Smart TVs have revolutionized how we watch content, but they’re not always the miracle solution they’re made out to be—especially when it comes to affordable models. If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with slow performance or buggy apps on your TV, you’re not alone. Here’s why you shouldn’t use the smart features on your TV—particularly if you’ve got a budget-friendly model.
Smart TVs: Big Screens, Small Brains
At their core, modern smart TVs are essentially giant smartphones. They run on operating systems like Android TV or Google TV, with processors, RAM, storage, and connectivity options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. But here’s the catch: while smartphones are engineered to handle multitasking and gaming, affordable smart TVs often get the short end of the stick with weak, low-end processors.
This is the heart of why you shouldn’t use the smart features on your TV. Manufacturers prioritize cost-cutting over performance, assuming that most users won’t push their TVs as hard as they do their phones. Unfortunately, this assumption often leads to frustrating user experiences.
Reduced Performance
Software updates and new app features might sound like a good thing (and indeed they are)—but they’re a double-edged sword. Just like an older smartphone can get sluggish with new software, your smart TV might start to crawl after a few months or years of use. I’ve seen this firsthand with my 55″ TCL C655 QLED 4K UHD Smart TV that slowed down a bit after a few updates. Apps started lagging and even switching inputs became a chore.
This slowdown happens because newer apps and features demand more from the processor than these low-end chips can handle. That’s why you shouldn’t use the smart features on your TV if it’s already struggling—especially if it’s an affordable model.
Planned Obsolescence? Maybe.
There’s also the sneaky problem of planned obsolescence. Some manufacturers might simply stop supporting older models with software updates after a year or two. Others might even roll out updates that slow down your TV’s performance, nudging you toward buying a newer model. It’s hard to prove intentional sabotage, but the result is the same: a TV that once worked fine starts to feel obsolete.
A Workaround, But Not a Solution
If your smart TV is already lagging, a factory reset can help. This wipes all the updates and installed apps, restoring the TV to its out-of-the-box state. It’s like giving it a clean slate—but it’s not a long-term fix. You’ll likely find yourself in the same slow-boot, buggy-app trap after a few more updates.
Here’s the truth: you’re better off ignoring the built-in smart features altogether if your TV’s processor can’t keep up. Instead, invest in an external streaming device like a Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, or even a gaming console. These devices are designed specifically for streaming and typically have more powerful processors than your budget TV.
You may also be interested in:
- 5 Key Specs That Matter When Buying TVs
- How to Understand TV Specs: What All Those Numbers Really Mean
- Best Smart TVs Under ₦300k ($190): 2025 Buyer’s Guide
- How To Connect Your Smartphone To Any Television
Affordable TVs: The Red Flag
This advice is especially important if you’ve got a TV under $300 or $400. At that price point, corners get cut—and one of the first corners is the processor. So before you jump in and use the built-in apps and features, think twice. You might save yourself a lot of frustration by leaving those smart features alone and using an external streamer instead.
Conclusion
To sum it up, smart TVs are basically big, simplified computers. When the processor is underpowered, the software gets slow, apps lag, and updates can turn your once-smooth experience into a headache. That’s why you shouldn’t use the smart features on your TV if it’s a lower-end model, particularly one under $400. Consider external streaming devices instead—they’re faster, more reliable, and easier to upgrade.
Quick Recap:
✅ Affordable TVs have weak processors
✅ Software updates slow them down over time
✅ Planned obsolescence might be real
✅ A factory reset can help, but an external streaming device is better
✅ TVs under $300–$400 are the most likely to have these problems
So, as you drop your cash on that affordable smart TV, remember: sometimes it’s smarter to think outside the (smart) box. Get a smart box or am external streaming device as well.
Want more grounded articles like this? Follow Inquisitive Universe—where hype gets checked and specs get real.
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel
- Follow on Facebook
- Follow on WhatsApp
- Join our Telegram community
- Participate on Reddit
- Find us on Quora