Don't buy a tv for the os get the best picture and features for your budget. The manufacturers forget about the tvs and updating them because there is no monetary incentive to do so. You will just end up adding a box when that happens anyway so why settle.

More or less same situation.
I like Android TV (used it on my previous, now dead, tv) and i'm thinking of going to sony ag9/a9g , From all the reviews i went through seems like the best option. The price floats a lot from market to market, don't know where you're based, but where i live it is below that 2k budget.

I've had a Sony Android TV since 2015 still does everything Android-TVish just fine. I use it for Plex/Netflix/Amazon/Kodi.

It doesn't get a lot of updates but Google haven't really added many new features.

I disagree with this opinion that you need a separate box right now - sure, if in a few years your TV OS sucks then get a box then.

Here is the top priority to get the Tv based on your budget

1. Find the best panel and size to go for. Some people buy a Tv for more than 5 years. Others only want just couple of years.
2. Most of the good to high end Tv panels comes with smart feature, mostly android. If that serves you purpose, no need to get the extra box. Later based on your need get the box.

is OS mature enough on any good TV?

Yes, many Tv's are coming with android Tv certified. See Google certified Droid Tv list

Ive had the same Panasonic TC-P55ST50 for the last 8 years with an apple tv 3 and OG shield. Why both? Apple share with other family and friends and im a big fan of android. Correct me if i am wrong, i think the shield is one of the few devices with on going updates to date considering it was released in 2015.

If you are an apple user then the ATV is a more familiar environment same can be said if you are an Android user.

If I were to throw down some money on a TV id choose panel quality, processing power and most importantly color (CMS) adjustments over OS. I like to calibrate TV with real equipment not someone elses color values shared on the net.

Ease of use OS (fav to least): Sam, Sony, LG. Id like to think if I were going to buy a tv for a not techy family member id go with what works for them, but without sacrificing quality.

I understand why you're asking the question, but all the other posts are on point.

Limiting your TV selection based on OS support is like limiting your car selection based on infotainment options. I know you want to do the right thing, but this is not the Right Thing.

Hisense 55h8g is a great 55 in tv with android TV OS. Just bought one a few weeks ago and the specs are amazing, very easy to use and intuitive. Highly recommend!

I just went through this exact debate with myself. I have a Shield TV but thought about getting a Sony TV with Android TV built in rather than keep the separate box. After researching the quality of the Sony vs a similarly-priced Samsung QLED I opted to go with the latter and keep the separate box. There are some things to consider here besides the TV quality:

1. A separate box can be upgraded if Android TV matures faster than the TV ages (very likely with any OS)
2. A separate box supports external peripherals more easily than an embedded OS. For example, setting up an external SSD as adopted storage may be more straightforward on the separate box
3. An unintended perk is the fact that AppleTV+ is supported on the Samsung but not Android. If I wanted it, I could toggle over to the native Tizen OS for that service.

My suggestion would be to buy the best TV for screen quality you possibly can first - but without a box. Try it out, test out the features and apps ecosystem. If they are not up to scratch then invest in a box that meets your criteria.

Out of the box, my 2019 model Samsung QLED TV has actually pretty decent apps. The Netflix and YouTube app are great. Plex on the other hand is where it’s not so great. For 4K, you have to get hardware of some sort. I personally have a 2017 Shield TV and it handles everything I throw at it. It actually sits under my TV purely as a Kodi/Plex device since I use the TV’s apps for Netflix and YouTube.

The 2020 - Sony X90H / X9000H (HDMI 2.1) now has a really good SoC under the hood that being a MediaTek MT5895 which has a quad core ARM A73 CPU@1.8Ghz plus an excellent ARM Mali G52 GPU.In fact that package is the most powerful you can current get in ANY Smart TV.

The end result is a really snappy Smart - Android TV setup that has NO lag.

For ongoing after sales TV support these days Sony is about the best you will get. That why you pay extra upfront.

With that type of Chipset power under the hood and the Firmware being Google Treble compliant expect ongoing support from Sony for years to come.

The 2020 Sony A8H also has a decent chipset under the hood, see here for details:

https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=356128

And with Apps used on the X90H / A8H you get superior picture quality vs using any external HDMI connected device because of superior onboard TV picture processing, inc. no limits on upscaling.

You are also not dealing with incorrect color DolbyVision color outputs (ie 2019 Shield), plus there is HDR YouTube and HDR Google Play Movies - again something 2019 Shield TV Pro lacks. I’ve also heard Apple TV+ is coming to 2020 Sony later this year.

If you need HD audio support and 4K HDR local content support there are a whole family of Gigabit equipped AMLogic chipset devices that runs the very well supported CoreELEC Kodi:

https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252916

I personally use an ODROID N2, that also supports HLG HDR and HDR10+ - something the Shield can only dream of.

Then there is also PlexKodiConnect:

https://forums.plex.tv/t/plexkodiconnect-kodi-plex-integration-done-right/137555

Thanks for all comments and advice

Went for Sony KD55AG9 and most likely will pick it up tomorrow. Hope it'll be more or less what I'm looking for :)