Smart TVs: What to Know Before You Buy (2025 Guide)
Buying a TV isn’t as straightforward as it used to be. With countless models boasting different operating systems, resolutions, screen sizes, and even “smart” capabilities, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re upgrading your living room setup or hunting for a small TV for your bedroom, this guide will help you navigate the most important considerations before you hit that checkout button.
📏 Size Matters — But Bigger Isn’t Always Better
It’s tempting to go big, but a huge TV in a tiny room can actually strain your eyes and ruin the experience. In Singapore homes, where bedrooms tend to be compact, a 32- to 43-inch TV is usually sufficient. For the living room, especially open-plan or larger HDB layouts, anything from 50 inches and above would offer a more immersive viewing experience.
Tip: Always consider both your room layout and viewing distance before deciding on the size. As a rough guide, multiply the screen size by 1.2–1.6 to get the ideal viewing distance in inches.
🖼️ Resolution & Display Tech — What Do You Really Need?
In 2025, 4K UHD is the standard for most smart TVs. While Full HD and 720p TVs are still available (usually in cheaper or non-smart models), they’re becoming rare and might not support newer content formats well.
For more premium experiences, you’ll come across terms like:
OLED: Incredible contrast and deep blacks.
QLED: Brighter, vivid colours (used in Samsung TVs).
QNED: LG’s take on mini LED technology.
8K: Extremely high resolution — but honestly, there’s still not much 8K content out there. It’s more future-proof than necessary right now.
🤖 Not All Smart TVs Are Equally “Smart”
There’s a common misconception that all smart TVs give you full access to Google Play Store or apps like a mobile device. In reality, smartness depends on the operating system (OS) used by the TV.
Here are the main types:
Google TV / Android TV: Access to the Play Store, wide app variety.
Tizen (Samsung): Clean UI and supports most streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+.
WebOS (LG): User-friendly and intuitive, with a wide range of built-in apps.
You may also come across “Basic Smart” or “Easy Smart” TVs, which are simplified systems that support limited apps like YouTube or a basic browser.
So before you buy, check the OS and ensure it supports the apps you use most — whether it’s Netflix, Disney+, meWATCH, or your favourite karaoke app!
🎨 Beyond Entertainment: More Than Just a TV
Some TVs go beyond entertainment — they’re lifestyle statements. Today’s smart TVs are no longer just black rectangles in the living room—they’re part of your home aesthetic and lifestyle.
Samsung The Frame: A hit among Gen Z and modern homeowners for its artistic edge. When switched off, it becomes a digital art display. With a minimalistic bezel and customizable frames (chargeable), it blends right into your décor—like a real painting on the wall. Available from 32" to 85" in stunning QLED 4K.
LG StanbyME: More tablet than TV, LG StanbyMe is a touchscreen smart display on a movable stand—perfect for everything from Netflix to Zoom calls. The latest version, StanbyME 2 (27LX6TDGA), is detachable and comes with a folio cover — you can carry it around or mount it. Ideal for students, creatives, or anyone who wants a screen that adapts to their lifestyle.
🧰 Setup Perks
At Mega Discount Store, we offer free tabletop setup for TVs sized 43 inches and above. Selected models even come with free wall-mount brackets (fixed or swivel) with installation. Be sure to check its product tittle before purchase.
👀 See It in Person
While you can find all the specs and prices online, we still recommend seeing your shortlisted TV in person. Visit our showrooms at Kallang Leisure Park or United Square Mall to test the picture quality, compare viewing angles, and get hands-on with the TV interface. You’ll also get personal advice from our staff to find the best fit for your room size, budget, and needs.
🎯 Final Thoughts
With so many options in the market, the “best” smart TV is the one that suits your space, habits, and lifestyle. Whether you're a casual viewer or a binge-watcher with a keen eye for aesthetics, there’s a perfect screen out there for you — and we’d love to help you find it.
