Hisense U8G vs TCL R646 TV comparison 2022/02

Hisense U8G vs TCL R646 6 series. The battle between the two Chinese models, that sound great on paper with heaps of high-end features. But which one is the better pick for you?
Hisense U8G
TCL R646
vs
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Hisense U8G and TCL R646 compared – Which TV is better?

Reflections Icon
Reflections
Image quality in bright environments and dealing with reflections
70%
Hisense U8G 55"
67%
TCL R646 55"
Viewing Angle Icon
Viewing Angle
Picture quality when sitting at an angle to the TV - Also relevant when sitting very close in front of a large TV.
44%
Hisense U8G 55"
43%
TCL R646 55"
SDR Image Quality Icon
SDR Image Quality
Picture quality when viewing material in SDR, i.e. anything that is not HDR.
84%
Hisense U8G 55"
88%
TCL R646 55"
HDR Image Quality Icon
HDR Image Quality
Picture quality when viewing material in HDR, so everything from HDR, HDR10, HLG to HDR10+ & Dolby Vision.
80%
Hisense U8G 55"
83%
TCL R646 55"
Movies & Series Icon
Movies & Series
Use of the TV for movies, series & documentaries - be it as stream, BluRay or in the TV program.
87%
Hisense U8G 55"
88%
TCL R646 55"
Gaming Icon
Gaming
Gaming performance of the TV especially for responsive games with focus on PS5 and Xbox Series X
93%
Hisense U8G 55"
92%
TCL R646 55"
Sports Icon
Sports
Suitability for watching soccer, Formula 1, Olympics and more, even with several persons
67%
Hisense U8G 55"
70%
TCL R646 55"
Equipment Icon
Equipment
Smart TV features, connections and general equipment of the TV
77%
Hisense U8G 55"
81%
TCL R646 55"
Hisense U8G 55"
Rating V2.1
TCL R646 55"
Rating V2.1

Hisense U8G 2021

The powerhouse with a great brightness


Direct LED with FALD
Direct LED with FALD
VA Panel
VA Panel

The Hisense U8G is an awesome TV with excellent brightness. It has gaming features that provide a good gaming experience due to the good picture quality. Thus, you get a good TV for any use, but unfortunately the viewing angle is very limited.

TCL R646 2021

Deep contrast for excellent HDR performance in the dark


Mini LED with FALD
Mini LED with FALD
VA Panel
VA Panel
TCL R646

The competitor in the form of the TCL 6 Series r646 also has a good brightness and an even better contrast ratio! This TV is also equipped with gaming features, but unfortunately you have to do without a wide viewing angle here as well.

Detailed comparison: Hisense U8G or TCL R646

TCL R646
TCL R646 55"
Reflections Icon
Reflections Comparison

Absolutely no problems with reflections

The peak brightness of both TVs is definitely impressive. Even in the most light-flooded rooms, you won’t have any problems with reflections or mirroring on the TV.

70%
Reflections
Reflections visible
No layer against reflections
Contrast
7900 :1
Video technologies
67%
Reflections
Reflections visible
No layer against reflections
Contrast
19000 :1
Video technologies
Viewing Angle Icon
Viewing Angle Comparison

The biggest weakness of these two TVs

Both TVs have a quite narrow viewing angle. There are noticeable changes in black levels and a shift in colors, so you only get a good picture when you are sitting straight in front of the TV. This also means that these TVs are not recommended if you plan to watch the TV with the whole family or have a wide seating area.

44%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Viewing Angle
narrow
VA Viewing Angle
Reflections
Reflections visible
Reflections visible
43%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Viewing Angle
narrow
VA Viewing Angle
Reflections
Reflections visible
Reflections visible
SDR image Icon
SDR image Comparison

Good picture quality, but only directly opposite

For SDR content, both TVs work well if you sit directly in front of the TV. They are great for the news or regular TV shows!

