Sky Q vs Sky Glass UI: Which one is more suited to your needs?
How is Sky Glass different to Sky Q?
Traditionally, Sky Q was the way for customers to access this content. This required a satellite dish attached to the outside of your home, which streamed Sky to your TV via a set-top box – which also enabled you to record and store all your favourite shows.
Sky Glass shook things up by getting rid of the dish and box. It was a smart TV with Sky built-in. All you had to do was plug it in, connect to a strong WiFi network and start streaming. An altogether much easier way to watch Sky.
Cost breakdown of Sky Glass vs Sky Q
For example, for the 43” Sky Glass Gen 2, you’ll pay £14 a month over 48 months. Add £15 for Sky Essential and the total is £29 a month. Or pay £699 upfront plus £15 a month for your TV package.
Want to watch your Sky favourites in more of your rooms? With Sky Multiscreen, simply plug a Sky Mini Box into any TV and away you go. All for £10 per month per box.
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Sky Glass compared to Sky Q
Installation and Setting Up
Things do not get much more straightforward than setting up Sky Glass. Unbox it. Plug it in. Connect to your WiFi and start streaming. There is no set top box or dish to worry about, and with the built in Dolby Atmos soundbar, there is no need to connect to an external sound system either. How easy is that? Sky Q needs an exterior satellite dish installed by a technician. A cable runs from the dish into your home and into your Sky Q box, which connects to your TV. While Sky Glass offers picture and sound in one complete package, Sky Q is dependent on how good your existing TV and audio set up are.
Content and Channels across Sky Glass and Sky Q
Whether you choose Sky Q or Sky Glass, you will get access to more of the UK’s top rated shows. Essential TV is £15 a month with over 100 channels including Sky Atlantic, Netflix and discovery+. You can upgrade to Ultimate TV at £22 a month for even more, including Sky Witness, Sky Max and Sky Comedy, or add Sky Cinema and Sky Sports. With Sky OS on Sky Glass, everything is in one place, from apps to live TV. Create a Playlist that pulls shows from across your apps and channels, and get recommendations tailored to what you love. While Sky Glass needs broadband of at least 25Mbps, Sky Q works via satellite and does not rely on broadband to keep running.
Comparing Interface and Hardware
Sky Glass delivers 4K Ultra HD with Quantum Dot technology and Dolby Atmos sound built in, so everything works seamlessly together. You can also add Sky Multiscreen for an extra monthly cost to enjoy Sky in more rooms around your home. Sky Q supports Ultra HD too, but quality is dependent on your existing TV. In terms of functionality, Sky Q lets you pause and record live TV, and record up to six shows at once. This is something Sky Glass cannot do in the traditional sense. Instead, with Playlist, you can bring together your favourite shows from different streaming platforms and channels in one easy to find place.
Audio and Picture Quality Performance
Sky Glass Gen 2 is one picture perfect package, with everything you need all in one place. A brighter 4K Quantum Dot screen projects a crystal clear picture, while advanced HDR and precision contrast bring vivid colours to life. Its built in Dolby Atmos sound system, with a powerful integrated soundbar and dual subwoofers, fills the room with immersive sound. Sky Q promises equally impressive performance, but it is only as good as the hardware it is paired with. Connect it to a top end 4K OLED TV and you can expect stunning pictures. Add an external soundbar and you can look forward to powerful, cinematic audio to match.
Which is right for me
Sky Q can deliver exceptional picture and audio quality if you have a premium TV and soundbar, and you don’t need a broadband connection. However, you do need a satellite dish and a box, and the user experience isn’t quite as smart as the newer Sky OS.