Hisense’s 2024 TV range is a testament to the brand’s commitment to delivering exceptional performance at an affordable price point, providing customers with value for money without compromising on quality and convenience.
Hisense produces its own TV chipset, panels and screens and the company has its own Research & Development (R&D) centre in Melbourne. This means brightness levels, black levels, anti-glare technology and app selection for its TVs are tailored to Australian customers and Australian home environments, which are typically brightly lit.
For those who are unable to afford the pinnacle of Mini LED innovation in the Hisense UXAU TV, the U8NAU and U7NAU are great alternatives for more budget-conscious consumers.
I had the opportunity to get a little hands-on time with the Hisense U8 and U7, so here are my thoughts based on first impressions.
From a design perspective, both the U8 and U7 are relatively slim with minimal bezels to maximise the viewing real estate. A centre stand makes it easier to place them on an entertainment unit and is adjustable to accommodate a soundbar, if required.
Hisense U8
The Hisense U8 sets a new standard for value in the home entertainment category. Utilising Mini LED display technology, the U8 delivers enhanced brightness, contrast and clarity with 1,000+ dimming zones and up to 3,000 nits of brightness – a significant improvement from the 2023 model which incorporated 500+ dimming zones and 2,000 nits of brightness.
This means more vibrant colours and deeper blacks that help bring content to life with sharper details and smoother motion.
With support for Dolby Vision IQ and HDR 10+, dynamic range and colour accuracy is enhanced and ensures the viewing experience aligns with the intention of the filmmaker.
When testing the U8, I tried to watch movie content that was varied. I started with Top Gun Maverick for the fast-moving planes and Neymar: The Perfect Chaos for speedy soccer ball movement. The U8 handled the swift motions well – super well in fact – with steadiness and minimal lag.
Then I switched to more playful movies – Barbie and Sonic Hedgehog – which were the ultimate test for brightness and colour contrast, given the significant use of pink and blue respectively. Across both films, the colours were vivid and truly ‘popped’ on the screen, particularly in brighter scenes. I suppose that lends itself to the 50% improvement in brightness levels; it’s definitely noticeable.
From an audio perspective, the U8 features a new aesthetic for 2024 with audio capabilities placed towards the rear of the unit to fully leverage its up-firing speakers and built-in subwoofer.
I didn’t get a chance to try different sound modes but using the default settings, it was good – clear and balanced. There are settings for those who like to adjust frequency, bass and more, to their own preference.
Hisense U7
The Hisense U7 Mini LED TV offers a compelling combination of quality and affordability. Like the U8, Mini LED display technology is also at the heart of the U7, alongside support for Dolby Vision and HDR 10+. This year’s U7 Series triples the number of dimming zones with 300+ for improved contrast and 1,300 nits of brightness. While it’s not as many dimming zones or as bright as higher end models, it still manages to produce decent visuals – especially for its price point.
On the U7, I watched Fast X for its fast-paced action and a solid combination of bright and dark scenes between car races and fight sequences. I also watched Spiderman (2022) which provided a good balance of light and dark. Compared to the U8, swift motions weren’t quite as smooth, but it did a reasonable job at keeping up with movements.
In most scenes, colour and contrast were fine (yes, fine – not great but not sub-par). In dark scenes, the black levels were a step down from the U8 and did appear washed out at times.
However, I wasn’t expecting picture quality to be the same given the different number of dimming zones and brightness levels on the U7 versus the U8. The same goes for the sound given the different channel outputs.
VIDAA U7 operating system
Beyond just watching content, the operating system is an important part of the overall TV experience, especially if you’re like me and spend more time trying to find something to watch then actually watching it.
Hisense’s proprietary operating system, VIDAA U7, now features across the entire Hisense TV range. Incremental improvements have been made for 2024, making it even more responsive and smooth when navigating between menus and accessing content.
In addition to streaming apps and free internet TV channels, viewers can access thousands of local and international content free of charge. Hisense continues to support local apps with Optus Sport the most recent addition to the offering.
VIDAA U7 is now ConnectLife enabled, making it possible to connect the TV to smart appliances including Hisense refrigerators, dishwashers washing machines and dryers for enhanced convenience and interaction. ConnectLife makes it easy to manage and monitor compatible Hisense home appliances, while monitoring home energy and water usage. (Not something I could test but worth mentioning!)
It’s also possible to connect the TV with Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices.
2024 Hisense TVs also feature VIDAA Art when you want to display artwork with a wide range of art to choose from across categories including photography, scenery, 3D, digital art, landscape and animals. Because who wants to stare at a black screen when the TV isn’t being used?
Solar remote control
Another important element of the overall TV experience is the remote control. After all, it’s the gateway to interacting with the TV.
While competitor brands are reducing the number of buttons and overall size of their remotes, Hisense has moved in the opposite direction with a more traditional button set up and slightly larger remote. I believe it makes the user experience more intuitive and tactile, while catering to the masses.
You also get direct access to apps with dedicated buttons for Stan, YouTube, Prime Video, Netflix and Disney+ as well as VIDAA Channels.
What’s more, Hisense has introduced an award-winning solar powered remote, compatible with the entire Hisense ULED TV and soundbar range. Located on the front of the remote, the solar panel can harness light – natural sunlight or artificial light – in the remote’s natural resting position for continuous charge and uninterrupted functionality. A USB-C charging option offers an alternative source for powering the Lithium battery.
Gaming
With Hisense Game Mode Pro, essential gaming features are activated as soon as the latest gaming console is plugged in. The new Hisense Game Bar pops up for gamers to see active features and track current frames per second (FPS) at a glance. FreeSync Premium Pro supports Dynamic Range, Dolby Atmos gaming and 144Hz refresh rates for a smooth gaming experience.
*Disclaimer: I didn’t test the gaming capabilities of either the U8 or U7 but wanted to share the key features that Hisense offers to gamers.
In summary
While the Hisense U8 and U7 may not have all the bells and whistles of the flagship UX series, they still offer an enjoyable viewing experience for everyday Australians with outstanding performance and value.
Impressive picture quality, an intuitive interface and smart features, coupled with a modern design, make both the U8 and U7 standout choices for those who demand high quality without breaking the bank. But if you’ve got an extra few hundred dollars to spend, I would highly recommend choosing the U8 for next level picture and sound quality.
The U7 is available in 55-, 65-, 75-, 85- and 100 inches with pricing starting at $1,599 for the 55-inch model up to $6,999 for the 100-inch model – making ultra large screens more attainable for Australian households.
The U8 is available in 65-, 75- and 85 inches with pricing starting at $2,699 for the 65-inch model up to $4,999 for the 85-inch model.
All Hisense TVs are backed by a three-year warranty.