Smart TVs have changed what our expectation of television is supposed to be. In this article, we look at the top smart TVs in Nigeria.
The world is finding new ways of being connected to the World Wide Web and running apps. Our computers can do these things, so can our phones, now our televisions are keeping up with the trend.
What is a smart TV?
TVs are no longer the ‘dumb’ box-set that once was just used for audio-visual (AV) display. Today, televisions are capable of more than that.
Smart TVs are simply televisions, which have operating systems running on them that allow them to perform functions that make them behave more like computers. This includes installation of apps, live streaming from websites, browsing the internet and even connecting to social media.
For many, the trend in the past decade has seen us move away from our televisions for visual entertainment and towards our laptops and smartphones. This is because most of the trending videos people want to see are online. The fact that 1 billion hours of YouTube videos are watched every day is testament to that.
So, as most of the new, interesting shows are going online, and even the more conventional things like news and talk shows can now be streamed online, televisions needed to evolve as well.
Basic Features of a Smart TV
As with every piece of technology out there, different brands and iterations of the same product may feature more or less than the other. However, there is a bare minimum requirement of what a smart TV should offer.
1. Internet connectivity
A key ability of smart TVs is that they can be connected to the internet. This connection can be done either via wireless means (using Wi-Fi) or a LAN port. The internet is at the centre of all that makes a smart TV special and different from TVs of days past. Internet connectivity is a must-have feature in all smart TVs.
2. Easy Interconnection with other devices
Smart TVs should present you with a variety of means to connect your television to other devices in your home. It could be connecting your DVD and decoders via HDMI and/or AV ports or even casting your smartphone screen to your TV seamlessly.
Most smart TVs will work with one of the best smart speakers you already own, and a few will offer some or all of the same functionality built right into the TV.
3. Useful apps and app store
A key feature of smart TVs is their ability to download and install applications that add functionality to the user experience. Any TV that does not give users the ability to search for and download relevant apps surely isn’t smart.
4. Web browsing and social media
The major usefulness of smart TVs in their abiltiy to connect to the internet is that you should be able to browse the web and access social media content on your TV.
5. Streaming video services
For a TV to be dubbed “smart”, being able to stream video content is compulsory. All smart TVs should give you access to such services like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant, Vudu, Hulu Plus, Crackle, or even Funny or Die. With a fast internet connection, these offer you more shows and movies than you would ever have the time to watch.
6. Universal search and recommendations
Smart TVs exist to make your viewing experience better. This is why a universal search is important. It lets you group all your shows in one place regardless of the streaming service from which it comes. The recommendations tab is also useful to help you see when new episodes of a series you’re interested in come out or other shows that would probably fit your taste based on previous activity.
7. Desirable but not must-have features
Apart from the above-listed features, some smart TVs come with voice recognition and command software. This allows users to operate their televisions without having to touch a remote. In this case, the user uses programmed voice commands to operate their smart TV.
A growing number of models now include voice recognition tools, like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, for switching channels and searching for programs. Also, video calling capabilities using Skype qualifies as essential for some but is not necessarily something all smart TVs must-have.
See also: Top 12 apps for smartphones in 2020 for Android and iPhone phones
Top smart TVs in the Nigeria market
In the list below, we help you filter through the noise and review some of the top smart TVs out there. This list is arranged according to their prices from the most to the least expensive.
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1. LG TV 86UK7050
The LG 86UK7050 TV is the first on our list of smart TVs in Nigeria. For this wonderful smart TV, LG went beyond just Full HD as the TV can display up to 4K Ultra HD quality. That’s about 8.2 million pixels on an 86-inch screen (four times the amount of pixels Full HD has to offer). No surprise it delivers such clarity and detail when viewed.
The LG 86UK7050 TV is powered by a quad-core processor. With that, there’s lesser lag time on TV operations compared to most smart TVs. Also, this helps the TV to deliver on its promise of premium quality efficiently.
Seven virtual channels form the in-built speaker setup of the TV. This makes the Surround Sound delivery impeccable and immersive to go with the beautiful display.
