Introduction

Having a smart TV in Kenya has become a necessity rather than a luxury. Watching TV either to catch up with the latest news or stream online apps has become a daily routine. It is therefore important to invest in a good Smart Television. Smart TVs in Kenya have various Brands including Samsung, Hisense, LG, TCL, Sony, Skyworth, Haier, Vitron, Royal, Tornado, Von, Admiral, Trinity, Star, Nobel, Premier, CTC, Amtec, Vision, Sonar, Sayona and many more. This article will guide you in knowing what smart TVs are, the benefits of having a smart Television in Kenya, and the factors that you should consider before buying a Smart Television in Kenya.

Benefits of Having a Smart TV in Kenya

A Smart TV is a television that can access additional programming via the internet. Unlike digital Televisions, there are certain things a smart TV can do which have made them more in demand. The benefits of having a TV include:

• You get to have access to several channels without having to subscribe to a service or connect to a TV antenna.
• It is Wi-Fi enabled therefore you can stream online applications such as Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, ShowMax, Gaming apps, Prime Video, and Hulu.
• Some smart TVs have Bluetooth feature which enables you to connect other devices such as phone or Bluetooth speakers.
• Many smart TVs support screen mirroring features, allowing users to share their smartphone’s screen on the TV screen.
• Smart TVs support a voice control feature that enables you to control the TV through voice commands.
• Smart TVs have built-in storage that allows you to store apps and other software.
• Smart TVs have operating Systems to run.

Factors to Consider Before Buying Smart TVs in Kenya

Things can also be overwhelming since there are different types of TVs in the market. If you are in the market and you are considering buying a Smart TV, there are certain factors that you should prioritize. Here are some of the factors that you should consider before buying a Smart TV in Kenya;

1. Type of Operating Systems

Smart TVs have different types of operating systems. A while back like 3 years ago, there used to be a TV that are not Android. They were able to surf the web and the internet but they were not using the verified operating system and they would fail when an update comes about. These types of TVs come with inbuilt applications different from their counterpart (Android) which you can download if not available. Android smart TVs have genuine Android from Google. Therefore they are always up to date with security patches and you can easily connect to the Android store to download different apps that are supported by the device. Some Television brands are coming up with their operating systems for example VIDAA by Hisense, Tizen OS by Samsung, webOS by LG, and Android TV by the rest of Smart TVs.  Most of these owned operating systems are better than the ones that have uncertified Android operating systems.

2. Size

To determine the best TV size first of all measure how big the room, where you will place the TV is. For instance, if you have a sitting room with a large space then consider buying a TV with a large screen size, this is because a small-sized TV can be uncomfortable to watch, thus straining your eyes. Nowadays bigger is considered better and most people in Kenya consider a smart TV as part of improving the aesthetic feel of the room, therefore choose a TV that can be viewed comfortably from all angles.

3. Brands

Kenya’s popular television brands include Sony, LG TV, Samsung, TCL, Hisense TV, and Skyworth. Other brands include Vitron, Synix, Vision, and Bruhm. Each brand may have a more affordable TV with low specifications which may be a win for someone who is looking for an affordable big screen. In addition, each brand has its operating system.

4. Price

This is the most basic factor when purchasing any item since you can only purchase a Smart TV that you can afford. Nowadays most TVs come in most budgets whether big or small.

5. Features

Smart TVs have features such as:

• Ports– TV ports consist of the output and inputs that are used to connect devices and transfer sound, video, and data. The best choice is a Smart TV with HDMI ports, USB ports, Ethernet ports, and Audio output.
• Inches– Most smart TVs in Kenya come in different sizes which vary from 32 inches- 90 inches. This feature will allow you to choose the best screen size for your needs.
• Resolution– You might have come across terms like 4K, 1080p, 8K, HD, and, UHD. These terms refer to the resolution of the image you get from your TV set. Resolution is the number of pixels that can display a specific color. The higher the resolution the better. Resolution may be a lesser factor you can consider when purchasing a smart TV, but it is still something you should consider because more pixels translate into a sharper picture and finer details therefore consider choosing a 4k or Full HD Smart TV.
• Operating Systems– Different Smart TV Brands have different Operating systems. Some TVs might give you access to download some applications while others will restrict depending on the TV Operating System. Depending on your preferences choose a Smart TV that can download your favorite app.

What Skywave Considers as the Best Smart TVs

Skywave considers the best Smart TV that:

• That is not being left out security-wise, a TV that cannot be hacked.
• A smart TV with operation systems that can be updated so as not to be left out on new versions
• A smart TV with various features such as Bluetooth, 4k resolution, etc.
• A frameless Smart TV that utilizes the entire screen allowing you to focus on the content.
• A smart TV that allows you to download other apps.