When you buy a new television, the physical hardware is only one part of the product. The operating system controls how the television works. The operating system determines which applications you can install and how fast the menus load. Smart TV software update support determines how many years your television will receive new features, security patches, and application updates.
Historically, television manufacturers abandoned older models after one or two years. Users had to buy external streaming devices to use new applications. In 2026, the television industry has changed. Samsung, LG, and Hisense now offer long-term software support programs. Samsung provides seven years of updates for the Tizen operating system. LG offers the webOS Re:New program for five years of support. Hisense provides up to eight years of updates for the VIDAA operating system.
This article explains the software update policies for Samsung, LG, and Hisense televisions. We will compare the different operating systems to help you choose the best television for streaming applications and IPTV services.
Kurze Antwort
How long do Smart TVs receive software updates? In 2026, major manufacturers offer excellent long-term Smart TV software update support. Hisense leads the industry with up to 8 years of updates for its VIDAA operating system. Samsung provides 7 years of guaranteed updates for the Tizen operating system on televisions released from 2024 onward. LG guarantees 4 major webOS upgrades over 5 years for television models released from 2022 onward through the webOS Re:New program. The best choice depends on your budget and which application ecosystem you prefer.
Why Smart TV Software Update Support Is Important
A television without software updates will eventually stop working correctly with modern services. Streaming services frequently update their applications to support new video formats and new user interfaces. When a television has an old operating system, it cannot install the newest application versions. Eventually, the streaming application will show an error message and refuse to open.
Security is another extremely important factor. Modern televisions connect directly to your home Wi-Fi network. Televisions store personal data, streaming account passwords, and sometimes payment information. Hackers can exploit software vulnerabilities in older televisions. Software updates provide necessary security patches to protect your personal data and secure your home network.
Finally, software updates add new capabilities to the television. Manufacturers use software updates to improve the user interface and make navigation faster. They also add new voice assistant features and optimize picture processing algorithms. A television with long-term Smart TV software update support will feel like a new product for a much longer time. This saves you money because you do not need to replace the television quickly.
Samsung Tizen: 7 Years of Software Updates
Samsung uses the Tizen operating system for all Samsung Smart TVs. Starting with 2024 television models, Samsung guarantees 7 years of Smart TV software update support. This means a Samsung television purchased in 2026 will receive operating system updates until at least 2031 (or 7 years from the original model launch year).
The 7-year update policy is very comprehensive. It includes security patches, new user interface features, and artificial intelligence enhancements. This policy applies to premium Neo QLED 4K and 8K models. The policy also applies to standard mid-range Crystal UHD models. This means budget buyers receive the same software longevity as premium buyers.
Samsung Tizen has a very large application store. You can download major streaming applications such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV. The Tizen interface uses a full-screen menu system that recommends content based on your viewing history.
For IPTV users, Tizen offers many compatible applications. However, Tizen does not support Android applications from Google Play. You must use the applications available in the official Samsung Apps store.
LG webOS: 5 Years of Software Updates
LG uses the webOS operating system on all LG Smart TVs. LG provides software updates through a system called the webOS Re:New program. This program guarantees 4 major operating system upgrades over 5 years. This update policy applies to LG OLED TVs, QNED TVs, and NanoCell TVs released from 2022 onward.
For example, if you buy an LG television that comes with webOS 24, LG will update the television to webOS 25, webOS 26, webOS 27, and webOS 28 over the next five years. LG often delivers these major upgrades one year after the software launches on brand new television models. This staggered release schedule ensures the software is stable before it reaches older televisions.
LG webOS has a very fast and clean interface. The system uses the LG Magic Remote. This remote control allows users to point at the screen to select items, like a computer mouse. Like Samsung Tizen, LG webOS has its own dedicated application store. You can find most global streaming services easily.
LG webOS also has an excellent selection of IPTV players. Our comprehensive guide to Samsung vs. LG Smart-TV für IPTV: Tizen vs. webOS compares these two platforms in detail for IPTV users.
Hisense VIDAA: 8 Years of Software Updates
Hisense televisions use the VIDAA operating system in many regions, especially in Europe, Canada, and parts of Asia. In 2025, Hisense announced that VIDAA will receive up to 8 years of Smart TV software update support. This unprecedented commitment makes Hisense the current industry leader for software longevity on paper.
The 8-year update guarantee ensures that the VIDAA operating system remains fast and compatible with new streaming applications. VIDAA is designed to be a very lightweight operating system. It loads applications quickly and has a simple, easy-to-understand user interface. It does not use heavy animations, which helps the television run smoothly even on cheaper hardware.
While VIDAA is very fast, the VIDAA application store is smaller than the Samsung Tizen application store or the Google Play store. VIDAA supports all major global streaming applications. However, for specialized applications or local streaming services, the application selection is more limited.
Consumers in the United States should note that many Hisense televisions sold in the US use Google TV instead of VIDAA. Google TV software updates depend on Google and the manufacturer, and usually last around 2 to 4 years. The 8-year guarantee specifically applies to the VIDAA operating system.
Comparison Table: Samsung vs LG vs Hisense
| Funktion | Samsung Tizen | LG webOS | Hisense VIDAA |
| Guaranteed software updates | 7 years (2024 models onward) | 4 upgrades over 5 years (2022 models onward) | Up to 8 years (2025 models onward) |
| Betriebssystem | Tizen | webOS | VIDAA |
| Application ecosystem | Samsung Apps | LG Content Store | VIDAA App Store |
| Unterstützung für Android-Apps | Keine native Google Play-Unterstützung | Keine native Google Play-Unterstützung | Keine native Google Play-Unterstützung |
| Verfügbarkeit der IPTV-App | High selection | High selection | Moderate selection |
| Update program name | Free One UI Tizen upgrades | webOS Re:New program | VIDAA Long-Term Support |
How to Check Your Smart TV Software Version
To understand if your television needs an update, you must check the current software version.
