Walmart is getting ready to launch Onn smart TVs running Google TV, according to a Bluetooth certification filing.

This marks the first time Onn TVs will ship with Google TV built in, and cord-cutters looking for affordable hardware should pay attention.

What We Know About Walmart’s Onn Google TV Smart TVs

The certification filing reveals three product lines with screen sizes of 55 inches, 65 inches, and 75 inches. Given those dimensions, these sets will almost certainly be 4K resolution.

Current Onn TVs powered by Roku and Vizio software are known for their low prices, with even the largest 75-inch model selling for under $400. Expect the Google TV versions to land at similar price points.

Why This Matters for Cord-Cutters

Onn streaming boxes running Google TV have been a massive hit. Walmart can barely keep them in stock, and resellers on eBay charge above retail to meet demand.

Here’s what makes this move surprising, though. Walmart completed its $2.3 billion acquisition of Vizio and its SmartCast operating system in early 2024.

The retailer already sells Onn TVs running Vizio’s software alongside Onn Roku TVs. Adding a third operating system tells us how well Google TV is performing compared to those platforms.

We never recommend Roku-powered devices due to their closed operating system and unethical advertising practices. Having Google TV as an option on budget Onn smart TVs is a welcome change for cord-cutters who want more control.

The Sideloading Question

One of the biggest reasons we recommend Android TV/Google TV devices is the ability to side-load apps outside of the Play Store. However, as we recently reported, Google’s developer verification mandate is moving closer to enforcement.

That policy would block unregistered apps from installing on certified Android hardware starting in select regions by September 2026, with global rollout planned for 2027.

These upcoming Onn smart TVs would almost certainly qualify as ‘certified devices.’ If the mandate takes effect, side-loading third-party apps on them could become much harder.

Keep that in mind before choosing a built-in Google TV set over a non-certified streaming box that won’t face these restrictions.

Long term we are fans of AOSP or ‘non-certified’ Android TV devices like BuzzTV boxes that would remain unaffected since restrictions only apply to Google-certified hardware.

Final Thoughts

Walmart betting on Google TV across both streaming boxes and smart TVs shows how popular this platform has become. The company owns Vizio’s OS and still chose to expand into new categories.

For budget shoppers who want an all-in-one setup, these Onn sets could be worth watching. Just be aware that Google’s sideloading crackdown may limit what you can do with certified hardware down the road.

For more details on this story, refer to the official Bluetooth certification filing and the report from AFTVNews.

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