Modern TVs develop at an almost frightening pace. No sooner have you adjusted to searching for an LED (light emitting diode) version, new QLED (quantum light emitting diode) are released, all promising the best picture quality, sound and colour depth. It can be quite overwhelming,
All this means that if you’re in the market for the latest 43-inch smart TV, read this guide to learn everything you should be looking for, all neatly broken down and stripped of any jargon.
Specifications
The specs of any TV are important, especially if you want to future-proof yourself. If possible, look for a smart TV that has either a 4 or 8K display. This means it will be able to display content in a quality that’s either four (4K) or eight (8K) times greater than standard HD (1080p). Most streaming platforms and modern games consoles support these resolutions which means it’s worth forking out for if you want the best quality.
Another top feature to look for is HDR10+. Standing for High Dynamic Range, this technology works to offer crisper, brighter white and a darker blacks, creating a deliciously rich contrast that makes content look even better. HDR10+ is the latest and best example of this tech.
Apps
Streaming is core to smart TVs, in fact the core difference between a non-smart and smart TV is internet connectivity. The ability to connect a TV to the web means you’re able to easily stream content.
Pretty much every media company offers a streaming platform these days. From icons like Netflix and Disney+ to smaller options like ESPN, you’ll be able to watch hours of content whenever you want (for a subscription fee obviously). You’ll also be able to capitalise on catch-up services like BBC iPlayer and the ITV Hub.
It’s not just the large content companies that have apps either, YouTube and Twitch are often supported and offer hours of amateur content to stream too. Best of all, these apps are totally free (if you don’t mind adverts).
Modern smart TVs often feature sound systems that can rival the best speakers on the market. Afterall, how else can you support such excellent picture quality than with crystal clear sound systems. Most smart TVs support music streaming apps like Spotify, allowing you to make the most of these excellent speakers.
Bluetooth
An often-overlooked feature in modern smart TVs is Bluetooth support. Bluetooth allows you to connect a variety of wireless items to your TV to make using it easier. Wireless headphone and hearing aids are the most obvious, but wireless keyboard will make searching the library of a streaming app a lot easier.
Voice recognition
Save your fingers and skip the frantic lost remote search, some smart TVs support voice recognition that means you’ll be able to say what you want the TV to do and it’ll happily follow that order. Change the channel, search Netflix and adjust the volume of the TV using nothing more than your voice.
Look for Alexa, Google Assistant or Bixby advertised with the smart TV to indicate whether it has voice recognition. These TVs will also be able to me partnered with other smart tech in your home too.
