Which Android TV brands have the longest firmware support?

by kurmudgeon

I've owned 2 Sony Bravia Android TVs (x850c and x900f). I'm extremely dissatisfied with how little firmware/software support Sony provides these devices, the length of time between security updates, the total lack of updates after just a couple of years, the poor/buggy performance of these televisions over the years, etc.

In both cases, I've ended up just totally disconnecting both Sony Bravia TVs from the network and using Nvidia Shields instead. I'm in the market now to replace my oldest Sony Bravia, but wanted to know which brand of smart television with Android TV has the longest firmware/software support lifecycle and if there even is one that supports the device with updates more frequently or for longer than just 2-3 years.

It seems ridiculous to spend this much money on a device to get such poor support so quickly.

Any suggested brands I should look at that may be better than Sony? Just from a software/firmware support point of view, not screen type or TV features.

alien2003

NVIDIA Shield

cloudedthoughtz

You apparently already own the best Android TV box with the longest firmware support: the Nvidia Shield TV. Just use that.

I'd just let the TV smart stuff go and focus on the best TV hardware for your situation instead. All the TV brands have shit support for their firmware. I guess it's because they change hardware so much with each product it becomes unmanageable to keep up with firmware implementation. A bit like with smart phones but perhaps even worse.

Anyhow it's still something they really have to improve IMHO.

shakuyi

Never buy a TV for it's smart features, it's always a disappointment when compared to a device like the shield.

virmele

You dont pay for android tv, you pay for hardware inside. All OEMs are the same, Sony is actually one of the better ones in terms of software.

vasanthtt

Google tv Chromecast dongle

DhaniFathi_707

Don't hope on TV manufacturers on updating Android TV. They're all BS. I have a 2019 Philips 32' HD Android TV and it gets no longer updated to any Android TV versions. It's stuck on 9, apparently. Android TV boxes seem to get updates more consistently and speedier than TVs. The Mi Box S apparently was released since 8.1 and got updated to Android 11. But you already have a SHIELD TV, those get updated at lightspeed times. No wonder why people buy SHIELD TVs.

Delumine

Sony is pretty good at updates

myelodysplasto

I use a dumb tv with android box. When my box isn’t supported anymore I buy smoother $30 one

altsuperego

Yeah this is the problem with android in general. Short support cycles even on the pixel lines. The exception on mobile has been Samsung but their tizen tvos is ad ridden garbage. I used to love Sony but I think my next TV is going to be an LG OLED paired with a shield or apple tv. I think LG is the only one with a custom zoom setting which is the one thing I want from a "smart" tv.

Scorpius666

You're 100% right in everything you said but you should keep buying Bravias, because they just look awesome in comparison to any other brand.

In a couple of years when it gets slow and tedious get the newest Shield and that's it.

The OS shouldn't be a priority on buying a TV. You can always connect a smart box to it.

FaserF

Definitely TCL

leonc1963

I have a Phillips Ambilight 55PUS7906 paired with an Nvidia Shield Pro and Denon AVR 5-1

Very pleased with the set up

jaimequin

Get a Chromecast.

BurtMacklin-FBl

What do you need these updates for? Nvidia Shield has the longest support and they still break as much as they fix. I still can't get HDMI CEC to work on mine when it previously did. Updates for the sake of updates are useless.

Se7enLC

They are all shit.

It's really too bad, because it wouldn't cost that much to spec them a little better at launch so that they aren't obsolete so quickly.

I was very excited to see that the Bravia came with 16GB storage. Very disappointed to see that it has the same FREE space as all the 8GB models of TVs and sticks. All that extra space is taken up by preinstalled applications you can't remove.

I think it's about time we start considering legislation to prevent companies from making and selling products that will become ewaste so quickly.

mrcolon96

Ive owed a "smart" LG tv (webOS), a TCL Android and a Hisense Roku and the Roku was -by far- the best.