YouTube
Yes
Yes
Yes
Telstra Box Office
Yes
Yes
Yes
Optus Sport
Yes
Yes
Yes
ABC iview
Yes
Yes
Yes
9Now
Yes
Yes
Yes
10PLAY
Yes
No
Yes
7Plus
Yes
No
Yes
SBS on Demand
Yes
Yes
Yes
Apple TV+
Yes
Yes
No
Google Play Movies & TV
Yes
Yes
Yes
* Please note that the version of webOS used exclusively on LG TVs may include more apps than shown in this table.
Design of the interface
Smart TV interfaces tend to go for large block-shaped icons or panels. These contain logos or labels for their various apps. Remember that you will be using this interface from across the room, rather than close up.
Some interfaces take up the full screen, while others occupy only a small area so you can access menus without having to navigate away from what you’re watching. Most allow you to arrange apps and other sources according to preference, so favourite TV channels, apps and connected devices are within quick and easy reach.
Really, though, the interface comes down to your own aesthetic preference, but some interfaces are clearer and manage to give more information at a glance than others.
Navigation of the interface
As well as design, the interface needs to be easy to navigate. Some offer a remote that works a bit like a presentation pointer: you wave it at the screen and a cursor moves around and you click a button to select things. Other interfaces use directional buttons on the remote.
Extra interface functions
A good smart TV will have a dynamic home screen for the interface. This means the screen will change depending on what you’ve recently been doing. For instance, you might be watching a TV series, and have just finished an episode of a TV show on Netflix. The interface may change so next time you press the Home button, instead of having to first navigate to the Netflix panel and then use Netflix’s interface to find your show, you can see the next episode waiting “on deck” for you on the home screen.
Universal search
When it comes to streaming, there’s nothing more irritating than remembering a movie you want to watch, but forgetting which streaming service it’s on! Checking each app is a pain, so a good smart TV will offer what’s called “universal search”. Open the home screen and choose the Search option (or there might even be a search button on the remote). Search for the movie name (for example, Love and Monsters). The TV will offer results, including probably a trailer via YouTube, but also the full movie via Netflix, or whatever streaming service your movie happens to be on.
This kind of search may also show results for rentals, from Google Play Movies, Apple (if your TV has Apple TV), and Amazon. This kind of content requires a one-off payment (usually around $5) and must be finished within 48 hours after you start watching.
PRO TIP: Make sure you don’t accidentally select and pay for a rental movie or TV show when you already subscribe to a streaming service that includes it for free!
Voice control
This feature uses a connected smart speaker, such as a Google Nest or Amazon Echo, or a microphone in the remote, to make searching even easier. Instead of having to pick through an onscreen keyboard with the remote, you just speak a command. This can be a search (“Show me movies with horses!”) or a specific command (“Open Stan Sport”). Unlike your phone, you usually have to press and hold a special button to use voice commands, a bit like using a CB radio. Some premium TVs integrate a microphone, so you need to do is speak in its general direction.
The latest smart TVs can also understand “natural language”, but some require you to state commands in a particular way.
Voice assistant technology makes it easy to search apps, free-to-air TV and the web for something to watch.
Access to additional streaming platforms
What do you call it when your smart TV platform runs another streaming platform inside it? Streamception? Whatever – this refers to support for additional platforms, such as Google TV, Apple TV+ and Telstra TV.
You usually access these services (which can contain their own versions of apps!) by purchasing additional hardware. But some smart TVs have license deals with Google, Apple and Telstra to put functionality on-board. No extra box needed!
There are also services from Google and Apple to make it easier to share content from your mobile device: AirPlay for iPhone, iPad or Mac; and Chromecast for Android. These can also help add your TV to a multi-room smart home setup.
An app for your mobile phone
Where’s the remote? Who took the remote? It doesn’t matter, if your smart TV offers an app that lets you control it via your mobile phone. Jut pull out your phone and fire up the app. If your phone has an IR blaster, you can even turn the TV on and off (and some TVs can turn on and off via signal over the network, sent by your phone).
