The new Sky Glass Gen 2 TV is now available to buy. Mirror Online has tested it and here's what we think of the updated device.
Sky has been trying to dissuade users from ageing satellite dish technology for some time now. The company's first broadband-ready TV was announced in 2021, followed shortly by the popular Stream box, which is easily delivered by post and plugs into existing TVs.
These devices use the internet to beam content to the big screen and have become very popular, with Sky recently confirming that more than 90% of its new sales are connected devices. If you're thinking about ditching your bulky satellite dish and switching to streaming, there's a major upgrade that might convince you.
Sky Glass Gen 2 is out now and offers some big improvements over the original Sky broadband TV. Mirror Online has tested this second TV and there are many positive aspects. The first Sky Glass, which received some negative reviews, has already improved significantly thanks to regular software updates adding new features and picture quality improvements, but Gen 2 looks like a significant step up.
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The updated Quantum Dot 4K display is a significant improvement over the previous version, offering bright, rich, and colorful content. This QLED panel still can’t compete with full OLED technology from Samsung and LG, but such screens are quite expensive and aimed at a more premium segment of the market.
The Sky Glass Gen 2 is a great viewing experience, and most users will appreciate the ability to watch TV series, sporting events and blockbusters. However, it won't be the ideal choice for those looking to get the most out of OLED technology.
In addition to the screen, the built-in sound system has also been improved. There is still a soundbar below the display, but it is now complemented by an upward-facing boombox and dual subwoofers. Moreover, improved Dolby Atmos has been added for better sound quality.
However, the Sky can't compete with full-fledged surround sound systems or speakers like the Sonos Arc, but it offers decent sound without the need to buy extra accessories or deal with a lot of cables in the room.
Other features we liked include the ease of installation, allowing you to attach the Glass Gen 2 TV to a stand without the need for screws or specialist skills. It’s also slightly lighter than the previous heavy Gen 1 version, and Sky’s user interface still stands out, with great show illustrations and easy ways to find content across popular streaming platforms.
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There are full recommendations on what to watch, easy ways to resume watching content from apps like Netflix and Disney+, and excellent voice search that lets you find content just by speaking into the remote. Just say “Find movies starring Tom Cruise” and you’ll be presented with a wealth of titles available on streaming platforms and in the Sky library.
The remote control is easy to use and free of unnecessary buttons. Plus, the Playlists section, where you store online recordings, has been improved with individual family profiles.
Is Sky Glass Gen 2 perfect? Definitely not, as we have a few gripes. Firstly, it’s still quite large and will require a second person to set it up and move it around. We still prefer physical Sky Q recordings, as Sky’s playlist menu can be a bit confusing, and once content – like Match of the Day or films like Top Gun Maverick – is deleted from the servers, you can’t watch it again. This doesn’t apply to physical recordings, which remain on hard drives until the user decides to delete them.
Despite the improvement in live latency, Sky Glass still lags slightly, which can be annoying when watching Six Nations or FA Cup matches. Fortunately, Premier League coverage is now only 3 seconds behind when viewed on Sky's dedicated channel.
In conclusion, it can get quite expensive and you will be dependent on Sky for the full experience. Sky claim prices start from £14.99 per month, but this does not include content. If you start adding Ultra HD subscriptions and extras such as ad-skipping, you could be looking at a bill of over £70!
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However, if you want easy access to the best premium content in the UK and are looking for a TV that's easy to use, easy to install and offers decent sound and picture quality without a lot of extra accessories, the Sky Glass Gen 2 is now a solid option and significantly more attractive than before.
Sourse: www.mirror.co.uk
