Both Sony and Samsung TVs are popular choices. It’s challenging to pick one over the other. So, what factors might lead us to consider one as superior? If you’re struggling to decide between these two premium TV brands, let’s explore the reasons to help you make a decision.
Both Sony and Samsung TVs fall into the premium television brand category. Sony models come with either Google or Android OS, varying by model, while Samsung exclusively uses its own operating system, Tizen. Android is a feature-rich and customization-centric operating system that supports many configurations linked to Google, such as Voice Assistance and Built-In Chromecast. In contrast, Tizen is an OS centered around simplicity. However, it includes features like Miracast to connect your device with the TV, making a Samsung TV equally smooth and convenient using Android. Let’s compare both TVs across different aspects.
Tizen OS vs Android OS: Which TV Is Better?
Both are pretty popular, and Andoird is used on 90% of devices. So let us explore how Tizen and Android are different from each other and which one is actually better. Since Samsung uses Tizen OS and Sony comes with Android built-in, it’s necessary to compare both operating systems thoroughly. Both are user-friendly and offer features that are effective and impactful for daily use. Let’s compare them.
User Interface: The interface of a streaming platform greatly influences the user experience and engagement. Android TV showcases a user-friendly design, characterized by its universal search bar and a host of Google-supported features. This includes Google Assistant, Chromecast, and an extensive selection from the Play Store. The content is methodically organized, with tailored recommendations prominently displayed. Users benefit from vast customization options, solidifying Android’s reputation as a user-centric platform.
Samsung’s Tizen, in contrast, emphasizes seamless interaction. A highlight of Tizen is the Smart Hub, a consolidated portal for apps, streaming, and live TV. This hub, complemented by features like Miracast and its dedicated app store, ensures users have a variety of content at their fingertips. Tizen stands out for its lightweight design, which contrasts with Android’s bulkier build. While Android might edge out in terms of customization breadth, Tizen champions stability and smooth operation. Both platforms have their merits, but for those valuing streamlined performance, Tizen might be the preferred choice.
Smoother and Faster OS: As discussed, Tizen is a lightweight operating system, whereas Android is bulkier. This is why many users report lag in the Android OS, even on devices with higher RAM. In contrast, Tizen operates smoothly thanks to its light and simple design. (As experts, these are our personal views based on testing various TV sets.)
App Support: When purchasing a smart TV, software and app availability are among the most critical factors to consider. Both OSes support major apps, including Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. Android TV has the Play Store, offering access to over 5,000 apps, whereas Tizen TV (Samsung) features the Smart Hub, which also provides access to thousands of apps. However, the primary difference lies in Android’s vast ecosystem. Many developers prioritize creating software and apps for Android, resulting in a wider variety compared to Tizen. In terms of app accessibility, Android comes out on top.
Voice Control, Search, and Navigation: Both Android and Tizen TVs support voice commands, but they differ in integration. Given Android’s extensive ecosystem, which spans various devices, including mobiles, its Google Assistant not only manages TV functions but can also control other smart devices, like adjusting lights or monitoring security cameras. Samsung’s Tizen TV, however, is integrated with Bixby. While it offers basic controls such as content searches and settings adjustments, Bixby, even with its advancements, especially within Samsung devices, doesn’t parallel Google Assistant’s broad capabilities.
Effective search and navigation are essential for smart TV users. Both Android TV and Samsung Tizen TV perform well in this domain, each with its own unique features. Android TV, enhanced by Google Assistant, understands and acts on detailed voice commands, like specific genre inquiries from particular eras. It also offers a comprehensive, cross-app search. Samsung Tizen structures its navigation through the Smart Hub, sorting content for quick access. It, too, supports a universal search. Yet, when it comes to advanced voice recognition, Android TV with Google Assistant has a distinct advantage in offering more intuitive searches.
Gaming Interface: Both Samsung and Sony TVs, equipped with their respective OSes, feature gaming modes and performance-enhancing capabilities. While neither is specifically designed for gaming, Tizen, with its limited range of gaming apps and lightweight design, isn’t the optimal choice for serious gaming. This is also due to the absence of certain features often sought by gamers. On the other hand, Android has a rich selection of gaming apps. Thus, Android TV (as seen on Sony) provides a more immersive gaming experience, even though Tizen can still be used for casual gaming.
Regular Updates: Android is a much larger platform than Tizen. Given its vast consumer base, one might expect Android to shoulder greater responsibility for providing consistent updates. However, Android TVs often don’t receive regular updates. For instance, a TV on Android 11 might not be updated to the next version. On the other hand, Samsung, which manages both the hardware and its proprietary software, Tizen, tends to roll out consistent updates, especially for its high-end models. In this context, Samsung, or Tizen, has the upper hand when it comes to regular updates.
Above, we tried to understand both operating systems of TVs. Now let’s turn to the TV itself.
Comparing Sony and Samsung: Which TV is Right for You?
Choosing between Sony and Samsung TVs largely depends on individual preferences, specific model comparisons, and the purpose for which you’re buying a TV. Both brands have their own strengths, and both produce high-quality TVs. and both are considered premium TV brands. Let’s try to compare both TVs in different aspects.
