For many South Africans, buying a TV can be an overwhelming process. Even before you start looking at models and features (like is there a difference between HD, FHD, UHD and HDR?), there’s the question of which brand to choose when hitting the nation’s favourite stores. Is it much of a muchness or do the different manufacturers stand out for different reasons?
Samsung
Operating out of Seoul, Korean manufacturer Samsung is a world-leader in consumer electronics and appliances. Although mobile phones are their primary source of income, when it comes to TVs, Samsung offers a massive range of LED products. Their newer high-end QLED TVs feature Quantum Dot display technology, for vastly increased colour range and contrast. The company invests heavily in innovation through product development, acquisitions and partnerships.
LG
Another Korean tech giant, LG is a popular brand in South Africa for its mass-produced and widely-available products – ranging from cellphones to fridges, air conditioners and, of course, TVs. A world-leader in producing large LCD panels (even Samsung sources from them), LG’s big selling point right now is its OLED TV, where self-lighting pixels, as opposed to a traditional backlit display, create a “Perfect Black.” LG also makes Super UHD 4K TVs with optimised viewing from any angle.
Skyworth
Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, Skyworth is relatively new to South African shores but is quickly winning over home electronics fanatics thanks to the high-value, smart TV offer that has already turned the brand into one of the five biggest manufacturers of televisions globally. Skyworth prioritises consumer choice and technological advances, combining the two in innovative TV features such as voice search and updatable Android operating system (a first in South Africa), that enables official access to the Google Play store and its multitude of apps.
Sony
This Japanese company has been a powerhouse in home electronics and entertainment for decades. It is synonymous with products like the Walkman and PlayStation gaming console. Despite Sony’s pioneering role in display technology innovations since the 1980s – the manufacturer released the first ever OLED TV in 2008 – Sony TVs have seen a decrease in popularity over the past decade. This said, Sony’s ultra-premium BRAVIA TV brand is celebrated for its high-quality engineering and features.
Hisense
This Chinese manufacturer is actually the top TV seller in South Africa, with around 390 000 units sold in the country last year. Hisense has been slowly building its reputation for affordable quality in South Africa since 1996, and has benefited from a strong relationship between the South African and Chinese governments.
Other TV brands that can be found in South Africa include JVC, Diamond, Panasonic, Sansui, Supersonic, Telefunken and Sinotec. As always, when making a purchase, check that your chosen product enjoys local warranty support for extra peace of mind, ensure it’s digital ready and don’t forget your TV licence.
By Jacques Bentley – Southern African Sales Manager at Skyworth
