7 signs it's time to upgrade your TV

Your TV isn't going to last forever, and that's not a bad thing. As manufacturers continue to innovate and advance screen tech, processing power, and A.I. integration, there is plenty to be excited about when it comes to the current crop of TVs available.

A TV is a vital part of your home entertainment setup -- it's the central hub for watching movies, TV shows, and streaming sports, while also allowing you to hook up a gaming console, play Blu-ray discs, and build out a whole sound system. Some people might even use a TV to control their smart home, while others may opt to utilize video call capabilities or access exercises, news, or mindfulness apps.

All of that means that a functional and quality TV is important, and when it starts to slow down or wear out, it's time to get a new one. Knowing when the time is right can be a tricky proposition, however. There are ways to tinker with audio and video in order to improve the quality, but changing settings can only go so far. You don't want to upgrade so soon that you're buying an expensive TV that isn't that much better than your current one, but you also don't want to wait so long that you're missing out on the latest innovations and advancements that can add more enjoyment and convenience to your viewing experience.

Here are some signs you might be ready for a new TV.

You notice screen issues

Image problems are an urgent plea

The most apparent sign you need a new TV is if you're having consistent problems with the physical screen. Any lines of color that might pop on your TV -- even for a split second -- may indicate the unit is worn down. Screen burn-in, where a portion of the screen gets stuck on a specific image, and its 'ghost' is still lingering, is another clear indication of a worn-out TV. Note any issue with pixels too: one may be stuck in a certain color or brightness, or a pixel might be dead entirely and simply black.

Other signals may be less conspicuous. When peak brightness starts to fade, it's typically the edges of the TV that go first. It can be easy to miss unless you're looking at the sides for such a sign.

Some screen issues may also be the result of connections breaking down; a faulty HDMI cable could be replaced, but if the port on the TV is wearing down, then it's time for a new TV.

It doesn't fit your lifestyle

New attitudes or aesthetics could call for a new TV

Any number of things can change in your life that can influence the importance, or lack thereof, of the right TV. You might be moving to a different space, developing a newfound love (or growing distaste) for watching content, or there are more people in the house who will be gathering around the TV.

Such a change can make you reassess what you want from a TV in terms of size, look, location, and capability. A larger home might warrant a bigger TV or a secondary unit for a bedroom or den. An older TV might not look right in a different space, whereas new TVs, for example, are a lot easier to mount and look a lot better against a wall, in part due to their lightweight construction and slim design.

For those who need a TV that fits in with a certain interior design scheme, Samsung offers a line of lifestyle TVs for those who might want something more artistic and refined. The Frame, for example, sits flush against a wall and includes a vast art gallery to showcase on the TV, while the Serif is designed to stand in the middle of a room. Other TV brands have taken note of what Samsung is doing, providing more options for consumers who want something aesthetically pleasing.

You might also want to upgrade your TV for as simple a reason as you prefer to do more things at home. A quality, compatible TV might serve as your alternative to going to a movie theater, and it can be there to enjoy at-home workouts. A new TV may also serve as the center of a smart house, where you wield interconnected devices and appliances from your entertainment hub.

It's been more than five years

Technology moves pretty fast

Once you hit the five-year mark with a TV, it's likely time to start considering buying a new one. Screen innovation and technology move at such a clip that by five years' time, you’re likely quite behind the latest advancements and your viewing experience may suffer as a result.

Consider 2019 -- filmmaker Mode had just been created, micro-LED screens were still very new and wildly expensive, and Samsung was still resisting the call of the OLED. Your TV remote wouldn't have a Disney+ button because that streaming service did not launch till November 2019.

There are also compatibility issues that arise. A brand new PlayStation 5 allows you to play some visually impressive and high-speed games, but if you don't have a TV with a high refresh rate or an HDMI 2.1 connection, then you might not be getting the best out of your exciting console.

Even if some of the technology is similar or at least acceptable, your TV simply won't be functioning at the same speed as years go by. Just like a smartphone or laptop, your TV will start to slow down when performing basic functions, which means it's time to get ready to upgrade.

You're envious of the latest smart TV lineup

Compare and contrast with what's new

Your TV might be working quite well for you, but you also might not know what you're missing. It's worthwhile to keep up to date with the latest innovations and offerings from the major electronics companies. Consider their lineup for the coming year and see what might be out there that your TV might be lacking.