84%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Direct LED with FALD
Direct LED with FALD
Local Dimming
Full Array Local Dimming with 132 Zones
Contrast
7900 :1
Max. Brightness SDR
- not available -
DCI-P3
ca. 82%
Energy consumption SDR
240 kWh / 1000 Hours
88%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Mini LED with FALD
Mini LED with FALD
Local Dimming
Full Array Local Dimming with 128 Zones
Contrast
19000 :1
Max. Brightness SDR
- not available -
DCI-P3
ca. 84%
Energy consumption SDR
- not available -
HDR image Icon
HDR image Comparison

The same HDR formats

As you can quickly see, the two TVs are incredibly similar. This is because both use a VA panel and are equipped with Full Array Local Dimming. Therefore, both TVs have deep and inky blacks and a great HDR performance.

Another thing they have in common are the supported HDR formats. These would be HLG, HDR10 and both dynamic formats HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.

80%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Direct LED with FALD
Direct LED with FALD
Local Dimming
Full Array Local Dimming with 132 Zones
Contrast
7900 :1
Max. Brightness
ca. 1600 Nits
DCI-P3
ca. 82%
REC 2020
ca. 70%
Energy consumption HDR
280 kWh / 1000 Hours
Video technologies
83%
Panel type
VA Panel
VA Panel
Backlight
Mini LED with FALD
Mini LED with FALD
Local Dimming
Full Array Local Dimming with 128 Zones
Contrast
19000 :1
Max. Brightness
ca. 1200 Nits
DCI-P3
ca. 84%
REC 2020
ca. 65%
Energy consumption HDR
- not available -
Video technologies
Movies & Series Icon
Movies & Series Comparison

Mini vs Direct LED

Although the R646 has a mini LED backlight, the Hisense U8G has the better Dimming Algorithm resulting in less blooming and better backlight control in real life content.Β 

Furthermore, both TVs have stereo speakers. These speakers are nothing too special, but they serve their purpose. However, the bass is quite weak, so the atmosphere is somewhat lost β€” but that is usually the case with flatscreen TVs. In addition, both support Dolby Atmos and DTS Audio codecs.

Both TVs have their pros and cons when it comes to use in a home theater environment.Β 

The Hisense TV has a lower contrast ratio and displays content a little brighter than it should be. However, it has a great peak brightness of 1600 nits, which means that bright highlights do really pop in an impressive way. Nevertheless, the R646 does an excellent job in this regard as well.

87%
HDR Image Quality
SDR Image Quality
Environment & Reflections
Tuner
Analog (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) DVB-T DVB-T2 DVB-C DVB-S DVB-S2
Twin Tuner
Audio
2.0 Channels with 20 Watt
Audio formats
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
88%
HDR Image Quality
SDR Image Quality
Environment & Reflections
Tuner
Analog (NTSC/PAL/SECAM) DVB-T DVB-T2 DVB-C DVB-S DVB-S2
Twin Tuner
Audio
2.0 Channels with 15 Watt
Audio formats
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
Gaming Icon
Gaming performance Comparison

Excellent for gaming

Both TVs are excellent for Gaming and have nearly the same features due to the HDMI 2.1 ports. They have a Variable Refresh Rate, an Auto Low Latency Mode and support 4K@120Hz. The combination of a low input lag and good motion handling allow for a responsive gaming experience. The only thing they lack for Xbox gaming is Dolby Vision in 4K@120Hz. It does work up until 60fps though

Gamers with a Playstation 5 don’t really see any differences in the gaming performance. Only when using certain PCs without FreeSync for gaming the Hisense TV has the slight edge cause a variable refresh rate via G-Sync is also supported. But this is a very specific use case

93%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 4ms
HDMI 2.1
2x Connections
Variable Refresh Rate
Max. Brightness HDR (Game Mode)
- not available -
Input Lag 4K@60Hz +HDR
ca. 15ms
Input Lag 4K@120Hz
ca. 6ms
92%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 4ms
HDMI 2.1
2x Connections
Variable Refresh Rate
Max. Brightness HDR (Game Mode)
- not available -
Input Lag 4K@60Hz +HDR
ca. 14ms
Input Lag 4K@120Hz
ca. 6ms
Sports Icon
Sports performance Comparison

Smooth motion handling - Limited viewing angle

The motion handling is really good in both TVs and there is only very little motion blur in fast movements. This is due to the fast response time of around 4ms, that both TVs have in common.

