Best 65 inch 4K smart TVs to buy in Australia 2026

Trying to work out which 65-inch TV to buy in Australia? In 2026, picture quality across many affordable 65-inch 4K smart TVs is indistinguishable for most buyers, so the critical difference is often connectivity: the number of HDMI inputs, whether optical and headphone / Bluetooth outputs exist, and the smart TV platform.

This comparison looks at Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense and FFalcon models, focusing on those connectivity features.

Internet connectivity

All 2026 models above have both a wired Ethernet LAN port and dual-band WiFi. For WiFi, all modern TVs are essentially the same. For streaming, all are adequate if the Wi-Fi signal is good. 4K streaming does not need Wi-Fi 6; a stable 5 GHz Wi-Fi 5 connection is normally enough. Although technically the same, minor differences in WiFi sensitivity and stability may be found between specific TV models and routers. If the TV is near your router, a wired Ethernet connection is the most reliable option for streaming.

4K resolution is 3840x2160 pixels. All models have Dolby audio decoding, digital audio output, and HDMI-CEC with ARC/eARC. None of the new TVs have legacy component input.

What we found comparing cheapest 65 inch TVs in 2026

• Sony X85L has the best physical connectivity: 4 HDMI inputs with eARC, 2 USB, optical digital audio and headphone outputs, Chromecast and Apple HomeKit.
• Hisense Q6NAU is the best value: eARC, VRR/ALLM gaming modes, 2 USB, optical digital audio and Bluetooth outputs, plus composite input at a low price.
• LG NANO80A is balanced: 3 HDMI with eARC, 2 USB and optical output kept.
• Samsung Q7F/U8000F is less flexible: only 1 USB and no optical output, so older soundbars without HDMI ARC may be a problem.
• FFalcon models are the lowest cost: both the U63 and U65 have 3 HDMI 2.1 inputs, composite A/V input, optical digital audio outputs and Bluetooth. The U65 adds Bluetooth 5.2, a second USB port and AirPlay 2; the cheaper U63 has no Bluetooth. FFalcon is a value brand made by TCL.

Picture quality differences

The picture differences between these 65 inch TVs are minor but real. Sony X85L is the only one with a Full Array LED backlight with local dimming and a native 120Hz panel, giving the best contrast and motion, which is why it costs more than other 3-HDMI models. Samsung Q7F also runs at 120Hz, but uses an edge-lit backlight, so its contrast in dark scenes is weaker. Hisense Q6NAU is the only budget model here that supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ on a quantum dot panel, though the panel itself is 60Hz. LG NANO80A uses an IPS-type panel: wide viewing angles for a wide sofa, but the lowest native contrast of the group, and no Dolby Vision. FFalcon U63 and U65 are basic HDR10 panels around 280 to 330 nits, fine in a normal living room but with the least HDR impact. For sport and gaming look at 120Hz (Sony, Samsung); for movies in a dark room prefer local dimming (Sony) or Dolby Vision (Hisense); for a bright room any of them are adequate.

Smart TV platforms

Google TV (Sony, FFalcon and some Hisense models) usually has the best app availability, as it uses the Google Play catalogue for TVs, plus built-in Chromecast. Samsung Tizen and LG webOS cover all major apps and now state longer software support: Samsung promises up to 7 years of Tizen OS updates, and LG's webOS update program provides up to five webOS upgrades over five years. Hisense VIDAA has a smaller app store but covers common Australian streaming apps.

Google TV is usually best for app range, but not automatically best for iPhone. For iPhone, check AirPlay 2 and Apple Home support on the exact TV model.

What is ARC HDMI output?

Audio Return Channel is a digital audio output via HDMI, for example to connect a TV to an amplifier or soundbar. All TVs listed above have HDMI ARC, and 2026 models have eARC, an enhanced version with more bandwidth for lossless surround formats such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA and Dolby Atmos. It provides the same or better quality as digital optical audio output. ARC often depends on HDMI-CEC being enabled. eARC is technically separate from CEC, but many TVs still use CEC for volume, power control and device detection, so in the setup menu you may need to enable both.

What is Anynet+?

Anynet+ is Samsung's name for HDMI-CEC, a TV's ability to control connected devices with the TV remote control over an HDMI cable. For example you can control Apple TV with a Samsung or Sony TV remote control as long as Apple TV is connected to the HDMI-CEC TV input. No universal control required. Other brands name HDMI-CEC differently. Generally, HDMI-CEC implementations from different brands are interoperable, though occasional incompatibilities occur. BRAVIA Sync is for Sony, SIMPLINK for LG, VIERA Link for Panasonic, and Hisense and TCL / FFalcon usually call it CEC or HDMI Control. Note that eARC and HDMI-CEC are not the same thing: eARC is the audio pipe that returns sound to a soundbar or receiver, while CEC is the control pipe for power, input switching and volume. They often work together but are separate features.

Older TV models for reference

These are earlier models we have installed and set up, kept here so you can compare what changed. Note the older 55 inch Samsung sets still had component input and no Ethernet port, while the 2023 models dropped component but kept three HDMI inputs.

Not sure which TV suits your setup? I can help you choose the right TV for your existing amplifier, soundbar and other devices, assist with the purchase, and set it up so everything works together on the Northern Beaches and across Sydney.
TV and audio visual installations