Understanding the Advantages and Disadvantages of Televisions

A television remains the primary shared screen in most Indian households, bringing news, entertainment, and sport to the whole family at once. For a joint family, it means everyone gathers around one screen for a cricket match or a favourite serial, instead of scattering to individual phones. For a household adopting streaming, a smart TV brings every OTT platform onto one screen without extra devices.

Televisions have changed dramatically since they first arrived in Indian homes, moving from bulky, single-channel sets to today's connected smart TVs. Here is a quick look at that journey.

• 1980s–1990s, black-and-white and early colour TVs: Bulky CRT sets with a handful of government-run channels and no remote in many households.
• 2000s, colour TVs and cable expansion: Cable and satellite connections brought hundreds of channels into Indian homes for the first time.
• 2010s, LED and Full HD becomes standard: Slimmer LED panels replaced heavy CRT and plasma sets, with Full HD resolution becoming the norm.
• 2015–2020, smart TVs and 4K: Built-in streaming apps and 4K resolution turned the television into a direct gateway to OTT platforms.
• 2020s–2026, QLED, OLED, and mandatory BEE labelling: Premium panel technologies became mainstream, and BEE star labelling became mandatory for colour and UHD TVs from January 2026.

→ Key takeaway: Each shift, from CRT to LED to smart, connected panels, has made TVs sharper and more capable, while mandatory BEE labelling now makes it easier to compare running costs before you buy.

A smart TV does more than just display a picture, and the case for one comes down to a few genuinely useful features. Here is why, with real numbers.

• Skip a separate streaming device: Most smart TVs sold in India today include Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube built in, saving the Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000 you would spend on a separate streaming stick.
• Voice search saves time: A voice remote lets you search for a show by speaking, instead of typing letter by letter on an on-screen keyboard.
• Cast content directly from your phone: Screen mirroring lets you play photos, videos, or presentations from your phone without extra cables.
• Software updates extend usable life: Most smart TVs receive OS and security updates for 3 to 5 years, keeping the interface current without needing a new TV.
• One platform, hundreds of apps: Google TV and Fire TV, the two most common platforms in India, each support hundreds of apps, covering nearly every major OTT service.

→ Verdict: If you already own a streaming stick or gaming console, a basic non-smart TV paired with your existing devices can work just as well. If you are buying fresh, a smart TV usually costs little to nothing extra over a non-smart model and saves you from buying a separate streaming device later.

When buying a television, you have two straightforward ways to pay. Here is how they compare.

• Pay the full amount upfront: Pay the entire price, ranging from Rs. 23,999 to Rs. 1,16,000 depending on the model and panel type, at the time of purchase.
• Use the Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card: Get a pre-qualified card loan of up to Rs. 6 lakh and split the cost across 3 to 60 months, without needing a separate credit card.

→ Buyer scenario: A family buying the Samsung Crystal UHD 4K Vision AI at Rs. 33,990 can use the Insta EMI Card to avoid paying the full amount upfront, spreading it across a tenure that suits their monthly budget instead of dipping into savings for a one-time purchase.

The table below shows how the same Rs. 33,990 purchase breaks down across different tenures, so you can see how a shorter or longer repayment period changes your monthly EMI.

Disclaimer: These are indicative figures based on a simple division of the product price across the tenure shown, with no interest, processing fee, or other charges factored in. Your actual EMI amount will depend on the terms of your card loan offer.

The Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card is a pre-qualified card loan, not a credit card, issued to existing Bajaj Finance customers with a good repayment record and to new applicants who pass KYC and eligibility checks. Here is what the card offers.

• A card loan offer of up to Rs. 6 lakh, usable on your television and other purchases.
• A repayment tenure across 3 to 60 months, so you can pick a duration that fits your monthly budget.
• Access to 1.5 lakh+ partner stores across over 4,000 cities in India, both online and offline.
• A one-time joining fee of Rs. 530, with zero annual fee from the second year onwards.

Check your Insta EMI Card eligibility online using your mobile number and OTP. If eligible, you can apply instantly and start shopping for your preferred television easily and affordably.

Applying for the Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card takes only a few minutes online and does not need any physical paperwork. Follow these steps to apply.

1. Enter your 10-digit mobile number and click on 'CHECK OFFER' on this page.
2. Enter the OTP and submit.
3. Enter your full name and click on 'Yes, Auto-Fetch Details'.
4. Verify your pre-filled personal details and click on 'CONTINUE'.
5. Check your pre-qualified card loan offer amount and click on 'CONTINUE'.
6. Review your wallet setup details and verify the OTP.
7. Complete identity verification by confirming your current residential address.
8. Pay the one-time joining fee of Rs. 530 (inclusive of applicable taxes).
9. After successful payment, view your card details on the Bajaj Finance app.

Note: The process may differ based on whether you are a new or existing Bajaj Finance customer.

Also read: How to apply for the Insta EMI Card

You can use the Insta EMI Card to buy a television either at a partner store or through an online platform. Here is how both work.

At a partner store

Using the Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card at any of 1.5 lakh+ partner stores is quick and straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Browse and select the television you want to buy at a partner store such as Croma, Reliance Digital, or Vijay Sales.
2. At checkout, tell the store executive you want to pay using the Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card.
3. Share your registered mobile number and card details with the executive.
4. Choose a repayment tenure across 3 to 60 months that fits your monthly budget.
5. Authenticate the transaction using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
6. Your purchase is approved instantly. Arrange delivery of your television.

For online purchases

You can also use the Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card on partner e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart to buy a television. Here is how:

1. Add the television to your cart on Amazon or Flipkart.
2. At checkout, select the Bajaj Finance Easy EMI option.
3. Enter your Insta EMI Card details and registered mobile number.
4. Choose your preferred repayment tenure across 3 to 60 months.
5. Confirm using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
6. Your order is placed, and the EMI deduction begins from the next billing cycle.

You can also check your Insta EMI Card eligibility online in advance by entering your mobile number and OTP, helping you plan your purchase better.

The Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card offers several advantages beyond just splitting payments. From flexible tenures to wide acceptance, here are the key benefits that make this card a practical choice for everyday purchases.

Also read: Features and benefits of the Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card

Before you apply, it helps to check whether you meet the basic eligibility requirements. The Bajaj Finance Insta EMI Card is open to most working Indians, and the criteria are simple to understand at a glance.

• Nationality: Indian Citizen.
• Age: 21 years to 70 years.
• Credit score:A healthy credit score per Bajaj Finance policies.
• Income: A steady, regular source of income.
• Documents: No physical documentation required when applying online. Only the following details are required: PAN and Aadhaar number.
• Form 60: In case of non-availability of PAN, Form 60 is required.

Also read: Eligibility criteria for the Insta EMI Card

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