Brands ‘abandon’ smart TV owners after just 2 years

HOUSEHOLD brands selling expensive smart TVs and washing machines are abandoning them after just two years – well before their expected lifespan.

A survey by Which? found firms – such as LG and Sony – stopped offering technical support after this period despite designing the products to last much longer.

The consumer watchdog approached 119 brands about the support policies on offer for hundreds of smart devices, including dishwashers, printers, smartphones and fitness trackers. Less than half – 49 per cent – replied with clear information on how long they were supported. Others did not respond.

Smart products – costing hundreds of pounds more than traditional versions – have sophisticated features that are crucial to how they function. These features are jeopardised when the product loses software support from the manufacturer. With the appliances connected to the internet, they are also more exposed to the risk of hacking.

Support for LG smart washing machines and TVs was abandoned two years after their launch, and HP guarantees support for its smart printers for just three years, even though the lifetime for inkjet printers is 13 years. Big-name brands – including Apple and Epson – failed to respond about their guaranteed update support periods. Other companies, such as Hisense, supported their products for ten years.

Rocio Concha, from Which? said: ‘Manufacturers must up their game and provide tech updates for smart products. Otherwise the Government should consider further intervention, including specifying a minimum number of years these products have to be supported for.’