A smart TV is a television that connects to the internet, either over Wi Fi or an ethernet cable, and runs an app platform capable of installing and running streaming apps, catch up TV services and sometimes games or web browsers. This lets it act as a streaming device in its own right, without a separate box connected by HDMI.
The practical value of a smart TV depends heavily on which apps its platform actually offers, how quickly its interface responds, and how long the manufacturer keeps updating it with new app versions and security patches. A television that was well equipped when new can fall behind after a few years if updates stop, which is one reason some owners add a separate streaming stick or media player later on rather than relying on the built in system indefinitely.
When comparing smart TVs, checking which specific apps are available on a given platform in your country is more useful than the general claim of being smart, since app availability can differ between platforms and regions. See our smart TV platforms guide for an overview of the main systems.
