While perhaps not yet a household name (in the UK, at least), Hisense is making waves in the TV industry by offering high-spec models at competitive prices. The brand is on a mission to challenge established giants like Samsung, Sony, and LG for the crown in the premium TV segment. Its latest offering, the U8K Mini LED model for 2023, showcases why those leading brands might want to keep an eye on this rising star.

Price

The Hisense U8K, a crowning jewel in Hisense's Mini LED lineup, stands out for its exceptional value, especially against the heavyweights in the TV market. Our spotlight shines on the 65-inch model, known as the 65U8K, which made its grand entrance with an inviting price tag of £1699 / $1699 / AU$2499. Stateside, savvy shoppers have already seen significant price drops, sparking anticipation for similar discounts in the UK and Australia.

Such price adjustments are crucial, considering the U8K faces stiff competition from the Sony X90L, a powerhouse in its own right. Priced competitively at £1699 / $1298 / AU$2995, the Sony X90L not only meets but exceeds expectations, delivering outstanding picture quality that sets a new benchmark in the industry.

Design Excellence

Hisense truly shines when it comes to the sleek design of the U8K model. With a keen eye for aesthetics, it boasts a minimalist thin metal frame that elegantly encircles the display. Adding a touch of sophistication, the fabric-covered bottom edge not only looks chic but also discreetly accommodates front-firing speakers, ensuring a premium auditory experience. At the heart of its design, the metal pedestal stands with grace and stability, optimizing space for a soundbar with its thoughtful dimensions.

However, it's interesting to note that this design feature has a unique twist based on your location. While European models enjoy the sleekness of the pedestal, U8K enthusiasts in the US and Australia will find their models supported by practical feet, showcasing Hisense's dedication to catering to its diverse audience.

The back of the U8K might not dazzle as the front does, yet it's equipped with all the necessities, including a rear-facing subwoofer that might catch you off guard with its unassuming appearance. But, as the saying goes, it's the inside (or the front, in this case) that counts!

Delving deeper into its innovative features, the U8K employs Mini LED technology, offering a commendable alternative to OLED technology. This design choice does not achieve the same level of slenderness as OLEDs; yet, with a depth of just 7.7cm, it stands proudly amongst its peers without compromising on style.

Exploring the Cutting-Edge TV Technology

Delve into the world of superior connectivity and gaming excellence with a TV that's designed to cater to all your entertainment needs. Along the sides, a treasure trove of connections awaits, including an optical out, a 3.5mm headphone jack, two USB ports, and four HDMI inputs.

Among these, two HDMI ports meet the latest HDMI 2.1 standards. These are not just ordinary ports; they are gateways to unparalleled gaming experiences, supporting features such as 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. Imagine diving into your games with a Dolby Vision game mode that soars up to 4K/120Hz, governed by a streamlined Game Menu for quick settings adjustment. It's every gamer's dream, though note: allocating one HDMI 2.1 for eARC means prioritizing if you're also connecting a top-tier sound system.

Beyond gaming, this TV is a cinephile's delight, supporting not just Dolby Vision but also HLG, HDR10, and HDR10+, offering a depth of color and clarity rarely matched in the market today.

While the operating system experiences vary, with Google TV featured in the US and Hisense's own Vidaa platform in other regions, both systems present a snappy, intuitive interface that brings almost every streaming app to your fingertips in up to 4K quality. The platform is robust, though the absence of the full Apple TV app is noted.

Demonstrating significant advancements in display technology, this TV marries Quantum Dots with Mini LED backlighting to achieve an astonishing peak brightness of 1500 nits and hundreds of individual dimming zones across different model sizes. This innovative combination promises an impeccable contrast ratio, ensuring your viewing experience is nothing short of spectacular.

Exploring Visual Excellence

Dive into the cinematic universe with the 4K Blu-ray of Top Gun: Maverick. Expectations meet a twist with Hisense’s cutting-edge Quantum Dot plus Mini LED panel technology. While it initially seems less vibrant compared to traditional technology seen in the Sony X90L, adjustments like the Advanced Contrast Enhancer set to Medium bring out the brilliance we anticipated. For those seeking the ultimate visual experience, tweaking settings like starting with the HDR Day preset and adjusting its active processing might just be the key to uncovering that extra zest in your viewing experience.

Once fine-tuned, the Hisense U8K captivates with its depiction of golden hour landscapes and glistening oceans, adding a touch of magic to Top Gun’s cinematic world. The display’s slight inclination towards a rosier tint infuses a pleasant warmth into skin tones, maintaining realism with subtle shading nuances.

In darker scenes, the U8K’s prowess is evident with deep blacks and a high contrast ratio, rivaling even OLED displays. Yet, it reveals a more reserved nature when presenting bright text against dark backgrounds, a stark comparison to the Sony X90L’s performance. Despite this, its controlled lighting and absence of backlight inconsistency showcase the sophisticated potential of Mini LED technology.

Moving on to Blade Runner 2049, the Hisense maintains a commendable balance in picture quality, emphasizing consistent and immersive cinematic experiences over sheer spectacle. However, it stumbles slightly in rendering some dark scenes, lacking the sharpness and clarity found in models like the Sony X90L.

Transitioning to the 1080p Blu-ray of True Grit, the Hisense showcases its mature and balanced capabilities. It demonstrates an adeptness at minimizing picture noise while preserving the film's original grain, making for an uninterrupted and engaging movie marathon.

Immersive Audio Experience

Diving into the atmospheric sounds of Blade Runner 2049, chapter 2, reveals the U8K television's ability to handle our intense sonic evaluation. While it navigates the nearly-infrasonic bass sounds of the film's score with minor fuzziness, it outperforms many contenders we've seen this year. Moreover, it stands out by delivering a richer and deeper bass than that of recent Sony models, such as the X90L.

This enhanced bass, coupled with its commendable dynamic range for a TV, brings the buildup to K's 'baseline test' to life with impressive drama and tension. The device manages treble well enough to convey the scene's piercing whistle without crossing into discomfort, striking a fine balance.

Dialogue benefits from a robust presence, filling the room more effectively, while the U8K excels in crafting an engrossing atmosphere, extending sound effects beyond the screen's edges. While it could benefit from a touch more detail and nuanced low-level dynamics, the U8K's audio performance is notably strong, especially for its price point.

Our Take

With the U8K, Hisense truly leaps forward, showcasing what might be their finest TV to date. While its dazzling specifications might suggest an unrivaled viewing experience, the real charm lies in Hisense's commitment to delivering a well-rounded, genuine, and consistently stellar performance. It's a clear sign that Hisense is edging closer to becoming a frontrunner in the high-end TV market.

However, when it comes to making an immediate purchase decision in the UK, the Hisense U8K finds itself in a tight spot. Priced similarly to the Sony X90L, a model which offers a more captivating and authentic viewing experience despite its seemingly modest specs, the decision might not seem straightforward.

But, don't rush off just yet. If history is anything to go by, the Hisense U8K is likely to see some enticing discounts. Should those come into play, this model could transform into an irresistible deal, blending top-notch quality with great value.