Smart TV vs Google TV:
What Is the Difference?

"Smart TV or Google TV?" Customers ask us this in our branches every day, and it is a fair question, because the labels make it sound like one TV is smart and the other is not. That is not the case. Google TV is a smart TV. The real choice is which smart TV system you want: the brand's own, or Google's.

The Difference in Plain Words

Think of a phone. Every phone that runs apps is a smartphone, but some run Android and the iPhone runs Apple's own system. TVs work the same way.

• Brand's own system. The TV maker builds its own: Samsung uses Tizen, LG uses webOS, Hisense uses VIDAA. In shops this is usually just called "Smart TV".
• Google TV. The TV maker uses the system made by Google, with the Google Play app store. Sony, Sharp and Haier TVs mostly run Google TV. You may also see the older name, "Android TV". Google TV is built on top of it.

Some brands make both kinds, so look at the model, not just the brand. Most of the TVs we sell run the brand's own system.

Why We Usually Recommend the Brand's Own System

For most families who watch YouTube, Netflix and local streaming, a TV with the brand's own system is simple and gives you everything you need. Three reasons:

1. Quicker in everyday use

This one comes from our staff, who switch these TVs on all day. In our branches, switching on and moving between apps is noticeably quicker on the brand's own system than on Android-based TVs. That is our hands-on experience with the models we sell, not a lab test, and you can try it yourself on the display sets.

2. Screen mirroring and AirPlay

Showing your phone's photos, videos or a video call on the big screen works well. The Samsung, LG and selected Hisense models we sell support Apple AirPlay, so an iPhone can play straight to the TV. On the official spec pages we checked, that includes the Samsung Crystal UHD U8000F and QLED Q7F, the LG UA7350 and QNED82A, and the Hisense A7Q and A6Q. Other models vary, so ask us to check yours. Android phones can share their screen too.

3. A simple home screen

The home screen is a row of your apps and inputs. Parents and grandparents find it easy to get back to YouTube or the TV channel without getting lost.

And the big apps are there: YouTube and Netflix both list Samsung, LG and Hisense smart TVs as supported devices, just like Google TV.

When Google TV Makes Sense

Google TV is the better pick if one of these is true for you:

• You need an app that is only on Google Play. Google TV uses the Google Play store, so if an app is on Google Play for TV, you can install it.
• You cast from your phone with Chromecast. Google TV has Chromecast built-in, so you tap the cast button in an app and it plays on the TV. Some other TVs support it too (recent LG models list Google Cast), so check the model.
• You live in Google's world. You use Google Assistant and your Google account every day, and want them on the TV too.

3 Questions to Help You Choose

1. Which apps do you watch every week? If they are all on the TV you like, the brand's own system is enough. If one you cannot live without is only on Google Play, choose Google TV.
2. What phone do you use? iPhone users: pick a model with AirPlay. If you cast with Chromecast, Google TV has it built in, and some LG models support Google Cast too.
3. Who will hold the remote most? For a simple screen the whole family can use, the brand's own system. For people who like to add apps and use Google Assistant, Google TV.

Frequently Asked Questions