The Indian budget smart TV market in 2026 is a mess. Every brand claims “QLED,” every box screams “smart,” and every online listing promises cinematic picture quality under ₹10,000. Most of it is marketing fiction.
So when Thomson launched its 32-inch QLED TV with JioTele OS at around ₹9,499, it immediately triggered two reactions. First, excitement because QLED under ₹10k sounds too good to be true. Second, suspicion because budget TVs usually cut corners so aggressively that the user experience collapses within weeks.
This TV sits right at the intersection of those two emotions.
It is not a miracle product. It is also not junk.
It is a very specific kind of compromise device that makes sense only for a very specific kind of buyer.
This review breaks down the real-world picture quality, sound, performance, JioTele OS app support, and who should actually buy this TV in 2026 instead of falling for spec-sheet fantasies.

What Thomson Is Really Selling You Here
Let’s clear the marketing smoke first.
This is a 32-inch HD-ready QLED TV, not Full HD and definitely not 4K. The “QLED” label refers to the quantum dot layer used to improve color brightness and saturation, not to resolution or processing power.
So no, this is not a premium panel disguised as a budget product.
This is a budget panel with a premium color enhancement layer and a modern smart OS.
That distinction matters.
Key Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Screen Size | 32 inches |
| Panel Type | QLED |
| Resolution | 1366 × 768 (HD Ready) |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Operating System | JioTele OS |
| RAM | 1.5 GB |
| Internal Storage | 8 GB |
| Audio Output | 20W |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2× HDMI, 2× USB |
| OTT App Support | Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, JioCinema etc |
| Voice Control | Yes (Remote mic) |
These specs already tell you exactly what kind of experience to expect.
Picture Quality: Better Than Normal LED, Not Magic
This is where the QLED layer actually helps.
Compared to regular LED TVs under ₹10,000, this Thomson TV produces:
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Noticeably brighter colors
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Better reds and blues
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Slightly improved contrast
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Less washed-out skin tones
Cartoons, YouTube videos, sports highlights, and animated movies look genuinely better than on standard budget LED panels.
But reality check:
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Blacks are still greyish
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HDR is mostly symbolic
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Sharpness is limited by HD resolution
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Fine text looks soft
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Dark scenes lose detail
This is not cinematic quality. It is “pleasant budget quality.”
If you sit 6–8 feet away, the picture looks perfectly acceptable. If you sit close or use it as a monitor, the limitations become obvious fast.
Sound Quality: Loud Enough, Not Clean Enough
The 20W speakers are decent by budget TV standards.
Pros:
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Loud enough for small rooms
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Clear dialogues at normal volume
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No distortion at medium levels
Cons:
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Weak bass
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Flat soundstage
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Harsh at high volume
For news, YouTube, and casual OTT watching, it’s fine. For movies, you will want a soundbar eventually.
JioTele OS: The Real Star of This TV
This is the most interesting part of the product.
JioTele OS is lighter and smoother than most cheap Android TV skins.
In daily use:
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UI feels snappy
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App launch is quick
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Navigation is smooth
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Voice search works reliably
App support includes:
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Netflix
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Prime Video
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YouTube
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JioCinema
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Zee5
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SonyLIV
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Disney+ Hotstar
This covers 95% of Indian OTT use cases.
You are not getting Play Store freedom like Android TV, but you are getting a stable, uncluttered experience.
For most families, that trade-off is actually a win.
Performance: Surprisingly Smooth for the Price
This TV does not feel sluggish.
Thanks to the lightweight OS and basic UI design:
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Menus don’t lag badly
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App switching is reasonable
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Remote response is quick
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Streaming is stable on decent Wi-Fi
But:
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Heavy apps load slowly
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Multitasking is limited
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Storage fills fast
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Long-term performance may degrade
This is not a future-proof device. It is a “works well today” device.
Build Quality and Design
It looks better than its price.
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Slim bezels
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Decent stand
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Lightweight
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Acceptable plastic finish
It does not feel premium, but it does not feel cheap either.
Exactly what you expect at this price.
Who This TV Is Actually Perfect For
This TV makes strong sense for:
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Students in hostels or PGs
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Small bedrooms
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Parents who watch news and serials
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Kids’ rooms
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Kitchen or secondary TV
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Budget OTT streaming
If your main goal is:
“Cheap TV with good colors and smooth OTT experience”
This delivers.
Who Should NOT Buy This TV
This TV is a bad choice if:
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You want Full HD or 4K
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You care deeply about picture accuracy
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You watch a lot of dark movies
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You need heavy gaming support
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You want long-term performance reliability
If this is your main living-room TV, stretch your budget.
Real Alternatives in the Same Price Zone
At this price, your realistic options are:
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Regular LED TVs with Android TV
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Slightly bigger non-QLED panels
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Older branded models
Most of them have:
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Worse colors
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Slower OS
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More lag
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Worse app stability
So this Thomson TV is actually competitive.
The Real Value Equation Under ₹10,000
Here is the honest math.
You are paying for:
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QLED color layer
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Smooth smart OS
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Good app support
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Acceptable hardware
You are sacrificing:
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Resolution
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HDR quality
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Audio quality
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Long-term performance
That’s a fair trade for ₹9–10k.
Conclusion: A Smart Compromise TV, Not a Miracle
The Thomson 32-inch QLED with JioTele OS is not a “killer deal” that destroys every other budget TV. It is something more realistic and more useful: a well-balanced compromise product that gets the fundamentals right for everyday Indian usage.
The QLED panel gives visibly better colors than normal LED TVs in this price segment, and JioTele OS delivers a smoother, cleaner experience than most cheap Android TV implementations. For casual OTT watching, YouTube, news, and kids’ content, it feels modern and hassle-free in a way many budget TVs still don’t.
But it is still an HD-ready panel with weak blacks, average sound, and limited long-term headroom. If you expect cinematic quality, gaming performance, or future-proof longevity, this TV will disappoint you. That is not a flaw. That is the reality of a ₹9,499 price tag.
If you need a secondary TV or a budget OTT screen that simply works without lag or app drama, this is one of the smartest picks under ₹10,000 in 2026. Just don’t confuse “good for the price” with “objectively great.”