Samsung vs LG vs Xiaomi in Smart TVs: durability and upgrades

Coming home, sinking into the sofa, and putting on your favorite show on a TV that looks amazing is one of those little everyday pleasures. For that, a Modern and well-chosen Smart TV It makes a huge difference: goodbye weird cables, goodbye external devices everywhere and all the content —Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+ and company— just a click away.

Furthermore, today a TV is not just for watching movies: it can also be used for listen to music, make video calls, browse the internet, or follow fitness routines Without leaving the living room. If your old TV is already flickering, takes forever to turn on, or the remote seems to have a mind of its own, it's time to upgrade. And that's where the big question arises: Samsung vs LG vs Xiaomi in Smart TVs: Which lasts longer and which updates better?Let's get started with this comparison that will clear up all your doubts about Samsung vs LG vs Xiaomi on Smart TV.

Samsung vs LG vs Xiaomi: what to look at first

Before comparing brands, it's important to understand four key pillars that influence both the Actual lifespan of the TV as the time it will remain usable At the software level: panel type, resolution, operating system and connectivity.

In panels, the large families are OLED, QLED/Neo QLED/QNED/NanoCell and “plain” LEDEach one has its pros and cons, and not all of them are equally suitable for every brand or every type of use. The distance from the sofa also plays a role, as does whether you watch a lot of sports, prefer watching movies in the dark, or if the living room is very bright.

The solution is no longer so much a debate: for a sensible purchase in 2025, the logical thing to do is to invest at least in 4K UHD8K is still not worth it due to price and lack of content, while Full HD or HD only make sense on small televisions in the kitchen, office, or secondary bedroom.

Finally, the operating system and connectivity determine how long the TV feels "current": how many years it continues to receive updates, new apps, and security patchesAnd how well does it integrate with your mobile phone, voice assistants, and home automation?

Durability of Samsung, LG and Xiaomi: panel, build and lifespan

When we talk about how long a Smart TV "lasts", there are actually two aspects: on the one hand, the physical lifespan of the panel and componentsOn the one hand, there are the years when the system is still fast, compatible with apps, and up-to-date. On the other hand, there are the years when the system is still fast, compatible with apps, and up-to-date.

In purely physical terms, both Samsung and LG operate in a slightly different league than Xiaomi: they have decades of experience manufacturing televisions, control their own panel factories, and work with very distinct product ranges, from entry-level to high-end. Xiaomi, on the other hand, focuses more on aggressive pricing and a good checkout experience, as shown by the Best-selling budget Smart TVssometimes cutting corners on aspects such as the sound system, backlighting, or chassis construction.

If you have a average use (a few hours a day, moderate brightness, without leaving it on as a background screen all day), it's reasonable to expect something like this:

• Samsung: between 7 and 10 years of physical lifespan in mid-range and high-end models, with good brightness control and without overusing store mode.
• LG: similar to Samsung in LED/QNED ranges; in OLED, durability is very well worked on, but it is advisable to monitor intensive use with fixed logos.
• XiaomiIn the entry and mid-range, a reasonable expectation would be 5 to 8 yearsDepending on the model and the rod you give it.

In any of the three, the factor that most negatively impacts the long-term experience is usually not so much the panel as the internal hardware (CPU, RAM) and the operating systemThere comes a point when apps become tedious, some become incompatible, and the TV ends up stuttering even though the panel is still fine.

Operating systems: Tizen (Samsung), webOS (LG) and Google TV/Android TV (Xiaomi)

The other big issue is software: this is where the battle of How often does the TV actually update?How well does the interface move, and how many apps will you be able to install without resorting to external devices?

Samsung bets on TizenIt uses its own operating system. It's visually appealing, quite fluid, and offers direct access to the most popular streaming apps. It doesn't offer the same freedom as Android TV when it comes to installing anything, but for normal use (Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, DAZN, etc.) it's more than adequate.

LG uses webOSa highly polished and fast system, famous for being one of the most intuitiveThe menu is clear, the remote (Magic Remote on many models) allows point-and-click navigation, and the customization options are extensive without being overly complex. It also more than adequately covers the most common apps.

Xiaomi relies on Android TV or Google TV depending on the generation. Here the advantage is clear: the largest variety of apps availableFull integration with the Google ecosystem, built-in Chromecast, and a familiar system if you already use Android phones or tablets.