Phone apps can also work as a second mini-screen for your TV, so you can browse a program guide or the interface of the streaming app you’re currently using to watch a movie.
Why can’t I get new apps for my current Smart TV?
For content providers, the significant cost of developing and updating applications for multiple Smart TV platforms means that some apps are not available for all platforms. This, as well as hardware limitations, is why most apps on early model smart TV televisions can’t be updated to the latest iteration. It’s also why last year’s TV model might not support the apps claimed by this year’s model.
What streaming platforms are available?
As we mentioned earlier, to choose a streaming platform, you basically have to choose a brand of TV. The platforms are mostly linked to the brands that created them, although there are a few exceptions. Here are the main platforms available in Australia:
Generic
If you go for a very low-cost smart TV, you’ll get a basic interface that supports the most popular streaming services. You’ll get Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, but the Australian services like Stan and catchup TV programming from the free-to-air broadcasts might not be there. You might not be able to download extra apps, and there won’t be voice control. But you will save some cashola!
Android TV
Found on TVs by Sony, Hisense, TCL, Hitachi, Philips, Eko, Blaupunkt
In some ways this is the “good generic” platform for smart TVs. Developed by Google, it’s a bit like a streamlined version of Android on a tablet. You can download apps from the Google App Store, there’s the Google Voice Assistant for voice navigation and search, and of course the streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Stan, Binge and most catchup services from Australian broadcasters.
Smart TVs that run the Android TV platform also usually support Chromecast, to make sharing videos and photos from an Android smartphone easier. You can also make the TV part of Google’s Smart Home ecosystem.
Android TV is different from Google TV – the latter is fully-fledged streaming platform from Google, which is coming soon to some smart TVs.
webOS
Found on TVs by LG, Eko
Designed by LG Electronics, WebOS has been tried and tested on LG TVs for many years and is now licensed to other TV makers. Like Android TV, it’s a fully featured Smart TV interface with everything you’d want, including an App Store for the latest streaming apps, games and more. You’ll find Netflix, Amazon Prime, Stan, Foxtel, local catchup TV services, plus many more with regular App Store updates.
If you’re used to another platform, you may find webOS does a few things differently. So be prepared for a (short) learning curve.
All TVs that run webOS also support the ThinQ (pronounced think-cue) app. It’s a remote app for your smartphone that lets you control the TV, as well as compatible smart home appliance such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines. You can get it for iPhone as well as Android phones.
SmartHub (aka Tizen)
Exclusive to Samsung TV
This powerful interface has a lot of functionality, but you need Samsung devices to get the most out of it. You can use any Android smartphone to work a Tizen TV with a bit of fiddling, but a Samsung phone just works (as long as the phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi).
SmartHub is actually Samsung’s TV version of its multiplatform operating system, Tizen. This means it isn’t Android or anything else in disguise – it’s a Samsung exclusive. That’s part of why it can have so many features.
SmartHub TVs also support voice control via Samsung’s SmartRemote. And they have their own app store, with versions of the main streaming apps, built specifically for Samsung TVs.
What if I can’t afford an expensive TV?
One of the great things about streaming is that it’s becoming a basic function of smart TVs, as essential as an HD tuner, and surround sound!
High-end in a TV nowadays, means image and sound quality features, such as 8K ultra high-definition with HDR, the crazy-good contrast of an OLED panel, or a full suite of surround sound and audio enhancement technologies from Dolby, including Dolby Atmos. To get the benefit these audio formats, you’ll need to bypass your TV’s (puny) integrated speakers and listen via a soundbar or surround sound speaker package.
Beneath all these features, though, beats the same heart – the smart TV platform that makes this amazing future of entertainment possible, today.
A Soundbar or 5.1 speaker setup lets you get the most from multichannel surround on streaming content.
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EKO's range of smart TVs are available exclusively through BIG W stores across Australia and online.
