Key Points
- Hisense is a Chinese TV manufacturer that also produces other electronics like air conditioners and flat panel screens for sports arenas.
- The company has a history dating back to the mid-90s and has partnered with various manufacturers to enhance its output.
- Hisense made its debut on international markets in 1988 and has since become a notable television manufacturer.
- Hisense offers a range of TVs including 720p, 1080p, 4K, and 8K displays, with the ULED series being a popular choice.
- While Hisense TVs may not match the picture quality of high-end OLED devices, they offer affordability and modern amenities.
- The Android TV operating system used by Hisense is considered sluggish compared to other options like Google TV and webOS.
You’ve no doubt seen Hisense TVs if you’re in the continental United States. The low-cost brand can be seen with showings all over store shelves across multiple major retailers. What is Hisense, and are its TVs any good? That burning question deserves an answer, but there’s a little more to know about this manufacturer.
Hisense has an interesting history, one dating back to the mid-90s. Strap in for a deeper dive into one of the more exciting TV manufacturers on the market, and see whether it’s worth spending your hard-earned money on one of its products.
Who Makes Hisense TVs?
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Hisense is based out of Qingdao in China. It is a bit harder to pinpoint where exactly televisions for the company are made, given that there are over a dozen manufacturing facilities worldwide. The primary business campus for flat panel televisions is in Fushan.
The company also manufactures OEM materials and operates under a variety of subsidiaries. Hisense isn’t just a TV manufacturer but also produces electronics like air conditioners, flat panel screens for sports arenas, and more.
A History of Hisense
Origins
Hisense’s predecessor is the Qingdao No.2 Radio Factory. The first few years of its existence were devoted to manufacturing low-cost radios, but the groundwork for TVs was being set in motion. The factory would eventually pivot into manufacturing televisions in 1978.
It would stay as Qingdao No.2 Radio Factory up until 1994 when the plant was officially incorporated as the Hisense Group. In the intervening years, the company had taken the time to get a good handle on transistor televisions as well as color screens.
Technology Transfers and Diversification
Anyone in the tech industry knows that there is a certain level of symbiosis and knowledge exchange that occurs. Hisense is no different in this regard and partnered with the likes of Hitachi, Lucent, NEC, Sanyo, and numerous other manufacturers to bolster its output.
Hisense had higher goals than just cornering the market with consumer electronics, seeking to become a leading figure in the home appliance market. To this end, you can find numerous products developed or branded with the Hisense name.
International Market Emergence
Hisense made its debut on international markets in 1988. At the time, it wasn’t really a brand name of its own but produced OEM materials for other companies. This slow burn to international recognition proved to be a massive success for the company. Hisense would serve as an OEM manufacturer until 2007.
2008 saw the brand emerge as its own entity, with branches established overseas around the globe. This is when consumers really started seeing Hisense products on store shelves, with low-cost televisions and other goods making their appearances. In the intervening years, Hisense gave special focus to localizing production and intensive research and development to further the brand’s development.
Current Day
Hisense is one of the more notable television manufacturers on the market today. You can find their products on store shelves around the world, and that isn’t restricted to just flat panel TVs. Most notably, Hisense is working towards 8K panels, likely taking aim at the LG Z3.
The company has also been instrumental in providing sports sponsorships across the globe, with official endorsements from the NBA and NFL in recent years. Manufacturing capacity has also greatly expanded, with over a dozen plants around the globe and tens of thousands of employees working for the company.
Where Can You Purchase Hisense TVs?
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Walmart
Walmart carries a wide range of Hisense TVs. You can find low-cost 720p and 1080p models or some of the best on the market with 4K sets at 120Hz, like the U9DG. Walmart does have a distinct advantage in having competitive prices when compared to other retailers. As such, if you’re looking for a Hisense TV, this might be the place to look.
Amazon
What does Amazon not sell at this point? You can find everything in the current Hisense product line over at Amazon, with their flagship televisions and much more readily available. If you’re looking to get the best possible price on a Hisense TV while getting it delivered, Amazon and Prime Delivery are a great pairing.
Amazon does get the benefits of sales like Prime Days, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, like other retailers. But you could certainly get some stellar deals on a new television set if you play your cards right.
Target
Target, much like Walmart, carries a full range of televisions from Hisense. You’ll typically see these on the floor with the rest of the television selections. Target’s pricing can be a bit higher than average, so you’ll want to be vigilant. Still, with Target Circle, you can get some great deals on electronics like a Hisense TV.
What Sort of TVs Does Hisense Make?
720p
- 720p high‐definition LCD screen
- Motion Rate image processing
- 3 HDMI inputs
- Offers super-low latency that reduces input lag
Hisense still services the lower-end spectrum of televisions with a line of 720p displays. These are usually extreme budget TVs with some smart features built-in. The A4 Series of televisions is perhaps the best example of this, using the same size panels and bezels as its more expensive siblings. You can snag an A4 in a 43-inch configuration, which isn’t too common in 2023.
1080p
- 1080p high‐definition LCD screen
- Fast responses to each button press
- 60 Hz refresh rate
- Full Array LED backlight
1080p displays are still the default choice for a number of households. Hisense does make new 1080p displays, usually coming in a little more expensive than something like the 720p screens. The A4 series once again serves as the flagship for Full HD resolutions, meaning you’ve got fairly slim options when it comes to 1080p TVs.
4K
- 4K ultra-high definition
- Hisense's AI UHD Upscaler
- Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10
- Game Mode Plus (60 Hz panel, variable refresh rate, and auto low latency mode)
You’ve got plenty of options when it comes to 4K displays from Hisense. The manufacturer has multiple offerings available, all using different display technologies. Your best bet is likely going to be one of the ULED displays, like the U7 or U8 series of televisions. These have great picture quality and come in at fairly affordable rates, at least when compared to more high-dollar sets like the LG C3.
8K
8K displays aren’t the norm yet, as 4K is still in the process of wider adoption. If you like to be ahead of the curve in tech trends, the U80G has you covered. This is a native 8K display that comes with some neat features like an upscaler. 8K media isn’t nearly as widespread as 4K at this point, so an upscale is absolutely crucial to enjoy this television.
Is Hisense a Good Brand?
So, is Hisense worth your money? That really depends on what you’re looking for in a television set. Users looking for the same picture clarity and color reproduction as a high-end OLED device will likely be disappointed. The ULED display technology does look great, but it isn’t at the same level as televisions from LG or Samsung.
However, when you look at the overall cost of any number of Hisense TVs, it begins to make sense. Purchasing a Hisense isn’t so much about getting the apex of a given television class, but rather getting something affordable with all the modern amenities you might expect from a new TV.
If you go in with the right expectations, then Hisense is definitely a great brand. That said, users looking for a best-in-class TV are likely to be left wanting. Flagship designs from Hisense aren’t nearly to the same level as something like the LG G3 or Z3, depending on your resolution of choice.
The Android TV operating system in use by Hisense also leaves something to be desired. When the market already has great options like Google TV, webOS, and TizenOS, having a sluggish alternative isn’t always the best choice. Still, many users are happy with their Hisense TVs, and you could be, as well.
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