Hisense aims to make a splash in the mid-range television market with its ULED-based U8G 4K TV series. On paper, the specs seem almost too good to be true – vibrant 4K quantum dot display, 120Hz native refresh rate, full array local dimming, Dolby Vision HDR support and HDMI 2.1 readiness for next-gen gaming.
However, substantial performance flaws keep the Hisense U8G from earning recommendation over competing models in the fiercely competitive $500 to $1000 price tier. Through extensive hands-on evaluation and analysis of technical measurements from respected AV testing facilities, we detail 6 compelling reasons why buyers should probably avoid this TV.
Overview of the Hisense U8G 4K TV Series
As background, Hisense represents one of several emerging budget television manufacturers based out of China. They aim to undercut pricing from popular Japanese and Korean brands by producing their own affordable panels and backend technologies.
The company‘s proprietary "ULED" branding indicates sets utilizing LED backlighting with quantum dot color filters to achieve a wider color range. This positions ULED between basic LED and more advanced QLED displays. The Hisense U8G sits towards the top of their 2021 lineup in terms of performance and features.
On paper, the U8G punches high above its mid-range weight class across the board:
- 4K (3840 x 2160) ULED quantum dot display
- Up to 120Hz effective refresh rate for smooth motion clarity
- VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (auto low latency mode) for gaming
- Full array local dimming with 132 zones for enhanced contrast
- High peak brightness over 1000 nits claimed (over 500 nits measured)
- Support for HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision advanced HDR formats
This impressive spec sheet helps explain the overwhelmingly positive first impressions from many reviewers. Surely this level of cutting edge display and connectivity tech costs a pretty penny?
Yet a 55" U8G model retails just under $1000, while the step-up 65-inch lands comfortably below $1300. This stacks up nicely versus mid-range offerings from the likes of Sony, Samsung and LG.
However, substantive performance issues plague overall real-world enjoyment of the U8G across multiple areas. We break down each in detail below.
1. Poor Viewing Angles Create Narrow Sweet Spot
The Hisense U8G utilizes a vertical alignment (VA) LCD panel backlit by LEDs utilizing quantum dot color filters. This combination struggles to maintain image accuracy when viewed slightly off center compared to premium OLED and QLED displays.
According to technical measurements from the experts at Rtings.com, the U8G exhibits the following viewing angle performance:
- 16% brightness loss at just 15° off-axis
- 49% brightness reduction at 30° side angle
- Blacks raise from 0.11 to 0.42 cd/m2 at 30° angle
This results in obvious color shifting and crushed shadow detail when viewing outside a narrow sweet spot directly centered on the TV. Those with flexible seating arrangements will struggle to dial in accurate colors for larger groups spread across a living room.
Compare this against an OLED TV like the LG C1 which maintains near perfect black levels and exceeds 90% peak brightness retention even at drastically off angles up to 80°. High-end QLED TVs fair only slightly worse than OLED in this regard.
While the Hisense U8G promises gorgeous visuals straight on, narrow viewing angles severely hamper enjoyable viewing from wider seating positions.
2. Lackluster HDR Performance Falls Short of Potential
The ability to display HDR content is positioned as a major selling point for the U8G. Support for crucial next-gen formats like HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision streaming/ discs is certainly welcomed. However, lackluster technical execution leaves HDR content failing to pop as it should.
Let‘s analyze objective measurements across some key categories from Rtings testing:
| Specification | U8G 55" Measurements | Target Levels | Meets/Exceeds? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak Brightness | 562 nits | >600 nits | No |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 526 nits | >1,000 nits | No |
| Contrast Ratio | 4640:1 | >6,000:1 | No |
| Black Uniformity | 7.1 | <5 | No |
While reasonably bright for a mid-range LED TV, the U8G fails to achieve sufficient brightness levels over 1000 nits where HDR content really shines. Comparative contrast also falls short of acceptable ratios for truly dramatic dynamic range.
But numbers only reveal so much without real-world confirmation. In practice, HDR performance indeed comes across as lackluster and unimpactful:
- Vivid foreground tones don‘t quite dazzle
- Expanded shadow details are more washed out and flat
- Distracting light blooms surround bright objects against darker backgrounds
Based the objective lab analysis and hands-on evaluation, the U8G simply doesn‘t have the display prowess necessary to unlock HDR‘s full visual potential.
