Is the 5 Series S525 2019 Still Good in 2026? Long-Term Review

I've owned the 5 Series S525 (2019) for several years and recently spent a few months putting it through a fresh round of real-world tests to see whether it still makes sense in 2026. This is a long-term, honest account of how the TV has held up — what surprised me, what annoyed me, and who I think should still consider picking one up second-hand or keeping their existing unit.

Quick context: my setup and how I used the TV

I purchased the S525 new back in 2019 and used it as my living-room TV for day-to-day streaming, movies, sports, and some gaming. In early 2026 I reinstalled it as a secondary set for a few months to compare it against newer midrange TVs and to see how well it copes with modern streaming services and consoles. My usage patterns included:

• Watching a wide mix of SDR and HDR content from multiple streaming platforms.
• Playing games on a current-gen console through the TV (mainly single-player titles and some multiplayer sessions).
• Using the TV's built-in apps for day-to-day viewing and testing responsiveness.
• Occasional cable/linear TV and local media played over USB.

Design and build: still tidy, still simple

Out of the box the S525 felt like a conventional 2019 value-oriented TV: modest bezels, a plastic case, and a simple two-leg stand. After years of use the build quality has held up — there are no creaks, the panel hasn't delaminated, and the finish on the bezels still looks fine if you keep fingerprints wiped away. I appreciated the minimal look in my living room because it doesn't draw attention away from the picture.

One practical note from my experience: the stand is shallow, which made it tricky to place on narrow TV consoles. If you plan to use a soundbar in front of it, measure carefully. Wall-mounting was straightforward, and the TV sits flat and stable on a VESA bracket.

Picture quality: what I liked and what shows its age

In my experience, the S525's panel produces pleasant pictures for everyday TV watching. Colors are reasonably accurate out of the box after a little tweaking, and the upscaler does a fine job making 1080p content look punchier on the large screen. That said, there are clear limitations compared to 2026 midrange panels.

SDR performance

For SDR shows and live TV the S525 remains solid. I noticed that faces, skin tones, and daytime scenes look natural when I set the TV to Cinema or Movie mode. The TV's gamma handling is forgiving and it retains shadow detail fairly well if you watch in a dim to moderately lit room. What I found was that extremely bright highlights don't pop the way they do on newer models — there simply isn't the peak brightness headroom you see in recent midrange and premium sets.

HDR performance

After testing multiple HDR movies and shows, I concluded that HDR on the S525 is very much "entry-level HDR." The TV will accept HDR10 content and display improved contrast and color saturation compared to SDR, but peak highlights are muted and deep blacks aren't as inky as on VA panels with local dimming. In practice I noticed that HDR is an improvement over SDR, but it rarely delivers the kind of dramatic specular highlights that make HDR stand out on newer TVs. If you watch a lot of high-end HDR cinema and want cinematic punch, this will feel dated.

Motion handling and upscaling

Motion handling is acceptable for sports and fast-moving shows. I did notice some judder on certain camera pans and a subtle smear in fast panning shots when compared side-by-side with newer displays that have faster panels and more advanced motion processing. Upscaling is one of the S525's strengths — standard-definition and 1080p sources look surprisingly good. The TV's internal processor keeps artifacts under control, though it can be sluggish when switching between apps.

Sound: usable but unremarkable

I was not surprised that the built-in speakers felt thin when I compared them to a bookshelf speaker setup or a modern TV with enhanced audio processing. Dialogue is clear at normal volumes, and the TV handles ambient background sound well enough for casual viewing. What I found was that bass is weak, and action sequences lack body unless you pair the TV with a soundbar or external speakers. After a few months living with the S525 again, I quickly reconnected my compact soundbar because it made a dramatic difference for movies.

Smart platform and app support in 2026

One of the most practical aspects of long-term ownership is software, and this is an area where older TVs often lag. In my experience the S525's smart platform still runs core apps and lets you stream top services, but there are a few caveats:

• App availability: Most major streaming services still run on the TV, but some newer or updated app versions are slower or stripped-down compared to modern platforms.
• Performance: App launch times are longer than modern TVs. When I switched between Netflix, a lit streaming app, and YouTube, there was visible delay and occasional stuttering during navigation.
• Updates: Firmware updates have been infrequent in recent years. The TV receives basic stability patches, but I didn't see any major UI improvements or new platform features during my 2026 tests.

For those reasons, I often used a small external streaming stick while testing — not because the S525 couldn't stream, but because the experience is snappier and more consistent on a modern stick or console. If you rely on the TV's built-in platform exclusively, expect a slower, more limited experience than a current model.

Gaming and inputs: adequate for casual play

I plugged a modern console into the S525 to see how it handled gaming. What I found was mixed but predictable:

• Input lag: For casual gaming the lag was fine. Competitive, fast-twitch gamers may notice more delay than on TVs with gaming-focused modes and low-latency panels.
• Refresh rate: The TV is limited to the standard refresh capabilities of 2019 mainstream models. It won't support 4K@120Hz or the advanced HDMI features now common in 2026 consoles without an external device that can down-sample or manage variable refresh performance.
• Picture modes: A dedicated Game mode lowers processing and reduces visible delay, which I appreciated while testing. However, Game mode also reduces some of the picture processing, so image quality is a trade-off for responsiveness.

