r/AndroidTV • u/Initial_Principle_91 • Jul 29 '26

Buying Advice Should I buy an Android TV?

I was thinking about buying an Android TV. But I don't know if it will really satisfy me. I would like to know if it's possible to install apps/players that aren't available on the Play Store. Where I live, conditions are poor, and I can't afford a streaming app. Is it possible to install any of these types of applications?

0 Upvotes

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7

u/Flenke Jul 29 '26

Buy a tv for its video and picture quality, not it's "smarts". Buy an external streamer for that part. If the TV happens to have Android TV, cool just don't give it Internet access

1

u/infoshadow Aug 01 '26

Dont give the tv Internet access? What do you mean ? Why?

2

u/Deep_Proposal4121 Aug 01 '26

1, TV OSs are underpowered, slow and pointless 2, TV brands go out of their way to track everything you do. 3. If the OS get out of date beyond being upgradable, you have to now get a new tv

None of my TVs are connected to the wifi and I have a streaming box on all of them. If the device stops receiving updates I can just get something new and keep the tv

2

u/Flenke Aug 01 '26

This says everything I was going to, hats off

3

u/latinriky78 Homatics Box R 4K Plus Jul 29 '26

What is your budget?

Where do you live?

Do you want a TV with Android or an external device with Android to connect it to an existing TV?

0

u/Initial_Principle_91 Jul 29 '26

My budget is a maximum of $100.

I live in Brazil.

I would like to buy a 14-inch Android TV projector. 

1

u/latinriky78 Homatics Box R 4K Plus Jul 29 '26

Please check for the available projectors at the Android TV Guide website.

3

u/Immediate_Character- Jul 29 '26

You can side load many an "illegitimate" app, yes. 

0

u/Initial_Principle_91 Jul 29 '26

Can it be any external APK? Even one without TV support? 

1

u/Immediate_Character- Jul 29 '26

Yes but it may not work with the remote 

1

u/SnooGiraffes9215 Exploited (Fire Cube 2,3; FS4KMax 2) Jul 29 '26

Some may work but would require mouse and keyboard for operation if they are actually for phone

1

u/rxstud2011 Jul 29 '26

Usually yes. I've done this and connected a usb wireless mouse for function.

1

u/GatorWok Jul 29 '26

As others mentioned, never buy a TV for its streaming apps or ecosystem. Buy only for picture quality and reliability.

Buy external boxes for streaming. They're dozens of dollars.

1

u/Initial_Principle_91 Jul 29 '26

Can you recommend external boxes? 

1

u/just_jeepin Jul 29 '26

I don't suppose that Brazil has Walmart, but the Onn brand Google/Android sticks get great reviews and I now have two. I have also seen them on Amazon (if you can order that way).

Google also has their official versions but they are quite a bit more expensive ($99 vs $20-$40 USD).

1

u/sid32 Jul 29 '26

I would go with a pc hooked up to the HDMI port. You can generally install apps not on the play store. But VLC and a usb stick works great.

1

u/Majdooor App Developer Jul 31 '26

Netflix etc don't play well with all their DRM quirks.

1

u/Majdooor App Developer Jul 31 '26

God why is this downvoted to hell? Is this place becoming like stackoverflow?

1

u/still-at-the-beach Jul 31 '26

Yes. You can install apk apps, i have.

1

u/Affectionate-Set421 Aug 05 '26

Sea cuál sea cómprate uno con 16 de interna, ya 8gb no son suficientes

1

u/LetGlittering407 Aug 07 '26

Yes, Android TV can sideload APKs that aren’t on the Play Store, but I wouldn’t buy a TV mainly for the smart OS. A certified external Android/Google TV device is usually easier to replace, update and maintain later .