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 good enough for most buyers, so the bigger practical difference is often connectivity. This comparison looks at Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense and FFalcon models, focusing on what can cause problems after purchase: HDMI inputs, eARC, optical audio outputs, Bluetooth and the smart TV platform.
| year | TV Model | HDMI | Component | Composite | Bluetooth | Ethernet LAN | Size | RRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | FFalcon U63 Google TV | 3 | N | Y | 65 | $499 | ||
| FFalcon U65 Google TV | 2 | N | Y | 5.2 | Y | 65 | $604 | |
| Hisense Q6NAU QLED VIDAA | 3 | N | Y | 5.0 | Y | 65 | $699 | |
| LG NANO80A webOS | 3 | N | N | 5.1 | Y | 65 | $894 | |
| Sony X85L Bravia Google TV | 4 | N | N | Y | Y | 65 | $899 | |
| Samsung Q7F QLED Tizen | 3 | N | N | 5.3 | Y | 65 | $988 | |
| 2023 | CU8000 Crystal LED UHD | 3 | N | 5.2 | Y | 75 | $1495 | |
| CU8000 Crystal LED UHD | 3 | N | 5.2 | Y | 65 | $1195 | ||
| A7KAU 4K UHD LED | 3 | N | N | 5.1 | Y | 75 | $1295 | |
| X77L Bravia LED | 3 | N | N | 5.0 | Y | 75 | $1795 | |
| 2020 | QA55LS01TAWXXY | 4 | Y | 4.2 | N | 55 | $1899 | |
| QA55LS03TAWXXY | 4 | N | Y | 4.2 | N | $2099 |
WiFi connectivity
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.
4K means is resolution of 3840x2160. All have Dolby, Digital Audio Output, ARC and Anynet+ HDMI. None of news TVs have component input.
What we found comparing cheapest 65 inch TVs in 2026
At the budget 65 inch level the big difference is not the picture but connections: the number of HDMI inputs, whether optical and headphone outputs still exist, and the smart TV platform.
- 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, headphone and composite outputs 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 U65 is the cheapest but has only 2 HDMI inputs. With a soundbar, set-top box and game console you will need an HDMI switch. The U63 has 3 HDMI. FFalcon is a value brand made by TCL.
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?
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| HDMI-CEC | Control signals: TV remote controls the soundbar, TV turns devices on and off, input switching and volume control |
| ARC | Sends audio from the TV back to a soundbar or AV receiver through HDMI |
| eARC | Better version of ARC: supports higher-bandwidth lossless audio such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA and Dolby Atmos |
Audio Return Channel is a digital audio output via HDMI, for example to connect TV to an amplifier or a sound bar. 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 ability to control other devices with the TV remote control via 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 of different brands are interoperabile, yet there could be some incompatibility. 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.
| Brand | HDMI-CEC name |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Anynet+ |
| LG | SIMPLINK |
| Sony | BRAVIA Sync |
| Panasonic | VIERA Link |
| Hisense | CEC / HDMI Control |
| TCL / FFalcon | CEC / T-Link |
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.
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