Choosing a TV in 2026 is no easy task. The market is flooded with models from Xiaomi, LG and Samsung, each promising perfect picture quality, smart features and durability. But how not to go wrong and pay too much for unnecessary options? This article will help you figure out which brand is right for you: a budget but technological Xiaomi, a time-tested LG with advanced panels or a flagship Samsung with exclusive chips.
We analyzed 7 key parameters: screen quality, sound, Smart TV, gaming capabilities, design, reliability and price, and we also compiled a comparison table of top models in 2026, honest user reviews and exclusive data on the hidden shortcomings of each brand that salespeople keep silent about.
1. Screen quality: OLED vs QLED vs Mini LED - which is better?
The screen is the heart of TV, and brands have different approaches here. LG stake OLED-panels of own production (WOLED), They provide perfect black and wide viewing angles. Samsung is promoting the QLED with quantum dots and brightness up to 4000 nits, as well as Mini LED Xiaomi is often used in premium models. VA-panels from third-party manufacturers (for example, BOE or CSOT), which are cheaper but inferior in contrast.
If you want a deep black dot (for a movie in a dark room), choose a dark dot. LG OLED. For bright rooms or HDR-Content is better suited to Samsung QLED — Xiaomi is losing out here, even in top-end models (e.g. Xiaomi) TV Q2 QLED) Color reproduction is less accurate, and backlighting can "light up" dark scenes.
- 🔹 LG OLED: Best contrast (1:∞), but the risk of pixel burnout when static logos (e.g. on news channels).
- 🔹 Samsung QLED/Mini LED: brightness 2000–4000 No risk of burnout, but worse viewing angle.
- 🔹 Xiaomi (VA/IPS): budget version, but with mediocre color reproduction and backlighting "clouds".
⚠️ Note: In cheap Xiaomi models (e.g. Mi) TV A2) 60Hz panels are often used instead of 120Hz. This is critical for gamers – check the specs before buying!
| Brand/Technology | Contrast | Brightness (thread) | Viewing angles | The risk of burnout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG OLED (C3, G3) | ∞:1 | 800–1000 | 178° | There is (with static content) |
| Samsung QN90C (Mini LED) | 10000:1 | 2000–4000 | 120° | No. |
| Xiaomi TV Q2 QLED | 5000:1 | 600–800 | 160° | No. |
2. Smart TV: Who offers the smartest interface?
LG and Samsung are both developing their own operating systems: webOS for LG and Tizen for Samsung, both fast, support all popular streaming services (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+) and have voice assistants (Google Assistant + Alexa for LG, Bixby for Samsung).
Xiaomi uses a Google TV (formerly PatchWall), which is inferior in smoothness, but wins in the number of applications (the full Google Play Store is available).However, in budget models, Xiaomi often saves on the processor, which causes the interface to “brake” when multitasking. For example, in Redmi Smart Fire TV only 1 GB of RAM is not enough for modern applications.
- 🎮 LG WebOS: Best Optimization for Games (Support) ALLM, VRR, G-Sync).
- 📱 Samsung Tizen: Fastest App Launch, but Limited Choice (Not Some Games From Google Play).
- 🤖 Xiaomi Google TV: Maximum freedom (can be set) APK), Poor productivity in budget models.
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If you want all the apps from Google Play (like Kodi or emulators), opt for Xiaomi or Sony (Android TV).LG and Samsung block the installation of third-party APKs.
3.Sound: Built-in speakers vs. soundbar - what really works?
Built-in speakers in TVs are always a compromise, and even the flagship LG G3 or Samsung QN900C models can't match a single soundbar.
Samsung is leading in power: the QN90C has 60-watt speakers with support for Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+ (sound “moves” behind objects on the screen). LG in C3/G3 models uses AI Sound Pro technology, which automatically adjusts the sound to the genre of content. Xiaomi sound is the weakest point: even in Xiaomi TV Q2 speakers at 30 watts sound “flat”, without bass.
- 🔊 Samsung: Best Out of the Box Sound (especially in Q-Symphony models that sync to Samsung soundbars).
- 🎵 LG: Smart sound processing, but weak bass.
- 🚫 Xiaomi: If you care about sound, plan to buy soundbar immediately.
⚠️ Note: Xiaomi TVs are below the Mi TV Q2 Dolby Atmos is often not supported, which means that sound in object films is not supported. 3D (For example, rain or helicopters will be flat.
