Key Takeaways
- Tizen offers a simple interface, streamlining how you access apps and discover content.
- Google TV offers users a wide range of apps and customization options.
- Smart home integration gets even better with Tizen’s SmartThings hub, but Google TV excels with its AI potential.
The operating system is an often overlooked feature, but it’s important to keep in mind when buying your next TV. Just like the OS on your phone or laptop, your TV’s operating system will affect its usability, and some may suit your personal style better than others.
I’ve enjoyed Samsung TVs for years and have been happy with the Tizen OS, though I do think the UI needs some upgrades. But I recently tried out Google TV via a video streaming stick to see a head-to-head comparison of the two services on the same TV.
Here’s what I found and which OS I preferred.
Tizen is simple and clean
Intuitive interface
Sasmung’s Tizen is one of the easiest operating systems to use. Once you download apps, they appear in a row at the bottom of the screen when you’re ready to find something to watch. You can customize the order for easier access to popular services. Suggestions are shown at the top, so you can jump to a title after navigating to a particular app. The title could be something you’re currently watching or something the app thinks you might want to watch (or something it really wants you to want to watch).
Tizen is only available on Samsung TVs, so you’ll need to buy one to access it, whereas Google TV is available on TVs from several manufacturers, as well as on streaming sticks, which are significantly cheaper than buying an entire TV.
From the hub, you can also scroll through your connected devices to access consoles, soundbars, Blu-ray players, streaming sticks, or any other gadgets connected with an HDMI cable. Part of the appeal of this system is that you can view the app hub while watching content on the screen. Tizen also comes with Samsung Hub, a home screen-like feature that consolidates your apps and favorite content, similar to what Google TV offers.
I turned my iPhone into a Samsung TV remote and it was surprisingly useful
Unlike a TV remote, your iPhone is always within reach, and controlling the screen is just as easy.
Google Play Store offers more options
Tizen offers more apps, but not as many as Google
When it comes to app access and selection, Google TV reigns supreme. It’s tough. Samsung offers all the major platforms and popular apps, like Spotify and Netflix, but Google Play has thousands more. The difference is that in most cases, there are a ton of niche services and apps that you won’t find useful or want to use on your TV, but the increased variety does have some important benefits.
4 ways Gemini makes Google TV even better
AI was everywhere at Google I/O, except for Google TV, and the possibilities are exciting.
More options mean you can better customise your entertainment experience and access everything you need right on your TV. That means not only can you download your favourite streaming services, but also your favourite apps to manage your content consumption and keep track of your show’s progress. Apps like Just Watch are great for organising all the content you’ve watched or want to watch, and if you’re subscribed to your chosen service, you can jump straight to a specific title from the app.
There are more ways to customize Google TV via the Play Store. Apps like TVQuickActions give you more functionality but also let you customize the interface and remote to suit your viewing needs. Simply put, more access to apps means more ways to make the interface work for you.
Smart Home Integration and Control
Both systems are easy to control
Earlier this year, Samsung lost the Google Assistant when Google brought it back, so it was a big blow to Tizen and, naturally, a big boost for Google TV.
Samsung continues to promote Bixby as a virtual assistant, but it doesn’t seem to be as popular as hoped. Some Samsung TVs also support Alexa, so it’s up to you which one you choose depending on which virtual assistant you use more often. In my case, I lean toward Google TV. However, Samsung’s SmartThings hub lets you control a network of interconnected devices directly from your TV, so if you have compatible home appliances and electronics, such as humidifiers and smart lighting, Tizen may suit your needs. You can also access SmartThings from your smartphone, and both your smartphone and TV can work together to monitor usage and control operations.
How to use Google TV’s Find My Remote feature to find your lost remote in seconds
First check if your hardware is compatible.
Samsung’s remote has been lacking in features for a while, but it recently got a major upgrade, adding the ability to customize buttons, control it by voice, and charge it with sunlight. The Chromecast remote is small and effective, but because Google TV can be accessed in a variety of ways, not all remotes are created equal.
Content is curated differently
Tizen and Google TV will appeal to a diverse range of consumers
With either system, the ease with which you can find what you want to watch comes down to personal preference. Both Tizen and Google TV are fast and regularly updated, so you won’t experience issues with lag or bugs.
Google TV offers more titles per viewing than other TVs, and viewers need a more organized viewing environment to get the most out of the system. You need to organize your viewing list and make sure Google TV knows your preferences, which means taking the time to choose the titles you love.
To me, Tizen is for people who know exactly what content they want to watch. If you know what you want to watch and when you want to watch it, Tizen gives you an easy way to access it.
future
Gemini should be a big improvement to Google TV
From Google/Pocket-lint
At Google I/O, the company made a lot of claims about its AI capabilities that got me thinking about all the possibilities for Google TV. While TV makers, including Samsung, are exploring ways for AI to automatically enhance or adjust the on-screen image based on the content being played, Google seems well-positioned to create a better, if not the best, TV operating system by integrating a number of its AI innovations.
How to use Google TV’s Find My Remote feature to find your lost remote in seconds
First check if your hardware is compatible.
The timing is great too. With a constant influx of new content, ever-changing subscription prices, new bundles constantly emerging, and no shortage of free apps, channels, and on-demand titles, it’s more important than ever to be in control of what you watch. Every app wants you to be glued to it, whether it’s finding something to watch or keeping you glued to it until you fall asleep. With the current version of Google TV and its future potential, it’s the perfect place to be in control of everything that’s coming.
Tizen vs Google TV: Which should you use?
If you have a choice, Google TV is here to help
Tizen has a lot of great features and will be enough for many users. But Google TV offers more customization, more app access, and future potential when it comes to AI. Plus, getting Google TV is easy, since you only need a streaming stick instead of buying an entire TV. Even if you have an older Samsung TV, it might be worth investing in a streaming stick to take advantage of all that Google TV has to offer.
