Hisense TV Lineup 2021 – First OLEDs & 8K TV

With this mid-range model, Hisense brings a TV to the market that is positioned directly below the U8G, has many strengths and only a few weaknesses. You won’t find any mini-LEDs in the casing, but the U7G offers you a top brightness on a full array basis that can also stand up to bright rooms. Depending on the screen’s size, it is divided in up to 120 local zones.

Reflections are well prevented. Thanks to the high contrast ratio, dark areas look properly gloomy and evenly black. Highlights are nicely accentuated and are intensively flanked in colour thanks to the integrated quantum dots. However, the picture quickly deteriorates when viewed at an angle. For watching in larger groups, however, this set can only be recommended to a limited extent.

Advanced gaming functions can keep the input delay of commands on the controller pleasantly short and achieve a fast response time. The 120 HertzHertz is the derived SI-unit of frequency with 1Hz=1/s – When talking about TVs this means how many different pictures a TV can display in one second. panel allows owners of a next-gen console the option of operating beyond 60 frames. G-Sync compatibility and Dolby Vision with 120 frames are not supported, however. All common sound formats – including DTS:X – can be forwarded to a compatible receiver or soundbar via eARC.

As the follow-up model, the U8G replaces the comparatively low-performance but also low-priced H8G from 2020. The 2021 TV thus not only makes a significant leap upwards in terms of price range, but also realigns itself in terms of picture performance and features. As with its smaller brother, the U7G, Hisense also offers a bright panel that can reach values of more than 1,500 nits, making it visibly brighter in comparison. Its surface brightness is also significantly higher, especially compared to its direct predecessor.

In addition, 360 dimming zones are provided on the 65-inch model and 132 on the 55-inch version. The response time is generally at a high level. Swift motion sequences are clearly recognisable and easy to see on the screen. Lower-resolution content is upscaled properly and looks almost as good as native 4K material.

Its weak point is still the relatively low viewing-angle stability. Apart from that, there can be slight speckles or darker edges on the screen, known as the dirty screen effect, which can be distracting when watching content with large uniform colour areas. In any case, the price-performance ratio is good and surpasses much more expensive models from the competition.

Hisense’s flagship model carries a special feature in 2021 in the form of an additional so-called greyscale layer which is placed in front of the actual panel. This technology, also known as dual-layer, enables the TV to achieve a qualitatively much more precise local dimming and thus display higher contrast values.

Bright highlights can thus be reproduced with almost no visible blooming and deep blacks at the same time. However, the idea is not entirely new and was already used in 2019 by the Hisense 65SX. Since this TV was never launched in North America, the Chinese manufacturer picked up the technology again and used it to produce the U9DG in a 75-inch standard size.

Unfortunately, even in gaming mode, the TV has a relatively high response time and rather modest input lag. Technically, all requirements are met to use the next-gen features of Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. Dolby Vision gaming is available with up to 60 hertz.

Android TV version 10 with extensive streaming and app offerings provides navigation. Dolby Atmos and the DTS:X codec can either be output directly via the integrated speakers or forwarded in native form via the eARC interface to an external sound solution.

So far, Hisense has had a gap in the 8K range. Based on the U800GR, this space will be closed in the 2021 portfolio and a TV with the corresponding resolution released for the first time. Based on the Roku TV platform, a VA panel was used, which is available only in 75-inch screen diagonals at dealers. A full array local dimming matrix is implemented. The company does not use Mini-LED support here also.

Black level and contrast ratio are again somewhat decent, but viewing angle and brightness lag behind and reveal deficits. In particular, the luminance properties on the surface are not great and even fall short compared to the U7G. Details and highlights, on the other hand, are reproduced with a fair amount of brightness.

There is definitely a wide range of gaming functionality, which includes two full HDMI 2.1 interfaces with 48 Gbps, VRR support, AMD FreeSync and an Auto Low Latency Mode for shorter input times. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision are also on the data sheet.

The latter, however, is only possible with restrictions as the reproduction is not possible with a frame rate of 120 hertz and DV switched on. All modern audio signals including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X can be passed on via eARC.

On the basis of the Hisense A6G, the Chinese manufacturer offers you a comparatively affordable entry-level model from the lower price segment. The goal here is to save some money. You should therefore not expect extra features such as eARC or HDR10+ with this device.

Depending on the screen size, you generally have the choice of a higher-contrast VA panel or the more viewing-angle-stable ADS variant. The latter makes sense if you regularly sit in front of the screen with several people for longer periods of time.