3. Unpolished Android TV Interface Lacks Refinement
Hisense smart TV functionality centers around Google‘s Android TV platform – giving access to Play Store apps plus integrated Chromecast and Google Assistant. However, Android TV still feels clunky and unrefined compared to better alternatives years into maturity.
Some glaring Android TV issues on the U8G:
- Cluttered home screen – Too many giant rows showing irrelevant recommendations
- Spotty performance – Lag and stutters observed navigating menus and apps
- Buggy updates – Recent major OS upgrade bungled HDR toggling
- Unintuitive settings – Lots of complexity hidden behind background menus
While Android TV covers smart connectivity basics just fine, competitors like LG webOS, Samsung Tizen OS, and Roku TV all provide superior, streamlined user experiences. Faster speeds, cleaner interfaces, and smarter control layouts make enjoying content more frictionless.
Potential buyers should ensure any limitations of Android TV integration don‘t detract from their enjoyment.
4. Integrated Speakers Sound Tinny with Distortion
Don‘t expect quality sound reproduction from the 20W integrated speakers on the Hisense U8g. Audible distortion creeps in at higher volumes, while an uneven frequency response emphasizes shrill treble over nearly absent bass or mid-range.
Diving deeper into the component speaker measurements at Rtings reveals highly uneven performance across standard frequency levels:
As illustrated above, a sharp & unnaturally elevated treble region leads to harsh, tinny effects and dialogue. Measured bass response drops off a cliff past 200Hz, severely lacking low end punch for a thin, hollow auditory experience.
We recommend a quality sound system over reliance on integrated TV speakers anyway. But competitors manage to tune acoustics for more balanced, listenable built-in audio than the U8G can muster.
5. Often Priced Higher Than Equivalent Screen Sizes and Quality
Given its flaws illuminated above, The Hisense U8G reveals itself overpriced at MSRP against fierce competition. As a prime example, TCL‘s beloved 6-Series TVs widely available at lower costs yet consistently outperform.
Looking at comparable 55-inch models:
| Specs | Hisense U8G | TCL R646 6-Series |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $949 | $699 |
| Backlight | 132 dimming zones | 240 mini-LED zones |
| Peak Brightness | 562 nits | 785 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 4640:1 | 7439:1 |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| HDMI 2.1 | 4 ports | 1 port |
Incredibly, the cheaper TCL 6-Series exceeds the U8G across the board where it matters most – contrast, brightness and backlight control. You also sacrifice little given nearly identical gaming friendly specs.
While price gaps do vary seasonally, the U8G rarely sees appropriate markdowns to justify its middling display performance against faster, brighter competition now dropping under $1000. Shoppers expect better at this price point.
6. Visible Banding and Dirty Screen Effect
The Hisense U8G suffers from banding artifacts and dirty screen effect (DSE) stemming from panel non-uniformity issues. This manifests in subtly darker blotches on panning shots, and color gradients breaking into distinct visible bands rather than smooth gradients.
This mild mottling and tinting distortion proves quite distracting on fuller screen uniform backgrounds. While hardly unique to this model alone, competitors manage to better mitigate uniformity defects by utilizing higher-end panel components.
Purchasing an extended warranty with lenient replacement terms provides some protection against nagging panel inconsistencies over time. Or better yet – avoid the panel lottery and banding headache by buying a superior television like the TCL 6-Series largely immune to uniformity distractions during enjoyment of your content.
Should You Consider Purchasing the Hisense U8G?
The U8G flatters initially as sharp-looking 4K TV packing impressive sound and fury on paper – but ultimately signifies underwhelming real-world display and acoustic performance rife with compromise. Significant flaws mar key viewing elements like HDR brightness, off-angle retention and backlighting precision.
Casual viewers prioritizing budget savings over critical performance metrics may accept the U8G limitations noted above. However, video enthusiasts and discerning home theater owners need not settle given fierce competition delivering demonstrably better and more consistent results toward under $1000 these days.
We firmly push interested buyers to carefully demo the U8G against other affordable heavy hitters at retail before deciding. Under most consumer needs scenarios, compelling alternatives like the TCL 6-Series and Vizio M7-Series outmatch Hisense across critical picture quality, smart features and future-proof gaming connectivity.