- Picture Quality:
- Sony: Sony’s Bravia line, especially the OLEDs and higher-end LED models, is well-regarded for its color accuracy and image processing. Sony’s X1 Ultimate processor is considered one of the best in the industry. Their OLEDs offer excellent black levels, contrast ratios, and motion clarity.
- Samsung: Samsung is a leader in QLED technology. QLEDs are known for their bright images, which make them great for well-lit rooms. They also have good color volume due to the quantum dot technology. However, they might not achieve the same level of black as OLEDs.
- Sound Quality:
- Sony: Some of Sony’s premium TVs, especially OLEDs, use Acoustic Surface technology, where the TV screen itself produces sound, offering a unique audio experience.
- Samsung: Samsung’s sound quality is generally good, and they also have integration with their own soundbars for a better audio experience.
- User Interface and Smart Features:
- Sony: Uses Android TV for its smart platform, which offers a wide range of apps and integration with Google Assistant.
- Samsung: Uses Tizen OS, which is intuitive and smooth. It comes with the Bixby voice assistant but also has integration with Alexa and Google Assistant.
- Design:
- Sony: Sony TVs tend to have minimalist designs with thin bezels and an emphasis on the picture.
- Samsung: Samsung pushes the envelope with design, offering ultra-thin models and bezel-less designs in their higher-end models.
- Gaming:
- Both brands have been making strides to accommodate the needs of gamers, offering features like low input lag, HDMI 2.1, and high refresh rates in their newer models. If gaming is a priority, look at the specifications of the specific models you’re considering.
- Price:
- Both brands offer TVs across various price ranges. Generally speaking, the price will correlate with the features, screen size, and display technology. But Samsung will be a little bit lower priced than Sony in the high-end models with large sizes.
- Other Factors:
- Sony: Has a slight edge when it comes to cinema and movie-watching due to its natural colors and OLED offerings.
- Samsung: Might have an edge in brightly lit rooms due to the brightness of QLEDs.
Let’s compare its features in the table!
| Features | Samsung | Sony |
| Display Technology | QLED (Some models), LED | OLED & LED (Varies), LED |
| Resolution | Up to 8K | Up to 8K |
| Smart TV Platform | Tizen (Android Also) | Android TV |
| Color Reproduction | Vivid, Bright | Natural, Accurate |
| Sound | Varies (Some with Dolby) | Often with Acoustic Surface (on OLEDs), Dolby, etc. |
| Gaming Features | Some with VRR, ALLM | Some with VRR, ALLM |
| Design | Slim, Modern, Bezel-less | Sleek, Minimalistic, Bezel-less and Elegant |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB, Wifi, Bluetooth, etc. | HDMI, USB, Wifi, Bluetooth, etc. |
| Control | Smart and Magic Remote, and Mobile | Smart and Magic Remote, and Mobile |
| Price Range | Mid to High-end | Mid to High-end |
Samsung or Sony; which TV is Best?
In the debate between Sony vs. Samsung, many people are looking for a straightforward answer: which TV is the best choice? Especially when considering that Sony and Samsung often have similar price ranges, the decision can be confusing for many.
We’ve taken into account various factors: the user interface (UI), design, app support, control, navigation, and display quality. Both brands have their strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you have a brightly lit room, Samsung might be your best choice because of its superior brightness. On the other hand, Sony excels in movie viewing and binge-watching, thanks to its natural color reproduction and vibrant picture quality. Both brands are responsive and quick.
Ultimately, the decision boils down to personal preference and specific needs: are you prioritizing design or functionality? If budget isn’t a concern and your viewing area isn’t overly bright, Sony might be the better choice. But, if you’re looking for a slightly cheaper option with faster operations suitable for a bright environment, Samsung could be ideal. It’s also worth noting that many find Sony’s designs particularly attractive.
One thing to note: if you’re buying a TV for your home where individuals like your parents and kids will use it, it should be user-friendly and not overly complicated.
Is Samsung QLED better than Sony OLED?
You might be wondering about the differences between OLED and QLED display technologies. The verdict often depends on specific criteria. While OLED excels in gaming, natural color representation, and general content viewing, QLED shines when a brighter display is required, especially for rooms with ambient lighting. For a detailed comparison, refer to our article OLED vs QLED TVs: Which Is Better?
Verdict:
In this article, we’ve evaluated the TV operating systems of Samsung and Sony. Both brands offer distinct operating systems. Samsung provides a TV with an easy-to-use and straightforward user interface, while Sony delivers a more extensive and fully customizable operating system. However, when it comes to display quality and design, Sony TVs excel, outshining Samsung. Although Sony tends to be pricier, it offers high-end models.
Our experts have analyzed this data, and we alone are responsible for these findings. While this is our perspective on both TVs and their respective operating systems, your opinion might differ. Nonetheless, many will likely agree with our assessment, as we have rigorously tested numerous TVs, placing Sony and Samsung at the forefront of our evaluations. If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out, and our editor will respond as soon as possible.
