Premium TVs —?those with the most impressive pictures and tech, and often eye-widening prices — have been the domain of a few big names, such as Sony, LG and Samsung. Coming up swinging from the “budget” category, Hisense wants to stake its place amongst the best TVs in the high-performance category with its new U9N flagship model.
It has the specs to compete with the big names, including a quantum-dot QLED screen and a fast processor. The U9N sets itself apart with extreme brightness and a bigger speaker system than most TVs. And it hasn’t completely abandoned its budget origins —?the U9N lists at a lower price than similar TVs from LG and Samsung. But it’s still not cheap. Does it have what it takes to make the cost worthwhile?
Hisense’s new flagship TV impresses with a bright, beautiful picture at a relatively low price. It looks best when watching Dolby Vision content — but less so when trying to handle standard content. It's only available in 75 and 85 inches, so it’s not ideal for folks with small spaces.
What we liked about it
A bright and colorful display
Befitting a premium TV, the picture quality on the U9N impresses. Thanks to its quantum-dot QLED screen, reds, blues and greens look vibrant. It has better color than Hisense’s U8N, a cheaper TV that features similar screen specs but a less impressive processor and fewer dimming zones. While watching “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the few splashes of color stood out among the drab desert landscape, and the many streams of fire bloomed with fierce tones.
But it’s brightness that makes the U9N stand out. Hisense says it’s capable of 5,000 nits peak brightness; while we couldn’t verify that, it certainly is way brighter than LG’s C4 or Samsung’s S90D, both of which use OLED screens (QLED is generally brighter than OLED). The brightness means that you don’t have to worry about seeing screen details in bright sunlight. And paired with its impressive black levels and north of 5,000 dimming zones, the U9N delivers excellent contrast. In “The Penguin,” scenes on dark corners of Gotham revealed details in clothing that wouldn’t be noticeable on lesser screens.
Overall, I prefer the picture on OLEDs such as the C4 and S90D, but the U9N gets close to that picture quality, especially when watching movies and shows in Dolby Vision. It can struggle with making standard content look great, though (more on that later).
Impressive sound quality
Besides brightness, the U9N’s biggest differentiator is its 4.2.2 built-in speaker system. The unit produced impressive rumble when monster trucks roared through the desert in “Furiosa” and explosions boomed. Voices were also clearly audible. The system may not rival the best soundbars, and Sony’s flagship TVs still produce better audio, but if you’re not a golden ear, the U9N may not need a supplemental sound system.
To make room for the speakers, Hisense eschewed the trend of ever-thinner TVs. Instead, it flaunts the speakers by making them visible along each side of the TV. It’s a unique look that may appeal to you —?or may put you off.
A more affordable price than the competition —?usually
The 75-inch U9N has a list price of $3,000 and the 85-inch model costs $4,000 —?still a lot of money but less than the 77-inch C4 ($3,699) or S90D ($3,700). You probably won’t pay that much for any of these TVs —?list prices are just a game manufacturers play. The 77-inch C4 is currently available for $2,600 while the 77-inch S90D can be had for the same price. However, as of today, Hisense has yet to discount the U9N, making it more expensive than its competitors. Expect the real price to come down soon —?and wait if you can.
What we didn’t like about it
Subpar standard content
The U9N doesn’t handle standard content nearly as well as the C4 or S90D. While watching sports, the image lacked sharpness and detail that the LG and Samsung processors add to the picture. If you often find yourself watching sports or shows that aren’t in Dolby Vision, the U9N may leave you feeling unimpressed.
Limited screen sizes
Available in only 75- and 85-inch models, the U9N won’t be a fit for everyone. By comparison, both the C4 and S90D start at 42 inches and range up to 83 inches. Seeing as this is the first year for the U9N, look for Hisense to expand the size options if it’s successful in cracking the premium TV market.
How it compares
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Size options | 75, 85 in. |
42, 48, 55, 65, 77, 83?in. |
| Dimensions (75-in. model) | 67.5 x 38.1 x 2 in. |
67.4 x 38.7 x 1.9 in. |
| Panel type | Mini LED QLED |
OLED |
| Connections | 4 HDMI (one eARC, two HDMI 2.1) |
4 HDMI (one eARC, four HDMI 2.1) |
| HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HDR 10+, HLG |
Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG |
Bottom line
Hisense’s entry into the premium TV sphere is a success in many ways. It delivers a bright, colorful picture —?especially when Dolby Vision is engaged. It has better built-in sound than many TVs. And it should be reasonably priced once the discounts start.
But until the price comes down, the U9N is only worth getting in specific circumstances. If you need a bright TV to overcome a very sunny room, it’s a better choice than the C4 or S90D. You’ll also need the room to house a 75 or 85-inch TV.
If your needs don’t match up with those circumstances, you’ll be better off buying the LG C4 or Samsung S90D —?they have a better overall picture, especially when watching content that isn’t in Dolby Vision. For those on a lower budget, Hisense’s U8N has similar brightness and features, though less impressive color, for much less than the U9N and is available in more sizes.