Here you only have to pay attention to the very limited viewing angle again, if you want to watch with the whole sports club on the TV, for example.

67%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 4ms
DCI-P3
ca. 82%
70%
Frequency
120Hz
Response Time
ca. 4ms
DCI-P3
ca. 84%
Equipment Icon
Equipment Comparison

Android 10 gegen Google TV

Another difference can be found in the smart operating system of the TVs. The Hisense U8G uses Android 10 and the R646 uses Google TV. However, this is more of a cosmetic difference because the Google TV OS is the Android OS with just another name and design.Β 

77%
Operating System
Android 10
Image processor
- not specified -
Bluetooth
Twin Tuner
Integrated soundbar
Audio
2.0 Channels with 20 Watt
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
Audio formats
USB recording PVR
HDMI 2.0
2
HDMI 2.1
2
USB 2.0
1
USB 3.0
1
Ethernet RJ45
1
3.5mm jack
1
Digital optical
1
Ci+ Slots
Timeshift
Apple Airplay 2
Apple Homekit
Assistants
Google Assistant
integriert
Amazon Alexa
kompatibel
Ambilight
One Connect Box
Stand
Removable
81%
Operating System
Google TV
Image processor
- not specified -
Bluetooth
Twin Tuner
Integrated soundbar
Audio
2.0 Channels with 15 Watt
HDMI ARC / eARC
/
Audio formats
USB recording PVR
HDMI 2.0
2
HDMI 2.1
2
USB 2.0
2
USB 3.0
Ethernet RJ45
1
3.5mm jack
1
Digital optical
1
Ci+ Slots
Timeshift
Apple Airplay 2
Apple Homekit
Assistants
Google Assistant
integriert
Amazon Alexa
kompatibel
Ambilight
One Connect Box
Stand
Removable
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Our conclusion:
Raw HDR power vs higher peak brightness

No matter which of the two TVs you choose, you’ll get great performance for a comparatively low price. As you can see, both TVs are quite similar in most regards, but there are some minor differences, that could have impact on your buying decision.

If you want to have the raw HDR power the R646 might be the better choice. Even though its backlight control is not as good, it can display dark content a little better, making it the more suitable all round TV.

The higher peak brightness of the U8G is good, but the R646 can compensate this advantage by the higher contrast ratio and the more accurate displaying of the contents brightness.

With real content these differences are not as visible though and Hisense has a better dimming algorithm, so unless you’re specifically looking for a TV with G-Sync you can also get whichever is cheaper for you!

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Hisense U8G 2021
76%
Hisense U8G
Rating V2.1
  • 120Hz VA Panel
  • Contrast Ratio 7900:1
  • HDR-Performance
  • Full Array Local Dimming
  • HDMI 2.1 with VRR & ALLM
  • No Bass
  • Bad Highs and Lows
  • Narrow Viewing Angle
TCL R646 2021
77%
TCL R646
Rating V2.1
  • Mini LED VA Panel
  • Contrast Ratio 19000:1
  • Response Time ~4ms
  • Peak Brightness ~1200Nits
  • 2x HDMI 2.1
  • VRR & ALLM
  • Dolby Vision & Atmos
  • Weak local dimming feature
* Prices incl. VAT, plus shipping costs. Please note that prices shown here may have changed in the meantime. All data without guarantee. Most of the time, these are so-called affiliate links. If you click on such an affiliate link and buy through this link, we get a commission from the relevant online store or provider. The price does not change for you.
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