Is the Smart hub in TV's the same as from Aeotec?

Devices & Integrations
1

Hi, I’m considering the Samsung TV models DU800x, Q67D, or Q80D because they have a built-in SmartThings Hub. (I also have a Samsung Q930B soundbar and Samsung phones.)

I have about 20 Zigbee devices and some Wi-Fi-only devices from various manufacturers (Ikea, Xiaomi, Yeelight, Gosund, Aqara). I want to manage them all within a single app using a compatible hub.

I only use simple automations, so Home Assistant is not necessary.

Main Question:

Does the TV’s built-in SmartThings Hub work the same way as dedicated hubs like those from Aeotec?
Or is it less responsive and prone to disconnecting when Wi-Fi goes down?

2

I would not buy a TV just because it has an integrated hub or certain smart feature. Plus, you can’t choose where to place it. A standalone hub can be connected via Ethernet which is more reliable and you can place it in a centric place so you don’t need Zigbee or Thread repeaters.

Also, the inbuilt hubs don’t get firmware updates as early as the Aeotec hub.

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3

The TV and appliance based hubs have almost all the same functionality as the standalone hubs with the exception that they don’t have a Z-Wave radio. The current models of most of the TV’s include a built-in Zigbee/Thread radio, but be sure to check the specs to make sure that the model you’re interested in doesn’t need a separate dongle.

I haven’t seen a lot of posts from users who are using TV hubs so hard to gauge their performance/reliability. I use a refrigerator hub for some of my Matter devices (both Wi-Fi and Thread) and the performance seems in line with my standalone hubs. Myself and another user in the forum have issues with the Thread stack becoming unresponsive which requires rebooting the hub to restore connectivity. ST has been looking at the issue for awhile without a resolution.

I also have the ST Station in two locations which offers all the functions of the TV/appliance hubs but in a standalone version (with a wireless phone charger built-in). You can find those fairly cheap on eBay so that might be another option to consider. The Station does get updates regularly, but is currently a few versions behind the v2/v3/Aeotec hubs.

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4

The station model also does not have a Z wave radio. Only the Aeotec version currently does.

That may not be a big issue for someone just starting out or who only intends to use matter devices, but it is a difference.

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