Key Points
- The Hisense U8G has narrow viewing angles.
- The U8G lacks great HDR support.
- Android TV could use more refining.
- Hisense’s packaged speakers are of mediocre quality.
- The U8G is more expensive than its competitors.
- Grays can produce a dirty screen effect when watching brighter scenes.
What are the best reasons to avoid a Hisense U8G TV? The Hisense U8G has picked up quite a bit of acclaim for being an affordable and vibrant TV. However, there are some drawbacks that will be present with any television.
Shopping for televisions is a challenge these days, especially with so many great options on the market. If you’ve been on the hunt for a new TV, you no doubt have been inundated with endless features and perks to purchasing a specific brand.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some reasons why you might want to avoid the U8G.
What Is the Hisense U8G?
The Hisense U8G is a mid-range TV with unparalleled brightness. It has received quite a few accolades for providing a great picture and other features, like HDMI 2.1 support. There are very few TVs in the same price bracket that can post the same feature set.
It does use what Hisense calls ULED for the display, which is similar in function to the QLED display technology in use by Samsung. As such, you get options for local dimming that you rarely see in televisions in this price bracket.
Reasons to Avoid a Hisense U8G TV
Here are six reasons to avoid a Hisense U8G TV.
- Exclusive ULED technologies
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Quantum Dot wide color gamut
- Ultra Motion and 120Hz native refresh rate
- Dolby Vision HDR picture and Dolby Atmos sound
- IMAX Enhanced (combines digitally remastered 4K HDR content and DTS audio technologies)
Reason #1: Poor Viewing Angles
This is a common problem, but one of the best reasons to avoid a Hisense U8G. When it really comes down to it, you’re going to have to configure your viewing space to get the best out of this set.
Image degradation happens quite swiftly with this particular TV, thanks to the narrow viewing angles. This isn’t a distinct knock against Hisense, as you’ll see with TVs from the likes of Vizio and TCL as well. Users looking for wide viewing angles might be better served by grabbing a lower-price OLED display.
Reason #2: Poor HDR Support
The U8G does come with great support for the likes of HDR, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision out of the box. You would think when coupled with the local dimming zones, that it would be a recipe for stellar quality.
However, some users have noted blooming and issues with lighting zones when watching HDR content. Contrast and detail in darker scenes are noticeably good. That said, the way the U8G handles HDR could be better.
Now, it’ll really depend on how you view HDR to determine if this is one of the reasons to avoid a Hisense U8G TV. For movie buffs though, this could be a massive dealbreaker.
Reason #3: Android TV Isn’t That Great
Android TV is functionally quite similar to Google TV, which is seen in the likes of TCL’s lineup. There is a noticeable lack of polish when using Android TV, however.
Android TV is a victim of bloat, particularly on the landing page for the smart TV’s central navigation. Some users might experience overload just trying to parse all the suggested options for content. Now, the operating system itself is fine to navigate.
Android TV is similar to Google TV in that it’s a smooth and functional operating system. However, an extra round of polish to refine the interface could go a long way in enjoying the U8G.
Reason #4: Poor Built-In Speakers
©Zulkarnieiev Denis/Shutterstock.com
Now, most TV speakers are going to be lackluster when compared to dedicated sound sources. The Hisense U8G’s speakers are a cut below the rest, however.
You’ll get quite a bit of harmonic distortion when pushing past moderate volume levels. The frequency response is alright, with no noticeable bass.
There is an overemphasis on the mid-bass frequencies, which can be quite glaring when watching bass-heavy films. If you’re not planning on investing in a soundbar, this is just one of the reasons to avoid a Hisense U8G TV.
Reason #5: More Expensive Than Comparable TVs from Competitors
There is really no getting around this one. On average, you’ll find that the U8G is more expensive than its competitors. With a suggested retail price of around $1,700, there are quite a few TVs that are within striking distance of the U8G.
You could get an OLED display from LG for around $1,300 these days, and with much wider viewing angles. So, it really comes down to what you value in a TV more. For some, this will be just one of the reasons to avoid a Hisense U8G.
Reason #6: Dirty Screen Effect
A dirty screen can usually refer to the accuracy of the grays produced by a television set. Now, the U8G handles blacks quite well. However, it falters quite a bit when it comes to processing grays.
When using the U8G, you’ll notice that grays can appear hazy and almost seem like the screen needs to be cleaned. This abates when darker media is on the screen, but it is disappointing to see a TV at this price point stumble so noticeably when transmitting grays.
Alternatives to the Hisense U8G
Here are three of our favorite alternatives to the Hisense U8G.
1. TCL 6-Series
- 4K Ultra HD
- Led backlighting with contrast control zones
- Dolby Vision HDR
- Auto game mode delivers smooth action, low latency, and the best picture settings for gaming
- 4 HDMI inputs (one with HDMI ARC)
The TCL 6-Series is just a great buy all around. It might not have the same color accuracy and brightness that you would expect from the U8G, but it more than makes up for it in other aspects.
You get access to a stunning LED screen with super smooth game modes. This is a great TV for watching sports, playing some PlayStation 5 games, or just curling up and watching your favorite movies.
2. LG C1
- Self-lit OLED pixels with deep black and rich colors
- Stunning pictures and excellent sound
- Cinema HDR, Dolby Vision IQ, and Dolby Atmos
- Fantastic gaming monitor
The LG C1 is arguably the best display suggested as an alternative to the U8G. It is a premium OLED display that comes with super wide viewing angles and some of the lowest response times on the market. You get access to the stellar motion technology that is present in all of LG’s OLED TVs.
Now, the C1 is an older display, for sure, but is certainly still relevant in today’s market. If you’re looking for a TV that makes HDR content shine while being great for gaming and sports, then the C1 is an incredible choice.
3. Samsung QN90A
- Upgrades your pictures to 4K
- X-tended Dynamic Range Pro 6x contrast
- X-Motion Clarity (120Hz)
- Acoustic Multi-Audio sound technology
- X1 Ultimate picture processor
Samsung creates some solid TVs. You’ll notice this when using the QN90A, which features Samsung’s QLED display and a host of other solid features. The AI image processor for the QN90A is great for dynamic color allocation and upscaling.
This is also a very responsive TV, which makes it great for the likes of gaming and sports. The QLED display isn’t as uniformly vibrant as an OLED one, but it certainly comes quite close. If you’d rather skip out on an OLED display, the QN90A is a great choice.
Closing Thoughts
The Hisense U8G has quite a bit going for it. However, it has drawbacks that make it tough to recommend as a must-buy. If your budget allows for it, there are other enticing options on the market with feature parity comparable to what is on offer from Hisense.
It always helps to be informed when embarking on such a large purchase. Hopefully, you’re armed with the right sort of information to determine which TV set is the best fit for your media needs.
| Reasons to Avoid a Hisense U8G |
|---|
| 1. It has very narrow viewing angles. |
| 2. The U8G lacks great HDR support. |
| 3. Android TV could stand to use a little more refining. |
| 4. Hisense’s packaged speakers are of mediocre quality. |
| 5. The U8G is more expensive than the TVs it is competing against. |
| 6. Grays can produce a dirty screen effect when watching brighter scenes. |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ismail Sadiron Pictures/Shutterstock.com.
