How long do TVs last?
A TV bought in 2026 gets 5 to 8 years of software support: up to 5 on LG, 7 on Samsung, 8 on Hisense VIDAA. Cost per year, UK rights and when to replace.
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A TV bought in the UK in 2026 should give 5 to 8 years of fully supported use, and the maker's software promise sets the number: LG offers up to 5 years of webOS upgrades, Samsung up to 7 years of Tizen OS upgrades and Hisense's VIDAA platform up to 8 years of updates. Compare Electronic's rule is to plan on 7 years, which also covers the 6 years the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives a buyer in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to take a faulty TV claim to court.
Software sets the useful life because a TV keeps working after support ends but its apps do not. Samsung's own UK terms state that third-party content providers may remove apps from the platform or stop updating them at any time. The picks below match Best TV UK 2026 and Best budget 55 inch TV UK 2026, at Amazon UK prices at the time of writing (October 2026).
| Situation | What to expect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung TV from 2024 onwards | Up to 7 years of Tizen OS upgrades from the launch year | Samsung UK |
| LG TV in webOS Re:New | Up to 5 years of webOS upgrades (select models) | LG UK |
| Hisense TV on VIDAA | Up to 8 years of updates | VIDAA |
| TCL TV on Google TV or Fire TV | No published upgrade term found | Compare Electronic check |
| Fault in the first 6 months | Presumed present at delivery unless the retailer proves otherwise | Consumer Rights Act 2015 |
| Fault after 6 months | Claim for up to 6 years (5 in Scotland); the buyer proves the fault | Consumer Rights Act 2015 |
| Apps stop working | A streaming stick from £21.99 restores them | Amazon UK price |
How long do Samsung, LG, Hisense and TCL TVs get updates?
Samsung promises up to 7 years of Tizen OS upgrades from a TV's launch year, LG up to 5 years of webOS upgrades, and VIDAA, the platform on Hisense TVs, up to 8 years of updates. Samsung's own example is a 2024 TV supported until 2030, so the 2026 Samsung U7020H runs to 2032 on the same count. Samsung says availability varies by model and region, and that the promise does not cover hardware performance or durability.
| Brand and platform | Example pick and panel | OS upgrades | Security updates | Support to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung (Tizen) | U7020H 55, LED, 2026 | Up to 7 years from launch year | At least 3 years from launch | 2032 |
| LG (webOS) | 50QNED70B6C, QNED Mini LED, 2026 | Up to 5 years (webOS Re:New, select models) | 5-year protection with LG Shield, updates required | 2030 |
| Hisense (VIDAA) | 55E78QTUK PRO, QLED, 2025 | Up to 8 years of updates | Covered by the same 8 years | Not stated per model |
| TCL (Google TV) | 55C6K, QD-Mini LED, 2025 | No published term found | No published term found | Not stated |
| TCL (Fire TV) | 55V6D, LED, 2026 | No published term found | No published term found | Not stated |
LG's selected 2022 TVs get webOS 23, 24, 25 and webOS 26 under webOS Re:New, according to LG, which puts a 2026 model such as the LG 50QNED70B6C at 2030. Compare Electronic found no published upgrade term for TCL's Google TV or Fire TV sets. UK law now pushes every maker towards a date: since 29 April 2024, the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regime has required makers of internet-connectable products to publish the minimum length of time security updates will be provided, with an end date, according to gov.uk.
Panel type matters less than software on the published figures. None of the maker pages Compare Electronic checked quotes a panel life in hours. The one panel-specific promise is LG's: a 5-year panel-only warranty on its G and Z series OLED TVs in the UK, on top of the 12 months of parts and labour on its TVs. OLED against LED trade-offs are covered in OLED vs QLED.
How much does a TV cost per year of ownership?
The Samsung U7020H 55 costs £49.86 per year across its 7 years of promised OS upgrades, the lowest cost per supported year of the picks, at £349 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026). The Hisense 55E78QTUK PRO costs £55.63 per year if VIDAA's full 8 years apply, and the LG 50QNED70B6C £75.80 across its 5 years.
| TV | Price | Published support | Per supported year | Kept 5 years | Kept 7 years | Kept 10 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung U7020H 55 | £349.00 | 7 years | £49.86 | £69.80 | £49.86 | £34.90 |
| LG 50QNED70B6C | £379.00 | 5 years | £75.80 | £75.80 | £54.14 | £37.90 |
| Hisense 55E78QTUK PRO | £445.00 | Up to 8 years | £55.63 | £89.00 | £63.57 | £44.50 |
| TCL 55C6K | £479.95 | Not published | n/a | £95.99 | £68.56 | £48.00 |
| TCL 55V6D | £299.00 | Not published | n/a | £59.80 | £42.71 | £29.90 |
The cheapest TV here is not the best value once support counts. The TCL 55V6D costs £42.71 a year over 7 years, £7.15 less than the Samsung, but Compare Electronic found no upgrade term for it. VIDAA does not say whether its 8 years run from launch or from purchase, and the Hisense 55E78QTUK PRO is a 2025 model, so its per-year figure is a best case. Keeping any TV past its support window lowers the yearly cost further; a £21.99 streaming stick then covers the apps.
When should a TV be replaced, and what does UK law cover?
