What is an Android TV box?
An Android TV box is a small external multimedia box (Xiaomi Mi Box S, NVIDIA SHIELD TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Chromecast with Google TV, etc.) that connects to the HDMI port of any television. It instantly transforms a classic screen into a complete multimedia center running Android TV or Google TV.
In contrast, a native Smart TV directly integrates its operating system into the television — Tizen for Samsung, webOS for LG, Google TV for Sony and TCL.
Compared advantages
- Regular and prolonged software updates
- Access to the full Google Play Store
- Compatible with any HDMI television
- Easily replaceable if technology evolves
- Often more powerful than entry-level Smart TVs
- Very accessible entry price (from €40)
- Simplified installation: only one device
- One remote control for everything
- Optimized hardware integration by the manufacturer
- No additional cables or external power supply
- Smoother interface on high-end models
- Full manufacturer warranty
The critical point: software updates
This is the strongest argument in favor of Android TV boxes. Smart TV manufacturers have historically offered few updates after sale, causing devices to age quickly. A TV bought in 2021 often still runs Android 9 or 10 in 2025.
An external Android TV box like the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro or the Chromecast with Google TV 4K receives system updates for 5 to 7 years, ensuring compatibility with new applications.
LG recently improved its support policy with webOS, promising 5 years of updates on recent ranges. Sony does the same with its Google TV models.
Performance: who wins?
Entry-level boxes
Boxes under €60 (Mi Box S, Fire TV Stick 4K) are sufficient for 4K streaming. They may show some slowdowns in menus on heavy applications but remain very good for daily use.
The reference: NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro
With its Tegra X1+ processor, the SHIELD TV Pro remains the most powerful Android TV box on the market in 2025. It supports AV1 decoding, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and even AI upscaling of Full HD content to 4K. A €200 investment that lasts 8 years.
High-end Smart TVs
High-end Sony Bravia XR and Samsung Neo QLED TVs feature very powerful proprietary processors (Cognitive XR, Neural Quantum) that rival the best boxes. On these models, the native Smart TV wins out.
Application compatibility
This is often the decisive factor. Android TV boxes provide access to the full Google Play Store, meaning thousands of applications. Smart TVs running Tizen or webOS have their own store with a more limited catalog — some specific applications may not be available.
Before purchasing a Smart TV, verify that the applications you regularly use are available in the manufacturer's store. This point is often overlooked and can be a source of frustration.
Our final verdict
Choose an Android TV box if…
- You already own a good television and want to modernize it
- You need a large catalog of applications
- You want an evolutive device for the long term
- Your budget is limited but you want performance
Choose a native Smart TV if…
- You are buying a new high-end television (Sony, LG OLED, Samsung Neo QLED)
- You prioritize ease of installation and use
- You stay within the Google ecosystem and use compatible brands
To modernize an existing screen, the NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro or Chromecast 4K are safe bets. For a new purchase with a comfortable budget, a Sony or LG Smart TV running Google TV / webOS offers the best overall experience.