On a Samsung Smart TV:
Press the Home button on the remote control. Go to Settings. Select Support. Select Software Update. The current version will display on the screen. You can select “Update Now” to search for new software.
On an LG Smart TV:
Press the Settings button on the remote control. Select All Settings. Select General. Select About This TV. The software version will display here. You can click “Check for Updates” to download the newest webOS version.
On a Hisense VIDAA Smart TV:
Press the Settings button on the remote control. Select Support. Select System Update. Select Check Firmware Upgrade. The television will connect to the internet and verify the software version.
Smart TV Software Update Support for IPTV
If you use TV Shadow IPTV, the television operating system is a very important technical consideration. You need a television that supports reliable IPTV player applications.
Samsung Tizen and LG webOS both offer excellent IPTV compatibility. You can find many popular IPTV players in the Samsung Apps store and the LG Content Store. These players support M3U playlists and the Xtream Codes API. They also support the Electronic Program Guide (EPG). The EPG is essential because it shows the daily television schedule. If you want to understand the differences between these operating systems and Google TV, read our guide to the Das beste Smart-TV-Betriebssystem für IPTV im Jahr 2026
Hisense VIDAA also supports IPTV players, but the overall selection is smaller. You will find fewer IPTV applications in the VIDAA App Store compared to Samsung or LG.
Because Samsung, LG, and Hisense use their own proprietary operating systems, they do not support Android applications. You cannot install an Android APK file directly on Tizen, webOS, or VIDAA. If you want to use specific Android IPTV applications, you must connect an external Android TV streaming device (such as a Chromecast or NVIDIA Shield) to the television via an HDMI port.
When a television has long-term Smart TV software update support, your IPTV applications will continue to function correctly for many years. The application developers can release new versions and fix bugs because the television operating system remains current and active.
Choosing a Smart TV for Live Football
Watching live football requires specific television hardware specifications. Software updates cannot change the physical hardware of the television. When you choose a television for live football, you must consider motion handling, the refresh rate, and internet connectivity.
Football contains fast camera movements and rapidly moving objects. A television with a 120Hz refresh rate will display fast motion much more smoothly than a television with a standard 60Hz refresh rate. A 120Hz panel reduces motion blur, making the players and the ball look sharp. To learn more about this technical difference, read our article about choosing a 60-Hz- vs. 120-Hz-Fernseher für Live-Fußball.
Picture processing is also crucial. Modern televisions use artificial intelligence to upscale lower-resolution sports broadcasts to 4K resolution. Software updates can improve these picture processing algorithms over time. Samsung, LG, and Hisense all release software updates that refine color accuracy and improve motion clarity. High Dynamic Range (HDR) formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10+ also make the stadium colors look more realistic.
For live football streaming via IPTV, internet stability is critical. Always connect your Smart TV directly to your internet router using an Ethernet cable. Ethernet provides a much more stable connection than Wi-Fi. This simple step prevents buffering and freezing during an important football match.
Schlussfolgerung
Smart TV software update support is a very important factor when buying a new television. In 2026, manufacturers provide much better software support than in previous years. This means your television investment will last much longer.
Hisense VIDAA offers up to 8 years of updates, which is excellent for long-term longevity. Samsung Tizen provides 7 years of guaranteed updates, combining a very large application store with excellent security. LG webOS offers 4 major upgrades over 5 years, providing a fast user interface and excellent compatibility with IPTV players.
Samsung Tizen may be suitable for users who want the largest application selection and a definitive 7-year update guarantee. LG webOS may be more suitable for users who prefer the LG Magic Remote and a very clean, simple interface. Hisense VIDAA is a good choice for users in regions where VIDAA is available, offering a lightweight operating system with up to 8 years of support.
By choosing a television with long-term software support, you ensure that your streaming services and IPTV applications will work correctly for many years without needing additional hardware.
Häufig gestellte Fragen (FAQ)
Does a Smart TV stop working when software updates end?
No, the television will not stop working. You can still watch live television through an antenna and use the HDMI ports for game consoles. However, some streaming applications may stop working in the future if the application requires a newer operating system version.
Can I update an old Smart TV to a new operating system?
Usually, no. If the manufacturer no longer supports the television model, you cannot install a new operating system version. You can solve this problem by connecting a new external streaming device to the television via HDMI.
Which brand offers the longest Smart TV software update support?
In 2026, Hisense offers the longest support with up to 8 years of updates for the VIDAA operating system. Samsung offers 7 years for Tizen, and LG offers 4 major upgrades over 5 years for webOS.
Do software updates improve television picture quality?
Yes, software updates can sometimes improve picture quality. Manufacturers update the television’s internal picture processing algorithms. These updates can improve motion handling, color accuracy, and screen brightness control.
Can I install Google Play applications on Samsung Tizen or LG webOS?
No. Samsung Tizen and LG webOS are proprietary operating systems. They do not support Android applications from the Google Play store. You can only install applications from the official Samsung and LG application stores.
Can I use TV Shadow IPTV on an older Smart TV?
Yes, you can use TV Shadow IPTV if your television has a compatible IPTV player application. However, if your television is very old and cannot download new applications, we recommend using an external Android TV streaming box for the best experience.