We also have a Samsung TV, and I much prefer the Samsung software over the LG. Neither is great though.

So far nothing prevents you from spending $100 to set up LibreElec on an RPi and leave the TV offline and dumb.

This is what I do, but… Kodi sure seems like it is on the downhill. Multiple things don’t work for me like HDR for one example.

I’m looking to see what I would get or lose with Apple TV or some Plex/JellyFin/other player with less baggage.

Does that work with the DRM from streaming apps, though? Can you get 4K and atmos with Netflix or Disney+ with that hardware? And an easy remote and UI?

Elementum to the rescue, all atmos/4k you can find.