Not long ago, buying a TV was simple. You would choose your preferred screen size, check the picture quality in store and would take it home to use the very same day. But in today’s high-tech world, smart TVs are now fully integrated entertainment hubs with varying features that allow you to customise your entertainment, your way. From AI-powered picture processing to Mini-LED backlighting, immersive audio and even a hub of streaming platforms at your fingertips, your living room just got a whole lot more entertaining. But with so many features on the market, it can be hard to know which ones will actually improve your viewing experience. At Betta, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about smart TV features, so you can find the perfect fit for your living room and lifestyle. Whether you’re an avid gamer, binge-watcher, movie lover or simply just enjoy streaming the Friday night footy, we’ll make sure that your TV setup is made just for you. What Can Smart TVs Be Used For? If you’re still only using your TV to watch the news or flick through free-to-air channels, you’re missing out on a whole new world of entertainment. Smart TVs are designed as the central hub of entertainment in your home, connecting everything from streaming services to gaming, music, sport, movies and even managing connected devices around the house. So, it’s safe to say the power of the TV remote has changed a whole lot in the last 10 years! But, what can smart TVs actually do? Stream movies and TV shows on demand With a Smart TV you can now enjoy Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Stan and beyond, built into your TV model with no extra boxes or cables needed! Simply pick up where you left off on any device and let the platform do the work of finding something worth watching. For example, the LG webOS smart TVs, allow you to get personalised recommendations based on what you watch! Watch live sport Easily connect to your favourite sports streaming platforms like Kayo, and bring the AFL, NRL, cricket, F1 and more to your Smart TV screen without needing a separate subscription box! Paired with a large screen and decent picture quality, you've got the perfect game-day setup at home. Gaming connectivity Modern smart TVs are built with gaming in mind, easily connecting to your PlayStation or Xbox setup. That means lower input lag, higher refresh rates, pristine picture quality and HDMI 2.1 support; so, your console has a screen that can keep up. Access music, YouTube and online content Whether you enjoy going down a YouTube rabbit hole or blasting your Spotify party playlist through the speakers, Smart TVs connect to the internet giving you easy and fast access to any online content you choose, with platforms like the Hisense VIDAA. Control your smart home through voice If you have a Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, you can easily integrate these devices with your Smart TV! That means your TV can be voice activated (like the TCL P7LS Google TV) or even double as a hub for your smart lights and other connected devices; all without getting off the couch. With all these capabilities and more in just one remote, switching between content has never been easier or faster than with a Smart TV! Five Smart TV Features to Look for in 2026 Modern smart TVs are continuously advertising a long list of new features. But not all of them may make a noticeable difference to your everyday viewing experience. Behind all the noise are 5 core considerations that should be at the top of the list for any smart TV shopper. These are the features that make a real impact in your everyday viewing experiences including picture quality, motion clarity, gaming responsiveness and overall convenience. By understanding them before you buy, you can make sure you’re well equipped to confidently choose the best Smart TV for you and your household. Advanced Display Technology (OLED, QLED and Mini-LED) The display technology behind your Smart TV determines everything you see on screen! How rich the colours look, how deep the blacks go, and how well the image performs in different lighting. There are three common display technologies that feature in smart TVs: OLED, QLED and Mini LED , each come with unique features, designed to suit different environments and viewing preferences. OLED Smart TVs Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) TVs use self-lit pixels that can switch off independently for deep blacks and exceptional contrast. This is particularly noticeable in dark scenes or when watching in the evening. QLED Smart TVs Quantum light-Emitting Diode (QLED) TVs are designed to deliver vibrant colour and strong brightness, making them a popular option for daytime viewing and bright spaces. Mini LED Smart TVs Mini LED TVs were made to improve on traditional backlighting by using a much higher number of smaller LEDs. This gives you better control over contrast and finer detail across the screen. While each technology has its own strengths depending on how and where you watch them, these smart TV displays are designed to produce more realistic images and better visibility across different lighting displays. By understanding your environment, you can find the best fit for your home. AI Picture Processing Content varies in quality, so your smart TV needs to adapt. For example, your 4K Netflix stream will look very different from a grainy YouTube clip. So, how can you streamline your picture quality? Modern smart TVs use AI-powered picture processing to automatically analyse and optimise what's on screen in real time. You