When smart TVs offer better value than streaming boxes in South Africa

Opting for a TV without smart TV functionality and a media streaming stick or box is generally more expensive than buying a smart TV of the same size, a MyBroadband analysis has revealed.

However, depending on the streaming stick or box you choose, a non-smart TV and a media device can be cheaper for larger screen TVs, but there are some caveats.

MyBroadband compared the cost of buying 32-inch, 40-inch, 43-inch, and 50-inch smart TVs to purchasing the “dumber” equivalent and adding the price of a streaming device.

For smaller-screen TVs, including 32-inch and 40-inch models, the cheapest smart TV we could find was always more affordable than combining the smallest non-smart TV and a streaming device.

The 32-inch A4K-model Hisense smart TV costs R2,799, which is R738 less than buying a Sinotec STL-model 32-inch LED TV and a Xiaomi Mi TV Stick.

Opting for the Sinotec TV and a Chromecast with Google TV is R1,238 more than buying the Hisense smart TV.

Moreover, the Sinotec TV offers a maximum resolution of 720p, while the Hisense smart TV features a 1080p resolution.

The 40-inch LT40NQ-model JVC QLED Smart TV costs R3,499 — R499 less than the Philips 5500 Series 40-inch TV with a Xiaomi Mi TV Stick.

It is also R999 less than buying the Philips TV and a Chromecast with Google TV.

Regarding 43-inch options, buying a 43-inch Telefunken TLEDD-model LED TV and a Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is R101 less than a 43-inch JVC NQ7155 OLED Android TV.

However, opting for the Telefunken TV with a Chromecast with Google TV is R399 more expensive than the JVC smart TV alternative.

It is a similar story for 50-inch TVs. The Telefunken TLEDD-model 50-inch LED TV with a Xiaomi Mi TV stick costs R4,798.

The 50-inch JVC smart TV alternative is priced at R4,999.

However, buying the Telefunken TV and a Chromecast with Google TV costs R299 compared to opting for the JVC smart TV.

It should also be noted that the 50-inch JVC NQ7115-model QLED Android TV has a 4K resolution, while the Telefunken TV is 1080p.

TV stick warning in South Africa

South Africans should be careful when deciding on a streaming media box or stick for their setup, as non-Google-certified devices can carry malware.

Google provides a list of certified Android TV boxes on its website to help consumers make informed decisions.

Google-certified Android TV devices offer guaranteed support for all official apps and versions of the Android TV operating system.

Tech researchers have found that many cheaper, non-Google-certified devices are often used as vectors for malware.

UK-based cybersecurity firm CyberSmart said uncertified streaming devices can be modified with third-party software that lacks the robust security of legitimate platforms.

“Users expose themselves to malware, spyware, and backdoors embedded within these unauthorised applications,” said CyberSmart CEO and co-founder Jamie Akhtar.

While many of these devices are listed on popular South African marketplaces, they are also a global threat.

Cybersecurity firm Human Security has warned that a specific group, Badbox, distributes malware through Android devices, including streaming sticks.

“The Badbox operation, based out of China, sold off-brand mobile and connected TV devices on popular online retailers and resale sites,” it said.

“These Android devices came preloaded with a known malware called Triada.”

It explained that, in Triada’s case, the device “calls home” as soon as it is powered on, after which it remotely receives fraud “modules”.

It identified one of the fraud modules as adware, dubbed Peachpit.

The table below compares the prices of smart TVs of various sizes to similar-sized non-smart TVs with a media streaming box. We have specified the maximum resolution of each TV in brackets.