Replace a TV when it fails a job no cheap add-on can fix: a screen too small for the seat, no 4K 120 Hz for a PS5, or a fault outside the Consumer Rights Act window. Lost apps alone are no reason, because a streaming stick replaces the smart platform for £21.99 to £39.90.
| Problem | Fix | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Apps missing or no longer updated | Add a streaming stick: Fire TV Stick 4K Select or Roku Streaming Stick Plus | £21.99 or £39.90 |
| Fault within 30 days | Reject it for a full refund from the retailer | Nothing |
| Fault within 6 months | Repair or replacement; the fault is presumed present at delivery | Nothing |
| Fault after 6 months, within 6 years (5 in Scotland) | Claim against the retailer; the buyer proves the fault | Nothing if the claim succeeds |
| No 4K 120 Hz or VRR for a PS5 | Replace with an HDMI 2.1 TV such as the Hisense 55E78QTUK PRO | £445 |
| Screen too small for the seat | Replace, sized to the viewing distance | From £299 at 55 inches (TCL 55V6D) |
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, a buyer has 30 days to reject a faulty TV for a full refund. Within six months, a fault is presumed to have been there at delivery unless the retailer proves otherwise; after six months, the buyer must prove it. Claims can go to the small claims court for up to 6 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 5 years in Scotland, according to Which?. Durability is part of satisfactory quality, judged on the type of product, brand, price and how it was advertised.
Maker warranties are far shorter. Samsung UK lists 12 months on TVs, with a promotional free 5-year TV warranty on selected products that must be registered; LG UK lists 12 months of parts and labour. Console owners weighing a new set over a working 60 Hz TV should read Do I need a 120Hz TV for PS5?, and buyers moving to a bigger room should size the next TV with What size TV do I need?.
Which TV will last the longest?
The Samsung U7020H 55 is the best-value TV for a long supported life, at £349 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026), because Samsung's 7-year Tizen OS promise runs to 2032 on a 2026 model. It is a 55-inch 4K Crystal UHD set with HDR10+ and Samsung Gaming Hub, and the best cheap Samsung in the budget 55-inch guide.
Samsung U7020H 55 specifications
- Screen: 55 inch LED, 3840x2160
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
- HDR10+: Yes
- Dolby Vision: No
- Gaming Hub: Yes
- Smart platform: Tizen
- Launch year: 2026
- OS upgrades: up to 7 years from launch year (Samsung)
Samsung's UK spec sheet for the 2026 U7000H, the U7020H's sibling, lists 4K 60 Hz on all three HDMI ports, so this TV suits films, sport and casual console play rather than 120 Hz gaming. Buyers who game should pay £96 more for the Hisense 55E78QTUK PRO, which pairs 144 Hz and HDMI 2.1 with VIDAA's up to 8 years of updates.
Samsung U7020H 55 - pros and cons
Where to buy
Check price
At a glance
Radar · 0-100 scores
- U7020H 55" Crystal UHD
- 50QNED70B6C QNED MiniLED
- 55E78QTUK PRO 55" QLED
- 55C6K 55" QD-Mini LED
Verdict
A TV lasts as long as its maker supports it: up to 5 years on LG, up to 7 on Samsung and up to 8 on Hisense's VIDAA, with the Consumer Rights Act covering faults for up to 6 years. The Samsung U7020H 55 at £349 has the lowest cost per supported year of the picks, at £49.86. The full shortlists are in Best TV UK 2026 and Best budget 55 inch TV UK 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many years does a TV last in the UK?
A TV bought in the UK in 2026 should give 5 to 8 years of fully supported use. LG offers up to 5 years of webOS upgrades, Samsung up to 7 years of Tizen OS upgrades from launch, and Hisense's VIDAA platform up to 8 years of updates. The Samsung U7020H 55 costs £349 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026), or £49.86 per supported year.
How long do Samsung TVs get software updates?
Samsung gives its recent TVs free One UI Tizen OS upgrades for up to 7 years from the product launch year, according to Samsung UK, with availability varying by model and region. Samsung's own example puts a 2024 TV at 2030, so a 2026 model such as the Samsung U7020H 55 runs to 2032. Samsung separately guarantees security updates for at least three years from launch.
How long do LG TVs get webOS updates?
LG's webOS Re:New scheme gives select LG TVs free webOS upgrades for up to 5 years, according to LG UK. LG's selected 2022 TVs get webOS 23, 24, 25 and webOS 26 under it. The 2026 LG 50QNED70B6C carries the scheme and costs £379 on Amazon UK at the time of writing (October 2026), so on LG's count its upgrades run to 2030.
How long is a TV warranty in the UK?
Most maker warranties on UK TVs last 12 months. Samsung UK lists 12 months on TVs, with a promotional free 5-year TV warranty on selected products that must be registered. LG UK lists 12 months of parts and labour, plus a 5-year panel-only warranty on its G and Z series OLED TVs. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 runs far longer than either.
Can I claim for a faulty TV after the warranty ends?
Yes. Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 a buyer can take a claim for faulty goods to the small claims court for up to 6 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 5 years in Scotland, according to Which?. After the first six months the buyer must prove the fault was present at delivery. The claim runs against the retailer, not the TV maker.
What happens when a smart TV stops getting updates?
The TV keeps working, but its apps age first: Samsung's UK terms state that third-party content providers may remove apps from the platform or stop updating them at any time. A streaming stick restores current apps for far less than a new TV: the Fire TV Stick 4K Select costs £21.99 and the Roku Streaming Stick Plus £39.90 on Amazon UK.