Smart TVs have taken over the TV aisles at every superstore across the US. With streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu, watching movies and TV shows has become easier than ever before. However, these smart TVs come with many downsides that you may not know about. This article will enlighten you with all the cons related to smart TVs and the reasons why you should avoid buying them.

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What Are the Limitations of a Smart TV?

While smart TVs have the feature of casting content from your smartphones and laptops to bigger screens, they are not the best alternatives for cable and internet bundles. Here is why:

Slow User Interface

Many companies sell smart TVs at much lower prices, compared to brands like Sony, Samsung, and LG. This is because most of their smart TV products are built with an open-source Android operating system and inadequate hardware. As a result, users experience lag, whereas the applications crash unexpectedly. Due to their inconsistent performance, smart TVs tend to become slower within 1-2 years of use, which can be very frustrating for their users.

Privacy Risks

Almost every smart product can become susceptible to privacy threats and risks when you connect it to the internet. Even if you opt for a private Wi-Fi network, potential hackers or intruders can succeed at accessing your personal information in many ways. Similarly, your smart TV can turn your life into a living nightmare if it gets hacked through your internet connection. Therefore, we recommend you switch to TV and internet packages for a safer experience.

Since all smart TVs come with automatic content recognition (ACR), it helps the manufacturers of your device to track your browsing and streaming activities. This way, your data is stored and shared with third-party companies to display relevant ads on your screen. While it gives you the option to adjust your smart TV’s settings and turn off its ACR, do you want to trust your smart TV’s manufacturer with all your information that it may store anyway?

Regular Updates

How well your Smart TV performs is dependent on its applications and operating system. If you don’t update its software or applications on time, it may not perform up to the mark. As a result, you will most likely experience buffering or slowdowns, which can disrupt your streaming experience. Besides, updating your firmware can take up a lot of space on your device and may consume lots of time to update your smart TV.

Microphone and Cameras

Many smart TVs include a microphone to allow users to input their voice commands. In addition, your smart TV may come with an integrated camera to attend video meetings and calls on Skype or Zoom. However, these devices can become vulnerable to spying, which can result in the collection of your personal data. So, even if you watch something on YouTube or stream your favorite movies on Netflix, an intruder will get access to your browsing activity for malicious purposes.

Prices

Smart TVs are sold at prices that are much higher than what you’d pay for a normal TV. The addition of an operating system, such as Android OS, Tizen OS, WebOS, Fire TV, and Roku TV can spike the prices, making it difficult for many people to purchase a smart TV. From Panasonic, LG, and Samsung, to Sony, most high-end smart TVs carry a hefty price tag, which can put a dent in your wallet. Therefore, investing in a smart TV is not an ideal choice for many people across the world. With cheaper alternatives, such as normal TVs, you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows via cable without breaking the bank!

The Bottom Line

With time, smart TVs have become the norm. However, these devices are not as useful as many people believe them to be. Normal TVs can easily replace them. All you need to do is, subscribe to a cable TV plan that fits your streaming needs, combined with an internet bundle for endless entertainment. So, don’t compromise on a bad user interface with lags and privacy risks. Instead, go for a normal TV that does not store and share your personal information with any third-party companies.