Software updates: who takes better care of their TVs

One of the key points The purpose of this comparison is to find out how many years your TV is still using. Not all brands are equally transparent, but a rough pattern can be established:

• LGRecent models with webOS 24 are marketed with the promise of Up to 4 years of updates of the system (new features and improvements), in addition to security patches. It's a pretty clear commitment to extending the smart TV's lifespan.
• SamsungTizen is constantly updated in recent models, with interface improvements, free channels (Samsung TV Plus), and patches. Although a fixed number of years isn't always announced, in practice, mid-to-high-end models usually receive updates. several major reviews of the System.
• XiaomiSince it's based on Android/Google TV, it depends heavily on Google's pace, but also on the brand itself. It's common to receive updates for a few yearsHowever, in entry-level models, the same level of long-term care is not always maintained as in Samsung or LG.

In practice, if you particularly value the fact that the TV continues to receive New features, updated apps, and security patches For quite some time, LG and Samsung have held a slight structural advantage over Xiaomi, especially in the mid-range and high-end sectors.

QLED, OLED, QNED, NanoCell and LED: which technology best suits you

La they differ Image quality is another huge area where these brands differentiate themselves. Not all of them use the same technology across all their ranges, nor do they all perform the same in a bright living room as in a dedicated home theater.

To sum it up, the decision usually falls somewhere between OLED versus advanced LCD variants (QLED, Neo QLED, QNED, NanoCell…). “Pure” LEDs remain as an economical option or for secondary TVs.

OLED: LG's specialty (although Samsung and others are here too)

In OLED panels, each pixel emits its own light. This allows for Perfect blacks, brutal contrast, and very rich colors., ideal for film buffs who turn off the lights and want a "cinematic" image.

With OLED, you have to be a little careful with its use. very prolonged static images (channel logos, sports scores, video game HUDs), because in the long run there may be a risk of retention, although modern systems have greatly minimized that problem.

QLED and Neo QLED: Samsung's strong territory

In the Samsung ecosystem, QLED and Neo QLED models are LCDs with quantum dots and advanced backlighting systemsTheir main advantage is their very high brightness, good color management, and resistance to glare, making them ideal for bright rooms and for viewing. sports, digital terrestrial television or daytime content.

In high-end ranges, Neo QLED TVs with Mini LED backlighting and precise zone control can offer Very deep blacks, approaching the level of OLED.but with the added benefit of higher peak brightness for HDR.

For those who prioritize a striking image with vibrant colors, high brightness, and versatile use (a bit of everything: series, sports, consoles, digital terrestrial television), a good Samsung QLED/Neo QLED is a very well-balanced choice and, in general, with excellent durability.

QNED and NanoCell at LG: vitaminized LCD variants

LG doesn't just rely on OLED: it also works with technologies like NanoCell and QNEDThese are designed to offer a clear improvement over traditional LEDs. They are also based on LCD panels, but with layers of nanocrystals or mini-LEDs to enhance brightness, color, and contrast.

A well-tuned QNED model, with good light zone management, represents a significant leap forward compared to a budget LED. It offers Purer colors, better black control, and an experience closer to Samsung's QLED., maintaining a slightly lower price than OLEDs of the same screen size.

Xiaomi: LED and QLED with good value for money

Xiaomi focuses primarily on budget and mid-range products with panels LED and QLED 4KSome models include technologies such as Dolby Vision or QLED with wide DCI-P3 color range, allowing you to obtain a more than decent image in relation to what you pay.

However, it usually cuts back on details like the high-quality integrated sound system, very sophisticated backlighting or the sheer power of the image processor compared to equivalent models from Samsung or LG in slightly higher ranges.

Sound, daily use, and user experience by brand

A spectacular image is of little use if the sound is flat or the operating system is frustrating. Here, too, differences between Samsung, LG, and Xiaomi are noticeable, and it's worth considering these differences when thinking about the device's lifespan.

In sound, in recent years the LG TVs have gained a lot of fameEspecially in mid-range and high-end models, with compatibility for Dolby Atmos, bass enhancement systems, and AI-powered audio processing. Samsung, for its part, stands out with technologies like Q-Symphony, which synchronizes the TV's sound with the brand's own soundbars to create a highly immersive experience.

In practice, for serious cinema, the ideal is still to accompany television with a soundbar or a dedicated systemBut if you're sure you don't want to add anything else, it's worth looking at models with at least 20W of total power, two or more channel systems, and support for Dolby Atmos or DTS.

Regarding ease of use:

• Samsung It's usually one of the best-rated brands when it comes to installing and setting up a TV for the first time. Its Tizen system guides the user quite well.
• LG It is perceived as the simplest for the day to dayThe pointer-type control, the menu organization, and the directness of the options make webOS very user-friendly.
• XiaomiWith Android/Google TV, it offers the familiarity of the Google interface, but on some entry-level models it may become somewhat less smooth over the years if the hardware is basic.

