PRISM+ S40 Google TV Review: Home Screen Smarts at a Budget Price

If you’ve been on the lookout for a new TV that won’t burn a hole in your wallet, the PRISM+ S40 Google TV might just be your next living room upgrade. PRISM+ has been steadily building a name for itself by offering screens that look great and perform better than their price tags suggest. And the PRISM+ S40 fits right into that sweet spot.

It’s pitched as an entry-level model, but it’s got enough smarts and modern tech under the hood to make it feel more premium than the label implies. Let’s unpack what this RM899 Google TV actually offers and see if it’s worth that prime spot in your home setup.

A Wallet-Friendly Entry into Smart TV Territory

The PRISM+ S40 Google TV is part of the brand’s S-Series lineup, which targets users who want a solid viewing experience without overspending. At RM899, a pretty steep discount from its original RM1,839, this 40-inch display lands squarely in the budget-friendly category. You’re not paying for ultra-high-end features like 4K or OLED, but for what you’re spending, you’re getting quite a bit in return.

What’s refreshing about PRISM+ as a brand is that they don’t seem to cut corners in the essentials. The PRISM+ S40 doesn’t feel like a stripped-down version of a bigger TV; instead, it feels intentionally designed for people who value practicality. This particular model hits a nice balance between price, performance, and usability.

The fact that it runs on Google TV straight out of the box is a big win for this price point. That alone makes it a serious contender against other budget TVs still relying on basic, sluggish proprietary systems. Google TV brings a lot of modern conveniences, and it gives the PRISM+ S40 a leg up right away.

Crisp Visuals with DLED and Full HD Clarity

Let’s get into what really matters, picture quality. The PRISM+ S40 uses Direct LED (DLED) backlighting paired with a Full HD (1920x1080px) display. That means you’re getting double the pixel count of regular HD screens, which translates to sharper images and richer detail. In practice, it makes everything from Netflix binges to YouTube clips look noticeably cleaner and more refined than older 720p models.

DLED technology helps the PRISM+ S40 achieve better contrast and brightness uniformity across the panel. Blacks are deeper, highlights are brighter, and you don’t get that annoying patchiness you sometimes see on cheaper LED screens. While it’s not 4K and won’t compete with OLED panels, the color accuracy here is surprisingly solid. It produces over 16.7 million colors, and the hues feel lively and well-balanced.

The inclusion of HDR10 support also gives it an edge. HDR10 enhances the contrast ratio and highlights more detail, especially in darker scenes. It’s one of those features you notice when rewatching your favorite movies and suddenly, that shadowy alley or candlelit dinner scene looks more realistic. It’s not a dramatic night-and-day difference like you’d see in high-end TVs, but for a Full HD model at this price, it’s a pleasant surprise.

Sound That Punches Above Its Weight

Budget TVs are often guilty of sounding flat, but the PRISM+ S40 makes an effort to change that perception. It comes equipped with Dolby Audio and TruSurround support, which helps create a fuller, more dynamic soundstage. Watching an action movie or live concert performance feels more immersive whereby the voices come through clearly, and background music doesn’t drown everything else out.

If you want a bit more oomph, the TV also supports HDMI 2.0 ARC, which means you can easily connect it to external audio gear like the PRISM+ Ripple or Symphony Soundbar. Pair that with Dolby Atmos, and you’ve got yourself a mini home theatre experience. For my unit, I connect it to my own PRISM+ Flow soundbar and it was a seamless connection via Bluetooth. But even without extras, the built-in speakers are no slouch. They produce decent volume and clarity for everyday use, and I find it quite good.

Powered by Google TV: Smarter, Faster, Easier

This is where the PRISM+ S40 really shines, its software experience. Having Google TV onboard makes a world of difference. Instead of juggling between multiple apps or HDMI inputs, Google TV brings everything together in one place. It organizes content from your subscriptions like Netflix, YouTube, HBO Max, and others into a single, easy-to-navigate interface.

You’ve got access to over 700,000 movies and TV episodes, plus more than 5,000 apps from Google Play. That’s a massive library to dig into, and since it’s all running on the Google ecosystem, the interface feels smooth, responsive, and intuitive. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to find your way around.

Another plus is how intuitive Google TV makes content discovery. Instead of bouncing between apps, the interface curates recommendations based on your viewing habits. It learns what you like over time, surfacing shows and movies you might actually want to watch, regardless of which platform they’re on. It’s a small touch that keeps things feeling personal and user-friendly.

On the usability front, PRISM+ really nailed the user experience. The remote is thoughtfully designed. It’s lightweight, fits comfortably in one hand, and comes with dedicated shortcut buttons for popular streaming platforms like YouTube and Netflix. There’s also a built-in microphone that lets you use Google Assistant without lifting a finger. You can say things like “Hey Google, play Stranger Things on Netflix” or “Hey Google, what’s the weather?” and it responds almost instantly. It might sound like a gimmick, but after a week of using it, you start to rely on it more than expected.

