Imporance of hardware vs software for photo/video viewing on mobile phone

[Enquiries]

Dear Robbie,
I've watched many of your videos and I really learned a lot about my NAS purchase decision.
However, I'm still doubting between DS224+ or TS262 (or TS462, which is only 30 euros more expensive here). I also watched your comparison video.

My wishes: NAS on local LAN, it should provide a smooth and fast experience particularly for viewing photos in large (1000+ photos) folders, and playing 4k videos.
I currently own a TS233 which has issues: very slow thumbnail generation, very slow photo/video viewing, and some software issues which seem to be solved with app updates now.

Now, should a big hardware upgrade (TS262 > TS233) solve these problems? Or would a software-'upgrade' help, to DS224+ with only slightly better hardware than TS233?
I noticed both Synology and QNAP mobile apps have very poor ratings, but both regularly updated, and your comparisons on mobile apps suggest both provide smooth experience.

Any advice would be highly appreciated!
Arjan

[ed]

I appreciate your trust in our content and your thoughtful consideration of your NAS purchase. When it comes to improving your experience with photo and video viewing on your mobile devices, it's important to consider both hardware and software aspects.

The DS224+ is a solid choice due to its better hardware configuration compared to the TS233. With more cores and a generally more efficient photo app, it should help in addressing the issues you've experienced with slow thumbnail generation and photo/video viewing. It's likely to provide a smoother experience, especially when dealing with large folders containing over a thousand photos.

However, it's also worth noting that software can play a crucial role. Both Synology and QNAP regularly update their mobile apps, aiming to enhance user experience. While app ratings can be a reference point, it's encouraging to see these improvements in response to user feedback. So, it's not just a hardware upgrade; a more capable NAS like the DS224+ paired with continued software updates should contribute to a better overall experience.

In your case, considering the issues you've had with your current NAS, upgrading to the DS224+ is a good step forward. It provides a stronger hardware foundation, and as both Synology and QNAP work on their software, you can expect a smoother and faster experience when viewing photos and playing 4K videos on your mobile devices.