Welcome back to the blog! Today, we’re diving deep into Hisense’s latest offering for 2025: the Hisense U8QG model. I’ve been testing the 65-inch version, which retails for around $1,300, but it’s also available in a range of sizes from 55 to a massive 100 inches, catering to various living spaces. This TV builds upon the success of last year’s U8N, my personal daily driver, bringing significant improvements that promise an even more immersive viewing experience.
With features like higher peak brightness, an astounding 5,000+ local dimming zones with precision halo reduction, a new 4.1.2 multi-channel sound system, and an advanced AI processor, the U8QG aims to deliver superior contrast, inky black levels, and overall enhanced picture and performance. So, is the Hisense U8QG worth your hard-earned money? Let’s find out!
Design & Connectivity: Thoughtful Engineering
The Hisense U8QG presents a robust and well-thought-out design, prioritizing both aesthetics and functionality.
- Comprehensive Port Selection:
- Two USB ports for media playback and accessories.
- Antenna/cable port, digital audio out, and LAN for internet connectivity.
- Audio and video input jacks, plus a headphone jack.
- Three HDMI 2.1 ports with eARC support: All three ports are HDMI 2.1, supporting 4K resolution up to an impressive 165Hz refresh rate, making it ideal for next-gen gaming.
- New USB Type-C Display Port: A novel addition, likely aimed at PC connectivity for a seamless display experience.
- Smart Cable Management: The TV stand cleverly doubles as a cable management solution, featuring clips and a cover to route cables neatly, though it’s best suited for flatter, smaller cables.
- Integrated Subwoofers: Hisense continues to impress with its integrated dual subwoofers, consistently improving the TV’s sound quality year after year.
- Detachable Power Cable: A practical feature, allowing for easy replacement if the power cable ever gets damaged.
- Robust Build: This TV is noticeably heavier and thicker than many competitors, suggesting a focus on internal components that enhance picture and sound quality. It also includes VESA support for easy wall mounting.
Remote Control & Smart OS: User-Friendly and Feature-Rich
The user experience is significantly enhanced by the remote control and the intuitive operating system.
- Premium Backlit Remote: The remote control is a personal favorite. It’s slightly larger than average, boasts a premium look and feel, and features direct access buttons for popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and Disney Plus.
- Voice Commands: Integrated voice commands offer convenient control.
- Backlit Buttons: A standout feature is the backlit design; the buttons light up when the remote is moved, making it easy to use in dark rooms.
- Remote Finder Functionality: A highly practical feature for those prone to misplacing remotes. A button located below the TV activates a beeping noise from the remote, helping you locate it quickly.
- Google OS Power: The TV is powered by Google OS, which is praised for its speed, reliability, and comprehensive app availability. All your favorite streaming services and apps are readily accessible.
Picture Settings & Quality: Unlocking the U8QG’s Potential
To truly experience the Hisense U8QG’s capabilities, optimizing picture settings is crucial.
- Exit Energy Saving Mode: The first and most important step is to switch out of the default “Energy Saving Mode,” which significantly dims the picture.
- Recommended Picture Presets:
- Theater Day/Night & Filmmaker Mode: These modes offer balanced and accurate colors.
- Standard: A surprisingly good option that looks balanced.
- Vivid: Generally not recommended as it oversaturates colors and isn’t color-accurate.
- Brightness & Contrast Optimization:
- Local Dimming: Set to ‘High’. This is critical to leverage the TV’s 5,000+ local dimming zones for superior contrast and inky black levels, rivaling OLED.
- Peak Brightness: Set to ‘High’. The U8QG boasts over 5,000 nits of peak brightness, making it incredibly bright. Adjust to ‘Low’ or ‘Medium’ in very dark rooms to avoid eye strain.
- Brightness (80), Contrast (45): Recommended starting points for a balanced picture.
- Advanced Picture Settings:
- AI Contrast & HDR Enhancer: Generally recommended to be turned ‘Off’ as they can alter the original picture’s accuracy and color saturation.
- Gamma: BT1886.
- Color (50), Hue (0), Color Temperature (Warm 1 or Warm 2): ‘Warm 1’ often provides the most natural and pleasing color temperature.
- Color Space: Automatic.
- Dynamic Color Enhancer: Use ‘Low’ for movies to maintain natural colors; can be set higher for gaming to boost vividness.
- Clarity & Motion Settings:
- Sharpness (7), Smooth Gradient (Medium): Smooth Gradient is excellent for reducing color banding in solid colors (e.g., sky).
- AI Super Resolution (Medium), Noise Reduction (Medium), MPEG Noise Reduction (Medium): These settings are beneficial for lower-resolution or compressed content.
- Motion Enhancement: ‘Clear’. This helps create smooth transitions during panning shots, avoiding the “dizzying” effect of 24p film mode.
- Motion Clearness: Generally recommended to be ‘Off’ as it inserts black lines, dimming the picture significantly.
Picture Quality Tests: Real-World Performance
Putting the U8QG through its paces reveals its true capabilities.
- Local Dimming Test: The TV’s local dimming accuracy is exceptional. With over 5,000 zones and precision halo reduction, blooming (light bleeding into dark areas) is virtually invisible in person, resulting in inky black levels comparable to OLED TVs.
- Dirty Screen Effect (DSE) Test: Often a concern with local dimming TVs, the tested unit showed a remarkably clean panel with no noticeable dark spots or vignetting in the corners, indicating a “panel lottery” win.
Gaming Experience: Fast, Fluid, and Immersive
For gamers, the Hisense U8QG offers a truly top-tier experience.
- Next-Gen Ready: Connecting an Xbox Series X showcased a bright, colorful, fast, and responsive picture.
- Immersive HDR: Games like Doom Dark Ages look fantastic, especially when leveraging the TV’s HDR capabilities and low latency mode.
- Smooth Gameplay: The high refresh rate and responsive panel ensure a fluid and immersive gaming experience.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy Hisense U8QG
Top 5 Reasons to AVOID Hisense U8QG (2025)
Conclusion: A Bright Future for Hisense
The Hisense U8QG (2025 model) is a formidable contender in the premium TV market. It takes the strengths of its predecessor and elevates them with higher peak brightness, an incredible number of local dimming zones, and a refined sound system. While professional calibration can always fine-tune the picture, out of the box with optimized settings, this TV delivers a beautiful and immersive viewing experience.
Its robust design, user-friendly Google OS, and exceptional gaming performance make it an outstanding choice for anyone seeking a high-quality display for movies, sports, and gaming. The Hisense U8QG truly offers flagship-level picture quality and features, making it a strong recommendation for those looking to “make their TV look better than ever.”
It has over 5,000 local dimming zones and 5,000 nits peak brightness.
Yes, it features HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K at 165Hz for excellent gaming.
Yes, the premium remote is backlit and includes a remote finder function.
About the Author: JoelsterG4K Hello guys Im Joelster and I love tech, gaming, movies. and I get my hands on the products I review and share my experience with you, welcome to the channel, Im Joelster and lets do this.
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