4. Gaming Opportunities: 4K@120Hz, VRR and input delays
Three things are critical for gamers: screen refresh rate, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support, and input lag, where LG is the undisputed leader:
All right. OLED-television LG (starting C2) support 4K@120 Hz, HDMI 2.1, ALLM (automatic play mode) and VRR (including NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Delays – Record Low: ~10 MS. Samsung is not far behind: in QN90C and S95C the same characteristics, but with one nuance - in games on bright scenes can be shown bluming (glow around light objects) because of the Mini LED lighting.
Xiaomi is only suitable for casual gaming. Even the top-end Xiaomi TV Q2 has a ~20ms input delay and does not support VRR on all HDMI ports. And in budget models (such as Redmi Smart TV X), the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, which is unacceptable for the PS5 or Xbox Series X.
Support 4K@120 Hz|Presence HDMI 2.1 (at least 1 port)|VRR (G-Sync/FreeSync)|Delayed input < 15 miss|Regime. ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)-->
| Model | 4K@120 Hz | VRR | Input Lag (ms). | HDMI 2.1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG C3 OLED | ✅ | ✅ (G-Sync, FreeSync) | 10 | 4 ports |
| Samsung QN90C | ✅ | ✅ (FreeSync Premium) | 11 | 2 ports |
| Xiaomi TV Q2 | ✅ | ❌ (port only) | 20 | 1st port |
5. Design and Assembly: Who offers premium quality?
Samsung and LG play in a premium league: thin bezels, metal stands and minimalist design. For example, Samsung The Frame looks like a picture on a wall, and the LG G3 is only 12 mm thick. Xiaomi copies trends, but uses cheaper materials — plastic instead of metal, thick bezels.
Reliability of assembly leader — LG. Their TVs are less likely to suffer from overheating or power supply failures. Samsung has problems with T-Con boards (responsible for signal processing), and Xiaomi has problems with the quality of soldered connections (especially in budget models).
- 🏆 LG: Best build, minimalist design, but more expensive.
- 💎 Samsung: Premium appearance, but some models are warming.
- 💰 Xiaomi: copies the design of flagships, but saves on materials.
Which Xiaomi models are more likely to break down?
Price and Price/Quality: Where is the Best?
If the budget is tight, Xiaomi offers maximum features for minimal money. TV A2 43"c" 4K Google TV worth ~30 000 ₽, whereas similar LG 43UP7500 cost ~45 000 ₽. However, the savings have the opposite side: cheap Xiaomi models will last 3-4 years, while the cost of the new model is very high. LG or Samsung, 7-10 years old.
In the premium segment (100 000)+ ₽) win LG OLED — It's cheaper than Samsung. QLED for comparable quality, LG C3 55 is worth ~120 000 ₽, Samsung QN90C 55" — ~150 000 ₽. The price difference is only justified if you need maximum brightness (for sunny rooms) or artificial intelligence in image processing (Samsung Neural Quantum Processor).
| Brand | Budget segment (up to 50 000) ₽) | Mid-segment (50,000–100,000) ₽) | Premium (100,000)+ ₽) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (ratio) | ⭐⭐⭐ (loses out on quality) | ❌ (no model) |
| LG | ⭐⭐ (Xiaomi) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (OLED starts at 80,000 ₽) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Better than Samsung for a price) |
| Samsung | ⭐⭐ (budget-high) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (QLED Xiaomi better) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (brighter LG, more expensive) |
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If you want a TV for 3-4 years, go with Xiaomi. If you plan to use 7+ years, invest in LG OLED or Samsung QLED.
7. Hidden flaws: what are the sellers silent about?
Every brand has skeletons in the closet that they don't talk about in the ads.
- 🔥 LG OLED: The risk of pixel burnout during prolonged watching news or games with static HUD (for example, GTA). Also. LG often saves on processors in non-flagship models (for example, B2 brake HDR).
- 💡 Samsung QLED: Mini-model LED (for example, QN90C) It can also be bluming, and Samsung is blocking some features (like Dolby Vision) in favor of its format. HDR10+.
- 🛠️ Xiaomi: budget models often lack hardware support for Dolby Vision, and in firmware there are critical bugs (for example, spontaneous reboots.
⚠️ Note: Samsung TVs 2022-2023 (e.g., Samsung TVs, QN90B) There was a bug that overheated the processor over long-term use, and it's solved in 2026 models, but if you buy used, check the firmware version!