LG and Sony both make some of the best TVs you can find. However, with so many models from both brands, it might be challenging to find out which brand makes better televisions or which to go for.
This article will cover all you need to know about LG and Sony TVs and which television is best suited to you.
Table of Contents
LG
Overview
When it comes to OLEDs, LG dominates the market, and this is because their TVs offer incredible picture quality and are quite affordable compared to other brands.
On the other hand, LG LED TVs are basic and do not have the highest quality. Their IPS LCD TVs are decent and have fantastic viewing angles, but they lose when it comes to picture quality.5
In terms of software, the TVs still use the same smart interface known as webOS, which is similar to what was there in previous years.
Interface
When it comes to webOS, the software has pretty much been the same for the past couple of years.
In most cases, this would be a bad thing but not in this case. The webOS has always been ahead of its time, and it is by far one of the best solutions for TVs. Other brands have improved their software, but none have been able to surpass the webOS.
The design for the webOS didn’t change much since LG released the software, but in 2021, the company redesigned the OS, and it remains stellar. It looks great, the colors are bright, and the interface is quite responsive. These are some of the reasons why the webOS is among the best on the market.
Applications
One of the best things about the LG Content store is its diversity. You can find just about any app on LG TVs. Hence, you can watch Netflix on these smart TVs, and it doesn’t end there. You can also find other apps such as YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.
TV Remote
LG TV models have varying remotes depending on how premium the model is. Most lower-end televisions come with a basic remote that does not have voice control.
However, more premium TVs come with the LG Magic Remote, which features a cursor-like setup that allows you to easily navigate through menus.
LG also has a remote app known as LG TV plus. The app still needs some finetuning and is inferior to other remote apps, but it gets the job done.
Voice Control
Thanks to LG’s Magic Remote, you can control your high-end television with your voice. All you have to do is press the microphone button on the remote, and you can search for just about anything.
Sadly, voice control does have its limits. On an LG TV, in order to adjust brightness using voice control, you would have to leave what you’re watching. That aside, you can voice control for most things, except turning off the TV or changing the volume.
Pros
- The operating system on LG smart TVs, webOS, is second to none and is user-friendly.
- Top-notch gaming features, such as HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and low input lag.
- LG produces some of the best OLED display TVs on the market.
- LG OLED and LED TVs have fantastic viewing angles suited for big seating areas.
Cons
- The OLED TVs are the only models from LG that are worth their money. Other models pale in comparison to their competition in terms of performance.
- Besides the OLED TVs, LG TVs do not have great displays. For example, their LED TVs possess low contrast, meaning their blacks won’t be anything special.
Examples
Here are some examples of the best LG TVs
- LG G2 OLED
- LG C2 OLED
- LG UQ8000
- LG B2 OLED
Sony
Overview
Sony TVs are generally wonderful options. In fact, the brand does not have any trouble selling its product. According to WallStreetZen, 8.5 million Sony TVs were sold within the company’s fiscal year 2021.
Basic models might not have the best features, but you can be certain of great quality with mid-range to high-end OLED and LED models.
Compared to brands like LG and Samsung, Sony does not release as many TVs. Therefore, their flagship models typically stay longer on the market before replacing them.
For the most part, Sony focuses on mid-range to high-end products, but you can still find some budget-friendly televisions.
Interface
For the longest time, Sony used Android TV, but starting in 2021, the brand switched to Google TV.
Both operating systems work similarly, but Google TV has a newer design and a few additional features. If you already have an Android or Google-based device, you should have no issues adapting to a Sony TV.
With Sony TVs, you do not have to worry about buying an additional device to cast content from your device because it comes with Google Chromecast.
Furthermore, you can easily connect your other Google devices to the TV. For example, if you have Google Nest Speakers, you can connect your Sony TV to them and have them play sounds from your TV.
The interface for this OS is simple, clean, and easy to navigate. It has multiple rows, with each row showcasing various apps. The best part about this setup is that you can arrange the apps to your taste or even remove the rows altogether.
Applications
Google TV comes with Google Play Store, so you already know that you have a huge catalog to work with. This platform offers more apps than most of its competition. Therefore, you will most likely be able to find any streaming app you’re looking for.
Unfortunately, you cannot download Google Chrome directly from the Play Store, but there is a way you can install the browser on Google TV.
TV Remote
Sony has been using similar models of their remote for a while, but come 2022; the brand decided to switch it up.
The redesigned remote comes with a ‘123’ button as opposed to a Numpad. This button allows you to reveal the Numpad on the TV screen.
Despite this redesign, you can still find buttons that enable you to quickly access well-known streaming apps and a button for Google Assistant.
Most Sony TV models come with the redesigned remote, but some models do come with a more premium version that features backlights.
Voice Control
Voice search is an area in that Google TV trumps its competition. This is largely due to access to Google Assistant.
Once you press the Google Assistant button and say what you need, the OS will display a bunch of suggestions from various places such as YouTube, Play Store, and other relevant apps.
It works better than voice search functions on other software and is faster than using a remote. In addition, you can use voice control to change certain settings, such as adjusting brightness.
Pros
- Most Sony TVs come with incredible color accuracy out of the box. Hence, you do not need to adjust your TV settings to get the best experience.
- Sony TVs have great quality regardless of the display option. Therefore, you can be sure of good quality if you go for either the OLED or LED option.
Cons
- Sony TVs have limited capacities for gaming. High-end TVs have VRR support and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth but do not hold up against other brands. Furthermore, these TVs have high input lag.
- Sony TVs are typically overpriced, and you can find TVs from other brands with similar features and specs but at lower prices.
Examples
Here are some examples of the best Sony TVs
- Sony A95K OLED
- Sony X80K
- Sony X95K
- Sony X80J
LG vs Sony: Which Television is Best for You?
Sony and LG both make LED and OLED TVs. However, LG makes better OLED models. Besides the picture quality, LG OLEDs are better for gaming and are usually more affordable.
Conversely, Sony LEDs have VA panels that make them better than LG LED TVs in terms of color accuracy and brightness.
When it comes to OS, LG has the upper hand because the webOS looks great and works seamlessly with LG TVs.
That said, Google TV on Sony is a valid choice. Additionally, the voice control on Sony TVs surpasses that of LG TVs, thanks to Google Assitant.
Both TV brands have an incredible array of apps, but Sony takes the crown due to the Google Play Store which hosts a wider number of apps.
Lastly, both brands feature easy-to-use remotes, but the high-end remotes of LG TVs are a bit more convenient thanks to the cursor-like feature on them.
Conclusion
Sony and LG produce stellar televisions, and you cannot go wrong with either option. Ultimately, both brands are excellent, and it all depends on what you are looking for in a television. Hopefully, you can make the right choice using this article.
For more information on how to make the most of your smart TV, be sure to visit the rest of our website.