Is the Sky Glass Air television, which promises cheaper prices, truly Sky's optimal choice so far?
Sky has introduced a new addition to its line of smart TVs, the Sky Glass Air. This budget-friendly TV is designed to offer a 4K streaming experience optimized for Sky TV users, with a sleek design, easy setup, and good picture quality. However, it makes several compromises to keep costs low.
Pros
Affordable Pricing
The Sky Glass Air is significantly cheaper than its predecessor, Sky Glass 2, and Sky Q setups. The monthly payment plan for the 43-inch model starts at around £6 (excluding subscription costs).
Good 4K Picture Quality
The TV supports HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, and delivers vibrant colors despite using global dimming instead of local dimming. This results in decent contrast and detail for casual viewing.
Ease of Use
The Sky Glass Air runs on Sky OS, a straightforward and responsive interface. It comes with voice control via the remote and an integrated guide for easy access to streaming apps and Sky content.
Compact, Attractive Design
The TV is available in multiple sizes with colorful options, making it suitable as a second TV for bedrooms or kitchens.
Good Connectivity
The TV features three HDMI 2.1 ports (including one with eARC) and supports ALLM for low latency gaming.
Cons
Audio Quality
The Sky Glass Air lacks an integrated soundbar, and the stereo speakers are average. This can make the sound quality less impressive, especially without enhancements.
Gaming Limitations
The TV uses a 60Hz panel and doesn’t support VRR or 4K at 120Hz, which impacts smoother gaming performance. There have also been reports of issues with Game Mode responsiveness.
Subscription Costs
While the TV itself is affordable, you must subscribe to Sky TV Essentials (starting at £15/month) to use it. This increases the total monthly cost to around £21 and more with added packages.
Picture Quality Trade-offs
The Sky Glass Air uses global dimming instead of advanced local dimming, resulting in less impressive contrast and brightness compared to premium TVs.
Build Quality
Some reviewers mention so-so build quality, and certain color options (e.g., Sea Green) are less favored.
In summary, the Sky Glass Air is an excellent budget TV tailored to Sky customers wanting a simple, internet-based setup without a satellite dish. It is best suited for casual viewing or as a secondary TV. However, it falls short for audiophiles, gamers seeking high-end specs, or users wary of ongoing subscription costs.
- The Sky Glass Air's home-and-garden application is versatile, making it suitable for use as a second TV in bedrooms or kitchens, due to its compact, attractive design and multiple color options.
- For those interested in technology and entertainment, the Sky Glass Air provides an affordable lifestyle options with its 4K streaming experience, good picture quality, and ease of use, although it may not be ideal for gamers or audiophiles due to its gaming limitations and average audio quality.
