Comparison

Sam vs Remote control for TCL

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Sam

Transform your iPhone into a virtual remote for your smart TV. Easily control channels, volume, menus, and media with a simple tap. It syncs automatically via Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for physical remotes and batteries.

Highlights
  • Virtual remote control
  • Channel switching
  • Volume adjustment
  • Menu navigation
  • Media management
  • Automatic Wi-Fi sync
  • No setup required
Features
Read full description

SamRemote: Transforms your iPhone into a powerful, virtual remote for your smart TV. Our intuitive TV remote app streamlines your tv experience, allowing you to easily control your TV with all the features of the original remote control. With a simple tap, switch channels, adjust volume, navigate through menus, and manage your media - all from your iPhone or iPad. The best part? SamRemote requires zero setup. Simply launch the app and it automatically syncs with your Smart TV via your Wi-Fi. You're all set to take command of your TV Say goodbye to the days of losing your physical remote or scrambling to replace batteries. With Sam, your ultimate TV control is always in your pocket, ready whenever you are. Experience smart TV viewing as it should be - simplified and under your command. DISCLAIMER Sam is neither an official Samsung product, nor are we affiliated with the Samsung Electronics company. SUBSCRIPTION: We offer auto-renewing subscription: - Length: Yearly-Monthly-Weekly - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - You will be able to access the Premium features of the app for the duration of the subscription - Subscription automatically renews for the same price and duration period as the original period unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - The account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period at the cost of the chosen package. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's iTunes Account Settings after purchase - No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active subscription period - You may cancel a subscription during its free trial period via the subscription setting through your Apple account. This must be done 24 hours before the end of the subscription period to avoid being charged. Please visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202039 for more information on how to proceed. - You may turn off the auto-renewal of your subscription via your Apple Account Settings. However, you are not able to cancel the current subscription during its active period - Any unused portion of a free-trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. Privacy Policy : http://nstx.io/SamRemote/samremote_policy.html Terms of Use : http://nstx.io/SamRemote/samremote-terms.html

About

Remote control for TCL

Control your TCL TV with your phone. Offers a touchpad and keyboard for easy navigation and typing. Your last used remote is saved for quick access.

Highlights
  • Save last remote
  • No installation required
  • Fast touchpad
  • Keyboard input
  • Easy interface
Features
Read full description

**DISCLAIMER This app is not the official TCL app. It was designed with care to try and bring TCL users an overall better experience Features: * Your last remote will be saved for quick and easy access next time you'll open the app * NO installation, just click and play * FAST touch pad and keyboard for quick swipes and typing * AMAZING design with cool and easy interface Have questions? remote isn't working? Please feel free to contact us on support@os-apps.com

Screenshots

Sam4 screens
Remote control for TCL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Remote control for TCL at 4.6 against Sam's 4.2. Remote control for TCL also leads on review sentiment (41% vs 26%) and iOS requirement (13.1 vs 16). Sam's advantage is ratings volume (116K vs 8.8K). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Sam sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Remote control for TCL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Remote control for TCL holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sam has 116K ratings behind it against 8.8K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 26% of Sam's written reviews are positive against 41% of Remote control for TCL's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 11, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Sam versus Remote control for TCL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSamRemote control for TCL
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (116K ratings)4.6 (8.8K ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.6% of reviews41.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings116K — better8.8K
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1613.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB98 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developeryohan teixeiraOz Shabbatth

Customer experience

Sam

All ratings116,472 ratings
Positive79.5%
Neutral4.6%
Negative15.9%
Written reviews1,815 reviews
Positive25.6%
Neutral8.3%
Negative66.1%

Remote control for TCL

All ratings8,047 ratings
Positive89.0%
Neutral3.3%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews279 reviews
Positive41.2%
Neutral5.4%
Negative53.4%

User reviews

Sam

From 116K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works well when connected
  • 👍 Easy to set up
  • 👍 Convenient to use phone as remote

Room to improve

  • 🔋 Frequent disconnection issues
  • 📺 Can't turn TV on with app
  • 💸 Expensive paid version
  • 📢 Excessive ads in free version
  • 🐛 Inconsistent functionality

Remote control for TCL

From 8.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Nice app
  • 🚀 Works well
  • 💡 Helpful for lost remote
  • 🚀 Connects automatically

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent disconnections
  • 🔋 Drains battery
  • 📢 Too many ads
  • 🐛 Inconsistent functionality

Bugs and requests

Sam

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Fails to connect to TV consistently
  • Buttons stop working after a while
  • Paid version loses ad-free functionality

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add option to turn TV on/off
  • Improve stability and reliability
  • Reduce frequency of ads in free version

Remote control for TCL

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Fails to connect to TV
  • App crashes frequently
  • Buttons don't work as expected

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add ability to turn on TV
  • Improve connection stability
  • Reduce ad frequency

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Sam

Subscriptions5
  • Premium version3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Premium version$7.997 Days
  • Premium version$14.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Premium version3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Premium version$29.991 Year
One-time3
  • removal of advertising$3.99
  • removal of advertising$19.99
  • Premium version$34.99
1 purchases

Remote control for TCL

One-time1
  • No Ads$3.99

Questions

Is Sam free?
Sam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Remote control for TCL free?
Remote control for TCL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sam or Remote control for TCL?
Remote control for TCL is rated higher. Sam averages 4.2 out of 5 from 116K ratings, while Remote control for TCL averages 4.6 from 8.8K ratings.
Do Sam or Remote control for TCL have ads?
Both Sam and Remote control for TCL show ads.
Which is updated more often, Sam or Remote control for TCL?
Sam ships an update every 2 weeks, and Remote control for TCL every 2 weeks. Most recently, Sam was updated on November 11, 2026 and Remote control for TCL on November 11, 2026.

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