Samsung is a consumer electronics giant. Besides dominating its home country of South Korea, it’s got a massive presence across the globe.
You may have heard of Samsung TVs, smartphones, washing machines, refrigerators, etc. But besides selling consumer products, Samsung also caters to business clients. It has a direct or indirect presence in segments niche or completely different from its electronics divisions—such as healthcare, retail, finance, education, etc.
And that raises the question, “Does the divided attention come at a cost?” Are Samsung’s products more prone to quality issues than businesses with sole priorities or razor-sharp focus?
There have been reports of Samsung TVs not lasting a couple of years. Although that’s just a blip and not representative of the overall quality of the company’s products, should you be worried—particularly if you’re looking to buy a Samsung TV?
In this article, we discuss that and more. Keep reading to learn how long Samsung TVs last.
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Do Samsung TVs Fail?
Samsung TVs are not designed to fail per se, but yes, they can falter. And it would be unrealistic to expect an electronic item to last forever, regardless of how well made it is and who made it.
There’s no piece of electronics in the history of this planet that has lasted forever. Even the brands you love and vouch for have had duds or products coming to the end of their life at some point.
The question is, how quickly do they reach that point?
Is It True That Samsung TVs Only Last 2 Years?
No, Samsung TVs are not made to only last a couple of years or as soon as their warranty periods expire. But one cannot ignore Samsung TV users who have raised concerns in the past about their devices breaking within two years.
True or otherwise, such occurrences are rare. It could have been primarily due to user error, or the product could have been defective.
And it’s not just Samsung; other TV brands such as Sony and LG could also have their units calling it quits within two years of use.
But because Samsung has the largest market share of all TV brands and sells more units than any other TV manufacturer, the likelihood of wrecked Samsung TVs getting more visibility is high.
How Long Do Samsung TVs Last?
A Samsung TV can last a year, a decade, or more, based on the model, usage pattern, and other factors.
Samsung sells more televisions than any other company due to its ability to churn out as many TVs as it does, solid brand value, reputation for quality products, and a wide range of TVs across varied price points.
Considering such a wide assortment, it’s difficult to say how long a Samsung TV will last on average. If there’s specific information available about the TV, coming up with an educated, more accurate guess about its longevity will become easier.
With that said, if there are no inherent issues with your Samsung TV and you don’t push the TV to its limits, close to a decade of life or more can be realistically expected.
Even if you use the TV for 8 to 10 hours a day, the unit should last up to 10 years or more. People using their Samsung TVs for close to 15 years or even more is not rare.
On the other hand, if the TV is operational throughout the day or is installed in a restaurant, bar, or similar commercial settings, expect close to two or three years of maximum life.
TVs not lasting their claimed lifespan in a commercial environment is not only due to the continuous usage but also the open space and the increased potential for dust seeping into the device.
And when the TV shows signs of deteriorating, it usually begins with the display.
Things You Can Do to Increase Your Samsung TV’s Lifespan
Samsung makes high-quality TVs that should last long enough in ideal scenarios. However, that “ideal” scenario is also for you to contribute to or foster.
By keeping the TV running when no one is watching, playing music and not watching the news, not cleaning it every alternate day or when the TV looks like a dust magnet from behind, etc., you’re inadvertently damaging your TV.
Here are things you should do if you want your Samsung TV to last its claimed lifespan or even live beyond that:
- Turn the TV off when no one’s watching. It might sound like rudimentary advice, but many people are guilty of turning the TV on and completely forgetting about it. If you are that person, please change the habit.
- Set the display brightness to medium levels whenever possible. Use the maximum brightness setting only when you’re in a well-lit room and struggling to discern elements on the screen. Setting the TV’s brightness levels to “high” should only be a temporary solution. Instead, dim the lights or install darker curtains in the room.
- Wipe the TV once a day or two. Dust particles accumulating on the display and body of the TV do not correlate with how often you use your TV. If you let the dust stay, it may seep into the device and cause bigger problems later.
- Let the TV breathe. If the gap between the TV’s back and the wall behind the device is minimal, the unit will have difficulty venting, causing overheating concerns and degraded performance. Letting the TV breathe also means affording it proper resting periods.
- Keep a tab on the TV’s power supply and regulate fluctuations. If your area has major power fluctuation concerns or the power browns out randomly, get an automatic voltage regulator like this APC LE1200 Line-R 1200VA Automatic Voltage Regulator
- Follow what it says in the manual. If your Samsung TV comes with specific maintenance instructions, follow them religiously.
Not adhering to the above measures won’t break your TV within weeks or months. Most likely, your Samsung TV will continue to work despite all the neglect. But the impact of the disregard will slowly build up and manifest as a significant issue(s) in the future.
Other TV Brands Lifespan
Samsung is one of the biggest electronics companies in the world. Not too far is its home-grown competition, LG Electronics.
LG TVs, in particular, are on par with Samsung TVs, if not better. In other words, LG TVs have a similar lifespan to Samsung, as do Sony TVs. The trifecta uses high-quality components and parts in its TVs, lending greater endurance.
The same cannot be said of tier-two brands that sell their TVs for a significantly lower price. Expect them to last a year or two less (at least) than the Samsungs, LGs, and Sonys of the world.
FAQs
What is the Warranty Period on a Samsung TV?
Samsung TVs usually come with a one to three-year warranty, depending on the model and region.
The LED-LCD TVs come with 12 months of protection. The bigger and more premium TVs could be backed up by a warranty of up to three years. To learn more about the warranty for your TV model, click here.
What is covered under the warranty? Parts and labor are warranty-covered. Parts are replaced or fixed for no cost only if the issues were inherent and not consumer-inflicted—that’s industry practice.
Not to mention, there’s always the option to extend the warranty.
Should You Extend the Warranty on Your Samsung TV?
Yes, if you’re looking to hold on to the unit for a relatively long time or not upgrade your TV for the next five years at least.
Samsung TVs are built to the highest quality, which means relatively expensive parts and higher labor costs. If your Samsung TV breaks when it’s no longer under warranty, repairing the device can be costly.
An extended warranty becomes essential if your TV comes with only a year of manufacturer warranty. Problems such as screen burn-in, premature component wear, power surge impacts, etc., do not surface during the first 12 months of use.
If your TV encounters any of those concerns and its one-year warranty period has elapsed, you’re all by yourself, even if a defective part caused the issues.
On some rare occasions, Samsung could cover the repair costs of a factory defect, but don’t count on that generosity.
Conclusion
When people think about TVs, one of the few brand names that immediately comes to mind is Samsung. And that has been the case for several years now.
Samsung TVs sell not just because of the brand name but also due to the actual quality of those TVs. The TVs, as a result, are some of the most reliable, solidly performing, and long-lasting devices you can get.
And even if things go wrong (because, hey, it’s electronics), the robust after-sales support system will ensure a fix or solution irrespective of the buyer’s region.
Catherine Tramell has been covering technology as a freelance writer for over a decade. She has been writing for Pointer Clicker for over a year, further expanding her expertise as a tech columnist. Catherine likes spending time with her family and friends and her pastimes are reading books and news articles.