Hisense U8N Review: A Mini-LED Flagship That Misses the Mark
Introduction
The Hisense U8N is the brand's flagship Mini-LED TV for 2024, promising top-tier features at a more affordable price compared to its premium competitors. With a starting price of £1799, it’s positioned to compete with high-end models like the Samsung QN90D and Sony Bravia 9. On paper, the U8N looks like a great deal, but how does it fare in real-world performance?
In this review, we’ll break down the pros and cons of the Hisense U8N and see if it’s worth your money.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Accessible interface: The VIDAA interface is smooth and easy to navigate.
- Plenty of gaming features: 144Hz refresh rate, VRR, and ALLM make it a solid choice for gamers.
- Decent sound system: 60W 2.1.2 audio system with twin subwoofers.
- Dolby Vision IQ: Excellent performance with Dolby Vision content.
Cons:
- Underwhelming HDR10 and HDR10+ performance: Lacks the punch of its competitors.
- SDR performance is too bright: Some may find it overwhelming in well-lit rooms.
- Weak viewing angles: Color and brightness degrade quickly off-axis.
- Competition is better: Other brands, like Samsung and Philips, offer better overall performance at similar or lower prices.
Key Features
HDR Support
The U8N supports all major HDR formats, including HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ Adaptive, and Dolby Vision IQ. However, its performance with non-Dolby Vision content leaves much to be desired, as we’ll discuss later.
Audio
The 60W 2.1.2 sound system is a step up from the U7N, featuring front-firing speakers and twin subwoofers. While it doesn’t replace a dedicated soundbar, it offers decent clarity and spatial performance.
Apps and Interface
The VIDAA interface is intuitive and responsive. It includes support for Freely, which streams live TV over the internet. The remote control is solar-powered and supports USB-C charging, which is a nice touch.
Design
The Hisense U8N is available in two sizes: 65-inch and 75-inch, making it a better fit for larger living rooms. Despite its Mini-LED backlight, the TV is relatively thick at 57.1mm, especially when compared to competitors like the Samsung QN95D, which is just 21.3mm thick.
The stand is easy to assemble and includes cable management features. Bezels are slim, making the screen the focal point, and the front-firing speakers are a noticeable design improvement.
Picture Quality
Brightness and Black Levels
The U8N boasts over 2000 nits of peak brightness, but its real-world performance doesn’t fully utilize that potential. While it measures an impressive 2150 nits on a 2% HDR window, the overall image lacks the vibrancy and contrast you’d expect from such a bright screen. In comparison, the Samsung QN90D delivers more consistent brightness and deeper blacks.
HDR Performance
The U8N struggles with HDR10 and HDR10+ content. Movies like Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets looked dull next to the Samsung QN90D. Black levels were inconsistent, and there was noticeable blooming in dark scenes. Dolby Vision IQ, however, significantly improves the picture quality, boosting brightness, contrast, and color accuracy.
Viewing Angles
One of the most glaring issues with the U8N is its poor viewing angles. Colors and brightness degrade quickly when viewed off-center, making it less ideal for group viewing.
Upscaling
The U8N handles upscaling well for 1080p content but struggles with lower resolution sources like DVDs. Motion is smooth, but there’s noticeable noise and softness in the image, especially in darker scenes.
Gaming Performance
For gamers, the U8N offers a solid feature set. It supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), making it a good choice for fast-paced gaming. The input lag at 4K/60Hz is 13.2ms, which is respectable but not the best in class. The LG OLED G4 and Samsung QN90D offer lower input lag in comparison.
The Game Bar feature allows you to tweak settings on the fly, and the 144Hz refresh rate is a nice bonus for PC gamers.
Sound Quality
The 2.1.2 sound system delivers decent clarity, but it lacks the punch and dynamism of a dedicated soundbar. Dialogue is clear, but bass can be a bit muffled, and there’s some distortion at higher volumes. The U8N supports Dolby Atmos, which adds some spatial depth, but it’s not as immersive as other high-end TVs.
For a better audio experience, you might want to consider pairing it with a soundbar like the Sonos Arc.
Final Thoughts
While the Hisense U8N offers a lot of features for its price, its overall performance is underwhelming, especially when it comes to HDR content. The reliance on Dolby Vision to deliver good picture quality is a significant drawback, as HDR10 and HDR10+ content simply doesn’t look as good. Its poor viewing angles and inconsistent black levels further detract from its appeal.
If you’re set on this TV, it might be worth waiting for a price drop. Alternatively, consider the Philips OLED809 or Samsung QN90D for better overall performance.
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FAQs
What sizes is the Hisense U8N available in?
The Hisense U8N is available in two sizes: 65-inch and 75-inch.
Does the Hisense U8N support Dolby Vision?
Yes, the U8N supports Dolby Vision IQ, which significantly improves its HDR performance.
Is the Hisense U8N good for gaming?
Yes, the U8N supports 144Hz refresh rates, VRR, and ALLM, making it a solid choice for gamers. However, its input lag is slightly higher than competitors like the LG OLED G4.
In conclusion, the Hisense U8N is a feature-packed TV that offers decent value for money. However, its inconsistent HDR performance and weak viewing angles make it a tough sell when compared to similarly priced models from Samsung and Philips. If you’re looking for a flagship TV, you might want to explore other options or wait for a discount on the U8N.