The TV has an LG Magic Remote, with which you can control your entertainment by simply clicking, scrolling or by using the unique LG Voice Mate™ speech recognition technology.
The LG 86UK7050 TV also comes complete with Wi-Fi and Satellite connectivity.
LG always use the WebOS operating system on their smart TVs and its the same with this one. You can download apps, games and movies on the TV with ease.
The 86UK7050 also allows you to interact easily with your Apple devices. Using Apple Homekit you can control your TV using your smartphone. Apple Airplay lets you broadcast images, audio and video from your smartphone to your TV.
This TV price starts from about N1,750,000.00 and is available in most online stores.
2. Samsung Premium 75 Inch Q80t Qled Class Hdr
This Samsung product is truly one of the best in the market. With a 4K HD display and a TV refresh rate of 240 Hz, it produces truly high-quality vibrant colours and reduces blur to fast-moving images. FreeSync variable refresh rate technology helps enhance your video game experience by reducing tearing and stuttering.
The TV can connect to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet. When connected you can download your favourite apps, surf the web using the TVs web browser, stream content and so on.
This product has multiple HDMI and USB inputs, giving you various means of connecting your devices to your TV.
Also, the TV has Bixby and Amazon Alexa virtual assistants built-in to aid seamless voice-controlled use of it.
The Q80T TV has SmartThings installed in it to put you in control of your compatible smart home devices. It connects with IoT devices and sensors, giving you the ability to turn on the lights, check what’s inside your refrigerator, and run the robot vacuum cleaner, all without leaving your couch.
The MultiView feature splits your TV screen in two, putting the content you’re watching on one side while mirroring your compatible mobile device on the other, allowing you to watch workout videos, check sports stats, and more while watching your favourite show or game.
This truly feature-rich TV is priced from around N1,700,000.00.
See also: Top extensions and apps for YouTube video downloads
3. Samsung 82″ Crystal Uhd 4K Smart TV 82tu8000 Series 8
The Samsung’s 82-inch Ultra HD TV is as attractive as it is a wonderful device. The TV has a thin border which gives you an optimum viewing range on the screen.
Samsung 82″ Crystal Uhd 4K Smart Tv 82tu8000 Series 8
The TV features HDR10+, Samsung’s Dynamic Crystal Colour technology and a 200Hz refresh rate, making the viewing experience an immersive one. Couple this with the 4K resolution that is on offer and this is a TV you would surely enjoy watching often.
USB and HDMI ports allow easy connection to your other devices. The TV has embedded cable lines at the back which helps make your living room setup neat and prevents tangling cables.
Easily control all connected devices and content with just One Remote Control. It also has an auto-detection feature, which automatically connects and labels all connected devices.
Keep your compatible smart devices connected. SmartThings enables Premium UHD TV to connect various compatible smart home devices, from fridges to mobiles to washing machines, for seamless interaction.
The TV also has built-in apps like Netflix and YouTube that can be accessed using a Wi-Fi connection. You can also download other apps and movies on the app store.
The price of this TV is about N1,400,000.00.
4. Sony Xbr55a Smart Android TV
This 55-inch piece of beauty produced by Sony is powered by the X1 Extreme™ processor. 4K HDR quality that produces over 8 million self-illuminating pixels brings absolutely stunning picture quality to your favourite videos and shows.
The Xbr55a makes use of Acoustic Surface™ Technology to bring forth one of the most immersive experiences of sound you have ever had in your sitting room. This is because, unlike most TV speakers, sound comes to you from the entire screen.
Android TV™ with advanced voice control lets you connect and access content, from movies and TV shows to thousands of apps, simply by talking. Couple that with a dedicated “Netflix” button on the remote control and you have a user operation experience as seamless as any.
You can also easily cast your favourite entertainment from your personal devices unto your TV screen. So, YouTube, Netflix and whatever else you’re watching doesn’t have to be stuck on the miniature screens of your iOS, Android or Windows device.
The TV runs on the Android operating system. Meaning you can have easy access to the apps and games that you have become accustomed to playing on your Android mobile devices.
The price of this TV is around N900,000.00.