need to upscale to a lower-resolution content to look sharper on a 4K display or fine-tuning colour balance and contrast in real-time. So, your Smart TV screen will automatically adjust the picture settings accordingly. LG is a leader in AI picture processing, offering built-in processing capabilities across some of its most popular models, like the LG QNED86B EVO Mini-LED TV and the LG OLED AI B6. This allows you to get a consistently optimised picture without ever touching a settings menu! The result? Content that looks clearer and more detailed regardless of where it comes from. Smart TV Platforms and Streaming Integration The picture quality on your smart TV matters, but so does how easy it is to find something to watch. Many modern Smart TVs now come with their own unique program, connecting to a wide array of streaming services and plugins to suit your entertainment needs. But while each Smart TV offers a range of features, not all of them are the same. For example, LG's webOS builds personalised profiles and learns your viewing preferences over time. On the other hand, Google TVs like the TCL P7LS, use voice search to pull results from across all your streaming apps in one place. And Hisense TVs like the Q6SAU QLED use the VIDAA platform for simple navigation and speed. The right platform for you comes down to how you like to watch. But rest assured that whichever you choose, a good smart TV will make discovering and managing your entertainment feel a whole lot more effortless. High Refresh Rates for Smooth Motion The refresh rate refers to how many times per second your TV updates the image on the screen and it can make a noticeable difference when things are moving fast! If you watch a lot of sport, action movies, gaming or high-quality visuals, a higher refresh rate means you can enjoy smoother motion and less blur. You'll notice it most during a fast break in the basketball or a quick pan in an FPS game, as a lower refresh rate can make the picture look choppy or blurred. While most standard TVs run at 60Hz, Smart TV models like the Hisense U7SAU and the TCL C7L allow you to experience significantly smoother visuals at 165Hz and 144Hz respectively. Look out for the Hertz (Hz) of the TV, which is the measurement referring to how many times per second the screen refreshes the image. This will be a solid indication if your new smart TV can keep up with the action in real-time. Gaming and Performance Features Smart TVs have come a long way in the gaming world! Beyond just connecting to your console, many modern Smart TVs include dedicated features designed to make your gameplay more responsive and immersive. These include: VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) which syncs the TV's refresh rate to your console's output, eliminating screen tearing during those fast or graphically demanding games. ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) allows you to automatically switch the TV into game mode the moment you pick up a controller. This reduces input lag, so what you do on screen happens without delay. Fast refresh rates (as mentioned) are measured in Hertz (Hz), or how many times per second the screen refreshes. AKA, the higher the Hz, the smoother the motion. At Betta, we offer a range of Smart TV models made for gaming. Popular models include the TCL 75" P7LS QLED Google TV and the TCL C7L Mini-LED TV, allowing you to take advantage of both VRR and high refresh rate gameplay straight out of the box. Even the Hisense U7SAU Mini-LED TV allows you to push your gaming performance further with specs built specifically for a smooth and lag-free play. Explore the Latest Smart TVs at Betta With a whole world of entertainment at your fingertips, choosing the right TV for you is all about finding the features that best match how you watch, steam, play and entertain. At Betta, we offer a wide range of popular smart TVs from leading brands like LG, Hisense, TCL & more. With the latest display technologies, AI processing, audio quality, and streaming platforms, our range is well equipped to deliver the entertainment you’ve been searching for! Explore our latest smart TV models and shop online or in-store to find the perfect fit for your home. Your weekly entertainment just got a whole lot Betta! What makes a smart TV a Smart TV? A smart TV connects to the internet and runs its own operating system. That's what allows it to stream apps, receive updates, respond to voice commands and do a whole lot more than a standard TV ever could. How do you connect a smart TV? Most smart TVs connect to your home Wi-Fi during the initial setup, which only takes a few minutes. If you need a more stable connection, especially for gaming or sport streaming, a wired ethernet connection is worth considering if your router is nearby. What is the difference between OLED and Mini-LED TVs? OLED TVs use self-lit pixels for incredibly deep blacks and contrast, making them ideal for watching in the dark. Mini-LED, on the other hand, use an array of small backlights for strong brightness and detail, which tends to perform better in a lighter room. Do smart TVs need internet to work? You can still watch free-to-air channels and use connected devices like Blu-ray players without Wi-Fi. That said, streaming and app updates require an internet connection, so you'll get the most out of your TV it’s best to be connected. Can you watch normal TV channels on a smart TV? Absolutely! Smart TVs include a built-in tuner for free-to-air channels, so you get everything a standard TV offers plus all the smart features as a bonus.