Local viewers aren’t left out either. The PRISM+ S40 still supports digital antenna input for tuning into free local channels. It’s nice to see that PRISM+ didn’t overlook that feature, especially since not everyone relies solely on streaming.

Design and Connectivity That Look and Feel Premium

Aesthetically, the PRISM+ S40 doesn’t scream “budget.” In fact, it’s quite stylish. The screen is framed by slim bezels and supported by tapered beechwood legs that give it a minimal, Scandinavian-inspired look. It’s simple, but it works. The metal frame adds a subtle touch of sophistication that makes it blend nicely into most modern interiors.

You can place it on a console or mount it on the wall as the TV supports both swivel and fixed mounting options, giving you flexibility depending on your setup. For smaller apartments or bedrooms, that versatility is a huge plus.

Connectivity-wise, the PRISM+ S40 has all the essentials. Bluetooth 5.1 ensures quick, stable connections to wireless peripherals like headphones, controllers, or speakers. HDMI 2.0 (ARC) takes care of your soundbar or gaming console needs, and you’ve got the usual USB and AV ports for older devices. The setup feels straightforward, nothing complicated or hidden behind layers of menus.

Everyday Performance and Usability

In day-to-day use, the PRISM+ S40 Google TV performs like a champ for its class. One of the first things you’ll notice is how quickly it boots up. It takes just a few moments from standby to live content, and the Google TV interface loads smoothly. The transitions between apps, menu navigation, and even switching inputs all feel snappy and fluid. For an entry-level smart TV, that’s impressive.

Watching content on it is genuinely satisfying. Full HD resolution paired with DLED backlighting makes everything look sharper and more vibrant than you’d expect from a sub-RM900 television. The colors stay vivid, and the contrast holds up well even in moderately lit rooms. Fast-paced action scenes and sports clips maintain decent motion handling with minimal blur.

While it’s not built for hardcore gamers, casual console players will find it perfectly fine for light gaming sessions. I personally played some Mario Kart game on my Nintendo Switch console connected to the PRISM+ S40 and it looks amazing. And it is also heartwarming to see my two kids enjoyed their times during the weekend playing the console game on the PRISM+ S40.

For those who multitask between devices, the PRISM+ S40’s casting feature really adds convenience. You can quickly cast YouTube videos, Spotify playlists, or even looking at some photos straight from your phone without fumbling through menus or cables. The connection remains stable, and the transfer quality is excellent. It’s one of those small features that you end up using a lot more than you expect.

Sound performance during regular use also deserves a mention here. The Dolby Audio and TruSurround setup handles dialogue and background music with balance, so you can comfortably watch TV without constantly adjusting the volume. If you’re someone who watches late-night shows or movies, it maintains clarity even at lower volumes, voices remain distinct, and ambient effects still come through nicely. And when you want to crank up the energy, the sound doesn’t distort easily at higher levels. That’s something many budget TVs struggle with.

Connectivity is equally reliable in everyday use. The Bluetooth 5.1 connection pairs smoothly with wireless headphones, game controllers, or speakers. You can start a movie on your phone, cast it to the TV, and then link up your Bluetooth soundbar without any hiccups. Wi-Fi performance is stable too as the PRISM+ S40 holds its connection well even in larger rooms, which makes streaming 1080p content consistently smooth.

Over time, what stands out about the PRISM+ S40 isn’t just its picture or audio quality, it’s how effortless it is to live with. Everything about it feels designed for convenience and comfort. It doesn’t ask for extra setup, doesn’t need frequent resets, and doesn’t make you wrestle with software bugs. It just works. And that’s probably the biggest compliment you can give a TV in this price range.

In short, the PRISM+ S40 delivers an everyday viewing experience that’s reliable, responsive, and far more enjoyable than you’d expect for under RM900. Honestly, this is exactly what most people want.

Final Thoughts: Value Without Compromise

At RM899, the PRISM+ S40 Google TV is an impressive value-for-money package. You’re getting a 40-inch Full HD display, Dolby Audio, HDR10, Google TV, and a sleek design, all in one neat package that looks more expensive than it is. It’s perfect for anyone who wants a modern smart TV experience without overpaying for 4K bells and whistles.

Of course, if you’re after ultra-sharp visuals or top-tier cinematic performance, you’ll have to look higher up the range. But for everyday streaming, casual viewing, and even light gaming, the PRISM+ S40 delivers more than enough punch for its price.

In short, the PRISM+ S40 is proof that affordable doesn’t have to mean basic. It’s a solid, reliable, and genuinely enjoyable TV that brings the smart experience to a wider audience. And for most people, that’s exactly what a good TV should do.

More info: https://prismplus.my/collections/tvs/products/prism-s40-google-tv