Among the new televisions on the market we also find the models identified with the initials Android TV e Google TV, which identify Smart TVs equipped with an operating system developed directly by Google and based on Android. These televisions are very powerful and versatile and bring the convenience of Android apps to an interface that is easy to use with the remote control, so you have all the apps at your fingertips.For those who want to get their hands on a modern Google-branded Smart TV, in the following guide you can view the best android tv and google tv to buy. In addition to the buying guide, it is also possible to view the characteristics that these Smart TVs must have and, as a last chapter, what we can do to bring Google TV to all modern televisions.READ ALSO -> Check if your TV is DVB-T2 ready, what it is and how to update
Google TV features
Google TVs present themselves as high-level Smart TVs and, as such, they must comply with the technical characteristics already seen in our guide on how to choose and buy the best Smart TV. To the features seen in the guide we must add the following specific functions:
- Google Cast support: a Google TV integrates the component inside Chromecast Built-in, so it can manage audio / video streams coming from phone apps without having to duplicate or share the screen with Miracast. If we have a compatible app on the phone, open it and press the Cast button at the top to view the video or audio directly on the TV.
- Supporto Google Play: on Google TV we can install the specific apps for televisions, but also install most of the apps available on the Android phone or tablet. The apps will automatically update from the built-in store when the TV is in standby.
- APK app installation: One of the most popular features of Google TVs is the ability to install APK apps just like on an Android device. By enabling the permissions for unknown sources we can load the APK files in the internal memory of the Smart TV and install the apps not officially available from the integrated store.
- Google Assistant support: with Google TVs we will also have support for the voice commands of the Google Assistant. We will be able to launch commands from a Google Nest and thus start apps and content directly on the TV or press the voice command button on the remote control and launch voice commands on request. To learn more we can also read the guide to voice commands.
- Android updates: Google TVs receive the updates of the Android version and have the possibility of having the latest functions of Android 12.
These features make Google TVs the best smart TVs you can buy right now, especially if we’re geeks and love to experiment a lot on our televisions.
Best Google TV Models
In this chapter we will see together the best TVs with Google TV that we can buy directly online. Given the considerable expense, we advise you to focus only on reliable online stores such as Amazon, which offer a guarantee valid on all products sold.
Sharp Aquos LC-32Bi6E
The cheapest Google TV model we can take home is Sharp Aquos LC-32Bi6E, a TV that has a 32-inch HD screen with 10-bit color, LED lighting, Wi-Fi connection, support for the new DVB-T2 / S2 digital terrestrial, Harman Kardon sound, 3 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports and system operating Android 9.0.
The TV is available on Amazon for € 259.
METZ Smart TV
If we are looking for a very large Google TV with an excellent quality / price ratio we can view the METZ Smart TV, which boasts a 55-inch UHD 4K screen (3840×2160 pixels), HDR10 / HLG support, HDMI ports, ARC connection, USB port, CI + slot, support for Dolby Digital and Dolby Vision, DVB-C / T2 / digital terrestrial tuner S2, compatibility with HEVC MAIN-10 code and support for Google Assistant.
This TV can be found on Amazon at € 379.
Philips 43PUS8506
One of the best manufacturers for Google TVs is undoubtedly Philips, which presents very beautiful models with full support for the Google operating system. A good model is the Philips 43PUS8506, a 43-inch 4K UHD TV with LED lighting, Ambilight technology, HDR support, compatibility with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and voice commands with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
This Smart TV is available on Amazon at a cost of € 599.
Sony BRAVIA KD-50X80JP
Another very valid producer of Google TV is Sony, which boasts among the best Smart TVs on the market. One of the models that we can consider is the Sony BRAVIA KD-50X80JP, which features a 50-inch 4K UHD screen, LED lighting, HDR support, Dolby Vision technology, Dolby Atmos and X-Balanced Speaker, support for Google Assistant voice commands.
This Sony TV is available on Amazon for € 739.
Philips Smart TV 4K
The largest and most powerful Google TV we can buy is Philips Smart TV 4K, which boasts a 65-inch 4K UHD screen, OLED screen technology, Ambilight 3 technology (the lights behind the TV are dynamic, really beautiful), HDR10 + support, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos compatibility, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice commands and Android 10 operating system.
This TV is on sale on Amazon for € 1899.
How to have Google TV on any TV
Do we already have a Smart TV and don’t want to buy a new TV? We can try Google TV by purchasing a Chromecast con Google TV, sold on the Google store for € 69.
By connecting this small device to an HDMI socket on the TV we will have access to all the functions of Google TV on any TV, with the possibility of using it also as a simple Chromecast. For more information we can read our guide on new Chromecast.
Conclusions
Google TVs are certainly the future of Smart TVs, since they replicate the success of Android also on televisions: we can install any app, we can use Google’s functions and we can often update both the apps and the operating system to introduce new functions. Google TVs are available for all budgets: we start from less than € 300 to go up to over € 1500.
Currently, if you go to compare TVs by operating system, the only system that truly lives up to Android is LG’s WebOS, which features numerous apps and is constantly updated.