Updates, ecosystem, and compatibility with your connected home

Beyond video apps, many TVs today are fully integrated into the connected homeThey control lights, talk on their cell phones, and allow send content from laptop or the smartphone… And there each brand has its own ecosystem.

Samsung integrates its televisions into SmartThings, its smart home platform. With a compatible TV, you can use it almost like a... control center for other devices (light bulbs, appliances, sensors, etc.). In addition, many recent models are compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and even Bixby.

LG offers compatibility with Apple HomeKit, AirPlay, Google Assistant, Alexa and Matter in many of its recent models with webOS 24. This allows, for example, sending content from an iPhone or Mac without additional accessories or integrating the TV into home automation scenes.

Xiaomi, for its part, leverages Google TV/Android TV and its own ecosystem Xiaomi HomeFrom the TV you can view and control devices from the brand (vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, cameras, etc.) and use the Google Assistant to manage the house.

In terms of years of updates to these integrationsSamsung and LG tend to be more consistent in the mid-range and high-end segments. Xiaomi, relying heavily on Google for Android/Google TV, can be more vulnerable to platform changes, especially in its more affordable models.

Which brand to choose based on main use and budget

With all of the above, we can bring the situation down to earth a bit. the decisionThere is no single universal answer, but there are profiles in which each brand tends to be more well-rounded in the long run.

If your top priority is cinema-quality image and good lifespan, an LG OLED A good Neo QLED/QNED from LG or Samsung is the most logical choice. In these segments, panel durability, system updates, and HDR/gaming capabilities are highly valued.

If you're looking for a very versatile TV for Bright living room, lots of sports and digital terrestrial televisionSamsung's QLED/Neo QLED or LG's QNED/NanoCell perform especially well, with good brightness levels, vivid colors and solid performance over time.

For tighter budgets, a Xiaomi Smart TV With a 4K panel (ideally QLED and with Dolby Vision) it's a very interesting option: it may not give you the same finesse in image or sound processing as the mid-range models from Samsung or LG, but it offers a lot for the price, especially if you value having Google TV/Android TV as standard.

In any case, beyond the brand, it's always worth paying attention to the specific range of the modelA low-end Smart TV from a "top" brand will still be low-end even if it has the most famous logo on the market.

Other key factors: HDMI 2.1, HDR, latency, and color bit depth

If you want your TV to last for years without becoming technically inadequate, there are several details which should be reviewed in the record:

In gaming, ideally the TV should offer HDMI 2.1, ALLM (Auto Low Latency) and VRR modes (variable refresh rate), especially if you plan to connect a PS5 or an Xbox Series X. Brands like LG and Sony are usually very comprehensive in this area, and Samsung and some Xiaomi models also offer this feature in their latest ranges.

In HDR, the minimum reasonable thing today is to have HDR10From that point on, having HDR10+ and/or Dolby Vision is a huge plus, as these use dynamic metadata to adapt the brightness scene by scene. For watching movies and series on streaming platforms, models with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ generally offer a more complete experience.

Regarding the panel, it's best to prioritize 10-bit native (or at least 8 bits with FRC) versus pure 8 bits. A 10-bit panel is capable of displaying more than one billion colors compared to 16,7 million for 8 bits, resulting in smoother gradients and less banding in skies, shadows, etc.

Input latency Response time is critical if you're a gamer: the lower the better. In this area, LG, Samsung, and Sony all perform very well in their gaming-focused ranges, while Xiaomi's performance can vary more between models.

Alternative brands and market context

Although we focus here on Samsung, LG, and Xiaomi, it's helpful to know the general context: in Europe, the ranking of highly rated brands in Smart TV It is usually led by LG, Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and Philips, with TCL and Hisense putting on a strong push in terms of value for money.

These brands work with panel combinations OLED, QLED, Mini LED, and LED, and operating systems like Google TV, Android TV, or proprietary interfaces. Many of the recommendations regarding size, panel, HDR, connectivity, and latency that we discussed for Samsung, LG, and Xiaomi apply very similarly to these other brands.

It is also important to keep in mind the time of the year To buy: Black Friday, January and end-of-season sales (end of summer and beginning of autumn) are usually times when you can find mid-range and high-end models at much more attractive prices.

When comparing Samsung, LG, and Xiaomi Smart TVs, the brand is relevant, but the fit between your budget, your actual usage, panel technology, and the... each manufacturer's commitment to software updates over several yearsIf you're looking for maximum longevity and support, Samsung and LG's mid-to-high-end ranges come out on top, while Xiaomi shines when you want to save money without sacrificing a good base of smart features thanks to Android/Google TV.