Original vs Compatible TV Remote — Which Should You Buy in India? (2026)
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Original vs Compatible TV Remote — Which Should You Buy in India? (2026)
Updated May 2026 • By the Faritha Team, Madurai
Should you buy an original or compatible TV remote in India? After 7 years and 1,42,000+ orders, here is Faritha's honest guide to help you decide — based on your TV model and what features you actually need.
When to always buy original
- Sony Google Voice Remote — voice search requires original Bluetooth pairing. Compatible remotes cannot trigger Google Assistant.
- Samsung SolarCell Remote — solar charging only works on original. Compatible = AA batteries, no solar.
- LG Magic Remote — Magic pointer requires original gyroscope. Compatible remotes are standard IR only, no pointer.
- Any voice-enabled Smart TV remote from 2020 onwards — Bluetooth voice always requires original remote.
- Daikin ARC remotes — Dew Clean, inverter precision, and advanced functions only respond to original signal codes.
When compatible works fine
- Basic LED/LCD TV remotes (Micromax, Intex, VU older models) — IR only, compatible works perfectly for volume and channel.
- Older TV models pre-2019 — no Bluetooth features, compatible remote covers all functions.
- Guest bedroom or backup remote — if you just need basic control, compatible is fine.
- Budget-sensitive purchase — when original costs 3-5x more and you only need basic IR functions.
Price comparison — original vs compatible
| Remote type | Original price | Compatible price | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Google Voice | ₹1,500+ | ₹400 | Always original — voice won't work on compatible |
| Samsung SolarCell | ₹2,500+ | ₹500 | Always original — no solar on compatible |
| LG Magic Remote | ₹1,800+ | ₹650 | Original for pointer, compatible for basic only |
| Basic LED TV remote | ₹400 | ₹200 | Compatible works fine |
Faritha's recommendation
If your TV was bought after 2020 and has voice search, Google Assistant, or solar charging — buy original. The feature difference is night and day. If your TV is older and you only need basic volume and channel control — compatible saves money without sacrificing functionality.
Faritha.com stocks both original and compatible remotes for all brands. With 1,42,000+ orders delivered across India since 2018, we help you find exactly the right remote for your TV model.