Based on the type of panel and the size, the configuration includes up to four HDMI 2.0 ports. Note: Only three ports are integrated in the VAVertical Alignment, type of LCD Panel versions with 60 and 70 inches.

However, a refresh rate of 60 hertz is the limit in any case. A feature for image synchronisation, such as HDMI Forum VRR, is also not provided. Screen tearing could therefore occur with fast camera movements during gaming.  This eliminates the suitability for next-gen consoles.

A user-friendly platform with many apps is provided by the integrated Android TV operating system. Google Assistant and Alexa are included and can be controlled via the built-in microphone on the remote control.

If you are looking for an affordable TV model, you might be interested in the A7G from Hisense. In terms of its price, this TV offers above-average features and is available with a VA or IPS panel, depending on the size. In the smaller 43″ and 50″ versions, you get the former. Meaning a relatively high contrast with good black levels at a rather limited viewing angle.

If, on the other hand, you are looking at the 55″ or 65″ version, the contrast is not quite as high. In return, however, you get a somewhat better color space coverage and – as it is typical for IPSIn-Plane Switching, type of LCD Panel – also can view image content from a more oblique position without a particularly high loss of quality. Whichever screen diagonal you choose, a Direct LED panel is always included in the housing. However Full Array Local Dimming is not a part of the specifications.

In addition to a game mode with reduced input lag and VRR, eARC is also part of the specifications and can thus pass on an uncompressed Dolby Atmos signal to an external sound system. However, you won’t get 120 hertz within this price range, even from Hisense. Navigation through the system is based on VIDAA U5.0.

The A8G marks the beginning of the relaunched OLED segment. As typical for such TVs, the screen can reproduce a perfect black level, as the pixels in the relevant area of the picture can simply be switched off. Furthermore, the panel has the typical good response time and colour uniformity. On top of that, you can look forward to an almost perfect viewing angle, where colours are preserved even from an oblique view and the reproduction does not fade.

However, the TV is less suitable for large rooms with seating distances of more than 2.5 metres from the centre of the screen. This is not due to the overall performance, but instead entirely to its one-size-fits-all design. Unlike a selection with several screen diagonals, you only get a single variant in 55 inches.

In addition to HDR10+ as the HDR format and Dolby Atmos as the audio codec, the A8G also has an IMAX Enhanced label. If required, you can activate a gaming mode with reduced input and response time, including variable frame rate. However, the refresh rate ends at 60 frames per second and therefore does not allow gaming in full next-gen quality. HDMI 2.0 is available in 4 ways and with an eARC port.

The Hisense A85G is a candidate from the mid-range category. As with its smaller brother, the A8G, this OLED does not serve the above 60-inch range and is therefore only available in a 55-inch version. Instead, a more powerful panel with a refresh rate of up to 120 hertz is installed. However, since the TV only has HDMI 2.0, you do not have the necessary bandwidth for 4K resolution with the maximum possible frame rate.

While this point has no influence on everyday use, it is a shortcoming for gamers with full demands on next-gen capability. An operating mode for input reduction with image synchronisation is a part of the specifications here as well.
Just like the entry-level model of the OLED series, you get Dolby Atmos and DTX:X in their virtual forms.

Lossless playback via home cinema or soundbar can be achieved with its eARC support. Navigation is based on the in-house VIDAA U interface in version 5. Besides that, the equipment is similar to the entry-level model in all other essential points. So you get all the positive advantages of an OLED TV too.

In the somewhat higher price level, Hisense places the A9G with an almost frameless design and a central stand that extends across the entire width of the screen. At the same time, the base serves as a permanently integrated soundbar solution. Another four speakers are built into the cabinet.

Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X deliver virtual 3D surround sound. This makes the A9G one of the slightly better devices in terms of sound and it definitely stands out within the TV range in 2021. For film fans and frequent viewers, however, we recommend using a real external option.

Unlike the two step-down TVs in the OLED series, you can also place a larger 65-inch version of this set in your room. However, Hisense does not provide you with any more options here. In terms of gaming, there is still room for improvement. HDMI 2.1 is again not available and thus wastes useful bandwidth potential. Especially since a screen with native 120 hertz is installed as well. Apart from that, the most expensive TV in the 2021 OLED line-up is not exactly the most responsive.

On the positive side, the picture quality is as good as you expect it to be, with natural colours, a pure black level and high contrast overall. As with the other devices in the series, Alexa and Google Assistant are included and can be controlled via a microphone in the remote control.