In my experience, the S525 is a good casual gaming display but not an ideal choice for competitive or next-gen high-frame-rate gaming without the help of an external HDMI 2.1-capable device or PC monitor solution.

Longevity, reliability, and maintenance

After several years of daily use, the S525's most significant strengths are reliability and low maintenance. Mine never developed stuck pixels, the backlight hasn't shown significant dimming, and the ports still work. That said, some annoyances crop up after many years:

• Remote wear: My remote's most-used buttons (volume and home) developed a slightly mushy feel. It still works, but the tactile feedback isn't as crisp as when it was new.
• Firmware stagnation: As I noted, firmware updates slowed down after a couple of years. Security and stability patches are sporadic, so your mileage will vary depending on the manufacturer.
• Replacement parts: If anything major fails (like the main board or T-Con), replacement parts can be found on the used parts market but at a lower probability and with some sourcing effort.

Overall, I think the S525 proves that a reasonably well-built budget TV can last many years if you treat it carefully. But like most electronics, major component failures become more likely as the unit moves past the 5–7 year mark.

Pros & Cons

• Pros
  • Good SDR upscaling — older HD content looks better than expected.
  • Reliable daily performance with no significant hardware issues in my experience.
  • Simple, unobtrusive design that fits most living rooms.
  • Decent value if bought used or found at a bargain price.
• Cons
  • Underwhelming HDR performance — limited peak brightness and contrast.
  • Smart platform is sluggish in 2026 and may miss newer app features.
  • Not optimized for modern high-frame-rate gaming without external gear.
  • Speakers lack depth; you'll want an external soundbar for better audio.

How the S525 compares to a typical midrange 2026 TV

Buying guide: should you buy a 5 Series S525 in 2026?

When I thought about recommending this TV in 2026, I considered two buyer profiles: someone who already owns one and wants to know if it's worth keeping, and someone thinking of buying a used S525 today.

If you already own one

In my experience, if the TV still works and you mainly watch cable, standard streaming, and casual gaming, there's no urgent need to replace it. You can get a notably better audio experience by pairing a modest soundbar, and a small external streaming device will dramatically improve app responsiveness and keep you current with app updates. I kept mine and treated the S525 as a dependable secondary set once I upgraded my main display.

If you're buying used

If you're considering a used S525 in 2026, evaluate the following:

• Price — The TV only makes sense if it's significantly cheaper than current 2026 midrange deals. If it’s close to the price of a newer model, choose the newer TV instead.
• Condition — Look for uniform backlight, absence of dead/stuck pixels, and working ports. Ask to test all HDMI inputs and built-in apps if possible.
• Availability of updates — Check whether the seller has received any recent firmware updates; if not, expect a stagnant software experience.
• Remote and accessories — Verify the remote works well or be prepared to replace it with a universal one or use a streaming stick remote.
• Intended use — If you want a TV for kids' rooms or guest use, the S525 can be an economical option. For a primary living-room display in 2026, I’d prioritize TVs with stronger HDR and HDMI 2.1 support.

What to prioritize in 2026 if you want a long-term TV

From my recent hands-on comparisons, here are the features I recommend prioritizing:

• Software support — Buy a TV with a vendor known for long-term updates or plan to use an external streaming device.
• HDR and brightness — Look for better peak brightness and local dimming if you watch a lot of HDR content.
• HDMI features for gaming — If gaming matters, get a TV with VRR and 4K@120Hz support.
• Audio connectivity — eARC support makes upgrading audio systems simpler and protects against future device limitations.

Practical tips from my experience

• If the S525's apps feel slow, plug in an inexpensive streaming stick — it refreshed the experience for me without replacing the TV.
• Use Movie/Cinema picture modes and reduce dynamic contrast for more accurate color and better shadow detail during evening viewing.
• Position a compact soundbar under the TV: it fixed the S525's biggest shortcoming (thin sound) for less than the cost of a new TV.
• Keep ventilation clear. After several years the TV ran warm; unobstructed airflow seemed to extend the unit's trouble-free service.

Conclusion

After using the 5 Series S525 (2019) again in 2026, I can say it's still a practical, no-frills TV for everyday viewing. What I found was a reliable, well-built set that handles SDR content and everyday streaming well, delivers solid upscaling, and remains usable for casual gaming. However, it shows its age in HDR punch, smart platform snappiness, and modern gaming features. If you already own the S525, it still has life left and can be radically improved with a soundbar and a cheap streaming stick. If you're thinking about buying one today, it only makes sense at a low price as a second-screen or for budget-conscious buyers; otherwise, newer 2026 midrange TVs offer better HDR, faster software, and gamer-friendly features that justify the investment.