Contemplating a TV upgrade but overwhelmed by options? Look no further than the Hisense 55U8G ULED Premium Smart TV. This feature-packed contender promises a vibrant and immersive viewing experience, all wrapped in a sleek and user-friendly package. But is it the perfect fit for your living room? This review delves deep into the Hisense 55U8G’s strengths and weaknesses, helping you make an informed decision.
Product Details
| Brand | Hisense |
| Display Technology | QLED |
| Resolution | 4K UHD, 3840x2160p |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Special Feature | Game Mode Pro, 4K ULED, Alexa Built-in, Google Assistant; Voice Remote, Dolby Vison and Dolby Atmos, Quantum Dot Color QLED |
| Included Components | Stand, TV, Remote Control, Power Cable, Quick Start Guide |
| Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 |
| Wattage | 240 watts |
55-inch TV
65-inch TV
PICTURE QUALITY
The Hisense 55U8G boasts ULED technology, which utilizes a combination of Quantum Dot technology and backlight control for enhanced picture quality. This translates to:
- Rich and Vibrant Colors: Quantum Dots absorb unwanted wavelengths of light, resulting in purer and more vivid colors that pop off the screen.
- Deep Blacks (with some caveats): Local dimming technology helps control backlight bleed, leading to deeper blacks and improved contrast for a more cinematic experience. However, some users might experience blooming (halo effect around bright objects) in dark scenes.
- Excellent Brightness: This TV shines (literally) with exceptional brightness levels, making it perfect for well-lit rooms or HDR content. In fact, its brightness might be overpowering for some viewers in darker environments.
Compared To Other TVs
The Hisense 55U8G holds its own against similarly priced TVs in terms of picture quality. The vibrant colors rival some higher-end models, while the local dimming technology delivers decent contrast. However, some high-end competitors might offer superior black levels and blooming control.
Design
The Hisense 55U8G embraces a minimalist aesthetic. The display boasts thin bezels that create a near bezel-less look, making the picture the focal point. The sleek stand offers sturdy support and complements various living room setups.
Brightness and Contrast
As mentioned earlier, brightness is a major strength of the Hisense 55U8G. It delivers exceptional peak brightness levels, making it ideal for rooms with ample natural light or HDR content. However, this brightness can be overwhelming in darker environments. Thankfully, the TV includes settings to adjust the backlight intensity to suit your viewing preferences.
The contrast is decent thanks to the local dimming technology. While blacks aren’t as deep as some OLED TVs, the dimming helps deliver a good range of dark to light details. However, as mentioned before, blooming can occur in dark scenes, affecting the overall contrast.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the Hisense 55U8G is, well, average. The built-in speakers lack the depth and power needed for a truly immersive movie or gaming experience. Dialogue can sound clear, but bass is lacking, and action scenes might sound underwhelming.
For an enhanced audio experience, consider pairing the Hisense 55U8G with a soundbar or a home theater system. This will unlock the full potential of your movies, games, and music.
Motion
The Hisense 55U8G boasts a 120Hz refresh rate panel, offering smoother motion handling compared to traditional 60Hz TVs. This is particularly beneficial for fast-paced content like sports and action movies, reducing blur and ensuring a more realistic viewing experience.
However, some high-end TVs boast even higher refresh rates (240Hz or higher) and advanced motion processing technology for an even smoother experience, especially beneficial for gamers or those highly sensitive to motion blur.
Smart Features
The Hisense 55U8G runs on the Android TV platform, offering access to a vast library of streaming apps and media content. Popular options like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ are readily available, along with countless other streaming services and games. Built-in Wi-Fi allows for seamless connection to your home network, and Google Assistant integration enables voice control for a hands-free experience.
While Android TV offers a good selection of apps and is generally user-friendly, some users might prefer the interface and app selection found on competing smart TV platforms, such as LG’s webOS or Samsung’s Tizen. These platforms might offer a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for some viewers.
Gaming Features
Gamers will appreciate the Hisense 55U8G’s 120Hz refresh rate panel and features like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). ALLM helps reduce input lag, ensuring a more responsive gaming experience where your actions translate to the screen instantly. VRR eliminates screen tearing, a visual glitch that can occur during fast-paced gameplay.
However, some high-end gaming TVs might offer additional gaming-specific features like dedicated game modes with pre-calibrated settings for different game genres (FPS, RPG, etc.) or specialized features like black frame insertion for even smoother motion handling.
Durability and Build Quality
The Hisense 55U8G appears well-built with a sturdy stand and a sleek plastic back panel. Hisense TVs generally have a good reputation for reliability, but longevity ultimately depends on usage and care. As with any TV, proper handling and avoiding extreme temperatures or environments will contribute to a longer lifespan.
Viewing Angles and Screen Uniformity
The viewing angles of the Hisense 55U8G are decent thanks to the VA panel technology. Colors and picture quality remain fairly consistent when viewed from off-center positions. However, compared to IPS panels (commonly used in some TVs), colors might appear slightly less vibrant when viewed from extreme angles. This is a common trade-off, as VA panels typically offer superior contrast compared to IPS panels.
In terms of screen uniformity, some users might experience minor variations in brightness or color across the screen, especially in dark scenes. This is a common occurrence with most TVs, and its severity can vary between individual units. If uniformity is a major concern, researching user reviews and professional calibrations can help you determine if this is a widespread issue with the Hisense 55U8G.
Inputs
The Hisense 55U8G comes equipped with a good selection of inputs, including multiple HDMI ports (including some HDMI 2.1 ports), USB ports, an optical audio output for connecting external sound systems, and an Ethernet port for a wired internet connection. This allows you to connect various devices like streaming sticks, game consoles, cable boxes, and external storage drives.
The inclusion of HDMI 2.1 ports is a plus for future-proofing, as these ports support features like higher resolutions, faster refresh rates, and eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) for high-quality audio transmission to compatible soundbars.
Overall Value
The Hisense 55U8G ULED Premium Smart TV offers a compelling package for its price point. The vibrant colors, excellent brightness, user-friendly smart features, decent motion handling, and gaming capabilities make it a great option for casual viewers and gamers seeking a significant upgrade from traditional TVs.
However, if you prioritize absolute top-tier features like superior black levels, the most advanced motion processing technology, or a powerful built-in sound system, you might want to explore TVs with higher price tags.
Conclusion
The Hisense 55U8G ULED Premium Smart TV is a solid choice for users seeking a bright, feature-rich 4K experience at a competitive price. Consider your priorities – picture quality, smart features, gaming performance – to determine if this TV is the perfect fit for your home entertainment needs.
