Smart TV Software Support Compared: Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL and Others

Samsung and LG Offer the Clearest Commitments

There is no universal standard for how long a smart TV will receive updates, so support varies significantly by manufacturer. Samsung announced in 2024 that it will provide seven years of software updates for its Linux-based Tizen OS on TVs from 2024 or later, with the commitment also applying to select 2023 models. A 2024 Samsung TV can therefore expect apps to keep working smoothly and firmware updates to roll out until at least 2031. Older models will not receive major new versions of Tizen, though they may still get occasional maintenance or security firmware updates.

LG introduced its webOS Re:New program in early 2024. It guarantees four years of webOS updates for TV models released from 2022 onwards, with a one-year delay compared to the latest webOS release on the newest TVs. For example, webOS 26 debuted with 2026 TVs and will arrive on a 2025 model one year later.

Sony, TCL, Vizio and Roku Avoid Fixed Periods

Sony does not offer a fixed support period. Coverage depends on the model: its support page lists April 2029 as the end-of-life date for the 2025 Sony Bravia K-65XR80M2 OLED, while the 2025 Sony Bravia 2 II K-65S25VM2 will receive security updates until June 2030. Sony TVs released after 2021 use the Google TV platform, and models before that used Android TV.

TCL also avoids a fixed guarantee. On its software security page, the company says it typically provides security updates for at least two years after the first shipment of a device model, although the page does not explicitly mention TVs. Depending on the model, TCL sets run on Google TV or Android TV for older models, or Roku TV. Vizio pushes automatic firmware updates regularly through its Vizio OS, which includes more than 300 apps, but it does not guarantee a fixed support period for any model. Roku does not specify a fixed period for its own Pro, Plus or Select Series TVs, which first came out in 2023, and it does not publish end-of-life dates for its streaming boxes either.

Hisense Pledges Eight Years in Europe, Insignia Follows Amazon

In Europe, the majority of Hisense TVs run on the company's proprietary VIDAA OS. Since 2025, Hisense has pledged support for up to eight years on these models. In the US, however, many Hisense TVs run Android TV, Fire TV, Google TV or Roku TV, so long-term support is in the hands of the company whose operating system the TV ships with. Insignia TVs use Amazon's Fire OS, so they can be expected to receive software and security updates for as long as Amazon commits to for its own devices, a commitment of at least four years according to the Amazon Fire TV software security updates page.

An Out of Support TV Is Not the End

Once a model is out of support, buying a streaming box is an inexpensive way to extend a smart TV's life and maintain access to updated versions of favorite apps.

Sources: Engadget