Even a TV that's just a few years old might have fewer or slower HDMI ports, a lower refresh rate, or simply a bulkier frame. There might be a better smart interface that suits your lifestyle and viewing habits; I personally have become increasingly drawn to Google TV in Sony units, finding Tizen tedious and without an intuitive UI.

Lastly, while it may be scary or novel to some individuals, I do recommend physically going into a store to look at TVs. See what the screens actually look like and what’s possible in terms of color, brightness, motion, and contrast. The image on your TV at the moment might look good, but those are going to look better.

You found an offer you can't refuse

A deal is a deal

Sure, you shouldn't spend money on things you don't need. But maybe it's Prime Day or Black Friday, or you stumble onto a flash sale, and you see a terrific deal on a TV you've been thinking about. Sometimes the right time to upgrade to a new TV is when you are presented with a value opportunity and a high return on investment.

Maybe that new deal means you turn around and sell your current model if it's still in good condition, or maybe it becomes relegated to another part of your home. In any case, smart TV costs can and will drop significantly throughout the year, so if the time and price is right, it might be wise to pull the trigger.

Your favorite content doesn't look right

It should look good

Your TV should be equipped to support and faithfully recreate all types of content across all genres. So, whether you're watching the latest binge-worthy show on Netflix, a live sporting event, or some overly dramatic reality TV, it should generally look good on your TV. If you notice blurring during action sequences, too many dark areas when checking out some prestige drama, or any shadowing or lagging while gaming, then your TV likely isn't able to keep up anymore. Peak brightness, sharp contrast among deep blacks, and a high refresh rate generally found in newer, high-end TVs, are pretty imperative to enjoying all your content.

Some new TVs may automatically adjust settings based on what type of content you're watching, while most allow you to at least switch to presets or access hubs so that you can manually optimize settings. Blemishes and problems with your TV screen can be pretty obvious, but a failure to bring out the best in what you're watching can be more subtle, but just as problematic.

Design is lacking

TVs are getting slimmer and more efficient

Take a look at your TV. You may like the size of the screen, but do you like the size of the unit itself, and all the depth and weight that comes with it? Increasingly, smart TVs are made to be as slim and light as possible, designed to be easy to mount and to look great on the wall. New models are less cumbersome, and the ability to sit flush against a wall saves space and can make a room feel bigger and brighter. As new TVs also boast thin bezels, if any at all, the viewing experience feels more immersive, particularly if the unit is mounted at just the right height and angle.

There are also more practical reasons why your TV's current design is lacking. The newest units tend to boast four high-speed HDMI ports, allowing you to use an array of devices to complement your entertainment experience, from gaming consoles to sound bars and streaming sticks. TVs made some years ago may only have three such ports, and they may not all be the same speed. Ports and cables also play into the attractiveness of a TV as well. For example, Samsung has been working to make your mounted TV look cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing; instead of a bunch of cords hanging from the back of your TV, you can connect a single cable from your TV that leads to a hub. That hub can be placed discretely out of sight, and with that hub, you can connect all your other devices.

You certainly want to get the most out of your current TV if you can, but when the signs start to show, be ready to purchase a new one. You don't need to -- and shouldn't -- buy a new TV every couple of years, but it's worth keeping an eye on the latest innovations and technological advancements to make sure you are getting the most out of your content consumption and entertainment experience.

FAQ

Q: When is the best time to buy a new TV?

There is no great time to buy a new TV, but there's also really no terrible time. New TVs are released throughout the year, and slightly older models regularly go on sale, especially during major shopping holidays.

It's important to not buy a brand new TV that just came out. It will cost a lot and soon be overtaken by an even newer TV. Instead, look for a model that was released within the last year or so, and find a style you prefer. You'll have relatively new tech that will last a few years, and also find better value.

Q: Can a streaming device extend the life of my TV?

A streaming stick or box, like Roku TV or Chromecast, can offer you a new and fast smart platform from which to navigate all your streaming services and connected devices. If your TV still has a quality image but the operating system is slowing down or dated, then a streaming stick might be a worthy investment, especially because they are much cheaper than a new TV.

However, if your TV's brightness, contrast, or color is suffering, then a streaming stick won't be able to help.